A Mother of One...a Role Model to Many...Elias comes to live with us

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Before we were even married, we had the child discussion, as a good couple SHOULD.  Mike told me that ONE child was all he wanted.  He wanted to give 100% of his heart (beside what he had for me) to one child.  So that's what was decided, and that's what we did.  17 years later I have the most amazing young woman a mother could ever hope for.  Madison's heart is for Jesus, her love for life is contagious, and her welcoming spirit shows she is a friend to anyone.  In Kids Club (for better or worse) I am a Godly woman role model for many of the impressionable young people. What does it mean to be a woman, a wife, a mother, and a Christian?

     God decided that at 45 (me) and 44 (Mike) years old, we would become the temporary home/family for a sweet young Honduran boy.  Little Elias is 2 1/2 years old, and has lived the last 7 months of his life with our teammates, the Clows.  Elias's mom is not able to care for him, so the Clow's took him into their home and made him a part of their lives.  They got a Honduran passport for him, and did everything they could to get a visa for him to go with them on their 6 month furlough.  However, the U.S. Embassy decided that Elias did not meet the requirements for a visitor visa, so Elias (unbeknownst to him) was left without a home.  That's when Mike approached me and asked if we would consider fostering him while the Clow's were in the U.S.  I immediately agreed.

    I am NOT his mother, and do NOT pretend to be.  I am NOT his aunt, his grandmother, or any other family member.  What God has asked me to be is a strong female role model in his life to show him love, stability, pray with him, change his diaper, feed him, and teach him the alphabet.  In other words,  to provide a temporary Godly home and give him the nurturing his biological mother struggles to give.  

     So pray for us.  Pray for little Elias who once again is going to a different living situation.  Pray that we can somehow balance life with a little boy, a 17 year old daughter, our full-time ministry, and a healthy marriage.  We love this little boy so much, and are excited to have him become a part of our life, if only for a season.  Through it all, I hope to glorify God and His little creation named Elias.  I pray that I can continue to be a good wife, mother, full-time nurse, Masters Degree student, and administrator of a clinic.  I look forward to the next 6 month and what God will show us, how He will grow us, and how He will give us exactly what we need when we need it.  The fruit of the Spirit is exactly what God gives to us, and what I hope to show to this little guy:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Trinity & Grace Community Serve In Honduras

June 15-22 Trinity Pres. from PA and Grace Community from AL served with us in La Ceiba, Honduras. These 26 short-term missionaries made a great impact in the communities of La Fe and Armenia Bonito.

To see their great work watch this 2 minute and 30 second video:

Medical Brigade Summary

The week has come to a close with our first two teams of the summer.  I realize it's not all about numbers, but it helps keep things in perspective when I look at my level of exhaustion - it's GOOD exhaustion, but tired none the less.  Here's the summation:

Ultrasounds: 75
Cardiology appointments:  60
Breast exams:  63
General Consults:  204

This has us having seen 402 people this week.  The team worked hard and I know the people of the community were blessed by having this amount of expertise in one area.  We also had a day of education where we taught classes on parasites, brushing your teeth, good hand washing, breast self-exams, and high blood pressure.

Handing out clothing to the soon to be mommies after their ultrasound

Health Education teaching to kindergarteners and adults 

Pastor Jesus praying with folks before clinic started

Dr. Greg doing a pregnancy ultrasound

Madison translating for some health education

Medical Brigade

After intake, patients are waiting to be seen

Having medical brigades are such a great way to reach a community at a basic need.  It also is a great way for visiting nurses and doctors to be stretched and utilize their skills at a basic level.  Jungle medicine isn't for everyone...no immediate x-rays, labs, or other "basic" things, so they must rely upon their skills alone to assess and treat patients.  Yesterday we were in the Community of La Fe.  We had 98 patients, and 122 consults.  That breaks up to wq ultra sounds, 19 ladies received breast exam and breast education from a visiting specialist, 19 people had consults with the cardiologist, 36 general consults, and if time/personnel permitted we easily could have seen many many more.

Today we will be in the community of Armenia Bonito where my permanent clinic is.  I look forward to what today will bring.

a little one who came for a consult

A not so happy baby....

waiting to be processed through intake

Baby Clothes

In the U.S. I taught childbirth classes for more than 20 years.  When I arrived here I had classes in Spanish to the ladies here.  However, with the opening of the clinic, my time has been working at the clinic.  However, when new mommies come in with their babies, I've given them small amounts of clothes, but have had to hold off because of my lack of supplies.  When I went back to the U.S. on my sneaky trip to visit my friend for her nursing graduation, I was gifted clothes from two sweet friends, Amy Henry, and Annette Christensen.  So...I spent the last two days organizing and preparing the clothes for our medical brigade.  Dr. Greg will be bringing an ultrasound, and after their appointment, I'm going to bring them into the clothes closet and they can select what clothes they want for their newborn babies.  They also will be given disposable diapers and cloth diapers.  It is mandatory for moms to take a layette to the hospital to have their babies which includes diapers, maternity pads, clothing, socks, a hat, and a blanket.  If they do not have their layette with them, they are not allowed to hold their babies until fully clothed.  So, this gift of a layette will be a huge blessing to these extremely poor women.

Two classes down, 53 more units to go!

The first two classes of my Masters Program are completed!  I just finished them today.  I've already signed up for my next class entitled Principles of Health Behavior.  This Masters program is 54 units, with a 400 hour masters project/paper.  I'm two classes down, and am excited for my one week break before my next class starts.  I am definitely on the five-year plan - heck - that's all I can afford!  It's a private school, all on-line, which is the only way I can take the classes but couldn't be more excited to be two classes down!  I am hoping to use the information I gleam from this program to better improve the overall health of the area I am serving as a full-time missionary.

doing my classes on-line - let's hear it for technology!!!