Hanging out with friends

Tonight we had a friend, Alex, his cousin, and his friend over for dinner. We met Alex in Costa Rica when we were in language school. They are passing through on their way to the Bay Islands. We also invited our other friend, Matt, who lives in La Ceiba who also knows our friend. It was a great night of fellowship, dinner, desert, and a hard core game of Dutch Blitz (similar to Nerts).

Pico Bonito

Near the waterall

The waterfall and swimming area




Pico Bonito

Beautiful mushroom


Part of the jungle path we walked along

Cup mushrooms


Yesterday Pamela (our intern) and I went to Pico Bonito. It is a natural preserve and protected area about 30 minutes outside of La Ceiba. After about a 3-hour casual hike we made our way to a swimming area with a beautiful waterfall. After some crazy crawling over very slippery rocks, we made our way to the base of the waterfall. It was very dangerous, and something I'm thinking would NEVER be done in the states because of how dangerous it was. But - we had a GREAT time and the water was freezing (never thought I would be freezing in Honduras). We then started the hike back to the van in the pouring rain through the jungle. It only took us about an hour to get back as we weren't looking at everything and taking pictures. All in all, a great day, exhausting, but just beautiful!

Making a house call

Today after our ESL class we had our normal mobile medical clinic. Did a lot of teaching, checking of blood pressures, and some follow-up with a few pregnant moms that have been coming diligently for pre-natal vitamins and other general concerns. Today one of the young girls in our class asked me to come see her baby brother. She is the daughter of one of the moms I saw at the pregnancy clinic. At that time I had told this mom that she needed to go to the hospital immediately to have her baby. She was a few weeks post-due with a VERY high blood pressure, and VERY high blood sugar. So today I was able to follow-up with mom (she went to the hospital 2 days after our visit and ended with a c-section), and assess her baby. Her baby was born at 12.5 pounds, and was currently a rolly-polly 2 month old. We were also able to see the rest of her children. There are 11 children in the family. After providing the family with tooth brushes all around, medicine for a few, assessment of the baby and just spending some time with the family we were almost ready to go. However, we found out that the mom's oldest daughter was also pregnant. I checked her blood sugar and it was clear she had gestational diabetes. So commenced a LOT of teaching, and vitamins, and we will be following up with her weekly to continually assess her. This is the kind of thing we were hoping to establish - trust, and the ability to follow patients in the community.

This is a picture of the mom when we were handing out flyers for the pregnancy clinic


Doing an assessment on the baby


Not even 2 months old!


Part of the family - the young woman in blue holding her brother is 2 months pregnant

Meet Max

Well, our new addition has come to our family. His name is Max, and he is a 4 month Rotweiller. Just by looking at his feet it is CLEAR he is going to be a HUGE dog! He's still getting used to things around here, and a little timid. But - he had a great bath, has checked out the back yard, and still isn't quite sure what to make of our stairs. I'll keep you posted on how things go. YEAH!! It's been a long time in coming and we are thrilled to have this new addition to our family!

Project Honduras

This last week from Thursday through Saturday I attended a conference entitled Project Honduras. This is a project that is committed to networking with all private/non-profit/NGO's, etc. that are working in Honduras. We listened to a number of speakers that are working in Honduras, including the new U.S. Ambassador, Ambassador Llorens. He was thrilled to be there, and took time to speak to a number of individuals. This was an opportunity to speak to a number of people, pass out and receive cards, and network. Good conference, but ready to come home.

Ambassador Llorens


Snack Break

Old Folks Home In La Ceiba

There is an old folks home in La Ceiba. We drive by it all the time and visit periodically. We are starting to develop a relationship with the staff and see numerous opportunities for ministry there.

This facility is where the undesired and uncared for seniors go to spend their final years. We have done a few things to assist the home and its residence, but, we envision a great potential for regular, ongoing work.

Take a look at this 2 minute and 30 second video we created to show others this facility:

It’s A Gringo Thanksgiving Charlie Brown

So it looks like we are going to be hosting at least six other North American missionaries for Thanksgiving…and maybe more. We figured it was a good way to reach out to other US citizens that are here in La Ceiba. We are thrilled about the opportunity.

We want to try to give them all a little touch of home. Unfortunately, we can’t find all the things we need for a “traditional American Thanksgiving” here in Honduras…go figure.

So, this is where you come in…do you want to help us make Thanksgiving 2008 special for a bunch of missionaries here in La Ceiba, Honduras?

If this is appealing to you please pick one or two of items from this list:

french fried onion rings (the kind you put in green bean casserole)
cream of chicken
corn prong thingies - you know - to pick up hot corn on the cob
pie plate - tin - have one, need more
can of sweet potatoes
all spice
packages of gravy mix
canned cranberry sauce
canned pumpkin
candy thermometer

…and mail them to:

Mike & Erin Pettengill
PO Box 1090
La Ceiba, Atlantida
Honduras, Central America

Please send these items out sooner rather then later, as the mail is VERY slow. Thank you!