Visiting parents and Christmas

We were able to go down to San Jose and spend some time with my folks. It was a great visit of time to just hang out, talk, and cook.

Madison, mom and me

my dad, Madison and Mike

f eating home made cinnamon rolls, opening presents and just spending time together.

Visits and Anniversaries

Last night the Pettengill family got together to celebrate the 60th wedding anniversary of Mike's parents. It's was a great time indeed.

Today we are driving down to San Jose to visit my folks for two days, cook a nice Christmas dinner, then return back to Sacramento for Christmas day.

Our time in California is coming to a QUICK close, and our new adventure in Arizona is about to begin.

On The Radio – Part 2 or 2

Today Mike and I will be on KFIA radio (710 AM) at 4:30pm (west coast). We will be on the show Abounding Grace for a 30-minute interview about Honduras and our work there. This is the second part of a two part interview.

If you are near your radio tune in and listen. If you are near your computer KFIA streams their shows live from their website.

Or, you can listen to the entire interview right now by clicking HERE.

The show will re-air twice on Saturday and once more on Tuesday.

Part one of the interview aired Thursday, December 16th and can be heard HERE.

Hanging out in San Francisco

My dear friend Mindy and her husband Chad wanted to take us some where fun before we left California. What better place than San Francisco? Our other dear friends, Sonia and Mario are also here hanging out. We've been to Coit Tower, Muir Woods, tons of great food, Fisherman's Wharf, and even geocaching.

Watching the Sea Lions

Coit Tower

Open up those Golden Gates....

On The Radio – Part 1 or 2

Today Mike and I will be on KFIA radio (710 AM) at 4:30pm (west coast). We will be on the show Abounding Grace for a 30-minute interview about Honduras and our work there.

If you are near your radio tune in and listen. If you are near your computer KFIA streams their shows live from their website.

Or, you can listen to the entire interview right now by clicking HERE.

The show will re-air twice on Saturday and once more on Tuesday.

Part two of the interview will air Thursday, December 23rd.

Urgent Need in Honduras

Since January our mission team in Honduras has been constructing a
two-acre ministry center in the super poor community of Armenia
Bonito. On this property we are building a high school, a medical
clinic, a church and a covered soccer field.

We are asking you to prayerfully consider giving a one-time financial
gift to help us meet the construction costs. Here are two exciting
reasons why you should consider giving now:

1) For a limited time MTW strategic funds has agreed to match every
gift received 1:1. If you give $100, $200 will go to our project.

2) Any gift you give is tax-deductible. Giving before December 31st
will help your 2010 taxes.

Honduras has the 2nd poorest economy in Latin America. The average
Honduran makes only $3,000 a year and the unemployment rate is above
30%. The people of Armenia Bonito cannot afford to take a bus into
town for medical care and only 1/3rd of the kids attend school beyond
the sixth grade. This ministry center will greatly address the
physical and spiritual needs of this 3,000-person community.

There are two ways you can make a onetime contribution:

1) On-line:

Use your credit or debit card at this address:
https://www2.mtw.org/donations/donate/default.aspx

Please make sure you enter 92410 as the designation.

2) Check:

Mail your check to:

Mission to the World
P.O. Box 116284
Atlanta, GA 30368-6284
Attn: #92410

Make sure you write "#92410" in the memo of the check.

If you would like to learn more about this ministry center you can
watch this 3 minute 20 second video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rVhcsf-yYs

Or, you can look at recent pictures of our progress here:
http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/abpictures

Please be in prayer that God will provide the funds we need to
complete this ministry center. Also, please consider forwarding this
information on to your church or friends and ask them if they would
be interested in supporting Gods work in Honduras.

Thank you so much your prayers and support.

Mike, Erin and Madison Pettengill
Missionaries In Honduras

Wine and Cheese Event

About a month ago Mike and I had the opportunity to go wine tasting with some dear friends of ours. I looked at him and said, "honey...there's no way we can be in California and not take advantage of all this wonderful wine while we are here." That prompted me to host a wine and cheese event. So - yesterday - we had about 20 great people over for a few hours and enjoyed each others company, tasted new wines, at lots of cheese, and just had a wonderful time! The kids enjoyed the cheese, crackers, bread, sweets, soda, strawberries, and Martinelli's. A GREAT time indeed!

Look at that spread!!!!!

Last Weekend

Last weekend we went down to Paso Robles to hang with some great folks at Covenant Presbyterian Church. We went down on Saturday, had a great dinner, then woke up to a beautiful brisk chilly morning. Mike preached at church, we shared our vision and ministry of Honduras during the Sunday School hour, I then had the opportunity to go to a Women's gathering where I led the devotional, then we went off to Youth Group to share with the kids there! A great weekend - so full - but so rewarding as well!

speaking during Sunday School

leading a devotional at the women's gathering

Madison making tamales with the youth

Three-Day Theological Conference On Leadership

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week our team hosted a conference on Biblical Leadership. The conference provided substantive theological training to 80 church leaders and pastors in La Ceiba.

This is the fourth theological training conference we have hosted in Honduras.

Watch this 3 minute and 15 second video to see the conference:

Christmas Traditions

Starting before Madison was born, we have gone to a tree farm to cut down a fresh Christmas tree. Once Madison was old enough, each year was a different persons decision on which tree we were going to cut down. One year Mike (usually a small non-frills tree), then Madison (kind of in the middle), then the next year mind (typically the biggest tree I thought would fit in our house). And so it went on - year after year - alternatingwho would pick the tree. Then...we went on the mission field. No real Christmas trees to be found in Costa Rica - our first year away from The States, and no real Christmas trees in Honduras. Only fake trees. So...begrudgingly I purchased a fake tree - couldn't imagine my house without a tree forChristmas. So, as we are back in The States for Christmas this year - we made the same trek over to the Christmas Tree farm and cut it down. We decided since this may be the last time we get a tree while Madison is still in the house (I can't even THINK about that!!!!), that the decision would be hers! She picked a blue tipped tree. Quite pretty, although the coloring is difficult to see in the pictures. Anyway - I'm thrilled that we have a live tree again for the first time in almost 4 years!

Update

Things continue to go crazy steady here! Three dinners scheduled this week - a 4 1/2 hour trip out of town to go to a wonderful supporting church this weekend; 2 dinners next week; Doctor appointments; 12K run in San Francisco; hosting a wine/cheese event as a bon-voyage; 2 basketball games; getting the Christmas tree - and all that in only 2 weeks!!!!! Whew!!!!! But, our time here in California is almost at an end - and we want to exit as we entered - with a BANG!!!! So - hold on, buckle up, and get ready for the ride!

10K Race and Thanksgiving Dinner

Our day started out with a 10K race with some dear friends. This was my first race during my training for the half marathon. As I am a race walker, not a runner, my time was 1:13 - a good time for a walker, and I look forward to see where my next race will take me.

Mike and I cuddling up after the race in the freezing morning air

4 miles into the 10K

After the race we went off to my dear friend Mindy's house where we had an incredible meal with her family and more friends! An awesome day indeed!

The spread!

packaging up left-overs ... yum!!!

Global Missions Conference & Honduras Video

November 4-8 we were in Chattanooga, TN to attend MTW’s Global Missions Conference. The following video about Honduras was played on the big screens at one of the general sessions at the conference. Over 2,000 watched the video:

MTW - Honduras from Go Global on Vimeo.

Meetings and a Movie

Every evening this week we have had meetings / dinners with some great folk! Fun to catch up with people, but still feel like we are moving so much we can't catch our breath! Today we took a break and stood in a long line in front of the IMAX for the 7am showing of Harry Potter! It was great fun, the crowd was in a great mood and it was a time just to relax, take in the morning, and eat lots of fun junk food.

Parents, churches, parties, and clinic

Went down to San Jose to visit my folks for a few days - it was a great visit, time to catch up and just hang out. We then went up to Amador county to do some wine tasting with our dear friends. Today we are traveling down to Sonoma to an awesome church and hang out with the folks down there for the day.

Have had some great things going on in Honduras. There was an ESL "graduation", with a big party afterwards.



Also, the national doctor we have worked with in the past offered to come in and hold a clinic in Armenia. Bethany, our newest team mate, was able to help out in the intake section - she is really jumping right in and feeling at home.

The In-N-Out "Experience"

In-N-Out is one of our favorite fast food places to go eat. When you go to an In-N-Out for the first time, you might be disappointed at the menu choices - there really isn't much - a hamburger, a cheeseburger, or a double hamburger/cheeseburger. That's about it. So what's the big deal?! The food is amazing! Everything is fresh - cooked to order...and...for those in the "know" - you can order TONS of stuff "off menu". And...it's a Christian organization. On the bottom lip of every cup, there is a bible reference. Pretty cool, huh?

So what do I mean by "off the menu"? Here were our orders:

Mike:

double-double animal style; fries - animal style; milkshake - neapolitan

Mike's milkshake


Mike's burger


Our whole order - but you can see the animal style fries




Erin:

hamburger animal style minus cheese, chopped chilis, toasty buns; fries; lemon-up


Madison:
hamburger animal style minus cheese, toasty buns; fries well-done; choco-vanilla shake.

Madison's burger and "well done" fries



definition and description:

double-double - double hamburger, double cheese
animal style - mustard, grilled onions, cheese
well-done fries - you know those fries at the bottom of the fryer - a little more crispy? That's how all of your fries come
lemon-up - half lemonade/half seven up
shake - neapolitan - a swirl of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry milkshake
chilis - chopped pepperoncini chilis
toasty buns - bun left on the grill a tiny bit longer to get it extra crispy

Bliss...

Team Honduras at The Global Missions Conference

November 4-7 our family and our teammate Kate attended the PCA's Global Missions Conference in Chattanooga, TN. We were able to promote our ministry in Honduras to over 2,000 participants.

Watch this 1 minute and 45 second video to see the highlights:

Global Missions Conference

2010 - GMC Recap - Saturday from Seth Wallace on Vimeo.

Please watch this short video recap of the Global Missions Conference as of last night...

We have been to some great break-out sessions, met some old friends, and some new. Have talked and talked and talked, and loved every minute of it :-)

Update

Sitting in Days Inn in Chattanooga with Madison as she is doing school work; Mike is off getting PVC pipe to set up our sign at our booth; tonight we register for the pre-conference of the Global Missions Conference. Tomorrow we set our booth up, attend and participate in the pre-conference (we are speaking at one of the sessions). Mike is speaking at two other sessions of the conference, and Madison and I will be manning the booth while he is involved in that. We are going to be busy, busy, busy while we are here...but what's new? We have been moving non-stop since we've been back - honestly - we haven't been at the house we are staying at for more than 4 days in a row. And, most of those nights we are out making visits. It's been exhausting, yet exciting at the same time.

Visiting Paso Robles

Wednesday we traveled to Paso Robles and visited Covenant Presbyterian Church. We had an amazing time reconnecting with folks we have met in the past, with many who came on the short term mission trips, and new people. We were fed incredible food, talked with tons of people, and Madison had some fun kids to hang out with. A neat thing about the house we were staying at was that it came complete with a zip line, a trampoline, and a pain gun for scaring off the local wildlife that comes on a mission to destroy the local shrubbery, etc. So, Madison was given the task to scare off the deer that came to visit that morning.

Madison "hunting" deer

Making the rounds

"Home Mission Assignment" is what we are on. The term furlough just doesn't apply to any missionaries when they are back in the States, so the term has been changed. We are working, let's make no bones about it. It's been great, and exhausting! Meetings (multiple) almost every day, and multiple church services and multiple churches every weekend. Mike had 3 meetings today, then we are going to some friends house for dinner tonight! It's so nice meeting with folks and sharing God's vision for Honduras! Plus, I've almost not cooked at all!

Let's also not forget that I am homeschooling Madison, and training for a 1/2 marathon! Whew! Tired already :-)

training

I've been walking for close to 2 years now. Nothing competitive, just getting out most mornings and walking for about an hour. A few weeks ago my dear friend, Mindy, ran the Nike 1/2 marathon in San Francisco in honor of her mother who is a survivor of Cancer. That got me thinking - could I WALK a 1/2 marathon? I'm just too tall and gangly, knees not up to it person to run. But walking - that I can do! So I told Mike to sign me up and I was going to do it!

Starting Sunday I officially start my 12 week long training for the P.F. Chang's Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon in Phoenix, Arizona on January 16th. I'll keep you posted!

Homeschool

So...we have this absolutely incredible homeschool program. However, one of the primary "problems" we have is that we need wireless to do it. It won't work on our Mac's, so we need a PC. Our PC is so old it won't recognize our internet card - so Madison has to do part of her homeschooling at home, then we have to go someplace that has wi-fi. A few times that has meant the local Starbucks. The other times has been to the library. The library would be my first choice, but because of budget cuts, our local library isn't open on Mondays - so that's when we've been going to Starbucks. Oh the "trials" of traveling missionaries!

Hanging at the local Starbucks for school

Armenia Bonito Ministry Center Update

We are constructing a ministry center in Armenia Bonito. On this two-acre facility we will have an indoor soccer facility, a high school, a medical clinic and a church.

The workers just completed the floor on the soccer field/multipurpose building and the walls for the high school are now 5-10 feet off the ground.

Take a look at this 1 minute 30 second video to see the progress:

School

Public school Kindergarten and 1st grade
Homeschool 2nd - 5th grade
Private school at the Language Institute in Costa Rica for 6th grade
Private bilingual school in La Ceiba, Honduras for 7th grade
Different bilingual school in La Ceiba, Hondduras for 8th grade
On-line homeschool for 9th grade....

for 10th and 11th grade she will go to the second bilingual school in Honduras. The schools there "graduate" at 11th grade, so then...
Homeschooling for 12th grade to finish up High School and do college prep.

And so it continues. Never knew of a kid who got such an eclectic array of schooling - but that's my kid. Funny thing is - I advised Madison that I thought she would have a great experience studying abroad as she will be totally fluent in Spanish by the time she graduates. She took one look at me and said, "mom...I AM studying abroad." Well - what can I say to that? So she is :-)

Prayers for my girl as she is studying hard this school year.

Mission Conference Is Great For Maddy

Madison performing at the talent show.

Monday is our last full day at MTW’s Latin American Mission Conference in Mexico. There are over 300 missionaries here. All ages of kids have their own programs separate from the adults. Madison is in the “Youth” program, which consists of all the teenage missionaries.

Madison has spent 10-12 hours a day in the massive and very active youth ministry organized by MTW’s Global Youth & Family Ministry (GYFM). Let me be frank for a second (nothing new, right?). In our five years of being involved with MTW Mike and I have NEVER been happy with MTW's attention, care and support of children. We believe that this has been an area that has been sorely lacking in MTW’s missionary preparation and care.

That being said, we could not be more pleased with the care and treatment of youth at this event. From babies to teens MTW has provided 40-50 fulltime staff to care for our kids. And, this is NOT babysitting. This is praying, Bible studies, counseling and lots of fun. Madison has made friends with other weird missionary kids and counselors that she will maintain for life.

Please be in prayer for the GYFM staff as they too need to raise support so they can support kid missionaries. We would like to personally thank the GYFM Director, Dr. Eric Larsen, Ruthanne Burch and Madison’s Leader, Rachel Collins for all they did for our daughter.

Mexico

Hanging out in Mexico with peeps from Mexico, Central, and South America. This is MTW's every four year event. Gathering of folks to talk, fellowship, and hang-out. We will be here for a week. Cool thing is we are meeting up with Shannon, another team mate, who is currently in language school and will be joining us in Honduras in April. It's been a long time since we've seen her, so it's been a reunion of sorts. Of course it's great hanging with all our folks from Honduras - so a reunion of sorts. Take care everyone - and "see ya around".

Update

Eating, visiting, church hopping, shopping, repeat....that's been our schedule - we are exhausted, but enjoying the time. Off to Mexico tomorrow for additional training/retreat, etc. for all the missionaries with Mission to the World in the Latin America vicinity. We hope this will be a refreshing time for our family to take a much needed break for a few days. Love to everyone and hope to see everyone soon!!!!!

Apple Hill

"The Apple Hill Growers Association, located in Camino, Placerville and Pollock Pines, CA, was once a fledgling association comprised of 16 original ranches. Today it boasts more than 50 ranches including Christmas tree growers, wineries, a micro-brewery, Spa and vineyards."

That's where my friend Mindy, her daughter Kelsey, Madison and I went on Tuesday. It was a BLAST!!! It was 103 degrees, but that didn't stop us from going to quite a few orchards, picking our own apples off the tree, eating freshly made apple cider donuts, eating a caramel apple, drinking apple cider, and buying an apple/cherry pie to take home and have for dinner. Fun times indeed!

Madison eyed this apple, and went in for the "kill"




Kelsey hanging out on the tire swing



Mindy wanting to dive right in to that freshly picked Fuji apple!

Fun Things I Miss

Our super mission teammates doing a wonderful job in Honduras. But, we sure miss them and the work. This past week they put on two events that I would normally have helped at. While I wish I was there I know they are doing wonderful work.

Vitamin Distribution - vitamins given to 70 people

Girls Day Out - 8 girls to the Clow's house to make homemade pizza

Amazing Stuff Going On In Honduras

We never questioned if God's great work would continue in Honduras while we were in the U.S. We knew that we were leaving our ministry in the amazing hands of four great missionaries and one amazing God.

Since we left our team closed the deal on purchasing the parcel of property in the downtown area of La Ceiba that will serve as our downtown ministry center.

And, they've already started working on it. Here are some pictures of our team and Honduran workers cleaning the new property to begin construction on the downtown ministry center.

We are happy to be in the US, but we wish we coud be in Honduras.

clearing the rocks

picking up the trash

Interview and Orientation

Enjoying time in the South. Last weekend we had a fantastic time at Faith Presbyterian where they treated us like royalty! Sweet friends put us up in their home, we had an incredible brunch with some great folks, an AWESOME Southern BBQ meal with some more folks, then a great church service the following day. After that we had a luncheon, and I'm feeling that I'm going to gain 10 pounds while I'm here in the South :-) But loving every minute of it!

This week we are at some training with Mission to the World, with the final few days being interviewed by Mission to the World folks, and finishing up on Friday. We are driving down to Alabama Friday afternoon to spend some time there, then Monday flying back to Sacramento.

Busy indeed...but what's new with the Pettengills :-)

pulled pork, ribs, sweet tea, a lake and friends...oh baby

Driving From Honduras To California

September 5 - 12, 2010 we drove from La Ceiba, Honduras to Elk Grove, California to begin our six-month furlough in the U.S.

We spent 97 hours 20 minutes behind the wheel. The entire trip was 4063 miles. Our average daily distance was 580 miles.

Take a look at this 4 minute video to see the great drive:

We've arrived!

So, after 7 days of solid traveling, 4,100 miles, 3 border crossings, 800+ mile a day driving, we arrived in Elk Grove just in time for church service last Sunday. It was an awesome surprise to our church and friends! We LOVED spending time with our home church and friends. We stayed 2 days at my mother-in-law's house, now we are staying at a friend's house. Friday we leave to go to Georgia for some mandatory training, so although we've arrived, it's short lived in a "semi-permanent" home.

Yesterday we purchased Air Cards from Verizon so we can have internet - and Madison will start school today. Homeschool first day of school looks very different from other schools :-) She is actually in 9th grade, which typically is Freshman year, but in Honduras, since they graduate at 11th grade, she has already been in High School for one year. We are doing a mainly on-line Christian homeschooling program so we can be mobile. Most of her studies, books, homework, exams, etc, are all on-line. It's pretty cool! So she is starting her Sophomore year. Here's her first day of school picture :-)

On the move

Wow has it been a LONG 6 days. We have driven on the worst roads I have ever been on in my life - and that's saying a lot! Everything from 1 1/2 hour border crossing to the 5 minutes to cross into the U.S. - hmmm...don't know what I think about that. Anyway - we still have a couple of more days to make it up to Sacramento. So far we are doing well although physically exhausted - Max (our dog) is finally settling into a routine, and can find himself crashing out in the car without a problem. We managed to beg and plead out way into hotels with him (SO glad we can speak Spanish :-), and today we had our first Starbucks, Sonic hamburger, and a quick stop in Wal Mart! Oh my gosh - I had to contain myself because for the first time in SO LONG I had more choices then I knew what to do with. I walked into the Super Wal Mart and stopped, stunned at all the fruit and vegetables! I couldn't even decide what to choose! It was wild! I can't even IMAGINE the first trip to the grocery store to buy things for our stay in the States. Once again, I don't know when/if we will have internet access, but will promise to keep everyone updated as we do. We CHERISH and COVET your prayers!

I'm leaving on a....

Oh...no I'm not....we're driving...sigh...

Starting the drive - in two days. Our internet will be unplugged tomorrow, so this will be my last post for probably 5-8 days (depending on if we get some wi-fi while in route).

We are packed. The house is in order. Sheets cover almost everything - it's SO dusty here, that I can't imagine what 6 months of dust is going to look like as it is - this is my attempt of trying to save things :-)

So - prayers our way....the adventure begins!!!

Our life possessions for 6 months (duffel bags wrapped in plastic bags for the inevitable rain that we will encounter)


The house enshrouded in sheets.

Sad Goodbye's and Bittersweet moments

Five years ago, Mike, Madison and I walked along the streets of Armenia Bonito, dreaming about what God would have us do while we are here. We dreamed and prayed and asked God for a vision of what that meant.

When we came here almost 2 1/2 years ago and started the ministry in Armenia with a few soccer balls, a small bag of meds, and servants hearts, that vision started to become more solidified. We started looking for some property to purchase, and to start envisioning what would go on it. Mike started the aggressive pursuit of funds to purchase the land. Within a week the funds arrived.

The "dream" - the property as it appeared when we were looking to purchase it:


It was clear that God had big plans. He partnered us up with the McCann's, then new potential team mates came to Honduras as a vision trip, and to see if there was "something" that a construction guy could do (insert John Clow here), He sent the Clow's to partner with us, and to be the foreman and overseer for the construction. After the land was purchased, Mike again began aggressive support raising, and more money came in. The wall was built. Once again, Mike continued with support raising, more building, more support raising, more building, until here we are. A guard shack, storage area, and most of a multi-purpose building/soccer field has been built.

The multi-purpose building/soccer field that will be finished while we are gone:


The guard shack and storage area:


Here is my bittersweet moment. This has been a dream of ours, and of following God's plans for Armenia Bonito. Because of timing, and the teams decision, the building will be dedicated, celebrated, and ministry started while we are in The States. I must confess - my heart is celebrating, and yet sad at the same time. To share in the joy that will go on, to be there when it is dedicated...to be at the first event ever held on the property that started as just a dream so long ago - and we won't be there to join in the festivities. I rejoice with all, even with a saddened heart.

We have a lot more funds to raise, as we still want to construct the High School, medical clinic, church, bathroom facilities and eventually even more. So prayerfully consider how you may be involved - to pray for the facility and the lives that will be touched - to financially contribute so it can be built - to come and work on the property and get your hands dirty in raising a wall :-)

Driving Honduras To The U.S. – 8 Days, 3,901 Miles

On Monday, September 6th Mike and I are jumping in the car and starting on a long drive that will end in Sacramento, CA. We don’t think we’ll have good communication while on the trip. But, if we can we will blog along the way to share the adventure. At least you can count on a video when we are done.


3,901 miles, 8 days, 4 countries, 2 people, 1 dog

We have a very conservative schedule, with lots of room for rest stops and flat tires. While we have planned each day, we may (and likely will) deviate from this schedule.

So that you can join us in the planning and praying phase here is what we have planned out:

Day #1 – September 6 – 206 miles

La Ceiba, Honduras to Copan Ruins, Honduras

Day #2 – September 7 – 249 miles - Honduras/Guatemala boarder crossing

Copan Ruins, Honduras to Hehuetenango, Guatemala

Day #3 – September 8 – 570 miles - Guatemala/Mexico boarder crossing

Hehuetenango, Guatemala to Veracruz, Mexico

Day #4 – September 9 – 509 miles

Veracruz, Mexico to San Lois Potosi, Mexico

Day #5 – September 10 – 387 miles

San Lois Potosi, Mexico to Monclova, Mexico

Day #6 – September 11 – 593 miles – Mexico/U.S. boarder crossing
Monclova, Mexico to Ft. Stockton, Texas

Day #7 – September 12 – 651 miles

Ft. Stockton, Texas to Phoenix, Arizona

Day #8 – September 13 – 736 miles

Phoenix, Arizona to Sacramento, California