Sacrificate

New Blog

2009-04-28T07:49:00.001-07:00

Hey Guys, we have a new site we are using to blog on, please check it out:

http://missionlazarus.tumblr.com/

See you soon!

Jarrod

Home in the Mountains

2009-03-26T17:57:00.001-07:00

On Saturday March 7 an energetic group of folks from Searcy, Arkansas and Seth & Rebekah Daggett from Nashville, TN, arrived at the Lazarus Lodge. Their goal for the week was to built a brick home in the remote rugged mountains that surround the Mission Lazarus Ranch. The home is for a family that works on the Mission Lazarus coffee plantation. For this group of non-construction workers the task ahead of them seemed a bit daunting. However, after a week of hard work in the beautiful pine forest all four walls were standing.

Not only did they build a house they also blessed many families with sacks of food stuffs that were delivered to their homes, worked in the Lazarus Clinic, and held VBS activities with local churches. Thanks Guys for the great service and the hard work.

The Good, The bad, and the Ugly.

2009-03-14T08:11:00.001-07:00

When the men from First Colony church of Christ arrived last Friday I don’t think that they fully understood the task that lay before them. What they did know is that a nearly finished new home built by Berry’s Chapel stood next to their barren concrete slab surrounded by piles of lumber. Perhaps their faithful group leader, Eric Billingsley thought to himself, what have I gotten into? You’d never have known. The group also faced another challenge, befriend and be able to work with the three outsiders, Mac “soft spoken” Hughes, David “ FSuper Duty” Ford, and Gabe “Smile Bigger than my Head” Bales.

Satan was looking for a fight, day one; the group was without electricity, TC, Texas Cameron, Mission Lazarus project coordinator, came to the rescue with a large 25,000 watt generator. By 2 PM the generator was toast and the group was back to swinging hammers and hand saws as opposed to the powerful nail guns and chop saws. What Satan did not know was that this group had drive! They did not let up and by late afternoon the electricity was back on and all 4 walls of the house were up, all of the windows had been hung, and all of the tar paper wrap was in place.
The group also took time for a side project, the construction of a mud brick home in the community of Namasigue. This home is for a sister of the church, built on the site of her previous home that fell down during last year’s rainy season. The weather in Namasigue is much different than in San Marcos. Temperatures hovering around 100 degrees made the process of lift and placing the 25 pound mud bricks very tiring. Fortunately the piles of mud used to hold the bricks in place cooled your hands a bit while wearing off the outer layers of skin.
On Sunday the group quit work early for a trip back to Namasigue to worship with the locals in the evening. The old adobe house turned church building was packed. The service was great and so was the singing. The kids loved the candy that was brought to them by the Americans and after worship large quantities of flip flops and clothes were distributed to the local Christians.
On Wednesday a group of 5 spies went out to see the outlying jungle areas where Mission Lazarus works. They took time to visit with local Christians just barely surviving of what they can produce in the jungle. The trip also took them to a small island off of the pacific coast where they saw folks are “surviving” but without a million bucks at stake, rather their lives.
By the end of the week the men were tired. By the end of the week God’s love had been preached in many places around southern Honduras. By the end of the week the house was nearly completed, all exterior walls finished, all rafters and joists in place, and the roof was done. By the end of the week 30 had grown closer together. By the end of the week new friendships had been made. By the end of the week God’s name had been glorified. And by the end of the week one more home is nearly ready to serve 10 orphaned, neglected, or abused children from the southern region of Honduras.
Thanks guys for a great week of hard work. Thanks Eric for taking on this huge task, and thanks to all of you guys who sacrificed, time, money, and comforts to serve the children of Honduras.
Jarrod

Details Details Details

2009-03-09T10:21:00.000-07:00

After the Berry’s Chapel crew left Honduras the hard task of finishing out the new refuge home began. A great crew from Greenwood Park led by Terry Lofton came to accomplish this task. It included finishing out all interior siding, all plumbing, all remaining wiring details, installing the cabinets, finishing out the showers (6), putting tile on the counters as well as the shower walls, and setting 4 toilets. The amazing thing is that they did it all in just one week. God is amazing and he used these amazing folks for his glory. The only things that are missing from this house now are doors, floor stain and sealer, and furnishings. Even with all of the construction activities a few folks were able to visit our schools, love on the children and visit brothers and sisters in the jungle villages that we work with near the Nicaraguan border. Thanks a ton Greenwood Park et al for the amazing accomplishments of the week.

And Then There Were Four

2009-02-27T09:04:00.000-08:00

Well, it's done. After 6 hard days of work the 27 men from Berry's Chapel church of Christ did it. We now have 4 homes at the Mission Lazarus Refuge. The leadership provided by Mac Hughes was phenomenal. The team work by the guys was outstanding. The group of guys flew back to the US today. Thanks for all the hard work and laughs, especially Ron Carlos....

Our House is a Refuge

2009-02-24T08:56:00.000-08:00

On Friday February 20, 2007 men from Middle Tennessee arrived in Honduras to build the 4th home at the Mission Lazarus Refuge. Many hours of preparation had gone into the venture, both stateside and in Honduras. About 95% of the lumber was shipped from in a sea container to Honduras back in December. The concrete slabe and locally purchased lumber, along with the lumber shipped in, were all ready and waiting when the men hit the ground running early saturday morning.

This is the third home built by the same group of men from Tennessee. It is true, third time's a charm. The house has gone together like a puzzle. It's been great to see the team work and the efficiency of the crew. From cutting rafters to hanging siding, there's a job for everyone. Even the preacher!!

Sunday night the men traveled about an hour to worship at a church in the village of Los Zorrillos. The service was packed and I would imagine has to be one of the highlights for all of the men on the trip.

The weather has been unseasonable cool. Lower 50's a night and low 80's during the day. We are in the middle of the dry season here in southern Honduras but we've even had some rain. No one has gotten sick....yet!

Thanks for all the prayers being lifted up stateside. They have kept everyone safe.

Paola Salorzano

2009-02-22T11:12:00.000-08:00

This is sister Paola Salorzano. She has been battling cancer since 2007 and it appears that she has just about WON the battle. It started with a tumor on one of her ovaries. She had surgery and that tumor was successfully removed. Soon thereafter it was discovered that she had another tumor on her colon, it was the size of a grapefruit. She had another surgery to remove the tumor but they were not able to get it all, it was too wrapped around the colon. She then start chemotherapy treatments to shrink and destroy what was left. 8 months ago she was bed ridden and had all but given up. Christ's words to Lazarus's family encouraged her and she found hope in the scriptures and decided that she would continue to fight.
When she was in my office on Monday she was truly a living testament to God's faithfulness and her faith was very contagious as well. Her hair has just finally begun to grow back in. She still lacks a final round of chemo, a CAT scan, and a final surgery to remove the residuals of the tumor that was on her colon. She can get all of this taken care of for $2000. Sister Paola is 43 years old and a lifelong member of the church. She is a single parent with a 16 year old son. I think that it would be money well spent if we could come up with the funds to help sister Paola. Let me know if you have any ideas.

Wood is Here

2009-02-22T11:06:00.000-08:00

We now have all of the lumber on site for the construction of the next 3 homes at the Mission Lazarus Refuge children's home. The next three homes will be built by groups of men from across the United States. For the first time semi trucks have been able to actually deliver lumber to the construction site. Our road up the mountain onto the Mission Lazarus ranch has been too rough in the past. This year we save a lot of time and money by being able to have our lumber delivered to the site.

Got Milk?

2009-02-22T11:04:00.000-08:00

Our kids at the children’s home have been busy during their summer break (ended 2 weeks ago). All of the kids above 8 years old now have farm chores. They really do not view the chores as work. They actually love it. It’s been great to watch them gain self confidence working with the cows and horses and to see the pride they have for their family garden. Attached is a picture of Selvin milking a cow. He’s really gotten the hang of it and he milks two cows everyday to provide milk to his home.

99 and counting

2009-02-22T11:01:00.000-08:00

One of the sisters from the jungle village of Palo de Agua shared with me that her mom was sick and bed ridden. She asked me to visit her in Choluteca to pray for her. I told her to call me when she got to Choluteca and that I would meet her. I met her at the house where her mother, Juana, lives. They had a large, very tasty meal, prepared for me for lunch. The home was very humble, dirt floor, but very clean. Juana, 99 years old, fell and broke her hip 6 months ago. She spends most of her days sitting in a chair staring out the back door of the house. The family cannot afford the $500 for hip replacement surgery, After a few hours and a prayer of blessing for Juana I was on my way. But not empty handed, I brought a really bad stomach ache with me. Apparently the good tasting food did not taste to good to my stomach. After 2 weeks of being sick Ally finally started me on Cipro to kill the intestinal infection! The time with Juana was well worth the stomach issues!

Jungle Days

2009-01-13T17:49:00.001-08:00

I am often asked what a normal day is like for us here in Honduras. If you’ve ever spent much time here visiting you know that we don’t have normal days. Today was one of those days. We started the day early, myself, Ally, Meredith, and our new intern, Cameron. We were headed way up into the jungle to visit 2 sick ladies. One lady, Doña Gumercinda with a severe infection several years old from a surgery gone wrong and the other a sister from the church in Las Pitas, Doña Pancha, who is believed to have a heart problem. The drive, however long, dusty, and bumpy is always beautiful. Ally and Meredith did what appeared to be a wonderful job examining the lady with the infection and then giving her the antibiotics that she needs to kill the infection. Then we were off to Doña Pancha’s house. A short hike, crossing a beautiful mountain stream. This was a bit more complicated. We had a portable EKG program that runs off of a computer but we needed electricity so we took the battery out of the truck and carried a power inverter along as well. We reached Pancha’s house and then, as happens so many times here, we began to wait. Ally and Meredith played with the little girls while Cameron and I talked about the crops, forest, and work with the men of the home. After about an hour Doña Pancha finally arrived. Ally and Meredith got all set up in a room in her mud brick house and they were ready to go, except for the fact that the computer malfunctioned and we were not successful in examining her heart. So, we’ve planned to return next week. It’s so great to get out in the villages and spend time with the people, something that we don’t do nearly as much now that the mission has grown so much. It’s our goal for it to be the face of local Christians that the locals see in their villages, but It’s nice to get to do it every once in a while. Enjoy the few pics.

Blessings of December

2009-01-03T13:42:00.001-08:00

December was great. We received from HHI about 9500 Magi boxes, we distributed them to all over the country of Honduras. It only took us about 10 days from the day we received the boxes to the day 99% were delivered from our warehouse. The only ones that were left were the boxes that we actually handed out ourselves when a crew from HHI arrived for a week with us. We were still about 1000 short.
God has amazing ways of opening doors down here. About 15 miles outside of Choluteca is a large 24 hour road block. This facility was built by US DEA to help combat drug traffic through Central America. The best highway through Honduras headed north to the US is this particular route. I have been stopped at this place too many times to count, I’ve had my truck searched numerous times, and a group of interns were detained here once. Needless to say, it’s always a bit nerve racking crossing through this check point. Until a while back. Our local director of operations for Mission Lazarus, Ronald Millon, met the head officer of this facility a while back and he mentioned that they’d be interested in us studying the Bible with them. So, on December 17, all of the officers and soldiers were called to attention, about 25 – 30, and I was blessed with the opportunity to share about a 25 minute Bible lesson with them. I used Romans 13:1 as the basis for my lesson “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” The class was well received and afterwards we were invited to join them in their cafeteria for breakfast. It truly was a very unique experience. Now when I go through the soldiers greet me with a “God Bless You!”
We have been in very remote mountains all month long. God has opened doors for to minister to the poorest of the poor. We were convicted to the heart when we sat to enjoy our Christmas Eve dinner after visiting with so many folks during the month. The burden that the time spent with our poor brothers and sisters convicted us but at the same time it was a true blessing, it made being away from family and friends during the Holidays well worth it. (The stomach is still recovering from never turning down a plate of food no matter how poor the family or house!)

Early Christmas

2008-12-16T15:09:00.000-08:00

Now that all of the sorting and distributing of Magi boxes to churches across Honduras is completed we began actually handing out boxes to churches in our region. Today, the first day to hand out, we were in Duyure. It was, as always, a real blessing to be able to see the smiles on the kids faces when they get their Magi box. For most of these kids they'll not receive any other gifts. Being able to be a part of this project makes being away from our family at Christmas time well worth it! This year Healing Hands International brought a group of folks led by Cindy Herring to help with the distribution. This group of folks also play a major roll in the collecting and packaging of the gifts stateside. Stay tuned for more pics and a video in the new future.

Camping in La Botija

2008-12-14T16:30:00.001-08:00

We decided to go camping the other day. It's the perfect way to get away from things and spend some good quality time with the family. So, where did we go, down to the Francisco Morazan state park?? Well, not quite. No parks around, and especially no parks with camp sites! So, we headed up into the Botija mountain range. A protected area where the ML coffee plantation is located. After about 1 1/2 hours of rough 4x4 driving, with Sol and Levin asking if we were there yet, we finally arrived. We were not sure if we would make it, the road we took had been badly washed out by this year's rainy season, at some places there was no more road, it had become creek bed and at other points large trees lie in our path. But, none the less, we made it. We had a great time setting up our site, collecting rocks for our fire ring, then collecting fire wood to build a fire. We set up the tent, and then we settled in for a little fishing. Unfortunately nothing was biting, other than the minnows that kept steeling Levi and Sol's worms. So, then we decided to do a bit of exploring and hiking around the surrounding mountains. We wore out pretty quick since Levi insisted on being carried! We made it back to camp and decided it was time to cook supper, about 5:30 PM. So we roasted hot dogs and ate them and then it was on to roasting marshmallows! The kids thoroughly enjoyed that. It was pitch black by 6 PM and since we go the cheap site there was not an electrical hook up!! So, we went to bed. Well, we got in the tent at least. It was quite a while before anyone dosed off. And then Ally and I were awake most of the night. The wind in the night was incredible, it was like tent camping in a hurricane. That added to a full moon that made it feel like someone had a spot light on us all night, well, we did not sleep much! But, we had a great time. And, there will be many more trips to come. Enjoy the pictures.

Christmas Time in Honduras

2008-12-11T17:06:00.000-08:00

Every year Healing Hands International base out of Nashville, Tennessee, gathers, sorts and ships Magi boxes to Honduras for Christmas. These small boxes full of love and toys and such are the only thing that most of their recipients will receive in a year. Mission Lazarus has the opportunity to be the organization that distributes these boxes to churches all over Honduras and other countries like Nicaragua and El Salvador. This year 9500 boxes were shipped to Honduras. Due to delays in customs the container did not arrive at our warehouse until late Saturday evening, Dec. 6. Once the container arrives we unload every crate of presents and "fill orders" according to the lists that churches have sent us. It was a huge team effort but in less than one week all 9500 presents were sorted, repackaged, and shipped off to the locations. Thanks so much to everyone who helps make this project possible in the US. We'll have another report after Christmas with pictures from the hand outs.

Our Barn Yard

2008-11-12T19:10:00.000-08:00

In January of this year our barn at the Mission Lazarus Refuge was blown away by a bad wind storm. Two groups, one from Mayfair church of Christ and one from West Houston church of Christ answered our call for help and rebuilt our barn this past summer. It was amazing to see how much they were able to finish in just two weeks of work. We have just recently finished the final touches. Here are some pictures of our new barn.

Rock N Road

2008-10-13T16:42:00.000-07:00

Every year hundreds of Americans visit us here in Honduras. Most come with a group of like minded Christians to serve the poor that Mission Lazarus serves in Honduras. We always insist that groups return to Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, the night before their departure. Many groups don’t like this added expense of a hotel in the capital city but we always insist, claiming that if there happens to be some civil unrest like a strike or a land slide over the road you’ll miss your flight. Although we have had a group or two pull some stunts to get out of traveling back the night before, for the most part everyone has been understanding of our policy. The only time we don’t enforce that policy is when we have visits from one or two folks on their own, not with a group. We figure that if they were to miss a flight it would not be too hard to get tickets changed for a couple travelers however it would be highly unlikely that we’d be able to change tickets for a group of 15 or more folks. Cameron Hartsell from Abilene, Texas learned about the risk of not making it to the airport the hard way. Cameron was here for a quick trip over the weekend and was scheduled to be back at work tomorrow morning. But as you can see from the pictures, a large boulder laying in the road blocked traffic on the Pan American highway in both directions. Needless to say Cameron had no other option than to return to Choluteca and change his ticket for tomorrow. Reports say that the boulder will be removed by this evening.

My Sunshine. Sol

2008-10-09T10:37:00.001-07:00

Do you know my little girl Sol? If not, you ought to! Well, if you are not aware of our situation, we have been trying to adopt her since she was 2 months old. That’s when she came to bless out lives. Well, it’s been a long road. Sol is now 5 ½. It’s been a true test of our faith that God could make this happen. Adoptions in Honduras are not easy and International Adoptions are even harder. In July of this year Ally and I had to undergo 2 days of interviews and testing at the Honduras Child Protective Services office in the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa (IHNFA). Though the questions were very odd, it seemed to go well. All that was lacking was a visit to our home by the government psychologist and social worker from the capital. Last Thursday we sent someone to pick them up and bring them to our house (the government does not have the budget to provide transportation) we also had to provide lunch. Anyhow at our house the psychologist went into Sol’s room and shut the door and began to ask questions. It crossed both mine and ally’s minds to perhaps coach Sol on things she should say but that would have been a train wreck with a 5 year old, so we turned it over to God. After about an hour the two ladies left and that was that. Today I got a call from our lawyer who is handling the adoption and she gave me an update from the government officials from last week. She said, “They loved your house, they loved Sol, Sol is great, they could not ask for a better home, and Sol could not be in a better place!” Praise God! We think that the end is near. The case should go to a committee at the first of November for the adoption to be approved by Child Protective Services and then it’s off to the judge to finalize everything. If you have been praying for us, Thanks a lot! If not, we ask you to please join us in praying for the finalization of this adoption. Thanks. Jarrod & Ally.

Aleyda Zepeda

2008-10-08T18:29:00.000-07:00

We appreciate everyones prayers for Aleyda. If anyone would like to contact her or send her cards remember she is at the Northside Forsyth hospital in Atlanta, GA. She had surgery last Wednesday, here is our latest update from the US:

Aleyda’s surgery lasted 8 hours. Before surgery Aleyda had an 80 degree curvature in her spine, that has now been reduced to around 10 degrees.
After the surgery, Aleyda had a chest tube on her right side to allow fluid to drain but fluid also built up in her left lung. Normally, the patient would be encouraged to cough a lot and this would be enough to clear it out but because she is so sore from the surgery, she just wasn't able to cough much at all. It was too painful. They drained some of the fluid through a bronchostomy and a thorocentesis but she was still having trouble breathing. They decided to put her on a respirator for about two days to allow them to more easily remove the fluid and to give her time to rest and recover. Last night, thanks to the respirator, her stats had gone way up and she was doing much better. Hopefully, they will be able to take her off the
respirator tomorrow. As much as they didn't want to have to do that, she is on more sedatives now because of the tube and seems to be resting much more
peacefully. The doctors and nurses at Northside Forsyth have been amazing. She is getting excellent care and everyone has been extremely nice and caring.

Fresh Water

2008-09-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

Could you imagine being surrounded by water but not being able to drink or use any of it. For the inhabitants of the island of Carretal in the pacific ocean near Choluteca going with out much water is a way of life. Folks of this island have survived on the water taken from shallow hand dug wells in the center of the island. The water table is reached at only about 6 feet down. This water, not completely salty was not fresh either. Last year Mission Lazarus received a grant from Healing Hands to supply the island with fresh wFresh Water
ater. Water now arrives on the island from well on the mainland. Pipes run through the jungle then through the mangrove swamp, across a small channel and then onto the island. Later this month a group of Americans will help build a wooden water tower base that will hold a 1000 gallon water tank. This tank will provide the island with water reserves. Getting the lumber to the island was big task. The fishermen of the island loand their boats for the task. Check out the pictures.

Selvin Born Again

2008-09-17T13:48:00.001-07:00

I think that one of the most valuable things that we can offer to the kids that call the Mission Lazarus Refuge home is a Christian upbringing. Some of our kids carry more baggage than others, some have been to church before and others have not, but across the board they receive unconditional Christian love from our program. Yesterday afternoon i got a call from one of our "tias" or caregivers letting me know that Selvin Beltrand, one of the first 6 kids that God sent to us, wanted me to baptize him. This thrilled me. So, this morning, with all of Selvin's adoptive family in tow, we trecked down to a deep pool in the river that runs through the Mission Lazarus Hacienda. It was a great moment to get to have a Bible study on the edge of this beautiful stream, surrounded by mountains. Then Selvin and I waded into the chilly mountain stream. That's when the Angels in heaven started their party! Selvin was born again, his sins washed away, and the Holy Spirit by his side for the rest of his life. Amen!

Priceless Surgery in Atlanta

2008-09-16T19:36:00.000-07:00

Meet Aleyda Zepeda. She’s 21 years old and for her entire life she had been in pain. Pain caused by severe scoliosis. So severe that her curved spine prevents one of her lungs from working. Aleyda is from a small farming village outside of Choluteca. She came to us when she was 17 years old. For 4 years Ally has worked to get Aleyda the surgery she needed. First in Honduras but after having a surgery date set and after having purchased the rod she’d need to straighten her spine the surgeon decided that the surgery was too complex for the technology available in Honduras. On a whelm Ally presented Aleyda’s case to Childspring International, a foundation based in Atlanta that brings children from around the world to the US for surgery. The key word there is CHILDREN. Aleyda was no longer a child and it would be a real long shot that they’d accept her case. God opened doors and hearts and Aleyda was accepted but Childspring still had to find a hospital and dr. willing to perform the surgery free of charge.

On Friday of last week Aleyda embarked on the biggest trip of her life, from her small village to the largest airport in the US, Altanta.. On Monday, Sept. 15 Aleyda had her first doctor’s appointment and surgery is now scheduled for Oct. 2. The cost of the entire surgery has been donated, the surgeon expense alone is valued at over $100,000. Obviously this is a sum of money that is unimaginable for most Hondurans. Praise God for opening these doors to change Aleyda’s life forever.

Political Unrest or Political Distress

2008-09-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

Political Distress in Honduras

You may not be aware of the political situation playing out in a few countries of Latin America. The distress is the product of Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela and archenemy of the United States. Hugo Chavez is a character to say the least. What Hugo benefits from are large oil reserves underneath his soil that He controls. This provides him the capital that he needs to be very unfriendly to the US. He has long looked for anyone to join him, to give him credibility. Primarily Fidel Castro. But as of late Eva Morales, president of Bolivia, Daniel Ortega, president of Nicaragua and last but not least, Manuel Zelaya, president of Honduras. What do these three men have in common? They are all radicals who have a bone to pick with the US. Daniel Ortega became famous in the 80’s during the US funded contra war aimed at outstanding the pro-communist, Sandanistan president. After 18 years of running to be reelected the former military general, campaign financed by Hugo Chavez, was reelected in 2006. This concerned many in the region as to what Ortega would do to his country.

Honduran president, Mel Zelaya, a long time wanna-be revolutionist began slowing paling around with Chavez. He made a fool out of himself with a speech he gave blasting the US at the United Nations in 2007. Then in the summer of 2008 Zelaya signed ALBA. ALBA is the Latin American equivalent of NATO. Not exactly but that’s what it boils down to. All members are united through ALBA and if you mess with one, you’ve messed with them all. There was great outcry from the business owners of Honduras, the folks who provide the jobs that allow Honduras to flirt with a sense of 1st World in their major cities and allow them to ignore the millions of peasants that live just past the city limits. ALBA appears to benefit Venezuela more than anyone, it secures petroleum contracts from it’s members and provides a sort of validation for what craziness might come out of Chavez’s mouth. Zelaya on the other hand has been compared to a big Iguana. Iguanas are known to sit in the sun and move their heads up and down, up and down. So does Zelaya with whatever it appears that Chavez says or does, Zelaya moves his head up and down in agreement, unable to come up with original ideas, views, programs, nor original threats against the evil U.S. This is where Zelaya’s education, or lack there of, shines through. Zelaya flunked out of college after just a few months. Not that college makes a person succesul but some critical thinking classes might do Zelaya some good.

The latest news is that an “auto-coup” was planned for today, September 15, Honduras independence day. A normal coup is when the military takes over the government and ousts the president. In our case in Honduras, the president was going to lead the coup against his democratically elected office so that he would become the supreme power, backed by the Honduras military. Fortunately news of this plan reached congress last week and the president was confronted about his plans, which were denied, but at least this grew awareness to the situation, and as of 3:30 PM local time there has not been a coup. Then on Friday, in support of his South American counterparts the president of Honduras, Mel Zelaya, refused to recognize the diplomatic credentials of the Hugo Lorens, incoming Ambasador of the United States to Honduras. This action alarmed the local political community as well as international communities. Another “iguana” move on behalf of the president of Honduras. Supporting the actions last week that were taken against the Ambassadors to Venezuela and Boliva.

Should Honduras sit back and do what ever the US wants them to do and when the US wants it? No, by no means. That’s what has happened here throughout history. Honduras has been the puppet for the US government. A large number of covert military operations have been based out of Honduras. The US has maintained a large air base here for 20 years, and the US has always called on Honduran soldiers during war times.

The Honduran governing parties can be mad but they must also be realistic. The Honduran economy is artificially held up by US Dollars sent back monthly by illegal immigrants working in the US. Hands down, the Honduran economy would collapse if it were not for these US dollars being sent back to family members in Honduras. After every natural disaster the first to respond to pleas for help are the U.S. And perhaps the largest development organization and humanitarian organization working in Honduras to help the Honduran people is none other than USAID, United States Agency for International Development.

What does this mean for us as missionaries? Well at this point absolutely nothing. We’ll keep on spreading God’s love and it looks like at the rate of things there will soon be even more folks longing to know that there is something more out there than what they have seen. With God’s guidance we’ll be there when that opportunity presents itself. We pray that our many friends and fellow Christians that visit us annually to work and serve the Honduran people will not be scared away and give another victory to Satan. That’s what he’d like, for fear to prevent us from sharing God’s wonderful story of salvation.

Through Birds' Eyes

2008-09-10T17:30:00.000-07:00

In case you did not know, Mission Lazarus has a great project near the quaint town of San Marcos de Colon, Honduras called the Mission Lazarus Refuge. The Mission Lazarus Refuge is a children's home located on a 1250 acre working ranch. Over the past 3 years the property has been transformed from an abandoned ranch into an amazing campus full of life. Here's a snap shot of the the ranch as seen from above. Enjoy.

Tia Boo

2008-09-10T06:33:00.000-07:00

This past month has been really great. Our family has been blessed to get to know an amazing young lady from San Francisco, CA. Actually we lived really close to each other for about 12 years back when i lived in TN. But this amazing young lady really amazed me at how she has grown up, grown as a Christian, and how she is set on changing the world. I am talking about my little sister, Rebecca Brown. Honestly i did not know her. I have not been around her in a long time if the few times we seen each other have been really short visits. Now, all grown up, two undergrad degrees and half way through her masters in nursing, she's amazing. She came to visit us but not for a vacation, rather to work. And work she did. She worked with our medical program and our children's home. In particular with a little girl, Katy, who lives at the Mission Lazarus Refuge, who has cerebral palsy. So, we had a great month and i sit back in awe to see how God's shaped her and is preparing her for something great. Thanks for your hard work, God bless you Tia Boo. (BTW, she's single and a great catch).

Refuge # 2 & #3

2008-09-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

Hey, we are almost there! The two houses that were built largely by two groups of Christian men from the US are nearing their completion. Here are a few pics of the inside of the houses.

Need, Hunger, Weather

2008-09-09T18:30:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed lately. It seems that the whole world is being nailed by high food prices, that more and more folks are in need, and then on top of it all, the weather. There is flooding all over the globe. We have bit hit by hard rains in Honduras but i don't even feel that i can write about it when you see the flooding in India and Haiti. I hope that as Christians we'll be able to recognize that we have to do something, even if our country's economy is in a slide. just think about it.

Been Gone

2008-03-09T08:41:00.001-07:00

So, if you happen to stumble across my blog you realize that i am the worst blogger of all. Internet in Honduras is so slow and i am so busy that i just hate to wait around for the pages to load. so, sorry for the lack of news. all is well! i'll try to do better blogging.

Refuge Construction is up and going again.

2007-05-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

In case you were wondering we are still chugging along on construction of the first two homes at the Mission Lazarus Refuge. We have been delayed for almost two months waiting on lumber. Last week the first of the lumber arrived and we are up and going again. Enjoy the pics.

Summer Groups Build Posada San Lazaro

2007-05-23T10:00:00.001-07:00

These are pics of the ongoing construction of the Posada San Lazaro. This year's summer groups that will be coming to work with Mission Lazarus will be helping us build group lodging at the Mission Lazarus Refuge ranch. This lodging will greatly assist hosting groups in the future.

Apart from construction summer groups will participate in VBS at areas churches and schools, home visitation with food baskets & gospel meetings.

Where are you, Bagdad?

2007-05-21T15:35:00.000-07:00

Yep, you'd think so but that's the corner of one of the busiest streets here in Choluteca, in front of Banco Occidente or Bank of the West. From the looks of the guns you'd think that we were in the Wild West or at least Bagdad. I realized today while i sat in my truck in front of this bank that i had grown accustomed to seeing a big gun on the street, then i realized that it's not normal! Just thought that i'd pass that along.

Diana & Rene born,May 13, 2007

2007-05-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, May 13, 2007, Diana Beltrand and Rene Ramos were baptized into Christ at the church in San Marcos. Both of these adolescents were good friends with Hanibal Martinez, who passed away on May 10th. The example that Hanibal lived by is what moved these two to accept Christ into their lives just like Hanibal. Diana is currently the oldest child of the Mission Lazarus Refuge. We are really excited about the example that she is setting for all of the children that live at the Mission Lazarus Refuge.

Angels Among Us

2007-05-21T15:05:00.000-07:00

Heb 13:2-3 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

In 1999 I met a little boy in Honduras. He was only nine years old but had the face of a fifty year old man. Over the next few years I would travel to Honduras many times, I always remembered this little boy and I always looked forward to seeing him.

In 2001 I moved to Honduras. Shortly after moving here I found out that this little guy lived with his great uncle. His mom had given him to her aunt but the aunt had died and now this little guy was forced to fend for himself. Noticeably malnourished, small in stature, he was the easiest target for the cruel jokes, pranks, & comments made by his peers and even his grown up neighbors. When I found out that he really did not have anywhere to eat I worked out a deal with a neighbor to provide him three home cooked meals a day. For the first time in a long time he had a full belly.

He did not go to school, he was a working man at his young age of 11 years old. He ran errands for local stores, picked up merchandise in the open air market, the little money he made, about $2 a day, he gave to his elderly uncle and they both lived off of it. He really understood what it meant to share.

About four years ago I needed a guard at my house. I remember the elderly man and the little boy, just barely getting by, if you could even call it that. I offered the old man the job and he accepted. My only condition was that the boy was not to work, he was to go back to school, he was to play, he was to be a child. The old man agreed.

At the age of 14 this young guy, who appeared to be about 10 years old, was enrolled in the second grade. He had some learning problems but the teachers worked with him so that he would not get behind. He made friends, even had a few elementary crushes on some girls from school. He got a bicycle, he learned to ride a horse, he loved taking care of the animals around our little farm, feeding the pigs, the cow, the horses.

When he was 15 things were not working out with his uncle and we had to let him go. We knew how much this young guy loved his new home and life so we offered to let him stay, we’d take care of all of his needs, and he could stay in school. I remember how he gave me a big hug and cried, thankful that he would not have to leave. He agreed to stay.

He had a few daily chores, he had an allowance of $8 a week. He would often travel back to Choluteca where his uncle lived to take him a few dollars and check on him. He really understood what it meant to share. I would get on to him. I could not believe how much he loved a man that had treated him so poorly.

About a year and a half ago he wanted to understand more about he Bible, Jesus, and going to Heaven. He could not read very well so I explained a few things to him. We talked often about Jesus, praying, being a Christian. Then one day he told me that he wanted to be baptized. I was thrilled and I had to privilege of baptizing him a few days later because he wanted to be baptized on Sunday at Church.

Last year he turned 17 years old, he still appeared to be only 13 or 14. He entered the 6th grade. He was excited, only one more year of school. In Honduras a child is considered educated after graduating from 6th grade. He tried to talk me into dropping out. He was a bit embarrassed about his age. I told him to stick in there that he was almost done.

My little girl Sol was really good friends with him. From early on she and him had a special bond. As a toddler she loved to be held by him and has she got bigger she loved to just to walk and hold his hand.

Lately he had been asking me to help him get a cell phone. The kind that you buy phone cards for. I laughed with him about it, that he did not need one. And then he agreed. Then when we finally got electricity at our house last month he decided that he needed a TV. He told me that he would trade his saddle for one if I would help him get it. I was considering the idea of getting him a small TV for his room and of course letting him keep his saddle. Last week with a big grin he told me that he had been elected vice-president of his class. He was really happy and proud; I can’t imagine how good it made him feel.

When I got home from work yesterday Ally and I went to check on him. He had not been feeling well, he had had a bad head ache off and on since Sunday evening. He was feeling much better, he was outside. He was rubbing one of our dogs. Sol came up and gave him her hand. He came walking with us, Sol on one hand and Levi on the other.

At about 7:30 last night he came into our kitchen and collapsed on the floor, his headache was back and he could not bear it. I got dressed and told him that we were going to go to the hospital. On the way he repeatedly vomited and moaned about his head.

At the hospital they admitted him, check him out, a specialist came who gave him some medicine to reduce the apparent swelling on his brain. He said that they would keep him in observation for the night and in the morning he needed to go to the capital, 2 hours away, for a CAT scan.

We had been able to locate his real parents and they came to the hospital. He would always remember to visit them every few months. He heart was big, he did not recognize that his mother had given him away.

This morning he left the hospital with Dr. Javier who works for Mission Lazarus and headed to Tegucigalpa in the Land Cruiser that our clinic uses.

He did not make it to the capital, he did not make it to the hospital.

At 10:00 AM Thursday morning May 10, 2007, Hanibal Martinez, the angel amongst us, flew back home.

Hanibal was an angel sent into our lives to show us how to be better people. I guess his job was done. I hope and pray that we lived up to Jesus’ expectations. Somehow I feel that I feel way short.

Late last year Hanibal had been diagnosed with some congenital defects that had not been previously diagnosed, those included a heart problem, semi-cleft palate, and an indented chest. On Monday of this week Hanibal was scheduled for an appointment with a cardiologist in Tegucigalpa, but since he felt bad we canceled it.

Hanibal knew his limitations, he knew he was small and did not have much strength, he dreamed of being a chauffeur.

Hanibal is gone and I am left confused. I recognize that he is in a much better, beautiful place. I recognize that he faced a life full of ridicules for his small stature. I recognize that he was able to live the past three years the way a child should, being a child. But I am at a loss of words to explain why.

I loved Hanibal and his gentle sweet spirit will be greatly missed.

Two tickets to Heaven please, oh, first class, window seats please

2006-11-08T08:52:00.000-08:00

Sacrificate

Can I get two tickets to Heaven please, oh, first class, window seat please…..

Three hundred sixty two thousand four hundred dollars.
$362,400.00

In Honduras….

Average family lives on $1.17 per day.
Day laborers average $3.17 per day.
A banana costs $0.01.
Medical consultation with medicine costs $0.53 at the Lazarus Clinic.
$10,000.00 builds a nice church building.
$2500.00 builds a nice wood house.

Three hundred sixty two thousand four hundred dollars. That’s how much money was spent by Americans this year that came with mission teams for short term mission trips to Honduras.

I was born and raised in the church of Christ. I was baptized on July 12, 1987 at the age of 12. I was given a King James Version Bible with my name on it in gold. I read scripture, passed the Lord’s Supper, missed camping trips and ball games to be at church.

I had all of that but I had never let the Holy Spirit touch my heart. Change my life.

On a whelm I went on a mission trip to Honduras in July of 1998. My first mission trip. This was the first trip of the rest of my life. It’s hard to explain what happens, but a change takes place when you go to a third world country on a mission trip. In my case, I was helped much more than I was able to help the people we came to serve.

Now as a missionary living full time in Honduras for almost six years I get to see both sides of the short term mission trip. Let me see if I can explain it.

First from the point of view of the local peasant in Honduras.

The vast majority of the peasants in Honduras proclaim to be Catholics. Not because they go to church, know the creeds, or read their Bibles, but because it’s their culture to be Catholic. To pray to plastic figurines in their houses, and to have a brainwashed concept of what evangelical preachers stand for. But, the one thing that all of these peasants have in common is that America, the Great United, is the Promised Land. On any day in any village I, a Spanish speaking white guy with a four wheel drive truck, can draw a crowd to hear me preach because of their curiosity about Americans and their longing for the Promised Land. So when a group of Christians follows the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the Bible’s teachings, and their heart and they are baptized for forgiveness of their sins there is much persecution. Family members quit talking to them, neighbors criticize them. However when a group of Americans comes to a village to provide medical treatment, perform VBS activities with the children, or builds a house for a widow, the church is encouraged. That even though they live thousands of miles away, speak a different language, and live a different culture, they are brothers. All having been adopted through the blood of Christ.

Where evangelical Christians are not found on every corner but where everyone admires Americans, a visit of Americans to a young church can leave behind a sense of belonging, a sense of we really are doing what’s right, and the church is encouraged.

If you ever visit the humble jungle village of Las Pitas and you stay for church. You will receive the warmest welcome. Farmers who have a 3rd grade education and live entirely off the land will greet you with a big smile, a firm handshake from their leathery hands, and applause as they welcome you to their service, in the open air heat of southern Honduras. They are happy, honored; they feel privileged to have you with them.

Now from the point of view of the visiting American.

How can people be so excited about walking three hours to church, up and down mountains? How can they sing so loud, off key, and not care? How can flip flops be mended to get more miles out of them? How can 3 hours of church in 115 degree heat be enjoyable? How can barefooted children with busted toe nails love Sunday school so much? How can you live in a dirt house with a dirt floor?

How can you live without cable TV, high speed internet, and telephone in one package? How can you live without a blackberry? How can you live without a washer and dryer? How can you live without shoes? How can you live on rice and beans?

How can you love God so much? The answer is simple; they don’t have all the things in their lives that distract us from God. They can’t get it 90 days same as cash. They can’t super size it. They can’t ask Santa for it. All they have is God.

It’s intangible. It can’t be adequately explained with ink. How can you put a price on what’s its worth to finally understand what it means to be a Christian, to belong to a family that spans language and cultural barriers. To be able to experience Christianity in it’s purest form. Not worried about clothes, hair styles, new buildings, praise teams, politics, time limits, or meetings, just worshiping God. Is that worth Three hundred sixty two thousand four hundred dollars? No, no way, not on your life……….It’s priceless.

Our mission is two fold, serve the locals with God’s love and minister to Americans who only have a third person relationship with God….No matter the cost.

Country Road, Take Me Home...

2006-10-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

I drove up the mountains, away from Choluteca, towards San Marcos de Colon it began to rain. By the time I had reached 4000 feet the rain was steady and the fog was thick. The rain was not pounding but steady, I immediately knew that this rain would not be passing too soon and that this was the kind of rain that causes the rivers in the mountainous region of San Marcos de Colon to overflow their banks with no warning. I immediately began contemplating my options. I needed to leave for Tegucigalpa at 5 AM Saturday morning for a flight to the US. Would the rivers keep me locked in to our remote paradise we call home? I got home around 5:30, it was still raining. I got Sol and Levi out of the truck, then Ally called and told me she would be home soon but that the fog and rain had really gotten bad. When she got home I told her of my plan to leave that night, around 8 PM to do the unthinkable.

The unthinkable or rather not recommended thing to do in a third world country is to drive at night. Whether it’s a land slide, car wreck, or thieves looking to take advantage of someone it’s just not a good idea. Now I was considering doing it and adding to the risk were the flooded roads, rain, and fog. I have never been one to back down from a good adventure.

We ate supper and listened to the rain patter on the tin roof of our dining room. Then, just like someone opened a door, the roar began. Ally and I both knew what was happening. The flood waters up river had begun to come down our valley. This is quite normal after heavy rains. On other occasions during daylight hours we have even witnessed the flood waters come down river, pushing away the clear deep black waters, replacing them with water that would appear to be a large café con leche concoction. I said to Ally, “you hear that don’t you?” She said yes. After we finished eating I went out on to our porch and looked out at the river the goes under our driveway, some thirty feet from the house. At this point it was still well under the bridge but appeared to be rising fast. Further down the dirt road towards the paved highway there is one more bridge, even lower but much wider. When the river gets high enough to get over that bridge it usually stays over it for a while.

Last year when Hurricane Stan was moving through Honduras before causing so much destruction in Guatemala, we were stranded out of our home for a week. The river had risen in the day and we were not able to get home.

I made up my mind, I had to go, my cheap ticket from Expedia.com connecting me on Taca to Delta in San Pedro Sula would not allow for any changes in schedules. I quickly finished packing and at 7:00 PM I got a big slobbery kiss from Sol, that followed by big puckered lips from Levi, and then he wanted another, after a hug and kiss from Ally I was off. I loaded the truck as the water slowly crept over one side of our bridge. If I hurry I can still drive through the 3 or 4 inches of water that have come over.

By the time I was loaded there was no way. The water was roaring over the bridge and approaching my truck. I went ahead and locked in the hubs knowing that my only way out was over the mountain behind my house on a sort of emergency escape route we made last year.

I started the truck, shifted into four wheel drive. Pulled down the driveway, cutting through the edge of the swollen waters, and then headed out through the pasture behind our house and up the hill. Before long I was on the road. I stopped only briefly to shift out of four wheel drive and continued on the short four kilometer trip to the highway. Surprisingly about 3 kilometers down the road I noticed that it had not rained at all, the road was dry. I slowed as I approached the low, 8 foot wide bridge without rails. From here it was a short 300 meter hop to the Pan American Highway and I would be on my way to the capital for the night. As I crept over the crest of the road that drops down to the bridge my headlights quickly crawled down the black sky towards the river. What I saw before me was what I had hoped to avoid. The river, in less than two hours, had changed from a small spring fed crystal clear stream perhaps a foot deep in the deepest pool to a roaring kayaking nightmare. There would be no crossing, not then or for many hours. A hundred yards away on the other side of the river sat the truck of Abraham Guillen, a neighbor of ours who had gotten trapped on the opposite side. To add to the problem of the flood a large tree had been deposited on top of the bridge. Even if the waters subsided in the night I would have to fight to get a tree out of the way in the morning before I could drive the three hours to the capital. And all chains and chain saws are in the storage shed at Las Palmas Refuge.

I backed up, turned around, and headed back towards my house. There was still one more option. And old trail used mostly by ox carts and roaming donkeys and cows. This road has always been our last resort, but usually to get home, not to leave home. This unmaintained trail has two streams that cross it and numerous mud pits.

Once when trying to get home to my wife and kids last year I traveled this road in Ally’s land cruiser. I was set on not spending the night in a hotel. The Land Cruiser, a beast of a truck with an inline six cylinder diesel engine could go most anywhere. But it did not have off-road tires and did not have a winch like our other vehicles we use in the mountains. I figured that I would go as far as I could and if I got stuck I would use my cell to call for our guard to send me a horse and I would leave the truck for the night. That night I became a believer in Toyota. The truck switching back and forth from a crawl to roaring through mud pits amazed me. The largest of which would instill enough fear in me to not use that road any more.

Everything goes dark. You can’t stop it or do anything about it. Right before you pass out it seems like there is a large vacuum sucking the light out of your eyes and the light or rather your vision lingers as long as it can until the doors of consciousness are slammed shut and everything goes black. That’s what happened in the Land Cruiser that night in one large mud pit about half way to my house. I saw the pit after I had already slid down a muddy rutted hill, there would be no turning around so I stepped down on the peddle to hit the mud with momentum hoping that would carry me to the other side of this 25 foot wide pit. But not halfway to the other side the pit got deep and out of no where the lights were gone. What happened? Had my knee hit the switch as I was thrown about, kept in place by the seat belt? Had the water caused something to short out, had the halogen bulbs cracked when coming in contact with the cool water spray? All those things flashed through my mind in a split second as I had to make a decision of what to do. Do I keep the truck floored? Do I stop and assess the damage of my poor decision to continue on? I kept the truck going, did not slow down a bit, I might have even closed my eyes. But just as quickly as the lights went away they came back. They had not shorted out, they had not been switched off, they had been under the mud and water. The middle of the mud pit was so deep that my headlights had disappeared under the mud but as I began to come out the other side they rose from the water, still working, shining the way out of the mud.

That was all in my mind as I now had to make the decision to go or not. Not going meant most likely forfeiting my plane ticket to the US, $917 down the drain. I had nothing to loose, if I get stuck i’ll call for a horse. This time the difference is that I am in a well driven and abused rental truck that Chad has asked me to return to the rental agency at the airport. And unlike last time where I came down a muddy hill to cross the mud pit, this time I would have to cross the mud pit and then have enough momentum to climb the muddy hill.

The only thing going for me was that for whatever reason there was a pocket around this area where it had not rained too much. The road might not be too bad.

The trail turns off the main road only about 50 feet from my driveway. It was go time. I shifted into four wheel drive again and turned off the maintained dirt road. I would judge the mud on the road before getting to the areas that can get bad to see whether or not I should continue.

It could be said of my growing up that I lived an identity crisis. This is a completely different story that I will write about on a different occasion but one of my identities that I went through was the “Red Neck.” I had a big Ford Bronco that I put to the test on every old logging road, rutted farm road or muddy construction site that I could find. Why was spending a lot of money on gas to try and tear up my truck so fun at the time I don’t know. But I did learn that driving in mud, and I mean a lot of mud, can be compared to driving in snow and ice. You get better with practice. 15 years ago I had no idea that I was in training to be able to negotiate the rutted & muddly mountain roads in Honduras that we use on a weekly basis to show God’s love in remote villages around Choluteca.

Last night that experience was invaluable. I could feel the tires of my truck grabbing the sides of the ruts and climbing up out of them. That meant that the dirt was not too muddy, at least not yet. The first creek crossing that I came to was not swollen at all, no problem and I continued on. As I drove I noticed my intense grip on the wheel and that the palms of my hands were sweating. My adrenaline was pumping. It’s that feeling that you get when you are about to get into a wreck but then you don’t or when you’re speeding and you see a cop but he does not see you. Only instead of a quick burst of adrenalines my body was working over time helping me stay alert to everything around me. There were a lot of tracks from other trucks for about the first kilometer then the trailed narrowed, the tall banana grass leaned in and tree branches hung low. Soon I came up on the second stream crossing, it was rolling good. Coming up over the ancient culvert, turning and running down the road for about 2 meters, then leaving the road again disappearing into the tall grass and the night. I approached slowly, knowing that under the water the road could have washed completely out. The pass over the culvert is only about 7 feet wide. Just wide enough for a vehicle to cross. The water as it came over the culvert to my left rolled smoothly like a soft wave. There was a lot of water but it did not appear to be too swift. As I entered the water I kept in mind that I mind need to throw it into reverse at any moment to get out. That water had not washed out the road and fortunately I made it through without any problems.

On up the road I came to the stretch of large mud pits. We have not had much rain this year so I was betting on the pits just being large puddles. I was surprised to find them quite large. I approached the first with caution and then gunned the engine, although there was a lot of standing water, there was not too much mud. This reassured me that I’d be able to make it through the larger one ahead.

As I began to get near the dreaded mud hole the grass along the road and in between the tracks became thicker and taller. Probably due to the fact that there was so much standing water. The tracks of the road were actually long mud puddles, small channels of water. I move through them taking my time, then the tracks opened up into a small lake, the grass was gone, and there was water, a puddle about 15 feet wide and 25 feet across, from the fence on the left to the fence on the right, no way around. I gripped the wheel tightly and plunged in. The water was not nearly as deep or muddy as before but the hole in the middle was still there and the truck jolted like hitting a large pot hole as I crossed over it. I kept on the gas as I neared the other side, I was now focusing on the muddy upward slope ahead of me. The mud was fresh and not sloppy and the faithful Toyota climbed up the road with ease. I knew then that I was home free. Ten minutes later I pulled onto the maintained dirt road that leads to community San Francisco and from there a short five minute drive back to the Pan American Highway and I was on my way to Tegucigalpa and the United States.

It was a lonely slow drive. Battling thick fog in the mountains and hard rain along the coastal plains. The antenna of the rental truck was missing so that left me to the mercy of the strongest signal around, unfortunately for me it seemed to always be Rancheras. That’s the kind of music most Americans would stereotypically think of when they think of music from Mexico. It’s basically that Latin American version of Country Music. And although there are a few good songs, it’s much like Country Music in that the majority of the songs in my opinion have just about everything except good music and good lyrics. But it would keep me awake. There was not much traffic. When I pulled into a gas station in San Lorenzo I actually drove past it to check out the characters loitering around outside. My theory was that if anyone pulled out behind me to follow and assault this stupid gringo traveling at night then I would notice whether they were traveling or following me. The stop was uneventful; I bought a coke and Bimbo’s version of powdered donuts. Unfortunately in Honduras when the donuts finally get to the store the powder has usually turned to goo from the sweat of the donut itself. I drank my coke and let the donut rest in peace. I passed places like Jicaro Galan, San Antonio de Flores, Pespire all small towns, wide spots in the road. In everyone there were men hanging around in the light rain talking. The rain made the yellow light glare. It felt like I was in the movie the Mexican. Finally, almost four hours after leaving my house I arrived in Tegucigalpa. I made it there safely. God is good, all the time, God is good.

Out of Context

2006-10-22T11:13:00.000-07:00

Out of Context
As a missionary in a third world country I have much to say, experiences to tell, and Good News to share. No amount of school, no amount of reading could prepare one for the mission field. You might get an idea, but it’s the day to day life that educates you on what to do and not to do. More than that it’s the day to day prayer life that will make the work a success or the lack of prayer life that will allow the evil one to succeed.

When I read the Bible my mind jumps about. I take things out of context, words and phrases jump out at me. Is it God’s way of teaching me? Or is it my conscience eating at me? We should never take the words of the Bible out of context, so I’ve been told. However they’ve been quite a blessing to me.

Christ ministered to the whole man; mind, body, and soul. He did not force feed the Good News. He methodically loved all those he encountered. The man our faith is centered around only preaches to us one time with his words but his actions have moved us to strive to be the Christians that we want to be.

"You of little faith” (Matt 16:8) is what rings through my head when a new project comes our way. When I think that we’ll never be able to make it work. When a success some how seems to revolve around whether or not I can get it done or whether I can get people excited. My little faith.

I have seen this happen to me so many times, my faith has grown, my dependence on God has increased but yet I am weak. Do you still not understand? (Matt 16:9) It jumps out at me. Why can’t I get it? Well, I seem to get it for a while then it slips a way bit by bit.

He revealed his glory, and they put their faith in him. (John 2:11) It sounds so easy. Who are they, can I talk to them, can I get some pointers. I long for the spirit to help me to that next level of faith. God has revealed his glory!

As I see so much need all around me. As Ally and I talk alone at night. The images that run through our heads as we lie in bed. A beggar longing to eat (Luke 16:20-21), a man crippled in his feet (Acts 14:8), someone covered with sores (Luke 16:20), orphans in distress (James 1:27), folks longing to eat (Luke 16:21), an invalid for thirty-eight years (John 5:5-6). "I have compassion for these people, He says (Matt 15:32). I want that same compassion, not just sometimes, but all the time.

We lie in our soft bed, under a warm blanket. Our bellies are full our children are healthy. What is it that is bothering us? Why am I restless? Does my conscience scream at me about the injustice of society? Has God blessed my family beyond what I can comprehend? God has told me that he has plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future (Jer 29:11-12). He has done it all. My family can Rejoice in the Lord always (Phil 4:4). The roads are rocky, rutted, narrow and muddy in Honduras. They are so hard to travel sometimes. I ask the Lord, What am I to? What is your will Lord? His response is simple, For I know the plans I have for you, (Jer 29:11). But His will and his plan is hard to grasp. My feable mind can’t do it alone, I know that I must lean not on my own understanding (Prov 3:5).

So we continue to press on. We continue to travel down this rough dirty road. I pray that it will be said of us, “as he traveled, he came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him (Luke 10:33).” I pray that we’ll be able to say, they all ate and were satisfied (Matt 15:37). Our quest to plant seeds will continue. That’s what we are called to do, plant seeds. One by one.

We’ll plant the seed, someone will water it, but God will make it grow. So not me, planting nor the guy who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow (1 Cor 3:6).

Educating more than 300 children each day, with Christ’s, love, and nutrition for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (Mark 10:14-15), empowering women with a skill of sewing to earn money, educating young men with a trade and keeping them out of gangs, treating sick who walk for two days for treatment, loving kids forsaken by their parents, sharing knowledge of agricultural production from God’s creation and teaching God’s word to elderly widows who walk 3 hours through the mountains to worship God with her church family is what we do. And one day not far from now they’ll say, “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number” (Acts 2:41).

A team of dedicated missionaries, Latinos and Anglos alike, will work hard. They’ll love as many people as possible, they’ll minister to not nearly enough but to as many as the day will allow, and they’ll be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer (Rom 12:12).

And we’ll continue to share with God's people who are in need. We’ll practice hospitality (Rom 12:13). And we will not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself (Matt 6:34).

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers (1 Thess 1:2-3). We know that if it were not for the many people back in the US praying for the work we have been called to do that it would not be the success that it is.

And as for those, that we see all around us, that we serve on a daily basis, the down trodden, needy, the poor. The poor you will always have with you, (Matt 26:11). So we’ll always have work. Unbeknownst to them, the poor make the work easier. They don’t worship idols. Their lack of material blessings is one of their biggest blessings. For when you are weak, then you can be strong (2 Cor 12:10). The only mission that Lazarus had was achieving a scrap of food. He called nothing in the world his own, but so rich he was. The beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side (Luke 16:22).

Got Baggage?

2006-09-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

As Americans, born in a country founded with Christian values most of us have had Christianity, if not in our lives, around our lives for most of our lives. I realize this is a generalization since i am from the Bible belt, but for the most part if someone wants religeon, it's not hard to find in the US.

That's not the case in Honduras. Where you can go through village after village where there is no church presence. I am not talking about a building, steeple and all, but rather a group of Christians who meet, worship, and commune together.

I am a rather conservative sort, prefering tradition, rules, and the proven norm. I will usually order chicken strips and a coke for a meal because i know it's always good. Worshiping in Honduras used to be a stretch for me. Lack of order, lack of a plan, dirt floors, nursing women everywhere you look, dogs sleeping under the chairs, no rules.

You know what, i now find worship down here quite refreshing. That the Christians don't bring baggage of tradition and rules with them. They don't know how many songs before the opening prayer. They don't know that you only pray about blessings during the offering, they don't know church has to be out at 11:00 AM, they don't know your dog is not supposed to accompany you to church, they don't know that 4 kids on a donkey's back to get to church is not acceptable, they don't know to go to the nursery to nurse.

Here's what they do know. Much like Lazarus they don't have anything in this world, but through Christ they have everything. They don't know they sing off key, they do know how to praise God with all their hearts. They don't know when church is supposed to end, they know how thankful they are to be together worshiping. I thank God for what they don't know down here. I wish i knew that much.

2006-09-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

La Botija

2006-09-13T11:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we began construction of an elementary school located in the Botija Forest. This is the mountain located directly behind Las Palmas. It's a beautiful piece of flora that has been remarkably well preserved. I say remarkable becuase so much of the forest in southern Honduras has been destroyed. This piece is slowly but surely dissappearing as well. There is need for a one room school house that serves 24 children. We found out about the need and decided to help. The community has done much of the work for free. The site for the school was leveled off by the fathers of the children. Our head mason, Juan, will prepare the foundation for a group from Indianapolis, Southeastern Church of Christ, that will come in November to actually build the brick walls. The setting for this school is breath taking. Right on the edge of cloud forest, with coffee plantations all around. Even though my drive up there yesterday to drop of Juan was bothersome since i had many things to do, the trip up the mountain trail through the forest made it worth the while.

2006-09-13T11:38:00.000-07:00

Sacrificate

2006-09-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

Sacrificate
The Beltran kids have been at our house for a few weeks now. I guess and update is in order. Since their arrival they have really enjoyed getting three good meals a day, wearing clean clothes, going to school, having toys, having a flushable toilet, and knowing that they are loved. There mother has also died. After the funeral the father tried to give all the kids away to the aunts but they were not interested. Then the older, 18 year old, sister asked if they wanted to go back to JB's house, they said yes, and they returned. Their father visits, usually on Saturday or Sunday. He stays for only an hour or so. The kids don't even run to hug him. Our little girl Sol prays nightly for the little kids without a mommy. She is really enjoying having them around to play with. Ally and I are growing attached to the kids but we don't talk about them much. I don't know why, perhaps we are scared of what our hearts are feeling. We have little time as a family and now with six more to love on our time is stretched thinner. I feel bad some times that we don't dedicate more time direclty to the kids. The olderst sister, Diana, has school in San Marcos on the weekends, Saturday 12 noon to 6 PM and Sunday 6AM to 12 noon, that pretty much makes weekend get aways or plan no possible. So, is it worth it?? Let the picture that i am posting answer that for you....

2006-09-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

2006-09-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

Sacrificate

2006-09-06T07:35:00.000-07:00

Fired Up.

Fire is quite amazing. It has the power to change things, all from a very tiny spark. From one spark thousands of acres of forest can be wiped out. Every year thousands of acres of forest in Honduras are destroyed, air traffic is suspended, and the sky is thick with smoke, all due to one small spark.

Get fired up for the Lord! I have heard it many times. “We need to be on fire.” It’s really quite a good illustration. If we are on fire, just like small spark can grow, we can begin as a small spark and affect thousands. We can completely change our surroundings.

Working in the mission field I think a lot of fire. For one reason it closes down the international airport in the capital of Honduras every year. But also because of the sparks that Ally and I have been privileged enough to be able to work with, both American and Honduran.

Like the spreading of sparks and fire the leaf cutter ants of Central America take advantage of team work or their partners to move large amounts of green roughage daily.

Many people have seen the documentaries on the Discovery Channel of these amazing ants that carry enormous pieces of leaves on their backs. They are all over Honduras and they are very productive.

The nest of these ant colonies are well engineered, with thousands of underground chambers extending downwards more than 6 metres in depth. The central nest mound itself may be 30 metres in diameter, and have numerous 0.3 metre diameter feeder mounds extending outwards to a radius of 80 metres.
A leafcutter ant colony with millions of workers produces enormous amounts of waste. In order to prevent the spread of diseases and the rise of pathogenic pests in their gardens, leafcutter ants have developed one of the most advanced waste management systems in nature. Waste products from the gardens and dead members of the colony are segregated away from the main nest by specialized "waste workers". Transporters carry the waste to garbage heaps, where other workers who live exclusively in the heap turn over the growing pile in order to accelerate decomposition..
The whole process by which leaf cutter ants strip trees of their foliage, build their enormous colonies, and work together to achieve a common goal is admirable.
Unfortunately mission work requires funds, money, a resource that does not grow on trees. Fund raising is the most dreaded aspect of mission work for most missionaries. I actually don’t mind it. I really enjoy telling others of what God is doing here, whether they want to send any money or not. I get so excited I wonder if the groups of missions committees or elders or other interested folks think that I am crazy. Give me 30 minutes of your time and I’ll fill it with what God’s doing in Honduras.

But, I can only reach so many. There are some dear friends of the work in Honduras who when they go back to the US they don’t allow the spark that is lit every year when they are down here to go out. They spread that fire, pretty soon they have touched many and have started a fire storm. They give of their time and resources to spread God’s word in a foreign country but they also place tiny sparks in the hearts of many that they come in contact with back in the US.

They are not simply donors, they are partners, they are our collaborative cutter ants.. They are partners with us in an amazing work that is changing lives and saving souls in rural southern Honduras. To all of our partners, who go a bit further than just one week a year in Honduras, God Bless you. Your efforts don’t go unnoticed.

Sacrificate

2006-09-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

Sacrificate
Okay, so i have been putting this off but i am resolved to start blogging. I hope that i don't bore anyone or insult anyone. I'll make an great effort to be positive! So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of the ride....

2006-04-16T16:47:00.000-07:00