Today as we were coming home from the grocery store with a car full of food, Melanie made a comment which I feel describes the way many of us feel. She said, "Quimistan is like a spa for the soul." How appropriate.
Richard Mullenax
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
No place like home...
From the joy of hot water to the rest from our own beds, we, who have just returned from Quimistan must grapple with many ambivalent emotions. I still remember the return from my first foreign mission trip to Bolivia in 1990, as I wondered why God had chosen me to be born as a North American. Now having returned from my 12th trip to Quimistan, I continue to be grateful for the luxuries of my life. Yet, I find they are an encumbrance as well.
I am now completing my seventh load of laundry. If I and the members of my family only had 3-4 outfits, it would not take so long. And if I did not have a washing machine as most folks in Quimistan, I bet we would only have 3-4 outfits. If we did not all have our own bedrooms and bathrooms, I would not have so much cleaning to do. If there were not so many choices in the grocery store, it would not take so long to create a menu and purchase the items needed. If I did not have a dishwasher, I bet I would not have so many dishes either.
If I did not have these luxuries, would I use my time more wisely? Would I visit with my neighbor? Spend time playing with children? Rest in the Word, the Holy Bible, more? Would I depend on my Lord more if I had less?
These are only a few of the emotions with which I struggle. A young man, whom I have claimed as my second son in Quimistan asked me about my house....Is it big?, he asked. What could I say but 'yes' compared to the small four room home in which he lives with his family of 7.
I began to cry as I told him and he wondered why? I was ashamed of my excess and told him that I wished I could bring one of my bedrooms to his house so he and his siblings (3) did not have to sleep in the same bed.
I struggle with the questions - Am I doing enough? What more can I do to show the love of Christ to these humble people? Is my witness a stumbling block to anyone? And although, I do not know all the answers, I know who does. And He has blessed me with the opportunity to love and serve the people of Quimistan, Honduras.
When you answer the call to foreign mission work or local ones, you will find that you receive much more than you give. As I have heard before: You can not out give God. But it may be fun to try.
Blessings from the comfort of my own home, your sister in Christ, Roxanne
I am now completing my seventh load of laundry. If I and the members of my family only had 3-4 outfits, it would not take so long. And if I did not have a washing machine as most folks in Quimistan, I bet we would only have 3-4 outfits. If we did not all have our own bedrooms and bathrooms, I would not have so much cleaning to do. If there were not so many choices in the grocery store, it would not take so long to create a menu and purchase the items needed. If I did not have a dishwasher, I bet I would not have so many dishes either.
If I did not have these luxuries, would I use my time more wisely? Would I visit with my neighbor? Spend time playing with children? Rest in the Word, the Holy Bible, more? Would I depend on my Lord more if I had less?
These are only a few of the emotions with which I struggle. A young man, whom I have claimed as my second son in Quimistan asked me about my house....Is it big?, he asked. What could I say but 'yes' compared to the small four room home in which he lives with his family of 7.
I began to cry as I told him and he wondered why? I was ashamed of my excess and told him that I wished I could bring one of my bedrooms to his house so he and his siblings (3) did not have to sleep in the same bed.
I struggle with the questions - Am I doing enough? What more can I do to show the love of Christ to these humble people? Is my witness a stumbling block to anyone? And although, I do not know all the answers, I know who does. And He has blessed me with the opportunity to love and serve the people of Quimistan, Honduras.
When you answer the call to foreign mission work or local ones, you will find that you receive much more than you give. As I have heard before: You can not out give God. But it may be fun to try.
Blessings from the comfort of my own home, your sister in Christ, Roxanne
Everybody Returned Home Safely
As of Monday afternoon, everybody has returned home from Quimistan. Here is the assembled team before anyone returned home.Left to right: June, Richard, Allen, Vanna, Sam, Flora, Jerry, Kathy, Brittany, Michael, Melanie, Charles, Roxanne, Ken, Danny, and Shirley.
Now that we have had a chance to catch up on stacked mail, newspapers, e-mail, and other things that all of us face, I'm hopeful that several of the team members who haven't yet posted anything here will be able to give their perspective. Everyone experienced the trip in their own personal way, and the richness of those views can help explain why we went, what we encountered, and how we know we need to go back in the future.
Allen
Saturday, January 26, 2008
It´s about time to pack up!
We shut down the eyeglass fitting clinic this morning, finished work on the new bathroom-shower building at Jicaro School, and completed some administrative details. After lunch, we did a Tour of Homes to see the three homes built during the last year as a result of funds contributed to, and through, Honduras Agape Foundation. These three bring the total to 37.
Right now, several team members have hopped on the back of the church pickup to go up the road a few miles to the souvenir shop. We´ll have dinner, go to church this evening, and take our last opportunity to go across the street to Shirley´s for ice cream. Then it´s packing time to be ready for an 8 AM departure to the San Pedro Sula airport. Shirley has a flight out about 11:30 AM to go back home to Canada, and the rest of us will leave there about 2:30 PM. We´ll go home to Mississippi, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Our time here has been another time of coming together of the Body of Christ for the team members with each other and with the local church members. We´ve been able to serve lots of folks from outlying communities as well. I think every team member feels incredibly blessed to have been able to be here and help where there are such deep needs. We´ve agreed in our team meetings that it´s hard to communicate the full range of our feelings to our friends, families, and churches back home.
As mentioned in earlier messages, we´ve been thrilled to see how the young people and adults from the church here are reaching out into neighboring communities with all kinds of helps.
I´m hopeful that when we get home and have time reflect a bit, some other team members will be able to sit back and express their experiences here. Several of us have taken lots of photos, so there can be a lot that capture special moments I´ve missed.
So until we get home, I´ll just say Hasta Mañana!
Allen
Right now, several team members have hopped on the back of the church pickup to go up the road a few miles to the souvenir shop. We´ll have dinner, go to church this evening, and take our last opportunity to go across the street to Shirley´s for ice cream. Then it´s packing time to be ready for an 8 AM departure to the San Pedro Sula airport. Shirley has a flight out about 11:30 AM to go back home to Canada, and the rest of us will leave there about 2:30 PM. We´ll go home to Mississippi, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Our time here has been another time of coming together of the Body of Christ for the team members with each other and with the local church members. We´ve been able to serve lots of folks from outlying communities as well. I think every team member feels incredibly blessed to have been able to be here and help where there are such deep needs. We´ve agreed in our team meetings that it´s hard to communicate the full range of our feelings to our friends, families, and churches back home.
As mentioned in earlier messages, we´ve been thrilled to see how the young people and adults from the church here are reaching out into neighboring communities with all kinds of helps.
I´m hopeful that when we get home and have time reflect a bit, some other team members will be able to sit back and express their experiences here. Several of us have taken lots of photos, so there can be a lot that capture special moments I´ve missed.
So until we get home, I´ll just say Hasta Mañana!
Allen
Friday, January 25, 2008
God Opens Eyes in Quimistan
Buenas tardes de Quimistan! Well our trip is wrapping up and God has definitely been at work through us as we have been here. I have worked in the clinic all week (along with Kathy, Vanna, Shirley, Flora, and the very faithful and helpful interpreters Jackie, Daniel, and Pablo). We have seen close to 60 patients each day and sent nearly 80% away with glasses. I wish I could send a picture or video that would convey the literal eye opening experiences these people are having.
One man was introduced to the room by Vanna with, "this man is 82 years old, we cannot get a reading from the autorefractor and he sees BLURRY near and far." Well what can you do? The first pair of glasses I tried covered half his face but were +325 in each eye and caused him to bounce (as well an 82 year old man can) in his seat. "Sí mira! Clarito, clarito!" (Yes, I see! So clear, so clear). Well we tried many pairs of updated lenses but he was in love with the first ones. There have been many who are that excited and lots who have gotten reading glasses in lieu of longer arms.
I have been so blessed to be here to receive the hugs and see the happy faces of everyone, especially the ones we can help.
Pictures to follow when we return to los Estados Unidos.
One man was introduced to the room by Vanna with, "this man is 82 years old, we cannot get a reading from the autorefractor and he sees BLURRY near and far." Well what can you do? The first pair of glasses I tried covered half his face but were +325 in each eye and caused him to bounce (as well an 82 year old man can) in his seat. "Sí mira! Clarito, clarito!" (Yes, I see! So clear, so clear). Well we tried many pairs of updated lenses but he was in love with the first ones. There have been many who are that excited and lots who have gotten reading glasses in lieu of longer arms.
I have been so blessed to be here to receive the hugs and see the happy faces of everyone, especially the ones we can help.
Pictures to follow when we return to los Estados Unidos.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
It´s Still Okay here to touch!
It´s been gratifying to see that here, a teacher who loves her children is still allowed--even encouraged--to hug them. Do you think we´ve lost something in the U.S.? I think we face that danger.
This is the teacher at Jicaro School (also known as Republic of Venezuela School) with two of her students during the first day of Vacation Bible School there. This same teacher treated the visiting team to dinner the evening before.
In addition to being memorable due to a delicious meal, the evening was made even more memorable when the electricity went off a couple of times during dinner. Quick recovery with flashlights and candles gave a certain atmosphere we´ll look back on fondly. We even finished the evening with hugs all around.
Some things simply have no suitable substitute.
Allen
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