Us Against The Rock

We began yesterday to chip away at a large rock that was blocking a culvert under the road at Santa Clara. We used sledge hammers, cold chisels, a pick, and finally a grinder. All of these, with a large supply of elbow grease, finally got the job done. We defeated the rock, but I’m sure that in the morning when I feel the aches from infrequently-used muscles, I will know that the rock put up a good fight.



The ditch should work, though, and that’s the important thing. The aches will go away, but the drainage ditch will stay and, I pray, be a benefit to the folks of Santa Clara.

All in all, the project was a lot of fun. It was a great experience to work for the love of the people there, and for the glory of God.

It has been a privilege to be a part of this ministry, and I thank God for leading me here at this time. If Vanna, my “piano-banger”, or Robyn are reading this, I didn’t lift the sledge hammer over my head.

John

To El (Pinal) and Back

We have returned to Quimistan from El Pinal. It is bar none the worst piece of road on which I have ever driven! It was all dirt road and must be horrid in the rainy season. I would not be comfortable driving when the road was wet. What am I talking about, I was not comfortable driving today!

It has not rained here for three days and there were several places where the mud holes had ruts a foot deep and the road dropped off at the side into a small drainage ditch. In other places the "road" was a narrow path in the center between two ditches about a foot deep. No room for error. At other places the road was a wall on one side and down the hill on the other. Obviously hacked out of the side of the hill for some reason, possibly a logging road.

They have a sewage system and apparently water but I believe there was no electricity. All over town, they were drying beans on tarps. It is apparently the industry of the town. I am told they get 12 lempira (about $0.64 ) for each pound. They also grow corn and probably some coffee. I saw some pigs and chickens. The town is very small, but there is a church of good size in a large field on one end of the town and small Catholic church at the other.

The people very much appreciated our visiting and caring for the children. The school principal presented Honduras Agape Foundation with a certificate of appreciation from the school for construction of the classroom. I am told that our construction forman came to this site daily on a bicycle during the project. I might walk it, but ain't no way I would do it on a bicycle!

Jerry

Adopt a Village – Visit to Las Montanitas

This afternoon, five mission team members went with the medical brigade to Las Montanitas, a village First Presbyterian Church in Aiken has adopted for 2009. Las Monitanitas means “little mountains.” The village sits in a small valley surrounded by large mountains. It is a peaceful location that reflects the beauty of God’s creation.


As we arrived, many of the children ran out to greet us with big smiles on their faces. It is a typical example of the villages in Honduras reflecting inner happiness and faith in their God, although they have little in material things.


People lined up outside the local three-room school awaiting their visit with Dr. Elsa and nurse Edith. This team performs medical exams and dispenses medicines without cost. Today, the medical brigade saw 55 patients.

About 100 families live in this agricultural area, with no available electricity. Over 125 children attend the local school, which provides classes for kindergarten through 6th grade. For children who want to go on to the 7th grade, they need to travel to a village 20 minutes away. No public transportation is available, so they are dependent upon rides from local residents who may have a car. As a result, not many children receive an education beyond 6th grade.

As the team headed back down the mountain to Quimistan we reflected on what a blessing it was to share our love with these wonderful people.

Ken and June

Attack on Drainage Ditch Rocks

In Santa Clara, Arturo and others have installed a drainage culvert under the road that leads to his house and others. There are two very large rocks in the culvert that have been blocking the free flow of water, and the water backs up and covers the road during heavy rains. They asked if we could help remove the rocks. We purchased a sledge hammer and a couple of cold chisels, and spent several hours attacking the rocks, making little ones out of big ones. It was sort of like “Cool Hand Luke” working on the chain gang. We have made good progress, but still have a ways to go.

George

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I went up to Santa Clara today to work with the house builders. It was a good day. In the afternoon, we worked to break up rock in a drainage ditch. It will take another day of work to finish, but the road will be flooded less often because of our labors. It was another chance to tell them that we are here to show the love of Jesus to the people of Honduras. The kids are fun to play with... some of our group gave balloons to them and taught them to fill them with water and then squirt it. There is a sink built sort of like a window box just outside the window of the house just uphill from where we were working, building another house. We were looking up and saw a small pair of hands, struggling to reach to the faucet with a balloon... after at least four attempts, the child finally got the balloon around the faucet and turned on the water. Whoever it was, was really working at it and having just as much fun as we were.

If you still have young children, have some fun with your kids today. They are a gift that you will only have for a few more years.

Jerry

A Gift From God

Too often we take the things people do for us for granted. Last night, we took time out of our busy schedules to recognize Maynor, our HAF coordinator here in Quimistan. He manages all of the requests from each of the Foundation committee chairs with efficiency and care. Whether it is to schedule a vacation bible school, coordinate a construction project, schedule the doctor and nurse to visit a village, or assist in the coordination of a mission trip, Maynor handles it all with a smile.

Maynor will be completing his second year of support to the Foundation next week. On February 4, he will be celebrating his 28th birthday.

A dinner was held tonight with all of the missionaries to honor his service to the Foundation. Allen and committee chairs spoke glowingly about his contributions to their efforts in supporting their programs and activities.

God works in wonderful ways. We are blessed he sent Maynor to us to assist us in spreading the love of Jesus Christ to the people of Honduras.

June and Ken

All Parts of the Body of Christ

Praise God that Jesus is Lord of All! The eleven Honduras Agape Foundation missionaries this week include five Presbyterians, three Baptists, two Methodists, and one Episcopalian priest partnering with Pentecostal Holiness pastors and other believers to share God's love with the people of Honduras. As a first time "Missionary," I am amazed and thrilled to see all that the HAF is working to accomplish here. HAF has improved schools, medical care, and homes for so many. God has blessed HAF with an incredible network of Honduran believers who have much love and faith, and lots of connections! There is a HAF office and a full-time Honduran volunteer in Quimistan, as well as local doctors, nurses, and a lawyer to help HAF with its mission in the area.

For all of you at home who financially support HAF and the AP students, I see your money being well spent to improve the lives of some of the world's poorest and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:4-6

Claudia

Jicaro Day for VBS

Tuesday, Jan. 20

Today I attended the second VBS session, held at the “Escuela de Rep. Venezuela” school in Jicaro, about 20 minutes of dirt road from here. There were about 4 dozen kids and another dozen or so adults and babies outside. The AP youth took the lead today in presenting the same message described in an earlier post. Arabely did most of the teaching, with Karen and Claudia in supporting roles. The session was again followed by deworming medicine and fluoride.

But I’ll let the pictures below tell the story.

Tommy

[Teaching the Gospel]

[Making bracelets]

[Coloring fun!]

[Preparing the deworming medicine]

[Down the hatch!]


[Demonstrating the fluoride]

[Swish and spit!]

[New toothbrushes]

[And a good time was had by all!]