Honduras...... now safely home.

It is hard to believe that Sam and I are home from our week in Honduras. We had an unbelievable time and it will certainly take awhile to really think through all we did and saw while we were there. I could not be more proud of Sam. He became a member of a team with many kids and made lasting friendships. He told the children how Jesus loves them and came to die for them, loved on those same kids by washing and combing their hair, administering lice treatments if necessary. He even helped with braids and bows. He helped lay a concrete floor for a family who had previously had a dirt floor in their kitchen. He really stepped up and did whatever was asked of him. He even helped in the dental and pharmacy areas. It brought tears to my eyes so many times. He is such an amazing son.

The girls above were part of the church workers Monday and Tuesday. I thought they were beautiful. I can't wait to see them in Heaven. I probably won't see them again on this earth, but I am so glad I met them last week. We were able to serve over 2000 Hondurans over the 4 days of clinics. So many lives were touched and changed. There was a celebration in Heaven with so many new children welcomed into God's Family. So many chronic health and nutrition problems. It is hard to believe that so much of the world lives in destitute poverty. Dirt floors, no running water or electricity. I am amazed at their ability to be content or better yet HAPPY with their situation. Such an unbelievable culture shock even after 3 other trips.

There was a man who was robbed and attacked with a machete, a woman with (probably) Dengue Fever, and a wild boar attack.... We have not had such acute issues on past trips. God planned for us to be there to take care of these situations, to be Jesus' hands and feet. Scenes from this week will play over and over in my mind and I will not soon forget the experiences or the life-long friendships that I have established this week. Thank you God for the opportunity to serve you along side so many of your children. I feel very unworthy, but thank you for using me anyway.

Getting ready for Honduras

Two blogs in the same day.... some sort of record. :) These two little girls are waiting for food and are homeless in Honduras. Sam and I are getting ready to leave for Tegucigalpa, Honduras on Saturday. Last week Tropical Storm Agatha wreaked havoc on Central America. Guatemala took the brunt, but the rivers were flooding in Honduras, too. There are so many people who live in shacks with dirt floors that become mud with that much rain. I am not sure which neighborhoods we will be ministering to next week, but I am sure we will see the remnants of the storm. Hurricane Mitch destroyed Honduras in 1998 and every time there is a storm of any kind of magnitude, memories of Mitch are not far away. I will be praying that Sam will have his heart softened and life changed after this week. I know that I am reminded how blessed and rich I am after spending a week in one of the poorest countries in our world. I am sure I will post and review our week when I get back. Scott will be Dad and Mom for a week to Nick and Jake. They will need prayer, too. :)

Beware of Snapper the Turtle

Scott was driving out of our neighborhood and almost hit Mr. Turtle because he was crossing the street without using the cross walk. He asked a neighbor if he had a shovel to help him move the reptile off the asphalt. Scott considered just picking the turtle up by the tail and tossing him onto the grass. Thankfully, he decided to use an implement because Snapper was actually much quicker with his beak than you might expect. Scott went back to get the boys to show them the turtle. Snapper (Jake's name for the turtle) was on the 3rd Fairway when they got back. Jake is a HUGE turtle lover. As you can see by his expression, he was THRILLED to see the turtle up close and personal. Chris our personal reptile expert thought the turtle looked like an Alligator Snapping Turtle. Thankfully, he seemed determined to get back to his home. Snapper made his way to a ditch full of water and we haven't seen him since. There is a herd of turtles that live in the lake a short walk from our house. We will see them sunning themselves when we walk Ted. Our time as turtle owners is over..... Bob, Larry and Junior are buried in the backyard next to Dwight and Jeff the hamsters and Addison the cat. I love to experience nature from afar and am happy to just have Ted the Dog and Wrigley the Cat living at our house.

Bike ride finally happens

Jake has been wanting to ride bikes around the lake near our house since the weekend. We went fishing on Sunday afternoon, went to the pool on Monday and then it was stormy Tuesday. Last night we finally took the bikes down and rode. You have to understand that when Jake gets an idea in his head he doesn't let it go until it comes to fruition. He wore his bike helmet around the house waiting for Scott to make it home on Tuesday, but then the storm clouds rolled in, so we had to delay the ride. Wednesday he changed his clothes into "riding shorts" and waited. Scott had a meeting after work, but called to tell Jake that he was on his way. Jake had his helmet on, bike prepped in the garage and was ready to speed off the minute the car was parked in the driveway. I am so glad Jake enjoys riding his bike. Sam rode his bike and Nick decided he would rather ride his scooter. He doesn't feel confident on his bike and has been resistant to practicing to gain that confidence. It makes me sad to hear Nick say he isn't very smart or doesn't want to ride his bike because he isn't a good rider. He usually declines invitations to play with the neighborhood kids because he doesn't like to play sports. He seems to be isolated, somewhat by his choice, but I am at a loss as to how to encourage him. I want him to get outside and get some exercise and not just stay in the basement to play games. We have instituted a "run to play" program where, for every 30 mins of game playing, the boys have to run a 1/2 mile. They are able to use the treadmill. It is a start at getting Nick more active, but I wish he had a higher self-esteem.


Sam finishes Jr. High on Friday. We leave for Honduras on June 12. I am excited to see how his life changes after the trip. I know I never looked at life and our "wealth" the same way after my first trip. I am not sure what we will find after Tropical Storm Agatha dropped so much rain on an already poor country. I am looking forward to the week with him.


I am thankful for the beautiful weather we are having this week. Delightful sunshine and 80 degree temperatures. I am sure it will be full blown summer in not time at all.