Tomorrow...Signing Off Honduras

April 16, 2012, 9am (day 1420)

Tomorrow…signing off Honduras   

I have been wrestling with my thoughts for many days now.  How can I put into words what the last four years have been?  I suspect that it may be months/years before I can fully put my arms around what has happened and how my life is now different.  I have several times replied when asked about life here, “interesting,” and it has been.   Interesting, seldom boring, always something that at times defies my ability to convey to others.  Here are a few words that have come to mind as I reflect…

Challenging has also been a word that pops into my mind when thinking reflectively about our time here.   Challenging from the sense of learning so many lessons about living in another culture outside of the US, and how the Hondurans not only do things differently but look differently at things.   In many cases, eye opening.   Challenging from the perspective of having to try and communicate in another language day to day (some days easier and some days not so easy).  Challenging as we endured an earth rocking earthquake of 7.3; the turmoil of the removal of a Honduran president from office by the military; then the staring down the barrel of a 9mm handgun and the subsequent death of one of the men who held us at gun point; and the long drive from FH to the La Lima medical clinic as the life was flowing out of Mauricio after his accident and the long hours spent at the hospital praying and hope that he would live.  I still find tears of joy filling my eyes as I think of the miracle(S) that took place and how God worked out details and gave Mauricio his life back!   At our fair well surprise party, Mauricio came up and just hugged me, and I shared how happy I was that he was there! Interesting indeed!

Praying, yes, that is a word that helps describe time here.  How many prayers where we sought God’s guidance because we just did not know which way to go?  I remember on one occasion expressing to God that making a particular decision was like shooting in the dark and not knowing what to aim at…and then God assured me that it was not dark to God.  Wow, that made all the difference in the world.  All I had to do was follow.  Then, one night not long after arriving here, I went up to the children’s end to talk to one of the house parents.  I saw the light on in the dining hall but it was too late to be eating.  I did not see anyone.  As I got closer, I could hear the prayers of the tias as they were prostrate on the floor praying for the children.  On another occasion when Pastor Miguel and Santo’s sister died, we gathered around Miguel and Santos and Marcos led a prayer that took all of us to the throne that night.  And then after our robbery that night at the church service, they called us to the front laid hands on us and praised God for our deliverance and our lives.  That was the most therapeutic moment that allowed us to move on.  I have learned much about prayer being here these four years.  Interesting indeed!    

Humbling, without hesitation, I say, “YES.” 

Olvin

And my how joyous…seeing the lives of those that God allowed us the privilege of being a part of their coming here (Jazmin, Keily, Yuleysi, Wilson Ivan, Ely, Daniela, Josue, Alisson Teresa and India Mitchell). Joyous being able to watch as the children grew up and then seeing the lives of many deepening in a relationship with Christ.  Joyous watching Jose Ricardo, Ingrid and Odalin make commitments to following Jesus.  Joyous seeing Olvin, who was so shy, come out of that shyness and oh how I enjoy his smile.  And then all those hugs and times when the children just wanted to be with us.  My cup overflows!  Interesting indeed!

Wonderful and great things await the children and the house parents and the country of Honduras!  It is an exciting time to watch and see all that God is going to do with those who are making their way out into their country (Jorge, Allan, Erika, Doris, Selvin, Iris and soon Brayan, Jose Pacheco, Jose Ricardo, and Ariel).   Soon signing off Honduras…interesting indeed!  Our prayers for Robyn Shoulders as she will assume many responsibilities for a few months as she awaits the arrival of Christina, and our prayers for Christina Massey as the new director; our prayers for Hector and Maria the new assistant director and his family; our prayers for AJ Ford!  To them I say, “Enjoy your journey!”

Jazmin

Keilyn

Interesting indeed!  Rodney   



Wilson Ivan

Yuleysi

Ely



Daniela / Karen



Alisson Teresa



Josue



India Mitchell

Finally...Alisson Teresa

February 22, 2012; 7:05pm (day 1366)

FINALLY!   I had given up guessing.  I was getting tired of even answering the well intentioned inquires.   Everyone wanted to know what I wanted desperately to know.  The courts kept saying, maybe today, maybe tomorrow, maybe next week.   We had our hopes raised numerous times, but no Alisson Teresa.  Last week, the courts called us in to talk.  Maybe today, we hoped and prayed as we drove to the courts in SPS, but in the end, no Ali.  Yesterday, a good friend of ours and FH asked, “do you think you will get Alisson this week?”  I do not know; all we need is a signature.  When we went to the courts last week, we offered to bring Alisson here until the paper was signed but no Ali.

This Friday a major construction team will hit the ground running here.  They always do, so today; we loaded up the van and headed into SPS for groceries and supplies.   On the way, Hector calls Teresa, and just like that our day changed for the better.  Hector said that we needed to go to the courts to pick up the signed document, and then go to Nueva Esperanza to pick up Alisson Teresa.  We hurriedly finished our shopping, picked up Hector’s wife Maria and headed to the courts.  With papers in hand, we headed to Nueva Esperanza.  There we had more papers to sign. 

While Maria and I took care of the legalities, I looked around and Teresa and Dale (staying with us at FH for a couple of weeks doing a variety of jobs) were nowhere to be found.  A few minutes later, she showed up with Alisson Teresa in her arms.  What a sight to beyond!  While we completed the paperwork, Teresa swayed back and forth with Ali Teresa.   I could not help but thinking that even though her life (her short little life) had been so terrible, little Ali had at this moment no idea how much she was already loved.   

Alisson Teresa is a year and half old (maybe).  No one knows.  She was found abandoned on the street in December.  Alisson is the name that the director of Nueva Esperanza gave her, and Alisson Teresa is the name that Hector filed with the courts a month ago.  He was with us the first time we saw her.  He was there and saw the look on Teresa’s face as she gently picked up Alisson for the first time.  That day Hector said, “Her name will be Alisson Teresa!”

As Teresa swayed, you could see that Ali was tired, but she would not go to sleep.  Even in the van most of the way to FH, she would not go to sleep.  I wondered, was she afraid to go to sleep?  Was she afraid that if she did go to sleep that we might leave her all alone on the streets like her father?  She did finally succumb to sleep.  She will soon know that she never again has to wonder about being loved or abandoned!  She is, and she never will be again!

When we pulled up to the team house, Pastor Miguel, Saul and Bessie were out front of Saul’s place.  We of course introduced Ali to them, and then, we had an impromptu prayer meeting, as we laid our hands on Ali, and Saul thanked God for sending her to us and asked God to bless her life!  Wow, what a moment.

After gathering up some things, we headed off to cottage 9 (Ali’s new home).  All the children crowded around the door to see her, and to love her with the love they have found here at FH.  She was a bit hesitant, so only the girls from cottage 9 and the house parents were inside.  I began to wonder if Teresa was going to leave her down there.  We started for the door several times only to stop and Teresa to love on her some more.

I look at Ali Teresa and many thoughts come to mind…why did it take so long to get her here; she is a darling; she is so loved and cherished already; and yes, she has such sad eyes.  You can see it, but soon (very soon) through the love of Christ those sad eyes will sparkle.

We went for supplies, but came home with the best surprise.   Okay, we need lots of prayer for Alisson Teresa.  We also need 14 sponsors.  Send this link out.  Talk to your SS class.  Share her story with your youth group and your friends.   Get the word out.  Lets get this done.  Lets love little Ali and lets take care of her.  Who’s with me? 

God, you have blessed us with another precious soul.  We do not know what plans that you have for her, but we believe that you are going to do great things in her life and through her life.  Call for your servants that they will give their prayers and their money that Ali may grow up in the love of your Son, Jesus.

Rodney

PS.  Don’t be overly shocked, but we may have more introductions for you next week.

Some things you just can't blog...

Some things you just can’t blog… January 24, 2012 (day 1337)

I find myself wondering at times.  How on earth could I blog about what just happened.  I wish I had attempted to do that more.  Not that I would have published those moments, but that I could later reflect on those times.  Today was not one of those things.  Today, I blog about what happened, though it did not start that way.

At lunch, I asked Teresa.  Is that verse still in the Bible?  You mean the one about not putting more on us than we can bear.  No, not that one!  Okay, the one that assures us that God’s words never pass away.  Good one, but no, not that one either.  Well, are you thinking about the verse that assures us that no matter what God loves us with a love that is higher, deeper and wider than we can conceive?  Another great one, but no, I was talking about the one that says that God’s grace is always enough (always sufficient).  I love that verse.  I rest on it’s truth! 

This afternoon events led me and Victor to be together (no, he was not in trouble).  I was getting ready to head up to the water tank, so I asked him if he wanted to go with me.  Yes, he said.  I would like that.  James Taylor (I think it was him) sang about a roof top sanctuary, but for me, I have a water tank top as mine.  I told Victor that this was one of my favorite places because it was so peaceful there. 

As we looked out over FH from the side of the mountain, FH was a beautiful as ever.  Victor said you can hear the children playing.  He pointed to a couple of them and said that they looked like ants.  We were not quite that high up.  I said, Victor so much as changed in the past four years, and then he began to talk about different building and things that have been done at FH.  He said when he came to FH that there were only a few buildings.  Then with a smile he said, when the children want to know something about FH, the way it was, a lot of time they ask me!  He is right.  I stand amazed at everything that has happened in the last 4 years, but Victor has seen so much more!  But I said, Victor, I was not talking about those things.  I said, when we came, you were only this high (imagine me holding my hand out about 2 feet shorter than Victor is today), but now, you are this high.  He just chuckled, and said, yes, I have grown much.

We are blessed to live here, I said.  Yes someday, he said, I am going to tell people that!  Then he asked me, will you miss us?  Oh yes, yes, Teresa and I will miss you very much.  Good, said Victor, because we will miss you.  Victor and I have not spent tons of time together.  He has not been in trouble often, but still as I looked into his eyes, I knew that somehow God had used us to touch him.  Then, he asked, will you ever come and visit?  I want too, I said.  Victor’s response, good, I will be waiting at the gate for you! 

Today God showed me grace again (just when I needed it most).  Today God delivered his grace to me through Victor.  Thank you God!  Thank you Victor!  Yep, that verse is still in the Bible.  I do not always understand how it can be, but God’s grace is always sufficient.  Rodney

BTW, this is Victor

Disconnected thoughts...different emotions

(Day 1322) Disconnected thoughts…different emotion swings… these things being true makes me wonder how much sense this blog will make, but I want to try.  I have no pictures to share.  I only have the images engraved in my heart.  This morning Teresa and I met Hector (mission lawyer and friend) at the make shift Nueva Esperanza in San Pedro Sula.  Because of a fire at their other facility, NE was relocated downtown because of the damage done.  This facility is much smaller, and many of the children that were formally at NE have been circulated to other places (some as far away as Tegus).  The director is the same and she has such a beautiful heart, and her commitment and love for all the children gives me a sense of hope and encouragement. 

We went today because we have a couple of open spots here at FH.  Teresa had seen a couple of small preschool children at NE several months ago, and so we went today looking for them.  They were not there, but there were plenty of others.  Hector explained to the director that we could take 2 or 3 children, and she began to tell us about some of them.  One little girl (probably about 2 and half) was standing in her crib smiling, “Hola, Hola,” she would say and then she would smile some more.  The director saw me looking and I motioned, and she said something to the effect that she would be a difficult child for us because she probably has leukemia and has been taking transfusions.  Here the emotions swirl within me!  I know that the director was right, but that is not right and I do not like it! 

By this time, Teresa was holding another little girl (2 or younger).  “What is her name,” Teresa asked.  The director explained that they called her Allison, but they did not know her name.  She was found on the streets abandoned.  They do not know her name, her birthday or anything about her.  I really did not think that we were going to be able to pry that little girl out of Teresa’s arms.  Fortunately, one of the workers offered Alli a banana and that worked.  Here the emotions swirl within me.  I am angry.  How can anyone abandon such a precious little thing?  Yes, I know sometimes parents have no way and no means to take care of their children, and that too is not right.  I am angry that there are hundreds of thousands of children (some estimated 20,000 in Honduras) that have to fend for themselves on the street.  That is not right.  I do not like what sin has done to this world, and yes before any of you say it, “I confess I have played my role in sinning.”

Then the director told us of a brother and sister that had just arrived (as she told us about them, she had to tell three other boys (10 or 11) to keep moving.  What were they thinking as they walked away?   Did they wonder why not them?  Did they know why we were there?  The brother sister tandem was 6 and maybe 8.  Both of them were as cute as they could be.  I talked to them a little, and then as we were in the office, the director told the little guy and gal that they were not going with us today, and they walked away.  I was sad, but knew that they could not come with us today.

There are protocols to follow, papers to be filed before any (or all of these three) call “Faith Home” home.  In fact, with the brother and sister, there is a good possibility that it will take a while if at all, but then again, if God is for us, who can be against us, and even if they are, it doesn’t matter!  I am happy that God is doing such a good work here at FH.  I believe.   There are so many (many in the US that are abandoned, neglected and hungry), and I know that we cannot take them all.  But, some day, I want little Alli to say, I thank you God that you brought me to FH!”

I also pray that the couple that God is calling here will take that step of faith and say, “yes.”  It is time.  You are needed.  You will know some heartache, but God has some special blessings stored up for you!      

Wow, that was fast!

December 23, 2011 (Day 1305) 9:21am

Sometimes you have to stop what you are doing and just praise the Lord!   Every so often, I find myself wondering.  How are we going to be able to do this?  Then the question becomes, after looking over all the resources that I have, how is God going to provide this time?  Yesterday was one of those moments for me.  We have a local woman who makes the uniforms for our older children that leave campus for schooling.  The school year in Honduras runs from February to November, so it is that time of year to start planning for school to start.  This coming February, we will have 37 children of our 79 that are attending off campus schooling.  This is a huge expense for us right now.  Uniforms alone will cost $2000 to $2500 this year!   Add to that the bus fares for those 37 plus school shoes plus books plus paper plus activities plus (oh, you got the point already…sorry, sometimes I get carried away).  Back to the story, yesterday the uniform lady came to FH and spent a couple hours measuring all the kids.  Then, she told Teresa that she needed to start right away, but would need about 10,000LPS.  I asked Teresa if that included the purchasing of the shirts and the monograms, and she said, “No, that will be extra.”  I know that we have to do this, but where am I going to come up with $2500. 

God has blessed this year, but with rising costs here in Honduras.  The last few months have been very tight (no extras).  Now, I needed to come up with a substantial amount of money right now.  I had just enough to cover the initial payment in the last of my discretionary money available.  Well not quite enough, I was 45LPS short (about $2.60 short).  I gave Teresa the money and said a little prayer.  That was it.  Where is the rest going to come from?  I sure hope that we do not have any unexpected expenses.  I just kept thinking, “and my God shall supply your every need according to his riches in glory through Christ Jesus.”  Okay, God, the ball is in your court.

This morning in my email inbox there is an email from a good friend of FH.  He said and I quote, “Christmas is here and I just had someone to stop by and Give you $5000.00 to be used for the kids.  If you could let me know where it will be used I can let them know.”  Wow, I just had to smile and shake my head and praise God because God did it again!  Maybe the bigger question is why was I so surprised?  It is not like God hasn’t done things like this before.  It is not like God doesn’t have the resources. 

I am so grateful for all the people that let God use them to meet our needs here at FH as we take care of the children that God has sent us.   Merry Christmas, no worries, our God can (you can fill in the blank)!  Rodney

Louder Than Normal

That noise you heard last night from 6:30pm to 7:15pm was us.  The chapel roof was rockin.  Mind you, it is always loud, but last night it was louder than normal.  It was not just that Yoni was making those drums beat, or Selvin pounding away at the key board, or Henry playing the guitar, or even Pastor Miguel getting down on the bass guitar.  They were all doing those things, and I love to watch Pastor Miguel play the bass!  Last night was louder than normal because the children, tios and missionaries were LOUDLY singing our praises.  

The service got off to a great start for me because Jose Ricardo was the worship leader.  This young man that wanted nothing to do with God 18 months ago was leading the campus in worship!  He did a great job.  Then, Odalin led us in several songs.  You could just tell that she was worshiping as she sang.  Her sincerity stirred among us and we all sang.  Just a few months ago, she recommitted herself to Christ and my how easy it is to see the difference.  Then, Odalin, Karen and Ingrid sang a special.  Ingrid has not always been thrilled about having to attend worship.  Ingrid has often been one of those challenges, but she too has made a complete turnaround.  Many times the house parents do all the leading in worship (they do a great job), but not last night.  Last night, our kids...our young adults led worship.  

It is so exciting to see God working in their lives.  We still have CHALLENGES (underline that, bold that, italicize that, highlight that), and sometimes we lose sight because of the issues/problems that God is blessing and that God is at work.  Last night was a refreshing breeze.  Last night, it was crystal clear that God has been at work doing what God does.  Changing lives!  Good stuff!  I thoroughly loved seeing Jose Ricardo, Odalin and Ingrid up front.  Each of them will in the next year finish their time here.  Each will head out into a world that is fallen, but each of them will be a light shining in the darkness.  From my time at FH, I realize more than ever all the prayers, sweat, tears, blood and money that it has taken to follow God and see God raise up this place called FH.  I believe that we are just now beginning to see the true fruit.  The next few years will be exciting times (sad too) as many of the children, excuse me, young adults leave here to find God's path for their lives.  We will never know how many people will be touched by lives of our children, but based on what happened last night, I can confidently say, IT WILL BE A LOT.  

Thanks for being a part!  Thanks for your prayers!  Thanks for your donations!  Thanks for your faithfulness!

Merry Christmas,

Rodney and Teresa

No Resolutions For Me

January 1, 2011 (day 947) 11:18am
No resolutions for me…Some possibilities might have included (blog more regularly, lose about 10 pounds, pray more and worry less, make sure to tell those most important to me how much that I love them).  I have never been a resolutions sort of person.  I am not sure why.  I do want to do those things that I mentioned above, but how much?  Enough to really do them?  Enough to make them a top priority in my life?  I think that we do those things that we commit to doing!  God, give me the grace and strength to be more open to you this year. 

We can get trapped into doing the same ole things (Last night, we did what we have done for the last 3 New Year’s Eves.  The older teen girls hosted a dinner party for all the missionaries.  They go all out for us.  They decorate.  They prepare a wonderful mean.  In last night’s case, baked chicken spiced just right, rice with vegetables and potato salad, which is always a real treat on campus.  Ingrid even made a chocolate cake and decorated it!  After the meal and celebration, we headed home.  We watched a movie and brought in 2011 the same way we have brought in many New Year’s…sleeping).  Life can get routine even in Honduras, or we can let God open our eyes and oh my what a sight!  Who can say what 2011 will bring (outside of God)?  We cannot give specifics, but we can say that God has more for us to do.  We can say that if we follow God life will be good.  We can say that what God wants to do in us and through us is bigger than we can conceive!  As I posted on Facebook, it is “time to strap in because God has some GREAT plan for all of us this year.”  Rodney