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.”
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| 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!”
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| Jazmin |
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| Keilyn |
Interesting indeed!
Rodney
 |
Wilson Ivan
|
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Yuleysi
|
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| Ely |
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Daniela / Karen
|
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| Alisson Teresa |
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| Josue |
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| India Mitchell |
