Accomplishments

What was accomplished—
The doctors at Luke World Missions asked us to provide infrastructure for the clinic in El Castaňo. This included finding a doctor and opening Andrew Clinic, a wonderful facility that sat empty and unused for most of the 4 years since it was built. When our focus was changed to infrastructure we thought that this was totally out of our area of expertise, especially when you think of trying to do this in place where you know no one and can’t even speak the language. But with God, all things are possible.

Before we ever arrived in Honduras, God was orchestrating his great work. David made a contact that led to another contact that led us to a doctor. In February we had a doctor and office administrator and opened our doors full-time to serve people. Our goal was 20 patients a day. The last two weeks that we were there, we were making that goal and more! In addition there is a housekeeper and groundskeeper and a CEO, Dr. Martin of RioViejo, that oversees the clinic. Additionally, we met with the Honduras Minister of Health and were taking the necessary steps to have Andrew Clinic certified with the government.
Other projects completed included: cleaning and making the clinic patient ready which included repairs to the water system and air conditioners, painting, a new roof and the installation of security doors.
We were privileged to work with various teams—a work crew that built a new school, a group of dentists that did 4 clinics, friends that helped our clinic staff provide 3 outreach clinics, and our own Continental Divide VBS team. (50 individuals accepted Christ as Savior!)
David had the opportunity to give daily devotions for the middle school and high school students.

New security doors for the clinic. This was important because of the glass doors that were all to easy to break in.

The Honduran Minisiter of Health made a visit to Andrew Clinic. This part of the process to have the clinic certified with the government. This is important in that then government would provide some medicines and medical providers. In Honduras every graduating doctor and dentist must give one year of his time free in service to the Honduran people. By being certified there is the possibility of Andre Clinic being one of the places where these graduates might serve.

VBS in El Castano

March 27-April 6 we had a group from our Continental Divide Association who came to provide an EBV (Vacation Bible School) for the students of the El Castano Interanal Biligual School. We were happy to see our friends from Coloardo and so excited that they had come to work here with us. It is so wonderful to have those we love come visit and to minister along side us.

The group arrived late on the night of March 27th. However, they were up early to start prparation for the week ahead. They looked over the rooms and chapels and made plans for the location of all the learning stations kids would be involved in--worship, missions, Bible Study, crafts, refreshments and games. The teachers had already introduced the theme, Boomerang Express, and had the rooms decorated and had taught the children most of the songs. It was so hot--107 on Friday and not any cooler on Saturaday, so they took both Sat. and Sun to decorate the chapels and to gety set up.

They were so amazed and thrilled to be here and thankful for the opportunity to hall all of the students pre-k through 9th grade, every day for a week. Tenth and eleventh grades were not to be included because the administrator said that they were behind in their shcool work due to the soccer schedule.

On Monday things started off quickly with the excitement of the children. However, it was a rough day; many things did not go as smoothly as they had hoped. One problem was that they had only brought two Spanish speaking workers due to a passport problem. There was trouble with understanding the schedule. However, that night as the group met and deiscussed the problems, they prayed and God visited. They discussed adjustments to be made.

The next day the teachers and the students understood the schedule and the rotation. There were students who helped with the interpreting. And the upper grades saw what was going on with VBS and asked the administrator if they could participate. They were allowed!YEAH !!!

The rest of the week went great. On Wednesday there were 10 decisions for Christ. Moses Jimez worked and minister with the high scchool students. They even did a "community service" project, giving out clostes at the government school not far away.

On Friday there was a program for the parents. The students sang some of their songs and Moses preached. God did an awesome work. A total of 48 accepted Jesus as their personal Savior. There was a wonderful bonding among the group, the group and the teachers, and the group and the children. There were many thanks, joys, and tears shared!

Clinic in Camelote

Clinic in Camelote
On Friday March 27 our staff traveled once again to Camelote. This time though we did clinic. Leaving at 6:30 we were set up and ready to see patients at 7:30. We had another Honduran doctor, Dr. Josue Lagos. He and Dra. Mirna saw and treated 106 patients. One lady was in hypertension crisis and our visit was lifesaving. Others included diabetes, parasites, colds, and infections such as impetigo and pneumonia.

Dr. Mirna examining one of the many children.

Sara kept us all on track so that patients were seen in an orderly fashion. She also stopped registering patients at 11 so we could be finished by noon.

Dr. Josue Lagos from El Progreso assisted us today. Without his help we could not have seen so many patients.

This shows some of the many patients as they waited to see a doctor.

Home Delivery

Home Delivery

Meet Jose΄ and Douglas. They have a truck and sell produce. Twice a week they now deliver to our door. This is cool because now I don’t have to fight the traffic and mass of people in El Centro. The produce is beautiful and the price is good!

Father's Day in Honduras

March 19—yes it is Father’s Day in Honduras. I wouldn’t really mention it but because of what happened this morning I must tell you all.
I have written about these vehicles, cars or trucks, loud speakers on them. They often pass by and are in El Progreso and have recordings that advertise and make announcements. This morning at 3 am one came by and kept passing by. Loudly it proclaimed “Feliz΄al dia de Padres to all the padres in El Castano”! Over and over and over—it must have passed by a dozen times. And to add to the celebration there were gun shots—again over and over. I told David I would be shooting whoever had woke me up at 3 am. Only this morning did I learn that the message was just part of the holiday celebration.
In the evening there were tons of fireworks. Hondurans love their illegal fireworks!!!!

Outreach at Camelote

Yes, even Honduras has a Camelot, except it is “Camelote” pronounced “kam-a-lo-ta” and it is a far cry from the ideal of what we read about. Camelote is a small mountain village about 30 minutes from El Castaño. It consists of about 75 homes a few puplierias, two churches, and one school. We took our staff, Sara and Dr. Mirna and went to the school to provide parasite medicine for all of the children. We had been told there were about 80 students, mas o menos (more or less). It was more! 132 total! It was awesome. We will be going back on the 27th to provide a clinic. Pray that God will use us not only to minister to physical needs, but to the spiritual needs as well.

The Deluge

The Deluge
I don’t think I have mentioned to much about flooding INSIDE the clinic, but it has been an issue. There was a plumbing leak upstairs that was causing it to constantly drip (more than drip) in the patient waiting area. We kept a couple of large trash cans to catch the water and emptied them daily. Thankfully that was fixed back in February. We finally found someone who knew what the problem was—a leak in the upstairs floor. This required breaking up the concrete and tile and finding the leak. Thankfully they found it quickly—only about 6 large tiles had to be chiseled out along with the concrete. However, when they found the leak, water gushed up like “Old Faithful” flooding the commons area and running down the stairs. At that time Nancy and Keith were here and along with Nellie, we “scooped” the mass of the water with dust pans and then mopped. Only a couple hours work and in less than 24 hours the leak was fixed. Flooding ended, or so we thought.
At this time we are putting a new roof on the clinic. It was damaged several years ago during Hurricane Mitch and had never been repaired. Anytime it rained we had buckets out to catch the water. A new roof was long overdue. Recently we got approval from Luke World Missions to have the roof replaced.
After the contract was signed, which is a major ordeal with the language barrier, work began last Thursday. Now, it has not rained much here in about a month, but yesterday, the bottom fell out. Once again we were flooded inside. This time the commons area flooded, running down the stairs and flooding the clinic. Two of the dormitory rooms were flooded getting mattresses and furniture wet. Thankfully in the commons area, Nellie started moving the sofas so that they did not get wet. With four of us working, it took about 3 hours to get it all cleaned up. I have had enough indoor flooding!

Nellie

Nellie as most of you know is our housekeeper and cook. She is so much more: teacher, philosopher, a walking encyclopedia of the area, naturopath, a woman of God, and a dear friend. I wish all of you could meet her. Things about Nellie:
She is patient with my terrible Spanish. She will pantomime or even look up things in my dictionary to make sure I understand.
I love to hear her say “yaesss”. She says it such so much promise.
She is spoiling me. She brings oranges from her many orange trees and makes fresh squeezed orange juice for us to drink. WOW! Even David is drinking orange juice.
She is a great cook. She cooks most things fried. She also cooks “typical” food. That is what is Honduran whether it’s dress, customs, or food. Yesterday she made “papusas” for us. I don’t how to explain what this is but two tortillas made together and stuffed with something that you think is cheese, but she says is not. “It is natural.” I get the idea that this means no preservatives and is better for you. Similar to our organic. With the papusas she had chimichuri and chimol. Chimichuri is made of finely chopped garlic and celery with lime juice and olive oil. Chimol is similar to “Pico de guio.” Both were muy rico, the term for very good. While we are eating she tells us about a “concoction” (my term) her 105 year old grandmother used for her heart and circulation. It consisted of finely chopped garlic, lime juice, and a teaspoon of honey. She said to take it every day and it will lower your cholesterol and triglycerides! So much for expensive drugs!
She boils orange tree leaves for making a rinse she washes hair with. She says it is natural and makes hair shiny.
Nellie is a worker. She knows how important it is that we let people know the clinic is open 5 days a week now and that there is a doctor. She has put up more than a hundred fliers. Yesterday she wanted to go put up some more fliers. It was about 4 in the afternoon and I was tired, but I asked if she wanted me to go with her. She said, “Yaesss” with a big smile. I told her I did not have the car. She says, "Va a pies!”—that is our feet will take us. Okay! So David asked her if she was going to protect me. She responds, “No machete, Jesus!” and points heavenward. We can’t argue with that. So she and I, her children Olga and Xavier and Dr. Mirna and Sara and I start out for Colorado. Yes there is an aldea (small village) named Coloardo. It is about ¾ of a mile down the highway. (I’ve never really left Colorado!) We walk much of it on a back road that is little more than a muddy trail. We put up about 30 fliers during the couple hour trek. When this ministry is a success, it will be because of God and Nellie’s hard work and persistence.

This is a picture of Nellie and Sara putting a flyer inside a cantina(bar)

One of roads we walked down. These are what the majority of the roads are like in the aldeas--unpaved, muddy when it rains with hugh pot holes and lots of rocks and ruts. Many of the rocks are beautiful quartz.

Sunday afternoon, Nellie came over and was all excited. She had been to a vigilia. She cannot make plain to us what this is, so she looks it up in my Spanish dictionary. It is a vigil or a church service where you stay up all night and pray. She begins to tell and pantomime with so mirth explaining about the vigilia. She said dansar (dance that is just for church) and cantar (sing) and oracion (pray) tota al noche (all night). There were Milagros (miracles and deliverance) and sanar (healing). She talks and talks about what had happened and does it with lots of expression and body language, something all Hondurans do no matter what they are talking about. She told how she “fell out in the spirit”. Here she just raises her hands and falls back!

Machete Mama

A machete is a necessary item for most Hondurans. I've shared that the machete is how most grass is cut in Honduras. Daily you see men walking alongside the road carrying their machete under their arm like a sword. Most do not have them in a scabbard.
Last night I learned that it is not just the men who use this versatile tool, but the women also. My friend Olga came over last night to bring me some plants. The front of the clinic is very plain and I thought some plants would dress it up and asked her for some plants. Evidently she is really in to plants. (I have shared how she could not pay for treatment so to show her appreciation she has brought me plants.)
When she got here she had a bucket of various flowering plants and some small shrubs. I thanked her and asked if I could plant them in the morning. "No, ahorita!." Right now! it could not wait. You have to understand, it is 7:30 and dark.
Reluctantly said okay. I only had my socks on so made excuses to go get my shoes on. I also soaked myself in mosquito dope. The bugs here prefer "white meat". I did not want to give them a feast. I also picked up a pair of gloves.
We went outside and after we picked out a place, Olga used her machete to dig the holes! She was wielding it like a pro! She made quick work out of planting about a dozen plants.

Exciting Outreach

February 5-12 David and I had a whirlwind trip to the US.
Things I really was glad to experience again:
1. A bath. We have only had showers here in Honduras.
2. Water you can drink from the faucet.
3. Being able to go barefoot in the house without the fear of stepping on a bug or worse yet a scorpion.
4. Driving where there is some semblance of order!
During our time there we traveled over 1200 miles, seeing ALL the grandkids, daughters and son-in-laws, my mom, David’s dad, and other family members. One of the highlights was our visit with Uncle Jerry and Aunt Bertie. Bertie has had a 6 year battle with cancer and at this point had been sent home to die. Yet, her spirit was high and rejoicing. On Sunday evening we joined a group that came to sing songs for Bertie. What an incredible time we had worshiping at the gates of heaven. On Monday we spent some more time with them. (Only one week later, Aunt Bertie has gone to be with the Lord. Please continue to pray for Uncle Jerry and the rest of the family. We sorrow for our loss, not for her because she is with her Savior Jesus Christ.) Also, on another sad note, I had my dog Joe put to sleep. This was a traumatic decision for me; one that I had never had to make before. However, once I saw Joe and knew how very much pain he must have been in, this seemed to be the thing to do to ease his suffering.

Uncle Jerry and Aunt Bertie on Sunday night. Aunt Bertie passed away Tuesday February 17th. They both have a special place in our hearts; we are very close. At one point in time, they lived in our front yard while Jerry was head of the construction crew building a church that we were pastoring. They taught us how to dream big!

A picture of my dog Joe taken last Christmas at our Home on the Mesa. Joe was born August 7, 1994. Originally I had gotten Joe for my grandfather. I thought he needed compaionship. They became great friends. When my grandfather passed away Joe became mine.

February 12-February 22, 2009—we returned to Honduras and hit the ground running. We arrived only 2 days before we began to have a group from the states. Thankfully, we now have Nellie working for us 5 days a week. Sometimes in Lake City I have had help with house cleaning, but as many of you know this is $20 an hour. Here Nellie does cleaning, laundry and cooks lunch for about $7-$8 a day. What a blessing. She helped us get the rooms ready. On Saturday Chase and Rory Carmichael of Ocala, Florida arrived. Chase came to work on his needed community service requirement for high school graduation. (Some of you should get some ideas from this!) Sunday morning Steve Ewing from Compassion Alliance arrived. He is helping Chase. On Sunday, Dr. Martin came over with Mirna our new doctor and Sarah the new clinic administrator. They will be living in the clinic with us through the week and return to their families each weekend. Sarah is married and Mirna tells us that she has been concentrating so hard on obtaining her education that she has not had time to consider dating. She now is looking. The criteria are that he has to be a Christian and a surgeon! Wonder where she will find him? On Monday friends from Lake City, First Baptist church arrived: Nancy and Keith Chambers, daughters Cara and Kayla, and friend Caitlyn. Also, Becki and Ian Carmichael came for a couple of days.

On Monday we got off to a quick start by going to the River. The River is just this side of San Pedro Sula. It is a place where the poorest of the poor dwell in tin and cardboard constructed shelters. The river provides a place to wash clothes, bathe and some sewage. I hope they don’t use the water for drinking. Ever since I first went there, I have wanted to go and provide medical care. Today, that dream became a reality. While Chase, his dad, and Sule entertained the children, gave out beans and rice and candy, Dr. Mirna, Sarah, and I saw and treated 60 patients. This was done over the space of 3 hours. I hadn’t thought about it, but a friend called to my attention that this is one patient every 3 minutes. That is amazing! We saw a lot of infections, gastritis, and parasites. Gastritis and parasites are a big problem in Honduras due to the lack of clean food and water sources.

Dr. Mirna at the River talking with a young mom about her baby.

A family at the River: This is Jose' Anthony, wife and 3 children. Just 2 weeks ago his oldest son died. His son was hungry and ate some food he found in the garbage. Two hours afterwards he was dead. Unfortunately this sad story is repeated often.

On Tuesday Nancy and the girls worked in the school. The English teacher was out for the day and Nancy had the opportunity to teach class. The girls found that though the kids here speak another language, friendship is universal. By the time they left, they had more pen pals than they could ever correspond with!
A point of information: we have had a run on scorpions—4 in two days!

One of the projects that Keith worked on was the water system. A year ago, Frank Olson installed a closed water tank and purification system. Before that time, the holding tank was an open cistern with unbelievably gross stuff in it, a dead pigeon and green algae to mention some. Keith spent much of the week testing the water and adding chlorine and showing David how to keep it up and test it. Another task that Keith addressed was the putting up of towel bars in all of the upstairs bathrooms, 12 to be exact.

This picture shows before and after. The yellow is the bacteria in the water. Now we might possibly drink the water, but probably not. However, we can feel better about washing fruits and vegetables and dishes and rinsing a toothbrush.

One of the projects that the Chambers had hoped to complete was to provide for the construction of the first playground equipment for the children. Last year when Ben Hake was here, he put a tire swing up in a tree. However, due to the strength or lack thereof in the tree, it did not last long. Nancy and Keith knew this and wanted the children to have good, sturdy swings. This was a big project, because first of all the land was low and dirt had to be hauled in. A retaining wall for the dirt had to be built. The pipe had to be welded and secured in cement. Chains and swing seats had to be institutional quality. Astonishingly this was accomplished by Friday afternoon!

Children waiting in line to swing. It was funny that all week the kids were watching the work and trying to figure out what was being built. Another interesting thing is that many of the smaller children had never sat in a swing before. Little things that we take for granted!

Jenny, a preschool teacher tries out one of the three new swings. Note the corn growing in the background. This will be used to help feed the children. This is making use of extra land that is part of the school property.

On Thursday we traveled to Congo. Read more and see pictures in the blog.

Unfortunately, Kayla got sick and today we stayed at the clinic. This however, was not a bad thing after such an exhausting week. Also, it provided us with some down time to visit. But there was no down time from work. We have had a plumbing leak in what we thought was in an upstairs wall and dripped down to the waiting room. This was here when we arrived last November. We had had several plumbers look at it, but never got a definite price, because no one was sure of where it was leaking; today though it became apparent. We had a flood in the great room! There was so much water that it covered the room and was going down the stairs! This time we got a plumber who said it was coming from under the tile! So, he brought 2 workers who hammered out tile until they found the leak! The culprit—an uncapped line! I don’t know if I have mentioned that construction here is somewhat shoddy. What I mean by that is for example: a beautiful tile bath will be built and then a hole will be punched in the wall to put in the plumbing or all the walls completed and then run conduit on the outside of the wall for electricity! Not exactly what I am used to! By Saturday at lunch all of the work was completed, to the point of capping the line, pouring new cement in the floor, laying tile, and replacing the damage ceiling tile in the waiting room. All of this cost around $15o! To fix a major plumbing leak for that cost—a miracle!

While David was finishing up with the plumbers, I introduced my friends to the joys of El Centro. Today it was pretty overwhelming with the hordes of shoppers. But they had fun finding just the right souvenirs.

On Sunday we went to church. Though our pastor was gone, the service was marvelous. The pastor’s wife preached on the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. She was continuing the subject her husband had spoke on last Sunday.
We had planned on tilapia for lunch, but when we got home there was no electricity. It was a good time for sandwiches. It seems like the electricity has been off a lot this week. Funny, last week when we were in Dallas the electricity went off during a storm and I thought I was in Honduras! Well, the electricity was off until almost 6. Thankfully it came on so that we could cook and take showers. When there is no electricity; there is no water!

Keith and Nancy, Cara and Kayla, Catitlyn Barbee and Sule at the plaza near El Centro.

A Visit to Congo

Congo is a tiny village of about 200 families that is high in the mountains above El Castano. On February 19th 10 member medical/missons team traveled the 10 miles on an "Alpine Loop" road to deliver medical care, food, and the gospel. We were excticed to treat 62 patients, the majority being children, share food, clothing, and toys with more than a 150+. The pastor of the church shared the Gospel.


Keith was responsible for taking blood pressures and seeing that every individual received parasite medication.
















Dr Mirna treated 62 patients with illnesses that included colds and respritory infections, epilepsy, hypertension, diabetes, scabies, granulomas, and etc.

Medications were dispensed.

Pastor Jose Fernando is the pastor of the church in Congo. He shared the Gospel both in the morning and the afternoon.

Nancy taught the children how to play frisbee.