Thoughts from Honduras
2004
Contents
How about some Good News, for a Change?
January 22, 2004
Some words in Spanish have about the same meaning in English; for example: “transportación” and “equivalente”. But some words have radically different meanings; for example: “embarazada” does not mean “embarrassed”, but means “pregnant”, and “constipación” means your nose is stopped up.
They did a good job of pointing those out in language school. But they missed one!
Yesterday I was in a meeting with two Honduran men, Rigo, the pastor of our new church, and Humberto, a Honduran national missionary with our mission, Mission to the Americas, who overseas the ministry in our area. As we were talking, I wanted to say that I was in support of Rigo’s ideas for the church. I used the verb “suportar” thinking I was getting my point across. Both men smiled awkwardly. I knew I said something wrong!
Humberto went on to explain that I probably wanted to say that I was helping or assisting Rigo. I agreed. He then explained that I said I was “putting up” with him or “suffering through a burden” as someone would put up with an unpleasant guest for a day or two! Fortunately both men know me well. We had a good laugh!
I then realized that I have used the same verb many times in describing our stateside supporters who donate funds and pray for us! I have been telling the Hondurans that they “painfully put up with us” in our efforts in Honduras!
I hope we have not been too much of a “pain”!
J
ake’s Words
January 14, 2003
Recently, Jake, our eight year old, gave us a glimpse into how he processes information.
As we went to the town of La Ceiba, trying to accomplish everything on our long list of things to do, I mentioned that I could “kill two birds with one stone.” About ten minutes later, as I was filling the gas tank, Jake asked my wife, Becky, “Why does daddy want to kill two pigeons with a rock?”
Last Sunday during our family Sunday school time, Jake was describing someone who had developed an allergic reaction, and “had the heaves”; those bumps that itch!
January 31, 2004
Mohle (pronounced like “Mo” from the three stooges, and “Lay” like “me down to sleep”) is a big black man, of Jamaican descent, with a smile full of rotting teeth. Mohle lives in a very humble home with mud walls and a tin roof over some of it, thatch over the rest. He is a true “gentle giant”.
Mohle has an old diesel tractor and a wood trailer. With two of his oldest sons, he hauls things for a living; sand, rocks, platano bananas. In the rainy season he pulls cars out of the mud and the river. He just gets by providing for his large family. Mohle has a desire to do better.
Mohle is not a believer in Christ, but many of his kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews attend our Sunday school and other church activities.
A while back, Mohle and I were talking about the need of a tire repair business in Balfate. Frequently I have suffered a flat tire, as have all who drive cars over our roads. Mohle had a desire to buy the equipment, and begin such a business, but he did not have the money needed to start up. I told him to look for the equipment he needed, and come talk with me when he found it.
A couple weeks ago, Mohle showed up at my door, excited about a used tire repair machine and air compressor he located. We talked about the price, how much he would expect to charge and earn in a month, and how he would expect to pay back a loan. He had already thought it out, and had a sound plan.
We went to look at the equipment with a couple of other missionaries, Mike Yost and Pad O’Neil, who had much more experience with equipment than I have. Mohle bought the tire repair machine, but we nixed the compressor, which looked ancient and like it may be on its last leg. After shopping around for a better deal, we finally stumbled on a barely used compressor being sold by some missionaries leaving Honduras. It was much less expensive, and will cut the loan repayment time down considerably.
Today Mohle received his compressor! He was very pleased. He has plans for a little garage near the main road. He needs to buy patches and other tools and materials, and hopes to find some good used tires to sell as well. It will take him 42 months to pay back his interest-free loan. The funds from the loan will be recycled into another community development project.
We hope that the monetary investment will bring eternal dividends! Please pray with us that our relationship with Mohle and his family will help bring him into the family of God!
How about some Good News, for a Change?
October 19, 2004
Are you like me, weary of all the violence, war, sex and crime in the headlines? Here is a real life good news item from Honduras (and University of Michigan)!
This past February / March, we hosted a team from The University of Michigan, which included a pediatric cardiology fellow. She came prepared to identify two potential patients who could receive a life saving operation at U of M. One of the patients selected was the daughter of our housekeeper, Luisa. (Those of you whom have been here may remember Tino that worked in the bodega at the hospital. This is his and Luisa’s daughter.)
Wendy appeared normal, but her heart and lungs were heading for an early death due to a condition called Patent Ductus Arteriosus, a problem caused by an incomplete transition to the normal blood circulation pattern after birth. While her body remained small, the problem was fairly insignificant, but as she grew, her heart and lungs began to develop abnormally.
Providentially, for Wendy, the problem was discovered early!
We began helping with the process of getting her to The States last spring, but ran into some obstacles. Samaritan’s Purse picked up the torch!
Last week, Wendy had a successful procedure to correct the problem via a catheter, a tube like instrument placed into her body via her blood vessel. She left the hospital the same day! We look forward to seeing her soon, back in Honduras!
So we are thanking God for overcoming the obstacles, and meeting a need in Wendy’s life. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for her!
October 22, 2004
Many children dream of owning a horse. There are so many kid’s books and movies about horses, that it is natural. They are beautiful animals!
As a child, I was no different. My dream was fed by the promise of a well meaning distant relative that I saw maybe twice a year, who promised to buy me a horse someday, every time I saw him. I think I knew that he would never follow through, but yet it was fun to dream about a horse.
My daughter Abbie also had that dream, but with her, it was more of a passion. Abbie loves horses. Over the years we have talked about getting a horse some day, and what would be required of her if we got one. Finally, the circumstances seemed right, and we seriously considered getting a horse.
There is much more to the story, but a friend with considerable experience with horses visited and went “horse shopping” with us. We ended up with not one, but two horses! Abbie was excited! So was I, at first.
The reality of being a horse owner quickly set in. Besides the expense of the horse tack and food, and difficulty finding a convenient pasture, I was kicked and thrown early on in process. I had to struggle to overcome a sudden fear of horses! These things could be dangerous!
The real frustration, however, was getting the big animals to come when you wanted. It is so easy with a dog! We became the daily entertainment for Balfate as we tried to catch our horses in the pasture, and frequently through the village, as they got loose, or had rid themselves of their rider!
I was seriously questioning the wisdom of owning horses. Then something wonderful happened! Our Honduran neighbors helped us!
That might not seem like a big deal to you, but it was to us! When we moved to Balfate, we were the rich Americans, who had no needs, and were the constant source of medicine, clothes, money, food, and whatever else people needed. The relationship was almost totally vertical. We met needs. But there was very little reciprocation. We were not generally considered friends, on the horizontal level, just benefactors.
Now, because of my ignorance about horses, and a visible need in my life, we have at least three families that we depend on to help us! And they love it! We are developing a true friendship, a give and take relationship, an equality in the community.
And for us, that is, in a sense, a dream come true!
6 December, 2004
Yesterday we had the joy of participating in a service of baptism at Iglesia Alfa y Omega (Church of the Alpha and Omega). Eight people declared their faith and desire to follow Christ!
Goyo had sidetracked his plans to gain a university degree, getting drunk on weekends, and smoking marijuana. Last year while really “enjoying” the New Year’s celebration, he became violently ill as a result of too much alcohol. As I participated in his health care, I pointed out that he was heading nowhere with his life, other than toward an early death. He began attending our church, and made a decision to turn his life over to Christ, rather than follow his own destructive desires. He has been faithful at church, and sober since!
Goyo’s mother just died of pancreatic cancer last month. She was a believer. We were concerned how Goyo would weather this storm. During his mom’s last days, we provided hospice type care in her home, and encouraged Goyo. It was a difficult time, but Goyo found strength in Christ, and in his spiritual brothers and sisters!
Bessi is a remarkable intelligent young woman. Her mother received Christ about a year ago. Recently, Bessi has been asking lots of tough questions, and spending time with Chileen Perry, one of our missionary co workers. Bessi, counted the cost, and decided to follow Christ! She will be continuing her education this next year in a Christian school in La Ceiba.
Santos and his family have become pillars in our church. One by one, his family has come to Christ, through the influence of the youth ministry, their neighbor, Chileen, and my kids. About a year ago, Santos stood up in church one night and said that it was time that he too receive Christ, since the rest of his family had, and he liked what he was seeing. A couple weeks ago, he stood up again, and said it was time that they were baptized! Their entire family of 6 was baptized together yesterday.
This is why we are here! Real people, real changes!
