Writing the blog has been a good exercise for me.I find it hard to think that we are heading back to the States tomorrow for the GA (okay, so I am dating myself a bit.I know that we now call it the Missions and Ministry Summit).We have just got our feet under us and I think making some positive strides and now we head back for a month.I find myself strangely pulled.Excited about being home with family and yet sad to leave…go figure.
I do know one thing.I am eager to get to language school.Yes, we have gotten by without to this point.It is not only a challenge, but I genuinely want to talk to the children and house parents without just a few words of Spanish here and a little English there.
Today, I had to go pick up Ariel and Marcos at the hospital in El Progreso.I know.I haven’t told you why Ariel was in the hospital yet.About 10pm two nights ago, Marcos (house dad from Cottage 80 brought Ariel to us.He was having a lot of trouble breathing, so Teresa after a quick check knew that we had to take him to the ER.They kept Ariel for the next couple of days (asthma and pneumonia in his right lung).Today, the doctors said he could come home.Everyone was busy, so I said that I would go.Marcos speaks no English and I speak sooooo little Spanish.Marcos is such a find man.We communicated and I got the bill paid and the medicine purchased, but how tiring!
Speaking of tiring—I am tired, and I still have to pack.I will update the blog about once a week while in the States.We return to FH on August 21 or 22.For the next month, it is back to managing things via email.
Signing off from Faith Home for about a month.Rodney
July 20, 2008 9pm (day 52)
Today we did what many people did.We went to worship service.For us, we drove the Cup Creek Team from S. Indiana into San Pedro Sula to an English speaking interdenominational church comprised primarily of missionaries in the area.It is about a 30/40 minute trip from Faith Home.Usually, there are about 60 to 90 that attend.
One of the things that I miss on the field is preaching.I have preached nearly every Sunday for 19 years and I am still trying to adjust to not preaching every Sunday.This has been a big challenge for me.God called me to be a pastor and preaching was an important part of that calling.I know that I will adjust because God has now called us here, but it was a pleasure this week to prepare a sermon for today as I had been asked to preach a couple of weeks ago.Mission life calls for many adjustments and this is one.Pray for us as we make the many different adjustments that come from life in another country!
(Picture of the meeting room where we meet to worship in the Copantl Hotel)
Have a great week!Even though what we have to offer is not much in light of all the suffering in the world, when we give our lives to Jesus, he takes our lives, blesses us and then uses us to do amazing things (check out what Jesus did with one little boy’s lunch, John 6).Rodney
July 17, 2008 7:30pm (day 49)
Just when you think things are about as busy as they can be… Hector our attorney here in Honduras came by the other day.He told me that INHFA (the agency that issues our license) had enacted a new policy and now we need to complete a thorough report that outlined our ministry here.He also mentioned that I needed to have it completed before we leave next week.Time to roll of the sleeves and get typing!Then (and I am pausing to try and figure out what day today is) on Monday night after going to sleep, I was awakened by Julia Phillips hollering for us at our bathroom window sometime after 11pm.Apparently we could not hear her knocking at the back door.She had Minda with her.Minda is the house mother who moves from cottage to cottage when the regular house parents get their four days off.Her father had died and she needed to leave right away.We of course moved the children in next door with Javier and Maria (cottage 3).I hate the phone ringing in the middle of the night because you know it is probably not good news.
Then last night, Joel, Santos and Miguel tracked me down about 8:30pm.We were at the Smith’s.Joel (Santos’ 24 year old son who speaks some English) told me that his aunt (Santos and Miguel’s sister) had just died, and that they needed to leave right away.Minda was still gone and now…I had three cottages to cover again.A quick meeting was called at the cocina and the situation explained to the rest of the house parents.The girls from cottage 2 were moved to Cottages 3 and 4.Marcos from Cottage 8 would take care of the boys in cottage 7.Rafael would take care of the boys in cottage 6.All agreed to help during the day to cover the other chores.Now all we needed to do was figure out a way to get Santos and Miguel’s family home (about 3 hours from Faith Home).Javier and Jorge said they would drive them all to a place about an hour from Faith Home and from there they could make it the rest of the way.I wonder if I am making any sense at this point.
(Pastor Miguel & Eduarda on the left)(Santos & Catalina on the right)
Before leaving, we all gathered around Santos and Miguel and I asked Marcos to lead our prayer.As we huddled around them, the tears flowed as Marcos prayed a powerful prayer that comforted and filled us all with the hope that we have as Christians because of the resurrection!Pray for our house parents that have experienced the pains of death this week! Pray for us as we try to make good decisions and take care of our kids.I do have to say that I was so touched by the way all the house parents were ready to do whatever it took to take care of Santos and Miguel’sand to make sure that all the children were taken care of…Thank you Lord, for these precious people who minister with us at Faith Home.
Longer than usual!I’ll try to be shorter next time.Rodney
July 15, 2008 9:02pm (day 47)
The days really slip past fast when a team is at FH.The days are full normally, and then even more so.The Owensboro team is here this week with a couple of other churches with them.They have been a treat to have.Like most teams, they have worked hard and done much.As you know, the new guard house has been a project that the Tios and I have been working on for the last couple of weeks.Now with the help of the Owensboro team and the Tios, it is under roof, the water line has been run under the road (not easy digging!) and the concrete porch poured. I am proud of what they have done.During this time, we joked a lot with each other.One day, I asked Eduar who speaks some English how to say hurry in Spanish.“Rapido,” he said as he snapped his fingers three or four times.Now, you often hear one of the Tios yelling, “Rapido, Rapido” to me or each other as we work.
Okay, as you can tell from the second photo, these guys are working REALLY hard. This picture was taken a little after 3pm at the pulperia. Nothing like a cold soft drink in the middle of a hot afternoon. Type at you later, Rodney July 12, 2008 5:30pm (Day 44) Here are the pictures that I promised last night. The house parents have worked hard on the guard house and I am very proud of their efforts. I was also happy that so many of the younger boys were at the job site and working as well. Much was accomplished. We would have finished but ran out of the tongue and grove lumber that we needed.
Yes, they humored me and let me have some fun too! Rodney July 11, 2008 7:05pm (day 43)
Today I just decided that I was not doing office stuff. I had sent off a couple of emails that I needed a reply too and had not received one, so I just wanted to get out and do something else today. I had a couple of options, and then my phone rang. Eduar (one of our house parents) wanted to know if he and the others could work on putting the trusses up on the new guard house. Bingo, I knew what I was supposed to do. I would just help them. Steve Comfort is in, so I checked to see if we had all the material and we had enough to start. By noon, we had all but the final truss up. It had to be specially made, so Steve and I worked on it right after lunch. Around 1pm, it was finished and by 2:30pm, all the trusses were up. I knew better of course, but sometimes you just don't pay attention. When putting the final truss together down at the bodega, it was so hot inside the sweat just rolled off. When I was standing on the concrete block wall getting the final truss together I realized something strange. I was not sweating any more. Could it be that it was nice and cool outside? Was that why? Was it because we turned the AC on? No, couldn't be that because no AC in the guard house. Could it be that I had not had anything to drink for an hour and a half? What was that word I used earlier? BINGO! Within just a few minutes I knew that I had to get down and get some water. Sometimes you know better; sometimes it just sneaks up on you. Either way, you realize that you have gotten yourself into a situation that is not good. I wonder how many times that happens to me spiritually? I know better, and yet I don't always do better. God, help us to pay better attention to you and to all the warning signs you give to help us avoid things that can hurt us.
Adios, Amigos! Rodney
(PS: I will get a picture of the new roof tomorrow)
Rodney's Blog
July 9, 2008 2:10pm (day 41)
I've got time to write now because it is pouring outside, (the picture does not do the storm justice. It was taken from the balcony of our home) and unfortunately, our bathroom ceiling still leaks too (drip, drip, drip). Several of you have asked about my day. I have decided that there is no such thing as a typical day, except to say there are no typical days (does that make it typical?). I usually get up about 5:30am, so I can start my quiet time and devotions about 6 with a fresh piping hot cup of coffee. Then around 6:30 I check my email. The other day I needed to print an email off and take it down to the team house. When I got back, I skyped tech support with a problem on my skype phone. While on hold, I answered two doorbells. One was a house parent and the other the Sula guy wanting paid. The Sula truck delivers milk products to FH.
This particular day I needed to check the water level in the water tower so I loaded up the ladder and headed up the hill (it is quite a hill). The water level was fine. We had a bit of an issue the other day and found out that one pump had been disconnected temporarily for about 2 weeks when we found it. The water level rebounded and all was well.
I stopped by at the new guard house to check on the tios. They are putting the stucko on the blocks. They make it look so easy, and they wanted me to try. They take a trowel full of cement and flip it onto the block wall and most of it stuck (hence the word) on the wall. When I tried it, almost all of it did not stick on the wall but hit me in the face! They got a big kick out of that. They decided that I should stick with mixing the mortar for them. I agree. Then I needed to round of the transition boys and get them mowing. With all this rain, things are growing fast. On my way back to the office, I popped into the girls transition house and mentioned that I was going to inspect their rooms later. This all happened before 9:30am. I have found that the more I can do before 9:30 or 10 the better. After that time, I never know what to expect except that God will see me through whatever! Rodney
July 7, 2008 4:00pm (Day 39)
The Great Depression...The Great Lakes...The Great Wall of China...at Faith Home, we have the GREAT BIANNUAL CLOTHES DISTRIBUTION. It is quite the task to distribute clothes and shoes to all 80 children in one week. Today, it began around 12:30pm and the girls are still going. This afternoon Casas 3 and 4 came to get new clothes. Every child has his or her own taste and within reason we try to accommodate. It takes a load of clothes to do this and we are so appreciative to all of you who have sent clothes to us. Later in the week, they will also give out new shoes. That too is a major production. Teresa will be helped all week long by Julia and Tania. If all goes as planned, all 7 children's casas and the 2 transition houses will have the clothes and shoes that they need for the next 6 months.
I for one made sure that I was nowhere to be found this afternoon. I had things to do away from the office and all the activities. Now as you can tell from the time stamp, I am hiding up stairs. I can hear the noise of the great distribution and that is enough for me. Rodney
July 3, 2008 8:41pm (Day 35)
As you know, Teresa did her bout with the flu bug going around campus, but she is back to normal (whatever that means).It seems like someone is always has something.The flu bug has slowed but currently Teresa is treating pink eye (Estehanie), an ear infection (Fernando) and LICE!Just the mention of the word makes my head itch.Casa 4 has been battling the little critters for a week. Pray for Fernando, he continues to have many ear infections and problems with his hearing.
Today, the power was off from 10:30am to 6pm.We were sure glad when it came back on.I asked Saul to take a ride with me about 5pm to see if we could find out what the problem was.We have a team in this week and without electricity, it not only means no a/c, but no pump!Thankfully, the water tank was full when the power went off.On the way to El Porvenir, we spotted the ENEE trucks working on a pole.Apparently, the fuse link blew.Within the hour, the lights were on.I have discovered that I am addicted to electricity!I mean I like it a lot!
Sleep well and try not to think about head lice!
Rodney
July 1, 2008 8:30pm (Day 33)
Teresa is feeling much better. Thank you for all the prayers and emails! She was up and around some yesterday, but today she resumed a full schedule. We just got back from worshipping with the children. Tonight Karina, Emerita (the twins from Casa 3) and Estefanie run up to Teresa and wanted her to sit with them (she did of course). After I made the rounds with the other children, I headed back to where Teresa and the girls were sitting. Karina (or maybe Emerita) motioned for me to squeeze in and sit with them. After a little bit, Emerita (or maybe Karina) decided to sit on my lap. They both wanted me and Teresa to hold hands. They would take our hands and put them together. I am not sure why, but they wanted us too. We still know little of the language, but worship with the children is worship. They watch us and we watch them. We want to teach them that worship is important and life changing.
Speaking of not knowing the language...everything is a bit of a chore without knowing much language. Today, Rafael (one of the house parents) came by and Rafael is a treat to be around. He always has a smile and praises God for the missionaries. He is hard to understand, but by God's grace I figured out what he needed. How much easier after Teresa and I get out of language school. When we went into town today, I needed a haircut. My hair is so thick and when it gets long it is a mess and my three week haircut was 5 weeks old. I had spotted a barber shop at one of the malls, so I decided to try it. You never know where to go, so you pray that God will look out for the uninformed. It was time for a haircut so I marched into Donald's Barber shop hoping for someone to speak English. That is right - Donald's. I was thinking with a name like that someone would know English. No one did, but luckily for me there are not a lot of options in a barber shop, so I did get a haircut (Teresa reassures me that my buzz will grow out before the Summit in four weeks)! I'm just kidding. I got a nice haircut. I think I found my Honduras barber shop.
We made the rest of our stops and made it back to FH. As we pulled into the front gate, I prayed, "Thank you Lord for a safe trip and a good haircut." BY THE WAY, "Happy Birthday" to Jamie (our daughter). We love you! Dad
Until next time, Rodney
June 28, 2008 7:45pm (Day 30)
A month has gone quickly. We have seen a lot and done a lot in the last 30 days. This last month has just reinforced to us the need to go to language school. Three months seems like a long time to be away, but we have to be able to speak the language in order to do what God wants us to do. Tonight, Teresa is dealing with the flu. She has treated several children the last couple of weeks and now she has it (chills, aches, throwing up-okay, you got the picture). She said earlier today that her head ached so bad that her hair hurt. Hopefully, she will soon feel better.
As an update, Yessy and Jesus both got their glasses yesterday. Jesus just kept looking at himself in the mirror! Yessy said that they made her feel dizzy. I suspect they did. Afterwards, we stopped by the bank and then took them to KFC for lunch where they played in the children's area. They had a blast. Keep us in your prayers! Keep Yessy and Jesus in your prayers. If the glasses do not work, they may need surgery. Keep all the missionaries in your prayers. We are hosting the forth MVP team in a row this week. We are tired, but we have had a good month. God Bless, Rodney
June 26, 2008 9:40pm (Day 28)
The rise in fuel is a BIG deal. I read the news and wonder where things will end. One of the things that have been happening in Honduras is bus strikes. Buses are a BIG deal in Honduras. Public transportation is BIG business here. You can catch a bus right down the lane from FH and get all over the country. Some people call them chicken buses. I must find out why, but I don't know tonight. Many of these buses are packed, and apparently buses do not have to abide by any traffic regulations. They just sort of do what they want, but I digress. Because of the rise in fuel cost the bus drivers have been on strike and have set road blocks up in key places that make travel in and around San Pedro more difficult. You can get around but traffic is even more backed up than normal. Two days ago Teresa and I had to go to town, and sure enough on the way back the buses had the toll booth area outside SPS backed up for miles. The buses just park in the road and traffic just has to find a way through all those parked buses. It was a mess but we made. Today, I had to run to the bank by myself. The buses were at the toll booth again, but this time there were 50 to 100 national policia in riot gear, and all the buses were parked not in the road but beside the road. I think I felt more uncomfortable today than a couple of days ago. I did make it through without any problems. In a country where earning a living is difficult, I guess I understand that these bus drivers are looking for answers. It is hard to feed a family here and it is getting harder. I know that it is tough to pull into the gas station and fill up, but when you do, think about us in Honduras and say a prayer for your missionaries and for the people. I think I have rambled a bit tonight, so Adios Amigos. Rodney
June 24, 2008 9:45pm (Day 26) I just sent this email a few minutes ago, but also wanted to share it with those of you that read my blog.
Hello all from Faith Home, If you have read my blog recently, you know about Yessy and Jesus and their eye problems (Yes, I misspelled Yessy's name on my blog last night. I will correct it as soon as I send this email). We have also had a rash of other medical expenses with 2 trips to the ER and another trip to a clinic late this afternoon. A flu bug causing dehydration seems to be moving through the campus. I know that you all already support FH in many ways and many of you support us personally. In a budget that is already very tight at this time, these medical bills add up (even in Honduras). In Yessy and Jesus' case, they need glasses. Pray that the glasses will correct their cross vision, otherwise, surgery will be necessary. The Doctor told us that Yessy vision has already caused her learning difficulties, and it has. We have ordered the glasses and we will pick them up on Friday or Monday (if they come in). Please pray and if God moves you to share to help in these medical expenses, I just believe that God will bless you many times over. At present the eye exams and glasses will cost about $400 to $450 and we have spent several hundred more on the other trips to the ER. Teresa is really busy right now.
If you decide to send something, just mark the check FH Medical and send it to GBIM, 100 Poplar Bluff, Mo 63901, and if you would let me know that too would help. God Bless You, Rodney Walls
June 23, 2008 8:40pm (Day 25) (I misspelled Yessy's name last night, so I am correcting it now - Tue 9:40p) An eye opening day.This morning at 9am, we pulled out of FH with Yessy (age 8) and Jesus (age 4) and headed for San Pedro.Julia was along as our interpreter.We suspected the Yessy and Jesus had some eye problems, so we took them to Dr. Gamez.Both of them were all eyes as we drove into town.Neither had been outside the gates in a long time and they seemed thrilled, especially when we told them that after the Doctor’s visit that we would take them to eat pizza (they understand that word).Both were absolutely great in the waiting room, even when we had to wait another hour because the doctor wanted to dilate Yessy’s eyes.While we waiting, they wanted hugs and smiles and we gave them plenty of both.Both at times just wanted to be close and hold my hand.I was so blessed today.
Teresa was more than prepared.She brought snacks for them and the coloring books and crayons.She was in her element.
The news was not great.Yessy and Jesus are siblings, and they both have cross vision and Jessy has a lazy eye.The doctor first talked surgery, but decided to try glasses first.Pray that God’s hand might touch their eyes!Because of poor vision, Yessy is also having problems in school.Yessy needs to return to the doctor in 4 months.
We did take them to get pizza and did they eat.Both ate 3 cheese pops and Jesus ate two pieces and pizza and Yessy ate three.They had a blast.That was $24 well spent.We were not in the van more than 10 minutes before both were asleep.Eyes are so important.I pray that God will correct their vision and I pray that God will correct my spiritual vision as well.May God open our eyes!Rodney
June 22, 2008 7am (Day 24)
Good morning!I pray that you have a great day of worship.Another team arrived late yesterday.The plan is to go to the English speaking church in San Pedro.
On Friday evening on returning to FH about 7:30pm, Teresa and I headed to house 6 where Eduar and Edis are the house parents.Their almost 2 year old son was sick.On examining him, Teresa felt like he needed to go to the ER in La Lima, so we loaded mother and son and picked up Tania Willis to be our interpreter and out the gate we went.Driving at night is an even bigger treat than during the day.At least then, you can see it coming.I always pray when leaving the property that God will grant protection and safety.
Once at the ER, the doctor confirmed Teresa’s suspicion.Esdras was dehydrated from vomiting all day.After a couple of hours of IV and antibiotic and several prescriptions, the doctor released Esdras and we loaded back up.At a little after 11pm, I thanked God for a safe trip as we pulled into the gate. Esdras is doing better.
Tomorrow, we load up Jessy and Jesus to go to the eye doctor’s.We will take Julia to translate, although rumor has it that the doctor speaks English!I hope that is true.We do not want to be away from FH for three months, but we are eager to go to Antigua, Guatemala to language school.We can love the children in any language, but how we look forward to the day when we can say more to them than just a few words of Spanish here and there.Lets exalt God as we worship today.Rodney
June 17, 2008 9:45pm (Day 20)
The grass (and weeds) grow fast right now.We have had plenty of rain.Today, the grass and weeds around the shade house needed cut.We cannot get close enough with the tractor, so we used Honduran weed eaters today.Yes, I did say we.I asked the House fathers to meet me at 10:30am at the garden with some of the older boys, so that we could clean up inside and outside around the shade house.The boys and the house fathers got a huge kick as I got my first lesson on using a Honduran weed eater.I will be sore in the morning!A Honduran weed eater is a machete.After about an hour and a half, I began to get the hang of it (a little bit).The boys gave me tips.The swung those machetes and the grass and weeds flew.I swung and swung and little happened.There is a real knack to cutting grass and weeds this way.
We worked hard and we got the job done.I did not have a dry stitch on me when we finished.Everyone worked hard and it was fun (yes, you read that right.It was fun to work out with the house fathers and boys.I have a new appreciation for those that use a machete day after day.Pastor Miguel said that if I would practice four hours a day for a week, I might get it (with a big smile on his face).
Time to go and take some Advil.Rodney
June 15, 2008 9:15pm
Sorry that I have not written for several days, but our son came for a 5 day visit.He leaves for home in the morning.Pray that he has safe travels.He has been bored at times, but we have so much enjoyed him being here.I am sad that we will drop him off at the airport tomorrow, but I am happy that he is eager to get back home to Oakland City.He seems to be content and adjusting to life more on his own.That by the way is an answer to our prayers.Enough of that thanks for bearing with me.
Blessings come in a lot of different ways.Sometimes I wonder how many blessings that I have missed because I was not looking for them or worse yet, aggravated about something that I did not need to be aggravated about.Sometimes, the biggest blessings come in small packages.A couple of days ago, I got one of those.The MVP team at FH this past week from Vincennes did a slip and slide for the children.The children loved it, and thankfully, there were no injuries or broken bones.That was a blessing, but not the one that I want to tell you about.While impatiently waiting her turn, Angie Nicole saw me and came running up to me…Rodney, Rodney, she said with a big smile on her face.She wanted a hug, which I was happy to supply.Now Angie Nicole can be a handful at times, but all she wanted that afternoon was someone to love her and to give her a hug.I suspect that I will also spend some time correcting her, but that too only says that I care. Wow, what a blessing I got that day.You wish you were here right now—don’t you?More later, Rodney
June11, 2008 8:44pm
Broken washers…each year hundreds of people make the trek from the US to Faith Home on MVP teams.Each year many of those people are new and have never been here before.Each year these people do whatever they can to make a difference.Doing things, trying things that they have never done before but that doesn’t matter.They are doing for the LORD and for the children of FH.
This week we have a team from Vincennes, Indiana with us.Many of them have really made us feel loved, and we know that they are praying for us.A day or so ago (late afternoon actually), I was talking with Steve Comfort about the playground equipment being erected near our school.What a big chore to put all that together.One young lady who will remain anonymous at least for a few more words wanted to know why some of the washers for the bolts were broken.Broken?Yes, broken, not flat like the others.Broken, no not broken “lock” washers.Jacqueline now knows what a lock washer looks like.By the end of the week after a lot of sweat, we all know what the new playground is going to look like.Thank you MVP team members who make the choice to come and work!
June 9, 2008 5:22pm (it is not really 5:22. I have to quickly run down to the med clinic to meet with Steve Comfort about a plumbing issue, so it is really 6:10pm)
Monday morning in Honduras, I was up and running a little after 5:30am.Before the missionaries staff meeting at 8am, I had several things to do.First on the list was PRAYER AND DEVOTIONS while enjoying my coffee.Before 8, I had spoken with Saul (he is a Honduran employed by GBI to work with Honduran pastors) about getting in touch with our new house parents to see if they could be at our Tio’s meeting tonight at 7pm.I thought it would give me an opportunity to introduce them to the others.Oh, did I not tell you already.I truly believe God answered our prayers and quickly.Yesterday, I met with a nice Christian couple that came recommended by Saul and a local pastor.They have two children (a 9 year old girl and 2 year old son).God both closed one door and then opened another.I believe this couple truly has a heart for Christ.They will start Friday and if things work out, then we will hire them full time in 90 days.
Where was I?That’s right—this morning.After talking with Saul, I then spoke with our Attorney and gathered the necessary documents that he would need to complete the file for the house parents that quit.Then, then I had to call Dell.Though a special donation, we were able to purchase a new computer for the office here.Steve Comfort (MVP coordinator) then brought it to us.However, the computer company failed to send us all the cables needed.Oh, just go buy one they said!“You don’t understand.I can’t do that,” I said.To make a thirty minute conversation shorter, he agreed to ship the cable to a young man who is coming to FH Saturday.Maybe by next week, I can have the computer up and running.
After the staff meeting, it was off to SPS.Money, takes a lot of it to care for over 100 Hondurans, and we needed to get to the bank.I will never (okay, that may be an overstatement—NEVER, but I am going to try not) to get impatient at the drive thru windows in the US ever again.Here, you wait in the street until the ARMED guard motions you into the parking lot.Then they pass a metal detecting wane around you, and then you enter.Once inside you walk through a metal detector and then you leave a photo id and get a pass to the specific floor in which you want to do business.That is the quick part of the process.After several stops of getting supplies, we made it back to FH about 4 hours later.Thank you God for another safe trip!Once back, it was time to get busy.
Thanks again for all your prayers!Praise God tonight that God answered our prayers for House Parents! Type at you soon, Rodney
June 7, 2008 5:30pm
The rain is pouring down right now.It is also pouring through a leak in our bathroom ceiling.We have had rain about every afternoon for a week now.It sure makes the grass grow ever faster.An MVP team arrives this evening, so I decided to get my blog in a little earlier.
Yesterday about mid morning, the house parent from Casa 4 came to the office and told us that he and his wife were quitting. After a bit of negotiating, they will stay on for another couple of weeks. These were our newest house parents.We hired them in January on a trial basis and then put them on full time in March.They are a young couple and they did take good care of the children, but it is a big job to care for 10 to 12 children every day.
What a huge decision now has to be made.We do not just want a couple, but a Christian couple that will take good care of our kids.In checking with the others here, we normally hire house parents by word of mouth, so we have put the word out that we need house parents.Pray that God will guide us to the right couple.
BTW, Teresa just told me the roof is leaking in the kitchen too.Praise God for bowls, and that the rain is beginning to slow.Teresa has rearranged the living room.I may try to post a picture or two in the future if that is something that you would like.
After a week of meetings, we took a walk this morning down to the casas just to be with the children some.Teresa got a tortilla making lesson from the girls in casa 3 while I took pictures.They seemed to make theirs with ease while Teresa’s was … well … it was at least sort of round.The girls got a big kick out of watching her.
More later, Rodney
June 5, 2008 9:11pm
Another new experience!I suspect that I will be saying that quite a bit over the next year or so.Yesterday after a full day of meetings here at Faith Home, we all needed a break.This week was the semiannual Field Council meeting.The seven missionaries and Assist Director Sam Ramdial along with MVP Coordinator Steve Comfort loaded into our Nissan van.The a/c does not really cool all that well and it was a hot day, but we were eager to get a good meal and relax.We just needed a quick stop at the bank.I also am finding out that going to the bank is another thing that I will do a lot (it cost a lot to raise 80 kids).
I have been here several different times since January 1, so I have driven before.Let me tell you that driving here is a treat.Lane markers really do not mean anything.What costs is how many trucks and cars can fit side by side.Speed limits, I think they have some, but apparently nobody knows what they are because people are going fast and slow and in between.
As we loaded the van to head back to FH, you could tell it was going to storm.On top of that, traffic was terrible.It did storm.Here I am driving in San Pedro with 8 others in the van with the rain pouring down and the stop lights out and every truck and car in San Pedro trying to get into the same spot that I was in.We made it back, and God used me and my driving skills to truly enhance the spiritual lives of all in the van.I never heard GB’s pray so much as they gasped and pointed.
We did make it safely, and anytime you go out and get back safely that is something to praise God for.Thank you God for a safe trip!
June 2, 2008 9:20pm
Good evening all.
All the missionaries got together this evening for dinner at Sid/Vicki Smith’s.Julia Phillips arrived back from furlough along with Sam Ramdial (assistant director of International Missions).We had a nice time together sharing stories, laughter and some excellent cherry cheese cake deserts.
Today, Teresa worked all morning in one of the supply rooms (one of three).She was sorting through all the different medicines and cleaning out those meds that were no longer good.Although it was a slow process, it helped her to know exactly what we have on hand, and with 80 children and 20 other Honduran employees someone seems to always be sick.
For me, I too spent much of the morning in the office getting things together and sorting through the things since I left here about a month ago.After lunch we headed to the airport to pick up Julia and Sam and they were two hours late (right on schedule for Honduran time).
I just about forgot.Saturday night about 8pm, Sid Smith called me and said that one of the house parents had called him and said that one of them was sick and needed to go to the hospital, so we got dressed and the three of us went to Casa 4.The house mother was in obvious pain, so Teresa went to work to see what was wrong.Through Sid’s interpreting we found that she had gotten hand sanitizer in her eye, which was now swollen, red and blistered.Off to La Lima (about a 20/25 minute) ride to the ER.After a couple of hours, it was decided that she would have to stay overnight.This was Teresa’s first experience with the hospitals in Honduras.Actually, the hospital is rather nice.We made it back to FH about 11 and returned the next morning at 9am as instructed to pick her up.Of course, she was not allowed to leave until a little after 11am (right on schedule for Honduran time—for that matter hospital time.I don’t think hospitals in the States get in any hurry either!).
Enough for this entry!Check back later for more adventures from Honduras.Rodney
May 31, 2008 5:05pm Teresa and I arrived safely yesterday at FH around noon time. We spent the afternoon unpacking and cleaning our new home. In about 4 hours, Teresa had our bedroom, bath and part of the kitchen looking great. After working all afternoon, we stopped to go out to eat with the Smith's and Willis'. It was Vicki Smith's birthday (guess how old???).
Today, I met with Hector our attorney for a few minutes and spent some time getting up to speed on what has been going on here. About 11am, Teresa and I headed off to San Pedro to buy several things for the house and to get some groceries. Saturday afternoon is a BUSY place in San Pedro.
Even though we are two gringos knowing (poco) Spanish, we were able to accompish all but one of our goals. It is quite a trip to try to buy things when you can not speak the language. We did manage, but even the smallest things like ordering lunch at KFC was a challenge. How important it will be for us to get to language school this fall. We did make it back to FH without any problems. Thank you God for a safe trip and for patient Hondurans.
Tomorrow, we will go to the English speaking church service in San Pedro. In the afternoon, we will meet with the others and continue to get information. Monday, we will have to hit the ground running.
If you have any questions that you would like me to address, just email me. Type at you soon, Rodney
May 29, 2008 8:34am
Good morning, How do you get everything you need (okay, some of it I probably just want) into two suitcases? Two suitcases is all I have, so I have them packed to just under 50 lbs each. Teresa and I leave for St Louis in about 3 hours. We will stay overnight with family and then be at the airport at 4:30am. Sounds like an early rise to me! We are flying Continental Airlines to Houston and then to San Pedro. We should be at FH by noon or so.
I still have several details to complete. We are trying to get as much as we can done for Steven. He still seems fine with all of this...we are very proud of him and our daughter and son in law. They continue to support us.
The next time I write we will be in Honduras. RW
May 25, 2008 A couple of people (namely Roger) have asked me to keep a journal or log over the next few years at Faith Home, so here goes.
The clock is ticking louder. Teresa and I leave for Faith Home this coming Friday at 5:45am. Your prayers are so appreciated. Good byes are never easy. We said good-bye to our daughter yesterday, our son on Thursday afternoon and then our parents Thursday evening.
Plus we have to figure out how to get all the things we need/want into two suit cases each! That may be impossible. I will try to type with regularity. RodneyNew experiences seem to come daily at this point.Today, I had another one.The cost of feeding 80 children and 20 or so adults is a major expense every week.For some reason, the children like to eat every day.We have a garden planted and a newly constructed “shade” house, not a green house because we do not need the heat.What we need is a little cool to keep the plants from wilting in the heat.Our hope is to raise some vegetables, which will help lessen our grocery bill.
The news was not great.
