Hey everyone--from one day to the next, you never know what you will have to do to get everything done here.  Yesterday was a day of running all over San Pedro to go to the post office (mail is nice), to buy supplies for the kides, to buy some jeans because we do not have the right sizes (thanks, Mark), to buy some tennis shoes for Christian, to get some door locks that needed replaced and to get a haricut (you don't want a shaggy looking missionary).  Typically, once a week, we have a similar day.  Other days, we fight wild fires on the mountain, repair leaking water main lines, dig out sewer lines that are not sewering (never fun).  For Teresa this week meant being a teacher.  On Tuesday because of manditory meetings two of our teachers were not here.  One we can handle fairly easy, but two...two meant that Teresa would have to teach the kindergarden class.  I think she had a lot of fun.  The class is not large, and hey they are cute!  Teresa survived and thrived.  She took down a sack full of stuff to last a month, so a few hours was not problem for her.  From the looks of the kids when I looked in on the class, they had a good time as well.  Tomorrow, who knows, but then you don't have to be on the mission field to not know about tomorrow.  None of us do!  I am glad we FOLLOW the one who does.  Rodney.

April 18, 2009 5:45p (day 325)

This afternoon Teresa and I were walking around campus for exercise and relaxation.  It was hot, but the wind was blowing so it was not too bad.  As it often happens, several of the girls saw us and came running (Lizzie, Angie Nicole, Greyvi and Estefany).  They usually make a lap sometimes two with us.  Today, they walked once around.  We talked of birthdays and three of them have birthdays in August like me.  We talked about how family was coming tomorrow to see Angie, Greyvi and Estefany.  They hang on Teresa.  These moments of personal touch are important.  It was not important what we talked about, but they we were with them (or in this case, they were with us).  These moments do not come as much as I would like, but I enjoy them when they do.  Rodney

April 13, 2009 4:20p (day 320)

Can't believe it has been 10 days since my last update.  Amazing!  Today is a good day for updating things because it is HOT (topping out over 100 degrees here).  April, according to the Hondurans, is the hottest month of the year, and I believe them.  Besides, this week looks like a blur.  Wednesday I am going grocery shopping with Pastor Miguel for FH (that ought to be an experience).  Miguel does not shop for groceries where we missionaries do.  Thursday, two of our kids have to see a counselor at the court house so that will take most of the morning.  Friday, we have a special meeting with the school where our teens attend.  We are not exactly sure what the meeting is about but we will know soon enough.  Today, we had numerous stops in SPS (John Deere store for an air filter for the gator, Diunsa for a few birthday presents - I almost forgot we are taking the April birthdays out for pizza on Wednesday evening, the post office - at that is always exciting driving down town, the bank, the cable company and Commercial LaRach for several hardware type things).  Teresa has been busy treating children with the flu or pink eye.  Pink eye is really making the rounds right now.  We also have our first case of chicken pox on campus for this year.  One will probably turn into several before it is all over.  Have some cool thoughts for us.  Rodney

April 7, 2009 5:45p (day 314)

Some days you just are not all that popular.  The last couple of days several of our teenagers have not appreciated my presence.  Nine of our 20 teens have not been trying or going to school, so after meeting with the Smith's, we felt like we needed to encourage them.  Depending on the offense, the days of encouragement increased.  We do hope that they are learning some valuable lessons.  First, I told them they should wear gloves as they worked in the garden or cut with a machete.  Many thought that I did not know what I was talking about.  Turns out that I did.  Several are nursing blisters tonight.  The second lesson that I hope they learn is that going to class and doing homework is by easier than using a machete.  I have made it around to each of them as they worked. Some didn't listen; some I think did.  The message was simple.  If you do not work hard at school, you will have to work hard doing physical labor all your life.  Keeping 9 of them busy sure made me busy.  Tomorrow, all but one will finish their time of encouragement.  I need to get some rest so I can be a good encourager tomorrow.  Rodney

April 3, 2009 5p (day 310)

The heat has arrived.  We have been at or above a 100 for several days now.  Today was a run here and run there day.  We had to get some supplies (fans, pillows, light bulbs and shoes) in SPS.  The traffic was heavy.  As soon as we returned, we loaded up Fernando.  He needed to go back to the doctor. His ear infection (even after 3 weeks of antibiotics) was not gone.  This time the doctor gave him a shot, prescribed ear drops and another round of antibiotics.  Sure hope this works.  When we got back, I noticed Santos carrying something from the garden, so I went to investigate. By the time I arrived, Trino was there picking radishes.  They look good!  Trino said they were a little picante (hot) but that was the way he liked them.  The house dads have worked hard on the garden this spring.  These radishes are the first fruits of all the work.  They have planted tomatoes, hot and mild peppers, watermelon, melon and zucchini.  We will plant corn in a few weeks.  Thanks to all who helped make this project possible, but especially Joe and Mark.  We are enjoying the veggies.  Rodney

April 2, 2009 5:45p (day 309)

Hang on this is a good one!  8:40am...10:00am...5:16pm...What a day this has been!  David Kelle returned Brenda back to FH on Monday afternoon after the US would not extend her visa.  She has had 8 surgeries and needs many more to correct the scaring from a severe burn as an infant.  Brenda just had surgery 3 weeks ago, but still immigration would not extend her stay.  She had to come back.  Teresa decided at least for a while she would stay with us as she evaluated her condition (fresh skin grafts, needing a lot of rest and care to avoid irreversible infections).  Brenda is doing great, but we were afraid that the conditions here would jeopardize her progress. 
Yesterday evening, David K., Teresa and myself agreed that Brenda needed to return back to the States with David today if possible.  In checking with the consulate here and several others, each said that her visa was still valid so reentry should not be a problem.  Even if, immigration only gave her 90 days at least that was 90 more days of healing.  To get Brenda on the plane, we started early this morning.  We checked first with Delta.  Yes, there were seats available.  Then we called a governmental office in the US, but we did not get a firm answer.  Yes, Brenda should be able to reenter, but the length of stay might be short. 
At 8:40am, we arrived at the court house in SPS.  David K. needed a signed document by the court to get her out of the country.  Two and half years ago, this process took months, but we did not have months.  We had an hour and half.  We both knew that was impossible without God's intervention, and an hour and half was just not much time, but we felt we had to at least try.  When we arrived, we asked for a case worker familiar with FH, but she was not there.  We talked to two people, who listened and showed concern but only had us sit down.  While waiting, a court counselor (who Teresa and I met YESTERDAY-God was working out details for today, yesterday) saw me and came to see why I was there.  Her heart was moved by our situation and by Brenda's condition.  She took the old letter and spoke to another woman, who took us into see the judge.  The judge listened but explained what we needed took months to do.  We needed an attorney; we had to get the district attorney to petition the court and then the judge said that she would sign.  When she asked when we needed the letter, we said today before noon.  David then showed the judge the pictures of Brenda, and her heart melted.  She picked up the phone and made a call.  Amazing but the district attorney just happened to be at the court right now.  The judge went and personally spoke to this person who said yes.  They told us to wait while the letter was typed and printed.  We were amazed but we were running out of time.  To make the flight, we only had 25 minutes before we had to leave.  With 10 minutes left, we told the lady helping us that we had to leave in just a few minutes.  She went back to the offices and came back smiling with a letter in her hand.  Just one more signature and we were out of there.  After it was signed, the lady said, "go, go, go," and we did.  One hour and twenty minutes after arriving we had the document needed in our hands.  We both had goose bumps and marveled about how good God is.  Brenda, Teresa and Sid met us at the airport.  We got the boarding passes and now all we could do is wait to see how long immigration would give Brenda (60 days, 90 days, hopefully more, but as long as she made it back).  At 5:16 the Skype phone rang, David K. with great excitement said that they gave Brenda not 60 days, not 90 days, but a year.  How great is our God!   With goose bumps and tears, we praised God on the phone.  What a day we have had!  Rodney

March 28, 2009 8a (day 304)
First of all, I know I said that I would write yesterday, but we did not make it in until 9:30 last night.  After my shower, I just did not have the energy to think (hey, be nice...some of you are thinking that I apparently lack that often).

I started the last blog with that sudden awakening in the middle of the night and you know something is wrong (you answer the phone at 2:30 am hoping it is a wrong number).  Yesterday, at 1:43p, the walkie keys up and I hear a very excited Selvin (one of the transition boys who was doing gate duty that afternoon) say, "Rodney, Rodney, Rodney."  This is not good.  I quickly answered and asked what was wrong.  He said, "One of our houses is on fire."  As I headed for the door, I asked him inside or outside of the fence.  We have housing on both sides.  "Outside," he said.  As I drove toward the gate, I saw what he saw.  The last bible institute cottage looked like it was engulfed with fire.  Selvin had the gate open and he and Jose Ricardo jumped in the back of the truck.  When we got close, we could see that the house was not on fire but we had another wild wire blazing on the mountain.  This was the second one in the last week.  We used rakes and shovels to keep the fire from reaching the other cottages, but this fire was racing towards the water tank that provides water for FH.  With the help of Sid Smith, some of the boys and some neighbors, we kept the fire away from the houses, but there was nothing that could stop the fire from advancing.  It would have to burn itself out. 

About 20 minutes, later Jose Ricardo and Selvin were yelling for me again.  "Agua, Agua."  When I got to their position, I saw it.  One of the two things that I had hoped would not happen had.  We had a 20 foot geyser spewing water.  The fire had burned through one of the water lines.  Sid and I jumped in the truck.  We needed to get the pumps turned off and get the keys so we could open the valve boxes at the water tank and turn them off (to keep as much water in the tank as possible).  When we got to the water tank (either from lack of use or from being heated by the fire, the locks would not open.  Bolt cutter got us into the valves. 

The fire had burned itself out at the water line, so we went to see.  It was the main feed to the cottages of the Bible institute and not FH.  That was a blessing.  At present, there were no classes for the pastors so the houses were empty.  We repaired the line.  Sid and I both came off the mountain covered in soot and lungs full of smoke.  We had the water back on to FH and the fire was now just about out.  It did not jump the road.  About two thirds of the mountain has burned now.  Hopefully, we will have no more fires.  Though I do not like hearing my name called over the walkie with excitement, I am thankful that we have them now.  Communication is much improved and that has helped us also improve security.  Sometimes, I do wish that I listened for God as much as I listen for the walkie.  I think I will try that this week.  Pray for no more fires!  Rodney

March 27, 2009 7:40a (day 303)

I findn it difficult to believe that it has been 8 days since updating.  My apologies.  I am not sure where all the days have gone.  I will add today's entry later.  Yesterday was a interesting day all together.  Last week, this fire raged up the mountain in front of the Bible institute.  Yesterday afternoon another fire...more later.

March 19, 2009 7:20p (day 295)

Yesterday I wrote that when the door bell rings after a certain time, it may not be good news.  Last night I woke up thinking that I had heard someone call my name.  Odd feeling to wake up like that!  In a few seconds, I realized that someone was calling my name.  It was Jorge our night guard on the walkie, "Rodney, Rodney, Rodney."  It was nearly 2:30am, and Jorge sounded excited.  I grabbed the walkie and tried to raise him, but no reply.  As I quickly dressed, I could hear the alarm on the bodega sounding.  As I pulled down the drive, the alarm shut off.  When I got to the top of the hill, I could see that David Willis was already at the bodega.  We found one of the main doors had shifted and caused the sensor to be misaligned and that set off the alarm.  I asked Jorge if he had seen anyone.  He said a couple of guys on the outside of the fence on the road, but he did not see anyone inside.  We finished checking the bodega and the medical clinic and all looked right.  David headed back to his house, but I decided to drive the fence line and just sit and listen awhile.  As I drove past the transition house, I could see someone flashing a light at me.  It was Trino, our new house parent.  He had heard the alarm and was coming to see if we needed help.  I like Trino.  I don't like being awakened at 2:30am that way, but I am thankful for the walkie talkies that allow the night guard to get in touch with us.  Thanks Roger (Roger supplied the walkies)!  I didn't get much sleep after that, so I am a little tired tonight.  Hopefully, no one will be calling my name in the middle of the night, unless of course, God wants too!  Rodney

March 18, 2009 7p (day 294)

When the door bell rings at that time, it usually is not great news.  This time it was Mina from Cottage 8 with Fernando.  He was not feeling well.  Of course, Teresa is in the states, so I played nurse.  Okay, I listened to Mina who said a little Tylenol for the pain and she would bring him back in the morning if not better.  Sounded like a good plan to me.  At 7:30am, Marcos (Mina's husband) was back with Fernando.  It was time to take Fernando to the doctor in La Lima.  I have written before about Dr. Amaya.  He is such a good person and takes care of FH (normally does not charge us for seeing the kids).  Today, when I went to pay, he said, "Rodney, are we not friends?"  "Yes of course we are," I said.  "Then why do you always try to pay me?"  I digress.  Dr. Amaya determined that Fernando had a severe ear infection.  He made me look.  The ear drum was perforated and there was puss in there.  He prescribed medicine for the next two weeks and said to have Teresa keep checking it to be sure that the medicine takes care of the situation.  He said that Fernando will probably need surgery in the future.  We got the meds and I have given him two rounds today.  Pray for Fernando!

Have you heard that saying, "ask and you will receive?"  I like that and recently we asked for desperately needed supplies to the team coming this week.  In response to the asking, $1000 was sent to buy the items Teresa had asked for.  I was supposed to take Faye on the shopping spree today, but because of the unexpected doctor run, I was backed up. Thanks to David and Tania who always step in and do whatever I need.  They took Faye and they spent and they bought and they spent some more.  We are so thankful to the many people who hear of a need and so graciously and abundantly let God use them to meet needs! Rodney

Sometimes you just do not like what you hear, or in this case, what I read in an email from David Kelle.  Brenda has been in the States for quite some time undergoing numerous surgeries.  She was burned severely as a child.  Now a process that started about a year ago seems to be nearing an end. Brenda's status allowing her to stay in the States was not renewed.  David appealed the original decision, but the appeal has been lost.  It appears that Brenda (currently recovering from yet another surgery) will have to return to Honduras within a few weeks.  Many have been praying; let's continue to pray for God's guidance through this whole situation.  This will mean many things for Brenda and she will need all of our prayers.  Some of those things will be physical, but many will be emotional and psychological.  I do not understand the decision of our government, but I do know that Brenda will be welcomed with love!

This comes on the heels of a full day.  I spent over 2 hours with a court case worker who came by a little after 9am.  After answering many questions, she wanted to talk with some of the children and the house parents, which we did.  I think all went well, but in the process she told me of a hard ship case she had right now.  She was trying to find a place for an older child who had a lot of behavior and family problems.  So many need help, so many we cannot bring here, but I pray for those that are here, and I pray for those soon to be here!     Lord, I do not like what has happened with Brenda.  I do not like that so many children need help, but Lord, use us to make a difference where we can and with whom we can.  Fill us with love to give away.  Rodney

March 13, 2009 8:45p (day 289)

Another day is in the books and a productive one.  Before Teresa left for a few days in the States, we officially hired a couple to be house parents in the boys' transition house.  This was a much needed step.  Before now, Gloria and Hernan, who stay in the girl's transition house looked out for the boys as well, and at night a young man (too young and to close in age to the transition boys) stayed in the house at night, but this was not a good situation.  The boys needed a couple in there to provide many things.  I will say that Trino/Teresa wasted NO time getting the boys to clean their house.  I know many needed and good changes are in the future.  This was also one of the steps we needed to take care of before we can take more children.  We will now move a couple of the older boys into the transition house, which will make room for a couple of more children.  We hope to get a couple more before the end of April.  I will keep you posted.  If you would like to sponsor one of the new children, fill out a sponsorship form and write on it, "God knows the child I will sponsor" and we will get you signed up even before the children arrive.

After I got Teresa to the airport and on the other side of security, it was back here.  I didn't realize how many door bells Teresa must answer as all those coming to the house this afternoon were looking for her.

For dinner, all the missionaries went into El Progreso to eat.  On the way back (after dark), you could see dots of light all across the landscape.  The light was coming from the cane fields that were on fire.  They burn the fields right before harvest.  In a couple of places, it looked like we were driving into the fire as the fields by the road burned.  Out of all of us, no one had a camera to get a picture.  One thing is for sure we will be in a black out tomorrow (all that black ash from the fields falling).  Tired and still have to fold some clothes, Rodney

March 10, 2009 6:20p (day 286)

Last night, we had all the transition kids in their new activities room down at the school for the first time.  One of the house parents had a ppt presentation and talk about the detriments of smoking.  Next week, will be play night.  We are going to just let them gather, listen to music and play games.  One of them already put in her order for popcorn.  I think she is right.  We will have to pop several bags of corn in the microwave.  Transition equals change and change always equals conflict.  It is not easy growing up, but it happens, whether we like it or not.  I hope that we can use this room to deepen our relationships with the transition kids.  We need that, and I think they need that as well. 

The flu bug is beginning to fade.  I hope.  I still do not feel 100%, but I am getting closer.  Hoping for a restful night, Rodney   

March 6, 2009 7:30p (day 282)

I am tired and a bit under the weather this afternoon.  A bug has gone around campus and it landed on me.  I felt better yesterday, but today not so good.  No rest for the (well, I will let you fill in the rest).  You can decide what best fits me. 

About 1:30pm, I was finishing up a minor plumbing repair at the dining hall when I noticed some of the younger children playing whiffle ball.  Not feeling great, but I still could not let the opportunity pass.  I had to get into the game.  At first, I was the pitcher.  Yes, I did my best to make the ball hit the bat, although Jesus did not really need any help in that area.  He would smack the ball and then strut.  A sight to behold!  I finally got to bat and hit the ball a couple of times before one of the other house mothers came up.  She apologized, but said she needed to talk with me about one of the children.  Unfortunately, that was the end of my playing.  Still, I had fun and this evening when the children saw me, they came up and wanted to talk about our game.   I didn't get to play as long as I wanted, but I have to tell you that was 30 or 40 minutes well spent!  Batter up, Rodney

March 3, 2009 6:45p (day 279)

I had this post ready a couple of days ago.  However, our host server had a major system failure and the website was unavailable for a couple of days, so I now post this on March 6, 2009.

The new format for my blog only lasted a day.  Teresa did not like it, so I am back to the old version.

Today (okay, really this should be 3 days ago) meant going to San Pedro Sula (Post Office, Bank, Christian Book store looking for Bibles for the children in school, pricing washing machines because 3 of the 6 washing machines that the house parents use are not working right now and we have a lot of clothes to wash here.  We also needed to purchase some cleaning supplies).  We found a good deal on a washing machine, and we got all our list done by 1pm (left at 9am)!  When you get back here safe and sound it is always a good feeling and today was even more so.  Our trip started off with getting stopped at a police road block outside of San Pedro.  This is not all that uncommon, but this time they had me turn the truck off and get out.  When the young man toting a machine gun motions for you to get out, YOU GET OUT.  They wanted the registration, my license, my passport (you name it and they wanted to see it).  They had Teresa get out of the truck and went through her purse.  At this point, the supervisor came up.  He spoke some English.  He was polite but stern.  He told me that I should have a Honduran DL by now.  He told me a copy of my passport was not good enough.  I tried to explain that we were residence now (showing him my temporary paper, which by the way he was not interested in seeing), but that I was waiting for my permanent residence card.  You have to have that before you can get a Honduran DL.  While talking, another officer was looking through the truck.  It really looked like I was going to get a ticket at this point.  I found a way to mention that we were missionaries and we were directors of an orphanage.  He wanted to know how many children we had.  I told him "80."  That he was interested in and his demeanor changed.  Long enough story, I guess.  He said, "You are not legal, but you are here to help, so you can go."  We got in the truck and away we went.  I was praising God that this man was moved by the fact we were running an orphanage.  I noticed Teresa was awfully quiet. We talked some about it.  She was a bit nervous over having been asked to get out and her purse gone through.  Needless to say, we both thanked God that all ended so well.

Things did end better.  This afternoon we took 11 (along with the Willis' and Julia) of the children for their birthday celebration to Pizza Hut in El Progreso.  They can sure eat pizza and ice cream.  And yes, I did tip the waitress really well.  She deserved it!  No roadblocks on the way to Progreso or on the way back to FH, praise the Lord!  Rodney