MATT AND KIDS

An Encouraging Week

I'm sorry that I missed posting a blog my last couple days in Honduras. We were very busy. Praise God that he granted us with a safe arrival back into Searcy yesterday. We left Tegucigalpa on Friday at 6:00 to head back to San Pedro Sula. We had a 2:00 AM flight from there and we were supposed to get to a wedding in Mississippi on Saturday afternoon. Due to bad weather, we were unable to attend the wedding or even the reception. Matt and I were just happy that we did not have to drive all of the way to Searcy on Saturday. Our good friends the Fergusons let us sleep in their house. At that point we did not care where we slept as long as we were able to sleep.

Our time in Honduras last week was very encouraging. We were presented with a new m inistry opportunity which we will discuss later. It was also encouraging to see 15 kids that have each found a special place in our hearts. Each of these precious children has grown in many ways from last summer when we were with them. Daniela can be away from Pamela now and has developed the cutest little personality. Pamela is so much happier than she was last summer. She really looks after the younger kids. Yovanni is much less whiney when things don't go his way. I could go on and on about the changes in the kids that we saw.

I was encouraged by the singing both in our morning devotionals as well as church on Sunday morning. In Honduras, people don't care about pitch, key, or tune. They care about praising God with every ounce of their being. I dont know how many times I have been in some sort of worship service or even cahpel here at Harding where someone has started a song over because it was slightly off key. It was uplifting to be with people who jsut wanted to praise God, and they don't care how they sound. How incredible would it be if when we sang, we sang with every ounce of our being as if we were singing for God not for men.

I was also encouraged this week by my parents. They both shared with Matt and I some very encouraging words about us moving to Honduras. It is good to know that they are proud of what we are doing.

I was encouraged by seeing many people that I have built relationships with since 2001. It alsways makes me happy to see old friends.

God is working so powerfully right now. It is so exciting to see his hand at work. I am looking forward to see how he is going to use us as a part of his magnificent plan. He is wonderful. I praise Him.

Look for God at work today.

THE DUMP

Imagine the stinkiest, dirtiest place you know, then think of it being 1 million times worse. Today Matt, my parents and I went to give out some bean sanwiches and bananas to the poorest of poor people. We made about 250 refried bean sandwiches, and bought four stalks of bananas. When we got there, I didn't know what to expect. My heart was broken today. There were many men there digging through the trash for whatever they could find. They are in survival mode and are trying to find whatever they can find for food. They are also looking for plastics that they can take to recycle and make some money. They have to fight of the vulchers and rats in order to get food. Even worse, there are quite a few youngsters spending their day in the dump. Now I am not sure how many live i n the dump, but I know there were a lot there scavaging for something to eat. Many of these people had dirt caked onto their skin. The kids didn't smile very much, but some of the adults smiled when we gave them some food.

One thing that really touched my heart was the man that wanted to help. He tried to help maintain order. He didn't ask for extra food. It was touching to see someone who lives in the dump trying to help us.

In our society if we knew of someone who lived in a dump, many of us would consider them untouchable as some of the wealthier people do here. We need to remember that Jesus went to those who were untouchable. We are called to follow him, and sometimes that means going to the untouchables.

A Night on the Town

The kids here are on a reward system. They have a tree with apples on it, and each apple has one of the kids names on it. If they can keep their apple on the tree (behave well) for 13 out of 14 days they are allowed a reward. My dad decided to reward them with dinner and a movie. Nine of us left right after nap time around 3:30, and we were headed to a movie at 4:30. Well out on the main highway there was a huge wreck about three miles down the road. An eighteen wheeler had tipped over. If you haven't been here, its hard enough to explain how people drive here. Lets just say its a lot worse when there is a wreck. It was 4:45 when we got to the bottom of the hill, and we still had to take Dilcia and Reyna to their houses. My dad called Karen and got special permission to keep the kids out late. He had promised them a movie; therefore, he was going to take them to a movie.

We had so much fun. First we had Church's Chicken from the food court. Fried chicken is just about the favorite food of the kids here. They loved it, and they all wanted to take food home to the kids who didn't get a reward. My dad suggested they find a street kid to share with. There were, however, no street kids. Instead they gave it to a man begging. He was delighted.

At the movie, the kids talked my dad into buying cokes and popcorn. What a softy he is! I think most of the popcorn was gone by the time the movie started. During the movie, Daniela got really tired and began asking when she could go home to her bed. All of the kids loved the movie, and had a great time.

Matt and I really enjoy our time with these kids, and it is so good to be here with them.

PHOTOS

Here are a few pictures of our time here.

KM 85

On they way from San Pedro Sula to Santa Ana at kilometer 85 we saw the poorest squatter village I have ever seen. It broke my heart. There was approximately 100 houses that were litterally put together with pieces of trash and sticks. These structures were things that people in the United States wouldn't even dream of putting their lawn mowers in.

This is a state of poverty and despair that I just can't understand. I so badly want to know of a way beyond helping build houses for these people. Even when we build them a house and give them food, they are still left destitute. I am not saying that we should quit helping these people's immediate needs, I just want God to use us to help people help themselves. I want to see relationships built. I think developmental work must include spiritual development and teaching the people to embetter themselves.

These houses truly were the saddest living conditions that I have ever seen. I want to see these people helped. I also want to see these people encounter Jesus, the one who provides a great hope.

Soon after we left this communtity, I saw a little girl walking with her mother. She was probably six, and she was completely naked and dirty. She had little blonde streaks in her hair which are a sign of malnourishment. It was very sad.

Sometimes I feel so small and miniscule in this great big world of need. There are so many people who need to feel the hope of Jesus. There are so many who were born in the part of the world where they have nothing. I also have to remember that I might not be able to change the whole world, but I know that God will use me to change the lives of a few, one at a time. I pray everyday that God will use me to teach about him, to help them have a better life, and to teach them to teach others. In order for big things to happen, one must dream big, work hard, and put their faith in God that he will make it happen.

WE ARE HERE

Matt and Cindy. Isn't she beautiful. She looks grown up in my glasses

Pamela, Monica, Cindy and Daniela being silly on the hammock. Daniela kept covering her face, but this is the better picture.

We finally made it here. After leaving Friday morning at 4:00 AM for Atlanta, we made it to San Pedro Sula, Honduras a little after midnight. Matt and I were the first two to make it through customs. We went to a hotel and got some much needed sleep.

This morning after we woke up we headed for Santa Ana. About an hour and a half from Tegucigalpa, we saw a squatter area that was poorer than anything I have ever seen, but that deserves a blog in itself. We got here right after the children went down for a nap, so we relaxed for a bit. We had a blast when they woke up. Everyone was excited to see us, and we were excited to see each of one of them.

Pamela attached herself to me. She and little Cindy did not want to be too far away. Matt and I played on the trampoline which was great fun (I promise that I will take some pictures of trampoline fun). We have greatly missed these kids, and so it is so good to be here. Each of these kids has grown in big ways. They smile much more often. I praise God for the growth he has broght into these kids lives. Praise God also that we had safe travel.