Yesterday a small group went to Hospital Esquela. Matt and I did not really want to go because it is always so emotionally draining for us. Yesterday it was more draining than it had ever been in our experiences going. The group wanted to go to the children's orthopedic ward to visit with and pray wit those children. As we approached the top of the stairs we saw a familiar face. We got closer and realized that that face was the face of our friend Maria. Maria is from Nueva Oriental, and we have built a relationship with her over the last couple weeks.
Maria noticed us and hurried to us. She buried her head into my shoulder and started to weep. She told me that her oldest daughter Cindy was in the operation room. Maria said she did not know what was wrong with her daughter. All Maria knew is that her daughter was having severe pains in her abdominal area. Maria was so concerned for her daughter. Hospital Esquela had done nothing to inform her of the condition of her daughter.
We offered to pray with Maria. After the prayer, she clinched us and did not want to let us go. We had a little bit of money with us so we offered a little bit to help pay for her operation because we knew that Maria doesn't have much money. We also knew that if she had been there very long, she hadn't eaten. Mark Halbert gave us a little money to get her some food. Because we didn't know how long she would be there we wanted to get her food that wouldn't quickly parish.
When Matt and I came back from the grocery store, Maria had found out some information on her daughter. Cindy was in recovery. I think Maria said that her daughter had had a miscarriage, but I am not positive. We saw Maria a few more times during the day, and each time, she was just so upset.
I never enjoy the Hospital because it is always so draining on me. The care the people receive is horrible. It was even harder on me when I walked in there and saw someone I knew. I didn't want someone I knew to have to receive that kind of care. I wanted them to be able to receive good care and the comfort that doctors in the States try to provide. It tore my heart to have Maria in my arms weeping. Please pray for her 18 year old daughter Cindy as she heals.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Timoteo
Timoteo was up here doing some work done. As he was leaving Matt was cutting Nolan's hair. The next thing I knew, Matt came to the house laughing saying that Nolan and Timoteo both had their shirt's off and Nolan was cutting Timoteo's hair. (This is especially funny if you know Timo.)
Wilson
This morning Matt, my mom, and I went to the fruit market very early to buy groceries for the children's home. Afterwards, we were at Dunkin Donuts getting a bite to eat. A group was coming into town today, and with the cost of gas it wasn't worth going back to Santa Ana, so we decided to wait in town. A man named Wilson came in begging for money to help his sick mother. He explained that his mom needed some tubes to go into his mothers stomach. She had a really bad infection. I am not exactly sure what was wrong with her, I just know that she is really sick. We told him we would not give him money, but we would walk down to the pharmacy with him and pay for what his mother needed.
The four of us walked to the pharmacy and he did not know exactly what he needed, so he told us to go back and wait in Dunkin Donuts and he would return with the perscription. He came back about 10 minutes later to tell us he had talked to a nurse, but needed to go talk to a doctor. Finally, he came back with perscription in hand. We walked again to the pharmacy and began getting the things Wilson needed for his mom.
After talking to Wilson, we found out that he was from Sabana Grande which is a community fairly close to us. He said he was a memeber of a Christian church. I asked him if we could pray with him before he went back to tend to his mother. He accepted the offer. I prayed in the best
Spanish that I could. Upon the end of the prayer, he was crying. Most men here refuse to show any emotion, so it was especially moving that he was so touched.
Can you imagine not having money to to purchase a simple medicine for someone in your family that is sick? Do you know of anyone that has had to beg for money to pay for a doctor to help you? What would you do if a doctor refused to help take care of you until provide the supplies? We can't imagine.
The four of us walked to the pharmacy and he did not know exactly what he needed, so he told us to go back and wait in Dunkin Donuts and he would return with the perscription. He came back about 10 minutes later to tell us he had talked to a nurse, but needed to go talk to a doctor. Finally, he came back with perscription in hand. We walked again to the pharmacy and began getting the things Wilson needed for his mom.
After talking to Wilson, we found out that he was from Sabana Grande which is a community fairly close to us. He said he was a memeber of a Christian church. I asked him if we could pray with him before he went back to tend to his mother. He accepted the offer. I prayed in the best
Spanish that I could. Upon the end of the prayer, he was crying. Most men here refuse to show any emotion, so it was especially moving that he was so touched.
Can you imagine not having money to to purchase a simple medicine for someone in your family that is sick? Do you know of anyone that has had to beg for money to pay for a doctor to help you? What would you do if a doctor refused to help take care of you until provide the supplies? We can't imagine.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Pamela's Birthday
Today, Pamela turned 11. Matt and I support her so it was very special to be able to celebrate with her. We all had cake and she got some presents. She glowed the entire day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAMELA!!!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Suyapa and Juan Bautista
The last couple days I have met some really neat people. Yesterday, the group that is here was building in Santa Ana and in the next town over in Ojojona. Before the group got up here, my dad, Matt, and three AIMers went on to the house to get it measured out. I did not meet the lady living in the house they were building, but I met her sister Suyapa. She lived in a house that her family has had for 46 years; however, I doubt that there is any 46 year old portion of that home. It was in decent shape though. At least eight people in her family lived there. Suyapa was so hospitible. She offered me and my dad seats. She was cooking something in the back part of her house. If we had stayed longer, she probably would have offered us some food. Suyapa had a little garden in front of her house. I admired the beauty of the flowers. Upon my admiration, Suyapa preceded to hold up a can with the same type of flower in it, and said, "Here this is the same, take it to plant in your garden." I smiled and then rejected her gift because I had no place to put it.
A few hours later, I was back at the house site in Ojojona. One of the guards from Casa de Esperanza was there visiting with the preacher. When we got there he told us someone was in need of a house. When we walked down to look at the area, we visited with Francisco's mother a while, then she joyfully ran into her house and grabbed some bananas to give to my dad. She had the biggest smile on her face, and was so excited to share what she had.
Today, we worked in one of my favorite communities, Los Pinos. No matter how many times I go there, and no matter how long it has been since my last visit, hundreds of kids always remember my name. I think I can go anywhere on that mountain and hear "Nicole!" It is always special to me that the remember my name when they don't see me for years. As soon as they see me they run to me to help me carry whatever is in my hands, to hold my hand, or to simply give me a hug. The kids all found flowers and gave them to me; that was really sweet.
While we were at the house site, Matt, Feesh and I went to the road to wait on the second load of wood. We were told that we would be waiting "20 minutes," but time is relative in Honduras. We were told that about 10:15, and the wood finally arrived at 1:30. Anyways, we were sitting on a rock, and the sun seemed blazing a little more today than other days. After about five minutes, a man across the street brought three chairs from his house and asked if we wanted to sit in the shade. We readily accepted. This man's name was Marco, and his brother's name is Juan Bautista which translates John the Baptist. They were very friendly. They told me that 12 live in their home. After a few minutes they invited us inside, but we told them that we had to be able to see the truck. At the house, was Sofia, Oscar, and Miguel. Sofia was the the daughter of Marco, Miguel was the daughter of Juan Bautista, and I am not sure if Oscar was Juan and Marco's brother or one of their son's. Nevertheless, the three little ones were incredibly ticklish. Miguel laughed even at the thought of being tickled.
I am always amazed at the generousity of the people I come into contact with here. I am continuously reminded by them to be content with what I have and not to worry because God always provides.
I would also like to ask prayers for the family of Marco and Juan Bautista because none of them go to church. I pray that they can be reached by the church in that community and fall in love with Jesus.
A few hours later, I was back at the house site in Ojojona. One of the guards from Casa de Esperanza was there visiting with the preacher. When we got there he told us someone was in need of a house. When we walked down to look at the area, we visited with Francisco's mother a while, then she joyfully ran into her house and grabbed some bananas to give to my dad. She had the biggest smile on her face, and was so excited to share what she had.
Today, we worked in one of my favorite communities, Los Pinos. No matter how many times I go there, and no matter how long it has been since my last visit, hundreds of kids always remember my name. I think I can go anywhere on that mountain and hear "Nicole!" It is always special to me that the remember my name when they don't see me for years. As soon as they see me they run to me to help me carry whatever is in my hands, to hold my hand, or to simply give me a hug. The kids all found flowers and gave them to me; that was really sweet.
While we were at the house site, Matt, Feesh and I went to the road to wait on the second load of wood. We were told that we would be waiting "20 minutes," but time is relative in Honduras. We were told that about 10:15, and the wood finally arrived at 1:30. Anyways, we were sitting on a rock, and the sun seemed blazing a little more today than other days. After about five minutes, a man across the street brought three chairs from his house and asked if we wanted to sit in the shade. We readily accepted. This man's name was Marco, and his brother's name is Juan Bautista which translates John the Baptist. They were very friendly. They told me that 12 live in their home. After a few minutes they invited us inside, but we told them that we had to be able to see the truck. At the house, was Sofia, Oscar, and Miguel. Sofia was the the daughter of Marco, Miguel was the daughter of Juan Bautista, and I am not sure if Oscar was Juan and Marco's brother or one of their son's. Nevertheless, the three little ones were incredibly ticklish. Miguel laughed even at the thought of being tickled.
I am always amazed at the generousity of the people I come into contact with here. I am continuously reminded by them to be content with what I have and not to worry because God always provides.
I would also like to ask prayers for the family of Marco and Juan Bautista because none of them go to church. I pray that they can be reached by the church in that community and fall in love with Jesus.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Gloria and Dania
This morning Gloria and her daughter Dania committed to Christ. Dorian and Fernando are always working in the community and studying with people. Praise God that he is using these men in such big ways.
Gloria bing baptized by Dorian
Dania about to be baptized
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Johnny
This is a picture of Johnny on the day that he learned to ride a bike. He is adjusting farely well to a structured life.Patricia
Today, my dad, Matt and I had to go to the airport for a few minutes to take care of a few things. It is like going into a gohsttown going into the Tegucigalpa airport. It used to always be full of life and various people were always busy making money to feed their families. The President here refuses right now to reopen the airport. Short term mission trips are being rerouted to San Pedro Sula, Managua, Nicaragua or San Salvador, El Salvador. Money that has been set aside to help the poor is being used to pick up and deliver people at various airports.
This is not the worst part. I met Patricia today. She has several young children that she has totake care of. She was telling me all about the last two weeks at the airport and how sad it is. All of the cleaning people, security guards, baggage carriers, money changers, rental car places, and all the other businesses are all out of work. Because fewer people are staying in the hotels or eating at the restaurants near the airports. So many people are hurting in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, especially because of the president trying to close the airport to all flights containing more than 42 passangers. A few hundred people are without work due to the temporary or permanent closure of the Tegucigalpa aiport. If it becomes a permanent closure even more people will lose their jobs.
Please pray to God that the aiport in Tegucigalpa will reopen so that many of the poor people will get their jobs back.
This is not the worst part. I met Patricia today. She has several young children that she has totake care of. She was telling me all about the last two weeks at the airport and how sad it is. All of the cleaning people, security guards, baggage carriers, money changers, rental car places, and all the other businesses are all out of work. Because fewer people are staying in the hotels or eating at the restaurants near the airports. So many people are hurting in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, especially because of the president trying to close the airport to all flights containing more than 42 passangers. A few hundred people are without work due to the temporary or permanent closure of the Tegucigalpa aiport. If it becomes a permanent closure even more people will lose their jobs.
Please pray to God that the aiport in Tegucigalpa will reopen so that many of the poor people will get their jobs back.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Frankie
On Tuesday, Matt and I were with my dad in town running errands. We stopped for a quick bite at Burger King, and when we were getting in the truck to leave, a boy named Frankie came up to us asking for money. My dad said he wouldn't give him money, but he would go back inside Burger King to buy him some food. Generally, we don't like to give street children money because they often just buy glue with it to inhale. Glue is cheaper than food and it gets rid of hunger pains. While my dad was inside BK I spent a few minutes talking to Frankie. I found out that he was 12 years old. He has lived on the streets for a little over a year. He went to the streets to beg when his mother died. He said he has no idea who his father is. Frankie has some older siblings that live somewhere in the city, but he doesn't know where they live. Frankie told me that most of the people that come into contact with him are hateful to him. In my own research I have learned that many people think that street children are equal or less than rats. The government doesn't really help the kids on the street to much. Frankie had one pair of sandals that were broken. He was dirty from head to foot. He said that when it rains he has to find a place to hide so he doesn't get too wet. Frankie told me that normally he only gets food five times per week.
There are so many children like Frankie all over this city as well as many other cities in the world. I wish there was some big way to reach these kids. I pray for them often, I also pray that God will show me a way to help them and to form relationships with them.
There are so many children like Frankie all over this city as well as many other cities in the world. I wish there was some big way to reach these kids. I pray for them often, I also pray that God will show me a way to help them and to form relationships with them.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Yonny
On Thursday evening a friend called Karen, the director of Casa de Esperanza asking if she could take a little boy that night, and she agreed. Yonny (Johnny) is six years old. He was living on the streets barefoot and dirty. It seems that he has no parents at all. He is very "chele" which is a slang word for a Honduran who has light colored skin. When he came he had curly hair. He was scared of Karen and would only go to her husband Dorian. He is coming around now and will hug some of the Americans. Pray for Yonny as he adjusts to living with rules and structure. Praise God that Yonny has food today and shelter over his head.
Jose Ramon
On Wednesday, June 4 Matt and I went with a small group to the city dump. This is always a heart wrenching experience to see people having to fight the vulchers for the worst scraps in all of the city. Before the trash makes it to the dump, other people have dug through the trash probably 5 or 6 times. The people at the dump are begining to get used to seeing my dad's little red truck drive up to the dump each week, and they are starting to get used to talking with us a little more. My dad's AIM team desires to build relationships with people in the dump and carry Bible studies with them.
One person I met on Wednesday was a man named Jose Ramon. Jose Ramon was completely filthy. Dirt was caked on his skin. There is no telling when the last time he had the opportunity to bathe. He is living among the poorest of the poor people, yet he is a faithful servant to God. Generally we do not limit sandwiches to just one because this might be the only good meal that they get for the entire week. Jose Ramon kept coming back and asking for four or five sandwiches at a time. We began to think that he was coming to hoard sandwiches and water for himself. One young man asked my dad if he could walk with Jose Ramon to see what he was doing. We found out that Jose Ramon was taking sandwiches to people over the mound of trash who didn't come for the food. He said that he wanted to help those people who were not coming to the truck. No one would have blamed Jose for trying to keep a few extra sandwiches for himself, but instead he was giving to those who had absolutely none. After we talked to him for a little while, we found out that he had become a Christian. He told Matt what his favorite Bible verse is. Jose Ramon taught me about being selfless and Christ-like because he felt the need to carry sandwiches to as many people in the dump as he could.
One person I met on Wednesday was a man named Jose Ramon. Jose Ramon was completely filthy. Dirt was caked on his skin. There is no telling when the last time he had the opportunity to bathe. He is living among the poorest of the poor people, yet he is a faithful servant to God. Generally we do not limit sandwiches to just one because this might be the only good meal that they get for the entire week. Jose Ramon kept coming back and asking for four or five sandwiches at a time. We began to think that he was coming to hoard sandwiches and water for himself. One young man asked my dad if he could walk with Jose Ramon to see what he was doing. We found out that Jose Ramon was taking sandwiches to people over the mound of trash who didn't come for the food. He said that he wanted to help those people who were not coming to the truck. No one would have blamed Jose for trying to keep a few extra sandwiches for himself, but instead he was giving to those who had absolutely none. After we talked to him for a little while, we found out that he had become a Christian. He told Matt what his favorite Bible verse is. Jose Ramon taught me about being selfless and Christ-like because he felt the need to carry sandwiches to as many people in the dump as he could.
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