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Sept. 3, 2008 - I am up shortly after 5 AM, and went with Hernie to take the kids to the bus, and now we are waiting for the phone call that will start the official day. Carla needs a new roof, and she has three children, one with severe learning disabilities, and a sister (with kids) and mother living with her. Her husband abandoned them, and she is working two jobs to support this family group. The roof has worn out and is beginning to leak, so we are going to document the needs and pray that a small in-city project will take place in the near future. Carla works for the Honduran version of the FBI, and is also a police officer, but needs both jobs to cover the bills. Her mother sells pancakes (they are quite good) and everyone who can helps out. We also gave the rest of the supplies designated to the indigenous people to the gentleman that will reliably make sure that it gets where it belongs, and in January I have been promised a visit to the village of Marcala. The gentleman that was to guide us there had a car accident and his wife was badly injured, so his not going at this time is understandable. If that does happen, and it will probably be between the last two crews in January, there will be another report at that time.

It is almost 8 P.M., and Hernie and I are heading out to San Pedro Sula now, so that I can catch my flight to San Salvador at 7:05 A.M. tomorrow.
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     Today, September 2, 2008, has been a strange day.  The pull for home is strong, but I look at Hernie, Betsa, Ricardo and Adriana and know that I will miss them.  This will be my last entry from Tegucigalpa, and I feel like I know the city much better, both the good and the bad.  There is much to write about Honduras and what I have experienced, and as the weeks go on, I will be adding to this blog, hoping to give a better sense of what Honduras is and why it has my heart captive.  There are so many ministries here, and potential for more, that focusing on one starfish at a time is almost necessary some times, but I will try to sort them out so that people can find where they fit.  Sometimes it is food, or housing, or water, or latrines, and sometimes it is medical supplies and health care and VBS (my personal favorite) and schools and school supplies and churches and so many other opportunities, all of which are wrapped around the Great Command and its companion (see Luke 10:27).  It is, at the end, about relationships, and if and when you come here, you will understand that better.  Every time, I grow in that understanding, warts and all.
     This day started a little slowly, although I was up early.  The morning was spent writing and answering emails, especially from my friend Mary, who asked some excellent questions and requested some information that I have not adequately addressed up until now.  I will write concerning those things, but probably not right away, especially since I need to spend some time in concerted prayer and worship once I get home.  Sometimes events can be so overwhelming, that what has happened doesn't really sink in until later, and this has been 42 days in Honduras, preceeded by months of preparation.  It is time for a break, and spending time with God and Peggy sounds like just what I need.  Not all day every day (Peggy would go crazy and probably shoot me with one of my own guns), but dedicated time each day.  Hey!  Maybe I'll take up running!
     Today we visited two mission projects.   The first is a combination of education and evangelism that will be undertaken in conjunction with compassionate action, and there will be more on that in the future.  This ministry was started by Ana Thamr, an ordained pastor and the wife of "Shalom"  (that's what they call him), who is also a pastor and helped to coordinate the aid and recovery process after hurricane Mitch, and also after Katrina in New Orleans.  He continues in this capacity, and is on standby at times like this, when storms threaten to destroy homes and lives.
     The second is a bilingual school that some of us visited in January.  This school is unique in that it serves children from poor families.  They have been so successful, that a few parents whose children were going to the high class bilingual schools have enrolled their children there.  The English reading level is higher there than the other schools, and the children were wonderfully engaged.  There are 66 children and 10 teachers, some of whom aid the full time non-teaching staff person with duties such as cooking (some of the children get a meal here, and it sure smelled good).  Their big request is for more books, especially English language text books.  They are very expensive here, and in the US, we sometimes throw them out. 
     It is now almost midnight, the laundry is in the dryer (no time to hang it out), and I am almost packed.  Tomorrow I visit the government for some documentation purpose, and we have some errands that remain as of yet unfinished, including visiting a potential site for repairs in the city, and finalizing the books so that we can have a record in the US for transparency. 
     It has been long and fruitful so far, and there is surely much more to understand that will only come with time for reflective thought and prayer.  If you have any requests or suggestions, please let me know so that I can do better.  God is good, and I pray that my time here has been to His glory and His childrens' benefit.
     Good night. 
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Sept. 1, 2008 The morning dawned bright and early, except for the cloudy skies.  5 A.M. found me awake and ready for whatever the day might bring.  After a breakfast of huevos, frijoles, tortillas and coffee, we took the kids to the bus, then Hernie dropped me off at the stadium for my morning run.  5 miles in 45 minutes.  Not bad for an old man.  I still feel really good, and although it is starting to look like we are not going to Marcala today, I am at peace.  This is the place that I most wanted to visit when we started planning, but there has been so much of great value experienced and many good things accomplished, that if nothing else planned occurs, I will be content.  Of course that could all change if I didn't get home on Thursday, but God will provide. 
     We are going to make deliveries that have been donated, and hope that Marcala is possible tomorrow.  School supplies, Bibles, guitar strings and some shopping.
     We didn't get everything finished, but tomorrow is another day.  We did see our good friend Samuel, and delivered the guitar strings to him, and visited.  We also delivered the Bible, and visited there as well.  Now it is almost midnight, so I had better be getting toward bed.  God has been very good to me and I bless His Name forever.  He is my God, and I will worship Him and Him alone.  Can there be another like Him?  No.  My God is so wonderful that I cannot contain it.  In the words of my dear friend Selena, "He Rocks!!!"
     I have tears in my eyes, as I contemplate His goodness and His blessings to me and those around me, with one special blessing going out tonight.
     There is none like our LORD, and I will serve Him as long as He gives me breath.
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Photos August 28 -31

August 31 -
          Happy birthday Todd!  Today began at 5 A.M. with thoughts of home.  Peggy is more and more on my mind, even in the midst of much activity here, with new bonds of friendship and a new understanding of many things, there is an undercurrent of knowledge that home is not that far away, and I will soon be there.  It has become true for me that home is not a place that is here.  Home is where full life waits at the end of this journey that we call life, and that God has given me great joy to help me on this journey.  Friends and family and a bright hope for tomorrow are central, and Peggy is the one who has joined herself to me in a way that I cannot understand, but I thank God for her.
     Elia is up now, and cooking breakfast for the family before she heads to church and her day off work.  Today I see the crosses that have been purchased, and also will get my special certificate from the government, hopefully.  We'll see.  I am no longer anxious about what will happen.  I am content, even concerning friends who are in turmoil, because I know Who holds tomorrow.  It has taken Him quite a while, years, to get me to the place that I am right now, and I also know that I will stumble, but I am learning, slowly, to walk by faith.  I am hoping to run today, or go to the pool, but whatever happens, home is never far away, and my earthly home is getting closer by the hour.  I love Honduras, and I love my friends here even more, but in the words that we have all heard many times, "There's no place like home.  There's no place like home."     "There's no place like home."  There truly is no place like home, and home with my LORD is where I long to be.  While on this journey, it is very good to have friends to walk with, and I have found good and true friends here.  I also have good and true friends wherever I go, and I call them "the Church, the Body of Christ".  God is good.
     Breakfast is liver and onions again, probably because I told them that I like it greatly and that Elia does a good job with them.  Usually when I get home from a long trip, I go to George's for liver and onions.  This time I will have a big salad, I think.
     We worshiped with Betsa's congregation again, for the last time until after Christmas at least.  Her mother gave the message, and everyone was pleased.  It was based on the tower of Babel story in Genesis.
     Afterward, we stopped to see Flor again, and although she is sick we visited.  She is preparing to come to the United States to live with her family in California, but needs help with the paperwork and fees involved.  More on that later. 
     In the mid-afternoon, we went to see a potential project in the city, which will be a roof repair and some restructuring, for a lady who is struggling, and her family.  She works two jobs, but her husband has left and is not paying.  You will hear more about that later.   We are going back in the morning to see her again.
     Now the laundry is in process, and then it will be bed time.  It has been a good day, a very good day, with good worship and new friends, including a young man in 8th grade with whom I made an agreement concerning the repair of his bicycle and his progress in school.  Boys in this country, unless their parents can fully support them and encourage them, tend to not go to school past the 6th grade, and even then don't always take it seriously.  This young man wants to be a mechanic, but he is very bright and if he applies himself, he can be a mechanic and more.  It is up to him.
     Tomorrow is still up in the air, and thus Tuesday also.  I am still hoping to get to Marcala, but without permission from the pastor who made the original request, we cannot go, apparently.  This is the primary community that I shaved my 30 year old beard off on behalf of, but that is a small sacrifice for the potential gain.  God will provide according to His will and His plan.  I am content with that.
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August 30, 2008.  Today we leave El Tablon, and I am sure that Laura is wishing that we were staying.  She has been full of life, and is obviously enjoying herself and life in general quite a bit.  Her animation reminds me of my own mother, who at one point reminded me that she had spent almost her entire adult life in the house that is now ours, and that there is power in that, and much emotional investment.  Laura has to feel the same way, and if I could find a reasonable way to have her stay there, I would try.  We have a bond, Laura and I, and I believe that God puts people together for their good and His good pleasure.  Going back to the city, or rather leaving her homestead, must be in part a hard thing for her to do, especially since she can't get there often t all any more.
     A little while after breakfast, we left El Tablon in two vehicles.  Ossiel has a pickup truck that has a coolant leak so we are following him to Comayagua to make sure that he gets there OK.  When it was time to leave, I asked Hernie if it would be OK if I rode with Ossiel.  He agreed, so the adventure began.
     In the mountains, when you are ascending, it works the engines harder, and since diesels are heat engines, they heat up quickly when they are working hard  Ossiel has a diesel engine in his truck, so uphill took many stops.  Fortunately, we started in the mountains, so there was more down than up, and while traveling downhill, you can even shut the engine off, which allows cooling by the breeze, without any heat input.  As the trip progressed, however, the leak got worse, so stops became more frequent.  One time, near the end, we went less than 1/2 mile (uphill), before we had to stop.  We made it safely, and had an excellent lunch of beef rib soup.  We also visited, and my new friend and I hugged several times before parting.  He has told me that when I return (perhaps in January if I can swing it), he will kill a calf and grill it in celebration.  How can you answer that?  I can't, but my heart is full when I think of Ossiel and his big heart.  What a blessing to have a friend like that!  I have to stop now, because the screen is getting blurry.
     I could easily live there, except for the missing piece.  Peggy, I love you.
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     It is 5 A.M. on August 29, 2008, and I am in El Tablon, with Hernie, Miriam (his mother), Laura (grandmother), Laura and a cast of characters, most of whom I haven't even seen yet.  I stayed in bed for a while, thinking and praying.  When I got up, I took a shower with running water (from the mountain) but, as is normal in Honduras, The water was whatever temperature it was when it came from its source, which in this case is cool.  Some would say cold.  I am told that today, some time, some where, for somebody, I am giving a 'message'.  I do my usual preparations for that as the day goes on, but until it happens, I won't know who the listeners will be, and for the most part what the message will be either.  I spend most of my preparation time preparing me, and that seems to work so far.
     At 7:30 the day begins is earnest, with Hernie and I heading from the house of Juan (Miriam's brother, and a diversified farmer/businessman) past the homestead building where Laura, Miriam and Ana are staying, to the kitchen building where we had breakfast across from where Hernie's other uncle, Ossiel has his home.  We had fried tacos, with frijoles, mini hot dog slices and queso, much like what we sometimes have for dinner at the Smith house when we 'do Mexican' for dinner, except for the type of sausage and the kind of cheese.
     As this day progresses, I find that the brothers have extensive land holdings, and use their resources well, supporting and employing many people, and donating much to the communities that they are invested in.  This family understands the primacy of relationships, and the need for Christ in their lives and the lives of those around them.  I am honored to be accepted by these people, who live fairly simply, but comfortably, and care about the lives and the souls of their neighbors.  It continually amazes me that God has so many different kinds of children, and yet they all have hearts for those around them.  A servant's heart, it is called, and it is a beautiful thing to see those hearts living and active, serving the One Who made them with joy and contentment, even in the midst of trials and tribulations. 
     During the day, I finally found out the answer to a question that has bugged me for a long time.  I could never get a straight answer out of anyone down here what certain fruits are called, and today I finally got my answer!  This may seem silly, and many if not most of you probably already know this, but I didn't.
     I have asked (probably the wrong way, which would be why I couldn't get a straight answer.  You have to ask the right question to get the right answer) many times what a lime is called in Honduras.  Well, let me tell you: 
     The homestead here has many kinds of citrus trees, and I spotted lemons, limes, and several other fruits, so I began to ask about specific pieces of fruit.  A lemon is a lemon, except that there are different kinds, and they taste different and are widely different in size.  There is a small 'lemon' that they call an 'indian lemon', which has a green skin, green meat and tastes for all the world like a lime.  If they hadn't insisted that it is an indian lemon I would have gone to my grave calling it a lime.  Mystery solved.  I ate several of each, much to the amazement of the people there.  I guess that peeling a lemon or a lime is kind of unusual here.  They are quite tasty and I even brought some back to Tegucigalpa for use now.  Ossiel asked me if I would like to try something new.  He then walked away and came back with what he says is a cross between an orange and a tangerine.  Let me tell you, . . . I have never puckered like that before!  If you concentrate rhubarb, tart lemons, crab apples and key limes, you might get something like what I experienced when I ate it.  It was especially surprising, because it did look and peel like an tangerine, and looked like it could well be what he said it was.  It also came after what they called a lime.  What they call a lime, is citrus, sweet (not tart at all, and not really acidic) and mild.  Not at all like what we call a lime.  Then to get a taste of this hybrid that looked innocent. . . .hooooweeeeee!  Man!  It was something!  If you can eat three of these at one time, you're a better man than I am, Gunga Din!
     During the day, we explored the coffee plantations, hiked around for a while, then headed to on of the project sites.  We visited with Lorenzo Eraldo, who is the pastor who is asking for help building a church in his community.  The land will be donated, and the LORD has given Lorenzo a vision of what he is to do, and Miriam is donating the land for the church and future facilities, at a beautiful site that we explored and prayed over in the afternoon.  To top that event, we saw a double rainbow, and as we left to return to the homestead, there were more rainbows.  This area is beautiful, and I would move there in a minute if I could, but I can't.
     We ate a late dinner, then Hernie, Ossiel, Miriam, Juan, Ana and I had worship in Juan's home.  We prayed, sang songs and it was there that I was asked to give the message.  Usually I pick the topic and the scriptures, but this time I was asked to speak on Psalm 23.  I read the Psalm in Spanish, then spoke of the faith of sheep in their shepherd, using Romans 4 as the main illustration.  It was an honor to be asked in that company, and I felt even more unworthy of being the teacher than normal.
     I have been given the promise of tasting malanga, which is a root that is supposed to be excellent, but that may have to wait for another year.
     When the others went to their respective homes, Juan and Hernie had a long talk, while I mostly listened.  I cannot really explain what I saw, but there is definitely a strong bond of love between those two, and I was privileged to be allowed to witness it, even though much of the conversation was beyond my very limited vocabulary.  At around 11, the conversation ended, and we all went to sleep, preparing for the next day.
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     Morning came early, and on August 28, 2008, I woke up at 5:30, which is late for me, especially after going to bed and falling asleep before 11.  Twenty years ago, I would have said that I could not survive on less than 8 hours a night, preferably 9.  But now, especially in the mission field, six hours feels like forever.  I was a little stiff this morning, probably due to the semi-hard run and not stretching before I went to bed.  I need to stretch before running, which I am doing, during running, occasionally, which I am doing, and after running, which I am doing as well, but now I will add before bed and when I first get up.  That's pretty good for a guy that used to run often and hard, but only stretched a little beforehand, and never otherwise.  Of course, I am much less active than in my youth, and slower and older.  Old age has its perquisites (big word, huh.  It means perks, and is actually the correct way to say it.  English lesson for today), but it also has its costs.
     As I write this, I am waiting for Hernie to take me to the track for my last run until Saturday or Sunday, depending on when we get home.  Then we will do some shopping, and head out to El Tablon.  New people, new faces (I love faces, especially the eyes) and new experiences.  Though the cost of this trip has been high in many ways, the benefits to CSP and to me in particular are great as well.  God is good.
     I am ready to come home, but I am also ready to finish this particular race well.  What God has planned for today is a mystery still, and that's OK, because His plan is perfect.  It is Charlie's lack of submission and obedience that make it less than the beautiful thing that it could be.  It is a good thing that He has taken that into account as well!
     I ran, but not in the soccer stadium.  There was a track meet with small children going on, so I watched for a little while, then ran around the outside of the baseball stadium, which is next to the soccer/track stadium in the complex.  The great thing about that is the there is a glockenspiel and drum corps band that practices there, and I had good music to run by.
     It is early afternoon, and we are just about ready to head out for the trip.  We are taking Hernie's mother and grandmother with us, and after we pick them up, we should be on our way.  The trip itself should take about 5-7 hours of driving, so we will get there late this evening.
     I will finish this entry when we return, so for now, keep me in your prayers, please.  It is the best and greatest thing that people can do, bar none.
     We did finally leave Hernie's mother's house at 4:30 P.M. and went through the city, hitting streets that I have never seen.  In one spot, the street was so steep that it took 6 tries for Hernie to make the climb, something I've never seen from him before.  The paving stones looked more like a wall than a street.  After we left Tegucigalpa, we were on a road that I have never been on, and it was fairly typical, except that it was not real crowded, unlike most of Tegucigalpa and the roads leading out of it at this time of day.
     As we traveled (Hernie, his mother Miriam, his grandmother Laura, Ana and I), I was contemplating what it might take to get everything accomplished in the time that we have left.  It will be difficult, and priorities will have to be set in place so that the most important things actually get finished.
     Once we turned off of the paved road, the dirt and clay and rock country road became increasingly rougher as we traveled on.  To make matters even more interesting, it started raining, and anyone who has driven on clay roads will tell you that it can be a challenge.  Hernie did a fine job of navigating the various obstacles and we arrived safely with the truck muddy, but everyone in one piece.  Good driving, my friend!  We arrived at the homestead that was to be our base at around 11 P.M., which is in good time, especially considering what the conditions were during the last miles of the journey.
     We bedded down, and got some sleep.  Hernie must be exhausted, because he earned his frijoles today, for sure!!!
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Today, August 27, 2008 feels like the calm before the storm.  Tomorrow we head to El Tablon, and will be there until our task is finished, Probably Saturday or Sunday.  Then on Monday we have a one day trip planned to Marcala, if the road is passable.  There has been much rain here. 
     In the morning, I ran again, and my heel was somewhat of a problem, but not when I run, and it hurts less and less every day, and some days not at all.
     There will be lots of pictures of yesterday's adventure, and when they are up, I hope that you like them.  It was hard to weed them down to a few, because they mean so much to me, especially these last two years.  Three years in the same village forms strong bonds that are not quickly forgotten, and friendships run deep there.
     Hernie and I went shopping, perhaps for the last time, and either purchased or ordered everything that should be needed for the rest of my time here.  When we returned home, I began to straighten out the files and put together a few of the picture groups for the future, so that talks can be focused and yet flexible.
     Now it is time to get some sleep, so off I go to bed.  It is not when I go to bed that matters, though.  It seems that after 5 or 6 hours, I wake up, no matter how tired I am, and 6 A.M. is the latest, with few exceptions. 
     I am really looking forward to tomorrow, and hope to have a good report when we return to Tegucigalpa.
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This day, August 26, 2008, has been one that I have long anticipated.  Today I get to see my friends in Los Ranchos again, after 7 months of absence.  I woke before dawn, and unlike my normal pattern, I laid in the hammock, waiting for my eyes to focus.  Now, looking back, I know that I was tired, very tired, but this day has been a long time in coming, and the day couldn't begin soon enough for me.  I laid there, unable to sleep, and still my eyes wouldn't function, so I just laid there praying for a while.  the sky started to lighten, and I finally got up and got dressed, still in darkness, but my eyes were focused now, and I felt good.  I walked outside and got myself ready for a walk.  Hernie would still be sleeping for a while, so I was free to do whatever I wished.  What I wished was to be with my friends, so off I went in the semi-darkness into town.  For those who haven't been there, the farm where we were staying is just over the river (creek) from San Juan Bautiste, where the crews stay, and Los Ranchos begins there, extending back for a ways, I am guessing that it extends more than a mile, down some rough road.  Unlike the road from Pespire, the Los Ranchos road is just as it was in January, with some of the rocks in different places, it seems, but still all there.  The water is higher in the rivers (creeks), and it rained last night some, but all in all pretty much the same.
     There was plenty of light for walking, and I quickly reached the plaza, having not seen too many people, partly because the work for the day had already begun for those who had work.  I did greet a few folks who were walking and got a couple of hugs.  Felt real good, that did!  I also picked up a couple of the children who were on the road, and we formed a small posse.  As I topped the hill that the plaza is on, and it came into sight, I heard a small voice say "Charlie aqui!  Charlie aqui!"  Then I looked, and faces appeared out of windows and doorways and around the sides of the houses, all with big smiles!  I didn't cry then, it was too wonderful to even react to it, but I am crying now thinking about it.  It must be how a soldier feels when they come home from the war and the whole town turns out.  I received the immediate blessing, but I am sure that it is meant for all of us.  I was just the messenger, and fortunate to be there.  We greeted one another, pictures were taken, more hugs, kids running around in the mud barefoot and happy, and on we went.  We became a larger posse, and the kids would occasionally ask if I was here "solo", and I said "si"  then said "Hernan" and made the sign of someone sleeping.  They would usually laugh.  Then they would ask after a particular person that they remembered either by name or event, and want to know when the rest would be here.  I told them "Deciembre", and they were satisfied with that answer.  I went past or went into every home, and on my way back to the plaza from the house down the hill, The sun finally came up, or at least it should have.  The clouds turned colors, anyway.  The day was bright, as far as I was concerned, and the heat meant nothing to me at that point.  I was just flying! 
     Then, on the way back to the pig farm, I made a detour.  This is the one place that I knew I would have to go to while I was in Honduras, even more than seeing Buranapong and Marco Tulio and Ingrid and all of my friends in Copan.  This trip had to have this one element in it for me, or I would have stolen Hernie's car and gone by myself.
     Constantina.  There is a name with a heart attached to it.  I went down the rugged path that leads to her home, and I was not disappointed.  There, in a patch of melons and pumpkins, were the father and son, working on keeping the weeds down.  Gaining permission, I entered and greeted them both, receiving more hugs.  I was then led into the house, where I met with Constantina and her son, Cristino (sp?).  I stayed with them for a while, and we shared greetings and remembrances and hopes and "when are my friends coming back?"  Cristino and I hugged several times, and that is one pair of eyes that I will never forget.  When people say "eye contact", they might mean many things, but Cristino and I made eye contact for several minutes, while I held him upright.  Love is spoken in every language, but the eyes tell it best.  He is my brother, and when I look into his eyes, I see Jesus, deep and warm.  Words were not needed between us, and although there were few, I will always remember the conversation that our eyes had today.
     After a while, I needed to leave, so that I could start to process what had just happened in that stick home that has become so dear to me.  By the way, the new roof looks pretty good, at least the framework.  I walked the path on farther, stopping to look at the swollen river/stream that the path follows in that direction.  Returning to the farm, I took a picture of Hernie, and he woke up.  I will use it for blackmail when the time is right.
     While waiting for Hernie to get ready for breakfast, I started writing in my log book, and a young man named Wilmer Antonio Espinal Salazar watched me write, and seemed fascinated with my handwriting, saying "bueno" every once in a while.  I wrote for quite a while, and he patiently watched, not moving.  If you have seen my handwriting, you are probably thinking that he was contemplating how in the world I would ever know what that chicken scratching meant.  After I finished the journal entry that I was working on, I got up, cleaned off a chair, and asked him to sit with me.  He did, then I asked him if he would read to me, and he agreed.  He read to me, slowly, Romans chapter 5, which was my goal for the day.  He worked hard at it, and we were both well pleased with the result.  Before we finished, Hernie said that I should go eat breakfast, but I wanted Wilmer to finish, so we worked our way through it. 
     After a large breakfast, I played with a new friend, little one (+) year old Angie.  This little angel put her arms out to me from the loving arms of her great grandmother.  What was I supposed to do?  I did what you would have done.  I took that little girl and held her for a long time.  Every once in a while, someone in the family would take her from me and stand nearby.  Every time, no matter who held her, she would soon reach her arms back toward me.  The family thought that it was cute, and kept playing the game, seeing who would finally capture her attention away from the gringo.  The ony reason that I eventually lost her, was that I can't give milk.  I would have if it were possible!  Hernie and I went to Los Ranchos, with the intention of checking out the stoves.  Once we got to the end of Los Ranchos 2, we met with some of the village leaders, including Jose, who is now officially the village leader.  Some of you might remember the house that fell in on a family while we were there.  Jose is the head of that household. 
     We sat down to discuss the upcoming project, and Hernie began to make two lists.  One from CSP, and one from Jose and the village, outlining the needs and desires of the parties.  Reynaldo read the letter of agreement (written beforehand on the computer and printed) that would be presented to the mayor, and all agreed that it was a good one.
     I took pictures of the kids, and when it started to rain, the discussion went under roof, (new in January, of course), while the kids kept playing outside. We gave a ride to Reynaldo, who was travelling to Tegucigalpa to sell tamales, and stopped in Pespire to get a signature from the mayor, who also liked the document.  It takes quite a bit of forethought to put together a document that the village and the mayor and CSP all find in good order.  Congratulations, Hernie!  Good job!
     After that, it was head toward home, write some emails and blogs, and now to bed.  Pictures will have to wait until tomorrow.
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August 25, 2008 - I woke up at 4:45 A.M., and after writing a few emails, went to the track and ran.  I started to write personal emails and a Bible study, and that lasted for quite a while.  We were scheduled to leave at around noon "Honduras time", but when we finally were ready, there was a big to-do a few blocks away.  Apparently, the Presidents of Honduras, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Columbia, Venezuela and representatives from Cuba and elsewhere were signing a partnership agreement of some sort, so we were unable to leave until that was over.  We waited, and at 7 P.M. Hernie finally felt that traffic had died down enough.  Wrong-o! 
     Once we got out of Tegucigalpa, traffic lightened up, and was almost non-existent on the road to Pespire.  We skipped our original plan to stop in Pespire to hand the mayor a document of agreement, and went straight to Los Ranchos for the night, arriving there around 9:30.
     One of the reasons that the trip went so quickly is that the road from Pespire to San Juan Bautiste is transformed.  The boulder fields (some of you know exactly what I mean) are no more, or at least are buried, and the road is smooth except where recent rains have washed ruts into the road, and even then they are minor. 
     We spent the night at Don Jose's house (aka the pig farm), and while Hernie slept on a cot, I used their extra hammock.  It was wonderful, and at ten P.M., with the rain softly falling, I went to sleep.  It had been a long day, but I was finally in Los Ranchos, and would wake up there in the morning.  Sometimes the cost of a day is well repaid before it even ends.  This is where I find old friends, and I fall asleep thinking about what might happen tomorrow, and Constantina is on my mind as consciousness fades.  Tomorrow's blog will tell about her.
     I still miss Peggy, but as my time here grows shorter, I feel the need to fill my days more and more.  Now I am torn between both worlds.  Honduras and Chicago.  I wonder what waits for me tomorrow, and even more now, I wonder what waits for me at home.  Every day is a new day, and I miss my friends and I miss the good old USA.
      We are planning to visit El Tablon starting on Thursday, and coming home either Saturday or Sunday.  Monday will be Marcala, and on Wednesday I begin the trip home.  Home.  I am beginning to understand Pilgrim's Progess, by John Bunyan, better these days.  If you haven't read it, you should.  It is one of the best selling books of all time, and deservedly so.  The life of John Bunyan is a fascinating one in itself.
===

August 24, 2008:   Got up this morning early, before 5 A.M. and got out of bed before 5:15, and went for my morning run.  The people there are starting to talk to me, and I still cannot answer them.  I should try, but unless someone speaks some English, it seems futile.  It was a good run, and 5 miles later, I did my cool down stretch, and came home to write emails and eat one of Elia's great breakfasts.  I know that she wonders why I am up around the same time as her, and that I am obviously working out early.  The sweat (and probably the smell) have got to be obvious.  We were late again getting to Betsa's church, and today they anointed a second shofar horn, also from an African Ibis.  I am jealous.  It was good worship, then we went out for chicken.  Now we are home, and the family is upstairs with the Wii, playing and singing, but it is even loud from down in the office, so I am not with them.  If I had brought earplugs, it might be different.  I guess that I'm old, huh?   After a while, we all went shopping for supplies for the house, the mission and the kids' school supplies.
     Right now, at 4:30 REV has been replaced for today by a concert, and I am wishing that I were there, but tomorrow at noon, more or less, we are headed to Pespire for meetings to start the logistics for the December/January crews.  After the meetings, we will head to San Juan Bautiste and Los Ranchos to check in with the village and further set up the logistics for the crews.  I'm sure that there will be many pictures and I should get my share of hugs Tuesday, so I am more than ready to see my old friends again.
    The night is moving on, and I still need to finish preparations for tomorrow's journey, so I'm calling it a good recovery weekend, and we will see what God has planned for tomorrow. 

God bless,
Charlie

--
"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."        Deuteronomy 6:5
===

See below for information about the little girl with HIV and other problems Charlie wrote about and her picture.

8/23/2008 - I woke up this morning feeling blue, which is an extension of last night's final hours.  My emotions are quickly elevated, and just as quickly dashed.  I had hoped to talk to several people after I finished writing in the evening, but I called Peggy, and after that there was not much contact.  One friend that had been a regular on IM apparently came on line, then didn't answer when I sent a greeting.  It should have been no big deal, because the relationship is a strong one, but in my fragile emotional state it was reacted to with dismay on my end.  I believe that part of the instability has been brought about by the fairly constant emotional and spiritual workout that I have been under, and part of it is dealing with the last days, when I have observed great need and suffering.  Life can be very hard here, and if your eyes are open, there is sorrow all around, wherever you go.  It is much the same as at home in the US, except that the poverty is around you wherever you go, and is usually much more severe.  The great similarity is that spiritual poverty knows no class or position, and sorrow and lostness are universal traits of society.  People truly do need the LORD, here and everywhere, and one of the great blessings that the crews that I am familiar with bring with them is spiritual in nature.  The VBS that is now an integral part of each of the December/January crews is vital to the mission, and has become, in many ways, its heart. 
     After getting up and started, the wheels on the bus started to spin, and I was off!  The clouds lifted and a friend continued to feed excitement into my day with hope for the future.  A medical mission!  There are supplies and drugs and medical personnel and promise of more to come, if God wills it.  Yesterday's visit with Miss Parchment was always in the back of my mind as things started to develop and her wisdom and humility will always be remembered by me. 
     She 'gets it', big time!  Relationships, especially with the Father, are vital to life.
     At 10 A.M. I got tired, and decided to take a nap.  I woke up before noon, and was refreshed.  We worked on vehicle lighting through most of the afternoon, and in the late afternoon, Betsa's mother invited us to go swimming.  It was wonderful.  I have had a day of actual rest and relaxation and am ready for the next two weeks of work now.  I will try to remember to take some time off, but with the leaving date quckly approaching, it will be hard to say 'no' to any request.
     It is now almost 11:30 P.M., and I intend to run in the morning, having skipped running today to take my nap.  Good plan as it turned out.  My health is still good and my weight is still between 155-160, so I am looking forward to the rest of this part of the journey.  Good night, and   . . .

God bless

I would like to end with an old quote that my oldest son brought to mind tonight:

"Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD Is One."        Deuteronomy 6:4
===

8/22/2008 - I ran again this morning after we dropped off the children at the bus.  The heel feels better, and no longer hurts when I get up in the morning.  I was up at 5:15, and I am not tired today.  We are going to the hospital to try to get in to see the burn unit.  Yesterday was hard on me and, I think, even harder on Hernie, but this part of the journey has a fresh urgency to it, so Hernie suggested that we go.  We are leaving here in less than an hour, and the kids are already home.  We are going, hopefully, to meet the director of the hospital before going in to the burn unit.  I have not yet sent in pictures from yesterday, except the one of 'the child'.
      Now those are all completed, and we are home from the hospital.  The kids want Pizza Hut (or is it really Hernie leading the pack?), and it's the only pizza in town, so that's where we had dinner.
     Hernie and Betsa are preparing to go to a wedding reception, so I have some time to write, since the children are upstairs.
     Today was a good day, and we made contact with Dr. Enrique Tome, who is head of the pediatric burn unit.  We did not get into the ward, because he had a conference with his staff at the time we arrived.  He promises to send Hernie a list of needs, and that will have to do.
     After we left his office, we stopped by the nutrition wing to tell them that they will get their nebulizer when we can get it to them, and five seconds later (literally) the whole wing new about it  I will send a picture of the communication method to the webmaster tonight.  The grin that "Dr. Fernando" gave us was thanks enough!
     As we were leaving the hospital, Hernie suggested that we go to see Miss Parchment, a lady that he knows.  When we got to her place, we met a plain looking Black lady who could have been anybody, until you looked into her eyes.
     Miss Parchment is plain spoken and gentle, and her appearance is not exactly what you would expect of someone of her stature.  She received her Master's degree from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and is a member of the board of the Pinales school in Tegucigalpa, a retired proffesional nurse, and among other things, is part of the International Team for Honduras of the Hospital Christian Fellowship International.  This organization started in South Africa and was founded by Francis Grim.  That story is a very interesting one, and anyone who understands or wants to understand the importance of individual conduct as a Christian would do well to check this out.  The ministry started because he used to pray with, for and read the Bible to, his hospitalized father, and people started asking him to do the same for them and their families.  Now it is a world wide organization that has 20 regions, one of which extends from Venezuela and Columbia to Mexico and also includes Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, which is Miss Parchment's region.
     The URL for the organization is below, and the URL for the USA section is below that. 
https://www.givengain.com/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?cmd=cause_dir_cause&cause_id=1071
http://www.hcfusa.com/index.htm
     I will be brief, and let those led to it check the site and the organization itself.
     The 20 regions are mostly language based, and those who are called to travel and train people, as well as the board, must raise their own money for that.  Often, the country of travel will raise the room and board by housing and feeding the visitor(s), but the travel expenses are usually raised by or paid by the traveler.
     As the web site says, the purpose of the organization is:

HCFI     Vision:
By the grace of God and undergirded by its supporters the HCFI will become a prayerful evangelical fellowship with trained people implementing Christ's Great Commission within the health care field.

HCFI Mission:
To prayerfully implement the vision by encouraging member organizations and HCF staff members in their endeavor to:
     1.  Evangelize, discipline and train health care staff
     2.  witness in word and deed to sick and dying people and their relatives
     3.  train , equip and discipline HCF staff members
     4.  communicate effectively with supporters
     5.  mobilize and train local church members

They are helping medical persons to understand how to complete the triangle of health:  Body, mind (emotional and otherwise) and spirit.
They also train church members to evangelize and serve in the hospitals. The overall idea is to put God back into the hospitals and provide the kind of healing that comes from knowing God.
Another goal is to help people who are used to folks giving to them understand tht they should also give, and eventually sustain not only themselves, but also those around them, including missionaries.  This is similar to the concept initiated by brother Buranapong with the youths that come on missions from Las Brisas and San Nicolas.
   It has been a full day, and now Hernie and Betsa are headed to the wedding.  Things are winding down for the day, and tomorrow is uncertain because we are not sure where the next site is, exactly.  It is true, isn't it, that life is always uncertain.  The common phrase is "Nothing is certain, except daeth and taxes."     I would add to that list "and that some day, That Day, we will stand before God and bow the knee, either in joy and submission, or as conquered enemies who refused the Gift.  We shall stand before the One, and then the judgement.  This also is certain.

          " And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.   When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the LORD of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."        Matthew 9:35-38

Our directive is to pray, and also to pick up whatever tool or task He gives us and go out into the fields.  They truly are ripe for harvest, and if we do not do our part, then where is our love?  Agape (the commonly accepted spelling) means selfless, among other things, and pride is the big obstacle that I inevitably run up against.
     Good night pilgrims.  Tomorrow is a new day, and:

          "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
   His mercies never come to an end;
     they are new every morning;
                 great is Your faithfulness."        Lamentations 3:22 & 23
===

August 21,2008, is a hard day to write about.  I have always, even in college, written things one time, and not use rough drafts or make corrections on anything that I wrote, up until now.  This is my second attempt at writing this day's blog.
     Adriana and Ricardo started school today, and they are there for 1/2 of a day, both today and tomorrow.  After dropping off the children, Hernie took me to the track to run and I had two hours of running, walking and waiting.  It was good, and I am learning to relax a little.  After he picked me up, we came home for the usual breakfast, writing, chores and emails.  At 3:30, we left for the hospital, and it was then that I found out why yesterday was the way it turned out, and why today started late (at least I thought that it was late). 
     The hospital that we went to is there to attend to the needs of the poorest people in Honduras.  In order to even get in the gate, we had to show a letter from the director giving us permission.  The entrance gate is always closed, and opens when there is someone with proper clearance.  After getting through the gate, we were instructed to go around the building to the parking lot, so we got to see the entire structure close up.  It is worn down, and it looks like only the essentials are taken care of, which makes sense when you get the whole picture.  In the parking lot, there were people sitting, sleeping and doing things that are normally done at home.  When we got inside, we went to the director's office and spoke to the secretary, who told us that the director wasn't there, and after some discussion between the secretary and Hernie, we were allowed to go upstairs to the Pediatric Nutrition section.  There we met the nurses and were directed to the physicians office, which is a small room with a few small school desks, a teacher's desk and one small bookcase.  There was a small physician's reference on the desk, two bare fluorescent bulbs on the wall, and windows looking out into the hallway that is outside the ward.  The two physicians were there, and we began to ask questions and learn.  After a while, one of the physicians, Fernando, said something in English, so I began to ask him some questions directly as well as Hernie talking to the other one.  He also had questions, and we discussed life and medicine.  He speaks well, understands much, but his vocabulary is somewhat limited because he doesn't get much practice speaking English.
     We found out that they often lack basic medical supplies and frequently have to make do, such as giving sutures on small hands and tongues with sewing needles and thread, as well as giving an alternate medication because the correct one was either not in stock or never available.  They are also in desperate need of a nebulizer, which was the second thing on their list of requests, just behind "basic medical equipment and supplies, like surgical kits".  Got that, Amy?  I just want to say here, that without the love and support and prayers of my friends I would be unable to do this work, and I thank my God for each of you.  You are a blessing to me, and I hope that in some small way I can help you in return.
     The nebulizer:  The doctors gave me some quick statistics about the need for the nebulizer.  70% of their cases (remember that this wing is predominately nutritional) have pulmonary problems, and pneumonia is at epidemic levels right now.  Second highest pulmonary problem is asthma (Lorena stoves, anyone?) and they currently have two isolation level patients with tuberculosis.
     The doctors are also requesting a reading table or wall light so that they can read x-rays, without having to hold them up to  bare bulb.  There are 9 wings in pediatrics alone, and this is just one of them.  They try to stay within their category, but when demand increases, they make adjustments, of course.  That is why the TB patients are in the nutritional wing.  As you can imagine, there are logistical problems connected to this need to shuffle patients,and the nebulizer will help greatly, since they have to take the patients all the way to the other end of the hospital to get treatment, then sometimes wait in line.  The medicines that they are requesting are (not necessarily in this order):
1.  analgesics for children
2.  fever suppressors
3.  Parasite killing drugs (giardia, tapeworms and others)
4.  antibiotics
5.  oral and injected B-12
6.  surgical kits
7.  iron
8.  centrum

     Their path of correction looks like this:
1.  stabilize the patient
2.  pathology (diagnosis)
3.  antibiotics
4.  nutritional rehabilitation
5.  a social/economic study of the family and community
    
     The average child stays at the hospital 14 days.  In other statistics given by the doctors we can see the larger problem and how well it is currently being addressed.  Among children in Honduras, malnutrition is 35-36% of the population, and out in the countryside the rate of malnutrition among children is 50%.  There is progress, though.  The infant mortality rate in Honduras 6 years ago was 25%, according to the doctors, and is currently reduced to 2.55%, quite an accomplishment for a six year period.

     We went out into the ward, and here was where the reality of the discussion hit us.  We were taken to a room, where we met a little girl who is HIV positive.  That's not her big problem right now.  She is two years old, and this little girl is so malnourished that she weighs 4.5 Kilograms, or just under ten pounds   They weigh her 16 times each day to determine the success rate of treatment, and whether they should continue the treatment or change it.  I am posting a picture of this child separately.  Some might not want to see.  God, why?  Why, LORD, do you allow us to let this go on?  It is bad enough to see the pictures, but to actually see the child, and want to hold her, but know that your touch, especially as a foreigner, might bring death to a very fragile life.  I have to stop now for a while.
     Doctor Ricardo Castillo held the child gently, and it is obvious that the people there care deeply about their charges. 
    There were many other patients, 23 in all at this moment, and each one has a story.  One boy was there, with brittle hair, Tuberculosis, skin problems and more, and his parents had to leave for a time.  They had not eaten in 4 days, and still had to provide for the rest of the family,so they had to leave.  They will be back, when they can afford it.  Someday. 
     The third one that we saw had brittle hair, with patches missing, skin problems, swollen tissue and this child's family supports six children, mom and dad on $100 per month. 
     These are the people and children that I saw on August 21,2008, and for every one that finds their way in, there must be many who don't.
    
     I couldn't hold back the tears as I left, and didn't really try.  We are going back tomorrow to see the pediatric burn unit.
₌₌₌

   It is early evening on August 21st 2008, and once again I am being taught about myself and my failings, and the repeated beating of my head against the wall is to no good effect.
     Yesterday, the 20th, which is the subject of this blog, was a 'down day', and they always leave me restless, especially now that time is getting short and there is still so much to do.  So many starfish, and the weight of what needs to be accomplished, both here and after I get home, is daunting.  I am learning, very slowly, to let God be God, and just follow.
     I was out of bed at 5 A.M.  My sleeping habits are becoming a concern for many, but I have been like this on mission trips since the first one in Kentucky during the summer of 2001, so I don't think that it will change much any time soon.   There is an ancient Greek play called Antigone, in which the young protagonist (for whom the play is named) is said to be late to bed, early to rise, because life was full and she didn't want to miss any of it.  That's about how I feel.  That, and being a morning person since forever, pretty much seal things here, although I do occasionally take naps.
     Health wise, I am feeling really good, except for this darn heel, and my weight has stabilized.  It varies about 7 pounds, depending on the time and day and whether I have run recently.  I feel better physically than I have in years.
     I went running in the morning, and then we waited for things to arrange themselves so that we could go to the hospital, but timing worked against us, and we had to postpone it until the next day. 
     The evening was spent writing and watching Honduras get beat by Mexico in an international soccer match.
     Tomorrow, I will learn why today's plan did not go as anticipated.  God is right again.  Go figure.
===

    8/19 - New Itinerary. Things have changed here, and there had to be some adjustments.  Two of the contacts, the pastors in Marcala and the leadership in El Tablon have strongly requested a change in timing.  It was bound to happen, and we are going to comply of course.  Here is the new list:

August 19 (today).  Visit the orphanage outside of Tegucigalpa. 
August 20       Wednesday    Visit the Pediatric hospital in Tegucigalpa.
August 21       Thursday        Inspect the vehicles, get Quickbooks up to date and general repairs
August 22       Friday            Install new lights, and finish repairs.
August 23       Saturday        Early travel to Marcala, visit, then come home that evening to a dinner in Tegucigalpa.  This will be a long day, but it is at the request of the village leadership.
August 24       Sunday          Attend an evangelical conference in Tegucigalpa.
August 25       Monday         Travel to Los Ranchos and begin documentation.
August 26       Tuesday        Continue documentation and discussion, then travel home at night.
August 27       Wednesday   Meet at the university and continue documentation of previous trips.
August 28       Thursday       Travel to El Tablon.
August 29       Friday           El Tablon
August 30       Saturday       El Tablon
August 31       Sunday         Travel home from El Tablon
September 1   Monday         Start tucking in the edges of information, then have a conference with, and report to, the CSP board on the mission so far.
September 2   Tuesday        Finish what can be finished, begin good-byes, confirm flights.
September 3   Wednesday   Travel to San Pedro Sula.
September 4   Thursday       Home at last.  Joy and sorrow mingled.
===

August 19, 2008:  The day started out early, as usual.  I arose at 5, and by 6 A.M. I was at the computer, writing and answering emails.   Then the internet died (funny how I get used to things.  I remember 1200 baud modems), so I took a shower and finished packing, assuming (yes, I know!) that we would be on our way.  Silly me!  There has been a big change in plans, and a whole new schedule has been formulated.  We still will get to all of the planned sites, and may even add some new ones, or revisit some of the others, especially today's. 
     Today we went to the orphanage, and I was expecting to find despair.  I don't know why, but that is where my head was.  What I found was what we all would like to see in these situations.  Love.
     The orphanage began 7 years ago with some land and one building that housed everything, and held four children.  Now there are several buildings, well built, and twenty-three children, all full of hope.  The Honduran church in the background of this effort is Ciudad de Misericordia (City of Mercy, in English), who had the original vision and is planning to expand this facility further, and start another facility soon, which of course will be well used.  Eventually, the present facility will care for 50 children, with the addition of a second dorm so that the boys and girls are in separate buildings at night.  Right now the boys are young enough that it is not a problem.  The boys that I talked to were 8 and 9 years old, quite friendly, and obviously loved and well cared for.
     When people work on a project in missions, there is a hope that what is done will improve the situation that is addressed.  What is often not seen is the end result, and often the ongoing needs are unfilled, because there is always someone else with the same, or even greater, need.
     World Emergency Relief built the newer buildings, and the original building was built by a group from Puerto Rico on land that they had obtained.  There is water available every four days, and it is put into a tank, but if it doesn't come, they must buy it at considerable expense.  There is currently a plan to build a rainwater collection system with in ground cisterns, but funding has become an issue for World Emergency Relief, the organization that promised the water system.  The orphanage also needs support for food and other supplies, and it is estimated that the total cost of operation is normally around $1500 per month, according to Alicia Smith, who felt the call of God to come here from the U.S.A. two years ago.  They also are always grateful for volunteers, especially those who return year after year, like a congregation from the Syracuse Wesleyan Church.
     The children come from various situations, and are usually referred by the IHNFA ( the Honduran version of DCFS, from what I can tell).  The minimum requirement is that they be potty trained, because they do not have sufficient staff to care for children on that level on a day to day basis.
     The grounds, the buildings and the children are clean, well cared for, and if you go there, expect to have children swarm all around you, full of joy and enthusiasm.  The love with which they are cared for is obvious, and this place is a beacon of hope to the world.  At one time, the children were not accepted well in the local school where they attend, but now, when there is a study group, the local children want to come to the orphanage to study.  Quite a contrast from the past here, and the present in many places.  Alicia expressed the hope that a couple or family would come like she did, and decide to stay, because then the children would have a male role model, and the boys are getting to the point where they need that badly.  Those children who have family, are taken once a month to visit them, but their full time family is right there at the orphanage.
    The leadership of the orphanage is hoping to find a source of income that will allow them to become self-sustaining, perhaps a bakery or a large garden.  They need funding help in the meantime, and Alicia, (who is Mexican in origin, although she lived in the U.S. for thirty years) is a former librarian, and would greatly appreciate Spanish language library books, especially for younger children.
     This little message cannot do justice to the positive, uplifting, loving atmosphere that resides here.  God is being glorified daily, and there is a clear sense of God's purpose and plan being faithfully followed here.  If you have some time, it would be good to stop and see this place.  It is an oasis for the most vulnerable, and a place of safety and love.  Children with severely troubled pasts are given hope, love and assurance of significance, all to the glory of the Father.
      Expect to hear more on this particular topic.  This is not the last time that I will go there, whether on this trip or another, perhaps between crews in January.
===

August 18,2008 - Today was a slow day, as we waited for a phone call that never came.  Tomorrow we head out in some direction, but we are still not sure where.  There are several choices, but we need to make contact first, wherever we go.  The night is late, and I finally got all of the pictures that I wanted to get on the web site uploaded.  Man, was that a chore!  Took all day, off and on.  I also got things organized and all entries in the log, the journal and the web.  Now for a fresh start tomorrow, hopefully after I run.  I miss running, and it's my own fault.
     God is good.
===

August 17, 2008:
     I slept until almost 7 AM, and woke up praying for some friends back home.  It was a restful sleep, and I showered, shaved, and a peanut butter sandwich (OK, I had three small ones, so shoot me), then headed downstairs for another attempt at sending the pictures.  No such thing this morning, buck-o!  That is the message that I eventually got, so I stopped trying.  We left for church at 10:15, and I presume that everyone was emotionally drained and slept in.  I am learning that I need to slow down sometimes and just accept what comes.  It is a hard lesson for me, but Hernie is helping me greatly with this process. 
     After worship at Betsa's church, we had a great lunch.  Betsa said that she had not seen me eat that much since I have been here, and I told her, "That's because I'm hungry."  I think that she had been a little worried about my eating habits, or lack thereof.  After lunch, we visited Flor again, which we do every Sunday now, and headed to the Valley of the Angels.  Betsa helped me shop for a few presents, and we had a good time.  I'm not a shopper, but it was fun being a part of the family, and just being together.  I have a surprise for Dave Delaney.  You'll find out on the 7th, Dave!  haha
     Now it is getting kind of late, and I have some personal business to attend to, so this is it until at least Friday, when we are slated to return to Tegucigalpa in the evening.  Tomorrow we get the week's supplies and head to El Tablon.  Scott, you used to look at the mountains from the base, and one of those mountains is the approximate location of El Tablon.  I never know what is coming, but God is good, so I look forward in great anticipation to tomorrow's adventure.
     Today's message at church was given by two Nicaraguan pastors, and it gave me much to think about.  There is much to say about that message, and it fed into what I have been studying, so the study group will be the venue for that.
     Good night, friends, and God bless.
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Page 6 Pictures
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Bouncy's great adventure
     August 16, 2008.  I arose before 6 A.M. and went back on the computer, trying to send some pictures out to individuals and others to the web site.  The blogs are finished, but the pictures will have to wait again.  The internet is slow, when there is a connection at all.
     We got working on the white Toyota lights this morning, but in the middle of getting ready to start the heavy work, someone said "Where's Bouncy?".  That ended most of the day, because Bouncy is very important in the family, and the dynamics of the Lopez/Maradiaga family came into sharp focus.  After much searching and more searching, it was determined that Bouncy was gone.  Suffice it to say, that the day was pretty well ruined.  Until, that is, one of the regular gate guards came walking down the street carrying a very remorseful bundle of white fur.  Well, those who know Bouncy will be surprised, perhaps, to note that the dog was, and remains a day later, subdued.  In the time that I have been here this trip, Bouncy and I have developed a nice relationship.  Bouncy doesn't jump on me or become a pest, and I give him attention.  Nice trade, and Bouncy only needs a softly spoken word by me and she calms right down.  I have never hit her or treated her badly.  I just expect good behavior and don't accept anything else, and she expects attention and gets it.  I wish that I behaved that well all the time.  She sure does.
     Peggy reminded me that I need to begin preparations for confirmation class, and I hope to begin that process early Monday morning.  I kept trying to get pictures sent over the internet until about midnight, then went to bed, prayed for a while, and went to sleep. 
===

August 15. 2008:  Awakened to prayer.  Good prayer, and solid, focused attention.  It feels good, real good.  Thank you LORD, for the wonderful gift of prayer.  After I arose, I took a bucket shower.  A really nice one, with the pila right there flowing with running water coming from up the mountain, cold and clear.  It was almost as good as the one on the mountain in The Cypresses, only handier, being right there at the house.  I don't know which would be better, long term.  I'll have to try them out more to see.  I returned to the house, packed, we had a light breakfast, and I read Romans chapter 4 to myself in Spanish.  I am no longer worried about geting all the way through it, but I am still going to try.  Hernie got up at 5, and we got ready to leave.
     These are good people and this is a good place, and like anywhere else, there is both good and bad mixed together.  The issue is that the good usually looks familiar to us, at least if we pay attention, while the bad looks strange, and thus more uncertain.  The latrine was also quite good, with a deep pit, solid footing, and a padded purple paisley seat.  Quite a throne!  The graffiti was even high class.  "Dios El Amor!"
     Past the half way point, not really getting everything finished, but doing the best we can.  Things will start to get constricted now, as time goes on, and we find ourselves running short on time.  Even here, with the beauty and friends old and new and discussing the things of God and of life and love, I miss Peggy.  Big time.  I don't know how people can stand to be apart for six months, or a year at a time.  It would melt me.
     There is always hunger around me.  Hunger for food, hunger for a better life, hunger for self-improvement and sometimes just plain greed.  The sweetest and most painful hunger to see, is the hunger for love.  The Highest love is the love of God, and in Carolina, I see that particular hunger.  God feed her, according to your plan and her need.  We all need to come to the waters of life, and it is a glorious thing to see someone actually focus on that hunger and ask that it be filled.  The beatitudes come to mind immediately.  The question of balance concerns how to do the feeding properly.  Buranapong is correct in saying that if a child has not eaten in a day or so, then concentration is hard, if not impossible.  That goes for spiritual hunger as well, and just like physical hunger, if there is no food for an extended time, even the desire to eat becomes blunted.
     On our way back to Tegucigalpa, we stop and drop off Carolina and her daughter at the clinic in the next big town, and head to Pespire.  We still have not made contact with Augusto, so we look for him.  He is in Choluteca, we are told, so we head to Las Palmas for a discussion.  Las Palmas is a small village on an offshoot of the road to San Juan Bautiste, and we follow the 'road' to a house where one of the community leaders lives.  She gets her water from a well that her next door neighbor has, but most of the village gets its water from the river that we crossed a short distance before the house.  I will get a picture of that water when I can get the internet here to send it.  It is horrible!  The worst that I've ever seen here.  The muddy waters of the big rivers would be a treat next to the emulsion that these people have to live on and with, worse by far than either of the streams in Los Ranchos.  Much worse.  The lady, Aurelia Barahona, says that water is absolutely the number one priority.  That is coming from an older lady who has good water herself, so the impact of her statement is strong on me.  There are 37 homes total on both sides of the river.  There are two wells, one made by USAID and the other a hand dug well, donated by a local gentleman.  No power, of course, and the wells have no pumps and need improvement.  The government started a water project using rainwater collection and in ground cisterns, but the cisterns are all cracked, and just sit there, unusable.  It was a pilot project, and was abandoned when the cisterns cracked, leaving the people with river water, if you can call that stuff water.  There is an NGO that supplies pipes for projects, and the local government has said that they would bring electricity, so there is good potential for a project in the future, after the background work is completed.
     Aurelia also said that there is a need for latrines after the water.  Since they have been led to believe that there would be water, and the project failed, they just want water for now. 
     Leaving Las Palmas, we headed to Tegucigalpa, got Ana to her destination, then headed home to get cleaned up and hopefully wash.  Running water!!!  Laundry will be much easier now, and that's what we did.  Laundry.
     Then eat a little, clean up and go to bed.  1 something in the morning, but to bed it is.
===

August 14, 2008: 

     Couldn't sleep at all last night.  Not many bugs, and only two mosquitoes, both dispatched easily, especially since I was already awake.  Alexis watched the truck all night, and I could not think of any reason, but still sleep would not come.  I took a warm shower this morning in the schoolyard.  There was no light anywhere, neither on earth nor in the sky.  Not bad, just dark.  I wasn't used to that, but it was actually quite nice.  Peaceful and quiet except when I was splashing water.  Getting water was a little bit of a problem, because in the dark, I didn't see those darned little ants that bite.  It took a few seconds to register, but now I am used to the drill.  Feel a bite (unmistakeable, but not really painful), brush off the ants, brush them off again after you remember to move away, then check twice and be prepared to resist scratching where it itches.  The water was probably warm because of the volcano across the river in Nicaragua.  Those darn ants are fast, too!  Hernie is ready early today also, and maybe it's just the way it is for us on the road, but we tend to get up earlier than normal.  The days are emotionally draining, and there is much to consider during the day, so we generally get to bed at a decent hour.  Sometimes 8 P.M. feels like midnight.

       Ana, a girl who agreed to work for Hernie's mom in exchange for food, lodging, money and schooling, is traveling with us to Tegucigalpa.  She is a shy 15 year old who has graduated 6th grade, and expressed a strong interest in working when it was brought up to a group.  We left there before 7 A.M., and headed to Tablones Ariba, for the next leg of our journey. 

     When we got to Tablones Ariba, we met with Carolina and her family, who are friends of Bill Hare and David Radcliff.  They all send their love, and especially Carolina sends her warmest greetings to Bill and David.  I don't have David's email address.  Carolina has a child with meningitis, I don't know whetherit is bacterial or viral, but tomorrow we are taking mom and the six year old to the clinic in the next town.  They cannot afford medications, so they are at the mercy of the system.

     One of the younger sisters is home visiting.  She is in Tegucigalpa, going to med school right now, and here that in itself brings great hope to the family, and by extension the community.

     The medical supplies that were sent from the U.S. to here were delivered to Edelia Ochoa, who is the nurse's assistant and general staff person at the clinic in Tablones Ariba.

     Tablones Ariba has about 500 people living there, and Ana is blending right in.  We weren't there five minutes, and  one of Carolina's young sisters had her under care and doing whatever it is that teenagers do when they meet.  Some things are just the same here as anywhere.

     Carolina is asking for a Bible, and one will be provided.  She says that she is hungry to read and study the Word to learn what God says, and from now on, I will carry at least a few Spanish Bibles with me.  I should have known!  Slow learner, I guess.

     We identified the greatest needs of the community, and they are to get additional latrines and pilas built for those who have none.  We also met with the community leaders and began to identify the poorest and most vulnerable people in the village.  They also need a middle school.  The stoves in this village were built by Norwegians, and some of them work well, but most do not.  The ones that work well are generally fueled by pallet lumber, well seasoned and hard, looks like oak.  The ones that do not, seem to be burning harvested lumber, and of fairly recent vintage.  It tkes a long time to heat up and the draft is poor.  Upon examination, it was determined that perhaps the heat chamber was too big, and allowed the gases to slow down too much.  Once we narrowed the gap under the single large plate (approximastely 30"X30"), the fire took hold quickly and burned much better.  The floor of the chamber is a large box filled with ash, so al that needed to happen was to insert a few stones in the ash to raise the level of the floor.  This worked well, and the principle is now understood, so hopefully things will improve there. 

     Again we were hosted quite well, and the evening was very pleasant.  For the second time, I got to use my hammock for a nap.  This could easily become a habit. 

      I fell asleep to the sound of Spanish soap operas being watched in my room.  Tomorrow we head to one more village near Pespire, then home.
===

August 13, 2008: 
     We had dinner very late last night (we closed the restaurant), then headed to Junior's house.  He lives there with his pregnant wife, Claudia, and their three year old daughter Alison, who is truly a princess.  Last night we ended up sleeping at Junior's house.  The truck wouldn't get all the way up the street.  Too rocky and too steep.  The house was beautiful, inside and out.  It could be anywhere, except that the plumbing is outside.  Tile floors, three pronged outlets (several in every room), quite nice, and well kept by any standards.  I am required to visit there again when I return, because the baby will be born, and I guess that I have no choice in the matter.  Darn!
     We talked for a long time about many things, and Junior reminded me that I told him that I was going to learn Spanish.  I asked him how his English was going, and that ended that for now.  It really is frustrating to not be able to speak even ordinary sentences, and I intend to keep trying.  We never got to Los Ranchos, because we were occupied for a long time with yesterday's events, and waited for quite a while for Junior.  We never got to Las Palmas either, but the blog for August 15th will have information on that potential site.  When we finally went to bed, Hernie was asleep before his head hit the pillow.  Literally!  That boy was tired.

     I am awake quite early, and lay there, listening to the quiet, and then, gradually, to the town waking up.  The two A.M. rooster that is especially bred here in Honduras for it's consistent timing, it seems, didn't get a response right away, so it is silent for now.  A small child next door has a congested cough, and that's the first sound, beating even the birds this morning.  Life is very different here, and before the sun comes up, people are out and moving around.  At six A.M. I finally get out of bed, shower and shave, then listen and watch the rest of the world.  This town can be quite nice in the morning, and the roosters start up in earnest, along with the geckos, the people and the radio, tuned to some Spanish music.  At 6:30, little Alison is up, followed after a bit by mom.
     I learned another lesson in hospitality and humility from Junior.  One that I shall not soon forget.  We have become friends and colleagues of our common craft, and that friendship is growing. 

     We traveled slowly to Santa Catarina, and the road leading away from the highway is slow torture in parts, and the rain yesterday didn't help any, although we never got stuck in 2WD.  We had both breakfast and lunch on the road, and did that on purpose so that the people in the village wouldn't be impacted by the luxury of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  It really is heart wrenching to know that people live with this kind of hunger every day, people like us except that they don't have opportunity.  Everywhere we go, we meet intelligent people who only need opportunity in this land of contrasts.  Once in Santa Catarina, we met Santos Alexis Posada Zuingo, a friend of Bill's (and others) who helped us throughout our stay, including watching the truck for us all night. 
     They are asking for water (they have one hand cranked well), a school, and latrines.  Some of the buildings have badly cracked walls.  These people are mostly employed in agriculture in one way or another, and the women either stay at home to raise their families or work in the shrimp farms.  They are mostly sharecroppers, and the land that they are using is depleted.  They need someone to help them understand how to do things better, I think, but they did not ask for that help, and we did not suggest it.  They have no access to medical help, and the roofs, floors and doors of some of the houses need replacement.  We spent the afternoon meeting with the community leaders to discuss needs and hopes and life in general.   It was good, and most of the discussion took place on the riverbank, where we could see Nicaragua on the other shore. 
     In the evening, we had a short worship service, and although no adults wanted to open the service, one young boy, about 8 or 9 years old, stepped forward with a friend at his side for support, and offered a prayer of thanks.  That young man is not afraid of the gospel!  He was also there for the earlier discussion with the village leaders, and his name is Ramon.  His father died, struck by lightning, at the same place that we had our afternoon discussion, and yet there he was, leading the congregation in prayer.  If I see him again, I will know him.  I don't know how many adults were there for worship, but most of the women were working at the shrimp farm.  There were over 50 children, and they were fully engaged in the worship, shouting back words that I gave them to repeat.  They had a great time, and God was surely present with us.  This was done in the schoolyard, and afterward, we talked some more about the needs and priorities of the community.
     Then Hernie and I went to bed, prepared to get up early so that we could leave for Tablones Ariba in the morning.
===

AUGUST 12, 2008
     This morning, I realized that I have scarcely mentioned God or prayer in this space, even though it is a big part of my day most of the time.  I guess that it is kind of automatic for me, like breathing, although I sometimes forget.  Not the breathing part, the prayer part.  I am writing this in Pespire on a spanish language keyboard in an internet cafe, so the going is rather slow. 
     I woke up early, of course, but managed to stay in bed until 6 AM.  When I got out of bed, the bottom of my heel hurt, so I decided to not run today.  Some days with that heel are better than others.  I suppose that at some point in time I'll have to do something, but certainly not now.  We also had planned to leave here at 8 AM, but that didn't happen either.  Things just pile up sometimes, and the best laid plans, . . . well, . . you know!
  So far today, we had to get the wheels aligned (we will balance the wheels and tires later) got more supplies and have arrived in Pespire.
     Peggy may kill me, but I bought another hammock, an even bigger one.  There is a psychologist somewhere shaking her or his head, "Tsk, tsk,"!   I hear that they do that, you know.  All I know is that I like them a lot, and use the one that is at home quite a bit lately. 
     The first thing that we did in Pespire was to take a look at the block maker, then talk to the mayor about the upcoming projects, and solicit his support.  He also told us about a town near here, Las Palmas, that is in the same position that Los Ranchos was in 5 years ago.  No houses, no land for houses, no latrines, no water.  It is too late to look at it today, but on the way back toTegucigalpa on Friday or Saturday, we will stop and look.
     We met up with Doni and Oldrin, two masons from last year, and met their father Jose, Doni's wife, Karen and his little son, Jefferson. 
     After this, we will try to visit brierfly with Fausto and Junior, then head to Los Ranchos for the night.  We might not get to Fausto and <junior at this time, but we can try again on Friday or Saturday as we pass through.
     We are headed out of here now, and trying to make arrangements for the night.  This is our last contact for a few days, I think.
===

August 11, 2008

     It is 10:37 P.M. Honduras time and we are still in Tegucigalpa.  Hernie just got back with the drinking water for the trip, and one for the house.  Water was hard to find tonight, as sometimes happens.  One day it's everywhere, and the next you can hardly find it.  The tap water is not recommended for consumption, although if you have enough money (for fuel) and the water is on that day, you can always boil it for 6 minutes (the old fashioned way).
     On the other hand, tonight is "water's on" night in this neighborhood, so Hernie is doing laundry. 
     I was up at 6 this morning, and on the computer shortly after that, doing research and answering emails.  We left the house at 8:45 and headed out for errands and I spent some time running in the stadium.  Water is very much a necessity here, and I had some, so I ran quite a while, and Hernie did his LOFRASA work. 
     Yesterday, I told Hernie that he needed to get the white Toyota checked, and that it sounded like metal on metal, and that's not a good thing.  This morning we took it to the mechanics to get it looked at.  The heavy leakage from the Burfield joint on the right front axle was draining the oil faster than we could put it in, so they changed the seals, as well as two of the engine seals.  It is good that we did that, because dry bearings don't work well long term, and we might have been stranded in the backroads, far from help.  I like adventure, but not particularly like that.  The bearings were still good, so after dinner (chicken soup, and delicious), Hernie and I went to get his truck.  We were going to take the bike, but since it was raining off and on pretty hard, we decided to see if we could get his little Toyota Starlet running after sitting for a year.  We put a partially used battery in, and it started up easily, taking us to the truck repair shop.  The trip there was wonderful.  It reminded me of my youth, when my friends and I would sometimes cruise around.  Not looking to do anything, just being together and living life, doing whatever comes our way.  That's how it felt.  Just Hernie and I, traveling together (although we did have a purpose) in his car, smelling the fresh, rain washed air, looking at the city lights, and just being together.  No real agenda other than our destination.  A memory that will linger in my heart for a long, long time.
      The late finish to the repairs means that we need to leave tomorrow morning for Pespire.  Hopefully, we can get on the road early so that we can get Pespire finished and get ourselves to Santa Catarina in time to do some work.  If we can, it would be good to get home on Friday night, but Saturday would be OK too. 
     We ran some errands in the green truck, and got the van running as well.  Now we are waiting for the laundry, and Hernie is finally entering the financial information into Quickbooks, which we had hoped to do before.  That was another issue that took a fair amount of time to accomplish, but is necessary for CSP's long term benefit.  He has finished his entries, so we are fully up to date now.
     We are leaving here at around 8 tomorrow, so that we can get to Pespire in the morning.  Day is about done now, and it has been a good day.  I probably will not be able to report until Friday or Saturday after this, but I should have much to say and many pictures for the web site.
     Tomorrow's plan is to get up, drive to the stadium, run, come back and pack up the truck, then leave for Pespire, and that's as much planning as we can do at this point.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38
===

I am taking a little time tonight August 10, 2008, to reflect back on the past week before I write about today.
     On Monday, August 4, 2008, we were supposed to go to Marcala the first half of the week, but we were delayed, and changed our plans.  We got supplies, did some preparation on the trucks, and I learned a great deal about how people interact in Honduras.  It truly is not like it is here, and it isn't worse or better, just different.
     Tuesday was more computer work, more preparations, and at 2 we finally hit the road for Cypress Village, the night's sleeping spot.  During that time, I was blessed to meet some very good friends, and found a new home.
     Wednesday was a worship service in the morning where I gave the invitation message, and we distributed some supplies that were purchased for this specific time (and one other to come later).  I learned about a servant's heart and what that looks like in action, and we got the needed information concerning a potential Lepetarique project.
     Thursday was a funeral, a meeting with the day care center, a haircut and juggled the schedule to fit the present circumstances.  I also started working on Hernie's computer.  It is not functioning well, and in addition, the Quickbooks program wouldn't take new information.  Progress, but not finished.  Also, as is normal on Tegucigalpa days, I worked on reports and question answering.
     Friday was a 'shadow Hernie' day, and much was learned about his life, and I even relaxed a little.  Not much, but a little.  I started to work on the message for Saturday, and got more supplies.  I got to bed at 11, with Hernie's computer running a little better, but still no Quickbooks functionality.
     Saturday was busy, with the final preparation for the message that was delivered in the afternoon.  I finally got Hernie's computer to run Quickbooks properly, and the process of input continues.  The laundry kept me up until early in the morning, but when you have water, you wash.  All laundry is clean now, and the emails and pictures are sent.
     Sunday:
     This morning was email and worship at Betsabe's church, followed by a nap.  Finally, 45 minutes dedicated to sleep during the day.  Sure felt good.  I found out that here, Chorizo means "sausage" and can be any kind.  We also had Mondongo, which is the Honduran version of Menudo.  Flor can make dirt taste good, and her Mondongo is excelente, and mild at the same time!  After the nap, Hernie and I went to his mother's church, where they were celebrating the congregation's 96th birthday.  Quite a good worship service, with flutes and violins and guitars and keyboard and saxophone and trumpet and a 22 voice choir, as well as a solo and a duet.  It was a long service, but a good one, and afterward, we picked up Betsabe and the children and headed to her grandmother's house for a visit.   The final stop, as it is on weekends, is home, to write and sleep.

     The week was full, fuller than I ever thought that it could be, and I learned a great deal.  One thing that I am beginning to notice, is that when I hear scripture or messages about scripture, I can usually understand it pretty well, and when I check with Hernie, he says that I got it.  I also find that my Spanish grows best when I combine reading the Bible in Spanish (I have a bilingual Bible that translates the same in both languages) with listening to worship, music and conversation in Spanish (without translation) I learn faster.  My downfall is still in speaking.  I am hesitant, because I can recognize words that I see and/or hear, but to pull them out of thin air is a whole different animal.
     Tomorrow, we do some truck repair, run, and packing in the morning, and we plan to leave Tegucigalpa before noon, for a meeting in Pespire concerning the December/January crew construction projects.  Los Ranchos, I'm afraid, will have to wait for another time, presumably August 28, 2008.  Darn!
===

  The worship today, August 9th, had two additional pluses for me.  The first is that Lesvin Fransisco Kauffman Flores, the worship leader for the congregation, is hoping to go on the December mission trip with Clayton.  He needs to think it through, because he has obligations here, and if he goes, he will need sponsorship.  Clayton, are you listening, my brother?
     The second is that we had the President Pro-Tem of the Lutheran Church in Honduras with us in worship.  I don't know if he was sent to check out the gringo, or it was just part of his personal agenda, but it was good to see him there, even in that small congregation.  Everyone seemed to know him, and this certainly is a good congregation to worship with, no matter who is there. 
===

It is late in the evening or August 09, 2008, and the washing machine has water, so I am babysitting it while it does the heavy work.  We have water now, and that means that it is now the right time to wash.  Some days we have it all day, and some days not at all.  The president of Honduras lives on the block, and he is in the same water system as Hernie and Betsabe, although he could have a reservior system, which would help greatly.  This is the compromise of city living here.
     Water.  In the mountains, the higher up you are, the more likely you are to have good drinkable water.  The compromise there is poverty, usually, unless you have made a ton of money and retired there.  Then you have the issue of bandits, becuase everyone will know that you have "stuff", and life is cheap.
In the city, water is harder to get, but you can blend in a little better, and guards are much easier to find (and cheaper to keep, I suppose) in the city.  In the poorest parts of the city, like where the day care center is that we visited this week, water is only available by truck, and then only once a week, If you can afford it.  I don't even want to think of what those without the money to buy water do, but I can guess, and have seen some of it, I think.
     I got up at 5 to shower (bucket shower, no water then), then started to finish preparations for the message that I would give in the afternoon.  I didn't run, because I thought that the mechanic would show up to fix the Burfield joint on the white Toyota, and that's the vehicle that I would have taken to the track.  Silly me!
     It was good, though, because it gave me time with nobody except Elia around, so that I could really focus in on the message for today.  The message was about "the veil".  The curtain around the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle, the curtain in the temple, the tearing of the curtain from top to bottom, and what it all means to us.  The scriptures that I used were Exodus 26:31-35, Matthew 27:51, Ephesians 4:14-24, 2 Corinthians 3:16-18, Hebrews 6:19 & 20 and Hebrews 10:19-25.  The scriptures that the church picked for the standard readings were the Elijah encounter with God in the cave in 1 Kings 19, and the New Testament reading was Matthew 14:22-33.  These both fit in quite well with the message, actually, and the music minister's comments just before the message said what I was going to open with, almost word for word.  The most amazing part waas that I understood him!  I am beginning to understand what people are saying unless they talk very rapidly (which is not that unusual here), but my speaking is still quite poor.  I need to get some vocabulary under my belt, and just start talking.  Hernie tells me that they will understand that at lest I am trying.
     Late in the morning, just as I was finishing the study, Hernie fired up the barbeque for some Honduran chorizo (kind of like a good quality spicy polish sausage, only small) and steak strips, with the usual frijoles and arrozo, and pico de gallo.
     After lunch, which was excellent, Hernie and I headed to church, while Betsa stayed home with Adriana, whose stomach problem returned this morning, along with fever.  When I hugged her this morning, she was hot to me, and that's pretty bad, as some of you know.  After church, we gave three ladies from the church a ride home, then came home ourselves, where I did some personal emails and chatted with some friends.  Now it is 10:30, and I still need to finish the laundry, but I have finally, in the last days, begun to really relax and let go.  I still feel that there is not enough time for everything that needs doing, and some of the lesser things will just have to wait, but tomorrow the finances and the white truck are in my sights after worship in the afternon.  Then on Monday, we head to Pespire for a big meeting that will determine much of the rest of our time that week.  Next week is a five day road trip to Pespire, Santa Catarina and Tablones Arriba.  Let me know tomorrow if there is anything specific that you want to see or hear about in these places.  We will probably not get to Los Ranchos this week.  That is planned for the 28th through the 30th. 
     Time is passing, but I am sure staying busy.  Sometimes it feels like forever, and sometimes it feels like I got here yesterday.  When I look back at the end of a day, if I haven't taken notes, it's hard to belive that what happened in the morning actually happened that day.  It is wonderful and frightening all at the same time.  So many starfish, so little time.  God, please send people out into the harvest!  Please!
===

     It is 7:20 A.M., August 8, 2008.  I have been up for 20 minutes, after sleeping through my normal awakening time.  I went to bed, lights out, at midnight, after finishing all of the logs through the 7th, and sending the pictures to Al for the CSP web site.  I hope that a few of you are looking at them, because they tell their own story.  
     I hope to run or swim later, but that remains to be seen.  This is supposed to be my first day off, but I don't think that it is possible.  The white Toyota needs the rest of its lights before Monday, and the way things go with repairs, especially in Honduras, I think that it would be wise to start today.  Tomorrow I am giving the message at pastor Victor's church, and he will be preaching in San Pedro Sula, so the ball is mine to carry tomorrow.  I have no idea yet what the topic will be, but God will provide.  He always does.
     When I stand on Hernie's scale, it reads 159 pounds.  What that really means is a mystery to me.  Perhaps I will check it on a calibrated scale to see the truth of the matter.  I feel good, even though I haven't run in several days, it seems.  Folks around here say that I don't eat enough, but I feel good and I am certainly not emaciated.  If my weight drops another ten pounds, then I will start to worry.  My only health concern right now is that my right shoulder has not improved any.  It still hurts sometimes, even if I just raise my elbow.  When I return to the states, I will have it checked again if it is still a problem. The exercises that the therapist gave me are helping some, but this seems like a long time to have it feel this way.  Perhaps it is a sign of old age, but six months seems like a long time.  I think that I'll restring the guitar now.  The other day I broke the high E string tuning it. 
     I am starting to sing again at odd moments.  It has been a few years since I consistently went through my days singing.  It was once the normal pattern of my day, to have songs going through my head and heart, but these last few years have been strangely quiet for me.  Now I feel song rising again.  Welcome back!  It is very good to be back in song.
     Now it is almost 10 P.M., and today was the slowest paced day yet, probably purposefully.  I am trying to relax a little, but no nap for me today.   No run and  no swim either, but it's my own darn fault.  Much of the day was spent purchasing supplies for various projects.  The white Toyota never got the attention it needs, and the mechanic that we hoped to have fix the right side Burfield joint (that's its real name, folks) on the front drive shaft still hasn't returned the phone call.
     There is still no topic for tomorrow's message, and I am getting tired.  It is almost ten P.M. Tegucigalpa time, and I am winding down for the night.  A little reading, and it's off to bed.  The guitar is tuned and restrung, and I bought strings for Samuel's guitar as well.  They need new strings badly, and it is faint repayment for his hospitality.  I hope to see them again before I leave on the 3rd, and hopefully soon.  Perhaps if I refuse to shower unless I shower there, eventually Hernie will capitulate.
     Tomorrow is slated as Barbeque Day at the Lopez house, followed by church at two.  I may run, but it doesn't look good for the home team right now.  God is good.
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Today, August 7th, 2008, I finally (and not for long, I'm sure) am caught up with the emails, I think. 
     This morning Hernie and I went to his aunt's funeral.  She had died of cancer yesterday, and today was supposed to be a meeting at a day care center in one of the poorest parts of Tegucigalpa.  Suyapa, the manager of the facility, went with us to the funeral, and she and I had a good, long talk.  She is a powerful, courageous woman, who cares deeply for the most vulnerable people, in this case the children of the neighborhood that the day care center is in.  Typical of these places, there are gangs and drugs all over, and they often don't care who gets hurt.  There are many young mothers without fathers in the picture, and they either have day care, starve or lock their little ones in the house while they work for almost nothing.  That is where the kids come from mostly.  The building is solid, but security is lacking because the building next to them has been abandoned and its wall is higher than the center's.  Their computer is not working at all, so they cannot do their books without borrowing someone else's, the wall needs strengthening, suppplies are hard to get, and the health inspector said that there is fecal matter in the water supply, so they have to drain the tank.  The issue with that is that there is water available once a week, and they must throw out water that they have paid for, bleach the tank and the lines, then refill when the nest truck comes.  Hernie and I have been given much information on the program, which involves supervised play, art, food, and the usual things that 3-7 year old children need.  It seems that God is trying to break my heart into little pieces every day just to see the pain.  There is one little boy whose eyes haunt me even now.  Can I bring them all home, Peggy?  Please?
     I need to go to bed.  Just the memory is too painful right now. 
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On this wonderful day, August 6th 2008, I awoke after 8 full hours of wonderful sleep.  Was it the mountain air?  Perhaps.  Was it the quiet, and the early bedtime?  quite possibly.  Was it the fact that I was at home here, and felt more accepted just the way I am, with no stress, and love flowing through the whole place.  Quiet, smiling people who are at peace with God, and leaning on grace.  Family.  That's what I feel.  That I am family to them.  No grasping, no glances, just real people.  It is probably my outlook that says this, but I feel that these are my people.  Yes, they are short.  Not that there is anything wrong with that.  Elena is a woman of faith, and she can hug with the best.  Sometimes, there is an instant connection, and this is one of those times for me, for whatever reason.
     After walking through the fields of cabbage, corn, beans, lettuce, and other produce, I was taken to the creek for my bath/shower.  It was wonderful, and by the looks on everyone's faces while I was going there, they were thinking "crazy gringo!  that water is COLD!"  Well, it was rather cool, but it was wonderful.  I could have stayed there, but I was to give a salvation message this morning.  I told the pastor that I would say what I was led to say, and that would have to do.  He understood, and it turned out well.  Again there was a fair crowd in the small room that we had been sleeping in a few hours ago, and after I finished, the young pastor continued to talk and read scripture, and lead singing.  Hernie gave out some of the soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes to the families who were present, and we headed slowly home, holding memories in our hearts.  Mine are permanent, like scars, but as beautiful as the people who had kindly befriended this strange man.  I learned a great deal about what a servant's heart looks like in action, by watching Samuel.  What a blessing it is to have friends like him.  I got to bed late again, but this time because my heart was full.  God is good.
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Don't miss the photos!   

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  Today, August 5, 2008, I arose at 5 A.M., unable to remain asleep.  I worked on the internet until 6, when Hernie and I went running in the stadium.  Hernie did very well, running two miles, then walking.  I kept going for a while.  Hernie knew many of the people there, and knew about many more of them.  Some are very high profile in Honduras, and it can't hurt to know them.  We were both a little stiff afterward, but it was refreshing.  Many entries in the blog were made, and a few pictures sent.  Many more messages went out to individuals who asked for specifics.
     We got out of the house at two P.M., and stopped on the way to buy some supplies that Sally had ordered, because we were headed toward Cypress village (named after a cypress tree in the village, the largest cypress tree that I have ever seen.  A grand sight, high in the mountains, where the indigenous people are living.  These are poor, humble, friendly folks, and Elena was a wonderful hostess, sharing her home and her family with open arms.
     We stopped for worship at one of the village homes, and there were more than 20 people in a room a little more than half the size of a Los Ranchos home.  Worship was good, and we then departed for our home for the night.  Bedtime came early, which was OK with me, because I was tired.  Tomorrow we head for Lepaterique, to conclude the investigation here and distribute some of the supplies that Hernie purchased on Sally's behalf.  Toothpaste, toothbrushes and soap, which is what their community leader, Samuel said would be best.  One thing that I noticed, is that there are virtually no toys or dolls in many of the homes. 
     On a personal note, the place that we stayed, Elena's home, was instantly home to me.  I felt like family right away, and these people opened their hearts in a special way, surrounding me with loving kindness.  I could relax right away, and it was as if I were home.  I could easily live there permanently, except that there was one thing/person missing.  It is high enough that even now in the summer it gets quite cool at night.  I was fine, but everyone else needed jackets at night.  It really felt more like what Chris describes about Peru than what I have so far experienced here in my second homeland.  The people here are farmers, so they have a nutritional base, but they cannot get their produce to market very well, so the middle men take most of the money, leaving them without most things.  They want a church first, then pilas and latrines, which speaks volumes to me.  This is beautiful country, and pictures (at least mine) can't do it justice.
     Tomorrow I am to give a special message in the morning.
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Aug. 4 - Today, August 4, 2008, I woke up at 5, even though I went to bed late.  Must be the roosters in San Juan Bautiste, echoing through the mountains.  I wrote for a while, and Hernie joined me, while we waited for a call that never came.  The plan was to go to Marcala, and the indigenous people there, but without the call, there would be no trip.  We decided to check on the bus project, and withdrew the money and made the downpayment.  the bus is in very good condition, and will work well.  The current driver of the bus will be out of a job when we take possession, and he knows the bus well, and comes recommended, so CSP will check on that. 
     We did some vehicular adjustments, with many more yet to go.
     The big thing that I learned today is that Honduran time makes real good sense here, and that in Honduras, relationship is very important, and takes a high priority.  This is due in some part, I'm sure, to the fact that there is often little else to distract a person from relationship, especially in the mountains.  The relationship structure here is different in some ways.  More formal sometimes than ours, and I am beginning to see where things here are different and where they are the same.  I will never really understand, I guess, but it is very interesting to me.
     Earlier to bed tonight, for some strange reason.  Perhaps a little tired, Charlie?
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Aug. 3 - This was a day of learning for me.  I finally understand the pattern of life to begin relaxing into it.  By the time we got to church, I was calm enough, and gave the message with assurance and the 'wild eyed gringo' (which is what I thought I was earlier, when we didn't leave "on time") got to really worship again.  After that, we went to a healing service at a lady's house, where scripture was read, songs were sung, the lady was anointed and I was asked to give the prayer for healing, an honor that I do not deserve, and a responsibility that I take very seriously.  We then went to Flor's house to pick up our Sunday soup (more like stew, and of course delicious.  Flor did make it, after all), went home to eat, talk, write and knit.
     After a while, Hernie took me to the athletic stadium so that I could run for a while.  It is a 400 meter track that I will be visiting often while in Tegucigalpa.  The kids came home from a weekend in Tela with their grandmother, and we went out to dinner at Ricardo's choice of restaurant, Wendy's.  Then it was home, shower, write and to bed at 1 A.M.  Sooner or later, I will learn to put things down and just go to bed. . . . nah!
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Aug. 2 - Saturday was a day of catching up and writing in the morning.  We worshiped at pastor Victor's church, then spent hours with Victor and Suyapa (his wife), discussing many things, and preparing for the future of the trip.  Back home to study and to bed.  It sounds like a short day, but it went fast, and there was good worship and good discussion.  Discussion of life, love, scripture and (always in front of us) the poorest and most vulnerable.
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   Aug. 1 - Hernie and I woke up before 5, so we left our hosts a note, then drove to San Nicolas in a leisurely manner.  The roads were cleaned up by the bulldozer yesterday, and looked fine then.  Folks who have been here before wouldn't recognize it in that state.  It was wonderful.  However . . . it rained last night, and in places there was a great deal of erosion, and when the road was steep and curved and the slope was lengthy, the erosion was deep.  Arriving in San Nicolas, we were invited to coffee by Jose Aguilar, and then took our walk with Buranapong, this time in the direction of La Entrada.  We walked approximately 10 K, and saw many interesting things, thanks to brother Buranapong.  Bill Hare and some others evidently have seen the new road that is being laid in San Nicolas, but I will send a picture of part of it as it is now.  It is beautiful!  Laid dry, with sand filling the cracks, it reminds me very much of the old streets in DeKalb, mostly now removed or covered with blacktop.  It looks like what I imagine one of the old Roman roads must have looked like when it was being built.  Progress with a capital P.  That road will be there for quite a while, I am sure. 
     Arriving back at Marco Tulio's house, we had breakfast, showered and said our good-byes.  Marco Tulio was with his mother, on the road to the hospital.  Still no news from that front as of 9 AM Tuesday, but we shall find out and let you all know.
     Traveling to La Entrada, we met with Rene Perez concerning El Limon.  The electricity has not gotten to town yet, but the poles are there, waiting.  They should be in the ground this month, and the electricity is scheduled to be in the nest town up the line by the end of the year, so El Limon will have its power before that.  City hall does not presently have the money to put the floor in the school, but Rene talked to the mayor and the mayor told him that when the electricity goes in, the floor will go in, and that they should have a teacher by February.
     The cow, which is a story unto itself, still does not have papers.  The future for El Limon seems bright, and Rene has been working with the technical unit to start a tilapia farm in the community, as well as gathering useful and accurate statistics.
     Back in La Entrada, Lohany has new braces, and is the #1 student in her school, and was sent to camp with some of the other high performing students.  She is also being sponsored by her church to attend an evangelical conference in August.
     That, and travel back to Tegucigalpa, pretty much took up the day, and we got home late and began to write and study.  As we say in Spanish: "Das ist alles!"
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We arose early in the morning to meet Buranapong for a walk in San Nicolas.  We walked from San Nicolas to Buena Vista, and it was a buena vista (good view) indeed!  It was beautiful, and we stood for a while and watched.    On the way down, we were invited to visit the radish patch of Alicia, an elderly lady in an isolated area of the trail.  We also stopped to view a water collection system on the mountainside that provides clean water naturally.  After the walk back, we showered, were given a very good breakfast at Marco Tulio's house and went with Eri (Marco Tulio's daughter) and Buranapong to the school in San Nicolas.  There were many classrooms, and many students, and the teachers there are very dedicated.  Buranapong and Eri teach English to the 5th and 6th grade classes, and we were drawn into the process.   The classes were fun, instructive and well planned.  The students were enthusiastic and attentive, and it was a great learning experience for all who were there.  It is a great ministry, and we who know him are quite proud of our missionary friend B'pong.
     After that, we were asked to bring food supplies to the school in Las Brisas, for distribution to the students.  It is hard, sometimes, for us to realize that a student can get up in the morning, do chores or walk 2 hours in the mountains before school, then sit and learn for 5 hours, all on an empty stomach.  Sometimes, these children have not eaten since early the day before, and these children come to find hope in learning, only to be hurting too much to be able to pay attention sometimes.  They want to learn, but circumstances work against them, and they often miss school for a day, a week, a month or a year so that the family can continue to exist without starving.  All of this happens in "paradise".  The food program is put in place to help stop the cycle of hunger, at least in the school.  The food materials are sent home with one or more students, with the expectation that the family will prepare it for the meal at school the next day, each in turn.  Imagine your child coming home, having eaten his or her only meal at school.  You having not eaten at all, perhaps, and being given food that you are supposed to prepare for the next day, but not eat yourself.  Hard choices for hard times, and I am sure that this picture is less than some real events in homes in that area.  God is good, but life is hard.
     After that, the storms rolled in, and we spent the evening quietly with the family.  
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Our intended departure to San Nicolas, Copan on July 28th was delayed because Adriana (Hernie's 6 year old daughter) became ill and we stayed to help her through treatment, thus delaying our trip for one day.  She is fine now, and spent the weekend in the coastal resort town of Tela with her brother and grandmother, so all is well in the family.  On a different note, we did have time to take a preliminary look at the proposed bus.  It is different (better) than the one first proposed, and has a good, strong engine and all functions are fully operational.  Perhaps today, August 3rd, we will give it a more thorough inspection and have good pictures to send.  It is a very good bus, full sized, and if purchased, will serve CSP well, I am sure.
     After an uneventful trip North, we visited with our good friends Buranapong Linwong and Marco Tulio in San Nicolas, where we learned that Marco Tulio's mother was in preparation for an operation at the age of 95.  Those who know her will testify to her strength and vitality, although with any operation there is always concern.  Then we continued on to Las Brisas, where we were blessed to stay with Dona Digna and Marco Antonio Aguilar, which was our base for our time in the area.
     In the morning we ate breakfast, which was more food than even the wealthy people in this area would normally eat.  We are treated like kings here, although a person coming from the 'states' wouldn't necessarily think so.  We then had some time for talk and reflection.  It is very good to be back here, in the place that I first stayed in Honduras, and among friends that I seldom see. The beauty of this country is quite evident here, and flowers are blooming everywhere.  It is no wonder that our friends in Los Ranchos call this place 'paradise'.  To sleep, even in a house with no electricity, with the windows open, the breeze (this is not called Las Brisas for no reason) blowing, the smell of the grass and flowers, the sound of the stream nearby and (this is for you, Richard) the occasional, plaintive cry of the male guinea hen in the middle distance.
     Buranapong picked us up mid-morning, and we visited with Rafael Aguilar's family, the school in Las Brisas, the new health center (under construction, but already beautiful) in El Modelo, and talked with Pastor Rodas, an old friend who is coordinating the project.    
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