Baseball Caps, Flip Flops, and Shampoo

If my calculations are correct we will be departing for Honduras in 54 days!  I am sooo excited!! 
Our next team meeting is this coming Sunday.  I am really looking forward to seeing the team since I was unable to be at the last meeting.

I am starting to make lists of things to take, things to do and even little gifts I can take to my friends there. 

 Earlier this week I was thinking about my friend Alonso, who is one of the guards on the property. He has joined me for coffee during the mornings as I sit and watch the earth awaken.  For him, his shift is ending and he is ready to go home. We muddle through a conversation that is broken English and Spanish...but some how we get our point across.  He always has a ball cap on. So I thought I could take him a ball cap.  Then the thought came to me "why not collect gently used/new baseball caps and take them to be distributed to the men".  Many of the men work out in the hot sun doing manual labor, working in the coffee groves or just walking from place to place. 

I don't know about you but we have an abundant amount of baseball caps around our house.  Ones that you have collected from vacations, free ones from events, or those that may be your favorite sports team.  So while you are doing your spring cleaning if you come across any baseball caps that are  just taking up space, I will gladly take them off your hands. 

It is always surprising what God puts on my heart to take.  One year I had a bag full of old buttons I took.  That same Christmas one of the ladies at the Hogar received a sawing machine for Christmas, she was tickled to have them!  One year we used safety glasses for an art project and I took extra, the men that do the yard work were using a weed eater without protection...we had plenty to spare! 
So if you have any of these items or God lays something on your heart to donate, please contact me.  I would love to be your delivery person!

Also other items that we will take are:

• Shampoo
• Lotion
• Deodorant
• Tooth Paste/Brushes
• Feminine Products
• Flip Flops, all sizes
• Hair Bows
• Children's Gummy Vitamins
• Children's cough and fever medicine
• School Supplies

Thank you for your prayers and support as we are preparing for this adventure in July.  God has great things in store for us, he always does!

Baskets and Bows

Things are coming along with the trip preparation.  This coming Sunday is the next fund raiser for the trip.   As long as I can remember the youth group at Grace has had a silent auction for Mother's Day gift baskets. 

I have bid on the baskets in the past but this year I am actually creating them to help the youth raise money for their trip. 

In March I started thinking about ideas, themes, who to ask to donate products for them etc.  One night I was laying in bed and my brain would not shut off.  I had to get up and write the ideas down.  Some of them were: gardening, color themes, coffee, Buzzy Bee, art, and the list goes on.  I finally decided on three and I have to say they have turned out pretty good. Not because I have put them together but because people have donated their resources and talents to make them happen.

 

'Home Grown'  is a basket full of locally grown products ranging from a bushel of apples from Justus Orchards in Edneyville, 2 dozen eggs from a lady that I work with that raises chickens, a bouquet of sunflowers from a friend who grows fields of them, a rose bush of your choice from a couple at Grace who grow amazing beautiful flowers and trees,  NC honey, and gifts cards from my favorite BB Barnes nursery, and a box of home grown goodness from my friend Maggie's homestead. 

God is working through this entire process even in the fund raising.  He is opening doors for us to share about what God is doing in Honduras and He is working our own hearts.

Pancakes and Burritos

Today was another step in fundraising and team building.   This was the second Sunday that the youth group cooked and sold breakfast as part of their fund raising.  I was asked to be a Kitchen Supervisor for this event.  My automatic response was "I'm not really your kitchen person" but Greg didn't miss a beat and sent me the list of things to do.  I admit I was a little nervous and unsure what I was getting in to. 

 I arrived at 9:45 for the 2nd shift.  Myself and another supervisor, Rebecca, started assembling burritos with the ingredients that 1st shift had already prepared.  

A few minutes later the youth filed in and went to work. There was really no "supervision" needed.  They all took their places..some at the grill cooking pancakes, some started cracking eggs, and others joined the burrito assembly line.  There were people collecting money and filling orders from the large warmer that was set up in the cafe'.  It was a well oiled machine. 

As I was helping fill the burritos, Emily the expert burrito roller, looked at me and sweetly asked, is that a special order? I looked down and laughed "Well NO!!"....I had forgotten the tortilla shell and had placed the eggs directly on the tin foil!!!  She was so gracious to me and replied "It's OK, just laugh it off.  That's what we do!"  

Pancake flippers, Caroline and Samantha

Sweet Emily

As I watched the girls continue to assemble the burritos I mentioned to them that while we are there, we will get to learn how to actually make tortillas!!  I am already thinking ahead to how much they will love the hogar and the girls that live there.  

Dylan and Caleb

Just observing the team work together today, listening to their laughter, and even receiving their hugs, I was reminded how blessed I am to be a part of what God is doing. I am eager to see what he has in store for us...each step of the way.

Pancake tester, Mikey

Relationships

When I was asked why I wanted to return to Honduras the first thing that came to mind was to see the girls in the Hogar de Nina (home for girls).   When I went to Honduras for the first time I remember saying in my prayer letter that one of the things we will be doing is hugging little girls.  Indeed, that is what we did....and that is what we do. But the beautiful thing is that the hugs are mutual.   

I am not just eager to go to see the girls but to see those that I have come to love over the years.
In 2008 I didn't know anyone there but as I return now I am going home.  I am going to visit family. 

Tina

Tina, who is the cook at the hogar welcomes you with open arms.  She feeds us and makes sure we have what we need.  We cut up and carry on like families would in any kitchen when the gang is there to visit. 

Louis, is a long time friend and member of Fuente de Vida church.  He is there to welcome us at the airport and drive us home in the school bus.  He loads and unloads our luggage and is available during our stay if we need him.  He reminds me of a favorite Uncle you would see at your next family reunion.       

Louis and a porter loading the bus

Lizzeth, my sister and friend.  When I returned home from Honduras the first time Lizzeth was my connection to the world I left behind.  In 2008 there wasn't a connection via Facebook or internet on campus but I would email her and she would respond at the local cyber cafe'.  In 2009 we were bunk mates when she came to stay with us at the mission house.  We have had many conversations and we have prayed for each other over the years. 

Carmen, is a teacher at the school and has become a precious friend to me.  She and her husband have a sweet little girl and a new baby who was born the end of last year.  I am eager to hold the new little one that I have seen so many photos of. 

Pastor Yaboni, Glendis, Senovia, Johana, Paola, Sister Reyna, Wilmar, Gasbar, Adon, Olga, Christina, Andre', the children in the school yard, Gladis....and my list can go on. 

Gladis and Ricardo

They are all people I have gotten to know and I am so thankful that I can build relationships in the small town of Taulabe'.  Not so that the people there know me but so that I can show them that they are loved by a wonderful heavenly Father who sees them in the midst of their struggles and their hard times.   I am honored that I can be His arms and give hugs to little girls that may be missing their families or a teenage girl that may be heart broken.  I can remind them that they are not alone.  I am honored that they call me sister and friend.  Even though we may not speak the same verbal language we speak the same heart language.

A lap full of love



Louis' daughter and granddaughter

Adon and Pastor Milton

Surprise

 

Surprise!!

I'm Going Back to Honduras

 

 

Ok so it may not be a surprise to some of you but it was a total surprise to me.  I had marked Honduras off my calendar for 2017.  With me only having two weeks vacation a year he hubby and I had discussed taking a longer vacation together this year, instead of our normal jaunt to the beach.  Well after some unexpected expenses at the beginning of this year:  new car for me, heat pump, and recently  removal of trees that were looming over the house, we decided that an extended vacation would need to wait. 

 

I still wasn't thinking Honduras until mid January when rumblings of a youth trip started to circulate.  My antennas went up like I was trying to tune in an old radio signal.  The tug at my heart strings were being pulled.  I was really missing the girls of the hogar and my friends in Taulabe'.  I stumbled on my old prayer letters from years past and pictures kept popping up on my Facebook news feed from previous years.  I needed to go...but could I go?  How?  The wheels started to move in to motion, talking to Pastor Jim, asking for time off, emailing Greg: Grace Youth Minister...would it all come together??? 

 

It appears the answer is YES!!!  YES!!! 

 

I attended my first trip meeting this past Sunday.  The meeting was held in the youth room upstairs at Grace Community Church.  I have been attending Grace for 17 years and I have never gone upstairs to the youth room.  I couldn't think of a better reason to go than for this meeting.  Brief introductions were made around the circle all who were either youth group members or youth leaders, then there is me.  I am so honored that they will let me crash their party.  There will be 13 youth and 7 adults. possibly more, on this trip....the perfect size!  I already know several of the team members and I am eager to know the rest. 

 

This is going to be a special trip.  I am so excited to be able to share with these young folks the place I call my second home, introduce them to the people and the culture, but most of all I am looking forward to them seeing for themselves what God is doing there! 

 

 

We will be leaving July 14 and return home July 21st.  Please stay tuned to updates.  July may seem like a long time away but if time goes as fast as the first half of the year has gone it will be here soon.

 
 
 

 

 

Passion Returns

Dear Friends and Family,

I have not been as good about keeping my blog up to date as I  have on previous trips.  Busyness of life? Maybe apathy?  Maybe both.   Apathy is one of the things that I am weary of as my trip soon approaches I have been wondering when would the excitement come?  You know that feel, kinda like the anticipation of an approaching vacation, Christmas or even a birthday.   I was starting to be concerned that the passion that I have for Honduras had faded and I had become complacent after 6 previous trips.  I didn't want this to be 'just another trip to Honduras.'  I was starting to wonder if I had maybe signed up to go but wasn't supposed to go.  But the excitement and passion has slowly returned.  God recently tapped me on the heart and reminded me why I  fell in  love with the people and the wonderful country of Honduras.  

That reminder came in the form of recent notification that 9 new little girls have arrived at the hogar.  Bringing the total number back up to 25.  The new ninas rage in ages from 11-2;  I am guessing there are some sisters in  the mix.   They are beautiful little girls who have been rescued from poverty, abuse and neglect.  That small voice said to me "they were rescued just like you...remember how Jesus rescued you?"  Although we were both in need of rescue, I have no idea what some of these little ones have lived through.  I have never gone to bed hungry, I have never felt the sting of a hot cigarette against my skin, or sat in a dirty diaper with bugs crawling on me.  It is a sad picture but it is a reality.  They all have hurts and scars--inside and out but they now have a home where they can be loved, fed, provided medical care and an education.   It is because of these girls and others like them that I fell in love.  I am excited to return and share the love that I have been so freely given.

I am excited to return so that I can meet the new ninas and be reunited with others that I have loved on before.   I am VERY excited to see what God has in store for us. 

 
I just left our third and final team meeting prior to our departure on July 11th.   Our team is very diverse.  I am one of the oldest members, there is a family of 5 going, a mom and daughter, several teenagers, an Aunt and her niece and we are converging from several locations two from PA, one from FL  there is a team member already there, and the rest from here.

Along with the excitement comes anxieties, what if I don't get along with everyone (there are 24 of us ), what if I loose my passport?, I still don't have all my finances..(close but not 100%) What if it is too hot and I get sick again?  What if....what if.....what if.....???   I ask that you offer those things up in prayer, on my behalf.  I  am trusting the Lord, and I know it will all be ok...but there is always the BUT!  

If you would like to participate in my adventure the best thing you can do is pray but if you would like to participate in other ways we are collecting the following items to take with us.   You can contact me at 243-7856 or deezy214@yahoo.com & I will be glad to pick up your donations.

Cloth diapers and pins
Chewable Vitamins
Children Cough & Cold Meds & Children Tylenol
Girls Sandals (all sizes ages 18-2)   
Toiletries: shampoo, soap, toothpaste & brushes, deodorant, feminine products
Art  Supplies: pencils, markers, finger paint, water colors, glue sticks, manual pencil sharpeners, construction paper, color tissue, colored pencils, child scissors
Soccer Balls

Thank you in advance
Much Love
Dee

Giggles, Paint, & Prayers

 WELL.....since my last blog I received the time off for my trip to Honduras  WhoooHoooo!!!   I have attended my first pre-trip meeting, written my prayer letter and am in the process of mailing it out...and the most exciting part of my preparation came unexpected.....

Last Monday I was honored to attend the Honduras of Life board meeting where Pastor Yobani Alas was the guest for the evening. (he was in the US for three weeks visiting churches etc.)  As some of you may know Yobani is the pastor of the Fuente' de Vida ministry in Taulabe' Honduras...this is the ministry that Honduras Fountain of Life partners with.   When I first arrived in Honduras in 2008 he was the first person I met.  I had mentioned in a previous blog that he asked me then if I spoke Spanish...I sheepishly replied no but with his normal exuberance he proclaimed "We  will teach you"!  I still can't speak Spanish!! LOL  Anway,  Since that first meeting I have come to admire this Godly man who for 25 years has served the people in the mountains of Central Honduras...he has continued to listen to God and when at his darkest times he never gave up his faith.  During the meeting he recanted many stories of how God has used him and the ministry and how he never lets an opportunity pass without sharing the love of Christ in either word or deed.  He has helped to plant 60 mountain churches, open a home for the elderly and widows, continues to be head over the Hogar de' Ninas that is home to girls that are abused, malnourished and come from terrible backgrounds, and the Fuente de Vida school.   He spoke of starting a work and eat program, similar to Lord's Acres here.  Where people would help to work the gardens, in exchange for fresh vegetables

 "Feed a man a meal and he will be satisfied for a day, feed a man's soul and he will be satisfied for life".  That is one of his mottoes and one that Honduras Fountain of Life follows.  We can go in and buy food, build buildings and hand out things of material nature (HFOL does help when necessary)  but they have chosen to build relationships with the community and the ministry in Taulabe that has stretched over 10 years. 

People often ask me what I do when I go and I have to answer with a chuckle "I play"...  :-)   I play with the kids in the playground of the school where 350 students attend the Fuente de Vida school and another 300 attend the Compassion International School.  They love to laugh at the goofy American who can't speak Spanish & who calls them monkeys but also trust them to use my camera as they take pictures of themselves and of me.  I sit on the porch of the Hogar de Nina and color, or just sit and rock with a little one in my lap, or become the arms that catch  a giggling girl when they jump from the edge of the pool.  (we usually take the girls of the Hogar swimming while we are there)  I hate to wash dishes at home but I could wash dishes all day beside my sweet friend Elvia.  All of this while reminding them they are loved and not while I am there but when I come home to the US.   

On previous trips I have helped to sort the mercy closet that is home to shelves and shelves of clothes that are available to those in need; paint the hogar and school; host a women's retreat for the teachers of the school and workers of the church; assisted in medical clinics and taken photos, handing them out from an instant printer....whatever is needed to be done.  

We often go with a "plan"....and it is often tweaked or changed, depending on what is needed when we arrive but this year it is my hope to have "Art Day" for the kids at the school.   When I came up with the idea I imagined finger painting with the Kindergarten but it has blossomed to possibly spending time with each grade.   We have not settled on a project yet but we are searching Pinterest and other sources for ideas.  

Please pray for me and the team of 20 others as we prepare for our journey in July.  Pray God will give  us direction on where to go with the Art Day idea....or lead us in other directions where the need might be.  Whatever it is..we are there to serve as Christ came to serve us. 

Stay tuned!!!