Honduras Mission Trip 2016

Sunday, January 31, 2016

God is my strength. God is my shield.

Today we had a wonderful worship service at the church in Escuapa. This is the place we will be working all week. This is my 6th year working here with the people. I enjoy it more each year, I think. Although I do remember some rocky moments in past years it just seems that each year is better than the one before....

I have made friends, some of whom still join the brigade, some who no longer come with us. To all the people I have met in answering God's call, Thank You. You have changed the course of my life and I'm enjoying every minute.

Prayer Request

Today's blog a little different from the rest. It has been an eventful beginning to the second week mission. Trouble with vans and schedule issues, led us to be delayed with setting up in Escuapa. But the biggest concern was with one of our interpreters. We came out to the van this morning only to discover one of our loaded up to the heavens trucks had a flat tire. So ended up with one less vehicle to take us up to Escuapa, resulting in some people staying behind for the day because we simply didn't have room. Danilo one of our interpreters was one of those people and while staying with our group his job was also to fix the tire. Unfortunately the jack on the truck didn't hold and the truck fell on Danilos hand. Due to the weight of the truck he was unable to get out from under it right away and was in a lot of pain. He was taken to the hospital and praise the Lord it wasn't broken but he did end up with stitches. So, prayers for Danilo and may he rest up this week and heal. We will miss you Danilo.

Prayers also for safe travels up the mountain tomorrow and no more van troubles.

Until tomorrow

Blessings.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Misadventures in Chemistry

Friday was a day of hurry, hurry, hurry. In the morning; it was hurry to start a new project; hurry, which project can I finish by noon; hurry through lunch so we can pack up; hurry, hurry pack up so we can get back to the mission house to clean up for dinner. Hurry, hurry, hurry!!

In my hurry-ness, I reached for my eye lubricating drops, put one in my eye and IMMEDIATELY realized it wasn't eye drops. It was eucalyptus oil in the same size container..... After I pulled the contact lens out; I hollared for someone to find out if optical team had more eye drops. I must have been quite a site because a minute later the RN that works in our optical mission came running up the stairs with a bottle of virgin water. (Not taken from our 5 gallon water supply, but bought fresh.) she flushed my eye until it was time to leave & again at the mission house (as I lay in the hammock on the patio!). You would not believe how much pain plain water causes if saline is 'the right tool for the job'. The whole time, I'm worried about saving the contact lens I had removed..... The team coordinator went to the pharmacy for antibiotic eye drops. Eye drops given, eye patch applied, wet towel over my arms, for warmth???? and I napped on the patio in the breeze for a bit.

When it was time for devotions, inevitable comments & pirate jokes were made about the eye patch. I looked for tan paint to make it less conspicuous. We had none. Just call me an Albino Pirate!!

I went to our farewell dinner with this big white patch over my eye..... It was quite a sight I imagine.

BTW- everything got packed up, loaded on the correct truck. Ready for Moving Day!

Travel day and week 2 missioner arrival

Today we said goodbye to most of our week one missioners as they headed off back to the USA. Once we said goodbye, the few that were left, Shelley, Chuck, Pat, Leslie and Dawn, waiting fo the second group to arrive. Finally after the long immigration\customs\baggage wait, they made it through and we headed off to lunch at our traditional chicken restaurant! Food was excellent as is most of the food we have had here in Honduras.

We headed up to Danli where the second week team will spend the week. Our work will take place an hour and and a half up the mountain though in Escuapa. Escuapa is very primitive and we could not stay there so we stay in Danli. Our mission this week will consist of medical, optical, VBS and sewing.

After a brief check in, unpacking and truck shuffling, we headed to dinner at the church where our wonderful cook Carlos makes our meals. After a good dinner, head back for a brief worship and everyone settled in for the night.

Loading up one of the trucks outside the mission house in Tegucigalpa

Finally loaded!

Part of the week two team arrives

All together at lunch in the chicken restaurant.

Beautiful sunset as we headed up to Danli.

Until tomorrow

Blessings

A Memorable Mission Week!

Sandy and I have enjoyed several mission trips to Honduras but I believe this year had some truly memorable experiences. The Bible program had a number of children from previous years, and some of them were helping new children to get acquainted with the program.
The optical team provided 187 pairs of glasses and saw 233 patients. All received sun glasses, eye drops, and hats to help them deal with the bright sun shine. One of their clients was given progressive glasses and couldn't adjust to them. He saw us when we were out walking to visit with two nearby families, and since Pastor Guadalupe was with us, we were able to understand his problem. We asked him to come back, and with regular bifocals he was very, very happy!
Our sewing team was able to provide a baby carrier made from 3 T Shirts for her to carry her 15 day old baby with real comfort and security. They also taught a number of women and one man how to use our five sewing machines to make some of their own clothing from donated material, zippers, and other notions. One of the daughters of one of our professional construction team was able to make four items with beautiful design.
Our volunteer construction team was able to sand, caulk, and paint three of the six bed mission rooms (each have their own bathroom, shower, and toilet) to provide hospitality for mission volunteers like us. These rooms are just one important factor of this third floor of the five story facility. In addition, we utilized donated funds to purchase a number of tools including a 12 foot Warner fiberglass step ladder that made our work far more possible. We also purchased more sandpaper, extention sanders, paint brushes, caulk, and other hand tools to prepare the rooms for our painting. We are so grateful for all you've donated to make our work possible.
It is so exciting for us to see the degree of progress for this essential effort of our UMC Volunteers In Mission. This major multi-year project will provide a large regional church, housing for the pastor, office space for the pastor and superintendent, and guest facilities for those attending conferences and other events that reach out to the community.
All and all, we have found this mission trip to be filled with delight, lots of fun, inspiration, our awareness of God's living presence among us, and the privilege of doing what Jesus told us do do: "Go therefore into all the world making disciples." We feel very fortunate to do this important work. Thank you for your prayers and support!

In gratitude, Ron Retherford

Friday, January 29, 2016

An exercise in flexibility, patience and sense of Humor!

Today was all those things mentioned the title. A shorter day for some because it was the last day on our site. Most of the teams with the exception of Construction closed up shop early due to packing that needs to be done. Construction continued to try to get at least the 3 rooms they had been painting done with one coat. So the rest of the group at the end of the day went back to the mission house while construction stayed behind.

It was at this point things began to become amusing! Beginning with me stepping down off of a ladder into a paint bucket, accidentally set in my way by Len! Thanks Len! As well as an additionally long wait for our ride back to the house, the van getting stuck and being informed on the way home that there was no water at the house because there was no power (again) and the pump for water wouldn't work. This was the point where I don't know if I was laughing tears or crying tears. Tonight was our team celebration dinner with our translators! Myself and my team mates were in no condition to be eating in a restaurant! Fortunately the power was back on when we got back. So we ended the evening with worship and fellowship. First week team members head home tomorrow, and some of us stay behind to go to Danli with the second week team members. Sad to see everyone go home. They have become such a big part of my life, and the relationships we have built are priceless. Will miss you guys! Safe travels and prayers to all missioners coming and going tomorrow.

One of our missioners decided to do a video tour of the construction site to show people at home what we have been working on. I have uploaded it to you tube. See below, as well as a few pictures from the day.

https://youtu.be/QGuSgbIvdCM

Whole crew with Pastor Guadalupe

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Did you let them wear their heads?

Today a few of us were blessed to go visit a private Christian school where one of our interpreters wife happens to be principal. This is not a typical school in Honduras. This school first of all was a Christian school but also bi-lingual English/Spanish speak. The children and staff spoke very good English and even sang to us a few songs. The school is from pre-K through 6th grade, and growing.

What a great experience it was to be able to visit this school and see the wonderful work they are doing with the children. As one of our team members said, it shows the Hope in Honduras, for change and a better future.

We began with the pre-k children and they sang us several songs in English after we had told a bible story and sang a song to them. Videos are below.

We then toured the school and visited each grade and talked with the children and teachers. The 5th grade classroom was a lot of fun because they love to learn about the USA and social studies is one of their favorite subjects. We spent a long time talking about the USA and allowing them to ask questions. They were a lot of fun.

Some of you may be wondering about the title of this blog - it is an odd one, but there is a story. Leslie, our oldest missioner at the young age of 88, is known for coming out with some funny statements. Most of it due to the lack of hearing that she has but sometimes she just comes out with funny stuff. One day she thought I said I had lost my teeth. This particular day we were discussing the uniforms that the children wear at the school. After Karina the principal had finished telling us about the uniforms, and what they wear, Leslie asked - do you sometimes let them wear their heads. (See picture below and it will make sense)

Christian school uniforms

We all love Leslie.

Another productive day on the work front, with construction making progress, and the other areas learning to work in the dark and without power for most of the day. Not unusual in Honduras. See Dawns post for more information.

Until tomorrow.

Blessings