December 2, 2010
Dear friends, family, and supporters, It is truly with mixed feelings that Dawn and I announce that we are resigning our position with Baptist Medical and Dental Mission International at the end of this month. The Lord has made it clear to us that He is calling us back to the United States. We have mixed feelings because we will greatly miss the ministries in Guaimaca, Honduras. We will miss the Honduran people, the teams, the mountains, the cows and burros in the roads, the mission employees, the drives in the mountains, the dirt roads, and our fellow BMDMI missionaries. However, we believe we have accomplished God's purpose for us there which was to oversee the successful merger of World Baptist Missions into BMDMI. The various ministries in Guaimaca have an exciting future ahead for them. We hope and pray the Lord will continue to bless these ministries.
At the same time, Dawn and I are also excited about what the future holds for our family. Tully will resume the practice of medicine and will be applying to seminary, most likely at Gordon Conwell in Charlotte, NC. Dawn will begin to complete some undergraduate requirements before starting nursing school next year.
The last two years have been two of the most rewarding years of our lives. We have seen God at work in our lives and in our ministries. God has provided for us physically, financially, spiritually, and has greatly increased our faith in Him. There are many memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. The last two years will also have a profoundly positive impact on our children's lives. What a rich experience our whole family has enjoyed on this big adventure in which the Lord has led us.
Finally, we are greatly indebted to everyone who has supported us with their prayers, notes, gifts, friendship, and finances. You all have been partners in this ministry with us because without you we obviously could not have done any of it. Most importantly, we want to thank God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They have been our constant companion, friend, Lord, and source of strength and inspiration.
Please feel free to e-mail us if you have any questions: dawn@followinghislead.com and tully@followinghislead.com.
God Bless,
Tully and Dawn
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Tully's mom,
Mabel Augusta Boone Stoudemayer, passed away this morning at around 10:30 am. Please pray for us and for Tully's brother and sister and their families as we celebrate her life, rejoice that she is with Christ, and miss her deeply.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Pastelitos . . .
I've learned, aren't little cakes. "Pastel" here is cake. In Costa Rica, "queque" means cake. This is the weird thing about language learning. Here, that word, "pastelitos" should mean "little cakes." But it doesn't.
Last week, I received a note from the girls' teacher that I should send 20 pastelitos with them to school on July 20. Well, I thought, that's easy, I already have a cake mix. I thought it must be someone's birthday. Birthdays here are huge.
Fast forward to this week. The cupcakes were in the oven when I got a phonecall from a friend asking if I was going to get someone to make the pastelitos for me. I said, no, no, I can do it. She seemed a little worried--I thought, what is her problem? She told me I could just use potatos or rice or whatever I had on hand. I smiled and was thinking, "Gross," but I said, no, that's okay, I have a mix on hand.
A friend of the mission was with Trey and me when we dropped off the cupcakes later at the school. After they were delivered, we began to see groups of school children parading down the streets all dressed up in Indian costumes. They were so cute! I wished aloud that I had my camera. We stopped to watch them for a minute. Then, our friend asked if we knew what today was. We said, no, and he said it's the day of the Indian,Lempira, for whom the currency is named. He said the children dress up like Indians, learned about Lempira and his battle against the Spaniards, and eat pastelitos. And then he asked, so why did you make little cakes? He said what they eat is pastelitos, made from other things. With a sinking feeling, I asked, other things like rice or potatos? He nodded enthusiastically, yes, exactly! Then I asked him, and why are they called pastelitos? He started laughing because then he realized my mistake, Oh, he said, you thought it was little cakes?! No, no, pastelitos is what the Indians used to eat.
At least I won't make the same mistake next year.
Last week, I received a note from the girls' teacher that I should send 20 pastelitos with them to school on July 20. Well, I thought, that's easy, I already have a cake mix. I thought it must be someone's birthday. Birthdays here are huge.
Fast forward to this week. The cupcakes were in the oven when I got a phonecall from a friend asking if I was going to get someone to make the pastelitos for me. I said, no, no, I can do it. She seemed a little worried--I thought, what is her problem? She told me I could just use potatos or rice or whatever I had on hand. I smiled and was thinking, "Gross," but I said, no, that's okay, I have a mix on hand.
A friend of the mission was with Trey and me when we dropped off the cupcakes later at the school. After they were delivered, we began to see groups of school children parading down the streets all dressed up in Indian costumes. They were so cute! I wished aloud that I had my camera. We stopped to watch them for a minute. Then, our friend asked if we knew what today was. We said, no, and he said it's the day of the Indian,Lempira, for whom the currency is named. He said the children dress up like Indians, learned about Lempira and his battle against the Spaniards, and eat pastelitos. And then he asked, so why did you make little cakes? He said what they eat is pastelitos, made from other things. With a sinking feeling, I asked, other things like rice or potatos? He nodded enthusiastically, yes, exactly! Then I asked him, and why are they called pastelitos? He started laughing because then he realized my mistake, Oh, he said, you thought it was little cakes?! No, no, pastelitos is what the Indians used to eat.
At least I won't make the same mistake next year.
Monday, July 12, 2010
A Wedding
We had a wedding here at the church a few weeks back. It was beautiful. The groom was a little nervous, looked a little green around the gills, and had some help from friends tying his tie just right. The bride had a shy smile, long, beautiful black hair, and kept her eyes only on her groom at the altar.
There is a huge difference, however, in this wedding to many others. This couple is older, and they have lived together since they were young without being married. They have raised kids together, who now have kids of their own, worked side by side together, laughed, cried, and experienced life together for all of these years.
The focus on this wedding was this couple's love for one another, but most importantly, on their love for Christ, and their desire to serve Him by following through with the institution of marriage.
Many couples here are too poor to pay the marriage tax that the Honduran government charges. In fact, there have been several weddings like this one, with several more to come in our association of churches around Guaimaca.
It was a delight for us to witness this couple's love for one another, and their love for Christ.
The bride, escorted down the aisle by her son.
The bridal couple were seated in front of the minister and the congregation as he delivered a sermon on the meaning of marriage.
There is a huge difference, however, in this wedding to many others. This couple is older, and they have lived together since they were young without being married. They have raised kids together, who now have kids of their own, worked side by side together, laughed, cried, and experienced life together for all of these years.
The focus on this wedding was this couple's love for one another, but most importantly, on their love for Christ, and their desire to serve Him by following through with the institution of marriage.
Many couples here are too poor to pay the marriage tax that the Honduran government charges. In fact, there have been several weddings like this one, with several more to come in our association of churches around Guaimaca.
It was a delight for us to witness this couple's love for one another, and their love for Christ.
The bride, escorted down the aisle by her son.
The bridal couple were seated in front of the minister and the congregation as he delivered a sermon on the meaning of marriage.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Another Car Wreck
Last Sunday while we had a church service going on we had another car wreck about a kilometer from the hospital. There were 8 people in the pick-up truck and some were in the back. Apparently the pick up overturned. Five of the passengers had broken limbs: two femurs, one tibia, and two arms. I have every confidence that God will provide a much needed ambulance for our hospital in His time.
A young boy with a broken arm and some facial injuries
Two ladies each with broken femur having to be transported in the back of a pick up truck.
Four other patients being transported in the back of a small SUV.
A young boy with a broken arm and some facial injuries
Two ladies each with broken femur having to be transported in the back of a pick up truck.
Four other patients being transported in the back of a small SUV.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Best Cup of Coffee Part 3
I just wanted to put in my two cents worth. What a great day to go to the mountains looking for places to bring teams. We encountered a family that Dawn describes in the last blog. They were extremely poor. Their clothes were torn and dirty. Their houses made out of decaying adobe mud. Yet they were full of smiles and appeared to be very happy. However there was one sister who was not happy. The brothers asked me repeatedly about their sister who is suffering with depression. It was obvious they love her very much.
One of the brothers brought me his 3 year old son to check who has had a fever and diarrhea for 8 days. (In the future I will always take my stethoscope and otoscope.) Then they wanted me to check another son who was sick with the same illness--probably due to bad water. I promised to return in two days with antibiotics for the two sick children and worm pills for all the children.
So they offered us a cup of coffee and I knew it would be an insult to refuse it. Many of you know that because of ventricular tackycardia I had a cardiac ablation in May of '08 and caffiene is forbidden. I just prayed that the LORD would protect my heart and then proceeded to enjoy the best cup of coffee I have ever had. Let me tell you that until you have had a cup of coffee where the beans are grown, picked, roasted, ground, and brewed at the same little farm that you really have not had a great cup of coffee. You may think you have but you have not.
Out of their poverty they went and cut us two stalks of bananas. Each stalk probably has about 100 bananas. I felt guilty taking them but again to refuse would insult this generous family. Well the Lord is good and I did not have any palpitations after drinking the coffee. Below are some pictures of their beautiful mountain.
The beautiful mountainside!!!
Dawn and me with our Honduran chuch deacon and guide--Rigo. Four different brothers tried to take this picture before one was able. Apparently they have never used a camara before!
Dawn on the mountainside.
Six brothers working in a tomatoe field.
One of the brothers brought me his 3 year old son to check who has had a fever and diarrhea for 8 days. (In the future I will always take my stethoscope and otoscope.) Then they wanted me to check another son who was sick with the same illness--probably due to bad water. I promised to return in two days with antibiotics for the two sick children and worm pills for all the children.
So they offered us a cup of coffee and I knew it would be an insult to refuse it. Many of you know that because of ventricular tackycardia I had a cardiac ablation in May of '08 and caffiene is forbidden. I just prayed that the LORD would protect my heart and then proceeded to enjoy the best cup of coffee I have ever had. Let me tell you that until you have had a cup of coffee where the beans are grown, picked, roasted, ground, and brewed at the same little farm that you really have not had a great cup of coffee. You may think you have but you have not.
Out of their poverty they went and cut us two stalks of bananas. Each stalk probably has about 100 bananas. I felt guilty taking them but again to refuse would insult this generous family. Well the Lord is good and I did not have any palpitations after drinking the coffee. Below are some pictures of their beautiful mountain.
The beautiful mountainside!!!
Dawn and me with our Honduran chuch deacon and guide--Rigo. Four different brothers tried to take this picture before one was able. Apparently they have never used a camara before!
Dawn on the mountainside.
Six brothers working in a tomatoe field.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Best Cup of Coffee Take 2
While we don't have a team here, Tully and I are trying to learn some of our mountain villages and I am practicing driving in the mountains and in 4-wheel drive.
Today, one of the deacons from our church went with us up to the mountains. We wondered where on earth he was taking us after we crossed two streams, many huge mud puddles, and the grass in the dirt road/path began to get higher and higher, meaning no other cars had traveled through there in a long time. You don't have to go very far here to feel like you are a million miles away from everything. All of a sudden, you begin to pass acres and acres of farmland, an occasional house here and there, some oxen in the road, a horse or two here, a pig or two there, some goats along the way, and beautiful, green, rolling mountains as far as the eye can see in every direction.
The path began to get smaller and smaller until we finally came to a house where everyone seemed to be busy with their day's work, but when they realized they had company, they suddenly dropped everything and came to greet us with big smiles and handshakes and welcome us to their home, really their mountain. On their mountain, they grew corn, coffee, tomatos, bananas, sugar cane, and chile peppers. They showed us all around their property, and wanted us to hike with them up to the top to enjoy the view up there. We did it, me with my sandals on and all. (Note to self: get boots and leave them in the car for such occasions as this!)
The view from the top was gorgeous, and worth hiking in sandals! It was even better to learn about their family--we met six of the ten sons (ages 14 - 42) who all work the land with their parents (father is age 70, and they say he outworks his sons). We didn't get to meet their five daughters, though (yes, 15 kids in all). Afterwards, the grandmother offered us a cup of coffee (which we of course accepted--see previous blog). Tully asked me when we were leaving, "Was this coffee better than the other that you had last week?" I said, "This is pretty good, but I think the other was better." He told me that he thought this was the best cup of coffee that he had ever had. It, too, was "from the stick."
We left there with two big stalks of bananas that the sons had cut for us from their trees. We were asking our friend why people give us things when we go to their homes and he said it shows that they consider us friends now. What a sweet blessing!
Today, one of the deacons from our church went with us up to the mountains. We wondered where on earth he was taking us after we crossed two streams, many huge mud puddles, and the grass in the dirt road/path began to get higher and higher, meaning no other cars had traveled through there in a long time. You don't have to go very far here to feel like you are a million miles away from everything. All of a sudden, you begin to pass acres and acres of farmland, an occasional house here and there, some oxen in the road, a horse or two here, a pig or two there, some goats along the way, and beautiful, green, rolling mountains as far as the eye can see in every direction.
The path began to get smaller and smaller until we finally came to a house where everyone seemed to be busy with their day's work, but when they realized they had company, they suddenly dropped everything and came to greet us with big smiles and handshakes and welcome us to their home, really their mountain. On their mountain, they grew corn, coffee, tomatos, bananas, sugar cane, and chile peppers. They showed us all around their property, and wanted us to hike with them up to the top to enjoy the view up there. We did it, me with my sandals on and all. (Note to self: get boots and leave them in the car for such occasions as this!)
The view from the top was gorgeous, and worth hiking in sandals! It was even better to learn about their family--we met six of the ten sons (ages 14 - 42) who all work the land with their parents (father is age 70, and they say he outworks his sons). We didn't get to meet their five daughters, though (yes, 15 kids in all). Afterwards, the grandmother offered us a cup of coffee (which we of course accepted--see previous blog). Tully asked me when we were leaving, "Was this coffee better than the other that you had last week?" I said, "This is pretty good, but I think the other was better." He told me that he thought this was the best cup of coffee that he had ever had. It, too, was "from the stick."
We left there with two big stalks of bananas that the sons had cut for us from their trees. We were asking our friend why people give us things when we go to their homes and he said it shows that they consider us friends now. What a sweet blessing!
World's Best Cup of Coffee . . .
. . . was found by me last week on a mountaintop in Honduras. I had been a little hesitant about drinking/eating things here when I wasn't sure how they were prepared, what type of water they used, etc.
When we were on a mountain brigade a couple of weeks ago and it was almost lunchtime, several of the Hondurans said, "Come on with us and let's go find some Honduran food." I smiled and said, "I really can't." One came back later to ask me about it and I explained that I have a gringa stomach and body, and I really don't want to be sick since I don't know the food is prepared. He said he understood.
Then he said, "But, pretend that I am the pastor here at this church, and I want your family to come to my house and eat with my family. What will you do?" I laughed and said, "In that case, I would do it, I would just pray really hard over the food and all of our stomachs." He went on to tell me that it would be very offensive if I refused something offered by the mountains. We talked about how different it is in the States--you don't want to put anyone to any trouble, or you're just not thirsty of hungry at the moment, so you decline what is offered to you. He laughed.
One week went by and we were in the mountains. We were visiting at the home of one of our mountain pastors, and his sweet wife offered us coffee. I said, "Oh, yes! I would LOVE some!" Trey was with me, and we both left there saying it was the best cup of coffee we have ever had.
The Hondurans who were with us that day asked if we had ever had coffee before "from the stick." We said no, and they explained that the pastor's wife planted the coffee bush, harvested the beans, roasted them, and brewed it. I am a coffee lover and would never have imagined that coffee could taste that delicious! Trey and I are so glad that we went ahead and drank the coffee that was offered to us. And we are glad to have made some new friends in the mountains!
When we were on a mountain brigade a couple of weeks ago and it was almost lunchtime, several of the Hondurans said, "Come on with us and let's go find some Honduran food." I smiled and said, "I really can't." One came back later to ask me about it and I explained that I have a gringa stomach and body, and I really don't want to be sick since I don't know the food is prepared. He said he understood.
Then he said, "But, pretend that I am the pastor here at this church, and I want your family to come to my house and eat with my family. What will you do?" I laughed and said, "In that case, I would do it, I would just pray really hard over the food and all of our stomachs." He went on to tell me that it would be very offensive if I refused something offered by the mountains. We talked about how different it is in the States--you don't want to put anyone to any trouble, or you're just not thirsty of hungry at the moment, so you decline what is offered to you. He laughed.
One week went by and we were in the mountains. We were visiting at the home of one of our mountain pastors, and his sweet wife offered us coffee. I said, "Oh, yes! I would LOVE some!" Trey was with me, and we both left there saying it was the best cup of coffee we have ever had.
The Hondurans who were with us that day asked if we had ever had coffee before "from the stick." We said no, and they explained that the pastor's wife planted the coffee bush, harvested the beans, roasted them, and brewed it. I am a coffee lover and would never have imagined that coffee could taste that delicious! Trey and I are so glad that we went ahead and drank the coffee that was offered to us. And we are glad to have made some new friends in the mountains!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Counting Pills
Students from the Georgia Baptist Association gearing up for their week of service in the mountains.
We have also recently had a great group from the Georgia Baptist Association. They were students who are in nursing school, interested in the medical profession or nursing, one physician's assistant, and one registered nurse. We did four medical brigades in mountain villages which are only accessed by four wheel drive. To get to one of the villages, we had to cross three streams! Each person who wanted to receive medical care listened to an evangelistic message in the morning, and after they saw the doctor, were invited to pray with or be counseled by team members.
Since school is out for the "summer" for our boys, they have been able to go with us and translate. Serving with teams has been a blessing for all of us. The only problem is that I'm still not any better at saying goodbye--definitely the hardest part of being a missionary!
Brigade in Guaimaca
A worship service under the brigade tent in Miraflores, a neighborhood in Guaimaca
Schoolchildren excited and waiting for the upcoming program put on by BMDMI team members
The Bible story the team shared with the children was on the creation--followed up by a short time for them to color a picture of something beautiful in God's creaton. I love this little girl's butterfly!
We were so happy to have a BMDMI evangelism team come here to the hospital (from Kentucky and Tennessee), along with one of BMDMI's Honduran bands who travel with the teams (and are fantastic!), and the big tent! During the evenings, we hosted the tent brigade in a neighborhood across from the hospital (near the extremely poor school that the boys are helping). During the days, we traveled around to the schools around Guiamaca and presented Bible stories, played with the kids, and sang songs. Our church members will follow up with people who made professions of faith and/or don't have a church home. It was a great week, and we are so excited about the seeds that have been planted here!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Anna's Hairstyling Business
Anna had a great time cutting her hair and Carmen's in my absence. Trey realized one day that they were especially quiet, and went to their room to see what they were doing. He said he knew there was a big problem when he stepped in hair on the way in. : )
I think each of our kids has cut their hair at some point or another, but I didn't realized the big deal it is with girls. It's going to take forever for it to grow back out!
The "before" picture
After Mom evened it up! : )
I think each of our kids has cut their hair at some point or another, but I didn't realized the big deal it is with girls. It's going to take forever for it to grow back out!
The "before" picture
After Mom evened it up! : )
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Latest News
Well, we had a great trip to the States, were able to visit friends and family, and I was even able to do some shopping. Most members of our family are too tall for the clothes here, so I was thrilled to be able to stock up on some summer clothes for all of us. We had a very special time staying with my brother and sister-in-law and their family: Dee, Ruthie, Cameron, and Daiten. We were able to be with my mom for Mother's Day, too!
I shared with several groups while there about our ministry in Honduras. That was an unexpected blessing!
Tully is, I would say, completely better from his long illness--praise God! He was still coughing some when I returned, but since then, it has cleared up.
Mabel is still on a ventilator, and has a tracheostomy. She is unable to talk with it which I am sure is a tremendous frustration, not to be able to make one's needs known. Please continue to pray for her. There have been so many friends to visit her, and we appreciate that SO much, since we are unable to be there and care for her. Allison (one of my best friends)'s mom is in the same facility right now, and she has been able to go by frequently just to say hello and visit and pray with her. We are so thankful for the love and care that have been shown to Mabel in our absence!
The rains began in earnest while I was away. It has been rare this year in that we had a very short dry season. And now, having had a tropical storm near us, the rains have been extremely heavy. Our roads in Honduras are filled with huge potholes due to the rains, and there have been some bridges washed away, and some landslides. Our problem here at the hospital has been alot of standing water.
We said good-bye to an awesome evangelism team from Tennessee and Kentucky, and are welcoming a team of nurses and nursing students tomorrow from Georgia. We are also thrilled to have Taylor Perrault here with us this summer as our intern. He is a college student from UGA and was with us in February. Taylor preached this afternoon in one of our mountain churches and Timothy translated for him. I am so proud of them! They said they prayed all the way up the mountain, and felt a tremendous peace when it was their time to speak.
Trey has been hard at work finishing up school and taking exams this week. He is almost done and looking forward to relaxing for a couple of days, and then helping out with the teams this summer. The other boys finish up tomorrow, and are so excited! The girls are enjoying the sprinkler when they come home from school, and Anna has decided to go into the hairstyling business. She cut her hair and Carmen's when I was gone, so they now have cute short haircuts from where I had to even their hair up!
That's all the latest news for now. I have great pictures to share but will wait to upload them until the boys are finished with school so that I won't crash the internet!
I shared with several groups while there about our ministry in Honduras. That was an unexpected blessing!
Tully is, I would say, completely better from his long illness--praise God! He was still coughing some when I returned, but since then, it has cleared up.
Mabel is still on a ventilator, and has a tracheostomy. She is unable to talk with it which I am sure is a tremendous frustration, not to be able to make one's needs known. Please continue to pray for her. There have been so many friends to visit her, and we appreciate that SO much, since we are unable to be there and care for her. Allison (one of my best friends)'s mom is in the same facility right now, and she has been able to go by frequently just to say hello and visit and pray with her. We are so thankful for the love and care that have been shown to Mabel in our absence!
The rains began in earnest while I was away. It has been rare this year in that we had a very short dry season. And now, having had a tropical storm near us, the rains have been extremely heavy. Our roads in Honduras are filled with huge potholes due to the rains, and there have been some bridges washed away, and some landslides. Our problem here at the hospital has been alot of standing water.
We said good-bye to an awesome evangelism team from Tennessee and Kentucky, and are welcoming a team of nurses and nursing students tomorrow from Georgia. We are also thrilled to have Taylor Perrault here with us this summer as our intern. He is a college student from UGA and was with us in February. Taylor preached this afternoon in one of our mountain churches and Timothy translated for him. I am so proud of them! They said they prayed all the way up the mountain, and felt a tremendous peace when it was their time to speak.
Trey has been hard at work finishing up school and taking exams this week. He is almost done and looking forward to relaxing for a couple of days, and then helping out with the teams this summer. The other boys finish up tomorrow, and are so excited! The girls are enjoying the sprinkler when they come home from school, and Anna has decided to go into the hairstyling business. She cut her hair and Carmen's when I was gone, so they now have cute short haircuts from where I had to even their hair up!
That's all the latest news for now. I have great pictures to share but will wait to upload them until the boys are finished with school so that I won't crash the internet!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Testing in SC
On Saturday, Tee, Luke, Gabriel, and I leave for SC. As a part of their online charter school requirements, the 3rd - 8th graders must undergo state testing in May. We will be there for two weeks.
Tully's mom had surgery last week, and, in the recovery room, she suffered a heart attack. Afterwards, she had a catheterization done, which showed three blockages, one at 95%, and an angioplasty. Due to some other complications, she is now sedated and on a ventilator. Please pray with us for Mabel.
Tully's mom had surgery last week, and, in the recovery room, she suffered a heart attack. Afterwards, she had a catheterization done, which showed three blockages, one at 95%, and an angioplasty. Due to some other complications, she is now sedated and on a ventilator. Please pray with us for Mabel.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Señor Tullg
That's the way the letter started. It was very formal, even with an official stamp at the end. "Mr. Tullg." (Our names are difficult for Spanish speakers, as you can tell.)
The letter went on to say that the writer was respectfully requesting that the hospital deliver water to a school in Herradura, nearby. "The school does not have any water and the children need it for basic necessities and health." The writer was the principal of the school. Our guard, posted at the front gate of the hospital, handed the letter to us as we left to take the girls to school one day last week.
Our internet, of late, has been sporadic at best, and we had some time that morning when we were unable to get online for the kids to do their schoolwork. So, we loaded up the portable cistern and took some water over to the people who live in the neighborhood of Herradura.
The children there were SO happy. We stopped at several houses along the way to fill barrels before we got to the school. Then we went to the school where we ran out of water. We came back to the hospital to refill the cistern and take it back and were able to give some more families much needed water.
When Elijah first began to fill up the school's cistern, the water splashed up and got some of the children wet--they had SO much fun!
Me with some of the neighborhood children while we were delivering water
Elijah filling up a barrel. People were bringing out every kind of container they had to hold some extra water.
The letter went on to say that the writer was respectfully requesting that the hospital deliver water to a school in Herradura, nearby. "The school does not have any water and the children need it for basic necessities and health." The writer was the principal of the school. Our guard, posted at the front gate of the hospital, handed the letter to us as we left to take the girls to school one day last week.
Our internet, of late, has been sporadic at best, and we had some time that morning when we were unable to get online for the kids to do their schoolwork. So, we loaded up the portable cistern and took some water over to the people who live in the neighborhood of Herradura.
The children there were SO happy. We stopped at several houses along the way to fill barrels before we got to the school. Then we went to the school where we ran out of water. We came back to the hospital to refill the cistern and take it back and were able to give some more families much needed water.
When Elijah first began to fill up the school's cistern, the water splashed up and got some of the children wet--they had SO much fun!
Me with some of the neighborhood children while we were delivering water
Elijah filling up a barrel. People were bringing out every kind of container they had to hold some extra water.
Progress on Our House
The exterior walls are now complete, and the ground inside has been prepared for flooring, which will go in next as it is structural. The roof trusses are being welded together and painted now.
Looking from the inside of our house to the back of the property.
View of the "front entrance" from the sidewalk.
Looking from the inside of our house to the back of the property.
View of the "front entrance" from the sidewalk.
Good Water
It's something we take for granted, right? Here, in a developing country, it's not. We have experienced our driest months of the year now in Honduras. The grass and the mountains surrounding us are brown and dry, appearing almost like a desert. There is a fine layer of dust that settles over everything inside and out throughout the day, people cough and sneeze, we have even lost a patient in the hospital due to a severe asthma attack.
Our hospital well supplies safe water to our neighbors on either side of our property, 66 houses total. During the dry season, we have learned that our well is being taxed beyond its limits due to an increase in demand for water. Where did the increase come from? It was a puzzle for awhile--was there a leak somewhere? No, but we had to rule it out first. Come to find out, our neighbors have been giving out water to their family and friends.
Last week, we were able to install a new well pump with a more powerful motor to keep up with the demand. It was interesting to watch. I had not given much thought to the machine that makes our clean water possible until our cistern ran dry a few times due to the increase in demand for water. Then I thought about it a lot--I even prayed for it--this thing that I hadn't thought much about before.
We are delighted to say that after several days work to construct and install a scaffold in order to pull up the 5 pieces of 25 ft. pipe to get to the pump, we now have a new well pump with a 5 horsepower motor installed. Now to decide what to do about the neighbors giving away their water . . .
A picture of the scaffold that was constructed to replace the well pump.
Pulling up a section of pipe.
Eli sitting beside the old pump--it has done SO much good for SO many people--I couldn't believe how little and skinny it is!
Our hospital well supplies safe water to our neighbors on either side of our property, 66 houses total. During the dry season, we have learned that our well is being taxed beyond its limits due to an increase in demand for water. Where did the increase come from? It was a puzzle for awhile--was there a leak somewhere? No, but we had to rule it out first. Come to find out, our neighbors have been giving out water to their family and friends.
Last week, we were able to install a new well pump with a more powerful motor to keep up with the demand. It was interesting to watch. I had not given much thought to the machine that makes our clean water possible until our cistern ran dry a few times due to the increase in demand for water. Then I thought about it a lot--I even prayed for it--this thing that I hadn't thought much about before.
We are delighted to say that after several days work to construct and install a scaffold in order to pull up the 5 pieces of 25 ft. pipe to get to the pump, we now have a new well pump with a 5 horsepower motor installed. Now to decide what to do about the neighbors giving away their water . . .
A picture of the scaffold that was constructed to replace the well pump.
Pulling up a section of pipe.
Eli sitting beside the old pump--it has done SO much good for SO many people--I couldn't believe how little and skinny it is!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Dengue
I wanted to ask you to pray for Tully. He has had a bad cough for a couple of days, and we thought it was just bronchitis. Last night, he was up pretty much all night coughing. Today, he has had a high fever, chills, and hurts everywhere. Our lab technician drew some blood to check for dengue fever, and it turns out that he does have it. It will take a few days of rest and drinking alot of liquids, but please pray that he will recover quickly.
Thank you for praying with us!
Thank you for praying with us!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Helping Hands
We had gone to Tegucigalpa to pick up our friend Summer Millican from the airport. Summer had served with us for 4 weeks last fall through the Wingate School of Pharmacy in Charlotte NC. We were so excited for her to visit again.
After we picked up Summer and were heading back through the north end of the city, we were driving in a bad part of town through an area of constuction. There was a lot of traffic congestion where the traffic was narrowing from three cars wide to a single lane. Drivers here will continually try to nose in front of you, so you have to stay within a foot or two of the car in front of you, or else the whole world will pass you by. I was following the car in front so close that I could not see the pavement in front of my car.
Then it happened. The right front tire fell into an uncovered manhole that I had not seen. (People steal the man hole covers to sell for scrap metal.) I accelerated forward and in reverse but all I did was squeal the rear wheels. We were stuck. It was a little bit scary being in the middle of heavy traffic in a dangerous part of town, stuck and not knowing anyone to get us out.
Dawn and I were trying to decide what we could do when all of a sudden 3 men from a nearby tire store came over to our car. Then they waved to some friends and 6-7 more men came to our car. They proceeded to lift the right front of our van and I was able to gently accelerate out of the hole.
I thank God once again for his provision and protection on the mission field. And I prayed and asked God to bless the kind men who helped us get out.
After we picked up Summer and were heading back through the north end of the city, we were driving in a bad part of town through an area of constuction. There was a lot of traffic congestion where the traffic was narrowing from three cars wide to a single lane. Drivers here will continually try to nose in front of you, so you have to stay within a foot or two of the car in front of you, or else the whole world will pass you by. I was following the car in front so close that I could not see the pavement in front of my car.
Then it happened. The right front tire fell into an uncovered manhole that I had not seen. (People steal the man hole covers to sell for scrap metal.) I accelerated forward and in reverse but all I did was squeal the rear wheels. We were stuck. It was a little bit scary being in the middle of heavy traffic in a dangerous part of town, stuck and not knowing anyone to get us out.
Dawn and I were trying to decide what we could do when all of a sudden 3 men from a nearby tire store came over to our car. Then they waved to some friends and 6-7 more men came to our car. They proceeded to lift the right front of our van and I was able to gently accelerate out of the hole.
I thank God once again for his provision and protection on the mission field. And I prayed and asked God to bless the kind men who helped us get out.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
No Water!!!
Our town of Guaimaca has its water supplied by two streams. Now in the dry season, both the streams have almost dried up and the town of Guaimaca has almost no water. Two members of our church that meets in the hospital, one of our employees, and one of our translaters all came to the hospital yesterday and asked for water. We have a well at the hospital that continues to produce water.
Let me tell you about another part of our water ministry that I have not previously talked about. We have a large size pick up truck that we are able to fit a 900 gallon cistern into. We attach a gasoline powered pump to the cistern and can pump water at a gallon second. So I took Timothy, Luke, Gabriel, and Elijah and we went to deliver water (Dawn was in Tegus, Trey was still doing homework). This is a fruitfull ministry that I hope our family can continue to perform during the dry season. I first took water around in this manner with our team of college students from the U. of Georgia. They were here two weeks ago and did a great job with various ministries including this one. I am reminded of the passage in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25, starting in verse 31 where Jesus talks of sharing water, food, and clothes with the less fortunate. I am glad we are able to share some of our water.
See the pictures below. One location we went is one of the poorest areas of Guaimaca. Notice that two 2 year olds brought their containers to get the precious water that they do not have enough of. I have struggled to get the image of the two little children out of my mind.
I pray that the Lord will continue to bless our well with plenty of water at the hospital so that we can share the water with others in the name of Jesus.
In this neighborhood, this little girl had no clothes to wear. They came to get water with no parents in sight!
Elijah and I filling a cistern. Eli had a great time helping others. The hose delivers water at more than a gallon a second.
This picture shows part of the cistern in the back of the hospital's pickup truck. Timothy is getting ready to pull the cord to start the gas powered pump for the cistern.
Luke filling the last pila of the day!
Let me tell you about another part of our water ministry that I have not previously talked about. We have a large size pick up truck that we are able to fit a 900 gallon cistern into. We attach a gasoline powered pump to the cistern and can pump water at a gallon second. So I took Timothy, Luke, Gabriel, and Elijah and we went to deliver water (Dawn was in Tegus, Trey was still doing homework). This is a fruitfull ministry that I hope our family can continue to perform during the dry season. I first took water around in this manner with our team of college students from the U. of Georgia. They were here two weeks ago and did a great job with various ministries including this one. I am reminded of the passage in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25, starting in verse 31 where Jesus talks of sharing water, food, and clothes with the less fortunate. I am glad we are able to share some of our water.
See the pictures below. One location we went is one of the poorest areas of Guaimaca. Notice that two 2 year olds brought their containers to get the precious water that they do not have enough of. I have struggled to get the image of the two little children out of my mind.
I pray that the Lord will continue to bless our well with plenty of water at the hospital so that we can share the water with others in the name of Jesus.
In this neighborhood, this little girl had no clothes to wear. They came to get water with no parents in sight!
Elijah and I filling a cistern. Eli had a great time helping others. The hose delivers water at more than a gallon a second.
This picture shows part of the cistern in the back of the hospital's pickup truck. Timothy is getting ready to pull the cord to start the gas powered pump for the cistern.
Luke filling the last pila of the day!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Birthday Traditions
There are two different birthday traditions we celebrate in Honduras. The first I think we have written about before but you break an egg on top of the birthday person's head, then pour flour and water on top as well: the ingredients for a cake. We have had fun with some of our teams when one of the team members had a birthday by showing them this tradition. Women have not been spared.
A second tradition is in church. The birthday child goes to the front of the church and then counts his age by putting lempiras bills into an offering plate. The congregation counts with him/her. When finished, the pastor says a prayer over the child and everyone holds up a hand pointed in the direction of the child. It is a wonderful time knowing that everyone in attendance is praying for your child.
Today Elijah turned 7 years old. We decided not to break an egg on his head (at his request), but yesterday we did go to church. The pastor called Elijah up to the front and he dutifully counted 7 one lempira bills into the offering basket. Then the congregation prayed for Eli as the pastor led the prayer.
May God grant Eli many more years of joy, peace, good health, and a love for God, family and his fellow man.
A second tradition is in church. The birthday child goes to the front of the church and then counts his age by putting lempiras bills into an offering plate. The congregation counts with him/her. When finished, the pastor says a prayer over the child and everyone holds up a hand pointed in the direction of the child. It is a wonderful time knowing that everyone in attendance is praying for your child.
Today Elijah turned 7 years old. We decided not to break an egg on his head (at his request), but yesterday we did go to church. The pastor called Elijah up to the front and he dutifully counted 7 one lempira bills into the offering basket. Then the congregation prayed for Eli as the pastor led the prayer.
May God grant Eli many more years of joy, peace, good health, and a love for God, family and his fellow man.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Beggar
So we were driving in the capitol, Teguscigalpa, last week and stopped at a redlight. I saw a lady out of the corner of my eye. I tried to not look at her or make eye contact but she kept coming towards us anyway. I knew she was coming to beg as happens so many times in a third world country. When we first moved to Costa Rica, beggars were definitely the greatest source of culture shock for our children. Maybe me too. They made me feel angry, guilty, and scared all at once. I definitely had alot of culture shock and lost alot of weight because of it. (Sometimes I jokingly think, "I wish I could get a little more culture shock now in order to lose weight.")
This lady walked up to the car, turned her free hand backwards and rapped on my driver's side window. I was reminded of the passage in Matt. 25 where Jesus talked of separating the sheep from the goats by sharing a glass of water, clothes, or food. So I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small bill, lowered my window and handed it to her. We then watched as she went to a group of motorcycles, and some other cars. No one else gave her any money this time.
This beggar was a little different from the many others we have encountered in that she was carrying a small child probably between 1 and 2 years of age. His head rested on her shoulder and he was sound asleep. It was sunny and very hot. She had him covered with a towel to keep the sun off of him but I am sure it made him hotter. Because of her poverty she was standing and walking and begging in an area of heavy traffic often moving fast. Very dangerous indeed.
Well, the light turned green and we all could leave and escape the sadness of the image of her and her little boy. You may wonder if I felt good that I had tried to help her. But as I drove away all I could think is I should have given more. I asked myself over and over, "Lord, why didn't I give more?"
Walking to the next car.
Going to the motorcycles.
This lady walked up to the car, turned her free hand backwards and rapped on my driver's side window. I was reminded of the passage in Matt. 25 where Jesus talked of separating the sheep from the goats by sharing a glass of water, clothes, or food. So I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small bill, lowered my window and handed it to her. We then watched as she went to a group of motorcycles, and some other cars. No one else gave her any money this time.
This beggar was a little different from the many others we have encountered in that she was carrying a small child probably between 1 and 2 years of age. His head rested on her shoulder and he was sound asleep. It was sunny and very hot. She had him covered with a towel to keep the sun off of him but I am sure it made him hotter. Because of her poverty she was standing and walking and begging in an area of heavy traffic often moving fast. Very dangerous indeed.
Well, the light turned green and we all could leave and escape the sadness of the image of her and her little boy. You may wonder if I felt good that I had tried to help her. But as I drove away all I could think is I should have given more. I asked myself over and over, "Lord, why didn't I give more?"
Walking to the next car.
Going to the motorcycles.
17th Anniversary
So yesterday was Dawn's and my 17th wedding anniversary. It is hard to believe we are up to number 17. I can still remember our showers, rehearsal dinner, wedding like it was yesterday. I remember the excitment and the nervousness.
Liliana is the wife of our head Honduran doctor at the hospital. She is an excellent cook and has started cooking supper for our teams. She surprised us Friday night by cooking us an excellent meal. We were able to eat in Jimmy and Bonnie Abbott's house by ourselves for a little mini-date on Friday night. It was a sweet time as we get little time to ourselves anymore.
I was saved when I was 7 years old but had really fallen away from the Lord during the years following. Dawn and I were married on March 27, 1993. On Memorial Day weekend of the same year, Dawn led me back to the Lord and I rededicated my life to him. So between the Lord and my wife (of course the Lord is first) the last 17 years have been the best of my life. This tribute is more for Dawn since it was our anniversary yesterday.
Dawn has been a great wife, mother of our seven children, friend, helper (she helps me to be a much better man) and lover. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with her!!!
It has been a fantastic 17 years and I do not regret a single minute of it.
Dawn, Te amo mucho. (I love you very much.)
Tully
Liliana is the wife of our head Honduran doctor at the hospital. She is an excellent cook and has started cooking supper for our teams. She surprised us Friday night by cooking us an excellent meal. We were able to eat in Jimmy and Bonnie Abbott's house by ourselves for a little mini-date on Friday night. It was a sweet time as we get little time to ourselves anymore.
I was saved when I was 7 years old but had really fallen away from the Lord during the years following. Dawn and I were married on March 27, 1993. On Memorial Day weekend of the same year, Dawn led me back to the Lord and I rededicated my life to him. So between the Lord and my wife (of course the Lord is first) the last 17 years have been the best of my life. This tribute is more for Dawn since it was our anniversary yesterday.
Dawn has been a great wife, mother of our seven children, friend, helper (she helps me to be a much better man) and lover. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with her!!!
It has been a fantastic 17 years and I do not regret a single minute of it.
Dawn, Te amo mucho. (I love you very much.)
Tully
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
My 1st Mountain Medical
A view on the way--our journey took us up the mountain above the tree line and we were rewarded with views like this.
The medical clinic--and Tully seeing his first patient of the day
Setting up the pharmacy
Three boys peeping in a window to see what we're up to in the pharmacy.
Esaú, who is one of the kids at the Good Shepherd's Children's Home in Zamorano. He is visiting us this week as he is interested in becoming a doctor. Here, he is translating instructions for medicines in the pharmacy.
Well, it was SO much fun. Where to begin? There is a group here from Pella, Iowa who enjoy doing mountain medicals, where we travel to a remote village and take doctors, nurses, plenty of medicines to dispense, and the good news of Jesus Christ. I helped out today in their pharmacy in a village called Agua Fría.
It was a great day all in all, then we packed up and started our return trip home down the mountain. Well, the brakes on the car I was driving went out, and, yes, we were going down the mountain. God is so good as I was able to maintain control of the car as it careened down the hill and finally came to a leveled out stopping place. We decided that was a little too much excitement for ending our day.
Monday, February 1, 2010
15 year old emergency
Three days ago on Friday we had a young wife, age 15, and her 17 year old husband come to the hospital early in the morning. The girl was 10 weeks pregnant and had a miscarraige. She began bleeding heavily around 4 a.m. and came to the hospital around 9 a.m.
When she first arrived her blood pressure was 50/40. Yes that is right--50/40. Her hemoglobin was 6.0 less than half of normal. She was still bleeding heavily. Our head doctor was able to use a pair of forceps and reach inside of her. He delivered the placenta and stopped her bleeding. We then had to transport her to the capitol for a blood transfusion.
She had to be transported in the back of a pick up truck. Look closely at the picture and you can see two IV bags. Her pressure was so low that we felt it necessary to start and run two bags of IF fluids. Would you continue to pray that we will be able to get an ambulance. I am trusting and believing that the Lord will supply it.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Yesterday
I drove to the Zamorano Valley from here to buy some palm trees at the agricultural school. During our furlough, many of the dirt roads along the "back" way were made smoother, almost ready to be paved, so I went the back way, along with Trey, Tee, and Lupe, a translator friend of ours and of the mission. It was only about 1 1/2 hours--as opposed to 2 1/2 or 3 when we went the back way, avoiding Tegucigalpa, in August.
Pretty much everything here is an adventure, yesterday's trip being no exception. The countryside is so beautiful here. Along the way, I dodged oxen, herds of cows, dogs running out into the street, donkeys carrying firewood on their packs, road construction where we could have literally reached out of our window and put our hands on the machine as it was working. The other day when we were driving, a herd of horses raced our car up an incline. Leading the pack was a mare and her colt, the baby having no trouble keeping up on those gangly legs!
Driving in Honduras, you have to have your mind at all times focused on the road as their are SO many potholes, so many dangerous things to avoid. I decided yesterday that I like it better when Tully drives so that I'm free to look around and take in all the intriguing sights!
Pretty much everything here is an adventure, yesterday's trip being no exception. The countryside is so beautiful here. Along the way, I dodged oxen, herds of cows, dogs running out into the street, donkeys carrying firewood on their packs, road construction where we could have literally reached out of our window and put our hands on the machine as it was working. The other day when we were driving, a herd of horses raced our car up an incline. Leading the pack was a mare and her colt, the baby having no trouble keeping up on those gangly legs!
Driving in Honduras, you have to have your mind at all times focused on the road as their are SO many potholes, so many dangerous things to avoid. I decided yesterday that I like it better when Tully drives so that I'm free to look around and take in all the intriguing sights!
Extra Protein
Tonight, we had broccoli. I love vegetables, especially green ones. Here, we eat so much rice, beans, and corn, that salad, broccoli, and green beans are pretty much delicacies now with me. : )
Well, the broccoli tasted so good to me tonight that I ate a double serving, which is unusual.
At the end of the meal, as our family was sitting around talking, I noticed something all of a sudden on my plate--it looked suspiciously like a little white worm. But I thought, no, that's not what that is! I should have just gotten up at that point, scraped my plate and washed it to get it out of my mind, but I didn't. So, we talked some more, and I looked down again at my plate and noticed a second little white (cooked) worm, this time on my broccoli.
At this point, I was, of course, really grossed out, and feeling too full of wormy broccoli. Tully, in an optimistic moment, said very matter of factly, "Well, at least the corn wasn't wormy, too." I said, "Is that supposed to make me feel better??" The boys were practically rolling on the floor in laughter.
Well, the broccoli tasted so good to me tonight that I ate a double serving, which is unusual.
At the end of the meal, as our family was sitting around talking, I noticed something all of a sudden on my plate--it looked suspiciously like a little white worm. But I thought, no, that's not what that is! I should have just gotten up at that point, scraped my plate and washed it to get it out of my mind, but I didn't. So, we talked some more, and I looked down again at my plate and noticed a second little white (cooked) worm, this time on my broccoli.
At this point, I was, of course, really grossed out, and feeling too full of wormy broccoli. Tully, in an optimistic moment, said very matter of factly, "Well, at least the corn wasn't wormy, too." I said, "Is that supposed to make me feel better??" The boys were practically rolling on the floor in laughter.
What Have We Been Up To?
Well, to answer that question, it would take a much longer blog than I'm sure anyone has time to read. I have, primarily, been homeschooling, which is taking a long time each day, but we are really enjoying our new (to us) school, the SC Virtual Charter School. I can't say enough good about it, really, but it is time intensive.
I have also enjoyed planting some flowers here and there around the hospital when time has permitted. One of my favorite things is gardening, so that has been fun. Plus, our dry season hasn't yet begun, so the flowers are flourishing soaking up the rains.
Emotionally, it has been a month filled with ups and downs. We returned to (some) employees who were a little scared of us and/or the changes, which, truthfully, has been hard for me--I like to be liked, in fact, didn't realize how much so until this happened! : )
When we realized what was going on with the employees, however, Tully hit upon a great idea which was to invite the different (small) groups of employees to the team kitchen for a lunch--to get to know us, for us to get to know them. So, the first day, we had the nurses, a couple of days later, it was the guards' turn (who were hilarious, by the way--and we picked up some new Spanish words), then the other hospital employees. Today it was the cleaning ladies at 12 pm, and the pastor of the church and the head of grounds at 1 pm. Tomorrow will be the team cook and the lady in charge of the food program. This has given the employees a chance to ask us questions, and we can tell them a little more of what we expect, etc.
This weekend begins our brigades with the first being led by our dear friend, mentor, and former pastor, Wilson Nelson, who is bringing a group from his church in Calgary, Canada. We are all so excited! Beginning this weekend, we will have someone here until mid March, so we have been readying everything for the teams. Dr. Estrada has taken around flyers for announcing the upcoming surgery team, as has our pastor, Mingo, by taking flyers to our surrounding mountain churches, the TV and radio stations have begun their announcements regarding the surgery team, and Joann and I have spent some time making up menus for the upcoming teams.
In a nutshell, has been a great month, a hard month, and a learning month, and I wouldn't trade it for anything!
I have also enjoyed planting some flowers here and there around the hospital when time has permitted. One of my favorite things is gardening, so that has been fun. Plus, our dry season hasn't yet begun, so the flowers are flourishing soaking up the rains.
Emotionally, it has been a month filled with ups and downs. We returned to (some) employees who were a little scared of us and/or the changes, which, truthfully, has been hard for me--I like to be liked, in fact, didn't realize how much so until this happened! : )
When we realized what was going on with the employees, however, Tully hit upon a great idea which was to invite the different (small) groups of employees to the team kitchen for a lunch--to get to know us, for us to get to know them. So, the first day, we had the nurses, a couple of days later, it was the guards' turn (who were hilarious, by the way--and we picked up some new Spanish words), then the other hospital employees. Today it was the cleaning ladies at 12 pm, and the pastor of the church and the head of grounds at 1 pm. Tomorrow will be the team cook and the lady in charge of the food program. This has given the employees a chance to ask us questions, and we can tell them a little more of what we expect, etc.
This weekend begins our brigades with the first being led by our dear friend, mentor, and former pastor, Wilson Nelson, who is bringing a group from his church in Calgary, Canada. We are all so excited! Beginning this weekend, we will have someone here until mid March, so we have been readying everything for the teams. Dr. Estrada has taken around flyers for announcing the upcoming surgery team, as has our pastor, Mingo, by taking flyers to our surrounding mountain churches, the TV and radio stations have begun their announcements regarding the surgery team, and Joann and I have spent some time making up menus for the upcoming teams.
In a nutshell, has been a great month, a hard month, and a learning month, and I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Murder, Tragedy
The following post is gross and graphic so you may want to click off of this blog entry and wait for the next one. I have debated for two days now whether or not to write about this but ultimately I decided to write on our blog so our readers can know what we are dealing with and what at least one of our needs is.
On Sunday morning I got called out of church because we needed to transport two patients from our hospital to Tegucigalpa. I went over to the hospital to see what was going on. Apparently, a man had been physically abusing his wife for several years so she left him. He had been drinking Sunday morning as the smell of alcohol was strong on him. He went to where his wife was staying and told her to come home with him. She said, "No." He then became angry and took out his machete, cut her fingers off first, then her arms and then he gave a fatal blow to the neck.
Her brother tried to come to her defense and he received two machete blows to the skull causing long deep cuts in his scalp and possible bony damage. Then the man, the husband, went out to a bridge nearby, put his left arm on the rail and cut off his hand which then fell into the water below.
Both men were brought to the hospital. The man who cut his hand off had low blood pressure, probably due to blood loss, and we started two IV's. I am sure had our hospital not been here he would have died. We then loaded them into a Land Rover and took them to Tegucicalpa. See the pictures below. If you read this, please pray that the Lord will supply us with an ambulance. Also pray for this family.
The man who severed his own hand from his wrist.
Preparing for a two hour ride in the back of a Land Rover. We need an ambulance!
The brother of the deceased wife. The red "hat" is bandaging.
On Sunday morning I got called out of church because we needed to transport two patients from our hospital to Tegucigalpa. I went over to the hospital to see what was going on. Apparently, a man had been physically abusing his wife for several years so she left him. He had been drinking Sunday morning as the smell of alcohol was strong on him. He went to where his wife was staying and told her to come home with him. She said, "No." He then became angry and took out his machete, cut her fingers off first, then her arms and then he gave a fatal blow to the neck.
Her brother tried to come to her defense and he received two machete blows to the skull causing long deep cuts in his scalp and possible bony damage. Then the man, the husband, went out to a bridge nearby, put his left arm on the rail and cut off his hand which then fell into the water below.
Both men were brought to the hospital. The man who cut his hand off had low blood pressure, probably due to blood loss, and we started two IV's. I am sure had our hospital not been here he would have died. We then loaded them into a Land Rover and took them to Tegucicalpa. See the pictures below. If you read this, please pray that the Lord will supply us with an ambulance. Also pray for this family.
The man who severed his own hand from his wrist.
Preparing for a two hour ride in the back of a Land Rover. We need an ambulance!
The brother of the deceased wife. The red "hat" is bandaging.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Twins!!!
This morning immediately after chapel, one of the employees at the hospital told me twins were being born. I hurried to the OB delivery room and went to see the excitement and fun. Two little boys were born and are doing fine. It is the very first time our hospital has delivered twins. Children are truly a gift from God and God gave us a double blessing us this morning!!!
Dra. Dunia just delivered baby #2!
Rubbing the baby to stimulate him and clean him! Two brothers laying together.
Suctioning to clear his airway!
Dra. Dunia just delivered baby #2!
Rubbing the baby to stimulate him and clean him! Two brothers laying together.
Suctioning to clear his airway!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Darkness
We have had to drive from Tegus to our house twice now after dark. The first time was on our first night back in Honduras. It is so easy to take so many things for granted in life. Things like the yellow refectors in the middle of the road or the painted lines on the sides of the road. There are none of those in Honduras. Once you get out of the big city there are not many lights from houses to help illuminate the streets. The next turn to the left or right is hard to see until you are right up on them. I probably should drive slower but I am tired and we have 90 kilometers to go. Dawn has already told me that if our mothers come to visit that I cannot drive:). But as I was driving last Saturday night and it was pitch black, all I could think is God please bless the man/woman who invented "bright lights".
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Reforestation Program
Monday, my first official day on the job in Guaimaca, Jose Benegas came by the hospital to meet me and talk about the reforestation program. Sandy Cheves,the founder of Hospital Bautista, had the idea several years ago. He approached Jose, the manager of a saw mill down the road. After about two years, he decided to try the program. At our hospital we have 25 acres of land. We supply the land and the water and the saw mill supplies the seeds and the manpower. A different company gathers pine cones, puts them in the sun to dry and when they open, harvest the seeds. You can go and buy pine seeds and then plant them like any other seed. Over the past 4 years, the project has planted 2.5 million trees. We have the first, and therefore oldest reforestation program in the country.
The sawmill will send workers in after about 10 years and they will cut down the deformed trees. The normal trees take forty years to mature. I will say that more likely than not I will not live to see these trees harvested:). Planting these trees does not really lead anyone to Christ but it does make us a good neighbor and it gives us credibility in the communnity. Plus hopefully it will help prevent deforestation of the country similar to what happened to Ethiopia.
Below is a picture of Jose.
The sawmill will send workers in after about 10 years and they will cut down the deformed trees. The normal trees take forty years to mature. I will say that more likely than not I will not live to see these trees harvested:). Planting these trees does not really lead anyone to Christ but it does make us a good neighbor and it gives us credibility in the communnity. Plus hopefully it will help prevent deforestation of the country similar to what happened to Ethiopia.
Below is a picture of Jose.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Travel to Honduras
One A.M.--So I am sitting in the airport in Fort Lauderdale. Otra vez (once again) our flight has been delayed. It was delayed last October when we came home stretching the two day trip into three long days. Our first flight tonight in Atlanta was delayed and now our flight from Fort Lauderdale to San Pedro Sula has been delayed for two and a half hours. As I write, it is now 1 a.m. The kids are sprawled all over the floor and seats in the waiting area trying to get a little sleep.
What motivates me to write is how resilient kids can be. Here we are taking them on a trip across 4 countries, it is late at night, we are all sleep deprived and exhausted and not one peep of complaints from the children.
Five A.M.--We finally make it to our hotel and the clerk checks us in and says with a shrug of his shoulder: "we serve breakfast in one hour." We did not care, we just needed 3-4 hours of sleep in a bed which we were able to achieve. Again no complaints from the kids!!!
We get up about 8:30-8:45 and make it to the breakfast the hotel serves. We all feel alot better with full stomachs and load up the bus for a 6 hour trip to our mission house. We all dose off and on during the trip. The arrival at the mission house to pick up our van is 6 hours later as predicted. A two and a half hour trip to our house in Guaimaca begins. Later we thank and praise God for our safe trip back home in Guaimaca and still no complaining from the kids.
I worry about how the kids will feel about Honduras after three months of luxury and extravagance in the United States. Will they hate it or now complain for having to leave family and friends. But the next morning Luke jumped on our overstuffed couch and declared, "I had forgotten how comfortable this couch is. I really missed it." And otra vez I pray to God and thank him for his provision of a happy spirit in our children.
Here we are at 1 a.m. Can you spot all seven children??
Dawn and Elijah are exhausted and sleeping together.
Gabriel hopefully having sweet dreams.
What motivates me to write is how resilient kids can be. Here we are taking them on a trip across 4 countries, it is late at night, we are all sleep deprived and exhausted and not one peep of complaints from the children.
Five A.M.--We finally make it to our hotel and the clerk checks us in and says with a shrug of his shoulder: "we serve breakfast in one hour." We did not care, we just needed 3-4 hours of sleep in a bed which we were able to achieve. Again no complaints from the kids!!!
We get up about 8:30-8:45 and make it to the breakfast the hotel serves. We all feel alot better with full stomachs and load up the bus for a 6 hour trip to our mission house. We all dose off and on during the trip. The arrival at the mission house to pick up our van is 6 hours later as predicted. A two and a half hour trip to our house in Guaimaca begins. Later we thank and praise God for our safe trip back home in Guaimaca and still no complaining from the kids.
I worry about how the kids will feel about Honduras after three months of luxury and extravagance in the United States. Will they hate it or now complain for having to leave family and friends. But the next morning Luke jumped on our overstuffed couch and declared, "I had forgotten how comfortable this couch is. I really missed it." And otra vez I pray to God and thank him for his provision of a happy spirit in our children.
Here we are at 1 a.m. Can you spot all seven children??
Dawn and Elijah are exhausted and sleeping together.
Gabriel hopefully having sweet dreams.
Furlough
It has been an absolute whirlwind. I cannot believe it's time to head back to Honduras--we just got to SC, it seems, yesterday! We have had so many doctors' appointments, a surgery for Anna, dental appointments, time with friends, family, and supporters. I was able to buy many things that would be needed for our house in Guaimaca during several trips to Lowe's in the days right before Christmas from insulation and doorknobs all the way to kitchen cabinets!
Just yesterday, I went to Columbia in order to get some necessary papers for our Honduran residency application. Then, I went to the Secretary of State's office and had them apostilled. (As an aside, visitors are able to enter Honduras as tourists for a stay of up to three months, but after that, they must leave the country for three days and then may reenter legally for another three months. If we are granted residency status, we will not have to leave the country every 90 days, but will technically be considered "permanent residents.")
Anyway, I digress. I can't believe our furlough has come and gone, but we are so excited about getting back and jumping into our ministry in Guaimaca!
Just yesterday, I went to Columbia in order to get some necessary papers for our Honduran residency application. Then, I went to the Secretary of State's office and had them apostilled. (As an aside, visitors are able to enter Honduras as tourists for a stay of up to three months, but after that, they must leave the country for three days and then may reenter legally for another three months. If we are granted residency status, we will not have to leave the country every 90 days, but will technically be considered "permanent residents.")
Anyway, I digress. I can't believe our furlough has come and gone, but we are so excited about getting back and jumping into our ministry in Guaimaca!
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