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!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
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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