Tonight we're havin' a party!

Yep! Tonight we're having a lice shampoo party! No kidding! We've washed so many heads that we decided it made sense to make sure we're not taking any critters home. So... at least Marge, Hannah, Marilyn, Jenny, and Linda are going to scrub up after devotions.

The day was great! Another floor done, though the construction crew at Rancho Ebenezer helped with that. The pastor of the River of Life Church said we saw about a thousand people in these two days. Pretty awesome!

We all chipped in to buy a casket today. A woman from the church died and the family did not have $$$$ for a casket. They bury their dead within 24 hours, so it had to be done fast. Praise God that some of us had lempiras to put towards the cause. The church family was very thankful. So... seeeee... we never know what God will call us to do when in Honduras.

We're on our way home tomorrow. The plane leaves at 12:30. We'll clear customs in Houston, and land in Chicago around 9:45.

We love getting your comments! They are so encouraging! Thanks for the prayers.

Love to all!

River of Life Church neighborhood

Did we suburbanites ever have an awakening today! The River of Life neighborhood is indescribable, but the smiles on the faces of the community members were glowing. They were so glad to see us, and showed their appreciation again and again. These people actually built an outhouse just for the Medical Team!

While receiving serious dental help, not once did I hear a complaint... well, except from the little four year old girl who had 4 teeth pulled. (Every tooth in her mouth was black... the dental assistant could only do 4 today!)

Manny, Bob, Marc, Dwayne, and Tom from the North American team, and Mark, Tyler, and John from WGO, laid a kitchen and main room floor for a lady in the neighborhood. She was very sweet and loves her new floor! Another floor will be put in for another family tomorrow.

Thanks for all your prayers! We need them, but the Hondurans need them more! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Hugs from all of us.

Meds, meds, meds!

Donna and Denny McKendricks are coordinators of the Medical Brigades here in Honduras. When Donna saw all the meds we brought, she was so thrilled! She was almost out of several medicines and didn't know what she would do when she ran out. With all that we brought just with our team, she is set through much of the summer. She thanks everyone who provided these much needed supplies and medications.

As for today... we spent the day at Rancho Ebenezer. It was about an hour and a half bus ride, the last 40 minutes on a dirt, narrow road. The ranch is about a mile high, and 40 children live there with their house parents. To provide some of the funding for the care of the children coffee is grown. (Some of us are bringing some home, so you might just get to taste it... BTW... Marilyn even tasted it and said she could actually drink it!) They also have thousands of blackberry bushes. Yum! The jams, jellies, and syrup are delicious. Some of that is coming home with us too.

Some of the team played soccer against the school children. I'm not sure who won, but I saw Manny take a flying leap off the field. Oops! There was a bit of a drop off! Annie, he's ok... just a skinned elbow. Tom did a header and popped his lens out, but he fixed it. (These guys who think they're still kids!)

Marge and Betty stayed back to help Donna divide and bag the meds. The team is finishing that as I type this.

Thanks for checking in on us. Everyone is excited to see who responds to our posts, so you better make more comments!

Hugs!

Finished up at the first brigade site

Hi Friends and Family,

We are thankful for your prayers! God is doing some great things in Honduras this week. We finished the second day at the first brigade site. I do not know numbers of Hondurans seen, but it was a good number! One woman who came yesterday asked us to pray that her roof could be fixed. (I think she needs a whole new roof.) Someone gave money for that to be done, and we don't know how it will happen, but it certainly could be a reality for her!

We washed so many heads, and Sara A is now a real hair dresser! She was cutting the girls' hair to help get rid of the creepy crawlies! Hannah T is excellent at braiding hair; we gave her the long, really tangled jobs! Marge C even was able to leave the children's program for a bit to do evangelism.... a thrill for her.

Dr. Pat gave out lots more glasses today. His helpers were busy doing tests and helping with the fittings.

Dwayne pulled a tooth! Really! We have pictures to prove it!

The nurses saw many patients today, but we still had to turn away 100 people. That was sad, but we must focus on the hundreds we did see.

Keep praying for us. Some of us are a bit leery of the snake that the guard saw crawl into the building two days ago. No one has found it yet, but we all check our beds and shoes for it and scorpions or spiders.

Father Denis, is there any chance we will see you here this week? Hugs! Love and miss you!

First Brigade Day

We just returned from our first brigade site. We're exhausted, but all so pleased we're here. I don't know numbers of Hondurans we saw, but it was a lot.

Dr. Pat, the eye doctor, was busy seeing patients all day. Dr. Hector also saw many. The dentist, Scarleth, pulled and filled a number of teeth. Our nurses constantly had people getting advice and meds.

Our bus driver, Manuel, is unbelievable! Driving those streets and the roads is challenging, to say the least! But... Manuel gets us through.

Thanks for the prayer requests. We need all your prayers.

Hugs to all. We miss you.

Prayer Requests for the Team

Saturday April 19th (Traveling/Arrival)

For travel mercies and a smooth way through all check points.

For unity among the team; encouraging one another, each being sensitive to the needs of the team and flexibility with daily assignments, rooming situations, etc.

Sunday April 20th (Settling "in" and preparing for Brigade days)

Praise to be able to celebrate and worship with other believers in another place.

Protection from any illness among the team and their families back home and also for a good night sleep each night.

Monday and Tuesday April 21 & 22 (Brigade Days)

For team members to be sensitive to the needs of the Hondurans and to serve many Hondurans.

For the team to be efficient while showing patience and Christ-like love.

That the team will evangelize with pure motives to bring glory and honor to God.

Wednesday April 23 (Visit)

For safety and grace while visiting other World Gospel Outreach Ministries - including Rancho Ebenezer.

Thursday and Friday April 24 & 25 (Brigade Days)

For the Lord's blessing on each person seen by the team.

For strength and perseverance for the team while they serve long days.

For a great moving of the Holy Spirit among the Hondurans.

Saturday April 26 (Departure/Traveling)

For a safe return home with no difficulties passing through customs, with weather or any other flight/travel conditions.

We arrived and Sunday

We arrived safely at Tegucigalpa... but... and Keith, you did warn me... the landing is pretty scary!

The mission house is up in the hills. The view is gorgeous, especially at night. I'll try to upload a picture. Manny has taken some great shots. Every time we turn around he's being a shutter bug.

Saturday we were all pretty tired, but we had some orientation meetings. We even learned the rules. (Don't drink the water! Don't drink the water!... Oh, and Don't flush the paper!)

All of us attended the Spanish speaking church, and it was a blessing. Sara, Tom, and Olga translated for us, so we didn't miss out on the entire sermon.

Had lunch at a wonderful restaurant and went shopping in the Valley of Angels. Manny asked me if I had gotten everything I needed. Hmmm... I'm not sure needed is the right word, but we ALL got lots of lovely things.

We're packing up in a few minutes for the first brigade site tomorrow.

Hugs to all! Thanks for praying for us.