We are into our fourth straight day of rain with only small breaks over those days. It's not always raining hard but it is raining. However, so far the water has not returned to flood the villages.
We went to visit our night guard Jose this morning and had a nice surprise. When we entered his house he was sitting up in bed wearing a jacket and sock hat and watching TV. Quite an improvement from two days ago when we he could barely role over in his bed. Tomorrow we will buy some more Ensure. He has been drinking his three cans a day - just like the nurse (Cindy) ordered. Please pray for Jose because we think there may be some other health issues besides the pneumonia.
It has been cool here (ok, cool is relative but even Cindy is wearing a jacket at night sometimes). We're kind of liking it. Our teammate went down to the school this morning to talk to Thelma (the school principal) and Thelma was in her room wearing a sweater, a jacket, gloves, a sock hat, and shaking because she was so cold. Like we said - cold is relative.
Tonight, Brad preached again completely in Spanish. But this was the first time Saul (who speaks English and helps him out when he get stuck) didn't go with him to help him. Brad decided he needed to go by himself to learn how to do on his on his own because Saul will not always be able to go. Brad thought it went ok. Not great but ok. At least the people seemed (or at least acted like) they understood and the pastor asked when he could come back. (hum, wonder if the invitation was because they liked the teaching or strictly for the entertainment value?)
Thursday, October 30, 2008
October 28, 2008
Jose, our night guard here at Faith Home, had hernia surgery about two months ago and is having trouble recovering. He is 76 years old. He has not been able to work for past couple of weeks and we found out he now has pneumonia. Some of the house parents went to see him and found out he needed some medicine but the government facility didn't have it. Today we went with Miguel (one of the house parents) to Jose's house to see if we could help.
We found out he did have an antibiotic he was taking but needed some medicine for coughing. He has also lost a lot of weight over the past year. We went to the pharmacy and bought some stuff for a cough and nine cans of Ensure (the heavy duty kind) and took them to him. Cindy told him and his wife that he needed to drink three cans a day of the Ensure. Before we left he had already finished off one can and really seemed to like it. We will check on him in a couple of days.
We found out he did have an antibiotic he was taking but needed some medicine for coughing. He has also lost a lot of weight over the past year. We went to the pharmacy and bought some stuff for a cough and nine cans of Ensure (the heavy duty kind) and took them to him. Cindy told him and his wife that he needed to drink three cans a day of the Ensure. Before we left he had already finished off one can and really seemed to like it. We will check on him in a couple of days.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
October 25, 2008 Gabriela's Birthday Party
Tonight we went to the home of one of our pastors in El Porvenir. It was their daughter's 15th birthday. Here the 15th birthday is similar to the importance of the 16th birthday in the States. It was a great experience. She was dressed in a formal pink dress. The area beside their house was decorated with pink balloons and they had a wooden swing in the middle of the festivities decorated with pink flowers. Gabriela sat in the swing and her father swung her back and forth 15 times while the crowd all counted out loud with each swing. Then they served a full meal (chicken, potatoes with melted cheese, and rolls) while the music played over the loud speaker. Finally Gabriela cut the cake and we all were forced to sample some.
But, the big surprise for us - actually for Cindy - came when the father of Gabriela (Julio) asked Cindy if she would say the "bendeciones" over Gabriela. You've got to understand, Cindy HATES to speak in public when she is speaking in English. Now, not only did she have to do it in Spanish but, she had no time to prepare and neither one of us was sure just exactly what did Julio mean by "Bendeciones". Brad tried to ask him for a little more clarification but it didn't help Cindy at all. Does "Bendeciones" mean a few words, a short sermon, or simply to pray. Cindy knew this was such a special night and she didn't want disappoint them, but she wasn't sure what she was suppose to do. Her time came. She said a few things. And then prayed. All in Spanish in front of probably 40 - 50 people. She did great.
Miguel (one of the house parents at Faith Home) drove the van and brought some of the kids and adults from Faith Home. When the van arrived (it seats 13) we counted at least 22 people who got out of the van. Man, can fit a lot of people into a vehicle.
But, the big surprise for us - actually for Cindy - came when the father of Gabriela (Julio) asked Cindy if she would say the "bendeciones" over Gabriela. You've got to understand, Cindy HATES to speak in public when she is speaking in English. Now, not only did she have to do it in Spanish but, she had no time to prepare and neither one of us was sure just exactly what did Julio mean by "Bendeciones". Brad tried to ask him for a little more clarification but it didn't help Cindy at all. Does "Bendeciones" mean a few words, a short sermon, or simply to pray. Cindy knew this was such a special night and she didn't want disappoint them, but she wasn't sure what she was suppose to do. Her time came. She said a few things. And then prayed. All in Spanish in front of probably 40 - 50 people. She did great.
Miguel (one of the house parents at Faith Home) drove the van and brought some of the kids and adults from Faith Home. When the van arrived (it seats 13) we counted at least 22 people who got out of the van. Man, can fit a lot of people into a vehicle.
October 25, 2008
We noticed when we were at the church there were no men there. Later we asked Saul about the men and he told us the men will stay at their houses and or least check the house every hour. If they don't the family will most likely lose everything that is left to looters. Many times these men are standing in, up to waist deep, water for hours to protect their homes and the few possessions they have.
October 25, 2008
We waited around all morning to get a check written for funds to send to one of our churches in the southern part of the country - Choluteca (waiting is normal here). There has been significant flooding in that part of the country also and the pastor, Ramone, called and told us the area where he lives was flooded and all of their houses were full of water. Finally around 11:00 am Sid was able to get himself free to write the check. However, INFA (the governmental agency through which we get legal custody of the children was on campus this morning) and Sid needed Saul to help translate with a couple of topics. So, now we had the check but Saul was tied up. Finally, about 1:00 pm everybody was ready to go and we had the check. While Saul and Brad went to the bank to cash the check and then wire the money to Choluteca Cindy and Bessi (Saul's wife) went to the grocery and bought some supplies for the people living in the church in El Barro.
When we returned to Faith Home we gathered some medicines together and headed to the church to deliver the supplies and for Cindy to check on the people's health. There were no major health issues but we did have to make a couple of trips back to the clinic for various items - including some stuff for the kids (soccer ball, jump ropes, crayons, coloring books, and cookies). While we were at the church they were cooking supper using the metal trash can as an open wood stove. They were cooking beans, eggs with tomatoes, and tortillas. One of the ladies asked if we would like some so we couldn't offend them and had to eat with them. They make some of the best beans and tortillas here. It was delicious. However, even though we had bought them some plastic spoons they didn't pass them out. So, we had to watch to see how they were eating the beans and eggs using just the tortillas. They didn't seem to have any problems but we struggled a little. Finally had to cheat and use part of one tortilla to scrape the eggs and beans onto the other tortilla and then eat it. Maybe someday we will get this down.
When we returned to Faith Home we gathered some medicines together and headed to the church to deliver the supplies and for Cindy to check on the people's health. There were no major health issues but we did have to make a couple of trips back to the clinic for various items - including some stuff for the kids (soccer ball, jump ropes, crayons, coloring books, and cookies). While we were at the church they were cooking supper using the metal trash can as an open wood stove. They were cooking beans, eggs with tomatoes, and tortillas. One of the ladies asked if we would like some so we couldn't offend them and had to eat with them. They make some of the best beans and tortillas here. It was delicious. However, even though we had bought them some plastic spoons they didn't pass them out. So, we had to watch to see how they were eating the beans and eggs using just the tortillas. They didn't seem to have any problems but we struggled a little. Finally had to cheat and use part of one tortilla to scrape the eggs and beans onto the other tortilla and then eat it. Maybe someday we will get this down.
Friday, October 24, 2008
October 24, 2008
Dr. Rudolph was kind of enough to buy these shelves, have them put together by some of the team members, and stock them with supplies. He also purchased and installed four Welch Allyn Diagnostic System and two exam tables.
October 24, 2008 Video of FH Part 2
Video of Faith Home Part 2 (Sorry a little technical difficulty with from the camera operator)
October 24, 2008 Flooding/Birthdays
Today the pastor in El Barro (the community where Faith Home is located has 33 families living in it - to give you some idea of the size of the community) moved 19 people from El Banano (a community close by where he has been preaching once a week) to the church in El Barro because the flooding has forced them from their homes. Marcial believes since he has been preaching at the church the people in the community should see the church doing something to help the people. Brad and Marcial went to El Progreso to buy more rice, beans, flour, oil, and salt for the this new group of people. Cindy remained at Faith Home to attend the weekly sex education class for the older kids. They were having a local doctor come and talk with the kids. Apparently it was, shall we say, very straight-forward. Cindy says she learned a lot.
This is contrasted with our evening. Our teammates Sid and Vickie Smith have started something new with the transition kids. The transition kids are our children that are 14 years old and above. Each month they take those with a birthday that month out for dinner at Applebee's in El Progreso (Yes, we do have an one here). We go to Applebee's because they have a buy one meal get one free. So tonight we went with them along with them and six kids: Dunia, Odalin, Josefina, Selvin, Alan, and Joel. This is such a nice evening getting to just hangout with the kids for a few hours without interruption. Watching them experience something they rarely, and some never, have experienced. Eating at a nice restaurant, watching the flat-screen television in the restaurant, and then enjoying an ice cream before leaving.
Between placing our orders and getting our food we went to the grocery in the mall and bought paper plates, plastic cups, powdered milk, and plastic spoons for the people back at the church in El Barro. Such a contrast in lives of the people now living at the church and the lives of our children at Faith Home.
This is contrasted with our evening. Our teammates Sid and Vickie Smith have started something new with the transition kids. The transition kids are our children that are 14 years old and above. Each month they take those with a birthday that month out for dinner at Applebee's in El Progreso (Yes, we do have an one here). We go to Applebee's because they have a buy one meal get one free. So tonight we went with them along with them and six kids: Dunia, Odalin, Josefina, Selvin, Alan, and Joel. This is such a nice evening getting to just hangout with the kids for a few hours without interruption. Watching them experience something they rarely, and some never, have experienced. Eating at a nice restaurant, watching the flat-screen television in the restaurant, and then enjoying an ice cream before leaving.
Between placing our orders and getting our food we went to the grocery in the mall and bought paper plates, plastic cups, powdered milk, and plastic spoons for the people back at the church in El Barro. Such a contrast in lives of the people now living at the church and the lives of our children at Faith Home.
October 23, 2008 Flooding Pics
Some of the ladies preparing the food in one of their homes. Looks like their making tortillas here.
October 23, 2008 Flooding Pics
Many of the people forced out of their homes by the flooding put up these shelters on the side of the road and the median. There are stretches of road where it's just one after the other.
October 22, 2008
Pastor Raul on the left, Pati (the wife of one of our pastors), and Bessi (the wife of Saul the superintendent of the Bible Institute).
October 22, 2008 Cindy Cooking
Cindy learning to cook Honduran style along with her maestras (teachers).
October 22, 2008 Flooding
Some of the transition girls helped make tortillas for one of the schools. That's Josefina on the left, Odalin on the right, and Doris in the back. We'll let you guess who the one in the green.
October 22, 2008 Flooding
Feeding the people now living at the school because their houses are flooding.
October 22, 2008 Flooding
We had nine consecutive days of rain and have spent the last two days running around trying to help feed people who have been forced from their homes and are now living in two schools in El Porvenir. Some ladies from the women's coop are organizing the feeding of the people in one of the schools and a couple of our new churches are organizing the feeding of the people in the other school. They are cooking meals for the people and then serving them at the school. We have also been providing some medicine, baby formula, and diapers. We have provided both groups with some beans, rice, flour, and oil and they have also been providing many of the supplies themselves. Cindy has even been learning how to cook Honduran style with the help of several of the ladies from the churches. The road to El Progreso was closed for a short time early this week and yesterday when we went to El Progreso the water was just about to close the road leading into El Progreso again.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
October 20, 2008 Power Outage
Yep, definitely back in Honduras. The power went out last night about 8:00 pm. It was out all night. It also rained all night and rained all day today. Finally got power restored about 6:00 pm tonight. We finally had to get out the generators and plug in everybody's refrigerators so we wouldn't lose everything. What made it frustrating was it was only Faith Home and El Barro that were without power. Arsenio, our neighbor and electrical contractor, worked all afternoon in the rain trying to find the problem and repair it. He was soaked by the time it was finished. It has now been raining on and off for nine days and the flooding is getting very bad all over Honduras.
October 19, 2008 Texas Property
After our exploring adventure we drove the 2 hours, or so, back to El Progreso and had lunch. Then we headed out to see the property where the Texas group is building their orphanage. It's a nice piece of property right on the main road between El Progreso and Tela (the beach). Bill was explaining to us about the problems they have with snakes on the property. They are now paying their hired Honduran workers 250 limpira (about $14) for each snake they bring in. He showed us their collection of dead snakes in jars - probably 5 or 6 - of the different types of snakes they've caught. One was a coral snake that was probably 5 feet long. They also have two live boas in a cage along with a poisonous lizard. Cindy wanted to see the lizard but one of the boas has a real attitude problem. Every time Cindy approached the cage the boa would hiss at her. She didn't get a very close look at he lizard.
October 19, 2008 Search for Jiquaque Tribe
Today, along with two men helping the Texas team, we went to look for the Jiquaque tribal people in the mountains behind El Progreso. (Pronounced to the best of our understanding "He ka kay"). Apparently their community was devastated by an earthquake several years ago and they are still trying to recover. We wanted to investigate to see if it was a place we could help. The instructions from our lawyer, Hector (who also serves many times as a good information source) was to drive to the town of Morazón and then ask for directions. He also mentioned we needed a good map. Hum??? Don't have that. But, we headed off anyway. Drove to El Progreso, turned right at the Burger King (yep, we have em here), and headed for Santa Rita. The instructions were at Santa Rita to look for a sign to El Negrito or Morazón.
Didn't see any such sign. So, after passing through Santa Rita we turned around and went back to the gas station to ask for directions. Fortunately the conversation wasn't too complicated. We asked, in Spanish, "Where is Morazón?" The gentleman pointed to the road beside the gas station and off we went. About an hour later we found ourselves in Morazón and stopped at another gas station to ask for directions to the Jiquaque people. It was apparent the man had no idea who we were talking about. Not looking too good. We then asked for directions to Montaña de Flor. He seemed to have some idea of where that was and told us to continue straight and then turn left. We asked where to turn left but didn't seem to be communicating so we took off and turned at the first left. It did appear to be taking us toward the town.
We saw a tuk-tuk (moto-taxi) driver parked on the side of the road and asked him for directions. Ah. He acted like he knew what we were talking about and gave us pretty specific directions. We followed the directions and managed to get the truck stuck in the mud - eventually we were able to work it free. And the road we found ourselves on ended short of mountains.
So, we drove around and tried several different roads all with the same dead end results. Ok, new plan. We will go back through the town and ask for more directions. We asked several people and nobody seemed to know what we were talking about. Finally we passed a church and asked one of the gentleman outside. He appeared to know what we were talking about and gave us directions. Only problem was the directions were somewhat long and we only understood about 25%. But, they were better than what we had.
Off we went again. After a few more turns onto dead end streets and several turn arounds we decided to follow the gravel road out of town. Hey, this might be getting us somewhere. It took a 90 degree turn to the left and headed toward the mountain. We followed the road up the mountain for probably 30 minutes thinking the next turn will be it. Nada! Then we decided we would follow the road to the crest of the mountain and hopefully be able to see the community we were looking for.
We did see a few houses scattered over the mountain but nothing definite. We were getting ready to turn around and head back down the mountain when we passed three guys and a bulldozer. They were changing the blade on the bulldozer. So, we stopped and asked them if they new where the people lived. One of the gentleman told us go straight just a little further and then left. Oh great. The ole' straight and then left directions. So we went straight and there was a left but it didn't look passable for a vehicle.
We parked the truck and started out on foot. First following the road and then we took a detour onto a small dirt path. We met some guys walking on the path and asked them for directions. They pointed over there and said it was about a 10 minute walk. (Remember, time is very relative in this culture). We were also frequently hearing "cat-calls" (for no better term) in front of us and behind us while we were walking. Cindy had on sandals that made it difficult to walk on the sloped paths. So we decided to turn back and head for the truck because the 10 minute walk could turn out to be 30 minutes or more and we had left the truck back at the road with nobody to watch it.
On our walk back we met some more guys on the foot path and talked with them as we walked back to the truck. We didn't find the people we were looking for but it was fun exploring.
Didn't see any such sign. So, after passing through Santa Rita we turned around and went back to the gas station to ask for directions. Fortunately the conversation wasn't too complicated. We asked, in Spanish, "Where is Morazón?" The gentleman pointed to the road beside the gas station and off we went. About an hour later we found ourselves in Morazón and stopped at another gas station to ask for directions to the Jiquaque people. It was apparent the man had no idea who we were talking about. Not looking too good. We then asked for directions to Montaña de Flor. He seemed to have some idea of where that was and told us to continue straight and then turn left. We asked where to turn left but didn't seem to be communicating so we took off and turned at the first left. It did appear to be taking us toward the town.
We saw a tuk-tuk (moto-taxi) driver parked on the side of the road and asked him for directions. Ah. He acted like he knew what we were talking about and gave us pretty specific directions. We followed the directions and managed to get the truck stuck in the mud - eventually we were able to work it free. And the road we found ourselves on ended short of mountains.
So, we drove around and tried several different roads all with the same dead end results. Ok, new plan. We will go back through the town and ask for more directions. We asked several people and nobody seemed to know what we were talking about. Finally we passed a church and asked one of the gentleman outside. He appeared to know what we were talking about and gave us directions. Only problem was the directions were somewhat long and we only understood about 25%. But, they were better than what we had.
Off we went again. After a few more turns onto dead end streets and several turn arounds we decided to follow the gravel road out of town. Hey, this might be getting us somewhere. It took a 90 degree turn to the left and headed toward the mountain. We followed the road up the mountain for probably 30 minutes thinking the next turn will be it. Nada! Then we decided we would follow the road to the crest of the mountain and hopefully be able to see the community we were looking for.
We did see a few houses scattered over the mountain but nothing definite. We were getting ready to turn around and head back down the mountain when we passed three guys and a bulldozer. They were changing the blade on the bulldozer. So, we stopped and asked them if they new where the people lived. One of the gentleman told us go straight just a little further and then left. Oh great. The ole' straight and then left directions. So we went straight and there was a left but it didn't look passable for a vehicle.
We parked the truck and started out on foot. First following the road and then we took a detour onto a small dirt path. We met some guys walking on the path and asked them for directions. They pointed over there and said it was about a 10 minute walk. (Remember, time is very relative in this culture). We were also frequently hearing "cat-calls" (for no better term) in front of us and behind us while we were walking. Cindy had on sandals that made it difficult to walk on the sloped paths. So we decided to turn back and head for the truck because the 10 minute walk could turn out to be 30 minutes or more and we had left the truck back at the road with nobody to watch it.
On our walk back we met some more guys on the foot path and talked with them as we walked back to the truck. We didn't find the people we were looking for but it was fun exploring.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
October 18, 2008
Ok, we now know we are back in Honduras. We've been stopped by the police twice at road blocks and have seen two men urinating on the side of the road. We don't mean over in the bushes beside the road. We mean on the shoulder of the road. Fortunately they were not facing the road while taking care of business - as can be the case quite often.
October 17, 2008 Return to Honduras
We left the house at 4:45 this morning with Cindy's sister taking us to the airport. Our flight was delayed about 40 minutes on takeoff which meant our connection in Atlanta was tight. We got off the plane in Atlanta. Had to go from terminal D to terminal E. Ah, great, it's right next door. Followed the signs to the trains. Hoped on the train (probably should have paid a little better attention to which train we got on). And away we go. Except we are going from D to C to B to A to Baggage to Transportation. We realized we probably jumped on the wrong train but no problem because the next stop should be E as the train goes around and we are still ok on time.
Nope, for anyone interested, the trains don't travel in a circle in Atlanta they travel in straight line - amazing, just like the diagram posted on the train - imagine that. So here we go back from Transportation to Baggage to A to B to C to D and finally to E. Only now we have about 7 minutes before our plane is to leave. Of course, our gate is at the opposite end of the terminal from the train exit. Of course! With some running and some walking very fast we are within sight of our gate when Cindy hears final call for our flight. She is in front and takes off running while the persona at the gate is yelling at her "What's your name." We get to the gate, they let us on, we find our seats, and the plane leaves on-time (more or less)
We arrive in San Pedro Sula, go through immigration and get a 90 day visa instead of a 30 day (yeah!! because it means less money we have to pay the government to stay in the country), and go through customs. We go outside the airport, feel the heat, and say "Ah, home."
We spent the afternoon with our teammates Sid and Vickie Smith running errands, catching up on the goings on at Faith Home, and laughing about each event. It was nice to be here with friend.
When we got to Faith Home they were fixing the Grand Canyon in front of our house that has been caused by drainage issues. Thanks so much. This evening we had dinner with a team from Texas that is staying at Faith Home while they build their orphanage about 45 minutes from Faith Home. It's good to be back.
Nope, for anyone interested, the trains don't travel in a circle in Atlanta they travel in straight line - amazing, just like the diagram posted on the train - imagine that. So here we go back from Transportation to Baggage to A to B to C to D and finally to E. Only now we have about 7 minutes before our plane is to leave. Of course, our gate is at the opposite end of the terminal from the train exit. Of course! With some running and some walking very fast we are within sight of our gate when Cindy hears final call for our flight. She is in front and takes off running while the persona at the gate is yelling at her "What's your name." We get to the gate, they let us on, we find our seats, and the plane leaves on-time (more or less)
We arrive in San Pedro Sula, go through immigration and get a 90 day visa instead of a 30 day (yeah!! because it means less money we have to pay the government to stay in the country), and go through customs. We go outside the airport, feel the heat, and say "Ah, home."
We spent the afternoon with our teammates Sid and Vickie Smith running errands, catching up on the goings on at Faith Home, and laughing about each event. It was nice to be here with friend.
When we got to Faith Home they were fixing the Grand Canyon in front of our house that has been caused by drainage issues. Thanks so much. This evening we had dinner with a team from Texas that is staying at Faith Home while they build their orphanage about 45 minutes from Faith Home. It's good to be back.
October 9, 2008 Med/Den Team Meeting
Last night we had dinner with the three team leaders for next years medical/dental teams. It was nice to be able to have all of us sit down together and discuss the plan for next year. Having all of us on the same page will be a great benefit for next year's teams and for the team leaders.
October 9, 2008 Christmas Party
Our Sunday School class at Main Street General Baptist Church in Boonville, IN had asked us what we would like when we came to the States in October (our planned trip to the States). Last year our class had gotten together for a Christmas party in December and it was a nice, relaxing, very enjoyable evening. Cindy mentioned since we were going to be in Honduras for Christmas she would like a Christmas party in October. She was thinking meeting somewhere for supper and just having a nice meal together at some restaurant - like last year.
Oh no. Our class had other ideas. We arrived at the church tonight for the Christmas party and were greeted at the door and directed to enter through a specific door. When we entered the gym there were Christmas lights laid out on the floor to form a walking path all the way down the length of the basketball court leading to a room at the opposite end. When we to got the room our class and another class were all there, seated at tables decorated for Christmas. Their room had Christmas decorations hanging from the ceiling and a large decorated Christmas tree.
After taking seats at one of the tables our leader, Jack, had us close our eyes and he explained to us it was December 15th with snow on the ground and Christmas shopping complete. Now that our time travel was complete it was time to eat. Potluck - yeah! - with all the Christmas fixings. (turkey, ham, dressing, beans, m&c, broccoli casserole, potatoes, etc. including a variety of desserts). Had to go back for a second round.
After eating the classes presented us with some gifts (so humbling it brought tears to our eyes). Then it was time for people to share some Christmas memories. Some were funny and some serious. Next, we sang Christmas carols as a group.
What a night and what a great group of people. Thanks so much for making it such special night.
Oh no. Our class had other ideas. We arrived at the church tonight for the Christmas party and were greeted at the door and directed to enter through a specific door. When we entered the gym there were Christmas lights laid out on the floor to form a walking path all the way down the length of the basketball court leading to a room at the opposite end. When we to got the room our class and another class were all there, seated at tables decorated for Christmas. Their room had Christmas decorations hanging from the ceiling and a large decorated Christmas tree.
After taking seats at one of the tables our leader, Jack, had us close our eyes and he explained to us it was December 15th with snow on the ground and Christmas shopping complete. Now that our time travel was complete it was time to eat. Potluck - yeah! - with all the Christmas fixings. (turkey, ham, dressing, beans, m&c, broccoli casserole, potatoes, etc. including a variety of desserts). Had to go back for a second round.
After eating the classes presented us with some gifts (so humbling it brought tears to our eyes). Then it was time for people to share some Christmas memories. Some were funny and some serious. Next, we sang Christmas carols as a group.
What a night and what a great group of people. Thanks so much for making it such special night.
October 16, 2008
It has been nice spending some time in the States. The family has been taking it pretty hard with the passing of Cindy's mom. Cindy's mom was the glue for her family. Her home was the place where the family always gathered for holidays. The place were the entire family (grandchildren and all) would spend lots of time in the summer hanging out together or, as the grandkids have gotten older, crossing paths regularly to keep up with what's happening in each other's lives. Guess you would say she was the constant in the family and now that she's gone we all feel a little lost because she was the rock the family centered around.
It is hard for Cindy to leave her mom's house because the real possibility is it may be sold by the time we return to States. We know we're not the first ones to lose one so loved but it is still difficult. As those of you who have lost loved ones already know and are probably still experiencing.
We do appreciate a missions organization that would allow us to take the time needed to handle the details that had to be taken care of before Cindy returned. It has also been nice to spend time with family - especially our granddaughter and her weekly dance class (what a hoot), to see Whitney and her husband, to see Michael for a few days, to spend time with friends, and to be encouraged by people that love us.
It is hard for Cindy to leave her mom's house because the real possibility is it may be sold by the time we return to States. We know we're not the first ones to lose one so loved but it is still difficult. As those of you who have lost loved ones already know and are probably still experiencing.
We do appreciate a missions organization that would allow us to take the time needed to handle the details that had to be taken care of before Cindy returned. It has also been nice to spend time with family - especially our granddaughter and her weekly dance class (what a hoot), to see Whitney and her husband, to see Michael for a few days, to spend time with friends, and to be encouraged by people that love us.
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