November 26, 2008 - Julio/Patti

Tonight we spent the evening at one of our pastor's house. We got there about 4:00 ( we were suppose to be there about 3:00 but hand a couple of things that came up at the last minute). Patti was trying to teach Cindy how to make flour tortillas. Cindy can make the corn tortillas but the flour ones a more difficult and Cindy was wanting to learn.

We had a great time with them and their three children - Gabi (15), Yahaira (10) and José (7). We had supper with them - eggs, refried beans, crema, and tortillas - and it was great.

About the time we were finishing eating Julio (the dad) got home from work. Brad and Julio watched a movie while Cindy, Patti and kids hung out together in the kid's bedroom. We had a good time and understood most of what was going on. Doesn't mean we understood every word but we could follow the general flow.

November 25, 2008 - Jose

This afternoon they had Jose's funeral. All the gringos at Faith Home attended along with Miguel and Marcos (two of our house parents). Once again we went to the same house where we were last night. Today Jose was in a casket and right after we arrived they closed the casket and loaded the casket into the back of a pickup.

Then all of the people at the house, probably 50 or so, walked behind the truck as it drove to the church. We were on a main road but the other vehicles didn't seem to mind. We walked for about 20 -30 minutes and then arrived at the church. They had a short mass and then we all walked behind the pickup to the cemetery. Some guys with ropes lowered the casket. They put some tin over the top, begin covering the tin with cement, and that was it.

The simplicity of it was nice. The only decisions for the family were to purchase the standard casket and a burial plot. It was a nice tribute to Jose.

Please continue to pray for Jose's wife and three small children.

November 24, 2008 - Jose

We returned from San Pedro Sula about 4:30 today and Miguel told us that Jose had passed away about 15 minutes ago. Jose is the gentlemen whose house we have been visiting to try and help him because he has been sick. We had also visited him in the hospital recently with Saul when Saul shared the gospel with him and Jose became a believer.

We went to our house, unloaded our stuff, and picked up Miguel and headed for Jose's house. As we turned onto the street toward Jose's house his son was in the road and directed us to a different house. We parked and went into the house. The family was there and Jose was lying on the table with two candles burning - one beside each foot. It was so different from the States but it was nice. The family was there and we were able to talk with his wife and Cindy could hug on his daughter (about 12 years old) for awhile. During our visits to Jose's house Cindy and the daughter had developed a bit of a bond.

His wife told us he came home from the hospital about 2:00 and died about 4:15. To get home from the hospital he had to take a taxi ride which is about a 45 minute ride. But, he wanted to die at home with his children. We stayed for about an hour and then headed back to the house.

Jose has worked for Hogar de Fe for 10 years and is one of our longest employees. He will be missed. He was such nice man, showed up to work everyday, and was a fixture around here.

November 22, 2008 - College Football

Brad loves college football but it's not a big deal here, and they don't show it on the three and a half TV stations we get. So, he is relegated to sitting in front of the computer screen with his coke, chips, and dip and watching the helmets move on the little fake football field while hoping he doesn't lose the internet connection. He usually tires of this quickly and moves on to other things, but he does come back periodically to check the scores.

November 22, 2008 - Soccer Tournament

We did have one problem that arose during the day. Cindy became extremely attached to the little guy in the pic. He is one of the kids from the orphanage that hosted the tournament. Cindy decided what's the difference if they have him or we have him we are all trying to do the same thing. So, she begin devising ways she could justify bringing him back to Faith Home with us. She also fell in love with a little nine year old girl that was deaf from the orphanage. This little girl was so much fun to be around. She was very outgoing, expressive, and enjoyed interacting with people. Sorry we just realized we didn't get a picture of her.

November 22, 2008 - Soccer Tournament

Pics of the food being prepared - man was it good. Tortillas with peppers, onions, beef and chicken. Just being under the tent while they cooked was a pleasure. A pic of the tents provided by Pepsi for the day. The tents are also where we spent most of our day trying to stay out of the rain.

November 22, 2008 - Soccer Tournament

Pics of our team playing along with a pic of our coaching staff. That's Joel on the right and Jorge on the left.