Apologies

I would like to apologize to all who have looked at my blog for updates the last 6 months and found absolutely nothing. I have been a complete slacker and I'm sorry. I vow to be much less of a blog slacker in the future! The following blog entries will be completely out of order and random, but at least it's a taste of my life and ministry here! Thank you for your patience!

Extreme Easter Egg Hunt

This Easter after a wonderful worship service and a delicious potluck, we had our second annual easter egg hunt. Some of the missionary kids felt they were "too old" to be hunting for eggs, so I set them to work hiding them. Next thing I know they are climbing in the trees, up on the roof, putting eggs in wall crevices high above the ground. And one creative young man decided to make an "egg bomb". Very funny!

I invited the kids from the Children's Center to come play with us and for some of them it was their first easter egg hunt ever. However, it didn't take long for them to join the competition and be running all over the grounds, climbing the trees, crawling under cars and climbing walls. Some even risked life and limb climbing down into a ravine! Fortunately, no one was injured!

Sunrise Service

Easter sunrise service was a really special time for our community this year. For those of you who know me, you might be shocked that I would drag my body out of bed BEFORE the crack of dawn for anything! However, on this occasion, my sweet friend Mariah was getting baptized, so I knew I had to go. Even though most of us arrived bleary eyed and stumbling about on the sand, we were soon lifting our gravely morning voices in praise to the Lord who had created the lovely beach reflecting pastel pink clouds.

Then we all walked over to a little stream that plunges down the mountain side, forming a nice little pool in the rocks before spilling into the ocean. People gathered on the rocky cliffs on either side of the pool to witness the baptism of one of our 12 year old missionary kids, Mariah. It was a beautiful scene to witness her father baptize her and tears of joy sprang to my eyes. This act of faith was a powerful witness to the other missionary kids and the Honduran children who were present.

Sally the Anteater

Sally was found hanging by her tail at the side of the road. Her mother had been killed and the killers were trying to sell the baby. Baby anteaters live on their mother's backs until they are 1 year old. Sally is only a few months old. Even if she had been set free she wouldn't have survived. Rosanne saw her and took pity. They bought her just to save her life. Now she has become a very sweet pet! After some research on what in the world anteaters eat besides ants, everyone was surprised to find that milk mixed with honey and blue cheese is a favorite. She puts her front claws on the sides of the cup and sucks up the liquid with her long thin tongue. She makes a slurping sounds like someone slurping up spaghetti!

I had the privilege of babysitting her last night and it was very entertaining. After her milk, honey and blue cheese dinner, she went outside for a look around the place. She slowly meandered through the yard, occasionally digging up ant hills and having a little snack. When she was tired she snuggled up in my lap for a nap with her tail curled around my arm. Today she wanted to explore the house so while I was cooking I let her wander around. Suddenly I heard a noise on the stove. Sally had climbed up the side of the oven and was sitting on the stove. Luckily the burners were off! Later I turned around to see that she had climbed up the drawers onto the kitchen counter and was sitting on the cheese grater. I decided to wash that again before grating more cheese. I swear she can climb up anything!

These photos aren't that great, but give you an idea of what she looks like. I'll get some better photos soon!

A New Heartbeat

March 21, 2009

It is such a privilege to be the first one to hear a new heartbeat! It is awesome to hear them breathe and cry for the first time, to see them open their eyes for the first time, to see them eat for the first time. But to hear their little heart beating inside their chest...the sound of health and vitality. That is really something!

Neidy came in today with her newborn baby. When I saw her last week she told me she would have her baby over the weekend. I smiled and nodded and said "yes, maybe". Today she comes in with a precious little bundle all dressed in pink. Victoria, born last weekend, is a perfectly beautiful baby. Victoria has a perfectly round head, perfect little features and a sweet little cry. What a doll! When I listened to her heartbeat for the first time, I was reminded of the miracle that occurs each time a new life enters this world. That all those complex organs are working together just right for this little being to survive and grow. What a marvelous designer we have!

Sunset on the beach with Jasmine

The Girl Without a Face

Cancer has taken over her face, leaving a part of her mouth as the only recognizable facial feature. Seven year old Marbella came to our hospital with a large, advanced, cancerous tumor covering her face, asking if there was anything we could do. She was admitted to the hospital for fluids and pain control. A biopsy was taken. In this country, with such an advanced tumor, little Marbella will not live much longer in this world. Our pediatrician recognized this immediately, and began talking to little Marbella about the Lord. The first few days she would just turn her head away or change the subject. She was not interested in talking about God. As a community we prayed for her and her parents prayed for her. After a week, when our Pediatrician approached her yet again with the Gospel message, she finally listened. Something had clicked and she was ready to hear the good news. That day she wept and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She will be with him soon!