Tuesday--Greetings to all blog followers from around the world. Today was an eventful day for the team down in Quimistan. We had scheduled to meet with several of the men from Tejeras to teach them the process of bio sand filter construction, so we left early this morning to buy sheet metal to make diffusers, wire screen to strengthen our filters, and more concrete. The men were supposed to show up around 8:30, but 10:00 rolled around and no one from Tejeras had shown up. Despite the men from Tejeras not showing up, we had a surprise visit from a man named Rigoberto (Rigo), the master builder that constructed most of Martha's villa. He said the Martha had asked him to come by to learn about filters. It's kind of funny. We were supposed to be teaching the Hondurans how to build filters, but Rigo actually ended up teaching us a lot. He helped us design a mold for the filter lids and gave us some tips on how to avoid some of the problems that we had had with the two previous filters we made. We optimistically await the outcome of our filters with Rigo's methods implemented. At the end of the day, we concluded that God must have sent us what we needed. We were still learning to work with Honduran materials and weren't quite ready to teach, so we instead got someone who could teach us. 


Our sick team member is now recovering. The results of the blood tests today indicated that it was a bacterial infection and is now taking antibiotics.

In addition, Karen and Maynor made a trip to the hospital to lay the groundwork for medical missions to take place in the future. According the Maynor and Karen, the meeting went well, and we can look forward to good things taking place.


At the end of the day, Gary took Me (Mike), Josh,  and Ron on a tour of his farm, and we were accompanied by a young boy by the name of Rafael. I got to drive one of Gary's John Deere Gators while Josh drove the other. Some of the highlights of the tour include: A view of the entire farm from a hilltop, seeing a 4 hour old baby cow, and some Guinea Hens.


Josh, Kristen, Pamela, and I spent the evening playing soccer, volleyball, and basketball with some kids that live in Martha's villa. We were very impressed for Rafael's soccer skills for only being 9 years old.


Then, Ron, Josh, and I finished up the day taking the cement filter lids out of their molds. They turned out well, but we plan to implement a few changes to make the fit a little tighter.


Additionally, we were all thrilled by the news that the University South Caroline beat UCLA 2-1 in the second game of the College World Series to become the 2010 national champions. Go Cocks!

Wise geese (according to Ron)

A four hour old calf

Jose helping with the nose job

Our first finished filter

Gary showing us around the farm

Josh driving around the farm

Applying the outer mold

A pretty cool looking lizard (not sure what it's called)

Rigo helping with the mold

Rigo and Jose putting the mold together

Rigo and Maynor hard at work

The view from a hilltop on Gary's tour

Renewing Ties and Building New Ones in Santa Clara

Monday--Today we started off our day with a devotional based on John 4:4-14 and John 7:37-38 in which Christ reminds us that the “water” he provides is “living water,” pure, true, quenching, and eternal. As we allow ourselves to be filled to overflowing with His water, streams of life giving and sustaining water will flow from within us to those around us.

After breakfast, we sorted reading glasses and sunglasses to take with us to Santa Clara for the afternoon vision clinic. We picked up Maynor at the office around 8:40, loaded the fluoride and deworming supplies, and set off for Santa Clara, approximately 40 minutes away. After arriving, we met up with Ardyn, a former HAF team member from Canada who has been living in the village teaching at the White Dove School for the past month and a half, and other friends from the community.

Lencho, one of the men from the community, treated some of the team members to fresh sugar cane growing around his home. While sucking on the sugar cane, we spotted a young charancaco (basilisk) lizard on display on a nearby building.

Around mid-morning, we piled in a pick-up truck and rode to the public elementary school for the routine fluoride and deworming, and the team treated approximately 75 children in two facilities.

We then strolled back through the village to the yard across from the White Dove School, where Kristen, Pamela, and Karen entertained the children with bubbles, balloons, balls, and making cross necklaces. Christa went with Ardyn to visit the guest house where she will be staying during the month of July and awaited delivery of some supplies for Ardyn.

Joshua, Mike, and Ron went to look at the biosand filter installed at Lencho’s house and took the first two water samples from the filter where the White Dove School children get their water. Lencho discussed the whole process they went through to make the filters and showed us some of the sand and gravel they used.

Joshua returned to the school to assist with the installation of some computer CDs Roxanne had left for the students. On the way, he was shown an awesome plant called “dormiloma” whose leaves close up when you touch it.

After finishing our packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in one of the classrooms at the White Dove School, Mike, Ron, and Joshua walked to the house belonging to one of the local residents up the hill to test the water from a second branch of the water line. They then went to Mrs. Amalia’s house to see if she was home. She was not there, but they got the opportunity to speak with Brenda about how she liked the Justa stove and learned that she was leaving in a month to start her nursing. They also took a visit up to the community soccer field because Mike had never been before. Finally, they visited the Lopez family home to visit with Rosendo and see all the additions and changes that had been made to the home since last summer. We were delighted to learn that the family now has a latrine that is complete except for the side walls, and their yard is filled with chickens who are no longer allowed to wander freely in and out of the home. Both their BSF and their justa stove continue to function well.

While the guys were doing water testing, the gals and Maynor set up an eye clinic in the White Dove School so they could do vision testing for reading glasses and distribute sunglasses. A total of 53 people were tested for reading glasses, and all but about 4 or 5 went away with reading glasses and their choice of sunglasses. Many of the younger community members and teenagers not in need of reading glasses also came to select sunglasses from our selection. Several of the older women, including one who was 87 years old, found great delight in their stylish sunglasses and even posed for a picture.

After the clinic was finished, team members spent time playing with the community children, many of whom had won over our hearts last year and had returned for a time of fun and recreation with the gringos. Finally, it was time to say “adios” and “hasta viernes” and return to Q-town.

Upon our return, the guys worked on patching some of the leaky areas from the first two constructed biosand filters and prepare for the men from Tejeres coming for training in the morning. Since Dr. Elsa was not at Martha’s, the girls took a trip to Gracias a Dios hospital so that one of the team members who had been very sick the past two days could be examined. We were hoping to be greeted by familiar faces there, but the doctor on call was the only one of the 5 that Karen had not ever met. Fortunately, we were seen quickly, but the “shot” in the buttocks was not a favorite experience of the evening. We were told to return in the morning so that bloodwork could be drawn to rule out dengue.

We then ate dinner and several team members relaxed by again playing cards with some friends, Nelson and Rigo.

Sunday--A fruit-filled day

Sunday--June 27

Today we had a busy and fruit filled day! Our morning began with our morning devotions lead by Karen from John 15:4-9, 16. “I am the vine and you are the branches…” We were reminded that we must abide with Christ to bear good fruit. Our focus should be on abiding in Him – not the production of fruit, because that is the natural result of abiding in Him.

After a breakfast of fresh fruits and toast, we had a very spontaneous hour of creative efforts to launch our team’s production of “the prodigal son.” As you can see from our pictures later in the day this was great fun for everyone, and we even managed to get our audience involved in the action. Our first fruitful service of the day was with Martha’s Sunday school.

If you have not heard, Mrs. Martha Scarlet Thompson puts on one finest Sunday Schools in all of Honduras. She is a great encouragement to all the participants, and there are lots of participants. If you ever have a chance to visit, don’t be surprised if you are given a front row seat – like in front of all the children. Her lesson included how we use the 4 crosses – time, talent, treasure, and testimony--to bear fruit. After all the students were given a chance to eat, our team spent time with the students with activities similar to the previous days VBS including relay races, playing with the parachute, making cross necklaces, and handing out stickers and balloons.

After Sunday school, we had lunch back at home base which included not one, but 2 fruit juices: watermelon and pineapple. We hurried through lunch, so we could open the 2 BioSand Filters (BSFs) molds that were poured yesterday. This was a great opportunity to begin discussing the efforts to build a BSF with Gary and Martha, who stopped to watch the action. Next to mixing cement and tapping the mold to remove bubbles, the cleanup is probably the most fun part of building a BSF. The rains stopped yesterday evening, so I’m guessing we had a 90 degree day at 90 percent humidity – just like SC, but with no AC!

Our next stop was at Sra. Umanzor’s kinder for the weekly Agape Promises children’s program. This was probably my favorite time of the day. We were able to help serve the participants a meal that included pastelito and tamarinda juice, which we think resembles fig juice. This is one fruit drink not yet on our list of favorites, but I think it keeps away the bugs because the folks drinking this juice did better than the people wearing insect repellant. Did anyone mention that some of the bugs bite? I’m the most fortunate so far, but I heard one victim mention 82 bites tonight. Somehow, it seems that even our bug spray is no match for the local 6 footed creatures. OK, back to the “Prodigal Son.” We did our second showing (and final – sorry you missed it) for the younger AP children and were a great hit! I’ve included a couple pictures from the show to give you just an inkling of how exciting this show was for us. We then spent time with our AP family enjoying the afternoon. God is doing great things with the AP program!

Believe it or not, we made time to clean up before a 2 and a half hour service at La Cosecha (“the Harvest”). The fruit of the Spirit was evident even for guys like me who cannot understand many Spanish words. We were blessed by the incredible time of worship and a brief visit with Pastor Zaldivar following the service. We learned he bakes cakes during his day job in Quimistan, and he promised to bake us a cake some day! We hope to return for next Friday evening’s service…,no not just because he promised us a cake!

To top off the day, we had dinner at local restaurant called Don Fermin (better known to us HAF folks as “Goyita’s” for the owner) and shared the meal with a couple of our AP student family. Knowing the day would be full with no time for supper until late, we had given Gloria and Sandra the evening off to rest.

La Montanita Latrines, Rooster Style

Hola Blog Readers!!
Day Four in Honduras was a success. Despite the heavy rains that Tropical Storm Alex brought during the night and early morning, our plans were not washed away. There was a possibility that our day in La Montanita would have to be canceled and rescheduled, but apparently that wasn't God's plan, therefore we continued with the original plans. Our day went a little like this...

Morning:
We awoke to the light drizzle of rain and the depressing news that our plans might have to be rescheduled. This, however, was not the case. After breakfast, we called and Maynor confirmed that we were able to make the drive to fly-infested La Montanita, so we loaded up in the car and stopped by the office to pick up Carlos and Maynor. The half hour drive to La Montanita went smoothly although it was muddy, bumpy, and like every other mountain road, curvy. We arrived and set up for the Vacation Bible School at the local elementary school. At 10 we started the program and it lasted until about 12.
Activities during VBS included: coloring, making salvation bracelets, weaving paper placemats, and a variety of games. After each group had rotated through each 'station', we gave the kids a light snack of juice and animal crackers. Once the kids had eaten we said adios and our team ate our own snack, er, lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

Afternoon:
When lunch was finished, Juan Nurcia came and discussed the contaminated water system. Juan took the guys of our team and walked them to the community water tank, a house in the village, and the pila* at the school for water testing, as well as to look at latrines. One unexpected surprise was that there was a rooster sitting on the latrine. Meanwhile, back at the school, Karen was talking with Xiomara (a community health worker and teacher) discussing and learning more about the village. Outside in the schoolyard, Christa and I were have an intense game of soccer with the kids who had stayed from VBS. Intense isn't exactly the right word; it was more like muddy and messy--but I think we had fun.
Once the guys were finished with water testing, our team set out to visit the Tortilla-cloth* maker of La Montanita, Reyna. When we were finished with our visit, we made our return trip to Quimistan.

Evening:
Upon returning, Sandra and Gloria had a meal prepared for us. A few of our team members helped with the Bio-Sand Filter building after consuming our delicious dinner. Steps in the process that were accomplished to make the first two filters were the greasing of the filter molds and the pouring of concrete. After the guys finished up pouring concrete for the molds, we went to one of Quimistan's soccer stadiums to watch our friend Nelson play in a soccer game. That was finished at about 9:30 and our team members once more came back to Martha's for our evening activities. And those evening activities? Just a few rounds of card games and then to bed.

--Kristen--


*Vocabulario:
Pila--water cistern
Tortilla Cloth--about equivalent to a bread basket cloth, except made to hold tortillas

Biosand Filters 'N Such

Hello to friends and family back in the states or whoever is reading this blog. Today has been a productive day filled with discussions of issues with community leaders, more water testing, fluoride/deworming in Banderas, and Biosand Filter work.

To start off the day, we were treated with a great breakfast of fritas (fried doughnut-like batter served with a thin oatmeal dipping sauce) made by Sandra and Gloria. After breakfast, we all left for Maynor's office to pack up the fluoride/deworming supplies for our trip to Banderas. After arriving in Banderas, Karen and Pamela followed up with the kids on their lessons in dental hygiene taught by the February team. This was a complete success considering that the kids were still brushing their teeth every day and could demonstrate how they did it. After the follow up, they were given the deworming medication and were led outside for their 6 month fluoride treatment. The intense flavor of the fluoride almost floored Christa after she demonstrated for the kids. Once completed, we were led to one of the houses to look at their water and to take a bacteria test. We then walked to the community well to take another sample. We returned to the office in Quimistan to put away the supplies and to place the water tests to set for the next 24 and 48 hours. While in the office, we noticed that the water tests we took yesterday in Texoxengales had grown minor e-coli contamination. We returned to Martha's where Josh, Ron, Mike, Maynor, Jose and the other Jose, and Carlos Rapalo worked on the sieves for the sand to be used with the Biosand Filters. Meanwhile, the other part of the team (Karen, Kristen, Christa, and Pamela) sorted donations and prepared VBS supplies for Saturday's VBS in La Montanita. This lasted till around noon, when we ate lunch.

After lunch, the girls took a brief break to visit the owner of a local restaurant, where they joined a full house of locals watching the Honduras/Switzerland World Cup soccer game. The guys went back to work and completed the sieves just in time to go to Tejeres. After arriving in Tejeres, Mike, Ron, Karen, Joshua, and Pamela met with some members of the community to discuss problems they might have. The only major problem that they brought up was the problem with their water. We told them that we didn't have the resources to provide them with a well at this time, but we discussed the possibility of using biosand filters to help purify their water. The men and women both expressed interest in this  alternative. Four of the men from the community stated they are interested in learning how to make and sustain the filters and are scheduled to come three days next week to be taught the process.  Kristen and Christa kept the children well entertained with face painting and art activities.  After the meeting, Maynor, Ron, Mike and I (Josh) went with some guys to Omar's house to look at his filter which he received last fall, while Karen and Pamela met with a group of the women to discuss their concerns and needs.    Interestingly, the women stated that their primary concerns were maintaining the health of their children, educating them, and having them come to "accept Christ into their hearts." When Gloria arrived with the food, we all assisted in serving the evening meal of rice and soup to approximately 50-60 children before returning to Martha's. Everyone on the team then tried out our newly built sieves and sifted enough rocks and sand to make about four filter bodies. We then went and ate dinner and had our team meeting and came back and finished our day by playing cards with Maynor and Carlos.

Written by:

-Josh Livingston

  Demonstrating how to brush your teeth

 The flooring power of Fluoride!!!

 Have a drink???

  Community well

  New sieve built  for BSF work

  Meeting with the Tejeras community leaders

  Meeting with the women

 2X a week feeding program

 Using the newly built sieves