A Saturday Morning at La Acequia

On Saturday we visited the Estaban Guardiola school in La Acequia to assess their requests for assistance.  This school seems to be alive and growing!  They have recently added 7^th and 8^th grade classrooms, with help from the community.  They have requested HAF funding for an additional classroom to house a 9^th grade class.  They are also in need of desks and chairs for 5 classes of 45 each, or a total of 225 units.  

Even though classes are over for this year, we noted that some of the boys had already taken an interest in the 11 new computers recently obtained from the government for use next year.

This week we have covered a lot of miles and seen many worthwhile projects to be done and many other needs to be met.  We have been able to cover only a few in this blog.  Please pray with us in the coming weeks and months as we make the tough choices to determine which of these dreams may be realized soon, and which ones will have to wait to see if sufficient funds will become available to cover them.

Thank you all, family and friends, for your support.  Las Bendiciones de Dios!

Tommy

From the Woods They Emerged

“I do this to help them have hope for a better future,” explained Señor Gutiérrez.  The teacher had hitched a ride part way and walked the rest of the way to be there when the students arrived.  One by one they began to emerge from the woods.  Twenty-six yellow tops, twenty-six chocolate brown skirts or slacks.  Each student was a seventh or eighth grader in a community no larger than about 400 people. 

They come every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon to the two-room elementary school in Las Minitas.  Noé Gutiérrez teaches in the morning in San Francisco del Valle, and three afternoons a week he rides a mo-ped to Las Minitas to teach these students—for no pay.  It’s a bit of a challenge, considering that they have no books.

We had received a letter requesting some help to buy books for these rising 8^th and 9^th graders for next year.  The teacher, the pastor of the local church, the president of the Patronato, and the president of the group of students had all signed the letter.  So I wanted to see for myself what’s happening there.  I saw what’s happening.  It’s hope.

As I usually do, I asked the students “Why are you doing this?  It’s a lot of work for you after you do your work in the fields, isn’t it?” One by one they responded.

“Yo quiero ser una doctora.”  (I want to be a doctor).
“I want to be an engineer.”  “. . . a business administrator.” “. . . an attorney.” “. . . a computer operator.”

Do they understand everything about these careers?  Surely not.  Will they all reach their goal?  No.  But some may.  Señor Gutiérrez is encouraging them to think beyond their Las Minitas world of poverty, disease, and hopelessness.  He has asked simply for help to buy books for these students.  At about $40 each for 26 students, it seems to us to be easy to do.  But for Las Minitas it may mean that the other kids will have to go hungry.

Most villages in Honduras have needs and we can’t meet all of them.   But maybe can meet some of them as the needy emerge from their woods into the light.

Allen    

A Busy Friday

Hiking in La Montanita

After bidding farewell to Jerry, who was to fly home today, Karen, George, and I enjoyed the scenic, 40-minute ride to the mountain community of La Montanita.  We started out in the schoolhouse, with meetings on Bibles/Sunday School literature needs, construction of additional latrines/stoves, and higher education.

Schooling in LM only goes to 6^th grade. This past year, HAF sponsored 4 children to attend 7^th grade in Pinalejo on Sundays.  We met with 3 of them.  (The fourth was out of town on an errand.)  The 3 we talked to expressed their gratitude to God and HAF for the opportunity to continue their education.  All 4 did well in school, and wish to continue with 8^th grade if possible.  There are 12 more now graduating from 6^th grade, but no information yet as to how many would like to attend 7^th grade.  Most of the 12, no doubt, will be required to go to work to help to help support their family.

Following the meetings, we spent an hour or so hiking to 3 of the 4 churches in LM, which sometimes involved a steep and treacherous path.   

 

 At the Church of the Good Samaritan, the pastor's daughter, models one of the 25 chairs donated by HAF.

We finished up our LM visit with a cup of coffee at Juana’s home, while her granddaughter did the laundry.

 

Kitchen Request at Milpa Arada

On the way home from La Montanita, we stopped at the Milpa Arada school, near Pinalejo.  The kitchen there is not usable, except for storage, and they have requested help torenovate this building, including replastering inside and out.  New beams are also needed, as the existing ones have been destroyed by termites.

 Tommy

Thursday - Flying Birds and Dragging Shoes

Thursday we were swarmed by smiling kids looking for hugs.  What a great welcome we received at White Dove school in Santa Clara!  Following the pathway lined by a block-long chain of whitewashed rocks alongside the road, we had parked and climbed out like clowns from a car in the circus, to be welcomed by Suyapa.  The students who were there on the last day of exams behaved politely and with discipline as they are being taught, but they simply were not able to withstand being picked up and hugged and tickled and loved.

We saw the construction underway on the bathroom and the third-grade classroom which both should be completed before the next school year begins in late February.  Of course Lencho was there, diligently laying brick.  We marveled at the added landscaping which gets better at each visit, and noted the added covered porch at the entrance to the multipurpose room that is quickly becoming a veritable community gathering place for all sorts of meetings and events.

After hearing the story of how Channel 6 out of San Pedro Sula had shown up one day to take a few shots that might be part of a larger story of the five White Dove schools being started up around the area, we were able to view the more complete story.  The “few shots” turned into a complete video clip for the evening news, easily generating such a flood of calls from viewers that the station was pleased to re-run it later for those who missed it.  Those of us who have witnessed how this ministry has grown from a few kids around a rickety table on a little porch, to this little bilingual elementary school with 35 students could be excused for exhibiting some tears welling up as this little video vignette went along.  It’s not difficult at all to envision a future in which some of these kids have become leaders in their country, having the background of a good education, good moral and spiritual grounding, and an obvious love for their country and their people who still need good leaders.

We had a lengthy discussion of needs at the school—such things as a fourth-grade classroom, curriculum books, an office, computers, and even North American teachers!  We discussed how the school includes simple meals for the students—two meals every school day.  We talked about the possibility of student sponsorships for the elementary school students as well as for eight students who graduated from the Santa Clara public school and need help to attend the colegio school in Pueblo Nuevo, grades 7, 8, and 9.

But where did “dragging shoes” enter the picture?  As we were leaving Santa Clara, we heard strange noises from a rear wheel of the vehicle.  After carefully limping back to the ranch, Daniel took the car to a local mechanic who confirmed that a parking brake shoe had come unbolted and was dragging intermittently on the brake drum.  A simple fix was done, and the team is ready to go again tomorrow, to La Montanita and other spots yet to be named.

Allen

Wednesday - Meeting with IHDER

IHDER is an acronym for Instituto Hondureño de Desarrollo Rural, or Honduran Institute of Rural Development.

On Wednesday morning, we met with the IHDER people, who have performed research on some of the villages where we have worked.  Our intent was to learn about these projects and the progress that has been made on them, and gain some insight into what they have learned.  They were forthcoming about the problems which they have encountered in collecting information and expectation for completion of the last data gathering and report preparation in the next month for “Teocingales”, as it is spelled on their map.  We also saw their office facilities, which are in a house in Quimistan.

Jerry

  

Wednesday evening, we invited Margeaux Yost, the local Peace Corps worker, to dinner, where we swapped many interesting stories, hints for mission work, and tidbits of information.

Tuesday—Nueva Esperanza and Search for Brisas Del Mar

Today started with a visit to the small aldea of Nueva Esperanza high up in the mountains near the Guatemala border.  We took about an hour-and-a-half ride up the scenic, bumpy, windy, narrow, dirt road and finally arrived at the elementary school.  Here, the school children were finishing up their end-of-year exams in preparation for their three-month break, scheduled to start the next day.  

 

While waiting for pastors and various community leaders to arrive for a meeting with the team, we walked around to examine the school roofing job that had been completed by the May HAF mission team along with help from community members.  We noticed a couple of new chimney stacks exiting from the roof over the kitchen (the building on the right) and upon further examination noted that members from the community had constructed tile chimneys to vent the smoke from the kitchen stoves.  It was good to see that the community has continued to be involved here.

During recess, each of our team members had opportunity to display his style playing soccer (using a hollow plastic ball) with a few of the boys.  I can only imagine that these boys and the other children watching don’t get this much humorous entertainment very often!  

After recess, community members began arriving for a group meeting.  Representatives from three small churches, members of the Patronato (village government leaders), Sonia (the school teacher), and other community members joined us for a lengthy discussion about the community needs and opportunities for continued partnership with HAF.  All of the church leaders expressed interest in receiving additional Bibles for their congregations and materials to teach Sunday School to the children.  Other major issues raised by the community included concern over potential destruction of their water supply and a desire for additional bridges over the streams to allow children and adults to cross safely.     

 

Following the meeting the team walked up the road to visit one of the streams where the community had requested assistance constructing a bridge.  On our way back, the teacher took us to the site of a cardamom processing facility, where we observed the large tank containing cardamom berries that were being dried and prepared for packaging.  Cardamom is one of the largest cash crops for that community.

Having completed our community visit, the team loaded back into the team vehicle for the next leg of our journey—a lengthy trip climbing mountains and fording streams in search of the community of Brisas del Mar.  

 We had recently received a request for assistance in constructing a school for this community, so we wanted to visit to see what was needed.  After about an hour and a half of searching and asking directions from people walking along the road, we were finally told that we would never make it to the community without a 4-wheel drive vehicle.  So, we decided to abort this mission and return back to Quimistan.   Needless to say, we were all ready for a quiet, relaxing evening back at home base.

Karen

Monday Afternoon

After lunch, we left Teo to visit the village of El Venado (The Deer) and met with 30 or more of the residents (including several kids) to determine their primary needs.  Their biggest concern seemed to be a very large bridge that was badly in need of repair.  It still gets a lot of use, but I certainly did not care to cross it!

   

 

I had my usual fun with bubbles, while George favored stickers.  Karen was a big hit “face painting” balloons.

  

 

We finished up a very full day by celebrating Jerry’s 65^th birthday.

Tommy

Assessment Team Off to Good Start

Sunday

As most of you know by now, the Assessment Team, consisting of Jerry, Allen, Karen, George, and Tommy, arrived safely on Sunday afternoon, settled in and discussed our plans and goals for the week.  The Internet connection was very slow or non-existent for the first couple days, possibly caused by the rain, clouds, and fog.  We will try to catch you up to date in the next day or two.

Monday Morning

Our first stop was Teoxingales, or Teo, for those of us that have problems with Spanish pronunciation.  We have accomplished much with these people, and we discussed future construction needs.  The main water line requires a special tool for repair, and numerous homes still require latrines and Justa Stoves.  These needs and other work were discussed with Juan Jose Carbajal, the head of the Patronato, at a meeting in the recently upgraded lunch room.  The attached picture shows Juan in a child’s school chair.  The other picture shows Janet, the school teacher with two of her students in front of the kitchen stoves. 

George

While at Teo, Karen and Allen led a second meeting to evaluate community needs for Bibles and Sunday School literature.  Several pastors and teachers were in attendance.

 

Later, we toured 3 of the churches in town, and finished up with coffee and sweet rolls with Juan Jose and Vilma, where we also shared the PB&J sandwiches that had been packed for our lunch.

 

We also noted the new pila was working very well.

 Tommy

 

 

    

Day 10-Macaronis

Today was our last full day in Honduras and our final blog! We headed out early to La Moñtanita, after a breakfast of toast, eggs, and bacon. At La Moñtanita we finished the railing and gave the rest of the children de-worming medicine and fluoride. After going to Juana’s house to eat our sandwiches, we headed down the mountain. On the way down, we stopped at a poor family’s house and gave them clothes and balls. Jeff and Maynor also gave the 6 children and the dad de-worming medicine and fluoride. Before heading back to the compound, we stopped at the supermarket to pick up some macaroni and cheese to take back to the United States. Unfortunately they didn’t carry it. We arrived back at the compound and picked up Martha to go to the grocery store. There we bought food for 3 families, and we delivered it to the families. They were very appreciative of the food. Then we went to check on the progress of Sandra’s new house. Progress had been made. We helped shovel dirt in the backyard, until the rain came. On the way back to the compound, we stopped to pick up Topogigios (Honduran popsicles). We came back to the compound for our last dinner. We had chicken and beef enchiladas and macaroni and cheese. After dinner we said goodbye to our new friends on the compound and Sandra’s son Abner. Now we are all packing to go home tomorrow. This trip has impacted us in many different ways. We now appreciate more what God has given us. It has opened our eyes about how blessed we are. We hope that we carry our experiences back home and help others find God’s love. We hope you guys have enjoyed the blog. Look forward to hearing from us next year!

Abby brushing her teeth.

The finished rail at La Moñtanita.

The house people we delivered clothes too.

The two families we delivered food too. 

Abby and Anna eating Topogigios!

Abby & Anna