The story of the Whale in two versions

          Monday was an exceptional pleasant day.  We drove for an hour west of Quimistan to the village of El Pinal where we were well received.  On arrival, the team unpacked our busito (read “a van stuffed with supplies, 7 missionaries, a translator, 2 AP student helpers and a driver”) we set up the HAF hygiene clinic.  Seventy students experienced hand washing, de-worming, teeth brushing, and fluoride treatment.  Using the de-worming tablets this year is so much better than the previous method of using a liquid.  Allen B actually tried one of the tablets to understand whether the grimaces we were seeing on the children’s faces were from a bad taste or simply from the anticipation of one.  His judgment: It really doesn’t taste bad at all.
 

          While the vision clinic was being set up, Patty told the children how God facilitated Jonah’s trip to Ninevah via the belly of a big fish.  Using questions interspersed with sound effects of the wind and waves and imaginations of being in a dark, cold, wet fish’s belly for three days and nights, she was able to persuade them that even when things are the darkest, God still cares for us and can accomplish the purpose intended for us.  With story completed, mini-whales with flippers, spouts, and smiley faces were constructed by the students using a paper bag, a balloon, and assorted accessories.   The project ended with the children learning and singing a simple short round about Jonah.  While the Jonah project was ongoing with half of the team, the vision team examined 23 patients, fitting 21 with a pair of glasses.

          Departing El Pinal we drove for three quarters of an hour to a shady stop near a creek just outside of El Jicaro to enjoy our picnic lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches al fresco.  After lunch we drove into El Jicaro and set up the hygiene clinic treating 25 students.  Our missionary dental member (Patty) performed a random field examination of 15 students.  The results indicated that 100% of the children required one or more fillings and about half require one or more extractions. The concept of a HAF sponsored traveling dental team for these mountain top villages will be an ongoing discussion when our dentists from Aiken arrive on Wednesday.  Naturally a board of director’s discussion and approval will be required before that would be done—not to mention recruiting a dental team.

          Patty, with a lot of help from Daniel, our translator, retold the story of Jonah, and Allen B led the classroom full of children and parents learning and singing the Jonah song.   

         Thus ended a most fulfilling day.

Sunday is a time of devotion and nourishment

Sunday was a time of devotion, service, and nourishment to hungry souls.  At 9:00 a.m. we arrived at the roadside squatters’ settlement (Tejeras) outside of Quimistan to participate in the weekly Bible study program for some 50-plus children.  Sandra served up another of her marvelous teachings with the help of a colorful poster she had prepared.  The children who used to be so rambunctious were attentive as Sandra explained the parable of the talents and how it applies to their lives.  Of course it helps that she loves every one of the children and will call them by name to encourage their rapt attention.  Wow!  What a loving and effective teacher she is with those children.  Following her Bible teaching and some songs, the team assisted in feeding the children.  The Tejeras feeding program also provides two additional meals during the week.  The program, underwritten by the foundation and its friends, provides a nourishing hot meal and Bible lessons now keyed towards two age groups.

After lunch the team traveled to one of the Quimistan kindergarten schools where the foundation gathers it’s some 50+ Agape Promises students for a 90 minute Bible study followed by a hot meal served by the team members.  This is an ongoing weekly program that the AP students must participate in to remain in the program.  The teacher for the teenagers was ill, allowing the team to witness another “God moment”.  Mike and Valerie Moon had joined the team for just this weekend to have a break from their teaching duties at the White Dove Bilingual School in Santa Clara.  When Maynor asked if a team member might have something to say to the assembled group of older students, Mike was drafted.  With Valerie’s able assistance, the students got a strictly impromptu teaching from 1 John 4:7-11.  What Mike and Val thought was to be a time away from service turned into another opportunity for two days of fellowship and service to the Lord.

Saturday Fellowship

Saturday morning after devotional and breakfast we had time to meet with the AP children whom several of the team members sponsor.  Three of us, along with two of the sponsored children and our faithful translator, took three-wheeled motor taxis to downtown Quimistan for some shopping.  The girls needed some school supplies and shoes.  Naturally shopping for girls shoes took visits to three different stores before all were happy.

Upon returning for lunch we encountered an expanded set of two tables of multi-generational missionaries and our dear friends from Honduras.  We enjoyed the meal and fellowship.  Without prompting the young children cleared the tables and washed the dishes.  After lunch we enjoyed more visitations with our “Honduran families”.  In the late afternoon the team spent an enjoyable hour-plus with Sam and Roxanne touring the construction site of their proposed Children’s Home, “Tranquilidad”.  This is a love project being built from the ground up.  The grounds have been fenced, the plans approved, the water well with a storage tank is operational, and the main building is sprouting from the ground.  Sam has planted a small parcel and the vegetables are thriving.

Prior to dinner the team sorted eye glasses and filled the traveling box that will be used Monday and Tuesday as we visit four more hilltop villages to conduct hygiene and vision clinics. After dinner we had a time of fellowship and reflection.

The teams pictures are at:https://plus.google.com/photos/100849174068312221158/albums/5988427143032353169

The pictures

Due tointernet problems the Mission Team -3 (Dental) picures are available for viewing and downloading at:

https://plus.google.com/photos/100849174068312221158/albums/5988427143032353169

This link will display all the pictures for the entire trip and will updated daily

A trip to the mountains

Having problems with the internet, can not load the pictures -- will try to add them tomorrow.

Our first full day started early with a 7:00 a.m. devotion and pancake breakfast – just the spiritual and nutritional meal needed for a long day.  We departed our home away from home (Delfina Village – Missionary Home) at 8:15 for the hour and 20 minute drive through Pinalejo then up and up and up the bumpy road- to the mountain village of El Venedo where we were met by some 30 eager children who, with a smattering of their mothers, were “treated” to our HAF hygiene clinic.   

The children learned the proper technique of hand washing which was ably demonstrated by our AP student assistant Marleni.  This was followed by chewing a de-worming tablet.  It was amusing to see the eager faces expecting a sweet piece of candy turn to sour looks of surprise.  Obviously, the tablets were not sweet. 

Then they were instructed on how to properly brush their teeth. They finished off swishing with a fluoride solution.   The teeth brushing was instructed by a first time missionary Patty, who is a dentist.  She performed several sample field examinations in preparation for her discussion with our regular dentists when they arrive Wednesday.   

The discussion may lead to an every other month visit by a local dentist to our HAF supported villages along with our dear Dr. Tino.  After we completed the hygiene clinic the team performed vision exams for about 25 adults, dispensing some 21 pairs of much needed glasses.

During the vision clinic some of the team members enjoyed entertaining the children.   The older team members, long removed from childhood games, were thankful for Patty’s wonderful ability to engage the children in the standby game of Duck Duck Goose (Pato, Pato, Gonzo).  It was interesting that the children automatically knew to use pato for the boys and pata for the girls.  Jump rope quickly revealed which children were the most athletic.  All tried and delightful squeals of laughter echoed around the school yard as everyone tried to see who could jump the longest without missing.  Drawing faces on balloons brought smiles of appreciation and you would have thought they were rushing to get the signature of a rock star!  We are not sure who had more fun, the children or the adults.

Bidding our fond farewells we descended part way down the mountain to have lunch at a new HAF supported village of Arena Blanca.  After lunch we examined the eyes of some 45 adults and dispensed 39 pairs of glasses.  We returned to Quimistan tired but fulfilled around 4:30. At dinner we were joined by our Honduran Administrator’s wife Jessy and there dear baby girl Arleth (who is 5 months old).

At our end of the day wrap-up session, Dr. Tino expressed his appreciation for all the work that the HAF teams are providing and especially the love with which it is given.  The quote of Mother Teresa comes to mind:  “Everyone can’t do great things but everyone can do many things with great love.”  Our prayer is that we will be filled with Christ’s love to share while we minister in the area of Quimistan and surrounding mountain villages.

The Dental Team Advance Party Arrives

 Mission Team – 3 (the Dental Team) advance party (all 7 of us) arrived in Quimistan without any problems.  The renovations to the terminal in San Pedro Sula airport arrival area makes for much improved flow of traffic.  After a quick stop at Santa Clara to deliver some window curtains for the White Dove Multilingual School we safely arrived at Martha’s. Quickly unloading the van, we headed to the dining area for a much needed lunch/supper.  A team meeting was held after eating and plans were sorted out for the next several days.  

The team then went back to our sleeping quarters to unpack, make beds, and sort out the supplies we will need for Friday adventure to El Venado in the morning and Arena Blanca in the afternoon.  These are two newer villages that HAF is now assisting.

Joining us after dinner were Sam and Roxanne (old Aiken friends and long time major supporters of HAF) who are establishing a children’s home in Quimistan.  Great fellowship was enjoyed.

More tomorrow