Hello again to everyone back in the United States or wherever you are reading this blog. Today was our first day of real work in Honduras, and things started off well with some delicious Honduran coffee and a breakfast of fruit and pancakes. The goal for the day was to travel to Texoxengales or (Teo for short) where Ron, Josh, and I (Mike) were going to do water testing while the others, Christa, Kristen, Karen, Maynor, and Pamela helped out with a medical Brigade that was taking place. After eating we left to pick up Maynor at the HAF office and meet up with Dr. Constantino and Nurse Edith before departing for Teo. Unfortunately, the doctor was running a bit late, so Josh and I utilized the extra time by buying machetes and a file. While we waited, I attempted to sharpen mine with a file. Edith seemed very entertained by my failure but was nice enough to teach me how to hold the blade with my legs to sharpen it more easily. We soon departed on a long and difficult drive (only 18 miles but it took us around and hour) up into the mountains. We left at the same time, but somehow, Dr. Constantin0 managed to get there 30 minutes later than us. Perhaps he knew the dangers of the road better than we did. We soon ended up dividing up to test water and help with the medical brigade. The brigadiers (Karen, Pamela, and Maynor) helped with distribution of medicine after the doctor’s exams while Christa and Kristen helped in the area of child rearing (their words, not mine). This involved playing with bubbles, balls, and Frisbees and assisting the children in arts and crafts. Meanwhile, Ron, Josh, and I met up with Juan Jose (the caretaker of the water system in Teo) to talk about possible causes of the problems that they’ve been having with water contamination. We wanted to see the whole pipe system, so Juan Jose took us up to the water source following the pipeline. It was a pretty difficult hike, but Juan Jose told us that we were better than most North Americans. I guess that’s a complement. Despite a few falls, we made it to the source and took our sample. Then our guide took us down the path that had been made to go to the source, and it was infinitely easier. We took several other samples, and talked a little more with Juan Jose. He does quite an impressive job maintaining the water system up there. We took a few more samples, and then it was time for lunch. We were treated to an appetizer of coconut milk followed by a lunch of chicken provided by Vilma and her husband Juan Jose. They went all the way to Pinalejo to get the food for us (a long way) which was pretty sweet. Edith took great joy in sharing the story of my sharpening troubles with some other Hondurans. However, it worked out in our favor. Before long, the children were almost jumping in line to be able to sharpen our machetes for us. If you can tell me why that is a pun, I will bring you a machete. After lunch, Juan Jose gave us un limón real. (A giant lemon) We weren’t quite sure what to do with it, so we did what anyone would and decided to make lemonade. We then did a small tour of the town to see what people needed in terms of latrines and Justa stoves and then cautiously drove back down the mountain to Quimistan.  Later, we went to Jose Pinto’s house to borrow some tools and headed back to Martha’s to have dinner and ultimately make lemonade. We felt that this lemonade experience would be better expressed through pictures, so we have a short foto novela detailing the making of the lemonade below.  

Also, here are some other pictures of what we did today.

Dr. Constantino y Nurse Edith hard at work

Christa rearing the children

Water testing with Juan Jose

Maynor with Vilma's parrot, Paquito

Vilma (in the stripes) provided us with lunch.

Kristen enjoying some delicious coconut milk

One day in.

Hola friends, family, and various other blog-stalkers!

I will preface this post by assuring you all that we arrived in Quimistan safely this afternoon. Our team, Karen and Ron Livingston, Kristen and Josh, Mike Lambert and myself, left bright and early this morning for our flight out of Atlanta. Everything went smoothly through check-in and none of us were detained for suspicious baggage. We arrived in San Pedro Sula right on time at 11:30 and managed to get all of our luggage without much hassle. Maynor and some other guys loaded the trunks onto the top of a busito and stuffed the rest into the back with us. The whole deal was rather precarious looking but we managed well. (That's kind of a pun, because in Spanish manejar means to drive and to manage.) Anyhow, we picked up Pamela, our translator, at a gas station on the way out of the city.

To our delight lunch was waiting for us when we arrived at Martha's. After eating, we went to the hardware store in search of Bio Sand Filter parts and then on to the wood shop. We were amazed by the great price, prompt service, and dedication to quality. I got to see the little deaf girl, Britani, I met last year at the carpenter's place. Unfortunately she didn't seem to remember me and I couldn't explain anything to her because of course she couldn't hear. I'm sure she was more than a little confused.
.
After that we returned to the house and played a version of the card game, Spoons, which in this case was more like Slim Jims. Some of us played basketball for awhile before we ate. I saw an iguana. Then we ate. Then Mr. Livingston took us to Shirley's for (soda) drinks. They didn't have ice cream, sadly, and I'm sure we all felt a little abandoned. Tomorrow we take off for Teo, which I'm not even going to attempt to spell. Pray that our medical brigade and water testing go well. And to all a good night.

A funny thing happened at the airport...

Today, Sam and I escorted the young adults to the airport  to return to the US.  While they checked in, paid their exit fees, etc.  I, being shy, naturally began chatting with the other mission teams departing out of San Pedro Sula....all of whom were easily recognizable by their group t-shirts.  I met one group from Iowa who was working with a children's home 45 minutes from Q town.  It was very exciting to meet the director as Sam and I are called to have a children's home here in the future.  We exchanged business cards and information for a future visit.

I next met a group from UAB who had been 3-4 hours across into Guatemala for a medical mission team.  I was trying to introduce them to Brittany who is very interested in bringing med. students here.  During this convo, I met one of the doctors in their group and gave him and a few students a business card. One of the students asked if the website would give her information about our mission.  I assured her it would provide a lot of info and encouraged her to read our blogs.  Another woman in the group asked me "Why are you at the airport?  Are you just here checking out the mission groups coming and going?"  I laughed and told her no, but I am always interested in the other mission efforts and like to encourage others who are called to serve these beautiful people.

Who knows what God will do with these 'chance' meetings in an airport far from home.  I look forward to watching and waiting to see.....oh what a wonderful tapestry He weaves!

Sam and I had a delicious meal at Goyita's restaurant along with Ardyn who has joined us for a weekend visit from Santa Clara.  The fair is at full steam downtown and the streets are crowded with out of town visitors.  It is nice to retire to the quiet tranquility of the ranch.

Check out our next team's blog beginning June 23rd.  Until then, continue praying for our outreach that those who do not know Him will come to be filled with the love of Jesus.

Roxanne

Last Day for Jovenes

Today was our last day and we are all very sad to go. I've chosen a large selection of photos to speak for me in this final entry.

A group photo with the Compassion Kids. We went over to the Agape compound to play with them for a while in the afternoon. They were so excited to have nice soccer balls and footballs.

A view of the new Quimistan hospital, Centro Medico Quimistan "Gracias a Dios".

The newly finished pediatric ward. In our two visits to this hospital we have not seen very many inpatients, but they have rooms for children, women, men, and two private rooms. They also have a room for obstetrics, labor and delivery, two operating rooms, triage, an emergency room, and a laboratory.

Dr. Turcios Gilberto and I in the atrium of the hospital. He has been a great help in supplying information about the new hospital and health department. He is very interested to have more medical students and doctors visit Quimistan in the future...

Some adorable kids playing on a bench together at the elementary school.

In the afternoon, we went to watch Ms. Martha's kids play soccer. She bought these uniforms and the kids were so proud to put on their team colors before the game.

As they waited for the other team to arrive, the boys warmed up following the instruction of their coaches-- one of which is Walter, the same man who led their wroship service on Sunday.

A group photo of the whole team before the game.

After waiting almost an hour, they realized the other team was a no show and decided to play the neighborhood boys that they could round up around the school. It was a fierce match of shirts vs. skins and a battle for neighborhood pride. In the end, the skins won.

A couple of the boys had "snack duty" and they opted for the cool, refreshing taste of Coca-Cola.

The sun goes down on our last day in Honduras. We hope that we have pleased God as we have tried to listen to His guidance this week. Undoubtably, we each have been blessed and will cherish these memories. Now back to the States to share stories of the injustices, hardships, and simultaneous love and grace that exists in this land.
"Blog Maestro" signing off,
Brittany Klein

One Man Down with No Suspension

Hello faithful blog followers!

We have been missing Melanie, but we have still accomplished a lot today. We did deworming and fluoride treatments at Luz de Valle School. Many of the kids from Tejeras (the village on the highway) go to this school. However only 24 students were there today which is down from past attendance. We made sure to review dental hygeine and to share our reason for visiting them...to share the love of Jesus. We played "solamente manos" with the beachballs and had a great time. The joy that a beachball and bubbles brings to these kids is so precious that it never gets old to me.

Later, the three of us "jovenes", Megan, Corey, and myself went to the health department to meet up with Dr. Turcios Gilberto. I was able to see patients with him and talk about our hopes for a mission at the new Quimistan Hospital. He is a great doctor with a gentle bedside manner and a special gift for counseling. He has started a Mental Health Clinic as well. Megan helped in the vaccination room and asked many questions about the endemic viruses and parasites. Corey observed the pharmacy and spoke with the workers about what kind of diseases are most prevalent in the area. The health clinic offers vaccines, family planning material, prenatal care, and basic health advice. Most common presenting complaints include asthma, diarrhea, and diabetes. Unfortunately we did not get any pictures to share from the health department, only information but I consider it equally valuable.

Roxanne and Sam had a lot of business-y items to attend to today. Roxanne spent a lot of time at the bank and Sam searched for a Ford mechanic since we realized the rear shocks were shot in the Expedition. Perhaps the "road" (it was more like a foot path) to the waterfalls was a little too steep and bumpy or perhaps we have been piling too many Norte Americano behinds into the back seat. Regardless, the Expedition has an appointment for a tune up in the morning and will hopefully be well in time to take us jovenes to the airport on Saturday.

Martha, "the Queen" of this beautiful ranch, has returned from the States today and we shared dinner with her and her husband, Gary, tonight. We look forward to all she has to tell about her ministry here in Quimistan. It is obvious that she touches many in the community.

 Here Pablo and Corey clean the dishes from our delicious dinner of fried chicken and french fries. Since it is such a favorite, it is one of the only meals that has been repeated. Below, a typical early evening view.

That is all...
Brittany :)

A Day of Recreation

Today was our day "off" however we still had a very busy day.

We started the morning by watching Honduras in their World Cup soccer game against Chile. It aired at 5:30AM! Unfortunately they lost so it was a sad day in Honduras. However the kids were probably happy that they didn't have to go to school until 9AM. Can you imagine post-poning school in the US for a sporting event?!

We came back for breakfast and hung around the house to organize and inventory the team supplies. We saw Melanie off and heard that she boarded on time. We miss her already!

Then at 1:00 we piled in the car and headed to the WATERFALLS. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! The pictures shown are of the first level but two more tiers of falls were above and many of us hiked up to them. Some of us jumped from the top into the beautiful, cool pools below. We finished up with some juicy watermelon that Gloria sent with us. What an awesome day. Our God is an Awesome God.

 By the way...in response to your comment Gran Van, We have been typing the text of the blogs at night and adding the photos in the morning because for some reason the photos don't upload fast enough at night. So if you read a post without pictures, check back the next day and they will probably have been added.
Love to all of our family members!

The Vision for Santa Clara

Hola Amigos!

       Today, we took a trip to the White Dove School in Santa Clara. We were greeted by the sight of new classrooms which had been constructed through HAF last summer. Also, a bathroom with running water and the beginnings of a church are under construction. We observed the children 'learning Spanish in an English school' as the director likes to say. At present, there are 3 classes with 6 students apiece: Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First Grade. They were all excited to tell us their names and ages in English! Then we played with bubbles and frisbees, until it was time for lunch. The children were happy to call us all 'teacher' and ask for a 'balloon' and to tell us 'Thank you' in English! It is so wonderful to see how the Lord has been working in these children's lives as they are learning in such a nurturing environment!

        After lunch, we took a tour of the town with Ardyn, who has been teaching at the school this summer, and to see  the other construction projects from last summer. This includes Amalia's home where 17 children and adults live in three small 'houses!' Also, the BioSand filters were observed in nearly every household, and we heard from several people that the cases of diarrhea in the children have dramatically decreased since their implementation. Gloria a Dios! Then we heard the vision for the White Dove School with dreams for all 12 grades and a University. God's light is shining through these missionaries as they struggles to fulfill his calling!
        At dinner tonight, we celebrated Pablo's 20th birthday! He has been a true blessing this week in our communication with so many people!
        We pray safe travels for Melanie as she travels back to the states in the morning.
        At 5:30 AM, Honduras plays in the world cup...some of us may be getting up to watch...Go Honduras!
     
 Hasta Luego!