Day 2: The 5 F's--Faith, Food, Fellowship with Friends, and Futbol

Karen opened our day with a brief excerpt from Lucado’s book God Came Near, in which Lucado shared the story of an encounter with a blind man.  He challenged us to really “see” those around us as Jesus might see them, and we were introduced to the idea that “Faith is the bird that sings while it is yet dark.”

Energized by a breakfast of fresh fruit and pancakes, our small team set out for the morning activity. We assisted with Sunday School, led by our good friend Sandra, in Tejeras. The joy of hearing little children worshipping in song was added to after a couple of boys and girls participated in a balloon-blowing contest, clearly showing their enthusiasm. 

With the aid of the newly purchased easel, Sandra then taught the children a well-know Bible story: God speaking to Moses through a burning bush.

Afterwards a meal was served, and the hungry children eagerly ate their fill.

Upon returning to home base, we prepared for the afternoon with the Agape Promises students and parents. While the adult team members met with the older AP kids and their parents, Brooklyn and I joined forces with our translator, Stanley, to teach the elementary AP kids the story of Holy Week when Jesus was here on earth. Using colorful eggs filled with symbols pertaining to the Easter story (more commonly known as Resurrection Eggs), we hoped the kids would easily remember what happened so long ago. From Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem on a burrito and the tomb Jesus was buried in containing nada, the kids were reminded of God's plan of salvation.

Once we finished teaching the younger kids, they were introduced to the game we know "Red Light, Green Light." "Simon Dice" (a.k.a. "Simon Says") was another game played, allowing Brooklyn to practice her Spanish skills and letting me spend more time with the adorable children that inhabit this country.

Supper was soon served to the AP kids, the goody bags prepared the night before were passed out, and goodbyes were said to new friends.

 

With a bit of time to kill before dinner, the three teenage team members (Josh, Brooklyn, and myself) played futból americano with a couple of the children living here on Martha's compound.

 

                                                     

Many laughs and smiles were shared, and even more new friendships were made. While I sit here and reflect on the goodness of God that allows even the shyest of children to have an impact in my life, pure excitement for the activities yet to come flows through my veins.

Hasta Luego!

-Kristen

MT-4 Hits the ground running

We're a small team, but we serve a big God.  After a typical muy temprano start, a 40-minute departure delay from Atlanta, and a Holy Week Saturday traffic jam leaving San Pedro Sula, we eventually arrived in Quimistán to renew acquaintances, chow down with Gloria's enchiladas, and review the plan of the week with Maynor.

Kristen prepared posters showing the words to songs we will be using in the Vacation Bible School session at several spots this week, and our newest team member, Brooklyn, enhanced their readability for the groups of kids who will be singing them. 

 
For those of you who may not read español, this one is what we know as "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.  Where?  Down in my heart."




While they were preparing those posters, Karen and Allen prepared 'goody bags' for the AP students tomorrow

So we begin in earnest tomorrow morning at Tejeras.

Allen

On the way home

We are busy packing before breakfast.  We load the bus at 9:00 for the hour plus ride to San Pedro Sula Airport and home.  This was a memorable faithful trip and we are thankful that we were able to serve the Lord by serving the children of the Quimistan Valley in Honduras.

Day 9 the big wrap up

Starting off as usual at 8:30 we opened the dental clinic for the last day, ensuring that 48 AP children were treated along with several siblings and 5 additional children from Texoxintales.   We finished treating our last patient at 2:30 and started the processes of cleaning, sanitizing, inventorying, wrapping, and packing everything for long term storage.  In total the dental clinic provided 59 cleaning procedures, performed 35 extractions, and filled 76 teeth.  We had a surprise dental assistant.  Laura, an AP graduate and a 3^rd year dental student, joined the dentists to observe and assist for several hours.  She was able to observe the full spectrum from examination, cleaning, filling of teeth, to several difficult extractions. Our interpreter Tony endured a difficult hour long extraction.  The last time we saw him he was mumbling.

We did take a short break for lunch and a quick visit to the Tejeras feeding operation where we not only served the children their meal but were able to pass out two footlockers full of clothing.  The meal and clothing was much appreciated by all.   

Charlie, Randy, Karen, and Erin returned to the hospital to finish packing the storage trunks and transport them to “the ranch” for storage till the next dental visit.

At 8:00 p.m. the team hosted a final meal with our gracious hostess Martha, Dr. Tino, Maynor and his wife Jessy, our translators, AP assistants, driver, and the two wonderful ladies who cook and clean for us, dear Gloria and Sandra. 

Tomorrow after breakfast we leave for San Pedro Sula airport and home to Aiken.  We are exhausted but full of joy to have been able to experience the sharing of God’s love to the children of Honduras.  In Christ's name, Amen.

Randy lied when he said we would work 8 to 8!

Day 8 and we only worked 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.

Would you believe if I said we are a tired bunch of missionaries?  Today we treated 36 patients. Many had multiple extractions – an 11 year old had 4 teeth out, another 9 year old had 3 extractions with several fillings added in.  These children were calm and pleasant during their long ordeals.  This will be a very short entry as we are all ready to unwind and go to sleep.  Tomorrow we will close up the clinic at 2:00 p.m. so we can clean up, inventory our expendable supplies, and start the packing process.  At 4:00 p.m. we will all participate in the Tejeras feeding and then bring the storage footlockers back to “the ranch” for storage.  A late dinner at 8:00 p.m. is planned.

As tired that we are, each of us has been uplifted with bringing beautiful smiles to so many of God's children in Quimistan.

Day 8 … and we are a tired band of missionaries

 Yes, we are tired, working from 8 to 8 with a short hour for lunch treating 20 children with two dentists and two dental technicians.  The balance of the team members kept the kids in order, updated and maintained the dental records, and sterilized the instruments as they were used.  The two dental chairs and all the supplies were in one very small and crowded room that--thankfully--was air conditioned.  Many of the children had one or more teeth extracted and several cavities filled.  Each child's teeth were professionally cleaned and polished.  Below are several pictures to illustrate our day’s activities.  None of the children cried or fussed except one.  Tomorrow will be a repeat.

 

 Oh, and by the way, we celebrated Alan's 72nd birthday with cake and ice cream!

Day 7 and we are ONE – big family that is

                While the advance team transported additional supplies to the hospital in preparation of tomorrow’s dental clinic, the remainder of the team arrived safely from Aiken – even a bit early.  After a 2:30 p.m. prayer and quick lunch the entire team (Tommy, Mandy, Alan, Randy, Charlie, Erin, and Karen along with Maynor (our local administrator), and Stanley (our faithful translator) went to the hospital and started to unpack 7 trunks and one large duffel bag. 

 To us non-professionals the task of getting all the necessary equipment and supplies unpacked and in some logical order seemed impossible.  However the dental professionals of Charlie, Randy, Karen, and Erin with years of experience knew just what had to be done.

 

                Some minor equipment modifications had to be made to the one dental chair that had been used in previous years along with additional modification to the used dental chair that took some 15 months in transit from the United States to Quimistan.  

 With the dental professionals coordinated effort and Tommy, Mandy, Alan, Maynor, and Stanley on call for simple tasks the clinic was fully set up and all equipment tested by 5:15.

                We plan on opening the door to the 1^st patient at 8:00 in the morning and will work till the last scheduled patient (and walk-in) is seen and treated, somewhere about 8:00 p.m.  The team will take a one hour lunch break about noon.