Journal entry 4 Tuesday 7/12/22

Today started out ok. I am beginning to realize how I like my quiet tie in the morning. I have to get used to being around so many people in the morning and so much stimulation before I can get myself together can really put me in a mood. I am sure I will survive (and the others as well!). We had our first medical clinic today in Monqueto. We saw 155 people. I wasn't expecting that many in this area. Margareto and Ellena helped out. Thank goodness for them! I could not have done it without them. They are 2 local nurses who work and live in LaCampa. Margareto is going to be the new pastor of the Cruz Alta church. I would have drowned if they didn't volunteer to help and it surely would have been a long day. 

Today was a first for me. One of the kids I was checking on asked me to take a picture with him! I usually am the one asking for a picture. But today at our morning devotional, I was reminded that when we do this, it is putting others as spectacles. As a prize of something I have done, not God. So I am trying not to do this. I am here for them, to help them. and if I wouldn't do this at home, I surely do not want to do it here. This is my second home! BUT, I was so honored to take a picture with him. I hope that when he looks at it, he remembers our conversation, our meeting and of Jesus's love. He gave me joy this day.

I was able to have a good conversation with the pastor of their church today. He said it wa a good turnout and received many prayer requests. At lunch, the pastor and his family made lunch for the clinic team. It was really good, all of it was really good. They had fresh avocado that was really good too. I was told later that maybe we shouldn't have eaten that. oh well, I will find out soon if I shouldn't have eaten it!

After the clinics, we were able to take a little time to walk around time, so we did what we always do with down time in LaCampa, GO SEE REINA! And yes, of course, I bought pottery. I said I wasn't going to get a lot this year, but I just can't help myself. Now I have to figure out how to get it all home! I was able to meet Reina's husband this year. He is a very sweet man. He knows a little english and is pretty funny. We just missed Gerson. He had to go back to school in Gracias a few days before we got there. Then while we were visiting, she gave us coffee, of course! Can't have a visit with her without coffee! 

Then after dinner, we had to recount the medications for the clinic to ensure we had enough for the next clinic. Jen and I were able to get all the trunks packed once again and ready for the next clinic. 

John 14:6 Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the light. No one comes to the father except through me.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this way- while we were sinners Christ died for us.

Bendiciones, 

Journal entry 3: Monday 7/11/22

 

I was able to get out of bed this morning! I wasn't sure if my back would survive the med trunk inventory, but it did. It only took us about 3 hours, but we got them sorted. Today, when we get back to base camp, we will be sorting and packing vitamins. Right at this moment at 3:30 pm, we are stranded in Cruz Alta waiting for the rain downpour to slow up. We just made it back in time to the church from our prayer walk in the community before it started. We were able to visit with 3 families during our walk and talk with them about the church and God. Some of the places we went, we really had to mountain climb! The member from the church that went with us made Jen a walking stick.  I should have had him make me one too! 

We were finally able to get back to base camp once the rain slowed. It is going to be a muddy wet day tomorrow for the clinics. We were able to get all the adult and chewable vitamins packed thanks to the team coming together to help. We were not able to get the prenatals bagged. It is getting late and everyone was getting grumpy! lol. So we decided to wait to do those.

I pray that the clinics go smooth and God works through my hands and words.

John 10:10- I have come that they may have life and have it to the fullest.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from works so that no one can boast

Romans 3:23- For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Bendiciones, 

Journal entry 2: Sunday 7/10/22

 We went to church today and Pastor Rick preached with the help of our interpreter. Ruben and Rosalina came! It was great to have them there. It felt like church here in the states when you sit with your family.  Luis and Wendy also came. So glad I got to meet her. She is so sweet. I got to see a lot of friends I haven't seen in a year, Olympia, Antonio and his wife and found out Indira is back!!

After church, we went to the Ruben House for lunch. Yummy shrimp fried rice. We got to visit with Ruben and Rosalina. They are doing so much better. The therapy that they get is helping them so much. 

THEN...we surprised Luis and Wendy with a wedding party! They got married in June and we were not able to attend, so we had our own party.  That's just how we do it! They were so surprised. The team had brought gifts for them and we got cake, which was so yummy! I am so happy for him. He deserves all the best. 

Once we headed back to base camp, and had dinner, the team went to the church to show the Jesus film. Jen and I stayed back to take med inventory. This is the worst part of medical clinics....inventory. It takes so long and we have so many meds. 

Satan has been working hard on the team to keep us from getting here and going out. All I have to say is GET BEHIND ME!! We must be doing something good for the enemy to try to sabotage it. But we will overcome. 

Acts 1:1-8: Be ready to do the unexpected. Get out of your comfort zone. Share your witness. Take Jesus with you.

Bendiciones, 

Journal entry: day 1, Saturday 7/9/22

 

We started off with a bang! Our flight was cancelled and moved from Friday to Saturday, so we lost a day.

We flew in Saturday and traveled all day and arrived at the hotel at 8;30pm...after dark! One member of our team fell coming out of the church when we left for the airport and fell. We thought she twisted her ankle, and all the way to Honduras, her foot hurt. So when we arrived, Greh had me look at it. He said he wanted my opinion if I thought she needed x-rays. I was so nervous. I kept thinking about the time Erin broke her arm when she was 6 and I didn't think she did.  She never lets me forget!!

Well...I followed my gut and said to send her to the hospital. The x-ray showed that she had broken her foot!! And the doctor said it was pretty bad so he recommended her go back home to the states. He said she may need surgery! Greg and Jean stayed with her and was able to get her back on the plane Sunday. 

Oh, I can't forget about what happened to me in customs in Honduras. Yes, you guessed it.  I got detained once again for my meds trunks!! It took us over an hour to get through and get them to approve, despite us having the documentation.

But, the lady working the search was so nice and considerate. Not threatening at all. I am sure she saw how stressed I was! 

We all were so tired after we got to base camp. I couldn't believe it, but I got so car sick. I never get car sick. Probably that frappe I had at the airport!

Bendiciones,

Countdown….8 hrs

 

8 more hours and we leave. I will be in the air headed back to LaCampa. I am so excited as well as the team. It has been a rough time getting prepared for this trip. I know we will be doing so make great things because anytime there is something trying to make our plans fail, they always exceed more than we expected. Please pray for our team, for those we meet and for us to help and heal those at the clinic. 

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here! 

Bendiciones, 

blessings in disguise

 So Monday was not a good day, but one I was able to sit and redirect my mind, I was able to see the blessing that was given to me. Our plane was delayed and we are not leaving until Saturday now. At first I was like, what else!!! Then I was reminded that I was just given one more day to prepare for packing and to leave. I have one day at home to relax. So when things don't go your way, look and see if there is a blessing in it. 

Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Bendiciones, 

BE F-L-E-X-I-B-L-E

 

I'm trying, so hard. You know when the enemy knows you are about to do something good, he attacks. I have been attacked so much this past 2 weeks that I almost feel beaten down. 

The devil has been telling me that I am not going to make it. That I am running behind. And then he fills my days with busy work where I cannot get the things that I need to do done. I had to work this weekend, 7 days in a row, due to some issues at work. I am ok with that normally, but I need to prepare for the trip this week. We leave this weekend and I haven't even packed!!! But when the enemy tells you that you are not going to make, then that means THAT YOU REALLY WILL! What he tells you is the opposite of what usually is happening.

I am who God says I am.  I may not be perfect, but he calls the inadequate.  He calls you to do something where you are weak. So his GREATNESS can shine! You have gifts. Your gifts that God see's may feel like a weakness to you, but it is a strength for God. The devil cannot ungift you, but he tries to disable you in how you think. 

This year has been another rough one for me and my house. I have survived the past, and will get through this tough time. So I keep telling myself, I can do this. God is on my side!

So update on our trip. We are leaving saturday now. Our flight got cancelled Friday and moved to Saturday!! This changes our schedule some, but not much. Please pray for our clinics. We will have them, well planned for, on 7/12 and 7/14, 7/19 and 7/21. The rest of the time we will be doing ministry work with the communities and kids. I continue to prepare my heart and mind for what is in store for us. There may be detours, but we will complete what God wants done!

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Psalms 46:1-3

Bendiciones,