Our very own Scorpion

One evening,  Noah spied a scorpion in the bathroom next to our bedrooms....and even managed to take a picture of it before it scampered into the safety of a crack in the wall.  So,  once this was broadcast, there was much concern over this little creature lurking about.  I, in my ignorance
about scorpions, wasn't too worried.  I figured if I saw it, I could squish it ... and if I didn't see it, it wasn't a problem.  One of the staff assured everyone that this kind wasn't poisonous and at worst it would feel like a bee sting.  So,  I went to bed - Terry was already half-asleep, when I heard Shelley and Terence in the next room discussing scorpions.  I said to Terry that some people might not be able to sleep knowing the scorpion was still on the loose and he mumbled that he had already killed it!   It had been crawling beside our bed and he had hit it with his shoe!  So, I went and shared the good news with our neighbors and we all slept happily ever after.   Linette

Street Ministry - Thursday, March 31

On Thursday night, after dark, we went out as a group to do street ministry.  This involved us handing out tortillas and juice to people around downtown Tegucigalpa.  The first stop we went to had a lot of small children.  As soon as we parked the truck, a little girl ran over and jumped in beside Kayla.  We got out, and a bunch of other kids swarmed around us, asking for hugs and wanting us to carry them.  One girl ran right up to me (Katrina), and dragged me to an old playground.  She held my hands, and lifted her feet up to Clinton.  We began swinging them back and forth as other kids pushed her as if she was a swing.  They jumped around us, waiting for their turn.  

All of the kids wanted piggy back rides.  They would speak to us in Spanish, and it didn't matter that we didn't understand.  We then continued on and handed out more tortillas to teens and adults on the street. Some of our team had the chance to pray with some of the people.  It was a blessing to be able to go out and provide a meal for so many people.

Feeding Centre #2 - Thursday, March 31

Thursday morning we went to Feeding Centre #2.  The children were in the middle of a craft and we just sat down beside them and they immediately accepted us.  We shared the story of the lame man with the four friends who lowered him down into the house in front of Jesus.  The children enjoyed colouring the picture of the man and then playing with the craft.  The teacher graciously read the story with enthusiasm, while Kayla and Anika acted it out with puppets.

We then headed outside and played Pato, Pato, Gonzo (Duck, Duck, Goose).  Then we brought out the parachute and bounced the soccer balls.  The children laughed and laughed while we played with the parachute.  The kids really loved this and we could all tell that it was their favourite activity.  We helped serve lunch (pasta), and gave hugs before heading back to our home base.  I was so touched by how comfortable the kids were with us.  It was a blessing to spend time with the children, and we all enjoyed ourselves.  

As we were driving away from the centre, all the people in the community waved at us and said hello.  

Please pray for a replacement teacher as the current teacher is having a baby in June.  Pray for safety and the ability to reach out to more children in the area.

By the way, (Linette writing now) I had a neat opportunity to briefly visit a home across the road from this feeding centre.  This house was recently built by someone working with this mission.  A family with 5 children live here.  This house is probably about 10 x 15…they have no running water or washroom … but they are so grateful because they now have a well built house with windows rather than a shack pieced together with boards and tin.  There is now a small kitchen and two small bedrooms; one bed for 4 children and one bed for the parents and 4 month-old baby.  Anna let me come with her to bring 2 bags of clothing from our group.  The mother, Yolanda, gave me a big hug and thanked me and let us see her baby sleeping in the next room.  I left there amazed at her warmth and happiness even though she had so little. When I go back home I will think of her when I turn the tap to get water.  I am so blessed, but often not as grateful as Yolanda.

Shelley and Linette 

Day Off

Today we took a day off and drove to the Pacific Ocean.  We Had a good afternoon playing in the sun, watching the fishing boats come in and weigh in their catch, and seeing a few manta rays and hammerhead sharks get filleted.  The real highlight of the day though was being able to participate in Cheryl's baptism.  We may have set a new standard for Ness baptisms.


Confession of faith


Dying to self


Rising again, made new in Christ

Girl's Prison - Wednesday, March 30

On Wednesday we went to the girl's prison.  All of the girls there were between 13 and 19 years old.  When we arrived, guards let us in, took all our bags, and patted us down.  We are not allowed to post any photos or disclose any of the girls' names.  We were then allowed to enter the courtyard where most of the girls were hanging around.  It didn't seem like a prison - it was sunny and all of the walls were bright green.  Alvin donated an above ground pool for when the girls behave well.  They showed us around, and brought us to a room with sewing machines, nail polish, and hair styling tools.  The girls took turns painting our nails and doing our hair.  

The girls were all really nice, and two of them spoke English, so it was easy to have conversations with them.  After awhile, the girls were required to go up to their cells.  We were allowed to go up with them, and this is when it started to seem like an actual prison.  On either side of the large room we were in, there were jail cells.  It seemed so weird that they were locked behind bars, when just a minute ago they had been painting our nails, doing our hair, and making bracelets.  Once we were all together, we shared our testimonies with the girls.  We were told that we needed to encourage them and give them aspirations for their life other than just surviving.  We shared our hopes and dreams with them, and how we deal with stressful situations.  We sang songs for them, and they sang one for us.  When we had to leave, they waved to us through the bars.

Anna told us later that the girls do devotionals every day, and have Bible verses painted all over the walls of their cells.  It is good to know that God is so prevalent in their lives even though they are in prison.  A lot of the girls have children, and their only dream is to one day be with their child.  Please pray for the girls, especially those who are in gangs, that they would not end up back on the streets after their release.  Also pray that they would have more hope for the future and that they would stay safe.

Katrina, Kayla, and Anika

Day Three

It is five to eleven and we are just getting home from our evening of feeding homeless people on the downtown streets of Tegus.  It has been a very full day at the feeding centers, and house build as well as our 'evening on the town.'  All you get from me today is the end of the sunset we watched during supper.  What I will say is what a blessing it was tonight to watch our kids handing out food, playing with street kids, and just showing love in spite of not speaking much Spanish.  They have all grown up so much this week.





Terence