Greetings from Honduras,

 

Since our team will be busy with final travel preparations on Thursday, we've decided to have our Thanksgiving meal tomorrow.  Our menu will include turkey, potatoes, yams, pumpkin pie, stuffing, coconut bread, and a casserole.  I made some Honduran eggnog for the meal as well (I had to substitute heavy cream with condensed milk and box milk for regular milk).  Hopefully it is palatable...it is definitely more a gentle carmel in color rather than a mellow yellow.  If the recipe succeeds it will be the first in my book of "Cookin' it 3rd World".

 

I conducted a test packing for my return flight to determine if I could make it home with just a carry-on.  Although my modest camelback will be bursting at the seams and approaching the max allotment of 49 lbs, I was succesful.  I've decided to leave most of my clothing and toiletries here in Honduras, regardless if I return in March.  If I do return, it's less to have to bring back, and if I don't, it can be given away to those in greater need than I.

 

Be well and God bless

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings from Helene,

 

My previous entry seemed to quickly prompt a wet and windy response from "old-man winter" as chilling north winds have ushered in heavy rains after a two-week dry spell. It started with our boat ride down island to IWC this past Sunday as we steamed through scattered showers. Last night the crescendo culminated in an all-night-long, door slamming, and window rattling deluge. While precipitation is now intermittent, winds are still thrashing the palm trees about. Unofficial temperatures hover around 66 degrees...which is downright freezing by Honduran standards. Temperatures were around 60 degrees in Ridgway, Colorado this morning...to think we're separated by nearly 2,000 miles and 24 degrees of latitude, but only 6 degrees Fahrenheit.   That gives new meaning to "six degrees of separation".

 

Be well and God bless

Greetings from Helene, Honduras

It hasn't rained in nearly two weeks, which from my limited in-country experience seems obviously atypical for a Bay Islands' rainy season. Two more of our Alternative Missions Team Helene teammates have left the island for the states. Prayers for safe travel and renewal follow in their boat's wake as they go home to take part in the birth of their first grandchild. With only five of us remaining, it seems there should be only a couple more episodes remaining of our rendition of "Survivor- Helene".  In two weeks we too will be mounting up and steaming down island to catch our big planes back to "civilization".

The last few days have been busy with school graduations and their ensuing celebrations. Our evenings have been monopolized by season three of "Lost" and random games of Cricket, 501, and Scorpion (a dart game of skill and courage as we hurl steel tip darts at near vertical distances of 20 feet at our housemate scorpions). Grrr...scorpions. 

The most recent nights have had a full moon wash the ocean in sparkling silver and Orion has now joined the night sky's medley. This weekend we travel down island to West End for IWC (International Worship Center). It's enjoyable to occasionally get off the island and fellowship with other Christians. I ask for your prayers for travel mercies as we take to the boat (it's about a 30 to 45 minute ride). We are very vulnerable to the distemper of sea and storm during these journeys. On our return from IWC two weeks ago, the last ten minutes of our journey were amidst a near zero visibility deluge that even challenged our sea-savvy boat handlers. I'm not even going to mention the high adventure of Roatan roads and motorists...

I'm hoping to get some snorkeling in before we leave, although the water has been a bit choppy and cloudy of late. I'm also hoping to check out Helene's "caw-ay" (that's Helenish for cave, as the letter "v" is often pronounced with a "w" instead!). It is apparently crawling with tarantulas, (Grrr...tarantulas) so I must admit I'm a bit hesitant, but it can't be that much more dangerous than the caves I used to scramble about in the Ozarks! Hopefully I can get some photos to post.

That’s all for now, be well and God bless

 

 

Another week has come and gone and our focus has shifted to leaving Helene and returning to the states.  These are busy times with checklists and deadlines; people to see and farewells to bid.  It seems like I've just arrived, and I suppose I have.  In island time, I've been little more than a grain of sand upon the beach.  Several of our team will not be returning to Helene and this fast-approaching certainty is likely weighing heavy.  For me, I haven't formed the relationships that they have nurtured through the years so I can only imagine the heartache and emptiness they are preparing to contend with, not to mention the challenge of reacclimating to a culture and society that is very different from Helene, Honduras.

 

Speaking of culture, I thought I'd share some "Helene Speak" with readers.  Although the islanders here speak English it is often very much like a foreign language as I struggle to pick up the dialect and unique terms.  Juxtaposed to this is how spanish is often interwoven into the language as well.  At times, I truly do not understand a single word that is being spoken to me!  The following are a few excerpts from a document that's circulated with staff.  I'd give a citation/source but it's not known.

 

all mash up   Broken/wrecked            "That boat is all mash up."

bad bahong  Overwhelming hunger     "I got bad bahong."

blinkies        Lightning bugs

Boy nah       Expression of surprise     "What a load of fish! Boy nah?"

College        Equivalent of American High School

Duppies       Ghosts

Fin foot       flippers (snorkelling/diving)

fresco         soda, pop

gee some    Expression of surprise/disbelief     "We gotta do that? Gee some..."

good night   a greeting, said when first entering the room

magga        very thin                      "Girl you've gotten so magga."

molest        to bother                     "Quit molesting me."

Operating   Diarrhea

Shit boy     common expression, not considered a bad word, like saying "Darn" or "Gosh" in the states

tacos        futbol cleats

wexed       Upset                         "I'm really wexed at him."

what's clickin' bra    What's up, how are you doing?

Yaba-ding-ding       Indian artifacts made of clay, jade or stone

 

That's just a few!  Be well and God bless!

Pink salmon skies fade to lavender pools over a still and deepening ocean.  A bright star winks and the moon peeks through clouds heavy with weather's intent.  Crickets chirp, dogs howl, and the moan of another tired day recedes.  The darkness grabs us and we cling to faith.

Greetings from Honduras,
 
Another week has flown by, quite literally on the wings of aggressive northern winds.Yesterday we finished the desalinator plant relocation project.  That was quite a task involving immense, careful planning.  The project was finished just in time as one of our key team members and resident electrician departed home for the states after 4 years of service to the Lord here on Helene.  Paul is moving to Vegas where he can be a full-time grandpa and family man.  Please pray for Paul as the adjustments from life here...to life there will be challenging.
 
Last night I was able to call home using Skype and briefly visit with my sisters and parents who are gathered in Jefferson, WI for their annual sisters' weekend.  It was a blessing of encouragement to chat with them, albeit briefly.  I can feel your prayers of support moment by moment and each of you are dearly missed.
 
I also want to give thanks for the financial support I've received.  I know how difficult these times are as they pertain to our stumbling economy (is that an understatement?) but I truly appreciate your kind generosity to support God's great commission here on Helene.
 
I imagine people are wondering what my long term plans are for my involvement here in Honduras.  In response, I can say "me too".  I am taking each day one at a time and trying to take all direction from Christ as to what I'll do next, and I've been praying in earnest to this matter.  I decided before arriving that I would not make a firm decision about next year until I returned to the states so I could reflect upon my experiences and pray with family members.  I am still holding to that conviction...however, I do feel that God is tugging me to stay.  Uncertainties still exist, but I am fast realizing that a life with and in Christ is a life in adventure...an adventure safely grounded in His certain love.  Uncertainties help us become more dependant on our Savior, and require us to let go of self-dependency and seize complete dependency on God.  I do know that if and when I decide to return to Helene, it would not be until at least March, 2009.  The Alternative Missions leadership have decided that the island needs to "take care of some issues" prior to the team's return.  I ask for your prayers that God may reveal His plan for his island children and Team Helene.
 
With only school exams remaining, our tasks here will soon shift to "closing shop" for the holidays.  It will be a busy and stressful endeavor, especially for those dealing with the anxiety of returning home after several years of service here.  Your prayers for Camas, Brandy, and Emily are needed as they contend with a new adventure apart from Helene, Honduras.
 
Be well and God bless
 
Dominic 

Greetings from Honduras,
 
My third week on Helene had many ups and downs, all blessings from the Lord.  Our little students in fourth grade were increasingly zealous in their desire to disrupt as we only have four days of school remaining.  Children here, like most anywhere, have an abundance of energy.  However, I've never heard a child utter "I am bored" here on Helene.  When it's recess I don't have to entertain them, they are most resilient to these ends.  Whether it's playing futbol, clamboring through an intense mangrove swamp like a jungle gym, or darting off into the bush to try and catch birds and iguanas (barefoot mind you!) they are always on the move.  This is also true of our time in the classroom.  It is like a jungle, and sometimes I feel like I'm the iguana!
 
The two interns who arrived before me, Henry and Terry, have decided to not finish their internship and have subsequently left the island.  All things really seemed to indicate that this just wasn't the place and time for their ministry here on Helene.  They instead are going to attend a spanish language school on the mainland until returning to the US in December.  Prayers for travel mercies, protection, and Godly guidance in their lives are appreciated.
 
This past week brought more rain and heat.  I haven't even dipped a toe in the ocean for a couple weeks.  Today we are walking to Northside to eat at a little "restuarant".  We made our reservation and placed our order at the same time (a week ago!).  Fresh caught lobster and conch don't sound so bad? 
 
Last night I had an extensive conversation with Dierdre, our nurse and all around missionary all-star.  We talked about how we come here to serve, and we do, but often the real or readily tangible (and even selfish) fruits are our persistent awareness of our immenent closeness to Christ.  It's hard to describe, but again I feel so bound in faith that prayer comes naturally and uninhibited, love runs like water, and hope abounds.  Wow, what an amazing feeling.  Praise God.
 
Be well and God bless
 
Dominic

Greetings from Helene!
 
This week was in many ways a stark contrast to my first week on Helene.  We had a substantial amount of rain and temperatures were much cooler (and comfortable!).  The business of last week also gave way to a slower pace this week, in part due to the weather, but largely due to the absence of a short-term mission team.  Also, I spent my first week in the classroom teaching the 4th grade "intervention" class (I'll speak to that more a little later!).  The one constant has been the prevailing presence of Jesus Christ in everything we do!  It's hard to explain, those of you who have been on mission trips can probably understand.  Moment by moment, hour by hour, and day by day I've been trying to dedicate myself to glorifying God.  I still fall WAY short, and fall into old patterns, but I definitely feel different, and it has been only two weeks.  I hope this transformation continues!  I've been continuing my reading and journaling (there is a great rooftop deck called the prayer deck where I sit at dusk and into the earl evening to reflect).  The other night I got caught in a huge deluge while going to escort a team member back from the eastern tip of the island.  The house we were going to was near the end of a long, narrow concrete path that was bordered by swampy waters on one side, and the ocean on the other.  The tides cover it with about 4-6 inches of water.  During the rain it was a bit sketchy staying on the path!  The staff here enjoy watching movies and DVD's of television series.  I've been watching a lot of season 3 Prison Break (like it), Monk (great), and Boston Legal (funny but very politically driven, very liberal and even anti-Christian)- as if you weren't aware of these shows!  Yesterday I went down island with Paul to get fuel and other supplies.  We had to contend with three foot swells which really tossed me around.  I felt like I'd just lost an Ultimate Fighter match!  It was a nice change of scenery and I was also able to stock up on chocolates!  Our return trip was much smoother as the winds had died down significantly.
 
My classroom experiences were very interesting.  Islander communication is very emotional and volume driven.  Want to make your point?  Scream it!  The kids are so driven to please the teacher and receive praise.  It's an intervention class because for various reasons the students are in dire need of help.  The boys especially are at an age in which most drop out to start work or mischeif.  Their names are Dominick, Donard, Phil, Delroy, Ryan, Rayon, Quien, Saemon, Trisia, Jessie, Kiera.  Please pray for them as they need their minds renewed and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Being able to constantly turn to God during a class has been amazing.  I've been enjoying teaching scripture and placing Jesus Christ as the center of all our learning. 
 
I've been sleeping well, perhaps better than I have ever slept before in my life despite the typical humid and hot conditions at night.  Last night was an exception as it seemed that every dog on the island was outside my window and determined to keep me awake.  It was a wierd night filled with wierd dreams that I can't explain.  To put it simply, I felt attacked and did a lot of praying last night. 
 
The food has been wonderful, although I'm desperately in need of some ice cream.  We have two islanders who prepare our weekday meals and I would describe our food as largely American.  For example last night we had hamburgers and french fries.  We have had some native cousine, including fresh caught Mahi-mahi.
 
I started taking anti-biotics as a cough I'd had before arriving has not gone away.  The mosquitos are not bad unless you start hacking your way through the bush.  For that reason I haven't seen any iguanas yet (in the bush).  The boys like to catch them and apparently they cook them up and eat them.  At night there are blue crabs everywhere, some a little too large for comfort.  Apparently I'm to also be cautious of tarantulas which walk across our yard in numbers from time to time.  I haven't been in the ocean for a week or so now, perhaps I'll do that today.  The island is more or less completely buffered by coral reef that minimizes the wave action and tides.
 
I've mentioned that we have daily morning devotions but we also have a DVD bible study series we are doing about two times per week ("The Truth Project").  The interns also meet weekly to discuss team dynamics.  There's church on Wednesday night and twice on Sundays (am and pm).
 
In closing I'd like to share a prayer:
 
Lord and heavenly Father,
 
Lead my heart toward truth and eternal peace through our saviour Jesus Christ.  Guide my hands to actions giving glory to Your great name.  Temper my words with wisdom and clothe me in virtues befitting Your grace.  Hold me firm against temptation and determined toward obedience.  May I embrace Your discipline for it is Your love that renders me complete.  Humbly I lay myself before You and by Your mercy may I serve Your will and perfect plan.  Amen.
 
Your prayers and continuing support are greatly appreciated.
 
Be well and God bless
 
Dominic

Hello again,
 
Although it's still early in this journey, it's hard to find words to describe my first week in Helene.  I don't know what I was thinking when I came here to teach...because I have done nothing but learn. 
 
The short-term mission (STM) group from Freeport, RI left about an hour ago, so things are quiet.  My first week was very busy and I never even set foot into the classrooms to teach!  That will start on Monday.  I spent quite a bit of time helping the STM construct a building extension that will house the desalinator works and engine.  We finished that project on Thursday and it turned out well.  I was also asked to lead devotion on Thursday morning which was well-received.  It is very hot today with little breeze, but we essentially have the rest of the weekend to recharge before School on Monday.  The people of Helene are incredible, living with so very little in daily struggle, yet so many are so amazingly passionate and dedicated to Jesus Christ.  I have had many conversations just listening to Jerry (islander) talk about how much he loves God.  We went to church on Wednesday night and afterwards I felt "intoxicated" with the spirit of the lord. 
 
The living conditions here at the mission (called the clinic by the islanders because of our nurses and services) far surpassed my expectations.  We have electricity that's generator-based that charges up batteries for overnight usage.  We have an abundance of fresh water that is processed from rain and ocean.  We have flushing toilets and showers, although we use both very sparingly and with extreme conservation.  We have a television and DVD player, and on Tuesday nights a group of boys comes over to "press" on the videogame Playstation 2 set that we have.  (Pressin' is what they call playing video games because of the constant button pushing.)  I have a small, simple room on the second floor.  Thus far I've been spending my little free time reading and journaling, as well as sitting on our "prayer deck" which sits atop the roof of the clinic.  The view from there is absolutely amazing...I have to pinch myself.  I watched a wicked lightning storm approach from the south the other night, counting off the time between flash and bangs and watched the Seven Sisters (constellation also called the Pleiades) rise in the eastern skies above Guanaja and thought of my own six sisters.  The sounds of roosters crowing, dogs barking, pigs squealing, children laughing, and the echo of worship and praise from the adjacent church all mix to form a chorus of sounds hard to comprehend.  Yesterday I took a siesta on the second floor deck in a hammock and was awoken by a small spider monkey looking up at me and holding my finger like a little child holding an adult's hand as they cross a street.  The monkey's name is Poncho, he's the former pet of someone somewhere (he's the only one of his kind on the island) and he's developed the reputation of being something of a thief.  I'm not supposed to be encouraging him, but he's so darn cute I can't find myself shooing him away. 
 
My teaching plans are ever changing, even as of this afternoon.  I was to begin working with the older students but an unforeseen emergency with our leadership here might thrust me into the helm of a younger class for a week or so.
 
Unfortunately, there is no way to mail things to my location, at least any way that I'm aware of.  The only way to our island is a 30-minute boat ride from Roatan.  I'm hoping to go swimming or perhaps even snorkeling this weekend.  The staff tell me that some of the best snorkeling in the Bay Islands is within swimming distant from our location.  I also hope to go fishing with Jerry or one of the other locals.  The people here are very poor, but as aforementioned, not in spirit.  I appreciate your continued prayers of support.  Here we live in island time, which is measured in relationships and paced by Jesus Christ.  Thus far, it's been quite a place.  I'm sure conflict and challenges will arrise, so I continue to ask for your prayers of love, encouragement, and protection for both me, the missionaries here on Helene, and the islanders.
 
Be well and God bless
 
Dominic 

The wind has been howling for several days as a cold front has pressed in from the north.  The north side of the island is taking a licking and the palm trees are whistling and swaying.  Only one day of school left (plus exams next week).  Temperature has been in the lower 70's which is unbelievably cold for here!  Kids showed up to school today with long sleeve shirts and hoodies! A large scorpion visited one of our residences yesterday.  Seems like the wind and rain are driving the critters into shelter, unfortunately, with us!  We're heading to Roatan this weekend... so I hope the chop on the seas subsides by then.

Camas found a large Tarantula in the generator building today.  It must have been a good eight inches across in leg span!  We had a really good day in class, behavior was much better than last week.  We used John 3:16 as a means to review verbs and nouns and then discussed the verse's significance. A student who has never led closing prayer volunteered to do so today... that was quite a victory!  Only three more days of school left! It's sad, but school is going to end just when I'm starting to connect with the students!