January Women's Conference

Destination Puerto Cortes, Honduras
Portland Airport 
 As we weighed our bags, shifted the contents to wiggle our loads down to 50 pounds we discovered Andrew's Passport is in his copier at home. Still feeling His peace; Kaitlyn arrives with it. Thank you! Moving to the ticket counter and getting boarding passes we discover that the airlines inadvertently tagged Kim's bag to go to El Salvador. Lisa catches the mistake and they run down into the baggage area to recover and re-tag my  bag. The night before Rick discovered I got upgraded to first class. This gave me uninterrupted opportunity to work on my talk as there was no one seated next to me. Thank you Father for this provision of time.

Upon arriving Houston we meet Martha and Sarah in the luggage area and head out to pick up our transportation to our hotel. The Van couldn't hold our whole team so Kim Kim, Andrew and Kim hung out until it could return. We had an entertaining conversation with a lady on the sidewalk as we moved around to keep warm. Our shuttle arrives and we catch up with the group at the motel. Our two rooms are on opposite ends of the hall. We all have a good time getting to know each other telling stories and laughing into the night.

San Pedro Sula Airport

We get into Houston only to find they want to charge us again for our extra luggage praise the Lord we found favor with the airline; no extra baggage fees.

Arrival in San Pedro Sula.... and the blessing of finding two carts to carry our extra floppy baggage. The benefits of getting off the plane first and  getting through customs. All luggage arrived safely. As I introduce the team to Amy and Oscar I headed over to get our van. It wasn't ready and the 20 minutes she promised turned into almost 2 extra hours waiting. We can still see the enemy at work. We made a Pizza hut stop and spent some time chatting as Oscar ordered food enough for 20 people. No one left hungry :)

Omoa-Rooms-Prayer
We got settled in and and had a team meeting as we needed to finalize the introductions of the conference and the closures of the conference. At home, I saw Andrew cutting through the atmosphere beating the rhythm of breakthrough. We discussed the introduction of flags and worship to a higher level. But the end of our first evening Andrew got a vision of a three fold chord wound with two other three fold chords. It was a nine fold chord and it was us we were united. We lifted our hearts in prayer, prepared for the next days activity and blessing from the Lord. Great Anticipation was before us.

Banquets, Dreams, and Realities

Banquets, Dreams and Realities

Three years ago we put together our first banquet then our second came and we told others about our dreams, about our children and about a hope for their future. Today, I entered the reality of that dream. It has confirmed the fact that God desires us to dream, to envision what could be, and to walk in His reality today. We opened up our school this August in Puerto Cortes with our village children. Half of our school is our children. They will be getting a better education than possible in the public or private sector in Honduras. It is a result of sharing our dreams with you. Many Thanks……

When I arrived the contour of the land had dramatically changed. A two story building replaced an old swing set, a couple of trees and a small home adjacent to our local church. The mountain behind us is gone but inside the walls are beautiful children learning and studying to make a difference in their lives. As I walked the halls, I never envisioned its beauty but today it stunned me. The realization of what Papa God has done for these kids is amazing, simply amazing.  We are looking forward to generations with truth and the wisdom of God to make difference for His Kingdom right here in Honduras. These people are lovely, gentle and peaceable. They make you feel like family. One day they will be known as peace makers you watch and you will see.

Do you have a dream for the Kingdom? You should….Look into Jesus eyes and ask what you can do for the Kingdom? He will give you freedom to dream, freedom to bring and freedom to create for His glory. Our King is awesome, this dream came true because we dared to believe, dared to dream and now He has made it reality. These children will have a better life and these children will bring change for the good to their country and you will watch and see. Praise be to our God and Father who gives more abundantly than we can ask or think.

Shalom,

Faithful

Outage

Outage,outside teaching and outrageous sighs.....Today brought us another power outage lasting 5 hours. Teachers were creative as they moved into God's shade and light breeze to work on pronunciation. The remaining staff got fast at work preparing for Friday's graduation. We knew electricity was on in Puerto Cortez and we had computer work to be done so off we went...and we hit the finish line. So come Friday, families of our youngest children will be on hand to watch our graduates receive promotion from their teachers. What a celebration we are going to have! Can't wait... come back and view the pictures right here on Hearts in Honduras!

Lisa and Rick you've Trained them Well!

Tonight was the nino's "La Carta Night". So many happy faces with dum dums sticking out of their mouths and trying to talk at the same time. The children got right into their envelopes of mail. They began coming to us for new english words to write, excitement was in the air. Tonight, I was so impressed with the boys stepping up to keep the room stick free. Stick free? What do I mean? Well they are learning to care for their own home more and more and little by little by putting the trash where it belongs. Small victory yet a giant step the right direction. A little birdie told me she has been working on it in their class. Kudos for Maria!

Outrageous Sigh!

Let me tell you my highlight tonight in the lettering writing...Cristian opened up a simple 4x6 card with the words, "Te Amo Mucho Cristian" Love Lisa and this child face lit up with a smile as broad as it could go and gave a huge sigh. This tender note hit the heart string of this boy right to the core. We thank you for taking the time to send a quick note because it meant so much to the child on this end receiving it. Since words can't accurately reflect his heart here's his picture.



So as I sat there taking in the evening I began to see little feet, bare feet and unusual looking feet. Then I would slip out of my chair and borrow one shoe and be gone. You see all of you helped them when you bought plants at the plants sale. With what we earned we brought them shoes so those little feet can run and jump and play. Here is a sample of shoes we replaced on those precious little feet. Thank you ever so kindly.

As I took my seat once again, Ezekiel came over to me and gave me a picture. This picture fits my life. Look, what do you see? You see, Jesus has me on a fishing trip for life. It is joyous and has tremendous rewards bringing heaven to earth. Come along, sharing is fun!

School Rewarded

Thank you Lord for good Honduran coffee; and the house mommies for having it ready early!

Today, we headed to the classroom to help with english and math activities. Roman numerals, rounding, word sounds and english bingo were some of the fun we had in class. I think I have found where the children will speak english and not be shy. Oh what fun it was to hear them speak and speak full sentences and in good english. These little ones have been hiding lots of words and conversation but no longer. I've found the secret place where they speak. :)
We had a school district employee evaluate our school today and she couldn't say enough wonderful things about it. She was simply amazed at the classrooms, the kids and what they saw. PTL! Cudoos to our wonderful staff!

The highlight of our trips are "La Carta". From the monent we step foot in the village until the night the boys and girls get to receive their letters they ask, "When is La Carta?" The children love to receive letters and love to write back to you. They keep up with what is happening in your lives and are truly concerned about you. So keep theose letters coming! If you haven't written one of our children go onto h2hcv.org and contact us so you can begin.

Motion

What goes up and down and stays in motion with pumping? Hum…Yes, you guessed it; eight little children swinging on the swings. All eight children were laughing and calling out me, me, me. They wanted to swing higher and higher, oh my.From the high swings to follow the leader they were lead into the air conditioned room. Our team painted hands, stamped their hand prints and produced multiple finger painting cards. When all was said and done each finger was colored multiple times with Crayola paints and washed just as many. We had fourteen little ones running all around, waiting for a turn to paint and someone to tell them, well done.

Today, our newest little baby weak from malnutrition walked with the help of one of our team. This was the highlight for our day as he smiled proudly walking the entire room. I am sure God was watching him and delighting in what He saw. Another child saved from the hardships that exist all too often in this nation.

In another part of the village the older children were getting hygiene lessons for their teeth, kinder graduation pictures were taken and of course more English. I am amazed at how quickly children can learn once they put their minds to it. Today was a good day filled with lessons, laughter and lines. Thank you Papa for another chance to touch your little ones….

School Sights

Our crew has been working faithfully on this project and excitment jumps all over me as I climbed the stairway to the top of the second story. The thought of a good education with Christ at the Heart brings bubbles of joy to the surface. You don't realize the impact of a thought or vision until it begins to evolve. This school  is becoming a testimony of God's goodness through and through.

Our small team meandered around the pillars and in and out of classrooms with various people at work here and there. Our young teens were mixing cement the Honduran way, shovel by shovel and bucket by bucket up, up to the second story. As I think about the children who are going to benefit from this school and the community in which it will touch I see God so delighted. Keep praying as we walk out in faith that which God has put on our hearts to educate these children with walk of Jesus and with His face before them all the way.

Here is but a small view of what a big God can do.

Salon Celebs

June 9, 2012

Today we spent the morning preparing the second quarter birthdays and trying to wake up after a long day. Coffee was brewed and the sight was a delight. We lost electricity early on today and working above the kitchen well; we all know heat rises. We moved slowly but steadily and finished our work. As I was looking for our newest family member’s birthdays we were summoned for lunch. After closing up shop we headed downstairs to find Honduran style tacos, covered in cabbage and slices of tomato. Not only looked scrumptious but it tasted wonderful. I guess you had to be here…. So, plan a trip with me J.

After lunch we headed down to see our newest additions. They are beautiful children whom appeared to be adjusting quickly with the other children. We hung around and took pictures and more pictures. I decided to sit down and play some word games with the kids. I taught them “telephone”. The challenge was to say one sentence in English and then we would say one sentence is Spanish. To my delight they loved it and we were all communicating. For those of you who don’t know I speak very little Spanish so it was challenging for all of us but we laughed and had tons of fun.

Each day we choose our highlight and talk about how we were impacted by our family. My highlight today was Isaac coming up to me and saying hola and reaching up to be picked up. It was the first time he spoke to me in 4 years. Last March he attempted to communicate in sign language which I did not understand but was so excited at his desire to talk. Papa never stops amazing me, you see Isaac has downs and yet is growing. Thank you Papa!

This evening we presented certificates and celebrated our young girls Salon Graduation. What beautiful young girls they are. Rick and I felt honored to be able to speak into their lives. Rick asked them a question that only each one individually could answer. “How are you going to use what you‘ve learned to advance the Kingdom?” The look on the girls facing told you they were pondering, “What could I do?”

I spoke to them about this being a first seed, planting it in good soil and keeping it watered. Amy and Oscar gave some exhortations in Spanish of which I did not understand but I could feel and sense their heart for them. They have been given something special and we will wait and see how these girls will honor the King of the Kingdom with their skills. What a privilege to be involved with the Kings kids. Thank you Papa!