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!

Big and Strong is Our God

Grande Y Fuerte es Nuestro Dios!  (Big and Strong is Our God!)

Yesterday brought new job descriptions as our team took over teaching at the school. We taught bible classes, English classes and PE classes in addition to purging Alcatraz. Jessie jumped into her normal role as substitute teacher along with her interpreter Odra and assistant Sarah. Rick deposited new English nuggets into our 18 little children, Kim along with Libby and Tori taught a new game called Shipwreck. The kids were pumped with excitement to have us filling in for the day. Our other half of the team wrapped up building projects finishing what we came to do and more.

To our amazement and excitement we were invited to attend (with our teens) a concert with bands from local Puerto Cortez and Guatemala. The evening was perfectly warm, cloud covered and a slight breeze swept through field. This was unlike the 107degrees and bright sun we baked in early that day. I’ve attended Spirit Filled Christian Concerts in the United States fully understanding their message and this one matched the gusto, heart and pursuit of His Spirit. As we worshipped strongholds were broken, faith lifted up and agreement of health and healing for this country. This body lifted up Jesus, bathed in the Presence and committed to change Honduras for His Glory.

Change in the heavenly’s came as worship arose and proclamations were made in agreement.  As I stood, danced and worshipped last evening I envisioned thousands more worshipping at future events. There is more to come and I am thrilled to be a part of His move. An interesting thing I noticed in connection to His Presence; last night we had no mosquitoes at all in the worship stadium. Hum….When the sunflowers are present the nasty little pests that keep the harvest from coming in disappear. There is an aroma of Christ with our presence and this sweet aroma leaks out. “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”  2 Corinthians 2:15-16.

 As we walk and work among the lost we are bringing a new fragrance into this country that has been in darkness far too long.  I have sought out the Father about this dark place and He says in 2 Chronicles 7:14.  “If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear them from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  We will continue praying, seeking, and worshipping the Father in truth for you Honduras.

Alcatraz Finished -Teens Worship- Heavens Opened I say that was a good day. 

Grande Y Fuerte es Nuestro Dios!  (Big and Strong is Our God!)

Faithful

Chisels, Machetes and Hammers

What do chisels, machetes and hammers have in common? It’s teamwork, ingenuity and resolve to complete a task. Three projects, few tools and big hearts can accomplish much for the Lord. This has been our experience this week. Walk with me during our day.

Our building team has roofed the teen house, pulled enough wire thru to give it light and dug the septic system today. The cement finisher wrapped up his final touches on the exterior and the home for our teens is almost complete. Since the inception and start of the school building our boys were displaced to church families. I’d say within a week their new home will be ready. PTL!

Village rodents: spiders, cockroaches and rats……Yes, the strength of the female team overcame the infestations and pushed forward to clean and distribute needed items to our house moms. We, the team, agree that the village needs more cats, less rodents. We caught a live but dying rat today. I think it got stepped on or smashed by moving the tables while cleaning. Then a tarantula came a strutting out and scared off the workers, my team. A heavy footed sandal wiped out the critter. Now all edgy and fearful of another showing we picked lightly thru the boxes. As I returned with scrubbed tubs ready for refill my teammate entertained a cock roach in a box. I was aghast as she struggled the greatest with the other critter attacks. Lunch was served and we were spared for a while.

Tomorrow we dive into what we call Alcatraz. Alcatraz is an impenetrable storage house but only to humans. Nestled inside is home to the lost and homeless rats of Tepita. In the past, I have seen an 8 inch rat running for his life in that building. What will tomorrow bring? Well we have been praying for the Lord to increase the tools like He did with the loafs and fishes. Remember nothing is impossible with God.

This team brought with it willingness to serve despite the critters or the lack of tools. They walk with unity, love and anointing’s in their area’s of craftsmanship. Our talented crew dove into all projects with heart, ambition to finish and an attitude of I will do whatever you ask of me. We have two days left and we will finish strong.

PS…In one of our rooms was this big beautiful picture of 5 sunflowers, go figure God has not stopped speaking. I love Him, Don’t you? Do you know what the number 5 means? Hum….Grace- remember God is sending the five fold ministry to Honduras and their job description has been given.

Faithful