List of needed donations:

Boys and young men's clothing:

~ Pants - Sizes: I don't really know, but think small. None of our boys are probably taller than 5' 8" and are all thin.
   * Nice jeans, dress pants, and work pants

~ Dress shirts - Long Sleeve, Sizes: Adult Small and smaller

~ T-shirts (adult small and smaller)

~Small gifts for birthdays (ages 7-18)

Girls and Young Women's clothing
~ Training bras, Sports bras and bras (32-36 A, & 36 B)
~ Fancy Ball gown(s) for quinceañeras (Again think small both short and thin)
~Small birthday gifts (age 3 and ages 7-18)

Recreation Department:

Paint (Acrylic, tempera, watercolor, face etc... for art projects)
Art kits
Craft Supplies
Scrapbook supplies
Liquid Glue
Glue Sticks (acid free)
Double sided tape
Big rolls of clear packaging tape
Scotch Tape
Masking Tape
Duct Tape
Markers
Crayons
Colored Pencils
Beads
String
Twine
Yarn
Decks of Cards
Construction Paper
Hula Hoops
Soccer Balls
Kites
Trinkety toys for prizes (think dollar store)
Truly anything art, craft or fun game type things you can think of

School:

Books in Spanish: Particularily chapter books for grades 4 and up especially high school
Spanish English Dictionaries
Construction Paper
Paint
Glue
Pencils
Erasers
Crayons
Markers
Colored Pencils
Hula Hoops
Any sort of school supply or teaching aid (in Spanish) you can think of

Clinic:

Ibuprofen (children and adult)
Cough Drops
Tylenol (children and adult)
Basic cold meds
Vitamins (children, women, pre-natal, men)
Tums
Pepto
Think over-the-counter things you'd keep at home

Queens of the kitchen

So I invited Kimberly and Brittani (sisters 9 & 8) to cook dinner with Tiffany and I the other night. On the walk over to our house Kimberly was super excited since it was her first time cooking dinner at the missionary house. Brittani then began sharing her insider knowledge of how things operate at our house since she proudly said it was her third time cooking with us. "You should see how they pass things," Brittani said to her older sister. Referring to the fact that during meals our table is more like a air hockey table. Then she sheepishly asks, "Kit, can we eat hot sauce?" "Sure, if you want." EEEEhehehehe came their excited giggles. Brittani then in all her wisdom tells Kimberly... "You can even pour your own water." I just smiled as I imagined that actually being a disaster since our container of water weighs about as much as she does. Kimberly now sort of quite and pensive asked the question that you could tell was really on her mind. "Kit, can we talk (during dinner)." I stifled back my laughter knowing their house parents make them finish eating before they can talk. "Yes, Kimberly you can talk while we eat." That pretty much made me the coolest special friend ever. I love these girls so much. Please keep them and their siblings in your prayers.

Celebrating 26 years!

I don't want this to come out the wrong way, but it seems a stretch to have titled this celebrating 26 years. 25 was a big deal and we did some pretty memorable stuff last year that is hard to top. I can hardly believe it has been a year with how fast life has flown by. It's been a beautiful year filled with challenges, growth, friendships and fun times. Just last night we had a “slumber party” until midnight with the girls to watch movies and celebrate Valentine's Day. Now I am relaxing after a hot shower as I sit in the Cabana I've rented at the nearby resort. Heck, it's pretty incredible to not be spending my birthday in the deathly cold. Life could definitely be a lot more difficult. That said though life isn't always a walk on the beach either.

The reason I say celebrating may be a stretch is simply that life has become too hectic and too restricted mainly from factors outside our control for anyone in the community to feel they can leave the fence to come spend part of the day here at T-Bay. I feel very blessed that I have one “vacation” day to be able to get away from some of the stress of living at work. It's more than a little unhealthy though that to get a day “off” we have to plan a vacation day.

We hear it from people all the time when they first hear about our mission or come to visit. They ask, “So when is your day off?” or “So when do you leave?” As in what time do you go home each day. We stifle back our jaded laughter and simply explain, “Actually that is our house right over there. We live and work here.” No one ever said our mission is easy or without sacrifice, and so each day we lift ourselves out of bed praying that today will be the day when calm returns and that the next storm isn't directly on it's heels.

If that sounds a bit dramatic it might be. However, sometimes it takes a child's wisdom to help us see that life isn't so tough. My special friend 8 year old Caterin and I were talking about a family that had come to visit The Finca with donations. I don't recall exactly how it came up, but if I remember correctly she asked something about why that family didn't speak Spanish. I said something about how they don't live in Honduras, but were just visiting. Then came her response wrapped in wisdom that comes from saying far too many goodbyes. “Pero, ustedes no viven aca.” Translated word for word she said, “But you guys (the missionaries) don't live here.” Translated into reality, “So you think that because you speak Spanish you've got life here figured out.” Talk about a reality check!

I was slightly offended and said to her, “But Cati we do live here. We live at The Finca with you guys.” But I knew she was right. It is so humbling in a way that leaves you empty and searching for more to give only sto realize that even when we've given of ourselves to what feels like the last drop it is not going to change reality.

The reality is that each of our children have lived through and continue to deal with things that my worst dreams cannot conjure.

The reality is that 27 months (or sometimes longer) is a drop in the ocean of what our children need.

Even though as much as I egotistically would like to think that I will always be a part of each of their lives the reality is they know better.

The reality is that although we may try to give them back childhoods once stolen it is not us who can do that.

The reality is that only Christ working through each of us can heal their lives.

Despite the reality as Cati pointed out I am not Honduran or truly living here the one thing I can give is God's love and the reality is that he will never leave.

All I ask for my birthday is please keep our children, staff, neighbors and our mission in your prayers.

Rain Rain go away. Dang it! I'm just kidding Lord!

Alright so it's now definitely the heart of the rainy season. This generally means rain for at least a few minutes each day the sky opens up and everything floods for that moment. However, the reality of this winter has been a lot wetter. Back in November over Thanksgiving we had a massive storm that lasted for 72+ hours straight. Then on Monday night the heavens split open once again.

Around 11:30 that night (for some reason I was still wide awake) the sheets of water pounded deafeningly on the tin roof. It would be my turn the next morning to serve breakfast. I knew if the rain continued I'd not want to get up so I made a simple breakfast of banana bread, jello and setting out corn flakes and oatmeal. It was a semi-restless night as visions of Noah's ark dance in my head. Tuesday morning came and the rain still flooded in. When I finally got up around 8:00 that morning there were moments of calm when we thought the rain was lifting. It was never the case though. The clouds were just taking another deep breath before letting it all out again with the force of fire hoses. “Rain Rain go away come again another day,” became the unstated hope.

It seems though we'd jinxed ourselves even just thinking about it. The saying - “Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink” was soon to become our motto. The water quit coming out of the taps around breakfast time. We found out the neighbors had no water either. It turned out the pipe which brings water across the river was knocked down when the river rose too high.

Meanwhile, I told my fellow winter school teachers that if it was still raining by 9:15 we'd call of the day's activities. Of course, 9:00 rolls around and the sun comes out over the bay and over The Farm. “Alright... I guess we'll have classes,” I thought to myself. About an hour into classes Mother Nature decided she wasn't finished. I am now sitting under the tin roof of our outdoor classroom shouting just to be heard by my four 7-9 year olds. Recess rolled in along with the next deep breath of rain.

One by one with the help of my “student teacher” Daniel huddled together they'd scurry from the 1^st grade classroom splashing through the encroaching lake to the library for indoor recess. The decision was made that if there was any break in the rain we'd have the kids drop what they're doing an make a break for their houses. That break cam just before noon until a little after lunch.

The rest of Tuesday would pass with massive down pours of rain followed by periods of tranquility. All the while no water whatsoever was coming out of the tap. We began to fill large buckets with rain water coming off the roof. This was enough to keep us sustained with water to filter for drinking, washing dishes and one or two people could bucket shower. This luck didn't last!

Wednesday morning the sun came out, but the water still was not flowing. We got word that the pipe that had been knocked down was now being fixed. The question still remained just how long that would take. By midday the only sign of re-hydration was the slow trickle of muddy water from our front spicket. At least it'd be enough to run through the filter for drinking a few hours later. The pile of dirty dishes was now growing. Everyone was starting to look like they'd just woken up from a night of camping in the wild... granted that look is a bit more “in style” here anyways during the winter. That night it was decided if water still had not come back by Thursday morning there would be a run to the river to bath.

Again the sun came up... no sign of any rain to bring us much needed water. The spicket had now stopped flowing consistently as well. At this point I began recalling that horrible children's rhyme I'd previously hoped for. This time I could only think... alright God this is definitely that other day; please bring back the rain!

 

Making the most of it a handful of people took to the river. There was plenty of talking themselves into it knowing full well how cold it would be. The run there would help.

  I on the other hand figured I'd wait it out another day. This served me well since the water finally came back full blast and clear that afternoon. After going most of the week without a shower I decided it'd be worth it to wait a little longer as I heated up a few buckets of hot water.

Props to my comrades who braved the chilly waters. I on the other hand am just grateful that over the past year God has taught me that sometimes patience pays off.

November and December in a nutshell

To catch everyone up on life here at the Finca over the past couple months I'll go back to the start of November. We started the month with the graduations of our 9^th graders and 6^th graders. This year marked a change in Honduras (one that I don't fully understand). As I've stated before formal education is only required through 6^th grade. Therefore, 6^th grade is when the kids are recognized with a large graduation. However, this year we were told the 9^th graders would be the ones formally recognized with gowns and diplomas. What I don't fully understand is whether the national standard has now been increased to 9^th grade or if this is just a way of encouraging more kids to continue through 9^th grade. The other question that remains is if the government standard has increased then how are many schools supposed to provide those next three years of education since many schools end at 6^th grade. I guess I'll leave that be as is and simply share some of the smiling faces from graduation day.

 

Amid all the rush of ending the school year we also brought to a close our large sculpture garden project as part of the contest at the nearby zoo/botanical gardens (Campo del Mar). The kids under the guise of Harrison (one of my fellow missionaries) and alongside our maintenance team spent about 2 months turning an empty plot of land into a beautiful sculpture garden. Our scuplture is of the facade of the Cathedral in Trujillo. On the back side of the cathedral is a map of the bay area marking where the first Mass was ever said in the Americas after Christopher Columbus landed. There are also 4 pathways leading to the cathedral lined with pavers. Each paver has our kids' footprints and their names. At the entrance of each pathway are the 4 pillars of the Finca (Spirituality, Service, Community and Simplicity). Check out the music video (eventually it will be on the right hand side of your screen) I made of the project's progression.

 

When all was said and done we had another month to wait before the projects were judged. During that month the kids kept the plants watered and maintained. Then on the day of the big announcement we were all invited to spend the afternoon at the zoo/botanical gardens hanging out on the beach and enjoying cupcakes and soda.

Everyone waited anxiously as each place announced starting with 13^th. It came to 3^rd place and we'd still not had our name read. The excitement rose! Just one more place to go and the Farm would receive at least $2,500. The name was read for 3^rd and suddenly we were still in the running! They called us and the other remaining contestant to the front. 2^nd place was announced and the next thing we knew everyone starting cheering as we were handed a 1^st place check for $5,000! Due to the hard work off our kids, the maintenance team and especially Harry our kids now have a scholarship fund underway.

 

 

As a way to celebrate we took all the older kids who had worked on the project to a resort further down the beach. We enjoyed a lunch of hamburgers and french fries. Even the kids who usually have two hallow legs when it comes to eating were so full some could not finish. Then they spent a couple hours living the high life... playing pool, swimming, jumping and sliding into the pool and finished the afternoon with cake. A well deserved retreat for all their hardwork.

 

In between finishing the sculpture garden and the judging we also said goodbye to our “oldies”. The missionary class ahead of us had to leave about 2 weeks early (before Thanksgiving). Because of Honduran national elections there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding possible unrest pending the results. That meant the borders could have potentially shut down and there would be no way of knowing when they'd have been able to leave. It was therefore decided best to get them out before the elections. That meant cutting short many training opportunities for our newest missionaries, but so far so good.

 

 

Just a few days it was time to get the gears moving for Thanksgiving. Now with just 11 of us instead of 19 cooking for over 100 people seemed quite daunting. Fortunately God has a way of knowing just how much we can handle so he brought us a flood. For those who have been following my blog you may recall back in March we had quite a flood during which about 50 students, teachers and patients became trapped at the Finca. Well, I for one was not going to have a repeat of that chaos especially with Thanksgiving just a day away.

It had started raining Tuesday night. Then Wednesday (still raining) we had just finished our morning hour of tutoring at school when some of the kids came back and said the river was too high to cross on foot. They asked if they could get a ride across in one of the vehicles. I went into quick action mode. Running to the clinic I told the nurses they either had to get everyone out now or they'd be trapped in the Finca again. Then finding the first available driver I told Rony (one of the house dads) there was no time to wait. Within the half hour everyone who lived on the other side of the river was either safely across or had found a neighbor to stay with.

 

Unlike the storm back in March this one did not let up within 24 hours. It would go on for over 72 hours! Some of the guys made the most of the rainday. We canceled all activities for the kids and they went for a swim in the now roiling bay. If that wasn't enough of a workout for their gaurdian angels they were put to a speed test as the guys got out of the water. As Pat, Curt and Harry walked back to the house we (inside the house) heard a massive CRACK. My first thought was the waves had reached the fence. Within a split second I hear “Oh ****!” as the guys then slammed into the front door. A massive tree by our fence completely uprooted from all the water and was just feet from crushing them.

 

 

Another near tragic incident happened that night in one of the mountain communities as well. An older couple (I know by acquaintance, but our nurses know well) lost their home to a fire and because of the flooded rivers our nurses could not get them help till the storm stopped. Also somehow the driver of a truck managed to escape before his vehicle was washed over one bridge eventually landing further down river submerged to the roof.

The rain continued as Thanksgiving morning came. Uncertain of when or if the rain would let up we all took to multiple houses to start cooking. By the time 1:00 rolled around it was decided the priest would not be able to cross the major river in town to make it for Mass. An hour later with the rain still coming down we began to realize the number of guests we'd be having would probably be cut in half since only those living on our side of the river could make it. There was so much to be thankful for and even amid the storm we found calm in the more close knit group that gathered. We sent out the word to more of our nearby neighbors and between employees and visitors still had around 50 people. This provided for plenty of leftovers for everyone to take back to extended family.

 

To work off all that turkey the following weekend we had our first (and hopefully annual) turkey trot. The original plan was a 5k but was closer to a 2 mile race. Our youngest boys and a few others had been training a few times a week with Laura and Kevin Kuehl. Race day came and although 1 or 2 did tire before finishing the lap within the Finca they all brought their A game. Holding true to his word that he would leave everyone in the dust without training 18 year old Juan Carlos basically sprinted the entire way lapping back while some were still heading to the turning point. Kevin Mader, Harrison pulled in a tight 2^nd and 3^rd with 13 year old Daniel right behind. 11 year olds Brayan and Joel had impressive showings. It was clear they had been training and now understood how to pace themselves unlike in a soccer game. 9 year old Seidy and 14 year old Belkis were neck and neck the whole way as they represented the girls houses. I am so proud of them all and so pleased to see how happy they all were with themselves for such an accomplishment.

 

Let's see... what else has everyone been up to. Our kids that are part of the PAVI work program (the acronym translates a bridge to independence life) took cooking and jewelry making classes in November.

 

We also celebrated a wonderful Christmas... unfortunately I don't have pictures of that just yet. Because my camera was stolen back in October I am now just using pictures that others have taken. That said you will just have to check back in for my next blog update. I will try my best to get it up in January.

To all: I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that the new year is filled with every grace and blessing possible.

Love,

Kit