It's just cultural

Enjoying the mud and cold water at the ocean

There have been many conversations in our house about how life is different in Honduras. And usually it comes down to the fact that, It's - not right - it's not wrong - it's just different ---- It's cultural. Life in Honduras is different and that is OK.

Now, being in the states these last few weeks I have realized something. Life in the states is different. It's not right - it's not wrong - it's just different ---- It's cultural. I have been able to slide back into life in the states because that's been my norm my whole life. My kids on the other hand, are discovering and becoming a part of another culture. The culture in the states is not necessarily what my kids are used to anymore. (and yes, I am really ok with it).

Here are some fun differences:



He might be driving down the street without
any clothes on :)

It is normal for the power to go out often in Honduras - so Isaac just announces "powers back on" whenever he hears a frig. turn on.

Both kids are a little put out that they have to wear bike helmets whenever riding. Isaac down right refused one day.

We are freezing!!! need I say more?

Isaac doesn't understand why in the world he has to wear clothes - even underwear - He thinks it is completely appropriate to be naked all day.

Also, the rule at Granny and Papa's house is that - if you must pee outside, it HAS to at least happen in the backyard.

Just because Mountain Dew is available, does not mean you can have it for every meal - Hannah



We may not be in Honduras but that does not mean it is safe to walk to 7-11 by yourself. - Hannah

Walmart may have 8 Aisles of toys and 300 different options of cars but that doesn't make it any easier to make decisions - sometimes, only having one option is a good thing



SLURPEES!!!

Isaac loves watching the toilets at Walmart automatically flush. - He squeals and giggles every time

We still look for the filtered water whenever we go to fill up our water bottles :)

Hannah will be telling a story then look at me, " mom what's that word in English? I forgot"

Hannah feels uncomfortable in just spaghetti strap tank tops.

Policemen are friends in the states - this isn't a 'normal' thing in Honduras. Isaac was a bit nervous around Jeremie's friends. He loved all of the fire trucks and police cars though - 'the weo, weo's'

Isaac was very disappointed when papa turned on the 'football' game and soccer didn't show up



I love both of our cultures. I love laughing at ourselves. I love watching my kids grow and learn.
 I love our blend of cultures - Catringos (Catracha/Gringa or Honduran/American)

can you just feel the happiness?
Slurpee heaven

Enjoying the cold lake with friends -
hot chocolate anyone?

Granny and Papa time

Walking with Granny

The last few months have been filled with family time. Mom came to Honduras for 6 weeks this summer. It was such a pleasure to spend time with her in the country we love.

When she came, we were in the middle of 'team season' so we spent most of the time just doing life. She spent many mornings playing with the kids while us mom's and dad's were busy. We went on walks through Lo De Reina, spent hours at the park, and the grandkids had tons of snuggle time. Us families took turns having Granny over for dinner so the kids could just really relax and get lots of Granny time in.

Dinner - just us. mom, me and Beth

Even though it was a busy summer, we made sure we got a lot of playing in. (that's a Granny's job, right?) We made several trips to the pool and even had a girls evening in town.



One of the highlights was that Granny was able to watch Hannah dance at church. Hannah was so thrilled. (and so was Granny)







Before church when Hannah danced



a morning in center square
 



Snuggle time - with Maddy and Isaac

When the summer was coming to an end it was so nice that family time didn't have to end. We had our furlow time in Oregon right after the clinic dedication. We actually beat mom and dad back to Oregon a few days :)



me, Daniel and mom

The last 4 weeks have been full; picnics, s'more making, wrestling, snuggling, shopping, swimming and just spending time together. I love seeing my kids play with their grandparents and I think that its awesome that after a month, we still all enjoy each other.

Living so far away from grandparents, we have really learned to take advantage of every opportunity to play and make memories. Everyday things become special. It is special to me when I watch my dad wrestle with Isaac or when Granny and Hannah go to school to 'work' :)

Playing cars with 'Papa"

 I miss the everyday spending time together but I am so thankful for the time we are able to spend.


Time in Oregon has been wonderful. We have been so blessed with family and friends. We have loved the cooler weather :) Hannah and Jeremie enjoyed the bounty of the ocean and Isaac got to ride in a fire truck. I love sitting and having coffee with friends and taking walks on the beach. This time has been wonderful but we are getting ready to move on with our trip. Monday, we head to MN with a few stopover's in Montana and North and South Dakota.

My cup is so full with family time and it's going to get fuller with more grandparent time in MN. (HUMMM, I think I know what my love language is :)





Fishing with daddy

Me and Sarai (my sister-in-law)

creating a lego masterpeice

Catching butterflies in the rain

Fire trucks!!! Definitely Isaac's highlight

10 year anniversary and clinic dedication

August 16, 2014 was a huge milestone for Clinica El Ayudante. It was the day we celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the land and the dedication of the clinic.



10 years ago, the clinic was just a dream. The land was donated by 12 families because they believed in their community and understood the need to have a clinic in this area. The first team came and prayed over the land and dedicated it to the Lord, placed a rock on the land - saying, 'this land will be used to reach this area for Jesus' And now 10 years later, the Clinic is open!!




Dedication day started with beautiful sun and a nice cool breeze. 3 trucks left by 8:00 am to pick up chairs and tables from many of the local churches. Ziada and her crew were busy cooking enough food to feed 450 people after the dedication. The whole campus was buzzing with activity and excitement. I was the event coordinator for the day - I had a good size list of 'to do's' and all of the decorating was together.



Standing inside the clinic while others stood at
the mission house - in from the rain

About 3:00, the sound guy came. So picture this - a tiny little truck loaded down with 12 giant speakers, a sound board, a dad and his 2 sons. Talk about doing it Honduran style!!


All afternoon as we were setting up, we were all ignoring the huge black clouds that kept coming closer and closer. Yes, it is rainy season and it hadn't rained in a few days. But it couldn't rain - we had no where to put 450 people.........and right before we started the ceremony, IT POURED!!!! And it rained heavy for an hour!!! We all took cover and just watched the rain. We weren't sure if we should laugh or cry.


The whole town was invited as well as the mayors, boards,
contractors and other missionaries

By 5:30, the rain had stopped and our campus was a mud pit. We took out the towels, dried off the seats and prayed that it wouldn't rain again.

The dedication was beautiful. We honored the families who had originally donated the land, we worshiped and prayed, talked about vision for the future. And then we ate. What a party!!!

Beth and Tristan, the directors, sharing

Because it had rained, the evening was perfect, the weather cooled and we all were able to enjoy this beautiful community we have the privilege to be a part of. Another bonus about the rain was - we started over an hour late - so we started right on time (Honduran time) and no one was late :)



In all, it was such a beautiful day. Watching a dream come to fruition. I can't wait to see what the 20 year anniversary will look like.

Thanking the families who gave land to
El Ayudante

Serving dinner

Everyone helped :)

Ziada, Tracy, Beth and I

The Clinic is Open!!

After years of a dream, 4 weeks ago it happened. CLINICA EL AYUDANTE IS OPEN!!! And what's even better is that it is open full time!!! The dream for this place has always been to open a clinic for the communities surrounding us.  While this dream was getting built, God was in the process of making the whole vision. Not only is a clinic open, but there is so much more. There are people that God has placed to work in the clinic and relationships with the community to make this a lasting place.

Clinic staff

When we had our soft opening in March, things went very well. But after that week, we had a huge list of things to do, things to change, things to add and so on. The last several months have been filled with getting that list complete. This list included things like going to the dump to figure out waste, sewing curtains and sheets for the observation room and hiring staff.

July 14, the night before we opened, we invited the pastors of the area to bless and pray over the clinic. The clinic waiting room was filled with pastors and their wives praying over the clinic. It was so beautiful to hear these pastors pray over and see an answer to their prayers - a clinic in their area for their people.

July 15, opening day. We were all filled with such excitement and anticipation of how God was going to use this clinic. We had decided that our 1 doctor could only see 18 patients (plus a few extra) a day. This is for her sanity and longevity :) The first day we turned away over 100 people. What a need there is for quality healthcare!!! However, the blessing was that we were able to tell everyone. "come back tomarrow, we are open for good"

the line before 6 AM every morning

These last 4 weeks have gone so well. I am working part time and we have hired 2 other nurse assistants for when I am not working. We have done our first women's health day where we saw 35 ladies for their yearly exam. We use our nebulizors daily and next Friday we have our first EKG day. This equipment is so basic, but it is such a blessing.

So yes, the healthcare is great, but what makes the difference is when someone gives their life to Jesus. After every Dr. apt, each patient is given the opportunity to receive prayer. Because yes, we are a clinic, but even more we are here to share Jesus love and forgiveness to those around us.

This is the reason we are ALL here - to share Jesus love wherever we are.

 

"Ready or not...... here comes team season!" The second week of June team season started and in a way it had felt like we had this huge anticipation and apprehension at the same time. We had missed summer last year so we were both really excited and a tad unsure thinking 'what did we get ourselves into'. And let me just say, HOLY COW!!

And now let me explain. :) On the 'off' season there is a lot of ministry that happens but on a bit of a smaller scale (it's just us 3-4 families with occational teams) This last 8 weeks we have had nonstop teams with nonstop ministering to the communities around El Ayudante. We've put in a countless amount of water filters (ok, there's a number somewhere but I didn't keep track), poured many cement floors, built a house, we went to schools and did VBS programs, painted, visited many churches and hugged hundreds of people. It's to much to count.

This sounds a bit daunting but because God has placed all of us families together - we all had our part and it was fun. Many days we were part of the VBS at the schools; Hannah got really good at balloon animals and face painting. Isaac enjoyed just hanging out with the kids. Jeremie was with teams for cement floors and other construction projects. Other days were filled with cooking at the mission house and playtime with kids. And on top of all of it, it was really fun getting to know other people from around the states who love Honduras as well. Isaac loved it when it was 'our turn' to eat with the team and I think Hannah would have spent every waking minute at the mission house - hanging out.

The first week of June my heart had many questions. 'Are we gonna survive?' 'will we still like each other at the end of this?' 'will my kids hate it?' And at the end, looking back - all of those worries were the enemy trying to steal the wonderful gift of  serving others. I look back thinking of when I was a counselor at camp. How busy and full those summers were but also how those summers were the best memories.






Also, going into this summer, God had really pressed it upon my heart that this would be a summer Hannah wouldn't forget. That this summer would be huge pin point into her life. And I'm not sure what all God has done in her heart but I do know that He has done something. She said to me last week, " mom, I'm helping with face painting and translating for the team"  (and she did just that)





So, even though we all will look forward to a nap, these last few months have been wonderful. Full of fun, laughing, learning, using our Spanish, loving on people with our hands and our hearts. But most of all, it has touched our hearts and lives forever. I hope that what my kids got out of this summer is that God loves people and that he wants to use us and others to demonstrate that love.

And yes, here are more pictures, because I love taking pictures :)

 

'measuring' the walls to the house a team built

lots and lots of face and hand painting happening

Hannah, Riley, Kai and Isaac testing out the sack races

Helping the dentists with fluoride treatments at the school

Being a big helper during water filters

Mixing cement for a neighbors floor

Catching a ride between work

VBS in Lo De Reina school - and our neighbors
it can make you thirsty :)

Learning about the Armor of God - and making a cool
sword for some great sword fights :)

more cement :)

VBS in Playitas

Constructed a playground for a school -
Jeremie signed the top somewhere :)

more floride helpers



Washing sand for water filter installation

 

 

 

more cement for floors

Me and Yansi at VBS

 

Not a 'normal' life

Snack time while installing water filters

So, as a mom I have been struggling with knowing my children are not getting a 'normal' childhood. There have been many articles about such thing as 'third culture kids' and MK (missionary kid) kid struggles. These articles say that living in another culture has its definite positives but that it can also bring up many challenges. Things like MK kids never really fit in - in their culture where they are living now or their birth country.



In a way this saddens me. I want to give my kids the best childhood I possibly can but as I sit and whine to God about how Hannah is missing out, I remember that I don't want to raise my kids 'normal'.

Isaac playing with the kindergarden kids at VBS

I don't want my kids to fit into the norm of life. Yes I want them to be happy and have friends but even more then that I want them to love Jesus with all of their heart. I want them to love people no matter their skin color or culture. I want them to change the world they live in. And I think giving up some of the normal things become worth it.

So instead of deciding that they are missing out, I am going to focus on the positive things. And the good is really, really good.

face painting

Hannah loves people. She wants to be involved in everything. She attaches herself to all of these short term teams and has many wonderful role models of what it means to be a Christian. When we have VBS, instead of her being a part of the kids, she gets to use her gifts and help.
Last week she learned how to face paint and make balloon animals. She knows where everything is and organizes everything. If she were old enough I think she could run this place :)

Me, Hannah and Alejandra giving fluoride treatments to
a school up the mountain



Hannah and Dra. Blanca giving fluoride treatments
at a school

She loves the Drs. that are here. Again, great role models. She has recently told me that she wants to be a dentist and help the Drs. here. (I'm not sure if I'm ready for that one- she's suppose to live close to me forever right?)





We have a very small house at the moment. Sometimes it feels to small but then sometimes it is just right. There is no place to 'go away and hide'. Life happens very close to each other and with each other. And I really like it.

Um, need I say more :)
mud makes kids happy

I love that mud is the favorite toy. Ok, I really don't like cleaning it up, but really, doesn't everyone want to get messy and jump in mud puddles sometimes? Isaac will play in the puddles with his cars for hours! And Hannah enjoys playing with him. I love that Hannah isn't growing up super fast. She already is pushing to grow up and this slower life slows her down some.

I love listening to Hannah speak Spanish and play with her friends.

I love it when Jeremie and Isaac can work together. Isaac follows him around and tells everyone, "I go work with dad". And he is so proud that he gets to help.

helping daddy build a house

And even though when the power goes out it makes everything harder, (dishes etc.) it forces everything to slow down. The cards come out and so do the books. Reading by flashlight is quite fun. :)





I'm not saying that raising kids in the states is a bad thing - cause it's not. But our choice to live wherever we live, comes with a choice to focus on the good of life and find joy.






And no, it's not all roses. Sometimes I just wish I could go to the store and buy pre-made cookie dough, bread crumbs, pie crust and crescent rolls. But then I calm down and choose to make a memory. So I make cookie dough (and everything else). I remember that kids grow up way to fast and at this time I have a great opportunity to be close to my kids and share life together.

installing water filters - he's such a big helper