La Finca's 41st anniversary

The festivities started around 3:30 on Saturday, April 24th, in the church.













the choir sang...















some presented an interpretive dance...

















and some put on a play about Jesus and Jarius' daughter.






There were many visitors: former residents of the Finca, friends of the Finca from Tegucigalpa and Valle, pastors from various churches in the area, even Claudia, the new mayor of Valle, came and presented a gift to Ernest and Doris Soady and thanked everyone for the part the Finca has in helping the community.






Then it was time for everyone to see the new comedor, have a ribbon cutting ceremony and enjoy a meal together.





































































































We thank God for the 41 years he has given the Finca. We pray that God gives new vision and new strength for the plans he has for the futures of the children at la Finca de los Ninos. May God bless all who give of their time, their energy and their finances to help with the work here in Honduras. May God raise up more workers to help carry on the work that has been started and renewed strength for those already involved. May God's peace, joy and love flow out to the children and through the children to touch all of Honduras and the world.

Getting ready for the 41st anniversary

Many different people pitched in to help have the comedor project ready for the anniversary. All the workers who have been working hard from the beginning kept at it and put in several late evenings, as well. Also, Maria Elena came from Mexico to help sew curtains, make party favors, decorate the comedor, etc. Jon and Kendra Buch and family came from PA to visit us for a week and helped with electrical work, painting and food prep. Many of the finca kids helped paint, clean up, decorate, make food, etc. Ernest and Doris Soady and Doris' sister, Margery McDonald, also came for a week to join in the celebration.















Cleaning up construction debris...




















painting...
















finishing touches inside comedor...
















washing tables and chairs for 200 people, and preparing food for that many, as well. The menu was chili con carne, tortilla chips, shredded cheese, carrots, apple crisp and ice cream.




















peeling and slicing carrots...

















chopping tomatoes...
















greasing ten large pans for apple crisp...

















peeling and coring the 150 apples.

Next post... the big day.

Random Happenings

Do you see that little head at the top of the mango tree? Yeah, that's our Ali...

























Hanging out with some visitors from Texas... we thank God for so many people who come to share with us here at the Finca.

















Celebrating Easter with some friends... Angelica's holding the cake she made in the shape of a cross.
















Who needs a rototiller? :)

















We recently visited the river at Cantarranas, a town in the next valley, where Ali and Zack swam,














Angelica and Zack looked for little frogs,






























and Harlan fished.




















The fruit of Harlan's labor...





















Angelica took some simple, but beautiful photos of the nature around us.





































And a shot of Ali, Zack and friends treed by Nuco.
He eventually moved on much to Zack's relief. :)

FREE

FREE

Free to soar 'cuz I'm sure

of your love.

Free to flow 'cuz I know

your Spirit.

Free of hands, grasping, hurting

Free of all sin and burden.

Free to fly, to soar, to know

Free because of your blood, your love.

Free.

Happy Birthday, Ali!

Happy Birthday, Ali!!! She turned 11 on March 13.







































And happy 42nd birthday, Alonso!















While we were in PA in January, Angelica decided to make public her decision to follow Christ and joined the Faith Exploration class at Metzlers along with 17 others. Although we returned to Honduras before the classes were finished, Harlan and Angelica continued to study the lessons every week. In February we were invited by our church to return in March so that Angelica could be baptized along with the rest of the class on Sunday, March 21st. We thank God for Angelica and each one that has decided to become disciples of Christ and pray that God's Spirit will flow in and through each one.

We were glad to be able to celebrate Angelica's baptism and Ali's birthday with family and friends!

"Comedor Project"

Here are some updated views of the dining hall/kitchen/pantry construction project.




Looks a little different, doesn't it!?











Concrete counter tops where the kids will eat. This job was done primarily by our New Jersey group.




















Getting ready to set wood columns for roof support (and good looks).









Heave ho! These hefty columns were cut from dead pine trees on La Finca property










Don't let 'er drop!














Alex takes a turn at sanding. Many of the kids have been doing a great job of helping with the project.














Will the project be finished by April 24th, anniversary date of La Finca? We hope!

Metzler Mennonite Church Team

February 17th - 24th