By His Strength

God, I feel so selfish. I think I am more concerned with trying to find "me" time than I am with serving others. I just read a blog by a missionary in Costa Rica. One thing she wonders is why she is the missionary. I understand what she is saying. Why am I here? Why am I a "missionary"? I get it wrong so many times. I fail to show Christ's love. I get angry and annoyed when I should be caring and understanding. I just want to go and hide when I should be giving hugs and interacting. I want to cry when I should be choosing joy.

Why did you choose me, God? Choose me to come to Honduras, to be someone who is to help care for and show your love to 90+ kids? I fail. I don't know what I'm doing. Too many times, I do what I don't want to do and don't do what I want to do. (Romans 7:19) Is it to show these kids that even a "rich" Christian gringo can mess up, receive God's forgiveness and keep going? Is it just to refine me? Is it because no one else would go? Why, God? Is it so that I find out, so that the kids also see, that it is not by my strength, oh God, but by yours. God, I need your strength.


I wrote the above paragraphs in my journal last night. This morning my devotional scripture selection includes the verses Colossians 1:11-12. So I include this prayer for you and me from The Living Bible. "We are praying, too, that you will be filled with his mighty, glorious strength so that you can keep going no matter what happens- always full of the joy of the Lord, and always thankful to the Father who has made us fit to share all the wonderful things that belong to those who live in the Kingdom of light."

Thank you, God.

School trip to Lake Yojoa

Angelica, Ali, and Zack's classes ended this school year on June 18. Since we didn't take the time while we were still in classes, it was time for a school field trip.

There aren't an over abundance of museums, parks, educational tours, etc. available here close to us, so we decided to take a school trip to Lake Yojoa and the big dam, El Cajon, that are about 4 hours away. There are many more birds, butterflies, and other insects there than we usually see here near Teguc. We even saw a couple of squirrels and toads. Now I know squirrels are things many of you are trying to keep away from your bird feeders, but we rarely get to see small animals here. We think they've all been eaten... :)

Harlan, Zack and Ali tried their hand at fishing since we stayed at a hotel right on the lake, but had very little luck. Angelica practiced her photography. We all enjoyed seeing the many butterflies and birds and relaxing together as a family.




















































































































































The trip to the huge dam was very interesting. It is officially called the General Francisco Morazon Dam. It is protected by the military and we needed to go through three different checkpoints, including a vehicle check, before we got to the dam. It may be the most impressive arquitectural structure we have seen in Honduras.

the lake behind the dam...














from the top of the dam, looking straight down...















the river below the dam...














trying to show you the full perspective...



















On the way to and from the lake, we made sure to stop and see our friends in Siquatepeque and enjoy their yogurt, cheese and ice cream. We even managed to bring some of all three along back with us to Valle. On the way up, we arrived just in time to see Gerald Martin, the guy in charge of the farm animals, finish up butchering a small pig. We got a lesson on the different parts of a pig and Zack correctly guessed which were the kidneys. They eventually seasoned and stuffed the pig, then wrapped it up and buried it in a hot coal pit overnight and were planning on eating it for dinner the next day.

We hope to start classes again at the beginning of August. We appreciate your prayers specifically for our "school" as we seek God's will for direction.

more than one epiphany

Tonight in church we were singing a song that includes part of a verse that says, "...your Word is a lamp unto my feet." Now I'm sure it has already occurred to all of you, but it suddenly hit me: God's Word can only be a lamp unto my feet if I am spending time in it; reading, learning, and allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal the secrets of God's heart. Although awesome tools and ones I will continue to use, devotional books with a short scripture and commentary are no substitute for "dwelling in the Word". Also, much of my unfortunately short, personal devotional time with God is spent praying or basically just talking to him. Now, that's also a very good, beneficial, and crucial thing to do, but once again doesn't leave much time for learning more about God's heart or adding fuel to the lamp that is to show me his path. Time to once again actually dwell in the Word!

Later we also sang a song that includes, "...and as I wait, I'll rise up like the eagle. And I will soar with you..." and I need to confess that it is hard for me to believe. I needed to ask God's forgiveness for not actually trusting or believing that I will ever soar again here on this earth. I want to believe it. I need it to be true. But sometimes it feels like I am too heavy, too weighed down to ever rise up and soar. I needed to ask God's forgiveness for trying to do it on my own. I've been flapping and flapping away, thinking that if I just do this or try that, then I will feel better and I will once again soar with God like I once did. But I believe that God has always been there, not just when I "felt" his presence, waiting for me to stop trying so hard, stop flapping, and fall onto his back where he will then lift me up and we will soar by the power of his love.

Let us know what God is revealing to you and we can help lift each other up!

some more birthdays...

Well, we finally got around to inviting some of the older kids, who recently celebrated birthdays, over for lunch. Late, late happy birthday to Rossi, Yohanita and Eliuth...

earlier that morning...

On Saturday the 12th, the same day that we celebrated Harlan's birthday with the Finca kids, Harlan and some of the kids got up early to butcher some roosters. It seems they weren't really good for much except crowing and fighting among themselves and we already have a dominent resident male, so it was time for sopa de gallo!





















































Bon appetit or buen provecho!! :)

more birthday fun...

Just in time, Harlan received a box of things from friends that one might need when turning 40. Things such as a Hershey's Special dark chocolate bar to make you feel special, things such as prunes to help with... other things, things such as glasses to help you see better, things such as muscle rub cream to help those aching muscles, etc, etc, etc.



Can you hear me now? :)




























The box also included the needed supplies for a 40th birthday party with things like plates, cups, banner, crepe paper, etc. We were able to use those to have an all afternoon pool/birthday party with the Finca kids. Harlan filled the pool, we bought cake and soda and had four different groups of kids come enjoy themselves throughout the afternoon on Saturday the 12th. No one seemed to mind that it was cloudy, a little chilly and occasional sprinkles! :)










































Another group "patiently" waiting their turn. :)






































































We want to thank everyone who remembered Harlan's birthday. Thank you very much for your thoughts, prayers, cards and gifts. We appreciate you and we know that God will bless you for blessing us!!

Birthdays

Both Michelle and Harlan have their birthdays on June 10th. We celebrated a little early this year, on the 5th, in order to include Fabio, Tattney and Abby Flores, friends of the Finca from New Mexico.


After a meal of lasagna and healthy stuff :)...



















...we had plenty of birthday treats!














Harlan turned 40 years old!!






























And Michelle turned 31 years old!






























Fabio, Tattney and Abby Flores stayed at the Finca for three weeks. Tattney had been here previously in 2003. We had a good time getting to know them and appreciated all they did here, playing games with the kids, taking kids over to the other Finca, painting, etc. We hope to see them back at the Finca soon!