Friday

As Paul was instructing the Christians of Thessalonians, he wrote:  Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.  1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

One of the goals of Children of Love, is to be self-supporting, as much as possible.  As a result, the Foundation operates two stores, one on the grounds of Ninos de Amor.  The other store is in the town of La Paz.  A third venture that is run by the Foundation is a finca or Coffee Farm.  

On Friday morning at 8:30 am, we had the opportunity to walk to work with Daniella, a young lady who lives near the Foundation and works at one of the stores run by the Foundation.  The store is open seven days per week and sells a variety of school supplies, personal items, toys, clothing, and office supplies.  Daniella works many days from 9 am to 6 pm.  The store is very neat and clean and is located just one block from the downtown Central Park.

After returning from that walk, we took a ride to the Coffee Farm run by the Foundation, located about 45 minutes away.   The drive offers a beautiful vista as you leave the valley and drive up to cooler mountains where the coffee grows.  The road itself is fairly good.  However, there are more than a few major potholes to keep drivers awake.   And the final stretch of dirt road leading off the main highway, is a much more challenging, steep, rocky, and potholed climb that was enough of a challenge for the pick-up truck in which we were riding.   The finca itself is a beautiful farm near the top of a mountain, planted with coffee plants, banana trees, lime trees, tangerine trees, and orange trees.  This past year, there was a disease that ravaged many of the coffee plants in all of Honduras.  As a result, the farmer who is paid to manage the farm has had to replant many of the coffee plants which are the main source of income for the finca.  While there were no bananas that were ripe to harvest on this visit, we had the opportunity to pick a number of limes, oranges, tangerines, and get a picture of the work involved on this farm.  We also had the opportunity to walk through the home of one of the farmers who lived on the hillside.  The home of this farmer and his wife, who had several children, had running water, electricity, a refrigerator, and a fire burning stove.  The Mom shared that their toddler son had a doctor visit in Tegucigalpa on Monday, where he would begin cancer treatment.  We shared with her that that we would keep her son in our prayers.  

In the afternoon, we saw a few final individuals who were in need of glasses.  But after that, it was time to box up and store the remaining 1500 pairs of glasses, with the hope of making a return visit in a little over a year.

On Friday evening, we had a wonderful opportunity to gather in the chapel for a celebration of birthdays for four of the children at the Foundation who have birthdays in February, followed by cake, fun with a piñata, singing, prayer, and words from both adults and children about the week that had just passed.   It is always difficult to leave this place.  However the leaving is tempered with the thought that Christians never say goodbye to one another.  We simply say, through Jesus Christ, that we will see you again later.    We settle in for a good nights rest before leaving for the airport early Saturday morning.  We give thanks to God for this opportunity to serve others in Christ's name.

Pictures and video on Google+

Last Day of our Eyeglass Clinic

We were up early with the children again this morning.  We did our normal circle of prayers and song, breakfast for the kids and then walked with them to school, which is always quite an experience with little Crystal whose surprising habit of leaping off the sidewalk and swinging from a tree limb which caught us off guard.We walked back through town to stop at the ATM and one of the Tia's almost got locked in the bank....but we won't mention any names.

After we ate our breakfast, we decided to start the clinic early because there were 50 people waiting at the gate by 7 a.m.  But I must say that I was taken by the appreciation of the community.  I've never received so many hugs and kisses from complete strangers...it was very humbling.

One highlight today was meeting Pastor Auger who is the LCMS director for Central American mission work.  He drove from Nicaragua to visit the foundation as well as Pastor Martinez.  He will also be installing another new Lutheran pastor this weekend in Tegucigalpa.

Martha Sara made and brought us an amazing lunch today.  No siesta today though.  The men fixed a sink and electrical issues and the women learned to make a pinata for Friday nights festival.

The foundation is in the process of getting a new wall on the east side of the property and that was started today.

We ended the evening with an invitation to dinner at the home of Caesar and Martha Sara... filled with laughter, authentic Honduran food and a gathering of family and friends.

Day 2 Tuesday (late post - sorry)

Another busy yet fulfilling day at the children of love foundation. We provided approximately 165 glasses to men, women & children.  Only 3 of the children attended school today due to the national holiday "Our Lady of Suyapa". (Virgin Mary Day). La Feria de la Virgen de Suyapa. Christian schools were opened and public schools were closed. As we get ready for another night of rest we are enjoying the beautiful full moon & giving thanks to God for giving us the strength & desire to help others.

Day 3 of New Sight

They started waiting at the gate at 6 a.m.  (Yes, we were starting at 9 a.m.)  Most have walked here.

They moved to wait along the building before being called to sit in the waiting area.  From there they came into the chapel to wait in either the line for reading glasses or an exam if they had other troubles.  For three straight days, they have waited as many as 6 hours just to see whether or not they need glasses.  Few bring along water.  Some buy the 10 cent bread that is available and have a drink of water from the fountain.  

For what?  Some need glasses for work.  Some can't even read but want 'reading' glasses so they can sew or cook.  Some just have never had an eye exam and would like to know.  Throughout the week, we have heard many of the older folks say that they can't wait to be able to read their Bible again.  The patience they have to receive a simple pair of glasses is amazing.    So many lessons here for us.

The only one I can write about now though is that whatever our daily life brings, the Lord has promised that we will see Him soon.  We can wait patiently for that day as we get the gift that each day brings.  One day a pair of eyeglasses.  One day time spent with family.  One day working hard to accomplish a task.  But in the end, the assurance that we will see, with our own eyes  - no glasses, the salvation that is guaranteed by the death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus.  So pick up your Bible, and your glasses if you need them, and read again the great story of His love.

See the updated set of pictures by clicking here.

Eye Clinic Day 1

We were all up early for the kids first day of school. We enjoyed walking with the morning school group into town. Then back for breakfast and setting up for our first day distributing glasses. By 8 o'clock there already people lined up outside the gate waiting for the doors to open at 9:00. It was a very organized system giving them a number, finding out their age and nature of the problem.

It was a constant crowd until lunch then back at it until 5:00. How exciting to see the smiles on their face after receiving their glasses. Over 170 came through for glasses on our first day. What a learning experience for all. One little girl, age 7, had battled brain cancer and chemo. She had a false eye but could use glasses for her good eye. Another elderly lady was carried in because she had a broken hip. She didn't want to miss her eye appointment before going to the doctor office! Amazing how nobody seemed to mind the 2-3 hour wait.

We were thankful to have Pastor Martinez and his wife, Rosita helping us. What better way for Pastor Martinez to get to know the people and tell them about their worship service here now on Sundays. It was great to share the love of Jesus.

After a busy day, we were all exhausted. It was fun celebrating Paula's birthday with cake and cards from the kids. Now it's time to unwind and recap the day and make plans for the next. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers and supporting us to be here.

Super Sunday

It was a good but busy Sunday at Children of Love today.  The evening was punctuated with the sounds of roosters, dogs barking and fireworks.  But most of us were probably sleepy enough that we were not bothered much.   A delicious breakfast of corn tortillas with beans, avocados, sausage, eggs, and cheese was filling.

Worship was at 9:30 in the chapel with all the children, our volunteers, Pastor Martinez and family and a few visitors.  Pastor Martinez gave a very understandable message on Mark 1, with Jesus displaying His power over the demons, and Pastor Martinez noting that Jesus is also powerful enough to forgive our sins and provide the care we need in our earthly lives.  

After worship, we walked into the center of town where the town market was really in full swing, even though it was a Sunday.  The center of town was very full of people in that the school year begins tomorrow in La Paz, and it was clear that many parents were buying school supplies.

After a delicious lunch, it was time to set up the chapel for the distribution of eye glasses on Monday.  We have some 2,000 pairs of eyeglasses with us, as well as some wonderful optometry diagnostic equipment which should allow us to see well over 100 patients per day.  We will see what tomorrow brings us in regard to individuals who are in need of assistance with their eyesight.  Mama Doris and her volunteers, our volunteers, as well as Pastor Martinez and his wife, all promise to help tomorrow.

Later in the afternoon, there was a meeting of several members of the Local Board of Children of Love.  It was uplifting to see how this local board has gotten involved in the work and support of Children of Love, as they operate two different non-profit stores for the benefit of the foundation.   Mama Doris is always known for her wonderful surprises, and once again, did the amazing, by ordering pizza and wings for us from a Pizza Hut some thirty miles away, so that we could watch the Super Bowl.  We decided that it did not much matter to us that all of the announcing of the game was in Spanish.  It was a great time to relax with the children, Mama Doris, as well as Pastor Martinez and family.  Some were thrilled with the exciting finish, others were disappointed.  

At the end of the day, it was once again time for the children and all adults to gather for singing and prayer.  It's a great way to end the day, and reminds us of a Bible verse from Psalm 121 that is somewhat the theme of this place:  I lift up my eyes to the hills from where comes my help.  My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.   It's always good to remember, that the hill from whence our greatest help comes, is called Calvary.  Thanks in advance for your prayers, that through helping individuals with sight problems, we may also help them to see Christ as their Savior.