Feb to April 2010

Ready…or not?!!

Mostly, I love island life. It is largely slow and relational, with people and relations much more important than tasks and time. This is just a normal difference between warm climate and cold climate cultures. Me, being from a cold climate, has had to do much adjusting over the last 5 years, but it has slowly evolved into my frustrations and amazement being generally less frequent. Well, I am still floored at times by what can happen in what seems like a no-brainer, can't be misunderstood situation. For instance, on Saturday evenings, we as a team like to "go out" for dinner to a local 'restaurant'. This gives us one night a week off from cooking. In the process, there have been times where we have waited up to an hour for our food, and that has discouraged us, to say the least. It is not a restaurant like you are used to, where you are seated, and someone brings you a menu to choose your preferred meal from. This is where you show up, hoping that someone is there with the doors open at the 'usual' time for business. There is no menu, you just ask "what are you having tonight?", although there are standby's that you can always count on, like our usual choice of baleada's. Well, Kathy and I have volunteered to pick up kids for the Young People's Program at church every Saturday evening, so we are much more time conscious than we had to be previously. In order to speed up our dining event, I sought out the cook, and let her know that we would love to eat there, but would need our food at 6pm, because we had to leave by 6:40pm, and for what reason. She assured me this would be no problem, asked how many baleada's we wanted, and repeated the time we would be there. So, a ½ day later, we are walking down to the restaurant, and see her walking the other way! She says, "no problem, it's all ready, I'll be right there". Thinking there must be someone else at the restaurant in her place, we go on up….to a locked door at an empty restaurant. After waiting about 10 minutes, I find the owner, who had just come in from fishing and had no idea. Fortunately, she eventually calls the other gal, who says she's on the way right then. Another 10 minutes goes by and some other girl rushes by and says something about getting the key. She opens up, and begins preparing the food….only the baleada bread had been made. Well, we got our food at about 6:40, eat one quickly and put the rest in foil to eat later. On our way down the path around 6:50, we see our cook, sauntering on up the path, who then greets us cheerily and asks "how was dinner?". I just smiled, said fine, thanks, and go on with our evening plans…

Team of teens

Well, off went our 2^nd team of the season on Friday morning. They were a great team of teens and young adults, very hard workers, easily engaging with the islanders, and willing to serve in whatever way was needed. We had some brutally hot weather during their time here, too, with temps up in the 90's and little breeze to cool the skin, nevertheless they complained very little and accomplished much. They built 10 pews for the Northside church, put new screens up around the clinic, varnished the floor in the medical reception area – as well as doing kid's club, sports camp, visitation and "Clean Sweep"; all in all a very busy time! Fortunately, they also got to play, with a jungle hike, beach swims, and a snorkeling trip. But the highlight of the groups time, for me, was meeting the one girl that came along at the last minute. She stated that she didn't know, or necessarily believe in, God. She joined the group at her piano teacher's recommendation when she'd mentioned a desire to go on a trip outside the country to help and serve. She was open to learn, but cautious at the same time. She and I had several opportunities to spend time together, yet I didn't try to influence her with saying much, just asked a few questions here and there. She did come to me later and said that I'd had a big impact on her, though, and that she wanted some of the joy and peace that she saw I have. She didn't realize, until I told her, that it was not me that was drawing her in, it was Christ in me, the hope of glory, the Prince of peace. I am thrilled that He used me in this way, and that she could see Him in my life! She had many other experiences here that have brought her to the conclusion that she does, indeed, believe in God, and I am convinced she will explore His presence further as she processes her time here in Helene. Pray for her with me, wouldn't you please?

God breathed

Wow, I imagine that most people did not have a morning like mine this morning This morning, 30 minutes before heading to the Northside for church, a young man came and said that they wanted me to check on a woman that was having belly pains. I had seen her on Friday in the clinic, she was about 2 weeks from her due date, but knowing that this may be a reason for her pain, I did bring an OB kit with me. I went into the tiny 2 room apartment built below a house. A lay midwife was already there, saying that she was getting near time to push! So I checked her, it seemed a little soon, but I wasn't going to argue with her assessment at this point.

Every baby birth is unique, and I am constantly surprised that there are rarely any problems of any significance in the complicated process that comes from conception to that first blessed breath in this outside world. After 20 minutes of pushing, I broke her water, which helped. But as sometimes happens, especially with very big babies as this was, despite mom's strong efforts, it wasn't coming down much. In the end, it took all three of us to get the baby born, and it was complicated by the fact that the cord was wrapped twice around its neck! I was able to fix this problem, but still had to reach and grab a shoulder and pull, as Trudy pushed on the mother's belly. After being stuck at just the head out through several sets of contractions, we finally managed to pull/push him out! But he wasn't taking that all important first breath, even as we rubbed and rubbed, cut the cord and picked him up to "rough him up" to get him breathing. The midwife announced "he's dead" – but I said "No!! We're not giving up on him!" Then, as clearly as I've heard anyone speak to me, the Lord said, "breathe life into him". After a ½ second hesitation with an "eww" in my mind, I gave the little one two puffs of air – and that was all that was needed to get that first cry going! What a blessed sound that is, made even more so with the precarious start he had! Praise God, He once again took my inadequate hands and mouth and brought good from a potentially bad situation.

Doctor visit

So, I love to learn new things! We had the pleasure of having Dr Kurt here this past week with his daughter – and for weeks before a doc's arrival I prayed that God would provide the opportunity to learn new techniques and procedures. This was no exception; again, I was not disappointed. He brought me a cool tool for removing warts, skin tags, lesions and the like, and we had several chances to put it to use. I also learned, in picture and theory at least, how to anesthetize an entire hand or foot, which will be especially useful for a situation with several lacerations or wounds that need cleaning or suturing – I only wish we'd had the chance to actually do it on a patient, but we discussed it enough, and he left me written instructions, so that I feel I could manage the procedure. He was so very encouraging to me, and the entire team, what a blessing! It was his first mission trip ever; I pray that the Lord uses this experience to draw him into future missions experiences, and for his daughter to have a hunger for more of this, too!!

Today we have a youth team coming in later, 15 just graduated high schoolers with 5 adults – more opportunities for God to draw them into His work for the Kingdom!! It excites me to see others find the joy of serving our Lord in various ways, diverse places, and stretching our realm of possibility beyond what we previously thought possible!

Come quickly, baby

Sunday night came the dreaded "knock knock knock" on my door just a little after an hour from when I turned out my light. You know that time, when your stupid factor is at its peak, when you are unsteady from the heaviness of sleep, and you say silly things like "is it an emergency for me?", when there is basically no other reason anyone would be knocking on my door at that time of night! Well, downstairs was a man who was begging for us to go down to Bentley Bay (about a 1 mile walk) to "tend" his wife who had "taken in" around 7pm. Basically what he was saying was that his wife was in labor and they wanted my help. I said "I didn't even know she was pregnant, and I don't feel comfortable tending women I haven't seen for pre-natal care". He said "Shore she be in to see you, Miss Deirdre, many time. She jus don't leave the house wery often". A quick check of her chart revealed that yes, she had been in, but that was once…2 months ago. I asked him how many babies she's had, he had to think about it and count on his fingers, but came up with this being #9. I discussed the situation with our substitute leader, and we decided that I would go, with Dominic and our phone. So off down the path we went, arriving to their candle only lit house at 1am. She was at 6-7cm at that time, with contractions 3 min apart. She told me that "once my water breaks, the baby come fast". Mental note: remember this statement. An hour later she was at 8cm, I said she may stand or walk, letting gravity help. After a sit on the bucket to poop, she stood and her water broke. I did remember above statement, but didn't quite grasp the concept, for she lay down on the bed, and as I was putting on my gloves I heard a sound, picked up my flashlight to look, and there was a baby boy laying there, at 2:40am! When I said "my, here is your little boy already!", she said "well, I couldn't handle anymore of that!" Less than 2 minutes later came the placenta – minimal bleeding, seemingly no pushing, and not one scream of pain! His head was perfect round, since he really didn't have to spend any time in the process to speak of. I clamped and cut the cord, realizing that about all I did was that and rub her back to help. He's perfect, mom is well and healthy, and God has brought another life into our world!

Caught by the Father

Just before our Bible study here at the clinic last Sunday, a neighbor girl came over to say they needed me to go up to the Northside to see about a boy that had fallen out of a tree onto a rotten stump, tearing open his leg. That was at least enough information for me to know that he had to come down to the clinic. I told her this, with the explanation that if I went up, it would only delay his treatment. A short time later I called a friend up there to make sure it was going to happen, and she said they were looking for a boat and driver to get him down to the clinic. He arrived a bit over an hour later, and his leg near his right knee was pretty torn open. It sure wasn't a clean cut; in fact I ended up pulling out about 25 pieces of rotten stump by the time I was through. It was deep, but thankfully no tendon was torn, and no major blood vessels lacerated. It took over an hour to clean it out good after numbing it up; even then I wasn't completely convinced everything was out. So rather than suture it up, I decided to pack it and dress it with a sterile dressing – which has meant that I must repeat this process daily by walking up to the Northside to his house. The first few days his calf was swollen and hot, but has since gone down and is no longer hot to touch. Praise God there has been no sign of infection, and every day the wound is smaller and cleaner! I am so grateful that he was not hurt any worse, and that the Lord was there to catch him when he fell! The story is that he asked his dad if he could go iguana hunting with a group of boys Sunday morning, and was told no, but to change his clothes and get to Children's church. He went around Dad, and asked Mom – who after getting tired of his whining, then believed the story that church was cancelled, so let him go. So you can imagine the rowing that ensued after his injury! Doesn't this sound like a story that could have happened in your neighborhood? Kids are kids the world over, even though the details may vary somewhat, the motivations and consequences remain the same. It's just another reminder that we are all so much the same no matter where we live in this world, or how we grew up, human beings are born in sin, and tend to gravitate to sin, yet the Father's hand is there over us all, just waiting to catch us and let us down safely into His hands. All we must do is trust in Him, and call upon His name!

Sometimes it is hard

Where does the time go? Here I am, almost 1 year from the birth of my grandson, June 9^th, and it hardly seems possible he is "so big!" already. Walking, laughing, saying a few words…who knows, anything is possible! I say that because I really don't know, I have precious little contact with them from here in Honduras. If it sounds like I am whining, well, I am! I am a Grammy missing her grandkids something fierce! Meanwhile, here I am gaining "god children" as that is what they are to me when I have the privilege of 'tending' their birth. I think I am up to 14 or 15 now, up to 3 years old and down to just a few weeks old. What a life!! I have great joy in what I do here, there is such variety I will never have another job to compare, I'm sure. So why so down cast, oh my soul? I suppose it is all very normal for someone living on "foreign" soil, in a culture one didn't grow up in, surrounded by islanders that are basically all family to each other, and living with just a few other gringos that can understand the strangeness of it all! I imagine it has something to do with knowing that much life is going on "up there" that I have no part in, nor will I ever really catch up on, either. Nieces graduating from college, or off to Japan or India, going into High School, starting to date, having birthdays, boyfriend crisis'… Sometimes I wonder if I am having any significant impact here to offset what I am missing back 'home'; but then I remember that I am not here because of what I can do here for others. Nor am I here for what I can gain out of this experience. I am here simply because my Lord said, nearly 5 years ago, "Who will go?" And I replied, "Here I am, send me!" I don't ask for pity, for nobody in their right mind would pity me. I don't want advice as to whether to stay here or to go back to the states, for it is neither my decision, nor yours anyways. What I would love and appreciate is prayers for endurance, for peace, and for much joy in the work of His call on my life. And maybe for my son and daughter (in-law) to email me more often, preferably with pictures of those absolutely beautiful grandkids of mine!

No reason for concern

Some thought that have been wandering through my mind as I fight off the urge to be anxious or worry:

"…do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on" (Matt 6:25) Oh, sure, no problem, Lord! But what is so bad about worrying, isn't being prepared, being concerned about how to take care of things tomorrow a good thing? Aren't we supposed to be good stewards of our time, our resources, our talents? Yes, certainly, but that doesn't mean that we have license to sit and stew about how we are going to get what we need for the morrow, or what is going to happen, or how we will handle the 'what if's'. For that is a sure sign of unbelief, of not trusting, or thinking that we can figure it out on our own! And I ask myself, when has my worrying about anything ever changed the outcome?! OK, so call it by another name, call it 'planning'. I have wasted many an hour, or even a day, doing this. I plan for a certain situation, or I plan "for a rainy day", which either never comes, or I am not prepared for anyway, despite the hours of stewing away at the possibility. Or perhaps I am just to follow the Lord on through the trouble, and to trust Him in the midst of the storm, instead of thinking that it is my job to fix the issue, even if it never comes! Oswald Chambers wrote "It is not only wrong to worry, it is unbelief; worrying means we do not believe that God can look after the practical details that worry us. The only cure for unbelief is obedience to the Spirit. The greatest word of Jesus to His disciples is abandon." Lord, help me to leave the cares of this world in Your much more capable hands than mine. Teach me to follow you so closely that I cannot envision a reason to worry, since my life is hidden in You!"

BABY BIRTH!

BABY BIRTH!

 

 

Wow, that is all I can say in response to having the distinct and joyful pleasure of being the one to "tend" a young mother Friday. This is being known as the "God-mother" to the newborn, and I've been blessed to do this at least 12 times in the last 3 years! It never has become "routine" for me, and I am never less than breath-taken by the arrival of the little wrinkled, messy bundle into our harsh, cruel world. This was the 2^nd time for me with this Mommy, her 1^st son being the first time I tended by myself, and that was 2 ½ years ago. She came to the clinic around 7:30pm Thursday, so I thought we well may hear the cries of the tiny critter by midnight, but alas, this was not to be. She and I walked and walked those first hours – in the clinic, outside on the decks… She also lay on the floor, dozing lightly between contractions, it was cooler there, she said, than on the bed. The babe was slowly making it's way down toward the final goal, just more slowly than either of us preferred. But, as was bound to come, finally it was time to push. But, she argued, she didn't have the urge to strain, so she wasn't about to. Dear Heather was there by this time, helping me rub her back or belly through each contraction, tried to tell her that this urge was not nearly as strong after the 1^st baby, but she wasn't listening. She adamantly insisted that someone had "tied her up", meaning put a curse on her to keep the baby from being born. We tried everything, but she just knew that she "wasn't going to born the baby without being cut" (having a C-section), and she was insisting that I bring her down in the boat. I said no, the baby was moving down just fine, but we were at the point where she had to help, she HAD to push, we were not leaving the island. God gave me the words of conviction, and I held her head in my hands, and I told her in no uncertain terms that I was going to help her open up, and she was going to push until the baby was out. There was no other choice, no other way. She finally said "ok, ok, I will try it your way." I was never so relieved in my life! So she stopped fighting her body and me, and pushed with all her might, and Heather coached her through each contraction, and I did my part – so God could bring that little bundle of joy into this world at 5:15am!!! He was a bit stressed from the wait to enter into it, but it didn't take long for him to pink up, cry lustily, and even open his little eyes to look about. As I had him over cleaning him up, Mommy burst into tears, reaching out to hug me and saying "I'm so sorry Miss Deirdre, you were right, I should have listened!" It's all good, what counts is they are both healthy, he at 7.75#, she at home just 2 ¼ hours after birthing him. I love my life!

Dr Bob, DDS

For the last 10 days we've had a dentist here from the states, in fact, from my home state! He was my dentist when I was a child, so there has been great fun in catching up and discussing issues of my childhood, when I went to school with 2 of his children. But that isn't the point in bringing him up. It has been a much busier time for me, as I've had all the regular duties on my plate, plus I have been helping him out in the dental clinic every afternoon. I have had a good time; as I enjoy learning new techniques, and seeing a real pro at work! He is kindly and gentle, in addition to being very talented, too! We've pulled out so many teeth, filled just as many, he's shown me ways to get out the wisdom teeth, entrapped baby teeth, and teeth that have so rotted that there is just the shell of a tooth remaining (those are the really tricky ones!) He also has done dental work for all the staff here, including me. I have needed a crown after a root canal done 15 years ago, but never had dental insurance and was too cheap to spend the money on myself. So he whittled the tooth down, took impressions, and then put on a temporary stainless steel crown. Now he'll go back to WA and make me a nice one, and send it down with the next dentist in June so he can put it on! What a great deal! And I just had to pay the same amount as the islanders, L50 (about $2.50) – can't beat that with a bamboo stick!

My “regular” day

So, what is a "regular" day? Obviously, each person's idea of this is unique, so how can it be said to be regular? For instance, on Helene I usually wake up at 6:30am weekdays, and whenever it gets too hot for me to remain in bed on weekends, usually 7:30 or 8. Most days I go for a run after starting the coffee. 30 minutes later I'm pouring the coffee, sweating like a madwoman because it's 85 degrees out and I just ran 3 miles through a trail, over a hill, down a beach, and back. "Little" Dominic (or "old man" according to his island nickname, for what reason I really don't know) thinks this is pretty crazy, he may be right except that my caffeine addiction says I must do it anyway. Personal devo's, morning devo's, then the day gets started for real. The medical clinic is 'first come, first serve", unless an emergency comes along to trump the cough/cold/fever already in line. I may pull a feather out of an ear, I may put 4 sutures into a 6 year old's eyebrow, or I may listen to the fetal heartbeat of a woman who just learned she was pregnant. It's all in a day's work in our medical clinic.

Other days I go out and walk the island to make home visits. Here I will walk a wharf that only has every 3^rd or 4^th board intact anymore, praying not to slip into the muck below, inhabited by nasty crawling creatures of tremendous variety. It's happened, it is disgusting! I will probably battle island dogs that seem to hate me just because I'm white-skinned (how do you think that happens? I don't know, since I am one of the few people that would actually stop to pet them for a time, if they only wouldn't bite my hand off for doing so!) My rounds covers about 4 – 4 1/2 miles on Tuesday mornings, and I love it – getting out into the community is one of my favorite things!

Afternoon might mean a Ladies Bible study, or a tooth pulling, or laundry and fixing dinner for the team. Sometimes I will get called out for an emergency visit, or one will come knocking on my door. Like this evening, only it was a phone call that summoned me to the far west end of the island to see Papa Lee, who "was low since yesterday". Well, considering he is 97 years old, this could mean a whole lot of things, but I packed up an IV and some meds, along with the usual array of vital sign checking devises, and set out to see him. 20 minutes later we arrived, he was indeed 'low', poorly responsive, dehydrated, and probably post-stroke. He has survived many many incidences when we thought he was going to be on to his heavenly reward, maybe this is another time he will survive and surprise us all, and maybe not. For now, he has 1 liter of fluid in him via IV, his pressure came down, and his body is cooled off. He is responding a little, held my hand, and jumped to the pain of the needle stick. Praise God he is in no apparent pain. We prayed together, the family and I, discussed his life and tenacity for living, laughed some and shed a few tears together. It was a blessing to serve the Lord again in this place. A "regular" day? Mas o menos, more or less.

The beauty of challenges

Life here in Helene is a challenge for me in many ways. There are the physical challenges, such as dealing with the heat and humidity, the bug bites, the multitude and variety of noises, and the constant fatigue. Then there are the emotional difficulties that come with living in a community setting with others that I am not related to except by rebirth, and with living among people of a different culture and traditions. You cannot hide; you cannot do or say pretty much anything without it directly affecting the rest of your team here. Then there are the spiritual pressures and changes constantly going on. These are both intensely positive, and at times incredibly difficult to go through. I believe that this is where I have gained most by this season of my life. I cannot say for sure, but I can see this may be the main reason that God brought me here to Helene. I am so very thankful for that – He loves me enough not to leave me in the condition that I am. He always desires to stretch me, to mold me, and to entice me to reach into Him in new and delightful ways! There are times when I am like the caterpillar that is ravenous, eating and eating up life for some future, yet unknown purpose. Sometimes I feel like I am in the cocoon, bound up and going through a metamorphosis that is not pleasant, but is necessary. Then, as you can imagine, there are those wonderful, breathtaking moments when I have fought hard, and am now emerging from the cocoon, newly formed, ready to stretch out my wings to bask in the Son, to gain strength from His love, to fly out into the world for His purposes! Oh, glory and relish those days! For before you know it, the cycle repeats, the pain of change returns, and the purpose of life continues – to learn and grow to be more like our Creator.

Trouble in rest

In reading the Old Testament lately, it has become clear to me that whenever the Israelites had "rest" from war, or had time on their hands for whatever reason, they found trouble. They either got bored with the status quo, or were able to be too aware of the distractions of the nations around them, or something, because that is when they soon "turned from the Lord to their own wicked ways". Give them a little time and freedom, they then 'left' God and began following the evil in their hearts. So I had to internalize this, and look into my own life. Have there been times of too much peace and rest when I have fallen away from the Lord? Is that when I have been distracted from Him, and allowed myself to follow the lusts of my own wicked heart? Is this part of the reason that God ordained 6 days of work and just one of rest? I do understand the need for rest, we all get battle wearied at times, and just need to rest in the Lord, my problem is that I won't do that often enough. I will just continue working and striving, all in vain because I am following my own road instead of just looking to Him and staying in the shadow of His wings, listening to His voice to tell me "go there, speak this, touch here, walk there…". This is a different kind of rest, one that is just a freedom from having to figure it all out myself. He tells us over and over again to "wait on the Lord", which means as I wait, I must focus on Him, not on the world around me. Here is the safety in rest without the idleness leading to sin. As you who know me know, I have difficulty 'resting', but understanding the importance of resting in the Lord makes it that much more desirable a thing to do!

 
 

Just a few photos from our Feb 2010 return to Helene. Team Helene as we now are, and some of the girls that came to visit us that first day back on the island.

Pigs on the beach

I have been on Helene for over 4 ½ years now, and sometimes I forget that things can be weird here when compared with our ways in the states. You probably don't usually see pigs rooting in the sand on the beach when you run in the morning in the states. Not to mention the cows with their ropes wrapped around their horns wandering on the sand, in the bush, through your yard… The noisy multitude of chickens roaming everywhere should be food for the starving dogs limping up and down the path, right? Well, that is what I thought, too, until I learned recently that it is precisely because of their roaming that they can't be eaten…their meat is just too tough to chew upon. How about something that is very strange to us, but is unnoticeable to anyone in the states? Like a small pickup driving by in front of your house? I about fell out of my seat when I saw that happen several weeks ago! That sight came just days after the heart-wrenching sight of a large bulldozer chomping its way up from our dock, through the school fence and over the top of the bushes and small trees that dared to get in its path. We heard the "beep beep beep" sound familiar to anyone who has heard a truck back up, but completely out of context here on the island. Well, now there is a road cut up the side of the hill behind us, where a new cell tower has been built to provide clear cell service to the islanders, who for the most part don't have indoor bathrooms, or a kitchen sink. All in the name of progress, right?

Wow, already past Easter in the year, hard to believe. We're about ready to begin the Christian English school year next Monday, so there is much activity with the teachers all contracted and grade levels figured out, new classrooms to be organized and cleaned - the kids are excited and anxious to begin. This year the island school board has decided on many important issues including who to hire, how many students to enroll, they've worked through a conflict of interest issue, and decided that the children must wear closed-toed shoes - no slippers (flip-flops). They aren't requiring a school uniform, which is very unheard of in this country, but for financial reasons it is a good decision. So, soon the property will be teeming with Pre-K thru 6th graders from 1pm to 5, the noise level will go up by many decibels, and most likely I will have more afternoon visitors in the medical clinic..."can I have a bandaid please, Miss Deirdre?" Or look at this sore, that cut, these bites...but they make me smile even as I sigh and hope for a few moments of peace to read a line or two, or answer a few emails. Hallelujah Father for the joy of this life you've given me!!

Good Friday...strange name for a day Christ gave His life for the sins of the world! But it certainly is good for we who call on His name! It breaks my heart that daily I live a life that nailed Him to the cross, but I know I am also grateful daily for the love He has shown me by willingly going there! Then came the dark day that He remained in the grave. A day we know little about - but it was certainly a day of mourning for His followers, who didn't understand the victory of the Resurrection Day to come! Lord, let me die with You, be changed from the inside out, then be resurrected anew, into a whole person, the one You intended from the beginning! On the 3rd day, He rose again - Hallelujah!!! The fact is, death was conquered forevermore! He IS risen, not will rise, it isn't a future event we are waiting for, it has happened. Thus, I need to remember, I also am risen with Him, was dead, but now am victorious, in Him! Now that is truly cause for celebration!

Tuesday evening in Helene. Well, there's YP (Youth Program) at the Methodist Church next door, for the first time in months - so that is a great thing! Today our Bible Study "took it to the streets" by starting our new ministry of visiting unbelievers homes, instead of just meeting with other sisters. (or as the island ladies say, we were "visiting the sinners" - yeah, like that doesn't include every one of us!) Bonnie was very grateful for our visit, even though she hadn't been warned beforehand and was in the midst of cooking when we arrived. She was working up to send us away until a better time when Miss Leolin said "Bonnie, when Jesus comes knocking at your door, you can't send Him away, you've got to stop and hear what He has to say thru us!" Her 8 year old son got in on it, too, by saying "Ma, it's only fried chicken! I guess saying that it is pretty unimportant compared to having a talk about Jesus! Sweet kid, he got the job done, and we had a great hour sharing from the Word and our hearts! I am looking forward to this new way of doing things, God is so wonderful and sure is keeping me on my toes and challenged!

The short term team season starts tomorrow with our first team of the year. I am looking forward to having some fresh faces around here, and the team from Portland WA is always a good one. The teacher training at school is in full swing, with a record number of women showing up to "try out" so to speak, for the teacher and assistant spots. There are some of the teachers from last year that are a little upset that their position isn't guaranteed by that fact, and that they have to attend the training knowing this fact. But it isn't us, but the island led school board that will make those final, difficult decisions. It has worked out very well to have the school board ever since it was formed last year. The new school director, Elizabeth, is doing a fantastic job, and her obvious knowledge of island culture makes everyone feel more confident in the acceptance and understanding of the agreements and decisions. Remie is doing wonderful work in the medical clinic, and now out in the community as he is being 'hired' by various islanders to check blood sugars, give shots, and do wound care. I love to watch his confidence and skills grow and meet community needs in a win-win situation!

Hello again, long time! Since I haven’t written anything in this blog since 2007, I suspect that nobody has been here to see it either! So, just to catch you up…

· I am still in Helene, Honduras serving as a nurse missionary, and have now been here for nearly 4 ½ years!

· God has been growing and stretching me steadily – spiritually, physically, emotionally, and vocationally. I am now doing dental and veterinary work in addition to the medical work!

· I am running or participating in 2-3 Bible studies a week, as well as continuing to disciple/mentor several island girls or young women.

· I am now a Grandma of 2! Aubrie Jean is 3 ½, Wyatt is 9 months old!!

· The Lord has done some amazing things here on Helene, with the school now being run by an island-led school board, my clinic assistant of nearly 3 years went off to college for nursing, so I am training a new assistant with a very strong interest in the medical field, hoping to become a doctor someday!

· We have left the Alternative Missions organization, and are now a part of a new non-profit called Missions Encounters, Int’l (MEI). It is very exciting to watch God open doors and new opportunities and possibilities with this change.

I do plan to become more consistent with this form of communication now, so check back regularly if you are interested in keeping in touch with me or the goings on here in Helene. I would love to hear from you anytime! If you’d like to see some pictures, check out my web album at: http://picasaweb.google.com/livewyre4cj.

God bless!

Deirdre