Church of God Convention, April 11-15th, 2007

I only attended the last 2 days, which was plenty to get a good taste of what happens there. There are 4-5 meetings or services a day, from the 6am prayer meeting daily, to the evening service at 7pm, that went until 9-10 pm. There were breaks for meals, they provided breakfast and lunch, free of charge. It is a tremendous undertaking for a church, the majority of the work seeming to be the meals, which ladies from other churches did help with.

Here I am with sweet Tamika, Kiera's daughter. She was so good for all the sitting we did!

Here is the choral group from the Helene COG, minus Mr Rowlands, who made it in just in time to sing Sunday morning.

Front row from left: Aileen, Marian, Zula, Bonnalee, Liolyn.

Back row: Amalia, Pastor Teddy

It is quite an honor to get chosen to sing at the convention, so they get matching "suits" for the show. Even Miss Liolyn said it's "much about the clothes you wear", people bring a different outfit for almost every service and meeting. I didn't have enough, so had to buy a new skirt/shirt!

Here they are, up singing their hearts out on Sunday morning. They did a great job with Amalia leading the choir. You can just see Aileen peeking over Amalia's right shoulder, but Mr Rowlings is directly behind Miss Liolyn on the left side.

A few of the ladies and kids who I attended the event with:

Henry, Marian, Kiari (Marion's youngest) Marixa (Marian's sister & Henry's Mom), Tamika, and Kiera. (Henry lives on Roatan with Miss Liolyn so that Marixa can work more. Its been that way since shortly after his birth. Not an unusual arrangement for many of the kids)

The kids were sure better behaved than I can imagine may American kids being at something like this!

Here were my hostesses for the weekend, Miss Liolyn and her sister, who's house we stayed at. She had AC in her bedroom, which is where she spends 90% of her time since she lost her legs to diabetes. She is so grateful and gracious, and made me feel quite welcome. It was just a difficult night because they kept waking up every hour or so to talk! Then dear Miss Lili woke me up at 4:30 to ask what time it was, then said "oh, good, then we can lay back down for another 1/2 hour! Ug, it was good to get home and sleep!

I went with several of the Helene team to a futbol (soccer in the States) game at Diamond Rock on Roatan. I was the official medical person there, it seems otherwise, there usually isn't anyone there in that capacity. Amazingly, this day there were no injuries or incidents, despite both teams playing for hours in 85-90 degree heat!

Marvin (left) and Ewings (right) getting some water on a much needed break during a period intermission.

Marvie and Ewings work closely with us here at the clinic. Marvie works with Clean Sweep, which is a program that travels the island path, cleaning up garbage and burning it, cleaning the beaches, and doing minor repairs on the bridges. Ewings works with us as a Clinic Assistant, he starts and helps maintain the generator, collects and burns the garbage, drives our boat, and generally assists wherever needed under the direction of Joe and Camas. Both a greatly involved in Bible studies and individual discipling.

This is the younger team taking a victory lap after winning 3-2!

The older guys, after receiving new "suits" from a generous donation from friends from America. This boosts their morale greatly!

Futbol is definately the most important sport here in Honduras, as well as much of the world over. Kids start playing almost as soon as they learn to walk, and it is played year round. It is just about the only organized sport I see them play, with the possible exception of basketball, which I believe the gringo's brought to Helene.

Its all about me..... AUBRIE alone

I like riding in the car, especially with Grammy entertaining me!

This is my lepord suit that I fit in, at least for now - I'm so cute!!

Being on my tummy isn't my favorite position, but the workout is good for my arms, I almost can turn over both ways now. I can't quite get my legs and arms under me at the same time to crawl yet - but soon!

I love my teddy, he comforts me when I cry, and sleeps with me all the time. I have to wear socks on my arms so I won't scratch, that excema makes me crazy sometimes!

 

My grandbaby Aubrie and others.... I am now 5 1/2 months old

My first moments hugging her at the airport since she was just 1 week old

Mommy Chantale, and I

Chantale, Ryan with Aubrie, and proud Grammy (or Nana?)

Daddy enjoying a moment of laughter with me before its back to work

 

Islanders photos, such beautiful people!
Here is Garnell with her 1 day old baby boy.... he was just under 12#!

Here I am with some of my Northside ladies Bible study, and baby Tamika in her Mommy Kiera's arms

just more kids hanging out, mugging for the camera!

Hanging out on the steps of a Seco home, can't believe they can hold their weight!

 

And to the highlight, the water balloon dousing on Christmas morning...

Cleo and I filling up water balloons in the kitchen, we did about 200 in all

The kids, anxiously awaiting.... we first lure them in close with candy....

Then pelt them with the water balloons! It is truly refreshing good fun!

Of course we end up throwing a few at each other, but save the vast majority to the sweating, excited, screaming kids down below!

 

A few Christmas photos

Just finished putting a few outdoor lights up and needed some evidence

Almost finished-we just added a couple more after this, but lookin' good! Alisa and I all decked out for Christmas Eve services
Here was our Christmas season team, but we did lose Michelle a few days before Christmas, and Ewings was included since he was invaluable help to us for the entire month of Dec. Paul, Ewings, Alisa in back, then Toshiba, Michelle and I in front.