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