I don't have any cool pictures today.  Just wanted to give you all an update of what is going on, and what isn't going on, and how we can pray all the way around:

-We have several sponsors ready for the new Milk Project in Talanga. Manuel is working on gathering profiles, as well as continuing the construction there. 
-Danli is working as well on continuing the outside wall to the property there. 
-The clinic in Las Botijas had its first day Saturday, 40 patients, and Darwin already asking when we can go twice a month rather than once.  
-The building construction for the office/pastor meeting space in Tegucigalpa continues.  Fundraising has been slow, but we promised the builder he could finish once he started, so a little slower than we wanted, but hopefully they will be done with their work by the end of the month, and then we see how we can continue the interior walls, electrical, etc.  
-Sampedrana clinic first day will be the 12th.
-Cantarranas work on the Milk Project play area will be on hold for a while, may have to wait for groups to help
-Farm work in Cantarranas is slooooowwwwly progressing.  Some of it just getting everything stable, and getting a budget for how we can safely proceed.
-We haven't been able to hire the right person to be the farm development manager yet...praying God sends the right person soon.
-We also haven't been able to make any progress on the hospital.  At this point, we need to find another property to be able to grow properly, especially for parking.  Right now, we are looking to see what is available, where it is, and how much.  Then even more prayer and see what to do then.  We are having our eyes opened to how big this would be, and how much it could grow, so want to do it right.  
-With all the groups and everything else going on, we are behind on meetings and leadership discussions.  But praise God...He is keeping everything going, and all the many arms and feet moving, as we continually try to catch up with Him.  Better than running ahead of him I suppose.  

His timing isn't ours...and sometimes that is great, and sometimes frustrating, but always good, whether we see it at the time or not.  

Keep praying...for health for all of us, spiritual and physical, and keeping our focus on Him.  It's not just the name of the mission...it's a reminder.  

Valerie and I (Felipe) will be in the US for most of the fall...praying that can be a fruitful time for the mission, and for a few days off when we can fit them in at the same time. 

Thanks all...be back hopefully in the next month or two with some pictures, and more updates!  

Life flying by can be a blessing and a curse.

A blessing in that the stressful, hard, emotional moments are going by so fast, that you don't always have time to process them.  A curse for the same reason, plus add in that things that take time, seem to take too much time.  

I can be honest with you, right?  This year so far, I feel like we are just trying to keep up.  Things progress/improve/advance, but not in the order/speed/sequence I had in mind sometimes.  

We haven't been able to coordinate equipment and everything to get the rural clinics going yet...but the new Milk Project is in the new building, and as of today, is even painted inside and out.  Still plenty of work to do there outside (need a concrete paved area for play/parking/etc.) but that part went fast.  To the point we were able to take a group to work with the kids this past week.

Add about a dozen other ministry related things that swing from good to not as good or thereabouts in my mind recently, and it adds up to some interesting feelings.

We took another trip to the hospital Thursday, and had really powerful debrief time after that sharing feelings and reactions.  I had a sort of realization, that some of what we confront in our reactions to those visits can be related to our confronting our powerlessness ultimately.  We want control, we think we can create/maintain control, but there are things in life that we HAVE to give to God, that we can't control, and that we have to come to terms with all that.  

I think I knew that...but like many lessons, I needed to learn it again this week.  Not just in that one area, but in a lot of areas.  We will see what I learn from the next team that arrives today.  

Pray for us in coordinating everything God is leading us to, in making connections for the US trip coming up this fall, and for the 50 consecutive days of groups in June and July for all they will be able to help with here, and the impact we pray it would have on them as they help!  

So much building going on in the mission, prayerfully we would always pray that the biggest growth would be in the hearts and minds of people we are reaching.  Of course, some physical construction is also required.  

Certainly the biggest project going on right now, is the office building.  Fundraising on this has been very slow, please pray for us on that, as we can't really afford to slow down...we need this built ASAP, plus since we are using a contractor, taking a break isn't good either.  Once the contractor is done, we will still have to build out the actually offices and meeting spaces.  They are nearing being able to pour the first floor up there in the air...it is a lot of work.  

As you can see below, to have a pastor's meeting right now means coordinating when teams aren't here, and to have their wives together...they had to use a bedroom downstairs.  Having these dedicated spaces we plan to use on a much more regular basis...when working around teams wouldn't work.  

​Want to help?  Click here  We would certainly appreciate it!  

Thanks to again special donations for church planting, the congregation in Danli is working hard on their church building as well.  Again...going with a second floor to go vertical in the future rather than a traditional roof, for the same reasons as Talanga.  

We should have enough funds to finish replacing the small building, and hopefully make at least some improvements to the house there as well, maybe an actual bathroom, safer exterior walls, and eventually...a second floor there as well for Sunday School rooms?  We shall see.  

There is still work left to be done in Cantarranas (below) for the Milk Project building...doors, windows, bars on the windows, building out the kitchen with sink, etc. and then the appliances will need to be purchased.  

We hope to use groups to do more work as well, maybe pouring some concrete for a good place to play outside.  

I don't have a recent picture of the new exam spaces being built in the clinic, but those are proceeding as well, and work to install the equipment in the new clinic buildings in Las Botijas and Sampedrana, as well as on the farm in Cantarranas...you get the idea.  

Lots going on...this is just sharing the construction side!  Pray all of us in Honduras would be able to proceed apace, where the funds have already been received, and where the funds need yet to come, for good stewardship, and sharing His love during, around, and through that construction!  

I often find that I feel weird...for a multiple number of reasons.  One of them can be having lived in a different culture, and having some of that rub off on you, but then, you aren't really from that culture, so you don't really fit in with either culture.  I could go on about that, but...no. ​

This was well done, funny, and instructional...but with one possible exception, seemingly all aimed at those not familiar with the culture in Honduras. 

I took the picture when I was there because I could see why it was written, but it struck me that those from Honduras, and those not, might find it somewhat odd.  That was even more amusing, to think about how a simple sign, isn't always so simple.  And what we see as simple situations...often aren't quite that so simple.  

All that to say, I took it as an unintended allegory to some bigger situations. 
I wonder how you see it?  ​

I honestly can't keep up.  Whether it is blogging...or anything else.  Spinning plates come to mind.  Let's try to catch up on a few things?

And what else?  We are right now mid way through our second of three groups here this month, two medical brigades, and the group here now is high school students using their spring break to help (painting the MP building and new clinic in Las Botijas, helping with the Milk Project in Tegucigalpa, and doing two clothing days as well.)  

Channel 15, our TV station in Talanga is at a crossroads, praying what to do there, as it reaches thousands, but financially can't keep up with its needs and we will have to decide if God is calling us to go forward with that, or whether we need to literally pull the plug.  Currently, the main computer is failing.  

Otherwise...we are working on installing a lift for the clinic, some way to get patients up and down that have mobility issues.  We have a couple trucks in the shop still, the new Land Cruisers helping out tremendously!  And there is farm work brewing in Cantarranas with Luis, trying to get that off the ground slowly but surely.

I probably forgot several things...hard to keep up.  But we pray for God's direction, His guiding, His leading, His Holy Spirit...to keep us up, and keep everything going!  

You are getting a special treat here*, dear blog reader.  We had a team last week of four people.  Well below our normal for a team...but this was no ordinary team.  It's hard to share exactly how all this came together without writing a lot...but sufficit to say, we wouldn't have our 1025r tractor here for the farm, if it weren't for Tractor Time with Tim's YouTube channel.  

They came down last week, along with Felipe's dad Kenton, and Cecilia's fiance Dave, all of whom helped with four days of tractor.  Tractor work, tractor education, tractor invesigation...it was a lot.  

It was also a blessing, all the way around.  It isn't something we have ever done, so we had a schedule, but none of us were quite sure how it would come together.  It wasn't perfect...but it came together in a way it was clear it was God, and we were all blessed because of it.  Blessings abound!

Not just the expertise shared, the progress made, the education for Jorge and Jeffrey...but just sharing stories, learning more about each other, about the capabilities of the tractor, it goes on and on.  

*I took some drone videos (posted below...finally getting the mission its own YouTube page, narrated even these videos.)  You can check out Tractor Time with Tim's first video here.  More will be coming in the next couple weeks of the other days we worked up there.  

The whole week was not only was it yet another reinforcement of the value of our tractor to the mission and communities/people we serve, it also came along at the same time to prove how useful the Gator we just purchased for Las Botijas will be for that farm as well.  Expensive purchases sometimes, even when you think you made the right call, when you can see it play out in front of you...are encouraging as well.  

Harvest is now in full swing, so between that, trying to finish the clinics in each location, and road work...everyone will be busy in both communities for a while to come.  Glory to God!  

I am currently merry.   It won't stay that way, but that's ok.  I have peace beyond understanding...well, when I remember Him who gives such peace.  

We prayed as a leadership yesterday for requests we all had...some overwhelming health concerns, big meetings/things to do, covering vacations in the clinic for the next couple weeks, things that need to get done/be accomplished/finished, hiring needs going into 2023.  

It wasn't all good or fun but regardless, we left merry and at peace.  

I thought it was a reminder that others might appreciate.  This season gets filled with lots of expectations, lots of sometimes misplaces priorities and focus.  

While this card is from Rina, I thought I would great you with her same words meant for an unknown sponsor.  I send them to all of you, those known and unknown, as well: "I greet you with love and affection. I thank God for the opportunity you have given me.  Thank you for supporting us.  We are praying for you, that God will continue to bless you this Christmas and may God keep you always.  May you have a Merry Christmas with your family."