His Eyes

  • Home
  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • The Team
  • Ministry
    • Churches
    • The Milk Project
    • Coffee
    • Clinic
    • Needs
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Trips
    • FAQ
    • Sample Itinirary
  • Store
  • DONATE
  • Home
  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • The Team
  • Ministry
    • Churches
    • The Milk Project
    • Coffee
    • Clinic
    • Needs
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Trips
    • FAQ
    • Sample Itinirary
  • Store
  • DONATE

Building

8/3/2023

0 Comments

 
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!  
0 Comments

Blur

7/1/2023

0 Comments

 
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.  

Take for example this cutie in Cantarranas, happy for that bag of corn she is taking home to share with her family (she is in the Milk Project there.)

I had enough time seeing all the pictures from this day of corn, to notice all the kids smiling, laughing.

But I continually don't have the space to think of the impact this corn has, both physical impact on so many families, as well as the emotional and spiritual impact of it being distributed by the churches and Milk Projects.  

Plus...to notice all the new material under her feet as we prepare for groups that will help concrete this area to make for a safer entrance, a proper ditch, etc.  
Picture

Picture

We had three interns, plus Cecilia, in June with us.  They came, they left.  We pray for the impact on their lives through their time here...but with everything else going on, it was definitely a speedy blur I wish would have been a little clearer and slower.  

Speaking of interns, and a blur...this woman is a patient in the clinic that Kimmie and Valerie saw.  Through the process of an eye exam, this woman came to Christ.  

They sent me the picture, we chatted briefly, and life moved on.  

Thinking about the past month today though, of the details that were fussed over (someone has to fuss over them right?) and a bunch of stuff I am not even mentioning in this post, and then to find a few pictures, and recall a few conversations and think about what God is doing in and through this current of blurs...it is a little overwhelming, in a good way, but also the weight of it all. 

Good thing the blur continues (I log off here to fetch the next group) I guess.  Or...I guess?

Either way...might be a while until I am back.  Until then, say a prayer for all of the staff at His Eyes...that somehow through the blur of this current phase of life, we keep the proper focus.  
Picture
0 Comments

Try to keep up

6/17/2023

2 Comments

 
Picture
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.
The office building construction progresses, but donations have completely stopped, and well short of the goal.  We are having to rob Peter to pay Paul on this one, as we can't just have the builder stop, plus, we actually greatly need the building and its space. When the contractor is done with their portion, we will have to see how to finish the interior work. 

Power grid availability has been, and per news/government reports will be for some time to come, quite wonky. We had to get two new generators to keep the clinic going.  Meanwhile, the new consult rooms there are almost done, and finally we are seeing the finish line for getting the "elevator" (seen in the background) installed. 

It was very cool to see the special church service in Guayavillas recently...as well as get some very cool video from Cantarranas from people there who wanted to share what a blessing the recent corn donation they received was.  (we haven't paid off the fees for that container either...more taking from other areas of the ministry.)
​    

Picture
Picture
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!  
2 Comments

try

5/15/2023

0 Comments

 
I have tried starting this blog about five times now, trying to phrase this correctly, but can't quite nail it.  

Essentially, trying to summarize ministry activity.  I think it just boils down to:  try.  

Complicated eh?  Try implies a few things, probably more than I am thinking but...
1. You don't always succeed
2. It requires effort
3. It doesn't have to always be complicated.  

The picture here on the right (if this is displaying correctly of course) is from Talanga, pastor Manuel sharing this recipient of rice.  When I inquired about the hoe, he then casually added that he was someone looking for work all day in Talanga, who lives outside the city, and not finding any work, but remembering Manuel in the past had been able to help with some rice, took a chance to see if there was any so his family could eat that night.   
Picture

Picture

We had a group here this past week, the first of the "summer" which will have...the most in a summer since 2008, if not the most ever for us.  

Soren is in country, and went with us, and thankfully recognized he was going to pass out before it happened.  While he was chatting with staff splayed out on the floor, someone also volunteered to take his BP.  Then he went back to talking to patients and their parents.  

Picture
Things have just been starting in the Milk Project in Cantarranas, but already you can see the preparation and work coming together, not just in the daily activities, pastor Jonathan helping give classes a few days a week, new families coming to church now, but also in some very cool Mother's Day cards they shared making to take home.

Sometimes it is buildings, preaching, medical skill...sometimes it is some food, medical issues, and construction paper.  All are ways to worship, honor and glorify God to those around us, near and far.  
0 Comments

Building

5/7/2023

0 Comments

 
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.  
Picture
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!  
Picture
Picture

Picture





​There have also been some extra donations coming in to help Milk Project families with different things.  One of the pictures Maria took to show just one of the issues was this one, which struck me...no wall, and a missing floor...in your living room.  

Sometimes, it is picking priorities, as there are some rotting roofs, and in some cases, lost employment or rough times...requests for food instead of fixing some issues like this.  




And, we will be starting with groups soon to build in the air the kitchen/space for the next Milk Project location, in Talanga.  

Why not buy another property there instead of going vertical?  We tried that, and the prices for the surrounding available lots are so high, it just isn't cost feasible.  

We don't know when we will finish this, primarily using groups, but wanted to get started to be ready when the sponsors come.

Picture
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.  
Picture
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.  
Picture
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!  
0 Comments

Culture

4/22/2023

1 Comment

 
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. ​

Picture
Sometimes, you get some reminders of that.  I thought this one was funny.  It is "Correct use of the bathroom" and I saw it...in a bathroom at the famous pork rind restaurant near Comayagua

-Take the necessary toilet paper (you have to grab it before you go in the stall)
-Put the used toilet paper in the trash can
-Roll the toilet paper that has fecal material on it so that the dirty part is inside
-Don't put TP down the toilet
-After using the toilet, lower the handle (aka...flush)
-Don't leave the toilet dirty, nor with paper on the floor.  

Recommendations...
#1 avoid throwing TP in the toilet
#2 don't put TP on the lid
#3 Throw it in the trash

Note:  Rolling up the TP helps to contain the bad smells and germs ​
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?  ​

1 Comment

Gifts

3/25/2023

0 Comments

 

Picture
I could wax poetic, about life being a gift, grace and mercy, peace...but I will try not to digress.  

I just thought it would be good to be grateful to the gifts we are able to give, because of people some of whom have never been here and never will come here. 

This is Mario, from Villa de San Antonio.  He has diabetes, and had one leg amputated because of it.  He lives alone and survives via his neighbors.  He is a retired barber, retired because of his illness.  

Someone gave that wheelchair, and because of it, we were able to give it here.  

How easy it can be to take for granted a bed, a bed that isn't a few inches thick, and directly on the ground.  A bed in which several family members do not also have to share.  

We have been able to bless four families this month with beds they needed.  

All because some people read of needs, and gave.  


Picture

Picture

Food.  People we will never meet, paid for and packed food, and it touched many hands on the way to touch even more hands blessing families from churches.  

Blessed to be a blessing.  

We don't get to do this every single day, but we do it every day we are able.  

That chain, those connections, that God orchestrates it like a fantastically complicated piece, is music to my ears.  
0 Comments

Keep up

3/13/2023

0 Comments

 
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?

Picture
How about an update on the new office building?  

This picture doesn't seem to show said building, but it does show how the clinic is out of space to store things with their expansion (four new exam rooms are being built)

With those new rooms, something had to give... this was the meeting area for pastoral meetings and Oscar's office is in the very back there. 

If we don't build this new building, we won't have a place to do pastoral and leadership training.  We are still working on the design of how the offices and conference area will work out, but it will take up the whole first floor!​

We hired a new English teacher for the Milk Project, and with the influx of new sponsors, will be starting a new project in Cantarranas soon, and adding children to all of the projects, bringing our total up over 190!

We are hiring a new staff person for Tegucigalpa too, since Maria will be doing more and more supervising, Mauricio, to help day to day operations.

Construction in Cantarranas will take a while, but we will be working there to get started with the kids without the building being done.



​

Picture


Picture
The coffee harvest is almost over, and the plants from the nursery are going to be ready to be planted soon.  

Time then to start work on more plants to take their place.  

It's hard work, and it will take years to see fruit from it, but the fruit of employment and help in the community is already there.

Special services in Guayavillas recently, it is hard planting a new church, but pastor Javier is trying, with help of course.  

This was a Sunday evening service to invite other people from the community to check it out.

Picture
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!  
0 Comments

Tractor time

1/22/2023

1 Comment

 
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!  
1 Comment

Merry

12/20/2022

1 Comment

 
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.  
The Christmas card here is from one of the unsponsored children in The Milk Project in Las Botijas. 

​We have all the kids fill out the cards even though every year some don't have sponsors, because the alternative is more depressing.  In fact...God is their sponsor, that we can keep going while we look for more people to keep this going.  

I used to cry reading those cards, because I didn't have that perspective. 

While of late there has been a lot of potential stress, I am trying to keep on the other side of merry...the peaceful side beyond my own understanding.  
Picture
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."
1 Comment
<<Previous
    If you want to sign up to receive these blog posts in your email inbox, email us here and we will add you to the list!  

    Blog writer:
    Felipe Colby

    Executive Director 

    Archives

    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Location

How can you find us?

In the USA:
His Eyes

9903 Indian Lake Blvd. North Drive
​Indianapolis, IN 46236

In Honduras (see the map to the left)

Contact Us

Got questions?  Want to request being added to our monthly updates?  Something else?  You can email us or visit our social media clicking below!