Honesty time...so far this year, I am being continually slapped upside the proverbial head with situations and decisions to which I am expected to have an answer or course of action, and inside said head, I am thinking "I don't know."  And big questions to, like with long term life implications, and mission related planning. It is both potentially extremely frustrating, and at the same time bringing me low enough to try to remember to trust in God.   

This week, Marvin and Maria took two days to visit Milk Project families with the pastors in Las Botijas and Talanga.  It has been great to see the churches and projects work more closely together...where there is a plan we do know!  To reach children, and their families, for Christ.  

What I don't know...how to get the remaining 20 sponsors we need for the children already in the Milk Project.  Expanding is great because more can be done, but it is hard financially when getting new sponsors is so slow.  

Jose Luis working in the clinic this year has been a great answer to a question we have had for years of how to better care for people spiritually at the clinic.  If you asked me in December 2023 how we were going to do that better this year, that definitely would have been a "I don't know" answer.  

The question going forward will be how to better disciple the people he is reaching, obviously more so for those living close by.  What is our responsibility/what should we do? 

There are ideas and thoughts, but right now...I don't know.  

And what about doing surgeries?  Yeah...we are working on that, but there are many "I don't know" aspects to that.  It is particularly overwhelming...both on logistics, but also the needed finances to do that, where, when, who...you get the idea.  

We have been praying about drilling a well in Las Botijas.  All this in the back of the Ford means preparations are underway.  Will the company come through, and in time before the rains make getting there not possible?  Will they find water?  Enough water?  Will it all work out?  

You know the answer.  

We had opportunity to visit the caves in Guasucaran last week with the medical team that was with us.  Looking into a cave can be a scary proposition, the darkness, the unknown, (the bats).

We are looking down the coming months, and years trying to plan, trying to prepare...both as a mission and personally, and right now, I am praying for no bats, and a peaceful light at the end of the tunnel, and not multiple trains.  

God knows...let's ask Him to move in these situations, and help us.  How will it work out?  I don't know.  But I know the One who does.  If it sometimes doesn't feel like that is enough, that's fine...but it is enough.

I'm told that when trying to read these blogs on a phone...it is hard to see the pictures in the right order with the text.  So, let's try a picture, text, a picture text...and see how that helps or hurts. 

We got back to Honduras late Sunday, and no time for culture shock...plenty of stuff coming at us fast and furious.  I knew the solar installation was completed after we left a few weeks ago, but apparently the power hadn't gone out until something like 8 times yesterday, something no doubt related to the heat wave and massive smoke pollution going around.  The outages were short...but enough that while I was frustratedly trying to work on an internet router issue also for the clinic, that I had time to go down to see how the solar battery kicks on for the clinic just a few seconds after every outage.  It was somewhat confusing...but I was there long enough to see the chain of energy change when the power was coming in versus not.  

Today when I was back...trying to chase more internet router gremlins (they need internet in the clinic to answer patient questions on WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.)...I unexpectedly ran into Doctor Carlos, who was quietly very happy going past me with a wheelchair.  He was happy because we had this particular wheelchair, quiet because he was sad that his patient, Wilson age 13, has cerebral palsy and needs the chair.  I was distracted...but even so, it was quite a moment.  

Soren came down on Sunday, and jumped in to helping with the dry wall prep work for the office building.  It looks closer every week...but still a lot of details and work left to do, and a lot of money to pay for supplies, equipment, etc.  

You can also see progress here in Danli on the second floor.  This will eventually be where the church meets, with the bottom floor for the parsonage, and the Milk Project.  Lots of work to go here as well, but getting up the walls is a pretty big step.  You can also see a bit of how smoky it is here right now (according to reports...so bad you shouldn't be working outside or have your windows open.  Hmmm)

I love this picture of pastor Manuel interacting with the kids in the Milk Project in Talanga.  
#1 for how excited he looks.
#2 for how not so excited some of the kids look

Working with kids is hard period, let alone when it is very hot.  I'm sure the picture makes it look worse than the reality, but I thought it was a good reminder we need to pray, not just for the physical projects going, for healing and encouragement to those visiting the clinic, for growth and expansion of the coffee arm of the ministry (seriously...get some coffee, help us help more people here, it is good stuff with a good aim!), but also for the entire staff pouring themselves out to reach their neighbors for Christ...no matter the weather or other circumstances.