Behind...

I was shocked, and had to double check when I saw it has been since July I have posted a blog.  Shocked mostly because I knew I was busy, but not that busy.  I can remember when saying "I'm keeping busy!" was an acceptable prideful thing to say.  This year especially, I am ready to repent.  I am not actually repenting apparently, but actively seeking to repent.  That is...trying to find my way out of the paper bag of busy.  Trying to hand more off, trying to not take on more, etc.  Some of that is successful, some less so.  Lately though I feel a little behind the eight ball of faith.

Chains on a truck here is not a good sign of course.  Let alone on a mountain tackler like the Land Cruisers.  Walther is using this one for a bit to get posts for fence work and get the new drying racks ready before harvest approaches.  We ordered more pavers for the road there, and after the long wait last time, place that order in August.  What a "pleasant" surprise that they are now ready.  Getting them delivered now with the roads as present with the entire country being in the middle of major downpours, causing problems all over the country, will be...tricky.  We have a couple weeks for that to be figured out.  

We had some extra funds from digging the well in Las Botijas, and God orchestrated timing and donations to help to such an extent (pretty cool story actually) that we decided to proceed here in Tegucigalpa.  Yes, we have water access here, but if this works, it would be cost effective, make things so much easier for everyone, and possibly even be clean enough to not need filtering to drink.

It all came together so clear...except instead of 150-200 feet down, we are at 500 feet now, and still working.  I mentioned to a group last week something I have heard several times, that God doesn't call us to be successful, but being faithful.  

This might end up being a great story of the latter and not the former.  I'm ok with that, but I'm also ok with that faithfulness just being for a period here before we hit a gusher as well.  Right?

Having some faith that the newly (almost) completed wall in Cantarranas will be effective to keep would-be breakers-in from attempting anything.  

Hopefully in the next few weeks the final touches should be purchased and put in place...the serpentine wire (which is already up in places on the other sides) and a metal wall extension on the low section near one of our neighbors.  

Praying as well for the clinic going forward...seen above is a picture of an OCT exam being done in the optometry area.  We were praying for Darwin's trip to Cuba to study ophthalmology, but the Honduran government took that spot away.  I could explain what happened, but it would be such a tale of governments being governments, better no.  But, we pivot, and Darwin is now praying for an interview coming up to be able to go to Guatemala instead.  Also, we might have some staff changes coming up in the new year, some new opportunities for some, personal challenges requiring a change/move, etc.  Praying how all that will come together, and for the interim director to also handle that depending on when Darwin can get a clear path forward.  

Seen above is Rony sharing with the kids in Las Botijas in the Milk Project.  With 250+ kids now, and Christmas and soon after a new school year coming up, that presents the challenge of getting all the gifts and supplies paid for, and the potential of expanding in 2026 to a seven location?  A little scary, but if God has this, then it will come to pass.  

Generally speaking, I refrain from posting pictures of Valerie and myself, or making mention of us unless required.  The mission is not us, and in fact so much bigger.  

But in thinking about faith, being behind, and if we are trusting in God, right here when I was going to finish, I was reminded of this picture, and this trip.  

We were changing things up with a group late last month which turned out to be here during a long holiday weekend when the holidays got moved (it happens in October, just weren't sure when that would be when we scheduled the group.)  So...Maria was up for a special day out for 10 kids in the Milk Project, and we decided to take them to the first US embassy building, which is above San Juancito near the old mines.  I should have thought to ask around about how to get up there.  I should have thought more about it than just saying we would do it.  But I was busy, and it seemed a great idea.  And it was.  But...getting the Blue Ford up that road, part of which wasn't what the map said was the road, was quite the experience.  I had faith we would get there, I was too busy to think about what would happen if we didn't (even when we had to pass a small SUV that had broken down due to overheating), and I was definitely behind keeping up with the switchbacks and changes to 4x4 and such.  It was fun.  Fun that I don't exactly planning on repeating anytime soon.  But memorable.  For me though in different ways than maybe the kids or the group though.  We look rested and peaceful though in the picture right?  Beautiful place when you finally get there.

So I guess my takeaway today maybe should be...you can be too busy, but boy, you really shouldn't be so busy that you don't have time for practicing faith and prayer.  Because while one I have been feeling guilty for, the other has definitely been keeping us going.  Interesting eh?