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Starting again...another 10,000 pounds of rice and beans to distribute. We have had to winnow a bit of the other great things we were adding in the past, not enough funds, and also distribute less every week. A kind of restructuring after about four months of doing this.
We are still receiving enough via the Milk Project to make sure those families get a bag per week, plus a few other goodies we bought for them in August (milk and granola bars), but otherwise it is going to have to drop as we try to make this last into early September, and by then hopefully as well have the corn here and able to distribute. Prices on staples that which had been up almost 100% since March have dropped just a bit, we are hoping that will continue.
We are still taking donations since our economic restrictions are likely to continue through that time period in some form, any "phases" we get to after getting out of the 0 we are currently in, will certainly be in place now in September.
I'll include that link here for making donations to do more food distributions in case anyone is interested, we will be hoping to raise another $5,000 for September/October, to distribute another 500 bags.
We are still receiving enough via the Milk Project to make sure those families get a bag per week, plus a few other goodies we bought for them in August (milk and granola bars), but otherwise it is going to have to drop as we try to make this last into early September, and by then hopefully as well have the corn here and able to distribute. Prices on staples that which had been up almost 100% since March have dropped just a bit, we are hoping that will continue.
We are still taking donations since our economic restrictions are likely to continue through that time period in some form, any "phases" we get to after getting out of the 0 we are currently in, will certainly be in place now in September.
I'll include that link here for making donations to do more food distributions in case anyone is interested, we will be hoping to raise another $5,000 for September/October, to distribute another 500 bags.
The road work in our neighborhood has begun again. Although most people can't work...at least they have started this again, putting some construction guys to work again. They are digging trenches right now for sewer lines (right about where one of them are standing will be where we connect the property at some point.) Once all that is done, eventually then they will pour concrete roads here as well. Community transformation indeed. When we can connect to sewers, that will be a big change for us as well...and involve some expense to reroute all our waste from where it currently goes (about three different locations right now)
We have had several reasons to tackle a few small construction projects of late, including needing some extra hands available to do some other things. And actually as of last week, hardware stores can actually be open as well, so not only was Santos able to do the concrete work for the new garden areas around the mission house, but Soren was able to weld up some fence to protect the future flowers/berries/whatever we can get to grow there, and finish up railings on other parts of the property. So we are trying to find any other welding projects we need him to do before he goes back to school (albeit online) in a few weeks.
The clinic continues to fill the parking lot to overflowing almost every morning, and leaving late every afternoon (although that has improved a bit, no more leaving almost two hours late) and Oscar has been out and about some getting food to the pastors, checking with them...he spent last night in Las Botijas as well.
So although we are still restricted...and our case count for COVID and deaths is steady, we are slowly finding some more ways we can work safely and do what we can to help in different areas.
The clinic continues to fill the parking lot to overflowing almost every morning, and leaving late every afternoon (although that has improved a bit, no more leaving almost two hours late) and Oscar has been out and about some getting food to the pastors, checking with them...he spent last night in Las Botijas as well.
So although we are still restricted...and our case count for COVID and deaths is steady, we are slowly finding some more ways we can work safely and do what we can to help in different areas.
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I have been getting up early for many months to get my exercise on the campus. Getting up early enough to beat dawn here means you have to be up by 4:30 in the summer time. A lazy 5:15 I think in December. Not being able to go anywhere else means I have got to see quite a few different views in the last...oh who is counting now anyway, four plus months.
With challenges come opportunities. With COVID comes lots of both in how we respond, as a mission and personally.
Taking steps of faith and God providing has been awesome to continue to see. Working on paperwork now for the coming containers is challenging...but worth my angst at not knowing how almost any of this shipping stuff works. That and it really being mostly out of my control when any of that happens.
Spending money where you think it is needed, looking to see what should be done, how, and how to try to be an encouragement is a very interesting challenge.
I'll admit though...those sunrises are one of many kinds of God calls, gut checks, faith walks. Not just the beauty and awe of what God does...but how He does it.
One of the things of my youth, and now, is that erroneous way of being that thinks we can understand God, that things will eventually all make sense, that we will have a handle on things.
I don't understand quite a bit lately. People, their opinions, viruses, death, hunger...it's a pretty long list actually.
That doesn't really bother me though. God gave us several reminders that He is in control, only He gets the full picture, and instead of trying to plug the gaps and/or invent what we don't understand, we just need to trust in Him.
Job 42, Isaiah 40 (Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor?) and more...all pointing to the fact God is God, and we are not.
We call it sunrise. Another language says "sun up time" and then sun down time. It makes sense. Of course, it is not accurate. We revolve around the sun, not the other way around.
Things not making so much sense is a lot easier to process when you have the right perspective.
With challenges come opportunities. With COVID comes lots of both in how we respond, as a mission and personally.
Taking steps of faith and God providing has been awesome to continue to see. Working on paperwork now for the coming containers is challenging...but worth my angst at not knowing how almost any of this shipping stuff works. That and it really being mostly out of my control when any of that happens.
Spending money where you think it is needed, looking to see what should be done, how, and how to try to be an encouragement is a very interesting challenge.
I'll admit though...those sunrises are one of many kinds of God calls, gut checks, faith walks. Not just the beauty and awe of what God does...but how He does it.
One of the things of my youth, and now, is that erroneous way of being that thinks we can understand God, that things will eventually all make sense, that we will have a handle on things.
I don't understand quite a bit lately. People, their opinions, viruses, death, hunger...it's a pretty long list actually.
That doesn't really bother me though. God gave us several reminders that He is in control, only He gets the full picture, and instead of trying to plug the gaps and/or invent what we don't understand, we just need to trust in Him.
Job 42, Isaiah 40 (Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor?) and more...all pointing to the fact God is God, and we are not.
We call it sunrise. Another language says "sun up time" and then sun down time. It makes sense. Of course, it is not accurate. We revolve around the sun, not the other way around.
Things not making so much sense is a lot easier to process when you have the right perspective.
- Published on
I listen to several podcasts. Several of those podcasts would look at similar world events and have different ways to interpret those through different lenses. Sometimes then, I disagree with them. That seems like a good thing. It certainly means I get challenged, and that is definitely a good thing.
This week, during one of those podcasts, the title to this post was mentioned, that when we read the Bible, we tend to identify with the hero in the story, the downtrodden, the righteous person. Just like when we watch Disney movies, or dress up to be like them when we are kids, nobody dresses up like the villains or says they identify with them.
But...real life, our societies can be Egypt, Babylon, or Rome, not Israel. On the flip side, maybe we are Israel...when they were screwing things up for hundreds of years. Am I acting like the apostles in the boat? Am I a pharisee? Haman? Jezebel?
So the challenge was to read the Bible, and put ourselves in those people's places. What would we have done? What do we do?
Cool, interesting, thought provoking. Then I got to live it.
This week, during one of those podcasts, the title to this post was mentioned, that when we read the Bible, we tend to identify with the hero in the story, the downtrodden, the righteous person. Just like when we watch Disney movies, or dress up to be like them when we are kids, nobody dresses up like the villains or says they identify with them.
But...real life, our societies can be Egypt, Babylon, or Rome, not Israel. On the flip side, maybe we are Israel...when they were screwing things up for hundreds of years. Am I acting like the apostles in the boat? Am I a pharisee? Haman? Jezebel?
So the challenge was to read the Bible, and put ourselves in those people's places. What would we have done? What do we do?
Cool, interesting, thought provoking. Then I got to live it.
New outdoor staging area to keep distancing is working well so far. Each area has its own row of chairs to wait before there is enough space inside.
Food distributions continue...sometimes we can't fill the bags as full as we would like, but we have been able to send food out to every community in the mission since March.
Loader and backhoe? That is a lot of work that can be done. Maybe we can get the roads to being passable year round soon! Certainly sooner than we could otherwise!
God has been showing up in huge ways of late. The corn container shipped and should be here mid August. Not that long ago, I wouldn't have dreamed we would be getting another container of corn.
Plus, preparations are proceeding apace to fill the FAME container. I can't recall a container filled with more direly needed items, specialized equipment, and more supplies than this one. It may not be crammed full...but already what I know will be coming is huge. Plus, donations have been strong...which is why we have been able to do all this. We have received over $12,000 to buy things specifically for the container. I have spent well over that...but have faith the remaining funds will come. Who knows when we will get an opportunity to do this again? Spending more now to ensure we can keep the clinic, and other areas, going long term...is almost priceless, except I know how much it costs.
One thing we have not been able to do yet is secure oxygen supplies to open the COVID ward Darwin was thinking of doing for people being turned away from the hospitals. We would have to charge for that, a lot, but right now...there are no good options outside the public system that start under $15,000. But, we shall see. If that happens, we would use the Milk Project building to house patients. But without oxygen, we can't get started.
Food distributions continue. Just when it looks like we are going to run out of funds...more comes. So far we haven't had to skip a week since March. Not all the bags have been as full lately, but at least ten pounds per family of staples continues to go out, to about 230 families a week. We are hoping the corn when it arrives will help supplement that as we see how we can continue to do this until people can get back working.
And then there is the tractor. I have a few thousand dollars left to raise, but the response to this has been huge. This beautiful piece of gently used equipment is ours and will be on the FAME container as well.
When I put that down on our original list of things we were seeking...it was a dream item, a God sized thing.
Now it is reality. The amount of road work and farm work we will be able to do with this in the coffee farms I am sure we don't full appreciate yet.
Plus, preparations are proceeding apace to fill the FAME container. I can't recall a container filled with more direly needed items, specialized equipment, and more supplies than this one. It may not be crammed full...but already what I know will be coming is huge. Plus, donations have been strong...which is why we have been able to do all this. We have received over $12,000 to buy things specifically for the container. I have spent well over that...but have faith the remaining funds will come. Who knows when we will get an opportunity to do this again? Spending more now to ensure we can keep the clinic, and other areas, going long term...is almost priceless, except I know how much it costs.
One thing we have not been able to do yet is secure oxygen supplies to open the COVID ward Darwin was thinking of doing for people being turned away from the hospitals. We would have to charge for that, a lot, but right now...there are no good options outside the public system that start under $15,000. But, we shall see. If that happens, we would use the Milk Project building to house patients. But without oxygen, we can't get started.
Food distributions continue. Just when it looks like we are going to run out of funds...more comes. So far we haven't had to skip a week since March. Not all the bags have been as full lately, but at least ten pounds per family of staples continues to go out, to about 230 families a week. We are hoping the corn when it arrives will help supplement that as we see how we can continue to do this until people can get back working.
And then there is the tractor. I have a few thousand dollars left to raise, but the response to this has been huge. This beautiful piece of gently used equipment is ours and will be on the FAME container as well.
When I put that down on our original list of things we were seeking...it was a dream item, a God sized thing.
Now it is reality. The amount of road work and farm work we will be able to do with this in the coffee farms I am sure we don't full appreciate yet.
All of that, and more...fingerprints of God's handiwork...going off like bombs around us. Buoying us in many ways.
But...when the bumps come, and they have been coming as well of late, how do I react? How well am I remembering how much God is in control, and showing that right now, when those bumps are thumping me in the soul?
Trying to go to sleep last night, I was reminded of looking at the Bible through a different lens. Jesus walking on water. Peter walking out to him...and 11 other guys scared out of their wits not even willing to get out of the boat.
Today, I can identify a little more with the guys in the boat. That's not really comfortable, but it is challenging, and that is a good thing.
But...when the bumps come, and they have been coming as well of late, how do I react? How well am I remembering how much God is in control, and showing that right now, when those bumps are thumping me in the soul?
Trying to go to sleep last night, I was reminded of looking at the Bible through a different lens. Jesus walking on water. Peter walking out to him...and 11 other guys scared out of their wits not even willing to get out of the boat.
Today, I can identify a little more with the guys in the boat. That's not really comfortable, but it is challenging, and that is a good thing.
- Published on
Roller coaster is what I feel I have been riding for a while. Not for almost four months as we have been locked down. No, for the first month or two, I was busy, catching up, playing the waiting game, helping with the food purchases, etc. It was not fun, but manageable.
But as this continues, it hits harder, more happens, things start to add up.
We had some theft hit us personally, we had some crisis of faith for someone close to the ministry, some got scared and chose to walk away for fear of what could happen, we had some staff diagnosed with COVID...I think you get the idea.
Roller coasters don't crash into the ground though, and neither have we. God has sent us unexpected, unusual, and lots, of encouragement and ways to keep us going back up when circumstances trying to bring us down low. Holy Spirit action is powerful stuff. Encouraging texts, kind words, some tips for sale items, donations from people we don't even know, the upcoming FAME and corn containers...sometimes the worst part of being on an emotional roller coaster is feeling like you are alone. You aren't alone. I'm not alone. (Say that outloud...it helps.)
We keep rolling with the punches, and as a mission are trying to give some punches back. Against hunger, against despair, against sickness. Times of trial and test show what we are made of I suppose.
What will come next? I know we had a long meeting today talking about some emergency options of expanding the clinic work...into different areas and also different buildings. Crazy talk just a few months ago. Now...when someone, including myself, has a crazy idea, I try to stop, breathe, and then make sure I leave the door open for how God wants to move. I won't share more here yet, just not to get hopes up or raise expectations on what I don't know will happen yet. But definitely time for lots of prayer. Been doing more of that of late.
I could really start a ramble here, but let's stay on focus on our roller coaster. I guess, it is called life, right?
But as this continues, it hits harder, more happens, things start to add up.
We had some theft hit us personally, we had some crisis of faith for someone close to the ministry, some got scared and chose to walk away for fear of what could happen, we had some staff diagnosed with COVID...I think you get the idea.
Roller coasters don't crash into the ground though, and neither have we. God has sent us unexpected, unusual, and lots, of encouragement and ways to keep us going back up when circumstances trying to bring us down low. Holy Spirit action is powerful stuff. Encouraging texts, kind words, some tips for sale items, donations from people we don't even know, the upcoming FAME and corn containers...sometimes the worst part of being on an emotional roller coaster is feeling like you are alone. You aren't alone. I'm not alone. (Say that outloud...it helps.)
We keep rolling with the punches, and as a mission are trying to give some punches back. Against hunger, against despair, against sickness. Times of trial and test show what we are made of I suppose.
What will come next? I know we had a long meeting today talking about some emergency options of expanding the clinic work...into different areas and also different buildings. Crazy talk just a few months ago. Now...when someone, including myself, has a crazy idea, I try to stop, breathe, and then make sure I leave the door open for how God wants to move. I won't share more here yet, just not to get hopes up or raise expectations on what I don't know will happen yet. But definitely time for lots of prayer. Been doing more of that of late.
I could really start a ramble here, but let's stay on focus on our roller coaster. I guess, it is called life, right?
peaking of life...
The work on the farms continues. The guys are all hard at work, and prepping more plants to go in the ground.
In the midst of a pandemic...how much do we scramble, and how much do we continue to plan and work for the future? Stay the course?
People are still being employed, the Gospel shared, the work continuing. I am also still looking for a John Deere tractor to put on the FAME container. Found the perfect size, and implements...but cash? hmmm.
Where will it go? How will we sell coffee going forward? Time will tell...we are working on that as well.
Also in Las Botijas...with the food load not as heavy per bag (unfortunate but necessary for the time being, the funds are running low) Oscar was able to get out some of the old mission house cabinets to the farms for use there. Nothing goes to waste for sure.
Masks in Sampedrana...the FAME donation paying off at Church. Social distancing and masks in rural areas, where there is fear but not always a lot of options, has been interesting to see from afar. The antibacterial gel sent should help for a while as they try to see when they can meet again, and form a plan for the long term as well.
One thing is sure though, they are meeting, and seeing more seeds planted and sprouting in this difficult time.
And, life continues, with a baby dedication in Sampedrana.
We have to keep fighting, keep searching and looking forward. Meeting the needs of today, but also fighting for the future.
I don't know how to do that...but I know Who does. That gives me a sigh of relief, and the ability to breathe, and keep moving.
The work on the farms continues. The guys are all hard at work, and prepping more plants to go in the ground.
In the midst of a pandemic...how much do we scramble, and how much do we continue to plan and work for the future? Stay the course?
People are still being employed, the Gospel shared, the work continuing. I am also still looking for a John Deere tractor to put on the FAME container. Found the perfect size, and implements...but cash? hmmm.
Where will it go? How will we sell coffee going forward? Time will tell...we are working on that as well.
Also in Las Botijas...with the food load not as heavy per bag (unfortunate but necessary for the time being, the funds are running low) Oscar was able to get out some of the old mission house cabinets to the farms for use there. Nothing goes to waste for sure.
Masks in Sampedrana...the FAME donation paying off at Church. Social distancing and masks in rural areas, where there is fear but not always a lot of options, has been interesting to see from afar. The antibacterial gel sent should help for a while as they try to see when they can meet again, and form a plan for the long term as well.
One thing is sure though, they are meeting, and seeing more seeds planted and sprouting in this difficult time.
And, life continues, with a baby dedication in Sampedrana.
We have to keep fighting, keep searching and looking forward. Meeting the needs of today, but also fighting for the future.
I don't know how to do that...but I know Who does. That gives me a sigh of relief, and the ability to breathe, and keep moving.
- Published on
So many people are saying such great things to challenge and push us for change on racism in the US, I have been feeling like I don't have anything better to say on the topic. But whether I am eloquent or even have a really good handle on everything doesn't matter so much as my willingness to speak out against it, learn, and try to help others around me as well.
That means speaking out against myself. I would like to think of myself as a pretty decent guy, but I know I can point out things I have done in my life, even at best perhaps well intentioned or just ignorant, that were still racist. Living in Honduras, I have had my eyes opened to racism I didn't even know existed before, and have read history (some distant and some recent), of racism I didn't know existed either.
During our devotion today, I asked another of our leadership team to pray about the current situation in the USA, that even from afar I was sensing this is bigger and deeper than has been seen for quite some time...maybe this can be a time for bigger institutional and individual change? They prayed a very thoughtful prayer...and included in that prayer was this: "please help anyone who thinks they are better than someone else because of their race, the color of their skin or what country they were born in." I didn't mention anything about countries/nationalism...but when I mentioned racism, it clearly was something they thought included. In some instances, it is the same category. Whether around the world, or pretty close to home. At any rate, it made me think.
I love the book of Jonah. I have been blessed to be able to preach about it, deep dive some into it, and then today, watch the Bible Project video on it, not planned, just was the next in the series we are watching on the Old Testament. Part of the reason I like the book was something they pointed out in the video today in a way. The book is written in such a way that we are ultimately supposed to ask the question... How do I identify with Jonah? His racism? His nationalism? His jealousness? His selfishness? His anger with God? His stubbornness? I mean, when you read his story, it is really highlighting that for a prophet...what a jerk he was. And how good God is.
The book ends with a question from God to Jonah...about whether he is ok or not with the fact that God could forgive and reconcile his enemies to Him. There is no answer given...God asks the question, and that is it. I can only imagine what Jonah would answer...he displayed his feelings pretty clearly for the people of Ninevah throughout his journey. He wanted to see them all in hell, even their animals (God mentions them too.)
What if God was asking that of me though?
Sometimes we as humans get caught up in the human race...like it is a competition, trying to get ahead, or keep ahead. Either fighting for our privilege, fighting against people we think are worse than we are, trying to feel better about ourselves by putting someone down, keeping our heads in the sand because it is in our own best interest, or just reliving prejudices we got from someone else.
What if we prayed and worked, and tried to love others...even the people we may not think nice things about for whatever reason, whether real or not, to treat them the way we want to be treated, and in reflection of how God loves us?
The race isn't to get ahead of anyone...our goal should be to get us all closer together...and closer together getting closer to Christ. Hand in hand, no matter the color, the country, the tribe, etc.
That is not some sappy platitude!!! We are supposed to live it, we are supposed to breathe it. We are supposed to proclaim it and work to help everyone be on the same path together...body and soul. We are supposed to tell it to our kids, and to anyone and everyone! It's part of our mission as Christians!
It won't always make us popular, or liked...it is one other reason that will actually cause us to be hated, persecuted, and made fun of. People will try to distract us by trying to get us off topic or say we are trying to get away from the Gospel or whatever, there are many reactions. I don't avoid it because I know it will offend people...but no matter how you touch on it, people will be offended all the same. It is part of the Gospel, and that good news not only frees, but offends. Racism has not part of the Gospel. Working against that seems a natural part of what we should be doing.
History shows that as people/societies, we love to scape goat people different from us, where they are from, how wealthy they are, their race...someone they can blame all their problems on, direct their misplaced anger towards, base their assumptions of superiority on, etc. In sin, in selfishness, we want to be better, on top, to feel superior.
God calls us to follow His lead. Even when he chose Israel, and in the Old Testament, there is call after call about how God's Kingdom would ultimately be made up of people from EVERY nation.
Loving our neighbor as ourselves means also trying to learn from them, see things the ways they see them, understand, empathize with them...before we try to answer, or object, or say how we think they are wrong.
I don't know. I just want to cry. I'll do that, for the injustices continually around us, and for my part in them. But I also want to help, to learn, to understand more.
Got something I could learn in general, something I am missing, or from my past with you, in all this? Email me, let's talk. (rookshark@hotmail.com)
Let's talk regardless, it would benefit me to know what you think, whether you agree with me or not.
That means speaking out against myself. I would like to think of myself as a pretty decent guy, but I know I can point out things I have done in my life, even at best perhaps well intentioned or just ignorant, that were still racist. Living in Honduras, I have had my eyes opened to racism I didn't even know existed before, and have read history (some distant and some recent), of racism I didn't know existed either.
During our devotion today, I asked another of our leadership team to pray about the current situation in the USA, that even from afar I was sensing this is bigger and deeper than has been seen for quite some time...maybe this can be a time for bigger institutional and individual change? They prayed a very thoughtful prayer...and included in that prayer was this: "please help anyone who thinks they are better than someone else because of their race, the color of their skin or what country they were born in." I didn't mention anything about countries/nationalism...but when I mentioned racism, it clearly was something they thought included. In some instances, it is the same category. Whether around the world, or pretty close to home. At any rate, it made me think.
I love the book of Jonah. I have been blessed to be able to preach about it, deep dive some into it, and then today, watch the Bible Project video on it, not planned, just was the next in the series we are watching on the Old Testament. Part of the reason I like the book was something they pointed out in the video today in a way. The book is written in such a way that we are ultimately supposed to ask the question... How do I identify with Jonah? His racism? His nationalism? His jealousness? His selfishness? His anger with God? His stubbornness? I mean, when you read his story, it is really highlighting that for a prophet...what a jerk he was. And how good God is.
The book ends with a question from God to Jonah...about whether he is ok or not with the fact that God could forgive and reconcile his enemies to Him. There is no answer given...God asks the question, and that is it. I can only imagine what Jonah would answer...he displayed his feelings pretty clearly for the people of Ninevah throughout his journey. He wanted to see them all in hell, even their animals (God mentions them too.)
What if God was asking that of me though?
Sometimes we as humans get caught up in the human race...like it is a competition, trying to get ahead, or keep ahead. Either fighting for our privilege, fighting against people we think are worse than we are, trying to feel better about ourselves by putting someone down, keeping our heads in the sand because it is in our own best interest, or just reliving prejudices we got from someone else.
What if we prayed and worked, and tried to love others...even the people we may not think nice things about for whatever reason, whether real or not, to treat them the way we want to be treated, and in reflection of how God loves us?
The race isn't to get ahead of anyone...our goal should be to get us all closer together...and closer together getting closer to Christ. Hand in hand, no matter the color, the country, the tribe, etc.
That is not some sappy platitude!!! We are supposed to live it, we are supposed to breathe it. We are supposed to proclaim it and work to help everyone be on the same path together...body and soul. We are supposed to tell it to our kids, and to anyone and everyone! It's part of our mission as Christians!
It won't always make us popular, or liked...it is one other reason that will actually cause us to be hated, persecuted, and made fun of. People will try to distract us by trying to get us off topic or say we are trying to get away from the Gospel or whatever, there are many reactions. I don't avoid it because I know it will offend people...but no matter how you touch on it, people will be offended all the same. It is part of the Gospel, and that good news not only frees, but offends. Racism has not part of the Gospel. Working against that seems a natural part of what we should be doing.
History shows that as people/societies, we love to scape goat people different from us, where they are from, how wealthy they are, their race...someone they can blame all their problems on, direct their misplaced anger towards, base their assumptions of superiority on, etc. In sin, in selfishness, we want to be better, on top, to feel superior.
God calls us to follow His lead. Even when he chose Israel, and in the Old Testament, there is call after call about how God's Kingdom would ultimately be made up of people from EVERY nation.
Loving our neighbor as ourselves means also trying to learn from them, see things the ways they see them, understand, empathize with them...before we try to answer, or object, or say how we think they are wrong.
I don't know. I just want to cry. I'll do that, for the injustices continually around us, and for my part in them. But I also want to help, to learn, to understand more.
Got something I could learn in general, something I am missing, or from my past with you, in all this? Email me, let's talk. (rookshark@hotmail.com)
Let's talk regardless, it would benefit me to know what you think, whether you agree with me or not.
- Published on
11 weeks of quarantine/lock down. The vasty majority of our population not able to work. Not even sure what will be coming in June if that will change much, or how quickly.
We are continuing to roll with the punches as it relates to travel, construction, education, and...well, everything I guess when you think about it.
As we have been doing food distribution, we have had some changes and ideas as we tweak and see what we can do and how.
Maria asked last time if she could have some bags for here in Tegucigalpa for the guys that are continuing to try to walk up and down the streets selling food or whatever they can. That can be a hard life even when everything is open. Now, harder to imagine. Seemed like a good idea, and she has a good eye, so it was an easy vote. Just 5 or so of the 600 we were able to do for these two weeks. Small number.
Today she sent me this picture from a gentleman she encountered, selling avocados, green peppers, onions, tomatoes and raspberries. He is deaf, so she did not get his name, but she sees him come by with frequency.
She also sees a couple other guys that help him and work together trying to do this in quite a few neighborhoods. They live about a mile away, across the four lane road.
They are technically violating the quarantine. Selling food probably usually gets them a pass...but they are also at risk at getting picked up and having all that taken from them at any time as well. But what is the alternative? Hard to imagine.
But at least he will get to eat tonight.
We are continuing to roll with the punches as it relates to travel, construction, education, and...well, everything I guess when you think about it.
As we have been doing food distribution, we have had some changes and ideas as we tweak and see what we can do and how.
Maria asked last time if she could have some bags for here in Tegucigalpa for the guys that are continuing to try to walk up and down the streets selling food or whatever they can. That can be a hard life even when everything is open. Now, harder to imagine. Seemed like a good idea, and she has a good eye, so it was an easy vote. Just 5 or so of the 600 we were able to do for these two weeks. Small number.
Today she sent me this picture from a gentleman she encountered, selling avocados, green peppers, onions, tomatoes and raspberries. He is deaf, so she did not get his name, but she sees him come by with frequency.
She also sees a couple other guys that help him and work together trying to do this in quite a few neighborhoods. They live about a mile away, across the four lane road.
They are technically violating the quarantine. Selling food probably usually gets them a pass...but they are also at risk at getting picked up and having all that taken from them at any time as well. But what is the alternative? Hard to imagine.
But at least he will get to eat tonight.
I wanted to record this somewhere and it seemed too long to post to Facebook. The clinic this month, as the pandemic rages on and almost everyone is trapped in their homes most of the time, has been getting busier and busier, even with the distancing and other restrictions we have to adhere to. We were able to add dental services back this month...we are trying salaried dentists now so that hopefully eventually we can schedule staff, pastors and the Milk Project kids to get seen and helped, that will be a big change.
494 General Medicine patients
143 Gynecology patients
14 blood pressure checks
155 ultrasounds
41 pap smears
(I won't detail all the other misc. services provided)
157 eye exams
31 eye checks
3 ambulance trips
144 teeth pulled
13 teeth cleanings
60 fillings
20 temporary teeth
(and a bunch of other dental services)
around 660 laboratory exams
Numbers show part of a picture...but they always miss the tear jerking moments, the sweat and effort of the staff who keep going non-stop, and looking people in the eye over and over again who are afraid how they will survive another week.
494 General Medicine patients
143 Gynecology patients
14 blood pressure checks
155 ultrasounds
41 pap smears
(I won't detail all the other misc. services provided)
157 eye exams
31 eye checks
3 ambulance trips
144 teeth pulled
13 teeth cleanings
60 fillings
20 temporary teeth
(and a bunch of other dental services)
around 660 laboratory exams
Numbers show part of a picture...but they always miss the tear jerking moments, the sweat and effort of the staff who keep going non-stop, and looking people in the eye over and over again who are afraid how they will survive another week.
- Published on
We are moving more food this week. We have a list, and we have definitely been checking it more than twice. Each time we do this, every two weeks, we look at the money available, the expanding need, and how we can balance the different areas where we work, between helping the Church, and the community. We create a list of people's names in Tegucigalpa for the most part, and let the pastors determine in their areas which people in the community to help there.
Not knowing how long this will last (we are on a lock down we anticipate to last to the end of the month...perhaps longer) is not helpful for planning purposes, but given what we have seen how hard this is hitting families, we plan on continuing to help for at least a couple weeks after restrictions are lifted.
Our doctors are the only ones who can get out driving, and man, they have been doing some driving! They will be out every day this week, and probably next week will have to be out a day or to for buying more food to gear up again.
We upped our game to 600 bags thanks to huge help from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, and this time were able to up each bag to 17.69 pounds.
We have to weigh them since we sometimes push the Fords to their weight limits in some of the trips, to make sure we aren't over weight.
The weight of the situation is also something that we feel. The hunger people are facing is ongoing, and while always present here, is at crisis levels with just a few days of not being able to work, let alone over two months now.
We will keep giving out food as long as we can. Currently that is only through mid June with what has been donated. But...we weren't set up or thinking we could do any of this in March. It has been a process that just about everyone in the mission, and many many in the US have been involved with.
We are spending about $10 per bag right now. So just in this week we are going to give out about $6,000 and over 10,000 pounds of food.
So, we will keep praying, planning, and doing what we can...together.
Not knowing how long this will last (we are on a lock down we anticipate to last to the end of the month...perhaps longer) is not helpful for planning purposes, but given what we have seen how hard this is hitting families, we plan on continuing to help for at least a couple weeks after restrictions are lifted.
Our doctors are the only ones who can get out driving, and man, they have been doing some driving! They will be out every day this week, and probably next week will have to be out a day or to for buying more food to gear up again.
We upped our game to 600 bags thanks to huge help from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, and this time were able to up each bag to 17.69 pounds.
We have to weigh them since we sometimes push the Fords to their weight limits in some of the trips, to make sure we aren't over weight.
The weight of the situation is also something that we feel. The hunger people are facing is ongoing, and while always present here, is at crisis levels with just a few days of not being able to work, let alone over two months now.
We will keep giving out food as long as we can. Currently that is only through mid June with what has been donated. But...we weren't set up or thinking we could do any of this in March. It has been a process that just about everyone in the mission, and many many in the US have been involved with.
We are spending about $10 per bag right now. So just in this week we are going to give out about $6,000 and over 10,000 pounds of food.
So, we will keep praying, planning, and doing what we can...together.
- Published on
I had the pleasure to listen to Mike Rowe this week. He has the voice and wit to read the phone book and make it interesting. He was talking about safety in general, relating it to COVID, and then discussed the refrain that we are "all in the same boat" and discussing that while we are all currently in the same storm...we are all actually not in the same boat. Different boats, same storm.
And that hit me like a ton of bricks.
Worldwide, there are changes, impact, and suffering related to COVID19, but how those take shape are definitely different. Add to that..how we perceive that impact for others is also skewed from our own perspective. I may have grown up in the USA...but I don't think I really understand well how people are dealing with this there in general, and in different areas of the country and dynamics. Then again...sometimes I am not exactly sure I understand how I am dealing with it myself.
We have been shifting gears here as you may know, trying to raise funds to buy food to feed people. We have a presence in eight different communities around Honduras now, and trying to get food to those different areas, something is becoming increasingly difficult. All the while...the need for such food is becoming increasingly important.
That is somewhat frustrating. The whole situation is frustrating, and I am not talking personally, but more for what I see for others. The future is especially murky right now, but it can be seen that in fighting one battle, there is another being waged...hunger, which is tied to the economy, or just being able to work, earn money, buy food.
Honduras has a population that lives in its majority on less than $2 per day. Take away most people's ability to work or leave their homes for two months, and the results of that won't just go away whenever quarantine restrictions are lifted, just as the results of this in general aren't going away anytime soon, in a myriad of ways. But I won't go on about that here.
How about some stories from today before I close with some clarity?
And that hit me like a ton of bricks.
Worldwide, there are changes, impact, and suffering related to COVID19, but how those take shape are definitely different. Add to that..how we perceive that impact for others is also skewed from our own perspective. I may have grown up in the USA...but I don't think I really understand well how people are dealing with this there in general, and in different areas of the country and dynamics. Then again...sometimes I am not exactly sure I understand how I am dealing with it myself.
We have been shifting gears here as you may know, trying to raise funds to buy food to feed people. We have a presence in eight different communities around Honduras now, and trying to get food to those different areas, something is becoming increasingly difficult. All the while...the need for such food is becoming increasingly important.
That is somewhat frustrating. The whole situation is frustrating, and I am not talking personally, but more for what I see for others. The future is especially murky right now, but it can be seen that in fighting one battle, there is another being waged...hunger, which is tied to the economy, or just being able to work, earn money, buy food.
Honduras has a population that lives in its majority on less than $2 per day. Take away most people's ability to work or leave their homes for two months, and the results of that won't just go away whenever quarantine restrictions are lifted, just as the results of this in general aren't going away anytime soon, in a myriad of ways. But I won't go on about that here.
How about some stories from today before I close with some clarity?
There is an area we know well, just a mile or so away from us, an area with many members of the Church next door that live there. They had a flood last night...like almost chest high.
If we hadn't been already gearing up to do more food distribution, we wouldn't really be in a place to help.
But this morning Jorge and some of the staff fit into the Ambulance with clothing and 20 bags of food to give to them.
They lost food, clothes, and more. Plus, they will probably lose the peace of mind for a while when it rains. (the flooding was caused by a creek running there that had two massive tree limbs fall into it, damming it with other debris, and spilling over into the neighborhood.)
Schools are closed...but Honduran schools are trying to do online classes. The only problem...most kids here are not online, and they don't own a computer. The only internet they can get is via cell phone, but they don't have the money...you get the idea.
Maria has been helping the kids print out tons of things for them from these online assignments, as everyone struggles not to loose the school year (school here runs February to November, so this all started just a month after starting school)
Now...I may have problems getting more ink for her to continue to do this, since this was not something we were planning would go to this level, and no office supply stores are open.
We are trying to keep the coffee farms going, and at least keep the guys there employed as they can certainly social distance up there, and farms don't wait well through pandemics.
The fertilizer we can only sparingly apply once a year should go on right before or right as the rainy season begins. We are behind, by about a month.
Today Darwin trying to take the fertilizer that we amazingly were even able to purchase, faced a self-imposed community roadblock (notice though...forgetting socially distancing) trying to get to Sampedrana. A normally four hour trip turned into eight...but praise God they found a way to get through. Although somehow the back window of the Ford imploded...that will be fun to try to replace.
If we hadn't been already gearing up to do more food distribution, we wouldn't really be in a place to help.
But this morning Jorge and some of the staff fit into the Ambulance with clothing and 20 bags of food to give to them.
They lost food, clothes, and more. Plus, they will probably lose the peace of mind for a while when it rains. (the flooding was caused by a creek running there that had two massive tree limbs fall into it, damming it with other debris, and spilling over into the neighborhood.)
Schools are closed...but Honduran schools are trying to do online classes. The only problem...most kids here are not online, and they don't own a computer. The only internet they can get is via cell phone, but they don't have the money...you get the idea.
Maria has been helping the kids print out tons of things for them from these online assignments, as everyone struggles not to loose the school year (school here runs February to November, so this all started just a month after starting school)
Now...I may have problems getting more ink for her to continue to do this, since this was not something we were planning would go to this level, and no office supply stores are open.
We are trying to keep the coffee farms going, and at least keep the guys there employed as they can certainly social distance up there, and farms don't wait well through pandemics.
The fertilizer we can only sparingly apply once a year should go on right before or right as the rainy season begins. We are behind, by about a month.
Today Darwin trying to take the fertilizer that we amazingly were even able to purchase, faced a self-imposed community roadblock (notice though...forgetting socially distancing) trying to get to Sampedrana. A normally four hour trip turned into eight...but praise God they found a way to get through. Although somehow the back window of the Ford imploded...that will be fun to try to replace.
Clairty. It is lacking. It certainly plays a part in conspiracy theories. We want it, we crave it...we want an ordered and orderly world. But...it isn't there. At least not in the way we want it.
Very little seems clear right now, making plans or even anticipating anything more than a week ahead.
What is clear, through Christ, is that God is in control. I don't have anything to fear...because while murkiness abounds for me, I follow Him who sees all. He sees every boat in the storm, as well as the calm that will come.
Now I can take a deep breath, glance around virtually at dates, plans, hunger, problems, and more...and give it over to God, and try to play my part taking baby steps day by day. Now I just need to remember this every day.
Very little seems clear right now, making plans or even anticipating anything more than a week ahead.
What is clear, through Christ, is that God is in control. I don't have anything to fear...because while murkiness abounds for me, I follow Him who sees all. He sees every boat in the storm, as well as the calm that will come.
Now I can take a deep breath, glance around virtually at dates, plans, hunger, problems, and more...and give it over to God, and try to play my part taking baby steps day by day. Now I just need to remember this every day.
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I don't think we are understanding our new normal yet.
Trying to think outside the box all the time I have not found veyr stimulating, especially since i am not even sure what the box looks like even a few weeks down the road. It feels like planning a painting looking at a set of colors, but the colors you can use keep changing.
We were discussing this week...how do we go back to doing the Milk Project even when the lockdowns end...smaller class sizes? Fewer hours...instead of two sessions a day...maybe four? Will masks be required? Will we have to modify how we serve food?
We are discussing things like this for just about every other area of ministry as well of course. We are still evaluating and changing how the clinic works on a semi-regular basis, so it requires some flexible thinking to be sure.
In the meantime though, we continue to look for ways we can show love and work within the restrictions around us. Plenty to be seen if we have the right eyes to see it. How about a few examples?
Trying to think outside the box all the time I have not found veyr stimulating, especially since i am not even sure what the box looks like even a few weeks down the road. It feels like planning a painting looking at a set of colors, but the colors you can use keep changing.
We were discussing this week...how do we go back to doing the Milk Project even when the lockdowns end...smaller class sizes? Fewer hours...instead of two sessions a day...maybe four? Will masks be required? Will we have to modify how we serve food?
We are discussing things like this for just about every other area of ministry as well of course. We are still evaluating and changing how the clinic works on a semi-regular basis, so it requires some flexible thinking to be sure.
In the meantime though, we continue to look for ways we can show love and work within the restrictions around us. Plenty to be seen if we have the right eyes to see it. How about a few examples?
Oscar and Julia cooked up a mess of food yesterday and Darwin went to pick it up (again, only doctors can travel at will) to give to all the staff here for Mother's Day. Loving on quite a few folks there from afar.
Yetserday Maria wrote me that Gerardo needed some exams done at the clinic, and that his family has no money. That is his dad (granddad) with him that takes care of him. He is a mason...not much work out there for builders right now since there are so many restrictions in place, so no ways for them to make money.
Yet another time we are grateful to have a clinic where we can make those tests a reality.
Not many opportunities for work for most people, and after months dealing with the tile floor breaking and lifting around us, (and how now we can actually buy cement again), seemed like a good time to be able to pay some of our regular guys to get that fixed. Hopefully it will hold up better this time around.
Manuel sent us a picture from him on the road distributing food yesterday. I also got to see him on his show on Channel 15 (yes, our TV station in Talanga is also still working strong through this lockdown) praying for everyone all around the country.
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We have been painting murals on the clinic property for about six years. I had an idea a while back for one, but kind of wanted to do it myself, although I did not think I really could. But this week I gave it a try in my free time before and after work. Never done anything like it before, might never do it again, don't know.
I thought about just putting a picture up on Facebook...but this is just a little too personal to share without sharing the story as well.
I don't know...something about Snoopy's battle with the Red Baron as a kid I found reassuring. Grit, fear, calm...quite the range of emotions displayed.
I am not a kid anymore. But I still need reassuring.
I did it in English, and painted it in such a way that no one will see it really unless they are coming down the stairs from where we are living. I did it that way because I figure it wouldn't make sense to most people just seeing it.
But for me...I can see it every day...and remember.
It means something to me, and helps me, to remember that whatever is going on in my brain, or around me...whatever situations or possibilities I think could happen, the real and imagined, the dark, the scary, that which gives us good cause to freak out and be very much afraid...God is there.
There may be scars along the way, we may lose our lives along the way...but He is with us, and no matter what, it doesn't get better than that.
I thought about just putting a picture up on Facebook...but this is just a little too personal to share without sharing the story as well.
I don't know...something about Snoopy's battle with the Red Baron as a kid I found reassuring. Grit, fear, calm...quite the range of emotions displayed.
I am not a kid anymore. But I still need reassuring.
I did it in English, and painted it in such a way that no one will see it really unless they are coming down the stairs from where we are living. I did it that way because I figure it wouldn't make sense to most people just seeing it.
But for me...I can see it every day...and remember.
It means something to me, and helps me, to remember that whatever is going on in my brain, or around me...whatever situations or possibilities I think could happen, the real and imagined, the dark, the scary, that which gives us good cause to freak out and be very much afraid...God is there.
There may be scars along the way, we may lose our lives along the way...but He is with us, and no matter what, it doesn't get better than that.
Actual work of Charles Schultz as inspiration
