Gathering Hearts for Honduras

I mentioned on Thursday that I had sent Luis Paz an e-mail asking if we could begin using the rice processing plant now. I got a response the very next day reiterating that he is eager to help us and that he is ready to talk.  PRAYER REQUEST:  That when First Methodist Church comes in March one of the projects will be to prepare the building to begin the manufacturing project.

We also got a message from Eliezar Bermudes, the author/teacher from Venezuela saying he will not be coming to the mission center in February. He still wants to come but will have to do it later on. Nicholas wrote that they picked up two students today for the Saturday carpentry class and that they have two more for the weekday classes with several others interested. I had a meeting today with Paul Mackey from First United Methodist Church. He will be coming with the March group, but also plans to make a quick trip down next month to gather information that will better prepare the group for when they arrive. Paul is a pilot with American Airlines and so it's pretty easy for him to make such a trip. 

Yesterday was a red letter day for us in that we heard from all five of our kids- Jenny and Jeffrey here in Tulsa; Michael in Kentucky; Marisa in Florida; and Amy in California.
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Thought for Today: Someone has said, "worry is practical atheism."  I don't know about that, but I do know the more I pray the less I worry; the less I pray the more I worry.

 I hope everyone has been praying hard, because I wrote to Luis Paz today and asked him for permission to begin using the rice processing plant for our manufacturing project as soon as I get back. I hope it doesn't prove too great a shock. I had planned to wait until I got back to Honduras to speak with him about it, but Cheryl had a long conversation with Margaret Brewer yesterday and they are eager to get started. She and Linda Bullard plan to arrive in Honduras about February 23 and stay as long as it takes. Evidently the word is out. I got a note from Nickolas today that there are a lot of women who want to get in on this project. He also told me that their prayers were answered; they've picked up two carpentry students.

Cheryl had a doctor's appointment today and had the last stent removed. She's feeling very poorly tonight but hopefully she will continue to improve from this point forward. If she continues to do well I plan to return to Honduras on or about February 10.
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Some would say praying during prime time is not practical. I disagree. Cheryl and I started today with a fairly long prayer session and afterword several things that had been stonewalled just fell into place.

Cheryl went back to the doctor today and the outcome was better this time. They removed stitches from both incisions and removed both of the tubes that had been inserted into her kidneys. She still has one stent left in and is retaining some fluid but making progress.

This surgery took a lot more out of her; I think the compounding effect of all three surgeries plus problems with her previous foot surgery have taken a toll. Now she needs to be patient as there will likely be a slow, steady recovery..... Thanks to everyone for prayers, visits, cards, meals, etc.

As I mentioned on Wednesday Cheryl's kidney stone surgery this time was a good bit more complicated than before and therefore it is taking more time for her to recuperate. She was able to get up this morning and take a short walk in the hospital hallway. She's experiencing some of the same intolerance to the adhesives that they used last time, so that along with the obvious pain of the surgery has made her very uncomfortable. Nevertheless, the doctor was by today and he seems satisfied with the outcome. She will likely come home tomorrow (Saturday).  I had a note from Nicholas today. He is working on a computer expense report for Tyler and is getting ready to go to San Pedro to see Lynnell Fields who is visiting from Kentucky. Seems to be a lot of sickness there; Beto is out today.
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GARY'S THOUGHTS: There are worthwhile things that can be done serving God with one hand. But "exceeding abundantly more than we could ever ask or think" requires both. For many Believers it's time to let go with the other hand.

Cheryl had her surgery today.  Once again it was more complicated then they expected.  One of the stones had attached itself to the kidney so they they couldn't just lift it out.  They had to make a second incision.  That will entail a little longer recovery time; she will likely be in the hospital at least two days.  Tonight she is uncomfortable but stable.  Thanks for your prayers.

We had thought about postponing Cheryl's third surgery until January 12 so she would have more time with Michael and Mother before they return to KY, but that would entail having to redo some of the preop stuff so we have decided to leave it on January 5. Please be praying for that. 

Yesterday was Cheryl's and my 41st wedding anniversary.  We had all the kids here for dinner, except for Marisa and Ben, and had a nice evening.  This morning I took Amy to the airport for a 7:30 flight back to Los Angeles.  It was great having her here but much too short.  Afterward I went to Larry Voight's for the weekly Tuesday meeting.  Jim Redyke was there and during the course of conversation we got to reminiscing about the night on their last visit to Honduras when we sat around our dining room table at the Mission Center and sang hymns.  It was their last night; we were having hurricane conditions, and the electricity had gone out.  We had debated going to a hotel near the airport so that if conditions worsened they would still have a chance to get out.  As we sat at the table in the candle light Larry began to play a hymn on his iPod.  Someone began to sing, others joined in and we ended up spending an hour and a half singing hymns, praying and praising the Lord.  We never did go to the hotel.  We left for the airport earlier than usual next morning and all was well.  This was one of those unplanned events that could never be duplicated.