THOUGHT FOR TODAY: I mentioned before that when God asks me to do something I'd rather not do my tendency is to "wait upon the Lord of the longer". This kind of "wait" can easily become the "weight that so easily besets us" (Hebrews 12:1).
We persisted with regard to speaking to the mayor and now have a meeting set for April 14th…. We have two Laurdeses in the news tonight: yesterday we gave Lourdes in Seis de Mayo money to go get Perla and bring her back. Lourdes in Pena Blanca will be coming early Saturday morning to help Cheryl with the conference this weekend…. According to one source, unemployment in Honduras surpasses 51%. In our area there are almost no jobs giving rise to gangs, crime, and men abandoning their families. In the newspaper today there is an announcement that Walmart is building 13 stores in Honduras; also Carlos Slim, Forbes magazine’s richest man will be here for an international investment conference next month. (Name of the conference: "Honduras is Open for Business"). All these things create jobs.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: I mentioned before that when God asks me to do something I'd rather not do my tendency is to "wait upon the Lord of the longer". This kind of "wait" can easily become the "weight that so easily besets us" (Hebrews 12:1). Cheryl had a really special birthday yesterday; she received about 70 Facebook cards. The surgeon examined Oscar and felt optimistic. Surgery will be performed tomorrow morning 7 at CEMESA, private hospital. Not sure of the cost; scheduled it on faith. Joel performed first test of the OSU water filters; two thirds failed. Back to the drawing board. ------ One of my favorite responsibilities at St. Francis Health System was workforce development – working with managers to match employees strengths and interests with departmental job tasks, and then delegating-- really delegating. The result was better departmental performance; greater job satisfaction; and fewer people needed to get the job done. As we continue to add more and more projects here, I think we need to do some workforce development. We have employees with the capacity do much more and many of them have free time on their hands. Furthermore, there are people in the village in need of a job who likewise have great capabilities. ---- I met the man today whose company has built big buildings in Puerto Cortes, including the big FICOHSA bank building. Were thinking maybe he can help us divide the dorm project into more manageable segments.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: The wisdom of this world says don't spend your money, invest it. To the believer, what is more valuable than money? Time. Time is more valuable than money. Therefore don't spend it, invest it -- in prayer, Bible study, service to others. Actually, she was returning my call. Her husband, David, had been hurt in a work accident, and I was calling to see how he's doing. Also, I knew she would be wondering about Cheryl and I wanted to fill her in. We are helping to put Lourdes through nursing school; she plans to live in Seis de Mayo when she graduates and be a nurse at the mission center.... The team from First United Methodist Church that will be visiting in March had their first informational team meeting today. The team this year will likely consist of 10 to 12 persons. One of their questions has to do with any projects we might want them to do. We are planning to have them start renovating the rent house. They will also begin the work on a horticultural project. One member of their group is planning to make a special trip down sometime between now and March just to get better oriented as to how they might best serve.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - THOUGHTS FOR TODAY: It seems ironic, but the more time I spend in prayer the less antagonism I feel toward a skeptic. 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.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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. Alfredo Begins Teaching Today; OSU Engineering Students Plan for Water Purification Program1/4/2011
Nicolas called this morning. Alfredo started today, arranging tools and preparing to recruit students. The only thing we need to buy so far is a new motor for the table saw. Nicholas also wanted to make sure that Alfredo would be included in the lunch program. He will, of course. On New Year's Eve Nicholas sent a greeting to you all on behalf of all the employees. I will include it sometime when I don't have other things to report. Last week we scheduled for today a teleconference with the OSU engineering students and their faculty advisor. We spent an hour on the phone discussing logistics, but more importantly the project they will be bringing. They plan to make 25 water purification units while they are there and install them in as many homes. They will provide education sessions and arrange for regular feedback from the users. This is so exciting because it deals with disease prevention and goes hand-in-hand with our medical clinic programs. This trip to the mission center is now recognized by the College of Engineering as an official study abroad trip. This has increased the level of interest and there will be 16 students instead of the eight or so that I've come in the past. They will also be staying longer. This is all very exciting.
- - - - - - - - -- - - - THOUGHTS FOR TODAY: After He has taken away our earthly treasures we are free to worship with our whole heart. Could anything give the Father greater joy? Think of your own children. Are you most joyful after you have taken away something that has hindered your relationship with them? Or are you most joyful when they decide to give it to you of their own free will? Happy New Year to all, from Gathering Hearts for Honduras; we appreciate you so very much. Here is a New Year's greeting from Nicholas and our other staff people in Honduras: "Today ends another year. Thank God that all is well here at the project. We are believing that next year there will be greater blessings for this ministry. We pray that the Lord will guard your lives because without you it would not be possible to complete this work. We pray that God will keep you in His hands today and always, and in the final hours of this year, much happiness to all your family... happy and prosperous new year."
I received the following message last night from our staff of Honduran workers. Though it is addressed to our home church, Beacon Hill Baptist Church, it applies to all of you. "We salute you in the name that is above every name, in the name of Jesus Christ. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year to all members of the Baptist Church in Oklahoma, especially the one the Kuney family attends. Please believe that we are very grateful to all the members of your church for the trust that you have placed in all the workers in this project. We feel much honored and at the same time committed to the project, to continue on the good works that have been accomplished. Without your help it would be impossible to continue helping these communities. We asked the Lord to continue blessing spiritually and materially that the work not be hindered.... that the word may be carried to many persons who do not know the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. With all our love and care we ask many blessings in the name of our Heavenly Father."
I continue to be very grateful that Nicholas is part of the ministry. He again is handling a delicate matter in the same way that I would handle it myself if I were there. About six weeks ago we received a staggering electric bill. Either there had been some accumulation over the previous months; or there is a problem with our meter; or there is some pirating going on ; or they are just trying to soak us. We can't just ignore it or they'll cut off our electricity. In any event, the course of action that he took is the same course I would take if I were there. We spent the day today on the phone and sending paperwork back and forth. We have made an arrangement with the energy commission that should serve us until I return to Honduras in January.
__________________________________________________________ We Christians say prayer is a priority. Which other one of our priorities gets (according to surveys) 3 to 5 minutes per day; the equivalent of about one day a year? This morning we received a call from Lourdes there in Honduras. She is the one who used to be our domestic helper and whom we are now helping to attend nursing school. She was checking on Cheryl, and also reported that her husband, David, was in an accident last week and cut off one of his fingers. Tomorrow morning Mike, Jeff, and I are going to meet with Kyle Quarterson. He and Vicky and family will be returning to South Africa at the end of December and I wanted to have an opportunity to visit before they leave.
____________________________________________________ Do we begin to pray more because we feel like it? Or do we feel like it because we begin to pray more? The answer is, "yes". Also yesterday was the Christmas party and graduation ceremony at the mission center. We've been having some problems with the Internet connection down there, so I called a couple of times just to make sure that Nicholas got the message that I sent to be read to the group. The did receive it and also sent one back thanking all those who support Gathering Hearts for Honduras for making this ministry possible. Later on in the afternoon we received photos of each of the employees receiving their gifts.
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