THOUGHT FOR TODAY: The Bible says to be thankful in everything. I stayed in San Pedro last night. At bedtime a group started to sing and play in an outdoor bar nearby—so loud and so bad that car alarms were going off in the parking lot. I couldn’t sleep, so for the next 4 hours I prayed about many things I have neglected. It was a really good and memorable experience. We can indeed thank God in all circumstances.
We had to stop and reclaim Nick’s license after he got a ticket yesterday. As he got out of the van and tucked his gun under the seat he said, “Any problems, use it.” Right. Laurdes came to San Pedro to get money for her nursing school tuition. She rode several buses several hours to pick up $60. There was a "March Against Violence” in town today. We went to church, ate pizza, bought groceries and the team came back and set up the pharmacy for tomorrow.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: The Bible says to be thankful in everything. I stayed in San Pedro last night. At bedtime a group started to sing and play in an outdoor bar nearby—so loud and so bad that car alarms were going off in the parking lot. I couldn’t sleep, so for the next 4 hours I prayed about many things I have neglected. It was a really good and memorable experience. We can indeed thank God in all circumstances. The electricity went off during the night. Vines had crawled up the pole and shorted out the transformer. Three months mail had accumulated so this am Carlitos opened envelopes and I sorted. In the p.m. we went to San Pedro for a gun permit for Beto; a lathe for Alfredo; fertilizer for Joel; then banking and grocery shopping. Home about 7. Nick ran a red light. I still don’t know how that officer standing beside the road saw it. The weather is hot; gas is $4 a gallon; and the Ford van is sounding much like a John Deere tractor. I meet with Jim Pinnel tomorrow a.m. and Isaac and team arrive at noon.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: We say prayer is a priority but when there’s some free time we choose something else. It’s such a habit the average prayer time for a Christian is about 4 minutes a day; less than one full day a year. I think we are sincere when we say so, but look at the evidence. I arrived at noon yesterday. Nick met me and we went to the bank, grocery store, doctor’s office - and then home. It was great to see everyone. I hadn’t seen Alfredo in 7 years. He looks 10 years younger. Has several woodworking students now. Nelson has 60 new computer/English students. At least one is daughter of a sewing student back in Y2K. Joel had cut the entire lawn with hedge clippers. Beautiful but we must get a mower. Meeting with Luis today went better than expected. We have the entire space, 100X70. Inside was not as bad as I thought. We will buy materials for new roof and he the labor. Thanks for your prayers. Please keep praying we can move forward quickly. The weather is hot; lavender trees on the mountain breathtaking; I’m back to traditional platter of red beans, spaghetti, rice, and tortilla for lunch.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Do we really believe? In Matthew 26 Jesus told the disciples they would disown Him. Peter said, “Even if I must die with you I will not disown you.” After they took Jesus away and the young lady said to Peter, “You’re one of them; I can tell by your speech.” He cursed and said, “I don’t even know the man.” He did it three times; then he remembered; and he wept bitterly. I think Peter was sincere in his vow to Jesus. He really thought he believed. But the evidence proved he didn’t. The evidence. Yesterday we shared in the morning service at Beacon Hill Baptist Church. I asked the congregation to pray about these things: Cheryl's and my health; my meeting with Luis Paz on Wednesday; Cheryl's meeting with the Carpentry Company on Thursday; the group of four doctors that will be arriving at the Mission Center on Saturday; the arrival of Margaret Brewer and Linda Bullard on or about March 1; Cheryl’s return to Honduras on March 8th; the 14 engineering students and two faculty members from Oklahoma State University that will arrive on March 11; the group from First Methodist Church that will arrive March 12; Eliezer Bermudas visit on April 11. I also asked for prayer for the 23 young men from the village we will be trying to disciple and for Alexander, the man who was preaching the night they came to the altar. And we are all praying very hard that just the right pastor will be found for the church in the village.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Do we really believe? Or do we just think we really believe? Or do we really not know what we believe? I will be leaving for Honduras on Tuesday; still lots to do. I think Paul Mackey will be making the same trip but on a different airline. He will be with me a day or two reviewing various projects so that we and the team from First Methodist will be prepared when they arrive March 11. I carbon copied Nicholas on the hotel reservations I made for the group from Colorado and he called me with several suggestions to save some money. Yesterday I was able to get a hold of Dr. Saybe, Cheryl's surgeon, in San Pedro and set up a meeting for when I arrive on Tuesday. We had Linda and Joe Esposito for lunch yesterday and had a great time together. We are meeting Pastor Steve and Barbara Johnson for breakfast this morning; Betty and Charles Hembree will be here for dinner tonight; and we will be at Helen Morie’s for lunch tomorrow.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: There are some good Christian books written each year; there are also many mediocre. I think it may be easier to write a book than to answer the call to go. Putting together the final details on volunteers coming to Honuras to minister in Feb. and Mar.2/16/2011
Valentines Day was indeed a red letter day for us as we had contact with all five of our kids. Jenny and Jeff came for dinner; Marisa called from Chicago and Amy from New Jersey; and Mike called from Georgetown in Kentucky. The last couple of days I have spent at least eight hours making pay arrangements with various healthcare providers involved with Cheryl's surgery. We will be getting a good deal of help from our health care co-op. We worked with First Methodist Church today on their final list of people who will be coming to Honduras on March 11. We were pleased to learn that Mike Platt will be coming. An unexpected surprise -- Jeffrey will be coming down with a group to serve as an interpreter. We also spent time the last couple of days finalizing plans for the group from Colorado arriving February 26. Isaac Holtz will be coming with four doctors and three support personnel. This noon I went to a missions meeting at Christ Presbyterian church. The speaker was Brian Hogan, missionary to Mongolia and author of There's a Sheep in My Bathtub. It was an inspiration to hear him speak and also to see the large number of churches from Tulsa and surrounding areas who send representatives to this monthly missionary meeting.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Brian Hogan told about people in Mongolia who are hearing about Christ for the first time and yet before the day is done they are worshiping Him with all their heart. Stories like that are why I don't believe in atheists. Marco is out of town this week so Jenny came for dinner tonight. Jeff came too and Cheryl made the same heart shaped, red velvet cake she has made for the last 40 years. I had a note from Nicholas yesterday with pictures of him and Beto doing road work in the development. He said the residents have been working together to fix the road. Those of you have been down know it had gotten so bad that you couldn't even drive on it unless you had a bus or a four-wheel drive. They have had another four days of rain and very cool temperatures. I sent a picture of our neighbor’s 9 foot snowman. He said the little kids got quite a kick out of it. I've been in contact with Denny Boersema the last couple of days. He's down in North Carolina volunteering with JAARS. I have applied for some more life insurance and had to have a physical exam today. The technician did an EKG and said there was very little irregularity. Praise the Lord for that.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: I have found that if I fail to pray as I should, in a very short while I will be way off track. That's a sobering thought. There is another thought just a sobering… so will you. I continue to be amazed at how our world is shrinking. A couple of days ago I called Honduras and did my banking, completed a contract with the courier service, spoke with the doctor's office, and conducted business with Nicholas all from my living room right here in Broken Arrow Oklahoma. The younger generation takes this for granted; to me it's pretty amazing. On Thursday I composed a letter with great care, I thought, telling our lawyer that we had chosen someone else to handle the manufacturing project. I thought I had done a pretty good job; but no more than an hour after I sent the letter to Nicholas with a directive to deliver it he called me. He was very polite, but essentially told me the letter was going to be offensive. I told him to wait until I get there and I'll have a meeting. I was very pleased that he had the sensitivity see a problem, and the resolve to bring it to my attention. As time goes on I think Nicholas will continue to play a greater role in the ministry. We got a photograph a couple of days ago of the cutting tables that Alfredo and his students have now completed. I went to Toyota yesterday; the car part that Miguel Barahona thought would be $19 turned out to be $200. Last night we spent a delightful evening with Chief (architect) and Vergie Boyd. Cheryl and chief reviewed and revised some details of the kitchen, pantry, and bathrooms in the dorms.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: If you will move forward even a little, the probability you will complete even your most difficult and complicated task, the one you’ve dreaded most, goes up dramatically. Impossible becomes possible becomes probable Yesterday I changed my return ticket to San Pedro on Continental Airlines from March 8 to February 22. Normally I would be flying standby, but under the circumstances I decided that this time I probably need to have a ticket. Sometime when I'm feeling completely healthy I want to try taking Southwest Airlines to Fort Lauderdale, shuttle to Miami International, and then standby to San Pedro. I will be arriving at noon on the 22nd, have a meeting with Luis on the 23rd, and then he leaves on the 24th. I had another call from Lourdes with regard to the sewing machine and uniform for her daughter, but she will have to wait until I arrive as Nicholas is running short on money. She was okay with that. Yesterday I asked Nicholas about Lexi; he said he is okay - getting fat.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: When He shows us the next step we need to take it. A single step, even a small one, changes our perspective. It seems like a lot of times that next step is something I have been dreading. I don't see why it's that important so I put it off and choose something more friendly. I suspect that slows the progress; maybe even changes the outcome. I had planned to return to Honduras tomorrow but for several reasons have postponed my return until the 22nd. I finally got to the post office today (we’ve been snowed in) to mail the payroll check for February 15. I sent it overnight to Miami; I certainly hope they get it on time. About 10 days ago I had a lesion removed from my arm and returned today to have the stitches removed. The laboratory report indicated that it is basal‐cell carcinoma. The report also indicated that the doctor had not gotten all of it so he had to do more surgery today. He won't be able to take the stitches out until the 21st, the day before I leave for Honduras, but I guess that will be okay. I got a response from Luis Paz today. He made it clear that the rice processing plant is currently being used as a warehouse, but he also said that he will clear out part of it for our use. He's leaving for the States on February 24, but wants to meet me on the property on the 23rd. PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray that we will have a good meeting and that he will permit us enough space to do what we need to do in February and March while the team is there from First Methodist Church.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: If it's true that we solve our problems and move forward one day at a time by listening for the Lord's directive and taking the next step, then how in the world are the problems with the Middle East and the US economy going to be solved correctly if God is never even consulted? |