Tour of Proyecto Alcance:
Part 1
Part 2
About Me
- Tim
- La Masica, Atlantida, Honduras
- I'm a missionary serving the Lord in Honduras. I originally moved to here in the summer of 2008 until 2011. After a year away I'm back at Proyecto Alcance aka - Reach Out Orphanage. This is a journal of my life and views here in Honduras.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
5 Months
5 months… Time has really flown by. It seems just the other day that I got here, but when I think of all my experiences, good and bad, it feels like a year. It’s been a great journey so far and I can’t wait for the next segment of this journey to begin. I’m on my way home for about 3.5 weeks. I’ve got so many stories; I don’t know where to start when telling them.
I guess I can start by telling you about the new youth service I started in Iglesias Alcance Minisero. Since I got here, our church in San Juan Pueblo has been on my heart. But I wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t until I asked our assistant pastor when I could preach in San Juan and he told me, how about Saturday. I didn’t know there was a Saturday night service in San Juan, b/c I’m always in La Masica on Saturday for their youth service. He told me though that only a few youth showed up. I knew then that my job was to revitalize the youth there. I started the service in Oct, with about 25 youth in service and about 50 overall. My average number is about 15 youth and 35 overall. Services are going good, I’m preaching when I have a translator and Pastor Misael is taking the other services. It’s been a little bumpy but I’m still working through the kinks. The Lord is strong in the service; I just need to keep coming up with new fresh activities for the services.
Over the last three months, I’ve spent much of time in San Juan and unfortunately that has rubbed some people the wrong way in La Masica. Some of the workers aren’t too happy I’m not helping them with the youth in La Masica and the kids are hearing there complaints and it’s rubbing off on them also. I try to spent time with the people that live in the colony, trying to get to know them and for them to get to know me. They are great people and my time there I believe is starting to payoff. I’ve got youth that are telling me about their drug use and others coming to me about the problems big or small. I also spent time in San Juan with my best friend in Honduras, Sully and her sisters. I’ve been blessed to find such great people, and they speak English and love the Lord. Sully is an awesome person and I feel so relaxed around her and we have so much fun hanging out.
I try to take walks up into the mountains, but with all the rain, I haven’t been there nowhere as much as I would like. It is so peaceful in the mountains and beautiful. God is an awesome artist.
The kids in the orphanage are doing great. I love to see their smiles each and everyday. Jump roping is their number 1 thing to do and they start playing early almost every morning right in front of my bedroom window. I enjoy jumping with them or just sitting out there with them while they play.
Oh man, I think I’m starting to finally get tired. It’s just after 4 am central time and I’ve been awake since 6 am. I’m on the plane to Ft. Lauderdale right now and we’re schedule to land in about 45 mins, so I think I might try to take a little nap since I’m not sure when I’ll be able to finally get some sleep.
I guess I can start by telling you about the new youth service I started in Iglesias Alcance Minisero. Since I got here, our church in San Juan Pueblo has been on my heart. But I wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t until I asked our assistant pastor when I could preach in San Juan and he told me, how about Saturday. I didn’t know there was a Saturday night service in San Juan, b/c I’m always in La Masica on Saturday for their youth service. He told me though that only a few youth showed up. I knew then that my job was to revitalize the youth there. I started the service in Oct, with about 25 youth in service and about 50 overall. My average number is about 15 youth and 35 overall. Services are going good, I’m preaching when I have a translator and Pastor Misael is taking the other services. It’s been a little bumpy but I’m still working through the kinks. The Lord is strong in the service; I just need to keep coming up with new fresh activities for the services.
Over the last three months, I’ve spent much of time in San Juan and unfortunately that has rubbed some people the wrong way in La Masica. Some of the workers aren’t too happy I’m not helping them with the youth in La Masica and the kids are hearing there complaints and it’s rubbing off on them also. I try to spent time with the people that live in the colony, trying to get to know them and for them to get to know me. They are great people and my time there I believe is starting to payoff. I’ve got youth that are telling me about their drug use and others coming to me about the problems big or small. I also spent time in San Juan with my best friend in Honduras, Sully and her sisters. I’ve been blessed to find such great people, and they speak English and love the Lord. Sully is an awesome person and I feel so relaxed around her and we have so much fun hanging out.
I try to take walks up into the mountains, but with all the rain, I haven’t been there nowhere as much as I would like. It is so peaceful in the mountains and beautiful. God is an awesome artist.
The kids in the orphanage are doing great. I love to see their smiles each and everyday. Jump roping is their number 1 thing to do and they start playing early almost every morning right in front of my bedroom window. I enjoy jumping with them or just sitting out there with them while they play.
Oh man, I think I’m starting to finally get tired. It’s just after 4 am central time and I’ve been awake since 6 am. I’m on the plane to Ft. Lauderdale right now and we’re schedule to land in about 45 mins, so I think I might try to take a little nap since I’m not sure when I’ll be able to finally get some sleep.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Swim in the River
This was written orginally on Nov 13.
Today was another beautiful…. Seven days of great weather, not too hot, nice and cool in the evening, no rain, and good friends to spend them with. I decided earlier in the week to spend this afternoon in the mountains. Sully had mentioned a few times before that she would like to join me on one of my walks, so I invited her to join me. For the past couple days she kept telling me that she can’t wait for Thursday in the mountains.
I had my friend pick her up in his taxi and bring her to La Masica at the top of town. Unfortunately, well at least it seemed like an unfortunate at first, one of her sister’s had her shoes so she came in flip-flops. So, I knew we wouldn’t go too far on our walk. She saw a small hill that she wanted to go, but I told her it was across the river but I can you really close to it. So when we made it down the road to the entrance to a little private park along the river, I asked if she wanted to go down there and see the hill and sit along the river. She had mentioned few times that she was tired from work and wanted some place to sit. So we went into the park and she loved it there. We found a place to sit at the edge of the river. After eating some snacks, we decided that we would take a swim in our clothes. We got into the water and Sully saw some little fish, like sardines. She decided to grab round snack out of the chex mix and put it around her finger. She put her finger into the water to let fish eat and about 20 or more fish came up to nibble on the snack. So after a few minutes I got the same type of snack and sat in the water with Sully and feed the fish also. It was so cool and so much fun. I could feel the fish nibbling on my fingertip and it didn’t too long until the fish ate the snacks off our fingers. After that, we swam and Sully asked me to grab my goggles for her. I put them as tight on her head ass I could but the actually goggles were too big for her. Every time she submerged her head, the water would go into her eyes. She really needed child goggles to fit her small head. We stayed into water for a good 30-45 mins, until some kids came and were saying some nasty things in Spanish.
Even though we were really soaked, Sully still wanted to walk further into the mountains, since we had little bit of time before sunset. We walked for about 30 mins, more until turned around to head to the project. We didn’t far until the pain of the walk hit Sully. The pain kept getting worse and when we made to the highway I asked it she wanted me to call David to pick us up. But she insisted that she can make it, but not after the long she was reaching into my bag to grab my phone so I can call David. David came to get us, but he drove right past us. After about ten mins he came driving back and almost flew past us again, I had to throw my wet towel at the truck and hit it to get his attention. Sully was so drained and after I dropped her off at her home, I realized how drained I was. Fighting the current in the river was really hard.
But even though Sully was in a lot of pain after the walk and swim, she said it was all worth it, b/c of the river and everything we did there and for everything we saw while walking in the mountains. Hopefully the weather will be just as nice next week and we’ll be able to go back to the river.
Today was another beautiful…. Seven days of great weather, not too hot, nice and cool in the evening, no rain, and good friends to spend them with. I decided earlier in the week to spend this afternoon in the mountains. Sully had mentioned a few times before that she would like to join me on one of my walks, so I invited her to join me. For the past couple days she kept telling me that she can’t wait for Thursday in the mountains.
I had my friend pick her up in his taxi and bring her to La Masica at the top of town. Unfortunately, well at least it seemed like an unfortunate at first, one of her sister’s had her shoes so she came in flip-flops. So, I knew we wouldn’t go too far on our walk. She saw a small hill that she wanted to go, but I told her it was across the river but I can you really close to it. So when we made it down the road to the entrance to a little private park along the river, I asked if she wanted to go down there and see the hill and sit along the river. She had mentioned few times that she was tired from work and wanted some place to sit. So we went into the park and she loved it there. We found a place to sit at the edge of the river. After eating some snacks, we decided that we would take a swim in our clothes. We got into the water and Sully saw some little fish, like sardines. She decided to grab round snack out of the chex mix and put it around her finger. She put her finger into the water to let fish eat and about 20 or more fish came up to nibble on the snack. So after a few minutes I got the same type of snack and sat in the water with Sully and feed the fish also. It was so cool and so much fun. I could feel the fish nibbling on my fingertip and it didn’t too long until the fish ate the snacks off our fingers. After that, we swam and Sully asked me to grab my goggles for her. I put them as tight on her head ass I could but the actually goggles were too big for her. Every time she submerged her head, the water would go into her eyes. She really needed child goggles to fit her small head. We stayed into water for a good 30-45 mins, until some kids came and were saying some nasty things in Spanish.
Even though we were really soaked, Sully still wanted to walk further into the mountains, since we had little bit of time before sunset. We walked for about 30 mins, more until turned around to head to the project. We didn’t far until the pain of the walk hit Sully. The pain kept getting worse and when we made to the highway I asked it she wanted me to call David to pick us up. But she insisted that she can make it, but not after the long she was reaching into my bag to grab my phone so I can call David. David came to get us, but he drove right past us. After about ten mins he came driving back and almost flew past us again, I had to throw my wet towel at the truck and hit it to get his attention. Sully was so drained and after I dropped her off at her home, I realized how drained I was. Fighting the current in the river was really hard.
But even though Sully was in a lot of pain after the walk and swim, she said it was all worth it, b/c of the river and everything we did there and for everything we saw while walking in the mountains. Hopefully the weather will be just as nice next week and we’ll be able to go back to the river.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Not sure what to write
Hello everyone,
Since my last post, I've thought of a lot of things to write about. But jealous me didn't write any of it down. And now that I'm here to write something, my mind has gone blank. So let me think and ramble to you, whatever comes to mind....
First, a week ago today, I was having one of my worst days. I felt so sick, well I was so sick. Not sure exactly what got me sick. The doctor said I might of got something while walking through flood water bare foot or from something I comsumed. I might have had worms in my stomach or just a really bad stomach bug. But man, my body was messed up. I released EVERYTHING from my body. My body would get really COLD, then I would get really HOT!!! And I don't get cold easy, atleast for Honduras standards. I finally gave in and told DAvid to take me to the doctor. He just an injection in my arm and had to keep it there for about thirty mins. to let the medicine slow drip into me. While I was there, a guy came in that apparently accidently shot himself. Atleast that what he said, he admitted drinking at little than night. But after few days, I'm all better and got to enjoy the perfect weather and when to the beach and mountains.
After over two weeks of unlovely rain, we got some perfect weather. Our highs have been in the low 80s with a cool breeze and our lows have been in the low 70s. I went to the beach last Thursday with my friend Sully. She's honduran, but speaks very good english. She taught herself english and teaches 1st grade at the new biligual school in San Juan Pueblo. We finally made it to the beach just before sunset, just enough time for me to take a little swim. We had a great time hanging out an talking. Everywhere we went, she told me, "remember, I speak no spanish." So I was forced to speak in Spanish everywhere I went and not rely on her. Since we were near La Ceiba, we hung out in town and surprised her sister, Cynthia, my translator of Sat. night services, by picking her up from university. She usually has to wait on a private bus and not get home until after 11 pm and she gets out of class at 8 pm.
The school year ends this week, so I'm not too sure what I'm going to be doing with my time during the days. We don't start up again until February. I'm hoping to make it home soon, but that I'm not sure of right now. I need to either leave the country or renew my visa by Dec. 5th.
Not much else is new. I'm slowly losing weight. When I arrived here in June, I weighed 255 lb and now I'm down to 220 lbs. I'm playing soccer with one of the local teams and loving that.
My mind is officially blank on what to write, so I'm out until next time. Oh, all the girls and Luis are good at the orphanage. Take care and God Bless to all!!!
Since my last post, I've thought of a lot of things to write about. But jealous me didn't write any of it down. And now that I'm here to write something, my mind has gone blank. So let me think and ramble to you, whatever comes to mind....
First, a week ago today, I was having one of my worst days. I felt so sick, well I was so sick. Not sure exactly what got me sick. The doctor said I might of got something while walking through flood water bare foot or from something I comsumed. I might have had worms in my stomach or just a really bad stomach bug. But man, my body was messed up. I released EVERYTHING from my body. My body would get really COLD, then I would get really HOT!!! And I don't get cold easy, atleast for Honduras standards. I finally gave in and told DAvid to take me to the doctor. He just an injection in my arm and had to keep it there for about thirty mins. to let the medicine slow drip into me. While I was there, a guy came in that apparently accidently shot himself. Atleast that what he said, he admitted drinking at little than night. But after few days, I'm all better and got to enjoy the perfect weather and when to the beach and mountains.
After over two weeks of unlovely rain, we got some perfect weather. Our highs have been in the low 80s with a cool breeze and our lows have been in the low 70s. I went to the beach last Thursday with my friend Sully. She's honduran, but speaks very good english. She taught herself english and teaches 1st grade at the new biligual school in San Juan Pueblo. We finally made it to the beach just before sunset, just enough time for me to take a little swim. We had a great time hanging out an talking. Everywhere we went, she told me, "remember, I speak no spanish." So I was forced to speak in Spanish everywhere I went and not rely on her. Since we were near La Ceiba, we hung out in town and surprised her sister, Cynthia, my translator of Sat. night services, by picking her up from university. She usually has to wait on a private bus and not get home until after 11 pm and she gets out of class at 8 pm.
The school year ends this week, so I'm not too sure what I'm going to be doing with my time during the days. We don't start up again until February. I'm hoping to make it home soon, but that I'm not sure of right now. I need to either leave the country or renew my visa by Dec. 5th.
Not much else is new. I'm slowly losing weight. When I arrived here in June, I weighed 255 lb and now I'm down to 220 lbs. I'm playing soccer with one of the local teams and loving that.
My mind is officially blank on what to write, so I'm out until next time. Oh, all the girls and Luis are good at the orphanage. Take care and God Bless to all!!!
Monday, October 27, 2008
What´s new
Well.... first it´s great to have the internet working again. It´s weird, we´ve had a LOT of rain over the past two weeks. Some of the country has extreme flooding and ten of thousands are homeless. But we haven´t really had a problem with losing electricity, which is really nice, but the internet seems to always be down as of late. And he´s another weird thing... my laundry.
Well since I got back here over a month ago, I started to clean my own laundry. I would wake up at 5 am on Saturady and do my wash and have it all on the clothes line by 7 am so it can dry before the afternoon rain and have it done in one day. Then one weekend, it rained in the morning, so I got no laundry cleaned. Later that week I took my laundry to local cleaners, since the lady had a washer & dryer. I paid about $15 to get three loads cleaned and folded. Well when the lady at the orphanage that does most of the laundry found about me taking my laundry somewhere else to get it cleaned, she got really offended. The reason I stopped letting her clean my laundry in first place was that she made it clear, before I came home to visit, that she didn´t want to clean it anymore. She told my sister-in-law once, when she was here, that she needed to clean my laundry. And when this worker was cleaning my laundry, I was having to wait close to 5-6 days to get my laundry back. But now she wants to do it again, she don´t even want me to clean my own laundry. She insist I let her do it. And now it´s that rainy season, and we´ve gotten a lot of it. I figured it would take DAYS to get my laundry back. Nope... I get it back it in less than two days now. Weird, when it was sunny, I waited 6 days..... and I don´t pay her to do my laundry.
I´ve been busy in San Juan Pueblo(SJP), I started my new youth service and I average 25 youth each week and about 50 total in the service. I´ve organized a couple youth soccer teams in SJP to play games against teams in La Masica. I play with the older team, youth in their 20s. I´ve got some new friends that speal english. They´re four sisters that are teachers and secretary at the new bilingual school in SJP. So I´ve started spending time there hanging out also. It´s good to meet some people my age that speak english. My spanish is doing better, I´ve planning on preaching my first sermon in spanish in January. I really think I´ll be able to do it.
It seems with this rain, more people are getting sick. I got something right now, but I think I ate or drank something bad in the Colony last week. As for my wieght, I´m at 220 lbs now, that´s 35 lbs less since June. With the rain and being busy, I haven´t been able to go for a walk in about 2 weeks. All the kids in the orphanage are doing really good. Oh, I´ve been finally added to the chores list at the orphanage. So,now I feel more official here.
Well, I have more to type, but the internet is about to close so I need to hit the road and head back home. Take care and God Bless.
Thanks again for all your prayers!
Tim
Well since I got back here over a month ago, I started to clean my own laundry. I would wake up at 5 am on Saturady and do my wash and have it all on the clothes line by 7 am so it can dry before the afternoon rain and have it done in one day. Then one weekend, it rained in the morning, so I got no laundry cleaned. Later that week I took my laundry to local cleaners, since the lady had a washer & dryer. I paid about $15 to get three loads cleaned and folded. Well when the lady at the orphanage that does most of the laundry found about me taking my laundry somewhere else to get it cleaned, she got really offended. The reason I stopped letting her clean my laundry in first place was that she made it clear, before I came home to visit, that she didn´t want to clean it anymore. She told my sister-in-law once, when she was here, that she needed to clean my laundry. And when this worker was cleaning my laundry, I was having to wait close to 5-6 days to get my laundry back. But now she wants to do it again, she don´t even want me to clean my own laundry. She insist I let her do it. And now it´s that rainy season, and we´ve gotten a lot of it. I figured it would take DAYS to get my laundry back. Nope... I get it back it in less than two days now. Weird, when it was sunny, I waited 6 days..... and I don´t pay her to do my laundry.
I´ve been busy in San Juan Pueblo(SJP), I started my new youth service and I average 25 youth each week and about 50 total in the service. I´ve organized a couple youth soccer teams in SJP to play games against teams in La Masica. I play with the older team, youth in their 20s. I´ve got some new friends that speal english. They´re four sisters that are teachers and secretary at the new bilingual school in SJP. So I´ve started spending time there hanging out also. It´s good to meet some people my age that speak english. My spanish is doing better, I´ve planning on preaching my first sermon in spanish in January. I really think I´ll be able to do it.
It seems with this rain, more people are getting sick. I got something right now, but I think I ate or drank something bad in the Colony last week. As for my wieght, I´m at 220 lbs now, that´s 35 lbs less since June. With the rain and being busy, I haven´t been able to go for a walk in about 2 weeks. All the kids in the orphanage are doing really good. Oh, I´ve been finally added to the chores list at the orphanage. So,now I feel more official here.
Well, I have more to type, but the internet is about to close so I need to hit the road and head back home. Take care and God Bless.
Thanks again for all your prayers!
Tim
Monday, October 13, 2008
New youth service
Well, I have finally started the new youth service in our San Juan Pueblo church. The service takes place on Saturdays and I picked the best Saturday night to start the service. I picked a night that the Honduran national futbol (soccer) team was playing. Even my new translator wasn´t the happiest having to miss the game. Half of the guys that showed up for the service, left after about 30 mins for the game. But it´s all good.
But Saturday CRAZY!!!!!! Only one person that agreed to show up to my meeting on Saturday morning, to get ready for service, showed up. The person that had my memory stick to add music to it for service, went out of town without telling me. I wasn´t planning on singing during praise and worship, but since there was only one other person with me at the planning meeting, I had to learn some spanish songs fast. My translator got back into town about an hour and half later than we planned, just in enough time to get ready and make to service on time. I planned time for prayer before service for the service and only one person showed for that. And everywhere I went, I saw people waering their futbol jerseys and carrying their flags. And all I could think was that I´d be lucky if one person showed up to service. Oh, I miss typed one of the songs for our transparencies for worship. But I put in the Lord´s hands and the Lord took care of everything.
We had some mess ups in service, but it went great. Everyone loved the games at the beginning of service and I hadn´t heard so many of the youth sing during worship since I´ve been here. They are usually just clapping, but Saturday they were singing. I believe I only put two people to sleep during my surmon, one of them goes to sleep in almost every service, so I felt good. All of the responses have been great since the service. Oh, and I got everyone out of service by half time of the game, so I even got the chance to see Honduras weep up on Canada.
Please pray for this new service and the youth in San Juan Pueblo. The Lord has done many things here and I can´t wait to see what else He has for this community and it´s young people. Thank you to all for you continued prayers!!!!
Take care and God Bless
Tim
But Saturday CRAZY!!!!!! Only one person that agreed to show up to my meeting on Saturday morning, to get ready for service, showed up. The person that had my memory stick to add music to it for service, went out of town without telling me. I wasn´t planning on singing during praise and worship, but since there was only one other person with me at the planning meeting, I had to learn some spanish songs fast. My translator got back into town about an hour and half later than we planned, just in enough time to get ready and make to service on time. I planned time for prayer before service for the service and only one person showed for that. And everywhere I went, I saw people waering their futbol jerseys and carrying their flags. And all I could think was that I´d be lucky if one person showed up to service. Oh, I miss typed one of the songs for our transparencies for worship. But I put in the Lord´s hands and the Lord took care of everything.
We had some mess ups in service, but it went great. Everyone loved the games at the beginning of service and I hadn´t heard so many of the youth sing during worship since I´ve been here. They are usually just clapping, but Saturday they were singing. I believe I only put two people to sleep during my surmon, one of them goes to sleep in almost every service, so I felt good. All of the responses have been great since the service. Oh, and I got everyone out of service by half time of the game, so I even got the chance to see Honduras weep up on Canada.
Please pray for this new service and the youth in San Juan Pueblo. The Lord has done many things here and I can´t wait to see what else He has for this community and it´s young people. Thank you to all for you continued prayers!!!!
Take care and God Bless
Tim
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Education in Honduras
We always hear jokes about public education and we all know how bad Georgia test scores have been over the years. But after realizing how bad the education program is here, I'm happy to say I graduated from a Georgia public school. I would rather go to a Clayton County school than down here... by the way, can anyone tell me if Clayton County got their accreditation back? Anyway... right now the public school teachers are on strike... AGAIN! Our school is private, so we don't have to worry about the nationwide strikes. But this is the fourth time since July they've been on strike.
Now let me tell you a little about the education here. The highest required grade for kids to complete is sixth grade. Yes, I said, "sixth grade." But get this, not even half of the kids in this country get that far. It's not rare to find a 9 yr old kid in first grade. After sixth grade, school is called "college." And that takes kids through our 12th grade. And when they graduate from "college," they receive a degree in a certain area. And the education in the college is no way near the education in our middle and high schools. And very rarely do find kids that graduate "on time", or as we think of it as around the ages of 17 and 18 yrs old. A lot of kids are in "college" into their twenties. And if you go to school at night, usually starting at 6 pm, you can forget about your teacher showing up. Maybe for the first couple classes of the night but not the whole time. Class is supposed to last until after 10 pm, most students are home by 8:30pm.
But the main reason for this blog is because of the strikes. While the teachers are on strike, because of money, like always, they're getting their full pay. They're supposed to be at the school while the strike is on, but we all know, they're not. And what about the kids, no one cares about them. The kids think it fun not being in school. But if the teachers strike long enough in a school year, the kids can all be held back and lose a year a school. The teachers don't care, they still get paid. I have heard of a story of teacher that got caught teaching her students during a strike, and she got her pay taken away. It's sounds ridiculous, but what doesn't sound ridiculous here in Honduras.
So I ask all of you, please keep these kids in your prayers. That they may be able to get some kind of education so the may have a some chance of leaving a life of poverty.
Take care and God Bless!!!
PS - There are universities here, but very few attend there.
Now let me tell you a little about the education here. The highest required grade for kids to complete is sixth grade. Yes, I said, "sixth grade." But get this, not even half of the kids in this country get that far. It's not rare to find a 9 yr old kid in first grade. After sixth grade, school is called "college." And that takes kids through our 12th grade. And when they graduate from "college," they receive a degree in a certain area. And the education in the college is no way near the education in our middle and high schools. And very rarely do find kids that graduate "on time", or as we think of it as around the ages of 17 and 18 yrs old. A lot of kids are in "college" into their twenties. And if you go to school at night, usually starting at 6 pm, you can forget about your teacher showing up. Maybe for the first couple classes of the night but not the whole time. Class is supposed to last until after 10 pm, most students are home by 8:30pm.
But the main reason for this blog is because of the strikes. While the teachers are on strike, because of money, like always, they're getting their full pay. They're supposed to be at the school while the strike is on, but we all know, they're not. And what about the kids, no one cares about them. The kids think it fun not being in school. But if the teachers strike long enough in a school year, the kids can all be held back and lose a year a school. The teachers don't care, they still get paid. I have heard of a story of teacher that got caught teaching her students during a strike, and she got her pay taken away. It's sounds ridiculous, but what doesn't sound ridiculous here in Honduras.
So I ask all of you, please keep these kids in your prayers. That they may be able to get some kind of education so the may have a some chance of leaving a life of poverty.
Take care and God Bless!!!
PS - There are universities here, but very few attend there.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Where am I?
For those of you wondering, let me tell you where I am. I'm living at Proyecto Alcance, Reach Out Orphanage Inc., in La Masica, Honduras. La Masica is on the northern coast of Honduras, it lies halfway between the cities of Tela, to the west, and La Ceiba, to the east. We about ten miles south of the coastline and a little over a mile north of the "Sierra de Nombre de Dios" mountains, in english... "Name of God Mountain Range." Proyecto Alcance (PA) is a nonprofit christian organization run by David and Dialis Romaro. Our main project is an childrens' orphanage of about 19 kids. We also have our own private christian school in the town of San Juan Pueblo, about 8 miles to the west of La Masica, with grades kindergarten - 3rd currently, with plans to expand up to 6th grade at the start of the next year in February. We also have two churches, one is in La Masica, inside the main project, build for the kids, but we also serve the community. Our other church is located about a half mile from our school in San Juan Pueblo (SJP), to serve the people of SJP. Behind of church in SJP, we have a colony where we bought a large piece of land and divided it into lots. We have given all the lots away to extremely poor families and have raised funds to help some of them build of home on their land. In our colony and else where in the two communities we serve in, PA has bought and given away over 41 lots. We also have a sponorship program for the kids that attend our two churches and the kids in our orphanage.
As for me, my job is one of many. Here is list of jobs that I preform.... bus driver to/from church and school in San Juan, construction helper @ school, calculate monthly finances, substitute teach the english for the kids, teach english everyday to the teachers during student breaks, personal assistant to Dialis, preach, revitalize the youth service in our San Juan church, and many other small jobs, including my chores at the project.
I've been here at Proyecto Alcance since June '08 and I have written a few blogs early on, but my jump drive was stolen and I thought I lost them. But I was able to fins some of them. So some of these early blogs were written early on.
I want to take this time to thank everyone who has supported me financially, donations, and through prayers. Everything you've done is great appriecated and is needed for me to fulfill God's will in my life. Thank you!
Take care and God Bless
Tim
As for me, my job is one of many. Here is list of jobs that I preform.... bus driver to/from church and school in San Juan, construction helper @ school, calculate monthly finances, substitute teach the english for the kids, teach english everyday to the teachers during student breaks, personal assistant to Dialis, preach, revitalize the youth service in our San Juan church, and many other small jobs, including my chores at the project.
I've been here at Proyecto Alcance since June '08 and I have written a few blogs early on, but my jump drive was stolen and I thought I lost them. But I was able to fins some of them. So some of these early blogs were written early on.
I want to take this time to thank everyone who has supported me financially, donations, and through prayers. Everything you've done is great appriecated and is needed for me to fulfill God's will in my life. Thank you!
Take care and God Bless
Tim
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Where are the days going?
Where are the days going?
16 September 2008
Another busy week has pasted and it’s already almost half way into this week. Last week was really busy with kids’ days on last Wednesday. Kids’ day is like mothers’ day or fathers’ day. We had lots of games and candy. We had to celebrate over a few days b/c of having to worry not just about the kids in the orphanage, but also the kids in our school and in the colony. I spend that evening with the kids and families in our colony in San Juan Pueblo. They had three piñatas and the kids went CRAZY when they burst with candy. Kids in America are mild compared to the way these kids reacted. There were even parents jumping over chairs to get to the pile to get candy. After the celebration I hung out in a couple homes and watched Honduras beat up on Jamaica. And when I drove home, back to La Masica, I realized how passionate these people are about their football (soccer). When I got to the highway I realized I was in the middle of huge celebration parade. And when I got out of San Juan Pueblo, I thought it was over until I made to the first corner and realized I had caught up to a line of about 25 cars. All of them had the hazard lights on, flags flying, people hanging out of cars and yelling. We traveled on the highway from SJP to La Masica and a whopping speed of 30 mph. Every little town we pasted through, people were along the road screaming and yelling in celebration. I, of course, joined the celebration. I turned on my hazards and rolled down the window and laid on the horn. Our parade turned down the main road into La Masica and went up and down almost every road in town. I stayed on the main road and went back to the house. But I could hear the whole town going crazy. From what I hear, it was the first time Honduras has ever beat Jamaica at home.
This past weekend was a celebration for Independence Day. Independence was actually yesterday, 15 Sept. They had parades Sunday and Monday, and they are so slow moving. I was cool to see them, but they were a bit boring. I did get to see some of the parade in SJP yesterday and that was entertaining. Because of the holiday, we don’t have any school all week. So I hoping the week don’t go by too slow. Tomorrow I get to bus a soccer team of 16 yr old boys to La Ceiba for a game, so that should be fun.
16 September 2008
Another busy week has pasted and it’s already almost half way into this week. Last week was really busy with kids’ days on last Wednesday. Kids’ day is like mothers’ day or fathers’ day. We had lots of games and candy. We had to celebrate over a few days b/c of having to worry not just about the kids in the orphanage, but also the kids in our school and in the colony. I spend that evening with the kids and families in our colony in San Juan Pueblo. They had three piñatas and the kids went CRAZY when they burst with candy. Kids in America are mild compared to the way these kids reacted. There were even parents jumping over chairs to get to the pile to get candy. After the celebration I hung out in a couple homes and watched Honduras beat up on Jamaica. And when I drove home, back to La Masica, I realized how passionate these people are about their football (soccer). When I got to the highway I realized I was in the middle of huge celebration parade. And when I got out of San Juan Pueblo, I thought it was over until I made to the first corner and realized I had caught up to a line of about 25 cars. All of them had the hazard lights on, flags flying, people hanging out of cars and yelling. We traveled on the highway from SJP to La Masica and a whopping speed of 30 mph. Every little town we pasted through, people were along the road screaming and yelling in celebration. I, of course, joined the celebration. I turned on my hazards and rolled down the window and laid on the horn. Our parade turned down the main road into La Masica and went up and down almost every road in town. I stayed on the main road and went back to the house. But I could hear the whole town going crazy. From what I hear, it was the first time Honduras has ever beat Jamaica at home.
This past weekend was a celebration for Independence Day. Independence was actually yesterday, 15 Sept. They had parades Sunday and Monday, and they are so slow moving. I was cool to see them, but they were a bit boring. I did get to see some of the parade in SJP yesterday and that was entertaining. Because of the holiday, we don’t have any school all week. So I hoping the week don’t go by too slow. Tomorrow I get to bus a soccer team of 16 yr old boys to La Ceiba for a game, so that should be fun.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
I'm Back
I’m back
Well it’s about 1:30 am here in
Our flight left FLL on time and we got into San Pedro Sula (SPS) a bit early. The plans for my ride changed just before I left
When I got to the hotel, everything in the lobby was pitch black. I didn’t realize, but the there were two guys sitting on the sits near the door. I knocked, hoping someone might hear me. When the guy came to the door, he told me he had no rooms, but luckily Stef had saved a room for me and when “I told them who my sister is and my name, they let me in. I called Stef’s room and woke her up… she was really surprised to hear my voice.
My hotel room reminds of what I would think a rehab room might look like. It’s just big enough to fit my bed and a little desk with a fan, phone, and pitcher. The bathroom is actually a decent size and nice a clean. I guess I’m going to try to get some sleep. Until next time, take care and God Bless to everyone!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Lights????
A driving adventure not to forget.... On the night of July 28 I had to ride to the airport in San Pedro Sula. The trip is a two hours drive from La Masica. I had to go to drop off a couple that had been staying with us for a few weeks. And on the incoming flight they were leaving on, David was arriving back from the states. I was happy to see that the flight landed on time, unlike the week before when Dialis’ flight came in two hours late. The unfortunate part was that David sat in the back of the plane and it took him almost 2 hours to get through immigration and customs. So my drive back to La Masica didn’t start until 1:45 am. The first half of the trip went the best it could, considering most of that part of the trip, the roads had little to no markings or signs. I did get stopped at the police checkpoint at one of the bridges, but there were no problems there. On the second half of the trip it got a bit interesting. Now unlike to first half of the trip, this half the roads are marked and there are signs. I was starting to round a sharp corner when David told me I might was to slow a little more since there is a cliff to our inside right. Just after I rounded to corned and started to go down this hill, the headlights of the truck start to flash. Then all the sudden, everything died in the truck, the lights, the engine, everything. I could not see two inches in front of my face. I hit the brakes and started to pull to the right, but didn’t know how far I could go b/c of the cliff. David kept telling me to pull more to the right but I was thinking, “What about the cliff?” And during this time, I’m trying to crank the engine, but nothing is happening. Then I’m trying to get my flashlight out of my pocket, but my headphones are wrapped it, making it hard to pull it out. Luckily David was with me, b/c he knew what the problem was. The battery became disconnected from the wires. He got of the truck as I popped the hood and reattached the cables. It was not fun sitting in the pitch black in place where the drivers are more than crazy. But we were back on our way in just a few minutes. Night driving in this country is not fun, definitely since some people feel it´s smarter to drive with no lights on. Also you have the people that sit on the white line, where you can´t see them, plus the bikes and motorcycles. So having the lights go out adds something to the already nerve racking drive.
Take care and God Bless
Take care and God Bless
Friday, June 27, 2008
I'm Here
Originally written Late June '08
Buenos Dias,
Well, I made to
The flight was nothing special, just a normal boring flight until final approach. First people need to understand the seatbelt sign, definitely after the pilot tells us we’re landing. But the pilot had some problems making the landings. The engines started to rev up and the pilot started to climb then the throttle was dropped and the plane started a deep decent, and this went on couple more time. Finally the plane pitched left and stayed left. The engines lit up and we were climbing again. We missed the runway. Time to give it a second try. The second try was good, a little rough, but it got us on the ground in one piece. But again, no one could stand to wait in their seats until we get to the gate, and that little seat belt turns off. We stopped on the taxiway for a moment and all craziness erupted in the plane with people getting the bags. The flight attendant had great patience telling the people to sit down and close the overhead bends. No one listened to him, so he had to walk back and grabbed bags out of people’s arms and throw them back in the overhead bends. It was good he did that, b/c the taxi to the gate was a bit jerky.
Immigration was no problem since I had been
So I’m here now, I guess I was able to sleep through the kids yelling and playing outside my open bedroom window at 5 am. David asked me if they woke me, since they woke him in the back of the house. I told him, “nope, I didn’t hear a thing.” We have to pick up roofing materials today to fix a roof. I hope I don’t have to go on the roof, I HATE heights. But I’m out for now.
Take care and God Bless Everyone!!!!!
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