From His Seed Ministries: Settling In

during the story time

Audrey Dawne and I

We had a great first week in San Pedro Sula staying with Jhon and Valerie Allard. Paul was sick almost the entire week, so he go to relax and just sleep a lot, which was much needed. I got to go with Jhon and Val and Arnald, an 18 year old Honduran boy, to visit some missionaries and their three girls and 4 Honduran foster kids in Seguatepeque last Wednesday. Jhon loaded down the back of the truck with lots of food for them, for which they were very thankful with all the mouths they have to feed. As I expressed early, I really enjoyed this trip, even the WILD RIDE through the mountains, in the rain, to get there. When we arrived I had to put on my jacket, as it is much cooler up there and not quite as humid. I just love it. I think if I had my choice I could live up there in the mountains. Not only is the weather cooler, but much of the fresh fruits and vegetables and flowers and plants are grown and raised in Seguatepeque as well....so I need not say more, for those of you who know me well, know that would be right up my alley to live amoung all of that. (I laughed thinking of the term,'right up my alley' as I have had a hard time trying to find a translation for this in Spanish. I guess I say it more than I noticed before.)
Val and I also had a wonderful prayer meeting with a very sweet Arab lady, Normita, whom I met many years ago. She has a gorgeous "mansion" which was originally her parents home. I asked a "million" questions, of course, and she told me her life story and that of her children, 2 of which are in the states, and her husband as well, as he is waiting for a kidney transplant. She runs a school for disabled children of all ages, with all kinds of disabilities. She shared with me stories of precious children with autism, down's syndrome, deaf, muscular dystrophy, etc. I told her I had volunteered work with adults with the same disabilities twice a week for 3 years back in the states and just loved that job. We were able to relate on so many levels. Then we prayed and prayed about so many things. I felt truly refreshed when I left her house. Prayer meetings like that are never boring or "work."
Then I went with Val to teach a bible lesson to the children and feed them donuts afterwards. The donuts are such a very special treat for them. They could never afford such a luxury. The pics below are proof of this. I listened in amazement to Audrey Dawne(my name sake) interpret for her grandma, the bible lesson. She is only 13 but does an amazing job. I hope to be as fluent as she is some day. Sometimes, during the story, she took it upon herself to improvise and change what her grandma was saying a bit. I caught her several times and was trying not to laugh out loud for the children's sake. I was merely a spectator, along for the ride, but I did get to talk to several of the children and babies one on one, which I so enjoy.
We are now in Tocoa, with Pastors Helio and Yesi Robleto, enjoying our new home for the next 4 1/2 months. It was good seeing so many faces I remembered from our last visits here, last night at church. It wasn't so good being put on the spot, when Helio asked me to come up and interpret for Paul while he prayed. You should have seen the look on my face! I told him he had the spirit of my dad, by pulling me up in front of everyone, unplanned and making me do something I didn't necessarily want to do. So, I began to speak in Spanish first by explaining how scared I was. (everyone laughed) Then, I leaned over to Paul and told him to pray a SHORT prayer, then repeated in spanish to everyone what I told Paul and they laughed again. I was so so scared and nervous. I did a horrible job(in my eyes) but they understood anyway. Oh Lord! I guess they appreciate me trying. So, while we are still standing before the congregation, Helio proceeds to announce that Paul will preach this Sunday and I will translate then next Sunday I will preach in Spanish. My mouth dropped completely open wide and everyone was rolling with laughter. I turned to look at Pastor Helio, who was taking a picture of us and said, "ONLY if God supernaturally gives me the language in the next 4 days." He just laughed. (Someone will translate for us both, unless a miracle happens in me.)
He is putting us through bootcamp, bringing a teacher in 5 days a week to teach Paul Spanish and to communicate with me. She speaks NOT ONE WORD of English. If Paul makes it through an hour and a half class five days a week, I will be amazed. Last time in Honduras, when we were here for almost 2 months, he couldn't take much more than 30 minutes at a time and he needed a break. It does stretch your brain!!!
So, all of you can pray for us. Helio is on a mission to have us speaking spanish. I do ok talking with their housekeeper and Yesi all day, but when we are put in front of the church, it is a whole different story. I am constantly reminded of my favorite verse in the bible,"Apart for Me you can do NOTHING," Jesus said.
And so....the journey begins.

(PS. I will be sharing with the young people on Saturday and teaching a new dance to the dance team for a special meeting on December 22, which will last all day and night until 5 am. So...more to pray about. :)