The rain has gone and the sun has come!  It was a scorcher today must have been near 90 degrees.  I agreed to be ready for an 8am pickup, and that came and went.  At 10:30 am we,(Marco and I) were picked up, and I admit I was feeling a little anxious knowing this would be my last day on this project and wanting to bring this stage of building to completion.  Well, as God would have it, by 3 pm we had used all the board lumber they had for the job, plus a few pieces that needed to be ripped about 2 1/2″ to fill the peak.  They will need to do that without me cause the “planta” (we call it a generator) quit working cause it needed gas and oil, maybe the guys shouldn’t have been running it most the day to play music?  (Below: Pictures of Marco pulling 20′ boards onto roof and placing them, Marco doing his fair share of cutting boards and the material down in place.  Got to say Marco is showing promise with his work ethic, not bad at all for 14 yrs old 👍🏻)

Near I could figure they needed another 120 pieces to finish the hips on the roof.  Well there is no going to Lowes or Home Depot for the material; you order it from Cieba and they put it on a boat and you can pick it up on the dock in about three weeks time.  Welcome to La Moskitia!  No wonder the homes take so long to build around here, either you’re waiting for monies to fund your project or your waiting for materials for your project.  But hey, when it’s done, there’s no house payment, that’s the cool part about it.

Lisa is doing fine, loving these babies.  I’m including a pic of one of her favorites, Noah. He’s about a month old.  A month old and looking like he’s ready for the “fist bump” these babies are tough.

Yesterday I was feeling a bit anxious about knowing a definite or clear path God wants us to follow.  This morning I awoke to what I thought was a very timely devotional,

Jeremiah 29:7  “If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you.”

Explaining while we may be waiting for God to do something in our lives, we are not to sit idle, we are to be proactive and start doing good for others, helping others to succeed.  If they do well, you prosper too.  Giving God the glory.

Assured today that even though there may be moments of feeling like your doing thankless work, God knew from the beginning how many days I would give to a project and had just the right amount of wood there to fulfill His plan for me this week.

Thanking God for His faithfulness.  Praying for these kids to know the love of Christ.  Please continue praying for God’s plan for us to be achieved.

Trying to get Katrina’s place dried in but the heavy rains today did nothing to help that matter.  Tomorrow will be a weeks worth of work over at the new house and that means I’ve been away from the kids a lot, so today I thought I’d have Marco come spend some time on the job with me.  Had him make a few cuts with the hand saw, then let him drive some nails.  Marco thinks he did a better job than I’ve done as he pointed out my black fingernail from smacking it with the hammer.  He was very good at carefully starting the nail and then removing his entire hand out of dangers way and, drove the nails in straight; I was impressed.  Pictures of Marco in action and us taking cover, hanging out in the rafters through the heaviest rains (we still got wet, but it’s a hot wet. LOL)

Below are pics of Fransua, a 16 year old Nicaraguan Miskito that grew up in the jungle and saw a light bulb for the first time 8 months ago.  He is plaining the wood with his machete, what a versatile tool. (Would be my choice for a single item to take on survivor for sure).  Fransua is working to be fed.  I can’t imagine working all day for your meals only.  We can’t get people to work, and these people will work just for their food.  Americans sure are soft.

I feel as though we just got here, feeling a bit sad as we end this week, realizing we only have about eight days left in La Moskitia.  I’m not sure how much time would be enough time here?  Waiting patiently for God’s timing.  Desiring more than roofs and playgrounds, only time will tell…

Yapia Awarca, which is “time for sleep” in Miskito. And,

Diwan Yamni Mammumbia, meaning “God bless you” in Miskito.

This little insect is only about three inches long but has incredible vision!  It is the only insect that can turn it’s head 180 degrees and can detect movement at sixty feet.  We may not have that kind of vision, and it doesn’t bother me because I know things that are impossible with man are possible with God.  We are putting together some really big ideas that could only be accomplished with, through and by God’s good grace.  Knowing God honors our faith, we continue to pray for His leading and for our understanding of His will for us.

It is still a labor of love for me working on Roger and Katrina’s roof, making progress but this project is cutting into my time with the boys here at HOH because I leave around 8am and usually get back around 6 pm.  I also have a few other items on my plate and our time here is shortening so my time management skills will come into play shortly.  Win, loose or draw I will need to be off their roof by the end of this week and use my last week here for two small projects and spending quality time with the kids. Kids are the same everywhere, they can never have enough attention.

Really more of the same around House of Hope, although some more familiar faces are starting to show up.  This pic is of Maicol, Marie Elena, Romel, Marie Antonia. The twins are 8yrs. old.

This is a pic of Glaicy 17 yrs. old and speaks English very well.

Lisa was out for a walk when she got these nice shots of a family of children out scavenging for firewood most likely to cook with.

So far we’ve been here 14 days and giving thanks to God for our good health, eating what we’re served and so far so good, no  amoebas or any number of other things that would dampen our time here.  Thanking God for all the countless, precious smiles we receive each day from people we encounter, and the joy that can be seen in the lives of these friends that have so very little, compared to even the poorest of the poor at home.

Thank you all for your prayerful support and your encouraging comments.  We miss you all, and my dog too.

We went to the airport first thing this morning to greet Alex and Laura Waits, the missionary family that founded IVA. Lisa and I are excited to talk with them about other possible needs that could be filled and would compliment the amazing work they have been doing here in La Moskitia.  Picture of first light this morning, about 5:30.

After we said “hi” to Alex and kids at the airport (Laura had to take later flight all seats were booked on first flight stemming from bad weather leaving Texas), Osiris took us to get our tickets to Roatan for a couple days of relaxation before we leave for home.  Then we stopped by his Mother and sister’s home’s that he built, and he introduced us.  

We are enjoying our time here. Lisa gets to play Mom between four newborns, three born in the month of December.  This is another new addition to HOH, pic of Makala.

Trying to make a difference one baby at a time, feeding, changing diapers, bathing, holding and talking to them. She couldn’t be happier, unless we could be the Mom and Dad for these little ones.   And I am enjoying being a helping hand on some building projects.  I started work on Katrina’s new house roof, the project is a long way from being finished but it would be nice to have a roof on it before she gets here next Friday.  Katrina has been in Florida since her operation and has been receiving her chemotherapy treatments there as well.  She will be flying back to Honduras where she will be living for the next four months before her treatment continues.  In the last two days I’ve spent 18+ hours on the roof laying down tongue and groove boards, tonight we finished one of the big sides and started the first run of boards around the other three sides. (Large pic is of early goings; top right pic of finished portion of roof; bottom right picture of Roger, Katrina’s husband and one of their sons Booboo)

My sister in-law whom I love, respect and consider to be one of the most Godly women I know, shared some good words with me today, “that this is an adventure to be enjoyed, one that when growing closer to God, I am losing myself in Him, and by doing that, I actually discover the person He created me to be” I think that is some great wisdom she shared with me today and felt it worthy for all to consider.

Lisa and I are feeling led to live for Christ and we are asking for wisdom and prayers for understanding, a clear path for us to take and for the needed doors to be opened.  Giving thanks for the abilities God’s given me to help others, and for my best friend and partner in this adventure!

Great day today, we went with Arnold and his family to their Baptist church where we received a nice gringo welcome.  The Pastor seemed to have covered a lot of ground in the three hour service.  When worship was over we loaded as many as could fit into the truck and trailer, driving to a nearby river.  Not sure how safe this would be in the States but you can rest assured its relatively safe here in Honduras.  Due to the conditions of the roads here I don’t think we got out of first gear! Maybe ten mph tops, LOL.  This next shot is the beautiful location where Arnold and four of his sisters were all baptized.  It’s all starting to make sense now, with his Mom’s change of heart and all, by allowing Arnold and his brother to come live at HOH to attend school, I can see God at work in this family of  5 girls and 5 boys and no father in the picture.  Except now!  With the Best Father imaginable in their lives we can rejoice and praise God for the new Miskito brothers and sisters we have. Amen.

After the ceremony we took kids swimming in the lagoon where I didn’t take any photos because I was concentrating on getting some GoPro footage (thank you for the thoughtful gift my brother Chris).  After that Osiris had his wife Majorie make us another meal, of tacos and like everything she makes, it was deliciouso, mui rico!  We finish the day by visiting another church service that we have heard at night (amplified music, singing and clapping heard quite clearly from our room), sounded a bit wild but the older kids had expressed interest in checking it out so, tonight was the night.  It was a Moravian church and it was pretty fun, lots of singing and some ethnic dancing that I felt gave me a glimps of the future wedding party, and how surely amazing it will be with all the forms of worship and the many different languages and styles of music praising Our Lord.

“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

2 Timothy 4:8

How amazing it is to be chosen!  Thanking God for each one of you in my life.  Resting in God’s word that became flesh. Amen.

Today I needed to be up by six and make sure everything was unlocked so the house could start the day.  Some started with chores of doing their laundry while others began cooking breakfast.  Lisa began her day helping Dr. Maryann add fiberglass to the cast applied the other day because it was in need of some reinforcement.

I, on the other hand decided it was necessary to make more funds available which meant going to bank, what a nightmare! Got there about 9:30a and walked out about 1:30p, I waited in line for roughly 4 hours and it takes them about 40 seconds to count you your cash.  I don’t get it? Anyhow, I went through the experience joyfully and when I got back to HOH they had lunch ready and served.

Miskito Fish Soup

After the long wait at the bank and 85 degree weather I did not have much of an appetite and luckily for me the kids were loaded and waiting for me to go swimming.  Off we went, to by far my favorite swimming hole yet, a place called Marcone.  Beautiful clear, deep, not quite a river, but bigger than a creek, and not far from where they bottle the drinking water,  sure it’s filtered and purified but this is the source.

LivingLife

I want you all to know Lisa and I are very much getting into our groove here, and are being blessed beyond what we’d ever imagined by pouring into these kids; they are so easy to love.  Life might be harder here but it feels more relationship oriented, less about me or us and more about them.  Praying this night for God’s will and guidance to continue directing this time here with everyone and joyfully seeking how to best emulate He that sent us.

Just a closing note: The other day Lisa and I got to visit with Miguel and meet with his parents and brother.  Miguel is one of the students we have been sponsoring who attends “Instituto Viva Abudante” (IVA).  They are very  sweet, humble people.

Mike, Miguel, Dad Hector, brother Kevin, Mom Felicita (runs the Kids Against Hunger Program here at House of Hope), Lisa.

We thank you for praying us and this community up!  Please keep it coming, it feels great🤗 We love you, God bless you.

Today was much like yesterday, much of it spent away from HOH but I took several boys with me to do another roof with William.

I realize construction pics are kinda boring so I’m including a couple pics of the kids around the zone.  Kids thinking getting a roof put on their new house is pretty great (top photo), one of the boys filling the inside of house with dirt one shovel full at a time (left photo), then they pour concrete and that gives them a couple extra feet. (Note: Most houses in this area are built on post due to being a flood zone).  And the cutest little boy I have ever seen (right photo)!

Lisa spent her day feeding babies, changing dirty diapers and spending time with the young girls here, who are taking quite a liking to her.  Today, Lisa also went into town and got the kids a couple bootleg movies (that’s all they have around here) in espanol.

We also volunteered to run the house this evening to give Steven and Lauren a break, and they decided to get a room in town.  Hoping they are having a relaxing and enjoyable night on the town together.

Our friend Osiris came over with his family and brought a dinner to share with Lisa and me tonight while kids were watching a movie.  We really enjoyed sharing time with them.

Not really sure where the time goes around here but the days seem to go by very quickly.  Thought I’d include a map of Honduras.  We are in Puerto Lempira in the far eastern part. Only way in is by boat or plane.

Looking forward to taking kids swimming tomorrow.  Thanking God for this beautiful night sky.  And for the incredible woman He brought me for a wife.

Thank you all again for your continued prayers.  Praying for solid rest tonight, wisdom  for tomorrow and these kids to continue growing in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Today I got the opportunity to put a roof on our friend Walter’s house.  Walter has gone on all of our river trips with us as our interpreter, he is fluent in English, Spanish and Miskito.

A very happy Water and Habitat for Humanities lead carpenter, William.

Walter has been working on his new home project for little over a year now and has struggled to fund all the materials needed so the group “Habitat for Humanity” stepped in and agreed to help finish his house.  It also may have helped that “Habitat for Humanity” uses a portion of the House of Hope compound to build and store the lumber and finished doors, windows and roof trusses, and if you remember Walter’s story was the whole reason behind House of Hope’s inception.  The founder of HOH, Doctor Tom saw this little boy trying to play soccer with a poorly healed broken leg and decided to bring him to the states where he could get the proper treatment to fix his problem and eventually saw a great need for a children’s home that focused on club foot and cleft lip.  Now it has become a home for orphaned kids, sick or abandoned babies and a feeding program of 400-500 people a month called “Kids Against Hunger” out of Allen, Texas.  

We also received another new baby today, sick little girl a twin that was too sick to be taken home so the Mother left with the healthy one. Only time will tell if she returns for the other.

Other significant news is on my friend, Arnold. His Mother a single mom who after several years of not letting him go to school so that they could help support the family, finally gave in and agreed to let him and his brother Ereiss live at HOH and attend their school.  They are two of seven siblings.  

So much goes on here everyday I couldn’t even begin to share all.  Thanking God for all the opportunities to be a part of helping to change this place for the better, one kid at a time and the strength to carry on.  Please continue in prayer for the Gracias A Dios area in La Moskitia.  God bless you and goodnight.

Finished the playground project today after  three days work, all the pieces found a place and there wasn’t any bolts left over!  Success!

Thank you Lord for your guiding hand.

Picture from left:  Marco, Mike, Arnold, Eriess, New House Director Stephen (wife Lauren took picture), Tony and Osiris (“El Hefy” the owner Tom’s, right-hand man).

Pic of Estabon for Naomi

Pic of Yanira for Naomi

This is a picture of Lisa’s newest joy, Noah.  He was born in the hospital on December 14th and the Mom snuck away shortly after, so the hospital brought him to House of Hope last night.  Lauren got to name him, one of the perks of being a director I suppose.  So that makes eight babies for the single nanny that works here to feed, clean and nurture each day,  that’s not including the Grandma here taking care of her grandson or the other three single Moms and their babies.

Praying for the kids here to know the love of Christ.

Thank you for your thoughts, encouraging comments and prayers.  God bless you all this night.

With Love,  Mike and Lisa

I will start by saying I am sorry for possibly coming off a bit critical with things here.  I am realizing that I was forgetting who is really in charge here, and it’s not me or anyone other than God Himself and that I came here to share the love God has shown me.  Giving God thanks for helping me with my attitude knowing He will use my gifts for His glory.

On Sunday we took about 18 kids to church then drove to a favorite swimming hole were we picked up a 9 yr. old boy, Josway.  We brought him back to stay at House of Hope so he can go to school, he will be starting first grade.

Cooling off

Parents saying good bye

My best helper Arnold

Day one, done.

Today, Monday, I got busy with a project turning a pile of steel, bag of connectors and bolts,  a small handwritten diagram and two photos into a playground set for the school children.  Enjoying showing the boys how to work hard and have fun doing it.

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers.