klugezone

The Gospel is about transformation-the transformation of our lives by the life of Christ within us. We have to ask ourselves: Do our lives reflect the grace,truth, and love we have received through Christ?* *shine

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Location: Honduras

Friday, April 21, 2006

Have you ever been thankful for someone else's leftover food?
When ever we go out to eat at a fast food place in the states we order our value meals, get as many napkins, packs of ketchup, salt, pepper, and refills with ice on our drinks that we want. We eat our food, clean up any leftovers and throw them away. In Honduras we order our food(most of the time we get what we want now that we can understand more Spanish and don't just say "si, si") we get one pack of ketchup and one napkin. When ever you ask for more you often get a look implying that you are doing something wrong, maybe you are hoarding that extra pack of ketchup. We also combine all of our leftover food. We have found that we throw away a lot of food. When we combine our leftovers we usually have enough food for a full meal. After making up our meal we ask for a bag and then deliver it to a handicap, elderly, or a young child on the street. They are so thrilled to be getting our leftovers.

Can you imagine if you were to take a bag of leftover food to a person in the states?
would we be happy with somebody's leftovers? I think being down here has helped me to be thankful for the little things that I have been taking for granted.

Whenever we would need a bag to pack up our leftovers Randy would go up to the counter and ask for a beso. He could not understand why they would always looked shocked or even laugh at him. We know that our accents need some work but people don't usually laugh. Well the other day at lunch Randy said he was going to ask for a beso. Our friend Fabiola said "what?!"
Randy said I need a bag so I am going to ask for a beso. Fabs said no not a beso a bolsa. Randy said oh okay beso, bolso whatever. She said no you have been asking for a kiss! A kiss. Randy has been asking everyone for a kiss. We now understand the laughter. Randy didn't know if he should be relieved or insulted that they all laughed.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006


Mini VBS

We have been working in the Mololoa community for the last few months. Saturdays are most often committed to going from house to house to speak with people, to find out about their families and needs, to invite them to church and to pray and study with them. The response has really been wonderful. We have new visitors every week and we are developing relationships with many people. There is an adult mid-week bible study and there is a women's bible study every week.


We felt that something was missing. We felt like the children were not getting the same level of attention as the adults. There is a Sunday morning class, but there is not a mid week class or bible studies with the children. We along with Jen A. Decided that we would start to have a mini VBS for the children on the first Saturday of every month.

Our first VBS was on April 1. We had told the children to be there at about 10 am. We arrived at 9 to get everything set up. While Jen reviewed the lesson with a member of the church who was going to be assisting her, Katie, Alora and Katrina helped me to set up the room and finished lunch preparations. Well it was about 10 and we only has about half a dozen kiddos there. We decided to send out people to invite children to the church. About 1/2 an hour later we had about 80 children that were ready to have some fun. We began the day with a bible lesson on Jonah and the whale. We read the story to the children ( I really should not say we because of the fact that I am still in class for Spanish and I am afraid that the book was above the first or second grade level that I am currently at). We held up pictures and the children all set quietly while the story was read. After reading the story we passed out coloring pages with bible verses on them for the children to color. They did a wonderful job and were quite proud of their papers. We hope to start doing more complicated craft projects with them once we have some supplies.





We served lunch of PB&Jelly sandwiches (We made them up the night before at my house and had a lot of fun. Working with friends that have a good attitude can make the most boring chores fun and the time fly by.) juice, chips, and cookies to all of the children and the mothers that had stayed to assist us. Everyone seemed to enjoy their lunch.

It was time for a movie. Jonah and the whale Veggie Tales Movie in Spanish. Until you watch Veggies in Spanish you have never had the full veggie experience. Well we have had the experience several times, we had a few technological problems. It is nothing new for me to have techno problems, I probably should have warned Jen about this curse I seem to have for electronics; however, I am very dependent upon her and didn't want to scare her off. Unfortunately she now has first hand knowledge of my short coming. Fortunately she is made of pretty strong stuff and not only fixed the problems, but still plans on helping next month.

Afterwards and even all of the next week children kept asking when we would have another one. They were really excited and so are we.

Love the Kluges



For information on how you can help the children of Mololoa read the following blog.
Thanks

Wednesday, April 05, 2006


We are so excited!!
We are finally able to start building the kitchen for the feeding center. As we have been telling everyone for the last few months we have been wanting to build a kitchen in which we can prepare food to feed the children of Mololoa. As most of you know we have been spending a great deal of time working with the church in the community of Mololoa. That community is one of the poorest that we have been working in. Over the last few months we have been door knocking and inviting people to church on Saturdays, we have been helping families with different needs, we have been able to provide food, clothing, and shoes to some families. We were able to help numerous children attend school this year. We have been able to provide transportation and help with medical care. We were able to help a family get back on their feet by supplying child care. We have had kid days where we have a bible lesson, arts and crafts, a fun movie, singing and lunch. We have developed close friendships with several families and have had many enjoyable days with the children. When we first started going to Mololoa church there was four adults. Last Sunday we had 33 adults. It is so awesome to see the church growing. Mariso (one of the Baxter students) has been going up to Mololoa almost everyday and has home bible studies and is working on the land for the classrooms. We have been so blessed to be able to spend our time serving the Lord. We have also been blessed to have friends and family who want to be involved in this work with us. Little did many of them know that when we were called to this ministry that they would be drafted as well. Without our home-crew we couldn't do what we do. Randys mom and grandmother take care of all of our paperwork, bills, and all that fun stuff, as well as running errands and keeping out lives in order. Sheri works tirelessly with Randy on real-estate, often doing more that her share of the load, Paul puts out information and raises money for the different projects that we are working on. Central Church of Christ is putting their Sunday morning sermons on line to help us to be challenged and to help keep us learning and growing. Rod Myers is keeping us updated and connected to everyone. Kenny Stewart fixes our computers time and again so that we can stay in touch with everyone. Everyone that has come to our home and stayed with us, it is such a joy to visit and spend time with our friends and family(you're always welcome). And all of the people that are praying for us and all that we are trying to do here. We know that we are being lifted up daily in pray and it strengthens us. There are so many people that are here for us and I hope and pray that everyone knows how much you all mean to us and how much we thank you for helping us to be here.

I am afraid that I got off of the subject a little. The children of Mololoa are very needy. Their physical needs are clothes, shelter, education and food. What we are working on now is feeding the children. They are hungry.

We have decided to build a concrete block kitchen in which we can prepare enough food to feed 300 children a day Mon-Fri to start with. We have been studying a program that is up and running in another community that is feeding 500 children every day. With the help of Joe we were able to observe the way that they run that program, their menus, their shopping list, how they are set up and how they run the day to day operations of the program. They have been more than kind and it is such a great help to have an example for us to build on.

The kitchen will be a 20x20 block building with tile floors and all of the necessary equipment to run the feeding program. We do not yet have any supplies for the kitchen, but we have a list. We are going to serve the children in the church building. We have two tables and we are hoping to get more built soon. The church already has chairs. There are several women in the church who will volunteer to cook and clean. Jennifer Arnold has some great ideas on the running of the kitchen. her help and impute is invaluable. We will continue to work on the day to day details of running such a program.

We have priced many of the necessary items and will be putting out a list of needed items that can be donated. Our dear generous brother Terry has agreed to allow us to use his container that is being shipped from Florida at the end of this month. We are hoping that we will receive many of the items on the list as donations. Used items in good condition are appreciated as much as new items.

The actual cost of the food and water for the kitchen will run us about $1000.00 per month. We have derived at these figures based on the expenses that the other kitchen has incurred on a monthly bases. We are looking for monthly or one time donations for the cost of the food and water(there is no water available in Mololoa, so we will have to have it brought in every week.)

The need of the children in this community are great. We need the prayers and support of everyone. God has led us to this area and has provided us with the funds and opportunity to build this kitchen. We are asking everyone to look into their own hearts and if you are felt drawn to this ministry and would like to help in anyway please contact us by e-mail or in the comment section.



The thought of providing a nutricious meal for a hungry child is such a joy to my heart. Thank you to everyone who has done so much for us and for the people of Honduras.


Okay, continue to check this blog for the next several weeks, because we will continue to add to the following list.
Refrigerator
Freezer
Microwaves
Food processor
Mixers
Water cooler that holds 5 gallon jugs
Commercial size pots and pans
Mixing and serving bowls
Cooking utensils
Cutting boards with heavy duty knives
Plastic plates, cups, and bowls (for approx. 400 kids)
Silverware
Paper products (paper towels, etc.)
Salt and pepper shakers (plastic)
Dish drainers
Plastic storage tubs (all sizes)
Plastic Tupperware (all sizes)
Ziploc bags (all sizes)
Large trashcans
Trash bags
Liquid anti-bacterial hand soap (lots)
Dish soap
Fire extinguisher
Shelving units to store food and supplies
2 big Igloo drink coolers with spouts
Mops, brooms, buckets
Cleaning products (liquids and scrubbers)
Towels, rags, hot-pads
Hair-nets and disposable gloves
Aprons
3 pad-locks with the same key

If you are able to help, please respond in the comment section and/or E-mail me. Terry is sending a container at the end of April, which is ideal for our desired opening in May/June. We will post exact dates as soon as possible for when the container leaves Miami. We don't mind used items as long as they are in good condition. When you look at this list, think LONG-TERM. Most of these items will be a continual need. We appreciate your help in providing nourishment for hundreds of children daily. Love ya, Jen and the Kluges

klugefamily@gmail.com

jmarnold.blogspot.com