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

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Lake Yojoa

We had a day off yesterday to just play. And it was wonderful.

We all loaded up in the morning, my boys Bryan and Aldo. My girls Alora and Katrina.
Randy was our driver so as most of you know we had an adventure as well as a relaxing day at the lake.

It was a long drive of about 3 hours, but Alora suffered in style.

The waterfall is amazing and so beautiful. Bryan and Aldo had never been there and it has been a couple of years since I have been to the lake and it was so beautiful and relaxing. It is almost like being in a different world.

The water was chilly but refreshing and we all had a good time.

I kind of just like to float around, but the kids (yes that includes Randy) like to jump, dive, slide , splash and horse around. I enjoy watching and it looks like they have a great time, but I think I will stick to floating.

This day was physically refreshing in so many ways, being away from work, being with family, nothing to think about but paddling around in a beautiful river, listening to the roar of a waterfall, watching dozens of butterflies flutter about. It was just what I needed and I am already planning on a trip back.

Sunday, August 12, 2007



Blessing / Curse,

How can something be both a blessing and a curse? Well here the rain is both.







It is a blessing in the sense that it cools everything off, waters the plants, provides water to the homes of families so that they don't have to haul or pay for it. It washed things clean and fresh as well as keeps down the dust. We all know the necessity of rain and I do thank God for providing.






It is a curse because of lack of adequate shelter, people and belonging get wet and cold. The rain here is cold cold cold! I mean it is a tropical climate and we have rain forest and are usually warm but our rain is freezing cold, no warm summer showers here. The vegetation has been stripped from the mountain and there is nothing to hold down the mud and it begins to slide. The dirt becomes saturated with water and the mud is very heavy and as it slides it grows and gathers rocks and speed and before long you have the side of the mountain sliding downward destroying every thing in its path.


Randy got a call this morning at six and Henry said that there were problems on the mountain and Sandra was going to lose her house. (When the rains come and the dirt is washed away it is a two fold problem. Houses are swept away by a wall of mud and rock or the ground literally washes out from under the homes and they "fall" down)



Well Randy went out early and with a dozen guys began to dig and move dirt and rocks, work on walls and pray. The work went well until it began to rain again. He sent me for plastic tarps from the house. The girls and I rushed up, changed from our Sunday clothes to our work clothes and hurried out to help.



We were soaked in seconds of leaving the car. It was so cold, but you are working so hard and trying to hurry that you don't really notice. We spread tarps as mud slid off the land above us splatting with a really gross sound all around.


We carried large rocks to lay on the tarps, you try to hurry but you either slip and slide all over the place or you get stuck in the mud and it sucks your shoes right off your feet. (It feels really icky ) Water drips in your eyes and you wipe your face without thinking and leave giant streaks of mud across your cheeks.






We dug with shovels and did what we could, I am still more than a little worried, but we did our best and I am praying that no one loses their homes tonight as I sit here listening to the rain that is still coming down a couple of hours later.

While the work was hard, the conditions wet and filthy, the attitudes and the sense of community and purpose were uplifting. Yes I was wet and cold, covered in mud, slipping and sliding all over the place, but I had a terrific time and loved working side by side with my children and husband to help save a families home.


Not a bad way to spend the Lord's day.






Sorry about the poor quality of the photos, the rain made it very difficult to capture the day.

Saturday, August 11, 2007




Claudia's Joy


I spoke to Jen Write the other day and she said she had a bag of things for me. I was able to meet up with her last week and she gave me a huge bag to give to Claudia. I was so excited. Inside was a letter for me with a sweet request. Joyce and Bryan Foreman had sent the bags of clothes and a couple of hundred of limps (about $10.00) to give to Claudia. (check out the blog "Have you ever thanked God for locking your keys in the car--April 2007)






Claudia and her family had touched the hearts of Joyce and Bryan and I was more than happy to be the bearer of glad tidings for this little family.






We purchased a supply of food for her and gave her the additional money for purchasing water.






When we arrived at her house She had just been at a free clinic to receive vaccinations for the baby. The little guy was running a fever and fussy. The one that is just two was passed out and never made a peep. The three year old kept peeking over Claudia's shoulder as she begin to dig through the bag .






She was overwhelmed by the generosity of her North American benefactors. She carefully removed each item and held it up to admire. I wrapped the little baby Jeremiah in a clean blanket and Katrina and I tried to sooth him.






I had a terrific time delivering this blessing to Claudia. I want to send a special thank you to Joyce and Bryan for remembering a sweet young mother and her little family. You made a difference.



Monday, August 06, 2007

Sunday School--Honduras style






Ephesians 6: 10-18



10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.






We were teaching the children about putting on the full armor of God and decided we needed to use a visual.






Well since we didn't have any armor laying around we began to scavenge through our supplies.






The Belt of Truth--Jen's Belt



Breastplate of Righteousness--a black trash bag cut into a vest



Fitting your feet with readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace--a pair of men's boots



Shield of Faith--a paint screen with pipe cleaner handle



Helmet of Salvation--a basket with pipe cleaners



Sword of the Spirit--a roll of wrapping paper






We had a young volunteer and the fun, laughter and lessons began. As we dress him in each piece of Armor we discussed it's purpose. After he was fully dressed Jen attacked with a sword and demonstrated how the armor protected him. (we did forget to untie the shoes from each other so he was somewhat hindered in his movements, but the comic value of him hopping after Jen was enough to make me cry)



after he took up his sword he was full equipped.






We had a wonderful time, the children laughed and learned so much.






It is funny how we can get so wrapped up in spending money on all of the "right lessons" and "props" when sometimes everything we need is in the bible and right in front of us. Not that I am saying I don't like all of the books and lessons and such, but I know that all that is really necessary is your bible, a love for children, a little imagination and the ability to let yourself look a little silly.






Hope you enjoy hearing about the class and seeing the pictures as much as I enjoyed teaching it.






For those of you who love Walter I have a great story to share with you and for those of you who don't love Walter you're about to fall in love with a terrific young man.
Walter is 12 years old and a tiny little thing. (For more information look at the "meet Walter" blog). He is a great young man and I enjoy being with him. He always has a smile on his face that can make the darkest days bright. He is so helpful and kind, I have yet to carry a package when he is around. He loves to help the groups or work on a construction site. He is honest and dependable, I can send him to the store and he runs all the way there and back and never fails to give me my change. He is funny and quick with a joke. He has five younger siblings and helps his single mother. He is a pretty terrific kid with a really hard life.
Well even though I know Walter and how awesome he is I was totally blown away the other day.
Walter's mother Inez works for the city sweeping streets. She sweeps trash from the street all day six days a week for 10 hours a day for less than $5.00 per day. She has to pay her transportation and for someone to watch the baby who is almost a year old. We have helped this family over the last couple of years with food when Inez was not working. It is sad but now that she is working I think it is costing us more to help her as the milk for the baby is very expensive. So we help out, even if it cost a little more in the short term the pride that she feels in working to help her family is worth the extra funds.
Anyways back to Walter. He had been hanging out with Randy at a job site for a couple of days and Randy would have him do odd and end jobs, pay him a little, and just let him tag along with him when he went places. (Walter's father has been in prison for years and will not be out anytime soon). He loves to just "be" with Randy. And Randy really enjoys him too.
So the other day at about eleven or so Randy was out and about with his sidekick when he pulled into burger king.
He said he was "starving" so he ordered a combo for him and one for Walter, but they were in a hurry so they took it to go. As soon as Randy got in the car he open his bag and began to eat. Walter sat for a minute and then ask Randy if they could go by a community that was really close. Randy said "why?"
Walter answered by saying, " That is where my mom is sweeping the streets and I know that she is hungry and she works hard, so I want to give her my food."
Randy was so choked up all he could do was nod his head. Walter did not take one bite of food, not even a sip of soda and Randy knew he was hungry, and with the smells of fresh cooked food filling the truck he just set there with the bag on his lap while they drove over to his mother.
When they got there he gave her the food never saying that he hadn't eaten. He was thrilled at the smile on her face. He said good-bye that he and Randy were out "working" and had to go. He drove off with a wave and his bright smile his mother never knowing her son had just given up his food for her.
We often feed Walters body, but this day he was able to provide for someone he loved and that fed his spirit, and seeing a 12 year old boy give up not only food but a special treat for his mother really fed our spirit.
I told you you were going to love this kid.