School has started here at Emmanuel and things are as busy as ever! We officially started Feb. 15 (their summer vacation is end of Nov to beginning of Feb). I am teaching English to 1-3 graders as well as Art to grades 1 – 9. My schedule is packed, but I am so excited to be working with such a variety of age groups!
It has been somewhat of a challenge to teach English to the youngest group since they are just now learning to read. Therefore, all my activities are interactive and listening exercises in attempt to teach them something that will stick…no one ever told me how hard it is to keep the attention of kids, let alone first graders! Kudos to all of you teachers or soon-to-be teachers out there!
The “February Team” is here, which is the largest mission group that comes every year. They focus mainly on building projects and this year are finishing up 4 new “staff houses” since the staff families keep growing (aka having babies). They will leave at the end of this week. It has been great to have them here since they feed us 3 meals a day, however, they also keep us pretty busy!
One of the ladies that came along with them is called “Mamoo” and she helped Derek in the pig barn. She owns a farm and is very good with animals. She was able to help Derek know how to deliver the piglets better as well as how to properly castrate them (since he originally learned from two 15 year old boys who only speak Spanish). AH!
Derek has been a little busier than normal since the man in charge of the farm (Reed) has been in the states, due to a death in the family. He has been gone since we returned from our “vacation” back in January. He should return soon, so that will be a load off of Derek.
We (Derek and I) also started hosting a “small-group” back in December in our home for all the volunteers. We did this to help create more of a community amongst us, and to have a time of worship, prayer, discussion, and fellowship. It has been such a blessing and “refresher” every Sunday evening. We feel much closer to our co-volunteers and it helps us to have perspective over the week. Tim & Sherri (Derek’s parents) led this discussion when they came to visit back in January. We have now decided to start incorporating a meal before our discussion time to be able to enjoy food together (since we have all loved eating meals together at the “Team House” these past few weeks).
Thank you for those who have prayed for friendships and fellowship for us here. This has definitely been an answer to those prayers.
We only have 2 months left, and I know I sound like a broken record, but I cannot believe how fast the time has gone! My heart is definitely attached to Emmanuel, and I am excited to continue to invest myself to this ministry for our 58 days left.
We are also excited since our siblings (Brandon, Allyson, and Robin) will be visiting us in 2 weeks and 2 days! It will be such a joy to experience Emmanuel with them and show them all we have been doing (or rather, Christ has done through us).
Other than that, we are continuing to learn how to put our trust in Christ, in ALL things. We have grown as a married couple and look forward to the adventure of following our Lord in the present and future… WHATEVER that means or demands. We have both reached a place of peace and submission, one that I think we could not fully comprehend before. It can be quite a scary but beautiful and freeing experience to honestly say to the Lord, “Whatever you call me to, I will do. In all things and situations I will rejoice in Your love. And even when I do not understand, I will CHOOSE faith.” We pray that this be true for you, as well.
All our Love,
Derek and Nancy
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday, December 21, 2009
A Christmas Message
Things are wrapping up around here for Christmas, figuratively and literally. There are presents all around the 15 ft. tree in the sanctuary. Each child has a minimum of 2 presents to open and of those, most have more than one gift inside each box. I have never seen so many gifts in my life! It’s overwhelming to see, really.
This week’s festivities go as follows:
Monday, Dec. 21 – Finish up last minute practices for the Christmas program.
Tuesday, Dec 22 – The volunteers will travel to a hospital in Tegucigalpa to give out gifts to sick children.
Wednesday, Dec. 23 – The volunteers along with some of the older children will deliver food and gifts to people and children in Guaimaca, the town right outside of the orphanage. We will also run through the Christmas program in the church one last time. And Derek will be killing and preparing 8 pigs to be sold to town or to be used here.
Thursday, Dec. 24 – The entire orphanage will enjoy a Chrsitmas lunch together. The children will then go to the restroom before entering the church (this is said to take up to 1 ½ hrs to get everyone through the restroom and ready). When everyone is ready, we will pass out all of the gifts (which takes approximately 2 hrs) and then on the count of 3, the children will all open their gifts together. Afterwards, the volunteers will stay to clean up, the children go back to their houses to enjoy their new gifts and the staff members go home to enjoy Christmas dinner with their families. All of the volunteers will be gathering together for dinner, some Christmas goodies (such as sugar cookies, brownies, egg nog, cocoa, and coffee), and we will also play “Santa Swap” or as some refer to it, “White Elephant”.
Friday, Dec. 25 – The Christmas program will begin at 9:00 am followed by church service. The volunteers will then gather again to enjoy some Christmas movies and finish off those goodies from the previous day.
Saturday, Dec. 26 – The staff and volunteers will have a big Christmas dinner together. This will conclude all of the Holiday activities.
We didn’t really know what to expect of the holidays when we first arrived, but we are very much looking forward to all of the activities that are planned. I believe it is safe to say that Derek and I are much busier this Christmas than we ever have been before! Part of the reason I am glad for the activities is it will make it a little easier to be away from home and loved ones. I have been feeling a bit nostalgic lately, so I will be glad to have my mind and time occupied. That seems somewhat selfish to admit, but it is the truth.
I thought I would be excited to watch so many children open their gifts, and a part of me is, but as I look at the mounds of gifts, I can’t help but feel that even these kids get a bit materialistic at times. I want so badly for them to feel loved, but I also want them to think upon why we even celebrate…why we put so much into this one day. And that the main reason we give is to somehow try to honor what has been given to us… FREEDOM THROUGH CHRIST. Somehow it is all the more real to me this year. Perhaps it is from being away from the only world I have ever known and reflecting on what exactly I will miss and why. Maybe it’s because God is showing me more of Him, and so this year all I really do care about is celebrating His gift of perfection… His provision for us to know Him and be in a growing relationship with Him that was once hindered by sin’s death grip and the day that Christ was born, His promise tangibly began to unravel. It’s amazing the things the Lord reveals when you are removed from your “home”. Or maybe I am just not distracted and am actually allowing myself to pay attention to some of the things He has been showing me all along.
I did not intend for this message to be so long, my apologies for taking up your time, but then again, I guess I needed to expose my heart.
May your Christmas be a reminder of God’s love and desire for you, and of His gift to you that was not too much and not too little, but the absolute best and perfect amount that He could ever give… Himself.
Merry Christmas from Honduras,
All Our Love,
Derek and Nancy
This week’s festivities go as follows:
Monday, Dec. 21 – Finish up last minute practices for the Christmas program.
Tuesday, Dec 22 – The volunteers will travel to a hospital in Tegucigalpa to give out gifts to sick children.
Wednesday, Dec. 23 – The volunteers along with some of the older children will deliver food and gifts to people and children in Guaimaca, the town right outside of the orphanage. We will also run through the Christmas program in the church one last time. And Derek will be killing and preparing 8 pigs to be sold to town or to be used here.
Thursday, Dec. 24 – The entire orphanage will enjoy a Chrsitmas lunch together. The children will then go to the restroom before entering the church (this is said to take up to 1 ½ hrs to get everyone through the restroom and ready). When everyone is ready, we will pass out all of the gifts (which takes approximately 2 hrs) and then on the count of 3, the children will all open their gifts together. Afterwards, the volunteers will stay to clean up, the children go back to their houses to enjoy their new gifts and the staff members go home to enjoy Christmas dinner with their families. All of the volunteers will be gathering together for dinner, some Christmas goodies (such as sugar cookies, brownies, egg nog, cocoa, and coffee), and we will also play “Santa Swap” or as some refer to it, “White Elephant”.
Friday, Dec. 25 – The Christmas program will begin at 9:00 am followed by church service. The volunteers will then gather again to enjoy some Christmas movies and finish off those goodies from the previous day.
Saturday, Dec. 26 – The staff and volunteers will have a big Christmas dinner together. This will conclude all of the Holiday activities.
We didn’t really know what to expect of the holidays when we first arrived, but we are very much looking forward to all of the activities that are planned. I believe it is safe to say that Derek and I are much busier this Christmas than we ever have been before! Part of the reason I am glad for the activities is it will make it a little easier to be away from home and loved ones. I have been feeling a bit nostalgic lately, so I will be glad to have my mind and time occupied. That seems somewhat selfish to admit, but it is the truth.
I thought I would be excited to watch so many children open their gifts, and a part of me is, but as I look at the mounds of gifts, I can’t help but feel that even these kids get a bit materialistic at times. I want so badly for them to feel loved, but I also want them to think upon why we even celebrate…why we put so much into this one day. And that the main reason we give is to somehow try to honor what has been given to us… FREEDOM THROUGH CHRIST. Somehow it is all the more real to me this year. Perhaps it is from being away from the only world I have ever known and reflecting on what exactly I will miss and why. Maybe it’s because God is showing me more of Him, and so this year all I really do care about is celebrating His gift of perfection… His provision for us to know Him and be in a growing relationship with Him that was once hindered by sin’s death grip and the day that Christ was born, His promise tangibly began to unravel. It’s amazing the things the Lord reveals when you are removed from your “home”. Or maybe I am just not distracted and am actually allowing myself to pay attention to some of the things He has been showing me all along.
I did not intend for this message to be so long, my apologies for taking up your time, but then again, I guess I needed to expose my heart.
May your Christmas be a reminder of God’s love and desire for you, and of His gift to you that was not too much and not too little, but the absolute best and perfect amount that He could ever give… Himself.
Merry Christmas from Honduras,
All Our Love,
Derek and Nancy
Friday, November 20, 2009
A Little Broken Down... but optimistic
Well, we gave in and bought the internet. It runs really slow but it's better than 30 minute time slots every other week (when we're lucky). I hope to upload pictures soon. Truth be told, I have pleanty of time to do so right now since I am very sick. (But don't worry mom, I'm feeling better).
I had to go to the hospital yesterday. That was quite an experience. For those of you who have a sensitive stomach, my apologies. Perhaps you should not read further... We'll just say food was exiting from both ends and when that happens for too long, you get kinda dehydrated. So once I had vomitted blue foam 15 minutes after having one ice cube yesterday morning, I figured something wasn't right and we should get it checked out. Derek drove me to the hospital in town, along with our nurse here at Emmanuel since everyone knows her there. The staff was all very kind (I even got some compliments on my spanish, which made me feel good).
They hooked me up to an IV to pump some fluids into me since I couldn't keep anything down, or in for that matter. I also got a shot in the backside that STILL burns. And they gave me a shot into my IV that felt like it was eating and burning my skin from the inside. Supposedly that was for the diarrhea. But my arm even turned red on the outside. The nurse kept asking me if it hurt, and I kept saying yes. He said that was normal... so I don't know why he kept asking. Overall we were there about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. it was a slow day for them, seeing that the one hospital room (with 4 beds) was only occupied by myself. I was pretty thrilled considering that the bed next to me had stirr-ups and I personally did not want to have front row seats to some mother-to-be inviting her child into the world. I'm sure Derek was glad as well because on the door to the room it said that each patient was allowed one family member to sit in with them. How would you like for other patients and their families to be able to wtiness your child being born!? However, had that been the case, I'm sure he would have waited outside for me.
So guess how much it cost for the visitation, IV, shots, and 2 perscriptions of pills, powder to put in my water, and a liquid medication? About $20 total. Can you believe that?! $1 of those dollars was to see the doctor, the rest was for medication and treatment.
I am feeling much better, and able to keep food down (praise God). I plan on staying in our house, in bed over the rest of the week and weekend. I figure if I don't rest fully, I'll only get sick again. I think I caught it on Tuesday...
This Tuesday Derek and I (along with all the other volunteers and 2 staff members) rode on a bus to Tela and back in the same day. We left at 3AM and returned around 9:30PM with 32 new kids from various parts of Honduras. We had to pick them up since the center they came from does not have transportation. the oldest child is 17, the second oldest is 12 and most of the rest are 10 and below. We have 6 new toddlers. One of which cannot stand or speak. The back of his head is flat since he has laid down his entire 2 1/2 years of life.
The hardest part of the day was not all the vomit, poop, and pee that we encountered on our 8 1/2 hour ride home with our new children, but rather picking them up. There were many mothers saying goodbye. I couldn't help but cry along with them. Which I'm sure didn't help all the crying children. I probably made them even more scared. All of them that came have at least one sibling with them and one is a set of 7 siblings. it was hard to watch the young ones cling to their older siblings and cry for their mothers, however, I am glad that they have each other. We tried to occupy their minds by describing Orphanage Emmanuel, coloring, etc. Needless to say, that was the longest 8 1/2 hours of my life. Then I woke up Wednesday, sick.
I'm just glad Derek is still healthy (so far). The new kids seem to be adjusting quickly. I am constantly amazed at how resilient these children are.
I had to go to the hospital yesterday. That was quite an experience. For those of you who have a sensitive stomach, my apologies. Perhaps you should not read further... We'll just say food was exiting from both ends and when that happens for too long, you get kinda dehydrated. So once I had vomitted blue foam 15 minutes after having one ice cube yesterday morning, I figured something wasn't right and we should get it checked out. Derek drove me to the hospital in town, along with our nurse here at Emmanuel since everyone knows her there. The staff was all very kind (I even got some compliments on my spanish, which made me feel good).
They hooked me up to an IV to pump some fluids into me since I couldn't keep anything down, or in for that matter. I also got a shot in the backside that STILL burns. And they gave me a shot into my IV that felt like it was eating and burning my skin from the inside. Supposedly that was for the diarrhea. But my arm even turned red on the outside. The nurse kept asking me if it hurt, and I kept saying yes. He said that was normal... so I don't know why he kept asking. Overall we were there about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. it was a slow day for them, seeing that the one hospital room (with 4 beds) was only occupied by myself. I was pretty thrilled considering that the bed next to me had stirr-ups and I personally did not want to have front row seats to some mother-to-be inviting her child into the world. I'm sure Derek was glad as well because on the door to the room it said that each patient was allowed one family member to sit in with them. How would you like for other patients and their families to be able to wtiness your child being born!? However, had that been the case, I'm sure he would have waited outside for me.
So guess how much it cost for the visitation, IV, shots, and 2 perscriptions of pills, powder to put in my water, and a liquid medication? About $20 total. Can you believe that?! $1 of those dollars was to see the doctor, the rest was for medication and treatment.
I am feeling much better, and able to keep food down (praise God). I plan on staying in our house, in bed over the rest of the week and weekend. I figure if I don't rest fully, I'll only get sick again. I think I caught it on Tuesday...
This Tuesday Derek and I (along with all the other volunteers and 2 staff members) rode on a bus to Tela and back in the same day. We left at 3AM and returned around 9:30PM with 32 new kids from various parts of Honduras. We had to pick them up since the center they came from does not have transportation. the oldest child is 17, the second oldest is 12 and most of the rest are 10 and below. We have 6 new toddlers. One of which cannot stand or speak. The back of his head is flat since he has laid down his entire 2 1/2 years of life.
The hardest part of the day was not all the vomit, poop, and pee that we encountered on our 8 1/2 hour ride home with our new children, but rather picking them up. There were many mothers saying goodbye. I couldn't help but cry along with them. Which I'm sure didn't help all the crying children. I probably made them even more scared. All of them that came have at least one sibling with them and one is a set of 7 siblings. it was hard to watch the young ones cling to their older siblings and cry for their mothers, however, I am glad that they have each other. We tried to occupy their minds by describing Orphanage Emmanuel, coloring, etc. Needless to say, that was the longest 8 1/2 hours of my life. Then I woke up Wednesday, sick.
I'm just glad Derek is still healthy (so far). The new kids seem to be adjusting quickly. I am constantly amazed at how resilient these children are.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Rested
We have traveled hours and hours on buses, cram packed, sitting or standing in aisles. We have said "no thank you" to a ton of solicitors on the streets of Nicaragua, taken over 400 pictures, seen lava come out of a volcano in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, walked between 7-8 miles to visit a waterfall and collected sea shells along the Tamarindo beach.
We are rested and ready to return to Orphanage Emmanuel, renewed and eager to pour our love out onto the children.
To say we feel blessed is an understatement. We had no choice but to leave Honduras in order to renew our visas, but what an amazing opportunity to see more of God's creation and experience more of the cultures of Central America. I have felt like a foreigner at times and completely at home at other times.
Tomorrow afternoon we will head to Liberia, Costa Rica stay the night there and then be on buses non-stop until we reach "home" Friday evening. Emmanuel does feel quite a bit like home now. I look forward to stepping into our apartment and putting things up where they belong. I even look forward to hearing my name yelled 20+ times as I walk the short distance from our apartment to the school on Saturday morning. It's funny the things you miss. The things that become a part of your routine and what become a part of you.
I can already see how the Lord has changed my heart and I know He has much more work to do is me (us) the remainder of our time.
I am ready. Alive. Refreshed.
We are rested and ready to return to Orphanage Emmanuel, renewed and eager to pour our love out onto the children.
To say we feel blessed is an understatement. We had no choice but to leave Honduras in order to renew our visas, but what an amazing opportunity to see more of God's creation and experience more of the cultures of Central America. I have felt like a foreigner at times and completely at home at other times.
Tomorrow afternoon we will head to Liberia, Costa Rica stay the night there and then be on buses non-stop until we reach "home" Friday evening. Emmanuel does feel quite a bit like home now. I look forward to stepping into our apartment and putting things up where they belong. I even look forward to hearing my name yelled 20+ times as I walk the short distance from our apartment to the school on Saturday morning. It's funny the things you miss. The things that become a part of your routine and what become a part of you.
I can already see how the Lord has changed my heart and I know He has much more work to do is me (us) the remainder of our time.
I am ready. Alive. Refreshed.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Nicaragua, Costa Rica
Well, the time has come...
We leave for our trip tomorrow! We will catch the 6 o'clock (AM) bus and head to Nicaragua! We will stay in Granada (an old, beautiful colonial town) a few days and then travel around Nicaragua then cross the border to hit up some volcanoes and hot springs in La Fortuna, Costa Rica and finally end up on the beaches of Tamarindo.
Today we are packing, saying goodbye to a couple who will leave for Denmark while we are gone (sadly...we will miss you Daniel and Anette), and making sure we have all of our duties covered in time for our trip. Please be praying for our safety... We are so excited!
And all of this is just in time to celebrate my 24th birthday and more importantly, Derek's acceptance to PT school! By the way, thank you for all of the congratulations we've received from all of you in regards to our recent "wonderful news"!
We will try to update from our trip at an internet cafe if possible!
Until then, BLESSINGS!
We leave for our trip tomorrow! We will catch the 6 o'clock (AM) bus and head to Nicaragua! We will stay in Granada (an old, beautiful colonial town) a few days and then travel around Nicaragua then cross the border to hit up some volcanoes and hot springs in La Fortuna, Costa Rica and finally end up on the beaches of Tamarindo.
Today we are packing, saying goodbye to a couple who will leave for Denmark while we are gone (sadly...we will miss you Daniel and Anette), and making sure we have all of our duties covered in time for our trip. Please be praying for our safety... We are so excited!
And all of this is just in time to celebrate my 24th birthday and more importantly, Derek's acceptance to PT school! By the way, thank you for all of the congratulations we've received from all of you in regards to our recent "wonderful news"!
We will try to update from our trip at an internet cafe if possible!
Until then, BLESSINGS!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
WONDERFUL NEWS!
Just a quick message to let you all know that Derek got into Physical Therapy school at the OU Health Science Center in Oklahoma City.
He will start in June. We just found out today!
We are so excited and I am so proud of him! :)
Thank you for your continued support for us. Please send him a quick message of Congrats if you have time!
Con Gozo (With Joy),
-Nancy (and Derek)
He will start in June. We just found out today!
We are so excited and I am so proud of him! :)
Thank you for your continued support for us. Please send him a quick message of Congrats if you have time!
Con Gozo (With Joy),
-Nancy (and Derek)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Ay Ay Ay!
Mel is back. I'm sure some of you have seen it on CNN.
He returned to Teguc on Monday and all of Honduras was on lock-down. No one could leave their homes until 10AM Wed. But lucky for us, we could still roam around the Orphanage and carry on as normal. There is a curfew in place now- people are only allowed to be out from 10Am - 6PM. Loiterers have been and will be arrested.
So, needless to say, Derek and I didn't make it back to get our passports. They are still at immigration. We could have gone last week but thought we'd play it safe due to Independence Day (Sept 15). We thought it might be hectic... but like all things, we figure this is not a coincidence but another way for us to TRUST and have pacencia y fe tambien (patience and faith as well).
A group is coming a week from Saturday so we will try to ride into town with the Emmanuel Bus to pick them up. Then we can go to immigration from there and grab a chicken bus home.
We have decided the dates (tentatively, of course) for our trip to renew our visas. On Oct. 12 we will head off to Nicaragua! We will take the chicken bus but we will be stopping in Granada for a few days (to celebrate my 24th) then head to Liberia Costa Rica for a couple days, and lastly, we will hit up Tamarindo! This is if all goes as planned. We will be able to see a volcano or two and tour some National Parks. So excited!! We will return to Emmanuel around Oct. 23, renewed and ready for more work!
Please be praying for this country and all the goings on (politically, spiritually). Pray for our safety. And please be praying for our upcoming travels.
Other than that, business is as usual. Other than what happened about an hour ago, that is... He'd be embarrassed to know I'm telling you but when has that stopped me before? Derek walked into a pole and has a HUGE lump on his head above his left eye (he looks a bit like Quasimodo from the Hunchback of Notre Dame). He is stubborn and won't rest, but I'm sure he's in some pain. So be thinking of him. Or if you insist, you can laugh at him and then pray for him ;) And yes, I took a picture of it.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts!
Amor y Paz.
He returned to Teguc on Monday and all of Honduras was on lock-down. No one could leave their homes until 10AM Wed. But lucky for us, we could still roam around the Orphanage and carry on as normal. There is a curfew in place now- people are only allowed to be out from 10Am - 6PM. Loiterers have been and will be arrested.
So, needless to say, Derek and I didn't make it back to get our passports. They are still at immigration. We could have gone last week but thought we'd play it safe due to Independence Day (Sept 15). We thought it might be hectic... but like all things, we figure this is not a coincidence but another way for us to TRUST and have pacencia y fe tambien (patience and faith as well).
A group is coming a week from Saturday so we will try to ride into town with the Emmanuel Bus to pick them up. Then we can go to immigration from there and grab a chicken bus home.
We have decided the dates (tentatively, of course) for our trip to renew our visas. On Oct. 12 we will head off to Nicaragua! We will take the chicken bus but we will be stopping in Granada for a few days (to celebrate my 24th) then head to Liberia Costa Rica for a couple days, and lastly, we will hit up Tamarindo! This is if all goes as planned. We will be able to see a volcano or two and tour some National Parks. So excited!! We will return to Emmanuel around Oct. 23, renewed and ready for more work!
Please be praying for this country and all the goings on (politically, spiritually). Pray for our safety. And please be praying for our upcoming travels.
Other than that, business is as usual. Other than what happened about an hour ago, that is... He'd be embarrassed to know I'm telling you but when has that stopped me before? Derek walked into a pole and has a HUGE lump on his head above his left eye (he looks a bit like Quasimodo from the Hunchback of Notre Dame). He is stubborn and won't rest, but I'm sure he's in some pain. So be thinking of him. Or if you insist, you can laugh at him and then pray for him ;) And yes, I took a picture of it.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts!
Amor y Paz.
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