Tomorrow is Never Promised

During my Christmas break I went to the mountains and spent 3 days and 2 nights. I had a lot of fun.  It was the first time I spent the night in the mountains. I cooked, played, walked around, washed cloths on the pila (concrete washboard) rode a horse, saw a cow being milked and drake lots and lots of coffee. I drank 4 – 5 cups a day because it was freezing cold; so cold Mom was shivering. The last day we were in Plancitos 2 girls and I walked across the dirt road to the pulperia, aka little store and I saw 2 of the boys I knew from Escalon; Juan Carlos and Rubi.  We talked for a little while, it was good to see them and joke with them for a while.  Later that day they saw me washing clothes outside in the rain.  They had a good time making fun of me; they made me laugh. Both nights we were there they made it a point to stop by to laugh for a little while, they were funny. The day after we got home we found out when we were driving out of the mountains coming home my buddies, were playing soccer and a drunk man walked by and started shooting randomly and he shot and killed Rubi. He just finished the 10^th grade! I was so mad that God would let this happen but I know I will see Rubi again in heaven. 

The reason I named this Tomorrow is Never Promised is because we never know when we are going to breath for the last time.  So we have to take advantage of the time we have and not waste it.

 

 

                                                            Alex Ruben Guillen Mejia aka "Rubi"

 

 

The Day After Thanksgiving

Yesterday I went to a village with my dad and some other people.  My job was working in the medical clinic translating from English to Spanish. It was fun working with Dr. Chet. At first I was kind of scared, but then I got use to it and it became fun. It was fun because I helped other people and also I learned about different types of medicine. I wore my own personal smock that Dr. Chet and his wife Sister Nicole got me.

One lady tried to pay us for the work we were doing. I had so much fun and now I don't want to take off my smock. I love them!

Me in one of my new smocks.

The climb to Tejeras Village.

Ride up and down the mountainside.

A special house call for our last patient of the day.
A lady had arthritis that kept her from walking to the clinic.

 

A DAY OF NEW HOPE …

On Friday, June 8, 2012, Maritza and I, along with our dear friend, Elvin Cerna took a trip to a nearby location where we found an open field approximately 50 meters into a tree line off the main road (PAM AM Highway). When we turned off the main road we found ourselves on a dirt/gravel road that eventually turned into a very muddy and bumpy path that led us right through the center of a community of wonderful people.

As we travelled down this path we saw small shelters on both sides of the vehicle constructed of tin sheets. I thought to myself, how be it that these people live in these ovens? Not sure how many of you can imagine the heat. I have been in these types of homes and I will tell you that it is not a comfortable feeling especially for those of us that are use to natural breezes or the infamous AC. These shelters were the homes of each family who resided in this community. The place seemed desolate, but as we continued to travel down the path we seen a lady who we talked to briefly. After letting her know who we were and the purpose of our visit, she started to run ahead of our vehicle letting all the residents know that they had company. They very quickly started gathering in a central area under a tin roof sustain by wooden posts. It appeared to be their town meeting place and or possible school area.

  

As I travel around the countryside with our guide, Elvin, I often wonder can there possibly be a place worst than this one, and sure enough there is. This was an unbelievable site. As we travel from San Pedro Sula (City) to our apartment at Plan Escalon (Mountain Region), we often see from a distance people living in tiny shelters made of tarp and cardboard boxes and say wow, how so, but on this day I found myself standing in the midst of his type of poverty.

When we pulled up to the open shelter, we started to talk with the people. I met the president and vice-president of the community. They appeared to have been together for a very long time. They received us with open arms. I was told that they had been at this site for about a year now; the government blessed them with the location and helped them build the homes they lived in. There is currently no electricity or running water at this place, but they were cheerful nonetheless and trusting God for the project. The project is when the government makes a commitment to help a certain community with something, such as electricity, water, etc. In the mean time while they wait for the government to deliver they continue to live their lives as best they know how.

As I continued talking to the people, they told me that there were about 100 homes in this community. Approximately 50-60 people showed up and some looked on from a distance, perhaps not trusting our intentions. As I looked around before addressing the crowd I saw beautiful mountains surrounding this community and green grass in many areas. This appeared to be a very promising location for this group of people. For me it was a beautiful site that perhaps for the people a sites that has never been noticed as many of us in the states, working so hard for the American dream while life passes us by. We’ve heard of the saying stop and smell the roses but quite honestly never do. In fact we are always in such a rush that we even miss the roses. I suppose that it is because we are so consumed with our current situation that nothing else really matters.

Life is so complicated at times, but yet there is hope and it is the hope by which these people live. After sharing some words of encouragement and of hope with the community we administered de-parasite pills to all present and distributed five bags of food to each family present along with a small bag of vitamins. Each bag serves up to 6 people and up to 10 if other things are added, such as potatoes, plantains, and other items that may grow in the community. We had a great time, and I have to admit that as we handed out the food, the smiles on their faces put a smile on my heart in return.

As we continue this journey, I am realizing more and more that life situations and circumstances can knock us down, but if we choose to get back up and try again, there is certainly hope for a new tomorrow. We must remember that a DAY is just simply one of the many that lie ahead in our lives and so once again, we must choose to enjoy each one as a gift from God. It is a privilege that He allows each of us every day that we are alive. We all need to simplify our lives and start to enjoy it with our friends and loved one, so that it does not pass us by.

As a parent, I am so proud and very grateful for my daughter, Maritza (12) who always makes herself available to the mountain kids and is willing to help with the distribute of whatever it is that we take to help the people.

A Night of Pure Rain in Honduras

What a wonderful and peaceful night at Plan Escalon as the rain drops beat against the tin roof. The breeze is so sweet and sound is music to my ears.

One Saturday In Honduras

We spent last Saturday living what we envisioned before we came as a “missionary’s life”. We started the day with a simple breakfast shared with a Honduran family we have come to love, the Cerna Family, Elvin, Wendy, and their daughter, Clarisa.  Homemade zucchini bread, juice made from fresh blackberries ($1 a pound), feather fresh eggs, and watermelon (I am getting pretty handy with the fresh squeezed and baked stuff). Then we were off.  Our first stop meeting new friends, Wendy’s family; SWEET family through and through. 

 They live in “Campo Alegre” {Happy Camp} and they work very hard to live up to that name.  First of all in this community there are no cantinas (bars). If someone from the community drinks too much and starts to behave poorly… others from the community tie the rowdy drinker to a tree until the next morning!!! I love it!!!!!!! Now that is a community watch program!  We enjoyed the day laughing near a babbling brook while Wendy and her mother cooked over an outdoor stove.

They have a stove inside but everyone thinks food taste better cooked over the flame… and I agree everything was delicious.   Later Elvin, Marcelino, Maritza, Wendy’s father and I slipped away to visit a village called “La Pimienta” (The Pepper). Although physically located close to Campo Alegre it was like going to another country in another time. 

The people were very poor, most lacking in simple basic necessities.  

 

Through the blessings of previous teams we were able to take several suitcases filled with clothes, linen, some shoes, and treats for the children. We also provided each family with food.  One “viejita “(old lady… in a loving way) shared how God always provides on time!

  

We had the chance right there on the dirt road to share Christ and His message of hope.  

Keep La Pimienta in your prayers, as you see from the pictures many do not have shoes, running water, and they have no school or church.  Later we returned to Campo Alegre for coffee and another opportunity to share Christ with a single mom and her daughter. It was an awesome day - no logistical demands, no schedule, no phones just a great day with great people sharing about our great God!!! 

On the way home I watched the sky and saw the stars blinking at us.  God made that sky, hung those stars and yet with all that power He is still concerned about the people living in a remote village on the side of a mountain name La Pimienta. I love the Lord and I am honored and pleased to serve Him wherever He sends me!!!!!!!

If you want to see the entire set of photos of La Pimiento I have them posted on facebook.

Christmas 2011

My Christmas was good although I miss having it in the United States. The food here is different because my mom usually stays up late making all the food and pies but here mom and I learned how to make tamales. In Honduras the big celebration day is December 24^th with a little celebration on the 25^th. So we spent a day with a family making tamales, the next day we had dinner with our neighbors (Hermana Delmy) and Christmas day all the “gringos” North Americans had a whole party at the Henry’s house! The weather is different here too. In the United States December 25^th you’re sitting in your house with a cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows but here on December 25^th you’re sitting in your house with at least two fans blowing! The week before Christmas the leaders went to La Ceiba for four days! Four days on the beach!! It was wonderful! I spent a lot of time with my friends young and old! I stayed in the pool so much I got sunburned in DECEMBER! I surfed in the ocean, played ping-pong, water volleyball and ate a lot.  I had a lot of fun. Christmas was amazing this year except that I miss my brother. I get to see him soon.  New Years Eve everyone here got together for dinner. The kids played outside exploding firecrackers and lighting sparklers. That was fun too! Chistmas is the BOMB!

What’s The Exchange Rate?

Too Funny Not To Share

Sometimes life is so funny you get muscle failure in your cheeks from laughing so much… this evening was one of those sometimes.  In the States Maritza received a $5 allowance every week.  Coming here still wanting to give her a little change and teach her about tithes and offerings and using finances wisely I set her allowance at 20 lempiras. She looks forward to Saturdays when she gets her allowance.. ya know big time with 20 lempiras. After she sets aside what she needs to she and a friend pull their change and have a feast from the campus concession. Today she asked me how much is 20 lempiras worth in American money.  Without thought I told her about  “$1”… her mouth dropped open and then it registered why she was asking.  She was undone and I was cracking up, her allowance has been equivalent to $1 per week since our arrival. She walked away shaking her head mumbling something about “that’s cheap”… I was still cracking up!