This update is a little late, but due to the internet being out at Baxter the last two evenings, and our very busy schedule, it’s the best I could do…so thanks for your patience.
On Tuesday morning we worked on mixing and pouring concrete, and busting plaster off one of the walls for the church at Mogote. The church is in one of the poorest places you can imagine, and they serve God and the community well. We consider it an honor to help them in their efforts.
What a great way to start a week. Our group consisting of Wayne Gampp, Price Gammon, Ira Coriell, Eric McLaughlin, Tyler Jones, Eddie Mcdonie, Andrea Hoch, Luke Purpero, Rocky Rose, Jeremy Ballard, and myself, were blessed with the opportunity to build another house for a family here in Honduras today. We finished the house in good time and the spent a little time showing those who were here for the first time, some of the things we did on our last trip. Now we are at Baxter getting ready to go visit and serve food to some of the homeless of Tegus. So as you can imagine, this is shaping up to be a great evening.
I know you want to know so here’s the DL on everyone…
Our group left Minford Wednesday night around 9:30pm after mid-week Bible study, and checked in at the Comfort Suites Columbus around mid-night. We were back up by 4:00am Thursday morning to catch a 6:15 flight. After a brief layover in Huston, we boarded our flight to Tegucigalpa.
I don’t even know how to explain the landing of a commercial jet at the Toncontin Airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras…but each time I’ve landed there spontaneous applause breaks out aboard the plane after we are safely on the ground. It’s definitely exciting!
Once we arrived, Amber Foster picked us up at the airport and we went to The Baxter Institute (Our HQ for the week) to get ready for visiting with, and serving a hot meal to some of the homeless of Tegus.
My friend Trey Morgan has something going on I think you’ll want to check out and support. You can find Trey’s blog here.
I know God, and the Dump People will appreciate your efforts…
Recent Past…
On Thursday April 23 Kristin and I watched with excitement as Kendall participated in the Minford Elementary Spring Musical. I’m giving a Huge Shout-Out to Elaine McGraw the K-3 music teacher. She did an awesome job preparing the kids, and lived large as they worked hard for her when it was show time. It’s obvious the kids really respect and appreciate her…and that she really enjoys her job.
I’m thankful for the entire administration and faculty of the Minford Elementary and Middle Schools…from the Superintendent to the Principals to the Teachers, they’re all quality, and deserve our appreciation. Thanks guys…
The Endure Youth Retreat held this past weekend at Fort Hill Christian Youth Camp was a huge success. Thanks to Tim and Jennifer Gampp for all their work on this event, and for allowing me opportunities to speak and work with the teens and college students who participated. The theme was very relevant… “Life’s Ups and Downs,” and offered lots of ministering opportunities throughout the weekend.
Current…
I often have the opportunity to enjoy lunch at school with my daughter Kendall. What that actually means is…I go to lunch and recess with Kendall, and all the other 1st and 2nd graders in the school. Sounds like a party doesn’t it?!
Things are pretty crazy during lunch, but they’re off the charts for recess…
On my last few visits we spent recess playing Monster Tag…and yes I’m the monster. Kendall starts the game by running away from me as soon as we walk onto the playground, I respond to her running away by getting my Frankenstein on and pursuing. Then four and five kids at a time join her to help protect her from me. At the same time my support builds as a few children choose to help me tag kids and send them to my lair. You can imagine a playground full of 1st and 2nd graders running from monster me to avoid getting tagged. It gets pretty crazy! The playground monitors just watch, smile, and thank me for keeping the kids occupied during recess…I really do enjoy it though.
When recess is over all the kids thank me for playing, then Kendall and I hold hands as I walk her to her classroom. During my last visit as I was leaving, I told the kids in her class that I was so thankful that my daughter Kendall was in a class with so many good kids, and that I thought they were all really great!. As I started to walk away a little boy who is always trying really hard for acceptance, and who also gets into lots of trouble grabbed my hand and looked at me with hope in his eyes and asked…me too?! I looked at him and said, you’re a great kid and I’d pick you anytime! At that a huge smile broke across his face, then he pumped his fist in the air, and said YES! With that I smiled at Kendall and left with a much better understanding of how God feels when he looks at me…and it makes me want to pump my fist too.
Thanks for reading…
