Monday, November 30, 2009

Drs. & The Healer!

This morning I spent 3-1/2 hours in the doctors office with Angel, Jesus, & Pedro waiting on a doctor to show up. If you don't think that will test you; you're not living in the real world. Turns out two of them have asthma and have to use atomizers and the other is on meds for a deep chest cough.

But prior to that we had another incredible breakthrough...Karen, who will turn 9 in two weeks, ask to accept the Lord. We followed the same pattern as with Fabiola and had her read some scripture and then explain it to us and tell us what this would mean in her life. She is right on and genuinely excited about her decision and I swear you can see an almost immediate difference; it's almost as if there is a different countenance on their faces. There are rumblings about others wanting to follow suit, but we're waiting for them to approach us and not the other way around. Praise the Lord the Word from their daily bible studies is taking root and the Holy Spirit is moving!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Saturday, November 28, 2009

More Rain, More Cold Weather

The rains continue keep us doing the backstroke and along with them comes the cold weather. It's a drastic change for us in Honduras from scorching heat to being cold (although for you it would probably be nice).

The three youngest children have very heavy coughs that we haven't been able to get rid of. They've been on different meds for more than two weeks now and we aren't seeing any easing of their coughs...please pray for Angel, Jesus, & Pedro.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Rain & Cold = Arts & Crafts


It was rainy and cold today so, in between the rains, Joyce put the kids to work making more Christmas decorations...needless to say they loved it.




Thursday, November 26, 2009

"Really" together for Thanksgiving

Cold front here today bringing with it 72 hours of solid rain...guess what that means? 12 of us cooped up in one house...think 10 kids can make some noise when stuck inside all day? Happy Thanksgiving?

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Born Again, the Day Before Thanksgiving!!!

Mark this day down on your calendars because it it Fabiola's new birthday! She is, indeed, born again this day, November 25, 2009! This morning in our Bible Study we reviewed the crucifixion of Christ and afterward talked about the need to make the decision sooner rather than later and Fabiola said she wanted to invite Christ into her heart. We, Joyce & I, took her to our room and had her read Rom. 10:9-10 and then ask her to explain it to us...and she did, perfectly. I ask her if she really wanted to invite Jesus into her heart and to live as his disciple and she said, "Yes". We prayed and hugged, and cried and laughed...............THANK YOU JESUS!

We also ask her to begin to think about baptism and what that means. We've studied about John the Baptist so she knows that it is a means to demonstrate to the world her decision. We pray that soon she will ask us to be baptized; but all in her time.

She is the first of ten; keep praying... the Holy Spirit is making inroads! Our prayer is to see all ten as disciples of the Lord within 5 years, including the 4 year olds.......pray, pray, pray!

What an incredible Thanksgiving the Lord has given us all!

Blessings to each of you from,
Gershon, Fabiola, Mauricio, Antonio, Rosa, Karen, Cesar, Angel, Jesus, & Pedro...Bob & Joyce...



Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Refitted!


Loaded with a new "purple" walking cast, Pedro is raring to go!






Monday, November 23, 2009

The Day Begins

A meeting this morning at Teleton, a special facility for the handicapped, for Cesar who is in school there two days a week. A much needed trip to the grocery stores and one teacher has called in sick.

One toilet is leaking, another was left full of .....,! Shoes left outside all night and Antonio has once again peed in the bed.

We're off.............................

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Heavy Load & extra dance

Went to church this morning and since Pedro has a cast on his right leg up to his knee, he has to be carried; and he is a load! Of course when you carry Pedro in and the people see the cast and his smile everyone says, "ooh, poor Pedro" and then they feel this strange obligation to stand and talk to him while I strain to hold him! By the time we worked our way to our seats I was ready to toss "Poor Pedro"!

We did bump into his supervising surgeon and after looking at his cast he decided he will recast him on Tuesday with a fiberglass cast that he hopes Pedro can't destroy. He said he also might force the foot to a greater than 90% angle which may give Pedro some temporary discomfort. We are blessed to be able to get such great care for Pedro...this would've never happened for Pedro if God hadn't intervened

Fabiola continues to have 'extra' dance lessons scheduled to get the troops ready for their December 13 recital. She is really excited and loves playing the little 'princess'...not to worry, I let her know it's not true!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

New Powerbrokers in Town!


Fresh from the bank and ready to make a difference in Honduras!

Big Day

Big day today in the Honduran "Coder household". Chaquira, our kitten, comes home from the vet after being there a week for spading(I just heard it was unsuccessful). The kids pray for "kitty -kitty" every morning and at every meal, so it will be a big event when she comes home!

Then I'm taking the three oldest, Gerhson, Fabiola, & Mauricio to the bank to open their first ever bank account and they, too, are extremely excited.

Progress most often comes in small steps, i.e. caring for someone or something other than yourself (Chaquira) and working hard to obtain something you want(money) and then managing it so you can purchase what you want (bank account).

Thank you, Jesus!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Deafening Silence

Gershon's at soccer practice, Joyce & Fabi are at dance practice, and a group of college kids just took the rest of the kids to the treehouse in our neighborhood! I'll bet you can almost "hear" the silence from there!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Beautiful School & More

Joyce & I went to a large (800 students), beautiful, private, bi-lingual school today to offer our services in consultation for a well problem. I think we were able to give them some valuable guidance. This place is unbelievable! Big, beautiful, and equipped like you wouldn't believe. They claim to have the nicest science lab in all of Honduras and I believe it! They have a brand new two story gymnasium and everything is exquisite. Unfortunately so is the price....I dropped some hints about trading our help for sponsorships for Mauricio & Fabiola, but got no bites.

Joyce & I have instituted a financial reward system for the three oldest in connection with their school work. They have the opportunity to earn 35 limperas a week, which is a huge deal to them; but approx. $1.75 to us. They've never, ever had the opportunity to earn money and they are ecstatic about it. If they have good conduct for the week they get 5 limps, if they have test scores of 95 or above for the week they get 5 limps, and they get 5 limps for every 100% test score giving them the opportunity to earn 35 limps per week. They have two conditions: 1) they have to tithe to the Lord, 2) they have to tithe to the bank (minimum) We will open bank accounts for each of them on Monday and they simply can't wait. You should see the increased effort already; although two of them have lost out on their good conduct limps already. But it is a start!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Day 2 with a cast

Day 2 is progressing well...Pedro has stopped complaining is fast figuring out how to move where and when he wants. He's also getting quite good at working Joyce. We hear a lot of, "Joyce, Joyce"!

We're into the rainy season here and it's cold for all of us. Guess our blood is becoming Honduran even if we're not! Everybody has long sleeves, some have jackets, and all doors and windows are closed.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Pedro's Operation



Pedro had his operation today and as you can see by his smile he's doing well! If you're not aware Pedro has a handicap with his right foot and right arm. The doctors aren't sure if it was caused by a severe beating or if it is a form of Cerebral Palsy. At any rate Pedro could only step on the tips of his right toes causing him to limp markedly and to go through a pair of shoes every three weeks. Today the doctors cut his achilles tendon and stretched the foot in a 90% plus flex before casting him to stretch the tendon during healing. They believe that the foot will now hit the ground completely flat and that he will walk and run almost normally. It will be a monumental change for Pedro!

Pray for Pedro...he can't walk at all for three days and he's already rebelling against that idea. Then he has to keep the cast on 4-6 weeks and he's not doing real good at making it through the first day. But most of all, pray that God will enable Pedro to do things he never dreamed of doing!

I want to give a shout out to Cure International; that's the hospital that did Pedro's surgery and they are spectacular! They are professional (U.S., Canadian, & Honduran doctors), friendly, kind, and CHRISTIAN! And the icing on the cake is that they only 'charge' a donation! If you have the opportunity support this organization.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Thanksgiving & Pedro

Our church had it's Thanksgiving celebration today because of scheduling conflicts. The children had no idea what Thanksgiving was about so it was good for them to see, hear, and understand the celebration. At the service they asked me to share about how we became a family with these ten.

New contacts bring gifts and although it may not seem like much we left with four bags of rolls and two trays of desserts. Everytime we get the opportunity to share the children's story someone steps forward to help. One couple from our church brought all the children new shoes this week!

Pedro gets his operation on Tuesday and we're told he'll be in a cast for from 4 - 6 weeks...pray for Pedro!!!


Saturday, November 14, 2009

Welcome visitors

Today we had a pastor and several of his congregants from a local AOG church stop by to play with the kids, sing songs, and explain the salvation message. It's great for them to hear the same thing they hear every morning from some of their countrymen. It sometimes takes on a new meaning when the word comes from outside. In the end they put they children in the middle, laid hands on them and prayed. It was interesting to watch the faces of the children during this 'new' praying.

Please pray that the Word penetrates and they begin to invite Jesus into their hearts. Some of them are so close, but just haven't taken the next step....it's difficult for me not to 'push'....we believe soon we will have glorious news to report in this area. For instance, today Fabiola asked me to print a picture of Jesus so she could post it in her room. Then she told me she put pictures of our family on the wall and had the picture of Jesus praying in the garden facing the family pictures...we're close!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Home Alone in Reverse

It's just me and 9 kids as Joyce and Fabiola are off to a play at Fabi's dance studio. So far, so good; but don't stop praying for me!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Musings & Monkeys

Today was a rare day...a day I got the opportunity to spend some time with just part of our new family and I took advantage of it. With the three little boys in for a nap, the two oldest boys in school at home, and Fabiola off to dance class I took the middle four, Rosa, Karen, Antonio, & Cesar to the tree house in our neighborhood. It's a great tree house located in what amounts to a tropical rainforest surrounding. As I sat watching them play without any inhibitions or fear I couldn't help but think back to the way their lives were when they lived in Alzira. Their faces were filled with fear, doubt, worry, & insecurity, but now just a few short months removed from that they were playing with complete freedom, enjoying their surroundings without any concern of what might happen to them next or whether or not they would be getting dinner tonight. It was a great picture of what God has done in their lives! This is your reward, for it is your prayers that set them free and that keeps them free! I'm sorry I didn't have a video camera with me to record their glee for you to see.

Then God gave us a special treat...the compound trapped all of our other monkeys because they had been breaking into too many houses and reeking havoc. They were large monkeys, some could stand on their hind legs and put their hands on your shoulders. So, now they were gone and we didn't see any more monkeys. As the children were playing one of them quickly ran to me and excitedly pointed up in the trees and there was a small monkey...all black with a white face and shoulders! They were coming down off the mountain to check us out (there were two of them). They moved about the trees rapidly and if we stood still and quiet they would come down almost to ground level to get a better look at us. If we moved they scurried back to the tops of the trees only to return again if we settled down. They are really cute, about 18" in size and actually bark like a dog...which drives our dog, Princess, crazy! They ended up teasing her jumping from tree to tree as she chased after them barking as if she could do something to them.
I can't help but think of all the prayers that have been and are being poured into these children and to see the results is a special treat. On behalf of all the children I want to thank each of you. You are truly making a difference in these lives...please continue to keep them in your prayers!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Help in abstenia

Even though Yann has moved out and is no longer a part of our household, he continues to help us. Today he took Gershon & Fabiola to the dentist for us and tomorrow will take two more. When you have more than 50 cavities that need to be filled and they only do one at a time, you appreciate all the help you can get.

Thanks, Yann.

Busy morning

Everybody's fed, dishes are done, two at the dentist, one at Teleton, & Joyce is at the grocery store.

The day has begun!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Catch-up

Sorry I haven't kept you all up to date lately...my "excuse" is that I've been too busy, but I guess it's really just too lazy...sorry.

Sunday through Tuesday we had a visit from a great friend of ours and of the ministry and we tried to get our mud pump running again while he was he. No luck yet on the mud pump, so you pray for us. We have a well that only needs the casing and pump set to be completed. It's a very strong well in a very needy village...so, please pray.

Wed. through today we had a team from the Washington D.C. area consisting of Michael, Matt & Shane who were with us when first saw our children in their previous home. It's been over a year since they've seen the kids and they were "wowed" at the difference! They 'spoiled' the kids (it's kind of like having grandparents come and spoil the kids, then leave) but they had great fun.

Now we're trying to get back into the 'regular mode'.

Please pray for our friends in Kansas, Mike & Kim Maples. Mike has melanoma and he and Kim need your prayers for healing and strength.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Angel's 5th Birthday party is also his First!





Drilliing Woes

Our friend, Moe Warrington, spent yesterday with us as we repacked the mud pump on the drill rig. However, it was to no avail as it still will not pull suction and we can't figure out why. If anyone has any ideas please send them to us.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Praise Report

Yesterday I had to leave very early for the drill site and thus was unable to conduct our daily Bible Study with the children. What follows is the 'fruit of our labors'!

Mauricio called the children together and told them they were going to have Bible Study. He took the book of Bible stories we use, seated the children in the living room, and began by asking who wanted to pray this morning. After several of the children prayed he led them in the three items we recite everyday...Psalm 133:1, Prov. 28:13, and a cartoon we clipped from the local paper "Gracias Dios, porque siempre estaras con nosotros". (Thank you God, because you are always with us.) Then he read them the story, stopping throughout to ask them questions geared to determine if they had been listening or not. As he read about the miracle of the wine at Cana he paused to make sure everyone understood what he was reading. Joyce said it was exactly the way I did it every morning....maybe we are raising a young pastor!!!

God's word does penetrate, God's word does take root, and God's word does change from the inside out!