the last 2 days here....

July 1

For those back in Canada, Happy Canada Day....enjoy the holiday. Here's a little of what's happened the last 2 days. We have traveled much of the country down to the south. We have continued to follow some of the news of what's going on politically, and so far we have not had to change any of our plans other than there is a 9pm curfew when we have to be in off the streets...makes me feel like when I was a lot younger when someone told me when I had to be home. We have not encountered any violence, which is very good. There may some demonstrations in some of the city centers, but that has not affected where we have been. Two days ago, with some strange feelings but with trust in my friends and God, I left Jordan in Tegucigalpa and headed with Ana, Gloribel and Lisa down south. We made our way to the southern tip of the mainland and across the short boat trip to Tiger Island. The heat and humidity here are oppressive...at least for me. We are in the middle of the rainy season where storms are regular and show up at a moment's notice (I feel like I'm on Survivor...really!). I am soaking wet most of the time either with rain or sweat. But because I know I am where God wants me to be I am perfectly prepared to enjoy and learn from this awesome experience...and it is awesome. We continue to feel very safe with God's protection all around us...thanks to the prayers of so many back home and here.
Yesterday we did our first community presentation to Tigulotada (not sure of the spelling) on Tiger Island where our presentation of the nutritional supplements (what we came here for) to that community was very warmly received. There are approximately 50 children under the age of 5 that are anywhere between malnurished and severely malnurished in this community. We spent many hours going through basic nutrition with the moms and talking about what can be done to improve the overall nutrition of their families. There are so many challenges to this, so we are so hoping that these supplements which we are supplying to these two communities for the next one year period of time will substantially enhance their nutritional intake such that we will have to continue and expand the program. On the ground, I am working with Lisa, a Canadian nurse who is volunteering here for 2 years, Gloribel...a health leader working with Diaconia and CRWRC and Ana...the coordinator and bridger for CRWRC between Honduras and Canada. They are all very precious people who have a huge heart for these families and are just as anxious as I to get this pilot project up and going to see how much we can improve the health of these precious children to give them a fighting chance to establish improved health which will help benefit the rest of their lives.
On the humourous side...at least for me....the "survivor" lifestyle is so, so, so far out of my comfort zone that sometimes I just have to laugh out loud at myself. Last night, most of the night there were severe thunderstorms, and at times torrential rain, along with dogs barking all night and roosters going by 3:30am, all the while in 30C heat and 95% humidity while I tried to decide, all night long, whether it was better to try to sleep outside or inside a hut. So there...have a laugh on me....I'm such a city kid...I know.
I can tell you that I have experienced the peace of God throughout this entire trip so far and have felt Him with me at all times in a powerful way.
This morning we left the island and drove back to Choluteca (again, not sure on the spelling) to pick up more supplements to go to the other community which is also in the south near the border with Nicaragua.
Not sure when I'll be able, again, to get internet access, but when I can I'll write again.
Please continue to pray for the peace of Honduras and for Jordan and I for continue health and safety. God bless you all.