Antonio Chooses Chirst

Antonio has been helping us with the grounds here at the Little Hands facility since July. He is also father to Reybin, who is one of our L.H. children. Since May, Brian has been developing a relationship with him. Many spiritual conversations have been had along the way. Today, after a long lunch time conversation and study of the scriptures regarding salvation... Antonio has chosen to follow Jesus. He is very serious about his decision and has been weighing it for a while. Today he said, "What are we waiting for? Let's go to the beach so I can be baptized!" In less than an hour, 30 people were informed and drove over to the beach to witness Antonio becoming a new creature... clothing himself with Christ. The surf was rough and full of debris from the tropical storm. After his baptism, pointing to the dirty water, Antonio said..."There is alot of sin in there!" We have been praying for Antonio since last year, before we even knew him. We are so blessed to be able to witness his turning to Christ for salvation. And now he is eager to learn. Please pray for him as he learns and grows.

No More Interent and Tropical Storm Ida

It looks like we will be out of internet service indefinately becuase of a nearby lightning strike. I'm disappointed because, besides wanting to document more of our last days here, I was hoping to help Maybelline get a new blog established for Little Hands to use. We actually had been working on it right up until the interent went out. We're hoping to get that up and running eventually, but without a way to get online here at the compound, that isn't likely to happen soon.
We're planning for a wet weekend as Tropical Storm Ida is supposed to be paying northern Honduras a visit. We're hoping for a quick get together without to much heavy rain and the flooding that is sure to result!
Our family is packing and getting ready for the long trip home in a week and half. These days are turning into a busy blur. Pray for us. So many things to do and people to see and say good bye to. It is a taxing time for all of us. I may not write again until we are stateside, but hope to post some pictures then also.

Rough Seas

A few days ago, it was terribly windy and we went down to the beach to check out the surf. There were waves! If you have been here, you know that the bay is usually very calm. Not so on this day!

The wind and rain are COLD! I know we are going to have a major weather change to get used to when we get home since they have already had snow in NH. But as you can see here, even this tropical storm wind and rain feels freezing to us!

Rainy Season

Well, its for real! The rain is here! After a few days of nothing but cloudy skies and lots of torrential down pours, its safe to say the rainy season has officially begun. There was even flooding in several places. And I heard that the road between here and Taoca was closed due to high water, but that seems to have been short lived.

At night the rain pounding on the metal roof is deafening! We have to shout to hear each other. We also lost power several times and with the heavy rain, very little sunlight gets through so we were eating by candle light even during the day.

This picture is a little odd since its on the diagonal, but I wanted to capture the river coming off the roof and the one rushing down the driveway too. It is amazing how much water can collect in just a few minutes.

One Month Left

As of today we have one month left before our two year commitment to work here at Little Hands is up and we return home to New Hampshire. Wow, two years flew by and yet our old life B.H. (Before Honduras) seems like a distant dream. It is strange to think of going back to that life and a little stressful too! There are so many things we still want to get done here and so little time to make it all happen. And it is an emotional roller coaster for all of us. There are times we really look forward to going home and then there are times we are torn because of our love for the people here...Pray for us this next month as we pack up and try to decide which loose ends to tie up in the short time we have left.

More Pics of the Washington Group

Alissa telling stories to a spellbound audience.

Watching and waiting for the tarantula to pounce on its supper.

David waves triumphantly from atop the mountain after a gruelling five hour hike through a tropical downpour.

Sunset at Compamento, our last evening together complete with swimming in the Caribbean, seafood for dinner, and good times talking about our memorable week together.

More of the Washington Group

We've had a whirl wind week and we're worn out, but grateful that so much got done. This group helped build a tin roof lean-to for the Sunday School classroom at church, held three medical clinics, pressure-washed and painted part of the dorm, helped out with the neighborhood Bible class, and visited some of the families that Little Hands serves.
This morning we got up at 5:30 to say good bye. Once again, we are sad to bid farewell to people we didn't know a week ago, but now we think of as part of our family. We are thankful for all the work that was accomplished and the encouragement that they were to everyone here at Little Hands. We pray for a safe trip home and look forward to seeing everyone again someday.