One of those Love/Hate Kind of Things

I have a love/hate response to some things in this country.  With these things there is no in-between, passive feeling.  It is either a big love or a big hate and sometimes I flip between the two in a heartbeat. Right now my focus is la feria – the fair.  

When I saw that first ride – the Aladdin-go-round – waiting expectantly – solo - on the empty lot at the entrance to the Colonia, I hoped it was just an attraction for some upcoming store opening.  But, there was no mistaking the intent when the long poles arrived on the flatbed truck and were assembled into the skeleton of a Ferris wheel.  Perhaps that’s when the love/hate reaction began - I think it’s the very Ferris wheel I first rode at the Ridgetown Fair in 19mumblemumble. 

As I stood trying to imagine what the other heaps of

plastic and steel would become, I met a few friends with their children.  The moms too had that love/hate double-emotion type of response too, but more because they knew how much bedlam there would be in their little homes as the kids pleaded for a chance to go to the fair at the same time as they were carefully stretching the pot of beans with more water. 

So, I thought about what it is that I really hate about that collection of four amusement park rides, booth for a few games, tiny shed with the prizes and loot, popcorn stand, French fry stand, and of course ticket booth.  And my first hate was directed at the ticket booth.  Sometimes people with problems with money have problems with money for a reason. 

Now that the fair is up and operational I have a big hate for – the music.  The first night that it came on – two weeks ago – we thought it was coming from next door.  As with any new experience, we made lots of false guesses before getting an understanding of what was happening.  Monday through Friday the music is outside our door.  But Saturday and Sunday?  We’re sure the fair is in our house!  Last Saturday, just for entertainment, I timed one of the “songs”.  It was 6 minutes of a single repetitious 4-beat bar.  Ba-boom-ba-ba-boom.  The rhythm and melody – that was it.  It’s kind of animal-like.  There’s sometimes Spanish words, and sometimes English words, and sometimes barn-talk words.  Monday through Friday the music begins shortly after 5:00 pm and ends sometime after 9:00.  But, last Saturday it escalated in intensity through until 11:08.  As I write, the same synthetic music song we have heard each night is beginning.  And since it is midweek we may be on our last set – or not….  So, I am currently feeling the big hate.

But, then there’s the love response.  The children of those moms who had told me that they had no money for the fair were dashing back and forth between the Aladdins and their moms squealing with excitement. What kids don’t get excited about the potential of fun and fear?! 

On Monday, Leidy, one of our sponsored kids was at our house and shared with me the fun she had at the fair last Saturday – likely at the very same time I was covering my head with my pillow trying to block out that pulsing music to get some sleep.

Leidy told me of the pleasure her whole extended family had for four hours at the fair. She tells me that people refer to the Ferris wheel as “el ruedo de Chicago”**.  For 30 lempiras - $1.50 US, you can get a ticket.  She was too afraid to go, but her aunt went and came off very dizzy and spinny.  Leidy opted for the Dragon Ride at 15 lempiras and felt properly jostled by that. They enjoyed a game using toy guns to shoot at birds for prizes.  I’m not sure how good she is at shooting birds but she had fun.  There was food – “really good food”.  (Leidy doesn’t like lots of foods so it must have been good.)  She had French fries, an apple-fritter type treat with sprinkles (if I understood right?), and her little brother (really her nephew) had cotton candy. 

Leidy also was excited by the roulette wheel.  “You put out 1 lempira and say “duck” or whatever image you think will win.  If your 1 lempira wins, you get 20 lempiras!”  She won 400 lempiras from her 20 lempiras! I don’t know why – I was trying to teach her about the odds of winning at such a thing and she couldn’t understand that.  “I had 400 lempiras and went to the store and bought a key(ring), Alexander got a toy gun.” She gave her mom the rest of the money. I thought it was just “feria-money” but she says that it is real money.  I don’t know…..

A few days ago, I was visiting in the Colonia and noticed some women who appeared approachable sitting beside a tiny travel trailer.  I met Virginia and Angela who work for the fair.  They help prepare the French fries and sell things.  My BIG question for them was – “how much longer will you be here?”  I really tried to ask it without letting out my “hate” response.  They tell me they will be here 15 (now 13) more days.  We leave before that.  Ok, only one more weekend for us! 

I was interested to find out that they will move on to another town on the island for a month or more.  Between our Colonia and the next stop they get three days to go home to their real houses on the Mainland.  The life of the carny, I guess.  When I asked if the music was loud for them each night they indicated that it was part of the feria. When they found out where we lived (over the hill), they covered their ears and smiled in understanding.  They’ve either been told before, or have an empathy for a Gringa lady.

Franklin spoke to us about his Ferris Wheel ride:  "oooooh, never again.  I tell Gina never again!"  "Thirty lemps for my life?!"  "My heart was hurting in my chest!" Franklin may currently have a hate - at least for the Ferris Wheel.  

We haven’t gone to the fair.  It starts after dark and we don’t like being out and about in the dark.  Saturday is just a few nights away.  The lempiras for the fun will be found even for the people who will leave food, water and power bills unpaid.  The music will thunder over our hill winning over our TV volume.  We will bury our heads under our pillows grumbling in our non-sleep.  But, we know that choices are important too. And choosing to enjoy the carnival-banquet between the rain and bills and tough things is a reason for squeals of glee and faces filled with delight.  WE have seen pictures of friends and their kids having such fun as they anticipate the juegos mecanicos!  I have heard the stories as they recount their adventures.  And we can chalk this up to another thing to hate and love - and, try to understand - while we make our home here.

            **The original Ferris Wheel was designed and constructed by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. as a landmark for the 1893 World's Exposition in Chicago.

Update - 2015 November

Update - November 2015

Hello Everyone!

When we are here in Roatan, it is easier to see God’s provision for His children.  For those who see no hope in providing for themselves, and call out to their Heavenly Father, and receive, there is no doubting God’s provision.  We are the observers and the encouragers on the sidelines.  Because we are of the entitled and self-sufficient, we often miss out on seeing God provide for us as well.  Well, this time it was different.  While Larry and I had hoped to return to Roatan this fall, we couldn’t justify the expense of the overinflated airline tickets.  With much fall work to be accomplished this year, there would not be time before Christmas.  So, we had given up hope of returning before the new year.  But God provided! The guys completed a harvest with record yields in record time.  The harvest was completed on Saturday, and Sunday Larry stumbled on airline tickets for a one-day-only opportunity the next Saturday – two tickets costing what one would cost any other day.  We are the recipients of the provision! This is a gift – and we are here and embracing this gift!

 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches 

of his glory in Christ Jesus.  ~ Phil 4:19

How often I’ve shared this verse, without personalizing it. I guess my encouragement to you?  Be on the look-out – God is in the business of provision for all of His children!

As I write, Larry is out on the yard awaiting the cement-block delivery.  The current plan is to make a cement culvert outside our gate to improve drainage and give us a bit more room to get in and out of our gate.  Franklin and Elder are continuing their effort to finish paving our driveway.  (Why can’t I get that song out of my head?  “…they paved paradise and put up a parking lot”) These projects will be done around the rain. 

Rainy season is beginning and with it problems with flooding and mudslides for those who live up in the hills of the Colonia.  For nine months, with little rain, the Colonia is abuzz with the building of houses and walls.  Then the rains come and evidence of cause and effect and gravity become apparent.

In August, a friend asked if I knew of anyone who could use some tarps.  I had just been to visit a house where some from the extended family were living in the attic of the one-room house.  Since daylight was visible through the roof, we knew where those tarps could be used.  When I checked in with Besi this week and asked about her roof, she reported they were dry because of the tarps.  Woo-hoo!  This is definitely a stop-gap, but it is keeping a family dry.

A few of the students that we (you) have been assisting with school will be graduating at the end of this month.  Both Soad and Marcia are finishing Grade 12 this month. This is an exciting time for both girls.  They are the first in their families to have achieved this milestone.  While attending different schools, both girls worked toward a diploma in Computer and Business Administration. Their final year of school has included a three-month internship.  Soad worked at the local grocery store in the office assisting with inventory and ordering.  Marcia worked for the Municipal office in Coxen Hole where she became aware of her need to extend her skill with English.  At this time, we ask that you pray for opportunities for the girls to present themselves with confidence, to potential employers.  As with many things, at this point it is often who you know who will make a difference for that first opportunity. 

Today is the last day of school for students in the Honduran school system.  For the past two weeks, “our kids” have been busy with review, study, and completing exams.  From the reports from the kids themselves, they are doing very well.  Report cards should be available soon and then we’ll know…. Next week the kids will be available to come to write some letters to their sponsors and enjoy some well-earned computer time.  Public school children too are finishing school today.  As in North America, school ends with a class party sharing food.  In some classes, those who can, bring in something to eat to share with their classmates.  In some classes, the teachers arrange for food and some children bring money to help pay the teacher.  In one class I know, a few parents organized to bring in a feast for the class.  It seems it is universal – school’s out and we’re going to celebrate!

For the past week and a half, I have been involved with the English school that is located just inside the Colonia called Casa de Luz.  This is a school provided by the mission “Care4Communities” where 6 classes with 2 teachers, receive English lessons for one hour 4 days a week.  The lead teacher had an opportunity for a two-week furlough.  With two stand-in volunteers to replace her, the classes continue. 

Larry has since come in from the delivery of the 300 cement blocks.  Two young guys unloaded the blocks from the truck. Larry chatted with the guys as they worked and found out a bit about their work.  I thought this information would be interesting for those who have been thinking/saying TGIF. 

The good news is that these two guys both have a job.  However -they work from 7:00 a.m. until sometimes 9:00 pm. They are paid minimum wage for their day’s work which is 300 lempiras. ($15 US) (To rent one-room you need 2400+ lempiras per month)  The length of the day might be over the labour rules but for these guys as well for many – you don’t like the work?  There’s someone who will take your place. 

The work day today?  Not sure what they did before coming to drop off our blocks, but they were leaving to go to the port to unload 1000 bags of cement from the ship.  And - they will show up for work tomorrow – Saturday.  So, makes you really think about TGIF. 

At this time we have specific prayer requests:  Please pray for:

1.       Safety for people living in the Colonia as the rains come in the next few months.

2.       Healing/trust in health care for two friends – Lourdes with high blood pressure and complications from medications; Nelson with infection resulting from an injury.

3.       Discernment – which needs are ours to become involved with and how to provide without hurting

As always we are so thankful to those at home who are holding down the fort with farming cares and keeping track of our other business.  We are also thankful to those who have sent us emails or messages of encouragement and those who continue to provide support through prayer and donations.  You are as involved here as we.

I will leave you with a tease.  You will have to enlarge it if you are on a computer to get the full effect.  This is the view from the third-floor window where we now meet for church.  You have to agree – God has provided for us in such a really incredible way.  Send us a note to tell us how God has been blessing you too!

             Love to you all!  Larry and Susan

(Returning for Christmas – Dec. 5)

With thanks to Jeanette, who takes better pictures than I. 

Special Treasures

For you are a holy people, who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.                   ~ Deuteronomy 7:6

It has been three weeks since we’ve returned from Roatan.  The crops are ripening and business needing attention here on the farm is being attended to.  We are definitely enjoying opportunities to connect with family and friends.  It is great to be here!  Weatherwise, it is unseasonably hot for September in our part of Canada, in Chatham-Kent. As I write this, I am being refreshed by a glass of ice cold water.  But....

We’ve had reports from the tropics and it’s HOT! From July through October the temperatures are between 90-100° (34-36°C) day after day with drippy-at-nine-in-the-morning humidity. It’s best to stay out of the sun between 11-2 (siesta time!) and when you need to be out, a hat or sunbrella is a must.  However, if your work happens to be sorting recyclables at the dump, you may have a hat, but no siesta and no cool glass of water. It is HOT work. 

Over the years that we have lived in Roatan, there have been teams that have visited the dump, bringing food and God’s Word to people working there.These sporadic visits became more regular when the Barrett family, missionaries out of Son Rise Inn, felt called to provide both spiritual and physical food to the men and women working at the dump.   

      

When the Barretts moved, the pastor at R-Church, Travis Morin, agreed to continue the Dump Ministry as a focus outreach for the people of that church.   R-Church is our home church while we are home here in Roatan.

Every other week some from the church gather at the dump for what is now called Special Treasures (The Dump Ministry). There are about 25-30 families - approximately 60 adults and kids - that work at the dump sorting items for recycling.  Dads, moms, and their kids sort through the bags of garbage that is brought by the municipal garbage trucks. Plastics and cans are bundled by these workers for recycling.  The sale of the bundles of materials to the recycling depot is how the families make their living. There are no blue boxes. These people efficiently manage the sorting of 
recyclables.

A few of the families live on the dump pile.  Some families live across the road or nearby.  We have felt convicted to assist with this ministry because some of the families are families from the Colonia, our home base, which is a half-hour walk from the dump.

When we pull up, the workers stop work and gather for a message from the pastor. Travis, Estaban, or a visiting pastor gives his message from the back of a pick-up, standing on a little sandy knoll, or even in the bucket of a loader.

Sometimes lunch of baleadas, spagetti with weanies, or other food is provided. If a team is visiting, various items from the team are distributed.  Always the visit includes the distribution of bags of rice and beans, a project coordinated by Karin and John Neighbors and family, and friends from R-church.  

During the visit, special needs are noted. This January, the group assisted families get school-aged kids to school with provision of uniforms and backpacks containing start-up supplies. Some kids had never gone to school, so assistance in getting documents needed to start school was provided.                                       

On occasion, church members have provided transportation to the clinic for various health needs. One very young mom needs support with her newborn and Tish Morin (Travis’ wife) is her anchor.  

Dental work has been arranged so that now a man who previously had only three teeth now has a toothy smile, and a special teen who was missing a tooth doesn’t need to be self-conscious. 

Just looking at these faces makes me smile!   

One-on-one time with people while milling about in the crowd provides the opportunity to listen to the needs and specifically pray for these needs. This is what we like to do. Our purpose is to be a constant encouragement and to show God’s love by just being there. Many times that hug or just being noticed is what is most needed. 

Recently, a large water tank was purchased and mounted under the shade trees so that people have water at the dump.

I am thinking of water now as I notice my glass and the drink and ice in it are gone.  People working at the dump were in need of water to drink, and water to wash their hands and sweat-drenched faces. The church provides water to be delivered to fill this tank on a regular basis – water for refreshment of the body. While taking care of physical needs is important, the goal is to provide the Living Water – provide Jesus. The Special Treasures – those living treasures working in the heat of the tropical sun as they sort through the trash, are also in need of His eternal refreshment. The goal of the ministry is to provide this refreshment.

No Plans Needed

Now that we have returned from Roatan, there is more time to sit and write.  Lots of times when I write, it is a bit lopsided as I describe what I’ve been up to. The other half of this RoatanCampbells team is the busier one.  He’s the one who needs to change his shirt three times a day when Roatan is its hottest. His favourite activities include cement, bzzzzzzzzzz, “how much?”, and of course ladders.  

When people phone or come to our gate to ask for help, they frequently need help with something that requires a bit of “out-of-the-box” thinking. That’s where Larry shines. As much as possible he tries to use each opportunity to mentor some of the guys he is working with. Their work can be cement, building, roofing, plumbing or electrical work.  The pencil, paper, and calculator get a good work-out when ideas are being fleshed out. A day may start with nothing planned. And then……

Cement work - 

Building projects…… With only 6 weeks in Roatan this summer, time for building was too short.  The most recent previous projects included a casita for Patty, and the watertank/bathroom for Bayron.

The ladder:

Assisting other ministries including the Clinic and Casa de Luz:

Our new ministry truck - introducing "the Burrito":

Fun stuff:  with the kids, and eating with Juan - that's ministry, right?

All in all, you might just consider what Larry does just – (coco)nuts!

Home Sweet Home

Home Visits

“Bella vista!” is what I usually say when I arrive.  That’s sometimes all I can say for a few minutes as I stop to catch my breath.  A good technique I have found is to step out and take a few appreciative snaps with the camera as my heart rate slows down.  Then I can get to the business I’ve come for – a home visit.

Sometimes Larry joins me for home visits – then I’m really out of breath because he walks fast and doesn’t stop to smell the roses on the way  UP, UP, UP.  Sometimes I’m solo.  Stopping to smell the roses usually includes several little pre-visits along the way.  Home visits help us get a sense of how people are getting along, and whether a need expressed previously is really a need.  It is a really good opportunity to share the love of Jesus, to pray, and provide encouragement.  For the visitee, it’s an opportunity to extend hospitality. 

On some occasions, the visit has a purpose.  I make lots of new-baby visits – there’s lots of new babies!  These are usually short visits and are a chance to oo and ah over this new little one.  Sometimes the mom needs encouragement to seek out medical assistance.  I assure everyone I don’t know anything about health care and if they need some advice they should head up to the Clinic.  I usually bring along a few things for the baby and leave a Children’s Bible for the older kids or mom to read to all her kids.  On these visits I often encounter a superstition.  You will see pictures where the baby has a tiny red bracelet on his/her wrist.  Originally, the idea was that the baby was protected from “the evil eye”.  Now, it is mostly a tradition. If it appears the mom is receptive, I’ll tell her that God loves her and her baby, and will provide protection for her little one, and that the little red bracelet is powerless.  Greicy’s baby Emi wore a red bracelet for the mandatory 40 days.  When I spoke to Greicy about this, she smiled and said, yes, she put her trust in God – but she didn’t take the bracelet off either.  

Other visits come as a result of an invitation.  ¿Cuándo va a venir a visitar? – means literally “when are you going to come to visit?”  It can also mean “You visited my friend last week so I want a visit too.” Or, “I am really proud of my house and want you to see it.”  Or, “I have a need and if you see my house, you’ll hear all about it.”  Or just, “I want to share the hospitality of my house.”  I’m always in for a treat, no matter what. 

So - there’s no road signs, no road maps, even sketches are really sketchy, and when you’re getting instructions in Spanish and you’re not all that fluent in Spanish – finding where you’re going can be interesting.  Larry likes to know Where We’re Going.  For me?  I get the general idea – close to someone’s house, past a tienda or some landmark.  Then you just stand looking lost and a kind person will ask if you need help.  Surprising to me – usually the person I’m looking for is known and after a few turns – we’re there.  One day, I knew I was close when I asked, and the woman called up to a neighbour who called up to Besi – and I was greeted and assisted up the remaining steps.  That’s the coconut grapevine working at its best.

Sometimes I’m invited into the house and other times a plastic chair is brought outside for me to sit on.  I may be sitting in the only chair available.  We chatter away about whatever comes along. I usually mention how hot it is.  And, the family will agree and if they have a fan (and power) the fan is turned on me.  Frequently while visiting, a neighbour will stop by.  The visiting Gringa provides a bit of novelty, I think.

There’s always a gaggle of kids so that provides lots of entertainment.  On the visit I made this week, there were 11 kids that popped up. I was doing fine with the names until about the sixth child, a second “Junior”.  At that point I pulled out a pad of paper and we put together a multi-branched family tree.  The school-aged kids were not in school mostly because they don’t have the mandatory uniform.  And, the mamas wanted me to be aware of this!  This extended family include the mama/grandma, Veronika, and her husband Zoilo, with seven teen to adult children (4 who were working at the dump and one who was somewhere I never figured out).  I already knew the two daughters and the daughter-in-law who were assisting Veronika with child care.  How eager they were to tour me through five of the houses/rooms in the little family enclave. There might have been other little houses I didn’t see, or maybe some live off-site.  It appears once you decide to live as husband and wife you get your own house with this family.  Working at the dump provides them with interesting items to decorate their homes with, and tarps and shower curtains to keep out the rain in the absence of board-siding for the houses.     

While you might think that the language barrier would be my greatest problem – it’s not. For me, my greatest worry is that I’ll tumble down a hill in front of these sure-footed friends who navigate the paths, frequently with a baby on the hip, or a water bottle or propane tank hoisted on the shoulder, and sometimes in the dark.  While the UP is a cardio workout, the DOWN is painfully slow.  My pride will not let me hurry.  I think my feet are a lot bigger than the average Honduran.  My shoes just do not fit the steps!  That’s my excuse, anyway.

Reciprocal visits also occur.  We hear a call from the gate “Hola, Miss Susan” “Larry”.  Then, Hunter starts his “we’ve got company” bark.   There might be one or a family waiting for us to let them in.  Our lower deck includes a table and plastic chairs and usually we gather around the table with a drink of water or lemonade.  These visits might be social.  Or, they might have a purpose.  We have had several visitors who have no food in their house so the need is an emergency.  Sometimes we’re asked to pray for a need.  And sometimes it’s an easy request for a copy to be made of an ID for a job application.  Sometimes I think we’re looked upon as parents for these friends who are usually younger than our own kids.

Home visits are always humbling and honoring.  What fun to get to know people socially in a comfortable setting! They are something I look forward to and will plan in my week. This sounds a bit hokey, but the bella vista we really enjoy looking upon is the beautiful view of a welcoming face whether that face is at our gate or UP, UP, UP just past the next turn.