Hi Everyone!
Ohhhhh – this is a long-overdue update! I’m not so sure I can even make an excuse. So,
today it is time to reflect and put fingers to
keyboard. We have just returned from the airport after saying “adios” to our
sister and brother-in-law, Pauline and Garry. We so much enjoyed their visit
and encouragement – as well as the opportunity to play tourist a few times - in
the middle of the week! Now, back to
routine.
Time and change have
been on our minds quite a bit lately. Seven years ago, our extended family came
on our mission trip to Roatan, and since then, we have seen so many
changes. I guess when you’re in a place where
termites literally eat you out of house and home nothing can be expected to
remain unchanged long!
In many ways, things
are easier for us now. Each time we land at the airport, we are amazed with the
changes. Processing in and out of the airport is much more streamlined, with
more workers and electronic scanning. There are two grocery stores to locate
our preferred foods. The power is more reliable and if it goes out, it is
usually back on within a few hours. We now have wifi, and other than today (!),
we have had uninterrupted service. These are all changes that make living here
easier.
We have also seen changes in the area where we work, particularly in the Colonia. The main roadways have been partially paved – with concrete! There are many taxis, buses, motorcycles, scooters, and even family vehicles driving on these roads (not so sure all the drivers are licenced!)
Many homes now have electricity as well as TVs and refrigerators. Teachers want students to have current information and frequently require students to use Internet to research for homework so there are a few Internet cafes (expensive) in the Colonia. Many students use data packets on their phones to access the Internet for school homework, as well as social media. For sure, there’s lots of changes.
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| Concepcion's casita - 2010 - single room with no electricity or indoor kitchen. |
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| Concepcion's home now includes bedroom, livingroom and kitchen with countertop propane stovetop, frig, and electicity |
While these changes seem to be occurring really rapidly, we aren’t sure that there is the understanding that there can be sacrifices in quality of life in trying to keep up with the Gomezes. Many of these conveniences are costly, so, much like in North America, some people live beyond their means. We have always contended that food, shelter, and water were basic necessities and we would help provide in emergency for these. Now we have people requesting assistance to pay their power bills, or food money is spent on outfitting the family in jeans. (bedazzled, skin-tight jeans – in the tropics! I am getting old!)
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| Registering for school this January - all the kids are wearing jeans - in the tropics! I am getting old! |
While circumstances
change, He doesn’t. Our reason for being here in Roatan has not changed. We are here to shine the light of Jesus in the
homes that now have electricity, as well as the places where there is no
electric power. We are here to open God’s word using the paperback text or an
electronic version. We need to provide
reminders that a new job, or opportunities for education, or a new roof are
provisions from the same God who provided before, and the God who will continue
to provide. And in all, we need to thank
our unchanging, eternal Father. That never changes either!
Over the past several weeks we have had many
opportunities to see God working here. Recently,
we
were reminded of how God provides above and beyond anything we can think to
ask. Arezzi and Victor have three
school-aged children as well as a toddler. Owing to their various grades, a
parent would be walking children up and down the hill to the public school at
three different times each day. Victor
had worked over the school break in the addition on a second level on a private
school near
the entrance of the Colonia. Arezzi approached
the director last week, asking if she could get a cleaning job at the
school. The Director needed a full-time worker,
but had no money to pay. She offered
Arezzi an exchange – Arezzi could work cleaning and in exchange the director
would waive the tuition and registration fee at the school. We received a gift to assist in providing the
required texts and uniforms. Not only do
the three kids get a bilingual, private education, but Arezzi has a testimony
of God’s provision for her family in answer and beyond to her prayers. Please
pray that both parents continue to rejoice in this gift and that friends do not
begin to respond in jealousy. These Spanish speaking children will also need to
learn English – quickly.
By far, Larry’s most
ambitious project lately has been in the construction of the new mini-roof over
our steps – so great not getting drenched going up and downstairs! - and then
the new upper deck on our house. We now
have a tropical treehouse – with a view!
School
has been in session in Honduras for a month.
Four days a week, our classroom is opened to the kids we support in the
private and the public school. I have a
few regulars that come every day, some that come a few times a week, and a few
that show up when they’re in an emergency.
We assist 15 kids, and they often come to use the computers and research
on the Internet. Some of the students I have worked with for a few years are
really independent. Last week was very encouraging for this teacher, when
Carlos prepared an eleven page info packet about various types of art, and Oscar created a
multi-slide PowerPoint presentation – all without my help! Twice a week, a few new students come to the
classroom for English lessons. Julisa is
extremely excited about these classes and I look forward to her coming as much
as she enjoys the lessons.
As always, we have a
few prayer requests for you.
1. Please pray for Arezzi, Victor and
family. The kids will be challenged as
they begin a new school a month into the year.
They will need to learn and work in English for half of their school
work. Yikes!
2. Please pray for all of our students that
they continue to work with enthusiasm.
3. Please pray for us as we wrap up here in 5
weeks. Pray that we are attentive to
God’s direction in all we do.
Thank you for your continued encouragement and
support. Enjoy the last few weeks of this mild winter. Send a note to let us know what you are doing
– and when you see your first robin! ~ Larry and Susan roatancampbells@gmail.com
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