It is summer in Canada and definitely a great place to be
with hot summer days and warm gentle breezes. We receive many reports from
Honduras. The common report is “it is
hot!” While missing many people and
opportunities as we spend an extended time here, we aren’t missing that heat.
Also, apparently, the power company is having challenges with providing power
at times, so those electric ceiling fans don’t move much air. That’s not good!
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Nathan Lawrence Effa, born Canada Day 2017! Big sister, Eliana is so proud! |
Larry has been
doctoring, with the results being if he is getting tired out, he should slow
down. The doctor may have mumbled something
about getting older….. The farm crops look great despite the challenges with
cold and rain. Larry and Paul will be harvesting the wheat crop in another
week. And the year continues.
Owing to the
wonders of technology – yahoo! – we are able to be in contact with quite a
number of chatter-techies. (Technology
is cheap. Many people have a cheap
smartphone and can rustle up the few lempiras needed to buy a data package.)
Thus, sometimes I think we are better informed here than we are when in Roatan. As a bonus, it is relatively easy to translate using written
text to google translator. There are
occasions when we have to giggle at some of the messages that come as a result
of poor spelling, slip-ups with typing, and then Mr. Translator ! I expect this
confusion happens both ways. Lo siento –
I’m sorry…..
We have many conversations with the students that we
support. From this we found out that one
family’s computer, necessary for school assignments for three kids, had a problem. Happily, we connected with friends who were
in the States at the time and together resolved the computer problem with a new
computer. We are able to check in about
assignments and within a week or two information about the most recent exams
should be sent. We are able to keep up with how Jimena is reacting to her
cancer treatments, as well as who has work, and who is without
work. We missed one wedding and one
birth – so far. For our bilingual kids, it’s an opportunity to practice writing
in English. Sometimes, it’s just an
opportunity for encouragement – both ways.
I wanted you to meet Sandra and her daughter, Jimena. We met Sandra and her extended family several
years ago, and were able to help the family build a house. The first day we were back in Roatan last
November, Sandra’s sister came to the gate with a need. Jimena needed to go to see a doctor at the
public hospital in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras on the mainland. Her need was “grave”. She needed to fly with her mom in two hours,
as the doctor would see them early the next morning. They got to Tegus…
Following tests, Jimena was diagnosed with leukemia and admitted to the
hospital to begin treatments which will likely last for two years.
So far Jimena and her mom have spent six months camped out at the
hospital in Tegus. Her dad, David, and
brother, Steven, remain in Roatan. We
get frequent updates from Sandra. There
are days of ups and days of downs. Last week, Sandra posted the picture above on Facebook with the following message: "There are moments that we think we can't take any more but God is great and when we are at the end of our strength God starts to work in our lives. Thank you Lord for being with us at every moment. Thanks for being faithful, something we don't deserve."
If you would be able to assist with our monthly support for Jimena, please let us know.
We did not get an opportunity to share about an event that
gives us such encouragement. This is an
opportunity for us all to say “Yay, God!”
We were so excited to witness as four boys from the Eat and Study Bible
Study publically professed their faith before the congregation of
R-church. Exequiel and Jonathan were
baptised, and Carlos and Kelvin restated their profession of faith.
When we go back, we will be in Roatan for a month. We will catch up with the students we support
and provide the regular homework, computer, English lessons. Definitely there will be checking in with
various families. And – we have that
excitement – as we anticipate what God is doing and where He will invite us to
join in. Anticipating the unanticipated!
Please join us in
prayer for:
1. Jimena and her
mom
2.
Our preparations as we get ready to return to Roatan in
August
3.
Of course – little Nathan
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Blessings,
~ Larry and
Susan roatancampbells@gmail.com