Celebrate With Us

                                                                                    Hannah

November, 2021

November is celebration month for students. Special projects are completed. School is wrapping up and students receive recognition for all their efforts. It is also rainy season so hanging laundry and getting it dry is a reason to celebrate!  We are so thankful for internet and friends who send us many updates and pictures so that despite missing the celebrations, we can share from a distance. In turn,

we want to share with you too.

Giggle

It’s slow tourist season on the island. Belkis and her brother were able to travel to the mainland to visit family and tour some places they had never been. I really shouldn’t enjoy these two pictures so much – Marcio is a 15-year-old. But – we have had a few giggles at Marcio’s expense.

Rainy Season

Rain, rain, and another day of rain. There’s lots of water to fill the water barrels, but few days to wash (outside) and dry laundry. There are times that clothes are still damp when they are brought inside with the next rain. The families with under the house clothes lines are the lucky ones. Cool nights are opportunities for getting close to your family. Sometimes really close. 

Graduates

Congratulations to all of the kids who completed this school year. The studies were mostly online and independent study with only part-time in class instruction. Our graduates worked extra hard to finish assignments and meet the standards of their grade in order to graduate. We're proud of them all.  * Many thanks to the families for sending us updates and many photos to keep us anxious to return as soon as we can. 

🌻 Sunny Days Update - August 2021

August 2021.

Happy Summer!  This weekend we were to be settling into a month’s stay in Roatan before the fall harvest. This weekend we were to be greeting old friends, meeting new, and cleaning the accumulation of a year and a half of dust and gecko guck off our floors, car, and every surface. We might even have squeezed in a visit to the ocean. But – not to be. We have scoured the internet for opportunities to fly out to Roatan with the same result – it is just too complicated and expensive! With the requirements of covid tests, (despite being fully vaccinated), ticket prices double the normal price and flights requiring sleepovers in the US, it felt like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. Nothing felt right. So, we are disappointed but are learning to be content knowing that when the time is right the doors will open.

Encouragement has been what has kept all of us feeling content with the limitations we have all had. We have all needed to know that we are being noticed and that what we do is of value. Encouragement is what we can provide from here, and it is what we are receiving from there. While our in-person visits in Roatan are not going to happen, and Larry’s masterful hammering skills are not being utilized, we do have so many opportunities to be light and salt online. 

Elias is one of Larry’s social media buddies. We have known Elias since the first day we landed in Roatan as he was an eager translator. He helps us with some of our business needs when we can’t be on the island. Elias is very enterprising but seems to need to talk all his ideas out and Larry is a good listener making suggestions that help him. There are times Elias needs reminders to consider the needs of his family and include his wife in his decisions. This relationship is mutually encouraging.

Mason and Jeanie are dedicated workers at Son Rise church where Mason teaches and maintains the church and inn property. He also helps anchor Pastor Dino. Jeanie assists with pastoral needs. Alongside these responsibilities, they provide guidance for their three daughters and their education. Allison, Grace, and Hannah are three of our sponsored students. With lessons at the school only once a week, Jeanie monitors and assists her daughters’ online learning, so they receive a full education experience. These girls do not just complete their assignments to get the job done! With their mom’s determination, lessons are enhanced. We receive frequent pictures and videos of the girls at work or presenting their projects. Mason and Jeanie are determined that although we are away, we can see how well the girls are learning. While Mason and Jeanie are encouraged by our responses, we feel connected to the girls knowing that what has been provided for them from their sponsors has not been lost. 

Hannah and Grace - excellent school projects

A few months ago, Chris and Laura’s baby boy was born. Chris and family, including 3 sons and the little girl they are fostering, continue to live on the mainland, where they work at the rehab center. Chris sent a message to Larry that they were being given two weeks of vacation. Since they were anxious to introduce their new little one to family on Roatan, we felt we wanted to honour the work both Chris and Laura have been involved with and sent funds so they can go to Roatan for their vacation. Money can be a great encouragement! 

Chris and Laura with the two little kids

In Honduras, school kids celebrate an historic hero – Señor Lempira – with various cultural events. Keliani, one of our students, was invited by her school to perform a traditional dance, with a male partner (Keliani will soon be 15, so ….. that was good!). She was very excited, but she needed to wear a traditional Honduran costume. Having had three daughters, we know how important these activities are to a teen girl. Funds were provided. Keliani’s grandma found the needed fabric on the mainland. Keliani’s mom arranged to have the dress made. And Keliani proudly danced at the school Lempira Day celebration. It was her day!

Keliani and partner prepare for their dance.

In turn, our hearts were blessed when Greicy was invited to a baby shower for a co-worker. She confided “that was the first time I went to a place that it was all English.” (i.e.. Everyone spoke English). Greicy was able to fit in because of the time we have spent speaking English with her. That was so confirming for us!

We have hot off the press good news and confirmation! We just received news that Oscar has been accepted for a coveted job at a bank. This will make use of his bilingual education – and of course his charming personality. He has been employed since graduation as a waiter in a restaurant and most recently as a cashier at a duty-free store.  We are so excited for him and for those who have supported him.

We have also been supported and encouraged in so many ways by the people we exchange eye-smiles with in church and our family (full smiles) during these months. It has been a time of heart filling. 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.  ~1Thessalonians 5:11

Like Canada, the people in Roatan are seeing an increase in cases of Covid again. There are vaccines available. People in health care and the tourist industry were first to receive vaccinations with many fully vaccinated. Now those aged 20 and over can present themselves at locations where there are to be vaccinations and if they go soon enough in the day, they receive their vaccination. Second vaccination dates are assigned and are just beginning. Some people report that they have had covid twice.  At this time, I am checking in on Sandra who tells me this second covid is worse for her.

Public schools remain closed. Assignments are delivered to be completed but there are no lessons and no feedback. We shake our heads. Poverty – lack of opportunities and choices. We see a decade of positive change – gone!

We ask for prayers. Please pray:

·       *that work is found and that workers receive fair wages for their efforts

·       *that prices for basic necessities do not continue to be overpriced

·       *that we bloom where we are planted, for now, and doors will be opened soon.

     Let us know how you are blooming.  ~ Larry and Susan Campbell  

           

Last year people were encouraged 
to plant sunflower seeds.
Most seeds did not germinate, but 
green-thumb Arezzi grew this plant 
and plans more from the seeds.

🌷 2021 Spring Update

Hello! Greetings! What’s new? Has anyone asked you that lately? For lots of us, it has been a lot of same-old-same old. Still another 3 weeks (or more?) of our stay-at-home time. And even after - more time apart from family and friends – apart by at least 2 meters. It is hard to see much new. But it IS spring – and all around we see and hear and feel newness – new growth in our gardens and the trees; birds that chirp their welcomes to the new day; the sun that shines earlier in the morning and lasts into the evening bringing energizing warmth and light. The celebration of Easter reminds us of a glorious new with the resurrection of Jesus. We are reminded of the new hope – the confident assurance – that we aren’t stuck with the same-old-same-old hardened, self-focused heart. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2Corinthians 5:17). The new has come! Here on the farm the new farming year is beginning with preparation of soil for the crops. Larry has machinery greased and revved to go. For me, it is a time with rake, and shovel, transforming those waiting flower beds. Winter projects are being hustled to completion. We are occupied with spring work as we await the lift of restrictions so we can make our flight to Roatan. If I asked some friends from Roatan, "what's new?" I would get some encouraging responses. Of 6 families that we assist because there has been no work, 3 have had the husband/father called back to work. Another husband gets occasional day-to-day work. One man was let go from work and then called back within a week. In another family, the wife has two days of work. This is such positive news! In February, we shared a love story. It was the story of the perseverance required for Greicy and Nahun to meet all the requirements to be married. Here’s the picture!

On February 26, Greicy and Nahun met in the new Coxen Hole Municipal Office and were married. Nahun had work for a few days before the wedding, so they were able to host a few friends and family (sadly, not us….) at a small reception at Cruz’ house. (Greicy’s mom.) We couldn’t be prouder! The story continues …… Greicy has shared that she knows that because she has aligned her life with God’s will, that He has blessed her and Nahun. Nahun has had at least two days of work per week, and recently was hired back to his former job in construction full time. A week ago, Greicy was called for an interview at the Clinic and was hired to begin the next day! This family is seeing so many changes in a few short months.

Many people ask us about the students and covid. The school year continues with most students working from their homes using their phones to connect with school. From what we hear, ALL of the students are doing very well and are happy. Would this be because they have finished their first term exams and have not yet received the results? Two of the schools we are involved with have students coming into the school two to three days a week then receiving assignments to be completed at home on alternate days. It will be a long time before people receive vaccines in Honduras. Although many children and their parents have had very mild covid-like symptoms, parents are fearful to allow their children to return to school, so we think the year will continue this way.

The newest news – and something that delights us! – is that Arezzi and Victor are now property owners. In Honduras, frequently people rent land from a “land”lord and own the house they build on it. This was the case with this family. Three months ago, the landlord told this family that she was going to sell their lot. Arezzi and Victor were offered the first chance to buy it – or they would be evicted. You would not believe the price that was being asked for this 40’ x 50’ lot!The document was signed and money exchanged this week. If you asked Arezzi and Victor “what’s new?” their answer would include beaming faces as well as many “Gloria a Dios”s, and “Gracias, muchas gracias!”

How can you pray for the people God has placed in our path and for us? 1. For continued opportunity for work, especially as Roatan enters their third wave of Covid. 2. That prices for materials and food are within the ability of people to pay. 3. That we use this time of waiting in service where we are – bloom where we’re planted. We hope that you too, are waiting well. Send us a note or call and tell us what’s new for you. ~ Blessings, Larry and Susan

A Beautiful Beginning 💕

💕 Felicidades! That's how to say it in Spanish.  Congratulations Greicy and Nahun - newly married February 26! We are just so excited for this couple and want to share this good news. 

We have cheered on Greicy since she was in grade 6. Greicy met Nahun two years ago. She caught his eye as she walked past his place on her way home from her nursing classes. Nahun worked with Greicy’s mom’s husband. In his quiet way,  Nahun asked questions about Greicy - a few questions at a time - until he felt confident that he could talk to her. Greicy took it from there. 

Greicy and Nahun have lived together for almost two years. Both knew that God wanted to bless their lives together and they needed to be married. But, with work and school commitments, and Honduran bureaucracy, this seemed an  impossible dream. Thanks to some special donations, and a period without work for both, the impossible became possible.

Getting married for many people in Roatan, Honduras is a challenge. Many official documents still are not shared from one municipality to another via the internet so frequently people need to travel in person to get their personal documents. Payments for documents must be made in person. For people wanting to be married in Roatan but born outside of the municipality of Roatan, documents pose a problem.  

Personal documents, on official paper with stamp, stamp, stamp are valid for three months. One can not pick up his or her documents while on a trip to the mainland to use someday. Many municipalities will not allow relatives to apply for documents on behalf of a family member. Both Greicy and Nahun were required to apply for documents personally.

In early December, Greicy's final hospital social service work time finished. At that time, she inquired what would be required for their marriage. The list she received from the Roatan municipality was long. Most challenging and expensive was traveling to the municipalities where they each had been born to get their personal documents. This official document would state that each was who he or she claimed to be and that neither was already married. 

Greicy and Nahun decided to travel as a couple. This provided safety for Greicy as she traveled to her municipality, and also was an opportunity for Greicy to meet Nahun's parents in his town. 

In the February update, I gave examples of the effort required on this Mainland trip. Following a ferry ride to the mainland they needed to travel 6 hours on the bus to Greicy's birth municipality. The document was in her hands in a short time, but to pay the $10 fee for this document, the next day Greicy had to take a bus another hour and a half to a town with a bank. Payments can not be received by municipal employees, I guess. 

They returned the 6 hour bus ride and then added another 2 hours to get to Nahun’s town. Nahun's documents required much more time. Because the municipality where Nahun had been born did not have the official document paper in stock, they had to order it. Following a two-week stay in Nahun's father's two-room house, the document was ready and they could return to Roatan. 

Two stops - two municipalities - two personal documents. Check.✔

The money requirements were beyond what a family that lives day-to-day would have available. They are thankful for special support. Each step of the way required payment. At one point a document needed to be paid for twice - once on the mainland, and then again when it was received in Roatan. 

The effort was definitely worth it.  The personal documents, medical tests, police checks, payments of personal taxes and more were completed and documents and receipts were presented to the registrar at the Roatan municipality in late January. Greicy and Nahun received their official appointment - February 26, 10:00 a.m. Stamp, stamp, stamp!  

The worries and effort were replaced with joy! Greicy and Nahun were married as required by Honduran law in the Municipal building. 

Last official document - Certificate of Marriage.

For us - we are disappointed to have missed witnessing this event. But, we are so pleased Greicy and Nahun have made their lives together a priority and have committed to each other. We have enjoyed watching this love story unfold and come to this point. Their marriage is a beautiful beginning.  

A few family members and friends celebrated at Cruz' house
following the marriage at the Municipal. 

What will this beginning bring? Well, Monday morning Greicy will head out again, to try to find a nursing job. I have urged her to check back at the various clinics where she has left her resume. “Things change. Openings come. Show your face again. Somewhere is the job for you,” I encourage her. Nahun hopes for more than the single day jobs he finds. A new beginning might be a new house instead of the one room house they have now on the side of Greicy's mom’s tiny property. New jobs? A new house? A beautiful beginning. 

Felicidades, Greicy and Nahun! We'll continue to cheer you on as you enter your new life. The Lord bless you and keep you - Jehová te bendiga, y te guarde. 💕

Greicy and Nahun - February 26, 2021.

🍎 Longdistance Back-to-School

It is February. Normally, this is the time when we would be in Roatan checking out the final purchases, and arranging for buses, backpacks, and uniforms so that some of the kids we know get back to school successfully. Normally, by mid-February, the students have had a few days in their classrooms as they meet their teachers and classmates. In a normal year, our little classroom would be buzzing with kids excited to share about the homework they have and the materials they don't have. 

As has been the case for the past 11 months, nothing is normal. Back-to-school has happened - quite successfully - without us being there. We have kept cyberspace a-buzzing with various connections. It is really amazing to be there, without being there.  

Students have been enrolled and tuition paid. That was so smooth it makes us wonder why we ever worry.  We support students in 4 private schools as well as checking in on the needs for a few public school students. 

Not only have we been connected to our students and their families via internet, students are, for the most part now taking their lessons via zoom and phone apps. This means that instead of needing uniforms and backpacks, the kids need phones or computers, as well as data and wifi so they can connect. Happily, most had access to devices.

We are content with this for the students we support. In the Moya household, three kids are connected, sometimes all at the same time. Teachers send assignments to be completed offline so a full 6 hour day is not all online. These parents are motivated to help their kids succeed and also to pleasing us. When I asked Suyapa to send pictures of her kids on their first day, she encouraged them to dress in their uniforms from last year. The two older kids have grown so much that the skirt and the pants zippers didn't zip! 

Meri, Antony and Carlos Moya

The Midences live at Son Rise. This family is very tech savvy. For them, learning online is natural. But we, as well as the family, are disappointed that the girls are not interacting with other kids, and their teachers, having natural opportunities to practice English in conversation at their bilingual school. 

Alison Midence

Jessie and Josian are university students. We are disappointed that they too have no opportunities to interact with other students and make face-to-face connections with the people teaching their courses. They, on the other hand, prefer online classes because they had found it challenging getting out of work and to their evening classes on time. I guess there are always pros and cons. 

Josian and Jessie - homework time

The situation for back-to-school for public students has not been as smooth. The start-up date has been changed several times as the schools receive new instructions almost daily. Learning “en la casa” is the way it is to be for kids in Honduras, at least for the first few months as decreed by the minister of education on the mainland. (There are few cases of Covid on the island, but the mainland is still suffering. The blanket decision affects all.)

It is really, really difficult to describe how hard in-home learning is for many people we know. Parents are not working so are free to help. Yippee! Except, many parents may only have finished grade 6 (or less) themselves. For the general population, many families can’t afford food, so a phone and data for connecting with school lessons make online school impossible.

Unlike the private school teachers who are occupied with the business of teaching their students already, teachers in the public schools have been busy distributing materials - sometimes right to the homes! - with hopes of being ready for the (tentative?) start-up the first of March. The teacher is responsible to get packets of assignments to each of her students. I have seen the packets. They are produced by the ministry of education for the students of the country. They are really pretty good. They are visually attractive, and have good, grade appropriate exercises. What is missing is the lesson - you know - the teacher input part. 

Arezzi showed me Vashny's grade 4 packet that is for the first 15 days of March. Vashny has it completed. 

One mom I know said to me that her children will not be participating in school this year because “ It is not easy to be a teacher at home, at least I did not get the gift of teacher 😥😉” I have been pestering her so much that I think she will meet with the teachers to get the that first set of packets so that I stop asking her. 

One of the missionaries at Son Rise summed up education in Honduras. He said “ We have wifi, but other families do not, if this situation continues for 2 more years we will have kids with very poor education here in Honduras.”  We think it will be less than two years.

Lately, we have had to take a hard look at the expense of providing for students to attend private schools. We had always hoped that given time, the parents would take on more responsibility. This money could feed many families. However, for a second year, public school students are receiving a very mediocre opportunity to receive education.

And so we continue enrolling students in schools requiring tuition - is this the tenth year? - hoping that what is provided makes a difference.  Five of the seven students that we have seen graduate from high school have work right now, (not flashy jobs, but work) in a time when work is hard to find. One has completed the requirements to become a nurse and has a job to begin mid- March (we hope). Two of the graduates are working while taking university (college) courses.  

So we continue, even when we aren't able to support by being there. We think we are making a difference - a long distance difference. 

Keliany, in uniform, sisters Kiara and Audrey,
Alison.