On our last trip to Nicaragua, we spent the last week visiting old friends and ministry partners in Honduras. We had not been there since 2000. To fly from Managua to La Ceiba took 10 hours- and we spent seven of them “in transit” at the airport in El Salvador, waiting for our flight to Honduras. After purchasing the famous local towels (They are colorful and durable- we have had some for 20 years!) we decided to eat in the airport restaurant. As we ordered, I noticed many people arriving and walking through the restaurant to a more private room at the rear. When I asked our waiter if we could move to a table there, he politely told me that it was the “V.I.P.” dining room, and we didn’t qualify. I thought about that for a moment, and concluded that even if the airport officials didn’t think we were VIPs, that our Boss did, and He often went out of his way to treat us as such. We didn’t need any stinkin’ Salvador VIP dining room anyway. . .
A few hours later, we were at the San Pedro Sula (Honduras) airport waiting for our short flight to La Ceiba. There we met an American girl who was on the same flight. We began to talk, and by the time we arrived in La Ceiba, we had become friends. She was expecting her boyfriend to be waiting for her. Alas, he was not there due to airline misinfornation, so we took her in our taxi into town, where he was waiting at the hotel This guy was so happy to see his girl that he refused to allow me to pay for the taxi. We later discovered that he was working on an eco-tourism project on the Honduran side of the Rio Coco, and full of information. We discussed this over dinner. It was a fabulous evening and we made some new friends. As I was lying the bed of my suite (they had no single rooms so they gave is a suite at no extra charge!) at the Hotel Gran Paris (in La Ceiba Honduras) I remembered my reaction to the VIP dining room at the Salvador airport. I was feeling pretty V.I.P. after all!
Then next day, we went to see our friend Nelson, who for many years sold us all our school supplies. When we walked into Nelson’s store, he looked at me and almost fainted. He was so surprised! We talked for many minutes, and then he offered us the use of his daughter’s car, who happened to be out of the country for a few weeks. As I climbed in, I was feeling pretty V.I.P..
We went looking for our friends Mora and Miguel. Mora edited our first book, Just Another Lump of Clay. We finally found their furniture store, and asked the girl at the desk if we could get Miguel’s telephone number. Just then the phone at the store rang, and I heard the girl ask “Don Miguel, so you know a norteamericano named Maik?”. It was him on the phone. Now that was convenient. We talked a few minutes and agreed to meet for lunch. As we drove away, I was feeling very V.I.P...
A few days later, we were sitting on a bus enroute to Copan, in the northwest corner of Honduras. We were there to visit our friends Carlos and Lolita, who own a coffee farm. We had such a supreme coffee experience in the weekend we were there. We cleaned and roasted some of Carlos’ beans, tasted other coffees, and then visited his farm high in the mountains near the Guatemalan border. He took us to see a craftsman friend of his named Miguel Angel (Michaelangelo), who was an extraordinary artist. We bought some of his carved wall hangings for our new office, at less than half the price we saw his stuff in the tourist stores. Plus we invited him to come to the Rio Coco and do a workshop for us, and he agreed! Now I was really feeling like we had gotten the Royal V.I.P. treatment.
When we arrived by bus back in La Ceiba, Nelson was there waiting for us with his daughter’s car. We didn’t call him- he just showed up. Hey, this was very V.I.P. valet car service!
The next day, we took the ferry to Utila, to visit our friend Troy. All our friends told us to take the ferry, but unfortunately, a cold front was passing through La Ceiba, and the seas were rough. It was not the VIP ride for Laura, who swore to me 16 years ago that she would never take the ferry again! “Oh the life of a pirate!” I yelled as the twin-hulled catamaran bounced up and down the swells, as Laura grew more groggy by the moment. It was an experience! I have a very brave and forgiving wife who is very willing to step ahead!
When we got to Utila, Troy was there to meet us. He took us to his house, and his cook prepared a delicious fish lunch. Then he took me on a golf cart tour of the island where Mikaela and Lukas learned to swim in the early 90’s. There has been a lot of growth on Utila, and Troy has been in the middle of it. He is now the largest employer on the island with his dive business, sand and gravel business, hotel/dive resort business, and he also owns the only gas station on the island. We considered once planting a church on Utila with Troy as the pastor. God has blessed him, and he is still the same humble man. Yet here he was taking the entire day to chauffer us around the island. Pretty VIP if you ask me!
The following day, Laura declared that we were not taking the ferry back to La Ceiba. It was actually cancelled due to rough seas. It so happened that Troy told me that one of my old pilot friends was bringing some passengers to Utila, and he had offered to fly us back. Laura was praying for a flight. This was not any flight, but it with one of my favorite people at the La Ceiba airport, Capitan Selin. He was so happy to see us when Troy dropped us off. We hugged and spoke a few minutes, and then stepped into his Cessna 182, and took off for La Ceiba, in somewhat marginal weather. During climbout Selin offered me the controls, and I flew back to the mainland. He insisted that I do the landing. It was such a moment to land at the airport that I had used as my missionary aviation base for 13 years. I felt very honored, and very very V.I.P..
He who pursues righteousness and loyalty, finds life, righteousness and honor. Proverbs 21:21
Lamb Bleatings By Laura
Yesterday, Arielle and Moselle took their karate test to progress from an orange belt to a green belt. To our surprise Mikaela and Lukas were the physical administrators of this test at the guidance of a panel of three men sitting at a table grading the test takers. We all had been impressed a few weeks earlier to witness Mikaela and Lukas 2nd Degree Black Belt test in Orlando. It was an intense 4 hour test where they were constantly kicking, punching, jumping, breaking many boards, and profusely sweating in the process.
Lukas began this test for Moselle and Arielle with a warm up drill which tired us just watching them go through segments of push ups, jumping jacks, crunches and squats. It was intense and revealed the stamina and capabilities of each person. Mikaela took them to a regimen of “forms” which they were required to know for their testing. We were impressed. Michael and I looked at each other thinking “Are these the same kids we have at home who sometimes seem unwilling to do the simplest of task?” Kids that seemingly “trick us” into thinking perhaps they “can’t” and at times act like they “won’t” if given the option. Fortunately for them and for us, we don’t give them much options. Whenever they say, “Ahhh, Mommy…..” (implying “do we have to???), I just tell them ‘tricks are for kids’, which means, don’t give me no lip service. Then, I may throw them a “stink eye” (the look only a mom can give!) to communicate, “you best pay close attention, or else…” All parents have more “leverage” than they could ever imagine even when dealing with black belts in the household. I may be a petite little midget, but I’m not scared. I always tell them we have tricks that they know not of….God being our number Source of reference and strength.
We gauge much of their attitudes by their willingness of heart that they express…Willingness & obedience is always an excellent gauge as to where we are at in life…
It was fun watching all four of our children do their thing with their Karate. The fruit of their time, discipline and perseverance now giving way to some rewards and benefits. Mik and Luk able to teach others how to better their skills and Air and Moz growing in coordination, skill level and ability to defend themselves. It brought us joy to watch especially when they would look over at us and flash a smile (mostly Moselle being so amused with us watching and with herself in general).
Their willingness to go to practice even when they did not feel like it always gets played out. The reaping and sowing principle is always in full swing whether we live by it or not or whether we believe it or not…there it is…we begin to confront it as we go along in life.
On the phone Auntie Cari asked Moselle, “Hi Moselle, what are you doing?”
Moselle said, “Oh….I am just moving along…”
Auntie Cari inquired, “Moving along…Where?”
“You know, just moving along in life.”, said Moselle.
Life does have a way of “just moving on” doesn’t it?
In one of our Bible Studies, we were discussing the importance of “moments”. It is often in brief snippets of time that we actually exchange life with the people around us. These exchanges are but moments that create memories that last a life time and beyond.
Tasks, successes, things, work, money all pale in comparison to “moments” of opportunity which often we allow to pass through our fingers. Instead, we allow ourselves to be caught up in the urgency of tasks at hand; one more load of laundry, chore, e-mail. Finding balance is a task that only God can achieve with peace and love being the foundation. We desperately look to Him for guidance in the midst of chaos in so many ways.
Our family has had a load of emotional upheaval with Pop being in and out of the hospital apparently near his homecoming. Today he is being transferred from the hospital to hospice care. We were advised strongly to make this move because of his state of decline. We have been weary with grief not only for Pop, but also with the news of dear friends who continue to struggle for their lives because of leukemia and cancer. We asked many of you to pray for Kit Lauer and family whose body is not responding well to treatment. Mike Leonard is in fourth stage cancer. Our other friends, Joe and Karen Johnson just lost their son, a vibrant beautiful young man. We grieve with them deeply and our prayers have ever been before the Lord for them all…the process, the loss, the deep wrenching agony…it keeps our hearts solemnly before the throne of Grace and mercy.
In the midst of all the weariness and sadness, we are surrounded by loving people of God who care for us and love us with words and deeds. We are also privileged to be with young loving couples who are just beginning life together…newly married. They are madly and joyously in love and drinking in lots of sweet moments and we have the privilege of sharing many of those with them. When it comes to joy, they are our go- to people. It makes are our hearts glad just being in their midst. Our other friends, Luke and Carlie, who gave up everything in California to come and be in our midst to serve and to help have a beautiful baby, Kailani whose smile just lights up the world. They have been such a joy and help to have around. I got a call this morning from a friend who shared good news that gives me a deep satisfying joy to contemplate…I felt the joy in her heart and it lifted me up out of my weariness. Seems like in the middle of sadness God shows up and encourages and lifts…His presence being made known. He makes himself known through the acts of our sweet friends who make us meals, call us and just brighten life up for no other reason than to love. It always brings me back to the place of knowing that God is in control and is taking care of all matters both great and small. It confirms in us the hope and alleviates the fear…
Life’s emotions are chaotic and they swing to and fro, back and forth. The nature of our lives are always so full of radical changes, twists and turns and somehow forever manages to feel so unstable in the midst of our trying to make it all just “just right” as we are “moving along in life”.
My prayer is that I will always move along in life deliberately making choices that belong to the heart of my Heavenly Father. Only then will I know that my life has not only moved along, but counted for the things that really matter.
Paul said it this way to his friends in Philippi:
I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns. Philippians 1:9-10
Laura
It has been a very full and emotional time these past weeks as we prepare to return to Nicaragua and Honduras, and deal with the passage of my father Forrest, who is 88 and ready to depart on his flight to eternity. He went into the ER two weeks ago, and his vital signs were not good. The doctors and nurses told us to expect the worse. We spent the next days visiting Pop, expecting each day to be the last. He rallied, and we began feeding him lots of ice cream and playing Big Band music. We have had some sweet moments with him, saying all the things we need to say, again and again. As we write, he is standing at the gate with boarding pass in hand. We are discovering that death is such a great teacher of life.
Our next eight weeks in Central America promise to be full of potential for spiritual growth for us all. We have the Pastor Conference in Waspam on June 12 thru 14 with our friends Jack Dyer, his son Danny, and our longtime friend and co-worker Tom Keogh coming to share with the pastors on how to hear God. The following Monday, June 16th we begin our four-day Teachers Conference, where Tom with help us walk through many issues of education in our 15 Project Ezra schools. We are so excited to have Tom and Jack, who are legendary in their ministries in La Miskitia, back to work with us again! We expect God to do great things with our pastors and teachers!
Then on the 24th, we begin our sixth Deep Water Discipleship, with students coming from Montana, England, Hawaii, Florida, and Minnesota. We expect God to show up in a very Big way during the 23 days of intense discipleship and cross-cultural ministry. In July, we will return to Honduras to follow up on coffee business, ministry opportunities, and some family time before returning to the U.S. Please keep all these events in your prayers!
We know who our Source is. In these times, we are thankful for you who He uses to encourage us, pray for us, and keep us pointed in the right direction. We know that we travel with you, minister with you, and experience this adventure with you. Thanks for being there with us on this journey. There is much fruit ! Laura & Michael
Rio Coco Bean Coffee News
After months of preparation, the roaster has been installed, the coffee beans have arrived, and we roasted our first batch of coffee in Vero Beach on Saturday May 31st! The panel of experts who participated in the blessed event all concurred that the roaster does produce a nice coffee!
See for yourself! Enclosed is an order form for fresh roasted coffee.
Why have we gone to so much effort to bring you some of the best tasting coffee on the planet? Because we use the profits to educate our Miskito kids on the Rio Coco in Nicaragua, as well as fund a variety of ministry projects. Please consider joining our coffee club and receive you Rio Coco Bean coffee each month automatically. We will give you the opportunity within the next few days to join.
Ministry Opportunities for June
Here are four suggestions how you can directly impact the school project in Nicaragua this month.
Sponsor A Child. As we begin the new school year, we have many students who need a sponsor. Your $27 a month will provide Education with an Christian emphasis for a special child and help other children in their village. Your direct help through your prayers for this child and your gifts will change their lives forever.
Sponsor Our Teachers. Your support for one of our former students who are now teaching children in their home villages will be a great encouragement as they “Make Disciples”. $90 a month will cover many of their basic needs.
Help us finish the Waspam Discipleship Center. Electrical materials, office furniture, & computers are needed.
Purchase Rio Coco Bean Coffee. Profits from this excellent coffee go directly to the school project.
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Posted by: stivali donne | September 20, 2011 at 12:38 AM