Coming Up Next...

Well, we're back, we have recuperated from the adventure, and now it's time for the big news...

We are official  LAM missionary appointees to Honduras!  Now what in the world does that mean?  Ok, well, since you asked,

What it means is we are heading to Honduras to help PIER (First Evangelical and Reformed Church) at their camp Manantial de Vida. Noah will be helping with the development of the program.  There is some exciting things in the works.  Things like helping train local pastors, working with the public schools on outdoor education, while sharing the Gospel, and developing more of Manantial de Vida's own program and facilities. 

It excites us to be joining a ministry that was started by Hondurans to reach Hondurans.  We have always wanted to come alongside the Latin American church and help them.  Not bring our own grand ideas in when they may or may not help the situation.  As Steve Johnson, the president of LAM said, "the solutions to Latin American problems are Latin Americans."  We need to come in as servants and say, "How can we help you in what you are already doing?"

This also means that we are in the support raising phase.  In order for our family to move to Honduras and be part of the ministry at Manantial de Vida, we need $5,728 a month.  This will include things like our international insurance, housing, administrative and living costs.  If 200 people gave just $1 a day, we would be at full support.  Put another way, that's just 100 people at $58 a month. We would also like to have someone praying for us and the work at Manantial de Vida every day of the month.

So we are starting to make phone calls, and write letters and set up meetings with people.  Interested in getting in on a visit?  Let us know!  We would love to talk with you, your Sunday School or small group.  Hey we'll even throw in a dessert or two!

Boat Ride with Captain Doug

Most of our days here are spent in class and meetings at the MSO (Miami Service Office).  We are talking through such good stuff! Things like the philosophy of Partnership (something Noah and I have talked about and believed in for years.  One of these days I will get around to post explaining that all.), how we like to work, what our temperaments are.

We were working on a team activity in which we had to rank a list of 15 items in their importance of helping you survive on the moon.  Let's just say my team would have barley died which meant we get a steak dinner!  Thanks Dad for all those lessons on space!

On Thursday we were given the opportunity to take a boat tour of Bisque Bay and Miami.  What a fun night!  We arrived at the docks around 4 pm and didn't get back until close to 10.  Captain Doug was such a character, spouting Jeopardy questions on Disney, Biology or Geography left and right, belting out hymns at the top of his lungs, flowing in and out of marine biologist fish stories about 65 foot Right whales letting him scratch their backs, pirate dialect and talking about the Amazing Creator.  He even taught one of the girls how to dance at the restaurant.  What a character!

We were able to see the Port of Miami, one of the busies ports in the US, Star Island, where all this insanely wealthy people live, and the city of Miami during the day and night.

 

 

There was a pod of porpoise playing while we watched a cruise ship turn around to head out to sea.  We looked for manatees while we cruised up the Miami River into the heart of downtown Miami, but didn't see any.

  

 

On our way back to the docks, we were even pulled over by US Boarder Patrol.  Exciting stuff!  The captain was driving with what amounted to his brights on.  But it was exciting non the less. 

 

What a treat!  And it was so nice to get outside for a while!  This afternoon we are heading to a park for a picnic, bonfire, and just playing.  Oh, and since Noah can't not be a programer, he was asked to plan an ice breaker for the group.  Go figure.  One a programer, always a programer.

For Forrest and Elliot

Forrest requested more photos of Noah and I, so I thought I would subject all of you to the photos as well. 

Remember, these are for our 2 1/2 year old.  Today was a good, but long day.  We had class most of the day, and then our personal consultation, which was a meeting to talk about our possable ministry assignment, to answer questions we might have, and go over some other details.  We didn't get done until about 5:30. 

We then had the oppertunity to go to a grocery store.  We have a dorm fridge and a microwave in our room so we bought some things to eat for dinners.  Two things I learned through that experience,  1.  I don't know how to buy prepackaged things and 2.  Man, it's expensive to buy prepackaged things!  Sometimes it's cheaper to eat off the $1 menu at Micky D's!  It's probably a wash either way nutritionally too.

There is a sweet older couple making lunches for us at the mission.  The lady scolded Noah today for not eating is veggies, which are from her garden.  Today she made a lasagna type dish but instead of noodles, she used zucchini.  Oh, it was yummy!  She told me all she does is cook and sew, and that's how she can serve.  What a sweet heart!  So I know that at least at lunches she will be giving us good healthy stuff. 

Tonight we are taking the Taylor Johnson Temperment Analysis Tests.  And that will be the evening.  We are both tired, but it's been a good first day.  We miss our boys and I have thought so very many times today, "what are they doing right now?" But it's very good there are in a place they can eat and sleep and play like they need to.  This would be miserable for them!

The weather has been great!  All the "natives" are wearing long pants and long sleeves, but we have been enjoying the sun and warmth!  What a treat!

Well, I guess I can't put that test off much longer.  Have a good night all.  Love you Forrest and Elliot!