The Wonder of It All

Entering the week before christmas here in Honduras.  I returned on December 3, with our two grandkids, Eryn, 12, and Benton, almost 11, in tow. Thus began a new era in the lives of Grandpa and Gran!  Its been amazing how fast they both have acclimated to a new land, culture, language and family. They are redecorating our home and our lives- with much laughter and adventure!  Eryn began experimenting with the Bilingual School, El Camino, run by the McKenneys, to see how she would adjust in the 2 weeks she had with them before they dismissed for Christmas break. We'll reassess down the road a bit to see how she is doing. She is only there a few hours weekly, and will spend the rest of her time with me at home. Benton has all his classes with me. Both are having spanish language lessons here at the house. 

kids after decorating


Because they came in during holiday season, its been a bit partyish since arrival, with movies next door for the highschool coop there, the missionary Christmas party, a 15th birthday party of one of the kids here, and anticipating the annual christmas pageant next week, in which both have a part. This more than normal excitement has made their entry festive and fun!  We've decorated a bit, baked a lot, delivered presents. The weather has been pleasantly cool, to ease that adjustment. They have yet to learn to live in a land of unrelenting heat with its discomforts! They are enjoying frolicking in the ocean, running up and down the steep hill to the hospital gate, arising early with the sun and going to bed early with the same. All in all, the Lord has blessed them immensely with good adjustment.
Within the first 48 hours home, I had assisted in a Code in the hospital, much to the kid's consternation when I flew out the door and hopped on the motorscooter. During the next night, a fellow missionary went into labor and I awoke the kids to accompany us to their home to assist John in the delivery. They were initiated immediately into the need for flexibility. Since then, I have not been much in the hospital, will take an indefinite leave of absence.from direct hospital involvement until its clear the 2 grandkids are thriving in school and in their personal lives. They are our primary mission right now.

This past Monday, they accompanied me into San Luis, a nearby village, to assist Lindy in teaching guitar and scripture to a porch class. Both kids got to learn some chords with the kids, and added spice to their .
day. In addition, provided spanish interaction.
Please pray for them in their first Christmas away from their mom. Pray for her also. Eryn leaves us a love note on our pillows many nights- she learned it somewhere! Both are very huggy and sensitive- their mom has been a good teacher. We don't pretend to take her place...but pray for God's grace in their lives to use this time with us to grow mightily. I know that God will honor their nightly prayers for healing for their mom. Thanks to all who have been (and ARE) a part in making this work for all of us. Getting us school books, making trips to deliver things to a courier passing thru Tulsa...all bless us immensely. May you all be touched by the wonder of this special season as we are. John and Penny

HE LIVES! by John Alden (December 12, 2010)

HE LIVES! No, I am not confused, I know that this is Christmas and "He Lives" matches with Easter.

Yesterday was not routine. In the wee hours of the morning, we had a baby. Never suggest to a pregnant lady that having a baby is routine, but most of the time you know where you are going and most of the rest you are ready for. Being on ER call is different, Sometimes, if you knew what was coming, you might call in "Sick". In these cases, the best preparation is prayer. I am not speaking just of my own, but those who routinely pray for us and the work here at Loma de Luz.

Jose Contreras is a 23 year old whose family lives in Las Crucitas. For those of you who speak Spanish, you might think that it is a Catholic community, but that is not the origin of the name (and that is a different story). Yesterday, Jose got into a fight with his chain saw; he did not win. If your favorite color is a dark red, you might like the picture. No, I don't think so!

You do not have to know much about Human Anatomy, to know that there are some big arteries in the back of the leg. We could not have collected blood and transfused him quick enough to save Jose's life. An hour drive to the city, rainy season, rivers without bridges, and the State Hospital that looks more like the County Fair Ground than a hospital, Oh, LORD!. The LORD looked down upon us with grace.

An available, ambulance-like Land Cruiser, (Thank You, Iain and Liz), an ambulance driver (Jon Lent) and nurse (Norma Hunt). A couple of fast running IVs, a tourniquet and your routine prayers. Jose arrived at ATLANTIDA (the State Hospital) with a hematocrit of 11 (normal 40). They had a unit or two of blood available and he was off to San Pedro Sula where there might be a vascular surgeon.

 I heard late today that Jose Contreras lives. Praise GOD!

Thank you for your prayers for the work here.

John