Week 5 of 5- changing "mailing" address!

Here's the yellow jungle house with the incredible profusion of color that Chilo delights in tending. In honor of our leaving, he asked if he could do a major hair cut- and promptly chopped it all down to about 6 inches! He was afraid that in our absence, it would become an uncontrollable mess. Sniff! 

Dinner with Sonia, longtime hospital employee and friend

Our last week is a blur...Abby helping me get past the impasse in packing by pushing me thru the first 2 50# bags, daily visits at 7 am from 2 yr old Aleyah, savoring our last days together and getting her hair in braids for mom, impromptu counseling sessions with an old neighbor, Suzanne, who providentially arrived in the country for our last week, many "last" quick runs next door to enjoy Heidi,  dinner with Tumlinsons and their 3 special kids. Then there were meals with local Honduran friends, all memorable. I am thankful for digital memories for when my own memories fade! 

In our last blog, we shared a trip to Arenalosa to visit Jesus and Milagro. While there, we tried to convince her pregnant sister, Decy, to come down the mountain to be closer to deal with her twins, who we knew had problems. Decy did not cooperate, but she did have her C-section and had a 2# and a 4 #er, both boys. The little fellows went home about a week out. I got a call just about 12 hrs from the time they left the hospital, at 1 am, that teenie twin had died. So a dawn trip out to the community they had gone home to to pay respect to mom and family. VERY sad way to end our time there with that family we've been so involved with. 

Teenie 1 and Teenie 2- 

Bad storms our last days, causing rising rivers. Were able to get to church Wednesday PM, and enjoyed pastelitos  as a going-away treat. Everyone filed by us to bless us and hug us. I did OK til Joni, our 15 yr old friend, came by. He did not shed a tear when he dad/grandpa died in the fall, so was not expecting him to fall apart. He hugged and hugged and cried. The next day, at our planned meeting time to say goodby one last time and chat, I couldn't get across the river. By God's grace, we got across at sunrise on departure day, to deliver a frozen chicken for an upcoming wedding, and various other things we were gifting to the church folks. Thankfully school was closed, as the next river was flooded also, so had a sweet time with Joni and his mom. 

Dave Fields drove us out on Friday, along with Christine Bell, who had to leave for a visa trip, so we had a kind of prolonged goodbye with them. We stopped and had a late lunch with the Drs. Lanzas, radiologist friends, at a resort halfway to the airport- a delightful treat. They have been very special to John. 

Maria and Allen Lanza

Dave arranged for a wheelchair to meet us in Houston, which made it possible to make our connecting flight! Even with 4 huge bags, carryons and backpacks, we had a smooth trip, made more enjoyable by having access to the USO in Denver for our 5 hr. layover. Blessings upon blessings. My sister, Shellie, met us at 930 PM for the long drive "home"- was hard to settle down, as we were greeted by a beautifully complete remodel job! Our neighbor, Mike, had come in when we left and spent the 5 weeks finishing up trim work and laying the new flooring. We kept coming back out of the bedroom to admire our kitchen and flooring! 

We were heavily laden- Yeah for Errol from United for his help!

Next blog from WA- a 3 week stay here before we take a roadtrip to Tulsa, seeing supporters and family along the way.  More about what our future holds then! Blessings.

Late 4th week of 5 as we leave Honduras

 As we near take-off, the clock seems to have sped up. Last weekend, the McKenney's hosted a Despedida for the Aldens, labeled "FAHP", Familia Alden Hasta Pronto- reflecting Dr. Jeff's desire to encourage hugs, not tears. This means "See ya soon, Alden family". It was 5 hours of swimming for the little ones, barbeque, fotos, lots of one:one visits for John and I, many foto memories.

Have had lunches and dinners with Honduran friends and employees, sometimes feel we are "Cafecito-ing" out way around the community, as they have to whip up their VERY black coffee to serve us with lots of sugar. Somehow, still seem to be sleeping well!

Since pictures tell the story well, will let the fotos suffice for week 4.

FAHP

Last goodbyes to seminary student, Anael, as he headed out on the bus for the long ride to school.

Dr. Jeff assuring the "Hugs, not tears" was written!

Unexpected visit with Genesis, whom we referred to the Children's Center years ago with Downs. She can now walk and is potty trained, and back with her mom, who has come to the Lord and married. She still runs out to jump in my arms, not realizing she's not a wee one and I am NOT young and strong to catch her when she comes flying!

Treasured last AM's with faithful Aleyah, who comes down for a hair-fixing and to hang out in the mornings. 

A visit with the 3rd. Imanuel, a late-in-life surprise for his parents.

OpenHouse in Lucinda for a small consignment shop to market local crafts, encouraged by my neighbor Heidi. Here we are enjoying Topos, frozen fruitj uice in baggies, sold by the new shop.

One of John's favorite families, Xiomara and Juan Carlos. John delivered Aron at home 6 years ago, and Caleb in the hospital. Xiomara is thriving in her Social Service at the hospital, soon to be an LPN for us.

Week 3 of 5.....Down with Motorscooters!

 Last Saturday, we took some folks up to Arenalosa, "slippery sand", to visit long-time friends and patients there. Its an uphill, scary drive and then a LONG climb by foot and across a ridge to the home. Our goal was to bring cupcakes up for the #2 birthday of Milagro (Miracle), who weighed in at 2# on the pulperia grocery scale at birth. Many in the hospital were involved with her and the family when she was admitted at 10 days, VERY hungry. While mom built up her milk supply by pumping, 2 of our missionary moms who had recently given birth shared their milk with little Milagro. She is now very able to help with family cores, like grinding corn for the tortillas. She has her own wee table where she pats out her tortillas.
An auntie of Milagro is nearing term with twins, one of which is not growing. Part of our visit involved getting a message to her that she needed to be "down below" long before labor began. However, there is no cell signal up there so the family dispatched a 7 yr old nephew on his horse to ride the long trail to Aunt Decy's house, with a message tied inside a plastic bag tied to his waist band!
Glad we did the adventure, as John took a fall on the motorscooter going down the hill to the hospital on Wednesday AM. He twisted his knee badly, as well as hitting his head and arm. So he has been bedridden with that leg elevated, wrapped and iced for 48 hrs. We began crutches late today, praying he gets enough healing to be independent when we leave the country in 2 weeks!  He has been a model patient----making it easy to be a good nurse! I continued teaching my Nurses Aide class, running back home on break and lunch to check on him and keep him supplied with ice and beverages! A challenging- but good- week!

Pony Express ready for departure!

John on the long trail down the mountain.

Alden casita as we prepare to pass it on to the ministry. Getting emptier by the day. Memories.

The Tall and the Short of our Heimlech Maneuver class!