Our Mission Statement

Sunday, December 31

Honduras in December!!

Well, where to began? Terry's group came in on Wednesday, that sounds like a good place. When they got here they went through customs, got their bags, met Randy, and went to El Patio to eat!! It was there that Katrina Kluge, and myself met everyone!! Ten people in all came with Terry's group. After everyone ate we loaded up and went out to Santa Ana to Casa de Esperanza to play with the ten children living there. There are five new children that have been there for almost a month. These children have come from some pretty tough living conditions before coming to Casa de Esperanza, but now they will be loved and cared for like children should be. We spent about two hours playing with the kids before coming back to the Kluge's for supper. It was yummy too. We had mashed potatoes, beef tips, roles, peas, and yummy desserts!! Afterward the group went up to the Mission house for some much needed sleep.

On Thursday they went out to Jovenes en Camino, an all boys home, to meet the kids there. There are 76 boys there from 18 months - 14 years old. There they did some landscaping projects. They planted 16 new trees and spent hours on a flower garden they were starting. A church from Jackson, TN donated flowers for them to plant. They also played different games with the children there too. After they were finished there they came back to Teguc. to meet up with the Santa Ana kids for a party at KFC, but..."Welcome to Honduras", we weren't able to have the party at KFC because there was one already going on. So we went to Pizza Hut, oh wait, there was a party there too!! But good ol' Burger King came through for us!! YAY BURGER KING!! The kids loved it!! I think the gringos loved it too!! Afterward they went back to mission house for devo.

On Friday the group came out to Molola to build a house. Everyone had some part in the building, but a few came down to the kitchen and handed out toys to the children too. I am pretty sure that it was the fastest house that has been built since I have been coming here. The group was mainly rookies too!! They did an awesome job. After they were finished they came back up to the mission house to clean up a bit before going to Victor Sport to play some soccer!! Just a side note...Victor Sport has new turf that is really nice according to Terry Reeves. There were some typical soccer injuries (Ty and Brett you should know what we are talking about!!), but nothing to cry about (ha ha!). After soccer they went to Camperos for dinner, then back to the mission house for devo!

On Saturday the group built another house for an older lady. They had to take down a house before building and Terry said the lady looked really sad and had to leave for a while. When she came back they had the house completely finished except for the windows and door so it just looked like a big box. She looked really nervous and it didn't help when some of the locals walked by and laughed at it. But then all of the sudden you heard a chainsaw, and there was a door, poof!! That is when her eyes popped open and she had a huge smile on her face, those are the times I love Hounduras even more. After they finished the house Terry got a call from Gena asking him to bring the group to help unload a truck (40 foot container) of supplies at the bodega. They went there and did some back breaking work until about 6:30 and then came back to the mission house to clean up and go eat at the mall. After they ate they came back to the mission house for devo.

This morning the group went to worship out at Los Pinos, but before getting there they had a slight problem with one of the trucks. They had to tow it to the shop before making out to Los Pinos. There Greg Armstrong did the lesson. THey didn't know the gringos were coming and they had a big crowd. Terry said it was good to be out there to see all of his friends there. Los Pinos is doing pretty well even without a full time preacher. They still have dogs and chickens running around during church services too! After worship the group went out to the Valley of Angels to do some shopping for a few hours. When they finished there shopping they came to the Kluge's house for some good ol' Taco salads!! And here we are now watching football and waiting for the New Year!!

It has been a great few days and the group still has a full day tomorrow. I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday and wish you all the best in the New Year!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Brandy B

Sunday, December 17

A movie you gotta see

Margaret and I just got back from the movie theatre here in Bellevue. Even in the mist of the busiest time of the year we found a couple of hours to go do something fun and non-stressful. If you are like me you are in the thick of it right now, trying to get projects done before the end of the year at work, shopping for Christmas presents, and just trying to breathe. And trying to get ready to go to Honduras! Yeah, that last part is really what is keeping me going right now…

Anyway, Margaret and I went to the movies ($8.75 per ticket by the way…). We went to see “The Nativity.” Margaret’s brother, Scott McDowell, mentioned it in his sermon a week or two ago and we have been trying to go see it ever since. After seeing it all I can say is, “WOW!” It was an amazing movie by all standards. The film work was incredible, the acting was superb, and the special effects were outstanding. And the story line, well, it was about as accurate as anything I have seen Hollywood put out in a long while.

I absolutely recommend this movie to you. You need to go and see it during the holiday season. It will make all of the hustle and bustle fade away. From the evil heart of King Herod, the love story of Joseph and Mary, and all of the things they had to endure for this event to take place, this movie really captures you. There are even bits of humor here and there too, especially the three wise men from the east.

Hope you can find time to go and see it. Of course, you may have to take out a loan or refinance your house to do it these days to buy your ticket, but it will be worth it. And if you want popcorn and a Coke, well, you do the math……………

Peace,

TR

Sunday, December 10

Christmas thoughts

I have had several Emails from several different groups and individuals about the upcoming trips this summer. Enough to write to say that if you are interested in going on one of the trips this summer it would be good to contact me ASAP to get your name on the list so that I can send you the 2007 application and Spanish release form along with the specifics about the sign-up procedures this year. Since I moved to Nashville there have been some changes in the way things are going to be done. As of December 10th, there are approximately 20 that have signed up for the Brazil trip in June, about 65 that have sign-ed up for the July 1 trip, and about 55 for the July 13 trip. I do not have numbers yet for the May trip but I am expecting to have a strong team then as well. There are still plenty of spots left but don’t delay, I am expecting to fill up all of the trips quickly.

Margaret and I are very excited to be worshipping with the Western Hills Church of Christ. It is located in Bellevue, which is a suburb located in west Nashville. Margaret’s sister Jenny and her family worship there and her brother Scott is the pulpit preacher. It’s a family affair every week as we get together for worship. We met with the elders and they have graciously decided to be my overseeing eldership for the mission trips I take during the summer. They are a great group of men who have a burning passion for the lost and I look forward to working with them. The congregation is very excited as well about the opportunities that are coming to go on some of the trip and to participate in collecting supplies.

As I scramble to finish up the last few days of class and give my semester exams, it reminds me how fast time flies. It really does seem like yesterday that we were scrambling to get moved up here to start a new job and to find a place to live. Now we are finishing up a semester of classes and trying to shop for Christmas presents. And even more exciting, getting ready to go to Honduras on the 27th for a 1 week trip. I can’t wait to get down there and see everyone and to build some houses and pass out toys and stuffed animals to the children. Please keep the team in your prayers and check out the blogspot, I will be updating the trip while we are there!

In closing, remember to keep everything in perspective during the holiday season. Enjoy the cards, gifts, and food during the season. Enjoy the family get togethers and office parties. But most of all, remember that we celebrate the physical birth of a little baby boy that was God in the flesh. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We beheld the glory of the Father, full of grace and truth. He came to His own, but His own received Him not. But He came anyway, because it was the will of the Father to whom He was fully obedient. He gave His life as a ransom for us all. Because He LOVED us. And that is the greatest gift of them all. Merry Christmas to all.

Terry