Ground Breaking May 8, 2012

We've been a little busy this Summer with many joyful activities.  On May 8, 2012, the 'ground-breaking' for the new residence on MEDA began.  Rhich and I were privileged to plan the design for a modest 3 bedroom, 2 bath Casa de Rio (behind the security wall).   We will be the first residents to move in when it's completed.  The pictures tell the best story.

The surveyors set up in the shade.  It's very warm in May.

Rhich and Pedro over viewing the site.

They decide to hire a back hoe.  It will save many back aches and two weeks time. A very smart and inexpensive decision.

May 6, 2012 Nine (9) are Baptized at MEDA

Baptism and Salvation  Click here to go to a good website that has several excellent resources and the best explanation of why we need to be baptized.  Once you have come to faith, baptism is a public confession of belief, declaring to all that you belong to God.          ..."but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."  (1 John 1:7 )       The physical immersion is symbolic and points to being washed clean by God.

The crowd gathers in anticipation

The excitement builds...

Each person gives their testimony before their immersion

Each testimony tells how they personally came to Christ.

One by one, the symbolic washing of sins.

Pastor Melvin leads us in prayer and the recognition of the new Saints.

Thursday, May 10th, The digging continues...

Four (4) truck loads of big rocks were delivered for the footers.  We're talking BOULDERS here.  When the guys finish digging the footers to the depths of 40 inches deep and 32 inches wide, the big rocks go in, layered with cement.

Keep on digging

and more digging

Caleb Patterson (middle with blue shirt) and his brother, Noah, (far right, orange shirt) help with carrying the cement and big rocks

Augustine only has one hand and arm, but that doesn't stop him from picking up the heavy rocks.

The rocks are strategically placed for a solid foundation.  2 Timothy 2:19

¹⁹ Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “ The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “ Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”

No matter how many hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or mud slides come by, this foundation ain't goin' nowhere.

May 9, 2012 -- Digging the Footers

There is just some work that the back hoe can't reach (or the operator doesn't know how).  Regardless, Rhich and Jorge dig and dig and dig.

And they dig.

And there is still more digging to be done.

The World's 2nd Largest Botanical Garden

Jardín Botánico Lancetilla  April 18, 2012

The Lancetilla Tropical Botanical Gardens is the 2^nd largest in THE WORLD.  







It is home to more than 2000 species of plants and a wide variety of wildlife (Rhichard not included).  

With our Spanish speaking tour guide, Eduardo (at the young age of 64), we were able to see so many of God’s beautiful creations on just a two hour tour. 

Dear Friends,

Rhich and I are just fine here in Honduras but we need your help.  Not for us, but for the Dayhome.  The Dayhome is out of money and has asked the women of our church to bring in food to feed the children.  We have a small congregation of about 150 people of whom 60% are children.  It normally costs around $850 - $1,000 a month to run the Dayhome.  Our church pays for the electricity and a Mission provides clean drinking water.  I don’t know when the one salaried teacher was last paid – normally $100 a month.  We don’t need school supplies or clothes or toothbrushes – these things are nice – we do need money to buy food.

Please consider giving up the cost of 1 latte a week or even 1 lunch a week to help support the Dayhome.  Please make your check payable to Grace Bible Church of Tampa.  In the memo section, write Emmanuel Dayhome in Honduras.  Your check is 100% tax deductable and 100% goes to the Dayhome.  Mail to:  

Grace Bible Church of Tampa.

12101 N. 56^th St

Tampa, FL  33617

The Emmanuel Dayhome is a place for single mothers to take their children during the day while they go to work.  Most of these women have menial jobs such as selling bread or tortillas on street corners for as much as 2 tortillas for 3 Limperas (15 cents).  The Dayhome is a safe place where the children get a free nutritious breakfast and lunch.  They have a fenced playground and classrooms for pre-school Bible study and games.  It is a safe place to keep the kids from becoming little “street urchins” or drug mules.

The Dayhome is out of money and food.  They need to feed approximately 25 kids twice a day.  Please send money as soon as possible.  Any amount will help.  Remember, your check is 100% tax deductable and 100% goes to the Dayhome.  Thank you.

Home Again!

It’s so frustrating; I’ve been mowing for six hours now and I haven’t lost a single pound!   We have been back for a few days now, and are so happy to be back at MEDA.  Pat has been working hard to get the front entrance weeded and ready for the next seminary and conference cycle.