I Hate "Goodbye"

Yesterday and today we visited several Little Hands families for the last time. We had bags of hand-me-down clothes from our kids and other things. We gave each family our photo, a treasured gift here. It is hard to wrap our brains around the fact that this is it...we're saying goodbye for at least a long time...hopefully not forever! But part of my mind can grasp it becuase I can't stop crying. So many dear faces that we will miss and remember the times we've spent together! So many little people that we have prayed and worried over and tried our best to help. I pray that the next time I see them, they will be taller and healthier and have thier hearts full of Jesus!
We have two more days here in Trujillo. We are finishing the packing and trying to take care of a million things while we try to squeeze in times to say good bye to everyone. I hate this part! But since there is so much to do, the time is going by fast! Pray that we will be ready early Sunday morning when the time comes to pull out. Pray that in our sadness, that we can rejoice and be thankful for the friends we have here.

Antonio Chooses Chirst

Antonio has been helping us with the grounds here at the Little Hands facility since July. He is also father to Reybin, who is one of our L.H. children. Since May, Brian has been developing a relationship with him. Many spiritual conversations have been had along the way. Today, after a long lunch time conversation and study of the scriptures regarding salvation... Antonio has chosen to follow Jesus. He is very serious about his decision and has been weighing it for a while. Today he said, "What are we waiting for? Let's go to the beach so I can be baptized!" In less than an hour, 30 people were informed and drove over to the beach to witness Antonio becoming a new creature... clothing himself with Christ. The surf was rough and full of debris from the tropical storm. After his baptism, pointing to the dirty water, Antonio said..."There is alot of sin in there!" We have been praying for Antonio since last year, before we even knew him. We are so blessed to be able to witness his turning to Christ for salvation. And now he is eager to learn. Please pray for him as he learns and grows.

No More Interent and Tropical Storm Ida

It looks like we will be out of internet service indefinately becuase of a nearby lightning strike. I'm disappointed because, besides wanting to document more of our last days here, I was hoping to help Maybelline get a new blog established for Little Hands to use. We actually had been working on it right up until the interent went out. We're hoping to get that up and running eventually, but without a way to get online here at the compound, that isn't likely to happen soon.
We're planning for a wet weekend as Tropical Storm Ida is supposed to be paying northern Honduras a visit. We're hoping for a quick get together without to much heavy rain and the flooding that is sure to result!
Our family is packing and getting ready for the long trip home in a week and half. These days are turning into a busy blur. Pray for us. So many things to do and people to see and say good bye to. It is a taxing time for all of us. I may not write again until we are stateside, but hope to post some pictures then also.