The day after Thanksgiving

November 25, 2005
What a blessing to be able to do what I truly love! Yesterday, we built a house for a family in Nueva Oriental. This is the same community I visited not long after arriving in August. Many were present: Randy, Melissa, Alora, Katrina, Dominic, Tonya, Whitney, Niki, Grammy, Nana, Chris (all from the Kluge family), Joe, Rachel (his girlfriend from Nashville), Karen, and me.


First, we tore down the existing house that was made by nailing together pallets.


This is the grandmother that lived in the house; you can see all her belongings strewn outside the house.


























Then, we went through the process of a normal TORCH building style. For the first time ever, I felt overheated (didn’t help that I had Cinnabon for breakfast). This made me stop building and rest in the area where the kids were. That ended it for me…as soon as I felt better, they had my full attention. We had fun coloring, drawing, playing Tic Tac Toe, and taking pictures with my digital.
































Here is Karen with Sara(the girl I told the story about several months ago). She is a neighbor of the lady who received the house.



















Overall, it was a great day! Thanks to Central church of Christ who supplied the materials for the build!

Love you all! Jennifer

Happy Thanksgiving!

So, what does Thanksgiving mean to you? turkey, cranberry sauce, football, pumpkin pie, family, phone calls, stuffing, cards, deviled eggs, ham, relaxing, friends, corn, sweet tea, traveling?

All of those things normally play into the holiday back home--for me, at least. This year was somewhat different. Here in Honduras things were normal as could be. Because the school where I work is based on an American schedule, we have today and tomorrow off. Yet, when Karen and I ventured into town, the daily events were taking place for everyone else. We spent the day running errands and simply having fun. We had time to just walk around the mall and browse--it felt like a normal day back home.

When we got home from the mall, Karen and I (Jen stayed at home because she wasn't feeling well) went to the Kluge's house for dinner--a big dinner (very good with all the fixings you can imagine). Seven of the Kluge family flew in from the States to celebrate the holiday with Randy, Melissa, and the girls. So, we had a large number. But here is where the challenge comes in...yeah, you knew it was coming...
How did you spend your Thanksgiving?

You have heard my story and know I did nothing noteworthy. In fact, I wish I could say I took part in what uplifted my Spirit today. Many of the Kluges went early this morning to buy food and passed it out in a community not far from here (San Miguel). How amazing! They took advantage of the gifts God has given them by blessing others in His name. I can only hope we can do the same EVERY day. "As we have opportunity, let us do good to others."

When I woke up this morning, I was psyched about shopping and buying Cinnabon. Then, later I learned about how others were spending the day. The day is about being thankful, especially for the blessing of the ability to praise our Lord. So, here is my thankful list (in no order) that I contribute to the day.

The grace given by our Lord; more than enough food; a wise mentor; blankets in cold weather; sewer systems; sidewalks; car insurance; flushing toilet paper; faithful friends; electricity; paved roads; an honest brother; stick-shift vehicles; a loving family; the Lord's guidance; socks and tennis shoes; a supportive church family; Lingo phones; ovens; the Bible.

Remember that I LOVE YOU ALL! I miss you even though I am thankful for this opportunity God has given me and the flexibility that you all have allowed in letting me leave to follow his will.
Jennifer Michelle

Prayer

[Two blogs in one day!!! What in the world is going on with Jen? School was cancelled today because it is too cold.]

Every morning before school we have a fifteen-minute devotional with the faculty. Even though it makes the day start that much earlier (and I’m not a morning person), it is wonderful to praise our God as our first act and as a group. It truly puts the day into perspective. We have a basic routine to follow. Mondays are “prayer request” days; everyone shares anything on their hearts that they wish for us to pray about. The Spiritual Life Coordinator types them up that night so that we have a hand-out the next day. On each Tuesday we break into small groups (usually 3 to 5 people) to lift up the requests mentioned the day before.

Yesterday, after my group finished, I looked up and took a moment to let what I was seeing and hearing soak in. All of my peers were bowed down, eyes closed, and whispering the desires and hopes of people they barely knew. I am moved by the fact that so many people are bringing these requests before God. And that they would continue to pray throughout the weeks to come.

How often do you take prayer for granted? It is so vital to our daily walks with our Lord. I have found that prayer is the link that cannot be left out of a solid relationship with God. There is a direct connection between how close you feel to our Heavenly Father and how often and how sincerely you pray. I once read a statement that hit home, especially when discussing prayer: If you don’t feel close to God, guess who moved?

Here's something for your soul to feast upon...

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this if God's will for you in Christ Jesus." ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words that cannot express." ~Romans 8:26

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." ~James 5:16

...As I have learned from many people, don't just take the verses alone but take time to study the passages from which they come.

Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this way to speak directly with you. Thank you for listening when so many others don’t. Thank you for your grace and understanding. Please show me grace when I stray and bring me back to your loving Presence. Open my eyes and ears to your answers, whether they come from music, the Bible, or Christian friends. Show me your counsel and comfort that only the Holy Spirit can relay.
In the precious name of your Son,
Amen

Pictures Below

Can you believe I am actually on my blog?!? I have finally updated the Tela trip and put more pictures. Enjoy them!
Love you all,
Jen

Enjoying a Day Off

Three months today! Can you believe it? It seems like yesterday that I flew out of Nashville. For my anniversary, I received great gifts—no school, time with good friends, a visit to Santa Ana, and ringside wrestling seats.

Yesterday was windy, chilly, and foggy. Towards the end of the day, it was announced that Thursday would be a “Cold Day.” Here in Honduras it doesn’t snow. However, in the mountains it can get fairly cold (especially in the mornings). The school has no central heating system. So, when it gets to a certain temperature, school will be delayed or even cancelled. Today was originally on the schedule as a half-day, so the administration cancelled the entire day.

I spent the morning with Jen Wright, Karen Vaughan, and Christina (lady that works with the Mi Esperanza project). It was a blessing to have the arrival of Jen and Karen on Saturday. The two of them have made the incredible leap to come to Honduras. They have committed to working at the new orphanage in Santa Ana, which is being built right now. Can you imagine making such a decision? They have decided to commit to caring for and loving twenty children. I cannot even fathom such a depth of faith! Please, please, please keep these remarkable women and the children in your prayers. God is going to do amazing things. I cannot wait until December when we will see the beginning of an incredible time.

Around 1:30, Jen, Karen, and I picked up Katie and Dalton to drive out to Santa Ana. The work is unbelievable. Each week seems to be making tremendous progress. We worked with sand to make cement, picked up trash, and removed excess concrete from around the sidewalks.

The four of us girls picked up pizza on the way back to the Hines’ house. Tim picked up Campero’s chicken; we feasted tonight. After dinner, it is always good to have some good entertainment…Katie and Dylan had a discussion on who was stronger. Well, only a proper wrestling match would settle this. It depends on who you ask, but I say that Katie was the champion. :)

Love you all!
Jennifer