Watch Out Copan - Here We Come

We depart tomorrow for an intense month of “Emersion Spanish Language School” in Copan - on the mainland of Honduras. I really do not totally understand what that truly means……some of it seems exciting and some of it seems to be a very tough challenge. We pray Christ will be evident in all our actions, what we say and in how we treat people.

This comes at a perfect time for us to pull away and spend quality time with God and each other on the subject of 2009. How should we invest the next year of our lives? Spiritual, emotional, financial and physical concerna will all need to be worked through at the deepest level. Of course, at the base of it all we know that “we can do all things through Christ” – it’s not about our strength – it is about His!!!

There are two enormous needs here on Roatan that we are specifically praying about:

Both of these projects are located in what is called “La Colonia” (the colony). These are Hondurans from the mainland who have been displaced by the massive mud slides over the past several years. Literally thousands of acres have slid down mountains into the rivers and disappeared with their homes, all of their belongings and even some of their family members.

Roatan currently provides much better chances of starting over and acquiring an entry level job that pays $6 per day. (Almost double what they were making in the banana and pineapple fields of the mainland.) Hundreds of families have moved here and built an entirely new community – La Colonia. They simply move onto an available space on the side of a hill; clear the space of all fauna with the exception of four trees, which become the four corners of their new home. Then they purchase tarps, wrap them around the four “cornerstone” trees to create walls, tie one over the top to create a roof and move in to live. These are whole families – Father, Mother and usually three to four children under the age of ten. As they earn more money, they slowly purchase lumber, tin and other building supplies and build a more permanent structure around the small “tent home”.

However, there was no infrastructure whatsoever in place, until God led a couple of people into action:

Nurse Peggy (http://www.clinicaesperanza.com/) had been operating a Health clinic out of her garage but quickly became overcome with all of the life threatening health needs. The greatest need was the huge mortality rate of newborns. Land and monies were donated and the first stage of a full service Health clinic and birthing center is nearing completion. She now averages over 60 patients each day – five days a week. And that is only in the first floor out-patient clinic. Those numbers are bound to increase when the second floor birthing center is opened in the near future. (They are looking for a Nurse Manager to organize and oversee the staff and day to day operations of the birthing center - Terry?) Peggy, early on, diagnosed the leading cause of illness and death in La Colonia was all related to contaminated drinking water. The children would haul 5 gallon buckets of water over a mile uphill, where it would sit in the open and become infected by bugs, dogs, chickens, etc……until finally consumed.

Enter Henry (such a Godly name!!!) Zittrower. Henry and his wife moved to Roatan for retirement – of which God called him out of. He developed a game plan, created a network of support and began drilling wells and running water pipes (pvc). Aided by several church work groups from the states; U.S. Navy sailors; and other retired ex-pats on Roatan, the work was quickly accomplished. They are now in need of a third well and a large holding tank for water pumped – plans are in motion. This group, “Living Water For Roatan” (http://www.lw4r.com/) has totally equipped, trained and handed over the day to day operations of the fresh water operation to local residents. Each family pays a small amount for the fresh water piped to their home – those finances pay the local staff member salaries as well as add up for future maintenance needs. LW4R is now dreaming of building a “community center” where local children can participate in a multitude of options from computer classes to personal tutoring to organized sports (futbol & basketball). They are looking for a general properties manager who will oversee and plan the ministry agenda; as well as equip, train and discipleship future local leadership.

These people in La Colonia are extremely friendly, warm and open to new relationships and life views. They are mostly Spanish speaking only – and their smiles will melt your heart. They are looking for real answers to the heavy issues of life and are open to listening and learning. They left their old ways of living (culture) behind and know they must adjust to become a permanent fixture in a strange land. This promises to make them extremely open to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ - via - new personal relationships with Christians who themselves demonstrate a intimate personal relationship with our loving God. Our goal at language school is to learn enough conversational skills to clearly communicate Christ’s love and acceptance.

We are told we will have internet access at least once per week while in Copan. We will do our best to keep you informed as we continue our journey.

Know that your prayers and spiritual support are needed more now than ever!
We love you and look forward to seeing most of you when we return to the states in December and January.

In His Love and Service,
Henry & Terry McCray