tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25780310673150037692024-02-07T16:08:11.129-08:00Abundant Life FoundationALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-70494732410688436572012-05-05T11:53:00.000-07:002012-05-05T11:53:25.587-07:00TOMSWe had the privilege recently of participating in a TOMS Shoes Gifting to the children of St. Helene. TOMS did not allow photography so we have no pictures to share with you, but the mental images will stay in my mind forever. Children we have come to know and love came out of their classrooms wearing shoes with holes in them, some with their feet hanging off both ends of worn-out sandals. They took a seat in one of the 10 chairs lined up on the portico, and they were <i>fitted for a brand new pair of shoes!</i> Something I'm sure they have never experienced before.<br />
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Can we even begin to comprehend the significance of a new pair of shoes? It starts simply with the protection from injury and disease, but grows to include the more subjective but real aspect of self-esteem. It was a gift to see the looks on the children's faces when they received <i>their</i> gift of a brand new pair of shoes! <br />
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In one day, roughly 320 pairs of shoes were given to children on the island of St. Helene. During the week in Roatan, over <i>2000 children </i>received shoes!! And the really great news for those who don't know, is that once you're on the TOMS Gifting list, their commitment is to come back every 6 months to keep children in shoes that fit as they continue to grow! <br />
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We are so grateful to TOMS Shoes for their incredible program, and to Vivian Chahin and her family - especially Andrea - for bringing the TOMS Gifting program to Honduras, and now St. Helene!ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-85339005025376236582012-04-20T07:45:00.000-07:002012-04-20T07:45:26.240-07:00From Trash to Treasures!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRN0QONABXtkpNT_aaqs9ggnlzbxliYR6i0iZhbN5mWqMUvVyDJE63IH8BRQPgYMjDB8-ll86l-ZsMVUXBmSKhGCi3DO7NE_YnKeaQEe0QrCQUDfHGv3jJEI_3eBkNCQHRAn5HWa6EtV-/s1600/200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="239" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRN0QONABXtkpNT_aaqs9ggnlzbxliYR6i0iZhbN5mWqMUvVyDJE63IH8BRQPgYMjDB8-ll86l-ZsMVUXBmSKhGCi3DO7NE_YnKeaQEe0QrCQUDfHGv3jJEI_3eBkNCQHRAn5HWa6EtV-/s320/200.JPG" /></a></div>A month ago, our friend and fellow board member, Gina Bueso, and friend, Iliana Callejas, offered to teach anyone on the north side of St. Helene how to take plastic trash bags and turn them into products to be sold at Gina's shop at the Roatan cruise ship dock. This past weekend, they showed me what they had already created! Now they are taking what used to be trash littering the ground, and turned them into beautiful treasures that will eventually provide them with money to feed and clothe their families!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JjvtVUYZgcqfEhaTUzaYWj6Oy9zlS7ErA_ZtPZpcZeW4EGVXmoTGTGFPjHaORzAWGPgorbodzhhe_XxEZ6aevXAthcNimHvB0UxWvAb51djJYY8tbdkKYbymd_TKTsDepWg4lcvGvy-C/s1600/202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JjvtVUYZgcqfEhaTUzaYWj6Oy9zlS7ErA_ZtPZpcZeW4EGVXmoTGTGFPjHaORzAWGPgorbodzhhe_XxEZ6aevXAthcNimHvB0UxWvAb51djJYY8tbdkKYbymd_TKTsDepWg4lcvGvy-C/s320/202.JPG" /></a></div>I could already see a difference in the countenance of the women participating. They have more confidence. They know they can do this and do it well. And they are having fun doing it!! They laughed as they told me the only ones not liking this new endeavor are the men... because the women are spending so much time crocheting now, they're not cooking enough for them! ;-)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CdVZR7uaGeZpzJQKmDl3L6c5SJ775BE0p-x3aNhTU2uXh2YmISR9YpyfmP_CsqYHVPgc2Awjj6VUCfp3TS8kUZ3Nejki0VrgxyqCsAYXKA5WKJ9CWa3SSNy2eI-t4ONes8DrFq763QNd/s1600/201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="239" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CdVZR7uaGeZpzJQKmDl3L6c5SJ775BE0p-x3aNhTU2uXh2YmISR9YpyfmP_CsqYHVPgc2Awjj6VUCfp3TS8kUZ3Nejki0VrgxyqCsAYXKA5WKJ9CWa3SSNy2eI-t4ONes8DrFq763QNd/s320/201.JPG" /></a></div>The ladies voted on a "head" of the women's group that will keep track of hours worked per person. The women will be sharing the money coming in equally between themselves based on the number of hours worked. By doing it this way, it causes the women to come together, interact and socialize. From what they have told me, they are not accustomed to doing that, and are enjoying it very much.<br />
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As in everything ALF does, we don't give it away for free. There has to be a "buy-in" so there is "skin in the game." In this case, the crochet hooks given to the women were not free. It is a loan of $1.50 per hook to be paid back after their products start selling. It is a minimal amount, but it is something, and it begins to teach them business skils, work ethic, and self-respect.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrTTpkQJ2WPeyBmiF0bhfYfQsC2juTXc2KF3fFHlTvucNxaqCPgaDnMeLrj1ONpIfgHU1-GBts6tvtcEHb5Qt8vbxD04BnUf8G7okaiq0OBHh-SSx0K5kqRtCnzMRZMfFICnPzy8J4ZDY/s1600/207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="239" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrTTpkQJ2WPeyBmiF0bhfYfQsC2juTXc2KF3fFHlTvucNxaqCPgaDnMeLrj1ONpIfgHU1-GBts6tvtcEHb5Qt8vbxD04BnUf8G7okaiq0OBHh-SSx0K5kqRtCnzMRZMfFICnPzy8J4ZDY/s320/207.JPG" /></a></div>There were not enough hooks for them to each have their own, so they've been sharing until I could bring more down. But before I could get more hooks to them last weekend, one of the ladies' husbands started making them out of wood and bamboo... and they work perfectly!! They are shaped and sized to match a store-bought size 6.5 hook EXACTLY!! (Yet another product to produce and sell??)<br />
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We are excited for these strong, beautiful women to be productive members of their family and community! Be watching for a way to purchase one of these hand-crafted bags for yourself soon!!<br />
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<br />ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-71160787580246199252012-03-10T18:16:00.010-08:002012-03-13T21:02:57.995-07:00Sweet Equity<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHLz80lRG6YD_2D0cqo5oYCEboHh5rxu2uvkdGrj09UKh2OSxp7z6UAo7zE-L95p_XLqM7G5tBCE0_jjZ7hxi-1QC7kgJhZlTlkpeIBMz1sITW5N4VybT7adSmy65kSDVVdtmqd9hcEmN/s1600/June+1%252C+2011.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHLz80lRG6YD_2D0cqo5oYCEboHh5rxu2uvkdGrj09UKh2OSxp7z6UAo7zE-L95p_XLqM7G5tBCE0_jjZ7hxi-1QC7kgJhZlTlkpeIBMz1sITW5N4VybT7adSmy65kSDVVdtmqd9hcEmN/s320/June+1%252C+2011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718661957020780162" /></a> When you put in the hard work required to earn something, it's called 'sweat equity'. When you work at building relationships that allow you to help people who then help others, I call that 'sweet equity', and that's what we have with Mark and Susan Schuler.<br /><br />We've known the Schulers for about 4 of the 8 years they've been living and serving in Roatan as missionaries. After 2 years ministering to the people in the poor community where they live, several families came to them and asked if Mark would be their pastor. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3loFZIaHZ4CTrNe7aJqEC_o6M_sToCDuPR2pMe9UlymwipQaHe_LyHWXSpG44dIbl0EaaVOvJCvvkEq01SSPhtWyhGU6wY74CPajvvHP-bjrx_mw0CEmb9t0tKOtHJ5aPXrMT9yDf5Ep9/s1600/035.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3loFZIaHZ4CTrNe7aJqEC_o6M_sToCDuPR2pMe9UlymwipQaHe_LyHWXSpG44dIbl0EaaVOvJCvvkEq01SSPhtWyhGU6wY74CPajvvHP-bjrx_mw0CEmb9t0tKOtHJ5aPXrMT9yDf5Ep9/s320/035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718711157493801026" /></a>They started church in their home with a few families. 5+ years later they are bursting at the seems with 50-80 in their living room 3 times a week! Two years ago they opened a Kindergarten in the mornings and this year started a "high school" in the afternoons for grades 7 - 10. They also do Bible studies, English classes and tutoring for anyone who wants to attend. With all of this - and more - taking place in their home, they've needed a church - and now a school - for quite a while. This is where the 'sweet equity' comes in!<br /><br />Of the 12 acres ALF purchased for affordable housing, we set aside enough land for the Schulers to build a church/school. What a privilege to be able to bless such humble and dedicated servants! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_MO8SPHgywC5dSKOyGZFFblR8nV7GRUdjMG-XUEtLuWNy1xU3CTanoUG5EuCw_G61UjouIoF2Pn3zsxOjLaR4eIomjNziuo5a8aWwijwTbHcEq1cKw9FscOula_9A5r8L6aB4H29L-ui/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_MO8SPHgywC5dSKOyGZFFblR8nV7GRUdjMG-XUEtLuWNy1xU3CTanoUG5EuCw_G61UjouIoF2Pn3zsxOjLaR4eIomjNziuo5a8aWwijwTbHcEq1cKw9FscOula_9A5r8L6aB4H29L-ui/s320/IMG_0054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718661960093084914" /></a><br />Although the land was a donation, this relatively small and very poor church have a lot of work ahead to raise the money needed for building. But the 'sweat equity' began a few weeks ago as they began clearing the land of their future church home using only machetes - Honduran lawn mowers!<br /><br />There is nothing sweeter than investing in the lives of other people... especially when those people are servants who use what they are given to help others!ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-30159250220472980522012-02-29T11:17:00.009-08:002012-03-01T13:01:52.553-08:00February 2012<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclWbLPckkYl2XN7n1Xd-XJlYlNKQSmdbhcmntpfQ-uWgSbYvV11pnIv5o-8T1KQTKMs-lDgl-LFf2d-B430wd8PRL2FBR5SF6bhnikj3qbHyI7MC_OsjzCkUsTrGzmqmerRZaph0Mr_Pv/s1600/IMG_0709.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclWbLPckkYl2XN7n1Xd-XJlYlNKQSmdbhcmntpfQ-uWgSbYvV11pnIv5o-8T1KQTKMs-lDgl-LFf2d-B430wd8PRL2FBR5SF6bhnikj3qbHyI7MC_OsjzCkUsTrGzmqmerRZaph0Mr_Pv/s320/IMG_0709.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714642194873144802" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzHdEIkQ4P_0zFEtjVYAa2inDNWpNUOENCpSGiyrEY0cetH0_Kztm2tZ4xHgLC1nyQrL0Rvgay377bn0f-HCmAaN2wja3ePbtYlp2eyKXHndxsvN7ITa17MkmeC4GQkZP9_zp5sadfkhN/s1600/photo+%2528100%2529.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzHdEIkQ4P_0zFEtjVYAa2inDNWpNUOENCpSGiyrEY0cetH0_Kztm2tZ4xHgLC1nyQrL0Rvgay377bn0f-HCmAaN2wja3ePbtYlp2eyKXHndxsvN7ITa17MkmeC4GQkZP9_zp5sadfkhN/s320/photo+%2528100%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711054641191879474" /></a>For those of you who are familiar with the other 2 areas of giving at ALF, the "bleed-over" between the 3 segments continues! We took boxes and boxes of leftover t-shirts from our Discovery program to St. Helene and gave every adult a brand new, free t-shirt. Also on our February trip, we took about 70 new and gently used shoes to St. Helene and lined them up inside the school for the community to go shopping! A special thank-you to our friend, Shawn Mack, for getting all those shoes donated.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4vkuH85ph8PElqQqHEjesvx_TiGiMdzoACq8KNmoxGxmWqriegYnpNXiKV3EqNF8QEZ5nTHKfSYZ_qMigZ3oHJZpUwv9POgfooEP4Riu60bIjsm2Oe-4Hd6WNl2WMNtaqHsUuZtGegQ3/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4vkuH85ph8PElqQqHEjesvx_TiGiMdzoACq8KNmoxGxmWqriegYnpNXiKV3EqNF8QEZ5nTHKfSYZ_qMigZ3oHJZpUwv9POgfooEP4Riu60bIjsm2Oe-4Hd6WNl2WMNtaqHsUuZtGegQ3/s320/IMG_0543.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714967752884310162" /></a> Meanwhile, back on the island of Roatan, we continue moving forward with what we are calling the "Dignity Housing" project. We have hired people to clear the 12 acres of land, which of course is all being done by hand with machetes. Tedious, hard work, but as the underbrush is cleared, you can see what an outstanding piece of property this is! Most everyone living here should have a beautiful view of the ocean, including its cool breezes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHdSbErytUYmF2kN5BYoIw1Jixqe-kAdkEBolxJL5JxxZBYHrF9fxqyDO53RjPZHOojn_eXqoGsD97pmd1fJk5kmJe9Kp-blnJB0QxBLAhSuQAAt4YFrAjnXrIEdCX55OdvqEp9jv34n3/s1600/IMG_0524.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHdSbErytUYmF2kN5BYoIw1Jixqe-kAdkEBolxJL5JxxZBYHrF9fxqyDO53RjPZHOojn_eXqoGsD97pmd1fJk5kmJe9Kp-blnJB0QxBLAhSuQAAt4YFrAjnXrIEdCX55OdvqEp9jv34n3/s320/IMG_0524.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714967761176179154" /></a> Here is a picture of a road that they cut and cleared, providing access to the top of the hill. Beautiful! Housing will predominantly be on the hillside, with a church/school, shops and recreational area (hopefully with a soccer field) on the bottom flatland. The world class architect working on the Grand Roatan is donating his services for free to do the site plan. Thank you, Juan Carlos Choussy... again! (He also designed the school for us in St. Helene!)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6FuXQBwRhE_yYRPL7swsvZ1bXxHN7Mhve90S_xB_d7eYyH0tCeD1lCaB0pOJx_m-k3LkvM4sNYfPiPTWGGyo9IMF-L1FS8BU92KcBlnLoLeUvEIbwgEYRbajTFJly1mL9NcgRyXyWOu6/s1600/photo+%252891%2529.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6FuXQBwRhE_yYRPL7swsvZ1bXxHN7Mhve90S_xB_d7eYyH0tCeD1lCaB0pOJx_m-k3LkvM4sNYfPiPTWGGyo9IMF-L1FS8BU92KcBlnLoLeUvEIbwgEYRbajTFJly1mL9NcgRyXyWOu6/s320/photo+%252891%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714642198772277922" /></a> <br /><br />Again, the commitment is that, for every condo sold at the Grand Roatan Resort in West Bay, together, we will build an affordable "dignity home" for a qualified family in need. So we'd better get busy because the Grand Roatan is going up! Incredible views from every unit - but watch your step! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ6g9Zgld7xTLABptVRRw9haquhZW2_FsyAdGXeAvXcHudku0OYOpy6Reheo4qWAhTqqRmO0CusKlY8KDiSozjO5PT4wnOhxU6tyUbVywr7Z-Mx2AuBPkRbLSh7DTj0wHwx6RTEXppc8F/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ6g9Zgld7xTLABptVRRw9haquhZW2_FsyAdGXeAvXcHudku0OYOpy6Reheo4qWAhTqqRmO0CusKlY8KDiSozjO5PT4wnOhxU6tyUbVywr7Z-Mx2AuBPkRbLSh7DTj0wHwx6RTEXppc8F/s320/IMG_0563.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714967743803376242" /></a> This is "Building 1". It is going up fast!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4ihCFsFRwGFv0_gZJsl9R8Uj8wVWqYqZOIo5obDw6hzZTcia6roPil8fIthPvj71Fd4RlEgdAwvllzV7xwYG-gfnhmLyKka6gQxWnkbvFDlf3PseX3g4xM1xkwADOMcuGrPrrkoOqO08/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4ihCFsFRwGFv0_gZJsl9R8Uj8wVWqYqZOIo5obDw6hzZTcia6roPil8fIthPvj71Fd4RlEgdAwvllzV7xwYG-gfnhmLyKka6gQxWnkbvFDlf3PseX3g4xM1xkwADOMcuGrPrrkoOqO08/s320/IMG_0003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714640778713857138" /></a> David and I were asked to announce the Dignity Housing program to an international audience in San Pedro Sula, Honduras as the owners/developers of the Grand Roatan began marketing their condo sales. We were very excited to tell this group of 100 people how we plan to benefit the island and its people through a joint effort with developers on the island. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoL1GoYca8rLjE2ZqdNPgx62qP00jwUBsV41Kc9A64DuZOzMqJwq-vp_1Yp_zdmiIHBJiphVJshEDQCjQM6tSpngOJ-Je-tsZLhwaUehymC1GbIIa0Az0-2c7OJYrZgwvGLomN4EEUdwz/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoL1GoYca8rLjE2ZqdNPgx62qP00jwUBsV41Kc9A64DuZOzMqJwq-vp_1Yp_zdmiIHBJiphVJshEDQCjQM6tSpngOJ-Je-tsZLhwaUehymC1GbIIa0Az0-2c7OJYrZgwvGLomN4EEUdwz/s320/IMG_0055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714640785829972674" /></a> While in San Pedro Sula our friends, the Chahin family, invited us to go on a TOMS Shoe drop with them. For those who don't know about TOMS Shoes, their commitment is that for every pair of shoes sold, they donate a pair to a child in need around the world. We have been moved and motivated by Blake MyCoskie's passion and vision for several years, and it inspired inspired us to the "1 for 1" idea with the dignity housing. So to go on a shoe drop with this amazing family and witness the TOMS Shoes vision in action was a thrill! There were around 1200 kids at this one school in San Pedro Sula who ALL received a free pair of TOMS Shoes! Amazing! They are always given a black pair of shoes as that is what is required to attend school. So every child receiving a pair of TOMS not only receives protection for their feet, but entrance into school to receive an education.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmxgbRviji_9dkROncjiRq16Jt3n-TURy8o3yy1sXCKjiKnxIXKb7WduLssw0gcHq7_AIljHtaZNyHoLArf_Ei9gKMSEaaBhPYmAUUNzvrzOpFVDHVKeyedk3QKOYYrLMPRtE6PzPvZwF/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmxgbRviji_9dkROncjiRq16Jt3n-TURy8o3yy1sXCKjiKnxIXKb7WduLssw0gcHq7_AIljHtaZNyHoLArf_Ei9gKMSEaaBhPYmAUUNzvrzOpFVDHVKeyedk3QKOYYrLMPRtE6PzPvZwF/s320/IMG_0117.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714640793326311602" /></a> This is Andrea Chahin. Although a child of affluence herself, she was very aware of the poverty all around her. When she was 16 she wrote a letter to TOMS and asked if they could extend their free shoe program to Honduras. Now, 2 years later, she and her mother head up the entire country of Honduras for TOMS and their free shoe distribution program. In 2012, they estimate that they will distribute roughly 45,000 pairs of TOMS shoes in Honduras alone! Roatan was added to their distribution list last yaer, and in April this yaer, they will make their first shoe drop to the children in St. Helene!! More than that, once a school gets on their list, they re-visit them with new shoes every 6 months. So the kids in St. Helene have no more worries about shoes for school! Thank you TOMS!! And thank you to Vivian and Andrea Chahin for the excellent work they do throughout Honduras!ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-15972063764048530112012-01-27T11:47:00.001-08:002012-01-31T18:15:18.835-08:00January 2012Happy New Year!<br /><br />I can't believe so much time has gone by since my last post. My apologies! But we've still been hard at work in Roatan and made 3 trips since my last entry.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDlLucXdq0YTJ14OLrpQWTER7hIf3Q4Dxc8AQsQtEbI3qZv_UpxiorvZ4yH_p3We52Vq21A0L1fWT4j5I5PwokKDSGKrbu9uWKld6FRxMYV2XIN7jsduBcDk6IY-XlHPagkbX79rS3fxB/s1600/122.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDlLucXdq0YTJ14OLrpQWTER7hIf3Q4Dxc8AQsQtEbI3qZv_UpxiorvZ4yH_p3We52Vq21A0L1fWT4j5I5PwokKDSGKrbu9uWKld6FRxMYV2XIN7jsduBcDk6IY-XlHPagkbX79rS3fxB/s320/122.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702404677860187362" /></a><br />November marked the end of the first school year for the 57 students at the new school in St. Helene. The new year starts in February and we've been collecting backpacks, school supplies and money for uniforms in preparation. There's been more work on the building as well, adding gutters and piping to capture rainwater and direct it to the nearest well to keep their spring water supply full.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrBnN3lNt8PFUyOMynOAws4rGQVb7f3X97K5dxir9TGgjYrPC1zupm-rCo-_NHRdQ6bUSUtrUWPrpHGynpBFzELlOx9QFp3ieDXvzhZWId0nhpYMjtsVfGuPDutH-IWQp1MvL0U1MbKWS/s1600/109.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrBnN3lNt8PFUyOMynOAws4rGQVb7f3X97K5dxir9TGgjYrPC1zupm-rCo-_NHRdQ6bUSUtrUWPrpHGynpBFzELlOx9QFp3ieDXvzhZWId0nhpYMjtsVfGuPDutH-IWQp1MvL0U1MbKWS/s320/109.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702404661019320338" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaa4WyJVKbj2GxEz_xBrer0xDzD6h5Fmc0878OR0-c9koU37HQoRzxTR7amlZYkogH_RICW8f32y-X31fKoIjBGlHeua5XcSsgS1RH429-hGAXaCDZT0yuWivdLwlkNwvAqzZc7DSMHyh/s1600/101.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaa4WyJVKbj2GxEz_xBrer0xDzD6h5Fmc0878OR0-c9koU37HQoRzxTR7amlZYkogH_RICW8f32y-X31fKoIjBGlHeua5XcSsgS1RH429-hGAXaCDZT0yuWivdLwlkNwvAqzZc7DSMHyh/s320/101.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702404656643020066" /></a><br /><br />Our most recent trip to St. Helene was the week before Christmas. We held a community meeting to further discuss the concept of sustainable living with a community garden, chicken coops and the like. There's a lot more to talk about, and they will need to prove to us that they are up for all the hard work involved as well as the ability to work together for the collective good before we will invest in such a project. We've been in contact with an agricultural university on the mainland who is very interested in helping with this idea, but the biggest roadblock is whether or not the community will pull together to do something of this nature. It is not the 'culture' of their community right now, which we learned while building the school. So in the meantime, we are trying to foster a sense of 'community' through various things including a 'work for food' program. The idea is that each of the 25 families in the community will make a list of things that would help them (i.e. fix a leek in their roof, have help washing clothes, one lady said she could really use an indoor bathroom so she doesn't have to go outside each time, etc.). Then someone in the community would do that work for them, sit and share a meal together, and they would earn a voucher for food. It might not sound like much, but this would be a huge start! The hope is that this will help them bond with each other and realize that by helping each other, they are actually helping themselves. A long process, for sure, but each step in the right direction brings us closer!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHciWG36hXVxfXDFFco-xwER998d4twC3XpS9oIT-bXW1yriXSGrp93fflTNNMwWMWmNIBUS48i8fZqe5McVZnV8tORhMKuo70neFTPbO6Z4A2JgY5OQFzqH4A87T6Zo8NVI_LxJ9vUYP/s1600/080.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHciWG36hXVxfXDFFco-xwER998d4twC3XpS9oIT-bXW1yriXSGrp93fflTNNMwWMWmNIBUS48i8fZqe5McVZnV8tORhMKuo70neFTPbO6Z4A2JgY5OQFzqH4A87T6Zo8NVI_LxJ9vUYP/s320/080.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702407619772766594" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOe1HDJrPmj_Ydi6WTc-F8SR9BXPQ7ZQ-lLX3fp_4LhMzxpEwJ9skyJxf_ZDWHV32pYU2LZgN5qs5G-ws_aG_hTllOFb2qroBI72ksbUFHuDRUSbdbhqBEBSFUpC1OTDISCpuYfS1HEjp3/s1600/photo+%2528135%2529.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOe1HDJrPmj_Ydi6WTc-F8SR9BXPQ7ZQ-lLX3fp_4LhMzxpEwJ9skyJxf_ZDWHV32pYU2LZgN5qs5G-ws_aG_hTllOFb2qroBI72ksbUFHuDRUSbdbhqBEBSFUpC1OTDISCpuYfS1HEjp3/s320/photo+%2528135%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702404699166956770" /></a><br /><br />After the seriousness of the meeting, it was time for some fun! We really wanted to bless the people of St. Helene and, knowing how hard times had been, food was the best way. So we arranged to have enough smoked turkeys done ahead of time so we could give one to each of the 25 families in the community! David donned his Santa cap and as each family was called and sent a representative forward to receive their tureky, David greeted them with a hearty "Ho! Ho! Ho!", a big hug, and an even bigger turkey. (Here's the 25 of them holding their birds!) After the adults got their 'treats', our daughter and niece who was with us helped hand out goody bags to each of the children. They were thrilled to get a present and seemed to enjoy the candy canes most of all!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SF72K5QSUr-zrGgT6FFbR8s120dRLJh5JUG_angjMoX846nVh3hyphenhyphenfp6swOKhb2k1_rN-MA2dClwLRaWfqwjxi_3BGfFp3is-DlbdGXYmvTy-xcEBF6Bh8JnMNnNoPwkCXdWKA8z1AEKX/s1600/photo+%2528136%2529.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SF72K5QSUr-zrGgT6FFbR8s120dRLJh5JUG_angjMoX846nVh3hyphenhyphenfp6swOKhb2k1_rN-MA2dClwLRaWfqwjxi_3BGfFp3is-DlbdGXYmvTy-xcEBF6Bh8JnMNnNoPwkCXdWKA8z1AEKX/s320/photo+%2528136%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702407602240737778" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSMcbYG8USWI5UMqUPNadJ4BqC0a5mea-9x0paow-EyJE-dH_bhPGUR3OnLvHgq3u44ggj3j1DIavDI217g4FqfT8rMPau2GW9NRkWVsW9rtmlrqwLjpl4OHaMdESAWBNHM9DB7CVt0mf/s1600/095.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSMcbYG8USWI5UMqUPNadJ4BqC0a5mea-9x0paow-EyJE-dH_bhPGUR3OnLvHgq3u44ggj3j1DIavDI217g4FqfT8rMPau2GW9NRkWVsW9rtmlrqwLjpl4OHaMdESAWBNHM9DB7CVt0mf/s320/095.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702407633007100514" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-7AD5nDlt00UjVb5qMzTFleHMnOvrLz0VB9EHlDHLmbbn-GTC9D7SAjjLg2I8Jn48A9XLe25k049cPyuLjjR4_3448ouaZFe8iPpBpqru4G3YCFE0rELmjOE4p0B7FctrhmynanIzsCZ/s1600/097.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-7AD5nDlt00UjVb5qMzTFleHMnOvrLz0VB9EHlDHLmbbn-GTC9D7SAjjLg2I8Jn48A9XLe25k049cPyuLjjR4_3448ouaZFe8iPpBpqru4G3YCFE0rELmjOE4p0B7FctrhmynanIzsCZ/s320/097.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702407647769165986" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0h3Q84SLvy25OmBGPb4pVggIom0uKdDxYBsxVZfOPJxpyXGsXISYGqQ3sp5oCSnCYEvomklhUtm3tg3MXDUF9jJrv4k2psDp_R9IshUWL8Cp1xn2QbKYappA87qST40C-fiy0jlHnaVDs/s1600/101.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0h3Q84SLvy25OmBGPb4pVggIom0uKdDxYBsxVZfOPJxpyXGsXISYGqQ3sp5oCSnCYEvomklhUtm3tg3MXDUF9jJrv4k2psDp_R9IshUWL8Cp1xn2QbKYappA87qST40C-fiy0jlHnaVDs/s320/101.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702408010827794226" /></a><br />After everyone left to go home, David and I made our rounds and tried to talk one-on-one with as many people as we could about the idea of sustainable farming. There is definitely some interest, but it is far from what it would take for us to move forward with this project at this time, which pains us.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGo-kCB1iWd6NZqyOfmuK8cbi3Au7I5g9Aw_SshR9wyGnWTAZ3RjGk140rgEJd1INBrJEFygm08sSqM_dfSvWS9WhkE6JWBWZ2HR1-f5wSKs7FHLQFsL25wpiK2SHP8XH62DdDEqDNuNmo/s1600/IMG01708-20111122-0918.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGo-kCB1iWd6NZqyOfmuK8cbi3Au7I5g9Aw_SshR9wyGnWTAZ3RjGk140rgEJd1INBrJEFygm08sSqM_dfSvWS9WhkE6JWBWZ2HR1-f5wSKs7FHLQFsL25wpiK2SHP8XH62DdDEqDNuNmo/s320/IMG01708-20111122-0918.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702404692928657730" /></a><br />One last pic from St. Helene. Some friends of ours recently went on vacation to Roatan and made it a point to go to St. Helene with books, supplies and clothes. This is Meagen Edgars, Lindon Martinez (school teacher in St. Helene), Julie Smith Doyle, her son, and Kevin Wesley (ALF representative from Roatan). Julie is a former school teacher and team leader in one of the poorest school districts in Houston and is highly regarded for her parent classes and her "teach the teacher" programs. She had tremendous results with her programs in Houston and is now highly sought after. She donated her time to share her techniques with Lindon for the day and will return in subsequent trips to continue the education. Many thanks to our friends from Texas for helping our friends in Roatan!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpulZ5Dhr-wPI51kkpDHeal-lmvlUNGTtm_GFBc4f695BlajOaUZ3VrAfM_lpN37UgErrOz7yWB_THKqwfq0o93BYFaHPOhA6tHRUq-1w0W0AMW3m82Eps5tVPml6B9sqlM1i4pE2Drk5r/s1600/133.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpulZ5Dhr-wPI51kkpDHeal-lmvlUNGTtm_GFBc4f695BlajOaUZ3VrAfM_lpN37UgErrOz7yWB_THKqwfq0o93BYFaHPOhA6tHRUq-1w0W0AMW3m82Eps5tVPml6B9sqlM1i4pE2Drk5r/s320/133.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703973792303328034" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19t4KpB_hIronXFujvIM8EjgFGxNgg4LY4mPQtEfKhr9VyMapXTamVre_wzLXcuDvuas6EBir-AEoC0D6-HVNTtJ-3BS5nBfqgRtxuS5iD2uGfYeiSBiVAV9nXlvYU28qJNKHGDwFxDYt/s1600/132.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19t4KpB_hIronXFujvIM8EjgFGxNgg4LY4mPQtEfKhr9VyMapXTamVre_wzLXcuDvuas6EBir-AEoC0D6-HVNTtJ-3BS5nBfqgRtxuS5iD2uGfYeiSBiVAV9nXlvYU28qJNKHGDwFxDYt/s320/132.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703973784204566290" /></a><br />The children's home has had some changes lately. The two women who have worked at and run the home for the past many years decided to leave at the end of December. So now there are two new women working there, and Glen Steer who has been there for the past year. Several of the children have left them home recently, and one new boy has been admitted. That new boy, and one of the girls who has been there for a couple of years, have recently become elligible to go to bilingual school. We have someone sponsoring the girl for half her tuition, but are looking for someone interested in covering the other half, as well as a sponsor for the boy. The girl is 12 and in the 6th grade. She is very intelligent. Her only struggle has been learning enough English in order to make it at the bilingual school, but she is ready now. The boy is 11 and in the 5th grade. He is a go-getter and we believe will do well with the new challenge!<br /><br /><br />Lastly, an update on the Affordable Housing Project. Again, this is a joint venture between the Abundant Life Foundation and the Grand Roatan - a luxury condominium development project. Together, we have committed to build an affordable home for every condo sold in the project, which is slated to be 281. When someone buys one of their condos, the Grand Roatan will build a home in that person's name for the next family on the pre-qualified list. ALF's role is to buy the land and do all the site and prep work. Then, by making roughly the same monthly payment a hard-working individual on the island would be making anyway, within 10 years, the home would be paid for and they would own it and the land it sits on. <br /><br />There is still a TON of work to do on this project, but the ball is definitely rolling. Meetings have been held with banks to work out loan deals; we closed on 12 acres of land in a prime location; the world-class architect that is designing the Grand Roatan has donated his time to this project and has designed the homes to be built as well as the lay-out of the 12 acres for maximum utilization (Many, many thanks to Juan Carlos Choussy from El Salvador for doing this AND designing the school in St. Helene! His talent and his heart are endless.) And the Grand Roatan has begun a massive marketing campaign to sell the units... so we had better get a move on!! Stay tuned!!ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-60148298005434218422011-08-11T12:58:00.000-07:002011-08-29T09:12:44.278-07:00August 2011August marks a personal change in our lives that affects how we will be doing our work in Roatan for quite a while. Our little girl started 1st grade this month, so now we begin a new and wonderful stage of life! But the reality is that she and I will no longer be able to travel as frequently to the island as in years past. So this was David's first of many trips to Roatan 'solo'. It was such an odd feeling to not be there with him, but I embrace this new stage and look forward to supporting him and our projects even more actively from home.
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<br />And although WE weren't with David, don't think he was there all alone! He had long-time friend, Philip with him, and new to the scene was Chance Gilbert, a fairly recent alumni of the Discovery program, out living his mission and seeing what direction it might take.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aNTsMTOtVsmEraU2a7L4j1vTq-sqYmnbYCs3ekqYnsrK3IVYsdKFFz5um3xHS17PzaRMOZ4nLUhV7BV3a9rV1n0UDHC-8o6bVhVuMteBlb7uFqxgeWOQVzLo9dFx5zOHbAUv6WXTeQLb/s1600/IMG00351-20110804-1630.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aNTsMTOtVsmEraU2a7L4j1vTq-sqYmnbYCs3ekqYnsrK3IVYsdKFFz5um3xHS17PzaRMOZ4nLUhV7BV3a9rV1n0UDHC-8o6bVhVuMteBlb7uFqxgeWOQVzLo9dFx5zOHbAUv6WXTeQLb/s320/IMG00351-20110804-1630.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639691195394246834" /></a>
<br />Here are the guys, along with locals to St. Helene, Lindon and Whetsel, attaching a gutter to the roof of the new school. It was extremely hot and humid and a long, tiring job... but worth it in the end! Eventually, these gutters will funnel rain water over to a cistern to be gathered and used.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbeHp_Dp70T057hknVZ14ebbKU5Jt6iJjB9KJe1SD7U22Va17wkXEqmKBfE8c44WqLJFZwei-9n39Z3Acw30Sji6ypnrE9YsKokkk9VngDgO7kXmuagxIgV5Ky3gM3DKbWjecOl8Wj-nd/s1600/IMG00353-20110804-1636.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbeHp_Dp70T057hknVZ14ebbKU5Jt6iJjB9KJe1SD7U22Va17wkXEqmKBfE8c44WqLJFZwei-9n39Z3Acw30Sji6ypnrE9YsKokkk9VngDgO7kXmuagxIgV5Ky3gM3DKbWjecOl8Wj-nd/s320/IMG00353-20110804-1636.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639691201459205602" /></a>
<br />Here, Lindon is showing us the vegetables the kids in school are growing from the starter kit given to them by friend, Kathy Wells Strand, on her last visit to the island. They have transferred them from the starter pots to the ground and are doing well despite the struggle with insects. The kids were so excited to see something grow that they planted! They had never experienced that before! Hopefully it will spark a new interest in gardening as they desperately need fresh fruit and vegetables.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrwgzAGpDMl-7gSXTJP9YlXf-4BDDom3OwRF9lnslY_h_t4lCcdG3NugQK98_SVNzjxuFLd_5ENMqOxI_G5x2rHVCgubJYaWw6nbSjjFaCHQhE_NhQGxs6w2WkQIZqT_2sYwiQhFJymff/s1600/IMG00360-20110805-1036.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrwgzAGpDMl-7gSXTJP9YlXf-4BDDom3OwRF9lnslY_h_t4lCcdG3NugQK98_SVNzjxuFLd_5ENMqOxI_G5x2rHVCgubJYaWw6nbSjjFaCHQhE_NhQGxs6w2WkQIZqT_2sYwiQhFJymff/s320/IMG00360-20110805-1036.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639691204940519346" /></a>
<br />When the school was dedicated in February, we gave them 3 plaques. It was finally time to hang them on the wall:
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<br />1. A list of major contributors to the project
<br />2. The commitment from the community to keep their land clear of trash
<br />3. Two inspiring quotes from Booker T. Washington
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-snnB-q0NrD3bfnCmHIEi9ZqTin7F4XxtdLgPuEjuXO8_HmDZPCmVKGUq8HaFAscN2ZSZOsg6sJHoXKmh3Z-2Uq6T8ngSgup5wLLUCcJd-Aq7jJlDKiIyLPBKtmVwJBizySWMKvM7kdeg/s1600/IMG00364-20110805-1037.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-snnB-q0NrD3bfnCmHIEi9ZqTin7F4XxtdLgPuEjuXO8_HmDZPCmVKGUq8HaFAscN2ZSZOsg6sJHoXKmh3Z-2Uq6T8ngSgup5wLLUCcJd-Aq7jJlDKiIyLPBKtmVwJBizySWMKvM7kdeg/s320/IMG00364-20110805-1037.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639691204226563074" /></a>
<br />Kevin and David.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3K-lrGOHMjrh-NoETvTbYhfyl_HIgKc9QBPDNyNzs1hQn3ILSKa7pUx3mQCTdpbl7VsFQaYRzXjcl1XrmPeBL3Pwm_Q_QxD6sRpO-GPCr3UcO2_GXr45eAZtK8PS3QZe6-NEXZ_dx-BG/s1600/IMG00368-20110805-1046.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3K-lrGOHMjrh-NoETvTbYhfyl_HIgKc9QBPDNyNzs1hQn3ILSKa7pUx3mQCTdpbl7VsFQaYRzXjcl1XrmPeBL3Pwm_Q_QxD6sRpO-GPCr3UcO2_GXr45eAZtK8PS3QZe6-NEXZ_dx-BG/s320/IMG00368-20110805-1046.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639691209916958898" /></a>
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<br />The trim still needs painted along the bottom of the walls, but see that blank row of blocks just above the windows? That's where your name could be painted - to be a part of the school for all time - for a minimum $100 donation to our St. Helene project. We will continue to sell them until the entire row is sold.
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<br />ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-3129968263243744172011-07-18T06:58:00.001-07:002011-07-20T09:41:18.571-07:00July 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuf9rDeQi1wdM8qHdf355fVc4Xc94-lVuc70V4iW2AAfVIpVrRZvmQ2AaVMjEtHQkOqzospxGlDxjRZRqmmHPKtXTtf2ZCzkBYT-P07rRiyp5aT6kD6Qtr42vSJD9e7_oduEm618GLwnp/s1600/040.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630696780475167010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuf9rDeQi1wdM8qHdf355fVc4Xc94-lVuc70V4iW2AAfVIpVrRZvmQ2AaVMjEtHQkOqzospxGlDxjRZRqmmHPKtXTtf2ZCzkBYT-P07rRiyp5aT6kD6Qtr42vSJD9e7_oduEm618GLwnp/s320/040.JPG" /></a><br />Another visit to St. Helene! The school still needs the trim painted (which we delivered on this trip) but is looking good!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_lsrbhKuVH6zwz87dxlHbv5Xjl_GZiIq_XMEchS5avn9ur2TPvhR915kVo6ibfwrZx-HQm1YDWqrC4QfLPx8v2q76k_GzmNSgPEhC1mcYADDV1ogcN_v-QtmgT1yPZt4dvMLumRjCCK9/s1600/025.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630789111630945330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_lsrbhKuVH6zwz87dxlHbv5Xjl_GZiIq_XMEchS5avn9ur2TPvhR915kVo6ibfwrZx-HQm1YDWqrC4QfLPx8v2q76k_GzmNSgPEhC1mcYADDV1ogcN_v-QtmgT1yPZt4dvMLumRjCCK9/s320/025.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We love being there when school is in session so we can say hi to all the kids! Here we stopped by during their English lesson and helped them with ther studies.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioh2zng3Qh_7Bg4bgLMxiAKMlp3Cj_t549puTmpzfDqlf7viy_cvbkoTQg1xhLflcwYXPX6mjdi_mHqtFRdNJLKnByIspc7ZmMZaoMa-rZS3OwVEtC1QSqKpub89i3Ap7yEWbp8912Xalf/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630692823298560546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioh2zng3Qh_7Bg4bgLMxiAKMlp3Cj_t549puTmpzfDqlf7viy_cvbkoTQg1xhLflcwYXPX6mjdi_mHqtFRdNJLKnByIspc7ZmMZaoMa-rZS3OwVEtC1QSqKpub89i3Ap7yEWbp8912Xalf/s320/019.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Now all that's left of the old school is an open dirt area that's being used as a small soccer field - of course!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFq-NmKShxwWABAju4qgxQb0f2t5k_ekSxcuWO3rxqseUOXDJLsZYC1cHAJfyeGADoG-0xjFXK_fC0L21yQJL1nqPtO369ZvTJuXRkEvc_KhS0NlMll0rMx20pc82DW3zpS0dv1Q9RYib8/s1600/034.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630692354097663202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFq-NmKShxwWABAju4qgxQb0f2t5k_ekSxcuWO3rxqseUOXDJLsZYC1cHAJfyeGADoG-0xjFXK_fC0L21yQJL1nqPtO369ZvTJuXRkEvc_KhS0NlMll0rMx20pc82DW3zpS0dv1Q9RYib8/s320/034.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This time we made our trip an over-nighter. Many thanks to Larry and Sheila Benson from Missions Encounter International, on the south side of the island, for hosting us and treating us to great conversation, fellowship… and food!! Here is Larry and Sheila (far right) and their team (from left to right)- Molly, Dominick and Ashley. All such wonderful, godly people!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWa6GQveq81RVopEFCzWivJQdYLg5OtQfAqHPg1B1pxc7piDp4lxe1_fYG8ZyUxI_7zYB3jkcUQAej_1qNl3WH4LR0iOAbEgsajrbtRiW7l03gDwevDJTLaZXE58ig84YTFq5fiAprJeB/s1600/022.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630692828623144754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWa6GQveq81RVopEFCzWivJQdYLg5OtQfAqHPg1B1pxc7piDp4lxe1_fYG8ZyUxI_7zYB3jkcUQAej_1qNl3WH4LR0iOAbEgsajrbtRiW7l03gDwevDJTLaZXE58ig84YTFq5fiAprJeB/s320/022.JPG" /></a><br /><br />We have come to love the people that make up this community - a very small one of about 22 families of 100 or so people. Through building the school we came to know some of them, but not all. So on this particular trip our commitment was to go door-to-door introducing ourselves to all 22 families and spending some time getting to know them, and they us. We hope to earn their trust over time so that we might all work together to better their community. We had an unbelievable time! Here are some of the beautiful faces of the north-side community of St. Helene:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKYjnrok9f20k4Tn9aBGZsoKwUm73yUhHJTuIbq9bL5nbrDACVPsSjFs7c-0q-zsBhBuGyTPVwmaGGvkJMkrNBCglOe0APid1J6AK3de3rdfJsawf-Ue1FnzL9ty6aKg5La7Vbjuc3tpr/s1600/020.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630706583455039762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKYjnrok9f20k4Tn9aBGZsoKwUm73yUhHJTuIbq9bL5nbrDACVPsSjFs7c-0q-zsBhBuGyTPVwmaGGvkJMkrNBCglOe0APid1J6AK3de3rdfJsawf-Ue1FnzL9ty6aKg5La7Vbjuc3tpr/s320/020.JPG" /></a><br />Pastor Ted (on right) is a pastor at the church on the north side. He agreed to take us door-to-door to make the initial introductions. (Our daughter, Anna, was with us as always, and on this trip we also had my nephew, Billy.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tWP7wVox519MFaHjMFaLBRqUX-Lxb_ioO-5lM3-W9LIOFyEl6EysN43wjieHqjO6wcNukLvOF33Aj_px5WrSdk2xfW4fh0LscOKOiZhWYDy88b0Uf8ar0QNZC13x7GXdwJP0LNnphBh9/s1600/024.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630692834345332386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tWP7wVox519MFaHjMFaLBRqUX-Lxb_ioO-5lM3-W9LIOFyEl6EysN43wjieHqjO6wcNukLvOF33Aj_px5WrSdk2xfW4fh0LscOKOiZhWYDy88b0Uf8ar0QNZC13x7GXdwJP0LNnphBh9/s320/024.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGviMghdzlRTzmPkdm0aX55A2Z3ewq-6xbXEPPDDScC6x7C2AjrA-OB9cpGENS2w45X8aqNMOVUWMywvn2gYWHA89HC21aWLGsLUAwHFHupHcqTad3VaNg_LtPQx5uML3Q3pobCnZYVbE/s1600/018.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630789119554752194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGviMghdzlRTzmPkdm0aX55A2Z3ewq-6xbXEPPDDScC6x7C2AjrA-OB9cpGENS2w45X8aqNMOVUWMywvn2gYWHA89HC21aWLGsLUAwHFHupHcqTad3VaNg_LtPQx5uML3Q3pobCnZYVbE/s320/018.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is Truman, sitting on the front step of his home. Born and raised on St. Helene, he fishes and dives for lobster for a living, as do most of the men on the island. He doesn't do it commercially anymore, just to live off of. But the fish and lobster are getting scarce. He told us that lately (including the day we met him) he will fish all day and often come home with nothing. The waters used to be plentiful, but no longer. Life is hard.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQdCN0uAwjfZCftz_fERDeoA6j8sYywroprTmGpFCOyjMgBwiPdNbMmlnAf1cESXtp6VgSJeJuf5IjHILRzoh0kWGn3zYKhcII6WDvYhpa9hYXdrxhHN-zOn-LHVfDqLm7rIpZemLiQ0y/s1600/024.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630789126451203810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQdCN0uAwjfZCftz_fERDeoA6j8sYywroprTmGpFCOyjMgBwiPdNbMmlnAf1cESXtp6VgSJeJuf5IjHILRzoh0kWGn3zYKhcII6WDvYhpa9hYXdrxhHN-zOn-LHVfDqLm7rIpZemLiQ0y/s320/024.JPG" /></a><br />Another woman, born and raised on Helene, taking care of her grandchild.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWpD0P899qmfhpZ6Er7Gef2_9vIUXpItHGemsEgW0udiFlMBvhLbAlSptuBoikCOUBiuPUYoQG-67Ni94pRC8NxRfjwi3nlgoDz50S2oBnDoNMoIxC32tO0InUcwuRzLepnWXdq56aCw2/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630789120471244946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWpD0P899qmfhpZ6Er7Gef2_9vIUXpItHGemsEgW0udiFlMBvhLbAlSptuBoikCOUBiuPUYoQG-67Ni94pRC8NxRfjwi3nlgoDz50S2oBnDoNMoIxC32tO0InUcwuRzLepnWXdq56aCw2/s320/023.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfpAXZFpxjLF5w0i7Y6Spv86LLdpLXyReq2Bc-3r7HSCt7Nxm9WYFb0ZveD6a61hrdyfk3q2IS3ZE6bZpnClbpUyjeNwoXOfzWQjPnARBlAjlj9TXauVKxlRgCMaPESYFBsQmU6_8-qlJ/s1600/117.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630696777160463618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfpAXZFpxjLF5w0i7Y6Spv86LLdpLXyReq2Bc-3r7HSCt7Nxm9WYFb0ZveD6a61hrdyfk3q2IS3ZE6bZpnClbpUyjeNwoXOfzWQjPnARBlAjlj9TXauVKxlRgCMaPESYFBsQmU6_8-qlJ/s320/117.JPG" /></a><br />This is Rollins Rich, also born and raised on Helene, and is the 3rd oldest man on the island at 83! He is as spry and chipper as someone half his age! He is one of the only people we know of with a garden (about 1/4 acre) and he tends it all himself.<br /><br /><br /><br />It was a sincere pleasure, and an enriching experience, meeting everyone. We look forward to getting to know them all better in future visits and working together to bring hope, healing and prosperity to this beautiful island.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Lastly, we would like to introduce you to our newest endeavor. We are partnering with a luxury condominium development on the island called "Grand Roatan" and, for every one of their 280+ condos they sell, together we will build a home on the island of Roatan for a qualified family. We are very excited about this project on many levels. Not only will it make dreams come true for locals who could never have thought home ownership possible, but also, it joins tourists with locals and bridges cultural divides. It also shows social responsibility giving back to the communities we come to enjoy and not only taking from it. We hope it will encourage other business people on the island to do similar forms of giving back. There are myriad details to work out, and undoubtedly many hurdles to face, so look for more details on our website as we work through them. But we have already bought our first 12 acres of land and built 1 'test home', seen here. "The Grand" is in its initial stage of construction and has only recently begun moving dirt, but we hope to position ourselves to have homes ready to be built as the first units are finished out.ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-9843119137232209732011-05-07T14:14:00.001-07:002011-05-15T08:37:33.895-07:00May 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbJyNCxnIrxlwCYAH7UvsFd7rCGt93aqdZqwpu75Z1hMOFNPgtqzL8VjZOT65OQ4LvfQSgFfziqwG21in-2DwfjBcilLmDkB6H-iRZIYUR6lVLctb6jKiaq5xJEzA-JPQ0MVxYYBMLJcv/s1600/042.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbJyNCxnIrxlwCYAH7UvsFd7rCGt93aqdZqwpu75Z1hMOFNPgtqzL8VjZOT65OQ4LvfQSgFfziqwG21in-2DwfjBcilLmDkB6H-iRZIYUR6lVLctb6jKiaq5xJEzA-JPQ0MVxYYBMLJcv/s320/042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604087002659908162" /></a><br /><br />The school in St. Helene has been up and running for over 3 months now and though it lacks a final coat of paint, the 57 children in classes there couldn’t care less about that! This trip to St. Helen, however, showed us a different need in the community.<br /><br />We had been approached by individuals from St. Helene asking if we could fund them for a job or help them start a small business. Times are definitely tough on the island and income is scarce. Men fish and dive for lobsters to make a living, but when the fish and lobsters go away (as they are experiencing now with the arrival of the lion fish), money is especially hard to come by. And for the women in particular, there are precious few ways to make a living. To make things worse, in the case of two people, they had not received pay for over 7 months for a job they've been doing faithfully. Simply crazy!<br /><br />These people have become more than just faces in pictures to us. They are our friends. We’ve shared meals together, built a school together, our daughter plays with their children and has become good friends also. So it was especially heart-breaking to have to look our friends in the eye each time and tell them 'no' to their requests. Although an emotionally hard decision, we knew it was the 'right' decision, as we are here for the entire community and not one or two families in particular. In order for the community to embrace us and trust us in the future, we simply could not show favoritism to a select few. But on this last visit, the tears in their eyes when they heard the answer was overwhelming. Desperate to help them in some other way, I asked "Aside from a job, what is your biggest struggle, what is your biggest need?" Thinking they might say clothes, or an engine for their dory (boat), I was floored when each of them individually told me with great humility, "Honestly, what we need is food." <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcKwqr8ktdTs-DYL9UD5Sj6j5t4lwEMJsSKiQS92rLjdZYCgCcAftfY1UiVA_U4ttTcfR0dAsXnuFH3DFg06HQr5KUI5qSeCsZBagDTTCoBO8anjicu05jsiNHUGaQch93lMCHyhqO6Bw/s1600/IMG01061-20110507-1434.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcKwqr8ktdTs-DYL9UD5Sj6j5t4lwEMJsSKiQS92rLjdZYCgCcAftfY1UiVA_U4ttTcfR0dAsXnuFH3DFg06HQr5KUI5qSeCsZBagDTTCoBO8anjicu05jsiNHUGaQch93lMCHyhqO6Bw/s320/IMG01061-20110507-1434.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606966998712270898" /></a><br /><br />I was in tears as I realized how desperate the situation was for our friends in St. Helene. Sure, they appreciate the new school, but that’s long-term. What they need RIGHT NOW is FOOD! After talking with David, he immediately said we need to start a food bank. Four days later, the first shipment of rice and beans was transported to St. Helene for the 22 families of the north-side community. A huge thank you to Marcos Antonio Ramirez at Comercial Ramirez for getting us this food in bulk at cost, and so quickly. Thank you so very much!<br /><br />Although we will help with food during difficult times, enabling them is not our purpose. Our long-term goal is to help them become self-sufficient by teaching them to raise crops and animals themselves. There are obstacles to overcome to be successful at this, and we know this will take YEARS to accomplish, but we believe it is achievable and necessary. Calls are already being made to an agricultural university on mainland Honduras with the hope of having interns come spend time on the island with rotating teams to oversee the development and on-going care. The success of this project is critical and will require the 22 families there to come together and function as a community, something that is sadly lacking. We have already been asked by more than one person on the islands to bring the Discovery program to Roatán to help in this matter, and in many other ways. (For details on the Discovery program, go to www.discovery-austin.org) <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet9qhbafAXGCkGmcYhFYAJHRzlOp3HOzYdTwHu1p66F0TWVYq7sUd4XK_8YzIyh8ZRewyolboJhgKfj2iS2Bl4VistUOjbplHpgnYmMVdrU8zEHHF8oElECiiv6uOlf_7EuD7MakMPUC6/s1600/IMG00174-20110503-1250+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet9qhbafAXGCkGmcYhFYAJHRzlOp3HOzYdTwHu1p66F0TWVYq7sUd4XK_8YzIyh8ZRewyolboJhgKfj2iS2Bl4VistUOjbplHpgnYmMVdrU8zEHHF8oElECiiv6uOlf_7EuD7MakMPUC6/s320/IMG00174-20110503-1250+%25282%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604086986416028562" /></a><br /><br />In the meantime, here are some pics of the rest of our visit in Helene. The first is of an older woman on the island who is diabetic. She had no way of monitoring her sugar levels and so a nurse friend of ours donated a glucometer. Here, we are teaching her how to use it while some of the children look on.<br /><br />Back at the children's home, we checked in on the kids and the refurbishing of an 'apartment' (room) at the home for the new employee living there. Previously that particular room was a complete disaster and unfit for living, although the man was living there anyway! Now the mold has been cleared away, sheetrock redone, windows installed, and an A/C unit has been ordered. The remaining item is to repair the plumbing, and then the man's wife will also be able to move in with him. They are a welcome addition to the home and the children have come to love and respect them. We have been asked for the safety of the children not to post photos of them for their safety as, unfortunately, child trafficking and prostitution are very high on the island. <br /><br />In a separate, upcoming entry, we look forward to introducing you to our newest project on the island of Roatán. Stay tuned for the big news!! And as always, thank you for your interest and support.ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-51610786133616443962011-03-10T10:13:00.000-08:002011-03-10T11:02:36.288-08:00March 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZywW52rqyAjvnPQfH7O-z20PoZvw-0Hpxz-MYmRMTNKNfK8impMv-8Z69rGzAGGVi6FcnAeZOXthPChyphenhyphenuF27FPPHUOOOhoFBEKUDUg2xi8HP_MO9MQEB8aL16sLmUCXWLUJgWbyUckza/s1600/2011+Feb+Helene+dedication+009.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZywW52rqyAjvnPQfH7O-z20PoZvw-0Hpxz-MYmRMTNKNfK8impMv-8Z69rGzAGGVi6FcnAeZOXthPChyphenhyphenuF27FPPHUOOOhoFBEKUDUg2xi8HP_MO9MQEB8aL16sLmUCXWLUJgWbyUckza/s320/2011+Feb+Helene+dedication+009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582519056981253426" /></a> On Saturday, February 26th, about 120 people – adults and children alike – gathered to dedicate the new school building on the north side of St. Helene. It was a beautiful day and a great occasion. As the M.C. of the event, Pastor Martel, announced “Today is a momentous day for St. Helene. Today, St. Helene is on the map!” <br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIhUL3jWI0BN7SALDwL8Bh-lq6mTJjKmT8LDWQ8ucqlFEym6MfGMXbd5fkK0JSwpDgeSKuqAXREjT4Nd4rHAkyETmCOd3sEfu4MQm1Iteop4JUN-4866P6aq1m2HYuBbU8TRSHKEhbpFj/s1600/2011+Feb+Helene+dedication+011.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIhUL3jWI0BN7SALDwL8Bh-lq6mTJjKmT8LDWQ8ucqlFEym6MfGMXbd5fkK0JSwpDgeSKuqAXREjT4Nd4rHAkyETmCOd3sEfu4MQm1Iteop4JUN-4866P6aq1m2HYuBbU8TRSHKEhbpFj/s320/2011+Feb+Helene+dedication+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582519063728424450" /></a> Many of the children were present in their school uniforms, with bright blue shirts the color of the Caribbean sea that is always visible in the background. They opened the ceremony by singing the national anthem, led by Darla Pandy, the school teacher we met in September 2009 who first told us of the need on the island, her home town.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTCkGBLvbJy2Eo1iEytQA5vcNfZPDkST2YyeL-7OyHm2JeNoaYf52AEau7NWIh7wvzhtNY_prkjAxecbTx6O6lQN66T-u5r3jd13v1E63sQ59E-PdKzxzx2DGGjiX8HRSI8NykKNmB2hg/s1600/2011+Feb+Helene+dedication+020.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTCkGBLvbJy2Eo1iEytQA5vcNfZPDkST2YyeL-7OyHm2JeNoaYf52AEau7NWIh7wvzhtNY_prkjAxecbTx6O6lQN66T-u5r3jd13v1E63sQ59E-PdKzxzx2DGGjiX8HRSI8NykKNmB2hg/s320/2011+Feb+Helene+dedication+020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582519067375256642" /></a> At the end of the ceremony, ribbons were cut and the building was officially announced open for school!! As of today, the kids are finishing their 2nd week in the new classrooms and Lindon, the teacher we have been working with, has told us many times already how excited and proud the kids are about their new school! After 8 years of trying, the community’s dream has finally come true. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_3m7wGmV8iav8UoORW9qxXwiCzbToUEQazk1WpO2jVIqpNQ4Hq5h3l4vxZwaDv2dylDzfQqVSOtPI75HA0DUbzx_E4wh1gTceZhrgXJthMZyKkj4t8-I6WvaFBziwnmpqC15NsKuSFVS/s1600/2011+Feb+Helene+dedication+025.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_3m7wGmV8iav8UoORW9qxXwiCzbToUEQazk1WpO2jVIqpNQ4Hq5h3l4vxZwaDv2dylDzfQqVSOtPI75HA0DUbzx_E4wh1gTceZhrgXJthMZyKkj4t8-I6WvaFBziwnmpqC15NsKuSFVS/s320/2011+Feb+Helene+dedication+025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582522871081061346" /></a> After the ribbon cutting came a fabulous feast! Our friends at Infinity Bay in West Bay, Roatán provided fried chicken, cornbread and home-made brownies for the entire crowd, and the community provided all the delicious sides. No one left hungry! David and I enjoyed greeting each adult and child as they entered the classroom where the food was being served.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOyWazgbiwP7GU3xBeOTtK87-oMmPMK3l6XDstOqZMGeskO4O2HiDsaPYEHxWz1EylQYLWgCRqSq4JBaXw8t_1Eb1iU1w4IxHme8G3NL8BZ4bPZ3-TNdmueoBIQ2hDAlyUczVvdiF23LF/s1600/052.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOyWazgbiwP7GU3xBeOTtK87-oMmPMK3l6XDstOqZMGeskO4O2HiDsaPYEHxWz1EylQYLWgCRqSq4JBaXw8t_1Eb1iU1w4IxHme8G3NL8BZ4bPZ3-TNdmueoBIQ2hDAlyUczVvdiF23LF/s320/052.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582524128228722194" /></a> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmB1wt-rqKrUkQ0MGJqePlsw_lCQAvmeUcFzJQ66D2F7XeKEFGEN_m-N-jMhqggH90EWO9PxbhPTaUFnXmyQytcfwRay8dRCjklIrrG5YuVtKN-mL88fHXvURLdnAElVkzRxqa2JJrth4/s1600/051.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmB1wt-rqKrUkQ0MGJqePlsw_lCQAvmeUcFzJQ66D2F7XeKEFGEN_m-N-jMhqggH90EWO9PxbhPTaUFnXmyQytcfwRay8dRCjklIrrG5YuVtKN-mL88fHXvURLdnAElVkzRxqa2JJrth4/s320/051.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582519973022422626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIxOypdc2nQVupiYir8ToqT0EsxQoLKomE38-eF1ZbooCLJt7VldBm1Vm-HrqImP2hlUb3gbsrIBjg-CR6pmx9niLi22JUqPRt90YZGyK6x2sOjyGWhiHboUCgkAlnWHRB2GzU0DXoOzP/s1600/056.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIxOypdc2nQVupiYir8ToqT0EsxQoLKomE38-eF1ZbooCLJt7VldBm1Vm-HrqImP2hlUb3gbsrIBjg-CR6pmx9niLi22JUqPRt90YZGyK6x2sOjyGWhiHboUCgkAlnWHRB2GzU0DXoOzP/s320/056.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582519981245702050" /></a><br /><br />Before leaving to come home, we made another trip to the island and got to see the beautiful kids in their classrooms learning. Here are some photos of each classroom. Kiera is working with the Kindergartners. <br />Lindon has 3 grades in his class. <br />Ollie has 2 grades in her class. Attendance is already up from last year and they expect it to continue to grow!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FCADy3aTIcUPjVnh3oIU5bp9k7I8rkUTPJAF7nBzXEsrsp4qTVVp9zJ5FNUCvrY5EdjvBg6zaLO7ycwMdKCVTLofAiTwlE2Fi7ZvSV3rYnC8sP6QNysjE5zWc3T19VGX5-FNj1kxe89T/s1600/IMG00081-20110225-1029.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FCADy3aTIcUPjVnh3oIU5bp9k7I8rkUTPJAF7nBzXEsrsp4qTVVp9zJ5FNUCvrY5EdjvBg6zaLO7ycwMdKCVTLofAiTwlE2Fi7ZvSV3rYnC8sP6QNysjE5zWc3T19VGX5-FNj1kxe89T/s320/IMG00081-20110225-1029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582520276745644386" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Although the school is up and running, our work is not yet finished. The school still needs to be painted, and the waste water system needs some tweaking. We also plan to have a walkway built around the back side of the building. But for all practical purposes, the school is complete, and we are so thankful for everyone who helped make this dream a reality. And we invite everyone to come make the long, but very worthwhile trip to the wonderful northside community of St. Helene to see the school that sits on a hill overlooking the pristine waters of the Caribbean, where the kids have learned to dare to dream, because dreams really do come true.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbmUJFbl3dwMm2sIm9SGPsdsnCBAzAnQc6nFQeHiTsZFP4qp-ObY7eLjcNMwrNgei_nYFYEjSwReyQhl6mfNIiLVwIgpNqRI2xA8nBco-L9CquByRjqNUClXePbmkos3SWEFl9iTq8ABI/s1600/057.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbmUJFbl3dwMm2sIm9SGPsdsnCBAzAnQc6nFQeHiTsZFP4qp-ObY7eLjcNMwrNgei_nYFYEjSwReyQhl6mfNIiLVwIgpNqRI2xA8nBco-L9CquByRjqNUClXePbmkos3SWEFl9iTq8ABI/s320/057.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582519985530992818" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Lastly, an update on the children at the children's home. They are doing great! The 4 kids being sponsored to bilingual school through our foundation are being re-sponsored. Our mentorship program now has ALL the kids at the home paired up with a mentor, writing them letters and sending care packages. Also, a new man was recently hired by the home to be a live-in 'father figure' to the children. We got to meet him and have committed to remodeling the apartment at the home where he is living. The work has already begun and we hope to have it completed quickly so that his wife will join him. We will keep you posted!ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-37616804787278136782011-02-08T13:42:00.000-08:002011-02-08T14:10:31.156-08:00February 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiqSAy0abx2RiKASBj64CbrITYgzpnJ-Syceoq_CGcCJQVdShyuupjC72TAofY0cThb9kGjKi03hS8rG5jL0uy6oFtsh6g6Hb1LSlOhnYZy33jE7lVBYY6jdY_oZKG9D0EvHyid6hSGmd/s1600/036.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiqSAy0abx2RiKASBj64CbrITYgzpnJ-Syceoq_CGcCJQVdShyuupjC72TAofY0cThb9kGjKi03hS8rG5jL0uy6oFtsh6g6Hb1LSlOhnYZy33jE7lVBYY6jdY_oZKG9D0EvHyid6hSGmd/s320/036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571438774801537698" /></a><br />The school is coming along so quickly! Only 7 weeks of construction to date. Pretty amazing when you consider the logistics of getting all these supplies to the island! That speaks to the quality of work that our manager, Kevin Wesley, is doing along with the crew and people of St. Helene.<br /><br />Floors were poured on this trip. Next is the roofing, doors and windows. The community is picking out the color paint they want and they will paint their own school. They decided on a location for the blocks with donor names. It will be on the front wall of the school - high enough that it has a clean look as you approach the building, but easily visible to anyone who wants to see. <em>There are only a few blocks left to purchase, so if you want one, get your donation in quickly!!</em> <br /><br />For lunch we were treated to a home-cooked meal by Lindon’s wife, sister and mother. Such a treat! Fresh conk caught right off the island, fried chicken, all the trimmings, and a freshly baked cake. DEE-licious!!! Thank you, ladies!! <br /><br />The first day of school will likely be around February 15, but the dedication ceremony is definitely set for <strong>Saturday, February 26th</strong>. There will be a small ceremony at the school followed by a pot-luck. Should be quite a shin-dig as most of the island is likely to show up for the celebration! <br /><br />We look forward to reporting back with the update. In the meantime, look at some of the beautiful children who are excited about their new school!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5AOG0VRpdSdN23j6dIK3NyEBlkCKbc3LWZ23UnNp850xzRuWqWnrv5d6XNoRrwHTZNVUrFpKgSDcCgVQ2EzH6g9ALLL_9IOPCPVuGfLMRgzjqfBoloA4_QZHFg10XtqEP61ISGMGqco1/s1600/047.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5AOG0VRpdSdN23j6dIK3NyEBlkCKbc3LWZ23UnNp850xzRuWqWnrv5d6XNoRrwHTZNVUrFpKgSDcCgVQ2EzH6g9ALLL_9IOPCPVuGfLMRgzjqfBoloA4_QZHFg10XtqEP61ISGMGqco1/s320/047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571438789772340002" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi8B7vALpXCAP3od5HyJV0z-ay8VbJOoAFSdNg-yDs-hQqSOISH0uj_FQ2R3Rp0L3xIn1JGNwkKR6B0_n9-gaTPlrdKgxczwi_yFSCi-sJOxNoguX5e3_425NbhJc_h0Iw6RqQGdfBCdN/s1600/046.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi8B7vALpXCAP3od5HyJV0z-ay8VbJOoAFSdNg-yDs-hQqSOISH0uj_FQ2R3Rp0L3xIn1JGNwkKR6B0_n9-gaTPlrdKgxczwi_yFSCi-sJOxNoguX5e3_425NbhJc_h0Iw6RqQGdfBCdN/s320/046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571438780334420194" /></a>ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-32394308544931888272011-01-08T21:54:00.000-08:002011-01-09T09:02:20.241-08:00January 2011Happy New Year!<br /><br />We brought in the New Year in Roatán and have more updates for you on the school. This was the first time we got to see the construction in person. Prior to that, it was through photos being emailed to us by Kevin. What a thrill to see it and touch it! Here is a view of the school as you see it walking up the hill from the dock.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZOU20J3Lox46lT02Qp5UwjjDqwwZeLMOrSCVmO16bGldk2vrxnFhGOH_N2YyoOO9GHYSptBlnA28zlUffeEgZiKb6aCQePRCZZgAemj4mKfng83rCgWcSZzO_fRy1XkUIer7nFbikcUd/s1600/051.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560201331664122370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZOU20J3Lox46lT02Qp5UwjjDqwwZeLMOrSCVmO16bGldk2vrxnFhGOH_N2YyoOO9GHYSptBlnA28zlUffeEgZiKb6aCQePRCZZgAemj4mKfng83rCgWcSZzO_fRy1XkUIer7nFbikcUd/s320/051.JPG" /></a><br />We visited St. Helene twice during our stay. The first time, everyone was still on holiday so no work was being done, but the second time, everything was in full swing. They are moving fast and we really do believe, barring any long-term bad weather, the school should be ready for the start date in Honduras of February 15th – VERY exciting!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxKNCdCuzEcbw_EvUK9nlOqPkeHSqFfcKjWjqKbDsBVe4F4zMqZ_zzaAPGzRR8HdCPRgqL7AOfJxstEaIJfyAsPPXh3a-_e4chV_O00IDJ_DujPptyMY004a-Nvz4OzPL9vkABQgPmQ0n/s1600/IMG00158-20110104-1210.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560065481692280354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxKNCdCuzEcbw_EvUK9nlOqPkeHSqFfcKjWjqKbDsBVe4F4zMqZ_zzaAPGzRR8HdCPRgqL7AOfJxstEaIJfyAsPPXh3a-_e4chV_O00IDJ_DujPptyMY004a-Nvz4OzPL9vkABQgPmQ0n/s320/IMG00158-20110104-1210.jpg" /></a><br />With us on this trip was Ian from Piranha Systems (the one in the goatee) who will be doing the waste water system for the toilets in the school. His system is a 'green' aerator system that purifies sewage so it doesn’t contaminate the environment which, being so close to the ocean, will protect the beautiful reefs that surround St. Helene. He was excited to see the school and we greatly appreciate his generosity in doing this project for the cost of materials only. The man to Ian's left is Luis, the construction manager overseeing the project. He is doing a fantastic job!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR37E2BWBnvCq1dYag-mjceLXg9Gq96r-I7zD7YkVXR4aFQeks32AL_ldjqFJwwvxruvwbYRcu11q_9ciM1rJsp3DXMKUCSQUM9Uq5F7Vn2Gq31i2MOvsrjIz8INpjDi-7PyE2cka_6s8c/s1600/St.+Helene+040.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560201332650173714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR37E2BWBnvCq1dYag-mjceLXg9Gq96r-I7zD7YkVXR4aFQeks32AL_ldjqFJwwvxruvwbYRcu11q_9ciM1rJsp3DXMKUCSQUM9Uq5F7Vn2Gq31i2MOvsrjIz8INpjDi-7PyE2cka_6s8c/s320/St.+Helene+040.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The materials continue to be delivered one dory full at a time. We knew it was a lot of work, but to see it first-hand was impressive. Once they get the dory loaded in Camp Bay in Roatan, they make the 40 minute trip to the north side of St. Helene where they off-load everything by hand from the boat into a wheelbarrow. At the end of the dock, they have to manually carry everything to the top of the beach head that's a good 15-20 foot rise, throw everything back into the wheelbarrow to haul it up the hill to the school, and then off-load it again… to be repeated hundreds and hundreds of times!! Talk about putting 'sweat equity' into a project!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkP686ZJWfVkdA9P0TR_KLVW2t3gVPrXcVGz-Ai7yy2zNeUw6Xw1mw1b97TUqY5PE0Vy2V5EqyltL_iLKBONqx9IRcNGYnsPVEw6MnhCYdmVp0q07wVTkOj509Pvk5VYOpgZkyxXAYdBNF/s1600/St.+Helene+034.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560201341824701938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkP686ZJWfVkdA9P0TR_KLVW2t3gVPrXcVGz-Ai7yy2zNeUw6Xw1mw1b97TUqY5PE0Vy2V5EqyltL_iLKBONqx9IRcNGYnsPVEw6MnhCYdmVp0q07wVTkOj509Pvk5VYOpgZkyxXAYdBNF/s320/St.+Helene+034.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4Repp0m3gvezxvZXvx-mGbVaaXN5CCD_c_USNdK-JmTXkZ2pySOLWMFS44cV1IoNLnilApTl7DuRNHK_HXh8-mW98nabsHnSRjS8pLYySD77mqaeMdJgABNA3mOl-oEbmesprn8ZxSjf/s1600/050.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560201326126480338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4Repp0m3gvezxvZXvx-mGbVaaXN5CCD_c_USNdK-JmTXkZ2pySOLWMFS44cV1IoNLnilApTl7DuRNHK_HXh8-mW98nabsHnSRjS8pLYySD77mqaeMdJgABNA3mOl-oEbmesprn8ZxSjf/s320/050.JPG" /></a><br />The old hut they used as a school last year has taken a beating, but thankfully it won't be needed much longer. It is only being used right now to store the school books and desks that will be moved to the new school once it is completed.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmPYNLx4DllKnRrt6thFQMYUcZoJZ5oeSl13sNynfS4RGNhbaPoz7K8JiN6-lwOQJa-Z0GrBZjd24SU3gQ0c1L1eAGwboCymVplCHts68ssktG_8fmf64Q2EcnR6PAgEb6z0lsMCjxssW/s1600/055.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560065476497493266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmPYNLx4DllKnRrt6thFQMYUcZoJZ5oeSl13sNynfS4RGNhbaPoz7K8JiN6-lwOQJa-Z0GrBZjd24SU3gQ0c1L1eAGwboCymVplCHts68ssktG_8fmf64Q2EcnR6PAgEb6z0lsMCjxssW/s320/055.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />David will go back down in a few weeks to monitor progress, then we will all return together in early March for a grand opening celebration and dedication of the new school!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMt-hs0-d7Nsw7kWT_EK-pF13aeUD1tJCsT6C-5u7Ez8KMmu222iI9AOjaFeP1LgfD1siHDXfgnEvl6tiB3lO4NjpFhTKU4eBZkQ2rJaDlVuwq-ndbFs9ukb0hT8wTVrw9iNPeYKNxhou/s1600/IMG00221-20110108-1425+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMt-hs0-d7Nsw7kWT_EK-pF13aeUD1tJCsT6C-5u7Ez8KMmu222iI9AOjaFeP1LgfD1siHDXfgnEvl6tiB3lO4NjpFhTKU4eBZkQ2rJaDlVuwq-ndbFs9ukb0hT8wTVrw9iNPeYKNxhou/s320/IMG00221-20110108-1425+%25282%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560231982176150834" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Things are definitely moving quickly. Here's a photo of the school that just came in as I was about to post this blog entry!<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-6710281664961396702010-12-18T13:33:00.000-08:002010-12-20T21:09:48.298-08:00December 2010It's been a while since our last post and MUCH has happened. After the barge got stuck off the coast of St. Helene, we were discouraged, but certainly not defeated. It was certain we would not be able to get all materials shipped over in one big shipment, so many smaller shipments would need to be made. Thanks to the help and team work of many people, the first shipment of 500 cinder blocks took place on November 11th!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgO0Z69nF0AjnOYazd3q2KCrlpBZvvGqjPre4jDgpBmOql0Y7bgGKgoVzmqRjW3EM7kCGRjfI3XSQz2jAUTmpyRTEOqkCXaRoLnNaNoJeejM6QkK8DrHpHQChjWIlMT1xEAx0PpFyJkvm/s1600/Second+shipment+of+blocks2+on+11.15.10.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552139396588052514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgO0Z69nF0AjnOYazd3q2KCrlpBZvvGqjPre4jDgpBmOql0Y7bgGKgoVzmqRjW3EM7kCGRjfI3XSQz2jAUTmpyRTEOqkCXaRoLnNaNoJeejM6QkK8DrHpHQChjWIlMT1xEAx0PpFyJkvm/s320/Second+shipment+of+blocks2+on+11.15.10.jpg" /></a><br /><br />A boat was loaded with what it would carry, get as close as possible to St. Helene, then the materials were manually off-loaded from the boat to a small barge. The barge was towed in by a small dory, and then manually off-loaded onto the only truck on the island. That truck then went up over the only 'road' on the island from the north side (where the water is deeper and allowed the boat to get closer to shore) to the south side and was manually off-loaded to the site of the new school. Phew! Talk about hard labor and persistence! And this process was repeated over and over again.<br /><br />Here's a dory pulling the barge in to shore.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniOefI8EqpgNuKFPeY_D_m1zhLlK-P7GvD31aawm8_QR0I5r5vqCFu7bvgw0xhqHjjkl7BEevT-fwcYPNy0IH2pL0sRaW8amhGwlZYlfaX506XtBnRZkCUoi3Ea5Ad9bY1gp16Zc7MdgU/s1600/The+boat+that+got+the+first+blocks+to+St.Helene.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552139403874759314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniOefI8EqpgNuKFPeY_D_m1zhLlK-P7GvD31aawm8_QR0I5r5vqCFu7bvgw0xhqHjjkl7BEevT-fwcYPNy0IH2pL0sRaW8amhGwlZYlfaX506XtBnRZkCUoi3Ea5Ad9bY1gp16Zc7MdgU/s320/The+boat+that+got+the+first+blocks+to+St.Helene.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Here's the boat heading back to Roatan as some kids from St. Helene watch while standing next to the first shipment of blocks.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnNq8x___LcA2P5HODT4OrCn6JkGHOdy4233RhIp-ibgH6zkx-l_cvPl8Ye2dvu2YI1w-46gj1wc2hRcsHeidN2uKcWaFRYnt8-W76KR47RNQgvuMvw3VKPU2KYfgr-CREIM_G3FEq_5N/s1600/First+photos+of+school+being+built.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552147073555948098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnNq8x___LcA2P5HODT4OrCn6JkGHOdy4233RhIp-ibgH6zkx-l_cvPl8Ye2dvu2YI1w-46gj1wc2hRcsHeidN2uKcWaFRYnt8-W76KR47RNQgvuMvw3VKPU2KYfgr-CREIM_G3FEq_5N/s320/First+photos+of+school+being+built.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />But now, after countless mini-trips, enough material was delivered that construction of the school has actually begun! These first photos were sent to us on December 9th.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VstIYexqyX7sW6TcVTCK_NHRfi8qYUTuOT4WGYqsnSthEAGa7VuHR3QDwIAsTZKQbU-vLcofyUF4CfixmqOx9DIekCVu4mBtYU4NvBtr2N-yzFI2s8xQj_-pf6b7m3lHNRr-_u85gfWH/s1600/School+being+built3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552147076440839138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VstIYexqyX7sW6TcVTCK_NHRfi8qYUTuOT4WGYqsnSthEAGa7VuHR3QDwIAsTZKQbU-vLcofyUF4CfixmqOx9DIekCVu4mBtYU4NvBtr2N-yzFI2s8xQj_-pf6b7m3lHNRr-_u85gfWH/s320/School+being+built3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A gas-powered cement mixer is used to prepare mortar for the blocks. Can you see one of the kids watching from up in the tree?<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWSO0kuC-fCPJECBNfkhEZGAeQwpmPshpgOc-sCOP1Tta3GAS4CSL5dkw90kosje9CQ66nnK0ZfFb1Va_-sKy6GmSQjMc0aslqW0FK4lTbGLXGgOwUjfwLAZIWQ9n-2Uu8bO7pdKPaX2_/s1600/School+being+built15.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552147086007262466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWSO0kuC-fCPJECBNfkhEZGAeQwpmPshpgOc-sCOP1Tta3GAS4CSL5dkw90kosje9CQ66nnK0ZfFb1Va_-sKy6GmSQjMc0aslqW0FK4lTbGLXGgOwUjfwLAZIWQ9n-2Uu8bO7pdKPaX2_/s320/School+being+built15.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As of the day before this posting, this is the latest picture we have of the progress on the school. Weather permitting, it should be ready for the kids to start their new school year on February 1st! Everyone is very excited!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As 2010 draws to a close, we are energized by this and other positive things happening at ALF. Particularly, we are excited as we notice that the 3 individual branches within our foundation have started to inter-connect. At the request of the good people in Woodville, Texas, the Discovery's teen training is starting there in January. Two people we know from Roatan have attended our adult Discovery program in Austin, and now a school in Woodville has committed to becoming "pen pals" with the kids at the school in St. Helene to share culture and ideas. As people become aware of and help each other...it quickly becomes a small world and we learn how inter-connected our lives are.ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-45446335600327703972010-11-14T20:21:00.000-08:002010-11-14T20:44:56.477-08:00November – RoatánSince getting stuck on the sand bar (see September 2010 entry), we have been hard at work exploring alternatives for getting supplies to St. Helene. A possible solution was considered in October, but rainy season was in full swing and we decided to postpone a delivery attempt. Although we came on home, Kevin remained hard at work and on November, 11th, despite being a rainy day, the seas were calm and the FIRST DELIVERY OF MATERIALS TO ST. HELENE was made!! It was just the first 500 cinder blocks, but it’s a start! Shipments have been scheduled out (weather permitting) for the next 7-10 days: rebar, gravel, sand and cement. By then we will have all the materials necessary to start construction and our crew can get back to work. Many thanks to Kevin Wesley for making things happen, Wally Bodden from St. Helene for the use of his barge, and Kelcy Warren for the use of his ship!<br /><br />Here is a picture of the ship that took the materials from Camp Bay (Eastern Roatán) to as close to St. Helene as possible.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDOkzOqEz6nfRxqB8py17lhfvu3zav5lzr5Vl73aRR_K9sEBcWJOmDto_Qxj-mo1xmL4IEVkBqzIBz14foU-DV6zbV4-z266npAmr0RDB6bECpJD_2f-AVJb_LZ_5GMaOUt0pgmW8jMN0/s1600/The+boat+that+got+the+first+blocks+to+St.Helene.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDOkzOqEz6nfRxqB8py17lhfvu3zav5lzr5Vl73aRR_K9sEBcWJOmDto_Qxj-mo1xmL4IEVkBqzIBz14foU-DV6zbV4-z266npAmr0RDB6bECpJD_2f-AVJb_LZ_5GMaOUt0pgmW8jMN0/s320/The+boat+that+got+the+first+blocks+to+St.Helene.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539628430285436194" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />After the ship came in as close as possible, the materials were transferred to this barge and then escorted in to shore.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Yyz206I31g-mMaUNjGOg0k2b6qr9zTrdL9qTX_IxSsc_EgR6Ctwrr3ZubzwRJpDlSnFceBjSGSmcqZw4AABVaGsxpgGss6TlwvSFxar_w5p8gexhSpukrXwMLvUDQ0RRdzWnV2wnIqaN/s1600/Transport+of+first+blocks+to+St.Helene.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Yyz206I31g-mMaUNjGOg0k2b6qr9zTrdL9qTX_IxSsc_EgR6Ctwrr3ZubzwRJpDlSnFceBjSGSmcqZw4AABVaGsxpgGss6TlwvSFxar_w5p8gexhSpukrXwMLvUDQ0RRdzWnV2wnIqaN/s320/Transport+of+first+blocks+to+St.Helene.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539628434586375586" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The blocks now sit just off the beach, within 100 yard of the new school site. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwUUf0r-mUC5cpwTOi9YBWW_1offaWe2fAn7tJaAdYXOOhhbTrWsWtgVpLXvKa2XVHdZ-jdYhnGnEPMs0yOUNo4ZKMx-9f12-sLmPVRs7y3OdJdWwW2faqHrh9Oqo7PliR5eDapuI4RIA/s1600/First+blocks+safely+in+St.Helene.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwUUf0r-mUC5cpwTOi9YBWW_1offaWe2fAn7tJaAdYXOOhhbTrWsWtgVpLXvKa2XVHdZ-jdYhnGnEPMs0yOUNo4ZKMx-9f12-sLmPVRs7y3OdJdWwW2faqHrh9Oqo7PliR5eDapuI4RIA/s320/First+blocks+safely+in+St.Helene.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539628433840720274" /></a><br /><br /><br />The people of St. Helene are very excited to see verifiable activity that the school really is going to happen! Their school year is just coming to a close and the new year starts in February. Now that we know we can get materials delivered, barring any unforeseen problems, the kids should start their next year of school in a new school building!ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-56444458764704872092010-09-05T20:53:00.000-07:002010-09-09T08:12:32.125-07:00Roatan - September 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOuhj5DfsBIpHCMTYDkgP9ct62Bph_D01a0TuCPgmgOCy5EN74T5Y7IVtLfth7vBbD7ybXedyZrb5FatOLy9SJv7_nEQAC0xSZ6zwOXUb-diTLVyP1fYSuyuOFmzw6LwA75zp21d6gPBy/s1600/Off+we+go-Sept.1.2010.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513645029694816434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOuhj5DfsBIpHCMTYDkgP9ct62Bph_D01a0TuCPgmgOCy5EN74T5Y7IVtLfth7vBbD7ybXedyZrb5FatOLy9SJv7_nEQAC0xSZ6zwOXUb-diTLVyP1fYSuyuOFmzw6LwA75zp21d6gPBy/s320/Off+we+go-Sept.1.2010.jpg" /></a><br />This is a good news/bad news update:<br />David just returned from an extra trip he made to Roatan specifically to get the materials to St. Helene for the school. The GOOD NEWS is that construction on the school officially began on Monday, August 30th!! Luis, our General Contractor, and his team started digging trenches and laying forms for the foundation. The kids were so excited they helped dig, too! Now they just needed those materials… That’s where the bad news comes in…<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLO9RdhUSsaShzDg2UCmL4wF9tspHtVro6-zzEv2IioWCiVY7wKLRCDX85_D5qUEibnlKtcbg70J21pmzRVuS1ItVqs31nPOFk-HxPspwKogK_TLmHfyan3WQLJ8uCjcAxWVt8B3cF5lCX/s1600/Staging+at+barge+in+Roatan.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513645019431286642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLO9RdhUSsaShzDg2UCmL4wF9tspHtVro6-zzEv2IioWCiVY7wKLRCDX85_D5qUEibnlKtcbg70J21pmzRVuS1ItVqs31nPOFk-HxPspwKogK_TLmHfyan3WQLJ8uCjcAxWVt8B3cF5lCX/s320/Staging+at+barge+in+Roatan.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mxH9shRBALWe127kzjq3Qtv_714yyBu6U_oG0wDHecYesoX1lGv7HyxjmRNhqm1UPlWrmmvZe8WPYt8p9fmlVyt60l1fKxUBXruG8J0N6XrYQAmn6HGx6_aRs8J8AJjGeqU2p-794KSv/s1600/Barge+to+St.+Helene+-+Sept.+2010.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513645028059636978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mxH9shRBALWe127kzjq3Qtv_714yyBu6U_oG0wDHecYesoX1lGv7HyxjmRNhqm1UPlWrmmvZe8WPYt8p9fmlVyt60l1fKxUBXruG8J0N6XrYQAmn6HGx6_aRs8J8AJjGeqU2p-794KSv/s320/Barge+to+St.+Helene+-+Sept.+2010.jpg" /></a><br />The BAD NEWS is that, although David and Kevin did a LOT of hard work getting all the materials ready, and though the barge DID get loaded with ALL of the supplies, and even-though it actually DID depart early Saturday morning to make the delivery to St. Helene… in the end, the seas were just too rough and, after getting stuck twice along the way, the captain decided to turn around and head back to Roatan. You can see in this picture how close they were to being successful. That is St. Helene in the background. The barge got to within a couple hundred yards before getting stuck on the sandbars twice. Such a true experience of "So close, and yet so far!"<br /><br />Of course we won’t give up and the materials will eventually make it there, but it has been one incredible obstacle after another getting these materials delivered. A huge “thank you”, however, to Edward Ake of Island Concrete and his team for their patience, understanding and a stellar job loading all the supplies onto the barge until well after midnight. We appreciate you more than we can say!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA8ng4ghBGXO1frOyMTF4QG_26-9DD51GxeHuEo1ZKgg5zOXQHwx1-ZxVlxrPzh7LkLg7Ol4tNZWPy3-n3nzS5JlQdenZcyNR98SKtuPylV_kGDfGRYbBtnxRIBgHQ4Z0EjFH8T29EEW_/s1600/Roatan-Aug+2010+018.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA8ng4ghBGXO1frOyMTF4QG_26-9DD51GxeHuEo1ZKgg5zOXQHwx1-ZxVlxrPzh7LkLg7Ol4tNZWPy3-n3nzS5JlQdenZcyNR98SKtuPylV_kGDfGRYbBtnxRIBgHQ4Z0EjFH8T29EEW_/s320/Roatan-Aug+2010+018.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514931232216626578" /></a><br /><br />This project would not be happening at all without the tremendous amount of donated time and services of Kevin Wesley. Thank you, Kevin, for making this all possible! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBseq1ef_SNDGFqHtIAaOajQKXkLbTtbEFShz7Ax_9zWi09YFPW04lvykTkgpFZbpbG3Xe6oOUV2T92GFORdJFOyLNUz-ld5isEVqCgZWev5ianXA8zPnjgpy1MbtpZibLXwttH3J7AGW/s1600/Painted+blocks-Sept.2010.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513645038178326242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBseq1ef_SNDGFqHtIAaOajQKXkLbTtbEFShz7Ax_9zWi09YFPW04lvykTkgpFZbpbG3Xe6oOUV2T92GFORdJFOyLNUz-ld5isEVqCgZWev5ianXA8zPnjgpy1MbtpZibLXwttH3J7AGW/s320/Painted+blocks-Sept.2010.jpg" /></a><br />If you would like to contribute to the building of this school project, go to the Donation tab on our website: www.abundantlifefoundation.net , click on Roatan and the Top S.H.E.L.F. project. For each donation of $100, the children at the school in St. Helene will paint your name on a cinder block to be a permanent part of the building. Here are two blocks ready to have names painted on them. Will one of them be yours?!ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-56358580446884483522010-08-30T20:17:00.000-07:002010-08-30T20:51:21.447-07:00Roatan - August 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqCl_ah1LESWX-1s4DlQcrUu6E2O2Qtv8xeAU8TLxdIUjrlucSd9Tor5jcid_HdhmNRZ3A9FtrCXlBF-vv4XG4uSR15hbBvcHOr9quqrA5aQsR4b7mw5OJBd8w8TcN_Q6e4WhTJ7RPXzN/s1600/Roatan-Aug+2010+036.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqCl_ah1LESWX-1s4DlQcrUu6E2O2Qtv8xeAU8TLxdIUjrlucSd9Tor5jcid_HdhmNRZ3A9FtrCXlBF-vv4XG4uSR15hbBvcHOr9quqrA5aQsR4b7mw5OJBd8w8TcN_Q6e4WhTJ7RPXzN/s320/Roatan-Aug+2010+036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511410872269219330" /></a><br />Another busy and productive trip to Roatan. The main emphasis of this trip was to get the school started in St. Helene. The temporary school has taken a beating with recent storms and the blue tarps that serve as ‘walls’ are shredded. We had hoped to actually transport materials to the island before leaving, but the roof and windows were still on order. We had a nice visit in St. Helene in preparation of the shipment and were thrilled to see the effort being made to clean up the community. Looking good!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9tFS7ej63PoDHFqHqdc7jFFLYQ_3kLdfWidGltRsFMyXfqZJesNJwL9zZ-8z5T4wMXlEmlxNr4MughWXRMcImwWbMF4k0i0fWhlCw50Rmgn4kSMy3zD9qnDoBbYcbVRw2WSrspjRQjiN/s1600/Roatan-Aug+2010+029.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9tFS7ej63PoDHFqHqdc7jFFLYQ_3kLdfWidGltRsFMyXfqZJesNJwL9zZ-8z5T4wMXlEmlxNr4MughWXRMcImwWbMF4k0i0fWhlCw50Rmgn4kSMy3zD9qnDoBbYcbVRw2WSrspjRQjiN/s320/Roatan-Aug+2010+029.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511410861913402738" /></a><br />Because the shipment was not made to St. Helene before the end of this trip, David will be making an additional trip down to oversee the transport. Oh, David and Kevin were also able to lineup a General Contractor and 2 lead workers from Roatan to oversee the construction while we’re not there, and we will be hiring up to 8 men from St. Helene’s north-side community itself to provide the rest of the manual labor needed. Among other things, Lindon has been trying to get the plans approved through the municipality, which is another must before construction begins. Together we are all making it happen!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyvrmgn-ZQDa-RLgaROyY7QrWxqrP5_8_xqzuqmqYXa3AM1hlCkQ9OW702gbnHw_4z84vkboWLHhNxljM8JDS3cbE5M2xaRfIhlyDg2-qRD8XUFCnxntqckFR2eY2IsT6hWB-rHskUDYb/s1600/Roatan-Aug+2010+026.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyvrmgn-ZQDa-RLgaROyY7QrWxqrP5_8_xqzuqmqYXa3AM1hlCkQ9OW702gbnHw_4z84vkboWLHhNxljM8JDS3cbE5M2xaRfIhlyDg2-qRD8XUFCnxntqckFR2eY2IsT6hWB-rHskUDYb/s320/Roatan-Aug+2010+026.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511410849794001938" /></a><br />In the meantime, we have started a fund-raiser to help pay for the building called: “Put a Block on the S.H.E.L.F.!” (St. Helene Education and Litter-Free project). For a $100 tax-deductible donation, the children from the school in St. Helene will paint a cinder block with your name on it as a permanent part of the school and a reminder to them of all the people who value them and want them to receive a good education. Check out the Roatan section in the main website for details of how you can help!ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-92220400131264071012010-06-22T09:13:00.000-07:002010-06-22T18:57:50.314-07:00Roatan - June 2010 - update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLtmSRIc-IpVGu7cpE1p4KKjuPnQrOJS7OdBb4VzVG8ATRhDrhoVxP-cUvM9ZSJigSKUdEfxZy7vMmfLEqxe2CSCSI6ZWtMiYy7eEDRj4EHo0cL9px5PMfsOpKmeylrBZak2h0KEb8w8D/s1600/Barge+used+for+St.+Helene+2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLtmSRIc-IpVGu7cpE1p4KKjuPnQrOJS7OdBb4VzVG8ATRhDrhoVxP-cUvM9ZSJigSKUdEfxZy7vMmfLEqxe2CSCSI6ZWtMiYy7eEDRj4EHo0cL9px5PMfsOpKmeylrBZak2h0KEb8w8D/s320/Barge+used+for+St.+Helene+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485632365875390130" /></a><br />David just returned from a quick solo trip to move the school project forward on St. Helene. In order to get the school finished before rainy season, we should begin construction in early August, and there is a lot to do between now and then!<br /><br />David was able to meet with the barge company and line out details about the transport of materials. Critical to the transport is finding a way to the island through their reef system. We think we have found a route, but it needs to be re-confirmed with the shipping company. Based on where we think the barge will land, we will need to make a road to get the supplies to the school site. As it turns out, this will cross private property, so approval is needed from the owners, and they have been hard to find! We are also still in the process of getting legal title of the property donated for the school setup in a community foundation so that noone can come back years from now to claim it for their own.<br /><br />While David was visiting St. Helene for all the logistical details, he noticed that there had still not been any work done on cleaning up the area. It was reiterated that the school will not happen without the community upholding their end of the bargain, and that we would hold off transporting the supplies for the school until we see significant evidence of their efforts. By the end of his visit, he was informed that the community held a meeting and had devised a plan to start the cleanup effort. We donated $80 for them to buy rakes to help them get started. We’re excited to see how beautiful the north-side of St. Helene will be and how it will match the beauty of the people we have come to know and love!<br /><br />David made it by the children’s home to say hello to the kids and was able to hand-deliver a birthday package to sweet Helen from her mentors - a group of girls in a girl’s club. They all got together and raised money to buy her a set of pink, monogrammed towels with her name on it. She loved it!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP20-unOxILy1xfHfXinYkVUcNQ3a8Oz7iipdpQspbtBTaLV5X63WE_snPWrXovxE9oiaXjW1cFLq80yAfPtG5MFnjxYomUEo3vydDqgfu0BbRaSfCUR4_RmBA012Vvs5xAKmsmyENV74/s1600/Helen+with+birthday+present.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP20-unOxILy1xfHfXinYkVUcNQ3a8Oz7iipdpQspbtBTaLV5X63WE_snPWrXovxE9oiaXjW1cFLq80yAfPtG5MFnjxYomUEo3vydDqgfu0BbRaSfCUR4_RmBA012Vvs5xAKmsmyENV74/s320/Helen+with+birthday+present.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485632355545500594" /></a>ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-64194089936192926642010-06-10T14:04:00.000-07:002010-06-10T14:33:20.430-07:00Roatan - June 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF9N7bzAdaQJuI7WFtxmy4X6YcUuJj354SWAL1AUuESqYm2vLI42cv95qU6UPlQTajerFVoue8LQCBtGzQuLRU0w2VgfpPPXyiGr5Yy6lZj2p6U-s0svq_wqG9mussLGjmDSRL3JlKM7n/s1600/102.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481255626807907858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF9N7bzAdaQJuI7WFtxmy4X6YcUuJj354SWAL1AUuESqYm2vLI42cv95qU6UPlQTajerFVoue8LQCBtGzQuLRU0w2VgfpPPXyiGr5Yy6lZj2p6U-s0svq_wqG9mussLGjmDSRL3JlKM7n/s320/102.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Last-minute trip to Roatan with the specific purpose of transporting the heavy material supplies to St. Helene while we had the generous offer of the free use of a barge through the end of the month. Unfortunately… or fortunately… (depending on how you look at it!) the barge owner decided it would cost him more to take his barge out of service for 3-4 days to do our job than paying to have another company do it, which is what he has committed to doing. This is a very generous donation and we are very grateful!! Also, this has now freed us up to wait until we are ready to begin the actual construction of the school before we transport the materials. This helps us in two ways. First, the materials will not be sitting on St. Helene for the next month or 2 at risk of being stolen or broken. Secondly, it allows us the opportunity to gather all the supplies we need, both large and small, and transport them together in one trip.<br /><br />Since we had promised the north-shore community of St. Helene that we would be arriving that week with supplies, they seemed skeptical about us when we showed up empty-handed. We held a community meeting and explained the situation and that the project was actually going very well and is moving ahead nicely. The heavy materials that were to be transported that week do exist and are being stored safely in Roatan until time to build. Meanwhile, everything continues to move forward nicely. Everyone was satisfied with the progress. <br />We also talked at the meeting about how to clean up the community of trash and put processes in place to keep it ongoing. Their ideas centered around possibly finding a location for a dump site and using the dozer on the island to dig out a pit to use, but there is concern about the wind continuing to blow the trash around. A solution is still pending!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLAvNPMJ5ngbC5i3Zpm_-KPhkfwSHAKZlvsYHFV8F73dpeC3xOvyATFbYJWE1KmR6oW9CfUn9vGh_3ztryEBi4AxPveJk8eI4sRsJcRns0YxlqSVA_Y9fa2RJo-pltYb4P00yGzyD2ecJ/s1600/108.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481254552084110610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLAvNPMJ5ngbC5i3Zpm_-KPhkfwSHAKZlvsYHFV8F73dpeC3xOvyATFbYJWE1KmR6oW9CfUn9vGh_3ztryEBi4AxPveJk8eI4sRsJcRns0YxlqSVA_Y9fa2RJo-pltYb4P00yGzyD2ecJ/s320/108.JPG" /></a><br />Also discussed was the idea that the donated land for the school be setup in a community foundation so that it can never be taken away in the future. They agreed, and the title work on the property has begun. At the end of the meeting they asked if we would close it in prayer, which we were glad to do.<br /><br />Plenty of things to do to get the project completed before rainy season, but we are well on our way!ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-64217527302008669692010-05-15T11:20:00.000-07:002010-05-15T13:12:32.209-07:00Roatan - May 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97epXwh8-yUKGDJhgbWQ5v2bB6lEtrOAYR8KaZ-eFRIIDPhYK9PnVhuTKh6_Qxq67csf-8zGuogQ3VPF9pDR5wBDJ_yhxMW9hhdqXztHgZLKyhWTqYL5keWW7K-ghaPzGwH9wqtfpu4Rg/s1600/Roatan+Spring+293.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471574839726170722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97epXwh8-yUKGDJhgbWQ5v2bB6lEtrOAYR8KaZ-eFRIIDPhYK9PnVhuTKh6_Qxq67csf-8zGuogQ3VPF9pDR5wBDJ_yhxMW9hhdqXztHgZLKyhWTqYL5keWW7K-ghaPzGwH9wqtfpu4Rg/s320/Roatan+Spring+293.JPG" /></a> Latest news from Roatan… the school in St. Helene is moving full steam ahead! The land has now been cleared and is ready for a foundation to be laid. A wonderful architect from El Salvador who is in Roatan working on a development project donated his services free of charge and created an amazing school design for us! The challenges have been how to create a school with as much natural light as possible (as there is no electricity) and how to do the restrooms… with no running water on the island! We are receiving so much help from so many people on this project! There is a man on the island doing a job to expand the cruise ship dock. He has agreed to donate the time and use of his barge – for free – to transport the materials to the nearby island. The only problem is that his job in Roatan is done at the end of the month, so we have to get all the heavy materials transported before he leaves. Speaking of materials, two of the developers on the island have volunteered to donate – at cost – much of what we need including all the cinder block, cement, gravel and rebar. It has truly been amazing to see the incredible generosity of so many people towards making this school a reality! We couldn’t do it otherwise and we are truly humbled.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7j9SN7HP3BMe_dGUliGG799s0e943FlwAumCSxdunhYwl6TLplvItpP27i5pIr8RGcnM_PuWGUowbaZ5IpozQlqUuqYXBKVwwQnSD4wLLfrQi7O7KWiwFlwPcNytfgEC0Rkwy8flFHb4F/s1600/Roatan+Spring+189.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471569774528386930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7j9SN7HP3BMe_dGUliGG799s0e943FlwAumCSxdunhYwl6TLplvItpP27i5pIr8RGcnM_PuWGUowbaZ5IpozQlqUuqYXBKVwwQnSD4wLLfrQi7O7KWiwFlwPcNytfgEC0Rkwy8flFHb4F/s320/Roatan+Spring+189.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNoUzKDdz2AQXPUtImZentb_nbIK7RHsvckWH_Iq96avAC4Y50Et_aRRFo5WyhAgwSYP0C802g-qL3mEDMIRLXOng-Z9s4n5mlmBNrbJWA8JVV84gXZjuTgo4Fua2GPwO2gBIy4l8qcuK/s1600/Roatan+Spring+301.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471575593638244994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNoUzKDdz2AQXPUtImZentb_nbIK7RHsvckWH_Iq96avAC4Y50Et_aRRFo5WyhAgwSYP0C802g-qL3mEDMIRLXOng-Z9s4n5mlmBNrbJWA8JVV84gXZjuTgo4Fua2GPwO2gBIy4l8qcuK/s320/Roatan+Spring+301.JPG" /></a> As for the people of St. Helene, they are wonderful! It was great to stop by and see the kids in the temporary structure taking their classes. We asked if they were ready for a real school and they responded with a resounding “Yes!!!” In working with Lindon, their head teacher, we identified the classes being taught without any books. Thanks to the generosity of Ted and Cam O’Brien from PIER, we were able to deliver enough books so that every student has their own for almost every course. Usually the teacher either has to spend their own money to photocopy the lessons, or they write it on the board while the kids copy it down. So this is quite nice for them!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbU1B52neKC8o0EmopQlatGswVxYnGME73-IR2qubLpINnxpGxGZfCJf4nL5SkIjLDqcNMUpqo7n4BimxYWp22l0Zlme3Tsfn5jvN5RvsvsRaJ34KqGltaIExj5rvy_0smXw38Fc5W167T/s1600/Roatan+Spring+155.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471569759588630146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbU1B52neKC8o0EmopQlatGswVxYnGME73-IR2qubLpINnxpGxGZfCJf4nL5SkIjLDqcNMUpqo7n4BimxYWp22l0Zlme3Tsfn5jvN5RvsvsRaJ34KqGltaIExj5rvy_0smXw38Fc5W167T/s320/Roatan+Spring+155.JPG" /></a> We had a wonderful time with the children at the children’s home, too! The four that we are sponsoring to bilingual school are doing well and getting good grades. I was able to sit and tutor 3 of them after school and it’s been wonderful to see how they are flourishing with the higher standards required at the bilingual school. Many of the kids had cards, letters and little gifts from their Mentor to be delivered. Here, Patricio is having the letter from his mentor translated to him. It’s wonderful to see their faces light up when they hear from their ‘friends’ from so far away!<br /><br />Speaking of mentors… there is a new girl that has come to live at the home since our last visit. Her name is Carla and she is 11 years old. She is a sweetheart and, although a bit shy, she has an infectious smile and bright eyes! We look forward to getting to know her better, and I hope we will be able to pair her up with a Mentor soon. She could use a little extra love and attention right now as it must be so hard to come into a home with so many other kids without knowing anyone.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSy0RqCtS5fLx0wSuv0JE5e7FttqpcnktiYLQkvvmulf4qIc1_aE0fqRyaqMzTYSIuh8Z66Kug8qgidHSH8ojX3d2Wvsy-uLatLNmQi7GbU5_iLXIWRghoquEJq73H8oaJfdtOcF7qg7x/s1600/Roatan+Spring+163.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471569759990396946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSy0RqCtS5fLx0wSuv0JE5e7FttqpcnktiYLQkvvmulf4qIc1_aE0fqRyaqMzTYSIuh8Z66Kug8qgidHSH8ojX3d2Wvsy-uLatLNmQi7GbU5_iLXIWRghoquEJq73H8oaJfdtOcF7qg7x/s320/Roatan+Spring+163.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div></div>ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-14076830655072544242010-03-25T09:55:00.000-07:002010-03-25T10:08:59.631-07:00Woodville - March 2010<em>We have our location!!!</em><br /><br />A community meeting was held the first week of March to discuss the future of Woodville, which included a discussion about the LIFE Center. The meeting was well-attended and Scott Yosko was particularly thrilled to see so many youth present and taking an active interest in the future of their home-town. The big news is that the LIFE Center Committee, together with the Community Foundation, decided on a location for the building!! And Judge Blanchette, representing the Community Foundation, signed an Ernest Money Contract on the property. The location selected is a 7-acre lot just south of Wal-Mart on Cobb Mill Road and is called "Shepherd's Place". It is a beautiful piece of property with plenty of pine trees and a creek on one side. It is located close to town and as everyone shops at the Wal-Mart, is convenient to the entire community! There are also an additional 50+ acres adjacent to the property that could be considered in the future for expansion. <br /><br />This is a <em>huge </em>step! And this step, along with the feasibility study that is still underway, shows we are definitely moving forward!!ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-84235948459114375832010-03-14T20:10:00.000-07:002010-03-18T15:50:20.318-07:00Roatan - March 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEtAW3DKMFrZhaifRlNo3P0g-9BXraFsj_4W7fPTRdfWj1QQm_5wYX9ComJrf46ydXKRadQIpb-d8TMhSOt6BY1_oRjyMUc0gCNwfXfI1b6np7PQDLuV-l_8jVWENuVNMMnbcIqRzVEVK/s1600-h/Roatan+2010.March++St.Helene+107.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450096564072948546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEtAW3DKMFrZhaifRlNo3P0g-9BXraFsj_4W7fPTRdfWj1QQm_5wYX9ComJrf46ydXKRadQIpb-d8TMhSOt6BY1_oRjyMUc0gCNwfXfI1b6np7PQDLuV-l_8jVWENuVNMMnbcIqRzVEVK/s320/Roatan+2010.March++St.Helene+107.JPG" /></a><br />We just got back from a 2-week stay in Roatan. Some good friends, Giovanni and Judd, spent the first week there with us and we all stayed very busy! Giovanni brought down children’s clothes, toothbrushes and toothpaste that we hand-delivered with the Schulers to members of their congregation who are the poorest of the poor. They were all so grateful for the gift, and we were humbled and enriched by meeting every single one of them. Time was spent tutoring many of the children after school, helping them with math and English in particular. After tutoring they love to play Uno, and Mrs. Schuler awards the winner with a piece of cake – so the kids take it very seriously!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqIvFNxfqoaNzyoWmj_KkGhJNQVjgFjvMqAX5PoHfoK3873cE1tU9Gr2DJNXLfNMA8DT_7UTDbsgUDJ_ANxtEjfQP7Ae4mfG4OsuwTo8LLZnP4R4FRPc3xs3jLQ5hn-cooEg8o0MIaT9v/s1600-h/Roatan+2010.March++St.Helene+238.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450098207827681170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqIvFNxfqoaNzyoWmj_KkGhJNQVjgFjvMqAX5PoHfoK3873cE1tU9Gr2DJNXLfNMA8DT_7UTDbsgUDJ_ANxtEjfQP7Ae4mfG4OsuwTo8LLZnP4R4FRPc3xs3jLQ5hn-cooEg8o0MIaT9v/s320/Roatan+2010.March++St.Helene+238.JPG" /></a><br />Our friends also took it upon themselves to fix the 15 bikes at the home, all of which were broken! The kids loved it and we never found them inside the house the rest of our time there... they were always out playing on their bikes!<br /><br />We went back by the Alfreida Brooks school that we had visited before and checked out the securit<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQKleYuspOzKSB7vQrL1Aq5oG3s_pUZZmYQQtAJfhY3d4teQ1c_IlFp4sstuYir3rIs_j_yekMRJ7g0KlJE4pXOYIUvV8yHlDe92RwDO6hTaXakDKCbtyubUgJn5Y_be7zD0b545vEVy2/s1600-h/Roatan+2010.March++St.Helene+221.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450103433076302114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQKleYuspOzKSB7vQrL1Aq5oG3s_pUZZmYQQtAJfhY3d4teQ1c_IlFp4sstuYir3rIs_j_yekMRJ7g0KlJE4pXOYIUvV8yHlDe92RwDO6hTaXakDKCbtyubUgJn5Y_be7zD0b545vEVy2/s320/Roatan+2010.March++St.Helene+221.JPG" /></a>y bars ALF helped purchase so the rooms could be locked up at night with no risk of their desks, books or supplies getting stolen. While there, we spoke to Darla, the young teacher we had met last September from the island of St. Helene. She had mentioned that the people on the north side of the island didn't have a school and were trying to build one, similar to Elfrieda Brooks, as a community school. We were very interested in finding out more to see if we could help. She arranged to have her dad pick us up in his boat and take us to the island to meet the people and learn what was going on.<br /><br /><p></p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh2RSJ6ES9p12AjMzqUyu9KfNQkYk8eI9_UvS4oV0R_FptJrDuHxcrOKdSbUz1_IbtfSgsdmq4TvPpqtcHbgyft6r_cfcfqAk50KrpQGgEDVfG4wIhJPQnEiS_1HoFP10CVdXl3HhoqJP/s1600-h/Roatan+2010.March++St.Helene+348.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450103430957052722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh2RSJ6ES9p12AjMzqUyu9KfNQkYk8eI9_UvS4oV0R_FptJrDuHxcrOKdSbUz1_IbtfSgsdmq4TvPpqtcHbgyft6r_cfcfqAk50KrpQGgEDVfG4wIhJPQnEiS_1HoFP10CVdXl3HhoqJP/s320/Roatan+2010.March++St.Helene+348.JPG" /></a> The place they had been holding school through last year was no longer available to them, so until a new building can be constructed, they are having classes in this temporary shelter they have built. After meeting several of the community members and the two teachers, we agreed that we would help them build a school, but that their buy-in" (as we don't give away money without the other party having some skin in the game) is to clean up their community of all the trash. As we've seen in most of Roatan (except the tourist areas), the land and natural resources are not being respected and almost always consist of trash lining the beaches and common areas that the locals live in. They agreed. And so we are well underway to getting all the resources and labor needed to construct a solid school building, with much of the materials being donated 'at cost', and much of the work being done 'pro bono'. Our goal is to have the building finished by the end of summer.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RMVz5tCScnvJ5GVfePgPaQnQ8mcHtmiF4YSSy5G-NwdAIXPg4xF-uqxWU00pE3p7Xx0LrEOSNAPI4DdgApB12O9LV04Q-ouAh2YTuzdsvtWb_r-sAN7-QH9YSUDaodiwLU199HrG34ag/s1600-h/Roatan+2010.March++St.Helene+200.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450106236908399698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RMVz5tCScnvJ5GVfePgPaQnQ8mcHtmiF4YSSy5G-NwdAIXPg4xF-uqxWU00pE3p7Xx0LrEOSNAPI4DdgApB12O9LV04Q-ouAh2YTuzdsvtWb_r-sAN7-QH9YSUDaodiwLU199HrG34ag/s320/Roatan+2010.March++St.Helene+200.JPG" /></a><br />Here is a picture of several of the beautiful people of St. Helene on the site where the permanent school building will be located. The project name we've come up with for this is "Top S.H.E.L.F." with the SHELF acronym standing for "St. Helene Education and Litter-Free" project. Check back later for more updates on this and all the other activities taking place in Roatan!ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-29305351624306311932010-02-11T09:22:00.000-08:002010-02-11T10:02:06.029-08:00Roatan - February 2010Back from Roatan again! What a whirlwind! We enjoyed spending time with a variety of people discussing education on the island and how to join forces to improve it and add skills training to help people get jobs and make a decent living. More on that to come later!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKW1sJWP_Z4_iMDGP82n9HrEJG9PTmxfKSrPRRTsY0RUOofCm1K4wN1nr9A8NLKqHvKNoxRgRNz260H13zZxtC8Cq9KGlnRv5V_lzW8y9uYV3JeVYtNbbIWzaWEGtzvcCU4Dj7IMLHSZSu/s1600-h/388.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437040757522222498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKW1sJWP_Z4_iMDGP82n9HrEJG9PTmxfKSrPRRTsY0RUOofCm1K4wN1nr9A8NLKqHvKNoxRgRNz260H13zZxtC8Cq9KGlnRv5V_lzW8y9uYV3JeVYtNbbIWzaWEGtzvcCU4Dj7IMLHSZSu/s320/388.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM6hELF5uJe5hHYsGX2526IpW4iu9AQdbTymV39HMnsfUHkyDlNBdKl0n0NnKGyP6Pc0riHsLyrA7itiz2EteHKwh3Z_rjcjm25-tB_3JQ2vaRsP-WOaBqByzLcXFlrSVlFCgwabLNHo_/s1600-h/381.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437040753972240082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM6hELF5uJe5hHYsGX2526IpW4iu9AQdbTymV39HMnsfUHkyDlNBdKl0n0NnKGyP6Pc0riHsLyrA7itiz2EteHKwh3Z_rjcjm25-tB_3JQ2vaRsP-WOaBqByzLcXFlrSVlFCgwabLNHo_/s320/381.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOtyXmCJKV6TwbYaNVHXLjBHxoacFNXj_Sw7IBUyF4ZgkxsEGyJwZP8cmd5wjtvhhdKyuNfaCOE34fw4I37jChOB3sbwtwYm3FgRHWHquL4T41PYy5CuL3pxEE8UjIyGqTt6b2k8j1QIk/s1600-h/383.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437040744241492562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOtyXmCJKV6TwbYaNVHXLjBHxoacFNXj_Sw7IBUyF4ZgkxsEGyJwZP8cmd5wjtvhhdKyuNfaCOE34fw4I37jChOB3sbwtwYm3FgRHWHquL4T41PYy5CuL3pxEE8UjIyGqTt6b2k8j1QIk/s320/383.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYUv7qyp8zYUh8q_s8ZBhQaG-rfCaFuh-gGxfDNoher6LB_Rsu6t27F7BZb3Jv73SX3LWkYulfTCN262cSgZ6wVbogfjn8xjzjX8oCW-LyFdkjzsf2SGP2sccIy3i5FfN5E1e3VjfixdG/s1600-h/379.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437040735817131474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYUv7qyp8zYUh8q_s8ZBhQaG-rfCaFuh-gGxfDNoher6LB_Rsu6t27F7BZb3Jv73SX3LWkYulfTCN262cSgZ6wVbogfjn8xjzjX8oCW-LyFdkjzsf2SGP2sccIy3i5FfN5E1e3VjfixdG/s320/379.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><br />We had a great time with the children at the home. This trip, I brought everything with me necessary to make chocolate chip cookies with the kids! They were excited about having home-baked cookies, but the funny thing was… as soon as I got everything out and was ready for them to start helping me cook, ALL of the boys were eager to help and were crowding around me, but ALL of the girls scattered like the wind! It was almost as if they were ‘afraid’ of cooking. So of course, we made them all take part and they learned that they actually could do it and it wasn’t scary! It could even be a little bit fun! In the end, everyone helped and the kids enjoyed 3 cookies each. For most of them, it was the first time they had ever had a chocolate chip cookie which, to me is unthinkable!! </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br />While the cookies were baking, there was opportunity to have some quality time with several of the kids. We love them so! We were also able to deliver more letters to the children that have mentors, and collected letters from some of the kids back to their mentors. It’s beautiful to see their faces light up when they receive their cards and letters from their mentors, knowing that someone “far away” is thinking of them and remembers them. I pray that these relationships will be life-long and life-changing.<br /><br />School started the Monday after we left, February 8th. For the four children who have been financially sponsored through ALF to go to the Methodist Bilingual School, the Schulers worked with all 4 of them through the Christmas break to prepare them for the higher demands that will be expected of them. Sibelis, in particular, was nervous about what to expect in her new school, but the Schulers said she was more than ready to take it on! I look forward to getting a full report on all of them on our next visit! Again, thank you to those of you who contributed to make it possible for these kids to go to the better bilingual school. It will make such a difference in their lives. </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlJmKdNmICTMHTR7w018ESAdGgf8hTn71QFU2r4NLY8_VPFTtlgLuUjpxX_5gqmuwOcoabqtN1DnD8tddlheBj2uSK7Omkcol8jU8Kg-Ha1Tc6IiMHk8ofaZWu_eft7iWxVv6yAKZhWBN/s1600-h/360.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437044494867798962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlJmKdNmICTMHTR7w018ESAdGgf8hTn71QFU2r4NLY8_VPFTtlgLuUjpxX_5gqmuwOcoabqtN1DnD8tddlheBj2uSK7Omkcol8jU8Kg-Ha1Tc6IiMHk8ofaZWu_eft7iWxVv6yAKZhWBN/s320/360.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pRhHHSnKgpjPdPTEshEomvQh1Dla27-pOGgLQz12-TzT8H95aOrR8RHkGDsJCZNSyANlTqC2TeTCTdSruChO-DkOOt-x6z4C3zPTqwhP0l2Wi9bSyWYgK1-fzZNJEoR1gQLtQMZDUKDd/s1600-h/351.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437044485429242866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pRhHHSnKgpjPdPTEshEomvQh1Dla27-pOGgLQz12-TzT8H95aOrR8RHkGDsJCZNSyANlTqC2TeTCTdSruChO-DkOOt-x6z4C3zPTqwhP0l2Wi9bSyWYgK1-fzZNJEoR1gQLtQMZDUKDd/s320/351.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvgjYXWCemB_rVDJyCmrO_RIW9lnrnjLDwX5kK8KmJ6Iay33ItDTbV_gHdZ8cb8-1IlpSox7bjpbw6zP7gQAu4bkjJZQzVWTsTmi4fEzxHOCtClTie4Bou5zXJsFZQxBUHDbdUxLKD5ID/s1600-h/372.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437044475931447394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvgjYXWCemB_rVDJyCmrO_RIW9lnrnjLDwX5kK8KmJ6Iay33ItDTbV_gHdZ8cb8-1IlpSox7bjpbw6zP7gQAu4bkjJZQzVWTsTmi4fEzxHOCtClTie4Bou5zXJsFZQxBUHDbdUxLKD5ID/s320/372.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RIskbnyU7GY2IdSLIgaLobUiV9Cl8TWAHqP6zE69jU0wBeES2_Y7Q5_J8JcfiBfsF-7MY9dEKOHYvfbpe_7oyNakGG1j8VpgMBYmZb7jJbmiXyKmXxOwZSSgc0h_zxUuNrb0V6SCsNU7/s1600-h/345.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437044470063369026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RIskbnyU7GY2IdSLIgaLobUiV9Cl8TWAHqP6zE69jU0wBeES2_Y7Q5_J8JcfiBfsF-7MY9dEKOHYvfbpe_7oyNakGG1j8VpgMBYmZb7jJbmiXyKmXxOwZSSgc0h_zxUuNrb0V6SCsNU7/s320/345.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGdMio3yhDcTc5ObiQpttyOIlgV3eUkUEJojpY351SSdUFgrizVos3BuGa2J7rp2yHoxjLHWxjCZMtYEHxY886-OJUy9n5aDBWDV_l4djGxVEttCZ4y8Lyj_r85zbLItLXUpWoff_oUt1/s1600-h/347.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437044460540223458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGdMio3yhDcTc5ObiQpttyOIlgV3eUkUEJojpY351SSdUFgrizVos3BuGa2J7rp2yHoxjLHWxjCZMtYEHxY886-OJUy9n5aDBWDV_l4djGxVEttCZ4y8Lyj_r85zbLItLXUpWoff_oUt1/s320/347.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><br />The Schulers invited to take us for a walk to meet some of the people they minister to in the area. It was like being in a National Geographic magazine. They introduced us to a 60 year-old man called “Pastor” who lives by himself back in the jungle about a 30-minute hike off the main road. I couldn’t imagine making that hike every day, in the dark, in the rain, etc. We kept criss-crossing a little creek, which of course he and the others who lived along the way, used for bathing and washing dishes and clothes. Other families we met along the way had very rudimentary shelters to live in, which served them well on a nice day, but I couldn’t imagine being “holed up” in them for the months of rainy season. The people we met had next to nothing materially, had no running water or electricity, yet were mostly quite happy, friendly and hospitable. “Pastor” invited us into his home and gave us some fresh bananas called “apple bananas” that I had never heard of before. I’m not a big banana fan, but these were delicious and tasted like a blend of banana and green apple. We were so glad to have had the opportunity to meet “Pastor” and the other families on this hike as it allowed us to see the “real” Roatan. This is how probably 80% of the islanders really live – if not more. And these are the people we hope to minister to and help. </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nowdR1-2SnY1nd-ge4CHzTCP_YDqlOdSvPg8bcoGirKu6r-nWd2LybWNw6sw2Z-L7CIuPfdbz_jxavK_aIe3mHo6PGMQ6qC6j1g1Q7Qb4GhFR2Zc6Rly2OKpq-j8fDGZ2qcwzy9CO3W1/s1600-h/362.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437046142057609682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nowdR1-2SnY1nd-ge4CHzTCP_YDqlOdSvPg8bcoGirKu6r-nWd2LybWNw6sw2Z-L7CIuPfdbz_jxavK_aIe3mHo6PGMQ6qC6j1g1Q7Qb4GhFR2Zc6Rly2OKpq-j8fDGZ2qcwzy9CO3W1/s320/362.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9THkUjBqIDCQVls9GT_QQZlaz9s-79pxQiFC3kr-2Iw0fPiVeQ-pxovl_sw-yzBvo5szukVC_V4lIIS2CPeXjH_VMCwyQ58dFk1uIoD3NRL5mEbRHvLakHdiWJVu2Wtly2peVpT_UIBKP/s1600-h/358.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437046133249712738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9THkUjBqIDCQVls9GT_QQZlaz9s-79pxQiFC3kr-2Iw0fPiVeQ-pxovl_sw-yzBvo5szukVC_V4lIIS2CPeXjH_VMCwyQ58dFk1uIoD3NRL5mEbRHvLakHdiWJVu2Wtly2peVpT_UIBKP/s320/358.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Lastly, it looks like a new television program called Majesty Outdoors will be coming to film in Roatan! The founder and host of the show is a friend of ours and he has been following what we've been doing in Roatan, specifically with the children's home. He approached us with the idea of filming a couple of the teens there. This is exciting as their mission is to minister to fatherless teens! We discussed the idea with Pastor Glen Solomon at the home and he has agreed. We are excited at how this will bless some of the children at the home! To find out more about Majesty Outdoors, go to their website at <a href="http://www.majestyoutdoors.org/">http://www.majestyoutdoors.org/</a> We will keep you posted!</div></div></div>ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-39646088124438509772010-01-05T08:42:00.000-08:002010-01-05T09:14:46.870-08:00January 2010 - Roatan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGj26vLcBOdphfZVw7Li4Fcsx3_2lflrIGn3-OxUOXmC6GTk6IKjQ4BkD-qamX0ob_kzOgovmfeSkYrfgKSZncJ3xfGuH0tOPyi1wSJhvxwUygpan99yryqAcqJAFyTzf373QcE_KKzGA/s1600-h/Mentor+-+Sibelis+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423304922674963762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 313px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGj26vLcBOdphfZVw7Li4Fcsx3_2lflrIGn3-OxUOXmC6GTk6IKjQ4BkD-qamX0ob_kzOgovmfeSkYrfgKSZncJ3xfGuH0tOPyi1wSJhvxwUygpan99yryqAcqJAFyTzf373QcE_KKzGA/s320/Mentor+-+Sibelis+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>Happy New Year! It’s already off to a great start here at ALF. We just got back from the island where we were able to let 4 children at the children's home know that they will be able to attend the “bilingual” (or ‘private’) school near the home that provides a better education than the public schools. They are very excited, although maybe a bit nervous, but they have great tutors helping them bridge the gap to get them prepared. Mark and Susan Schuler have a ministry of, among many other things, tutoring many of the children in the neighborhood for both their regular studies and English. They have been hard at work getting these 4 children ready. A BIG “¡Gracias!” to the donors who made this possible!<br /><br />Also, we had the privilege of introducing 6 of the children to the new Mentors we found for them! Like an individual “sponsor” (but with no financial commitment required), these Mentors will be writing to their child on a regular basis and sending cards and small gift packages for their birthday and Christmas to let them know someone cares about them and that they are uniquely special. 5 of the 6 children have individuals who are Mentoring them, but one little girl was selected by a girls’ club, so she has lots of love heading her way on a regular basis!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4Cf32Q24rgu3sFwKFG1rJ30uC9tCruEatp90M92HVThwyq0iTfFxIS6zhZlqLgkvm5hl6vycHYTig3GUjeXEU63fu5o-HTC-uch5x2c-OLuHokErujuEnVhEOdYBjCw0_XNE0YW7L1oM/s1600-h/Christmas+and+Roatan+214.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423302977090208738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4Cf32Q24rgu3sFwKFG1rJ30uC9tCruEatp90M92HVThwyq0iTfFxIS6zhZlqLgkvm5hl6vycHYTig3GUjeXEU63fu5o-HTC-uch5x2c-OLuHokErujuEnVhEOdYBjCw0_XNE0YW7L1oM/s320/Christmas+and+Roatan+214.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />On New Year’s Eve day, we went to the children’s home to pass out the very first cards, letters and gifts that these Mentors sent to begin their new relationship with the child they had selected. The kids’ eyes were wide with excitement and anticipation, and they poured over the letters they received. It was such a blessing to see their hearts filled up by receiving love from someone that most of them had not even met yet. We will continue to deliver letters and packages to these children on each trip that we, or an ALF representative, make in order to keep these relationships growing.<br /><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeafzA_rtCYkSiPnU31lvDO6_Noc8nT1dTchX1tcV9HglCWrpJeBtBxz2eAAeEO5F4F-kFUORoNMZZ_JvEmj5zX24UTPvPEh1jqfiGFCFo-cFtF4kU7Cy-BfIqzKUeleTQ2DGXm_zvs_7Y/s1600-h/Christmas+and+Roatan+192.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423304161792226066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeafzA_rtCYkSiPnU31lvDO6_Noc8nT1dTchX1tcV9HglCWrpJeBtBxz2eAAeEO5F4F-kFUORoNMZZ_JvEmj5zX24UTPvPEh1jqfiGFCFo-cFtF4kU7Cy-BfIqzKUeleTQ2DGXm_zvs_7Y/s320/Christmas+and+Roatan+192.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />While there, we learned that some of the lights at the home had not been working for over a YEAR! With a quick trip to the hardware store the men with us were able to quickly get those lights working again, which I think some of the children were more thankful for than the other gifts they had just received! : ) </div><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>As for the roof on the children’s home, we had some builders on the island take a look at it and it was decided that it does not need replaced, but only needs some minor repairs where the vents join the roof. That is good news as it won’t be too costly and should be easy to do. We still target our February trip to get this accomplished.</div></div></div></div></div>ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-67818629828874636212009-10-07T14:11:00.000-07:002009-10-07T14:16:45.715-07:00September - DiscoveryIt was another fabulous training in September! Here are some snipits from the notes that have come in:<br /><br /><blockquote>“You helped SAVE my life! All my life I’ve been hurt and confused and constantly pitying myself because I didn’t understand why me? Why my family? I have struggled so much with feelings of hopelessness. So many times I have almost completely given up on my life. If it weren’t for my daughter I’d have ened it long ago. That’s how I felt before. Now I have shed all of those negative feelings and am now filled with the joy and peace I’ve been waiting for and deserve! - Rebecca White<br /><br />“I can’t think of one part of my life that has not been changed by this experience. Mountains were moved – my heart is free. I once believed that the abundant life was not meant for me – that I was the exception to the rule. I came here needing to know that there was more to my life than what I had. You showed me that it is bigger and better than what I had hoped it could be.” - Lynn Erwin<br /><br />“I came into this program with a feeling of no direction, fear of the unknown, insecurities in who I was and feelings of not being good enough. This program helped me deal with those issues in a way that brought out of me my own answers. I now feel like I’ve been given direction, I do not fear the unknown, I have a better sense of who I am, I do feel good enough and I now have confidence in maintaining what I have gained through this program.” - Raul Giron (?)<br /><br />“Today I realize I am worthy of love not because of my job but because of who I am.” - Terri Robinson Professional Counselor<br /><br />“This experience is totally different from anything I have ever been through. It has been good to receive vision and renew my passion for people.” - Stephen Birmham – Pastor<br /><br />“What a wonderful weekend! I have never had such a life changing experience. I came here a cold-hearted, resentful woman. I am leaving a free, happy woman.” - Jenna Palmer<br /><br />“I walked in these doors carrying 58 years of shame and anger over what happened to me as a child. I packed 24 years of anger at my ex-husband. I topped that off with years of guilt over how my divorce affected my 3 kids. Today, because of Discovery, I am free of the anger and shame and have forgiven myself for being an imperfect mom.” - Judy Hindelang<br /><br />“I came into this program with what felt like the weight of the world on my shoulders. Now, I still have some weight on my shoulders, but it’s more like an empty backpack. And for that I would like to say thank you with all my heart.” - Jason Agan</blockquote>ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-77686126880705005402009-10-04T19:49:00.001-07:002009-10-04T19:56:17.407-07:00September 2009 - WoodvilleGreat news!! The money needed to do a feasibility study has been raised! The next step is to find a qualified company to do the actual study, get the results and start designing a building that will support what the study says can be supported by the demographics of the surrounding area. Progress is slow, but it's still progress and we're headed in the right direction. Our next visit to Woodville will coincide with their County Fair where we will see many friends we've already made, and hopefully make some new ones.ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578031067315003769.post-80584868177208656872009-09-24T14:31:00.001-07:002009-10-01T19:46:03.707-07:00September 2009 - Roatan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFxDzJqCHWwu3sclosGg2ScapHMs6aL6S2KVtyRjUnuQJem5TZR6InjBWkhinPqUKO8t4pdPL4FSzaysVTjrHUv0NR5tFimqUqs8zJq6tqnvk0pLOkFMgGDx9QDycUyIGUaFIy_MN91mP/s1600-h/Roatan+-+walkway+052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385150630375546642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFxDzJqCHWwu3sclosGg2ScapHMs6aL6S2KVtyRjUnuQJem5TZR6InjBWkhinPqUKO8t4pdPL4FSzaysVTjrHUv0NR5tFimqUqs8zJq6tqnvk0pLOkFMgGDx9QDycUyIGUaFIy_MN91mP/s320/Roatan+-+walkway+052.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We just got back from Roatan where we spent the better part of a week building a walkway for the children's home. It goes from the entry gate where the kids are picked up and delivered from school and other activities, up to the front door. Since the yard is mostly dust and dirt, this will allow the opportunity for the kids to get in and out of the house without tracking mud and dirt in everytime they go somewhere - especially during the rainy season. Here are some 'before' pictures.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw-g42pfuDLZTDNx30XMkijLjN8X_XIOA3SK-bLuJvr9pHvNJe67L__RYY1kke897ZJOAZoilGMLDnbsQVdS7c43VrzqaOqdeTrNxuny2l6l133Ttl604HolCtGFlidKbGO-g93WNhU8P/s1600-h/Roatan+-+walkway+050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385150898743626674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw-g42pfuDLZTDNx30XMkijLjN8X_XIOA3SK-bLuJvr9pHvNJe67L__RYY1kke897ZJOAZoilGMLDnbsQVdS7c43VrzqaOqdeTrNxuny2l6l133Ttl604HolCtGFlidKbGO-g93WNhU8P/s320/Roatan+-+walkway+050.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0qlfcoXlf0Ym2Y7Rl6f9L-GcYlvDMbZD0rH8ouQBE7anXxfjDgApO76hqwg4F_qR7mXec-FiwY9R_mi8JMChmV8z9qNAqWK3b3bPeh2GZTAsYEyimvAIHqWxIk8ev22eVN078LNJgF3W/s1600-h/Roatan+-+walkway+101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385152034729285330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0qlfcoXlf0Ym2Y7Rl6f9L-GcYlvDMbZD0rH8ouQBE7anXxfjDgApO76hqwg4F_qR7mXec-FiwY9R_mi8JMChmV8z9qNAqWK3b3bPeh2GZTAsYEyimvAIHqWxIk8ev22eVN078LNJgF3W/s320/Roatan+-+walkway+101.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We couldn't have picked a hotter time to work outside, but it was fun working with the children. They did a lot of the manual labor themselves and we hope they'll take pride and ownership in their accomplishement.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslhJmYp-nEFco-YczT2vw2S7GqfsLY_bS5gvpunueJZYMnWNwt-qYfJvc7URNF741UsElSh7WRsb69d2jVS_Bk0BcU_NyoC9fwX-eimX2A55HCt6qBKzg-YPj8Sqqt9yQxOPKVjkRoN6z/s1600-h/Roatan+-+walkway+123.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385152908335380674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslhJmYp-nEFco-YczT2vw2S7GqfsLY_bS5gvpunueJZYMnWNwt-qYfJvc7URNF741UsElSh7WRsb69d2jVS_Bk0BcU_NyoC9fwX-eimX2A55HCt6qBKzg-YPj8Sqqt9yQxOPKVjkRoN6z/s320/Roatan+-+walkway+123.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Through no fault of the kids, we broke the water pipe three times! But by the end we had become experts at it and used it as an opportunity to teach the kids how to do some repairs.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfItUxfxZWlDT02uJhzTXBbyDavG5Ihvp5kuNz6Yh5yI7T0-XxWu4faDF699zBWsXSil4R83g-jKxWT14l1-XOFdYaeO-VnvxAG2yczouEuuaNKvXTWS-B7FlPEhL0tEBGR-k8NZKaMj6/s1600-h/Roatan+-+walkway+139.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385154105065877058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfItUxfxZWlDT02uJhzTXBbyDavG5Ihvp5kuNz6Yh5yI7T0-XxWu4faDF699zBWsXSil4R83g-jKxWT14l1-XOFdYaeO-VnvxAG2yczouEuuaNKvXTWS-B7FlPEhL0tEBGR-k8NZKaMj6/s320/Roatan+-+walkway+139.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJkVy-gxw_8m37UFUIr_04G2086HGt8wShG0PcW9GrMs1CaDVMZZ6DgAK093MNGLjXcDydqQW1btLjOptU6Wwc2shH6AvUzO65t91brvKN9ezoJ1z3Iat8R4zbGrhIo0HO3s8yn5C2Zut/s1600-h/2009+-+from+David%27s+camera+189.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385153757985752722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJkVy-gxw_8m37UFUIr_04G2086HGt8wShG0PcW9GrMs1CaDVMZZ6DgAK093MNGLjXcDydqQW1btLjOptU6Wwc2shH6AvUzO65t91brvKN9ezoJ1z3Iat8R4zbGrhIo0HO3s8yn5C2Zut/s320/2009+-+from+David%27s+camera+189.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In the end, it turned out great! And what a way to bond with the children. They are all wonderful and beautiful and we look forward to our next visit with them. Our next project will be putting a new roof on the house as it has many bad leaks. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQOTohtyMp-Plz9OIM0IMMisd76vb_HOB-702jObO4YSWvFD9-T0D5vBH3xBt-MK-GnEoYNmQkeAIi5d2gSasmnwQ8Gt9Ns5YZZ4EIaln-qZyNpNzEL5KkcHqiw6-buVyZYE0h1YFXbcK/s1600-h/Roatan+-+walkway+187.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQOTohtyMp-Plz9OIM0IMMisd76vb_HOB-702jObO4YSWvFD9-T0D5vBH3xBt-MK-GnEoYNmQkeAIi5d2gSasmnwQ8Gt9Ns5YZZ4EIaln-qZyNpNzEL5KkcHqiw6-buVyZYE0h1YFXbcK/s320/Roatan+-+walkway+187.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387824369867258338" /></a><br />Also during our stay we visited a school in Coxen Hole. There were no classes while we were there as it was Independence Day and school was out for the week, but two of the teachers met us there and gave us a tour. <br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAUYJenAroeYd_0_TAT8dgmhgIx9x7wFjUK5RqrYoLyfKGO8H0eCH9ka53F_NE7FPu5W0xwC0SJZ8bfyewxB7HZu9BkoDeMJ4STu3s2lLEIk8PJ2JGeXA2en63ji8taKGpcFSPlSap22W/s1600-h/Roatan+-+walkway+190.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAUYJenAroeYd_0_TAT8dgmhgIx9x7wFjUK5RqrYoLyfKGO8H0eCH9ka53F_NE7FPu5W0xwC0SJZ8bfyewxB7HZu9BkoDeMJ4STu3s2lLEIk8PJ2JGeXA2en63ji8taKGpcFSPlSap22W/s320/Roatan+-+walkway+190.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387824826259067762" /></a><br /><br />The 2-room school doesn't currently have enough space for their K-6th grade classes, so 2 classes are meeting outside until a new addition is completed. We were so impressed with the passion and dedication this young teacher has for her students and we look forward to returning on a day when we can meet the children.ALFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731422458895349503noreply@blogger.com0