Removing the Apendix

It was around 6pm on Tuesday night, and I just didn’t feel right. It had been a long day- Bible study, Mommy group, Art class, and a friend’s visit. Brian and I thought I had a stomach ache, and I tried to sleep through the pain (just like I did during labor contractions) but at 6am Wednesday morning, it was unbearable! I felt like a knife was turning in my gut and it was worse foe me then contractions! Brian looked worried and I told him it is my appendix, please ask Leslie (our good friend and Brian’s personal translator at Tegu) to take us to the hospital. We grabbed my pre-packed Mommy- emergency bag (every Mom should have one of these!) and we went straight to ER thanks to Leslie’s connections at he hospital.

You would miss the hospital if you didn’t know where you were going because it looked like a veterinarian laboratory. A doctor and nurse greeted us, and Leslie translated everything simultaneously for us. Basically, they would run some tests, and I would remain in pain until the results and the surgeon made the final diagnosis. OK. Much like labor again, and so I focused on breathing and thinking of something other than the burn and torment inside. Unlike labor, I would not get a beautiful loving baby after surgery, but a gang green stump of an over infected swollen appendix.

We had entered the ER at about 8-9 am, and I was diagnosed and scheduled to have an appendicitis surgery at 12 pm. 3 more hours of pain!! We were all taken into the hospital and set up in what would be a recovery room. Olivia was crawling up and down on the guest hospital bed with Leslie and Bri was moving our stuff in and setting up.

 I was freezing! And just laughing at the irony of the situation- our parents’ worst nightmare coming true! Their first born set to emergency in a foreign country! The worst so far was the IV getting pushed into my vein, and everyone speaking-well- Spanish, and I was STARVING and with no hope of food for at least 24 hours. After 2 hours of being prepped, we were ready for surgery. Our friends Gabi, Pepper, Leslie, and Ali all showed up to bring us supplies and pray with us. A wave of peace and comfort enveloped me and I knew I was in good hands; God’s hands.

 So the Doctor came in, wearing Ray Ban sunglasses! And I was rolled away into the surgery room. The surgery room smelled like rubbing alcohol, and beakers, test tubes, and old equipment was about the room making me feel like I was in a 1920’s sci-fi movie! The surgeon assistance spoke some English, and explained that I was going to be put under (thank God) and then I started babbling as I drifted off. All I could think about was my Olivia and my Brian and how I wanted to be back in their arms ASAP!

I awoke, was rolled back into my room, and everyone we knew was waiting to greet me and pray with me! Belinda, Walinda, Ali, Gabi, Pepper,Chris, Steve, and Leslie- who never left our side. Olivia had been in good hands, and I was overwhelmed with love.

I spent the night at the hospital and Briand I Olivia stayed in the room with me (I mean we had ALL our stuff there including the pack-n-play!) and poor Olivia and Daddy suffered from – well- lack of boobie! Without nursing Olivia was inconsolable. I’m not sure when they slept, but in the morning, I decided that I had to nurse Olivia despite the antibiotics.

She was now doing well, and I just awaited my check up to see when they would let me eat! Finally at about 9am I was able to have Jell-O, which Brian fed me making me feel 100 years old. Then a12 pm a gross soup. Then at 1pm chicken and rice. Getting better! I had perfected the use of a bed pan, and was ready to stand up, go to the bathroom, and have a sponge bath. Who- I felt like an old women! This is our future!

With Dunkin Donuts, lunch delivered, and plans to have meals and help scheduled for my next week of recovery, the Dr. made his final appearance- in his Ray Ban sun glasses, and said I could go home. I have stitches about 2 inches long, and they will be removed in a week. I can’t lift, bed, cough, laugh, or move too quickly. This is very difficult for me! I also have to accept the help of everyone, and cannot host, serve, or entertain my loved ones. This is also very difficult! So as I am rolled out of the hospital, thankful that everything went well, I look forward to the company and help from everyone. And every one has been amazing! Every need, every hour, every meal, every prayer has been covered.

This was unexpected, as most illnesses are, but the lesson learned and the love received is overwhelming! We have only been here since August and have a family. I have learned that I do not need to “do” everything, or to “expect perfection” from myself. I have learned to be the Martha and the Mary. To serve and be still in the Lord. I have learned that no matter where we are, God will provide the details down to the people and community and fellowship that our family will need. And all of His promises He has kept. I am like a Princess, and Olivia is having the time of her life with playmates and attention that she thrives in. We are still nursing three times a day, and she is my treasure. Brian has taken night shifts cleaning and taking care of Olivia.

Yes, I will be happy to be fully healed, but I am enjoying the love that the Lord is pouring down on me.

Family Pace

Our weeks have fallen into a pace; a schedule to keep up with and a family to grow with.
Monday Boys Art class, Tuesday Mommy group, Bible study, and Girls Art class, Wed. cleaning lady (yea!!) and planning for ministries, Thursday Martial Arts class and lunch with Daddy, Friday visit with friends, Saturday family event, Sunday Church and rest.
The three of us are now a unit, making decisions together and filling each other’s needs. This experience in Honduras has thus far created a tighter knit between us all. Olivia is expressing herself so much and exploring her world, and Brian and I continue to listen and pray together as God reveals what He has in store for us each week. We must live week to week right now, as it will get difficult to feel far away during the upcoming Holidays. As I think about this country and the pain and joy, beauty and despair around, I am hopeful that the work and service we are doing is impacting in the smallest to largest ways.

The art class that I am teaching to the girls who have been living on the streets or in poverty- is an amazing class, and this week I am educating them about their bodies. This ties into the work that I did at the pregnancy clinic in LA. It is a wonderful opportunity. Brian is still doing Martial Arts (JKD) with the Micah boys and he is also having them train and work out their bodies as well as learn the basics in JKD.
Below: Art and JKD classes!

We care so much about these little ones and pray that they are able to have respect and love for their bodies, talents, and gifts that they have been given.

This weekend we had a chance to visit Zamarano which is our friend Darwin’s University that he graduated from in 2007. It is a beautiful land in the valley, and there are live animals, plants, lakes, and so much beauty on the campus. Olivia loved the cows and we loved being able to walk around in nature outside the busy city. The fresh air was good for us all. Below: Zamarano Universtity visit! Church, Cows, and the lake.

In preparations for all of the Holiday events coming up, Brian and I have spoken with my friends who are in a ministry called Point on Impact. For Christmas, we hope to join them in bringing gifts to some of the most devastated communities here. We passed some of theses communities on the way and it was heartbreaking. We are going to bring gifts to some of the families and we ask that you join us in praying for relief in these broken areas.

Please pray as Honduras is having their election on Nov. 29th and political unrest is still at large. We also pray for safety and that the country would find hope in a new leader. We will update every one as the elections come.

Building Community in Honduras

You know you are in Honduras when…


There are three foot gaps in the broken sidewalks

People are doing magic tricks at traffic lights for money

You see dumpsters on fire

You hear roosters in the morning

Coffee is served sweet. Very sweet.

Babies drink ice tea from bottles

People hug each other hello and kiss good bye

Pulperias and Mercatitos in the neighborhood sell locals goods

Everyone has a dog or two or three

Taxis honk at you to see if you need a ride

Every one watches and plays soccer

You hear soccer fans playing and cheering until midnight

People throw trash out of their windows and onto the streets

At least 10 people can fit into a pick up truck

Every one goes to Church on Sunday

Every thing is closed on Sunday

Fire works are set off when the soccer team wins

People BBQ and have festivals in the streets

Men with shot guns and pistols guard every shop and restaurant

When driving, anything goes

Police officers pull you over and bribe you to pay them off

From any high point in the city, the lights sparkle and glitter

It is acceptable to have coffee as many times and at any time during the day

Play grounds for children are inside of restaurants

Corn grows wild

People sell tortillas and cakes door to door

It is sunny just about every day

Building Community...
This week we were pretty busy. Thursdays Brian gives JKD (Martial Arts) lessons here in the home and I was able to catch a few photos of the boys in action this week! JKD Class below

Marvin, Miguel, Nelson, Wilmer, Axel

The Micah Boys are really enjoying themselves and learning a lot. I am continuing with Art lessons for the boys as well, and some of my personal Honduran girlfriends are taking their children to my home for art lessons as well. It is amazing to be teaching art here. It is something I never imagined I would be doing in Honduras! I hope it will inspire me to paint as well.

Kevin Creating 2-d &3-d

Wilmer's Island Sculpture

Brian worked through the weekend last week and Olivia and I joined him at the factory on Sunday. It is really coming together and it is exciting to think that soon the factory will be producing Tegu toys! The giant machines will come to life and the factory line will transform wood into beautiful toys that will ship to children who will enjoy them while lives here in Honduras will be changed because of the production. It all runs full circle and we are happy to be part of it all. http://www.tegu.com/

Livi helping Mommy cook

Wednesday I spent the day cooking and was proud that I have reached the point in my Honduran social life that I was able to call my friend and ask to borrow a Pyrex cooking plate to prepare my lasagnas in. I was all prepared for my lunch party that I hosted on Thursday. I invited my friends form my Mommy group. The women are now my close friends, and our children had a blast playing together. I made lasagna, and we laughed and enjoyed ourselves all day long. My home was filled with the smell of basil and tomatoes, coffee and cake, and the warmth of laugher amongst friends.

Mommy Groupunch party and babies

Olivia's friends Male,Valleria, Maggie

Livi dressed as a Fairy ready for the party

Saturday we went to my Male’s 4th birthday party- my friend’s daughter. She lives just around the corner, so we could walk there, and we were greeted with hugs and smiles. There was a piñata! And it was our first time taking hits at it! Olivia watched with amassment as I guided her in holding the baton to hit the hello kitty shaped piñata. After three rounds and two adults hitting at it (me included!) it broke open and candies showered the floor. The kids rushed and filled their hands, pockets, and bags with the candy. The men all sat together talking about real estate and airports, and the women talked about food, teething, and schools. We had such a great time, and it really felt like a taste of home to be surrounded by friends.

Party girls!

Hello Kitty!

Male the brthday girl

oh no! Candy!

Male's party

On Sunday, we were invited to a beautiful lunch out in the mountains with friends from Impacto Church. Steve and his wife, their two sons, and another couple with their children all came along. The air was cool and fresh, and tall pine trees towered over us as we enjoyed traditional Honduran foods; carne, chirizo, pollo, beans, rice, tortillas, cheese, salsa, plantains, and coffee. Outside of the restaurant, there were horses, picnic tables, gardens, bike and hiking trails, and playgrounds. It was one of the most quaint and lovely places we have been so far.

Wilamina, John, Alex, Chris, Bri, Liv, Vic, Belinda, Steve

We are so blessed to have friends here who care to take us into the beautiful places of Honduras, share laughter, food, and fellowship with creating encouragement, support, and love here. Not to say we are not fighting off home sick feelings when it rains, or when we think of our life in LA--- but God is providing, and the Honduran community is taking care of us through His promises.