Moose Note

Hello again from the city of Tegucigalpa, Honduras! It has been a great week here but there is not too much to update on, so this may be a shorter update than usual. There are not many pics this week either, but you can see them here.

http://jsu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2025510&l=788a9&id=156800196

First of all, one of the things that we do not get to do often is participate in church activities because of the long distance. However, this past Wednesday there was a church social and we decided to stay in town late and go to it. It was a great time hanging out with other North Americans and meeting some new people. Most of the night was devoted to the game of Guesstures- men vs. women. I had not played before but it was a lot of fun. Last time the men were defeated by the women so this was their chance for revenge. However, we were beaten pretty badly and the women have extended their reign as Guesstures Champions.

School is going great still-- the kids are doing pretty well on their grades, and Monday they will get their average for these first 4 weeks of school. Most of mine are doing very well, with only one or two C’s and the rest A’s and B’s. The younger kids are still enjoying the music classes a lot but I’m starting to get anxious for the arrival of the crate and all of our musical instruments and games, etc. Right now we are doing a lot of percussion exercises. We have made some practice pads out of foam and I found a place in one of the malls that sold sticks, so the kids are enjoying that right now.

This week there has been a lot of sickness at the ranch. Thursday was probably the worst day I’ve had since I’ve been here. Apparently I got a hold of some bad food in the city Wednesday night and I paid for it most of the day Thursday. In the afternoon I had terrible stomach cramps and a fever. I slept most of the evening and felt a little better when I woke up. However, by 9 pm I was very cold and sweating a lot. I was given some medicine by the nurse here and took a second dose of it and some Tylenol before crawling in the bed and sleeping it off. I woke up Friday feeling much, much better, but I quickly found out that many other did not feel so well. We had 4 teachers that were sick and not able to be at school, three of four sick students, and a couple of house parents. Most were either dealing with stomach pains or colds and fevers. I am hoping and praying that the weekend will see to it that everyone is restored to full health quickly and safely.

Some of you may remember me talking about our visit to the Bridge House a few weeks ago and how that two of us would be staying there on some weekends to give the usual couple some time off. Well, two of the people that were sick yesterday were the two people that were supposed to be at the Bridge House this weekend. So, Jason and I decided that we would take their place. We rode the “busito,” or van, into the city yesterday and got dropped off at the Bridge House. After a quick orientation by the managers Robert and Jennifer, we were handed the keys and wished a good weekend. Robert and Jennifer, the managers, take care of and home school a young boy named Rodolfo. He is also staying with us here this weekend while Robert and Jennifer are gone. So, our instructions were basically to not blow up the house and not let anything happen to Rodolfo. So far we have succeeded, but the weekend isn’t up yet. Last night I cooked chicken for us and this morning I made some pancakes. Rodolfo is a great kid and it’s fun hanging out with him this weekend. If you don’t remember, the Bridge House is made up of one large apartment with two rooms where Robert, Jennifer, and Rodolfo live, and then several other smaller apartments where the Bridge House kids live. There is also a small studio apartment up stairs. Jason is staying in the main part with Rodolfo and I am sleeping up in the studio apartment. It is pretty neat up there and the city seems to go on forever every way you look.

We are thinking about venturing out and walking around the city some today-- possibly go to the mall and just walking around. Actually, I think we are going to leave in a few minutes so I’m going to wrap this up. We are going to try and find our way to one of the malls, Cascadas, so wish us luck on our adventure!!!

Please continue to pray for the ministry and for the health of all of us here. This sickness can really put a dent in our ability to teach and work with the kids. I love you guys a lot and can’t wait to see you all again soon!!!
Love from Honduras,
Jesse Tiner