Hello from Honduras! This has been a fantastic week in the Cloud Forest! There are a couple of areas in Honduras, the Ranch area being one of them, that is referred to as Cloud Forest sometimes because of the overwhelming amount of fog that sometimes envelops the mountains. It is a beautiful site to see, so hopefully I can get a good pic of that sometime! On to the good stuff!
PICTURES!
Career Day
http://jsu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027835&l=4868f&id=156800196
Unfortunately, our internet has been realllllly, reallllly slow over the past few days, and out of about 10 tries today to upload pictures, one of them has been successful. So, I am sorry for not having more pictures.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
This week was probably the most interesting week of Community Outreach so far, especially for the Bible club part with the kids. Our “puppet show” this week was Job: The Musical. Picture it--- puppets, north Americans singing with puppets, north Americans who speak very little Spanish singing with puppets--- and who was I? The voice of God. I’m not sure if the kids really even knew what we were doing, but we attempted great things for the Lord that day. My favorite line, “Puede probar a Job, pero no lo mates,” or “You can test Job, but you can’t kill him.” Anyhow, I think it was a great success, and whether or not they understood it all, I’m not sure, but they were definitely entertained.
The music went very well too. The kids really, really love to sing and sing strong and loud, and even do all of the hand motions! It is way too cool! Next week we are planning on doing the story of Joseph with puppets and also do tie-dye t-shirts. Should be fun!
VISITING TEAM
This week we had an awesome visiting team from the Chicago area of Illinois. Some of them were from Geneva, Illinois, so that was easy to remember! This team was a construction team so they stayed here on the Ranch and did lots of work to help out. One of the ladies did lots of sewing of pillows, curtains, etc. The men helped out a lot finishing some of the minor details at the school including sanding down and varnishing all of the doors at the school. They also helped put up a fence behind the end of the campo that has the children’s playground. It has always been a danger because kids are playing at the bottom of the hill and soccer balls that miss the net sometimes get very close. So, the fence will help out tremendously in that area! The team left this morning on their way back to the states.
CAREER DAY
This week was the school’s annual Career Day. We had the kids split up like we normally do for Chapel, with the younger kids down at the school and the older kids up in the Bodega. The younger kids had several different guest speakers, including some of the visiting team members, to come and talk to them about the different jobs that they can have when they grow up, including police man, nurse, etc… From what I heard, the kids really enjoyed it and asked lots of really funny questions.
The older kids had Mrs. Cecilia speak to them about different universities in Honduras, and the different degrees that are offered at each of them. Mrs. Cecilia is our Spanish teacher as well as the lady who helps our kids in the area of Social Work. She was very informative to the kids, and helped them to understand even more the important things that will count when they get ready to make that step into college and choosing a career.
HAMMOCK IN THE SHADE
I have to share this because it’s just the most relaxing thing I do now. Jason has a hammock out on our back porch that overlooks a lot of the forest around us. I have, only recently, begun to take advantage of this luxury we have and spend some of my free time relaxing in the hammock and reading. Just this past week, I finished reading a great book by Rocky McElveen called Wild Men, Wild Alaska. Rocky is a professional guide in rural Alaska. He gives guided tours to lots of people, including our former President Bush, Sr, Franklin Graham, and lots of other well-known people. Anyhow, the book is a collection of his favorite stories and guides with different people- some famous, some regular Joe’s. The stories are absolutely wonderful, but more than that, he spends a lot of time talking about how God has given him this occupation to get to be a missionary to so many people that come there to “get away” from their normal environments, or “discover” themselves. He is a very good Christian man, has come close to death several times in the wilderness, but knows that God has blessed him and his career immensely. So, there is my book review of the month for ya! And, if you need to relax, come visit our hammock in the shade, and bring a good book.
The other stuff
Graduation day and getting to come home for a while is getting very close! I am very excited about both of those things! The kids at school are going to do some “musical” things at graduation, including playing hand bells! It’ll be a great time!
Last night was a fun time-- we had a few of the other teachers over and played Pictionary! It was sooo funny and I think we were heard across the ranch. Today I am going to be working on my presentation for when I am home and hopefully design a new prayer card! We’ll see how that goes!
God bless you all! Thank you so much for everything and I will see you soon!!!
God Bless!
-Jesse Tiner
World Gospel Outreach
http://www.wgoreach.org
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
I don't know what to title these things anymore...
Hola to all! This has been a great week in Honduras. I hope you were all able to hang on for an extra week without an update this past weekend. Our internet and electricity was off and on most of the weekend due to lots of damaging wind that took out several trees in the area and had our electricity out for some time. When one of the trees fell, it landed on one of the lines, somehow sending a power surge straight to the ranch. The surge tripped lots of breakers and even took out one the brand new copying machine at the school. On top of that, it was kind of a slow week, and there was not too much to update on. However, this week was full of goodness, so let’s get to it!
PICTURES
Community Outreach/New kids--
http://jsu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027535&l=d1f39&id=156800196
Other Pics From The Week
http://jsu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027536&l=2101f&id=156800196
NEW CHILDREN AT THE RANCH!!!
This week, we got to experience the arrival of three new children into the family of WGO. They are Katherine and David, who are siblings, and Darwin. Katherine is 5 years old, her brother is 2, and Darwin is around 17 months. They arrived Wednesday after Paul, our Children’s Services Director, and numerous others spent many trips to the city at the agency that we get our children from. The arrival of these children was a long awaited blessing.
I have not been able to see Darwin yet, but Katherine and David both accompanied their house parents, Karen and Ronal, to our community program down the road. I was very happy to see that both of them seemed very comfortable and it seems that the transition for them to life here on the Ranch will be a smooth one.
The other day I got to speak with Paul and found out that many of the kids we have do not even have birth certificate, including some of the children we have just received. Many of them do not actually know their birth date or how old they are. I know that may seem insignificant to life, but it just made me realize to know who I am and where I came from. It’s a big thing we take for granted to know who our parents are, where and when we were born, and other things related to our past. It just helped me get a grip on that and to be thankful for being able to know.
We’re still legal!/COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Last Wednesday was kind of a bummer in one way, but very good in another. This past Friday marked 90 days that we have been in Honduras, which meant we had to renew our visas before that day. Since Wednesday is the only other group trip into town, several of us had to miss out on the community program in order to go to the city and renew our visas. The process was not nearly as bad as I had heard about, and we were very blessed that all of our paperwork was correct and that the renewal process went very smoothly. So, we missed the community program, but at least we’re legal!
Thankfully, we were able to participate in the community program that took place this past Wednesday. We are continuing to have about 25-30 children each week. Most of them are repeats, which is good, but we are also seeing some not be able to return, which is sad, while we are seeing some new faces each week, which is good. This week we spent a good deal of time teaching them some new songs, such as “Gloria a Dios,” which is the same music as “Allelu, Allelu, Allelu, Alleluya, Praise ye, the Lord.” Also, we taught them “Mi Dios esta Grande,” or “My God is go great, so big and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do!” They really seem to be enjoying them and I am loving being a part of it. Karen is trying to get me to do the “welcoming” and introductions by myself in Spanish, which is a stretch, but I am getting there.
The memory verse this week was Matthew 17:20 which basically says “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to that mountain, ‘MOVE,’ and it will do so.” During the month of October, our lessons are revolving around simply trusting in God during all of our situations. The kids in the community definitely feel defeated and incapable of doing a lot of things and it is important that we teach them that they are most capable of doing what they set their heart and mind to.
Music heard ‘round the Ranch
Not too much to be said here, but I have to take a second and tell everyone how great it is to have musical instruments on the ranch now. Since the crate has arrived, the kids have spent lots of afternoons and evenings learning drum set and keyboard. I have really tried to spend some time with the older kids teaching them rhythms and beats on drums and have even got to where a couple of them are playing some basic rhythms with me accompanying them on keyboard, and it is fantastic!
Not only that, but the younger kids are now able to learn hand bells and Boomwhackers (pitched tubes), and I feel like we are accomplishing a great deal. They are really starting to get a more “hands-on” approach to learning with many different types of instruments now.
If there is any downside to any of this, it is that sound travels really well through the Ranch, and the drums can be heard from just about anywhere!
Visiting team from Illinois
Also this past week, we had the pleasure of sharing an afternoon with a visiting team from Illinois. I really enjoyed this team because they were all very kind and really treated the kids well. That may seem odd to mention, but sometimes the teams just don’t really gel and mix with the kids very well, so it’s always nice to have a team that does. Not only that, but those that didn’t play soccer seemed to enjoy themselves talking to some of the others that live on the Ranch. I think the most enjoyable thing was that the field was still very muddy and slippery from all of the rain lately. This makes perfect field conditions for some of the most humorous soccer you have ever seen. Many players kissed the dirt that day, and the wet stench of mud flooded the nostrils of all who were there. Ahhh, great day.
House of Words
I have to share this, simply because it’s too much fun not to share. I have mentioned before, I believe, that Karen has started helping us on Saturdays to learn Spanish. Well, one of our first assignments was to label as many things as possible in our house with the Spanish word for that object, such as “cama,” which is bed. Well, I had so much fun doing that, that I thought I might as well go ahead and just do lots of verbs, adjectives, and even the parts of the body. Not only are the words in Spanish, but if you flip the card, you can get the English word on the back! So, our house is now a house of words and is a perfect atmosphere for learning. It really makes for quite colorful living conditions!
Adios!
I hope all is well for all of you in the states! With only a measly five weeks before coming home, the excitement continues to build. It will truly be a blessing for me to get to spend time with family and friends over the month of December. Can’t wait!!!
Please continue to pray for all of us that are still considering a second year. I still feel strongly about a second year here, but your prayers are still requested.
Love you guys a lot! See you soon! E-mail me!!!
Hasta luego!
-Jesse Tiner
PICTURES
Community Outreach/New kids--
http://jsu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027535&l=d1f39&id=156800196
Other Pics From The Week
http://jsu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027536&l=2101f&id=156800196
NEW CHILDREN AT THE RANCH!!!
This week, we got to experience the arrival of three new children into the family of WGO. They are Katherine and David, who are siblings, and Darwin. Katherine is 5 years old, her brother is 2, and Darwin is around 17 months. They arrived Wednesday after Paul, our Children’s Services Director, and numerous others spent many trips to the city at the agency that we get our children from. The arrival of these children was a long awaited blessing.
I have not been able to see Darwin yet, but Katherine and David both accompanied their house parents, Karen and Ronal, to our community program down the road. I was very happy to see that both of them seemed very comfortable and it seems that the transition for them to life here on the Ranch will be a smooth one.
The other day I got to speak with Paul and found out that many of the kids we have do not even have birth certificate, including some of the children we have just received. Many of them do not actually know their birth date or how old they are. I know that may seem insignificant to life, but it just made me realize to know who I am and where I came from. It’s a big thing we take for granted to know who our parents are, where and when we were born, and other things related to our past. It just helped me get a grip on that and to be thankful for being able to know.
We’re still legal!/COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Last Wednesday was kind of a bummer in one way, but very good in another. This past Friday marked 90 days that we have been in Honduras, which meant we had to renew our visas before that day. Since Wednesday is the only other group trip into town, several of us had to miss out on the community program in order to go to the city and renew our visas. The process was not nearly as bad as I had heard about, and we were very blessed that all of our paperwork was correct and that the renewal process went very smoothly. So, we missed the community program, but at least we’re legal!
Thankfully, we were able to participate in the community program that took place this past Wednesday. We are continuing to have about 25-30 children each week. Most of them are repeats, which is good, but we are also seeing some not be able to return, which is sad, while we are seeing some new faces each week, which is good. This week we spent a good deal of time teaching them some new songs, such as “Gloria a Dios,” which is the same music as “Allelu, Allelu, Allelu, Alleluya, Praise ye, the Lord.” Also, we taught them “Mi Dios esta Grande,” or “My God is go great, so big and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do!” They really seem to be enjoying them and I am loving being a part of it. Karen is trying to get me to do the “welcoming” and introductions by myself in Spanish, which is a stretch, but I am getting there.
The memory verse this week was Matthew 17:20 which basically says “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to that mountain, ‘MOVE,’ and it will do so.” During the month of October, our lessons are revolving around simply trusting in God during all of our situations. The kids in the community definitely feel defeated and incapable of doing a lot of things and it is important that we teach them that they are most capable of doing what they set their heart and mind to.
Music heard ‘round the Ranch
Not too much to be said here, but I have to take a second and tell everyone how great it is to have musical instruments on the ranch now. Since the crate has arrived, the kids have spent lots of afternoons and evenings learning drum set and keyboard. I have really tried to spend some time with the older kids teaching them rhythms and beats on drums and have even got to where a couple of them are playing some basic rhythms with me accompanying them on keyboard, and it is fantastic!
Not only that, but the younger kids are now able to learn hand bells and Boomwhackers (pitched tubes), and I feel like we are accomplishing a great deal. They are really starting to get a more “hands-on” approach to learning with many different types of instruments now.
If there is any downside to any of this, it is that sound travels really well through the Ranch, and the drums can be heard from just about anywhere!
Visiting team from Illinois
Also this past week, we had the pleasure of sharing an afternoon with a visiting team from Illinois. I really enjoyed this team because they were all very kind and really treated the kids well. That may seem odd to mention, but sometimes the teams just don’t really gel and mix with the kids very well, so it’s always nice to have a team that does. Not only that, but those that didn’t play soccer seemed to enjoy themselves talking to some of the others that live on the Ranch. I think the most enjoyable thing was that the field was still very muddy and slippery from all of the rain lately. This makes perfect field conditions for some of the most humorous soccer you have ever seen. Many players kissed the dirt that day, and the wet stench of mud flooded the nostrils of all who were there. Ahhh, great day.
House of Words
I have to share this, simply because it’s too much fun not to share. I have mentioned before, I believe, that Karen has started helping us on Saturdays to learn Spanish. Well, one of our first assignments was to label as many things as possible in our house with the Spanish word for that object, such as “cama,” which is bed. Well, I had so much fun doing that, that I thought I might as well go ahead and just do lots of verbs, adjectives, and even the parts of the body. Not only are the words in Spanish, but if you flip the card, you can get the English word on the back! So, our house is now a house of words and is a perfect atmosphere for learning. It really makes for quite colorful living conditions!
Adios!
I hope all is well for all of you in the states! With only a measly five weeks before coming home, the excitement continues to build. It will truly be a blessing for me to get to spend time with family and friends over the month of December. Can’t wait!!!
Please continue to pray for all of us that are still considering a second year. I still feel strongly about a second year here, but your prayers are still requested.
Love you guys a lot! See you soon! E-mail me!!!
Hasta luego!
-Jesse Tiner
Saturday, October 6, 2007
ONE of the best weeks ever
Hola mi amigos! Enjoy the pics and news from this week!
PICTURES
Community Outreach
http://jsu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027103&l=f95f2&id=156800196
Chapel
http://jsu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027105&l=28d97&id=156800196
The CRATE!
http://jsu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027104&l=6f77e&id=156800196
NEWS!
Community Outreach
This week was one of our most successful weeks yet. We had spent much time planning something that would be very different than what we had done before, and we wanted a break from doing dramas. So, we decided that we could help them make a “Memory Verse Book” that contained the verses that they had learned so far and also add to it later verses that we learn in the future.
As usual, we started with a fun time of music, featuring Jason and I this week doing a “Welcome Rap,” written by yours truly with the aid of Jason. At first I thought we scared the kids, but they seem to get into it as it progressed. After out time of music we broke into groups and began the verse book project. For the younger kids we had already put the verses in the books and they just drew and colored something that reminded them of the story that we learned about that week. The older kids wrote the verse and drew a picture about that week. It seemed to go really well and the kids really liked it. There are several pictures of the kids from this activity under Community Outreach.
We had also planned to play games afterward, but time ran short and we were not able to, but I’m hoping we will get to in the next few weeks. This past Thursday we had a planning meeting to discuss ways to improve the program. We definitely believe that the time with small groups is very beneficial in getting to know the kids, and we are going to implement several new ways to present lessons, such as puppet shows, more crafts, and simply getting the kids in the community more involved in “recapping” the story at the end. It was a very successful meeting and I believe that much was accomplished that will continue to help this program be a positive thing for the kids from the Ranch and the kids in the community.
Chapel
Over the past several weeks, Eric has been talking about different areas that are crucial for success, and it is an awesome series. These kids have definitely felt “less than capable” because of their different pasts, and these lessons on being successful have been very fruitful. This week Eric started with an activity called the “Trust Fall.” Some of you may know that that is when you have several people lock arms and one person, with their back to the people, falls backwards into their arms. It’s very scary to do but several of the kids did it and it was fun to see their reactions.
The music continues to be so much fun. I have not played keyboard the past couple of weeks just because there has not been much time to practice, but hopefully I’ll be able to again soon.
The Crate
IT FINALLY ARRIVED!!!!!!! We found out about a week or more ago that the crate had left Texas and was on its way to the north coast. In the middle of last week, we heard that it had made it to the north coast and had already made it through customs, and was waiting for some paper work to be finished in Tegucigalpa. From this point, we were told it could be anywhere from a week to three weeks before it made it to the Ranch. Well, since everything went so smoothly, the crate made it to the Ranch YESTERDAY!!! We were actually released from school early to go help unload everything.
I think this was the first crate in about a year, so LOTS of people were waiting for stuff. The trailer was stacked front to back and top to bottom, with no room to spare. There were hundreds of boxes to be unloaded, but we got it all unloaded within a couple of hours.
I was also very excited because all of the donations of music supplies I had gotten were on there, along with a lot of my personal books, movies, some more clothes, etc. It was very fun to see everyone so excited about getting their things. It was just like getting tons of presents at Christmas! I spent most of last night unpacking everything. One of the boxes had my own sheets and comforter in it, and they were so comfy to sleep on last night.
School
I had also ordered some elementary music supplies that came in on the crate so now we had more stuff to use in the music classes with the younger kids especially. I am planning to have all of my classes perform something at graduation. I had bought some hand bells that come with accompaniment music for piano so I think we are going to give that a shot.
This pas week of school was kind of slow. Monday was a national holiday for Honduras so we were out of school, and then Tuesday the kids were out and the teachers had parent conferences all day. All of mine were very good and very productive. I have already seen some improvements I the work of a couple of my students, and believe that it will continue to improve.
Adios!
Well, this has been the 10th week for us of the school year. This Friday will be 3 months since we have been here. Since our visa ends at 90 days, this Wednesday several of us new teachers will have to go into town to renew them. It should be very interesting to see how that works. Sadly, that means that we will not be able to be at the community outreach. Karen is going to take over to are just praying that it will all turn out because the main ones that are normally there will be in the city.
Well, I am still looking forward to being at home and seeing everyone. It will definitely be an exciting time for me to get to see everyone.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support!
-Jesse Tiner
PICTURES
Community Outreach
http://jsu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027103&l=f95f2&id=156800196
Chapel
http://jsu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027105&l=28d97&id=156800196
The CRATE!
http://jsu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027104&l=6f77e&id=156800196
NEWS!
Community Outreach
This week was one of our most successful weeks yet. We had spent much time planning something that would be very different than what we had done before, and we wanted a break from doing dramas. So, we decided that we could help them make a “Memory Verse Book” that contained the verses that they had learned so far and also add to it later verses that we learn in the future.
As usual, we started with a fun time of music, featuring Jason and I this week doing a “Welcome Rap,” written by yours truly with the aid of Jason. At first I thought we scared the kids, but they seem to get into it as it progressed. After out time of music we broke into groups and began the verse book project. For the younger kids we had already put the verses in the books and they just drew and colored something that reminded them of the story that we learned about that week. The older kids wrote the verse and drew a picture about that week. It seemed to go really well and the kids really liked it. There are several pictures of the kids from this activity under Community Outreach.
We had also planned to play games afterward, but time ran short and we were not able to, but I’m hoping we will get to in the next few weeks. This past Thursday we had a planning meeting to discuss ways to improve the program. We definitely believe that the time with small groups is very beneficial in getting to know the kids, and we are going to implement several new ways to present lessons, such as puppet shows, more crafts, and simply getting the kids in the community more involved in “recapping” the story at the end. It was a very successful meeting and I believe that much was accomplished that will continue to help this program be a positive thing for the kids from the Ranch and the kids in the community.
Chapel
Over the past several weeks, Eric has been talking about different areas that are crucial for success, and it is an awesome series. These kids have definitely felt “less than capable” because of their different pasts, and these lessons on being successful have been very fruitful. This week Eric started with an activity called the “Trust Fall.” Some of you may know that that is when you have several people lock arms and one person, with their back to the people, falls backwards into their arms. It’s very scary to do but several of the kids did it and it was fun to see their reactions.
The music continues to be so much fun. I have not played keyboard the past couple of weeks just because there has not been much time to practice, but hopefully I’ll be able to again soon.
The Crate
IT FINALLY ARRIVED!!!!!!! We found out about a week or more ago that the crate had left Texas and was on its way to the north coast. In the middle of last week, we heard that it had made it to the north coast and had already made it through customs, and was waiting for some paper work to be finished in Tegucigalpa. From this point, we were told it could be anywhere from a week to three weeks before it made it to the Ranch. Well, since everything went so smoothly, the crate made it to the Ranch YESTERDAY!!! We were actually released from school early to go help unload everything.
I think this was the first crate in about a year, so LOTS of people were waiting for stuff. The trailer was stacked front to back and top to bottom, with no room to spare. There were hundreds of boxes to be unloaded, but we got it all unloaded within a couple of hours.
I was also very excited because all of the donations of music supplies I had gotten were on there, along with a lot of my personal books, movies, some more clothes, etc. It was very fun to see everyone so excited about getting their things. It was just like getting tons of presents at Christmas! I spent most of last night unpacking everything. One of the boxes had my own sheets and comforter in it, and they were so comfy to sleep on last night.
School
I had also ordered some elementary music supplies that came in on the crate so now we had more stuff to use in the music classes with the younger kids especially. I am planning to have all of my classes perform something at graduation. I had bought some hand bells that come with accompaniment music for piano so I think we are going to give that a shot.
This pas week of school was kind of slow. Monday was a national holiday for Honduras so we were out of school, and then Tuesday the kids were out and the teachers had parent conferences all day. All of mine were very good and very productive. I have already seen some improvements I the work of a couple of my students, and believe that it will continue to improve.
Adios!
Well, this has been the 10th week for us of the school year. This Friday will be 3 months since we have been here. Since our visa ends at 90 days, this Wednesday several of us new teachers will have to go into town to renew them. It should be very interesting to see how that works. Sadly, that means that we will not be able to be at the community outreach. Karen is going to take over to are just praying that it will all turn out because the main ones that are normally there will be in the city.
Well, I am still looking forward to being at home and seeing everyone. It will definitely be an exciting time for me to get to see everyone.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support!
-Jesse Tiner
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