I'm growing a beard

yes, you read the heading right, I am growing a beard. Now is the true struggle and test... which do I hate more: facial hair or shaving?

Funerals and myself

In general, funerals are not my thing. I'd prefer to do without them. Mine included, of course. Not that I fear death. I look forward to it the way you look forward to finishing a really good book. Or for my friends that don't read, the way you look forward to the commercial being over and getting back to the show you really wanted to see. I guess I do kinda see my life as one big commercial or another. I wear enough brand name stuff.. but thats an aside.
The big reason I don't like funerals is having to hear someone wax philosophic on things they are not sure about. I'm sure I'll do the same when I am in full-time ministry overseeing such events, so pardon the black kettle staring at you for a moment. But, you see, I'm a doodler and a writer, so what happens, not just at funerals but a lot of the time in life or in the pew, or in my car, I'll hear somethign and I'll start writing my oen thoughts and their thoughts about the subject. This is somewhat therapeutic, but tis also annoying. I did not come to the funeral to think about myslef and why I'm ritgh in my head. I came to say good-bye. Or in Grace's case, see ya later


PS...
if you like Travis, and I'm not sure there are many who know who they are besides the raining on my head song, they're new album ain't half bad. .

Currently listening : The Boy with No Name By Travis Release date: 08 May, 2007

last evening in Puerto Cortes

Tonight we said our good-byes to the church of Puerto Cortes. Many tears were shed, of course. I can say that I've never felt like I could miss a place like this... a place that I felt so uncomfortable and foreign. I do feel foreign here, and yet at home. Myabe it is a good thing I get to leave now before I see this wonderful place through my comfortable eyes.
It was really ahrd saying good-bye to Jayser tonight.

And God is good. He has reminded me that I am to pity these people with my Western glared and appalled senses. He has placed them here at this time for His glory. Its all for Him.

Morning at the cantina

There is never a moment I am not a Christian, especially when I have told others that I am.

A long day ... my fault

Today was a very long day. I was very tired from lack of slee and from getting up at 5 am to run 7 miles with Derek. But God gave me the strength to carry-on.

It was a good day.

Its gonna be very hard to leave the people here. But I would like to see them again here, if I could.

Unity and Compassion

"...clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all of these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

~ Col 3:12-14

Christ is our unity, our peace, and our strength. And we should love one another according to His love for us and His forgiveness for us.
I'm glad that I;ve talked through soem of the problems I've had here in Honduras. There has been imporvements and I feel the better for it... not allowing a foothold of any kind. We are all here for a reason -specifically to serve Christ and to glorify His name. Generally, we've all been given gifts and talents that will help each other to do that.
I'm very glad I came. I wish Heather was here to help, but I know there is a purpose to Heather staying behind. When I return I hope that my trip here has made me a better Father and husband. Its easy to live were temptation is lessened. There are some thigns that need to change when I get back home. There are some practices and plans I need to kill. I'm doing very well down here with the Lord's help. May He continue to help me.

Today...

Today was a funny day, adn really hard. But they are all good days. All of them.
Jordan and I mixed cement after we came back form town to get me sunblock. It was really hot and mixing cement is not my favourite task. Not at all. But we muddled through it and we bought everyone Cokes, which was nice to have. I do love Coke. A lot.
I went out front to see Duane and Melanie when some fo the kids from VBS called me over. Apparently they were waiting for me. They gave me a kitten... a little black kitten maybe no more than two weeks old that definitely should not have been taken form its mother. I didn;y know what to do and when I had come to my senses as to what had actually occurred they were gone and I was left holding this scrawny, mewing, black furry thing. She has been named "Regallo", which is spanich for "a gift" and I think that I am going to give her to Beverly's daughter, but we'll see.
We spent part of the day handing out beans and rice to some of the houses in the community which is always an amazing experience. The women are always grateful. But we have no clue who really needs it. Beverly does because she knows the people and has some relationship with them. We are left to look at the outside of the houses and it's so misleading.
The kids here have three names for me:
1) Warwick, which is always amazing becasue of the way they roll their 'r's

2) Professor, which is true. I am teaching them every night about God. They were calling me this when they handed to cat to me.

3) and Pastor, which is my favourite. No one else has ever called me that before and it is so uplifting and affirming.

I've struggled so much with stuff and sin in my life and yet here where I do not struggle I am called what Christ would have have me called.

Our room...

Our fan was not working. It was flashing off and on. Jordan went to check the plug and got burned. So I went over to see the outlet burning and sparking. That;s right, as if ants in the door, a widnow that won't open, a window with no breeze, a ceiling fans which does nothing, termites in the floors and in our hands, and a maid who likes to slepp in my bed while I am gone was not enough... we had a small electical fire!!! I guess this is our room.
I don't thik I've mentioned this before, but there is a woman here who tkinks I am Spider-man. She is a deaf-mute and speaks in Spanish sign language so actually getting this thought across was a little rough. She thinks I'm Spider-man and she keeps acting out the kissing scene... This has been quite a trip.

Do not handle!

"Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!" Again, I believe Paul is dealing with fear. We are told that human rules and traditions are not, and should not be, the most important driving force for what we fo day-by-day. It should not be our main influence. Should it have any influence? No! These things have no value, really. No lasting impact as far as us. These traditions, Paul says in Col., can build up a false sense of spirituality and pride.
What are some of the thigns I cling to that I shouldn't? What feeds my false sense of spirituality? Am I only thinking of things on Earth or does my mind dwell on Christ and the heavenly's?
This is a brilliance: that our longing and clinging to tradiytions feeds into our sinful nature and not our new life in Christ.
And here is a test for such things: Can I worship without such things? Do I judge others based on their following of such things? Are other Christians based on what they do with my rules and traditions?
Father, this is my morning prayer to You, help me because I am a sinner and I need You more than anything. Move the pale glimpses of You, or pictures of You, or songs about You. I need You and You alone.

On Coming to Puerto Cortes

I do not regret coming to Puerto Cortes. But calling home may not have been the best idea. It does seem like good things are happening. I had the oppurtunity to e-mail home and call Heather - to hear her voice was great. I miss her immensely but I wish she was here, and not the other way 'round. I know that I am supposed to be here. I wish she and my girsl were here to experienc it with me.
We moved some blocks from one end of the yard to the other, today. I went into town twice and had some good wandering time between the roads and side streets with Brian, Jordan, and David.
VBS went so much better tonight. We had a plan but God had a better one. It went so smooth, so praise God, who knows better!
Some of the relationships I'm having here with some of the Hondurans is great! Beverly, my main translator, is such a great fit to me from God. She is a great friend. I just feel like God has blessed her so much and I hope she realises that and is truly able to grasp the immensity of it. Jason, or Jayser, is a greatf riend and help to me. He is aswesome and I truly care about him. He is not like a son, but more like a good friend, though in age he could be my son... If I was 12 when I started having kids.

Father, help me to make the most of every oppurtunity. Never let me forget You and Your grace and Your mercy. Keep them forever on my lips and close to my ear. Always remain as one who is never far and always close. I ask You for this, Father, not for my sake, but for Yours. Let my life be a testament to You. Thank-You, Father, for all that You are to me and to Your people. I love You more and more each day.

First Work Day

Today was our first work day and work we did. I was so hot I actually took my shirt off, and I never take my shirt off.
Bible School was a little out of control. Things went as planned, but they also went drastically wrong. Everyone did a great job, though. I would be nothing but a really stupid man going very crazy if it weren't for the people around me. Especially Jamie, Jordan, and Lisa. They have definitely helped me a lot.
I met the kids next door today. They live in this shack that is really just hovering above the water. They are great kids, and are so willing to make friends with us. One of the boys, whom I call Johnny Chocolatay, helped me sort through some of the stones we needed for the wall. Then we searched under his house for turtles (tortuga). He showed me a snail that he found. It was gigantic.
I met sons of doctors and sons of the fathers who left, and am amazed. They live right next door to each other.

. . . - - - . . .

Looking northward Again, this morning, I sit in the cantina looking over the beach northward. Somewhere north of here my wife is up. Maybe she's enjoying my cards. Maybe she's tired of being alone with the girls. In any situation I hope she realises, and knows, that I love her.

Monday in Puerto Cortes

God has made us alive in Christ, who has given us a new nature - a nature free from the bonds of sin. And waht amazing occurrence caused this? The Cross, where "he made a public spectacle of (the powers and authorities)."
A public spectacle. Our trust in Christ must mirror that spectacle to the world. For who has more faith than us? Who has more love than us? We have accepted more love than anybody. Our actions and kind words are echoing the great event of 2,000 years. We have been given victory.
Which is fine and good... better than good. And this true of me, but have I truly grasped the menaing of this? It means that if the sin compulsion is gone, than my actions are my own and I have no room for excuse. It means that I really can be held accountable to what I say and do. If I fail in the role God has given me, then I have failed God.
This is a most serious thing. I must live everyday recogninzing this and the impact to those around me. Because it is not just about me; my actions and what I blame for my failures will either help or hinder someone else.
May God help me. May I blame no one but myslef for my failings. May I praise only Christ.

. . . - - - . . .

Again, this morning I sit in the cantina looking over the beach northward. Somewhere north of here, my wife is up. Maybe she's enjoying my cards. Maybe she's tired opf being alone with the girls. In any situation I hope she realises, and knows, I love her.

Missions trip to the US

We as a missions came down to help the church here to build a wall. I think that the church of Puerto Cortes, Iglesia Luz, could sedn a missions trip to help us with our worship. They seem very free in this aspect of their service. They do not care, and I did not hear, any complaints about ratio of new worship to old hymns. There is something more important here.

Puerto Cortes... Sunday Morning

How great is Christ? He is beyond all things and yet all things are of Him and by Him. He is our hope of glory and the truest expression of God we have seen. He is not only our model but our guide. Not just our guide but our God. Adn this is what I should be teaching, and really the only thing of worth that I have. Unless I am preaching this at all times, my life is wasted.
Our Honduran brothers do not seem to have the same reservations about yelling Christo Vive while they walk down the streets as I do. They count it as good to be exhuberant with their faith and to sing hymns as they go down their unpaved streets.
Praise God for such experiences, and may I find its equivalent back home.

. . . - - - . . .

We went to Noah's (pronounced No-A) home and orchard today. He grows oranges, lemons, and Cocoa. Noah is a carpenter by trade and lives in the inland in a barrio called La Pinta. Jordan and I had an interesting run-in with some fire ants, but an over-all great trip.

Puerto Cortes... rough nights

I'm sitting in the cantina of the hotel we are staying in. It was a rough night last night. It gets so hot here and I'm still living 2 hours ahead. The vast amount of roosters and dogs does not help. Nor does waking up with my pillow and my hand covered in termites.
And with the morning comes relief. Our God is a God that does not need a temple. He is alive and acting in His people, and one day we will all have our hearts' desire to see Him face-to-face.
I'm reading Colossians and relishing in the great work Paul has written. WHile I read, I am reminded of our duties not just here in Honuras, but to our obligation to the churches around us in Harrisburg:
"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you witht he knowledge that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in very good work, growing in the knowledge of Gof, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His people in the kingdom of light."
We have a mission and an obligation, everyday, to pray for each other and the church at large. We should be showing fruit and being strengthened in power from the source.

Oh, Father, here is my prayer for our time here: Allow us to help the existing church to be strengthened and to show fruit. Do not allow us to be in the way of what You are doing. Give us guidance, and give us peace. Father, be our light and our peace. Father, be our strength and our laughter; be our relief.

Currently reading : The Once and Future King By Terence Hanbury White Release date: 15 July, 1987

First Day in Puerto Cortes, Honduras

We left our houses from the church this morning at 2 am, and we arrived here in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, at2 this afternoon. The country is beautiful. It reminds me some of Northern Asutralia with its very flat plains and very high mountains. We went swimming in the Carribean as soon as we got to the hotel.
As I stood on the shore I was reminded that God chose and planned for Honduras and its people. He only wants the best for them, and maybe my coming here is part of that. But I will not think highly of myself. I can not. God thought that I needed to be born and rasied where I was, just as much as the people here. I can not see myself as blessed without thinking the same about them.
Guide me, Father, into Your plan while I am here. Do not allow me, Father, to get caught up in myself and tricked into thinking this trip here is solely about me and my growth as a Christian. Guide me into You and into Your praise, the only truly glorious thing I can ever do with my life.

Endurance in Honduras

Hey gang,
well, I'm leaving at 2am tomorrow morning for Hondurance and, again, I would just like to ask that you guys pray for me, and everyone else going, as well as everyone who we're leaving behind. Pray that we are focused on where we are and that we can be of some good to those we want to serve. Pray that when we leave, they don't remember us necessarily, but the messgae and the kindness we are leaving behind. Pray with gratefulness that God never gives us more than we can handle, and He is all we need. Pray with assurance that He knows better than we do, and something happens becuase God knows best.

Have a good week...
and I've never seen a wooden nickle, but don;t take any none the less.

~W

Currently reading : The Works of John Donne (Wordsworth Poetry Library) (Wordsworth Poetry Library) By John Donne Release date: April, 1999

an encouragement from the ever present past

I'm leaving tomorrow (basically) for Honduras. I've been greatly pondering two things a lot lately:
1) Why am I going?
2) For what reason am I going?

These questions will be answered while I'm down there for sure. But I know heading into this trip that I am not going for myself. I am going for my Father and for His children. I am going to serve, not to be served. I am going for duty and for pleasure, or the pleasure of duty... beneficence.

Please keep me and my family in your prayers... and I promise when I get back you will be reading more than enough about me. really.

Currently reading : Les Misérables (Signet Classics) By Victor Hugo Release date: 03 March, 1987