Some of Bella Vista's Great Kids
According to Libby, an unofficial Honduran Mission Trip slogan is “Semper Gumby,” meaning “always flexible.” Whether it’s an altered timetable or an unexpected change of plans, we are challenged to be flexible.
For example, after devotions in the community room this morning, the field crew went off to work, some of our women went to help with meal preparation, and suddenly over twenty children seemed to materialize from out of nowhere. With expectant faces, they took their seats and announced that school had been cancelled for the day. Semper Gumby! Thank goodness for a guitar and a few books.
Meanwhile, a mighty crew of about 24 men, joined by Jane, Libby, and our Agros interpreter, Carmen, worked to clear an acre and a half of hillside land for cultivating chiles. Using hand tools, they toiled in the sun for a couple hours and successfully prepared the land, despite encounters with ants and even a couple snakes! The afternoon’s task, fertilizing plantains, was completed in record time, providing the opportunity for some story swapping in both languages. Carmen’s translating skills were put to the test with Steve’s cowboy poetry. How do you translate “pert near?”
Being flexible also involves creativity. Ann and Vickie continue to generate great enthusiasm among the women and teens with their friendship bracelet and embroidery projects. Libby and Mike did a great job telling the story of Noah with animal puppets floating on a blue “sea,” courtesy of team members’ blue shirts. Ward pitched in to read a children’s story in Spanish. He remarked that he never realized “Cat in the Hat” was so long!
May God guide us as we attempt to be His faithful and flexible people here, open to the possibility of each moment, the opportunities to build relationships, and the movement of the Spirit of God.
