Summer Trip '08

Keith and Vickie Stephanie, Annina, and Nadine

I hope you all are having a wonderful summer! Keith, Vickie, Stephanie and I returned from Honduras safely, just a day later than expected due to a flight cancellation in Houston.

When I arrived in Honduras on June 26th, I began working with Thad and Rachel Barlett and the West Metro group from Atlanta, GA. At the Christian School, the kids completed an art project and letter for their sponsors. On Friday and Sunday, we had a festival for the kids. I worked with a group of talented students in the upper grades to prepare a drama that was presented to the other students.

Last year, when my mom, Mary, was in Honduras, we spent time with Helda and her three sweet girls, Waleska, Yahaira and Evelyn. When we saw their house, Mom was very struck by their living situation. Helda had been saving little by little in order to make improvements to their mud-wall, leaky-roof house. When it rained, the water literally carved a path down the center of their dirt floor. We decided that if we were able to return the following year, we would help her with her house. Mom was unable to come due to her pending surgery; however, Keith Johnson worked hard on Helda's house. After three years of construction, her house is now enclosed by cement block walls, she has a new roof and a raised cement floor; all vast improvements from their former living arrangements. The girls helped haul blocks, and Helda was cooking for us any time she wasn't working. The generosity and contentment of those with the least never ceases to amaze me.

When we weren't at the work site, Keith, Vickie, Stephanie and I were visiting Little Hands kids. Little Hands is the ministry that Stephanie and I worked for during the time we living in Trujillo. We were impressed by the work that Brian and Sara Bilodeau (missionary family from New Hampshire) have been doing and also by the efforts of Alissa and Rachel (two young ladies from Washington state). Alissa has been living in Trujillo since February and has used her ingenuity to create exercises, lessons and activities to aid in the development of the Little Hands kids, including pre-school in the homes of the children. Rachel, who has been in Trujillo during the summer, has used her teaching skills to help tutor kids who have fallen behind in the Christian school.

There was a lot of activity in Trujillo during the time we were there. After the group from Atlanta left, a group from Mississippi arrived. In the past, Annina Spencer came with this group; however, this year she stayed for a month in order to immerse herself more in the language and culture. Among the group was a pediatric occupational therapist named Bobby. Bobby visited the Little Hands kids, helped diagnose their infirmities and developed exercises and tools to help stimulate development. In Trujillo, it's very hard to get accurate diagnoses and adequate resources. Bobby skills were very helpful in getting the kids things that they have long needed.

It was great to see how all the groups and efforts worked together. I feel that a lot was accomplished this summer in Trujillo. Several of us are already planning our return trip next summer. It's what keeps us going.

More info to come on the scholarshipped students.

Take care.

Nadine Taylor

P.S. My mom came through her surgery just fine. They removed 15" of her small intestine as there were 4 or 5 areas affected by Chrone's disease. She should come home early this week. I'll be heading home tomorrow to help take care of her.

April update

Update April 2008

I pray that you all have been well. Drop a line sometime to let me know how you are doing.

Lord willing, everyone will be able to read the text…here goes…

I just finished my first year of grad school! I have a short reprieve before my May-June class starts, hence the lengthy update.

Hardships in perspective
Sometimes it’s easy to lament hardships in their various forms. I still have a hard time with the breakneck pace that comes along with living in the US. It’s way too easy for a culture of people that want everything now to not feel sorry for itself when it doesn’t get what it wants, when it has to wait, or when God doesn’t come through like a fast-food teller. Recently, I had found myself being frustrated about life’s circumstances and God’s seeming lack of concern, when I heard some guest speakers from Sudan, David Deng and Jacob Atem. Both men were able to leave Sudan when they were children and come to the States. They are currently attending college, one a business major and the other a pre-med student. They were two of the “Lost Boys” who wandered from Sudan to Ethiopia to Kenya trying to find a place to settle during the genocide. They told about how their parents and siblings had been killed when one boy was 4 and the other 9 and their homes burned to the ground, as their Christian villages were attacked by Muslims. At first they asked, “Why me, God?!” but that question turned to a “Why me?” that probed the purpose that God now had for them as a result of their circumstances. Jacob says, “I’m just a dumb boy. I never imagined I would ever go to college. No one ever told me I could do that.” He will graduate from Spring Arbor with a pre-med degree in May with the vision of completing medical school in order to return to Sudan and start a medical clinic there. It was amazing to hear the purpose and vision with which these men of God spoke. Despite the incredibly horrific circumstances that had changed their young lives, both men were able to translate that struggle into victory for the King. I left the service humbled and encouraged, and reminded that our successes are not dependent upon our circumstances but on how we react to our circumstances. Even when things seem hopeless, our God is still the God of resurrection.

Never underestimate grace
A few weeks ago, I was troubled by my students’ behavior. It seemed that I was losing ground with regard to classroom management. One student, whose behavior has been a challenge all year long, was really pushing the limits one day. In addition, I overheard her say some unrepeatable things about me. Some say to let the office deal with her, but I thought there had to be another way. The next morning, God allowed the opportunity for us to both be in the library at the same time, so I pulled her aside and spoke with her. While we were speaking, she confessed that she had been going through some trials and her eyes welled up with tears. She apologized to me, and I haven’t had a problem with her behavior since. It seems the people who exhibit the least grace toward others are the ones that need to receive it the most. May we allow Christ to use us to breathe the refreshing breath of grace into those around us.

Neighborhood Tutoring
When needed, I have been tutoring the neighborhood kids. It’s been fun. They call me Miss Nadine. The other day, I arrived home and got out of my car. Little 5-year-old Perrion yells, “Hi, Miss Nadine!” Then, he comes closer and says, “Can I give you a hug?” Without waiting for me to crouch down, he wraps his little arms around my waist, then runs away just as quickly to play. What a little sweetheart!

Little Hands Big Hearts
Good news, bad news. For those of you who know Marel Bados, the Honduran director of Little Hands, I regret to inform you that he has resigned from the directorship. I, also, ask that you pray for him and his wife, Angela, as they are having some difficulties in their marriage. However, Yefrin and Maybelline Rodriguez are the new directors. They are very excited to take over the leadership. They will be working with Brian and Sara Bilodeau from New Hampshire, who moved to Trujillo in February along with their 4 children.

2008 Scholarships
Please pray for the 15 scholarshipped middle and high school students: Alejandra, Betuel, David, Delldelker, Fredy, Jose Carlos, Linmy, Maylin, Nohemy, Mario, Nolbertina, Noris, Ruth, Waleska and Zuly. Please also keep the college students in your prayers: Yefrin, Tesla, Osladis, and Moises.

Summer trip
On June 26, I will be returning to Honduras. I will work with a group from Atlanta, GA for two weeks, then meet up with a couple from Cadillac, MI and my best friend, Stephanie. Please pray that our time is a blessing to those we will be serving.
When we return, I will post more pictures to the website.

In the meantime, please pray that my school year and grad school class ends well.
I pray that many blessings come your way.

Nadine