Last weekend we waited in anticipation for Sunday afternoon. We had plans to visit a Honduran family Ryan, Denny, and Donna had been working with a little. Aleyda, Ostello, daughter Clarissa (6), son Christopher (2), and a new little baby boy or girl we were hoping had arrived, live in the colonia called Nueve Capital. Describing the living conditions of most Hondurans or even showing pictures does no justice. Physically seeing and smelling is the only way to get a true feel for it. More on that later though. As we were driving through the colonia and approached the home pictured I thought to myself, "I sure hope that one isn't their house," knowing that there would be five of them living there. The home wasn't that different than the homes around, it just seemed a little smaller and a little more in need. Just as that thought crossed my mind, we stopped! "This is it," Ryan said to me!
We came to know of Aleyda four weeks ago now. Each week WGO works with the host churches to choose a family or two in need of a concrete floor in their home. The concrete crew and Denny (the brigade coordinator) had a very eligible family from the church chosen, but something led them to the home picutured here as well.
The day I learned of Aleyda was the day she received her new concrete floor (Christopher shows it off below). It was the end o
f the brigade in this area and the team, including Ryan, were on their way back to the mission house. Donna and I were working in the pharmacy while she told me about Aleyda and her family. Aleyda had brought so much joy to the concrete crew with her positive, giving, and thankful spirit. Donna said that Aleyda was due to have a C-section the following day in the city because her baby was breech and they were unsure the due date, but figured it was time. This seemed so unfortunate for Aleyda on her third pregnancy after having two normal vaginal births and hearing the way C-sections are done in the poor hospitals (the old-fashioned verticle incision and no postsurgical pain medication). I thought to myself, "Ryan has to try help her." I told Donna that Denny should bring Ryan by the house to try Webster's Manuver (a chiropractic technique used to turn breech babies). Denny and Ryan did stop and the baby turned right away!! Aleyda was so thankful.
f the brigade in this area and the team, including Ryan, were on their way back to the mission house. Donna and I were working in the pharmacy while she told me about Aleyda and her family. Aleyda had brought so much joy to the concrete crew with her positive, giving, and thankful spirit. Donna said that Aleyda was due to have a C-section the following day in the city because her baby was breech and they were unsure the due date, but figured it was time. This seemed so unfortunate for Aleyda on her third pregnancy after having two normal vaginal births and hearing the way C-sections are done in the poor hospitals (the old-fashioned verticle incision and no postsurgical pain medication). I thought to myself, "Ryan has to try help her." I told Donna that Denny should bring Ryan by the house to try Webster's Manuver (a chiropractic technique used to turn breech babies). Denny and Ryan did stop and the baby turned right away!! Aleyda was so thankful.Ryan came home and shared the good news with us. I really had a strong urge to meet this family who had already been an inspiration to so many, so that Friday we drove around Nueve Capital looking for Aleyda's home with no luck. The following Wednesday, much to Aleyda's surprise Ryan, Michelle (an amazing interpreter), Denny, and Donna came over lunch to check in and see how the family was doing. The family was so happy to see them again as they had not thought the missionaries would come back. Aleyda had not yet had the baby and was anxious to as most pregnant women are in those last weeks. Ryan examined her and told her it could be up to another week or two.
When this Sunday arrived we were very excited to see the new baby we had hoped had arrived. And I was really anticipating meeting this family we had learned so much about. Their home is about 9ftx9ft with a tin roof (with holes) and thin wood walls (with holes). There are two cots along adjacent walls. One cot acts as Aleyda, Christopher, and baby's bed while the other belongs to Ostello. Clarissa has a small makeshift bed at the head of Aleyda's bed. The family cooks on a two burner camping stove with a gas can the size of a coke bottle. There is no sink. Most Hondurans have what is called a Pila to wash dishes and clothes in. This family doesn't have one and walks up the hill to do those things. They collect water in a pool outside of the house and once in awhile a water truck comes around and fills up the oil drum inside the door. This is the water used for cooking and drinking. When we arrived there was an 1 1/2 inches of water in the drum. The home has no bathroom or outhouse for that matter. I'm guessing that is what the back of the house is for.
Aleyda, Clarissa, and Christopher were so excited to see us and we were happy to hear that Aleyda gave birth to a healthy 7lb baby boy on June 18th. When we found this out we were so thankful that the Lord had lead us into Aleyda's life as the little baby boy (he's not named yet) would have been up to 3 weeks early putting him at more risk for problems and giving Aleyda the added risks and pain of a C-section. Aleyda is such a strong and happy person. Her ability to be so cheerful and reliant on God not knowing when or if needs will be provided for are so 
inspirational to us. Clarissa has the same fun spirit and a little bit of a goofy side to her. They are such a joy. I love to watch Reed and Ella playing and learning from these situations as well. Reed and Ella brought a ball, construction paper, colored pencils, and shoes for Christopher and Clarissa and it was just like Christmas to them. Reed has been finding things that we should bring them since. It's hard though as they don't really have room for much. We plan to continue to check in with this wonderful family and help them when we can with their needs.
inspirational to us. Clarissa has the same fun spirit and a little bit of a goofy side to her. They are such a joy. I love to watch Reed and Ella playing and learning from these situations as well. Reed and Ella brought a ball, construction paper, colored pencils, and shoes for Christopher and Clarissa and it was just like Christmas to them. Reed has been finding things that we should bring them since. It's hard though as they don't really have room for much. We plan to continue to check in with this wonderful family and help them when we can with their needs. I cannot tell you how blessed I feel that the Lord presented us with this call to Honduras and gave us the strength and determination to answer that call. We have already been able 
to see and do so much for so many with God leading us all the way. We have learned to trust and lean on the Lord in ways we didn't know how to as this mission has not come without its struggles. And, hopefully we've been able to relate our experiences in ways that will be great for your spiritual growth as well. God is present here in this mission. You can see him on the brigades and in the faces of the needy all around. Please pray for the strength of this mission and all involved, for Hondurans new to the Christian faith, for the teams coming down to help, for Ryan's physical health and stamina, for good nutrition and food for Hondurans in need, for new life, and for this happy family in Nueve Capital.
to see and do so much for so many with God leading us all the way. We have learned to trust and lean on the Lord in ways we didn't know how to as this mission has not come without its struggles. And, hopefully we've been able to relate our experiences in ways that will be great for your spiritual growth as well. God is present here in this mission. You can see him on the brigades and in the faces of the needy all around. Please pray for the strength of this mission and all involved, for Hondurans new to the Christian faith, for the teams coming down to help, for Ryan's physical health and stamina, for good nutrition and food for Hondurans in need, for new life, and for this happy family in Nueve Capital. 
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