Who Fights For You?

Always Our God Is Fighting For Us

I heard a song this week that made me cry. Open Up Our Eyes, by the Elevation Band is a bit different for a worship song. The theme is that God is fighting for us. The image of a militant God conjures up images of feudal knights fighting holy wars, bishops torturing Jews in the Inquisition, and all manner of religious nonsense.

But God does fight. He has a Kingdom. When Jesus came incarnate and was bodily resurrected, he became the spiritual King of this earth. One day, he will be King in every sense. Until then, there is a battle raging.

Think of it, will you? Personally, I feel besieged on many fronts. There are battles being fought. Temptations to overcome. Favorite weaknesses that beg to be indulged. Sickness, financial pressures, emotional upsets. Then, I look around me. The battle is not just about me.

Karla is not going to be forgotten

This week, I learned that an acquaintance's sister-in-law died unexpectedly. On Friday, Karla went to our infamous charity hospital for a pregnancy check-up at eight months. Instead of a routine examination, the doctors admitted her. They refused to permit her husband to visit or offer an explanation why she was admitted, per new hospital regulations. The new regulations are supposed to protect patients who have been attacked, robbed, and assaulted in increasing numbers in the hospital. Finally, three days later, he demanded to see her. Karla was not in the hospital, so the nurse suggested that he visit the morgue. She had been dead for two days. The baby was dead. They said she died of a heart attack in surgery. No one bothered to inform the family.

God will not forget Karla. This woman, her baby, and her family are forever etched in God's heart. I believe that. I also believe that we are here to fight for justice for women like Karla. We are on God's side as he is on our side. I don't mean that I have to assault the hospital with weapons, although it does seem fair at times to treat the medical staff with the same barbaric treatment they render to their patients.  No. God's Kingdom doesn't operate in that manner.

I can bring light to the injustice of her case. I can shed a spotlight on the need for humane care for the poor. I can assist medical personnel from the US and other places who can help teach Hondurans how to take care of their own sick and dying.

There are things that cannot be explained. 

Here are a few lines from the song, Open Up Our Eyes.

Our God is fighting for us always

We are not alone, we are not alone

We are not alone, we are not alone 

For Your love endures forever 

Oh Your love endures forever 

Open up our eyes, surround us with Your light 

Your Love endures forever

I believe that Karla was not alone when she died. I believe that Love surrounded her. This may all seem like sentimental nonsense to you. I don't know if it can be explained.  I know I can't talk you into it and or out of it. 

Here's the YouTube version of the song. Listen. Close your eyes. Let God fight for you. 

Do you know who fights for you? I am weeping again as I slowly and without complete knowledge begin to perceive that God is fighting for me. 

Success! Items Purchased and Shipped.

Last week, I offered an opportunity to give towards Renew Honduras: to help prepare for Children's Day in the fall, as well as give school supplies. We raised funds to buy supplies as well as cover nominal shipping costs. Friends in the New Orleans area donated bags of toothbrushes, small toys, and school supplies.

Thank you for giving to Renew Honduras. 

Dip Shipping will transport our $1,500 worth of library quality books, as well as a few plastic bins of small items. DIP Shipping is a family business that specializes in shipping from the United States to Honduras. They have offices in New Orleans and Miami. They ship by boat, and then they deliver by truck to various locations throughout Honduras. 

Forty-two dollars for over $2000 worth of books and children's supplies? The rate includes customs. The items will be delivered to our ministry site. Unbelievable. Why the low rate? The family has a commitment to serve the poor of Honduras. 

The family is originally from La Ceiba, Honduras. The family matriarch, Margarita Dabdoub Sikaffi, better known as Margie "Lupe" Dip, has established a nonprofit foundation to help the poor near their hometown in northern Honduras. 

While at the warehouse near the Mississippi River in New Orleans, I saw a wall of stockpiled boxes and supplies waiting shipment on behalf of their newly formed non-profit. Doña Margie and I have corresponded several times last week. She is looking for donations that their company can ship for free. To see what the DIP family is doing for Honduras, visit Fundacion Margie. 

I arrived home on Saturday from the United States. I noted that the internet and phone lines are not working. I suspect that a roof repairman disconnected or severed the lines while I was away. I am using a portable internet modem which is slow and stubborn at times. 

The water dried up within the house last night. Thankfully, the upper level tank has water, but for some unknown reason, it's not filling the pump-activated small tank at ground level. As I write, I have filled two buckets with a small spigot that runs from the upper tank. I am waiting on bucket number three, then I plan on leaving the house for other tasks. Hopefully, the city will deliver water soon. I suspect I get water tomorrow, as water is delivered to my house every other day. Thankfully, I came home with very short hair. I can clean up with one bucket of water this morning. 

What other adventures await me? There's always a medley, a gumbo melange, a strange mix of adventure and annoyance in my life in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.  As Calypso reminds us with each post at Viva Veracruz, stay tuned! 

Last minute opportunity to donate

I am shipping this week from New Orleans, Louisiana to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. I have room for more items. If you live in the New Orleans area, please send a note or comment below if you need to contact me for drop off information.

Donations must be received by Thursday, June 13.

If you are not in the area, you can participate by giving through PayPal or through the Vineyard Church of New Orleans. The PayPal button is on the sidebar of this website.

At the end of the summer, we celebrate the Day of the Child in Honduras. Traditionally, this day is the most important day for children to receive gifts. Even Christmas is eclipsed by the Day of the Child. It's been our custom to give a small gift to each of our 100 children.

We are looking for these items:

Crayons
Colored pencils
Coloring books
Jump ropes
Small matchbox size cars
Whistles
Sunglasses
Baseball caps or visors
Stickers
Small blackboards or white board sets
Markers
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Lunch size bags for handing out gifts

For older children, school items are appreciated:

notebooks
rulers
small calculators
pencils
pens
erasers
personal pencil sharpeners
drawing paper pads

I struggle with publishing donation suggestions on this blog. However, I have come to acknowledge that people find joy in giving. Some folks enjoy celebrating the life of a child in another culture, particularly where the opportunities are limited. Why should I keep that joy to myself?

One last note: I am thankful to DIP Shipping, a family-owned company that graciously offered discounted rates to ship our ministry-related items. The owners, the Castro family, has a foundation to help Hondurans as well.  Their foundation, Fundacion Margie, is named after the founder and matriarch of the Castro familiy. 

Cruising in Alaska: Sundays In My City

Last Sunday, I was cruising toward Alaska.  My mother invited her family to cruise northward in honor of her eightieth birthday. I am one day back, and I am still reveling in the experience.

Leaving Seattle, Washington

Mendenhall Glacier

 Skagway, Alaska

Paddling in river, near historic Fort Seward

Bear sighting near Juneau, Alaska

I haven't taken time to sort through my pictures. Wildlife was abundant: bald eagles, whales, salmon, seals, moose. Perhaps, I will feature one stop on the journey in another post or two. Until then, enjoy your Sunday. As always, Sunday's posts are linked to Sundays In My City.

Update on Igor: He's free from the pain of pancreatic cancer

Early this morning, Igor died. He was a young man dying of pancreatic cancer when I learned of his suffering. His parents were unable to find anyone wiling to prescribe pain relieving medications besides over the counter medicines. He was suffering intensely, living on a small island near the border of Honduras and El Salvador.

I am glad that Igor died in relative peace and comfort. The doctor in Tegucigalpa that took his case talked frequently during his last weeks with the family in order to ensure he had the correct medications and dosages.

For those who prayed and offered financial help, thank you. Although the medications were given freely by the doctor, the father had many expenses in the months beforehand as he traveled to find relief for his son, leaving him little time to work.

Villa Olympica, Tegucigalpa: Sundays in My City

Sundays In My City are photographic vignettes from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, or occasionally, from New Orleans, Louisiana. The posts are linked to Unknown Mami, who hosts our weekly links.

Last week, I posted a set of satirical murals adorning the walls outside of the Villa Olympica in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Today's post features glimpsea inside the sports complex, Within the walls, there is a baseball stadium, track and field area, a gymnastic center, a large swimming pool, and hosts of other activities. 

The grounds are open and free for all to enjoy.

This young lady sits atop a ladder in the children's park area. 

Note the ficus tree on the left.

The gymnastics team practices in this gym. This weekend, the team is 

competing in Guatemala.

Beach volleyball looked inviting. There are no beaches in mountainous Tegucigalpa, 

but the sand adds an element of fun. 

Tennis can be enjoyed in Honduras year-round, due to the mild, arid climate. 

Upon leaving the complex, a beautiful mural displays the many activities 

available at the Villa Olimpica.

The wrestler at the bottom of the mural looks like Barack Obama, don't you think?

I am preoccupied with lots of activities and projects over the next several weeks. 

I hope to post again in a few weeks. 

¡Hasta luego, amigos!

The Maternal Olympics: Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Earlier this week, I considered suspending Sundays In My City indefinitely. After nearly 100 posts, I couldn't imagine finding anything else interesting to publish. Then it happened. Today, I found a comical and extraordinary set of images while visiting the Villa Olympica, a sports complex in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

The Maternal Olympics is a satirical look at the Olympic Games, with each panel featuring a pregnant woman participating in various sports. The unborn babe is a key feature of each frame. Considering the fertility cult that prevailed in ancient Central America for thousands of years, the pregnant woman is a common theme in art in Honduras. However, I have never seen anything like these panels. Fortunately, there is little graffiti defacing the panels, although they could use a good wash.

I hope you enjoy this series of murals as much as I did while photographing these highly amusing and bizarre frames. As always, Sundays in My City is published in collaboration with Unknown Mami, who hosts our weekly photographic carnival of locales international.

Translation: The Maternal Olympics. A comic strip for the Honduran people. Art for all. 2004. Artist Monquia.

Mom overcoming hurdles. Baby seems happy, eh? 

Archer mom. Baby seems confused.

I don't think pregnant mothers should not attempt to imitate this frame. Baby looks nauseous.

Mom is bowling. Baby looks scared as she directs pin toward doctor and a blue dog nurse. 

Twins! Is mom pedaling to emergency room? 

Strength training is a good thing, I guess. Little man seems to be okay with it. 

Mom plays chess with unseated opponent, or is she playing against unborn babe?

I like basketball mom. She's got good form. 

I don't know what sport this frame represents. Baby looks a bit devilish. 

Tennis mom appears happy although the ball is on her head. Baby? Is babe looking for ball or something else? Not sure. 

Pregnant mom participating in equestrian sport seems risky.

Baseball mom was the only frame with graffiti. Baby flashes peace sign so I guess he's okay with the spray paint.