1/10/02 We are introduced to Tegucigalpa by flying around the entire valley. This isn't aesthetics but aeronautics. The only way to land in the airport is by considerable aeronautical contortions -- it has been labeled one of the 5 most dangerous airports in the world. Perhaps the only thing worse than how low to the ground the plane must fly is the cliff at the end of the very short runway. We drove about 10-15 minutes to one of the highest hills overlooking the city. Here we will stay for the week in a dormitory setting in the F.A.M.E. clinic. It is most comfortable, and at night we have a full view of the city lights. 1/11/02 The teaching begins for the international school of Youth Ministry. Because one of our team members could not make it due to his daughter's hospitalization, I volunteered to take his teaching spot. This allowed me two hours to teach on the Holy Spirit rather than just one. I was still about six hours shy. I'd forgotten how tiring teaching with a translator can be. I tried my best to use some Spanish. Did better than I'd hoped. I was most moved by the team that arrived from Nicaragua after a twelve hour bus ride. They were so cold (my goodness, it was probably 65° that morning) that I went and got a couple of blankets for them.

1/12/02 Second day of teaching. The church is only 150 yards from where we're staying. Dusty Frizzell stays in the clinic -- he's sick with some sort of bowel trouble. I taught first thing in the morning on interpreting Revelation -- they were very attentive. Dusty arrives, teahes and eats a bit of lunch. That's a good sign. By now I'm feeling a bit dizzy and nauseous. I leave in the middle of Tony Almoslecker's session. Slept from 3:45 p.m. to 6:00. I begged off on dinner but I did go sit with the guys. I was pretty green around the gills by then. After watching Forest Bump with the guys, I went to bed. Laid there in pain missing my wife. I really needed to be pampered, but Bill Baumgardner, my "suitmate" isn't the right "sweet mate" for me. So I prayed until I fell asleep. That's 'bout all I have to say about that. 1/13/02 I had volunteered to preach in church for Oscar, the local pastor. Still felt pretty rough but after a couple pieces of toast decided I could do it. I'm so glad I did. It was a wonderful experience. This church is so alive and honest -- so simple, so real. Once again we ate at Jorge's house right next to the church. The lasagna was delicious and the soccer game on T.V. was a welcome distraction. I'm beginning to feel a bit spunky again. Roger and Valerie (our American hosts) drive us up to the beautiful Valle de Angeles to shop for souvenirs. After an hour and a half of "trinketeering" we return to Teguc and eat very large steaks smothered in garlic and onions -- at this point I'm glad my wife wasn't there to suffer from by unfettered gluttony and impending halitosis. It was a fine way to end a day.

1/14/02 Day 5 of our Farkle tournament with the boys. We don't need to head to the camp until after lunch so we climb the hill above the clinic for a time of prayer. The five of us click so well and we enjoy each other's company. Beautiful view of this high mountain desert. We watch a plane circle the valley and land at the airport. The camp is in an Idyllic setting in the high mountain "cloud Forest." Low temperature of about 65° and high of 75°. A rousing game of basketball against the national. Tony is like Shak down here. What impressed me most was the role call of students. They were from Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Guatemala, Costa Rica and a few stragglers from the U.S., Dominican and Cuba. It was truly a taste of heaven when the saints of all nations praised our Lord Christ.

1/15/02 I've been cooking breakfast for the guys most mornings. Today was steak and eggs. Since we had to leave at 7:30 a.m. I had to get up at 6:30. I had enough time, however, to call Barbara. I told her, "It's good just to hear your voice." Truly her voice is to my ears the sweetest sound in all the world. I had my adult group introduce themselves. There were about a dozen people and it took over an hour. They were so thrilled to tell their stories and fellowship with Christians from all over central America. My 10 minute lesson paled in comparison to their expressions of love for each other and praise to God. At the evening service they had one representative stand from each of the countries represented at the conference. There were nine in all. While the service was long, many students gave their hearts to Jesus. Their passionate prayers impacted me.

1/16/02 For the first time ever I see/feel that I could become fluent in Spanish. I'm understanding and speaking more than ever before. If I could only have an immersion experience of 2 months or more this could happen! I lectured for more than an hour this morning on faith. I think they got it. Pablo, from the city of San Sula, asked me afterwards to give him two things he could do to increase his faith. I love that immediate and sincere application. At recreation time we played street hockey on the basketball court (I cot beat . . . literally!), as well as volleyball. The greatest, however, was when the girls played soccer on the basketball court/amphitheater. The crowd grew immediately and they instinctively moved into sections according o countries -- especially Honduras and Nicaragua -- the two most heavily represented nations. They freely showed their immense passion, in Christian love, of course. It was a riot . . . nearly. We met with Victor for over an hour. He is a native of Dominican Republic and now working in Costa Rica ready to explode. He asked for $1,600 per year (in the right way). We offered to talk about sending people before money. But how exciting are the possibilities. It made me think that perhaps God has enriched American Christians with the primary purpose of funding the completion of the great commission.

1/18/02 Last full day of the camp. We're all pretty tired from a sermon last night that lasted a full 75 minutes. Nonetheless it was a magnificent day. I only finished two of my four lessons for the adults. Our gringo/Latino volleyball game was a highlight for all. Then came the sermon. It was spectacular. Surprisingly, I followed it all the way through, catching nearly 60% of the words and probably 85-90% of the meaning. A number of decisions were made and then came the prayer time. Over a period of 15 minutes or more, we prayed, cried, embraced and pleaded with God for a lost world. Something happened in my heart I'm not sure I can explain. The Holy Spirit became very real to me once again. I think He has been stifled through all my academic pursuits. I'm not critical of these important and spiritual intellectual efforts, but the fresh wind of experiential emotion swept clean the cobwebs from my prayer closet and something primal and deep, rich and passionate poured forth as I cried out to God for the faith of these poverty-stricken people and the salvation of the Latin world. I crave the faith they've found in their poverty.

1/19/02 We closed up the camp with a wonderful time of worship and prayer. I gave the morning devotion in about 30% Spanish. It really felt good although I'm sure I butchered their lovely language -- they appreciated the effort, I was pleased with the progress. After the camp went went a touring through Tegucigalpa -- the Catholic Church, the Christ Statue, even the mall. Bought some coffee, a Spanish C.D. and Book, enjoyed the modern bathroom in the Intercontinental Hotel (don't discount this after a week at the camp!). Once last meal out on the town and we go back to the barracks to pack to come home. I deeply long for my wife and children . . . deeply. My soul is incomplete without them. Thank you Lord for another adventure to the glory of your name.

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