I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas!

Things are winding down as the end of the quarter approaches. We are preparing for quarter exams as well as the trip back home. Everything seems to be working out wonderfully!

We had a semi-emergency – even though the rainy season is winding down, a bog storm came by and dumped a ton of rain on us. Places in the city that don’t normally flood were flooded and some houses were even underwater. Being on the 2nd story, we never really have to worry about it, but many others are affected. Remember them in your prayers and also pray for some new/improved infrastructure so that in the future, rains aren’t as devastating as they currently are.

Also, I (Becky) had a great opportunity to minister to one of my students the other day. She is often picked on and struggles with insecurity (sound familiar??). I was able to tell her a bit about how it was for me growing up and reassure her that God does, indeed, love her and that it gets better! It’s pretty cool to finally see at least one good thing come out of the trash that was my life in 7th grade!

We’re going to Florida for Christmas!!! Yay for seeing family and getting a break! We need it! We should be going out on the boat and everything, which would be awesome. We’re so grateful to my Mom and Paul for helping us out and giving us a place to stay!

Well, God bless you all and in case we don’t blog again until afterwards…

The bread of idleness....

Proverbs 31 is a well-known chapter that describes a woman that very few of us can live up to. Reading through the list of her achievements and accomplishments can make a modern-day woman feel dizzy! When we read through it recently as part of my women's Bible study, one particular part specifically stuck out - "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her; 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'" (Prov 31:27-29)

Now, mind you, I would never have considered my life to be "idle;" when you're a teacher, there is always work to be found. Between classes, planning, grading, etc I feel like there's never a spare moment! I certainly don't have time to exercise! And those dishes will just have to wait until tomorrow! I have too much to do!...
I do, however, manage to catch a chunk (read - 3 episodes) of Law and Order on TNT and yes, I did manage to watch some House after dinner.... but that's different... I'm just "unwinding!" Then why did I feel so darn convicted???

While I do consider true unwinding to be a legitimate (and often NECESSARY!) activity, it certainly shouldn't be a past-time! And I started to realize that I was, indeed, eating the "bread of idleness."

Since my "breakthrough," I have been trying much harder to choose the right thing. I may be tired when I come home, but I'm not 12 anymore and if I don't do those dishes, they won't magically do themselves, they'll just smell worse the next day! If I don't get into the habit of exercising now, it certainly won't get easier or more productive in 3 years! And, if I don't make time for God now, how can I expect to have the faith to fall back on when life gets really tough. It's not fair for me to watch tv when I haven't even given a shout-out to my Lord!

As a result of my efforts, I have noticed three things: (1) My house is much, much cleaner (Mom, you would be so proud!), also (2) my husband is appreciative. He has always been very, very helpful around the house but lately since he's seen how much more I've stepped it up, he's even more apt to wash some dishes or sweep without me even asking. Finally, and most importantly, (3) I feel great about myself! Knowing that in this area I am really, excuse-free, doing my all keeps me free from any guilt I might have felt. Even when someone catches me off-guard when we had an extra busy night and the house is a little messy, I have no guilt because I have confidence in the fact that I am doing all that I need to.

Now, that's a good feeling! Well, Ms. Proverbs 31, I have yet to come close to attaining your standard, but it feels good to make some progress!

This is just something funny -

Often when you buy something here at the grocery store, there is something random taped to it. For example, a bag of cereal will have a plastic cup or a t-shirt taped to it.

A while ago, when we bought cat food, it had a fun "prize"! Taped to it was a wood tub with a hairbrush, shower puff, sea sponge, and a wooden massager thing in it. The tub and the brush both have "Purina Cat Chow" burnt into the wood...

I hope they're not for kitty... !

Buenos Dias Amigos!

Well, well, well! The 2008/2009 school is in full swing and with that comes the hustle and bustle that every school year brings. We didn’t, however, want to keep neglecting to share our Honduran experiences with you all! This year has already brought its share of difficulties, but it has been much more marked by amazing blessings and spiritual growth for both Dave and I!

I (Becky) have been staying up with my Bible study and it has kept growing! Seeing such a dedicated group of women keep meeting once a week for encouragement, conviction J, and fellowship has been incredible! God has taught me a lot in the past year and a half, and much of it through trials! He has helped me see some of the areas I really need to work on as well as some of the things I have overcome! Glory to God! Continually He has made known that the key to teaching (and life!) lies in self-control and this season of my life can thus be referred to as “Becky learns to control her psycho emotions!” haha!

Dave has been able to start a small study too, with a couple of his friends here. He has even branched out way more than me – his fellow guys are all Honduran! J It has been a huge support and outlet for him; a good source of some pure-guy testosterone time too!

Thanks to all of you who are continually supporting us in prayer! You are a huge source of strength for us!

At the school, we have had some great chances to work with the students and develop new relationships and deepen the ones from last year. Our friendships with our coworkers grow stronger and stronger, and we know it will be difficult to leave whenever the Lord calls us away!

We are spending much time with the new Missionary teacher, Melissa, she’s new to Honduras, but been a teacher for 10 years. It has been a lot of fun. She isn’t a replacement Liza (we miss you chica!!!) but we love her in a different (calmer!) way just as much!

I have also been able to get a girls’ Bible study started during the Sunday school time before the church service on Sundays. It has already been a blessing to me, and I’m trying to trust God in it. Attendance has been a bit shaky at times, largely due to the fact that we’re smack in the middle of the rainy season, but I’m hoping for a resurgence, God willing, as the rains begin to wane.

Some of the events we’ve had recently include:
· A missions trip to Belfate to build a church and talk to some of the community about Christ
· A thanksgiving dinner at Erin’s house – there were 17 people there (!) and the food was phenomenal!

· A thanksgiving contest at the school (And my 8th grade homeroom won!!!)
· A thanksgiving lunch with all the students – over 100!

· We LEARNED HOW to make sopa marinera (our favorite seafood soup, maybe favorite food!) at Jackie’s house with Jaime and their families
· A Christmas door decorating contest (we won 2nd place, but should have gotten 1st!!!)
· Nuvia’s wedding!!! She was gorgeous and so happy! Thankfully our Spanish has gotten good enough that we were able to understand the ceremony!

· Dave preached a great message at chapel about the armor of God. The students broke into groups and made armor out of cardboard and mailing tape. The results were pretty impressive! Then Dave gathered them again to talk about the ways that God has protected His kids!
· And we’re coming home for Christmas (well, by “home” we mean the US, we’ll be in Florida with my mom – thanks for the tickets mom!)
We love and miss you all!! Thanks for the emails and calls that you have sent our way! May the Lord bless you abundantly, as He has blessed us through you!

Love,
Becky and Dave

at long last!

Wow, I can’t even believe that we haven’t posted since January! Good grief! OK, so after the last post it was more of the same. Teach, teach, grade, sleep, teach, grade, make a test, teach, eat. You know – that whole teacher-always-working thing. We helped plan the first ever “Fun Day” (field day) at TLCBS which was a ton of fun. I think my favorite event to watch was the Dizzy Bat Race, with kids falling over and all, but it was all awesome! Here are some of the select pictures.

Marietta had us over again for sopa marinera, which is DELICIOUS seafood soup with fish, conch, lobster, crab, and some times shrimp. It also has yuca and a coconut base. YUM! It just so happens to be one of my favorite foods (but don’t eat too much or you WILL regret it!)

After that we had SPRING BREAK (aka Semana Santa) which was quite anticipated and much needed R&R. We were lucky enough to be invited to a couple of places with some good friends. First we went with Megan and David and their kids Andrew and Adrianna and Sun (the new missionary) to Trujillo, a town to the east. It’s the site of an old fort (see photos) and some amazing beaches. The actual beach was in the shape of a crescent moon and we got to drive around just about all of it. In one part, near the town, the sand is really coarse but on the other part, where we went the second day, it’s much finer. In fact, that second day was idyllic. After practically off-roading for a bit, we arrived upon a stretch of beach that we shared with no one. There was no one as far as the eye could see. The water was warm and wonderful and the waves were just right, not too big but not too small. On the way back we stopped for lunch in Tela at a yummy restaurant that had a PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER – and it had PAPER TOWELS!!!!! I know, I know, I was blown away too! I’m so used to having to have toilet paper or at least an old receipt in my purse because bathrooms here don’t tend to always have tp, much less soap or anything. I haven’t seen paper towels the whole time I’ve been here! It reminded me so much of the States I actually felt homesick! Anyway… Here are the pictures!

After that little mini vacation, we were invited up to Rio Viejo (means “Old River”) to spend some time with Jason and Sara (they live there and are currently building an orphanage on some recently bought property). We had thought it would be just us and Sun (the new missionary – oh yeah, she came and she’s currently teaching 4th grade. She’s a nurse, though, and is seeking out her niche here. In the meantime she’s living with Liza and teaching at TLCBS.) but it ended up being a whole ton of people (seems to be the way people do things here!) and a whole ton of food! We barbequed chicken and pork and had rice and beans in plentitude.

We also go to go to Nuvia’s wedding. It wasn’t the church wedding, it was the legal one, with the signing of papers and all, but it was still wonderful. It was at her friend’s house which is close to where she grew up (but her old house was an hour’s walk from there). Here’s the happy couple!

Liza’s birthday was last Saturday, and we threw her a surprise party. We were hoping for something a little bigger, but we had fun all the same. It was at Jackie’s house (a woman from work) and her and her family, Lourdes, Pastor Corona, their kids Daniel and Juan Carlos, Jaime, his son Moises, Dave, and I were all there to wish her a happy bday!

Oh, and Ceiba, Liza’s cat is pregnant! We’re looking forward to some cute little Honduran kitties! (but not to keep! We have just about too many to travel with as it is!)
…uh, anyone want a kitten?

AND congrats to my wonderful sister, who was accepted (even courted?) by the University of Montana in Missoula. Now she can put her brains to even better use! We’re both really, really happy for her! (and you should be too!)

Aside from all the fun… we’ve had some very jarring things go down too… though not here – back in the states. Thankfully everyone was ok, but they were too close for comfort. Rachel, I love you!

For lack of a more graceful way of putting it, Dave’s parent’s house burned down. They lost just about everything, including their three cats. His parents and sister (she’s living with them) were ok, but all they were able to salvage were the clothes on their backs, one baby photo album, and Rachel’s camera. They even lost their station wagon that was parked in the garage. If you are interested in helping, you can email us (dsharp@vt.edu) and we can put you in touch with them. Your prayers for all are greatly appreciated.

My Papa is also having some somewhat serious leg problems, so please be praying for healing for him. I (Becky) also have bronchitis, but thanks to some medicine and a lovely shot in the butt, it’s getting better (and the doctor, who is the mother of one of our students, didn’t charge us a thing, Praise God!)

Ok, I think that just about catches you all up. It’s been a week of highs and low lows, but we’re glad to share that it’s going to be ok and we’re grateful for all of you out there. I know that we don’t post as often as we should, but thanks for not giving up on us! We love and miss you all! Come visit us!

To finish off, here's a slice of Spanish alabanza y adoracion for you all, enjoy!

New Year's Eve... with a purpose

Last night was the annual New Year’s Eve celebration at the church (pictures to follow later). There were people singing, dancing, and sharing what the Lord has done in their lives (since 2007 was the Year of the Harvest). We had an amazing dinner and got to spend some more time with the Pastor and his wife, since they had just gotten back from 3 months in the states 2 days ago. The best part, though, was after.

When everyone had left and we were cleaning a bit, we saw how much food was left and we decided to go downtown and give it to the hungry people there. At 2 am we went to them… most of the people we gave food to were drug addicts, thin from lack of food, they spent all their money on drugs. Prostitutes smelling of alcohol, one pregnant… some kids… but the Lord was there! We were able to minister to them, give them food, and pray over them. They were so grateful we felt so blessed to be there and to be able to serve them in that way. Pastor Ricky says that the church will try to do this more often this year, maybe once a week. We want to see these people turn their lives around and go after something much greater than chasing after their next high! Please pray that we can see fruit in this ministry and that lives may be redeemed!