From Honduras to Panama

Hi from Panama!

Just finished a memorable week in Honduras. We were helping dig holes for power poles. The ground is hard, hard, hard. Not the job we were expecting, but important for the community. They need to assure that they have a reliable source of water for drinking and irrigation, which will require not just a well ,but electricity to run the pump. The government has commited  to provide the equipment and we're providing the set up.

It's been hard for the people. bad weather, tough market ,  health issues, fewer hands (some young men have left) have made it tough to pay off the loans and the interest. The help they've been recieving from Agros is due to start winding down. We're trying to see how we can continue to stay with them thru the transition. I'm realizing that when it comes to commitments all of them have to consider the long term when we're talking communities and families.

No backing up now. our hearts are half in Honduras and half in Seattle. Our team has become a Fellowship of the Ring. We will continue talking and solution seeking and praying thru this next year.

It's rainy season down here and Panama is showing us what that means. Monsoon like rain has been pouring down all afternoon. Our bus was like a landing craft from which we waded to the curb. Jane and I are on our own now. We'll have a little more time for reflecting and I hope to set some of our thoughts and impressions down.

Til Later, Gilberto.