The Hayes Zoo

Our Purpose


- to know God and use our entire lives in service to Him.

- to stand in the gap through prayer, giving and service to viable ministries in Latin America.

- to be transparent helpers of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, using our resources and skills that through the Holy Spirit, we might encourage and equip those who have less.

- to share a living perspective from Latin America to our churches, friends and family in the states and beyond.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Road Trips 'R' Us....

Well - it's January. 2009. Oh my, how did that happen. :)

This month has been and will be filled with several new things for our family.

One - Our kids have started attending the local bi-lingual school here in Gracias. We've felt for a time that more interaction would be good for them and with the move and general craziness our lives have resembled in the last few months, I needed some help. :) They've been going almost two weeks now and while it isn't perfect (wasn't expecting it to be...) they've done remarkably well. They are making some local friends, gaining more Honduran Spanish and are enjoying the routine. The girls especially like the outfits - and taking their lunch. Riley is enjoying the futbol and the Math. Yesssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two - there were some visitors here! THAT was fun. They are a family I first 'met' on a homeschooling forum. The international section to be exact. They came to work and play with the Sowers family (who they also 'met' on the international forum) and we got to be in on some of the fun! We had a great time getting to know them and they are missed!!!

Three - Natalie turns 7 on Friday! She is inviting any and all who will listen to come and play with us at the local hot springs on Saturday. She has announced there will be brownies so I'm sure there will be a crowd. I hope I've stashed enough mix. She has officially lived outside US borders longer than inside them. Hmmm...that is a strange feeling.

Four - the reason for the title. We have to leave the country already for visas. 90 day ones are the longest option you can get here. Blech. I feel like we JUST GOT HERE!!!!!!!!! We're just now getting into the groove of life and bills and house and living and working; and we have to leave for 3 days minimum. Sooooo....we are planning our trip. It looks like we'll be leaving the early part of next week (the kids' school has mid-term testing which the Hayes', having just started, won't be taking) and are planning on coming back by Saturday the 24th.

I would covet your prayers for this. It feels like a big process.

We're heading to Belize. Doesn't that sound exotic? I used to think so too. Actually, it will involve a very long arduous truck trip (with the trailer for added entertainment, er...I mean new visas for them too) and a border crossing between Honduras and Guatemala then Guatemala and Belize. As with ANY border crossing there are potentials. Potentials for favor, for bribes, and for denial. We would ask that you pray for the first option. :) We've heard tell of a hotel about one hour in on the Belize side and we're planning on camping out there for those 3 days then turning around and reversing the process. CON EL FAVOR DE DIOS, we'll be granted another 90 day visas for all of us; 7 including the truck and trailer.

I have to remind myself that this is just a part of the process and cost of living here and being available to work, but it feels like a rather long 'row to hoe' today. Maybe I need to take some advice from God's word and look back at his faithfulness. To us through this journey we've been on, to taking care of the details for our daily needs, and for our protection. That evidence is all over our experiences.

Wow - I feel encouraged already.

Que Dios les bendiga hermanos!

5 comments:

Missus Wookie said...

Thinking of you - may the three days camping be restful and you be shown favor throughout.

Leslie said...

What a life you lead! :)

I've been to Belize and LOVED it; granted, I was a tourist! I hope that your mini-vacation is successful, and noneventful!

Leslie/NUOY

Francis Bodine said...

I will never stop praying for you my dear brothers and sisters. Your journey is one filled with Christ and one that is radiating his love to those around you! I love you Alan & Faith. I so want to do what you do, see what you see and go where you go. I feel because I'm still connected with you I kind of am. Thanks for that! Brother Frank

Francis Bodine said...

I will never stop praying for you my dear brothers and sisters. Your journey is one filled with Christ and one that is radiating his love to those around you! I love you Alan & Faith. I so want to do what you do, see what you see and go where you go. I feel because I'm still connected with you I kind of am. Thanks for that! Brother Frank

Jamie Jo said...

If I had read this first, our chat would have been much shorter. Hehe. Glad to get the update... Praying for y'all.