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[Final page of our Fall 2006 mission trip to Central America]

(29)  [Nov 28th]  Time to depart from Guatemala.  Winter has moved in with its grey clouds and brisk winds, a far contrast to the sunny, cheery reception we had almost three months ago.  We have some apprehensions about the ocean journey ahead but 'bundle up', 'tie down', and head out!

Clouds now shroud the mountains in grey around the Rio Dulce

As storms gather we still sail forward with a vision to minister  to Honduras

After a succession of squalls (one tore out our mainsail - again!) I felt like I was never going to get out of my foul weather gear !

When the coastal mountains come into view, however, we are becoming anxious for landfall.

Time to hoist one more flag, on a journey that has taken us through the waters of four different countries

(30) [Dec 2nd]  After storms tore out our mainsail and kept us at sea an extra day, we approached the west end of Roatan in the late night darkness striking an uncharted reef with the port side of our main hull.  Two holes were punched through the thick plywood and fiberglass of Faith's underbody as waves lifted us then dashed us onto the sharp coral.  We were at first unaware of the damage as we headed back out into the deep until Debbie heard the sound of running water when the engine was shut down.  Then water began to appear above the floors from the bilge below.  We hastily set up our two small electric pumps only to have both of them fail in short time.  So, throughout the night Debbie and I took turns bailing with a two-gallon bucket with only a few minutes rest between rounds.

Debbie and "the bucket"

In the morning we found a shallow cove to anchor in where I could swim under the boat and assess the situation.  Using  a hammer and an ax I was able to drive the splintered wood back out, then filled the holes with a putty compound that cured under water.  Thus, most of the leaks were stopped.  We then headed into Coxin Hole, the principal port for clearing into the Bay Islands.  There we met a fellow sailor on his way to Nicaragua who kindly sold us a high volumn marine pump.  Alas, a break from 48 hours of bucket bailing!!

Playful dolphins followed us

Coxen Hole, Honduras

As two cruise ships came in the next morning we wondered if, perhaps, we might just be doing this travel the 'hard way'? Nah - they still can't go where we can go!!

(31) [Dec 6th]  After a restful night in Coxin Hole, highlighted by a warm sunset, we were back out to sea to battle the trade winds one last time on the final leg 'eastward', to Oak Ridge near the eastern end of the island. 

Here we met with David Kelly, both pastor of Oak Ridge Chapel and National Administrator for a network of over 100 churches, associated with Gospel Crusade.  We delivered to him the last of our cargo which included nearly a hundred-fifty Spanish and English Bibles, school supplies, puppets, VBS kits, and much more.  Once again, thank you to those churches and wonderful individuals whose donations made all of these gifts possible!!!

A town of contrasts, some of the homes are  even built on stilts over the water

The two 'Davids' on the grounds of this multi-faceted ministry.  Above right is one of the buildings of their Christian school.  Below, is the front of their sanctuary where men were busy putting in a new tile floor!  The work prevented us from being able to do a children's crusade but praise the Lord for the progress that continues here.

Pastor David's big 'bear hug' said plenty of his appreciation for both the supplies and our visit.  If only he knew how far we had come, the trials we had experienced, and what may yet await us!  But in Christian service the measure is not in sacrifice but in obedience...if only we could do more, certainly everything the Lord may ask of us.

Brother Kelly shared with me planned changes in their school program for the new year.  Having years of experience in the Christian School movement, including founding a christian school in Germany in the '70s, I continue to have times like this one to share ideas.  During our last visit, seven years ago, I conducted a training seminar for the school teachers here.  This is just one of the many 'tools of ministry' that we carry with us to far away places.

(32)  [Dec 12th]  The day has come to bid farwell to Central America.  We set sail north towards the Yucatan Channel, an unexpectedly long journey because of lighter than usual winds, giving us plenty of time to reflect upon the peoples and needs we leave behind.  Debbie and I are determined to return as soon as possible, as the necessary funds and supplies are provided.  With so many ways in which we can minister it is this sense of 'obligation' that compels us onward even as the seas begin to roughen and the skies threaten storms ahead.

(To see pictures and stories from previous trips click here. Our Winter '06 newsletter reporting on this trip will soon be posted on our website.  Please visit again!)

We had to ride out several severe squalls in the Gulf of Mexico on the final stretch towards the Florida Keys.  Strong winds damaged all of our sails and boom, and heavy seas broke away several panels from underneath the hull, exposing some of the interior and causing us to take on water.  With our only pump already tasked with the previously damaged hull we had no choice but to once again bring out the buckets and, around-the-clock for several days, keep on bailing.  This effort, along with very little sleep or food for a week, was taking a real toll on us as we finally sailed into U.S. waters, finding our way through the night to the islands of the Dry Tortugas. 

Bringing in the anchors

Storms brewing ahead

They are remote, being some sixty miles from Key West, but Fort Jefferson is there, a civil war era structure now a national park complete with rangers and tourists.  Our interest was not sightseeing, however, but in finding a safe place to anchor before the arrival of a violent cold front bearing gale force winds in excess of forty miles per hour!  And this we just did with a mere twenty minutes to spare!!  Laying in the 'lee' of the fort's walls we could only watch with concern for the five other sailboats who had remained anchored in more open water.  Fortunately all survived, though a good bit shaken up.  And thus was our Christmas Day 2006.

Wiring together our broken boom

The huge squall line bearing down on the other  boats.

As we sailed away towards Key West the next afternoon we were counting on the old sailor's wisdom, 'Red sky at night - sailor's delight'.  And the weather was fair, though the winds were against us.  A journey normally of ten hours took us two days - but then no other part of our mission travel turned out as we expected, either!  Safe harbor at last - and dry land (our first time on shore in two weeks!!) And, for our friends who know us well, pizza!

Assessing the damages: clearly we have a lot of work ahead.  This picture shows where lumber and fiberglass was torn off underneath, between the main hull and the port one.  We  plan to get right to it, though, as the Lord provides the funds - there are too many needs waiting to be met in the mission field!

I am often asked about the real cost of being a missionary, the ordeals we endure, the sacrifices we make.  Is it really worth all of that?  How can it not be?  What is the value of even one soul, let alone a nation full.  We were worth enough to Jesus for Him to lay down His life for us!  Why should we do any less in return.  So, we will get on to the task of repairing and resupplying, making ready for the next journey (the sooner the better).  And, as always, welcome any offer of help from those who share our vision:  that we, indeed, can make a difference to a world in trouble if we would just accept the responsibility, jump at the opportunity,  and know that, in His strength, we have the ability!