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[Page 9 of our Fall 2006 mission trip to Central America]

(25) [Nov 5th]  Things have seemed to slow down as we have been using our time here to make some of the repairs essential before we can return to the offshore waters.  Winter has already arrived in force with rising winds and seas so preparations now are important for our safe sail homeward.  Each day, however, we are meeting new people from other boats and on shore, and have been given many opportunities to share Jesus' love.

Our mainsail suffered severe damage during one of several storms on the way to Guatemala.  It took a couple of weeks to sew it back together!

We discovered that much of the stitching is worn out and that the sail should be replaced before we can make our next mission trip.  Please help us pray for the funds to do this.

Sail damage, engine problems, even wires that had been chewed by the rats [remember them from the beginning of our trip?]  There will also be a lot more work ahead for us as we return home.  Since we will be anxious to return to our "mission field" as soon as possible, the encouragement of friends and supporters will be especially appreciated.

(26) [Nov 10th]  We are always aware of the dangers of being sailing missionaries when at sea.  But while settled in a quiet harbor one would expect a little less 'drama' or 'excitement'.  Well, not tonight!  While I was on deck and Debbie was seated inside reading, suddenly a snake dropped through the hatch and onto the back of the seat across from Debbie.  It was a pit viper, indigenous to Guatemala and one of the four most poisonous snakes in the world!  As best we can figure it had been driven into the water by the burning of brush on shore earlier and climbed our anchor line.

I ran below at Debbie's call for help, grabbed the first thing I saw (a flyswatter!), and while shining our spotlight in its eyes tried to snag it over the head with the looped handle.  Well, the handle just bent with its writhing and our unwanted guest disappeared into clothing that had been stored beneath the seat.  Wanting to protect myself as much as possible, I had Debbie go into the engine compartment and fetch my knee-high rubber boots.  After a long search she could only find the left one!  But I did arm myself with a large pair of pliers and a hammer and, while balancing on one foot, I carefully removed the clothing one at a time.  There it was, coiled and feeling a bit secure.  Once again the bright light kept it distracted long enough for me to clamp onto its head with the pliers while beating it with the hammer!  And they still say sailing is fun?!?  Well, it certainly isn't boring!  Thank the Lord for his watchful care - it all could have turned out a whole lot worse!!!

Internet photo (too busy to take our own!)

(27) [Nov 21st]  Today we visited a clinic in the small village of Esperanza that was established by Mike and Karen Rhea [see our report on the children's home they are  building - click here] It is being staffed by volunteer nurses from the boating community!  We were fortunate to still have some children's vitamins and other needed supplies remaining which we joyfully passed along.  Once again, the enormity of the need is unmistakenable, but so is the enormous generosity of so many dear friends and church folk back home who provided these supplies!  Still, there is a great shortage in dealing with infections and influenzas, and we are anxious to return quickly with more help.

David carries supplies up to the clinic

Volunteer Cindy begins processing the patients while Debbie looks on

Villagers continued arriving all day

Debbie began putting our supplies on what seemed like well-stocked shelves until we learned that what was needed most was in shortest supply!!

Nurse Debbie gladly receives the Spanish Bibles we brought.

David measures out the  children's vitamins we donated, just in time for arriving little ones.

This wall mural inside says in Spanish, "Jesus the King loves you also"

(28)  [Nov 25th]  After having Thanksgiving dinner with about 50 other boaters it was time to set sail back down the river to the sea.  It was not easy to say "goodbye" to so many new friends, but we journey with the hope that soon we will return, even better prepared to do much more.  Thanks to recent gifts from supporters back home we were able to extend our stay and explore new areas of ministry, better understanding how to help meet the needs in Guatemala.

Villagers going to church along the way

View over Faith's bow as we head down river

A view of the shore near where we anchored

The Crow Bar where we had Thanksgiving and whose internet cafe became our "base" for doing email and updating our website

The bird sanctuary just off our stern

Some of our many little friends that visited daily and provided us with unlimited entertainment.

Views of life on the Rio Dulce

(One final stop ahead - Honduras. Please click here to see the last pictures and stories from our journey)