The Long Journey
Honduras, Central America
December 2004

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Caribbean Mercy. As we write this little update, we are beginning our last week of outreach to the people of the state of Colon, Honduras. Although the rainy season has started, we are thankful that we have only been affected slightly by the occasional downpours.

Surgeries continue and the blind are receiving their site. The dental clinic is hard at work to wrap up their time here in Puerto Castilla. The Community Health Education team has been holding daily classes in the surrounding area. The crew has been volunteering at a local orphanage and some construction work has been accomplished. We have given away almost all of the Personal Energy Transports.

Rebecca was the hostess for a lovely Thanksgiving dinner for around 120 international crew members. Even though this was a new holiday celebration for some of our crew, they enjoyed a roast turkey feast with all the trimmings. Next was a special story time for the children, a praise, worship and communion time followed by dessert—pumpkin and pecan pie, apple crisp and plenty of whipped cream. It was a wonderful time of reflection and gratefulness to our Lord Jesus Christ.

The crew will be packing things up at the end of outreach and most of the volunteers will fly home. The full-time crew will sail to Puerto Cortes, Honduras where we will spend Christmas. The current plan includes a sail to the U.S. around the first of the year.

We want to take this opportunity to thank each of you for the wonderful way you have supported us with your encouragement and prayers. We are almost to the end of the first year of our two-year commitment. It has been hard being away from family, especially the Grandchildren, but we remain confident that this is just the place we are to be at this time of our lives. Our prayer for you is that the Lord will give you wonderful joy as you celebrate His birth. May the new year be one of peace and contentment as you seek Him. We send you our love!
Bill and Rebecca