MEXICO/CARTISOL PICTURES! This is the group eating "real" almost American-like food for the first time. We stopped in a town near the border called Progresso, it's a pretty big attraction area because of all the shopping/bartering.
This is the oldest woman on the island. Her name is Victoria. She is now extremely crippled because her husband found out that she had become a Christian and still to this day violently beats her every time they come in contact with one another. And yes, she returns to church the next day. ............wow.
Living conditions on the island are truly amazing. This little girl had been sick for 3-4 weeks and fortunately we were able to treat her while we were there. The innocence just breaks my heart.





These are some pictures from the trip, I shared in great detail with you in the previous post. Where we were, we had to bring our own toilet paper, unless you are like super hard core and chose to either go without or use smooth cactus.

As I said, the only way of transportation to the island or Cartisol is by shrimp boat. The salt is soooooooo thick there, so we wore trashbags etc, since we knew we wouldn't be bathing for several days. WHOOP WHOOP!

Can you tell that this was like the best time of my life!?!?!

"De tal manera amo Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigenito, para que todo aquel que en el cree no se pierda, sino que tenga vida enterna."-Juan 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life.

So I just got an email from Joe about the Honduras trip, and I am sooo freakin excited!! For those of you who don't know, I, as well as 20 some people from my church in Grove will be traveling to Honduras over Spring Break on a mission trip. However, I am slightly disturbed because it almost seems like a vacation, with air conditioning, running water, normal food... tears.
I went to the island of Cartisol in Mexico this past year and I must say that it was the most fun, eye-opening, life-changing experience ever!! The best part was the lack of hygiene. By this I mean, no showers for 3 days, sweat, salt water, shrimp guts, dirt, humidity..I couldn't ask for anything more ideal. There is nothing more humbling than standing over a large hole trying to go to the bathroom, or running my finger across my skin and viewing an abundance of salt from the lack of running water, or having a very very VERY drunk mexican fisherman hold your hand during prayer, or sleeping on a table, or seeing pokey cactus as a fence (very welcoming let me tell you),....or even more so, teaching someone what a toothbrush or soap is, or handing a little girl a teddy bear, or giving the 80 year old man a Jolly Rancher Sucker, or participating/leading a crayon fight with what seemed like a thousand little boys, or giving someone their first Bible, or laying my hands on the feet of a crippled woman in prayer, or worshipping together as one body, one church, and one family. Can you tell that I had a good time?? haha.
Anyhoot, that was a totally amazing trip. God protected us in such incredible ways. For instance, there were twelve women/girls and one male, Joe, our leader. He took on quite a task taking all of us. We were in an area where women have no rights, and no life, besides acting as almost slaves to their "husbands," who return home from shrimp-fishing drunk beyond comprehension and using their authority to use and abuse their wives, children, families. The women are not allowed to leave their houses! (well if you want to call them houses; tar, cardboard, some plywood. The men become sooo drunk that you will often see them with cactus thorns in their faces and they won't even recognize it?! To summarize, there is no form of government on the island, the only income is through shrimp fishing, alcohol, or illegal drugs. We slept in the church with the "windows open," (there was a screen) with no physical protection or anything!?! What is funny is that I didn't EVER feel as though I was in danger. I felt soooo safe, when I should have been quite the opposite since the machete seems to almost be a clothing accessory among the people. It truly was a miracle. I miss it soooooo much!!! I was only there for a short time, but you could see the desperation for love and care within the souls of the people. They were just longing for a peace, a peace that was so incomprehensible to them. This is horrible to even think, but by just viewing this area, one would think that it is hopeless, but while I was there and even now, I know that something totally amazing is going to occur. Already, the people miraculously survived the hurricane, and depended on the church for shelter, but soon they will all realize that there is a God who is an unbelievable refuge/shelter. When the building falls, He still stands firm. He is constant. When I fall, He is there telling me that He still loves me regardless of who I am, what I do, say, or want. He's a pretty cool kid! ha.
Well, now that I have completely shifted from my original subject, I believe I have done a pretty good job procrastinating from my homework for tonight. yep. So, I hope that everyone has had a superb week! This Saturday is MOSO's first home football game, so it should be a fun weekend. I survived my first college test today! I was proud, but then I remembered that I still have 3 exams coming up next week, so my pride deteriorated pretty quickly. ha. Anyhoot, I love you all and I'll "say a lil prayer for you!"
-Heidi Lou

Hey everyone. I just wanted to apologize for my previous entry. I read it this morning and was quite disappointed with myself. There is no excuse for me to write so pessimistically. Therefore, I just wanted to apologize, although, I do understand that a certain amount of stress helped develop my rambling, but today is a new day...but just as busy of course!

I wrote this yesterday, but you get it anyway!!!
Happy Labor Day weekend to all! Be safe. Don't Drink and Drive, Drink a Shake!
So we said our goodbyes to Holly yesterday at the airport. It just kinda hit me that we really won't be seeing her for a year. It was weird picturing Christmas in my head without her sitting with me and munchkin in front of the Christmas tree, or taking family pictures at different events (football games, dinners, etc). hmmm... weird. Mom had a hard time saying bye, but as Lungrens do, 3 minutes of emotion and "get over it.-no discussion."
Anyhoot, we sent her off at 7:15 Friday morning, and then hastily drove back to Grove to get Heater to school by 9. Then, me being the completely idiotic person that I am, realized that September 6 is next Tuesday, NOT Thursday. Therefore, I had to find an advisor and meet with him or her TODAY! So with my 2 hours of sleep, I frantically zoomed back up to MOSO and looked for an hour or two for this lady's office and once I arrived, sign on the door said, "Sorry, just left for weekend vacation." AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! So I drove back to Grove, grunting my frustrations to David on the phone most of the way. ha.
For more exciting and actually relevant news, GROVE vs. JAY was last night. and the Ridgerunners obtained victory 40-21. I was super proud. Go team. By the way, being alumni is no fun. I desperately wanted to get up and go cheer on the track with the girls...ta show 'em how it's done, you know...haha.
Wow, NINER! Sorry, I like that woI have been rambling for like niner years.rd/movie. . BE SAFE this weekend. Have FUN! Keep it clean. I love you all. You're the super bestest! (how's that terminology for a college honors student!?) Have a superb day!
"HeidiBelle"

Ok, maybe I'm just a retard...
It seems to me that within the past two weeks of school, I have received more homework than I have the past 12 years of my education put together!!! I'm drowning VeRy quickly!! AHH! I must say.. I was intimidated at first by the extraordinary and absolutely genious levels of thinking the students/professors have at Missouri Southern. Oh wait??!?! I'm STILL intimidated. I feel horrible for even thinking this, but, I feel as though I was not prepared for this type of learning within my high school career. amount of time I study here. In high school, I studied at least 3 hours per subject except for exams, then I would study 5-6 hours. Most of my friends' jaws drop at this, but I have come to the conlclusion that I am just the ssslllllooowwesttt person in the ENTIRE world. It takes me a SUPER duper long time to process information and truly decide/create my opinions and ideas.
Sorry, I've been doing homework for approximately 10 hours, and I needed a break, so I decided to moan and groan on this. People thought that I studied WAYY too much in high school, but it does not even compare to the amount of time I do here!?!
Ok.... I feel MUCH better... Only 2 or 3 hours left tonight ..unless i fall asleep woohoo!!
But then there is TOMORROW!! GRRRRR! haha
I sound super pathetic!! SORRY!
Ok. I hope that everyone is having a superb day! Please excuse my stupid ranting. Happy Holidays! God bless!
HeidiBelle