McNiels in Honduras

I sit to write this last posting of our blog 2 weeks after our return to the Northwest. Since our return June 22nd, we have enjoyed beautiful views and wonderful hospitality in Poulsbo, Manson, & CoeurD’Alene. We will be able to move into our home in Bothell August 1st. Until then, we are blessed to stay with family and friends in Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.

Now, I’ll rewind to May. May was a busy month with the high school music concert, elementary performance, Amelia & Clara ballet recital, & trying to sell our car and other items we couldn’t take back to the states with us. In the midst of all this, Bryan and I got very sick for 4 weeks. I was very disappointed to have to cancel some commitments due to this horrible virus or parasite. However, God gave us the strength we needed for each day. Despite our health, the high school concert was a huge success. The band, bells, choirs, & guitar classes all did a great job. The elementary performance also went well. Before selling our car, we had the opportunity to go to the water park in Tegucigalpa. God provided someone to purchase our car quickly. On June 1st, we said “goodbye” to our Honda Accord.

In June, we were busy with grading, packing, emptying our classrooms since the roof was being replaced, and graduations. Amelia had her Kindergarten graduation. Then, there was the 6th grade graduation and high school graduation. In the midst of all this, we noticed that Clara was tripping a lot. She would fall down frequently and wasn’t walking right. Then, she had trouble with her arms. She couldn’t hold silverware. She was just too weak. We realized something was definitely wrong on Sunday, the 12th of June when Clara couldn’t get up off the ground and just crawled around instead. With the help of Holly Oliva, a science teacher at ALP, we got Clara in to a pediatrician Monday and a later appointment with a pediatric neurologist. Clara had no reflexes in her arms or legs. If she was sitting down, she couldn’t get up alone. After the pediatrician saw her, he immediately called the neurologist with his prognosis. Although our appointment with the neurologist was scheduled for 4 hours later, he came immediately to see Clara. Clara had Guillian-Barre Syndrome. Without immediate care, she could suffer respiratory failure. The neurologist checked her into the hospital right away and began the intense treatment via IV. Clara & I stayed overnight in the hospital. Clara was able to go home Tuesday afternoon and was well on her way to recovery. The school blessed us in providing transportation down the mountain for Clara’s daily physical therapy and frequent follow up visits to the neurologist. We are happy to report she has made a full recovery.

When we heard the cost of the medicine alone, we were completely shocked. We had sold our car with plans to live off of that money until we received our first paycheck in October. It seems like our plans are not always God’s plans. The sale of our car provided the money we needed for the medical bills. We were so blessed to have that. Insurance that ALP provided covered the rest. God provided for all our needs each day. Matthew 6:11 “Give us today our daily bread”. We may not have a lot stored up, but God provides for today. At this point, I’d like to thank those who have blessed us by your giving and/or prayer support. In this stressful time, God gave us a peace and unshakable trust in His goodness to provide and meet all our needs.
Many have asked, “would you do it again?” “What have you learned from this experience?” Two verses come to mind when asked these questions.

“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

“give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

We came to serve. To empty ourselves out to the students of Pinares. Excited and eager to be a light. Going to a poor country like Honduras, you tend to have hopes of helping the poor. However, when your mission field is the wealthiest kids in Honduras, you feel an unsettling contradiction. At first, it is a bit shocking to see the huge difference between the rich and the poor. It is easy to be quick to judge, but don’t the rich need Jesus too? We were working with children of political leaders, socialites, & top business leaders in Honduras. Just think of the impact these students can have on Honduras if they leave Pinares firmly rooted in Christ Jesus. So, we had to adjust our focus.

Along the way, we had some opportunities to serve the poor which was a wonderful experience for our girls. It was very rewarding to give and visibly see needs met like at the feeding center.
To daily work with students who don’t want to be in your class, don’t care about your class, and treat you with contempt arguing with every instruction given, was a new experience in my teaching career. As a choir/music teacher, I’m used to teaching the “fun” class. Not so this year. It was a lesson in perseverance. Only God can help me love these students who clapped and cheered when I told them they would have a sub because I would be gone at my grandmother’s funeral. Every day I had to rely on God’s strength to love these students. I had to stop trying to please the students and focus on pleasing the Lord. God allowed me to view each child as “His Masterpiece”. We hope that in writing this you are able to see how your prayers were key in orchestrating God’s plan for our time in Honduras.

Without positive signs of the fruit of our labor, we have to trust that God has a purpose. We have to do everything as if we are doing it for the Lord. To not expect or hope for any reward or thanks, but be joyful in the opportunity to serve Jesus. What have we gained? New friends, a closer knit family, contentment, perseverance, gratefulness, faith, & the ability to honestly say “His grace is sufficient”. We gained new lenses to see everything passing through God’s loving hands as a gift.

Since we are not returning to Honduras for the next school year, this is our last blog. Bryan will return to his job at Inglemoor High School. Kimberly is searching for a job. We appreciate your prayers and financial support this past year. We were able to bless our church “El Hatillo Baptist”, help our neighbor “Timmy” with medical bills, help a dear single Honduran mom, and cover some of Clara’s medical bills with your generous giving. Please continue to pray for a job for Kimberly, our transition to the states and the girls back to school, and being without a home until August 1st. We thank God for you!

Blessings,
Kimberly (and the rest of the family)