AHMEN Teams and Shalom Supporters,

AHMEN Teams and Shalom Supporters,

I know most of the folks from the last team to visit the girls at the Shalom house in La Ceiba were concerned about the condition of the building.  While Doris and I were at the house yesterday we were again struck by how much needs to be done.  We feel that if AHMEN really wants to improve the girls living standards we need to address the feasibility of undertaking a major overhaul of their building.  What has been done so far, with the help of individual and team donations, has only amounted to putting band-aids on a patient who requires major surgery. Most of the siding is rotting and water damage to much of the interior has made portions of the flooring, walls and ceiling unsound.  Any US electrician would recommend the building be rewired and the plumbing needs a major overhaul. Discussing this at the annual meeting will be very important.

On Monday Mario and I collected the half dozen remaining boxes of clothes in the bodega at the Cruzadas compound and took them to his church.  It is located in a very poor neighborhood just beyond the airport.  Mario says that many of the people near his church are squatters who are living in cardboard shacks along the old railroad right of way.  Their biggest need is for food and clothing.  I know that the Guffey’s are planning to send some clothes for Mario’s church in the fall container; perhaps others might wish to do the same.  Anything meant for Mario’s church should have that clearly marked on the boxes so they don’t go astray.

Lots to think and pray about.

Bendiciones, Brent

Brent & Doris Brady [bradyhouse@verizon.net]

Dr. Tom Camp adds:

Some of the things noted are:

• Screens for the windows to keep out mosquitoes and therefore malaria
• Broken glass in many of the windows
• Floor covering, repair floor boards, linoleum etc.
• Bath room leaks
• Chairs needed for dining and studying
• Electric outlets need to be replaced
• An electric stove – only 2 burners work and there is no oven
• Smoke alarms needed
• Light bulbs and light fixtures needed
• Short in the electricity in the girls bedroom
• Walls need to be repaired

These could be worked on by a team that spends a week or so in La Ceiba.

For the immediate future, like getting on the Christmas container:

• A large toaster for the girls , preferably commercial
• A blender, they burned theirs out cooking for the Sept. team joint dinner – boy was that fun!!!!!
• A coffee maker
• An iron

Rebecca adds:

If you are bringing clothes, PLEASE fold them neatly, put in a box according to size and gender and MARK the box accordingly! And if you would not wear it, do not send it! Thanks! Rebecca