It's a Jungle out There

Well... here's the latest update from my mom who is visiting us for another month or so -

"Anyway, all thirteen chicks were running around and being chicks. Pooping, and pecking, trying to get in the house, a regular farm. I was a little concerned about the screen door, so I asked Keilah to put them away. It was getting dark anyway. Sort of rainy looking. So, she and Judah start catching them, and trying to throw them in the little pen without smashing them, or having them escape. You gotta be fast with the door. I got a bucket of feed, I am quite the chicken lady ya know, and clucked clucked them over to the door, a few accidently went under the cage, instead of in. so, Keilah and Judah were down on their hands and knees trying to grab the three or four that were still under the cage. Suddenly, Keilah is screaming, and Judah is running, and I am left there watching as they run away screaming "SNAKE!!!!" am a little slow at this point. Huh? I lean down, in my flip flops and look under the cage, and sure enough, there is something about as big around as my arm, wound up around baby chicken. All I could see is the wing. But, I did know it was a snake. Besides Keilah was by now in the house screaming " A snake is eating my chickens!!!" I kept my head, or perhaps not, but I reached under and grabbed the remaining, uneaten chicks, threw them, yes THREW! them in the cage and slammed the door, before I too joined the screaming frenzy!!!! I saw it. I almost touched it, I can hardly believe it at this moment. I yelled for John, the closest neighbor, no answer, Rich came out of the house with a broom! (Of all tings!) Judah was looking for an ax. Yes, 5 year old
Judah! Good thing he didn't find one! The kids were running around, I was trying to comfort Keilah and yelling for the upstairs teenage boy, and looking for a bag to breathe in al. at the same time. Sara and Jason were gone, and Elijah, Judah and the two other neighbor boys wanted to see the whole thing! Phillip came running down with his gun, but opeted to use the ax. He and Rich poked and got it out from under the cage, so we could all get a good look. BIG sucker! Long. The thing was biting the end of the broom even after it's head was cut off. He made quick work of the 4 foot boa, but alas... too late for the little chick. he didn't get to eat it though! HA! So the charmed life of Keilah's chicks seems to have come to an end. At least for one of them. I have no idea how the rest are. I haven't had the nerve to venture outside again yet. After all, "It's a jungle out there"!
The kids are fine. I am told, the snake is not venomous, but he definitely could have bitten them. But I say, he'd have to catch them first, I have never seen two kids move so fast! But we also know, as their Daddy told them, they are protected by angels all the time, and I definitely saw the evidence of that today. So, I am off to dream of large snakes, and little peeps. Sounds like I may need a nite nite pill!

sleep well, Love Indiana Sal

13 Baby "Peeps"

We had an exciting day here to day. In case you haven't heard, Keilah got some baby chicks. Cute little buggers. Growing fast. they live charmed lives. One got stepped on. We thought it broke it's leg, we didn't think it had much of a chance but it came back a few days later and you can't even tell which one it was. Another one, or maybe the same one, got stuck in the screen door. This was a bit more serious. It seemed to have a broken neck, couldn't hold it's head up. It couldn't even stand at first. But, just like the other one, day by day it came back. First it lifted it's head, then it drank some water. It stood up and propped itself up against the side of the box....sort of leaned in to the corner.To keep from falling. Some of us have been there, right? But it couldn't lift it's head still. But, by some miracle, it is now standing, and running, and eating and almost completely healed. Keilah had it out airing just today. Visiting with the other chicks. but they were a little rough still, so she is still in her private suite. Anyway, all is well with these newcomers, we're having a great time!

The DTS Class

Here's the DTS class of 2007. Actually the tallest guy there, second on the left wasn't able to stay. But the rest are still here, having a blast! They are a GREAT bunch, we luv 'em!

We're alright

Hey, just a quick note to let you all know that we are fine. Hurricane Dean went north and touched down in Mexico, and hurricane Felix went south and touched down in Honduras and Nicaragua. Thank you for your prayers, we see another Tropical storm developing off the coast of South America named Tropical Storm Ingrid. We're keeping a close watch on it and will let you know. We love ya all!

A satellite image of Felix on Sunday evening

Hurricane Felix's Projected path

more Hurricane Dean clean up pictures

Operation Belize Mercy

Hey Guys,
Well, it has been a very busy two weeks for me as I have been working together with our Pastor Scott from our church to assist with relief work after Hurricane Dean. We have been trying to do all we can to help in a time of great need. The first week we just took trees off houses and roads and tried to help the people who had minor work to be done on the houses. Most days we have been working from sun up until dark. It has been very hard for me to see the kids and families who are left without a home - just living under a plastic tarp. We have been gatting a lot of rain which makes it that much more difficult for families to stay dry. Most family have done all they can to fix what they had. It's hard to do anything when you are a single mother with five kids. A lot of the house we have reached out to have been in that condition - single mothers and no father to be found.
This week we were able to take about four families out of the rain as we put new roofs on their houses. The families were so happy and blessed that we would do that for them. We took the opportuninty to let them know that Jesus cares about them and loves them and that is the reason we are here. If we did not put on those roofs I really do not know how long it would have taken for them to get help.
Please be praying for us as a Nation, that the Church would see the need to respond in this time. This will be my third week up in Corozol. It's hard to sleep at night knowing there are families who might be sleeping in the rain and mud. I took my family up last week so my kids could see and help in the clean up. It was a blessing for them to see what daddy was doing and why we do what we do, because people are the most valuable thing on the face of the earth.
Also please be praying for us, you might see that hurricane Felix is heading directly toward us. If this would happen I am unable to see the damage that would take place to our poor villages along the cost line. Also, if any one would want to help financially with building materials or would like to provide the money for a small house or roof please let us know. Please also keep our family in your prayers at this time. For wisdom and direction in this season and to know how and when to respond. We know we can not do everything but we know God's heart breaks for the widows, orphans and the poor. We want to be a light of hope in this hour to those who are in need.
Under His Authority,
Jason And Sara Andrews