On Friday, January 23, we arose early in the morning for a trip to Subirana, to see the work of AIEH in the clinic there, and then to travel to San Marcos in the region of Ocotepeque to visit with members of the church there.  It was our first trek into the mountains, and our first experience with Honduran mountain roads.  Twisting and turning, with deep ruts, steep climbs and unmarked roads, we wondered how we knew where we were going.  We passed the nacimiento or "birth" of the river, the natural springs, running down the side of the mountain, and then arrived in the village of Subirana.  There, on the edge of town, was a beautiful clinic, the work of AIEH in this community.  Next door, a nutrition center is being constructed, similar to the one which alreay exists in Piñalejo, where malnoursihed children and their mothers will stay to receive education and care.  Completion is slated for the end of February.

We loved Subirana.  It reminded us of our Iowa community of Belmond.  The children ran the streets, rode thier bikes, or played in the park.  Everyone greeted one another, and there was far less busy-ness than in San Pedro Sula.  The view of the mountains was breathtaking, surrounding the community on all sides.  Seth enjoyed the trap set that the patient young minsiter, who had only been there since Saturday, graciously allowed him to use, even turning on the sound system and getting out the tambourines, so we could sing and play along..