Went to the birthday party. It was really nice. Tons of food and 2 cakes because two people in the family share a birthday. Unfortunately we didn't get to cut into either.
We arrived kind of late and had to park out by the front gate of a large property. People next door were having a party under a big white tent. Our party was in a beautiful garden with balloons hung along the driveway.
Everyone was eating as we arrived so we grabbed some food and joined them. There were several different groups of seating, one in the shade, one in a garden, one in an outside kitchen/dining area. I sat in the shade and had a good time talking and joking with my landlord's family.
As we were finishing our dinner the group from the dining area filed past. They were headed out for a walk. Suddenly the "cumpleñero" (birthday boy) came back speaking very urgently and telling someone to hurry. We couldn't hear anything more but everyone at my table was curious about what was going on. We went back to eating but at one point someone said that we were going to be left curious about what had happened to make the cumpleñero so upset.
After about 10 minutes someone came over and said that the boy who works as the groundskeeper was found lying unconscious . I was confused, but so was everyone. Over time the story was pieced together. The birthday boy went out for a walk and found the unconscious body of the caretaker, Gustavo. Gustavo is a 32 year old man who has worked for the family since he was 18 years old. Normally he would have been present for dinner parties. In fact someone even walked down to the neighbors to fetch Gustavo when they noticed he was missing. The neighbors acted a little strange and said Gustavo left. That's all they would say.
Three hours later the family found Gustavo unconscious. It was unclear if he had been using inhalants as well as alcohol. He has no history of ever having touched alcohol in the 14 years he worked for the family. But they described Gustavo as a follower. The family just hired a new man to work alongside Gustavo. The new guy had admitted to having a history of drug use.
As more people became aware of the situation and pieced together the pieces it seemed the new guy had been drinking grain alcohol and probably huffing paint with Gustavo. Since Gustavo didn't know his limits, he ended up unconscious. The new guy apparently left him for dead. Later in the night the new guy was peering into the property. Someone who didn't recognized him asked what he was doing. The new guy explained he worked for the family, but left. (He will be let go from his job tomorrow.)
The birthday boy got Gustavo to the hospital in 10 minutes. Normally it is a 30 minute drive with no traffic. Last we heard, he was still unconscious. They had given him a lot of fluids and were doing blood work to see how to treat him. Cell phone reception is horrible so everyone was trying to call Gustavo's family. Finally they got through to a neighbor who was going to go to Gustavo's house and to let his wife and 2 kids know Gustavo was in the hospital.
We tried to make the most of the occasion, but there was an undeniable damper on the evening. Since the birthday boy was at the hospital with Gustavo we didn't even cut the cake, which looked delicious. It was nice to spend the evening with a wonderful family and great food. Nobody is sure what will happen to Gustavo. Thank God they decided to go for a walk, since apparently he had been lying unconscious for at least 3 hours. A sad ending to an otherwise great day.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
A better day :)
This morning I woke up early to be at the Men's Conference by 8:30. We stuffed folders, served food, and I took a ton of photos. One of the men lent me his camera. I think I took over 200 photos. A lot of them were really good. The whole conference was nice. It was special because Jairo is moving to the US on Wednesday so it was his last time to speak to the men he has been living his life with. They said they will invite him to come back and speak at the conference next year. All of the speakers were really good, but to me Jairo was best.
When they first asked me to serve at this I was not thrilled about having to be there all day, but it was really fun and the men were very appreciative. It was nice to be able to serve them. So many of them do nice things for me. This is one way I can show my gratitude to them.
Jairo had me take photos of his empty desk. I staged one completely empty except for his signature Diet Coke (or Coca Light as they say in Honduras). We took photos of him with his bag, walking out of his office, turning off the lights and closing the door. He seems pretty excited to be going. I know he will miss his friends in Honduras, but I also know he will be a blessing to people in the United States.
One elder's car was not working so I got an opportunity to talk about how awful my day was yesterday in more detail. He told me that the church will support me in any way they can. He said things will change a lot after Jairo leaves, not because Jairo's way was bad, but because the people who are in charge have different gifts and manners of leading. The elders will meet with each of the people who are currently heading up programs (including me) to ask what we think, how we feel, and if we see any changes that need to be made. Everyone is in agreement that I will be serving in different capacities. We are just not sure exactly how yet. But I am open to any ideas.
As you can see, today was a much better day. Tonight I am going to a birthday party with my landlords' family. Tomorrow I am driving a ton of people to church because Jairo has an early breakfast down in the city so he can't take the people who normally ride with him.
To those of you who prayed for me, thank you. I think things will continue to get better, but I could use your prayer coverage for a few more days. I feel you interceding on my behalf and I appreciate it!
 |
| Jairo and me |
When they first asked me to serve at this I was not thrilled about having to be there all day, but it was really fun and the men were very appreciative. It was nice to be able to serve them. So many of them do nice things for me. This is one way I can show my gratitude to them.
Jairo had me take photos of his empty desk. I staged one completely empty except for his signature Diet Coke (or Coca Light as they say in Honduras). We took photos of him with his bag, walking out of his office, turning off the lights and closing the door. He seems pretty excited to be going. I know he will miss his friends in Honduras, but I also know he will be a blessing to people in the United States.
One elder's car was not working so I got an opportunity to talk about how awful my day was yesterday in more detail. He told me that the church will support me in any way they can. He said things will change a lot after Jairo leaves, not because Jairo's way was bad, but because the people who are in charge have different gifts and manners of leading. The elders will meet with each of the people who are currently heading up programs (including me) to ask what we think, how we feel, and if we see any changes that need to be made. Everyone is in agreement that I will be serving in different capacities. We are just not sure exactly how yet. But I am open to any ideas.
As you can see, today was a much better day. Tonight I am going to a birthday party with my landlords' family. Tomorrow I am driving a ton of people to church because Jairo has an early breakfast down in the city so he can't take the people who normally ride with him.
To those of you who prayed for me, thank you. I think things will continue to get better, but I could use your prayer coverage for a few more days. I feel you interceding on my behalf and I appreciate it!
Friday, August 30, 2013
Choices
When I woke up this morning it felt like a normal day. I had lots of things to look forward to - a going away party for Lourdes, special lunch, and a trip to the mall. However, as I got into the car suddenly I came under a horrible spiritual attack. For most of the drive I was close to tears and my heart hurt. I was doubting myself and my ability to serve in the church. I made plans (in my head) to move back to the US in December. I thought about who would buy my car. I decided between Salt Lake and Colorado as my new home. (Salt Lake won.) Thought about what sort of jobs I might qualify for since I am now bilingual. Figured out how to tell others that I was leaving. Everything seemed to fall into place easily as I drove down to the church. I would just move back to the US and not have to feel like this anymore.
But at the same time that I was making all of these huge plans, I knew that my calling to serve the Lord in Honduras had not diminished in the slightest. He still wants me here. My feelings were telling me one thing (that nobody wants me here, that I'm not doing a good job, that I'm all alone) but my mind knew these were all lies. I knew that it might be easy to leave, but that it was not the path God wants for me and that in the end my life would be very, very difficult.
I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a cake for Lourdes. In the parking lot before I got out of the car I texted a friend in the US and asked for prayer. I told her I knew clearly that I was not supposed to leave, but I didn't know what else to do.
As I pulled into the entryway to the church I heard a horrible noise. I stopped the car and jumped out. There was a huge rock in the middle of the driveway. I hadn't even seen it there! That rock felt like one more sign - the entrance to the church was literally blocked. How much more clear could it be that I wasn't wanted there? I knew I was in a horrible battle as I squatted in the road trying to move that rock. Cars honked and people yelled things out their window. I could not lift that rock. It was so heavy. But finally I was able to roll it out of the driveway.
As I pulled into the church and parked, Violet and Milagro ran over and crawled into the car to hug me. I could feel their love breaking through the ugliness that was trying to overcome me. Then I headed for the kitchen, thinking about how I would tell Belinda that I planned to leave in December. Ana and Marlin were the only ones in the kitchen. Ana turned around when she saw me and said, "Wow! You look beautiful! You look like a real Honduran woman. I don't even see you as a North American at all anymore." For some reason those were exactly the words I needed to hear. They don't sound as awesome now as they did to my ears in that moment. It was like God said to me, "This is where I want you to be and you fit in here." I burst into tears, which freaked out Ana and Marlin but they both grabbed me and held me as I cried. I explained that I had been thinking about moving back to the US. They said, "No! You can't go! We love you." So I cried more.
Afterward I felt better. I went into the preschool classroom and prayed. I read more about God's armor, which I have been studying about lately. Then I put on His armor and left the classroom.
I was worried the feeling might return, and still am. It was very powerful and it came so quickly. But the rest of the day was pretty spectacular. The kids were super sweet. I got a ton of compliments on my "new look" as everyone called it. (I had tight pants, a blouse, and a ponytail.) Don Juan kept saying that I looked like a model. We had a really nice party for Lourdes with delicious food, great conversation and a tres leches cake. But a part of me couldn't enjoy the day as much as I should have because I was still scared.
Tonight I asked my landlord if I could talk to her. She said she could see me right away if I were still in the city but if not we could have breakfast tomorrow. I told her I have to leave at 7:30 a.m. to serve at the men's conference. We will talk at some point this weekend. I need advice about how to avoid this situation, and how to handle it if it does happen again. All I know to do is pray and ask for prayer. I am so grateful that through the mental battle I fought this morning, I always knew what was God's truth and what was lies. I knew the right path. But sometimes the other way can appear easier. I don't want to take the easy way. I want to live the life that God has chosen for me. Today, I am happy to say, I continue on that path.
But at the same time that I was making all of these huge plans, I knew that my calling to serve the Lord in Honduras had not diminished in the slightest. He still wants me here. My feelings were telling me one thing (that nobody wants me here, that I'm not doing a good job, that I'm all alone) but my mind knew these were all lies. I knew that it might be easy to leave, but that it was not the path God wants for me and that in the end my life would be very, very difficult.
I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a cake for Lourdes. In the parking lot before I got out of the car I texted a friend in the US and asked for prayer. I told her I knew clearly that I was not supposed to leave, but I didn't know what else to do.
As I pulled into the entryway to the church I heard a horrible noise. I stopped the car and jumped out. There was a huge rock in the middle of the driveway. I hadn't even seen it there! That rock felt like one more sign - the entrance to the church was literally blocked. How much more clear could it be that I wasn't wanted there? I knew I was in a horrible battle as I squatted in the road trying to move that rock. Cars honked and people yelled things out their window. I could not lift that rock. It was so heavy. But finally I was able to roll it out of the driveway.
As I pulled into the church and parked, Violet and Milagro ran over and crawled into the car to hug me. I could feel their love breaking through the ugliness that was trying to overcome me. Then I headed for the kitchen, thinking about how I would tell Belinda that I planned to leave in December. Ana and Marlin were the only ones in the kitchen. Ana turned around when she saw me and said, "Wow! You look beautiful! You look like a real Honduran woman. I don't even see you as a North American at all anymore." For some reason those were exactly the words I needed to hear. They don't sound as awesome now as they did to my ears in that moment. It was like God said to me, "This is where I want you to be and you fit in here." I burst into tears, which freaked out Ana and Marlin but they both grabbed me and held me as I cried. I explained that I had been thinking about moving back to the US. They said, "No! You can't go! We love you." So I cried more.
Afterward I felt better. I went into the preschool classroom and prayed. I read more about God's armor, which I have been studying about lately. Then I put on His armor and left the classroom.
I was worried the feeling might return, and still am. It was very powerful and it came so quickly. But the rest of the day was pretty spectacular. The kids were super sweet. I got a ton of compliments on my "new look" as everyone called it. (I had tight pants, a blouse, and a ponytail.) Don Juan kept saying that I looked like a model. We had a really nice party for Lourdes with delicious food, great conversation and a tres leches cake. But a part of me couldn't enjoy the day as much as I should have because I was still scared.
 |
| Jacky, Lourdes and Marlin in front Me, Veronica, Belinda and Ana in the second row |
Tonight I asked my landlord if I could talk to her. She said she could see me right away if I were still in the city but if not we could have breakfast tomorrow. I told her I have to leave at 7:30 a.m. to serve at the men's conference. We will talk at some point this weekend. I need advice about how to avoid this situation, and how to handle it if it does happen again. All I know to do is pray and ask for prayer. I am so grateful that through the mental battle I fought this morning, I always knew what was God's truth and what was lies. I knew the right path. But sometimes the other way can appear easier. I don't want to take the easy way. I want to live the life that God has chosen for me. Today, I am happy to say, I continue on that path.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Shopping Spree
Every day I drive past the used clothing store where I bought most of my wardrobe when I first moved to Honduras and my suitcases were lost. Each week they have a different special selection hanging outside on the front wall. One week it will be bathing suits, another skirts, another tank tops. This week I saw baby clothes for the first time. I was thinking I need to take Marlin there and have a little shopping spree. Then yesterday she told me that she had a bad dream. She was leaving the hospital with her new baby (which was a boy in her dream although the doctors and she believe it is a girl) and she had no clothes for him. Finally she asked a nurse for a towel to wrap him in.
Today I drove past that store again and realized it's almost the end of the week. They will change the special item either tomorrow or Saturday. So I called Marlin. She was still walking out of the church. I told her to wait there for me. Then I picked her up and we went shopping!
I backed into the car that was parked behind me as I was parking because I was so worried about the ditch on the side of the road where Marlin and Misael were about to get out that I wasn't paying attention. In Chicago it would have been typical parallel parking - tap the car in front and tap the car behind you to make sure you're in tight. But there was no car in front of me in this case.
As I got out, still worried about Marlin and Misael falling into the ditch, there was a girl standing at the car. She told me I had hit her car, but there was no mark. I told her I was very sorry and thanked her for her understanding.
I grabbed Misael's hand and we walked down to the store. Everything I have gotten there has been cheap and nice. Lots of it is expensive name brands. Why it exists in the middle of one of the worst colonias in the city, I have no idea. Marlin asked if I really buy clothes there. I told her yes, I love the clothes I buy there. They are clothes she often compliments me on. We went through all of the baby clothes and picked out everything cute for girls. I think she looks like she is going to have a boy, but what do I know. Misael picked out an outfit that Marlin loved for Halloween. It is never going to fit, it's for a 6 month old, but it cost $2.50 and they loved it. I was surprised because I have never met anyone who celebrates Halloween in Honduras. It was bright orange and said "BOO!" with a bright orange hat to match. I told Misael that can be his present to his baby sister when she gets old enough to wear it.
We got lots of cute stuff but all of it was onesies which I think would be very hot. I asked for shirts that button on the bottom, but they didn't have any. We also got a small sleeper sack and a larger one - those bags with arm holes for the baby to sleep in. Marlin was happy and grateful. We got 5 newborn onesies because that is all they had. We got 5 three to six month old oneseis and 2 six to nine month outfits because I loved them. Plus the sleepers. Not bad for $26!
Tomorrow the ladies at the Breakfast Program and I are having a going away party for Lourdes. I am still in denial that they are really leaving. I am not good at goodbyes. No words are enough to thank Lourdes and Jairo for all they have done for me in the past year and 1/2. They cared for me like a member of their own family. For over a year I didn't have a car and Jairo drove me everywhere. They are busy people but they always had time for me. I don't know how to say good bye to them.
Today I sat with Jairo as he had lunch. He asked if I had heard about the child. I said that I saw in the news paper a 3 year old was killed. He said that people stole a three year old from her family, cut her into pieces and put the pieces outside the front of the house at night so when the family left the house the next morning they found the baby's body parts. Jairo said he never imagined this country could be come to this.
Jairo is happy that the pastor from K2 is coming. But it is hard for him to not be in charge of planning Lad's time here. Jairo has so much to do, I know that everyone is trying to ease his burden, but Jairo said it would be so easy for him to write out a daily schedule to be sure that Lad sees everything he should see while he is here. Jairo told me that it is very important that Lad get a feeling for the current situation in this country, that he get to see La Tigra, and that he get to know all of the elders. It has to be hard for Jairo to go from being in charge of everything to completely letting go. I have to say once again. I will really, really miss Jairo.
Today I drove past that store again and realized it's almost the end of the week. They will change the special item either tomorrow or Saturday. So I called Marlin. She was still walking out of the church. I told her to wait there for me. Then I picked her up and we went shopping!
I backed into the car that was parked behind me as I was parking because I was so worried about the ditch on the side of the road where Marlin and Misael were about to get out that I wasn't paying attention. In Chicago it would have been typical parallel parking - tap the car in front and tap the car behind you to make sure you're in tight. But there was no car in front of me in this case.
As I got out, still worried about Marlin and Misael falling into the ditch, there was a girl standing at the car. She told me I had hit her car, but there was no mark. I told her I was very sorry and thanked her for her understanding.
I grabbed Misael's hand and we walked down to the store. Everything I have gotten there has been cheap and nice. Lots of it is expensive name brands. Why it exists in the middle of one of the worst colonias in the city, I have no idea. Marlin asked if I really buy clothes there. I told her yes, I love the clothes I buy there. They are clothes she often compliments me on. We went through all of the baby clothes and picked out everything cute for girls. I think she looks like she is going to have a boy, but what do I know. Misael picked out an outfit that Marlin loved for Halloween. It is never going to fit, it's for a 6 month old, but it cost $2.50 and they loved it. I was surprised because I have never met anyone who celebrates Halloween in Honduras. It was bright orange and said "BOO!" with a bright orange hat to match. I told Misael that can be his present to his baby sister when she gets old enough to wear it.
We got lots of cute stuff but all of it was onesies which I think would be very hot. I asked for shirts that button on the bottom, but they didn't have any. We also got a small sleeper sack and a larger one - those bags with arm holes for the baby to sleep in. Marlin was happy and grateful. We got 5 newborn onesies because that is all they had. We got 5 three to six month old oneseis and 2 six to nine month outfits because I loved them. Plus the sleepers. Not bad for $26!
Tomorrow the ladies at the Breakfast Program and I are having a going away party for Lourdes. I am still in denial that they are really leaving. I am not good at goodbyes. No words are enough to thank Lourdes and Jairo for all they have done for me in the past year and 1/2. They cared for me like a member of their own family. For over a year I didn't have a car and Jairo drove me everywhere. They are busy people but they always had time for me. I don't know how to say good bye to them.
Today I sat with Jairo as he had lunch. He asked if I had heard about the child. I said that I saw in the news paper a 3 year old was killed. He said that people stole a three year old from her family, cut her into pieces and put the pieces outside the front of the house at night so when the family left the house the next morning they found the baby's body parts. Jairo said he never imagined this country could be come to this.
Jairo is happy that the pastor from K2 is coming. But it is hard for him to not be in charge of planning Lad's time here. Jairo has so much to do, I know that everyone is trying to ease his burden, but Jairo said it would be so easy for him to write out a daily schedule to be sure that Lad sees everything he should see while he is here. Jairo told me that it is very important that Lad get a feeling for the current situation in this country, that he get to see La Tigra, and that he get to know all of the elders. It has to be hard for Jairo to go from being in charge of everything to completely letting go. I have to say once again. I will really, really miss Jairo.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Throwing Stones
Today when I got to the Breakfast Program Marlin was alone in the kitchen making her famous soup. It was her first day back, so I was surprised to see her cooking, but as soon as we said our hellos I found out why. She was alone because nobody was choosing to help. So I washed my hands and started making cheese balls that she deep fries and puts in the soup.
While we were cooking I watched the kids out the window. Christofer pushed a new boy so the new boy picked up a handful of rocks and threw them at Cristopher. I told them they were "castigado" (punished) for 15 minutes because we do not push or throw rocks at the church. I went back to making cheese balls, but that unfortunately that was just the beginning. Daniel came running up holding male genitalia made of clay. The artist was very detailed in their art work. Eunice ended up speaking to those boys - that is beyond my Spanish abilities with three of them arguing that the other was the creator. Eunice had those three boys take the place of my boys, whose 15 minutes were up. She was thinking Belinda would probably expel them for the week. Then they started throwing stones at the little kids. I talked to them once, twice, and the third time I saw two of the three throwing stones I told those two they had to leave. It breaks my heart to ask any child to leave before we eat because I worry they will go hungry for the day. But the food was not ready yet and they had been told clearly not to throw stones at the little kids. I felt like I had no choice. The third one left too, although he knew he didn't have to. I was sad.
Finally the soup was ready and we sat down to eat. Belinda still hadn't arrived so I asked two boys who have already graduated high school to watch the older kids. Belinda was very specific that she wants the younger kids to eat in the classroom because Milagro almost got scalded by soup last time we served it. I went to the classroom but kept the door open so I could hear what was going on outside. The whole time kids were running up to me tattling on each other. It was not a fun morning. At least the little ones were safe and all but three were well fed. I don't know what got into them today, but when we prayed we prayed that tomorrow would be better. They are always so well behaved, I guess they are due an off day.
I am still working with Lorenzo every afternoon. He didn't have school today so in the middle of the chaos he wrapped himself around my legs and said he really wanted his class to be right now. I hugged him back and told him that I wanted his class to be right now too, but we have to wait until everyone has eaten. Today Lorenzo easily identified numbers and was able to write them and count them out as well. He's not as far behind as I thought. But he is so inconsistent. I am trying to figure out if there is a pattern to his inconsistency, or if he really just doesn't know as much some days as he does others. It is confusing to me. I think it has to be confusing to him too. After we worked on numbers he played with the clay. He made butterflies and trees and cowboys. It was a nice switch from the artwork the boys made in the morning.
Remember when I was praying and begging for prayer for rain? Well, if you are still praying you can stop now. It has rained almost every afternoon since June and most nights. Last night it rained from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. plus the late afternoon downpour which turned the roads into rivers. I'm over it. But very thankful that the fires are gone.
While we were cooking I watched the kids out the window. Christofer pushed a new boy so the new boy picked up a handful of rocks and threw them at Cristopher. I told them they were "castigado" (punished) for 15 minutes because we do not push or throw rocks at the church. I went back to making cheese balls, but that unfortunately that was just the beginning. Daniel came running up holding male genitalia made of clay. The artist was very detailed in their art work. Eunice ended up speaking to those boys - that is beyond my Spanish abilities with three of them arguing that the other was the creator. Eunice had those three boys take the place of my boys, whose 15 minutes were up. She was thinking Belinda would probably expel them for the week. Then they started throwing stones at the little kids. I talked to them once, twice, and the third time I saw two of the three throwing stones I told those two they had to leave. It breaks my heart to ask any child to leave before we eat because I worry they will go hungry for the day. But the food was not ready yet and they had been told clearly not to throw stones at the little kids. I felt like I had no choice. The third one left too, although he knew he didn't have to. I was sad.
Finally the soup was ready and we sat down to eat. Belinda still hadn't arrived so I asked two boys who have already graduated high school to watch the older kids. Belinda was very specific that she wants the younger kids to eat in the classroom because Milagro almost got scalded by soup last time we served it. I went to the classroom but kept the door open so I could hear what was going on outside. The whole time kids were running up to me tattling on each other. It was not a fun morning. At least the little ones were safe and all but three were well fed. I don't know what got into them today, but when we prayed we prayed that tomorrow would be better. They are always so well behaved, I guess they are due an off day.
I am still working with Lorenzo every afternoon. He didn't have school today so in the middle of the chaos he wrapped himself around my legs and said he really wanted his class to be right now. I hugged him back and told him that I wanted his class to be right now too, but we have to wait until everyone has eaten. Today Lorenzo easily identified numbers and was able to write them and count them out as well. He's not as far behind as I thought. But he is so inconsistent. I am trying to figure out if there is a pattern to his inconsistency, or if he really just doesn't know as much some days as he does others. It is confusing to me. I think it has to be confusing to him too. After we worked on numbers he played with the clay. He made butterflies and trees and cowboys. It was a nice switch from the artwork the boys made in the morning.
Remember when I was praying and begging for prayer for rain? Well, if you are still praying you can stop now. It has rained almost every afternoon since June and most nights. Last night it rained from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. plus the late afternoon downpour which turned the roads into rivers. I'm over it. But very thankful that the fires are gone.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Welcome Samantha!
Sunday I thought of my friend Kate all day. My guts told me that Kate was having her baby. I don't know when she actually did go into labor, but she had a healthy baby girl at 1 a.m. today! This is extra exciting news for Kate and her husband, Jason. They have waited years for Samantha Crews Linsley. I will have to wait until next summer to meet her.
I learned that one of my pastors from K2 is coming to visit on September 12th! That will be really great. He has taken over missions and outreach for K2, so he wants to see what is going on here in Honduras, and how K2 can best partner with Iglesia en Transformación. It will be so fun to show him around, introduce him to the kids, have him experience his first church service here and see what he thinks of it all. I am excited!
This morning I went to a conference with Belinda, Luis (one of the jovenes) and Walter. Karla was there helping to organize it and Alexis Pacheco was one of the speakers. The title of the conference was "Movement Together with Children and Youth". It was about how we, as adults, can help the children of Honduras. I learned a lot of interesting statistics.
The population of Honduras is 8.55 million. 3.72 million are less than 18 years old. (43.51%)
Only 39% of kids ages 13-15 go to school in Honduras. Only 27% of 16-18 year olds go to school. They are not dropping out because they don't feel like going to school. They drop out to work or help in their households.
In 2012, 24% of girls were pregnant before age 19. Of those who were pregnant, more than 45%have only a 1st-3rd grade education.
45% of kids are born to single mothers. One of every three children born are born to a mother who is not yet legally an adult.
They talked about the fact that kids are not only our future, they are also our present. We should not wait until they are older to let kids get involved. I looked around and noticed that we were the only ones who had one of our jovenes (youth) present with us. I was glad Louis, a boy from Los Pinos, who is part of these statistics, was there.
Afterward I met Marcela and Josselyn for sushi. There is a place that has 2 for one sushi every Tuesday and Thursday. Joss and I have talked about going for a year and 1/2. Today we finally made it. We got four rolls for the price of two! The sushi was good and we had a really nice time. Even though Joss and Marcela are much younger, I enjoy spending time with them. Lately they have been busy with boyfriends, but I am happy for them. They both have chosen really great guys and have healthy relationships.
I learned that one of my pastors from K2 is coming to visit on September 12th! That will be really great. He has taken over missions and outreach for K2, so he wants to see what is going on here in Honduras, and how K2 can best partner with Iglesia en Transformación. It will be so fun to show him around, introduce him to the kids, have him experience his first church service here and see what he thinks of it all. I am excited!
This morning I went to a conference with Belinda, Luis (one of the jovenes) and Walter. Karla was there helping to organize it and Alexis Pacheco was one of the speakers. The title of the conference was "Movement Together with Children and Youth". It was about how we, as adults, can help the children of Honduras. I learned a lot of interesting statistics.
The population of Honduras is 8.55 million. 3.72 million are less than 18 years old. (43.51%)
Only 39% of kids ages 13-15 go to school in Honduras. Only 27% of 16-18 year olds go to school. They are not dropping out because they don't feel like going to school. They drop out to work or help in their households.
In 2012, 24% of girls were pregnant before age 19. Of those who were pregnant, more than 45%have only a 1st-3rd grade education.
45% of kids are born to single mothers. One of every three children born are born to a mother who is not yet legally an adult.
They talked about the fact that kids are not only our future, they are also our present. We should not wait until they are older to let kids get involved. I looked around and noticed that we were the only ones who had one of our jovenes (youth) present with us. I was glad Louis, a boy from Los Pinos, who is part of these statistics, was there.
Afterward I met Marcela and Josselyn for sushi. There is a place that has 2 for one sushi every Tuesday and Thursday. Joss and I have talked about going for a year and 1/2. Today we finally made it. We got four rolls for the price of two! The sushi was good and we had a really nice time. Even though Joss and Marcela are much younger, I enjoy spending time with them. Lately they have been busy with boyfriends, but I am happy for them. They both have chosen really great guys and have healthy relationships.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Office Space
In preschool we are still reading the preschool bible and drawing according to the scripture. The kids memorized a verse today, along with their drawing. It will be so cool when they have their own bible of drawings!
Monsey continues to go poo under the swing set, so by the time she comes to class she is stinky. Not sure how to change that. Belinda said we need to keep our eye on her, but since she continuously does it underneath the slide where we can't see her I am not sure how too stop it.
I was cleaning out the office this afternoon when Lorenzo came to ask me to teach his class. Now everyone wants to be a part of the class AND Lorenzo comes to the Breakfast Program every single day instead of about 50% of the time. He needs the nutrition, mentally and physically. Today he was able to identify every letter I gave him. Usually he can't. He was also able to write short words. The only time he struggled was when I asked him to tell me the individual sounds of letters. It seems like there is some sort of learning disorder because normally he cannot identify letters. But I love that some days he can!
I wanted to give him a little treat as he left. On Saturday when we had the Sarmiento's going away party the box of crackers I bought for him were on my desk. Today the whole box of Ritz peanut butter crackers were gone. :(
Belinda and I spent the afternoon cleaning out the office. When I met with Jairo last week he told me that he wants me to have an office at the church. I never made an office space for myself before because I didn't want people to think I was barging in and taking over the place. In the beginning I used the office a lot. Now that I have my own car and can leave the church when I am done, I don't use the office as much. But it will be nice to have my own cute little space with cabinets that I can lock. I don't have much to decorate it right now. I'm looking around my house to see what I have that could make it my own.
I like cleaning with Belinda. She throws things out like I do. Ethel, the leader of the elders, came in while we were cleaning. Ethel went through some things and told us to throw it all away too. Yay! Now I feel like I can get rid of stuff and really be more organized. I am going to do the same in the classroom now that I don't have people telling me to keep half broken toys.
Tomorrow I am going to a meeting with Belinda and some of the youth. On Sunday Jairo asked me to take his carful of people to church. I am getting a taste of what it will be like when he is not here. Nine more days til they move to the states. I gave a letter to Ethel today asking for more responsibilities at the church.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Sunday in Honduras
Today I gave my landlords and Hermida's Mom a ride to church. It was like running an obstacle course getting down the mountain this morning. There weren't many cars on the roads, but those who were drove like crazy people. Hermida was anxious although I tried to drive slowly and safely.
At church I sat with David, one of Ana's sons. Ana has been cooking since Marlin was in the hospital. She's a great cook and a nice person to have around. She has a tranquil presence. I like her and her kids. David has taken a special liking to me. He is about 10 yrs old and sweet as can be. Marlin sat on the other side of me. Jairo spoke about good, good friends who love you no matter what. I grabbed Marlin's knee and she reached over and hugged me. Marlin is my good friend who loves me :)
Later in the service she poked me and pointed at her belly. I could see the baby moving! It was cool. She is feeling better and excited about her pregnancy. After church I had enchiladas with Raquel and her husband Edward. The men were selling them as a fund raiser for their conference next weekend. Raquel and I sat and talked until there were only a couple people left at the church.
I joined a group for women who are going to read a book together. I'm not sure if I'll read it in Spanish or in English. I think both. I also am signing up for a pre-discipleship which I need to complete in order to join a small group. I am excited to finally be in a small group.
It sounds like the leadership have some great ideas for the year to come. We are going to have a group who commit to reading through the bible together throughout the year. I want to be a part of that group. They are also starting a library at the church with books that people have already read and donate. It will have a "librarian" who can help people choose the books they need. Cool! Jairo talked to me about helping my friend Raquel lead The Ester Project. I have always wanted to do that. It is a group for girls between 10 and 13 years old which teaches values, self esteem and the bible. The Ester Project is in its 6th year at my church and is losing steam. We are hoping to breathe a little life into it. I am only hesitant because that means I have to be at the church 7 days/week. I don't want to commit to that. I need one day to do my laundry and get personal things done. So I need to talk to Ethel about what she thinks.
On my way home from church the red party, whoever they are, were blocking the roads and waving their flags. I was a little nervous. There was a positive energy, but these gatherings have the potential to turn violent. I made it through the first part of the crowd by following a car that was waving red flags of their own. The crowds parted for them. Then I got stuck behind buses blocking the highway with people flying flags out the window. Finally I rolled down my drivers window and looked people in the eye trying to get into the left lane. Cars kept driving by and not letting me in. I started getting a little nervous. Probably they wanted to get out of there too. Then I noticed a truck that had already passed waving for me to come up and they would let me in. The passenger kept motioning for me to go in front of them. As I passed I told him "Gracias!" The man, who appeared to be in his mid 60's, said something in response. I didn't catch what he said, but it was something nice. I was grateful to get out of there and I think he knew it.
As I got close to my house I passed Jairo coming the other direction. I stuck my arm out the window and waved. He waved back. I am so grateful to him for driving me everywhere for over a year, but it sure is nice to have some independence and do my own thing now. Even if it does get a little scary sometimes.
At church I sat with David, one of Ana's sons. Ana has been cooking since Marlin was in the hospital. She's a great cook and a nice person to have around. She has a tranquil presence. I like her and her kids. David has taken a special liking to me. He is about 10 yrs old and sweet as can be. Marlin sat on the other side of me. Jairo spoke about good, good friends who love you no matter what. I grabbed Marlin's knee and she reached over and hugged me. Marlin is my good friend who loves me :)
Later in the service she poked me and pointed at her belly. I could see the baby moving! It was cool. She is feeling better and excited about her pregnancy. After church I had enchiladas with Raquel and her husband Edward. The men were selling them as a fund raiser for their conference next weekend. Raquel and I sat and talked until there were only a couple people left at the church.
I joined a group for women who are going to read a book together. I'm not sure if I'll read it in Spanish or in English. I think both. I also am signing up for a pre-discipleship which I need to complete in order to join a small group. I am excited to finally be in a small group.
It sounds like the leadership have some great ideas for the year to come. We are going to have a group who commit to reading through the bible together throughout the year. I want to be a part of that group. They are also starting a library at the church with books that people have already read and donate. It will have a "librarian" who can help people choose the books they need. Cool! Jairo talked to me about helping my friend Raquel lead The Ester Project. I have always wanted to do that. It is a group for girls between 10 and 13 years old which teaches values, self esteem and the bible. The Ester Project is in its 6th year at my church and is losing steam. We are hoping to breathe a little life into it. I am only hesitant because that means I have to be at the church 7 days/week. I don't want to commit to that. I need one day to do my laundry and get personal things done. So I need to talk to Ethel about what she thinks.
On my way home from church the red party, whoever they are, were blocking the roads and waving their flags. I was a little nervous. There was a positive energy, but these gatherings have the potential to turn violent. I made it through the first part of the crowd by following a car that was waving red flags of their own. The crowds parted for them. Then I got stuck behind buses blocking the highway with people flying flags out the window. Finally I rolled down my drivers window and looked people in the eye trying to get into the left lane. Cars kept driving by and not letting me in. I started getting a little nervous. Probably they wanted to get out of there too. Then I noticed a truck that had already passed waving for me to come up and they would let me in. The passenger kept motioning for me to go in front of them. As I passed I told him "Gracias!" The man, who appeared to be in his mid 60's, said something in response. I didn't catch what he said, but it was something nice. I was grateful to get out of there and I think he knew it.
As I got close to my house I passed Jairo coming the other direction. I stuck my arm out the window and waved. He waved back. I am so grateful to him for driving me everywhere for over a year, but it sure is nice to have some independence and do my own thing now. Even if it does get a little scary sometimes.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Going Away Party for Lourdes at the Breakfast Program
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| Samuel dressed in his best |
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| Camila and her flip flips with toes |
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| Ever with Anai, Jose and Memo |
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| Anai and her boots |
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| Jose |
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| Yarely |
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| Belkis with her big brother, Naum |
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| Blanca Flor and her sister, Violet |
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| They sat and waited for the Sarmientos to arrive |
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| Lorenzo and Moncey waited patiently (note Moncey's new hair cut which she did all by herself) |
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| The Sarmientos in their seats of honor |
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| Preschoolers applauding |
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| Michele reciting a poem |
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| Yarely choreographed a dance |
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| Milagro waiting to eat |
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| Lourdes with special words for the kids |
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| Cindy |
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| Enjoying chicken, salad, and rice |
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| Preschoolers praying for the Sarmientos |
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| Everyone praying for the Sarmientos Well, almost everyone |
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| Ana and her family with Lourdes afterward Ana has become our main cook now that Marlin is nearing the end of her pregnancy |
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| Misael |
We had a little photo shoot:
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| Blanca Flor, Kebelin and Lolita |
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| Lolita and Gired are good buddies |
The party was a great success. The preschool class's presentation was super but I didn't get any photos because I was coordinating it.
My landlord, Hermida, invited me for dinner at their house. They invited the Sarmientos to say good bye. We had a pork roast, chicken, potatoes baked in the spices of the chicken, special rice, a tomato salad, bread that tasted like pretzels and tres leches for desert. It was delicious!
Friday, August 23, 2013
Meeting with Jairo
We practiced for Lourdes's going away party today. It was kind of rocky, but nobody expects perfection from 4 year olds and the kids had fun. I don't know how many kids we fed today, but it was a lot. There were more than yesterday. We ran out of bread. I'm thinking maybe 105?
Jairo asked me to meet with him before he leaves. I walked into his office and for the first time it hit me that he will not be here any more. His walls are bare, his photos are gone, and all that was left were some papers he is leaving for Walter. I felt sad. But I know this is best.
We talked first about my safety after he leaves. Jairo said there are 4 people who will I will go to after he leaves. Ethel - head of the elders, Carlos - my landlord and also an elder, Samuel Matute - an elder and person who has been really helpful to me, and Belinda since she is my immediate supervisor.
When I first moved to Honduras a year and 1/2 ago Jairo used to tell me that things were bad, but that he had lived through worse in the 80's. Today Jairo told me that things are as bad as they were in the 80's. I can't say anything specific, but yesterday someone left the country because the person was about to be kidnapped and held for $2 million.
Jairo said that I should not worry, but I need to be aware and careful, especially around the elections. He said some people think the Libre party may win the election. They are killing all of their opponents. If the Libre party does not win, they have promised to contest the outcome. Jairo believes it will be a civil war. He said there is no reason to believe that I will not be safe here. He said I need to buy a lantern. I'll need to be sure that I have water and food on hand as the elections approach. And candles and matches. When I was here in 2009 the president was pulled out of his bed and taken out of the country because he was not following the constitution. They immediately turned off the electricity and water. The lines at the gas station were huge, so I'll have to keep my tank full. Seems that God gave me that experience for a reason - so I can be more prepared for November and what may happen then. I should buy a gas stove before the elections. But I am feeling broke with car maintenance. Next month I have to pay for annual car registration. :( Need to pray for lots of financial blessings!
I will have another meeting with Jairo that will include Belinda and Walter because we need to work as a very tight team after Jairo leaves. I think we are very capable of being an excellent team. Both of them are gifted at the roles they have been given. I hope we live up to our potential. That is something I need to pray about - you could join me. I also wrote a letter today that I need to translate to Spanish. It is for Ethel, head of the elders, thanking her for allowing me to serve here. I offered to serve in new ways as we go through this transition and the Sarmientos leave, if she would like me to.
Check back tomorrow for lots of photos of Lourdes's going away party!
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Right turn
Have you ever made a wrong turn that turned out to be the right one? That's what happened to me today. I had to take my car to a Honda dealership. For months nobody seemed to know where one was. The man who helped me buy the car wanted me to take the car to a Honda dealer before it had 100,000 kilometers. Well, today it had 99,600 as I left the dealership. Nothing like cutting it close.
For a few days I was a little anxious about finding the dealership and then finding my way home. I made it there fine. It was a little different than people had told me, but it was still easy. On the way home I had a few options. I could go back the way I came, which meant going all of the way back toward the church. That would add about 30 kilometers (and who knows how much time since it was rush hour) to my trip. Or I could go the way Belinda had shown me, but I had only gone once.
Turned out God was looking out for me in several ways. I was starving, so I asked a lady if there was any place close by where I could safely walk and get something to eat. She took me to the cafeteria for the workers of the dealership, but it was closed. (So nice of her, though!) Then she talked to another lady and they decided they were going to have the guy who runs the shuttle take me to find something to eat. He asked where I wanted to go and I told him I have no idea. Then he took me a couple of blocks where there was everything a hungry person could want - Pizza Hut, Wendy's, Burger King, (Wendy's and Burger King seem to be more popular here than McDonalds) Pollo Campero, Popeye's, Denny's, Chili's and 2 Chinese restaurants. I ate fast food. That's how starving I was. It even tasted good.
At the same time I recognized a restaurant sign and realized I had been that way once with Jose and Karla to go to my house. As I looked closer, there was no way to turn in that direction, so I asked the guy how to go that way. He said just turn around in the gas station and you can catch the road from there. I was thinking and thinking, trying to remember how to get home that way.
After I ate my lunch and could think more clearly, I realized that I could probably also go a fourth route. I had come down into town from that way several times before, but I don't ever remember leaving that way. So I started to pray and pray that God would take me home safely. I read two newspapers (19 people have died from Dengue. Joss's boyfriend was hospitalized for it and a friend of Eunice's is close to death from it.) and I prayed. When I left I felt at peace. The worst thing that would happen is I would get lost. Then I would have to call someone and try to describe where I was so they could help me get home.
I decided to go the route I had gone with Jose and Karla. So I headed that way, but somehow I turned too early. I have no idea how that happened. UGH! I couldn't make a U-turn, so I followed a sign to the hospital where Marlin had been, planning to re-orient myself. That is when I remembered that if I went past the hospital there was a route that would take me to the bottom of the mountain if I did it right. I have gone that way a few times before and knew that way best of all, but still not well.
As I drove I prayed and envisioned myself driving the route. It was almost like I could picture my own car going in front of me. By the time I got to each intersection I felt sure which way to go. Finally I knew exactly where I was. I did it! I made it home the quickest and easiest route.
They say my car needs $500 worth of work plus I know it also needs new tires. Part of that is an oil change they were going to over charge me for and a light that I tightened so it works now. I think I'll take it to Quaker State for an oil change and to the mechanic who worked on the car before. I'm hoping he will fix the rest for about $250 and then I'll only have to deal with the tires. We'll see. I really don't understand what the most important thing on the list is. It is something that sounds like it could be a new crankcase? Plus they say I need 4 new spark plugs, which is surprising since I haven't driven far since the mechanic cleaned and replaced them in July. But Walter's buddy will know exactly what I need to do and he will also tell me if there is anything I'm better off doing at the dealership.
Today at the Breakfast Program the kids worked on their presentation for Lourdes. We are having a special going away party for her Saturday. All of the kids have an invitation. As soon as we started handing out invitations earlier in the week, suddenly a bunch of new kids started coming. Belinda told them that if they came for the rest of the week they would get invitations to the party. Today we served 92 kids! We are going to do some poetry, songs, dances, and my preschoolers have made letters that spell out "GRACIAS". They decorated the letters today with stickers, glitter, drawings and cut out pieces of paper. The letters are quite lovely in themselves, but the kids are also going to name an attribute that goes along with each letter - like generous,loving, caring, etc.
Yesterday Evelin Michele came over to my house for a visit. Besides my landlords and Joss, Evelin is my first official visitor. She goes to college in Texas, but she is home from school for a few weeks. Evelin was one of my first Honduran friends. When I first was called to serve here, she was one of the people I talked to a lot. Now I live only a few minutes from her family's house.
Sometimes I think I take things for granted. I waited years to be here, feeling like I would never be happy until I got to Honduras. Now, here I am. I live in the mountains, just as I always wished for, in a nice house, with great friends and a reliable car. I am greeted every morning by kids wanting to crawl into my car and hug me. I didn't know God would be this good. I imagined my day to day life to be more of a struggle. And I never thought I'd find a safe home in the mountains!
Well, yesterday the lights did go out for 9 hours. But that is a frustration, not a struggle. I guess while I was in Costa Rica they started shutting off the electricity all day. Not sure why that is. My fridge stayed cold and the power was on in time to cook dinner so I saw it as a way to save on my electric bill.
Memo wore his suit again today. Actually he changed it up a bit with khakis that looked better with his sneakers and a button down instead of a tee shirt. He is so darn funny!
Yesterday at this time I was waiting and waiting to hear how my friend, Pat Pike, fared in surgery. At the Breakfast Program every single person who was at the church, even Don Juan and Eunice, prayed for him. We got on our knees (on the one day I wore shorts) and went around the whole circle with each person saying their own individual prayer. Some of the kids said the most beautiful things. I am so proud of them. And none of them but the tiniest moved from kneeling on the cement. Jairo took video of the prayer and then of us all trying to stand up afterward.
A year ago Pat was supposed to have a small surgery to remove 2 inches of colon. It was supposed to be an easy recovery. However, every time they tried to close up his stomach he got very, very sick. He was in a coma and almost died. After that no doctor has wanted to close up his stomach.
The surgery yesterday seems to have gone well. The doctors took out his gall bladder while they were in there. They said they had to pull everything very tight to close it up and there is a chance the stitches could come open, so Pat has to be very, very careful. Now we are thanking God for a successful surgery and for a complete recovery. The kids prayed that Pat will be here in Honduras with us soon. I think he will!
For a few days I was a little anxious about finding the dealership and then finding my way home. I made it there fine. It was a little different than people had told me, but it was still easy. On the way home I had a few options. I could go back the way I came, which meant going all of the way back toward the church. That would add about 30 kilometers (and who knows how much time since it was rush hour) to my trip. Or I could go the way Belinda had shown me, but I had only gone once.
Turned out God was looking out for me in several ways. I was starving, so I asked a lady if there was any place close by where I could safely walk and get something to eat. She took me to the cafeteria for the workers of the dealership, but it was closed. (So nice of her, though!) Then she talked to another lady and they decided they were going to have the guy who runs the shuttle take me to find something to eat. He asked where I wanted to go and I told him I have no idea. Then he took me a couple of blocks where there was everything a hungry person could want - Pizza Hut, Wendy's, Burger King, (Wendy's and Burger King seem to be more popular here than McDonalds) Pollo Campero, Popeye's, Denny's, Chili's and 2 Chinese restaurants. I ate fast food. That's how starving I was. It even tasted good.
At the same time I recognized a restaurant sign and realized I had been that way once with Jose and Karla to go to my house. As I looked closer, there was no way to turn in that direction, so I asked the guy how to go that way. He said just turn around in the gas station and you can catch the road from there. I was thinking and thinking, trying to remember how to get home that way.
After I ate my lunch and could think more clearly, I realized that I could probably also go a fourth route. I had come down into town from that way several times before, but I don't ever remember leaving that way. So I started to pray and pray that God would take me home safely. I read two newspapers (19 people have died from Dengue. Joss's boyfriend was hospitalized for it and a friend of Eunice's is close to death from it.) and I prayed. When I left I felt at peace. The worst thing that would happen is I would get lost. Then I would have to call someone and try to describe where I was so they could help me get home.
I decided to go the route I had gone with Jose and Karla. So I headed that way, but somehow I turned too early. I have no idea how that happened. UGH! I couldn't make a U-turn, so I followed a sign to the hospital where Marlin had been, planning to re-orient myself. That is when I remembered that if I went past the hospital there was a route that would take me to the bottom of the mountain if I did it right. I have gone that way a few times before and knew that way best of all, but still not well.
As I drove I prayed and envisioned myself driving the route. It was almost like I could picture my own car going in front of me. By the time I got to each intersection I felt sure which way to go. Finally I knew exactly where I was. I did it! I made it home the quickest and easiest route.
They say my car needs $500 worth of work plus I know it also needs new tires. Part of that is an oil change they were going to over charge me for and a light that I tightened so it works now. I think I'll take it to Quaker State for an oil change and to the mechanic who worked on the car before. I'm hoping he will fix the rest for about $250 and then I'll only have to deal with the tires. We'll see. I really don't understand what the most important thing on the list is. It is something that sounds like it could be a new crankcase? Plus they say I need 4 new spark plugs, which is surprising since I haven't driven far since the mechanic cleaned and replaced them in July. But Walter's buddy will know exactly what I need to do and he will also tell me if there is anything I'm better off doing at the dealership.
Today at the Breakfast Program the kids worked on their presentation for Lourdes. We are having a special going away party for her Saturday. All of the kids have an invitation. As soon as we started handing out invitations earlier in the week, suddenly a bunch of new kids started coming. Belinda told them that if they came for the rest of the week they would get invitations to the party. Today we served 92 kids! We are going to do some poetry, songs, dances, and my preschoolers have made letters that spell out "GRACIAS". They decorated the letters today with stickers, glitter, drawings and cut out pieces of paper. The letters are quite lovely in themselves, but the kids are also going to name an attribute that goes along with each letter - like generous,loving, caring, etc.
Yesterday Evelin Michele came over to my house for a visit. Besides my landlords and Joss, Evelin is my first official visitor. She goes to college in Texas, but she is home from school for a few weeks. Evelin was one of my first Honduran friends. When I first was called to serve here, she was one of the people I talked to a lot. Now I live only a few minutes from her family's house.
Sometimes I think I take things for granted. I waited years to be here, feeling like I would never be happy until I got to Honduras. Now, here I am. I live in the mountains, just as I always wished for, in a nice house, with great friends and a reliable car. I am greeted every morning by kids wanting to crawl into my car and hug me. I didn't know God would be this good. I imagined my day to day life to be more of a struggle. And I never thought I'd find a safe home in the mountains!
Well, yesterday the lights did go out for 9 hours. But that is a frustration, not a struggle. I guess while I was in Costa Rica they started shutting off the electricity all day. Not sure why that is. My fridge stayed cold and the power was on in time to cook dinner so I saw it as a way to save on my electric bill.
Memo wore his suit again today. Actually he changed it up a bit with khakis that looked better with his sneakers and a button down instead of a tee shirt. He is so darn funny!
Yesterday at this time I was waiting and waiting to hear how my friend, Pat Pike, fared in surgery. At the Breakfast Program every single person who was at the church, even Don Juan and Eunice, prayed for him. We got on our knees (on the one day I wore shorts) and went around the whole circle with each person saying their own individual prayer. Some of the kids said the most beautiful things. I am so proud of them. And none of them but the tiniest moved from kneeling on the cement. Jairo took video of the prayer and then of us all trying to stand up afterward.
A year ago Pat was supposed to have a small surgery to remove 2 inches of colon. It was supposed to be an easy recovery. However, every time they tried to close up his stomach he got very, very sick. He was in a coma and almost died. After that no doctor has wanted to close up his stomach.
The surgery yesterday seems to have gone well. The doctors took out his gall bladder while they were in there. They said they had to pull everything very tight to close it up and there is a chance the stitches could come open, so Pat has to be very, very careful. Now we are thanking God for a successful surgery and for a complete recovery. The kids prayed that Pat will be here in Honduras with us soon. I think he will!
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| I told Pat I was going to squeeze his guts out when I hugged him in July. |
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Time
I've never lived in a place without winter. I do miss the snow, but not as much as I expected to. What I miss most about snow is sitting in my house and watching it fall outside. I get a sense of peace from watching snow fall which is hard to put into words. I miss the silence of snow. Some of you will know what I mean by that. And I miss cooking foods that I associate with snowy days - stews, soups, roasts... I even miss shoveling at 10:30 at night when I got home from work, when everything is quiet except my shovel scraping on the driveway. Overall, living without snow is not as hard as I thought it would be.
However, living without winter, spring, summer, and fall to mark time is hard. I never knew how much I used the change in seasons to know what month it is. I have been lost since I celebrated the 4th of July in the US. In Honduras right now it is rainy and sometimes cold. We are finishing our "winter" although I don't know what makes it winter. We have another rainy season around January. But the two rainy seasons don't help me mark time. I have caught myself thinking that it was January or March right now. I really have no concept of where we are in the year. When I realize it is almost September, I can't believe that 2013 is almost gone.
However, living without winter, spring, summer, and fall to mark time is hard. I never knew how much I used the change in seasons to know what month it is. I have been lost since I celebrated the 4th of July in the US. In Honduras right now it is rainy and sometimes cold. We are finishing our "winter" although I don't know what makes it winter. We have another rainy season around January. But the two rainy seasons don't help me mark time. I have caught myself thinking that it was January or March right now. I really have no concept of where we are in the year. When I realize it is almost September, I can't believe that 2013 is almost gone.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Bibles and baths
What a long day. But it was very productive.
Yesterday I was invited to "cut the cake" for Daniel (Belinda's son) at 7 pm at Jairo and Lourdes's house. When I got there at 7 Lourdes and Jairo had gone to buy the cake. Nobody eats homemade cakes but me in Honduras. Birthday cakes are always purchased. Finally Lourdes and Jairo got home at 8:30 with tons of food to cook a full dinner. We didn't cut the cake until about 10 pm. Now I know that if someone invites me to "cut the cake" I should arrive hungry.
As I pulled into the church it struck me how awesome the whole Breakfast Program is. The church was full of kids playing - all doing their own thing. Cindy (the girl who fell out of the tree and smashed her head) is growing so quickly that people keep mistaking her for her older sister. She is all arms and legs. Cindy strolls around with a sense of self assurance she never had before. As I parked and looked around Cindy strolled out of Eunice's office - part of the morning rituals - everyone passes through Eunice's office to say good morning. I swear that girl has grown a foot in the past month.
Ana, Marlin's friend, was cooking tacos in the kitchen since Marlin was in the hospital. She seemed happy to be hard at work. Belinda set up an office for herself. It looks really nice. She was in there playing music and working. I confessed to Belinda that I really want to read the new bible to the kids, but I am not the best at reading out loud in Spanish. I asked if she thought any of the older kids might be a good reader. She thought of a few kids, then settled on Maria. I have seen Maria, she always says hello to me, but she has not been coming to the Breakfast Program very long so I don't know her well. Belinda called Maria into the office, handed her King James bible in Spanish and asked her to start reading at a certain verse. After she finished the first sentence I knew she was our girl, but she read for a while, not knowing why we had called her there. After she finished Belinda explained that I need someone to help me.
Maria and I went to the classroom and I showed her the preschool bible. I explained that we are not in a hurry. We want to stop every few sentences and ask the kids questions to be sure they are paying attention and understand. I asked her to integrate counting and identifying colors whenever we can. She got it. Then I came up with the idea that when the kids get wiggly, they can go to their seats and draw a picture of the story we just read. If we draw after each section that we read and put all of the drawings together, they will have drawings to illustrate the whole bible! Sounds like a cool idea to me - their own, personally illustrated bibles.
Lunch was such a hit today the kids asked for seconds, which they never do. Samuel, our pickiest eater, finished his first plate of chicken tacos and was done with the second before anyone else. A few hours later he asked me for toilet paper. I checked on him to be sure he was okay. He was sitting on the toilet with the most horrible look on his face and said, "My stomach is FULL of food!" That boy is so funny!
Yesterday Belinda told me she was worried about Lorenzo. I used to work 1-1 with Lorenzo, but when Lourdes stopped coming to the Breakfast Program we stopped doing that because the kids had to leave after they ate. Belinda asked if I would work with Lorenzo. I told her I would love to start working with him again! When Lorenzo came I told him to eat, then play for a while, and afterward we would have class. He is way behind in school. I think he has some memory problems, probably from malnutrition. We worked on identifying A-J. He can't even recite the alphabet. We looked at pictures and tried to identify the first letter. He got a few of those right with lots of help. I told him we will be together in the class every day for 10-15 minutes. Even if I didn't teach him anything, 1-1 time is always good for Lorenzo. I like it too.
After everyone else had gone, Belinda asked me to bathe Misael. When Samuel saw that Misael was getting a bath Samuel wanted to join in. I was fine with that because I am still a little uncomfortable being one on one with nude little kids. I have the North American mind set that I don't want to put myself in a situation where someone might say or think I am doing anything wrong. In Honduras it is normal for a lady to bathe other people's kids. I am just not used to it. Having Samuel there too made me more comfortable. I tried to prop the door open, but it wouldn't stay. So I said out loud, "Washing your hair, your ears, your neck..." The boys giggled and exclaimed "Que rico!" as I poured buckets of refreshing water over their heads.
I made a point to say that they would wash their own private parts. When I finished Samuel's mom was outside washing her own hair. I told her I am not accustomed to bathing other people's kids. She said it is good that people in the US have the mentality to protect their kids. I took both boys out into the sunshine and covered them in lotion in front of Samuel's mother and brother. They love getting baths! This may become a daily ritual now that we have water in the rainy season. I am going to bring some lavender baby lotion tomorrow.
Before Meylin left for school I called Marlin and let her talk to her kids. She talked to Belinda for a long time too. Belinda said that Marlin is doing much better physically, but is sad. She started eating yesterday and today she even felt hungry. She thought she might be discharged tomorrow after taking her last dose of medicine.
However, a few hours later Marlin called to say that she was being discharged today. Then she called to say she needed someone to pay for her to get out of the hospital and buy her meds. Belinda and I went to get Marlin. It was a long and ridiculous process. They wouldn't let us in to get Marlin out! Finally Belinda got in. They didn't have the meds Marlin needed. We tried to drive home in rush hour traffic. It was horrific. Finally we made it to Los Pinos as the sun was going down. Belinda went up to Marlin's house because the crazy hospital forgot to take the IV needle thing out of Marlin's hand so Belinda had to do it. We got home after 7 p.m. hungry, but safe and sound.
Clara did not get admitted to the hospital today because she was late for her appointment. We don't know if she will be admitted tomorrow or not. I am excited to work on the second page of the kids' bibles with them tomorrow and have some 1-1 time with Lorenzo. If the boys want baths I will be prepared with lavender lotion.
Yesterday I was invited to "cut the cake" for Daniel (Belinda's son) at 7 pm at Jairo and Lourdes's house. When I got there at 7 Lourdes and Jairo had gone to buy the cake. Nobody eats homemade cakes but me in Honduras. Birthday cakes are always purchased. Finally Lourdes and Jairo got home at 8:30 with tons of food to cook a full dinner. We didn't cut the cake until about 10 pm. Now I know that if someone invites me to "cut the cake" I should arrive hungry.
As I pulled into the church it struck me how awesome the whole Breakfast Program is. The church was full of kids playing - all doing their own thing. Cindy (the girl who fell out of the tree and smashed her head) is growing so quickly that people keep mistaking her for her older sister. She is all arms and legs. Cindy strolls around with a sense of self assurance she never had before. As I parked and looked around Cindy strolled out of Eunice's office - part of the morning rituals - everyone passes through Eunice's office to say good morning. I swear that girl has grown a foot in the past month.
Ana, Marlin's friend, was cooking tacos in the kitchen since Marlin was in the hospital. She seemed happy to be hard at work. Belinda set up an office for herself. It looks really nice. She was in there playing music and working. I confessed to Belinda that I really want to read the new bible to the kids, but I am not the best at reading out loud in Spanish. I asked if she thought any of the older kids might be a good reader. She thought of a few kids, then settled on Maria. I have seen Maria, she always says hello to me, but she has not been coming to the Breakfast Program very long so I don't know her well. Belinda called Maria into the office, handed her King James bible in Spanish and asked her to start reading at a certain verse. After she finished the first sentence I knew she was our girl, but she read for a while, not knowing why we had called her there. After she finished Belinda explained that I need someone to help me.
Maria and I went to the classroom and I showed her the preschool bible. I explained that we are not in a hurry. We want to stop every few sentences and ask the kids questions to be sure they are paying attention and understand. I asked her to integrate counting and identifying colors whenever we can. She got it. Then I came up with the idea that when the kids get wiggly, they can go to their seats and draw a picture of the story we just read. If we draw after each section that we read and put all of the drawings together, they will have drawings to illustrate the whole bible! Sounds like a cool idea to me - their own, personally illustrated bibles.
 |
| Samuel and the class's new bible |
Lunch was such a hit today the kids asked for seconds, which they never do. Samuel, our pickiest eater, finished his first plate of chicken tacos and was done with the second before anyone else. A few hours later he asked me for toilet paper. I checked on him to be sure he was okay. He was sitting on the toilet with the most horrible look on his face and said, "My stomach is FULL of food!" That boy is so funny!
Yesterday Belinda told me she was worried about Lorenzo. I used to work 1-1 with Lorenzo, but when Lourdes stopped coming to the Breakfast Program we stopped doing that because the kids had to leave after they ate. Belinda asked if I would work with Lorenzo. I told her I would love to start working with him again! When Lorenzo came I told him to eat, then play for a while, and afterward we would have class. He is way behind in school. I think he has some memory problems, probably from malnutrition. We worked on identifying A-J. He can't even recite the alphabet. We looked at pictures and tried to identify the first letter. He got a few of those right with lots of help. I told him we will be together in the class every day for 10-15 minutes. Even if I didn't teach him anything, 1-1 time is always good for Lorenzo. I like it too.
After everyone else had gone, Belinda asked me to bathe Misael. When Samuel saw that Misael was getting a bath Samuel wanted to join in. I was fine with that because I am still a little uncomfortable being one on one with nude little kids. I have the North American mind set that I don't want to put myself in a situation where someone might say or think I am doing anything wrong. In Honduras it is normal for a lady to bathe other people's kids. I am just not used to it. Having Samuel there too made me more comfortable. I tried to prop the door open, but it wouldn't stay. So I said out loud, "Washing your hair, your ears, your neck..." The boys giggled and exclaimed "Que rico!" as I poured buckets of refreshing water over their heads.
I made a point to say that they would wash their own private parts. When I finished Samuel's mom was outside washing her own hair. I told her I am not accustomed to bathing other people's kids. She said it is good that people in the US have the mentality to protect their kids. I took both boys out into the sunshine and covered them in lotion in front of Samuel's mother and brother. They love getting baths! This may become a daily ritual now that we have water in the rainy season. I am going to bring some lavender baby lotion tomorrow.
Before Meylin left for school I called Marlin and let her talk to her kids. She talked to Belinda for a long time too. Belinda said that Marlin is doing much better physically, but is sad. She started eating yesterday and today she even felt hungry. She thought she might be discharged tomorrow after taking her last dose of medicine.
However, a few hours later Marlin called to say that she was being discharged today. Then she called to say she needed someone to pay for her to get out of the hospital and buy her meds. Belinda and I went to get Marlin. It was a long and ridiculous process. They wouldn't let us in to get Marlin out! Finally Belinda got in. They didn't have the meds Marlin needed. We tried to drive home in rush hour traffic. It was horrific. Finally we made it to Los Pinos as the sun was going down. Belinda went up to Marlin's house because the crazy hospital forgot to take the IV needle thing out of Marlin's hand so Belinda had to do it. We got home after 7 p.m. hungry, but safe and sound.
Clara did not get admitted to the hospital today because she was late for her appointment. We don't know if she will be admitted tomorrow or not. I am excited to work on the second page of the kids' bibles with them tomorrow and have some 1-1 time with Lorenzo. If the boys want baths I will be prepared with lavender lotion.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Refreshed
I thought yesterday was going to be my day to relax, but you know how it goes. Sometimes the days that you have "free" are the busiest. I washed and hung 3 loads of clothes by 1 pm and soaked beans to cook overnight. Then I picked up Belinda and we went to the church to get some things for my friend Marlin. She is normally the cook at the Breakfast Program, but when she went to a Dr appt on Friday they hospitalized her. She is 30 weeks pregnant and she has lupus, so it is a high risk pregnancy. She used to have very swollen feet. Now her feet are no longer swollen, but she lost 10 pounds and is very anemic. She said she vomits every time she tries to eat.
Marlin is not staying at the same hospital where I served when I came to Honduras the first time with my church from the US. She is staying in a worse one. I brought her sheets, but never thought she would need a pillow to put inside the pillow case. We gave her a towel, shampoo, soap, deodorant, a comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, juice, milk boxes and some snacks in case she might eat any of them. We even had to bring water and toilet paper. The hospital does not provide either.
Marlin is frustrated because she is being seen by practitioners. She said she never sees a doctor. (I have nothing against practitioners, but I can understand her frustration in this situation.) She squirmed around a lot, clearly uncomfortable and in some pain. She said the pain was a lot worse yesterday. She has a horrible cough and some other sort of infection in her stomach which is the cause of the pain. She is getting intravenous antibiotics but is not on a full time IV, which surprised me since she said she has not eaten since Thursday. But I'm not a doctor.
To me she looked okay. She was lying down when we first got there, but in all of her squirming she ended up sitting. Marlin's bed was horribly lumpy. I think even if she hadn't been in pain it would have been uncomfortable. I brought bright orange sheets. I hope they serve to lift her spirits.
We talked for a while, assured her that her two kids are well cared for, prayed together and left. I don't know when I'll be able to go back to see her. It was the saddest thing - outside the gates were tons of people. For some reason they weren't allowed inside. Belinda said that the hospital gets too full of visitors, so they just stop letting people in. People were crying and fighting with the guards, but the guards stood firm. Belinda also said that the hospital has recently become affiliated with the university so there have been changes in regulations because of that affiliation. In any case a lot of people did not get to visit their loved ones.
Belinda and I had to be sneaky. She has a card that she got from a job in the past. I think she used to sell meds or something. Anyway, we went around to the employee entrance. Belinda gave me all of the bags we brought for Marlin and did some sweet talking. Then I was allowed in as her burro, carrying everything for her. We had to go to the 4th floor. At each level guards questioned us and seemed about ready to shoo us out. We told Marlin that Belinda got in with her card and I got in with my smile. :) But walking past all of those people at the gates who weren't allowed to come in hurt my heart.
The hospital is the same one where I visited Clara when I had a migraine and I threw up out the window and all over the hallway full of people. I got a headache again this time on the car ride to the hospital, but I stopped and got some coffee for the caffeine and took some ibuprofen. I was fine. The maternity part is less crowded and more calm. People were sleeping in the halls (maybe because if they left they couldn't get back in?).
Tomorrow Clara will be checked in too. I am not totally clear as to why but there are several things going on with her. She has placenta praevia and also she has to get another chemotherapy treatment. Clara and her husband both have to sign papers that say they understand that they are risking Clara's life and the life of the baby when she gets checked in tomorrow. That would be difficult.
I sat with Clara today at church. She looks really great - healthy and pretty. Her hair is growing back in thick, short curls. But these treatments can sometimes knock her for a loop. She told me she is nervous, but I also know she is trusting in God. Clara has been very strong through the whole fight with leukemia, and now with this pregnancy too. I have never seen her falter, although she says she does sometimes.
Last night after visiting Marlin we went to Belinda's house to paint. Belinda has moved everything into Lourdes and Jairo's house. The jovenes (teen) group painted but since they are not professional painters they went through the paint much more quickly than Belinda hoped/expected.
On the way home I stopped at the fruit stand up the street and bought every vegetable that looked good. I came home and made the yummiest stir fry ever. I was wishing I had someone to share it with because it turned out so delicious. But I also realized most people like a some meat in their stir fry, so maybe it was meant just for me. I was cooking up a storm. I made some re-fried beans in the crock pot and cooked them through the night so my house smelled yummy this morning. Then I let them cool during church and bagged them up to be frozen as soon as I got home. I eat a lot of beans.
Jairo's message today was about being "refreshed" in your relationship with God. He talked about being religious, going through rituals, vs. in relationship which is growing and being refreshed each day. At one point he called people who would like to come forward to take the risk and say "Here I am God. Use me." and refresh their relationship with God.
I had a real inner struggle going on. Now it seems laughable. I knew I was supposed to go forward, but three things were holding me back. One was that I didn't want to seem weak. I thought that if I went forward someone might think that I wasn't already offering myself to be used by God. Now, I know that is NOT a reason to stay in my seat if God was calling me to come forward so I prayed about it some more. Then I realized that I had on really high heels. What if I had trouble walking to the front? Would kneeling at the alter be harder in high heels? (Let me tell you, the enemy can find all sorts of ways into your mind!) My other thought which was not of God was that people in the congregation might think I was going to the front for show. I sat and prayed as Jairo spoke and called people to give themselves over and refresh their lives in God. I knew that I had just come from a time of beautiful encounters with God while I was in Costa Rica. I saw His hand in everything there. I also know that I didn't want that to fade away. I want to keep walking close by His side.
Finally I stood up before I realized what I was doing and walked to the front. I prayed that God will continue to show me His way and use me as He wishes. And I thanked him for all He has done for me and the people around me. My God is not only good. He is mighty and powerful. I am so grateful to have Him.
Marlin is not staying at the same hospital where I served when I came to Honduras the first time with my church from the US. She is staying in a worse one. I brought her sheets, but never thought she would need a pillow to put inside the pillow case. We gave her a towel, shampoo, soap, deodorant, a comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, juice, milk boxes and some snacks in case she might eat any of them. We even had to bring water and toilet paper. The hospital does not provide either.
Marlin is frustrated because she is being seen by practitioners. She said she never sees a doctor. (I have nothing against practitioners, but I can understand her frustration in this situation.) She squirmed around a lot, clearly uncomfortable and in some pain. She said the pain was a lot worse yesterday. She has a horrible cough and some other sort of infection in her stomach which is the cause of the pain. She is getting intravenous antibiotics but is not on a full time IV, which surprised me since she said she has not eaten since Thursday. But I'm not a doctor.
To me she looked okay. She was lying down when we first got there, but in all of her squirming she ended up sitting. Marlin's bed was horribly lumpy. I think even if she hadn't been in pain it would have been uncomfortable. I brought bright orange sheets. I hope they serve to lift her spirits.
We talked for a while, assured her that her two kids are well cared for, prayed together and left. I don't know when I'll be able to go back to see her. It was the saddest thing - outside the gates were tons of people. For some reason they weren't allowed inside. Belinda said that the hospital gets too full of visitors, so they just stop letting people in. People were crying and fighting with the guards, but the guards stood firm. Belinda also said that the hospital has recently become affiliated with the university so there have been changes in regulations because of that affiliation. In any case a lot of people did not get to visit their loved ones.
Belinda and I had to be sneaky. She has a card that she got from a job in the past. I think she used to sell meds or something. Anyway, we went around to the employee entrance. Belinda gave me all of the bags we brought for Marlin and did some sweet talking. Then I was allowed in as her burro, carrying everything for her. We had to go to the 4th floor. At each level guards questioned us and seemed about ready to shoo us out. We told Marlin that Belinda got in with her card and I got in with my smile. :) But walking past all of those people at the gates who weren't allowed to come in hurt my heart.
The hospital is the same one where I visited Clara when I had a migraine and I threw up out the window and all over the hallway full of people. I got a headache again this time on the car ride to the hospital, but I stopped and got some coffee for the caffeine and took some ibuprofen. I was fine. The maternity part is less crowded and more calm. People were sleeping in the halls (maybe because if they left they couldn't get back in?).
Tomorrow Clara will be checked in too. I am not totally clear as to why but there are several things going on with her. She has placenta praevia and also she has to get another chemotherapy treatment. Clara and her husband both have to sign papers that say they understand that they are risking Clara's life and the life of the baby when she gets checked in tomorrow. That would be difficult.
I sat with Clara today at church. She looks really great - healthy and pretty. Her hair is growing back in thick, short curls. But these treatments can sometimes knock her for a loop. She told me she is nervous, but I also know she is trusting in God. Clara has been very strong through the whole fight with leukemia, and now with this pregnancy too. I have never seen her falter, although she says she does sometimes.
Last night after visiting Marlin we went to Belinda's house to paint. Belinda has moved everything into Lourdes and Jairo's house. The jovenes (teen) group painted but since they are not professional painters they went through the paint much more quickly than Belinda hoped/expected.
On the way home I stopped at the fruit stand up the street and bought every vegetable that looked good. I came home and made the yummiest stir fry ever. I was wishing I had someone to share it with because it turned out so delicious. But I also realized most people like a some meat in their stir fry, so maybe it was meant just for me. I was cooking up a storm. I made some re-fried beans in the crock pot and cooked them through the night so my house smelled yummy this morning. Then I let them cool during church and bagged them up to be frozen as soon as I got home. I eat a lot of beans.
Jairo's message today was about being "refreshed" in your relationship with God. He talked about being religious, going through rituals, vs. in relationship which is growing and being refreshed each day. At one point he called people who would like to come forward to take the risk and say "Here I am God. Use me." and refresh their relationship with God.
I had a real inner struggle going on. Now it seems laughable. I knew I was supposed to go forward, but three things were holding me back. One was that I didn't want to seem weak. I thought that if I went forward someone might think that I wasn't already offering myself to be used by God. Now, I know that is NOT a reason to stay in my seat if God was calling me to come forward so I prayed about it some more. Then I realized that I had on really high heels. What if I had trouble walking to the front? Would kneeling at the alter be harder in high heels? (Let me tell you, the enemy can find all sorts of ways into your mind!) My other thought which was not of God was that people in the congregation might think I was going to the front for show. I sat and prayed as Jairo spoke and called people to give themselves over and refresh their lives in God. I knew that I had just come from a time of beautiful encounters with God while I was in Costa Rica. I saw His hand in everything there. I also know that I didn't want that to fade away. I want to keep walking close by His side.
Finally I stood up before I realized what I was doing and walked to the front. I prayed that God will continue to show me His way and use me as He wishes. And I thanked him for all He has done for me and the people around me. My God is not only good. He is mighty and powerful. I am so grateful to have Him.
Friday, August 16, 2013
I don't like milk in a box
I love milk. I like skim, 2% and whole milk. I am not a picky milk drinker. But in Honduras everyone I know buys their milk in a box. I like soy milk, almond milk, rice milk and coconut milk from a box. But it is time to admit that I can't stand cow milk from a box. To me it never tastes good. By the second day it's open it already tastes sour. I've tried every brand, but milk in a box is always bad. I need to stop trying to make it work. From now on I'll stick to plastic cartons.
Today I learned an interesting fact. Jetty has a new friend! There is a local girl who has a one year old baby. Her family is part of the church. I spoke with her mom and we ended up working out an arrangement that is helpful to both Cindy (the girl) and me. Cindy comes over and helps around the house to earn money. She brings her baby daughter, Michelle. Usually Michelle sleeps during their time here, but today she was not tired. She was sitting on the couch and Jetty walked over. Michelle reached over and started petting Jetty. Jetty enjoyed that for a few minutes, then jumped onto the floor at which point Michelle got a little fussy. Cindy put Michelle onto the floor and Michelle crawled right over to Jetty, reached out and started petting her again. Jetty rolled over onto her back and laid there with her belly sticking out, letting the baby pet her. Cindy said that Michelle has been playing with Jetty a lot lately. I like this for two reasons. Since Jetty is stuck in the house all of the time, it is nice for Jetty to have some extra stimulation. Also I know that most Honduran people do not think it is healthy or normal to keep a cat in your house. I was concerned that Cindy might be afraid of Jetty. But clearly, since she allows her baby to play with Jetty, Cindy is not afraid. It was really cute to watch. Michelle is only a little bit bigger than Jetty. They must like having a friend who is the same size!
Marlin had a Dr appt today. She was hospitalized and may have to stay there for the remainder of her pregnancy. She is not due until the middle of October. Tomorrow I am going to see her during visiting hours. I'll find out what is going on. I know she has been losing weight. When I got back from Costa Rica I was looking forward to seeing her, expecting that her belly would have grown over 2 weeks. However, she was thinner than before I left. Her cheeks and arms were thin. She lost 10 pounds. The Dr told her she is anemic. I could see dark circles under her eyes. Please pray for my friend Marlin. She is a very sweet woman, but this is a high risk pregnancy. Marlin has lupus. I am worried about her.
Today was pretty awesome. The kids know they have to wait until the car is turned off before they can approach it. I got one leg out when I was surrounded. I reached down and hugged them and kissed each one on the head. Then Samuel said, "She hugged me first! She hugged me first!" and they were all running around saying she hugged me AND kissed me! She kissed me too! It was awesome having kids so happy to receive my hugs and kisses.
Then we sat down and I showed them a new bible that my cousin's wife in Costa Rica gave me for the preschool class. They loved it! First they looked at all the pictures saying, "That is me! That one is me!" Violet had an advantage at that game because she was the only girl. The boys had to be fast to claim a boy character for themselves. Then I read Samuel a story about Samuel in the bible and José a story about Jose. Samuel decided it was his turn to read so he told us a story from the pictures in the book. It was so funny! It was about God creating the earth. He made up his own version. I got some cute photos, but I haven't been able to upload them from my phone yet.
I've needed a hair cut for a while, but have been putting it off out of habit. In the US haircuts can be so expensive! I finally broke down today and stopped to make an appointment for a haircut. She said come right in, I can do it now. When I got home I realized I paid $3.50 for the haircut, plus $2.50 for a tip. From now on I need to remember not to wait so long when I need a haircut. For $3.50 I can afford a haircut when I need one.
The pastor from my church in the US sent a letter to the head of the elders of Iglesia en Transformación yesterday. He said he would like to know how K2 (my US church) could best support Iglesia en Transformación. By this morning the head of the elders had already emailed a response to the office for translation! Things here rarely move that quickly, but she really liked the letter and is excited to move forward, working together more closely with K2. I am excited too. I love the idea of my two church families being closer. I can see how it would benefit both churches. Maybe soon I will be helping to host some members of my own (US) church! The day I meet them at the airport and work side by side with them here in Honduras will be amazing beyond words.
Today I learned an interesting fact. Jetty has a new friend! There is a local girl who has a one year old baby. Her family is part of the church. I spoke with her mom and we ended up working out an arrangement that is helpful to both Cindy (the girl) and me. Cindy comes over and helps around the house to earn money. She brings her baby daughter, Michelle. Usually Michelle sleeps during their time here, but today she was not tired. She was sitting on the couch and Jetty walked over. Michelle reached over and started petting Jetty. Jetty enjoyed that for a few minutes, then jumped onto the floor at which point Michelle got a little fussy. Cindy put Michelle onto the floor and Michelle crawled right over to Jetty, reached out and started petting her again. Jetty rolled over onto her back and laid there with her belly sticking out, letting the baby pet her. Cindy said that Michelle has been playing with Jetty a lot lately. I like this for two reasons. Since Jetty is stuck in the house all of the time, it is nice for Jetty to have some extra stimulation. Also I know that most Honduran people do not think it is healthy or normal to keep a cat in your house. I was concerned that Cindy might be afraid of Jetty. But clearly, since she allows her baby to play with Jetty, Cindy is not afraid. It was really cute to watch. Michelle is only a little bit bigger than Jetty. They must like having a friend who is the same size!
Marlin had a Dr appt today. She was hospitalized and may have to stay there for the remainder of her pregnancy. She is not due until the middle of October. Tomorrow I am going to see her during visiting hours. I'll find out what is going on. I know she has been losing weight. When I got back from Costa Rica I was looking forward to seeing her, expecting that her belly would have grown over 2 weeks. However, she was thinner than before I left. Her cheeks and arms were thin. She lost 10 pounds. The Dr told her she is anemic. I could see dark circles under her eyes. Please pray for my friend Marlin. She is a very sweet woman, but this is a high risk pregnancy. Marlin has lupus. I am worried about her.
Today was pretty awesome. The kids know they have to wait until the car is turned off before they can approach it. I got one leg out when I was surrounded. I reached down and hugged them and kissed each one on the head. Then Samuel said, "She hugged me first! She hugged me first!" and they were all running around saying she hugged me AND kissed me! She kissed me too! It was awesome having kids so happy to receive my hugs and kisses.
Then we sat down and I showed them a new bible that my cousin's wife in Costa Rica gave me for the preschool class. They loved it! First they looked at all the pictures saying, "That is me! That one is me!" Violet had an advantage at that game because she was the only girl. The boys had to be fast to claim a boy character for themselves. Then I read Samuel a story about Samuel in the bible and José a story about Jose. Samuel decided it was his turn to read so he told us a story from the pictures in the book. It was so funny! It was about God creating the earth. He made up his own version. I got some cute photos, but I haven't been able to upload them from my phone yet.
I've needed a hair cut for a while, but have been putting it off out of habit. In the US haircuts can be so expensive! I finally broke down today and stopped to make an appointment for a haircut. She said come right in, I can do it now. When I got home I realized I paid $3.50 for the haircut, plus $2.50 for a tip. From now on I need to remember not to wait so long when I need a haircut. For $3.50 I can afford a haircut when I need one.
The pastor from my church in the US sent a letter to the head of the elders of Iglesia en Transformación yesterday. He said he would like to know how K2 (my US church) could best support Iglesia en Transformación. By this morning the head of the elders had already emailed a response to the office for translation! Things here rarely move that quickly, but she really liked the letter and is excited to move forward, working together more closely with K2. I am excited too. I love the idea of my two church families being closer. I can see how it would benefit both churches. Maybe soon I will be helping to host some members of my own (US) church! The day I meet them at the airport and work side by side with them here in Honduras will be amazing beyond words.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Reasons to be grateful and praise God:
In the past 24 hours I safely traveled from Costa Rica to Honduras.
My landlords drove through an extremely foggy night at 9:30 p.m. to pick me up at the bus stop, getting home at 10:30 p.m. when they had to work early this morning.
Lourdes and Jairo were cleared to leave Honduras and move to the US. We have been praying for this for months!
I entered my house to find that my landlords left bags of groceries on the table and inside of the refrigerator.
This morning I received an email from my cousin's wife which said that her friend who has 11 tumors and appears to be dying of cancer has accepted Christ! We have been praying for this.
My friend Arlene told me she found the perfect person to hire as a teacher in her school. Another thing to check off my prayer list.
My church in the US sent a letter saying that they are eager to know how they can work side by side with my church in Honduras. They asked me to be a liaison. They had a meeting at 4 p.m. today and later sent a really powerful letter for me to translate and forward to the elders of my Honduran church asking how they can best support us.
My friend Kerri and her husband have both been out of work for a few months. However, today Kerri learned she was hired for the job of her dreams!
What an amazing 24 hours!! (Worthy of 2 posts)
My landlords drove through an extremely foggy night at 9:30 p.m. to pick me up at the bus stop, getting home at 10:30 p.m. when they had to work early this morning.
Lourdes and Jairo were cleared to leave Honduras and move to the US. We have been praying for this for months!
I entered my house to find that my landlords left bags of groceries on the table and inside of the refrigerator.
This morning I received an email from my cousin's wife which said that her friend who has 11 tumors and appears to be dying of cancer has accepted Christ! We have been praying for this.
My friend Arlene told me she found the perfect person to hire as a teacher in her school. Another thing to check off my prayer list.
My church in the US sent a letter saying that they are eager to know how they can work side by side with my church in Honduras. They asked me to be a liaison. They had a meeting at 4 p.m. today and later sent a really powerful letter for me to translate and forward to the elders of my Honduran church asking how they can best support us.
My friend Kerri and her husband have both been out of work for a few months. However, today Kerri learned she was hired for the job of her dreams!
What an amazing 24 hours!! (Worthy of 2 posts)
The most exciting news ever!
I am so excited to share the most exciting news ever! I was not able to blog as I like to while I was in Costa Rica serving with the team. At first we didn't have internet. Then I was simply too tired. We would come home and I'd go straight to bed, then wake up and head out again. The team did so many awesome things that I couldn't share with you.
One of the things I wish I had written in the moment was when my cousin, Doug, and his wife, Debbie, shared that they have a friend who is dying from cancer. He is their neighbor in Costa Rica. He was in Panama receiving treatment, so the male side of the team all lived in his house during their mission. We prayed for Marc for several days. Finally on the last night we broke into groups and prayed all through Marc's house. We prayed outside, in every room, and all gathered on the roof at the end where we sang songs of praise and worship. We joined hands and declared God's presence there.
Debbie had been planting seeds for a long time. Marc had gotten down to 100 pounds and was clearly dying. She and Doug were really anxious for Marc to be saved before he passed. Debbie has given Marc a bible and talked to Marc about God, but he always made it clear he was not interested.
After the prayer in Marc's house the cleaning ladies said they felt a difference there. I know that as we finished our time of prayer in the house I was speaking to one of the girls on the team and both of us felt very positive about how God would work there.
Last night Doug and Debbie saw Marc. He told them he accepted Christ as his savior! He said that he couldn't wait to tell people. The man who was treating Marc in Panama told Marc the only chance he had to heal was through God. Marc told Doug and Debbie that he believes in the trinity, just like they do. He got up and danced to show them how much better he is feeling.
I am amazed at all of the good news I am hearing today. God never fails to amaze! Today I also received an email from Lad, the Assistant Pastor of my church in the US. He said that K2 is starting a new team to work together with my church in Honduras. He said I will be to contact person here in Honduras. He asked what we need, what our goals are, and how K2 can help us achieve the goals. Sounds great!
Also, Lourdes and Jairo had a successful meeting on Tuesday and plan to leave for San Jose, California, in about 2 weeks. That is really good news for them, although I will miss the Sarmientos very much.
My bus ride yesterday was relatively uneventful. All in all I was traveling for 21 hours. It was a super long day. But I'd do it again. Costa Rica was great, serving with the team from Virginia was a very special experience.
PS: I came home to a table and fridge full of food. My landlords rock!
One of the things I wish I had written in the moment was when my cousin, Doug, and his wife, Debbie, shared that they have a friend who is dying from cancer. He is their neighbor in Costa Rica. He was in Panama receiving treatment, so the male side of the team all lived in his house during their mission. We prayed for Marc for several days. Finally on the last night we broke into groups and prayed all through Marc's house. We prayed outside, in every room, and all gathered on the roof at the end where we sang songs of praise and worship. We joined hands and declared God's presence there.
Debbie had been planting seeds for a long time. Marc had gotten down to 100 pounds and was clearly dying. She and Doug were really anxious for Marc to be saved before he passed. Debbie has given Marc a bible and talked to Marc about God, but he always made it clear he was not interested.
After the prayer in Marc's house the cleaning ladies said they felt a difference there. I know that as we finished our time of prayer in the house I was speaking to one of the girls on the team and both of us felt very positive about how God would work there.
Last night Doug and Debbie saw Marc. He told them he accepted Christ as his savior! He said that he couldn't wait to tell people. The man who was treating Marc in Panama told Marc the only chance he had to heal was through God. Marc told Doug and Debbie that he believes in the trinity, just like they do. He got up and danced to show them how much better he is feeling.
I am amazed at all of the good news I am hearing today. God never fails to amaze! Today I also received an email from Lad, the Assistant Pastor of my church in the US. He said that K2 is starting a new team to work together with my church in Honduras. He said I will be to contact person here in Honduras. He asked what we need, what our goals are, and how K2 can help us achieve the goals. Sounds great!
Also, Lourdes and Jairo had a successful meeting on Tuesday and plan to leave for San Jose, California, in about 2 weeks. That is really good news for them, although I will miss the Sarmientos very much.
My bus ride yesterday was relatively uneventful. All in all I was traveling for 21 hours. It was a super long day. But I'd do it again. Costa Rica was great, serving with the team from Virginia was a very special experience.
PS: I came home to a table and fridge full of food. My landlords rock!
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