It's been a productive few days.
Wednesday my friend Carol and I met for coffee (although neither of us really drinks coffee) and our bi-weekly accountability check in. I felt like I haven't accomplished much since I got back from the US, but as I recounted the past two weeks she told me that she is really proud of me. It hasn't been much of the fun stuff that I like to do, but I have gotten a whole lot done.
Afterward we went to her doctor's office for the meeting that she was asked to attend about "40 women" and "help". She knew nothing more because she is still working on her Spanish skills. It turned out that the doctor had arranged a meeting with a man who wants to hire 40-100 single mothers. He was hoping that we might know a bunch of women who need jobs.
What he wants them to do is kind of like selling Avon, only the product is inexpensive treats for kids. The single mothers could stand outside of school when they go to pick up there kids, or go to a park or a grocery store, or just walk down the street. The stuff should be easy to sell. We told him we would think about it, pray about it and get back to him.
I was translating everything for Carol. She used to be a business lady when she lived in the US, so she had a lot of good questions to ask. After the meeting was over we ended up sitting around for another hour just talking about God and the definition of a miracle. Carol's doctor said she believes the fact that we were all sitting there healthy and well is a miracle. Her friend said yes, in a place where "12 out of every 10 people" have Chikungunya or dengue, the fact that we are all healthy is a miracle.
While I was at the meeting I received a phone call from a women who works with an NGO that I am interested in learning more about. I think I would like to serve with. There is a big long story behind it, but I won't go into that until it's official. God did some cool things to give me this connection.
She explained what more about what they do and some of the ways I could help. She asked if I could come to a training the very next day, even if it was for an hour or two. I told her I could be there the whole day if she'd like. The training was presented by a women from Argentina and entitled, "Basic Concepts for Working in Violence". I was so excited I could hardly contain myself when I got off the phone.
I still have to fill out the paperwork and have an interview with security, but it sounds like an incredible opportunity to serve in some amazing ways. I'll be doing social work again. I am excited about it and the woman in charge is really excited too. When I walked into the training she ran over and gave me a big, long hug, although we never met before.
She introduced me to some of the ladies I would work with if I chose to work with teens. She called them her "warriors". They were super nice and even gave me their phone numbers in case I might have a question. I would like to be a warrior for teens. Everyone there was friendly and kind. It seemed like a good environment to serve in.
I am eager to see where God leads with this opportunity, but I have to be patient for another week because the lady in charge will be away until next Friday.
My car was in the shop for regular maintenance all day yesterday and today. It cost more than I expected, but a few extra things needed to be done so there's not much I can do about that. Having a reliable car is paramount for my personal safety.
Erika came over this afternoon. I had asked if she would mind giving me a hand around the house. I was supposed to sit still and let her work. In fact I put off writing this so that I would have something specific to do while she was here. But I am not good at sitting still and letting her work. Maybe next time I should just leave the house.
I hung laundry before she came this morning and that messed my wrist up for the whole day - just putting clothes on the line.
I picked out some clothes I don't wear and things that are too small for me. as well as some pots and pans I don't use anymore. Erika when home with a heavy, heavy bag of stuff for herself plus a bunch of tomatoes from Fany.
She agreed to come back and clean again next week. She even scolded me for how dusty the stuff in my night stand was. I love that Erika always respectful, but at the same time she is comfortable enough to scold me when I don't keep my house like I should.
As I went to drop her off I there were a bunch of little boys playing where I usually turn around. They all said, "It's Mary Lynn!" I only know a few of them, but they know me and my car is familiar there.
At first I thought, "Uh Oh, Now I can't turn around here." They were gathered in a big group right where I do a 3 point turn to get out. Then I remembered the favorite occupation of Honduran little boys. They LOVE to direct cars. So I asked if they would help me. Before I could even start moving they started yelling "Dale! Dale! Dale" (That means Go!, but in a manly way. Literally it means "give it" - like give it gas.) It's a very grown up thing to say.
So, with the help of about 10 little boys between 2 and 10, I got turned around and headed back down the mountain. A group of older men sat on the new stairs the government just built that lead to Erika's house and watched with big smiles. They found it as entertaining as I did.
Erika is excited to have steps instead of a goat path. She said it is much less dangerous. They are even going to put in a handrail she said. Sometimes it's the little things.
