We were evaluated on Body Position, Dress, General Presentation, Quality of Message, Attitude Toward the Audience, Facial Expressions, Visual Contact, and Voice. I think it's cool that the evaluation is so detailed.
My constructive feedback was to elaborate more. I streamlined too much. Also, I was told not to wait so long for people to find their bible verses, and to look up while reading the bible. Not bad! I feel proud.
After church I went home with my friend Oneida. She is a seamstress and I needed some pants hemmed and taken in.
Oneida lives outside of the city, about half an hour from the church. She asked if her sister could ride with us. I said sure, not knowing that her sister is babysitting two additional kids. That meant we were three adults and five kids.
When I realized we were eight people, I asked Oneida to have some of the five kids to ride on the church bus, which is free and usually takes them all home. Oneida thought it was because of the weight of people in the car. I said no, my car only seats a total of five. Everyone needs a seat belt. Oneida and her sister thought I was crazy. In their mind, a car is for as many people as can physically squeeze into a car. It is common to pack 10-12 people into a five person vehicle.
The kids purposely missed the bus, so we all ended up in my car. I did insist that they all remain seated. I am so strict.
Oneida and I gabbed while she made lunch for her kids. The kids each got a tiny portion of beans, two tortillas and a tomato with salt. It was all the food they had. I am realizing now that Oneida didn't eat.
Last week Oneida found a tiny kitten. It was discarded inside a box on the side of the road. She decided to rescue the cat, but since there is not enough food for the people of the house, the cat is starving. Its fur is falling out in big patches. It cries constantly. They told me love is enough. Most Honduran people wouldn't be so kind to a cat.
I kept wondering if the kitten was better off inside a house with love and attention, but so little food. On the streets it would have to fend for itself. It was tough to see (and hear) that hungry kitten.
Oneida measured me and hemmed my new (used) pants. They had huge bell bottoms which she took in on the sides. The pants cost $3 and I paid her $2 to hem them. Good deal! And she has a little money in her pocket. I would like to stop by Oneida's house this week with a chicken.
Oneida's family has Chikungunya. Her sister and her parents have had it for over 3 weeks. They can all barely walk. It's hard to see them suffer from so much pain.
While I was visiting Oneida, Erika called. Marjory is sick. She hasn't eaten in two days and has had diarrhea for three days. (Afterward I figured out the diarrhea actually started four days ago.) Erika said she would like to take the baby to a doctor. Neither she, nor I, know how to get to the clinic that's open on Sundays. Erika's Mom said she couldn't go, but her Father offered to accompany us.
As I was on my way to Erika's, her father called me. He said there was no need to go to the doctor today. I told him I was concerned because young children can die from diarrhea. He said the baby will be fine until tomorrow.
I asked Erika how she felt about the idea of waiting until tomorrow to go to the doctor. Erika said her parents want her to wait. I got the feeling she would like to go today. She said the baby is drinking a lot of water. I told her to encourage Marjory to drink as much as possible. She said she will get the baby Gatorade and Pediasure.
Marjory doesn't have a fever. I am thinking she probably has a parasite. Erika said she has bus fare to go to the clinic near her house first thing in the morning.
Part of me wanted to buy Gatorade and Pediasure and drop it off, but I didn't. Instead I headed home and asked advice from Fany and Santos. What if something happened overnight? Fany and Santos assured me I had done everything I could.
Santos' baby brother died because of dehydration from diarrhea so they realize how serious diarrhea can be. Santos and Fany said I did everything I can do. I need to let the family take care of their own responsibilities. I can't go and take the baby from the house. It would dis-empower the family
We talked about the thin line of helping and dis-empowering. I was available to take the baby to the doctors. I gave them all of the advice I know about treating diarrhea. They can choose to take my help or not. But I shouldn't force it on them.
Now we are praying for Marjory. I think she will be fine. Erika said Marjory is still walking around. I told Erika I will be available if she needs anything. She said that she will keep a close eye on Marjory, give her lots of liquids, and take her to the clinic early tomorrow.
