My boss was really excited to hear that we have 73 books to start a library in Nueva Suyapa. I think she was actually shocked. She left to go on vacation and I was talking about the idea of starting a library. She came back and we have 73 books in Spanish! (Everyone is always careful to clarify that the books are in Spanish. I think a lot of books have been donated in English which have gone unused.) I guess 73 books is quite an accomplishment. I don't mean to sound greedy and I am sooooo appreciative of what we already have, but I am dreaming bigger now. We'll see how these books are received, but I am hoping for hundreds of books!
I have officially conquered the first half of my first violin lesson. Good thing I bought the first three lessons! I can't believe how disciplined I am about practicing. I haven't missed a day yet and it feels great! Jetty, however, does not enjoy my playing as much. I've started practicing standing up as much as possible because I read that posture can make a big difference in playing the violin. The Chikungunya limits the length of time I can stand, but I'm doing what I can. Today when I started playing a high D, Jetty tried to climb up my body from behind. She then got her nails clipped, which limited her climbing for the rest of my practice session.
It's been raining almost every day at 4:30 p.m. I absolutely love this weather. Hot during the day, and then it cools off and rains all night. It's perfect.
In Honduras there are several rainy seasons. The main one you'll hear about is supposed to come in May. But since I've lived here it comes late or not at all. Then there are a few weeks of rain in September and a few weeks of rain in January. In January it can also be dark and really cold. I don't like that one so much. This season in September, when it rains each evening just as you're arriving home and thunders as you are falling asleep, is my kind of rain. Perfect for violin playing.
Tomorrow I am picking up Ana and her family after the kids get home from school. We are going to see the movie "The BFG" and eat hot dogs and popcorn. Ana told me yesterday that she does not want me to walk on the streets of Los Pinos anymore. She said it's not like before. It's no longer safe.
She is doing better in her house. They arrested the main perpetrator who was shooting all of the time near her house. But gangs have taken over the house of the man who is in jail and it is still not safe.
It is hard for my coworkers to serve in Los Pinos. They have not been able to do home visits to some of the families they serve because of safety issues. Today I suggested that they ask the families to meet them out on the main street. At least that way they could meet the kids' parents. Things are also difficult for my coworkers at their home base in Los Pinos. They may be changing locations soon. We will still serve within Los Pinos, but from a different home base.
