Denver Team at the Breakfast Program/Set aside for a mission

First we had some free time for everyone to get to know each other informally.  Soccer, volleyball, jump rope and bikes.

Then the little kids were bathed, lotioned and dressed in new clothes!  The loved it!

Memo LOVED getting lotion on his belly!

Memo must have said something funny, as usual

Stopping to look at photos

Even the baths were fun!

Memo feeling great - clean, with ALL new clothes, inside and out!

The girls got their hair braided after they bathed

Then we gathered and the team introduced themselves

We sang

Then the team served the kids, and even washed the dishes afterward.

The kids felt every special

Can't forget to brush our teeth and take our vitamins!

Isabelle was thrilled to be reunited with Ever.
She didn't even recognize him in his special new glasses.

We closed the day with special time with Jairo
The theme was "Here Am I, Send Me"

Today was a really fun day.  It was HOT.  Like REALLY hot.  It's been close to, or over 100 degrees in the city for almost a week.  A few of the team members are sick, but they all showed up with smiles and a lot of positive energy.

We started with a time of prayer with just the team.  They are a group of high schoolers from a Christian school in Littleton, CO.  I felt embarrassed because I cried when it was my turn to pray for the team.  I asked God to keep their hearts open to all that the Holy Spirit might offer them. They are staying in the same place I stayed five years ago.  I keep thinking about how it felt to be in their shoes.  I never imagined that I  would be called here to serve.  I think about how that trip five years ago changed so many other women on my team.  Some of them are now my closest friends.  This is an important experience for the team.  I want them to get everything they can from every second that they are here.

Next we had some free time to play.  I spent most of that time running around helping out where I saw a need.  I stayed busy the whole time, but Lourdes is supposed to be teaching me how to lead the team.  I think maybe it is hard for her to let go.  I searched for everything I could see that needed to be done, but Lourdes still led.  At the end of the day she was exhausted and her back was hurting.  I asked her please to let me do more tomorrow so that she can rest.

The team bathed the younger kids.  I wasn't sure about that idea at first, but they LOVED it!  Each of them got a whole new set of clothes - even socks and underwear.  Then the girls got fancy braids in their hair.  I know they felt very special.

The kids all sat at tables covered in table clothes and were served pupusas by the team.  I heard a lot of kids say "thank you", which made me proud.  They are learning!  As they finished, the team cleared the dishes and washed them.  I am sure the children of the Breakfast Program are not accustomed to being treated as though they are at a full service restaurant.  They are usually so good about washing their dishes, it was nice to see them being treated to a special day.

After all of the kids left I got to sit and eat with the team.  Most enjoyed the pupusas, but a couple stuck to PBJs.

We ended the day with a presentation from Jairo.  He talked about the fact that each of the team members were called here for a purpose.  None are here by accident.  He talked about the community we serve and showed a video about "Here I am, Send Me".  He kept it short because it was very hot and some of the team were tired.  A bus came to the church and picked them up.  They were talking about going back to play basketball.  I think they are more likely to be taking naps :)

On the way home Jairo stopped at a shop to buy bread.  The shop also sells gelato, so I treated Lourdes, Joss and the translators to an ice cream.  It was delicious.  One of the translators said he had a headache from the heat, but the ice cream took his headache away.  (Jairo skipped the gelato because of his diabetes.)  We got home as clouds rolled in.  Then the thunder started.  I was hoping to relax and watch a few sitcoms, but the power went off right away and hasn't come back on yet.  I have learned to keep my phone and my Kindle charged for such times.  At least I can read for a while.

Yesterday at church Jairo's message was entitled, "Set Aside for a Mission".  First he talked directly to the team about them being in Honduras for a purpose.  He also talked to the whole church about how I was called here.  He told the church how I prayed for three years before I came in God's time.  He shared with them that yes, I coddle Carlos and I care for Lorenzo, but I am here for my own spiritual growth as well.  He told them about the life I left behind to come here - that I had a good job (my Mother might dispute that), a nice car, a great house.  He explained that I am not here just to pass through in my travels.  Jairo told the whole church that I was called by God to come to Honduras.  I felt really special.

I am starting to appreciate things more, like I used to when I first got here.  I think that I went through a few months that were difficult, trying to figure out where I fit in, who to trust, how things work in this strange place.  Now I feel like it is time for me to sit back and enjoy the ride.  I am sure I will face some more struggles, but I have a good support system.  I have learned it is important to address things more quickly and not let them simmer.

On Thursday, I will have been in Honduras for one year.  I look forward to the future with a renewed sense of energy, enthusiasm, and joy in my heart.  My faith in God has increased and I know He will provide exactly the experience that I am supposed to have in the days, months and years to come.  All I have to do is say, "Here I am."

Stuff

It was 102 degrees today at 2 pm in the city.  It was so hot, Lourdes told the kids to go home early and get out of the sun.  All of my friends in Northern NY got a ton of snow today!

Tomorrow Lourdes and Jairo will go pick up the kids at El Sembrador and bring them home for Easter Break.

Got some new medicine for my stomach that seems to be working well.

I'm working on this one.

Found my calling

Wore a pony tail today for the first time in 9 months.  Now that my hair is not falling out I can wear a ponytail again.

Spent most of the day writing emails for Lourdes.  I believe that being Lourdes and Jairo's voice in English may be a big part of the reason I was called to come here.  Although they speak excellent English, Lourdes prefers that I do her writing.  Actually we write together.  We make a great writing team, if I do say so myself.  We raise money for the boys to go to private school, we arranged their trip to the states last summer, and now we are asking for prayer as it seems they may move to the states soon.

I am a little nervous about the Sarmientos leaving.  I have been praying about whether or not I should be here without Lourdes and Jairo.  I have also talked with Jairo about my safety if he is not here.  Jairo said that as long as I keep the same schedule we have now and don't go downtown alone I will be fine.  In fact he said that with he and Lourdes gone, my presence here will be even more important.  They will need an English speaking person to lead any groups who visit and to maintain contact with the English speaking churches in the states.

Jairo says that tomorrow I will finally have my first opportunity to buy a car.  He says it's a good one!  Part of me is really excited to have some independence.  Part of me is worried about the additional costs of owning a car.  I am also nervous about driving in Honduras.  NYC, downtown Chicago and LA are a piece of cake compared to driving here.  It is completely lawless, and on top of that motorcycles wind their ways between the lanes and come out of nowhere.  I will need eyes in the back of my head and God by my side.  They did put in stop lights recently, but people are still learning to use them.  Honduras is a crazy place.

I spent most of the evening at Lourdes and Jairo's house.  We did more writing - this time for Jairo, ate dinner, and Skyped with friends from Salt Lake.  I was eager to get home because I wanted to make a special treat for Jairo as tomorrow is el dia del padre - Father's Day.  We didn't get home until after 9, but I did get the Key Lime Bars made before I crashed.

Stomach is feeling better.  It hurt a few times today, but is much better overall.  Good night!  Tomorrow I may be the proud owner of a new (used) car!

Happy Fathers/St, Patrick's Day

Today was a gorgeous day.  Nice and warm, even up in the mountains.  My stomach started out a little sore, but felt better after we went to the pharmacy and got some meds.

Tuesday is Father's Day in Honduras, so we celebrated Father's Day today at church.  Two teens got up and spoke about their love and appreciation for their fathers.  One was Aaron.  He was funny, but also very loving.  Carlos, my landlord, gave the message today.  He spoke about how to be a good father.  The fathers were asked to go to the front.  The church prayed for the fathers and the teens presented them with a small gift.  It was nice.

After church I was invited to go with my landlords' family to celebrate Hermida's father's 82nd birthday.  In the end we decided it would be best if I didn't go because they were serving bean soup with lots of meat, which would not be good for my tender tummy.  In Honduras it can be seen as disrespectful if you don't eat a healthy portion of food.  I didn't want to be disrespectful to anyone.  I think I could have gone and just explained, but...

After spending the afternoon home alone I realize I should have found something to do.  I got a little homesick.  Couldn't find any corned beef at the store, so I wasn't able to cook corned beef and cabbage for St Patrick's Day.  Usually I like to spend a lot of time alone, but today it got to be a little bit too much.

Then I got a visit from Mincho (nickname for Benjamin), my landlord's cat, as I was sitting on my balcony watching all of the tourists drive home from La Tigra.  Mincho has figured out how to jump onto the roof and climb onto the balcony where he sits and yowls.  Apparently Jetty is Mincho's new love interest, although I'm not sure why because Jetty is fixed.  After I got done soaking up the sun on the balcony, I went inside.  Mincho moved to the windowsill and peered inside to keep tabs on Jetty and me.  Mincho and Jetty often sit on opposite sides of the window screen and sniff at each other.  It is a peaceful exchange, so I have never deterred it.  But from now on I will.  After a few sniffs today Mincho turned around and sprayed into the window!  I grabbed some vinegar and a spray bottle and chased Mincho away.  Now I know why it smells bad near the windows downstairs.  I'll clean them up tomorrow.

I can't go out there tonight because of the fleas and ticks.  I showed Marcela some crazy bug bites I've been finding since Thursday.  She asked if I've been walking outside.  I said yes, to take out the garbage.  She told me that I am being attacked by ticks or fleas when I take the garbage to the place where it is burned.  She said she has the same problem but nobody else in her family is sensitive to it.  She told her father and he said they will fumigate the outdoors this week.

Today I took out the garbage after church.  I dressed in socks, tucked my pants into boots, then as soon as I got back into the house I stripped out of my clothes and showered.  I don't know how else to keep from being eaten by the bugs.  Of course an hour later I discovered that I had forgotten to empty one garbage can.  I'll take that one out tomorrow when I scrub around the windows.  Then I will shower and check myself for ticks again.

Party like it's 2013

Yesterday the second grade class from Pinares, one of the best schools in Honduras, came to the church to visit the Breakfast Program and meet the kids from Los Pinos.  This is an annual event that is fun for both groups.  Many of the parents from Pinares came to visit as well.  They did activities with the kids, sang songs and served hot dogs.  It was cool seeing the kids from Pinares bring each of the kids from the Breakfast Program their plate of food.  Then they sat next together and ate.  I was proud of the kids from the Breakfast Program.  They remembered to say thank you and did really well hosting their new friends.

Kenia, Cessia, Vanessa wait for their Pinares partners before they begin to eat.
Misael can't quite wait.

Misael working on his art project

Christian and Mainor

Pinares Kids working with Mainor and Luis

Many of you have been praying about Bismar's eye.  He got out of bed and came to church for Youth Group on Saturday.  He was given a stern talking to and sent home.  Jairo explained to Bismar that ulimately it is Bismar's eye, but that this is very serious and if Bismar wants have any chance of regaining sight in his eye he must be in bed for a full two weeks.

Monday night Jairo made enormous cheeseburgers and we had a big feast at the Sarmiento home.  A friend from K2 called the Sarmientos that night.  It was nice to talk to him and hear a real voice say that our friends in Salt Lake are praying for us.  Wednesday night Joss, Marcela and I made cookies at my house.  It was fun hosting guests.  We listened to music, sang and ate almost as many cookies as we baked.

Actually I only ate 2 cookies, which was why I was surprised my stomach hurt all night and the following day.  I am not sure what is up, but I stayed home from the Breakfast Program today.  I feel better, but still not right.

Yesterday Lourdes found these glasses. She made sure nobody escaped without a photo :)

Me, Lourdes, Don Juan

Euncie and Walter Z.

Jairo, Luis and Don Juan

More Fires on the Mountain

Yesterday was the first time I thought to myself, "Maybe I am not cut out for this."  Are we supposed to have favorite kids?  I don't know.  I care about them all, but I do have some kids that I connect with best.  Those are my favorites.

Bismar has been special to me since I visited for three months in 2009.  He turned 13 that summer.  I got to celebrate his birthday with him.  We also went to a concert with a group from the church.  Everyone else sat at the back, but Bismar and Mainor were so small that they could not see, so I told them to follow me and we made it all of the way up to the front, up against the stage.  It was a Christian band and there was a time of prayer.  I wrote about it in this same blog that day.  A girl who was standing next to Bismar turned to him and told him that he is important and loved by God.  She prayed over him for about five minutes and the things she said brought him to tears.  It was a very special moment which I felt honored to share.  It was so cool to see an older girl tell a little boy from Los Pinos about God's love for him and that he is special.

Since I knew Bismar, I already knew that he was special.  There is something undeniably special about Bismar.  I know God has big plans for him.  Bismar has been at the private school, El Sembrador, longer than any other student from our church.  He gets straight A's and the highest grades in the school.  He works hard at everything he does.  He wakes at 5 a.m., goes outdoors (so as not to disturb his roommates) and reads his bible until breakfast.

Bismar is now 16.  He came home from school on Wednesday.  The school sent him home because there was something wrong with his eye.  Bismar said that the week before on Wednesday he lost sight in his right eye.  He saw flashing lights, had headaches and was dizzy.  The school nurse put drops in his eye and told him to rest.  Bismar didn't understand what was happening and was scared.  We tried to get him seen by an eye doctor here, but she never came into the office Wednesday so they returned on Thursday where they waited for hours to be told by the opthomologist that nothing was wrong with his eye.

He was even more scared when the eye dr couldn't tell him what was wrong.  So was I.  I thought of an 18 year old boy I worked with in Chicago who had the same symptoms.  He had a brain tumor.  When they told me that nothing was wrong with Bismar's eye, but that he needed to see a neurologist I went into one of the classrooms at the church, locked the door, and cried.  As I cried I sent out a letter asking for prayer from my prayer team.  I talked to Lourdes and Jairo.  They both thought the same as I did.  We believed something was growing in Bismar's brain and pinching an optic nerve.  I was so scared.  The symptoms were the same as the boy from Chicago.  I didn't know how I could face that again.  Yet I knew that God has big plans for Bismar.  I knew that Bismar could not end up blind, unable to use the left side of his body, with aphasia that stole his words and memory.  That would not be the future for Bismar.

Wednesday night and Thursday Jairo and Eunice called every contact they have, trying to get a brain scan for Bismar.  They wanted the scan so they could show it to the neurologist at a 4:30 appointment on Thursday.  But they were not able to arrange for a scan until Saturday morning.  I thought the neurologist would charge us for his time and tell us to come back with the results from the scan, but I kept praying.  So did many, many people.

I was still upset and wondering if maybe I am not cut out to be a missionary in Honduras as we drove home on Wednesday. I was trying to be positive, but it was hard.  However, once I got home I had the strangest sense of complete peace.  I stayed up until 1 a.m. praying, but it was not because I couldn't sleep.  It was because I felt God asking me to talk to Him, to tell Him what I wanted from this situation, to confide in Him.  I woke up at 6 a.m. and prayed more.  Once again, it was not a prayer of desperation.  It was more of a conversation.  I was talking to God with a deep inner peace about the outcome of the day ahead.

We got to the appointment at 4:00, hoping to be first to see the doctor.  I didn't know the doctor came to his office yesterday for the sole purpose of seeing Bismar.  We waited until 6 for the Dr to arrive.  He asked a lot of questions, but the final diagnosis was one I never have heard of before.  Bismar got some sort of infection.  Possibly allergies or a virus.  We may never know.  The antibodies which are fighting the infection are attacking the optic nerves and damaging the nerves, causing all of those symptoms.  The doctor prescribed medication and bed rest.  Now we just have to pray that Bismar will regain full vision in his right eye.  PRAISE GOD!

This morning I got to the church and immediately got to work writing emails to my prayer team.  (The internet at my house hasn't been working lately.)  As I wrote I heard a sound that was like crackling tin foil.  Don Juan came into the office and said, "It is very close."  I didn't know what he was talking about and was focused on sharing the good news with everyone praying for Bismar.  After I signed the letter I decided to add a P.S.  I asked my prayer team to pray for the fires in Honduras.  Then I closed my laptop and went outside to see this:

More fires at the church

Although I had been sitting in the room on the left where only the tops of four windows are shown, I was so deep in thought I didn't realize the cracking tin foil was a fire.  It was not nearly as scary this time.  Luis, who has buckets of water in the photo, had spent hours with Don Juan cutting down and raking all of the dead grass two weeks ago when we had the fire across the street.  Therefore, this one did not burn like it could have.  Also the wind was not strong.  It flared up in little bursts until it left behind nothing but dirt.  Now the ground looks like the ground that burned all around my house.  Of course it is never safe to have a fire near the buildings, but this time it was more controlled.

On the way to the church today we saw the biggest fires we have seen so far.  They filled a valley and were climbing the mountains near where we live.  We are praying for rain as well as healing for Bismar's eye.  I think I am cut out to be a missionary in Honduras.  I just need to give myself some room for grace because sometimes it is not easy.

Yesterday morning as I was praying I pulled out my devotional.  It read:

Let me help you through this day.  The challenges you face are far too great for you to handle alone.  You are keenly aware of your helplessness in the scheme of events you face.  This awareness opens up a choice: to doggedly go it alone or to walk with Me in humble steps of dependence.  Actually, this choice is continually before you, but difficulties highlight the decision-making process.  So, consider it all a joy whenever you are enveloped in various trials.  These are gifts from Me, reminding you to rely on Me alone.

March 7, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

"Snow" Day in Honduras

Sunday we celebrated my landlord, Hermida's, birthday.  Four generations of her family were there to honor Hermida.  We celebrated with tons of delicious food and my first jam session in Spanish.  It was awesome!

Monday the cold front continued.  Aaron's school was cancelled because it was in the 40's outside.  I joked that in Honduras they have "snow days" with no snow at all.  Violet was dressed for the weather.

It warmed up yesterday.  The flowers are blooming at the church.

Here is a photo of the entrance-way to my house.  On this side the fire did no damage.

From a closer view you can see the balcony on the top left, the laundry area below and the wooden door on the right.

Can you see who greets me every day when I get home?  Jetty!  She still afraid of the stairs, but we are working on that.

A post-fire photo from the other side of the house.  All of the plush greenery - GONE.  I am grateful that all I lost was a set of sheets which were hanging outside to dry.

The trees that still stand are burned at the roots.  They will fall one day soon.

Yesterday a big fire at Unitech, right next to the church.  The firemen came and put it out.

We pray for rain every day at the Breakfast Program.

It's a Beautiful Day

Jairo was asked to pray over a new school in a very remote location up North.  He and Lourdes left at five a.m. and won't be back until tomorrow night so Erik picked me up for the Breakfast Program today.  Everything went nicely there.

Nino/Alejandro/Elvin (a lot of the kids are known by several names) came with his Dad.  He calls Alejandro my alumni since Alejandro was in my preschool class last year.  Alejandro's father and I love to talk about how awesome Alejandro is.  As Alejandro was eating, his father invited me to sit with them.  He showed me all of the homework Alejandro has done so far in school this year.  What a proud Daddy!  He said he loves how Alejandro is so comfortable with me.  Alejandro and I have some good talks.  Alejandro told me that this new teacher this year is angry.  I asked if she is angry with him.  (He can be very active.)  Alejandro said no, she is angry with everyone.  Oh no!  I love that little guy  :)

As we headed home from the Breakfast Program Walter asked if I wanted to look for a new ropero.  A ropero is what you use instead of a dresser when you live in a humid climate.  It is metal stand with space to hang clothes and shoes as well as shelving space.  In the city, men find vacant corners to set up furniture for sale.  A week ago Lourdes and I had worked out a deal to buy a ropero, but they guy seems to have disappeared so Walter stopped at a different corner.  I'm glad the first guy disappeared because the second guy was much cheaper.

We picked Joss up from college.  She was wearing a new shirt.  On the front was a picture she drew.  Someone printed it and gave it to her.  It is really cool.  Joss and I made up crazy stories and laughed our heads off all of the way up the mountain.  We were being really silly.  It felt really good to laugh and be goofy.  I realized I don't do that enough.

As we passed by the vendors in El Hatillo, Erik asked if I wanted to buy strawberries from La Tigra.  He remembered that I had been asking about the strawberries a few days before.  We stopped and bought a bag of strawberries.  I've already eaten half of them.  They are delicious!  Erik wants me to try them with condensed milk over the top.  Lourdes recommended them with condensed milk too.  I may have none left by the time we buy condensed milk.

When I got home there were still a few hours of sunlight so I was starting a load of laundry when there was a horrible crash on the roof over my head.  In this area it is against the law to trim or cut down a tree as an attempt to protect the forest.  Therefore, branches fall all of the time.  Dead trees are also a big problem.  I have been told stories of people sneaking out in the darkness of night to saw down trees that are about to fall on their house.  They asked permission to cut down the dead tree but were told no!  The huge branch that fell on my roof brought down electrical.  I am worried because I can hear a zapping noise coming from the wires by the road.  I don't see any sparks, but with the way everything is catching on fire lately, it makes me nervous.  Marcela's family will check it out when they get home from work.

It is sunny and hot again.  Beautiful weather to match a really nice day.

Fire on the Mountain

This morning the newspaper headlines said the people of the capital city (Tegucigalpa) are being asphyxiated by the smoke from fires around the city.  (Exaggeration)  I love the view of the city and surrounding mountains as we drive back and forth from El Hatillo, my new mountain home.  However, these days the mountains are not even visible due to the haze of smoke from the fires.  As we drove up the mountain tonight to go home I saw not just smoke, but a huge fire spreading across the mountain on the other side of the city.  It was far away, but the fire easy to see.  Scary.

My favorite thing that happened today was thought provoking and funny.  All of the kids had finished their homework so I gave them the option to play outside or to play a memory game in the classroom.  Everyone chose to play the memory game.  One of the boys, Anderson, was very hyper.  He kept doing handstands and jumped around, knocking the cards out of place.  I asked him repeatedly to be calm or "tranquilo".  Finally he looked at me and said, "Ando feliz!" (I came here happy).  So simple.  It was funny and at the same time made me realize it was time to play.  Why should I take Anderson's happiness?  How awesome that he felt so happy that he couldn't hold still!  After I stopped asking Anderson to calm down, Belkis, who is normally very calm and serious, started dancing between her turns in the game.  Belkis danced, Anderson did handstands, and we all played a memory game.  It was fun!  I did encourage them to go outside to run and jump so they could get their energy out, but they chose to stay inside.   :)

Marlin was much happier today.  She said she went home and prayed, which made her feel better.  Marlin admitted to us that her initial instinct yesterday was to never come back to the church if the doctor told her she was pregnant.  I told her if she didn't come to the church we would have gone to her house to find her.  How awesome that she was able to see past her fears - the first place she came after finding out she was pregnant was the church.

Today I officially had my first day as part of Lourdes' discipleship group.  Marlin, Jacky, Clara and Veronica are in the group with me.  They all have families, so sometimes I feel like I don't really fit in.  But they are very welcoming.  As we sat in the group Jacky started picking at my hair.  I got a little panicked because every day I see Marlin, Jacky and Veronica picking through the kids hair, picking out lice.  I was extra scared because I picked a white round thing out of my hair this morning, but I checked it carefully and it didn't look like a lice egg.  I waited as she picked and pulled.  Then she reached around to show me what she dug up.  I was waiting to see lice.  It was a grey hair.  One more day with no lice.  I figure it's only a matter of time.

Speaking of my hair, mine is growing back so well that the sun no longer burns my scalp.  A few months ago if I were in sunlight my scalp felt like it was burning because I had lost so much hair.  Not any more!  I am growing in other ways too.  Today Jacky told me that I have "nalgas" (a butt).  Don Juan told me that my stomach looks like Jairo's.  I spent so long being sick with that cold.  It feels awesome to be healthy and maybe even a little chubby.  I am purposely not going to get on the scale.  As long as my pants fit I do not need to see a number.  I do need to exercise, but I am comfortable otherwise.  My head is full of hair and my body will not be scrawny if I catch a flu and can't eat for a few days.  After 2 solid months with a cold and four months of my hair falling out I sure do appreciate my health!

Before moving to Honduras I watched some CNN specials about Honduras.  The specials were entitled, "Honduras - the Deadliest Region on Earth".  One of the specials talked about the fact that 'huffing' paint is very common here.  I have seen people who appeared to be high from huffing.  I have smelled people who had been huffing.  But I had never actually seen the huffing.  We stopped on the side of the road today and a man (about 35ish) approached the car babbling.  He appeared to be foaming at the mouth.  As he walked away he held a plastic bag of white paint up to his mouth and huffed.  Now I have seen huffing.

Jairo asked me today if I planned to go to the leadership meeting Saturday.  I told him I would certainly go if I should.  He said yes, I need to go.  So I will spend all day Saturday at a leadership training.   Hmmm...  I am thinking back to a year ago when I used to be a little nervous about being able to understand everything in Spanish.  I haven't felt that way in a while.

I had also forgotten about the days when I came home every night feeling sweaty and needing to jump in the shower.  It is getting so hot outside!  My shoulders and feet are starting to get a little color from the sun.  Today for the first time I was able to appreciate my nice, cool house in the mountains.  Only a few weeks ago I was freezing up here.  I wore a heavy sweater and vest to church and was still chilly.  Those days are long gone.

Overall, things are going very well, except for the fires.  I learned today that I will probably not be able to get my washer and dryer from the US.  That was disappointing, but I have lived for almost a year without them.  I still "ando feliz" and I will not let a little disappointment take my happiness!

Things Are Falling Into Place

Yesterday was a big day.  I learned that the church has officially given their permission for Jairo and Lourdes to go to the US for a one year sabbatical.  Lourdes and Jairo have been hoping and praying for this for a long time.  Lately things have been falling into place quickly and in strange ways, as only God can do.  Joss and Aaron were very excited about the idea of moving, but now that it appears to be coming to fruition they are not as thrilled.  They both have very full lives in Honduras.  It will be hard for them to go.

Jairo gave a really great message yesterday.  He called all of the jovenes (13-29) to the front of the church.  At times he addressed them individually.  He talked to them about their strengths and the challenges they face.  It was very empowering for them.  Everyone loved it.

After church we went out for liquados which are kind of like milkshakes.  Mine was strawberry, vanilla, milk and sugar.  We sat and talked for a while.  Lourdes asked us to pray for her family.  Really there is nothing concrete in place.  At this point it is all ideas and following God's lead.  They are hoping to be in the US for the start of the next school year, God willing.

Some people have asked if this will change my plans.  I have talked to Jairo.  He said I can be safe here as long as I stick to the same schedule we have kept for the past year.  As long as I just go to the church and back. He said I cannot go into El Centro (downtown) by myself.  But I wouldn't want to go there my myself anyway.  I talked to Lourdes and she said I still have a lot to do here.  I have some more personal growth and she needs me at the Breakfast Program.  I don't have the slightest feeling that I am supposed to leave.  I feel like I am supposed to be here.  So I will stay.

Today I got more big news.  My friend Marlin is pregnant.  Customs regarding pregnancy are very different here than in the US.  Marlin went to the doctor this morning, then came to the church to work.  We knew she had been at the hospital with an upset stomach so we were praying for her.  When she arrived I went over to ask how she was doing.  She said her health was good.  It was a different thing.  I immediately knew she was going to tell me she was pregnant.  She burst into tears.  I took her into my classroom and called to Lourdes.  I was so afraid to say the wrong thing.
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Marlin has Lupus.  She has been getting stronger and stronger over the past year.  In December the doctor cut her meds in half because she is doing so well.  Her doctor said she will stay on her meds during the pregnancy.  Lourdes and I were excited for Marlin, but she is very, very scared and sad.  The pregnancy was not planned.  She was taking appropriate precautions to avoid pregnancy because the doctor told her she could die if she became pregnant.  I didn't understand that until I heard from my Mom the dangers of pregnancy and Lupus.  Now I understand why Marlin is scared.  But I have a good feeling about this and I think all I can do is listen to her fears and reassure her that everything will be fine.  I don't know what else to do.

On a much lighter note, I bought a broom for outside today.  In Honduras people wash buses constantly and clean outside of their house all of the time too.  When I lived down in the city I borrowed Fany's broom.  Here I need to clean my front steps, my laundry space, and my balcony, which are all covered in pine needles and yellowish/green pollen.  I felt like a real Honduran today with my new broom.  Walter asked me if I was flying it home.  Erik asked me how long I have lived in Honduras without a broom.  I explained I have a broom to clean inside.  He seemed very relieved to hear that.  He must have been imagining me with a filthy home.

Another way I am feeling more at home is that the kids all greet me by name now.  Lourdes has taught them to greet her each day when they come into the church.  They have to pass by the kitchen and say good morning when they arrive.  In the past I was part of "los de la cocina" (the people in the kitchen).  Lately almost all of them say hello and good bye to me by name.  They also make a point to give me a hug.  That used to be reserved only for Lourdes, so I feel very honored and loved.

I also noticed that when we leave the church I recognize kids and adults in the streets almost every day.  That is a really nice.  It's been almost a year now.  I am feeling more and more at home.

Tomorrow I have a women's bible study group.  Later this week I am going out to lunch with my friend Raquel.  Things are falling into place.

Fire Fire Everywhere and Not a Drop of Rain

The air is full of smoke today.  I went outside to wash clothes and realized my clothes are likely to smell like smoke too when I hang them out to dry.  But they can't compare to how I smelled last night. I reeked.

On the way to the church yesterday we stopped at a photo studio.  Jairo needed a small photo of me because the lawyer has been asking for a photo for my residency card.  I have to think that means they are actually making the card if they need a photo.  I am really excited to have my residency.  Without a residency card people can only stay in Honduras for 90 days.  My residency card will be for lifetime.  I could stay forever if I wished.

We had the yummiest lunch yesterday for the kids at the Breakfast Program!  It was Honduran style chicken salad sandwiches.  We got many, many cans of chicken parts as a donation from the Mennonite Church.  In the past we have put the chicken into spaghetti sauce or made chicken and rice, but this was the best.  Lourdes was able to get some yummy sort of hamburger shaped buns inexpensively.  Each kid left really full and it didn't cost very much at all.

We have been trying to make food last longer because food prices have gone up and we are struggling to pay to feed the kids.  It seems that just when we think we don't have enough food for the next day, we get an unexpected donation.  We made two weeks worth of food last three weeks from the last shopping trip.

After the kids left for the day, we went grocery shopping.  First we went to Price Mart (Costco).  We got cereal, pancake mix, hot dogs to put in a rice/veggie dish, frozen veggies, tomato sauce, and some other things there.  I found Jetty's brand of cat food at the Costco, which was exciting.  Then we went to a dairy store where we got all kinds of cheese and lots of eggs.  Finally we went to a state run store for bulk foods.

On Monday there was a fire on the way up the mountain and down by El Hatillo.  Jairo said they had 300 firemen working on the fire near El Hatillo because it was approaching the houses of the president and the mayor.  The fire on the way up the mountain was put out on Thursday night, but in the meantime more and more fires started.  By yesterday we could see more fires than I could count.  The whole valley is full of smoke.  As we drove through the city we saw plumes of smoke in every direction and large areas where the fires were spreading.  I got a better understanding why my landlords have spent every weekend cleaning up the property.

When we got back to the church Lourdes was napping.  Jairo was at work in his office.  The men all hung out in the kitchen, but it was so hot in there I escaped to the computer office.  A while later I went to check if Jairo was still working.  I could smell smoke more strongly than usual.  As I got to the preschool classroom big pieces of ash fell started to fall on my head.  As I got to the bottom of the stairs to Jairo's office I could hear the loud crackling of fire.  Smoke was pouring out from between the buildings.  At first I thought the fire was on the church property near the rode between the two buildings.  Jairo came out of Eunice's office and I called to him.  He told Danny to climb up and see what was going on.  Then he told Don Juan to start cleaning, which means cutting down anything that will burn.  Danny came down and told me to stand back a few feet and look up.  Across the street from the church there was a fire.  It led right up to the road and up to Luis (a boy from the Breakfast Program)'s house.  Luckily his house is cement.  The wind was blowing the fire right toward us.  Danny went up to the field above the church with a machete and began cutting everything down.

I was scared that the building with the preschool, computers, Jairo's office and the indoor church were going to burn.  The smoke and ashes were coming our way, so surely sparks could come too.  The field above the buildings was yellow grass, chest high.  Jairo told me that field has caught fire before.  We hoped that firetrucks would come, but they don't come to Los Pinos under normal circumstances.  I knew they were not going to come today when there were so many other fires to put out.  Lourdes and I prayed.

I climbed back up to the street and saw that the fire by Luis's house had burned itself out.  His family  was standing outside.  They said everything was fine.  Now the fire was spreading down the mountain away from their house.  It was also moving in a direction that was less dangerous for the church.  There is less at the bottom end of the church that can catch fire.  Don Juan and Danny continued cleaning.

We had to leave to pick up Aaron and Joss.  We ran some errands.  The smoke clung to my hair and clothes.  We stopped and saw a newborn baby who had just come home from the hospital a few hours before.  Lourdes received clothes in a donation yesterday that were perfect for the baby, so we dropped them off.  The family asked if I wanted to hold the baby.  Of course I did, but it was an awkward moment.  In Honduras sometimes you eat things you don't want to eat and you do things you don't want to do, in order to avoid offending people.  I reeked of smoke from the fire, which Lourdes said bothered her asthma.  I couldn't remember the last time I had washed my hands with soap.  I finally just said, "I am too gringa.  I am too dirty and I haven't washed my hands.  I do want to hold your baby, but I don't feel comfortable."  It was a hard decision, but the Mom invited me back another day, just to hold the baby.  I think she understood that I was trying to be respectful, not disrespectful.  Lourdes and I talked about the different points of view - exposing kids to things early or not.  I can see the benefits of both.  But to me, his first day home is awfully early to expose him to heavy smoke and dirt.  When I got home and washed my hands that night, the sink was black with dirt from my hands.  I was glad I hadn't held that baby for my own mental peace.

On our way back up the mountain it was dark.  We couldn't see the fires.  But we did see something really cool.  Jairo slowed down the car and pointed out people gathered around a table in front of a house.  They were singing.  All along the street there were tables in front of certain houses with candles, statues, and drapery.  Jairo said that it was Catholic people doing the stations of the cross.  Each home represented a different station.  After the people prayed and sang, they enjoyed coffee and sandwiches or some sort of treat at each house.  It was so cool!  Almost like Christmas caroling with more purpose in Lent.

I came home and called my Mom to tell her about my day.  She couldn't answer her phone because she was enjoying a fish fry at her church and doing the stations of the cross back in Colorado.

This morning I got all of my laundry done early.  I am gaining weight.  My skinny jeans are getting tight.  I am fine with that.  I don't need to be skinny.  I will be healthier with a little extra weight.  I almost gave my bigger jeans away - good thing I didn't!

Lourdes called to ask why I wasn't at Anna and Guillermo Mario's garage sale.  I explained I didn't have a way to get there.  It's only a 20 minute walk.  Normally I would prefer to walk.  Lourdes thinks it would be okay for me to walk alone, but Jairo has told me that I cannot.  Marcela's family doesn't let her walk alone either.

Walter came and got me for the garage sale.  I bought a crock pot so I can make soup and a pork loin I think Jairo would like.  I am going to start inviting people over for dinner.  I also got a bunch of hangers, a whisk, a glass baking pan to make bread, a springform pan, a photograph frame and matching tray which will look nice with a candle, and a pewter heart with a cross, all for $20!  Then I went back to Lourdes' house.  Lourdes, Jairo and I watched Warren Miller skiing films for a while this afternoon.  We enjoyed watching skiing.  I live in their world so much.  It was fun to share one of my passions with them.

Strawberries seem to have come into season overnight.  Today men were selling strawberries in the streets where the women have stands to sell flowers from La Tigra.  They had bags of strawberries.  This is the first time I have seen strawberries this season.  Apparently selling flowers is womens' work and strawberries are mens' work.  It is supposed to be 89-92 degrees for the next ten days.  No rain in sight.

Thursday, Part 2

As we drove to the church, Jairo told me to get my camera out.  Then two motorcycles like this passed us.  I didn't catch them as they passed, so Jairo passed them again to give me another chance at a photo.  You can't see it as well as I wished, but the guy in back is holding a machine gun.  These are regular police.  Normally they don't patrol on motorcycle.  This is the first time I've seen this.

Yesterday in the newspaper was a photo of my friend's uncle, dead in a ditch.  He was the one who was working on cable wires and was shot to death.  The whole page was full of photos of city workers who are being killed.  I felt horrible thinking that maybe my friend might have seen her uncle's photo in the newspaper like that.  Newspapers and television are much more graphic in here than in the US.

When we got to the church, Walter had already prayed with the kids and was washing their hands.  I figured the best way I could help was to wash the dishes that were piled up in the sink so I got to work.  Then Lourdes and Walter went to buy a new bed for Clara.  The mattress that Clara has been sleeping on is lumpy and bumpy with no support.  Lourdes has been wanting to find a new mattress for Clara for months and months.  We have been praying about it with the kids from the Breakfast Program as well as the discipleship group.  With help from people at the church, she was able to buy a new bed today!

When they came back we tied the bed onto the top of Jairo's van, everyone who could fit piled inside - even Don Juan, and we headed into Los Pinos.  Don Juan was excited to help us deliver the bed.  We also had sheets for the bed because someone donated sheets to the church this week.  What perfect timing!  We pulled the old mattress into a different bedroom, took the new box spring and mattress inside, and set it up.  Clara was so happy she fell face down onto her new mattress.  She and her husband were thrilled.  Everyone was smiling and feeling great.  We prayed together, led by Lourdes.  Clara shed tears of joy.  I took lots of photos.  It is so cool to think of Clara sleeping on her new bed tonight!

When we got back to the church Lourdes announced that she was going to give me a Spanish class.  She had three books with her.  We sat down and had a very professional class.  Most of it was review.  However, it feels good to start with some basics.  She said I don't have to do the section about pronunciation because my pronunciation is good.  Otherwise we are starting at the beginning.  She was very serious that I need to do the homework she assigned.  I am excited to do the homework.  I have learned a lot of Spanish over the past year.  I can understand most things.  I can get my point across when I speak, but there is still a lot that I don't know how to say in the most effective/efficient way.  I am really excited to learn more Spanish.

Afterward we spent a few hours answering emails to Lourdes' English speaking friends.  She speaks excellent English and writes well, but she really dislikes writing emails in English.  So I help her out with emails in English.  Today, Lourdes learned that a friend of hers is considering marriage.  Lourdes has been praying for a husband for her friend.  She was so excited to hear that her prayers appear to have been answered.  Lourdes prays for a husband for me too.  I think I still have some things to work on before I am ready to be married.  But she is helping me with those things, as well as my Spanish.

New Bed for Clara!

The kids at the Breakfast Program and members of the church have been praying for money to buy a new bed for Clara.  She is fighting Leukemia with intense chemotherapy.  The bed she was sleeping on was lumpy and bumpy.  Clara's body aches almost every day.  She really needed a bed that could provide support.  On Sunday Lourdes received the final amount she needed for the bed.  Today we all packed into the van and delivered the bed!

Luis, Pierre, Kevin, Justin,
 Jacky, Violet,
 Me, Don Juan,
 Blanca Flor in the van, plus more that aren't in the photo (or are hiding)

Don Juan unloaded the bed and supervised

Don Juan and Luis carrying the mattress

When we arrived Clara was napping.
Her sister was cooking beans.
This is their stove.

Clara was very surprised to get a new bed today!
As soon as we set it up, she laid down on it.

Clara and her husband could not stop smiling.
They were so happy!

We prayed and gave thanks that Clara will now have a comfortable place to sleep.

Clara prayed with tears of joy and gratitude.

Clara really wanted a picture of her newly bald head.
She had four days of chemotherapy this week.
Nidia (Clara's sister), Elizabeth, and Violet in front
Blanca Flor, Clara, Veronica and Camila, Lourdes, Me, Jacky

Clara's new bed!
They even gave us pillows to go with it.
We also received sheets in a donation this week.
See how God works!

After prayer, we all piled out.
Don Juan and Walter watched over us in Los Pinos.

Clara, still with a smile, as we said good bye.
She will sleep well tonight.

Police Tape

Today as we drove to the church there were more police and more army men stationed on various corners, holding their machine guns.  In the past the army men were always in groups of 3, but today the military men were in groups of five.  There were even five stationed outside of Josselyn's school.  Joss did not really like that.  Jairo thought maybe one of the children of a military officer was in classes.   We have never seen the military stationed there before, but over the past few weeks we have seen more and more military presence.  Jairo believes that something is about to happen, but we don't know what.

A few days ago the 17 year old son of an army colonel was killed.  He had 3 Cobra (special opps) men protecting him at the time, but 10 men came, killed the security men, and killed the boy.  The photos in the newspaper show that the boy bears a striking resemblance to Lourdes and Jairo's son, Aaron.

When we got to the church Christian and his best buddy Ever had finished their morning chores with Don Juan and were playing soccer in the parking lot.  They stopped to wave to us as we passed by on our way up to the church.  This is what Christian (formerly known as Conejo - rabbit) was wearing on his feet:

Shoes held together with police tape

I asked if he had other shoes at home.  He said he does have black shoes for school, but nothing to play in.  Christian is one of my favorite little guys.  I went to Lourdes.  Unfortunately the church doesn't have any sneakers to give him right now.  Looks like he will be wearing the police tape for a while.  Sadly, police tape is available in great abundance in Los Pinos.