TWO DAYS of FUN!

The past 2 days have been so fun!  Yesterday we had 19 baptisms at church, then we watched Honduras beat Spain in fútbol and had a birthday party for Jose at Jose and Karla's house.  I spent the night there.

This morning I woke up at dawn, waited for Karla to get ready for work and together we took the little mini bus which dropped me off at the church.  Today was a huge, famous annual event at the breakfast program.  It was swimming day!  Need I say more?

At church Jairo explained the reasons and process of baptism.  Then he and Walter baptized 19 people!  I asked Jairo how many members there are in Iglesia en Transformación.  He said he is not sure, but would guess between 250-300.  There have never been this many baptisms before.  Saturday they filled a big pool with water.  They needed a big water truck to fill the pool.  Because water is so expensive here, they've started a tradition.  The day after baptisms, all kids who attend the Breakfast Program regularly get to swim in the pool.  They even bring in a smaller pool for the younger kids.  The church was packed.  Everyone seemed to have a good time.  Afterward they had a special dinner to earn money for summer camp.  People hung out at church from 9:30 a.m. until 2pm!

Daniel being baptized - with his mother Belinda, Walter, and Jairo
You can see  Los Pinos in the background

After church I went to Jose and Karla's house to celebrate Jose's birthday.  Karla had already prepped most of the food, but I helped her get things set up.  Jose grilled sausage and beef.  Walter's sister, Carolina, and her boyfriend were the first to arrive.  We settled in to watch the game.  Then Walter's brother, Norman, came.  He paced around anxiously while the rest of us watched the game.  Norman was so nervous about the outcome, he could barely watch.  Lourdes, Jairo, Joss, Belinda, Andres and Daniel all came a little later.  (Daniel and Andres had both been baptized earlier!)  Walter and his girlfriend came and then we had birthday cheesecake.  It was yummy!  I need to learn how to sing the Spanish version of Happy Birthday.  It feels strange not to be able to sing along while everyone else is singing.  After cheesecake we had coffee and talked about vasectomies.  Don't ask me how that came up.  It was not a scientific discussion, there was a lot of laughter.  In the middle of the conversation I commented that it was an odd topic for a birthday party.  Lourdes said people are very open and talk about these things openly here.  : /

As the Sarmientos were ready to leave, Lourdes asked  me to go to the church early the next day.  She said with the pools there, she wanted to make sure there was supervision.  I said I wished I had thought ahead and brought my stuff to spend the night with Karla and Jose.  They live in the mountains behind the church and they leave the house early in the morning, so it would be easy to get to the church with them.  Lourdes made it happen.  The Sarmientos dropped me off at my house long enough to feed the cat and grab some clothes for the next day.  Then Jose came, picked me up, and took me back to his house.  On the way we made plans for me to get a bed and to search for a car.  Lourdes said I should ask for help with these things since Jairo is really busy right now.

When I got back to Jose's house another couple had arrived.  We watched game shows and joked.  We laughed a lot.  After everyone left we watched a movie in Spanish.  I noticed that my Spanish has improved enough that I can almost always keep up with conversation, and the movie was easy to follow.  It used to be really difficult to follow conversations in large groups.  But now, most of the time I didn't even notice that the movie was in Spanish.

We all went to bed early.  I have my own bed at Karla and Jose's house.  It is supposed to belong to their nanny, but she never sleeps in it.  So I have declared it is mine, since I am the only one who sleeps in it.

I woke up literally with the sun.  The roosters are so loud there!  They were loud before the sun even came up.  And the dogs...  Any of you who have visited Honduras have probably experienced the dogs at night.  Usually I don't notice, but this morning I was anxious about how to keep things safe with 100 kids and a swimming pool.

Karla told me to be ready by 7 a.m.  Last time I was a little late, so this time I made sure I was ready early.  But Karla decided to sleep in, so I went out on the porch and enjoyed the morning.  Their nanny, Paula, is really sweet.  She grew up in La Tigra.  Living with Karla and Jose helps them and gets her away from La Tigra, where the girls grow up, meet boys and get married.  Soon Paula will go to college!  It's helpful to everyone involved.  She is good at making people feel comfortable.  She asked a lot of questions about what it is like to grow up in the U.S.

Eventually Karla came out of her room, looking gorgeous after only a few minutes of preparation.  We headed out, taking a different route to the road this time.  Usually we walk down a road full of huge ruts.  This time we walked down what my family would call a goat trail.  It was straight downhill with loose dirt.  I slid and slipped my way down until Karla yelled that the bus was coming and we had to run!  I said I can't run - I'm wearing flip flops, and we were only half way down the mountain, winding our ways around barbed wire fences and across people's front doors.  It was crazy.  She yelled and waved her arms at the bus as it went by.  I thought we had no chance of catching it, but apparently some people who were working on the road saw us and flagged down the bus because it stopped a little further down the road and Karla thanked them as we passed by.

As is normal bus etiquette, we said good morning to all of the passengers as we got on the bus.  This time I knew to stand up as we approached the church.  Karla yelled to the driver and he stopped right across the street.  I yelled to Don Juan.  Since it was early, all of the gates were locked.

Don Juan brought out the scratching post.  He attached the fleece bed to the top.  I thought it was complete, but then he started sketching all of these things that he wants to add the the basic scratching post.  This is going to be a mansion!

Christian (Conejo) and Kevin were setting things up.  They worked hard.  By the time kids arrived, we were all set.  We had eggs, cheese, tortillas, rice, beans and platanos for breakfast, which was extra awesome after all of the swimming.

They swam in groups of 6.  Each group got 3 turns and they had a blast!  Lourdes had left strict orders that each kid had to be clean before they got into the pool.  We scrubbed them each down before they got in.  For the first time ever, every kid was clean today!

The little kids sat in their pool until their teeth were chattering.  The bigger kids lifted them out of the pool and carried the little ones to a rock where they sat in the sun to warm up.  It was so cute!  They went from being little fish to being little turtles, warming themselves on the rocks.

Little Fish

Big Fish

Lourdes came just as it was time to eat.  She had all of the kids get into the pool at once.  We took video and pictures.  Then they got out, dried off, and had a big breakfast.

The afternoon kids came.  After cleaning up, they all swam at the same time.  The pool was FULL of kids.  After the younger ones went home the older kids wanted me to get into the pool and teach them to swim.  I looked at the water.  It was dirty!  But then I started thinking about the dirty rivers I grew up in.  I told the kids I was NOT going to get into that water with a stern face, then with all of my clothes on, I dove into the pool!  They screamed and yelled and splashed with joy and excitement until Lourdes, Jairo, and Joss all came running out of the kitchen.  They took pictures - I'll be able to post those tomorrow.  They turned out great!  The kids said they wanted to make me a star.  I wasn't sure what they meant until they grabbed my arms and legs and, on the count of three, they threw me up in the air!  It was so fun!  We all took turns being stars.

Then they asked me to show them how to do different strokes of swimming.  They were amazed that I can do the back stroke.  Imagine if you never had running water, how foreign a pool would be.  I can't really even comprehend it, since I grew up with both running water and swimming.  But the kids thought my swimming was extraordinary.  We all got along the sides of the pool and practiced kicking and using our arms.  Finally Lourdes said it was for "the whole world" to go home.  We climbed out of the pool.

Everyone was surprised to see sun tan lines on each other.  I got a little burn for the first time this summer.  They all dried off and headed home.  I was on a natural high from having so much fun with the kids.

On the way home I told Lourdes that I am working on being more comfortable outside of my normal routine.  Lourdes made the best point.  She said that if I always stick to a routine, it leaves no room for the Holy Spirit to work.  That is so right!  If I follow my idea of how a day should be, there is less room for God to step in!  Now I have even more reason to live in the present moment, and appreciate it for what it is.  I think this should give me freedom and less worry.  I am excited to see where it leads!

Lourdes reminded me that it would be a good idea to shower after I got home, after being in that dirty water.  I showered, but my hot water is broken.  Fortunately Fany and her husband came over to see if it could be fixed.  It can't be fixed.  So Santos will buy me a new water heater and install it tomorrow.  Here we have heaters attached to the shower head that heat the water instantly.  Mine had a summer and winter setting, which was warm or hot.  But the hot didn't work very well.  I am excited to get a new heater.

Thursday we are going shopping for a new bed and sheets.  I told Lourdes today that I really wish I could come up with the last little bit of money I need to be fully funded.  Until I'm fully funded, I always have in the back of my mind that I may have to leave soon.  I have gotten so attached to the kids and also to the adults here, I would be sad if my time here were over soon.  And God is using me in so many ways, as a teacher, a tutor, today as a lifeguard  =)  I would just feel more secure if I had about $200 more in monthly donations.  But I am trusting that God will provide as long as He wants me to serve here.

I finally found the Olympics on tv.  Fany told me they come on at 2 a.m.  That is why I can never find them.  Apparently she has had some late nights with her daughter being sick.

Between baptisms, birthdays, goat trail, and swimming, it has been a really great 48 hours.  I expect to sleep well tonight, with no barking dogs or roosters.  Good night!

Tutoring and Talking

This morning I woke at 6:44 to the sound of a neighbor's washing machine.  Let's just say it needs some grease!

Last night Belinda, Lourde's sister, called to ask if I could tutor her son today.  He has some tests coming up which he must pass in order to graduate from his class.  Belinda has been working with Daniel, but you know how kids are with their own mother.

When I first got to Honduras, I lived with Belinda, Daniel and Andres until after my suitcases were found.  Daniel and Andres learn English at school, so they practice their English with me.  They also help me with Spanish.  We go to church every week together each week.  I am excited because this week both Daniel and Andres will be baptized!!!!!  They are excited too.

Anyway, Daniel struggles at school and is not very social.  But he and I have gotten along well since the first time we met.  He doesn't bother to talk to many people.  Last week we hung out and he was very talkative.  I enjoy our conversations.  He is thoughtful.  His mother noticed how talkative he is with me.  We both are curious as to why, but aren't questioning it.  I think maybe he feels more grown when he is with me, like a young man instead of a boy.  When I first got here there was so much I didn't know, but Daniel was able to show me how things are done in Honduras.

To be honest I was not looking forward to tutoring.  I keep telling people - I am not a teacher.  I never wanted to be a teacher.  I love working with kids, but I kind of "specialize" in troubled kids and the psychological side, not education.  However, I know that Belinda needs help with Daniel, and Daniel needs help with his school work.  So I'll do it to be helpful.  Belinda mentioned payment.  Even though I am broke, I am NOT comfortable with that.  They already took me in, gave me clothes, a bedroom and yummy food.  They made me feel welcome and at home when I was a complete stranger and had nowhere else to go.  Now is my opportunity to help them.

Before the tutoring session I tried again to find Olympics on TV.  Nobody seems to watch or know how to watch the Olympics in Honduras.  I guess that's a North American thing.  We have 10 channels of soccer, but no Olympics!  Tomorrow I bet they will show the Honduran Olympic team playing fútbol though.

Some friends back in the US are going through really tough situations in their lives, so I spent part of the morning in prayer.  By the time I was done, it was time for Daniel to come for tutoring.  Belinda and Andres dropped Daniel off and said they'd be back in three hours.  At first that seemed like a long time, but as it happened, Daniel stayed an extra hour and we had exactly the right amount of time.

We worked for over an hour, then went for a walk.  When we came back Daniel was much more focused.  He did some great work.  He was more relaxed and less rushed.  He retained everything we did in the first part of the session!  His mother called to say she was going to be an hour later, so I asked if it would be safe for the two of us to walk together to the grocery store.  I told her Jairo does not want me to walk there alone, but it is so close.  She said yes, with Daniel it would be fine.  So we each grabbed our backpacks and walked to the store.  I was so excited.  It felt like a fourth grade field trip for me, walking those 6 blocks.  Daniel is a good shopping partner too.  He finds good deals and he knows which brands are good.

The guy who was bagging the groceries was surprised when Daniel asked him to pack our backpacks, but that is the safest way to travel in Honduras.  Backpacks are harder to steal than bags.  I use a backpack here almost every day.  The hardest part was getting across 4 lanes of traffic, but we made it safely.

Daniel practiced some more math, just to be sure he really knows what he's doing.  We ate some snacks.  I told him that he did a great job and told his mother how awesome he was so that he could also hear the compliment.  We really had a nice afternoon together.

After he left, my neighbor and I spent some time talking outside.  She is a first time mother.  Her daughter has been sick for a few days.  She is exhausted and needed a few minutes break to talk while her husband looked after the baby.  She expressed how hard it is to be a mother.  She can't wash diapers fast enough to keep up with her daughter's diarrhea and is worried about her daughter's lack of appetite, but the doctor has said everything is fine.  I felt honored that she was comfortable sharing her feelings with me.  I really like both her and her husband.  They are very kind to me and their daughter is adorable.

Tomorrow is Jose's birthday.  Karla called to invite me to the party.  Tomorrow will be quite a day, with 19 baptisms and a birthday party!

A day full of gifts!

Today was a great day.  I worked with the preschoolers on my own for the first time.  They were great!  We practiced "Please", Thank you" and "You're Welcome".  Since we had worked on thank you Wednesday, I thought it would be okay to add please.  But then it was hard not to add "you're welcome".  For me it was a good lesson.  It was too much, but some of the kids got it.  We practiced passing things around the classroom, asking for it with please, then saying thank you.  We'll work on it more next week.  We also reviewed the number one by counting things in the room and using a little rattle, shaking it ONE time.  One time up high, one time down low, once with a jump...  You get it.  Then we colored a teddy bear with one sun on his belly, and one heart on his foot.  Afterward we had free play time.  They were amazing!  They took out one toy at a time and shared (with some reminding).  I was so proud of them!  We had a time of prayer, then ate breakfast in the classroom.  With their food sitting in front of them, they sat with their eyes closed and prayed.  I waited for someone to sneak a bite of food, as the prayer time got longer and longer.  But eyes stayed closed and everyone stayed focused.  So awesome for 3-5 year olds!  The older kids all want to be a part of the class, so Lourdes sent some of them in to "help".  Preschool is the cool place to be!

We take off our shoes before we play on the rug,
just don't get your nose too close  - pyew-eee!

Lorenzo was one of the older kids who visited.  He didn't want to play with trucks and bulldozers.  He asked if he could color.  Then he asked if he could use the magnetic letters on the side of the freezer.  He made shapes out of play dough.  I was surprised at his choices, but enjoyed watching him sit and relax and play.

Lorenzo!

All of the anxiety I have had about teaching preschool is gone.  I know some days will be more difficult than others, but I really love the kids.  They are smart and excited for the opportunity to learn.  I am honored to offer them the opportunity to be in the classroom.  I'll probably learn as much as they do!

Mailin and helping her brother, Misael, with a puzzle.

While we were in class Walter brought me a huge, heavy package.  I had to wait until later to open it.  Inside was a beautiful purple and gray yoga mat with a video and the sweetest card from a high school friend.  I haven't seen him since 1985!  He is a soldier.  He and his family are stationed in Germany.  I mentioned on Facebook that my back was sore from doing pilates on a bath mat, so they sent a yoga mat with the sweetest card from Germany!  I am really grateful.  THANK YOU BILL AND CHRISTINA FRAUSTO!

The church received a huge gift today too.  A huge truck pulled in and the older boys unloaded box after box of canned turkey, boxes of blankets, and sacks of towels and hygiene products.  The kids were excited to be a part of receiving the delivery.  We took pictures and videos.

The words on this package hit home.  Sometimes I forget how deep the need is.  Food For Relief.

The kids with the all of the gifts!

The cute ones seated in the front are preschoolers  :)

After we ate, Lourdes spent hours giving out clothes that have been donated to the church.  The clothes were mostly for girls.  The girls left with bags full of full, which is such a blessing to them.  Just last week one of the mothers was in tears, worried about how she will provide for her 4 children.  This should ease the burden a little bit.

After the Breakfast Program was over, Lourdes asked Jairo to take me shopping for my own bed.  All of the things in my house belong to other people.  Nobody is pressuring me, but now that I am here more permanently, it is time to get my own bed and start returning things to their owners.  We went to two second hand stores downtown.  I like going downtown.  You have to be very aware of your surroundings.  It is not safe, but if you are there with others, it is okay.  Jairo found a cool thermometer.  Lourdes and I found a nice bed for me and a recliner for her, but they were too expensive, so the ladies went home empty handed, but we still had fun.

I got home in the evening, hoping to catch the opening ceremony of the Olympics.  However, the only thing I could find on my (free) 92 channels of cable was a recap on ESPN :(  Apparently the Olympics are not as fully covered in Honduras as they are in the US.  I was really disappointed!  I love watching the Olympics.

I did a load of laundry instead and reminded myself how nice it is to have a washing machine.  I have never fully appreciated the spin cycle until now.  My clothes dry so quickly!  They were dry a few hours later.  Now none of my bedding or towels smell musty anymore.  Yay!

Jetty was very playful tonight.  It is good to see her running around and getting into trouble like she always did in the US.  I was afraid she was a little lonely, but I think she is doing okay.

Today was another good day.

A full heart and a smile

Today was the sort of day that reminds me I am exactly where I am supposed to be.  I am fortunate, because in Honduras I have these days often.  But this is my first since returning from vacation so it feels extra nice.  Sometimes I forget how it is to feel this good.  And I feel bad for those who never get  to feel this way.  Nothing extraordinary happened today.  Jasmin still has not been found.  That is always on my mind.  But I lived today with intention and enjoyed simple moments consciously.  I think that is why I came home with a full heart and a smile.

Actually this day did not have a great start.  I woke to the sound of my cat vomiting.  As I gained consciousness I immediately hoped she was not vomiting on the bed.  I looked down and thought, "Phew!"  She was not vomiting on the bed.  But my relief vanished quickly as I oriented myself enough to realize that she was vomiting on my computer.  In the end no harm done.  Just an early (5 a.m.) wake up call.  I cleaned up and realized it was still dark.  The sun used to rise at 4:45 before I left for vacation in June.  Now it rises at 5:15 a.m. and sets at 6:15 p.m., so I get an extra half hour of daylight every evening.  I appreciate that extra time for errands or if I want to go for a run.

I fell back asleep eventually and had a funny (funny ha-ha) dream about my best friend from high school.  Waking up from that dream was a better way to start the day.

Jairo came and picked me up with no Lourdes.  She is sick at home with a bad migraine.  It was Marlin and me running the breakfast program alone.  There were a lot of kids.  Over 60.  I don't know because I didn't have time to count.  They prayed very well.  I asked the preschoolers to line up to wash their hands.  Then I asked anyone 6 years old or younger to wash their hands.  Suddenly there was massive pushing and shoving and by the time I could regain control most of the group was in line.  Marlin came out of the kitchen and we had everyone over 6 sit back down.  We fed the younger ones before they were trampled to death  (JUST KIDDING!!).  Then we had the older kids line up.  There was still a lot of pushing and shoving.  We have many new kids attending this week because there has been no school all week.  Some are older teens who don't know the rules yet and some are very young and haven't been in an organized program before.  It is great to see new faces, but it makes things a little harder to manage.

I had a personal lesson about Mexican Spanish vs. Honduran Spanish.  I first spoke Spanish with Mexican friends.  Some of the sayings that are acceptable in Mexico are not acceptable in Honduras and visa versa.  Today a boy said a word that is the equivalent of "F you" to a Mexican person.  I told him he cannot use bad words, so he could choose to go to the end of the food line or to leave.  (He had also been pushing and shoving and has a history of poor behavior.)  The boy stood his ground and refused to budge.  Don Juan came over and stood by me and I repeated the options for him.  Finally, he went to the end of the line.  On the way home I was telling Jairo the story.  Jairo said that in Honduras what he said translates to "don't bother me" or "don't mess with me" and is very common.  I think I might start saying it now. - Just kidding. To me it still sounds ugly.  But I did feel bad for punishing the boy for something that is commonly said.  I will apologize tomorrow.

The dishes all got washed but stricter supervision was necessary.  Kids were running around barefoot, refusing to put their shoes on.  I thought it was Friday, so I kept telling the kids to put the chairs and tables away for church on Sunday.  They got most of the stuff put away before someone finally told me that today is only Thursday.  I felt dumb for the second time and asked why nobody told me it was Thursday.  The kids just laughed.

One of the newest boys, Marco

After I thought they all had left Don Juan made an urgent gesture and asked me to come.  The kids were all standing in the street outside the church.  At first glance it looked like a massive fight.  About 15 of them were screaming at each other.  Don Juan said one of them was jumping on the side of trucks and trying to hold on.  (That boy will not be allowed at the Breakfast Program tomorrow, per Jairo.)  I went outside the gates and shooed them all down the hill and onto the sidewalk.  Some were crying.  Some were refusing to walk so they were being dragged.  I have no idea what in the world was going on, but we will certainly discuss it tomorrow.  It was not safe for any of us to discuss it then.  Too many kids are hurt in that street.  Lourdes tells them every day to be careful in the street.  Today I wrapped up prayer time with a prayer that they would cross the street safely!  Tomorrow we will have yet another serious discussion.

Another new face!

The second group came later than usual.  They still have school this week and are learning to dance with a broomstick, or at least that's what they practice with when they are at the church.  Marlin and I were busy until later in the day, but during the break between groups Marlin's friend, Anna visited.  We talked and talked.  She sells barrretts, hair clips, bracelets and little trinkets.  The kids loved her stuff.  She is raising 3 boys, ages 12, 7, and 2 by herself since her husband left her for the second time.  She hopes he will return like he did last time.  She has told the kids if he comes back they are to receive him with open arms and not be angry.  I think if my husband left me with 3 kids (twice) I might be angry.  But it sure is easier for her heart if she keeps this mindset.  She said used to think bad things about herself, but after reading the bible she has a clearer mind.  She loves him, he is her husband, and she hopes he will come home.  I liked Anna.  Her kids are nice.  They may start coming to the breakfast program.  I hope so.

Moments like that - sitting and chatting with Marlin and Anna, are so much easier than they used to be. Now I can understand the majority of what is said.  When there is something I don't understand I ask, rather than just letting it all go over my head.  Before I would just be quiet and pick up bits and pieces in a conversation like that.  Now I feel like I am one of the women.  It is nice to not feel like an outsider.

Jairo was in a meeting all day with Ethel, the head of the elders.  Walter went again to get my package but they told him to come back later.  I am excited to get it!  He also went to get rope for the scratching post that Don Juan is building for my cat.  Don Juan is so excited about this scratching post.  Jairo explained that when I first asked Don Juan to build the scratching post, Don Juan didn't understand because the concept of building a toy for a cat is unknown in Honduras.  Now every day Don Juan asks me if my cat is lonely and when I will bring my cat to the church to visit.  I'm sure he still thinks I am a crazy gringa, but at least it gives him something to do when he can build toys for my cat.

Ethel, the head of the elders, asked me to show her my classroom.  I was excited but also nervous to show her.  She said it is very nice.  I felt proud and honored at the same time, but I must say it was Lourdes and some of the older girls who made the classroom the way it is.

After the kids all left, then Marlin and her friend Anna were gone and I was alone waiting for Jairo to finish his meeting.  I found Don Juan sitting in his usual spot.  I sat down with him, in his perch at the end of the buildings, looking over the city.  As storm clouds rolled in, my eyes were drawn the houses that rise up the side of the mountain across the street.  That mountain is the colony of Los Pinos.  The kids from the breakfast program come from Los Pinos.  It is so beautiful to me, I could stare at the side of that mountain for days and never get sick of it.  Sometimes I wonder if I am crazy, to see beauty in such poverty.  I don't think normal people see shacks of plywood and sheet metal as beautiful.  I wonder why I do.  Maybe it is the simplicity of it all.  At the same time that I recognize the people there live in deep poverty, I also believe that in some ways, some of the people there have more than we can imagine.  I think by cutting down to basics they might be able to focus more on God and their own heart and soul, and find true joy.  At least I hope so.  Maybe I need to think that in order to have hope for them.

We heard a person yelling and cursing in the streets.  Don Juan ran to make sure the gates were locked.  He saw it was the father of one of my favorite teenagers from the Breakfast Program.  Apparently the father is often not coherent from mental illness.  His son is always very sweet.  I asked Don Juan about several other families.  Two of the new kids who just started coming this week have a mother who is deaf and mute and a father who is never sober.  There were other similar stories.  None good.

Oh, I forgot to tell you that Don Juan got new teeth today!  When I got out of the car this morning I went to his office to say hello and he greeted me with a smile full of teeth!  I blurted out, "I like your teeth!" before I took time to consider if that was an appropriate compliment or not.  I think it was.  Six weeks ago he got all of his teeth pulled and couldn't eat anything solid for a while.  He said he has to "practice" all over again to learn to talk and to eat with his new teeth.  They sure are a mouth full.  He didn't eat any lunch.

Finally Jairo came down from his office and talked with Don Juan about how the swimming pool will be set up for baptisms this weekend.  Apparently it is a HUGE pool, about 4 feet deep.  19 people are being baptized in it Sunday!  Then Monday the kids from the Breakfast Program will be allowed to swim in it.  Jairo said it is too much water to waste if the kids don't get the chance to swim in it for a day or two :)  I bet most of them never get to swim.  There is a stream that runs through Los Pinos, but it is the most filthy thing I have ever seen, filled with all kinds of garbage.  Monday will be interesting.  I'll take photos.  I must admit I am not looking forward to it because I worry it is going to be out of control, but I have to change my thinking and understand that this is a fun, new opportunity for the kids.

Today when things got challenging I kept reminding myself that this program is for fun, socialization and learning.  70 kids are not going to be perfectly behaved.  This is a learning experience for me too - in patience and not to take things too seriously.  I am trying to be aware of areas where I have some room to grow.  I am comfortable working within rules and structure.  For those of you who don't know me personally, I'm not a control freak, I swear.  I am big on safety though and I feel responsible for these kids.  I've found that hugs and smiles help a lot, so you'll see me hugging and smiling more when I am stressed or feel that things are out of control.  It worked today.  Things were hectic, but everyone had a good time, they had time with God, they all got fed, and nobody was hurt.  To me that makes it a good  day.

On the way home Jairo told me a story.  It is about the difference between cats and dogs.  He said, "Dogs will look at you and say, 'Look at how she treats me.  She feeds me.  She plays catch with me.  She takes me for a walk.  She shows me love.  She is God.'"  Then he said, "Cats will look at you and say, 'Look at how she treats me.  She feeds me.  She builds me a scratching post and gives me special toys.  She loves me.  I am God.'"  Jairo said this comparison can be used for people too.  Just a thought -


I hope you end your day with a full heart and a smile.  : )

First Day of Classes

I woke up to many emails, all asking for good news regarding Jasmin's disappearance.  Unfortunately, I still have no good news to report.  Jasmin is 11 years old.  She attends the Breakfast Program regularly.  She is also learning disabled.  Yesterday we were at the church until after 8 pm.  Just as we were preparing to leave Jairo said that there were parents outside the gates asking for their daughter.  Lourdes, Jairo and I went out to talk to them.  At first we were not sure who they were asking for.  She is a girl who is not well socialized.  We have to be sure that she sits with others for meals.  Sometimes the other kids don't want to play with her, but sometimes she can be very rough with them.  I have written about her before.  A long time ago I had to ask her not to play Foosball anymore for that day because she kept hitting other kids.  She got mad and left.  I felt bad.

Anyway, yesterday she told her family she was going to school, which is odd, because the kids haven't had school all week (which is not odd - school is often cancelled for no apparent reason).  So she left for school.  Whether she really believed she had school or not, we don't know.  Some people said they saw her get on a bus, others saw her in the area where buses stop.  We don't know if she really got on a bus or not.  It rained really hard right when it gets dark at about 6 pm, for almost a half hour.  I would have expected her home then.  Her family was searching with flashlights.  We could only say that she did not attend the breakfast program Monday or Tuesday.  I took this photo of her Friday:

Jasmin dressed in traditional garb for Indian Day.

We are all praying for her and hoping that she might be with some extended family, but kidnapping is so rampant here, we are very anxious for her to return home.

I have been enjoying singing from the Catholic Church across the street since Saturday.  Crowds of people have been there every day.  I was thinking Sunday was some sort of special Catholic holiday.  Monday the crowds were also accompanied by police.  Today I learned that two people in my neighborhood died and the celebrations were funerals.  They sang all through the nights.  Even at this moment I can hear them singing.  One cool thing is that the church opens its' doors to people in the neighborhood no matter their denomination.  The choir must be exhausted.  I have not heard them take a break since Saturday and today is Wednesday.  People filled the enormous church and overflowed onto the lawn and down the hill.  One person was 28.  He borrowed his parents car and was found shot in the chest, far away.  He has no history of gang or drug involvement.  The other boy was 21.  He had a strange rash and was vomiting.  His boss told him to go home from work and go to the doctor.  He could not afford a doctor and died a week later.  I hope my rashes don't ever come back.  I'll be paranoid!  So, while for me the music has been a beautiful backdrop, the people of my neighborhood are in mourning.

Waiting with anticipation for the first day of classes!

On a happier note, today was the first day of classes for preschool.  I told Lourdes I was nervous so she said she will run classes today and show me how it is done.  We worked in the classroom last night while Jairo gave a class for those being baptized this week at church.  (There were either 13 or 18 at the class!! - I forgot which.)  We prepared a lesson about the number one and saying "Gracias"  (Thank you).  It was awesome!  The kids walked with their arms on each other's shoulders from the church to the classroom.  Then the door was locked and Don Juan had gone to the store to buy bread, so we had no keys to get inside.  I took the kids for a walk while we waited for Don Juan to get back.  (He has all the basic structure for my cat's scratching post done.)

Praying before class

Saying "Gracias" (Thank you)

We sat on the floor with legs and arms crossed and prayed, then read a book about saying thank you.  Moms say thank you when you help with laundry.  Dads say thank you when you help bake a cake.  Sisters say thank you when you button their sweater...

Practicing Numbero Uno - Number One

We also learned the number one.  We made a project and hung it from the ceiling.  By that time everyone else was leaving, but we still had to eat breakfast!  So we ate our oatmeal and cookie, then they brushed their teeth, took their vitamin, said thank you and left.  We had 2 new kids who came for the program today.  Word must have spread that we are doing a preschool!  One family was even there to take pictures of the kids going into the classroom.  I was glad I had decorated the door.

Waiting with anticipation at the door the their new classroom!

All in all I would say it was very successful.  Since we didn't have time to play with any of the toys today, Lourdes told them they can play with toys tomorrow.  I think I am going to really like working with these kids.  I only wish I knew more nursery rhymes and children's songs in Spanish.

We made a list of all of the things we need for the classroom:

Whiteboard Erasable Markers

Erasers

Pencils for small hands

Scotch and Masking Tape

Regular gGlue and Glue Sticks

Construction Paper

Markers - pointed and wide

Whiteboard eraser

Coloring books for preschoolers (with Christian themes if possible)

Kleenex

Hand Sanitizer

Clorox Wipes

Copy Paper

Lined paper with dashes for practicing upper and lower case letters

Workbooks for preschoolers

Cornstarch and Cream of Tartar to make our own play dough and finger paints

Puzzles or Board Games for preschoolers

Stickers for rewards

YOUR IDEAS!  (I am not a teacher and could use all the help I can get with creative, fun ideas.)

If you can help out with donations for any of these things, you can make a donation at the following link.  Just let me know what you would like to buy and I will use your donation to get that item.

I am also still $153 short for my personal funding.  Please consider sponsoring me with a monthly donation.

Either donation can be made at:

www.WorldOutreach.org/donations

Email me at MLFager@hotmail.com if you have a specific idea about how you would like your donation to be used.

Thank you for your support in prayer, finances and kind words.  I really appreciate it all!

Tamales and New Classroom

Today we had traditional tamales for the breakfast program.  But the food was the only tradition we kept.  We fed the kids four at a time and there were more than 60 today.  (Once again school was cancelled.  I'm not sure why.)

200 Homemade Tamales

Beautiful Girls with Popsicles

The reason we only ate four at a time is because Lourdes asked each of the kids to put themselves in the shoes of a family from K2.  The mother of this family recently passed.   The kids put themselves in the shoes of each child and the father of the family.  They dictated special messages to us which we will forward to the family.  It took hours, but they were patient.

Some waited more patiently than others

When they finished giving their message, they washed their hands, then sat and we served them in their seats.  We prayed with each group individually before they ate.

Here are some of the kids who will be in my preschool class

Have you ever seen so many kids on one swing set?

Afterward, Lourdes and some of the older girls helped me set up my classroom.  I have had a headache since Sunday.  Setting up the classroom was overwhelming and did NOT help my headache.  I can't imagine being a preschooler in that classroom.  There are so many toys and fun things to do I think I would be constantly distracted.  I expected to have the opposite problem, but we will not lack for things to do.  I tried to arrange things so that one side of the room can be for learning and one side for playing.  We'll see how that goes.

The Playing Side!

The Learning Side!

Tomorrow will be the first day of classes.  The kids are excited.  They are all hoping they will be young enough to come to my class, even though Lourdes has told them repeatedly only preschoolers will go.  I think we will just work on names.  Since there has been no school this week we are seeing kids who don't normally come to the breakfast program.  If we make names and place them at seats on the table, then the kids will have a place of their own.  Also I will be able to see if they know any letters or how to hold a crayon and have a better idea of where to start.

I feel intimidated because the two people who have done this before me were really good.  Everyone speaks highly of them.  Now people are starting to call me "maestra" which makes me uncomfortable because I am not a teacher and I don't want to disappoint anyone.  I was supposed to have 2 teens helping me, but tomorrow none of the girls are able to come!  So it may be me and 20 preschoolers.  Please (seriously) pray for me and the kids.  I want to provide structure and still let them have fun.  I've been reading blogs about activities, but most of the blogs are parents with their own kids.  Not 20 kids.

I have a white board, but no markers for it.  It will take time for me to dig through everything in that class and find a use for it.  But it is such a blessing to have too much stuff!  Except every Friday when  I have to take everything down and put it all away because they have Sunday school class in the same room.

This morning my Mom called on Skype.  It was nice to receive a phone call from home.  Nobody in the US has an international calling plan, so nobody can call me.  She called when I only had 15 minutes to be ready before I had to leave the house, so I really couldn't talk, but at least I knew she was thinking about me.

Well, I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.  And I'll try to take some photos.

Don Juan, the guard/maintenance man/overall helper of everyone, is going to make a scratching post for my cat.  He is excited to make it.  I showed him pictures today of scratching posts from Amazon.com.  Five minutes later he came back with some wood that he will use for the base.  I'll take photos when it is done.

Now we are waiting for Lourdes to finish a bible study.  Then we will head home for the day.  I hope this headache goes away for tomorrow.  I want a clear head on my first day with the kids.

Preschool Postponed

Today was a short day at the Breakfast Program.  There was no school, so all of the kids came early. We had the most delicious breakfast!  It was rice we got from the stash that the grocery store threw away, beans, a slice of cheese, a tortilla, and a piece of sweetbread.  We were all done by 12:30.

Lourdes wanted me to wait until Wednesday to start with the preschoolers.  She wants to show me all of the resources I will have to work with, and to rearrange the classroom before we start.  We will do that tomorrow so classes will start Wednesday.  I had a week focused on Noah's Arc planned.  We were going to read the story, then talk about the animals, draw the animals, and draw the first letter of our favorite animals.  I think that will be a week long project, so we will start that next Monday.

I talked to Lourdes about tutoring Daniel.  She suggested that I tutor him twice/week until I get a car.  That feels much more manageable.  She suggested that I go to Belinda's today, but then realized I had my computer with me, so she said today is not a good day.  I cannot travel alone with my computer.

After getting home early I started to watch a movie but fell asleep and slept for FOUR hours!  I feel like I finally caught up on all of the sleep I didn't get last week.

Jetty seems a little lethargic.  She is eating well, but she is sleeping a lot.  I am thinking of letting her play with the dog that is temporarily staying in my neighbor's house, but then I worry that Jett will be even more lonely when Estrella leaves to move to Guatemala with her owners.  I bought a bunch of toys for her.  Last night she decided to play with one on top of me while I was sleeping, and sometimes when I come home they are in different places than when I left.  But mostly she is sleeping.  Maybe she is still tired from last week too.  I hope she perks up soon.

I got a shower this morning with plenty of water.

Someone really important must have died.  The Roman Catholic church across the street has been singing non-stop since yesterday afternoon.  When I took out the garbage last night the enormous church was full and people filled the yard outside.  This morning the church was still overflowing with people and I noticed a lot of police there.  Fany commented to me about the police too.  We don't know exactly what is going on over there.  I am obsessed with that church.  How do they sing all day and all night, then again all day?  What is going on over there?

Time for dinner.  I am going to fry a platano and make a cheese/bean sandwich on a delicious baguette.  Yummy!  Lourdes said I need to eat a LOT so I don't lose weight like I have every other time when I visit.  That's an order I can follow :)

Tomorrow's the big day!

I have been telling everyone that in the US I have a lot of nightmares, but in Honduras I sleep happily and well.  Last night I had a recurring nightmare which started when I was about 20, but last night my recurring nightmare recurred three times in the same night!  Jairo said I may need a cleansing.  He explained that is a joke in Honduras, but at this point if a cleansing would help, I am up for it.  I've had a headache all day.  Maybe it's the heavy weather, but I'm more tempted to think it's from the stressful nightmares.

Speaking of cleansing, I woke up this morning ready to shower and there was no water in the shower.  There was water in the sink, but not in the shower.  Luckily I didn't look or smell too dirty so I cleaned up the best I could before church.

When I got home from church I decided to wash one last comforter which still has a small smell of mildew.  I got everything washed, but when I took the hose to fill the washer for the rinse cycle there was no water in my pila or Fany's pila.  I checked the house and there were only drops of water coming from the sink.  I called Fany but she didn't answer so I left a voicemail.  When she called back she said that whatever system we have been using before is broken, so we are relying on rain water in the cistern but it has not been raining.  She also said the water will come tonight.  I guess that means that we are using city water too.  At the last place I lived we relied on city water, but it only came every third day from 11pm-6 am.  We had to save it in big garbage cans and ration it until the next time the city turned on the water.  Maybe I'll learn to appreciate the rainy season more now, after all of the times I complained about my clothes not drying and my skin rashes.

On the way to church this morning Lourdes' sister, Belinda, asked if I am a teacher.  I said no.  She asked if I want to be a teacher.  I said no.  Then she asked if I would tutor her son.  I said yes, I'll try.  He has to take a standardized test in 2 months and pass with 80% or higher.  She is very worried for him.  He is already not in the grade he should be, according to his age.  He doesn't have much interest in school.  Belinda explained she has tried, but I know it is hard for a parent to tutor their own child.  From what I've seen both usually end up frustrated.  He and I get along well, so I will do my best.  She wants me to work with him three times/week, which feels like a big time commitment, mostly because I don't have transportation yet.

I am also a little nervous about starting with the preschoolers tomorrow.  They are excited, but I feel like I don't know what I'm doing.  In 1999 was a teachers aide for 1st and 2nd grade kids with special needs, and I've worked with a LOT of teenagers, but I never saw myself as a teacher.  We'll have to see how it goes.  I am open to ideas!!!


Today I dressed for church like the Honduran women do, with tighter pants and high heels.  I got many compliments.  I was wondering what Lourdes would say - I know she would have said something, but she didn't come to church today.  My favorite outfit of the day was not my own though.  It was Marlin's.  The bible I gave her had a denium cover. She wore a denium dress and carried a denium purse which fit her bible perfectly inside.  I complimented her and told her it was so cool how she matched all over.  (It didn't look overwhelming because she added a pretty shawl and necklace.)  Her kids sat with me during church.  There was only one seat, so Meylin took the seat and Misael plopped himself on my lap.

Marlin in denium

I got lots of hugs and greetings from people I haven't seen since I got back.  Valery, Jose and Karla's daughter, latched on to me after the service and followed me around until her parents were ready to go.  Followed isn't exactly the right word.  She actually attached herself to me - on my lap if I sat or around my legs if I stood.  She was in a happy mood today.


The message today was about being conscious about how you live here and now, because the things you do now determine your future on earth and when you die.  Jairo also emphasized being present in the moment, not worrying about the future.  The band is definitely enjoying the wireless microphones K2 bought for the church.  We also had a guest saxophone/flute player from California.  Oh, and I almost forgot - Walter Zaldaña (not the Walter that some of you know, but a boy who Jairo took from the streets many years ago) had his baby presented to the church today.  Jairo explained the whole concept of presenting the baby so that the church can support him in raising the baby according to Christian beliefs.  The baby can be baptized when she is old enough to choose to do so.  Next week there will be 13 baptisms! Jairo said this is almost double the usual number of baptisms.  Everyone is excited.

After church a woman named Raquel, who has reached out to me since I first got here, asked if I would join her for a two minute meeting.  She took Meylin, Marlin and Kenia into a classroom with her.  I knew Kenia had been bullying Meylin, but I didn't know that Kenia and Meylin are cousins who have separate spaces, but share the same home structure.

Sidenote:  Yay!  It's raining!  I should have water soon if this keeps up.

Kenia has had a difficult time ever since I've known her.  We love her and talk to her, but her life is difficult.  She is 14 now.  Meylin's mother loves Kenia very much, but she can't allow Kenia to do the things she is doing to Meylin.  Raquel asked each of the girls to tell their story.  They both cried and seemed to truly be in pain as they talked about their relationship.  Kenia struggled with accountability, but finally admitted to what she had done most recently.  With encouragement from Raquel, she asked for forgiveness, which Meylin granted.  The two girls cried and hugged.  Then I asked Kenia to think of 2 things she can do to make things better at home.  Kenia said she will not hit or use bad words.  We discussed the idea that this is a habit she will have to break and it may take time because she is accustomed to doing these things, but she can always ask for forgiveness from God and anyone she may hurt if she messes up.  I asked if her heart felt better after the conversation.  She said yes, smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes.  I told her God does not want her to be sad or have a heavy heart.  He will always forgive her, just like Meylin did, if she asks his forgiveness.  She is going to write down the two things she will practice at home.  She will also work at being more obedient to her mother.  I'll ask her how things are going next week.  It was an honor that Raquel asked me to sit with them.  She said it was hard for her to talk to the girls, but I think she did a great job.  We made a good team.  She also said my Spanish has gotten a lot better.  I always am happy to receive that compliment.


Raquel has been wanting me to help her with the younger teen-aged girls since I first got here, but since I don't have a car we haven't been able to make that happen.  I would like to work with her when I get a car.  But I realize I also need to pace myself.  Already I spend 5 days working and one day worshiping at the church.  If I help with the younger teens, that will mean 7 days/week I will be at the church.  I will have to pray about that.


I came home and made a nice lunch.  Jetty sat with me while I ate.  Now I need to start preparing for my first preschool class tomorrow.  We will be separated from the breakfast program in our own classroom.  Lourdes asked that we have some time to learn about God, some time for motor skills and school preparation, and then we will eat together in the classroom as well.  I think the ideas sound great.  I am just not sure how to implement them.  Please pray about this - that God will guide me and show me how to meet the needs of each of these precious children.


I'll let you know how it goes.  Feels great to be writing again!

I'll wave my finger if I can't hear you.

Today was productive.  I sat on the steps outside the church and looked over the mountainous city while I waited for Karla and Jose to pick me up.  I spend so much time locked inside my gates, I usually fail to notice what a gorgeous view they have across the street.  I'll have to take a picture of it sometime.  Mountainsides full of houses.  Karla and Jose arrived with homemade Popsicle they bought down the street.  I think they were horchata, frozen in a plastic cup with a Popsicle stick stuck inside.  They tasted delicious!

We took off  for the pet store.  The pet store was not what I expected. I was thinking something like Petsmart or Petco.  This was a little pet store in the mall, big enough to fit about 12 people if they crowded inside, with birds and fish for sale.  They did have a litter box and food dishes.  They had one kind of hard cat food, one kind of litter, and two kinds of soft cat food.  They had no toys, no water fountain, no mat for outside the litter box and no box liners.  But I do have the basic necessities, I guess.

Valery became very attached to the litter box and insisted on carrying it with us as we shopped for the next hour or more.  It has a cover with a handle so she carried it around like a hug purse.  She wouldn't put that thing down no matter how we begged.  She carried the litter box as we went grocery shopping, then to pick up an extension cord which I needed for the washing machine that the Seamans left for me when they moved to Guatemala.

When we got back Jose helped me set up the washer.  It is outside my kitchen window.  When I want to use it I pull the cord through the window and plug it in.  Then I get the garden hose and fill it with water since it is not attached to a water source.  When the wash cycle is done I fill it up again for rinsing.  My mom thinks it's crazy, but it is so nice to have clean clothes.  They dry a lot more quickly too.  I feel blessed to have running water, so a clothes washer feels like sheer extravagance.

I did three loads of wash, ate a good meal with my new groceries, did some yard work and settled in for the night.  Called my mom at 7 pm on Skype.  It was still sunny in Denver.  It had already been dark for an hour here.  I have to get a faster internet connection before I try that again.  I have learned to live with the slow connection because I pirate my neighbor's unsecured line.  However, Mom is not used to it.  I kept explaining that Skype isn't going to work well until I get my own internet connection.  I even wrote her a message explaining it.  But every time my voice faded out she kept wondering why.  Then she decided to use a signal to tell me when she couldn't hear me.  So every time she couldn't hear me she would say, "I can't hear you, I've lost you, What's wrong?  Are you there?" and wave her pointer finger in front of the Skype camera.  It was pretty entertaining from this end.  (Sorry Mom)  Finally the connection would come back and she would act like it hadn't just happened six times already.  Must be it wasn't too frustrating for her though, because she just buzzed in to tell me good night as I was writing this.  She did the finger thing again and left me laughing and loving her more than ever.  Skyping is new to her, so I'm glad she is trying it, even though we still have some fine tuning to do.  When I get my own internet connection she won't have to wave her finger anymore.  But maybe I'll talk softly so she thinks she can't hear me, just for the entertainment value.

"Are you there?  I can't hear you," with a finger wave.  :)  Good night.

Back in Honduras

Got back to Honduras, safe and sound, with all of my suitcases and my cat on Thursday afternoon.  I was really worried about bringing Jetty with me.  However, she was perfectly calm about the whole thing.  18 hours in a little bag didn't seem to phase her a bit.   She has settled right in to her new home and, as usual, is making friends with everyone she meets.  Today Jose is taking me to buy a litter box and cat food.  Yesterday Jairo tried - but that's a story for later.

I purposely am not posting about my "vacation".  It was nothing that I expected and many things I didn't expect.  Thank God for my mother.  Let's leave it at that.

I did get to meet some of the people who are sponsoring me that I've not met before.  That was nice.  Wish I could have caught up with others.

Left Colorado Wednesday night.  Accidentally got to the airport almost 3 hours before my flight.  Normally I wouldn't mind being early, but this time it meant extra time in the cat carrier for poor Jett.  Got to Honduras at noon on Thursday.  I wasn't sure what to expect from the people who had to approve Jett to leave the airport.  The were nice as can be.  They needed help to translate the records to make sure she had her rabies shot.  I paid the 500 lempiras and they said "cheque" which means okay, or everything is in order.  I always love that word.  Karla says it a lot.  But I have never been happier to hear "cheque" before.  With some kind words and a small payment, Jett and I were free to go home!

Lourdes and Jairo were at the airport to meet me.  They were shocked at all of my luggage.  I had 2 suitcases (each 50 lbs on the dot), a big backpack as my carry on and Jetty as my personal item.  We lugged it all to the car and by the time we payed the attendant at the airport parking lot I already felt at home.

I did have some moments of panic later in the evening when I began to question if I can keep Jett safe and healthy here.  It is hard to keep her from drinking the water from the sinks or shower or the water that drips through the ceiling every time it rains.  I guess I will have to just wait and see what happens.  I am scared she will drink the water and get sick :(

The first thing I did when I got home was sweep and mop the floors.  A lot of cockroaches died while I was gone and they were all upside down on my floor.  I found out later that my neighbor had a fumigator at her house so she asked them to blow the fumes into my window too.  Thus the abundance of dead cockroaches.  I hope this will mean less live ones in the future!

After the house was clean I unpacked all of my stuff, put pictures on the walls and my knife set in the kitchen.  That felt nice.

I was homesick when all of the work was done, missing my mom.  So I called her and she reminded me that I was exhausted, hadn't slept in 2 nights, and assured me I would feel better when I get to see the kids in the morning.

Of course she was right.  Yesterday morning I got up and got ready for Lourdes and Jairo to pick me up.  It was so nice to wake up with Jetty next to me.  I read my devotional and it was about being homesick!  That little message from God was all it took to remind me that I am in the right place.

I think some of the kids were surprised to see me come back to the breakfast program.  So many people leave, I don't think they expected to see me so soon.  But they were happy to see me, especially Marlin and her kids, Misael and Meylin.  All three of them ran to me with their arms open for hugs.  Lourdes said that Marlin was faithful in running the breakfast program while we were gone.  The kids had a long time of prayer and lots of singing before breakfast.  Finally I know most of the words to the songs.  I am still learning the hand motions ;)

I was excited to give Marlin her birthday present - a bible.  Her eyes welled up with tears and she was completely silent.  But her smile said it all.  She gave me several big hugs and said thank you later, when she could speak.  Now she will not have to borrow a bible from the church.  Eunice said that just last week Marlin was asking about buying a bible, but it was too expensive.  I think she loved her gift.  I certainly loved being able to give it to her.

Beautiful girls dressed for Indian Day

The garb of traditional dancers, with beads and ruffles.

Kenya kept asking to get her picture taken.  She was very proud of her costume.

It was Indian Day, a national holiday, so some of the kids dressed as the native people used to and entered contests at their school.  Kids from the breakfast program got first, second and third place in the contest!  They were proud of their costumes and wanted their pictures taken.  Some of the girls were dressed as dancers, with traditional white dresses.  The dresses are all the same, but they add embroidery to make the dresses more special, and then wear things in their hair and long beads around their necks.  Other girls were dressed as Indians, with little leather tops and a sort of loin cloth/skirt.  They had special sandals that were simple and flat, made of leather.  To me, Meylin's costume was the best.  But by applause she got second place.  She had long, fake braids which she loved.  Keep in mind she doesn't have much hair because her mother was sick with Lupus when Meylin was born.  She wore those braids all day, even after she took off the rest of her costume.

Meylin in her second place costume

After the kids left the breakfast program Jairo offered to take me shopping.  I forgot that I had given my ID to someone so they could pick up a package for me.  (I think the package my friend, Bill Frausto, sent is finally here.)  Apparently it is a big package, because the person who went to get it for me came back empty handed saying he needs more money before they will release it to him.  Anyway, Jairo and I went shopping and it wasn't until I was at the check out that I realized I only had my credit card.  They wouldn't let us buy anything without ID and Jairo had given the same guy who had my ID all of his money to change it to Lempiras.  So we left the store empty handed.  I felt bad for wasting Jairo's time.  He said he had a strange feeling that something was going to go wrong, and figured it had to do with paying for the groceries, but he didn't want to doubt my ability to buy groceries so he tried to push the feeling aside and said nothing.  I told him next time I would not be offended if he asked!

When we got back to the church Marlin, Don Juan, and Lourdes were going through food from another load that was thrown away by the grocery store.  I thought it was appropriate that we were digging through food from the garbage on my first day back, since that is what I did as soon as I got off the plane last time.  I did appreciate that this load was clean and not smelly, unlike my first experience.  All that could not be used for the breakfast program was bagged up with people's names and we delivered it on the way home.

Lourdes and I had a long talk as we waited for Jairo to finish a marriage counseling session.  She was happy that I got to spend so much quality time with my mother and enjoy my mother's company and support while I was home.  Lourdes always helps me clarify my own thoughts about things, so I really enjoy our conversations.  She is able to point out things that I wouldn't see on my own.  I always feel reassured after talking with Lourdes.  It is such a huge blessing to be able to sit down and talk with Lourdes and Jairo on almost a daily basis.  I asked if I could become a disciple of someone (have a mentor), now that I am officially here full time.  I asked Lourdes to decide who she thinks will be best for me.  I will also be joining a small group.

Jairo is looking for a vehicle for me.  He said he doesn't want others to know it is for a gringa, or they will charge more.  He said he will use his connections.

Last night I was invited to the Sarmientos for dinner.  We picked up Lourdes' sister, Belinda,  and her kids and headed up the mountain, stopping along the way to drop off bags of food.  We also stopped at the Pacheco's house because all of the Pachecos got food poisening from Little Ceasar's pizza and are very sick.  Lourdes had medicine for them.  And they said they are drinking "Ga-toe-ra-day" (Gatorade).  I giggled over that.

It was after 8 pm by the time we got to the Sarmiento's house.  Aaron is away visiting relatives.  Joss was busy on her new computer, which was given to her by a special friend in the US.  After dinner Jairo and Belinda worked on something for the church.  Lourdes got out the Magic Jack and told me to call my mother, so I did.  She told Lourdes and me about the young man who shot and murdered all of the people at the Batman premier in Colorado, close to her house.  The only good thing that came out of that is the presidential candidates agreed to stop campaigning and pulled their slanderous ads from the Colorado stations for a few days.  Lourdes turned on the news here in Honduras.  Even here, the tragedy in Colorado was all they were talking about.  Then we tried, unsuccessfully to call a few more mutual friends.  Finally we had procrastinated enough and had to get some work done ourselves.  I am now Lourdes' Facebook administrator too.  She asked me to post some pictures for her and told me what to write.  So I spent until after 11 pm doing things for Lourdes on the internet.

As we headed home I joked that they already had me working 13 hour days.  Lourdes said yes, I had been on vacation too long so she was going to wring all of the energy out of me now that I am back.  Really, spending 13 hours in the church and at the Sarmiento's home is a pleasure.  But Jetty was happy to see me when I got home.  We curled up and went to sleep.

Today Jose is taking me to the pet store.  I am hoping I can talk him into the grocery store too.  This time I will remember my ID.  Fany, my neighbor, and I sat outside this morning and talked.  I woke early (6:45) and jumped out of bed when I heard the man outside yelling "AGUAAAA!".  I am out of water and had to bring some home from the church just to get through the night.  So I bolted out the door, then realized he was still on the street behind my house.  I rested and waited for him to come to my street.  I have water now, but still feel like I could have used a few more hours of sleep.

Oh, I forgot to mention the new changes in my neighborhood!  First of all, the entrances to my colonia (neighborhood) now have tall, green, metal gates that form a complete barrier across the entire street and the sidewalks.  The only way through to pass through is when a guard lifts the metal bar.  The guards want to know exactly where you live, which is hard since there are no street names here.  I figure they will learn my face more quickly now that I am back for good, since I believe I am the only gringa in my neighborhood.  They are very tight about closing the gate before and after each car now, whereas they used to stand in the road and talk to each car, but keep the gate open.  Also - the most exciting thing - is that a new pulperia opened just a few houses away!  I passed it on my way to my old pulperia.  They are advertising to be a mini supermarket instead of a pulperia.  They will carry meat and all kinds of cheeses.  But at this time they are not fully stocked, which was actually nice because I could see how clean the place was.  I stopped in for queso fresco (soft cheese) which they didn't have yet, but they said they will have it soon and it will be very good quality.  Exciting!

Gotta run for now.  Jose just called to say he will be here in 15 minutes to take me shopping.  He said he is going to "horn" when he is outside.  We've had this talk before.  When he gets here I will remind him that he "beeps" when he gets outside, he doesn't "horn".  His English is so perfect I love to tease him when he makes funny mistakes like that.

Later -