Swimming with the ladies

Question:  Six Hondurans and one gringa go swimming.  The six Hondurans use sunblock (SPF 70) and the gringa uses none.  Who gets burned?

Answer:  Everyone but the gringa!

Yesterday Lourdes took all of the ladies in her discipleship group, plus Chayito (the therapist) and me to the club.  The ladies were so excited!  And also very nervous.  They had never been to a club before.  They had never been anywhere where they had to wear a bathing suit.  Lourdes and I came up with bathing suits for everyone.  We painted our nails to match our suits.  We planned and planned all week.  On Monday we prepared a list of things to bring.  One by one they admitted they had no towels, so we found towels for the ladies as well.  I guess they normally drip dry?  Some day when the time is right I will ask.

Tuesday morning we pulled into the church expecting the ladies to be ready and waiting.  Nobody was there!  Usually they are all very prompt.  I was surprised.  Finally, one by one, they came up the hill.  We climbed into the van and headed out.  We arrived to find the club empty, except for one man who was skimming the pool.  One of the ladies commented, "Look, he's getting our pool dirty."  We told her no, he is cleaning it.

We all changed into bathing suits.  There were some gasps when we walked into the bathroom.  It was very average to me - two bathroom stalls, three showers, beige tile, no warm water.  But to some it was very elaborate.  Everyone assured each other they looked beautiful in their bathing suits - and they really did.  Somehow I ended up bringing 4 bathing suits to Honduras.  God must have known that I would have to clothe some ladies from Los Pinos so they could go to a swimming pool.

Clara, Chayito, Jacki, Veronica, Marlin, Lourdes at the Club

I broke the ice and jumped right in, so I missed the conversation about who could swim and who could not.  Turned out only Marlin knows how to swim.  She is actually very good!  I don't know where she had the opportunity to become so comfortable in the water, but she is.  Lourdes and I taught everyone else how to kick and put their faces in the water.  Some were even doggy paddling.

Clara is out of the hospital and swimming!

We swam and played for hours in the water.  I was the first to get out!  I was chilly and needed some sunshine.  Josselyn and Jairo joined us for lunch.  We all chose to have a plato tipico - typical plate of Honduras.  It was enormous!  It was steak, two sausages, queso fresco (cheese), beans, tortillas, rice and salsa.  We sat in the sun eating, lounging and talking.  As the sun got too hot, we moved to the shade.  Everyone talked about how good it felt to relax.  Only Joss and I don't have kids, so they talked about not having to work, not having to care for the kids.  Lourdes made a rule that nobody could call home.  I don't think anyone even wanted to.

Here in Honduras, it is very rare that a woman takes time for herself to relax.  For the women of Los Pinos it is unheard of and thought to be selfish to think of themselves.  But we had prepped the ladies to honor themselves for the day.  It was nice to hear them say that they felt so relaxed because I know for a fact that even when they are "relaxing" in their beds at night, they are sleeping with their kids on lumpy mattresses or some sort of pad.  They don't have their own bedroom, or even their own bed.  I had a wonderful day, but I think I found as much pleasure in seeing my friends relax and enjoy themselves.

Veronica and me

After lunch we went for a walk and explored the rest of the club.  It is really very nice - an isolated oasis in the middle of the city.  There are several playgrounds and two different areas with tennis courts.  There are two fútbol fields, the pool, a sauna, jaccuzi, childrens' pool and a gigantic slide.  During our walk I saw a beautiful building at the top of a mountain.  I said I was going up there.  We didn't know if it was a house, or what.  Along the way Joss found the hugest slide I have ever seen.  She got a gleam in her eye and I thought to myself, "This is why I love this girl."  She maintains a perfect balance of pushing limits without ever going too far.  She is awesome!  Needless to say, soon everyone was following Joss's lead and screeching as we flew down the slide.  It was so fast and so high that I was afraid I was going to burn a hole in the shorts I had borrowed from Lourdes!  No joke.  My behind was hot!

This is the slide - it wouldn't even fit in the photo

After out hike, we were all hot again, so we hopped in the pool for one last swim.  I taught everyone how to play tag in the water.  Then they all (except Marlin) asked for diving lessons.  We ended the day by all lining up and diving in, one at a time, like synchronized swimmers over and over.  Jairo took videos of our fantastic diving.  Then Lourdes said it was time to go.  I laughed when I heard one mother say, "I don't want to get out yet!"

It was a marvelous day with many of my favorite people!  Lourdes was BRILLIANT to think of this as a treat for her disciples.

I will now be joining the discipleship group officially.  Lourdes said that the women are still new Christians, but for me it will be an opportunity to develop deeper relationships.  I am honored to be included in the group.


On Monday, Marlin and I were working in the kitchen.  Marlin took both of my hands and looked into my eyes.  She said, "I love you.  You know that, don't you?  You are the most special friend I have ever had.  You are caring and sweet.  You are a good friend to me."  I told her that she is very special to me, as well.  I reminded her about the first time we ever spoke - that I thought she was one of the kids of the Breakfast Program until she told me that two of the kids were hers.  I also told her that I thought it was very rare that she approached me because she is usually extremely shy.  She agreed that it was not typical for her to start a conversation with a stranger.  I told her that she was the first person to talk to me, and she has been wonderful to me ever since.

I try to imagine what Marlin's life is like when she leaves the Breakfast Program and goes back to her home in Los Pinos.  I know she doesn't have running water (or a towel).  I know she doesn't have a fridge.  Her two kids don't have their own bed.  Her life is nothing like the way I was raised.  But we are friends deep in our souls.  Our backgrounds don't matter.  We really don't even talk about them much, although we could if we wanted to.

Today Marlin invited me to her house to learn how to make tamales with her on Friday.  I told her I want to go, but I'm not sure how I would get home.  I will ask Jairo and talk to my taxi driver to figure it out.  She said we could do it Saturday if that makes it easier for me to be there.  I think Saturday will be better because I don't know any taxi driver who would pick me up in her neighborhood after dark.  Tamales take a long time, so if we start after the Breakfast Program on Friday we will be working long past dark.  I am really hoping to spend Saturday learning to make tamales with my friend Marlin.  What a beautiful opportunity to learn a new skill, spend time with my friend, and get to learn more about her life and her familiy!

Monday Jairo and I went to see the lawyer about my residency.  We had to pay the most significant part of the costs.  Jairo and I stopped at the bank and I got the money out of my account.  He started to hand me the huge wad of cash and I looked at him like, "You want me to carry that????"  I think he was testing me.  He laughed and asked if I wanted him to hold it.  I said yes, please!  We parked in a special parking lot this time, since we were carrying so much money.  This way we didn't have to walk through the streets carrying cash.  Lawyers here do not take checks or credit cards.

I like the lawyer who is dealing with my residency.  He is a friend of Jairo's.  He asked what I am doing in Honduras, so we told him about the Breakfast Program.  His wife is trying to start a similar program in his church, but so far they haven't been able to figure out how to serve anyone except on Sundays.  We invited them to visit the church any morning and see how we cook and serve all of the kids.  He was very impressed with what Iglesia en Transformación is doing through the Breakfast Program.  He also asked how I learned Spanish.  I told him through classes.  He said I must have learned in other ways because he has worked with gringos and most of them don't know what he is talking about.  Jairo told the attorney that he believes I have a special gift for language because I learn fast.  That made me feel really good.

Lourdes, Jairo and Walter all left today to go to Olancho.  They brought 5 boys with them to visit the six boys who are currently enrolled in the private Christian school there.  The five boys will take an entrance exam.  If they pass the exam we will begin looking for funding so that they can get out of Los Pinos and go away to school.  Lourdes picks only "the cream of the crop" to attend school at El Sembrador.  It is very expensive, so she wants to be sure they will be able to last away from home, in a new environment, with a LOT of structure.  I have been praying all day for those boys.  This is literally a day that will change their lives.  If they pass the exam and go to school at El Sembrador, they will have access to an entirely different path.

Marlin and I are running the Breakfast Program together.  We make a great team.  She cooks and I make sure to help when she needs it.  I work with the kids and she helps me when I need it.  Today she told me she needed help.  She said she needed me to ask the kids to wash their dishes and leave.  I started to bolt out the door to do as she asked.  She burst out laughing and said WAIT!  I was so eager to do as she asked, I hadn't given her time to finish telling me the rest of what she needed me to do.  :)  We both started laughing.  Marlin works harder at the Breakfast Program than any other person, but she used to be very timid.  Only in the past month she has found her own voice.  Now I find her solving arguments with the kids and making decisions on her own.  She never did that before, even a month ago.  She is also parenting her kids in a more decisive, consistent manner.  I like watching my friend reach her full potential.

My friend Marlin is learning not to be timid.

I was able to call Lourdes this afternoon and tell her that everything had been very "tranquilo" (calm) with no problems at all.  I even have a new boy in mind for El Sembrador next year.  His name is Yireh.

Today is Halloween.  Halloween is very strongly frowned upon here.  Nobody sees it as a silly holiday to paint your face and eat treats.  In a country where every other day seems to be some sort of holiday, Halloween is NOT.  It as seen as evil and anti-christian.  The kids are offended by the idea of Halloween and call it the day of the witch.  We did not celebrate Halloween today.

New boots

Violet and Misael got new boots!

Violet practicing her modeling skills

Yesterday Lourdes went through donations we received from a team in Canada.  Inside were many things including rubber boots.  The kids absolutely LOVE these boots.  Misael wore his all day yesterday and showed up this morning wearing them again.  He has to be so hot and sweaty in them.  We have tried to tell him to save them for the rain, but...  Violet wanted to wear her boots today too and cried when her mother didn't allow her.

Today was a great day for the preschool class.  We had three kids who were so small we had to cut their pancakes and spoon feed them, but they still participated well.  We played Simon Says, Duck Duck Goose, and Red Light Green Light.  It was really fun for everyone.  I had to stand out of Duck Duck Goose after I realized that as long as I was sitting in the circle, every kid was going to pick me.

For an entire week, Violet has at least attended class.  She cried a little bit on Wednesday.  Today she played, prayed and ate with the class.  This is the best she has done so far.  She gets a sticker on days that she participates.

Seeing the progress - the fact that they can stand and listen in order to play Simon Says - feels great!  There were some days that I wondered if this was even possible.  After 3 months we have fallen into a nice rhythm.  They love the class too, which is really nice.  They are proud of their class.

Yesterday was a new highlight for the whole morning group.  As I handed out the food I noticed they were all saying "Gracias" (Thank You).  All but one of the 49 kids in the morning group remembered to say thank you for their food!  This is something I have been working on since the first day I arrived.  I was so proud of them!  The one girl who forgot to say thank you is new.  She still needs time to learn.

Everyday we have to shoo the kids out when it is time to go.  Today I did the shooing.  Three boys continued playing so I told them if they didn't leave they would not be allowed to come back on Monday.  (Since it's a daily problem, that's how Lourdes has asked us to deal with it.)  Two eventually ran to get their backpacks while the third headed for the swings.  Along the way he threw his Popsicle wrapper on the ground.  I walked over and asked him to pick up his garbage and not throw it on the ground.  He got angry. He started muttering something about "That Gringa" as he left.  His friends followed behind.  But soon his buddies came running back.

There is one thing that none of the kids tolerate at the Breakfast Program.  "Malas palabras" - bad words.  The boy's friends ran to Don Juan and me with wide eyes.  They told us that Christopher, the angry boy, had said bad words.  Don Juan was really surprised when they told him exactly what Christopher had said.  When I saw the look on Don Juan's face I told the boys to let Christopher, who was long gone, know that he would not be allowed in the Breakfast Program on Monday.  Several adults and kids mentioned that this boy's behavior is reflective of the way his family behaves at home.  Jairo was furious when he heard what the boy had said.  I can't repeat it.

It is hard for me to tell the kids they are not allowed to come to the Breakfast Program, even if they say vile things about me.  I always wonder if I may be taking away their one meal for the day.  The likelihood of this is great.  I have to remind myself that it is not me who keeps them from coming that day.  It is their own behavior.  But sometimes that is hard to remember.

The kids at the Breakfast Program live in poverty that I can't imagine.  No running water, no refrigerators.  Lately the whole program has been deeply infested with lice.  It seems like Lourdes, one other mother, and I are the only ones who have avoided lice.  So far.  The mothers and Don Juan sit with the kids and pick the lice out of their hair every day.  Sometimes they sit for hours.  I have not gotten up the nerve or desire to pick lice yet.  It still kind of freaks me out to watch them pull out the lice and crush them between their fingernails.  Yuck.

Yesterday Lourdes and I were talking when Jairo called to Lourdes.  We looked outside and there was a woman who was clearly very angry.  Lourdes was not looking forward to talking with the angry woman but when she went outside she learned that the mother was there with her son, who had stolen toys from the Breakfast Program.  The mother brought her son to the church to return the toys.  She made it very clear that his behavior was not acceptable in her home.  We all talked about what a great mother she is.  Her kids are new to the program.  She doesn't know us.  It would have been easier for her to handle it differently.  But she set a good example for her son and his 3 younger siblings who are all in the preschool class.

Next door to the church is the most expensive colleges in the country.  Jairo had told me about the fact that many of the kids have body guards there.  Yesterday the kids from the college were jogging down the sidewalk along the way to church.  We followed a long trail of them.  Jairo asked if I saw all of those people driving next to the students.  I couldn't help but notice.  They were holding up traffic as they drove next to the joggers.  He said all of the drivers are personal body guards for the students.  He said this is the state of the country.  The parents have to pay for personal body guards for their kids.  The body guards have to be right next to the students because it is not safe to jog on the sidewalk.  Things like that really bother Jairo - reminders of the state of his precious country.

If you look at the pattern, even within the Breakfast Program, you can see the different paths the kids are already  on.  Some kids have mothers who are bring them to turn in toys if they steal and teach them to be responsible.  Others kids learn to say vile things to authority figures.  I hope the Breakfast Program is changing these patterns.  48 of 49 kids remembering to say "Thank You" is a small, but good start.

Welcome to my 200th Blog Entry!

Today I walked on the wild side.  Before my Mom starts having a heart attack, let me explain.  Today, for the first time ever, I went to the pulperia after 5pm.  It's dark here by 5:30, so I like to be sure I'm in the house with plenty of time to spare.  The pulperia is only about 1/2 a block away.  I was back home safely before dark.  That was my walk on the wild side.

Lately I have a special knack for bringing the rain.  I wait until there is not a cloud in the sky, and start washing laundry.  By the time I have clipped the last clothes pin and walked into the house it begins to rain.  This has happened three times in a row.  Except today it started raining before I got all of the clothes hung, so I took them all inside and hung them around the house.  I tried twice more to hang them outside.  The last time the skies were so clear I figured they could hang outdoors all night and be dry by morning.  Nope.  Within 7 minutes I heard thunder and it started to rain.  The skies turned black that fast.  I grumbled to my neighbors that the laundry had only been out for 5 minutes and was never going to dry.  Santos asked if it rains a lot in the states.  I said, "In the states I have a DRYER.  I don't pay any attention to the rain!"  He laughed at me.  Spoiled gringa.

Santos and Fany are amazed at how their daughter, Laura, has gotten so comfortable with me.  She is 10 months old.  She saw me across the church on Sunday and was reaching out for me.  Today when her parents were holding her in the yard she reached for me too.  She laughs a lot.  I've only heard her cry once in 6 months.  Today she was laughing as I yanked my clothes off the line for the third time.  I told her it was not funny.  She still laughed.  She is really darn cute.

Jairo left today to go fishing.  I told Lourdes, "Good for him!"  She said, "Good for us, too.  He needs to go fishing.  We need him to go."  He has a difficult job.  Especially this month with an event every Saturday because of the 30th Anniversary of the church.

Last Saturday was the Womens' Conference.  Next week we will have a talent show.  Every Sunday we have special guests too.  This week was the best church service I have been to in a long time.  Jairo's sister, Ruth's church came to celebrate with us.  That meant the church members came and they brought their musicians.  It was incredibly powerful.  We sang and sang.  Let me tell you - God was ROCKING THAT CHURCH!  First our regular band played four songs.  Then Ruth's group was supposed to play 7, but I don't think they made it that far because at the end of "The Revelation Song" I saw Edward, the drummer from our church, signal to the sound guys.

Edward is normally the quiet type.  However, he took the microphone and began to speak passionately.  He spoke straight to the "jovenes" (ages 13-29).  He said the Lord called him to speak out.  He said he needed to tell the jovenes to stand up, honor and praise the Lord.  He said the Lord has been so wonderful to this church for 30 years.  He said we all must rise up, be strong, and glorify the Lord.  He said especially the jovenes cannot be quiet because they are the future leadership.

Ruth asked everyone to stop because Edward had just had a prophecy.  She called all of the jovenes to the front and asked Edward to pray over each individual.  He did.  We continued singing The Revelation Song as he prayed.  There were over 30 jovenes spread across the front of the church.  I forgot to ask any of the kids what he said to them.  I am curious to hear, because everyone could feel God's presence.  It was a very intense and moving experience.  Here are some pictures.

Edward is on stage, on the left, in the brown shirt.  In front of him are all of the jovenes lining up.

Kenia, Lolita, Yarely went up front to recieve

Lolita receiving God's word for her from Edward

Maynor, Luis, Kevin, Emilson

Edward praying over Emilson

After all of that Walter spoke.  I don't think I've heard him actually preach before.  He was really, really good.  It was a great message, delivered in a very straight forward, easy to follow and sincere way.  It will stick with me past Tuesday.  (I remember hearing once that most people can't remember the message from the previous Sunday past Tuesday.)

The 3rd Annual Women's Conference was really good on Saturday too.  We got all dressed up.  Lourdes read the letter that she wrote for Paula Winter's birthday book.  When Paula passed, Eric asked Paula's friends to write a letter about their memories of Paula.  He put all of the letters into a book for the family to read every year on Paula's birthday.  The strange part was that Lourdes wrote about how Paula is a woman who represents all that Psalms 31 says a woman should be.  Jairo asked Lourdes to honor Paula without knowing that the other speakers at the conference were all speaking about Psalms 31.  So Lourdes' letter fit right in.  That was another God thing.

Lourdes, Clara (looking GREAT!), Me
Clara was just diagnosed with Leukemia.
She is out of the hospital but needs $200/week for chemotherapy.
Only God knows where we will get the money for her treatment.

Lourdes with her disciples - Marlin, Clara and Jacky
They are all very special to me.

Jairo calls us "Mujeres (women) Galacticas" with the shiny blue bags we got this year at the conference.   :)

After the conference Jairo loaded 18 women into the van at a time and began a shuttle service from the church to La Tigra, which is a good 45 minutes.  He was shuttling from 4 pm until 8 pm.  By the time he and Lourdes got home, we had cooked the whole meal for Joss's birthday party and had everything ready to go. That was a good thing because Jairo had a headache and needed to eat to balance his diabetes.  We ate carne asada, chismol, bean salad, queso fresco, and tortillas.  I even drank coca cola at night.  Lourdes said I am turning into a real Honduran when she saw that.  Then we had Joss's cake.  The picture stands for itself.

Joss told me it was going to be a small party - just me, her Grandmother, her Aunt and her family.  Over 30 people were there.  It was very nice and she got the cake of her dreams.

Making a wish  with Mom and Dad cheering her on

When I started this blog 200 entries ago, I never, EVER imagined I would be a missionary in Honduras.  I started writing in 2009 as a way for me to keep in touch with family and friends on a daily basis because I was coming to live to Honduras to learn the language.  I thought that in three months I could improve my Spanish enough to pass a fluency test and get a better paying job.  Well, I don't have a better paying job.  At least not in dollars, but living as a missionary in Honduras is more rewarding than any amount of money could be.  I love to serve God.  I love to put my life in His hands and see where He leads me.  I thank and praise Him for leading me here, to Honduras, where I get to experience things that are more beautiful and fulfilling than anything I have ever known before in my life.  I am grateful for every person He has brought into my life.  I can't imagine what He has in store for me next, but I am excited to see!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine."  Isaiah 55:8-9

My God is faithful.

AWESOMENESS

Reasons why today was awesome:

I was ready when my ride came earlier than I expected.

I remembered to wear my Honduras fútbol jersey.

Misael (age 3) helped me gather, wash and dry rocks to paint for preschool class.  He is so funny and hard working.

We painted rocks in preschool class.  Nobody's clothes got ruined.  We learned about that we are each different and beautiful.

Everyone liked the brownies I baked for the English class.  Maybe too much - they were long gone before the class began.

We got to talk to Kim Fahrenkrog on the phone!

There were FOUR unexpected donations on my monthly donor report.

Honduras beat Kanada (that's how they write it here) 8-1.  Who scores 8 points in fútbol?  HONDURAS, baby!

Lourdes and I had a good talk.

Clara came home from the hospital.  She will go back once/week for chemotherapy.

Got an email that Pat will come home from the hospital Thursday.

The first conversational English class went really well.   It was fun and the students said I am a good teacher.

Jetty got to run around outside today.  She is so funny when she runs.

A lawyer is going to deal with the fact that I am going to overstay my 90 day passport stamp, so Jairo and I don't have to worry about it.

My birth certificate made it to Panama, so I should be able to apply for residency soon!

Talked to Mom about coming home for Christmas and what wine she should serve for dinner tonight.

I have a refrigerator.  It has food inside.

Tomorrow will be my 200th blog entry.

I LIVE AND SERVE IN HONDURAS!

Singing and Dancing

Church was fun.  We are still celebrating the 30th Anniversary.  Only this week it changed to "30 years and a little bit more".  I'm not sure what is up with that.

Before church I had a bad morning.  I lost the paper for blood work that the dermatologist asked me to complete next week.  I was dreading having to tell Jairo that my birth certificate won't be here before the deadline on my passport expires.  I couldn't figure out how to make my internet work even though it has been explained to me by at least three different people. 

Losing things frustrates me!  I remember that I had the paper for my blood work when we were at the pharmacy.  Now I have all the other things from the pharmacy, but not the one paper that I still need.  Dug through the garbage, cleaned the house.  Then deep cleaned.  It's not here.

Church turned things around though.  We had a guest speaker.  To be honest, I didn't really get his point, but he was funny.  Marlin sat with me.  I felt better when she said, "I have no idea what he is talking about."  At least it wasn't a language barrier.  Marlin didn't understand either.  We agreed we'll have to ask Lourdes what we missed.

Greeting time is so different for me now than it was 6 months ago.  The kids are happy to see me.  Even though they spent all week with me they greet me at church with big smiles and give me hugs.  Now I know most of the adults.  Not necessarily by name, but I know who they are and we usually have something to talk about other than, "How are you?"  "I'm good.  How are you?"  For the first time in my life I don't dread greeting time at church because I like to get up and say hello to the Moms from Los Pinos who I only see on Sundays, and other church members.  Christian (Conejo)'s Mom is always so sweet and happy to see me.

Some of the girls sang and danced.  Some of the younger teens did a really neat skit about seeds falling on fertile ground.  It was very creative and fun!

Honduras' own Blanca Flor

Kebelin

At the end, Lourdes announced that I will hold classes of conversational English starting every Tuesday at the church.  The first person who assured me that he wants to attend was Dr. Gustavo.  He is the Dr who was coming to the church every Tuesday and Thursday.  Now he only comes if there is a patient.  He is great.  If someone gets sick, he will meet them down at the pharmacy and assess them there - almost like we have our own private Dr on call.  I learned last week that he has a daily radio show too.  We go to church 2 hours earlier each day now because Joss's college classes are earlier, so we listen to the show on the way to church.  Last week he had a radio show about headaches.  I was wishing I could have heard the whole show, since I often suffer from headaches.

By the time I left, a girl I've never met before said she wanted to attend the class.  Shelly, the psychologist's daughter, is coming and bringing a friend.  And three other people have already said they want to attend as well.  I am really excited.  I am trying to think of ways to blend culture and language, so they can learn a little about the different cultures as well.  I think most of them are there to learn English to use at their jobs.  So culture is not as important as building confidence in their abilities.  I have already spoken to most of the people who will attend.  They just need some practice and some confidence.  They are already more proficient than they realize.

I was trying to think of a North American snack or drink that I would bring on Tuesday.  Maybe brownies.  People here don't bake much.  That would be a huge treat.  But what drink would represent us?  (Beer is not an option.)

Each person will make a donation to the church, so I hope the class gets big!  But 6 is perfect to start out.

I told Jairo I had some bad news - my paperwork for my passport won't be here until the day it is due at the very earliest.  He was not at all perturbed.  He said, Well, we'll just have to pay a fine.  I said, So you won't ship me off to Costa Rica?  He said no.  He'll check with the lawyer, but he thinks it will be less expensive to pay a fine than to leave the country and have my passport stamped before the 18th.  I am so grateful that he doesn't get upset easily.  For some reason I was thinking he might be frustrated over this.  I should have known better because that is not typical for Jairo.

We had another feast after church.  I feel bad because Doña Albertina's doughnut sales are suffering with all of the good food we've had for the past few weeks after church.  She makes dozens and dozens of doughnuts to sell after church.  Usually she leaves with an empty bin.  Today it was still pretty full, so she'll have to go sell them on the streets until they are sold.

Tomorrow is ANOTHER holiday.  I don't know what it is.  I can't keep track of all of these holidays.  I do know that last night the Catholic church across the street sang an incredible version of "Ave Maria" starting with a man doing the traditional rendition and then kids doing a modern, upbeat version.  I was so tempted to break Jairo's rule and go to the church by myself.  But I didn't.  Later I was glad I didn't because the church set off fireworks in front of my house.  I could have been struck by a stray firework as I walked across the street and Jairo would not have been happy.  (JOKING - kind of.)

Actually the real reason I didn't go to the church is because of a conversation I had with Jairo last week.  We were talking about how I have adapted to living in Honduras.  I told him that when I first got here I thought I would feel confined, or trapped, or at least bored because I have to be inside my house every night by 5:30 unless I am with someone from the church.  I am surprised that I don't have any of those negative feelings.    He said it's because I understand.  He said when you understand why it is easier to accept that you have to do these things.  That is true.  I am better at following rules when I understand why they are necessary.  So even though I really, really wanted to step 50 steps outside my gate last night to see what was going on at the Catholic church, I stayed home alone in my house.  I did, however, vow to myself that I will visit that church with Fany and watch the choir once before I move to the mountains.

A Visit to the Dr.

Yesterday when Lourdes and Jairo picked me up we went to the Dr instead of the Breakfast Program.  I have had hair falling out by the handful since August 3rd, so I figured I better go before I'm bald.  Jairo got his teeth fixed while I got my head fixed (jajajaja).

Lourdes accompanied me.  We signed in downstairs and were told we were 6th in line, but the Dr had not yet arrived.  Here, there is no such thing as an appointment time to see a Dr.  You go early, sign in, and hope that you are seen before office hours are over for that day.  If not you go back the next day and wait in line again.

The dermatologist came more than an hour late, but we did get in to see her so that it what matters.  I thought she was really good.  She wants to do blood work, just to be sure it's not related to anemia, hormones or thyroid problems.  I feel healthy, so I think I am fine.  Actually, last night I remembered that in June I got a really bad sunburn on my scalp.  I am guessing that is the cause, because the timing would be right.  Apparently with hair, it takes 2-3 months to fall out and then 3-6 months to grow back.  Who knows.  She said not to expect immediate results or I would drive myself crazy and end up bald from the stress.

She prescribed all natural things to help, which I like.  Amino acids and antioxidants in a shampoo, a cream that I have to put on my scalp every night and a special vitamin to take every day.  Can't take any other vitamins with it.  I read up on antioxidants and amino acids for hair.  It said to have a lot of vitamin C, eggs, dairy products and eat certain food combinations like beans and rice, rice pudding, or cheese sandwiches.  I already eat all of those things regularly, so I don't think it's a diet thing.  But I stocked up on yogurt, ice cream, beans, fruit, and cheese today.  Last week I bought the makings for rice pudding, which is good because this week the raisins were no longer by the popcorn at the store.

Jairo took me to several pharmacies, but the Dr had warned us that the medicine would be hard to find so we ended up having to go the the pharmacy she recommended.  They didn't have the lotion, so they had it sent in and then I took a cab back there this morning and got the lotion.  I was going to have my first venture to the mercado, where all of the fresh veggies are sold every Friday night and Saturday morning.  But the more I thought about it, the more I wanted someone I know to come with me.  There are so many fruits and vegetables here that I am not familiar with.  I don't know when they are ripe or how to pick the best one.  My taxista agreed to go with me, but I would rather wait until someone I know can go and help me pick out things that I will know how to eat.  So I chickened out.

Lourdes, Eunice, Jairo and I did a little shopping yesterday.  We really didn't buy much, but I have started to pick up some small things to mail out to my sponsors and friends when I get back to the states.  Lourdes is hand making some of the gifts I will send.  I know people will love those, especially because they were made by Lourdes.  I hate having to go out and search for gifts, just for the sake of having something to give.  But it is so fun when you see something and immediately think of a special person who would like/need it.  THAT is how gifts should be given.  We stopped and Eunice bought us all coffee.  I can't drink coffee due to my nightly habit of teeth clenching even without caffeine in my system, so I had a guanabana slushy.  Yum!  Guanabana is a fruit that I really like, but have never seen in the US.  Then we sat and discussed my diet and weight over coffee/slushies.

I believe I am a healthy weight and have a healthy diet.  I do eat more sugar here than in the US.  Jairo and Eunice say I don't eat enough food.  They would like to see me take larger portions.  Now I am under watchful eyes every time I put food in my mouth (or don't).  Since I can't take vitamins I plan to be more aware of what I'm eating.  Jairo brought up the point that gringos eat their big  meal at dinner, while here they eat their big meal at lunch.  I assured him I am eating a big meal at home for dinner every night.  They didn't seem convinced.  At least they care about me.

Honduras played Panama today.  Pierre, Yareli and I showed our support.

Clara has been in the hospital for a month now.  She was supposed to have surgery on her back, so she was in the hospital, waiting for the surgeons to have an opening.  She was scheduled for surgery last Wednesday, but right before the surgery they found out she was anemic.  With her blood count so off kilter they couldn't do the surgery.

They did a bunch of blood work and had it sent away for testing.  Then the Dr's asked for family to come in to be with Clara while they spoke to her.  We knew this was not good news.  Last night we learned Clara has leukemia.  People from the church have been visiting every day, bringing food and water and clean clothes.  It is a long trip from Los Pinos to the hospital.  I am happy that Clara's friends from church are being so supportive.  The church is helping in every way possible.  Since she got the news she has been understandably upset and discouraged.  Until this point she has had an extremely optimistic attitude.  I will go with Lourdes to visit her next week.  Clara has two teen aged daughters who are really struggling in their own ways.  Please pray for this family.

The good news is that Pat Pike should be moving to a rehab facility any day now.  We saw a picture of him a few days ago and he looks great.  It was so nice to see his smile!  He is up and walking and talking.  We are very excited about his progress.

NO MORE CHECKLISTS!

From the outside, today appeared to be a normal day.  But God was working really hard behind the scenes. Last night when I went to bed, I had a few things I was stressed out about.  By 2 pm today, they had already started to work themselves out. I have faith that everything will continue on the right path.  You'll see why in a minute.  First a rundown of the "normal" part:

I am going to the dermatologist Friday morning.  Hopefully I can get some advice about why all of my hair is falling out.  Changing water did not help at all, although I am still using the bottled water until I talk to the Dr, just to give it more time.  It sounds so silly to be anxious over hair.  I know there are many more important things in life.  But every time I comb it, the comb is full of hair.  When I wash it, the drain is full of hair.  My house is full of hair.  My clothes are covered in hair.  Day by day, my head has less and less hair.

Lourdes had to help Joss this morning so Marlin and I were on our own at the Breakfast Program.  I must say, it couldn't have gone better.  Most of the kids didn't have school, so we didn't have to rush.  I read Rosie the Hen to the kids in my class.  It is a book my Mom read to me when I was a child.  The book was in English so I told the kids ahead of time that I might need some help.  Turns out they don't know the Spanish word for henhouse or beehive either, but they still loved the book.  They all laid on the floor while I read.

Since that was working well - no poking or running around, I asked them to stay in that position for prayer.  They were a little confused at first, but I think I'll do that more often.  We had 11 kids today - a smaller group than usual.  Five of them chose to pray out loud.  I am so proud of them for this.  They pray for their families, for anyone who is not at the Breakfast Program that day, for any friends/family who are sick, for the program itself and give thanks for the hands that prepared the food and for another day of life.  Pretty awesome for 3-5 year olds!

We had a new girl.  She came with no pants.  Marlin saw her first and asked her big sister why she had no pants.  The sister said she had urinated in them before they left home.  Marlin spoke sternly (which is awesome, because she is finally speaking up!) and told the older sister never to bring the little girl out of the house with no pants.  She can wear a dress or another pair of pants, but this is not acceptable.  Poor little girl ran around in her undies all day.  Luckily she did not have another accident while she was with us.

Last night I was thinking about the fact that I have now been here six months.  I thought about how it is different from what I expected and what my goals might be for the next six months.  I felt like the things I know to be my personal strengths are not being used.  It seemed a waste.  I planned to talk to Lourdes and Jairo about how they could use me more effectively, taking advantage of my experience and gifts.  Then I received an email from my home office.  It is a monthly study guide, but this month it was about gifts and talents - and why it is more important to follow God's lead than to always rely on your own gifts and talents.  Couldn't have come at a better time!

The study guide even concluded with my favorite piece of scripture:  Proverbs 3:5-6  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart;  do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take."  I love this because it takes all of the pressure off me to figure out what in the world I should be doing.  All I have to do is seek the Lord and He will take it from there.  Easier said than done, but when you are doing it, this can be really incredible!

I did talk to Lourdes and Jairo about the way I felt last night and the study guide I received today.  We talked about plans for the future.  Lourdes wants me to start a conversational English group on Tuesdays.  It will be announced at church next week.  People will be asked to make donations to the church.  We thought of 5 people right away who we know are interested.

Jairo talked to me about the fact that I can think of things as tasks to check off a list, or I can see the fact that we are fulfilling the church's mission statement (Change your manner of thinking to change your manner of living) through what we do at the Breakfast Program.  He rattled off about 15 ways we are changing the lives of the kids on Los Pinos, giving them opportunities they never would be offered and also, teaching them to DREAM.  Not to think about surviving for today, but to dream big about their futures and all that they can be.  These are things that other kids who are on the streets instead of at the Breakfast Program never learn.

Junior pretending he is shy

They are learning social skills, such as please and thank you, not to spit on the floor of the church or throw their chicken bones there, not to fight or use bad words, how to stand in a line (still a work in progress), how to clean themselves, how to brush their teeth and comb their hair and cover their mouth when they cough - we are still working on that one too.  They learn how to dress appropriately and feel good about themselves.  They learn to respect themselves and others.  They learn gratitude and not to physically fight for what they want.  They learn that education is important and can help you do bigger things in your life.  Of course they learn about God.

Jairo said to me, "You read the paper.  You see what is happening.  Today three young people decapitated, an 86 yr old woman bound and killed, death is everywhere.  Their parents don't have hope.  But we can change this country through these kids.  They are the hope for this country.  And you are helping to change them!"  It was awesome to think about it that way.

I have had a few days lately where I felt like things were starting to fall into a routine.  I wondered if I might get bored and feel unchallenged in the months to come.  But how can I ever get bored if we are constantly molding and sculpting the future of this country?  Every single interaction with every child matters.  For a few days, maybe even a few weeks, I have been "checking off the list" as Jairo said.  I never want to do that again.  I want to seek the Lord with all my heart and see how He chooses to use me.  Check lists are boring.

Observations from a gringa in Honduras

At the grocery store, cocoa powder is mixed in with the tea.  Raisins are next to the popcorn.

Water is released by the city every other day - at night.  It collects in a big cistern to be used over the next two days.  Sometimes the water runs out before new water is released.

The power goes out when it rains.

It rains a lot.

It gets dark by 6:15 pm at the latest (currently 5:30 pm).  I don't go outside after dark unless I'm with friends.

By 6:30 a.m. it is noisy outside.

There is no Daylight Savings Time adjustment here.

Cookies, crackers, etc have individual packages within the bag.  Oreos look normal from the outside, but on the inside they are packaged in groups of four.  I think it's to keep the ants/bugs out.

Carmel Fudge ice cream has no fudge.  But it does have macadamia nuts.

I've never visited a home with warm or hot running water in the sinks.

Television shows more violence and sex than would ever be seen, even on HBO or Cinemax in the US.  Curse words are not *bleeped*.

Most cars run on diesel fuel.

Almost every car's windows are fully tinted to protect you from the heat of the sun.

Music that was popular in the 70's is played very often on many radio stations here.  People sing along, but are often just copying the sounds and don't know the real words.

We have a store owned by Costco, called Price Smart.  It is very similar to Costco.

Baskin Robbins here has 12 flavors, not 31.

Gallons of ice cream at grocery stores almost always have freezer burn.  The ice cream is also not as dense or creamy.

Trees and grass are commonly trimmed with machetes.

Sometimes you will see a horse and rider on busy streets.

There are geckos on the walls inside houses.  They make clicking, squirrel-like noises.  This is normal.

Very poor people generally have a cell phone, as do most teens.  As far as I know, everyone uses a "pay as you go" plan.

Phone numbers here are 8 digits long, not including the area code.

Taxis, buses, dump trucks and huge tractor trailers have a religious quote across the top of the windshield, and/or on the back.

Many women carry an extra deodorant in their purse to reapply throughout the day.  (I carry mine in my backpack.)

It is best not to carry a phone with you, but if you must it should be hidden and should not be used in public.

The word "stupid" is VERY offensive in Honduras and is never used.  It is much more offensive than the way a North American might use "idiot" or "fool" or "jackass".

Central Americans can be offended when North Americans refer to the US as "America".

You "know" someone as soon as you've seen them or met them.

Houses are rented with only the bare walls, toilets, and sinks.  There is no oven or fridge.

It is very common for people who are not wealthy to have a nanny or housekeeper.  This way, a person even less fortunate has a small income or works for the room and board.

When turning left at an intersection, you cut to the left.  If someone is coming toward you and turning left, they cut to their inside as well and pass on your right, rather than going around in front of  you and to the left.

Many roads have no speed limits.

Instead of signs with deer (Beware of deer crossing) there are signs with rabbits.  I still don't understand that one.

Most people here drink a LOT of soda.  Specifically Coke.  It is cheaper than water or juice.

There are no mail boxes or post offices.  Mail is delivered to a central location and you are notified by phone to come and get it.  Bills are taped to your front gate/door and paid at the bank.

Lines are always very long at the bank.

Most people buy milk in a box, like the way soy or rice milk is sold in the US.

Many people here would like to learn English.

Honduras is divided into states, the same as the US.  Hondurans are proud of the state where they were born and will tell you it is the best state in the country.

Honduras has two coasts, the more well known North Coast that is famous for incredible diving, and the Southern Coast.

Many neighborhoods have a central dumpster, or even a place on the ground where they dump garbage.  It is very common to see someone standing inside a dumpster eating something they found there.  That is one thing I can't seem to get used to.

Motorcycles drive between lanes of traffic.  They don't stay in the lane.

Armed guards with automatic weapons stand in front of many restaurants, all banks, and some stores.  It is extremely common to see men with huge guns in the streets.  Some are military, some are police and some are paid guards.

School is held only on days when teachers feel like teaching.  This is truth and not my opinion.

Women who give birth in certain public hospitals are discharged automatically 6 hours later.  They are not allowed to have anyone with them as they give birth.  After the delivery or cesarean, they are not offered water or even any sort of pain reliever.  Family waits outside the gate until guards open the gates and allow them to come in and take the new mother home.

While there is a lot of poverty, there are wealthy people here as well.

There are rain forests in the mountains of Honduras.

People are more crazy for fútbol in Honduras than ANY sports fan I have ever seen for any sport in the US.

Plastic wrap, aluminum foil, wax paper and ziploc bags are rarely used.  I am the only person I know who uses paper towels.  Paper napkins are used very sparingly.

Paper towels, napkins and toilet paper are very thin and not absorbent, even when they say double ply.

Toilet paper is not flushed after use.  It is placed in a garbage can because the plumbing systems are not built to manage paper and will get backed up.

Nail polish remover here is the best I have ever used.

Usually, but not always, dogs and cats are not allowed inside a home.  They are thought of more as security or a way to kill vermin, not as we think of pets in the US.

Jetty's litter box and water fountain are odd attractions to everyone who visits my home.

Gringos are known for liking rich deserts and for being good at baking.

"Gringo" is not meant to be a derogatory term.  Neither is "negra/negro".  In fact people here commonly call each other negra or negro as a term of endearment.  Gordo/gorda (fat) is also used as a nickname and as a term of endearment.

Hot dogs are wrapped individually in plastic before they are packaged.

Honduran people eat a TON of Chinese food.

30th Anniversary Celebration

Woke up still not feeling great, but so glad I went to church!  Everyone was dressed up.  Lourdes, Marlin, Veronica and I made rice as soon as we got there so we missed the first part of the celebration.  The kids got up and sang.  Orange shirts and dresses were everywhere because that is the church's color.  Everything was decorated really beautifully, thanks to the hard work of Karla and Reyna.  Ethel (head of the elders) presented Jairo and Walter with plaques and a really pretty glass statue to honor all they do for the church.  We had birthday cake, lots of singing, a chicken dinner and a wonderful time.

A new pulpit was donated to the church!

The cake was as tasty as it was beautiful.

Lourdes and Jairo looked amazing!  And check out the decorations - 

Everyone who attends regularly was asked to sign in on a special list so the church has a more accurate record of the number of members.  I signed, so I am now officially a member of this church in Honduras as well as K2 in the states.  I think that's okay, right?

After church we ate, talked and took pictures.  Jairo told me I have to take aspirin every 8 hours in case I am sick from some sort of dangerous bug bite that he was telling me about.  I had a good conversation with the daughter of the church's psychologist.  She is going to school for dentistry and wants to practice her English with me.  She actually speaks really well, but I can imagine that learning all of the dental terms is tough.  She said dental care is FREE here!  Cleaning, cavities - whatever!  I will have to go back to the place where I vomited on Friday.  That is where she works.  But since the hospital was NOT what caused me to vomit, I will be fine.  I think Lourdes is going to go too.  If I ever need major dental work, I may have it done in the states, but I certainly can't pass up a free cleaning.

I was asked to help work on a newsletter for English speaking churches in the US.  That will be fun!  The newsletter will help to keep the churches who support us informed about what/how we are doing.  I am excited about that new project.  It is something I think I'll enjoy.

It is getting dark earlier and earlier.  I heard a parade passing by out on the main street at 5:30 tonight, but it was already too dark for me to go out and see what was going on.  :(  Too bad Hondurans do not believe in daylight savings time.  A friend told me they tried to implement it once, but nobody followed it so they gave up.

Tomorrow is a holiday with no school and no Breakfast Program.  I am grateful for one more day of rest.  My body can use it.

Yesterday Santos patched the holes in my roof while Fany and I played with Laura in the yard.  It hurt to move my eyes side to side from the migraine, but as usual, Santos had a migraine too.  We seem to always get migraines at the same time.   Since he was hard at work I figured the least I could do is play with beautiful Laura.

Laura

At one point we heard a crash and Santos was suddenly 2 feet shorter.  He had fallen through the roof!  After making sure he was okay, I ran into the kitchen to see if his feet were dangling.  They weren't.  But then he had more patching to do.  It happened once more before he finished.  Poor guy.  I really like having Fany and Santos as neighbors.

Got word today that Pat Pike is up and doing laps around the hospital!  It is exhausting for him, but he is a fighter!  He'll be visiting Honduras again before we know it.

The homesickness has passed.  That wasn't bad - one day in six months.  Now I am declaring that my hair will no longer fall out.  So far it hasn't helped, but I am still praying about it and declaring that it will stop.  I am so stressed about my stupid hair that it is giving me nightmares and I wonder if my hair (and finances) might be the reason I got the migraine.  Embarrassing to admit, but within the realm of possibilities for sure.

Visiting Hospital Escuela

Friday was the first time I have really been homesick.  I woke up at 5 a.m., which is my new routine, read a little, then fell back asleep.  When I woke up again my brother had posted a photo on FB of his back yard covered in snow.  A friend sent me a picture of the weather forecast predicting snow, and another friend said she had the first snow of the year at her house too.

Ever since I was little, I have loved the snow.  FB has an application which tells you what words you used most commonly in one year.  Mine were "love" and "snow".  Fitting.  I love to ski, I love to stay home and cook on snowy days, I love to sit and watch the snow blanket the earth around me.  I love to wake up to see everything white.  I love snow.

Honduras has two seasons - wet and dry.  The leaves don't change colors, even the temperature doesn't change much.  I noticed when fall came in the states and nothing changed here, that I use the seasons to mark time.  Without seasons my sense of time is off.  It will get a little bit colder here in November, December, and January.  But cold here is not very cold, except at night in the mountains.

So yesterday I was homesick, not for people, not for food, not for places, but for seasons.

Apparently Jose forgot to get dressed today

At the Breakfast Program they are practicing to perform again at church.  They will sing a cute song about faith the size of a mustard seed moving mountains.

Practicing with the morning group

Memo loves to sing.  Loudly!

The kids hung out and played because (surprise!) there was no school.  I know you are shocked.  Rumors are there will be no school on Monday.

Karla, Joss and Reyna (Walter's girlfriend) spent the day decorating the church.  Sunday will be another celebration of the 30th anniversary.  Last week after church we had a fish soup with crab and shrimp to raise money.  This week Lourdes is making her special rice dish.  Everyone is playing soccer all day Saturday, just to celebrate and have fun.  I think there are more than 10 teams signed up.

After the kids were served breakfast Lourdes asked if I would like to visit Clara in the hospital.  She has been there almost 3 weeks waiting for surgery.  I had a headache, but Lourdes was traveling by bus and I didn't want her to go alone.  Turns out Marlin was going too, but I also wanted to see Clara.  Lourdes' fibromyalgia has been painful lately, but she told me she is not going to talk about it any more.  She said she is going to get out of bed and do things.  So I really didn't want to complain about my headache.

We went to the hospital and found Clara to be doing well, in my opinion.  She is still in pain, but is given medicine for it.  She has a nice, clean room with a cool view of the city.  (The only thing I didn't particularly like was the funeral home across the street advertizing that it is open 24/7 with a display of caskets outside.)  But Clara seemed to be in good spirits.  We visited for a few hours.  As time went on, my headache became much stronger and I started having those flashes of lights that come with a migraine, then nausea.  I prayed, "God don't let me vomit in front of Clara."  God heard my prayer.

However, the Dr's came in as we were praying for Clara and everyone had to leave the room.  We went to the hall, which was packed full of all of the visitors from other rooms.  Suddenly I couldn't see straight and I couldn't stand.  I thought I was going to pass out.  I looked quickly for a nearby bathroom, but didn't see one.  So I turned to Lourdes and told her I was going to vomit as I slumped down to the floor.  She said we have to get you outside, but we were on the fourth floor.  We opened the door into the stairway and the smell and the noise of people made me feel more sick.  I told her I can't make it down the stairs.  I was walking like a drunk.  Then we saw another hallway with some windows.  I headed for the open windows and made it just in time.  I turned to Marlin and said I am going to vomit. Then I leaned out the window.  Luckily it was just roofs below.  No people.  But the hall was full of people sitting in chairs watching the whole thing.  Lourdes showed up quickly with a garbage can and turned me around  to face it.  Marlin held my hair.  I was sweaty and cold - you know how that feels.  And I threw up my oatmeal in front of 20 people who were all seated facing me.  The day before I had told Lourdes that in all of my time here, I have never had stomach problems.  This was caused by the migraine, but...

Afterward I felt better and told them I could walk, but as time went by the nausea came back.  We said good bye to Clara and by the time we got to the street I was really worried about taking the bus.  I didn't have the strength to stand as we waited, but I knew Lourdes would not want me to sit on the dirty sidewalk, so I squatted in the busy city street.  Bus after bus passed us by but none were going our way.  I would try to stand up again, but it made me more nauseous, so I returned to squatting.  Lourdes kept looking at me and finally she said, we are going to take a taxi.  I thought Hooray!  If I get sick, we can ask the taxi to pull over!

We made it back to the church with me sticking my head out the window.  Jairo invited me to dinner at their house, but I was still too nauseous to eat and to weak to want anything but my bed.  They all discussed that I had probably been overwhelmed by the sights and smells of the public hospital, which frustrated me.  The hospital was fine!  I had a migraine.  I went home and went to bed, but was shivering and sweaty.  I pried myself out of bed long enough for a hot shower on my sore muscles, then went back to bed.

This morning I still have a little headache.  It is worse if I move around.  And I'm dehydrated, but otherwise I'm fine.  Jairo called to ask me to come play football with everyone from the church.  I don't think he understands migraines because he told me everyone was having fun and running around.  It was so noisy in the background I could barely hear him.  I told him that I need to rest and he seemed disappointed.  Standing on a noisy soccer field with people yelling and cheering would not be best for me today.  I am disappointed too.  I hope I feel better for the anniversary celebration tomorrow.

Today I am going to sleep.

Seasons

Missing the change of seasons.  Don't know if this helps, or makes it more painful.  Check out this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=der-21wmIjw

Headline News

Every day Jairo stops and gets the newspaper at the same little newsstand at the bottom of the hill.  Lourdes holds up the front page and we all look at it.  Today Jairo explained to me that yesterday alone, 80 more people were killed from drug trafficking, gangs and violence.  So far this week 3 more judges were killed, in addition to the 8 that were killed last week.  One had his car stolen and was driving around, looking for the stolen car in a neighborhood that is gang infested, where he never should have gone.  He was shot dead.

I should start reading the newspaper.  But I don't know if I can handle it.  I read about fútbol, but to be honest I try to avoid the hard core news.  I used to watch the news on TV.  Now I prefer to live in ignorance and stay inside my little shell where I am safe and happy.

Today on the way home we came from a different direction.  Jairo stopped at the pulperia on the corner for me.  I meet him on that corner every morning as he and Lourdes drive by on their way to church.  I needed to buy big bottle of water and this way he could drive it to my house in the van.  As we drove away from the pulperia he was still looking over his shoulder at the people inside.  I said, "That place sure is crowded today.  Usually there are not so many people in there."  He told me, "Those are bad men.  They are bad."  I hadn't really looked at the men.  I was more concerned about exchanging my empty bottle for a full bottle of water and getting the change back in a crowd of people.  I didn't look at who the people were.  I won't go to that pulperia alone any more.  I don't usually go there anyway.  There is a new one closer to my house and I really like the people who own it, so I try to always give them business.  But the pulperia up on the corner was the one that Jairo recommended to me six months ago when I first moved here.  Things are changing.  Not for the better.

Just so you know, those people cannot come into my community.  That pulperia is outside of the guarded gates.  Here is a picture of the front wall, so you can understand why we had such a hard time breaking in the other day.

The smaller door on the left leads to the patio. The bigger doors open to the driveway.

Two coils of barbed wire on top

October is the 30th anniversary of Iglesia en Transformación.  Today I got this shirt, key chain and pen.  We'll sell the shirts this weekend at church.

Good news about Pat Pike.  His health has been steadily improving over the past week.  We can be grateful but still continue to pray.  His recovery will be lengthy.