At first we thought it was bed bugs. From the rash, it looks like it could be bed bugs. I've spent hours doing research on line. But there is not a bug in sight. I cleaned everything and sprayed everything and I'm still getting more spots. FRUSTRATING!
Finally got myself out of the Benedryl stupor this morning long enough to walk up to the farmacia. I noticed it was closed yesterday. Today the people at the pulperia told me the farmacia is permanently closed. Luckily my favorite taxista was right there, so he drove me to the nearest pharmacy, which happens to be inside the grocery store. I got more Benedryl and Caladryl, then picked up a few things to eat. I've been scared to eat because I don't know what is causing this, but standing in line at the pharmacy I realized I was weak and shaky, so I got a huge baguette.
I also got some Febreeze since my towel, which I washed a week ago, is still not dry. I've had to wash it at least 3 more times because it starts to smell musty before I can get it to dry. The Febreeze worked great on a comforter that Lourdes let me borrow. She felt terrible because it smells musty, but I told her I'd rather have a musty smell than sleep in blankets that could have bugs in them. My cousin, Carolyn, has been really helpful. We've been chatting on Facebook about how to deal with stuff like hand washing laundry and how to get rid of a rash. She is full of good advice. She went through a terrible time when she first got to Guatemala, where she serves in the Peace Corp. Her house and bed were infested with fleas. Between Carolyn and her friends, they've experienced every skin disease known to man, it seems. Another friend who was also in the Peace Corp suggested using Head and Shoulders shampoo as a body wash. Got some at the store today and it seems to work. Thanks Julia!
I also got Raid plug ins. I am wondering if I am allergic to bug bites. Or maybe laundry detergent, but that is doubtful because the worst parts of the rash don't have contact with my clothes (neck, forearms). Not sure what is causing this rash, but I it is NOT a pleasant experience.
Thursday night Jairo was asked to speak to a group of journalists about trauma. Since Alfredo Villatoro was kidnapped on his way to work at the radio station, then killed, many journalists worry that they could be next. The journalists were grateful to Jairo for coming and sharing his knowledge with them. (Jairo is not only a pastor, he is also a psychologist.) He said it was a very intense and special meeting. Many cried. He was happy that he could offer help. On Friday he already had four sessions with individual journalists who asked for therapy. There were more who still want to be seen. They tried to pay him, but Jairo said that he is doing this for his country. He said journalists play a big role in keeping the country safe by keeping people informed and he wanted to show the journalists his appreciation. He was really psyched to be able to serve the journalists and was thrilled with the way they received him. You wouldn't think that being a journalist could put your life in jeopardy, but in a country so corrupt they have every reason to be fearful.
So far there are six people implicated in the murder of Alfredo Villatoro. There are more involved who have not been named yet. One of the places where Alfredo Villatoro was held hostage was found this week. The case is still unraveling. I am happy they have made this much progress. In Honduras, 90% of all murder cases go unsolved according to CNN.
Friday was pupusas day at the breakfast program. Yummy! We had to cook an extra batch because so many kids showed up. We've been talking all week about the fact that we can't remember the last time we bathed Lorenzo and he does not shower at home. Therefore, when I heard screaming and wailing outside I was not surprised to see poor little Lorenzo, naked as a jaybird, with Don Jaun holding him in place and scrubbing him down. Lourdes went over and calmed Lorenzo down.
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| Lorenzo |
I have never seen a kid who hates bathing so much. I would love to know why he feels so strongly about washing. He seems so scared. Don Juan is as gentle as he can be, and they stay in an open space - they don't go into the bathroom. I keep wondering if Lorenzo has suffered trauma in the past with water, or while bathing. He goes crazy when we ask him to clean himself. I am sure Don Juan never expected that bathing little boys would be part of his job description when he started doing maintenance and security at the church. Don Juan loves the kids as much as any of us do. He watches over them carefully and can tell you a lot about each of them, like who needs new clothes, who doesn't eat at home, who has a violent family life. We are blessed to have Don Juan at the church.
After the bathing was over, I grabbed a towel and wrapped Lorenzo up in it. The towel wasn't very big but it covered his whole body, head to toe. He is so malnourished he is about the size of a four year old and I think he's about 9. I hugged him in the towel until Lourdes came over and dried him all off like only a mother can. When she saw the condition of Lorenzo's tee shirt for school she told him that she will send money with one of the older girls to buy a new shirt for him.
Watching Don Juan gently bathe that terrified little boy is an experience I will never forget. Add that to my "seriously disturbed" list.
Friday morning we also got news that Jairo's sister, Rosario, has organ failure. She has been fighting cancer. She told her family that she wants to die at home. Lourdes was worried about how Rosario would respond when her husband told her yesterday that it is time to leave the hospital and go home. I guess it went ok. She is home now. Lourdes went to pray with Rosario last night. I think Lourdes and Jairo are with her today. I am glad I got to meet Rosario on Mother's Day. She was certainly not well that day, but she was sitting up in bed and talked to us for a long time. Today Lourdes said she can't eat or drink water, but she was able to urinate a little bit, which is good. We are still praying boldly for a miracle, but we realize how sick she really is.
I have noticed a big change over the past week in my own prayer life. I noticed I pray more throughout the day and I have been really conscious about praying for people who ask me to pray for them. One friend at home was waiting for test results. I prayed for that person in every way I knew how. Another friend in NY has something going on with her family and I have been praying for her non-stop too. I think I've been doing a better job of being consistent and thorough in prayer. Seems like it is working too. The friend who was waiting for test results got word three days early that things are okay.
I'm working on logistical stuff for when I am in the states, like where my cat and I will stay. I haven't been thinking as much about what I am going to sell and whether I can find a cheap enough storage unit to keep my sofa and bed. I hope it will all fall into place when I get there.
This week I did a lot of writing for Lourdes and Jairo. They are very grateful that they can either dictate, or give me notes and I translate everything to English. They get a lot more done this way. We are working on scholarships for the boys in the private Christian School. I am also now the person most people from the states contact if they need to get a message to Lourdes and sometimes Jairo too.
Lourdes had a little bit more pain this week than last. She has not been exercising, but she has been resting well. Friday she did not feel good at all.
On the other hand I cannot put into words how excited the whole family feels about their trip to Salt Lake. They are, as my mother would say, thrilled to death. Wow, that is a stupid saying. Why would anyone want to be thrilled to death? Anyway, they are thrilled. They can't wait to see their K2 family and spend a lot of quality time with people. I love seeing them excited about things. It is great that they can get away as a family because around here they struggle to have family time together.
I am actually looking forward to going home. The first week I will spend with my brother and his family, camping at the bluegrass festival in Telluride. Then I'll head up to Salt lake to do whatever I am going to do with all of my stuff in storage. I'll head back to Colorado to see my mom and spend time with my family for the fourth of July. This will be the first time I've ever left Honduras without a broken heart. Usually I am so sad to leave this place behind, but this time I know I'll be coming back!
A good friend told me I need to be more descriptive when I talk about food. She's awfully smart, so I bet if she didn't understand there were others who didn't understand either. If you have any questions, please feel free ask. If you have any advice about rashes or how to get rid of everything you own, I'll take that too.
Thank you so much for reading my blog. I received a notice yesterday about my funding and saw that on the list of people who are supporting me financially, there are four people I have never met before! To me, that is amazing. One of my goals in coming to Honduras was to help make people in the US aware of what is going on here. I think that is actually happening!
Speaking of funding, I am very close to being funded at the minimum amount that I need to get by here. Once all the monthly donations are totaled, I should be about $200 short of my minimum goal. I have to sit down and write thank you emails when I am not so drugged up on Benedryl. It is hard to put into words how much I appreciate your help. In reality, I see it as you all investing in the future of these kids, and trusting me to help you do that. I love that you care about the kids so much. Thank you for every penny you have donated and every prayer you have sent up to God. Thank you for each time you have talked to someone about what is going on in Honduras.
I wish I could tell you more about that, but I have to be wise and stay safe here. I have noticed an increase in the amount of military people standing in groups on the sidewalks, as well as driving in trucks. This morning a truck full of men with guns pulled past my neighborhood. They were dressed in camouflage and the back of their truck said "PATROL". Some stand in the back of the truck and look ahead, others face behind. They seem to be more alert and ready for something. The private guards at my gate have stepped up security to a new level too. Today I saw them call to a man who had walked past them on the sidewalk. He pointed to the house he was going to visit, but they still asked him to walk back and leave his ID with them. I've never seen them stop anyone on foot before, just cars. He seemed a little annoyed but I am happy that people can't walk through my neighborhood without permission. Last Sunday they wouldn't let Jairo in. I had to go meet him on the corner. Both of us were okay with that.
The beautiful sunshine has gone away, and thunder is rumbling. Time for some rain. Everything is dry except my towel, so I'm all set.
If you are a praying type of person, please pray for the Sarmiento family. If you'd like you could pray that this stupid rash goes away! At least I've ruled out scabies and bedbugs.
