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.
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| 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!
