Today Jairo explained that the lawyer went the day before yesterday and suddenly they asked him for new paperwork (the itinerary) which they have never needed before. The lawyer tried to contact Jairo, but Jairo was out fishing so his phone didn't work. Seems like there is often a new hoop to jump through. I guess everything got straightened out because I think I would have heard something by now but legally yesterday was the last day I should be in the country. Maybe I am an illegal alien.
Yesterday my friend Raquel had business downtown. Since she was already halfway to my house she invited me to come home with her for lunch and stay until rush hour traffic died down. We made shrimp and broccoli pasta with garlic and olive oil. It was yummy! Raquel prayed over our food. She thanked God for bringing us together as friends and for letting us be such a great support for one another. She said she knew our relationship came from God. When she finished I told her it was funny because I wrote an email to a close friend in Salt Lake the day before and said the very same words. In some ways, Raquel and I are very different. She likes flashy clothes and high heels. Her hair and make up are always just right. I am more "simple" as they say here. But our hearts are alike. We are both seeking after God. And we both really like working with kids. Raquel works with young girls from 10-15 at the church. She has a tough group. I know them because they all come to the Breakfast Program too.
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| My new friend, Raquel, and me |
We chatted the day away. She speaks only Spanish but that doesn't slow us down. Last night she told her husband that she was talking to me just like she talks to everyone else and I still understood. I told them I have been receiving compliments on my Spanish and that people often ask if I'm from Argentina. Edward, Raquel's husband, laughed. He explained that the shape of my face, my light skin and my hair could make me appear Argentinian. He said I should also take it as a compliment because many Honduran men consider Argentinian women to be very beautiful. Then he added that he, personally, prefers darker skinned woman - his wife. :)
I got to see Raquel's house and we visited her neighbor, Keila, another lady from the church, when we needed the computer. Keila has a daughter a little bit older than Laura. Being around Keila's daughter made me miss Laura. We had coffee and talked for a while. Then we went back to Raquel's house where she showed me her wedding photos. Not only were they beautiful, they were also funny. Raquel was married seven years ago so all of the younger people have changed a lot. The wedding appeared to have been an amazing event.
By the time we were done looking at pictures, rush hour traffic was over. Raquel and Edward drove me back up into the mountains. It was a long ride. Probably about an hour from her house to mine. We told Edward about something we had seen on the highway as we were leaving the city that morning. It was very odd. A big truck had stalled in the middle of the highway, so traffic was jammed. Suddenly we looked next to us and there were four men wearing black ski masks perched on each of the four corners in the back of a pick up truck. They were dressed in black from head ( literally) to toe, with bullet proof vests. They were all pointing their machine guns at an older man, about 55, who was sitting on the bed of the truck with his back against the cabin.
Raquel said, "How sad that he is being arrested in front of all of these people in a traffic jam." I asked her how she knew they were really police. The pickup truck was unmarked. None of them had anything identifying them as police. I asked if we were headed in the direction of a jail. She said no, we were headed out of town. When we told the story to Edward I said it was really confusing because I couldn't tell who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. I assumed it was a kidnapping. But Raquel assumed it was the police. Edward admitted that these days, either Raquel or I could be right. I told Edward I didn't look at them very long once I saw what was going on because I didn't want them to shoot me! He said that I don't have to worry because I am a gringa. He asked if I've ever noticed there is lots of bad news in the papers, but bad things don't happen to outsiders, especially from the US, because there would be too much pressure and (in a country where 90% of murders are never solved) they would find the people who did it. He said in reality I am well protected here because everyone knows that my country will get to the bottom of things if anything were to happen to me, so I am lucky to be North American. I said in that case, I don't want people to think I am Argentinian! I am going to wear a tee shirt that says "I am gringa!" and put stickers all over my car saying "Gringa!" "Gringa!". Raquel and Edward were laughing because in many cases it is easier for me not to be from the US. In Honduras, as in many other countries, North Americans have acquired a negative stereotype. Because of that, I never imagined myself going out of my way to say that I am North American. But maybe I need a little sign - not "Baby on Board", but "Gringa on Board".
My stuff is all packed to go to Colorado tomorrow. Really I didn't have much to pack. I have no clothes that will serve me well in the snow. My Mom and I have plans to hit up Ross and TJMaxx for some socks and warm clothes on Friday.
Today I went to the dentist. Walter's girlfriend, Reina, opened her own clinic. It is really nice. She did it all herself. She has all of the things any dentist's office in the US would have. I had told her that I needed an exam so she called Lourdes last night and invited me to come in today - her second day in business. There was another man in the hall, waiting for an appointment as I left. I think she will do well.
In my whole life I have had one cavity. But I was concerned about my teeth because after I was here a few years ago, visiting only for three months, my dentist asked what I was doing differently because my teeth were a mess. He said since I am not using tap water to brush that I need to make sure my mouth is very wet or the toothpaste doesn't work as well. And he found the first cavity I have ever had in my life. I have now been in Honduras for nine months. I last visited my dentist in the US in March. At that point we knew I was leaving, so he did a thorough exam. However, today Reina showed me that I have ELEVEN cavities. I totally freaked out. I couldn't believe it! She went and got a mirror and showed me the ones that I was able to see. She was right! I have little dark spots on the sides of my teeth.
I have been complaining to everyone about how much sugar they use here. At the Breakfast Program they add sugar to Lipton Iced Tea mix or to Tang. A long time ago I asked if they realize those things are already mostly sugar. They said yes, but the kids like it better this way. They add sugar - not a pinch, but a cup or two - to spaghetti sauce. When I questioned that I was told tomato sauce (Hunts in a jar) is too acidic, so you need the sugar to take away the acid. And soda. I have never been a soda drinker. I water down my juice so it's more than half water! But at every get together and at most people's homes, if you are offered a drink, it is soda. I vow I will not drink soda anymore. And I will be more faithful about brushing my teeth at night. I eat more sweets here too. Not anymore. I cannot afford to have eleven cavities every nine months. My poor teeth! Luckily the visit cost on $25 US dollars. Each cavity will cost $22. I can't afford to have them fixed right now, but later - a few at a time. I feel sick to think I have eleven cavities. I told Walter that although I love Honduras, my teeth don't like it at all. I was also wondering if possibly this could be related to my hair falling out. Aren't hair and teeth related?
Anyway, everything is great except my teeth. I am looking forward to visiting my family in Colorado for two weeks. Today when Jairo came back from fishing he gave me a big hug and said, "We are going to miss you when you are gone." I am not lonely here any more. I am making good friends and I have a lot of support. Oh - and I was called on stage at church last Sunday by Jairo and Ethel, the head of the elders. They presented me with a plaque from the church and a certificate from the Breakfast Program. They thanked me for my hard work. Ethel told the church that since the preschool class started it went from 8 to over 20 kids. They prayed for my safe travels over Christmas and thanked me for serving here. I felt very honored and appreciated.
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| Ethel telling the church how the Breakfast Program has grown and that I will return after Christmas to continue to serve. |
