Finding Myself

It's been a while!  I haven't had internet at my house and in the church I have been finding ways to keep busy.  Been doing a little more cooking.  Not a lot, but when there is nobody else in the kitchen, which has been happening sometimes lately, I have been jumping in.

Saturday we had the 4th Annual Women's Conference.  It was really, really nice.  We had three speakers and in the end two women accepted Jesus as their savior.

Ethel Turcios, Ruth Sarmiento and Marja Peréz

Ethel Turcios, leader of the elders here at Iglesia en Transformación

Marja Peréz, a teacher at a local bible college where I will start classes in January.

Ruth Sarmiento (sister of Jairo) prophet and healer

I enjoyed the whole conference very much.  Each speaker had a different manner of presentation.  It was great to get together and enjoy the company of so many women.

At mid-day we had tea sandwiches, coffee, and sweet treats.
Seated to the right of me is my friend Shelly.  We first met in my conversational English classes.
Now Shelly is an oral surgeon.  She is my Honduran dentist.

My landlord, Hermida, and me praying.

My good friend Ana and Veronica in prayer.
Aren't they beautiful?

It was also interesting on a personal level for me to see the changes in myself since last year at the conference.  A year ago I was very, very insecure.  I felt like my clothes were wrong, my body wasn't right, I didn't eat right, I didn't cook right, I was not capable of choosing good friends, I wasn't good at much of anything.  I felt pretty low.

But now, I have begun to regain my confidence.  I dress in the way I like to dress.  I eat what I want to eat.  I found people who like to eat my cooking.  I have good friends.  I am doing a good job at the things I am asked to do.  I am still not quite fully recuperated.  But I would say I am 90%.  And I know I will not allow that to happen to myself again.

It is easy when you move to a new culture and you are trying to fit in and learn the customs, to lose yourself.  At least it was very easy for me.  I am not Honduran.  I love the culture and I love my life here.  But there is no need for me to let go of the parts of me that make happy.  For a while I lost sight of those things.  Now I know I can learn and grow in this new phase of my life without letting go of what makes me ME.  People are accepting me for who I really am.  Life is much better than it was a year ago at this time.  I am really grateful for this and for the people who were praying for me and supporting me while I was struggling.

Sunday was the last meeting of our book club.  I read my first book in Spanish!  It was much easier than I expected.  I re-read it in English, just to be sure.  Next month we are going to start the men's book.  We just finished 12 Extraordinary Women.  Next month we start 12 Ordinary Men.

The school year will end in about two weeks.  Nobody is sure exactly when school ends.  But it will be soon.  I am doing some extra work with the kids in preschool who will enter kindergarten in January.  They love the one-on-one attention and I am having a lot of fun with it too.  They are very serious about the homework I give them (which consists of drawing lines and shapes to work on fine motor skills - we haven't gotten to letters yet).  They started bringing backpacks so they can carry their homework in their backpack like their older siblings.  :)  I didn't realize the new school year was starting so soon or I would have begun working with them individually before this.

Also, Ashley, the girl whose Mom has been working in the kitchen for about 2 months, has started to speak!!!!!  Today we were all eating lunch in the classroom.  I was at a different table when I heard someone call my name.  I looked up astonished and the whole class said, "It was Ashley!"  They were as surprised as I was!  Then she continued to talk for the rest of the afternoon.  Her mother was told she couldn't talk because something is wrong with her tongue, but she seems to be talking fine now.  Praise God for Ashley talking!

Today my car is back in the shop.  The mechanic found the parts he needed at a price he was willing to pay (he said they were too expensive before) so I hope this will be the last time I have to take it in for a while.  Yesterday I went to a used clothing store and found a whole bunch of expensive brand name shirts for $3.00.  Another part of re-discovering myself - dressing in clothes that are my own style and not trying to be like anyone else.  If people want to call "What Not to Wear", that is fine.  I have my self confidence back!

My first Honduran funeral

Today was a very strange day.  I have had a lot of mixed emotions and I am still not sure how I really feel.  Some of it I can't share here.  But I can share with you my first Honduran funeral experience.

Got out of my car at the church to have Belinda tell me that we need to talk.  We had a meeting regarding the kitchen and the people who work there yesterday, so I thought maybe it was a follow up on that.  But it wasn't.  She told me that Clara's baby died at 4 a.m. today.

For some reason I hadn't prepared myself for that possibility.  I should have.

Then she showed me text message.  You know how I am always saying that it is hard for me to get accustomed to always greeting people with "Good morning" or whatever greeting fits at the time.  Well, at 4:06 a.m. Belinda received a text that read something like, "Good morning.  I am writing to let you know that our baby just died."  I can't remember exactly, but I was struck by the fact that in the middle of everything, Clara still took the time to write "Good morning" in her message.

Belinda said that Ethel had spoken to Clara and Clara was "tranquila" (calm).  That was certainly true.  Clara was sad at moments, but she was calm and relaxed.  Clara is a strong woman, with strong faith.  I know I can learn a lot from her.

Clara and her family

In the early afternoon they brought a white box with the baby in it.  Relatives had come early and set up the church while I finished feeding the Breakfast Program kids and sent them on their way.  They put the box on a table in the front and had what we would call in the US "calling hours".  Most people had only heard about the baby dying a few hours earlier and many were at work, so the attendants were closest friends and family.  But it was enough people to be a respectful turnout.  I am told that when a baby dies in Honduras, less people attend.  I am guessing that is because of the statistics of infant mortality, which are high even when the baby hasn't developed in a womb that was receiving chemotherapy for the first half of the pregnancy.

Walter spoke for a few minutes.  Then we squeezed into the van, my car, and a pickup truck (with men in the back end) and drove to the cemetery.  I had never been inside a cemetery in Honduras before.  It was interesting and pretty in a different sort of way.

The taller cement things are up to three levels high.  Families are buried together vertically.

It rained for a few minutes, but the sun was still out.
Kind of metaphorical

Thank you to each of you who sent messages of support.  I read each word to Clara and her family.  They appreciated every message very much.

Pato

Marcela and I started walking every day.  We walk up toward La Tigra.  It is beautiful.  Today we had to turn around because some guy on a motorcycle drove up behind us really close, going too slow, then his motorcycle stopped a few feet in front of us.  We weren't sure what was going on, so we turned around.

I told Marcela we need our own truck.  This morning as I pulled out of the gate to go to the church there was a truck with its blinkers on following two people walking up the road.  Probably private security.  Many people here have their own personal body guards.

It feels great to get some exercise, see more of the area where I live, and spend time with Marcela.  So far every night as soon as we get home, thunder and lightening rolls in and it starts to rain.  Thus far we have made it without getting wet.

Marcela and I also met in the city this afternoon for sushi.  It was 2 for 1 so we ordered four rolls and paid for two.  Yummy!

The kids learned a new bible verse today in the preschool class.  And two of them pooped in their pants.  You gotta take the good with the not so good, right?  Wow, that classroom was stinky!

I am trying a new approach to my itchy scalp.  After doing some research on the internet I learned that a certain chemical that makes shampoo more foamy can cause allergies in women 20-45.  So, I had to buy some special, organic shampoo today.  I hope it makes a difference.  Or maybe I don't.  That shampoo was awfully expensive.

Clara had her baby.  It is a boy, which is nice because she has two girls.  The baby only weighs 3 pounds.  It was at 35 weeks of gestation I heard today.  I thought she was not that far along.  I spoke to her this morning.  She said the baby is on antibiotics, but she is not clear why.  She was going to find out more at 11 when the doctors did rounds.  I tried calling several times after that, but there was no answer.  Phones don't always work well in that hospital.  We believe Gabriel Isaac will be healthy.  I will send out an email when I have more details.  Clara will continue to need prayer because she has Leukemia and was supposed to be receiving chemotherapy all of this time.

I will attend my first Quinceñera in two weeks.  One of the girls from the Breakfast Program, Kenia, is turning 15.  She is having a big party at the church and I am on the guest list.  Kenia is a very sweet girl who can be kind of needy and insecure.  This will be a great experience for her - to be the center of attention in a big, positive way.  Even all of the preparation time is good for her.  She is basking in all of the attention.

Lorenzo and I had class today for the first time in a couple of weeks.  He started getting psychological therapy from a lady at the church.  Since that day he stopped coming to the Breakfast Program.  Or he comes and leaves really fast.  Today I asked him if he wanted to have class.  He did.  I sharpened two brand new pencils and we each wrote a story.  It was fun.  Tomorrow we are going to illustrate the stories.  Hopefully that will encourage him to come back.

Lorenzo's regular buddy, Jarvin, wasn't at the Breakfast Program today so Lorenzo chose a different friend.  The boy he chose is a year younger, but they are in the same class.  With Jose as his buddy, Lorenzo gets to be the leader - the smarter one.  They both struggle, but Lorenzo struggles a little less.  It is great for Lorenzo to have Jarvin with him, but I also see benefits to having Lorenzo bring Jose.  Good for self esteem.  I hope they both come tomorrow!

I realized today that I haven't followed up in a long time about Isabel and her daughter Ashley.  They showed up a couple of months ago and Isabel began working in the kitchen.  Isabel is struggling to keep a roof over their head and feed herself and her daughter.  They both now come almost every single day.  Isabel is a really hard worker.  She is very quiet and extremely private.  We encourage her to open up, but she is closed tight.

Ashley is in my preschool class.  She is almost non-verbal.  But she is smart.  She is also very stubborn and can be aggressive toward other kids.  Being at the church is really good for her socialization.  Today I was helping her finish her soup.  She was excited to see duck on the bottom of  her bowl.  I said the word for duck (pato).  She copied the vowel sounds.  That was a first.  Maybe Ashley will be talking soon!

Jetty is ruling my life

I have something embarrassing to admit.  Never consciously thought about the fact that I am embarrassed by it until today.  At 5:16 a.m.

My cat rules my life.  She has complete control of the house.  When she is not happy it stresses me out.  Her allergy related asthma (worsened by living at the edge of a rainforest in the rainy season) makes me anxious.  And when she wakes me up at 4:30 a.m. every morning I get up and deal with her.  Unfortunately, she wakes me up at 4:30 almost every morning

It starts with walking across me as I sleep.  At first I lie still and pretend I am asleep.  Then she licks my hand.  Continue feigning sleep.  Then it's my nose.  Or any part of my face she can reach, but she prefers the tip of my nose if she can get at it.  Her tongue is rough.  She doesn't lick gently.  I toss and turn a few times.  Sometimes, like maybe once out of 10, this works.  She gets distracted and I go back to sleep.  But the other nine times she won't stop and the licking is accompanied by soft cries.

If I am able to ignore all of this, she jumps onto one of several shelves in the room and proceeds to knock everything off.  I used to have breakable things on my shelves.  Not anymore.  Everything breakable is already broken.  My prized trophy for serving at The Breakfast Program, two candles, picture frames, my bite-guard, a lamp, and several glasses (some full of juice) are all victims of Jetty's 4:30 a.m. self entertainment.

I have varied responses according to my mood, what I was dreaming when she woke me up, how much sleep I got prior to 4:30, how much sleep I will be able to get afterward, and how much food was in her dish when I go to bed at night.

You see Jetty eats canned food and she only likes it fresh.  So if I put out a fresh can at night when she already has some left, she will discard the "old" and only eat the new.  If I stack fresh food on top of her remaining food, she will eat until she gets close to the old food.  Then she will stop, wasting the old food and part of the new food.  So my biggest hope every day is that she finishes her food at some point before bedtime and has plenty left each night when I go to sleep.

If I know there is food in her bowl at 4:30 I have less patience.  It can get a little ugly.  I yell "Stop",  "Don't lick me",  "Get down from there".  The neighbors might hear me, but Jetty doesn't seem to.  I have locked her out of the bedroom.  But now, with the rainy season, my bedroom door is swollen and doesn't close tightly.  Recently I discovered that for some reason at 4:30 in the morning Jetty sometimes needs a gentle reminder that she already has food in her bowl.  So my first reaction once I reach full consciousness is now to go to the bowl, pick it up and put it back down.  She eats and I go back to sleep.

If there is no food I get up.  She purrs.  I shake the can to loosen up the food as she weaves between my legs.  I peel the sticker off the pull tab - something they apparently have to do in order to import Friskies canned food to Honduras.  That darn sticker is hard to peel through half open eyes.  Finally I dump the food into the bowl and stick the empty can on top of the newel post.

I used to put the can in the garbage, but have learned if I do I will be woken again to the sound of the garbage can tipping over and Jetty digging the can out of the garbage, then licking it clean on the tile floor.  It is a lovely noise to try to sleep to.

This morning I was unable to fall back asleep.  Since it was a holiday I turned on the computer and was searching for interesting blogs to follow.  I've been doing that for a few days but haven't found much of interest.  Most people gave up blogging a few years ago so everything is dated June 2010ish.  This morning I found a blog written by a 29 year old girl living in Chicago.  I lived in Chicago when I was 29.  She is from NY.  Me too.  She is a foodie, like me.  And she has a cat whose "prime hours of operation" are between 4:30 and 5:15 a.m.  Hahahaha!  It was 5:16 a.m.  Jetty was lying next to me with a full stomach, sound asleep.

Somehow I found comfort in the fact that I am not the only one who has this problem.  So today I am admitting to the world.  I have a cat who controls my life.  And if you ever need a favor at 4:30 a.m., I'm your gal.

So much good stuff!

This morning I had the prediscipleship group at 8:30.  I left in plenty of time, but was an hour late to arrive.  Last week there was a 5K for breast cancer.  Apparently this week there was one too, but I didn't know it.  I was about 10 cars behind the runners, who took up the entire highway.  If only I had been five minutes earlier!  Behind me were miles and miles of traffic.  Actually, let me correct myself.  They were not runners.  They were walkers.  Which meant after an hour of driving with the speedometer registering 0 kilometers per hour my clutch leg was very tired.

I sent a message to the leader of the group to say that I was going to be late.  I missed the whole thing.  He was able to take an alternate route.  I know an alternative to get home from the church, but I wasn't sure about how to get from my house to the church in a different way.

Today I was talking with a lady from the church whom I really like, but don't know very well.  She is a social worker too.  We talked about the possibility of her doing some of the home studies with me, since Chayito is busy and can only do them for one week in November.  Of course, we need to run all of this through the proper channels.  But I am so excited with the idea of using my mind for assessments again!

She told me that if we get the home studies done, there are members of small groups within the church who have been wanting to serve in Los Pinos, but weren't sure how.  The home studies will show us how church members can serve fellow church members or families of the kids from the Breakfast Program!  I am really, really excited about this.  It is right up my alley.  I never knew there were others who shared the same interest.  It seems like I will have lots of support.  I sure hope things fall into place as we take this idea to the leadership.  I am going to pray about this.  I think after a year and a half, I have started to find my niche!  I will continue at the Breakfast Program, of course, because that is where all of this stems from.  To get outside and stretch my brain is going to feel wonderful.

I also talked to the man who is organizing all of the sports programs for the kids.  He asked me to take names of 21 kids who want swimming lessons, 10 kids who want to play tennis, and 15 girls who want to play soccer.  He also said that the pool is going to provide another swim instructor for us!  We are bringing 7 kids each day and we will have the teacher from the pool as well as me working with the kids.  This is awesome!

Every day I feel like things are becoming more clear as to how I can serve to my full potential.  Now I can't wait for them to fall into place and come to fruition.  Not only is this great for the kids, it also makes me feel like I am serving as I should and living a more complete life.  I don't mean to be self centered, but it feels really great on a personal level. I am grateful to God for that.

The future looks bright!

Today was the start of something I am a little nervous about.  From now on (except this Monday, which is a holiday) I have commitments at the church every single day of the week until Christmas.  Weekdays are Breakfast Program.  Swimming lessons start in a few weeks which means I'll have to be there super early.  (Those of you who know me know how painful that is for me.)  Then we'll get back from swimming in time for me to teach preschoool and for all of the kids to eat.  I am really excited about this.  Otherwise I would be dreading it, just because of the early hour.

I am in the church on Saturdays now because I was asked to be in the Christmas choir!  I didn't know until today that it is an honor to be chosen.  In the past the Christmas choir has included anyone who wants to participate.  But this year people were hand selected.  Today was our first rehearsal.  We are not just singing, we are getting vocal lessons!  The hardest part for me is learning the words, the phrasing and pronunciation.  I already know 4 of the 7 songs, but I know them in a different language and with different phrasing.  I feel great to have been chosen.  I am excited that I will learn more about how to use my voice. Saturdays will be a fun day.

Normally I like to have one day per week for myself.  I am going to try to think of Saturdays as my fun day, since I do like to sing and it is an honor to be chosen.

Tomorrow morning I have pre-discipleship group before church.  We are studying Psalm 139 and have to prepare notes to share.

I am also reading a book for the book club.  It's the first book I have tried to read in Spanish.  Thankfully, it is much more easy than I ever expected.  The hardest part is that I know the people in the bible by different names.  Sometimes it is hard to figure out who they are talking about.  Some of the people and the places can have names that are quite different from English to Spanish.

The expensive grocery store has Chobani yogurt again, which is nice.  It is only a tiny bit more expensive than in the US, which also makes me happy.  I'll buy it as a special treat now and then.

In my last entry I wrote about God guiding me as to how to deal with a person who was frustrating me.  God is faithful!  As soon as I woke up the next morning I received a message saying that a young boy would like to talk to me.  I had no idea why, but he is a sweetie, so I went to the church early to meet with him.  Turns out he wanted to talk to me about something that completely guided me in my approach to the other person!  I was really grateful.  I still have not addressed the issue with the other person, but I do have complete peace about it.  Thank you God!

Yesterday I went to the dentist.  Jetty knocked my nightstand over and somehow my nightguard broke in the fall.  So my friend who is a dentist is having a new nightguard made.  My friend's mother was at the church and asked for a ride, so we had time to talk.  It was a really good talk.  She has been a member of the church for a long time.  She is also the one who does social work/psychology at the church, as well as in her professional life.

We made plans to go out into Los Pinos and visit the families of the kids we work with in the Breakfast Program.  We are going with a Social Work approach.  We are going to interview the families and ask how we can help the families, how we can support the families and the kids as social workers.  Wow!  As I write about this I am getting even more excited!  THIS is my comfort zone.  This is how I have been successful in serving people in the past.  I am excited to work together with someone established in the church and put our heads together to serve the families of Los Pinos.

I also told her that I would like to work in La Tigra.  She said that this is also a way I could serve in La Tigra.  It is much less dangerous to go house to house in La Tigra.  I wouldn't need her to accompany me.  I am really excited to see how all of this will fall into place.

She said she has been talking with the leadership and they are looking for opportunities for me to serve in ways that fully realize all of my potential.  She said they appreciate me and want to make sure that I am happy so I will want to stay here.  I told her that I am happy.  But I do feel like I could serve in more effective ways.

I adore my preschool kids.  At the same time I know that teaching preschool is not my personal strength.  I do have personal strengths.  Despite my love for the kids, classroom teaching is not one.

I am happy to serve in any way I am asked.  However, I also believe that in time God will show me exactly where I am supposed to be.  For now I can serve with all of my heart, wait patiently, and enjoy all of the opportunities God has given me.  I am happy doing exactly what I am doing.  But I am also looking forward to using all the gifts God gave me to serve and love this community.  The future looks bright!  I am busy and excited.

A work in progress

Today I got to talk to my violin teacher!  Turns out he is doing really well.  He did move to the senior living center.  He got to bring his cat, Honey, with him.  That makes him really happy.  She is a rescue cat and he said he felt he owed it to her to care for her as long as he could.  He said she adjusted to the senior living center more quickly than he did.

I am hoping I will make it back to the US to soon to see him.  But as Mr. Meyers said, we will see each other face to face again if it is God's will.

He said he has met some nice men there, and some nice women too.  And some people who need friendship, but they don't know it yet.  He said they are the people he is reaching out to most.  He said some people aren't receptive, but that is not for us to worry about.  What is important is that we reach out to them with God's love.  He said he is letting his light shine and he knows I am letting my light shine as I serve in Honduras.

I have been struggling to show God's love to someone lately.  The person says and does things that are disrespectful.  Last night I woke up in the middle of the night and felt frustrated about it.  After talking to Mr. Meyers I realized that I cannot control another person's behavior.  If someone chooses to behave in a way that does not honor themselves or God, then the LEAST of their problems is that the person is not honoring me.  I am still not sure how to approach the person, if I should approach them at all.  But I do have faith that God will show me how to move forward.  I know I should not spend any more sleepless nights thinking about it.

Mr Meyers said he has shared the note I left in his doorway in July with several friends.  He said they thought it was very special.  He said he will cherish it forever.  I wish I could remember better what I wrote.  I do have peace knowing that even if there is something I forgot to write, we have spoken it to each other.

I also read him the blog entry that I wrote last week about our friendship.  I didn't expect to cry but when I got to the part about his phone going straight to "The number you have reached has been disconnected", I sobbed and managed to squeak out, "Sorry."  He said, "No, let the tears flow."  Mr. Meyers has a way of making people comfortable in the most uncomfortable of situations.

Mr. Meyers is giving piano and violin lessons to people at the senor living center.  I hope they realize they have a master among them.  I'm sure they do.  I think it is great that he is still able to do what he loves.

I feel a lot better after having spoken with him.  His voice still sounds the same.  He is content to be where he is.  He said he knows her is where God wants him to be and he is always excited to see what more God has in store for him.

I told my Mom I was surprised that I cried when I talked to him.  We have both cried in front of each other before.  I just didn't expect it this time.  My Mom reminded me that I really hadn't known if I would ever talk to Mr. Meyers again, so it's not surprising I would cry.  Thank God our special friendship is still a work in progress!  I really want to see Mr. Meyers face to face again.  It will be interesting to see what plans God has for us.  I am grateful for every moment we have already had together, but I also miss my friend.

My big mouth

Yes, I can be outspoken.  Sometimes I say things without thinking.  And sometimes it gets me into trouble.  Yesterday I dropped off my car with the mechanic.  He offered to drive me to the church so I wouldn't have to pay for a cab.  On the way we were making small talk.

I told him that it made me smile to see the yellow Land Rover Freelander on his lot.  I assumed he was fixing it.  I told him the story about how in 2002 I had a boyfriend who bought a Freelander.  One day the boyfriend told me I had left the rear window down overnight.  I told him I had not, but he believed I had.  A few days later he was very apologetic.  He had been driving through an automatic car wash when the rear window suddenly lowered all by itself.  Water sprayed all through the car and even hit him in the back of the head.  He then believed that I did not put the rear window down.

I told the mechanic that car had a ton of problems.  When it rained water leaked through the overhead lights.  The headlights NEVER worked.  That car was always at the dealership.  It was brand new and had more problems than any car I ever saw.

The mechanic said, "Yes, that car is very special."

I said forcefully, "That car is garbage."

The mechanic laughed and said, "I have two."

Oh boy.  I didn't know what to say.  I told him I was sure that other years models were better.  He said no, his cars have problems.  The windows open by themselves on his cars too.  And the roof even fell on his head!  But he likes the car.  I guess when you are a mechanic you can afford to have a car that is very special.

He found some things in my car that I wasn't aware of - luckily small things.  Some of the dealership's recommendations were unnecessary so I was glad I didn't pay to have it fixed there.  The mechanic is going to keep his eye out for new tires on sale.  He also said if I ever have a problem with the car I can call him and he will always come and help.  I guess he found my big mouth amusing, not insulting.  It is such a huge blessing to have a knowledgeable and trustworthy mechanic!

A boy broke his arm this morning at the church.  He was playing fútbol but it wasn't any sort of collision.  He just tripped and fell.  His forearm was clearly broken.  I was afraid if he moved it the bone would break through the skin.  It was pretty messed up.  He tried so hard to be brave.  I was proud of him.

Last night after Honduras qualified for the World Cup the president declared that today was a national holiday.  It appeared to me that most people still went to work.  Traffic was heavy and the American Embassy had its usual long line in front.

Al Mundial!

Even the Jesus Statue is celebrating!

Honduras qualified for the World Cup last night!

Healthy Baby Girl

It costs $7.00 to give birth and stay in the hospital for six days in Honduras.

Today I got to pick up Marlin from the hospital and take Marlin and her new baby home.  I couldn't believe how awesome Marlin looked.  She just had the baby on Friday and her whole belly was gone!  She said that they gave her the Pitocin at 10 a.m. Friday.  She could feel soft cramping at noon.  At 1:30 she started having labor pains, but they weren't bad.  The nurses said she would have the baby at 7 p.m.  But her beautiful baby girl arrived at 2 p.m. on Friday.

They told Marlin that the baby was fine, but took the baby to a special unit where she could be constantly monitored.  They say they had to do that because Marlin has Lupus.  Doctors don't do rounds over the weekend.  So the baby was not assessed until today.  Marlin was not allowed to see her baby until we went to pick her up and take her home this afternoon.  Marlin spent the first 3 days without seeing her baby.  But she was very calm and matter-of-fact about it.

We paid the $7 bill.  We picked up Marlin in a room of eight pregnant ladies.  We went to get the baby.  Marlin was allowed down a hall and into a room where she had to wear a gown to enter.  Her husband. our friend Ana, and I had to wait outside.  Marlin went in and saw her baby for the first time since it was born.  We waited fairly patiently.  But a little impatiently.  I couldn't imagine how Marlin was feeling or what she was doing.  I wanted to watch as she picked up her new baby.

She finally came out with the baby dressed in an outfit that Marlin and I picked out together and wrapped in 2 blankets.  We bum rushed her.  Then I realized her husband had not even seen his baby yet and I was standing in front of him, so I quickly backed out of the way.

Marlin and her baby

Daddy, Mommy, and baby girl

Happy Mommy

She isn't named yet.  You don't have to name a baby before it leaves the hospital here.  She looked right into my eyes.  I fell in love with her immediately.  She weighs 6 pounds and unknown ounces.  She is perfect.

On the way out we had to stop for Marlin to rest.  She had tubal ligation four hours before.  The anesthesia was still making her nauseous and light headed.  Her husband finished the paperwork for the baby and got Marlin's prescriptions while we rested.  Then we headed out the door.

Marlin wasn't feeling well.  The baby could only leave through the front gate because they had to sign the baby out of the hospital there, at the gate, so I ran to get the car and pull it around.

Ana was really funny.  She was being very protective of me and kept telling me to be careful - as I drove, as I walked across the street, as I stood on the sidewalk.  She kept saying it is very dangerous there.  I don't think she realizes I have been at that hospital a lot of times to visit Clara and Marlin.  So as I left to walk to my car she said, "Be careful.  It is dangerous!"  I walked as quickly as I could and I prayed really hard the whole way.  Right as I got to my car I heard someone trying to talk to me.  I figured it was someone trying to sell me something.  I knew he was talking to me, but I thought it best not to look at him or talk to him.  I kept walking.  As approached the car I realized I shouldn't walk between the cars with the man following me.  I stopped in the middle of the driveway where I was in sight of everyone, and looked to see if someone was behind me.  It was Marlin's husband!  He said he had been trying to catch up with me the whole time, but I walked so fast and ignored him.  I laughed and explained that I was purposely ignoring him because I assumed he was a stranger!  He said the Marlin and Ana didn't want me to walk alone, so they sent him to walk with me.  Haha!

We pulled around and picked them up where I told them I would be.  Ana was waving her hands like crazy, showing me where to make a U-Turn at the same place I have made a U-Turn ten times before.  I told Marlin's husband that Ana has no confidence in me.  He laughed and said I was right.

On the way home Ana said we should stop at my mechanic.  We had planned to stop there on the way to the hospital, but we didn't have time.  I said no, we can't stop at the mechanic with a new baby in the car.  Everyone said of course we can.  So we did.  He was only 2 blocks out of the way.  Then we joked that the baby was learning all about the city - she already had her own mechanic.

Marlin wanted to stop and see her sister.  Since we were passing the house I pulled over and we yelled up to the people who were outside.  Marlin's Mom and sister came down and met the baby.  Marlin's Mom was very happy and kept saying what an amazing blessing this is, to have both Marlin and the baby healthy and strong.  Marlin always describes her mother as distant, but she did not seem distant today!

When we made it to Marlin's house I asked if I could come in.  I still hadn't gotten to hold the baby yet.  Ana's kids and Marlin's kids all surrounded the car.  Misael and Meylin were more excited to see their Mommy than to meet their new baby sister.  We walked up the hill to Marlin's house.  Everyone else walked ahead but I stuck with Marlin.  She was really struggling.  I couldn't imagine climbing that goat path after giving birth and having surgery.  So many things that I can't imagine are just a normal part of life here.

Marlin made it to her sister-in-law's house where her nieces were already holding the baby.  She plopped down and rested.  I told the kids it was my turn to hold the baby.  It felt so good!  She is tiny but not too delicate, just small.  She was sleeping so I didn't get to look into her eyes, like at the hospital.  Then I gave her back to her Mommy, thinking that Marlin still had not enjoyed much time holding the baby.  Ana held her the whole time we were in the hospital and the car, so Marlin only had her a few minutes.

Misael and his new baby sister

I didn't want to leave.  I wanted to stay and hang out all night, basking in the joy of the new baby.  Everyone was so happy and grateful to God.  But it was dusk and I was in Los Pinos, so I had to leave.  Marlin's husband and Ana's kids walked me to the car.  They made sure I headed out safely.  I left with the most peaceful, content feeling.  It was great.  I knew God has been looking over Marlin and her baby.

I remember the day Marlin learned she was pregnant.  The doctor told her she and the baby could both die.  People with Lupus are not supposed to have babies.  Marlin was scared and embarrassed because she thought people would criticize her for the pregnancy.

When she left the appointment she walked to the church.  I was the first one she told.  She cried.  She didn't want to be pregnant.  She said she considered going straight home after the appointment and never coming back to the church.  I told her she couldn't get rid of me that easily.  I would have come searching for her.

We told her that the baby is a blessing.  She was taking appropriate precautions.  She was not being irresponsible.  God chose to give her this baby.  We had faith that Marlin and her baby would be healthy.  We maintained faith.  Soon Marlin was able to be happy about her pregnancy.

Now the day we prayed for all of those months is finally here.  Marlin and her beautiful baby are strong and well.  They are at home, safe.  God blessed Marlin and her husband with a perfect and beautiful baby girl.  It is a day full of joy and gratitude.

Doing the Limbo

I figured it would be a boring night so I did my daily blog early.  But boy oh boy, was I wrong!

There is one thing that happened which I can't tell you about until it is official.  All I can say is that I am smiling ear to ear and I don't know if I have ever been this honored in my whole life.  Bet you are dying to know what happened!  Well, you will have to wait until tomorrow, or maybe the next day before I can say more.

I did tell my Mom the exciting news.  I figured she is far enough away that she can't blab to too many people.  As I was on the phone with her I heard this horrible screeching of brakes and I looked out the window to see a bus go off the road into a telephone pole directly across the street from my house.  The front right tire was hanging off the side of the mountain!  First the bus driver got out to assess the situation.  Then he got back into the bus and backed it up so the telephone pole fell off the front of the bus and landed across the road.

I still had electricity.  I went out on my balcony to give my Mom and her friend a play by play of what occurred next.  Soon cars and motorcycles came along, anxious to pass but they couldn't because the telephone pole was in the way.  A guy started lifting up the wires by hand to move them!  I was waiting for him to get electrocuted, but you will be happy to know that nobody died, which is shocking (insert cheap joke drum sound effects here).

After they realized the man couldn't move the wires by himself some other men tried to move the pole.  The problem was that even though that pole had been in the ground across the street from my house, the next pole was on my side of the road - which meant the wires cross over the road in front of my house.  When they fell, they fell diagonally across the road so there was no way to move them to one side even if they could be lifted.

While the people were trying to figure out what to do about the wires, the bus driver got back in the bus and backed up more.  The bus made a horrible grinding noise.  I thought something was wrong with the transmission until people started yelling up to me asking me to bring they a bar (like a crowbar).  Then they all started yanking on the front fender, counting "Uno! Dos! Tres!" and yanking again.  I realized the telephone pole must have dented the fender into the wheel.  They needed a crowbar to pry it out.  So I told them I don't have a crowbar but I will ask my neighbors.  At that point I had to stop the play by play momentarily with my Mom and run over to my neighbor's house.

My landlord wasn't home, but his brother, the ever watchful Gerry, was standing up on his stoop.  He didn't have the bird's eye view that I had from my balcony so he didn't realize there was a telephone pole lying across the road.  I asked him for a "barra" but he didn't have one.  I explained the people needed help.  He asked if I know them.  I said no but it's a church bus.  He said well you go back in your house.  Don't go down there.  I will go help them.

Ugh.  So boring.  Lots of excitement so close and I am not allowed to leave my house.  At least I have the best view.  I walked down the little path below my house in time to catch a man with a crowbar chopping the wires off one side of the pole so he could drag the wires off the road.  That was probably the scariest moment of all, watching him chop wires with a crowbar, except for maybe the limbo-ing and tightrope walking.  I will tell you about that in a second and you can be the judge.

So the man is down there chopping at the wires with his metal crowbar, until they all tore apart and he could drag them away.  Then they still had a pole lying across the road with wires attached on one side.  After some discussion an older lady took charge.  She told the men to move the pole to the other side of the road and prop it up with a rock.

The bus after it was back on the road.  You can see where it went off on the right.

The men moving the telephone pole

The men listened.  By this point there were lots of cars backed up and people walking around so the men lined up the whole length of the pole and lifted one end, then dragged it to the other side of the road.  They propped it up against the side of the mountain in front of my house.  (I don't know if they found a rock as the lady suggested.)  There was still a problem.  The wires that were attached to the other side of the pole now hung down into the road.  Cars were driving by and people were yelling at the cars to stop, but apparently a bundle of downed wires scraping across the roof of their car did not intimidate them.  I even saw a man on a motorcycle with a baby in front and a lady on the back duck under those wires.  Craziness.

Finally the smartest move of all was when a man lassoed the drooping wires, climbed up the side of my mountain and tied off his rope to a tree, which lifted the wires from drooping so low.  But what he didn't realize was that they were still about a foot too low to allow buses to pass underneath.

Oh, I forgot to say it was getting dark and a thunderstorm was rolling in to add to the excitement.

With the road "clear", everyone piled back into the bus except one person.  I called my Mom back to tell her about all of the excitement and just as I started to explain I saw a man lying on top of the bus, with his feet dangling over the windshield, lifting the heavy bundles of wire over his body so they cleared the roof of the bus as the bus drove under!  I told my Mom, "A man is doing the limbo under the wires while lying on top of the bus!!!"  She and her friend agreed life in Honduras is not dull.

Everyone left.  It was pouring rain with thunder and lightening.  I knew the next bus to come along would not clear those wires.  Sure enough a couple of minutes later I heard more bus brakes screeching.  This time the bus had those emergency strobe lights mounted on top, both in the front and back, which made the limbo approach used by the other bus not possible because the wires would still get stuck on the light in the back.  But never fear.  There was a tightrope walker on this bus.  In the pouring rain he ran along the slick peak of the bus, guiding the heavy bundle of wires as the bus drove underneath, ensuring they all passed by safely.  He slipped once, but the wires kept him balanced, just like a tightrope walker.

That was all my curiosity could take.  I retreated to my house.  I did turn on my balcony light.  Hopefully it will help as the cars pass by in the dark.  I keep hearing everyone screech to a halt, even motorcycles, so I'm thinking the wires much have fallen into the road again.  However, there is nothing that can be done tonight.  I texted my friends who live further up the mountain and warned them to be careful if they pass my house.

Can't wait to share the other exciting news with you tomorrow!

My special guest

Swimming Lessons

This morning I missed a 5K run for breast cancer because I had to go to my prediscipleship group.  It would have been fun, but we are not allowed to miss these meetings.  They are mandatory before we can join a small group.

The nutritionist spoke at church today.  She gave her testimony.  Eunice's daughter translated for her.  I was glad it wasn't me translating.  The doctor spoke for a long time before she stopped to allow Elienai to translate what she just said.  I'm not sure I could have recapped it all in English, never mind in Spanish.  Elienai did a great job.

Marlin and I talked a few times this morning.  Dr. Gustavo said it is normal that the baby is not with Marlin until after the doctors make their rounds.  Marlin had her baby Friday afternoon.  The doctors don't make rounds over the weekend.  So we are hoping that tomorrow after rounds Marlin will finally have her baby in her arms.  I am even hoping that Marlin and the baby could be discharged tomorrow.

I am supposed to take my car into the shop for some work tomorrow, but I want to have the car in case Marlin is discharged.  I don't want her to have to ride home on the bus with her new baby.  I'd like to pick her up.  Looks like I'll have to put off the car mechanic for another week.

Today one of the church leaders told me that we will start the swim program the second week of November!  I will be the swim coach.  Finally, something familiar!  I taught kids to swim for many years.  This will be fun.  I need to think of one person who can help me.  It has to be someone who will is available every day.  The swim program is going to be every weekday from November until January because that is when we can have free busing.

I was looking into visiting the US for Thanksgiving, my bday, and my nephew's birthday.  Unfortunately, that falls right when the swimming program would start.  Looks like I won't make it back until June.

We are thinking we will have 7 kids per group.  That sounds very manageable to me.  The groups will be divided by ages.  A different group will go each day.  We may even send 2 groups per day.  That's a lot of kids who will learn to swim!  I am excited.

The leaders also told me that they will talk with me in the next 2 weeks about how the church can most benefit from my strengths and experience.  I am looking forward to serve in new ways.  I am willing to step outside of my comfort zone and serve in any way I am needed.  But I think I could be more effective serving in ways that God has gifted me.  Excited for the future!

Flat tire, dead battery, BABY GIRL!

This morning Erick, a boy from La Tigra who is always helpful and sweet, called to ask a favor.  I was surprised when the phone rang again in the afternoon and it was Erick again.  He got a flat tire up in La Tigra and walked toward my house until he got cell reception.  Then he called to ask if I could take him to get the flat fixed.

Along the way we picked up two more kids from La Tigra who were headed for the church talent show.  They were supposed to ride with Erick, but...

I dropped off Erick at this shack that I have passed every morning and night since I moved to the mountains.  I never knew it was a mechanic's shop.  The only thing I really noticed about the place is that they don't hang their laundry to dry.  They have a big yard and always lay laundry flat on the ground.  After Erick and the spare tire were dropped off there I headed for the church with the boys from La Tigra.  They were supposed to sing and worried they would be too late to perform.

As I was driving I got a call from Marlin.  The one rule that is actually followed in Honduras is about talking on the phone while driving.  Fortunately I was in a perfect place to pull off the road and talk.  Unfortunately it was really loud there.  We rolled up our windows, but I ended up completely misunderstanding what she told me.

I thought Marlin said she was given the medicine to start her labor yesterday, but she still didn't have the baby.  In reality, that was true.  But she did give birth, she just didn't have the baby in her arms.

After picking up Erick he directed me back to where he left the car.  He had walked so far!  Danny was waiting with the car.  At this point it had been almost 3 hours since they first got the flat.  Poor Danny.  We got the tire changed quickly.  There was literally no tread on the tire they took off the car and no tread on the tire they put on the car.  Not the slightest indentation.

As we started to leave we found that his battery was dead.  We didn't have any jumper cables so Erick did something I have never seen before.  He started my car, took the battery out, put it into his car, rolled his car down the hill and popped the clutch to start it, then gave me my battery back.  I was a little concerned, but my car has been fine since, so I guess it served us well.

A really kind man came over in the middle of all of that to ask if we needed help.  I think the sight of a North American female with her hood up caused him concern.  He said he lived right on the corner and had his own car.  He told us that since he has a car, he also has tools to fix it if we needed them.  He seemed pretty proud of that.  The people in La Tigra usually walk wherever they go.  They are accustomed to walking long distances.  The streets were full of people walking.  I joked with Erick that they were probably thinking, "Thank God I don't have a car to cause me problems like that," as they walked by us.

That neighbor man stuck around until we were all set.  He said if we ever need help we can always stop at his house.  In a country where I am never allowed to speak to strangers it is really nice to meet people like that.  I like the environment of the country folk in La Tigra.

After I got home I cooked up some pasta with veggies and called my Mom to see if she might understand why Marlin would have been in labor yesterday but not have her baby.  When my Mom and her friend who is a nurse both thought that was very strange I decided to call Marlin again and talk to her where I could hear better.

Marlin said she was feeling well but still having some contractions.  She said that she was resting.  Then she explained that she was given the medicine at 10 a.m. yesterday.  The contractions were strong at noon.  She had the baby at 2 p.m.  Doctors told her the baby was healthy but took her for exams, since Marlin has Lupus.  Marlin has not seen her baby since.

I called my Mom back and told her that I had the story confused.  Mom's friend who is the nurse asked why the hospital did not have the baby bonding with Marlin in these first important hours.  I said I don't think the hospital is worried about bonding.  I am more concerned with if the baby is eating!  Mom and her friend were shocked to hear you have to bring your own diapers and your own baby formula to the hospital.  Sadly, those things don't surprise me any more.

I called my landlord to let her know that Marlin had her baby.  She was very concerned.  She asked for all of Marlin's information and called Dr. Gustavo.  He is currently searching for Marlin's baby.  Marlin is full of faith and peace.  I am trying to follow her lead.

I am grateful that my beautiful friend is healthy and well, both physically and mentally.  We know the baby is in God's hands.  But we need to know that the baby is in good human hands too.  I sent out a prayer request tonight.  I hope we will have answers soon!

Two wins and a nutrition conference

We had a conference today about malnutrition.  It was really interesting.  I would have liked to hear more, but we ended an hour early because there was a soccer game.  In reality, everyone planned to stay for the whole conference, but one of the speakers was Honduran and understood that normally the world stops if there is a fútbol game, so he made sure it ended early.

The presenters are currently working with the MAMA Project to serve the people in more remote areas of Honduras.  They are from the US (Pennsylvania) but are here to educate people about malnutrition.  Malnutrition is the biggest killer of kids.  Of those who die from malnutrition, only 17% have severe malnutrition - like what you see on the tv.  The other 83% who die have more moderate malnutrtion, like the children we serve at the Breakfast Program.

We learned fast easy ways to measure if the kids are growing as they should.  We learned how to tell if someone is anemic.  We learned that eggs have gotten a bad rap and are actually the best thing that people who don't have a well rounded diet can eat.  Pregnant or nursing women should eat THREE eggs per day if they don't have an otherwise balanced diet!  That was shocking to hear.  I talked to the doctor afterward and she said that in reality eggs are not as bad as people think.

The MAMA Project people are doing lots of great things.  One thing they do is provide to the people they serve a special vitamin supplement powder that you add to any food.  It could go into any meal we serve at the Breakfast Program and fortify everything we serve.  We have such a hard time getting vitamins here, it would be a huge blessing to use this supplement.  We have been out of vitamins for the older kids since June.  All of the kids are taking vitamins for children 24-59 months old.

When I work with Lorenzo I know that part of his problem is malnutrition.  I learned today that some parts of malnutrition are reversible.  But in order to reverse malnutrition the children need to have extra nutrition to compensate for what they didn't get in the past.

I do feel good knowing that overall we serve fairly healthy meals.  But we are not making up for any lack of nutrition.  We simply don't have the resources to overcompensate.  The conference leaders suggested that we weigh and measure every child to chart their growth.  I would really like to do that.  I also talked to Chayito about the kids who show up irregularly.  I can see very clearly that they are not receiving the nutrients they need.  Chayito said we need to go to the parents homes and tell the parents to send the kids every day.  It's a really good idea, but I can't do it alone because of the dangerous neighborhoods.

In the end I felt happy that we are able to serve so many kids, but frustrated that we aren't able to serve them better.  From now on, if people ask what we need I am going to tell them that we need this vitamin supplement.  We haven't been able to find the chewable vitamins in over a year and it doesn't make sense to bring them from the US if we could find them.  They aren't as concentrated as this powder.

After the conference everyone gathered around a small tv at the church and cheered on Honduras.  They won!  The US just beat Jamaica too.  Sportscasters commented about how calm the North American crowd was after their big win as they put their arms around each other, swayed back and forth, and sang "Nah nah nah nah, Nah nah nah nah, Hey hey hey, Good bye."  North Americans don't go as nuts if they win as Hondurans do.  If Panama and Mexico tie tonight, then Honduras will go to the World Cup.  The US is already qualified.

Marlin was finally taken into the delivery room today.  We haven't heard that she has had the baby yet!  We are still praying for health for Marlin and her baby.

Mr. Meyers

In December 2008 I was at my brother's house for Christmas.  I would return in January to live with my brother and his wife for six months as a nanny to their baby.  As part of my compensation I received a seasons pass to ski in Colorado and weekly violin lessons.

Over Christmas I searched on line for a violin teacher in Denver.  It was funny.  I told my family that the first man I called was the one.  He said he was retired and no longer taking new students, but he felt like he could make an exception for me.  We scheduled my first class.  I felt a special connection with him right away and was looking forward to starting lessons in January.

Three weeks later, when I returned to Colorado I looked on line again to find the address of my violin teacher before the first lesson.  However, I could find no sign of him in the internet.  Luckily I had written down his phone number so I called and we proceeded with violin lessons.  I always thought it was strange that the first man I discovered when searching the internet three weeks earlier could no longer be found.  Mr Meyers told me he had never placed an advertisement, so he was not sure how I located him.

My lessons were supposed to be 50 minutes long.  But I always spent two to three hours with Mr. Meyers.  He was 84, I believe, when I first met him, and frustrated because his arthritis sometimes made it almost impossible to play his most beloved instrument, the violin.  Mr. Meyers had other students in piano and clarinet and I think trombone.  But his heart belonged to the violin.

I was a quick learner.  He said most students don't pick up the violin as easily as I did.  But I loved it.  And I loved lessons with Mr. Meyers.

Some days he struggled to climb up and down the basement stairs.  He had a lot of doctors appointments for his knees and a special machine to help him breathe while he slept.  We talked about his health, about my family, about God and our faith.  Over time prayer became a part of my lesson.  We both knew pretty quickly that God brought us together for a reason.  Still to this day, we are not sure what that reason is, but we are grateful for the friendship God provided for us.  Our friendship is a special gift that we both cherish.

As the six months with my brother drew to an end in June of 2009, I told my teacher about my plans to visit Honduras in hopes of becoming bi-lingual.  He wished me well and told me that he hoped I would stay in touch with him.  I did.  Almost every time that I visited Denver I called and set up a time to visit my violin teacher.  Once he told me that he was very sick and couldn't meet with me.  I was sad and scared.  But I knew Mr. Meyers was not a young man.

The next time I visited Denver I was scared to call.  But I knew I would have regrets if I didn't.  So I called and Mr. Meyers invited me to visit.  I brought my computer and showed him pictures of Honduras and the kids I had fallen in love with there.  I told him I believed God was calling me to serve there.  He was happy for me.

He had cut down on lessons and now only had two students - a boy and the boy's mother.  He said he had fallen a number of times.  Life was getting harder for Mr. Meyers.  I treasured every second with him and made sure I left no words unspoken.

I told him how special he was to me - that I believed he was a gift from God.  We talked about the little time we had spent together in reality, but that because of God's love we had a bond that was deeper than we could humanly explain.  None of this was new.  Since almost the first time we met we had always acknowledged God's work in bringing us together.  Mr. Meyer's body was failing, but his mind was sharper than mine.  He remembered things I had completely forgotten.  I relished every second I spent with Mr.Meyers.  Devoured it like a special treat.  Because it was.

Last summer when I was back in the US I called Mr. Meyers to set up a time to visit.  I always had to brace myself for this phone call.  This time it happened.  His home phone went straight to a recording, "The number you have reached has been disconnected..."  I burst into tears and still cry when I think of it.  My Mom was nearby reading a book.  I think she knew that the time I had been dreading was finally real.  She let me use her car and I drove to his house.  All of the curtains were pulled.  There was mail piled up on the front step.  I stood in the yard and cried.  Then I went to neighbors asking if they knew anything about my violin teacher.  But nobody had any answers.

I went home and wrote a letter to my teacher.  I thanked him for his friendship, for being such a great teacher, and for loving me the way God asks us to love each other.  Then I drove to his house, kissed the letter (feeling a little silly and hoping the neighbors weren't watching) and wedged it as tightly as I could into the door frame.  I prayed the wind wouldn't blow it away.

My biggest hope was that Mr. Meyers might receive the card.  But if not, maybe he had some family and maybe they would like to know what a special man Mr. Meyers was to me.  I included contact information for my mother and for myself.

That was three months ago.  I have thought of Mr. Meyers a lot since.  Especially those first few weeks when I kept waiting for some sort of response.  About a week ago I prayed for him, but was honestly starting to lose hope.  Then today I received an email.  It was a from a man who said he is a friend of Mr. Meyers.  The man told me that Mr. Meyers had recently received a very lovely note from me.  He listed the phone number and postal address for Mr. Meyers at a Senior Living Center.  The man said Mr. Meyers is there due to some health issues, but would like to re-establish contact with me.

I am thankful that God used my relationship with Mr. Meyers to show me that we can find His love in unlikely places, with unexpected people, in unexpected times.  God has also shown me how to communicate that love clearly.  Mr. Meyers and I both know, without a doubt, how special we are to one another.  That is a beautiful gift in itself.

I am so excited.  I can't wait to talk to Mr. Meyers.  I pray he is happy and not in pain.  What a blessing and an honor it is to have a friend like Mr. Meyers.  I will always cherish the lessons Mr. Meyers taught me.  They go far beyond learning to play the violin.

On a separate, but equally important note, my friend Marlin is going into the hospital tomorrow to have her labor induced.  (This is not Clara who is already in the hospital with Leukemia, hoping to carry her baby to term.)  Marlin has Lupus but seems healthy and the baby is full term.  Last week the doctors made the plan to induce labor tomorrow because there is too much strain on Marlin's kidneys.  Marlin was pretty calm today.  The leaders of the church came to the Breakfast Program this afternoon and we had a good time of prayer.  Tomorrow morning she will leave at 5 a.m. to get in line at the public hospital.  The doctors will evaluate her at 11 a..m. but she has to be there before 7 a.m. in order to be seen.  We are praying for the health and safety of Marlin and her baby, who may be born as early as tomorrow evening.

Sleepless in Honduras

I may not sleep tonight.  This morning my landlord called and invited me to come over and make bread with her.  I said if she was going to make bread I'd make soup for us for dinner.  So I threw all of the ingredients into the crockpot and headed down to the store to grab a few extras.

There was very little traffic because it is a national holiday.  (Soldier's Day)  I figured it was a perfect time to drive around and figure out where the sushi place is.  I have passed it a thousand times and eaten there once.  I've been told directions, and looked on line, but I can't find the darn place!  So I headed toward where I thought it was (learned later that I was way off base) and came across a place called "Pan y Mas" (Bread and more).  Something told me to stop and grab some bread for dinner which was good - you'll see why in a minute.  I asked the cashier where the sushi place was and was very confused when she replied that it was upstairs.  I said no, the big one on the corner that has 2 for 1 every Tuesday and Thursday.  She looked very confused, which should have been my first hint that I was a long way off.

I figured since I was already in the building I might as well check out the place upstairs.  It was pretty cool.  It had the best service I have ever received in my time in Honduras.  Of course, I rarely go out to dinner, so my experience is limited.  But it seems like the servers here don't seem to care very much about customer service.  This guy was great.  He was quick with several recommendations and flexible about altering things to be accommodating.  He cleared away my straw wrapper, topped off my water, and checked back to be sure everything was fine.  I was impressed.

In the US I used to go out to dinner by myself frequently.  It was one of my favorite pastimes.  I have never done so in Honduras.  But today seemed safe and I enjoyed myself.  I'll keep searching for the 2 for 1 place and if I ever find it I may treat myself again.

Unfortunately, I still have a cough and the stomach part of my flu.  So yesterday I got about 5 bites of my neighbor's soup before I got sick and the sushi - lets just say my system is working overtime.  I had to head for home urgently.

On the way back the guy who fills in holes on the dirt road was out working.  I had used my last bit of cash to tip the server, so I had nothing to give him but I rolled down my window and said, "Muchas gracias!".  It is possible I am fooling myself, but he smiled a huge smile and seemed just as happy as the times I thank him with cash.  He's a hard worker.

When I got home Hermida said the bread was still cooking, but I should come over and try out her new espresso machine with her.  I told her I can't drink espresso or I'll be up all night.  We spent an hour figuring out the machine and then I drank some powerful cuban espresso.  I may not sleep for days.

We had fun playing with her new bread machine too, but with less successful results.  First Hermida was afraid to open the bread machine because the power light was still on.  I showed her that the timer was off and convinced her to open the machine.  I can't really describe what we found inside.  It tasted okay, but eventually we figured out that she added baking powder instead of yeast (all of the directions were in English).  So we had some heavy bread.

The espresso machine was almost a disappointment but we finally figured it out.  Why oh why do I never learn that my body was not made to drink coffee?

I brought over the soup and bread just before our nightly downpour.  We had a nice dinner.  I got a lot of compliments on my cooking.  Everyone had seconds except me.  I was happy that my stomach accepted one bowl, since it hasn't properly digested any food in a week.  Now I won't hesitate to cook for them again.  They even raved about how good it smelled!

Although I may never be invited to cook for them again.  The coffee got my jaw flapping and I think I kept them up past their normal bedtimes.  I came home to a kitchen full of mosquitoes because I accidentally left the kitchen light on while I was gone.  Not sure how they got in, but they took over.

Well folks.  Hope you sleep well.  I'll keep the light on for you.