Then the little kids were bathed, lotioned and dressed in new clothes! The loved it!
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| Memo LOVED getting lotion on his belly! |
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| Memo must have said something funny, as usual |
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| Stopping to look at photos |
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| Even the baths were fun! |
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| Memo feeling great - clean, with ALL new clothes, inside and out! |
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| The girls got their hair braided after they bathed |
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| Then we gathered and the team introduced themselves |
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| We sang |
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| Then the team served the kids, and even washed the dishes afterward. |
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| The kids felt every special |
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| Can't forget to brush our teeth and take our vitamins! |
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| Isabelle was thrilled to be reunited with Ever. She didn't even recognize him in his special new glasses. |
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| We closed the day with special time with Jairo The theme was "Here Am I, Send Me" |
Today was a really fun day. It was HOT. Like REALLY hot. It's been close to, or over 100 degrees in the city for almost a week. A few of the team members are sick, but they all showed up with smiles and a lot of positive energy.
We started with a time of prayer with just the team. They are a group of high schoolers from a Christian school in Littleton, CO. I felt embarrassed because I cried when it was my turn to pray for the team. I asked God to keep their hearts open to all that the Holy Spirit might offer them. They are staying in the same place I stayed five years ago. I keep thinking about how it felt to be in their shoes. I never imagined that I would be called here to serve. I think about how that trip five years ago changed so many other women on my team. Some of them are now my closest friends. This is an important experience for the team. I want them to get everything they can from every second that they are here.
Next we had some free time to play. I spent most of that time running around helping out where I saw a need. I stayed busy the whole time, but Lourdes is supposed to be teaching me how to lead the team. I think maybe it is hard for her to let go. I searched for everything I could see that needed to be done, but Lourdes still led. At the end of the day she was exhausted and her back was hurting. I asked her please to let me do more tomorrow so that she can rest.
The team bathed the younger kids. I wasn't sure about that idea at first, but they LOVED it! Each of them got a whole new set of clothes - even socks and underwear. Then the girls got fancy braids in their hair. I know they felt very special.
The kids all sat at tables covered in table clothes and were served pupusas by the team. I heard a lot of kids say "thank you", which made me proud. They are learning! As they finished, the team cleared the dishes and washed them. I am sure the children of the Breakfast Program are not accustomed to being treated as though they are at a full service restaurant. They are usually so good about washing their dishes, it was nice to see them being treated to a special day.
After all of the kids left I got to sit and eat with the team. Most enjoyed the pupusas, but a couple stuck to PBJs.
We ended the day with a presentation from Jairo. He talked about the fact that each of the team members were called here for a purpose. None are here by accident. He talked about the community we serve and showed a video about "Here I am, Send Me". He kept it short because it was very hot and some of the team were tired. A bus came to the church and picked them up. They were talking about going back to play basketball. I think they are more likely to be taking naps :)
On the way home Jairo stopped at a shop to buy bread. The shop also sells gelato, so I treated Lourdes, Joss and the translators to an ice cream. It was delicious. One of the translators said he had a headache from the heat, but the ice cream took his headache away. (Jairo skipped the gelato because of his diabetes.) We got home as clouds rolled in. Then the thunder started. I was hoping to relax and watch a few sitcoms, but the power went off right away and hasn't come back on yet. I have learned to keep my phone and my Kindle charged for such times. At least I can read for a while.
Yesterday at church Jairo's message was entitled, "Set Aside for a Mission". First he talked directly to the team about them being in Honduras for a purpose. He also talked to the whole church about how I was called here. He told the church how I prayed for three years before I came in God's time. He shared with them that yes, I coddle Carlos and I care for Lorenzo, but I am here for my own spiritual growth as well. He told them about the life I left behind to come here - that I had a good job (my Mother might dispute that), a nice car, a great house. He explained that I am not here just to pass through in my travels. Jairo told the whole church that I was called by God to come to Honduras. I felt really special.
I am starting to appreciate things more, like I used to when I first got here. I think that I went through a few months that were difficult, trying to figure out where I fit in, who to trust, how things work in this strange place. Now I feel like it is time for me to sit back and enjoy the ride. I am sure I will face some more struggles, but I have a good support system. I have learned it is important to address things more quickly and not let them simmer.
On Thursday, I will have been in Honduras for one year. I look forward to the future with a renewed sense of energy, enthusiasm, and joy in my heart. My faith in God has increased and I know He will provide exactly the experience that I am supposed to have in the days, months and years to come. All I have to do is say, "Here I am."
