Lourdes came to the Breakfast Program today. It was great to have her there. In the preschool class we are still working on colors and numbers. Misael, who used to be furthest behind, is now the head of the class. Scarlet still cries but only for about two minutes instead of 15. It is crazy watching these kids grow up in front of me. Last year Violet cried and tried to escape from the classroom every day. Some days she cried until she vomited and urinated on the floor. Now she is eager to be in class and raises her hand to take turns even when she doesn't really know the answer. Samuel used to just run out of the class but today he raised his hand and asked to "inate". I asked what he was saying and nobody knew. It was not just my Spanish skills. Finally he said "Pee!" Oh! He needed to "Urinate" (the same in English and Spanish). I learn something every day. Next time Samuel needs to "inate" I won't make him sit there for three minutes while I try to figure out what he's saying.
In the afternoon Lourdes set up all of her jewelry makings and taught the ladies from her discipleship group how to make earrings and necklaces. By the end there was a table of men and boys making jewelry too. It was really fun at first, but I do not have patience for those meticulous little things. The other ladies LOVED it. What an honor to learn jewelry making from Lourdes!
I took Lourdes home afterward and spent some time with her, going through things she is selling before their move. She gave me some books to learn Spanish and some things for the preschool. Josselyn and I did some party planning for her party Saturday. Then I came home and locked myself out of my house. Luckily, Hermida was home and has an extra key. She invited me for dinner. It was nice to have a family dinner. After dinner Hermida and I sat and chatted while Carlos went outside to figure out why we smell something dead outside and there are suddenly huge carnivorous birds around. He didn't find anything in the area where we smelled something, but remember yesterday when I said the birds were dropping things on the clothes line? He found the bones of an enormous dead snake. Carlos said the head was bigger than a large grapefruit and the snake was about 6 feet long, which is not that big, but pretty big. Glad I didn't go up to fix the clothes line. That might have freaked me out!
Tomorrow I have to bring people from the Breakfast Program to Lourdes' house after the Breakfast Program. Lourdes wants to give them the first crack at buying her things. Then Joss and I are going to make cookies. Friday we have to shop for everything for Joss's party and Belinda wants me to go to dinner with Belinda, her boys, a girl from North America and the girl's boyfriend. How we will all fit in my car is my biggest concern. I am trying to talk them into going without me and taking a cab. I still can't get used to the lax attitude people in this country have about seat belts and car safety. Saturday I might go to see Anisia (the lady who gave me the cool jewelry at church last week) baptized in the morning. Then Hermida and I are talking about going to the Stadium to celebrate One Nation, One Day. Today I met people from Denmark who are here for that event. There are thousands of people in Honduras to celebrate, but I don't know much about it. At night I am supposed to help chaperon Joss's party. It's already been a busy week, and it's not slowing down! But at least I have lots of good things going on.
This morning I learned that a friend from K2 is having surgery today to have one eye removed. He was in an accident at his work, lost two fingers and was in a medically induced coma until Monday. Then he woke up to be told that he has to have an eye removed and may never see from the other one. I can't stop thinking about how he must feel and praying for him. This morning I also learned that a really special friend lost his mother suddenly. He adored his Mom and was out of the country when she passed. I wish I were closer so I could be a better support. Sending messages on Facebook doesn't feel like enough. On Sunday night a friend from childhood lost her father in a motor cycle accident. I spent a lot of time in prayer today. I am happy and grateful for all of the good things in my life, but my heart is a little heavy for the pain of others today.
