Feliz Dia!

In Honduras we do celebrate Valentines Day, but here it is different.  And better.  I think you´ll agree.

In Honduras nobody dreads Valentine´s Day because it has another name.  Translated, the name is ¨The day of love and friendship¨.  It is a day full of hugs and love, but it is more focused on friendship.  In Honduras there is no possibility that you won´t have a Valentine.  Because everyone has a friend or someone they love.

It so much more healthy this way.  The kids all made cards for their mothers, or anyone who was on their mind.  I got candy hearts and anyone who could translate them from English could earn them to give to their friends.  (The ones about kisses and ¨call me¨ I gave to the little kids to eat before they left the church.)

Earlier in the week, Don Juan invited all of the ladies of the church for a special meal.  Yes, Don Juan is married.  But remember, in Honduras this is a day about love and friendship.  He bought steak and the ladies grilled it.  Then everyone contributed rice, beans, cheese, chismol - everything for a traditional Honduran barbecue.  Someone even brought strawberries and I brought Dove dark chocolates for desert.

Don Juan refused to eat with us, so it was just a ladies lunch.  It was absolutely delicious.  There were 10 of us and we enjoyed each other´s company as well as the food.  It was especially nice for other reasons too.  We have some new members of the team who have started serving every day as tutors, or to help keep everything in order.  It was nice to sit with them and get to know them a little.  We learned that one lady used to sell food for a living, and we have her cleaning.  What a blessing it would be to have her in the kitchen!

Also Ethel and Eunice joined us.  It was special to have them sit and eat with us because normally we don´t get to eat with them.

And it felt nice just to be treated like special ladies for the day.  Don Juan is a great guy.

So, if you are every sad about Valentine´s Day, come join us in Honduras where we celebrate friendship too.  Or follow our traditions wherever you may be!  I highly recommend it.

Feliz Dia del amor y amistad.  Happy day of love and friendship!