God is continuing to bless me in so many ways! The silliest is probably my great excitement over finding bath towels that match the bathroom and my shower curtain. I searched for 2 weeks. Finally when I had given up, I found them on sale!!!! at the grocery store. They are the perfect color. In fact, now everything I own is the same perfect color because they shed all over my washing machine and everything I put in it comes out covered in little fur balls of my blue towel. Oh well, I still love them.
My absolute MOST exciting news is that last week was exam week for my teens. So far every single one of them has gotten 100% on their English exam! They are setting a new precedent in their schools. Nobody seems to do well in English. (I think because the teachers don't teach it well. They just write an assignment on the board and leave.)
The kids are so proud of themselves! I am ecstatic to see them so proud and hopeful for the future. We discussed it and decided that there is no reason anyone should get lower than a 95% in English from now on. They are starting to build a basic knowledge of English which they never had before. Their new sense of confidence is beautiful to see. A mom told me yesterday that her son, who normally doesn't get good grades, spent the whole evening saying, " Mom, guess what? I got 100%!" He was so happy he couldn't keep the grin off his face when I saw him yesterday afternoon. Although he did try, because it is not cool to walk around grinning all of the time you know.
I am still loving my new place. I will soon love it even more. I now have a sticker to put on my car window that signifies I am a resident here. At one gate the guard seems to have a little crush on me so he always ushers me through and wishes me a good day. But after three weeks of passing though the gate at the other end almost daily, today was the first time that the guards weren't grumpy to me. I appreciate that they are not letting people into my neighborhood that don't belong here. But they are just a little too much. I always roll down my window and stop because that is what we are supposed to do. Still they always give me a hard time. And let's face it. I stand out a little around here. You'd think I would be easy to remember. But they never seem to remember that I live here. So know that I am safe and well guarded.
Every afternoon when I get home Fany, her daughter and I hang out in the yard. It is a beautiful garden. We talk, or read or watch Jetty chase butterflies. So far we have taken over 20 avocados from the avocado trees. Too bad I moved in a couple weeks too late for mango season. We are going to have a type of banana soon. They are big and green, but not ready to pick yet. And we have the most delicious fresh limes in the world. They are called "India" limes. They are tiny and round and sweet but still limey. Fany has me addicted to Jamaica juice, which is water boiled with the flowers from a jamaica plant. We add a stick of cinnamon because we are fancy like that. It is delish and healthy!
Today was the first day Kristofer did not come to Buen Provecho since Monday. I wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that today the psychologist has office hours. I am pretty sure the church was going to set up a meeting for him with the psychologist ASAP. If you ask how he is doing, Kristofer is convincing when he says he is doing well. He smiles and seems the same as always. But I guess that makes sense since the rape was an ongoing thing in his life. Poor baby. I don't know if he notices that I hug him extra tight every time I see him. If he has noticed, he is not avoiding my hugs, so that is good. I love that little boy. He has one of the most difficult lives of any child at Buen Provecho. I hate that a sexual predator got to him. I pray that with God's help he is able to heal. It seems that the other kids aren't saying much about it. It probably helps that Kristofer's big brother is the biggest bully around. Kids will think twice before they say mean things to Kristofer.
I forgot to mention that the rainy season finally started about 3 weeks ago. It rains every night and most afternoons. But it is beautiful and sunny and hot most days, so by the time the rain comes it seems refreshing, not dreary. Since I haven't figured out a way to hook up my dryer (I am being told it is impossible) I am grateful for Fany. I can wash clothes in the morning and leave them on the line. If it rains before I get home, I know she will take them in.
God is keeping my heart full and my hands busy. I am happier than ever and feel so blessed to be serving in a way that really makes a difference. Every day when the kids pray, they thank God for me and for my class. Wow. That is amazing. I remind them often that it is only because of God that I am here. In fact today we talked about how I was living a normal life in the US and suddenly God said, "Now I want you to live in Honduras." What a crazy idea! I am so grateful to God for sending me to Honduras so I can know each of them. They are beautiful, this place is beautiful and I love it here. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Every day lately I pray that others could feel as happy and peaceful and fulfilled as I do right now. I can't stop giving thanks for the love and joy I feel. I wish the same for each of you.
One last thing - as I walked into the grocery store today a group of uniformed police officers were leaving. I have never seen anyone searched as they leave the grocery store. However, the stores' security guards were patting down the police officers, opening all of the pockets on their uniforms and checking to be sure their receipts matched what was in their bags. Also, besides the little old man who watches cars outside the gym, there is now a military man armed with some sort of huge weapon standing on the steps. I keep meaning to ask why he is suddenly posted outside my gym. Sometimes things are a little strange in Honduras.
