Erika's Birthday

Today is Erika's birthday. Last week I asked how she wanted to celebrate. She said she wanted to eat pupusas.

There are several good pupusa places.  The best one doesn't have a great atmosphere, so I didn't think it was best for a birthday. After talking to Fany I chose a place near my church. Fany and I looked at their website. It seemed like a cool atmosphere. I know the pupusas are good, because we order them for carry out on special occasions at the church.

We all got dressed up.  Fany looked great. She had a pretty green shirt with matching green heels. Erika wore a dress that I gave her last week because it's too young for me. I put on makeup.

They left the ordering up to me. I noticed right away the prices were not what I expected. As the waiter approached to take our drink orders I still couldn't find the pupusas. He said they no longer sell them at this location. They have another restaurant down the street with the same name that does sell pupusas.

We were all settled in, so we decided to stay. It was a good choice!

Appetizers
A hot pot of beans with tortillas and mantquilla
A hot pot of real melted cheese and veggies
Platanos, breaded balls of cheese, chips with salsa

Erika, the birthday girl
Marjory reading the menu

Chorizo skewer in front
Veggie skewere and chicken skewer in back

Marjory is walking now!

Everyone loved the lunch. It was so much food!  We only ordered two meat skewers and one vegetable skewer, but there were tons of free appetizers that came along with it. The server brought over an extra table so everything could fit.  When we finished Erika had a nice box to take home to her family.

My phone rang while we were eating, which is strange because the only people who call me were sitting with me at the table.

It was the woman I hope to work for soon. She asked if I can come to an interview tomorrow and, if all goes well, start Wednesday! Of course I said yes.

This afternoon Fany, Erika and I painted each others nails. Then it was time for me to get Erika home. We stopped on the way to her house and picked up a cake. (She chose chocolate - a girl after my own heart.) Her father is working, but hasn't gotten paid in months. They can't afford a cake. She would have never asked for a cake, but I wanted her family to celebrate with Erika tonight.

Erika needed help carrying her gifts (I got Erika her first bible and some lip gloss), the food, and the cake. Erika's Mom and Lorenzo both showed up at my car to help Erika. I got lots off hugs from Lorenzo. Erika's Mom thanked me.  I was happy to be able to spend time with Erika on her birthday!

On the way home I stopped by the bottom of the hill where Ana lives. Ana and the kids came down. They all ran for me with open arms.  Isa sobbed when I left. She and Samuel both wanted to go home with me. It broke my heart. I was supposed to spend tomorrow afternoon with them, but I explained I have the interview. Now we have a date for Saturday.

It was a super day. I think it was everything Erika wanted it to be.

Time vs. Resources

Today I finally finished my job application for the child advocate position.  It was a daunting task as it was all in Spanish and had to be written out in full paragraphs.  I woke up, pulled out the computer and got started. (I exhale deeply here.) It all flowed out of me, easy as pie.  What a relief!

Fany came over to review it, changed two words and told me it was "Muy bien. Perfecto!" I never expected that.  I can talk up a storm, but writing in Spanish is still intimidating to me.

All I have to do now is have an interview with the head of security, and then I can start shadowing people to see where I fit in best.

This has been such a great week. I took some time this morning to sit back and be thankful.

My wrist is going to be fine. No surgery.  Not even an MRI.

Fany has had a wonderful time with her family. Sometimes family visits for any family can be stressful.  She has been under enough stress already.  Last week Fany was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  I think she is still processing it and figuring out what it means for her.  But she seems to be better since the diagnosis.  For that I am extremely happy.  I also love that her time with her family has been such a blessing for each of them.  I heard Fany and her father up late talking together last night. That is a really good thing.

Today I have my first PT appointment.  Then I am driving to Valle de Angeles for a night of worship with friends. I will spend the night and come back in the morning since I am traveling alone.  I'm not sure I'll look forward to physical therapy in the future because it may be painful, but today I am looking forward to starting the healing process.

A week of good stuff and still more good things to look forward to!

Here's a random thought I had yesterday while peeling a pineapple. (Do you peel a pineapple? Is that the right word?) I was looking at how much pineapple I wasted in order to get all of those little pokey things out. Then I flashed back to peeling a carrot in the kitchen of the church where I served previously.  One of the women there told me I was pressing too hard on the potato peeler and wasting too much carrot. I had never thought of wasting a carrot before. Especially using a potato peeler. I was just trying to get the job done quickly so the carrot could start cooking in the soup.

In the United States we are more likely to be wasteful with our resources than with our time.  In my mind, I wanted to peel the carrot and the pineapple as quickly as possible.  I did not want to waste time trying to get every bit of the edible flesh. My time (although I had nothing else to do) was more important or more valuable.

Then I started thinking about this whole thing in relation to birthday cakes.  In the US, we value time. So if someone takes the time to make us a homemade birthday cake, that is very special to us. Now I have a better understanding of why homemade birthday cakes are less appreciated here.

In Honduras, they value the resources.  In the case of birthday cakes, the resource would be the money to buy the cake. For them it is special to have someone purchase a cake at a store because it means someone spent their money (resource) on a cake. They will also take the time to rinse out a Ziploc bag and reuse it. While in North America we would be more likely to through it away and grab a new one.

Of course this is a generalization. Not every North American loves homemade cakes and not every Honduran loves cakes from the store.  But it is interesting to see how different cultures have different values and the way those values effect the society's behavior.

There's my Honduran observation for the day.

More good stuff

I went to physical therapy today prepared to tell the doctor that I should not do any physical exercises until I get an MRI. I planned to be humble and respectful, but firm.

She took down all of my information while I sat there bursting at the seams, ready to tell her my personal assessment.

Three pages later, it was my turn.  I told her that I am still in a lot of pain six weeks after the injury.  I said it is intense pain, the kind that makes me want to vomit.  I have been an athlete my whole life.  I am used to soreness and sometimes pain, but I know my body and this is not like that.  It's not normal pain. It's worse.

She asked if I have been taking the pain meds.  I told her no. She said, so you are in pain, but you decided not to take the medicine? I explained that I was worried the meds might mask pain in PT and I could do worse damage. She said she understood my thought process, but did not agree.

She asked what the orthopedic doctor recommended. I told her he recommended PT and the meds. He said if it didn't get better then an MRI.

Then I have her my opinion. I thought an MRI should be done first because if something is torn it could get worse from more movement.  By that point I was almost in tears.  She could tell I was scared. I told her I did not want to be disrespectful, and I was not trying to avoid the work of physical therapy.  I was just really worried.

She told me she would be happy to override the other doctor and send me for an MRI, but in reality she agreed with his assessment. She explained what could happen if I don't start moving my wrist. It was all bad stuff.  But she said that the most important thing is that I have peace.  If I could not have peace in PT, then I should get the MRI first, so I could move forward in peace.

We talked about my options for getting an MRI. It would be at least a week before I could get in for an appointment. I suggested maybe just ultrasound treatment at PT while I waited. She said that could be a good idea.

She measured my strength and range of motion.  All were really good.  Then she poked and prodded to see where it hurt. In the end she said I stretched or maybe slightly tore some tendons.  The tendons are inflamed from the trauma of the fall. The medication would help, if I take it. And if I don't exercise I run the risk of having about six other things go wrong from lack of movement.

She wasn't trying to convince me, but I was convinced. I made an appointment to start PT tomorrow, then came home and took my meds.

At the end I said it sounds like I don't even need an MRI.  She said no, she agrees with my orthopedic doctor. I do not need an MRI.  As he recommended, my wrist needs movement.

Once again, I am grateful for good medical care in Honduras.

Tonight I had dinner with Fany and her parents. We celebrated and gave thanks for all the good things God has done in our lives in the past 2 days. They are so excited to visit the US! Fany's Dad is learning how to use his digital camera so he can take photos on their trip. He took family shots before dinner, pictures of Fany serving the food, Laura with her full plate, me with my fork in my mouth, Fany's Mom chewing, then her empty plate. After each photo he exclaimed how cute it was and showed it around.  It was funny. He is childlike (in a fun way) in his excitement.

Fany's Mom is extremely scared to fly. I didn't realize it and said she should sit by the window so she can see all of the sights below. She looked terrified at the thought. But she is going to face her fears in order to see her family.  I asked how they are going to feel when they touch down in the US.  Tears came to her eyes. I know they will cry tears of joy as they arrive in the United States.

Visa approved

Feeling really thankful today.  This evening I had a sudden flashback to the feelings I felt 24 hours ago when we were gathered together at the church, praying for Karen. My heart ached.  It physically hurt as I prayed for Karen and the people who were searching for her.

Today I give thanks that Karen is home and safe.

Fany's family came last weekend to attend an appointment with the US Embassy this morning.  Fany's father has a sister who lives legally in Miami.  Fany also has a sister who married a man from the US.  I wrote about her a few months ago as she was in labor with her first baby.  Fany felt so far away, scared and helpless, as her younger sister needed a cesarean in the US.

You've also read about Fany's brother who tried (twice) to get into the US illegally. Yesterday he made it back home, to Honduras, after his second and final attempt.

Fany's parent's have not seen their other son who has lived in the US for 11 years. They have never seen their new granddaughter.  They are also eager to see Fany's paternal aunt.  She is the one who filled out all of the paperwork for the embassy so that she could receive them in the US.  She had to document that she was responsible for them and all of their costs during their visit.

We spent the beginning of the week praying.  Last night they prayed all night long.  I woke up at 5 a.m. and prayed.  I heard them leave the house at 5:28 a.m. They went and waited in the line at the embassy. Fany said they were allowed inside the embassy at 7:30 a.m.  They came back out at 8:45 a.m. with shocked looks on their faces.  Fany knew by the looks on their faces - they were approved!

It seems so strange and random, the way that the embassy approves some people and doesn't even seem to give others a chance. Fany's father told me over and over that if God wanted them to go to the US, He would ensure they were approved. He said they have nothing to hide, their intentions are honest - to visit family. If it was not God's will for them to visit their family in the US, Fany's father would understand.

Once it was their turn at the window Fany's mother was asked a couple of questions, her father less, and they were quickly approved.  They plan to spend about a month in the US as soon as they can find a reasonable flight.  Probably in mid-September.  I am happy for them!

This afternoon the orthopedic doctor took my cast off. I told him that my wrist still hurts almost as much as it did when he put the cast on. He said that is not good.  He want me to do exercises in luke warm water, take medication, rub a gel on it, and go to physical therapy.

I ventured into the university near my house to find the PT clinic he recommended.  The university is huge with a great PT program. First I drove in the exit gates. I felt better learning it was the exit when I noticed there was another car in front of me trying to get in too.

When I finally figured out a way into the university and then (purely by accident) came across the PT building, I walked into the building and the person at the front desk said, "Hi Mary Lynn!"  Everyone around her looked at me.  Someone said out loud that I didn't know her.  I had to admit I didn't have a clue who she was.  I thought maybe my doctor had called ahead to say I was coming and they recognized me because my name is clearly not Latina, so it stood out.

Turned out the woman is my mechanic's sister. I've met her many times, but she was never dressed in business attire.  She was kind.  She made sure I understood everything I need to bring tomorrow for my first appointment.

I asked where the official entrance since I never found it today.  She tried to give me directions to two different entrances, but I was still clueless.  Finally she said, "Come back in through the sports complex like you did today, or you can call me, or call my brother and he will bring you over." His shop is only 2 blocks away and she's right.  He would bring me over if I couldn't find the entrance to the University.

Last week Fisher, a missionary who is visiting until December, told her mother that I know everyone. I assured them I don't. But today, when I walked into that huge university's PT office and the person working at the front desk greeted me by name, I felt like maybe I do know a lot of people here.

More evidence that God is good

Today God answered prayer in the most amazing way. It was better than I ever could have imagined. I am exhausted and have a headache, but I have to share this awesome testimony before I go to sleep.

I am not good at keeping up with my cell phone. Recently I wrote about the day I had 22 messages when I left my phone in the car for a few hours.  Today I had the phone with me, but somehow I just never checked it.

As I was leaving the vet's office with Jetty, I noticed I missed a message.  It was from Fisher.  She said Karen, a girl who lives at Fisher's ministry and is deaf and mute, was missing.  I called Fisher.  She said that the person who runs the ministry had taken Karen to school today. Someone has to ride the bus to and from school every day with Karen because she doen't pay attention to the world around her.  Once they tried to let her take the bus by herself and followed the bus in their car (Karen didn't know they were following.) Karen never got off the bus. They had to chase the bus down and get her off it.  So, she always has a responsible adult take her to and from school.

Today as Karen was getting off the bus, the caretaker turned to pay the bus fare.  When the caretaker got off the bus Karen was gone.

By the time I learned of the situation five hours had already passed.

We decided to gather together and pray for Karen as a church.  We talked as people arrived.  How could someone be missing for 7 hours?  Kidnapping is common in Honduras.  I have also heard stories for years of people being sold for their organs.  Apparently organ harvesting is quite a lucrative business.  Those were the two most common guesses.  Personally, I thought someone had been scouting out the bus stop, noticed that handicapped kids get off there to go to the nearby school, and grabbed Karen as an easy target to sexually violate her.

We prayed and prayed.  I knew God could solve the problem.  I did have total faith.  But my heart was breaking for what might be happening in that moment.  I prayed hard and sobbed hard - thus the headache.

Afterward I came home and Fany invited me over for dinner.  Catrachas!  My favorite.  Her parents are in town because they are going to the embassy tomorrow.  They will ask permission to visit the US and meet their granddaughter for the first time.  We prayed for them to be given a visa, and for my wrist and for Karen to be found. Fany's parents believed Karen ran off with a boy.  Fany started telling them horror stories about things that have happened to her friends in the city. Then they said they are country folk and in the country missing girls run off with their boyfriends.  But they don't know about city girls.

Meanwhile, with help from a friend and advocate for deaf people, the caregiver put posters all over.  They went to news stations and asked that she be reported missing on the news.  They notified police.  The two of them did all of the legwork.

We prayed and asked others to pray.  I specifically asked God to bring Karen home, unharmed, and  let her sleep peacefully in her bed tonight.

After dinner I walked across the yard and grabbed my phone.  The first message I saw was from Fisher's mom.  SHE IS FOUND!  Then I saw a bunch of missed calls from Fisher.

Here's what I know:  While Fisher was cooking dinner, Karen walked by the window, then came in the door.  Everyone freaked out and hugged her and showed her how happy they are that she is home.

She can't communicate with them because she barely knows sign language and they know none, but basically she communicated to Fisher that she never got off the bus at her school.  The caregiver must have followed a different girl in the yellow school uniform off the bus, thinking it was Karen, but it wasn't.  Karen wasn't paying attention and stayed on the bus, then rode it around the city for hours.

It was after dark when she got home.  She got lost at 10 a..m.  It was a long day for everyone.  Fisher called the caregiver to say that Karen is safe and the caregiver was able to return home.

So, Karen is found.  Praise God.  Karen will sleep in her own bed tonight.  No harm came to her.  She can sleep peacefully.  None of the bad things that, unfortunately are common in Tegucigalpa, happened to her. Not one! We give thanks and praise to the Lord today for bringing Karen home safe. Today could have ended so much differently.  This was a better ending than I ever imagined.  Thank you Heavenly Father for taking care of Karen in her extensive travels today.  Thank you for bringing her home safely.

La despidida de Octavio

Last night we had a going away party for my friend Octavio at church.  He has been good to me since I first started attending my new church.  He is friendly, caring and kind.  Over the past year I have watched him grow into a prayer warrior.  Before I went home in July he said he felt called to go to the US to spread the word of God.  By the time I got back he had tickets and legal US residency!  (It helps that he has lots of family already living there.)

First we gave him a gift - a bilingual bible.  Then we each expressed how much we are going to miss him. Octavio is a big presence in the church.  He constantly raises his voice in song or prayer.  His famous quote is "ALELUUUUUUUUUYITA!"  He says that every time he walks into the church.

I am going to miss him a lot.  I am sure people who know him better will miss him even more.  There will be a vacancy in our church without Ocatavio.

He is the perfect person to go to the US, for precisely the same reasons that I will miss him.  His voice will proclaim his love for God everywhere he goes.  In a place where people are so quiet about their beliefs, in an effort to avoid offending someone, Octavio will be raising his voice in praise of the God he loves.  Being politically correct is not important to Octavio.  He will not be quiet when it comes to expressing his joy in the Lord.

After a time of prayer, anointing and commissioning, we ate pupusas and then we said good bye.  Octavio will be in Miami, at least in the beginning.  He is going to stay inside the US until he has citizenship.  I look forward to seeing how God uses my brother in Christ, Octavio.  I am blessed to have known him.

Here are some photos I took:

Pastora Ruth gave Octavio a bilingual bible

He read each of our messages to him

Wise, loving words for Octavio from Ricardo

Octavio listened intently

Pastor Paysen being goofy with Octavio

Octavio returned his copy of the church's key to Pastora Ruth.
Pastora Ruth gave the key back for Octavio to keep.
Octavio held the key to his heart.

We prayed

And commissioned Octavio to go to the US as a missionary
from Alas de Aguilas

Blessed and ready to go!

We'll miss you Octavio! 

Two opportunities in one week

If you are a regular reader of this blog you already know things in Honduras often don't go as planned.  One becomes accustomed to living in this manner - never knowing what to expect and going with the flow.  We missionaries call it "being flexible".  We take great pride in (add sarcastic voice here) ridding ourselves of the rigid North American culture, tossing out the wrist watch, letting go of expectations, and taking each moment as it comes. By the end of year two as a missionary, we think we have the Art of Flexibility mastered.  In reality, I think it can be a daily struggle for most of us, whether we admit it or not.

This morning I woke up at 5:30 a.m.  I was excited to join a bible study in English at 8:15 with North American friends. I was liking my odds of being on time although it takes extra long to shower and dress with the cast.  At 7 a.m. I finished checking messages and was ready to shower when I received a new message.  It was from the missionary I admire most in the world.  In fact, everyone I know admires this woman immensely.  Men and women, young and old, everyone thinks Gracie is awesome and inspiring.  You can ask around.

A while ago she had written something on Facebook about licensing foster homes in Tegucigalpa.  She doesn't live in the city, so I messaged her to say if she ever needed help I was experienced in licensing and monitoring foster homes.  In June I met with her about something else. She said she was really busy. (She is always insanely busy doing awesome things.) She said we would talk after the second week in August about how I could help.

Today she called.  She asked if I know a family that lives up in the mountains where I used to live. In fact I do.  She has a child who needs to be placed in their home as soon as possible.  She would like me to help the family finish the licensing process.  I told her that would be fine. She explained what was lacking and asked me to get it done.  Then she said she'd be busy for the rest of the day and wished me luck.  I was on my own.

I immediately sent the family a message and got a response right back.  By 7:30 things were rolling. We had a plan.  By 8:30 I was 15 minutes late for the bible study, but we had already found another baby who needed a foster home.  By noon I had random people sending me messages on Facebook about how to be licensed as a foster parent.

I spent this afternoon and evening at a friends house in the mountains.  We planned this day for 3 weeks and already postponed once.  I couldn't cancel our plans at the last minute again.  So I set the phone down at about 2 p.m.  When I checked my phone after dinner I had a world's record 22 messages.

It's official.  It's not the same position I was looking at last week, but as of today I am serving in a new way.  Nothing like jumping in with both feet!

The history of the Honduran "Department of Child and Family Services" is interesting.  It was inefficient and corrupt for a while.  About a year ago, they closed.  They re-opened under another name with fewer employees. They didn't know how many kids they had in placements, or where the placements were.

An NGO formed in order to help. Their help was eagerly received by the Honduran government. Now the NGO does the hands-on stuff and reports back to the government, which oversees everything. I am a volunteer for the NGO who monitors the placements and kids. In this new design there are less people working for the government, therefore less money goes to paychecks and more money actually helps the children in foster care.

It will take a little while to learn the system here.  This morning I thought I would have a nice, gentle initiation to navigating the Honduran foster care system. At 7 a.m. only one family wanted to be licensed.  However, I am happy and nervous to report that when that one soon-to-be foster parent posted on Facebook that she is excited to become licensed, it sparked the interest of numerous others. I may not have the relaxed pace I was counting on at 7 a.m.  But the more work I have, the faster I'll learn.  And the more foster homes we license, the more kids we can take out of bad situations.  So, I'll work fast.  Happily.

The other opportunity to do social work which I trained for last week is still on the table.  The lady in charge gets back Friday, so I hope to move forward on that next week.  In that organization I can serve as much or as little as I choose.  In my mind I imagine I would like to spend a lot of time working with them.

I will leave my schedule in God's hands. I am praying for discernment. I want to challenge myself completely without getting in over my head.

A long time ago when this transition began, God told me that I would fall into bed exhausted each night.  If things keep up at this pace, God's promise will come to fruition soon.

As I was getting ready for bed a friend knocked on the door.  She asked if I could help her study for an oral English exam. We worked until well after midnight. In the end she recorded me saying all of the words she needs to learn in English. I've shown her the technique (where her tongue goes for "th" and how to shape her lips for "m"). She will continue studying with the voice recording on her phone.

It's 2:45 a.m. and I am going to bed tired.  I believe this is the start of my next "season" in Honduras. My heart tells me the best is yet to come and I say I am ready, eager and willing.  I am not sure what is in store for me, but I am used to that now.  I am flexible.  I say Bring it on, Honduras!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  - Philippians 4:13

Dale! Dale! Dale!

It's been a productive few days.

Wednesday my friend Carol and I met for coffee (although neither of us really drinks coffee) and our bi-weekly accountability check in.  I felt like I haven't accomplished much since I got back from the US, but as I recounted the past two weeks she told me that she is really proud of me.  It hasn't been much of the fun stuff that I like to do, but I have gotten a whole lot done.

Afterward we went to her doctor's office for the meeting that she was asked to attend about "40 women" and "help".  She knew nothing more because she is still working on her Spanish skills. It turned out that the doctor had arranged a meeting with a man who wants to hire 40-100 single mothers.  He was hoping that we might know a bunch of women who need jobs.

What he wants them to do is kind of like selling Avon, only the product is inexpensive treats for kids. The single mothers could stand outside of school when they go to pick up there kids, or go to a park or a grocery store, or just walk down the street.  The stuff should be easy to sell.  We told him we would think about it, pray about it and get back to him.

I was translating everything for Carol.  She used to be a business lady when she lived in the US, so she had a lot of good questions to ask.  After the meeting was over we ended up sitting around for another hour just talking about God and the definition of a miracle.  Carol's doctor said she believes the fact that we were all sitting there healthy and well is a miracle.  Her friend said yes, in a place where "12 out of every 10 people" have Chikungunya or dengue, the fact that we are all healthy is a miracle.

While I was at the meeting I received a phone call from a women who works with an NGO that I am interested in learning more about.  I think I would like to serve with.  There is a big long story behind it, but I won't go into that until it's official.  God did some cool things to give me this connection.

She explained what more about what they do and some of the ways I could help.  She asked if I could come to a training the very next day, even if it was for an hour or two.  I told her I could be there the whole day if she'd like.  The training was presented by a women from Argentina and entitled, "Basic Concepts for Working in Violence".  I was so excited I could hardly contain myself when I got off the phone.

I still have to fill out the paperwork and have an interview with security, but it sounds like an incredible opportunity to serve in some amazing ways.  I'll be doing social work again.  I am excited about it and the woman in charge is really excited too.  When I walked into the training she ran over and gave me a big, long hug, although we never met before.

She introduced me to some of the ladies I would work with if I chose to work with teens.  She called them her "warriors".  They were super nice and even gave me their phone numbers in case I might have a question.  I would like to be a warrior for teens.  Everyone there was friendly and kind.  It seemed like a good environment to serve in.

I am eager to see where God leads with this opportunity, but I have to be patient for another week because the lady in charge will be away until next Friday.

My car was in the shop for regular maintenance all day yesterday and today. It cost more than I expected, but a few extra things needed to be done so there's not much I can do about that.  Having a reliable car is paramount for my personal safety.

Erika came over this afternoon.  I had asked if she would mind giving me a hand around the house.  I was supposed to sit still and let her work.  In fact I put off writing this so that I would have something specific to do while she was here.  But I am not good at sitting still and letting her work.  Maybe next time I should just leave the house.

I hung laundry before she came this morning and that messed my wrist up for the whole day - just putting clothes on the line.

I picked out some clothes I don't wear and things that are too small for me. as well as some pots and pans I don't use anymore.  Erika when home with a heavy, heavy bag of stuff for herself plus a bunch of tomatoes from Fany.

She agreed to come back and clean again next week.  She even scolded me for how dusty the stuff in my night stand was.  I love that Erika always respectful, but at the same time she is comfortable enough to scold me when I don't keep my house like I should.

As I went to drop her off I there were a bunch of little boys playing where I usually turn around.  They all said, "It's Mary Lynn!"  I only know a few of them, but they know me and my car is familiar there.

At first I thought, "Uh Oh, Now I can't turn around here."  They were gathered in a big group right where I do a 3 point turn to get out. Then I remembered the favorite occupation of Honduran little boys.  They LOVE to direct cars.  So I asked if they would help me.  Before I could even start moving they started yelling "Dale! Dale! Dale"  (That means Go!, but in a manly way.  Literally it means "give it" - like give it gas.)  It's a very grown up thing to say.

So, with the help of about 10 little boys between 2 and 10, I got turned around and headed back down the mountain.  A group of older men sat on the new stairs the government just built that lead to Erika's house and watched with big smiles.  They found it as entertaining as I did.

Erika is excited to have steps instead of a goat path.  She said it is much less dangerous.  They are even going to put in a handrail she said.  Sometimes it's the little things.

Resting the wrist

Last night a friend called to say her family is arriving this morning and her car broke down.  I had plans to go to a bible study but had to cancel so I could up pick her family up from the airport, take them for a quick lunch, and then back to where she lives.

I'm glad I got to go home last month.  Everyone's families are visiting Honduras this month.  I feel sad knowing that my family will never see my life here.  They will never meet my friends or see where I live.  They will never taste the food or experience the place and people I love.  So, while I am happy for all of my friends as they have their families in town this month, it is a little bittersweet for me.

Yesterday, after hurting my wrist washing the dishes the night before, I did my best to have a day of rest. It doesn't do any good to have everyone praying for my wrist if I am straining it and hurting it more each day.  So yesterday I grabbed my bible and read. However, I realized that even when I am doing nothing, I still manage to use my wrist.  Today I bought a sling that not only holds my arm still, but also covers my hand.  It's slowed me down a little.

Last night Fany cooked dinner so I wouldn't have any dishes to wash.

This morning my friend Carol called and prayed for my wrist until her phone cut out and I couldn't hear her any more.

Erika agreed to come over and clean my house once or twice/week until I get this cast off.  Lorenzo and Carlos are both missing school because they don't have any shoes, so she wants to use the money she earns to help her family buy them shoes for school.

Tomorrow I have to drop the car off for an oil change.  I am thinking I will need new brake pads soon too.  It feels that way.  Grateful for a good mechanic I trust.  I am going to tell him to check out the brakes and let me know how long until I have to change them.  I know he'll tell me the truth if it doesn't need to be done right away.

While the car is in the shop I am meeting with my friend Carol for coffee.  Then we have a meeting with her doctor.  Carol is so funny.  She doesn't understand Spanish very well.  Her doctor called her last week and asked if Carol could come to her office on Friday.  Carol called me and asked me to go with her to translate.  She said she really wasn't sure what the meeting was about except that her doctor said something about "40 women" and "help" in Spanish.  Carol figured I would like to go. She is right.

We had the conference last Friday.  By lunch we realized we were going to be awfully tired at the end of the day.  I was happy when Carol decided to call her doctor and ask if the meeting could be pushed until tomorrow.  We are not sure if we are helping 40 women, or if they are helping us, or what exactly we are doing.  But that's okay.  As Carol said, as long as they don't ask for money or make us sign a contract (hahaha) we will be fine.  "Help" and "women" is what we are here for.  I look forward to seeing what God has in store for us.  It is in a poor part of the city, so it could bring in some interesting folks ("women").

Attack Cat

I forgot to write yesterday that the Vice President of Honduras spoke at our conference.  Today the governor of my state spoke.  In my opinion she was more impressive than the VP.

I believe I made a connection today that will be critical to my future in Honduras.  I don't want to get too excited yet, so I am not going to write about it here.  But I am praying and hoping.

Before you even go there, let me clarify. It is not the man of my dreams.

At 5:30 a.m. I was pounced on by my cat.  Apparently she is not accustomed to a blue cast in the bed so she felt the need to leap across my head and attack my casted arm.  Her back end landed on the side of my face.  It was startling to say the least.

The Port Authority Has No Authority Over the Ports

This post will be short because I can't type very well.  I got a cast on my arm Wednesday.  My first cast ever.  It's almost as itchy as the mango rash.

Three weeks ago while I was in the US I fell.  I wasn't doing anything exciting.  I was running across the road in flip flops.  Now that I have a cast I wish there was a more interesting story behind it.

I don't have health insurance in the US and couldn't figure out a way to get affordable treatment, so I waited to get back to Honduras to see a doctor.  No broken bones, but I messed up the cartilage in my wrist.  We are praying it will heal with the cast.  I have never had so many people pray over me!  Lots of people are praying for this wrist of mine.

It feels great to be back in Honduras.  I am not back in a normal routine yet, but I've been busy every second.  This week was full between doctors' appointments and conferences.

Sunday I was invited to take part in a meeting for the leaders at my church.  Being invited to attend felt like a big new step.  The meeting was motivating.  I learned about plans for the future of the church and made a commitment to help achieve them.  It was exciting!

Monday I got my driver's license renewed.  Aquiles, a man from Honduran Fellowship, helped me get that done. It's quite a process. In Honduras you have to pass a psychological exam in order to get your license.  The exam asks questions about how quickly you anger, if you can tell time, and if you can draw a line through mazes without touching the walls of the maze.  How that assesses your ability to drive, I'll never know.

Tuesday was a conference for women entitled "Dealing with Disappointment".  I was surprised by how many women attended.  Every chair was full! We learned and shared. I met interesting new people. They invited me to attend a women's bible study.

Today was the first day of a two day conference about Unity between missionaries in Honduras.  I loved what the pastor who opened the conference said.  He said that working together is not enough.  We need to love one another.  In that manner we will be serving the way God called us to serve.  He was inspiring.

We spent HOURS talking about how to get containers passed through customs in Honduras.  After about three hours it came out that in reality the Honduran Port Authority has no authority over the ports. The ports are controlled by a private entity. Basically the private entity can do whatever it wants to do.

There is a group of people who are available to missionaries as advocates.  They are lawyers and members of the government who joined together to help us get things done. They talked about how much they appreciate the work of missionaries in Honduras.  They don't want us to waste our resources on taxes and fines, as many people are doing.  They don't want us to waste our time fighting with the people at customs when we could be using that time to serve.  So they are willing to do that work for us.  They are accomplishing everything faster, with fewer fines than any of the private ministries can. It was nice to see that the Honduran people understand our struggles.  It was even nicer to see them standing up for us and fighting for us.