A Day of Rest

All week I struggled with what I should do today. I was asked to attend a "Day of the Child" party for my new position. But I had a prior commitment with the church. Every third Saturday we have a "Reunion de las damas". (Women's Group) I explained this to my boss before I started, so she understands. However, I still felt a little guilty that I was unable to celebrate "The Day of the Child" with all of the new kids I will be serving.

At church some of us have been asked to set an example by putting the church as a priority. We are expected to show up early and come prepared. So far I am doing my part. I think it is a fair expectation and a necessary example for others who lack commitment and follow-through.

Today the leader of the "damas" had an emergency with her father so she asked to push the time of our meeting back. I was the only person who answered her. We ended up canceling the meeting and I still missed the party for my new "job".  (I use "job" in quotes so as not to confuse it for work that pays money. To me it feels like a professional job, so I feel most comfortable using that term.)

In the end it all worked out well. I had a very peaceful day of bible study. It was much needed - a day with no commitments. I also painted my nails and have a piece of fish thawing for a nice dinner.

Fany and Laura are not home. I am guessing they went to her in-law's for the night. She'll call later and let me know.

Yesterday we went to the colonia next to ours to get some vegetables. Fany needed to go to the bank but there were 13 people in line inside and more than 10 waiting outside. She decided to skip that. I looked for blouses to wear at the office, but found nothing at my favorite thrift store. I am realizing my wardrobe is perfect for playing with kids or going to church, but I don't have the clothes I need for an office job.

While we shopped Laura was singing, "So they all rolled over and one fell out, 3 bears in the bed and the little one said, 'Roll over. Roll over.'"

The lady at the counter looked at Fany, then me and said to me, "She is your's?"

I looked at Fany. For some reason I felt really embarrassed. "No!" I said. "She is her mother," at the same time Fany exclaimed, "She is mine."

"Oh," the girl said, "She speaks English."

Laura got really bashful. "She's only three," Fany said.

"She will have an easy time when she goes to school! She'll fit right in!" the woman said, assuming Laura will go to a bilingual school.

Fany has been struggling over and praying about this. Laura is so smart. She is truly exceptional. She should go to a private, bilingual school. Public schools here don't even teach the basics. Laura's intelligence would be wasted at a public school. But there is no money for private school for Laura. It breaks her mother's heart.

Two days ago Fany's Aunt in the US sent Laura black shoes to wear when she goes to school. They are too big, but Laura came to my house wearing them yesterday. For months she has been saying that she doesn't have a school uniform yet. (Like it's some deep concern or problem.) We keep telling her it is not time. School is definitely on her mind. She even told her Aunt, "My mother won't send me to a bilingual school." We don't know why she thinks her mother won't send her. But she really wants to go.

Education in Honduras is awful. The expensive private schools hire teachers who don't have a degree in education. It is a bizarre, sad fact. I think the major difference between public schools and private schools is that the teachers of private schools seem to care more. And the school day is longer than four hours. I hope that Laura has the opportunity to attend a private school. She is so smart, and so eager to learn, I would hate to see her gifts wasted in a public school.