Thinking about home

I have never been so excited to go back to the US. I am really looking forward to it!

In the past I was happy to go home to get a break from something. It was stressful. I felt like I had to rush around and get a whole list of things done. This time, I don't feel like I need a break from anything. I have no list of stuff to get done. I am just excited to rest and spend time with my family.

I will miss some great things while I'm in the US. At my new job we are taking all of the kids to Picacho. Anyone who has visited Honduras has been there. It's a park up in the mountains with a Jesus statue. The kids think we are going to spend the day playing, but the social workers have decided to take advantage of the opportunity. We are going to Picacho with purpose.

The kids we work with are at even more risk during vacation. They finish the school year right now, and start the new year around Valentine's Day. That leaves a lot of time for bad things to happen. Rape, pregnancy, extortion, getting pulled into gangs and drugs. My boss asked for a list of potential problems our kids will face. The person who answered went on and on and on. I couldn't believe it! I now understand why we have to stay on top of the kids during this time.

The outing will be all day. The kids will explore Picacho, under close supervision, for the first hour and spend the last hour playing fútbol. (That's what they all really go for.) For the rest of the day they will be in learning stations. The learning stations are about self esteem, and two other things I forgot! But all are themes to teach them to stay out of trouble during vacation. I wish I could be there for the outing!

They are also doing a small business project. Each team is given money to start a business. It has to be something they create so they learn the process of making the item themselves. One of the sponsors of our NGO is paying for this project. The kids can use the proceeds for a Christmas party. Some of them are making Christmas decorations as their business project, so my family can expect those as your Christmas gift this year. Some are making bracelets or food.

I wish I didn't have to miss these projects. But I can't wait to hug my Mom. And two specific friends. It's nice to have a great life here, in Honduras, and also really enjoy my time in the US.

You know something interesting? Yesterday's post was seen by three times more viewers inside of the US than other posts. And just within 24 hours!

Speaking of posting, I went to the Dr today for my wrist. He said my wrist is not improving because I am typing too much with poor typing posture. So, I'll be laying off the blogs for a while. I am going to get this wrist back to normal! Or at least see if typing makes it worse. I know you can't imagine this, but an average blog takes about two hours to produce. Sometimes longer. So this is where I end tonight.