The letter is written. If only it were as easy as writing this blog. I love writing this blog. Usually. Probably because it's all mine and I can choose to use proper grammar and punctuation. Or not. :)
I stayed on my bed ALL DAY writing that darn letter. I did eat some cereal and yogurt first. Then after the first draft I was starving so I made some fried platanos. Checked on FB to see who was available to read my draft and sent it to a few people to get their feedback. Of course my mom said it was already good. Her only feedback was to make sure it was all the same type size in my final copy. Since it was already all the same type size, I didn't have many corrections to make. Aunt Jan helped me put some more feeling into it, which I appreciated. Now I'm waiting on one more friend, then I'll send it out.
My devotional today says, "Come to Me for all that you need... Relax in the knowledge that the One who controls your life is totally trustworthy. Come to Me with confident expectation. There is nothing you need that I cannot provide." Should have read that first thing this morning. I was getting so caught up in the words and really, either people are going to feel led to give, or they're not.
Today is Cinco de Mayo for my friends in the US who like to celebrate Mexican holidays. It is not celebrated here.
The Catholic church started singing at 5 today so I've had a nice backdrop of music for a few hours. Clouds are hiding what is supposed to be a very spectacular moon. Maybe they will part before I go to sleep. Or maybe it will rain. Today has been beastly, as my mom would say, which means hot.
Time now for some pilates. I had planned to get a run in today, but it was simply too hot. All of my muscles have disappeared. Must stop complaining and do something. So I will say good night, pull out my bathmat and do pilates.
No new cockroaches today, but I did hear that gecko running around above my ceiling tile and making little squirrel/gecko noises.
Trying to feel the confident expectation that my letter will be well received when I send it tonight. Not really there yet.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
Miss Independent
Today I felt like I was really living independently in Honduras. It was nice. Usually Jairo gets me my water for the house, but every day I hear a man walking by outside yelling "AGUAAAAA" over and over at 7am. (I liked the guy who used to walk by Karla and Jose's house better - he came at an hour when I'm already dressed and he used to yell "AGUA AZUUUUUUL! AGUA! AGUA AZUUUUUL!" Agua Azul is the brand name - like Figi or Aguafina.) I heard my agua man so I quickly threw on some clothes and ran out with the empty container. But he was nowhere. I looked up and down the street and waited but I didn't see him. So I left the container inside the gate and went back to my house. Turns out I can hear him when he does the block behind my house because a few minutes later I heard him again and he was at the top of my street. I waited with my empty container, pretending I knew what I was doing. He came along and said something that I assumed was asking if I lived in the back house, so I said yes. He carried the big old bottle to my doorstep. I was a little worried about that, but I've seen him go into other people's gates, so I guess that's what he does for everyone. It's probably safer for him to exchange money inside the gates, and those bottles are really heavy! They are the ones that offices have on top of water coolers. I had a hard enough time walking from my doorstep through the kitchen with it. I paid him 35 Limpiras and he went on his way. And now I don't have to ask Jairo to get me water.
Jairo went to get a bunch of medical tests done this morning, so Lourdes asked if I could take a cab to the breakfast program. Lourdes had a doctor appointment at noon, so I knew she wouldn't be there either. As I walked down to the corner where the cabs wait, I prayed that I would know which cab to choose that would take me safely to the church. I was ready to bargain, but the second cab I saw was my buddy who took me to church last Sunday when everyone thought I had ridden with someone else. I went straight to him and asked him if he could take me to the church. He said sure. His buddy, who had been chatting with him in the front seat, got out and opened, then closed the door for me. I initiated some small talk on the way there, and asked him for his phone number. That's what you do when you find a cabby you like, you get their phone number and call them for rides. I repeated the number back to him and he told me his name is Jose. I told him I might call him at 1 pm for a ride home and he said that would be fine. We talked about the horrible traffic because of roadwork. Then he took me inside the gate and all of the way around to the church. Last time I was happy because he charged me 70 limpiras. This time he only charged me 60! I don't know why. Last time I rode with him we discussed that if I went to the grocery store, which is so close he thinks I should walk there (but others say it's not safe), I should expect to pay 60 limpiras to get home with my groceries. So 60 limpiras to get to the church is a great deal!
I was late to get to the breakfast program because traffic was TERRIBLE and it wasn't even rush hour. But the girls had everything under control and Marlen, one of the Moms, was there in the kitchen. (Between Marlen and her daughter Maylin I always think someone is calling my name.) Everyone found it hilarious when I exploded into the kitchen proclaiming in Spanish how terrible the traffic was. I don't know why, but whenever I say dramatic things people always laugh. Karla talks like that all of the time and nobody laughs at her, so I'm not sure why it's funny when I do it. They told me I needed to calm down. I was calm, just felt bad because I was so late.
Sidenote: For a culture that is not at all concerned with being on time, I have noticed the strangest thing. If someone asks you what time it is, they want to know the time exactly to the minute - so you answer 3 minutes before 11, for example. I have no idea why those three minutes matter. In the US we would say, "Almost 11" or even say, "11". It's odd to me. I'll have to ask someone about that sometime.
We prayed before the meal. I felt so sad when one of the boys prayed desperately for his father to come back home. His father moved out of the country to be with another woman. I could hear in his prayer how much he misses his father. I wonder if his father has any clue how much his children long for him.
After we were done with prayer, the kids ran to wash their hands. They know they are supposed to
walk, though it is hard. They usually walk when Lourdes is there. But today all of them ran. There was even some pushing. One boy fell down on the cement, so I asked them to all come back and sit down. At first they stood there looking at me. Then some of them came back. Finally, when they realized I was serious and was going to wait until they all came back, they walked over and sat down. I told them I am sure they know the rules about running and pushing, then asked who is ready to walk. Everyone's hands shot up so I told them to go ahead. They did speed walking, which is normal, over to the line and washed their hands nicely.
I sat down and had breakfast with them, which was nice. Then most of them left, after brushing their teeth with the new toothbrushes. A few stayed and played checkers with the chess set. The girls stayed and practiced their dance. There were more dancers today. The ones who were not here yesterday still need a lot of work. They like the dance, but it is long and parts are fast. I told them I am going to video tape it on Mother's Day. I'll post it on my blog. They love seeing photos of themselves on my blog or on Facebook.
We cleaned up the church so it will be more ready for Sunday. It is so cute to see the tiny ones helping out. Sometimes they are more helpful than the older kids. We got everything done and they knew they were supposed to leave, so a few of the boys hid behind the bodega playing. When I found them one boy was lying on the ground hurt, and the rest were playing a rough game of fútbol around him. I reminded them this is not time to play and they had to leave, then corralled them out the door.
After talking Eunice a little, I called Jairo because he had expected to be at the church to take me home, but he wasn't there. He and Josselyn both went to Lourdes' doctor appointment, which was something Lourdes really wanted, so I was happy about that. Lourdes feels bad because sometimes she doesn't have the energy to do things the way she used to. She said she is not the same mother she used to be. I am sure that is true, but Josselyn is 19. She is capable and willing to help if Lourdes asks. Lourdes was hoping the doctor could explain to them why she is not able to do all of the things she used to. I think they do understand, but Lourdes will feel better after they hear it from the doctor too. Lourdes said that she was very happy because the doctor told her she was doing everything right. She said he emphasized that exercise is as important as the medicine. He also gave her a different, stronger medicine, but told her she was still doing well because some people need 18 pills to control their fibromyalgia and she only needs one. She felt good about that.
Then she told me that she was with Jairo and they would not be coming to the church at all today because his mother just had some sort of a stroke in her face. They were going to be with his mother and find out what is going on. I was thinking that it is unfortunate that Jairo's brother, who is a doctor, is in Argentina right now. I told them I can call my taxi driver and get a safe ride home.
I called the number, but he either had his phone off, or the battery was dead. It was an hour past the time I told him I might call. Eunice called her usual driver, but he was at the hospital with someone. Then she called another backup person she uses, but he was busy too. We started to worry about how I would get home because in the area of the church, I cannot walk down to the corner and get a cab. Many people are killed on that corner. That is also where the kids keep getting hit by cars. Finally, Eunice's backup driver told her he would send someone else whom he trusts. Eunice seemed skeptical and told him that that cab was for someone else (me) and the person absolutely would not pay more than 60 Limpiras for the ride. She said she has had to argue with cabbies over price lately. So when the cab showed up she told me to wait before I got in. She confirmed that I would only have to pay 60 Limpiras. (I could have done that. I did appreciate her help but it spoiled my day of complete independence!) Once again I made an effort to talk with the driver. I told him that I am going to have a car here soon and I'm nervous about driving. He asked if I am a good driver. I said yes, in the states I have driven in the biggest cities at rush hour with no problem, but here is very different! He said walk, don't run. I said if I go slow I will never get anywhere, only aggressive drivers get anywhere here. I also told him I think it is safer to be aggressive than to go slow with these drivers. He said I should not be impatient about long lines and that I should practice during the day, not during rush hour. Good advice. Then he dropped me at my house, took my 60 limpiras and went on his way.
I got home to find a pile of flying ants dead on my kitchen floor. I ran into the bedroom to see if there were any more, but thankfully, they stuck to the kitchen. I also found the daily dead cockroach on it's back. Only this one wasn't completely dead because after I took a picture, before I had time to clean it up, it flipped over on its belly somehow! Yuck!!
I made another huge dinner, which was delicious. But then the unsecured internet I have been "borrowing" from neighbors wouldn't connect so I was BORED! I wanted to see if I could get that letter out to ask for more funding, but still had no words. I wanted to go running, but it is dark here by 6pm, so that was out of the question. I ended up watching some tv. At one point I noticed I was watching The World's Strictest Parents in Spanish and didn't realize for a while that it wasn't in English. I watched some travel shows and the Simpsons in Spanish. Finally I found The Shawshank Redemption. Forgot how great that movie is. They both made it to Mexico and I fell asleep.
Jairo went to get a bunch of medical tests done this morning, so Lourdes asked if I could take a cab to the breakfast program. Lourdes had a doctor appointment at noon, so I knew she wouldn't be there either. As I walked down to the corner where the cabs wait, I prayed that I would know which cab to choose that would take me safely to the church. I was ready to bargain, but the second cab I saw was my buddy who took me to church last Sunday when everyone thought I had ridden with someone else. I went straight to him and asked him if he could take me to the church. He said sure. His buddy, who had been chatting with him in the front seat, got out and opened, then closed the door for me. I initiated some small talk on the way there, and asked him for his phone number. That's what you do when you find a cabby you like, you get their phone number and call them for rides. I repeated the number back to him and he told me his name is Jose. I told him I might call him at 1 pm for a ride home and he said that would be fine. We talked about the horrible traffic because of roadwork. Then he took me inside the gate and all of the way around to the church. Last time I was happy because he charged me 70 limpiras. This time he only charged me 60! I don't know why. Last time I rode with him we discussed that if I went to the grocery store, which is so close he thinks I should walk there (but others say it's not safe), I should expect to pay 60 limpiras to get home with my groceries. So 60 limpiras to get to the church is a great deal!
I was late to get to the breakfast program because traffic was TERRIBLE and it wasn't even rush hour. But the girls had everything under control and Marlen, one of the Moms, was there in the kitchen. (Between Marlen and her daughter Maylin I always think someone is calling my name.) Everyone found it hilarious when I exploded into the kitchen proclaiming in Spanish how terrible the traffic was. I don't know why, but whenever I say dramatic things people always laugh. Karla talks like that all of the time and nobody laughs at her, so I'm not sure why it's funny when I do it. They told me I needed to calm down. I was calm, just felt bad because I was so late.
Sidenote: For a culture that is not at all concerned with being on time, I have noticed the strangest thing. If someone asks you what time it is, they want to know the time exactly to the minute - so you answer 3 minutes before 11, for example. I have no idea why those three minutes matter. In the US we would say, "Almost 11" or even say, "11". It's odd to me. I'll have to ask someone about that sometime.
We prayed before the meal. I felt so sad when one of the boys prayed desperately for his father to come back home. His father moved out of the country to be with another woman. I could hear in his prayer how much he misses his father. I wonder if his father has any clue how much his children long for him.
After we were done with prayer, the kids ran to wash their hands. They know they are supposed to
walk, though it is hard. They usually walk when Lourdes is there. But today all of them ran. There was even some pushing. One boy fell down on the cement, so I asked them to all come back and sit down. At first they stood there looking at me. Then some of them came back. Finally, when they realized I was serious and was going to wait until they all came back, they walked over and sat down. I told them I am sure they know the rules about running and pushing, then asked who is ready to walk. Everyone's hands shot up so I told them to go ahead. They did speed walking, which is normal, over to the line and washed their hands nicely.
I sat down and had breakfast with them, which was nice. Then most of them left, after brushing their teeth with the new toothbrushes. A few stayed and played checkers with the chess set. The girls stayed and practiced their dance. There were more dancers today. The ones who were not here yesterday still need a lot of work. They like the dance, but it is long and parts are fast. I told them I am going to video tape it on Mother's Day. I'll post it on my blog. They love seeing photos of themselves on my blog or on Facebook.
We cleaned up the church so it will be more ready for Sunday. It is so cute to see the tiny ones helping out. Sometimes they are more helpful than the older kids. We got everything done and they knew they were supposed to leave, so a few of the boys hid behind the bodega playing. When I found them one boy was lying on the ground hurt, and the rest were playing a rough game of fútbol around him. I reminded them this is not time to play and they had to leave, then corralled them out the door.
 |
| Misael putting the chairs away. He is a great helper! |
After talking Eunice a little, I called Jairo because he had expected to be at the church to take me home, but he wasn't there. He and Josselyn both went to Lourdes' doctor appointment, which was something Lourdes really wanted, so I was happy about that. Lourdes feels bad because sometimes she doesn't have the energy to do things the way she used to. She said she is not the same mother she used to be. I am sure that is true, but Josselyn is 19. She is capable and willing to help if Lourdes asks. Lourdes was hoping the doctor could explain to them why she is not able to do all of the things she used to. I think they do understand, but Lourdes will feel better after they hear it from the doctor too. Lourdes said that she was very happy because the doctor told her she was doing everything right. She said he emphasized that exercise is as important as the medicine. He also gave her a different, stronger medicine, but told her she was still doing well because some people need 18 pills to control their fibromyalgia and she only needs one. She felt good about that.
Then she told me that she was with Jairo and they would not be coming to the church at all today because his mother just had some sort of a stroke in her face. They were going to be with his mother and find out what is going on. I was thinking that it is unfortunate that Jairo's brother, who is a doctor, is in Argentina right now. I told them I can call my taxi driver and get a safe ride home.
I called the number, but he either had his phone off, or the battery was dead. It was an hour past the time I told him I might call. Eunice called her usual driver, but he was at the hospital with someone. Then she called another backup person she uses, but he was busy too. We started to worry about how I would get home because in the area of the church, I cannot walk down to the corner and get a cab. Many people are killed on that corner. That is also where the kids keep getting hit by cars. Finally, Eunice's backup driver told her he would send someone else whom he trusts. Eunice seemed skeptical and told him that that cab was for someone else (me) and the person absolutely would not pay more than 60 Limpiras for the ride. She said she has had to argue with cabbies over price lately. So when the cab showed up she told me to wait before I got in. She confirmed that I would only have to pay 60 Limpiras. (I could have done that. I did appreciate her help but it spoiled my day of complete independence!) Once again I made an effort to talk with the driver. I told him that I am going to have a car here soon and I'm nervous about driving. He asked if I am a good driver. I said yes, in the states I have driven in the biggest cities at rush hour with no problem, but here is very different! He said walk, don't run. I said if I go slow I will never get anywhere, only aggressive drivers get anywhere here. I also told him I think it is safer to be aggressive than to go slow with these drivers. He said I should not be impatient about long lines and that I should practice during the day, not during rush hour. Good advice. Then he dropped me at my house, took my 60 limpiras and went on his way.
I got home to find a pile of flying ants dead on my kitchen floor. I ran into the bedroom to see if there were any more, but thankfully, they stuck to the kitchen. I also found the daily dead cockroach on it's back. Only this one wasn't completely dead because after I took a picture, before I had time to clean it up, it flipped over on its belly somehow! Yuck!!
 |
| Now that is a big cockroach! |
I made another huge dinner, which was delicious. But then the unsecured internet I have been "borrowing" from neighbors wouldn't connect so I was BORED! I wanted to see if I could get that letter out to ask for more funding, but still had no words. I wanted to go running, but it is dark here by 6pm, so that was out of the question. I ended up watching some tv. At one point I noticed I was watching The World's Strictest Parents in Spanish and didn't realize for a while that it wasn't in English. I watched some travel shows and the Simpsons in Spanish. Finally I found The Shawshank Redemption. Forgot how great that movie is. They both made it to Mexico and I fell asleep.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Breakfast, babies, chilis and geckos
I woke at 6:30 a.m. this morning and have been going ever since. Read my daily devotional and spent some time with my bible, hoping to find a starting place for the letter I have to write to ask for funding. By the time Lourdes called at 9:30 to say she was on her way to pick me up, I had worked myself into a migraine. The letter is written, but it's horrible. Not even worth sending. However, I knew a cure for what was ailing me - Hugs from kids! So I headed off to the breakfast program.
Today Lourdes is continuing to teach the 10 commandments. I love the way she is able to translate each commandment so the kids understand them. I remember memorizing a list of things and understanding that God wanted us to obey his commands, but coveting?? Or killing? bearing false witness? Lourdes put them all into simple words so the kids know exactly what they mean and how they could apply to their lives, even as little kids. We had pancakes and watermelon. Lourdes looked on the shelf, noticed a can of condensed milk, and told us to put a spoonful on each piece of watermelon. I thought it sounded yucky, but changed my mind and ended up sneaking at least three pieces.
In the middle of the first group we suddenly had no water. We worked out of buckets from the pila for the rest of the day. Don Juan got it fixed before we left this evening so we will have water tomorrow.
After eating, some of the girls worked on a dance routine they are doing at church for Mother's Day in two Sundays. I helped them out a little bit and told them the look great. They are excited and love to dance! When I turned around from watching them on the stage, the church had a lot of people with babies who were waiting for the pediatrician to come. He is a member of La Iglesia en Transformación, who donates his time on Tuesday afternoons to help the community of Los Pinos. He charges 50 Limpiras (about $2.50) and does his best to provide free medicine when possible. A regular visit to a pediatrician here would be about 700 Limpiras, which is about 2 weeks pay for most of these people. Needless to say, if he did not come to the church, many kids would not get the medical care they need. He sees adults too, but today was definitely a baby day.
After I got home tonight I was reflecting on the day and thought about the time I spent talking with the local people as I took these pictures. It is nice that my Spanish has improved enough that I can sit and just gab with the ladies about babies and stuff. They don't treat me like some interesting species from another country, they don't even ask where I'm from anymore. They treat me like another woman, just like them. One of them even asked me to be her friend on Facebook! I think that is cool.
Lourdess was finishing up some accounting so I was messing around with my camera and computer. I posted some pictures and ended up getting some financial support from a swim team friend from childhood, Diana Brown. That felt great. She is a nurse, so she appreciates this sort of thing. We chatted a little bit and I explained what I am doing down here. She is injured, so she is unable to work right now, but she made a donation as we chatted online. Thank you Diana!
While Jairo and I waited for Lourdes to finish I met one of his brothers. Not the one who lives a few blocks from me, but another who is a doctor in Danli - a city nearby. He seems to have the same warm, welcoming personality as Jairo. Don Juan gave him a bag full of peppers from the church's garden. When I saw how beautiful they were, I asked if I could take them out of the bag and take pictures.
Jairo went to the doctor today. She ordered more tests including extensive blood work and a cardiogram. He will get that done tomorrow morning. Lourdes had ex rays done today so she can bring them to her doctor's appointment tomorrow. She thinks she should be feeling better already and is anxious to hear what the doctor says in this follow up appointment for her fybromyalgia.
With both of them taking care of their health tomorrow, I will take a cab tomorrow and lead the breakfast program on my own. I've done it before, so I'm sure it will be fine. But this is an example of why I really feel like I am supposed to be here in Honduras. Lourdes and Jairo are both very dedicated to the program, but the also have a lot of other obligations. Right now they both have health needs. Having me around is not just helpful, I think it it necessary in order for them to both get healthy. I hope I get the letter written soon and it is persuasive enough that I can raise the money to stay here and help them.
Jairo is talking about how La Iglesia en Transformación can reach out to the men of Los Pinos. He's got a great point - we are serving the women and children, but how do we reach the men? He has some great ideas. I hope I am here to help him make those ideas become reality. Maybe tomorrow will be the day I get that darn letter written.
Since I got here I have heard geckos a few times, but not like when I lived with Karla and Jose. I was excited to see one run up the wall in the kitchen at the church today, so I took this picture. They are cute little things once you get used to them. Then I came home and saw one in my own dining room wall as I was cooking dinner. I am no longer alone here - I have guests other than enormous cockroaches. I have cute little geckos too.
Today Lourdes is continuing to teach the 10 commandments. I love the way she is able to translate each commandment so the kids understand them. I remember memorizing a list of things and understanding that God wanted us to obey his commands, but coveting?? Or killing? bearing false witness? Lourdes put them all into simple words so the kids know exactly what they mean and how they could apply to their lives, even as little kids. We had pancakes and watermelon. Lourdes looked on the shelf, noticed a can of condensed milk, and told us to put a spoonful on each piece of watermelon. I thought it sounded yucky, but changed my mind and ended up sneaking at least three pieces.
In the middle of the first group we suddenly had no water. We worked out of buckets from the pila for the rest of the day. Don Juan got it fixed before we left this evening so we will have water tomorrow.
After eating, some of the girls worked on a dance routine they are doing at church for Mother's Day in two Sundays. I helped them out a little bit and told them the look great. They are excited and love to dance! When I turned around from watching them on the stage, the church had a lot of people with babies who were waiting for the pediatrician to come. He is a member of La Iglesia en Transformación, who donates his time on Tuesday afternoons to help the community of Los Pinos. He charges 50 Limpiras (about $2.50) and does his best to provide free medicine when possible. A regular visit to a pediatrician here would be about 700 Limpiras, which is about 2 weeks pay for most of these people. Needless to say, if he did not come to the church, many kids would not get the medical care they need. He sees adults too, but today was definitely a baby day.
After I got home tonight I was reflecting on the day and thought about the time I spent talking with the local people as I took these pictures. It is nice that my Spanish has improved enough that I can sit and just gab with the ladies about babies and stuff. They don't treat me like some interesting species from another country, they don't even ask where I'm from anymore. They treat me like another woman, just like them. One of them even asked me to be her friend on Facebook! I think that is cool.
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| 16 week old premature baby waiting with her Daddy to see the doctor |
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| Check out these cute sandals! |
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| Mommy and baby with a cold waiting to see the doctor |
Lourdess was finishing up some accounting so I was messing around with my camera and computer. I posted some pictures and ended up getting some financial support from a swim team friend from childhood, Diana Brown. That felt great. She is a nurse, so she appreciates this sort of thing. We chatted a little bit and I explained what I am doing down here. She is injured, so she is unable to work right now, but she made a donation as we chatted online. Thank you Diana!
While Jairo and I waited for Lourdes to finish I met one of his brothers. Not the one who lives a few blocks from me, but another who is a doctor in Danli - a city nearby. He seems to have the same warm, welcoming personality as Jairo. Don Juan gave him a bag full of peppers from the church's garden. When I saw how beautiful they were, I asked if I could take them out of the bag and take pictures.
 |
| Don Juan's kept trying to get people to try his spicy "strawberries" |
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| Tiny chilis |
Jairo went to the doctor today. She ordered more tests including extensive blood work and a cardiogram. He will get that done tomorrow morning. Lourdes had ex rays done today so she can bring them to her doctor's appointment tomorrow. She thinks she should be feeling better already and is anxious to hear what the doctor says in this follow up appointment for her fybromyalgia.
With both of them taking care of their health tomorrow, I will take a cab tomorrow and lead the breakfast program on my own. I've done it before, so I'm sure it will be fine. But this is an example of why I really feel like I am supposed to be here in Honduras. Lourdes and Jairo are both very dedicated to the program, but the also have a lot of other obligations. Right now they both have health needs. Having me around is not just helpful, I think it it necessary in order for them to both get healthy. I hope I get the letter written soon and it is persuasive enough that I can raise the money to stay here and help them.
Jairo is talking about how La Iglesia en Transformación can reach out to the men of Los Pinos. He's got a great point - we are serving the women and children, but how do we reach the men? He has some great ideas. I hope I am here to help him make those ideas become reality. Maybe tomorrow will be the day I get that darn letter written.
Since I got here I have heard geckos a few times, but not like when I lived with Karla and Jose. I was excited to see one run up the wall in the kitchen at the church today, so I took this picture. They are cute little things once you get used to them. Then I came home and saw one in my own dining room wall as I was cooking dinner. I am no longer alone here - I have guests other than enormous cockroaches. I have cute little geckos too.
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| NOTE: The yellow is a wall, white is the ceiling. He can hang on tight! He's about the length of a hand. |
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
New Toothbrush Day
It was nice to be back with the kids at the breakfast program today. I was thinking today was an early day for us, but when Jairo didn't come I worked on my laundry, little by little, until all of it was done. How nice to have everything clean before my day really began!
It was also wonderful to get out of the car and be greeted with hugs for the first time since Friday. The sore throat/cold flu is still going around, so I'm washing my hands like a maniac, but I never turn away a hug.
Lourdes had a good talk with the kids about being careful in the street. A boy from the program was hit by a car yesterday as he was walking with his mother. His leg is broken. Lourdes talked to the kids about not running carelessly as they do, without looking for cars. She also asked them to look out for the younger kids and hold their hands when near the street. Lourdes pointed out 4 kids who had all been hit by cars in almost the same spot in the time she has taken over the breakfast program.
Today was finally new toothbrush day. For weeks we've been trying to sort out toothbrushes and get rid of the ones that are no longer being used. Finally today we let the kids pick a new toothbrush and they took their older ones, which are still in good shape, to their homes. They were excited to get new toothbrushes. I bet tomorrow new kids will show up eager to get a new toothbrush.
One teen aged girl had all of the cooking done before we got there today. She made a whole meal of tortillas, eggs, beans and cheese. She even cooked the perfect amount for exactly the number of kids we had today, which I think was about 35.
We managed to get Lorenzo into the shower. The boy HATES bathing. He says he doesn't like water. Usually Don Juan has to pick him up, carry him into the shower and clean him. He is always dirty. Today he "showered" by himself, which meant he came out of the shower looking like he dumped a little water on the very top of his head. The rest of his hair was dry and his body was still filthy. We insisted he go back in and take a proper shower. Lorenzo went and hid in the corner. Don Juan was busy, so he had nobody to physically bathe him. Finally he ran toward the shower. His best buddy, a little girl who is also usually dirty, followed him, then came back and reported he was bathing. He snuck out without saying good bye. I don't know if he was mad or still dirty. We'll see tomorrow.
It was also wonderful to get out of the car and be greeted with hugs for the first time since Friday. The sore throat/cold flu is still going around, so I'm washing my hands like a maniac, but I never turn away a hug.
Lourdes had a good talk with the kids about being careful in the street. A boy from the program was hit by a car yesterday as he was walking with his mother. His leg is broken. Lourdes talked to the kids about not running carelessly as they do, without looking for cars. She also asked them to look out for the younger kids and hold their hands when near the street. Lourdes pointed out 4 kids who had all been hit by cars in almost the same spot in the time she has taken over the breakfast program.
Today was finally new toothbrush day. For weeks we've been trying to sort out toothbrushes and get rid of the ones that are no longer being used. Finally today we let the kids pick a new toothbrush and they took their older ones, which are still in good shape, to their homes. They were excited to get new toothbrushes. I bet tomorrow new kids will show up eager to get a new toothbrush.
One teen aged girl had all of the cooking done before we got there today. She made a whole meal of tortillas, eggs, beans and cheese. She even cooked the perfect amount for exactly the number of kids we had today, which I think was about 35.
We managed to get Lorenzo into the shower. The boy HATES bathing. He says he doesn't like water. Usually Don Juan has to pick him up, carry him into the shower and clean him. He is always dirty. Today he "showered" by himself, which meant he came out of the shower looking like he dumped a little water on the very top of his head. The rest of his hair was dry and his body was still filthy. We insisted he go back in and take a proper shower. Lorenzo went and hid in the corner. Don Juan was busy, so he had nobody to physically bathe him. Finally he ran toward the shower. His best buddy, a little girl who is also usually dirty, followed him, then came back and reported he was bathing. He snuck out without saying good bye. I don't know if he was mad or still dirty. We'll see tomorrow.
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| Lourdes with Lorenzo. This is probably post-shower because he looks annoyed.
I am supposed to be writing the letter asking for more financial support. I have time tonight, but the words are not coming. I am praying about it and hope the words come soon. Every day at the breakfast program the kids pray for funding so I can come back and live with them. It is really sweet. I did have a really cool surprise yesterday. I only got one new sponsor this month, but the cool thing is that my new sponsor is someone I don't know! I'm guessing that she reads this blog, so thank you to Anitha Neve. I really appreciate your help. Time is running out. I have to send out that letter. If you know someone who would be interested in helping me serve kids and teach them about God, please share this blog link with them.
https://worldoutreach.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=117 Just click on my name (Fager, Mary Lynn) Thank you! |
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
La Tigra
As far as I know, there was no violence yesterday. We took off at 9:30 in the morning, stopped at Jose's favorite deli for meats, then went up into the mountains to La Tigra. La Tigra is a National Park in a rainforest above the city. Lourdes and Jairo have a house there, which Walter lives in. They also have a big space for his church, and a building for a kitchen which is still unfinished. It is the highest mountain of all the mountains. Usually there is a great view, but today was cloudy, so the views were obscured.
The road to get up there has been improved significantly so it is no longer hard on your car. Karla drove on the way up, practicing her driving on a day when there was less traffic, due to Labor Day.
We marinated the meat, then relaxed for a while, listening to groups screaming their way through the ropes course in the back of the property. A group of the kids from the city were visiting for the day. They finished the ropes course, then had a meeting in the salon. Afterward, they played soccer for hours until their leaders dragged them to a waiting bus.
We set up a grill in the kitchen space and had a big barbeque with some local friends. After the kids from the group left, our guys played soccer for about an hour. Karla took a nap and I played with the kids and their nanny, a sweet, fun girl named Paola. We painted a jewelery box with Dana Sopia, played fútbol (somehow I managed to split my big toenail right down the middle - OUCH! Sleeping hurts most.) and hacky sack, and ate strawberries from fields on the side of the mountain.
As it started to be later in the day we woke up Karla and drove down into the city for a real game of fútbol with with church team. Karla and I went to watch, but really we spent the time catching up on all that has happened in our lives in the three years we've been apart. I did watch the game - Jose scored 3 goals! They won, 5-1.
As we drove through the city, to and from the game, we were pleased to see no evidence of manifestaciones. The streets were a little crowded, but with kids playing fútbol, since there was very little car traffic. It was a fun day with friends, and a great treat to get up into the mountains.
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| Looking out over the ropes course from the house |
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| Looking over the house on the left, the salon further below, and the unfinished kitchen on the right. On a less cloudy day, there is a beautiful view of surrounding mountains. |
The road to get up there has been improved significantly so it is no longer hard on your car. Karla drove on the way up, practicing her driving on a day when there was less traffic, due to Labor Day.
We marinated the meat, then relaxed for a while, listening to groups screaming their way through the ropes course in the back of the property. A group of the kids from the city were visiting for the day. They finished the ropes course, then had a meeting in the salon. Afterward, they played soccer for hours until their leaders dragged them to a waiting bus.
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| Karla with beef and sausages from the deli |
We set up a grill in the kitchen space and had a big barbeque with some local friends. After the kids from the group left, our guys played soccer for about an hour. Karla took a nap and I played with the kids and their nanny, a sweet, fun girl named Paola. We painted a jewelery box with Dana Sopia, played fútbol (somehow I managed to split my big toenail right down the middle - OUCH! Sleeping hurts most.) and hacky sack, and ate strawberries from fields on the side of the mountain.
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| Strawberry Fields Forever |
As it started to be later in the day we woke up Karla and drove down into the city for a real game of fútbol with with church team. Karla and I went to watch, but really we spent the time catching up on all that has happened in our lives in the three years we've been apart. I did watch the game - Jose scored 3 goals! They won, 5-1.
As we drove through the city, to and from the game, we were pleased to see no evidence of manifestaciones. The streets were a little crowded, but with kids playing fútbol, since there was very little car traffic. It was a fun day with friends, and a great treat to get up into the mountains.
Monday, April 30, 2012
I'm going to La Tigra!
Karla just called. I have no idea what she really said because she speaks so quickly that I can't understand her on the phone. I only know that I should be ready between 9-9:30 tomorrow to go to La Tigra!!! Oh, and I am supposed to bring a cake. But I'm making brownies instead because she called me at 10pm. Did you know that Gringos are known for their baking skills? I didn't until recently. Hope I don't disappoint! I had no measuring utensils so I had to eyeball everything. Smells good in the oven so far.
Me encanta La Tigra - I love La Tigra! It is a rainforest up above the city, so we will be getting away from any violence that may occur. I have had some really great times there. I was baptized there in 2008. I love hiking there too. I will take lots of pictures.
While I was on the phone with Karla I had another encounter with a giant cockroach. Earlier in the evening I heard something fall inside my closet, and I even thought, "That sounds like a giant cockroach." But then I decided I was being paranoid. So I'm talking on the phone with Karla and a giant cockroach crawls out of my closet. I swear, the next time I'm going to take a picture. Its antennae alone are tremendous! I started screaming and she is asking me what is wrong, but I am so horrified I can't think of the word for cockroach in Spanish, although it's one word most people who don't even speak Spanish still know. So I'm screaming like something is about to murder me but I still can't find the words in Spanish and finally I yell "CUCARACHA!!!" and she yells over the phone, "Kill it!" and I yell, "I'm getting the spray!" and she says "Use your foot!" and I say "It's BIGGER than my foot!" and we both start laughing our heads off. I love Karla. Can't wait to spend the day with her and her family tomorrow. Yay!!!
Me encanta La Tigra - I love La Tigra! It is a rainforest up above the city, so we will be getting away from any violence that may occur. I have had some really great times there. I was baptized there in 2008. I love hiking there too. I will take lots of pictures.
While I was on the phone with Karla I had another encounter with a giant cockroach. Earlier in the evening I heard something fall inside my closet, and I even thought, "That sounds like a giant cockroach." But then I decided I was being paranoid. So I'm talking on the phone with Karla and a giant cockroach crawls out of my closet. I swear, the next time I'm going to take a picture. Its antennae alone are tremendous! I started screaming and she is asking me what is wrong, but I am so horrified I can't think of the word for cockroach in Spanish, although it's one word most people who don't even speak Spanish still know. So I'm screaming like something is about to murder me but I still can't find the words in Spanish and finally I yell "CUCARACHA!!!" and she yells over the phone, "Kill it!" and I yell, "I'm getting the spray!" and she says "Use your foot!" and I say "It's BIGGER than my foot!" and we both start laughing our heads off. I love Karla. Can't wait to spend the day with her and her family tomorrow. Yay!!!
If I didn't love it here, I would hate it.
Today I posted on Facebook about washing my clothes in the pila, then dropping them in the sand. Some people were saying they admired my hard work. I see what they are saying, but if they only knew how easy I really have it here compared to others. I just ate a half pound of queso fresco con chilis (fresh, handmade cheese with cilantro and chunks of jalapeños), then was still hungry so I ate a full dinner and even had some desert. Most people here are not so lucky. In some ways, life here can be difficult. Even for me. If I didn't love it so much, I'd hate it.
I'd hate the mosquitoes and the man eating ants. I'd hate the heat with no air conditioning. I'd hate the shower that only has one temperature and water from the faucet that I can't use for drinking or brushing my teeth. I'd hate washing all of my dishes by hand in cold water. I'd hate walking into the house to find a matchbox car sized cockroach, lying on it's back in the middle of my kitchen floor. I'd hate not being able to walk to the store by myself. I'd hate having to rely on other people to take me everywhere. I'd hate reporting to Jairo every place I go and who I am with at all times. I'd hate having spotty internet access, no mail system, and only talking to my family only on occasion.
But I honestly don't dislike any of those things. Except the mosquitoes. The rest I see as a challenge or as something to learn about, learn from, and adapt to. None of those things can outweigh the happiness and peace I feel here.
Today I woke up early. (Another thing I am getting used to here is darkness by 6 p.m. and sunrise at 5:30 a.m.) I painted my nails watched some tv, read a book and fell back asleep until the phone rang at 10:30. It was one of those "I have no idea where I am or what time it is" experiences as I reached for the phone. Jairo was outside, waiting for me to go to the church with him. I threw on clothes, brushed my hair and teeth as quickly as possible, (Tooth brushing still takes me forever with no running water.) grabbed my stuff and headed out the door.
It was so nice to see Eunice sitting at her desk when I got there! For close to 3 weeks she has spent every day with her son in the hospital. We hugged her and told her we were happy to see her. She seemed happy to be back at work, but concerned about her son having to carry a lot of homework after school. I helped clean out her office, which we had turned into a temporary storage unit when some folks from K2 came and blessed the church with a ton of things for the breakfast program. I found a place for all of it, and did a little inventory in the meantime. I am still moving forward as though I will return here after June, so the more I can know about everything, the better.
As soon as I finished, Walter came to buy the food for the breakfast program. We took off together and did all of the shopping. He said he can tell I was taking Spanish classes, and not only has my Spanish gotten better, but it is very good! He said he wants to teach me all of the places to go, since soon this will be my job instead of his. That is if I come back. Then I will buy a car here. Until then it's still his job.
For cheese and eggs we went to a little shop where you stand outside, point at what you want, and pass the money through a hole in a bullet proof window. Then we went to the equivalent of Costco for cereal, hotdogs, veggies, vegetable oil, and a few other things. Third we went to a chicken store. It said, "The Secret of Chicken" on the wall outside. Walter said we would learn the secret of chicken inside, but I must have missed that. We bought a huge garbage bag full of random pieces, spent enough money that Walter was able to enter a Mother's Day drawing for a chicken for his mother, and left. Then we stopped at the strangest store I've ever seen. Well, I really didn't get to see it because I had to wait in the car. Imagine a bright orange, two story cement building, with the windows locked down with metal covers. One window has a hand written sign that lists the store hours. (They go to lunch from 12-1:30 every day.) Surrounding the whole building is a sturdy metal fence - not a chain link fence, but like metal bars from the ground to the top of the building. The fence is also painted bright orange. There is about a body's width between the fence and the building. You walk through a door in the metal fence to wait in line until it is your turn at the window and buy whatever it is you need. We bought rice and beans. They were out of oatmeal. There was a big line of people. I'm not sure if the line was long because of the cheap prices, or because the store was supposed to open at 1:30, but nobody came back from lunch until 2:10. Welcome to Honduras. If I didn't love it here, I would hate it.
Tomorrow is the Honduras' Labor Day. However, it is not a day of relaxation here. Instead, Jairo asked me to stay inside my house, or Karla and Jose's house, because it will be a dangerous day. Since so many people don't have jobs it will be a day of protests, or "manifestaciones" as I wrote about so many times during my last visit here. Jairo and Eunice both are both worried about the protests. I am hoping everything will be fine because I would like to go watch the guys from the church play fútbol in the evening with Jose. But I have experience from my last visit about how quickly these things can get out of control. Today stores closed early so employees could go home and be safe. I already texted Karla and told her I understand if it is better for me to stay home tomorrow for safety reasons. As Walter was dropping me off, they almost wouldn't let me into my gated community! They asked a bunch of questions I've never been asked before, like which block I live on. There are no street names or addresses here, so I had no idea how to answer that question. I just told them I live by the church. They gave us a long once over and finally let us through. Security is definitely heightened. But I told Walter they asked that because he has a face that looks like he is up to something.
In the meantime, I have a well stocked fridge, and can stay home as long as necessary. I have gotten to know Fanny, the lady who lives in the front house, so if I need anything I can always go to her. She is nice. I like her.
Oh. One more thing. I was telling Walter that the driver told me I could walk to the super. Walter looked at me like I'm crazy. He asked if I had asked Jairo about walking to the super. I said no. He didn't say anything more, but it was very clear that he believes I should NOT walk to the super. I wonder if his girlfriend can walk to the super. She lives nearby. I don't know if it is dangerous because I am a gringa, or if it is just plain dangerous. I will not walk to the super. If I didn't love it here, I would hate it.
I'd hate the mosquitoes and the man eating ants. I'd hate the heat with no air conditioning. I'd hate the shower that only has one temperature and water from the faucet that I can't use for drinking or brushing my teeth. I'd hate washing all of my dishes by hand in cold water. I'd hate walking into the house to find a matchbox car sized cockroach, lying on it's back in the middle of my kitchen floor. I'd hate not being able to walk to the store by myself. I'd hate having to rely on other people to take me everywhere. I'd hate reporting to Jairo every place I go and who I am with at all times. I'd hate having spotty internet access, no mail system, and only talking to my family only on occasion.
But I honestly don't dislike any of those things. Except the mosquitoes. The rest I see as a challenge or as something to learn about, learn from, and adapt to. None of those things can outweigh the happiness and peace I feel here.
Today I woke up early. (Another thing I am getting used to here is darkness by 6 p.m. and sunrise at 5:30 a.m.) I painted my nails watched some tv, read a book and fell back asleep until the phone rang at 10:30. It was one of those "I have no idea where I am or what time it is" experiences as I reached for the phone. Jairo was outside, waiting for me to go to the church with him. I threw on clothes, brushed my hair and teeth as quickly as possible, (Tooth brushing still takes me forever with no running water.) grabbed my stuff and headed out the door.
It was so nice to see Eunice sitting at her desk when I got there! For close to 3 weeks she has spent every day with her son in the hospital. We hugged her and told her we were happy to see her. She seemed happy to be back at work, but concerned about her son having to carry a lot of homework after school. I helped clean out her office, which we had turned into a temporary storage unit when some folks from K2 came and blessed the church with a ton of things for the breakfast program. I found a place for all of it, and did a little inventory in the meantime. I am still moving forward as though I will return here after June, so the more I can know about everything, the better.
As soon as I finished, Walter came to buy the food for the breakfast program. We took off together and did all of the shopping. He said he can tell I was taking Spanish classes, and not only has my Spanish gotten better, but it is very good! He said he wants to teach me all of the places to go, since soon this will be my job instead of his. That is if I come back. Then I will buy a car here. Until then it's still his job.
For cheese and eggs we went to a little shop where you stand outside, point at what you want, and pass the money through a hole in a bullet proof window. Then we went to the equivalent of Costco for cereal, hotdogs, veggies, vegetable oil, and a few other things. Third we went to a chicken store. It said, "The Secret of Chicken" on the wall outside. Walter said we would learn the secret of chicken inside, but I must have missed that. We bought a huge garbage bag full of random pieces, spent enough money that Walter was able to enter a Mother's Day drawing for a chicken for his mother, and left. Then we stopped at the strangest store I've ever seen. Well, I really didn't get to see it because I had to wait in the car. Imagine a bright orange, two story cement building, with the windows locked down with metal covers. One window has a hand written sign that lists the store hours. (They go to lunch from 12-1:30 every day.) Surrounding the whole building is a sturdy metal fence - not a chain link fence, but like metal bars from the ground to the top of the building. The fence is also painted bright orange. There is about a body's width between the fence and the building. You walk through a door in the metal fence to wait in line until it is your turn at the window and buy whatever it is you need. We bought rice and beans. They were out of oatmeal. There was a big line of people. I'm not sure if the line was long because of the cheap prices, or because the store was supposed to open at 1:30, but nobody came back from lunch until 2:10. Welcome to Honduras. If I didn't love it here, I would hate it.
Tomorrow is the Honduras' Labor Day. However, it is not a day of relaxation here. Instead, Jairo asked me to stay inside my house, or Karla and Jose's house, because it will be a dangerous day. Since so many people don't have jobs it will be a day of protests, or "manifestaciones" as I wrote about so many times during my last visit here. Jairo and Eunice both are both worried about the protests. I am hoping everything will be fine because I would like to go watch the guys from the church play fútbol in the evening with Jose. But I have experience from my last visit about how quickly these things can get out of control. Today stores closed early so employees could go home and be safe. I already texted Karla and told her I understand if it is better for me to stay home tomorrow for safety reasons. As Walter was dropping me off, they almost wouldn't let me into my gated community! They asked a bunch of questions I've never been asked before, like which block I live on. There are no street names or addresses here, so I had no idea how to answer that question. I just told them I live by the church. They gave us a long once over and finally let us through. Security is definitely heightened. But I told Walter they asked that because he has a face that looks like he is up to something.
In the meantime, I have a well stocked fridge, and can stay home as long as necessary. I have gotten to know Fanny, the lady who lives in the front house, so if I need anything I can always go to her. She is nice. I like her.
Oh. One more thing. I was telling Walter that the driver told me I could walk to the super. Walter looked at me like I'm crazy. He asked if I had asked Jairo about walking to the super. I said no. He didn't say anything more, but it was very clear that he believes I should NOT walk to the super. I wonder if his girlfriend can walk to the super. She lives nearby. I don't know if it is dangerous because I am a gringa, or if it is just plain dangerous. I will not walk to the super. If I didn't love it here, I would hate it.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Love, Joy, and Gratitude
With love, joy, and gratitude - that's how I ended a letter to my prayer team tonight. I think that might be my new thing. It sure is fitting for now.
I had another super good day. I got up and got ready for church. When nobody came to pick me up I figured they were just running on Honduran time and were a little late. Then I decided that I must be confused about what time church starts, but I still wasn't worried about it because you can't miss church when you ride there with the pastor. When Jairo called I expected him to say he was outside. But instead he said "Karla and Jose are here!" I was confused. Well, it turned out that we had a miscommunication. I thought I had said I might spend time with Karla and Jose on Saturday. He thought I was spending the day and the night with them. So when he saw them at church without me he wondered where in the world I was. In the middle of the service he had to talk to them to find out what was going on. Ooops! So he called me and told me to take a private cab. He told me what to say exactly, and how much it would cost. So I set out on my first adventure in a private cab. (I used to take private cabs a lot on my last visit, but I always used the same driver who was a family friend.) I made it to church just fine and for less money than Jairo had expected. Plus I got the low-down on grocery shopping from my driver, if I ever go alone. He said I can walk to the "super" (short for supermercado or "supermarket") and if I need a ride home it should cost about 60 Limpiras. I asked if it was dangerous to walk there and he said it is much more dangerous near the church than it is at the super.
At church Josue was there. His family was asked to speak. They all walked up on stage together, stood close to each other, his father took the microphone and was unable to speak. I wouldn't have been able to speak either. Jairo and Evelin Michelle's father, Boris, went up and stood with him in support. They brought tissues and glasses of water. Everyone had cameras and cell phones taking pictures and most people were crying right along with them. We all firmly believe that Josue was dead and God chose to bring him back to full health. Hector, Josue's father, said he is so glad that Josue has no memory of what happened. He was in a coma most of the time. He quoted scripture, told everyone to take every opportunity to show love to their children, and spoke from his heart. It was beautiful, and sad, and amazing to see a boy who had been physically dead on March 11th, standing, thin but healthy, next to his family. Eunice spoke too. She was not her usual poised self, but how could she be? She was overwhelmed with emotions and praise for God. Josue will go back to school tomorrow! This experience has brought many people closer to God. One of Josue's friends is now committed to going to church every week, along with her family, after seeing what God did for Josue. (And she is a beautiful girl who seems very interested in Josue.)
Jairo called all of Josue's friends to come onto the stage. There were at about 20 of them all surrounding Josue. Jairo pointed out that, like Josue, most of these kids grew up in the church. They are like family. Therefore, when something like this happens to Josue, it is like something happens to your own son. He talked about how life is very fragile, not to take it for granted, to live each moment because tomorrow is not guaranteed. And then he sprayed perfume all over everyone - but that is another long story.
Yesterday two people my age were buried in the US. I wasn't particularly close to either of them. One was a girl I went through grades 7-12 with. The other was the brother of a very special ex-boyfriend. They were 41 and 43 years old respectively. That is too young to die.
After church I was anxious to go home, as usual. The whole social scene is just not my thing. I can never remember people's names and everyone wants to talk to me and it is just uncomfortable. But I'm getting better at it. And I do appreciate that people go out of their way to make me feel welcome and thank me for my work. I'm pretty sure that last week I wished happy birthday to three different men, when I thought each time it was Lourdes' brother. Ooops! It is getting easier now that my Spanish is getting better. Today a woman thanked me for knowing Spanish because she wanted to talk to me but she didn't know English. I thought about all of the people in the US who are so self righteous about everyone speaking ENGLISH in the US, and I thought about much more I liked her approach of appreciation, rather than condemnation.
BE ADVISED, THIS IS A PERSONAL RANT. SKIP THIS SECTION IF YOU'D LIKE: That is something that really bothers me - the whole "learn English" thing - because I know people in the US who don't speak English did not choose to be born into situations where they were barely able to survive. They escaped horrible circumstances for opportunity. I've talked to many of them in various jobs I had in Chicago and Denver. They would love to know English. They would also love to have food on the table and be able to feed and shelter their families. I think the people who post things on Facebook and say negative things about people who don't speak English are clueless about other parts of the world. To me, one of North America's greatest flaws is that many North Americans are ignorant. They have no idea how the rest of the world lives and they assume that everyone is just like them. That everyone does, or should, live just like they do. Many illegal immigrants come to the US from Honduras. They can't get an education because they have to work at a young age in order to eat! They can't work because there are no jobs. So they save every penny and risk their lives to go to North America. We were all immigrants at one point in our family history too. I'm pretty sure nobody reading this blog is 100% Native American. So who are we to judge? Okay I am done with my rant.
After church we all sat around and ate a delicious soup with vegetables, corned beef, and sausage in it. Lourdes expected me not to like the corned beef. I told her it is one of my favorite meals with cabbage and potatoes in the US. She was surprised. She continues to think I am a STRAAAANGE gringa. We sat around for two hours, eating and talking and saying "Que Calor!", which I generally think is overused, but was actually fitting for today. It was HOT outside!
My landlord asked me how long I plan to stay in the house. I explained that if I can't raise funding I will have to go back permanently in June. I don't think anyone had ever told her that because she seemed to expect me to stay. But I have been making it clear to everyone that I am not yet fully funded to live here. I sure am glad that I came at this time though. Eunice said it made it easier for her to be at the hospital with her son, knowing I was here to help Lourdes and Jairo. And there have been quite a few days when God had me trying to fill Lourdes' big shoes too, which is impossible, but still I try. I have no doubt in my mind that this was not of my own doing, but of God. And that is why I am so confused about why I am having to struggle with fundraising? Is it possible that God is done with me in Honduras now? It sure doesn't feel that way to me. But it will be clear if I can't come up with enough money to live here. Because God does meet all of our needs. As I told Eunice today, this is only money. God will surely provide if it is his will. After all, He gave her son LIFE when no doctor could.
Link for donations: https://worldoutreach.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=117
Since I got home I have been thinking a lot about my future. About what life could hold for me if I do return to live in the US and what it would be like to live in Honduras indefinitely. For some reason I feel like Honduras is in my future. But I can't say why. It's just a feeling I have inside.
My neighbor keeps bringing me food tonight. First fried green platanos from the tree that fell down. She knows I am sad about that tree. Then she showed up with bananas. Big fat ones that are chubby but short. I ate the whole bowl of fried green platanos. I still like the sweet, more mature ones better. I wonder if I'll continue to lose weight with no exercise, eating like this. I have no idea what my body is doing with all of this food.
After the platanos I sent my weekly letter to the prayer team, and then got busy on this. And now it's time for bed. I just learned this afternoon that there is no breakfast program tomorrow or Tuesday because Tuesday is Honduras' version of Labor Day. I asked Jairo how I could help out and stay busy, offering to iron for Lourdes since it is really hard on her back. He said I can help do the grocery shopping for the breakfast program. (It will be my job if I live here permanently.) We are also going to clean Eunice's office. Jose invited me to spend Tuesday with his family. I'll stay busy, I'm sure. And even when I'm not busy, I have been very happy and peaceful lately. God is Good. Life is Good.
I had another super good day. I got up and got ready for church. When nobody came to pick me up I figured they were just running on Honduran time and were a little late. Then I decided that I must be confused about what time church starts, but I still wasn't worried about it because you can't miss church when you ride there with the pastor. When Jairo called I expected him to say he was outside. But instead he said "Karla and Jose are here!" I was confused. Well, it turned out that we had a miscommunication. I thought I had said I might spend time with Karla and Jose on Saturday. He thought I was spending the day and the night with them. So when he saw them at church without me he wondered where in the world I was. In the middle of the service he had to talk to them to find out what was going on. Ooops! So he called me and told me to take a private cab. He told me what to say exactly, and how much it would cost. So I set out on my first adventure in a private cab. (I used to take private cabs a lot on my last visit, but I always used the same driver who was a family friend.) I made it to church just fine and for less money than Jairo had expected. Plus I got the low-down on grocery shopping from my driver, if I ever go alone. He said I can walk to the "super" (short for supermercado or "supermarket") and if I need a ride home it should cost about 60 Limpiras. I asked if it was dangerous to walk there and he said it is much more dangerous near the church than it is at the super.
At church Josue was there. His family was asked to speak. They all walked up on stage together, stood close to each other, his father took the microphone and was unable to speak. I wouldn't have been able to speak either. Jairo and Evelin Michelle's father, Boris, went up and stood with him in support. They brought tissues and glasses of water. Everyone had cameras and cell phones taking pictures and most people were crying right along with them. We all firmly believe that Josue was dead and God chose to bring him back to full health. Hector, Josue's father, said he is so glad that Josue has no memory of what happened. He was in a coma most of the time. He quoted scripture, told everyone to take every opportunity to show love to their children, and spoke from his heart. It was beautiful, and sad, and amazing to see a boy who had been physically dead on March 11th, standing, thin but healthy, next to his family. Eunice spoke too. She was not her usual poised self, but how could she be? She was overwhelmed with emotions and praise for God. Josue will go back to school tomorrow! This experience has brought many people closer to God. One of Josue's friends is now committed to going to church every week, along with her family, after seeing what God did for Josue. (And she is a beautiful girl who seems very interested in Josue.)
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| Josue, his father, his mother and his sister, Elienai |
Jairo called all of Josue's friends to come onto the stage. There were at about 20 of them all surrounding Josue. Jairo pointed out that, like Josue, most of these kids grew up in the church. They are like family. Therefore, when something like this happens to Josue, it is like something happens to your own son. He talked about how life is very fragile, not to take it for granted, to live each moment because tomorrow is not guaranteed. And then he sprayed perfume all over everyone - but that is another long story.
Yesterday two people my age were buried in the US. I wasn't particularly close to either of them. One was a girl I went through grades 7-12 with. The other was the brother of a very special ex-boyfriend. They were 41 and 43 years old respectively. That is too young to die.
After church I was anxious to go home, as usual. The whole social scene is just not my thing. I can never remember people's names and everyone wants to talk to me and it is just uncomfortable. But I'm getting better at it. And I do appreciate that people go out of their way to make me feel welcome and thank me for my work. I'm pretty sure that last week I wished happy birthday to three different men, when I thought each time it was Lourdes' brother. Ooops! It is getting easier now that my Spanish is getting better. Today a woman thanked me for knowing Spanish because she wanted to talk to me but she didn't know English. I thought about all of the people in the US who are so self righteous about everyone speaking ENGLISH in the US, and I thought about much more I liked her approach of appreciation, rather than condemnation.
BE ADVISED, THIS IS A PERSONAL RANT. SKIP THIS SECTION IF YOU'D LIKE: That is something that really bothers me - the whole "learn English" thing - because I know people in the US who don't speak English did not choose to be born into situations where they were barely able to survive. They escaped horrible circumstances for opportunity. I've talked to many of them in various jobs I had in Chicago and Denver. They would love to know English. They would also love to have food on the table and be able to feed and shelter their families. I think the people who post things on Facebook and say negative things about people who don't speak English are clueless about other parts of the world. To me, one of North America's greatest flaws is that many North Americans are ignorant. They have no idea how the rest of the world lives and they assume that everyone is just like them. That everyone does, or should, live just like they do. Many illegal immigrants come to the US from Honduras. They can't get an education because they have to work at a young age in order to eat! They can't work because there are no jobs. So they save every penny and risk their lives to go to North America. We were all immigrants at one point in our family history too. I'm pretty sure nobody reading this blog is 100% Native American. So who are we to judge? Okay I am done with my rant.
After church we all sat around and ate a delicious soup with vegetables, corned beef, and sausage in it. Lourdes expected me not to like the corned beef. I told her it is one of my favorite meals with cabbage and potatoes in the US. She was surprised. She continues to think I am a STRAAAANGE gringa. We sat around for two hours, eating and talking and saying "Que Calor!", which I generally think is overused, but was actually fitting for today. It was HOT outside!
My landlord asked me how long I plan to stay in the house. I explained that if I can't raise funding I will have to go back permanently in June. I don't think anyone had ever told her that because she seemed to expect me to stay. But I have been making it clear to everyone that I am not yet fully funded to live here. I sure am glad that I came at this time though. Eunice said it made it easier for her to be at the hospital with her son, knowing I was here to help Lourdes and Jairo. And there have been quite a few days when God had me trying to fill Lourdes' big shoes too, which is impossible, but still I try. I have no doubt in my mind that this was not of my own doing, but of God. And that is why I am so confused about why I am having to struggle with fundraising? Is it possible that God is done with me in Honduras now? It sure doesn't feel that way to me. But it will be clear if I can't come up with enough money to live here. Because God does meet all of our needs. As I told Eunice today, this is only money. God will surely provide if it is his will. After all, He gave her son LIFE when no doctor could.
Link for donations: https://worldoutreach.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=117
Since I got home I have been thinking a lot about my future. About what life could hold for me if I do return to live in the US and what it would be like to live in Honduras indefinitely. For some reason I feel like Honduras is in my future. But I can't say why. It's just a feeling I have inside.
My neighbor keeps bringing me food tonight. First fried green platanos from the tree that fell down. She knows I am sad about that tree. Then she showed up with bananas. Big fat ones that are chubby but short. I ate the whole bowl of fried green platanos. I still like the sweet, more mature ones better. I wonder if I'll continue to lose weight with no exercise, eating like this. I have no idea what my body is doing with all of this food.
After the platanos I sent my weekly letter to the prayer team, and then got busy on this. And now it's time for bed. I just learned this afternoon that there is no breakfast program tomorrow or Tuesday because Tuesday is Honduras' version of Labor Day. I asked Jairo how I could help out and stay busy, offering to iron for Lourdes since it is really hard on her back. He said I can help do the grocery shopping for the breakfast program. (It will be my job if I live here permanently.) We are also going to clean Eunice's office. Jose invited me to spend Tuesday with his family. I'll stay busy, I'm sure. And even when I'm not busy, I have been very happy and peaceful lately. God is Good. Life is Good.
One Month in Honduras
Although I left the US on 3/27/12, I actually arrived in Honduras on 3/28/12. Therefore, today I am celebrating one month of living in Honduras. I'm not sure how I'll celebrate. First with a walk around my neighborhood, I think. It doesn't feel like I've been here very long, but I can definitely see the improvements in my language. When I'm in a room full of people all speaking Spanish I no longer zone out. I can understand almost all of the conversation. Yesterday Lourdes' mother told Lourdes very sternly not to speak to me in English any more because I must learn Spanish. I do spend the majority of my day using only Spanish - with neighbors, at the store, with kids at the breakfast program, cooking in the kitchen with mothers at the breakfast program, going to prayer groups... I feel submersed, but not submerged.
When I imagined this trip, I never imagined such a beautiful and comfortable home. I didn't realize how well my Spanish would serve me and was very worried about understanding the language. In reality, I've only pulled out my Spanish dictionary ONE time and that was in the hotel in El Salvador, so maybe it doesn't count :)
When I imagined this trip, I never imagined such a beautiful and comfortable home. I didn't realize how well my Spanish would serve me and was very worried about understanding the language. In reality, I've only pulled out my Spanish dictionary ONE time and that was in the hotel in El Salvador, so maybe it doesn't count :)
Friday, April 27, 2012
Adieu Canadians
Today was a happy, peaceful day. It was the last day for the Canadians at the breakfast program. They have been so great with the kids! The kids hang off them all day and they never seem to get tired of it.
We helped the kids with homework, then Lourdes, her mother, and Jairo all took me grocery shopping. Now I have everything I need (like a toothbrush holder) for my house, and a full fridge. I found some Nance fruit, which I love and haven't had since I lived with Jose and Karla. Lourdes says I'm a "Straaaaange Gringa" because I like Nance and queso fresco seco. She says most gringos don't like either.
After shopping we returned to the church where we went through all of the food that was donated again from La Colonia. This time it was not nearly as stinky or sticky. A lot of it is things the store can't sell - gringo stuff like Perrier water, Ragu spaghetti sauce, Rice-A-Roni, and even cleaning products. Plus TONS of juice. Lourdes says the kids won't drink the juice. I suggested we sneak it in with iced tea (which they do like), give them a few extra vitamins and they'll never know the difference.
I came home and got settled, did some laundry in the pila, and made a big dinner. It was interesting because I noticed I have even started to cook like the people here. The fry everything in oil and almost deep fry eggs. Today I almost deep fried my scrambled eggs.
Once again, my favorite part of the day was when the kids prayed. Lourdes asked a six year old girl, Meylin, to pray that I will have enough money to be able to live here permanently. Lourdes explained that I may not be able to live in Honduras after June because I don't have enough funding.
Afterward Lourdes asked if I had heard what Meylin said when she prayed. I heard it, but they were words I didn't know. Lourdes was laughing really hard. She said that Meylin had used very traditional, old fashioned words to ask God in a very desperate, forceful way to make sure I can get the money. She said it was very sweet to hear how intensely Meylin prayed with words that meant something similar to "if she needs to go to the ends of the earth, no matter what she has to do, please make sure this money is provided for her to live with us in Honduras." Lourdes later told the story to others and they all laughed. I guess I need Meylin to pray for me more often. She's a girl who is not afraid to ask strongly for what she wants in prayer.
Rainclouds have been lingering all day, but I chose to wash my clothes anyway. I didn't know that the ground becomes infested with man eating ants after dark. It just started raining so I ran out to grab my clothes off the line. My clothes were also covered in ants, so I had to shake all the ants off while running in place because if I left a foot on the ground it was immediately consumed by ants. It was probably an entertaining sight, but I only suffered one bite and only one ant made it inside the house, so the mission was an overall success.
Despite the fact that my whole life is up in the air as to where I will live in two months, I have felt very peaceful and happy lately. I think I really have turned my future over to God. Tomorrow I have to write a letter asking people to please consider supporting me financially. I'm really good at raising money for the boys here at the private Christian school. But when it comes to asking for money for myself, it's not as easy. I guess I will begin here by asking now. If you are able to contribute, please consider doing so. I need to raise $600 in monthly donations in order to live here. If you have any creative ideas about how I might do this, I would love to hear from you. Also if you could pray that I will raise the funding, I would appreciate it very much. I believe this is where God wants me to be. I am helping this community in ways I never imagined. It is an exciting journey and I love sharing it with you!
Below is a link for tax deductible donations. While every bit of funding helps, only monthly support will enable me to continue to live here.
Just click on my name (Fager, Mary Lynn):
https://worldoutreach.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=117
Thank you in advance for any way you can help.
We helped the kids with homework, then Lourdes, her mother, and Jairo all took me grocery shopping. Now I have everything I need (like a toothbrush holder) for my house, and a full fridge. I found some Nance fruit, which I love and haven't had since I lived with Jose and Karla. Lourdes says I'm a "Straaaaange Gringa" because I like Nance and queso fresco seco. She says most gringos don't like either.
After shopping we returned to the church where we went through all of the food that was donated again from La Colonia. This time it was not nearly as stinky or sticky. A lot of it is things the store can't sell - gringo stuff like Perrier water, Ragu spaghetti sauce, Rice-A-Roni, and even cleaning products. Plus TONS of juice. Lourdes says the kids won't drink the juice. I suggested we sneak it in with iced tea (which they do like), give them a few extra vitamins and they'll never know the difference.
I came home and got settled, did some laundry in the pila, and made a big dinner. It was interesting because I noticed I have even started to cook like the people here. The fry everything in oil and almost deep fry eggs. Today I almost deep fried my scrambled eggs.
Once again, my favorite part of the day was when the kids prayed. Lourdes asked a six year old girl, Meylin, to pray that I will have enough money to be able to live here permanently. Lourdes explained that I may not be able to live in Honduras after June because I don't have enough funding.
Afterward Lourdes asked if I had heard what Meylin said when she prayed. I heard it, but they were words I didn't know. Lourdes was laughing really hard. She said that Meylin had used very traditional, old fashioned words to ask God in a very desperate, forceful way to make sure I can get the money. She said it was very sweet to hear how intensely Meylin prayed with words that meant something similar to "if she needs to go to the ends of the earth, no matter what she has to do, please make sure this money is provided for her to live with us in Honduras." Lourdes later told the story to others and they all laughed. I guess I need Meylin to pray for me more often. She's a girl who is not afraid to ask strongly for what she wants in prayer.
Rainclouds have been lingering all day, but I chose to wash my clothes anyway. I didn't know that the ground becomes infested with man eating ants after dark. It just started raining so I ran out to grab my clothes off the line. My clothes were also covered in ants, so I had to shake all the ants off while running in place because if I left a foot on the ground it was immediately consumed by ants. It was probably an entertaining sight, but I only suffered one bite and only one ant made it inside the house, so the mission was an overall success.
Despite the fact that my whole life is up in the air as to where I will live in two months, I have felt very peaceful and happy lately. I think I really have turned my future over to God. Tomorrow I have to write a letter asking people to please consider supporting me financially. I'm really good at raising money for the boys here at the private Christian school. But when it comes to asking for money for myself, it's not as easy. I guess I will begin here by asking now. If you are able to contribute, please consider doing so. I need to raise $600 in monthly donations in order to live here. If you have any creative ideas about how I might do this, I would love to hear from you. Also if you could pray that I will raise the funding, I would appreciate it very much. I believe this is where God wants me to be. I am helping this community in ways I never imagined. It is an exciting journey and I love sharing it with you!
Below is a link for tax deductible donations. While every bit of funding helps, only monthly support will enable me to continue to live here.
Just click on my name (Fager, Mary Lynn):
https://worldoutreach.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=117
Thank you in advance for any way you can help.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Gratitude
Today I am choosing to be grateful. Actually I am a little bit angry and sad. But I will also be grateful.
You might be more interested in why I am angry and sad because that's human nature. I'll get that out of the way first. I am angry because a girl I went to high school with died today. I am also sad because she died today. But I don't think she would want me to be angry, or sad. I know that is not the right way to handle things. So I will choose to be grateful.
In this moment, the thing I feel most grateful for is to be sitting on my bed, in my home in HONDURAS. My heart has longed to be here for more than two years. Now, with financial support from my church, family and friends, it is finally time. I am grateful that God called me to be here. I am grateful that I feel safe here. I am grateful that this home has running water. I am grateful for the garden outside with all of the different fresh fruits. I am grateful for the screens in the windows that keep out horrible mosquitoes. I am grateful for the breeze that keeps me cool every night. I am grateful for the yummy food in my fridge (especially the queso fresco), and my new stove. I am grateful for every single thing that people have let me borrow - tables, chairs, a bed, sheets, pillows, shower curtain, bathmat, nightstand, reading lamp, TV, entertainment center, clothes when my suitcase was missing for 8 days, curtains for the windows and I am sure there is more I appreciate, but have left out. I am grateful for the gorgeous woodwork and the big closet that make me feel like I am living in luxury. It is true that this home is nicer than some of my apartments in Chicago.
I am grateful to live on a street where the people sweep off their front steps and wash down the sidewalk in front of their houses. Today I saw a lady washing her front gate and the front of her house. I am grateful that I live in a gated community where the guards take your ID and write down your license plate number before you can enter. I am grateful that the guards recognize me now. I am grateful that the pulperia down the street has everything I need, from mantequilla and platanos, to ant spray. I am grateful for the Catholic Church across the street that provides me with a nightly backdrop of the most glorious music I have ever heard. That is the truth. I am grateful to have the privilege of sitting in my home and listening to their music every night. I am grateful that everyone, everywhere, always greets me with "Good morning", "Good afternoon" or "Good evening" as applicable. Yes, it is a cultural requirement to do so here, but I am still a gringa and I appreciate it all the more for that reason.
I am grateful for the community that has taken me in here. I am grateful that I can ask for what I need and trust that my needs will be met. I am also grateful that I am learning to ask for what I need and I am learning to trust, since these are areas where I needed to grow. I am grateful that the people here are teaching me more about God. About who God is and who He is not. About what He expects of me, and what he does not expect. About how to follow Him, honor Him, worship Him, love Him and receive His love. I am grateful to live in community with people who are teaching me about unconditional love in ways I never knew before. I am grateful for people whom I barely know that hug me, ask how I am doing, then genuinely wait for a response because they care about how I am doing. I am grateful when they say, "It's good to see you. We are so happy you are here." I believe they truly mean each word.
I am grateful to serve at the breakfast program. I am grateful for every hug I receive each day (which has to be more than 100). I am grateful for every smile, every hand that holds mine, every belly I can help to fill. I am grateful that I have the privilege of handing out vitamins and putting toothpaste on toothbrushes. I am grateful to pray with 40-70 children every day and help them to learn about God. I am grateful to live in a place that has so much perfect beauty in the ugliness of poverty. I am grateful to be exactly where I am.
You might be more interested in why I am angry and sad because that's human nature. I'll get that out of the way first. I am angry because a girl I went to high school with died today. I am also sad because she died today. But I don't think she would want me to be angry, or sad. I know that is not the right way to handle things. So I will choose to be grateful.
In this moment, the thing I feel most grateful for is to be sitting on my bed, in my home in HONDURAS. My heart has longed to be here for more than two years. Now, with financial support from my church, family and friends, it is finally time. I am grateful that God called me to be here. I am grateful that I feel safe here. I am grateful that this home has running water. I am grateful for the garden outside with all of the different fresh fruits. I am grateful for the screens in the windows that keep out horrible mosquitoes. I am grateful for the breeze that keeps me cool every night. I am grateful for the yummy food in my fridge (especially the queso fresco), and my new stove. I am grateful for every single thing that people have let me borrow - tables, chairs, a bed, sheets, pillows, shower curtain, bathmat, nightstand, reading lamp, TV, entertainment center, clothes when my suitcase was missing for 8 days, curtains for the windows and I am sure there is more I appreciate, but have left out. I am grateful for the gorgeous woodwork and the big closet that make me feel like I am living in luxury. It is true that this home is nicer than some of my apartments in Chicago.
I am grateful to live on a street where the people sweep off their front steps and wash down the sidewalk in front of their houses. Today I saw a lady washing her front gate and the front of her house. I am grateful that I live in a gated community where the guards take your ID and write down your license plate number before you can enter. I am grateful that the guards recognize me now. I am grateful that the pulperia down the street has everything I need, from mantequilla and platanos, to ant spray. I am grateful for the Catholic Church across the street that provides me with a nightly backdrop of the most glorious music I have ever heard. That is the truth. I am grateful to have the privilege of sitting in my home and listening to their music every night. I am grateful that everyone, everywhere, always greets me with "Good morning", "Good afternoon" or "Good evening" as applicable. Yes, it is a cultural requirement to do so here, but I am still a gringa and I appreciate it all the more for that reason.
I am grateful for the community that has taken me in here. I am grateful that I can ask for what I need and trust that my needs will be met. I am also grateful that I am learning to ask for what I need and I am learning to trust, since these are areas where I needed to grow. I am grateful that the people here are teaching me more about God. About who God is and who He is not. About what He expects of me, and what he does not expect. About how to follow Him, honor Him, worship Him, love Him and receive His love. I am grateful to live in community with people who are teaching me about unconditional love in ways I never knew before. I am grateful for people whom I barely know that hug me, ask how I am doing, then genuinely wait for a response because they care about how I am doing. I am grateful when they say, "It's good to see you. We are so happy you are here." I believe they truly mean each word.
I am grateful to serve at the breakfast program. I am grateful for every hug I receive each day (which has to be more than 100). I am grateful for every smile, every hand that holds mine, every belly I can help to fill. I am grateful that I have the privilege of handing out vitamins and putting toothpaste on toothbrushes. I am grateful to pray with 40-70 children every day and help them to learn about God. I am grateful to live in a place that has so much perfect beauty in the ugliness of poverty. I am grateful to be exactly where I am.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Adios platanos :(
Today is a sad day at my house. I washed my clothes in my pila today. The only way it is manageable to wash in the pila is by washing every few days. Otherwise it is too overwhelming for a gringa. Anyway, as I was washing in the yard, I noticed that my platano tree fell down!!!! :( I never realized how much shade that tree provided until today. I no longer have the view of platanos outside my bedroom window. The sun shines into my room now. Boooo! Fortunately, it's not hot outside today. The wind, which I'm sure is the culprit of my downed tree, has been gusting since Saturday.
Lourdes was able to come to the breakfast program today. We had oatmeal with shortbread for dipping and lots of watermelon. This week over 50 kids have attended each day.
It was a relaxed day. The kids had fun. They are learning to trust me with their problems, like when a boy throws watermelon into a girl's oatmeal, or if someone "forgets" to wash their dishes. They used to go to the older girls for help, but now they come to me which feels like good progress.
I still am enchanted by their prayer. They are the most amazing pray-ers. They pray for the coolest things! Their prayer is very genuine. Many of them start their prayer by thanking God for one more day of life. I am still surprised when I hear a 7 or 8 year old begin their prayer in this way. However, in Honduras life is never taken for granted. The kids thank God for their classes (yes, you read that right) and the opportunity for education. They thank God for helping them to concentrate as they study for exams. They give thanks for the breakfast program, the food, the nutrients and the attention they receive here. Their prayers can be heartbreaking as well. Sometimes they pray their parents will stop hitting each other, that someone in their family will get a job so they can have food at home, for sleep because they have to help their family by getting up at 2 a.m. to help make tortillas for their mother to sell each day. Prayer is something they take very seriously. It is beautiful to see children worship God with such intention and intensity.
Yesterday two of the kids showed up at the breakfast program with cash in their hands, wanting to buy potato chips. They were questioned extensively about where they got the money, since this was unusual. They insisted they got it from their fathers. However, we discovered today they are begging for money on the street . At the breakfast program we give them food and clothes. We talk to them and discourage begging. But sometimes it is encouraged by their parents. Lourdes talked to them today. It is still doubtful they will stop.
Lourdes was able to come to the breakfast program today. We had oatmeal with shortbread for dipping and lots of watermelon. This week over 50 kids have attended each day.
It was a relaxed day. The kids had fun. They are learning to trust me with their problems, like when a boy throws watermelon into a girl's oatmeal, or if someone "forgets" to wash their dishes. They used to go to the older girls for help, but now they come to me which feels like good progress.
I still am enchanted by their prayer. They are the most amazing pray-ers. They pray for the coolest things! Their prayer is very genuine. Many of them start their prayer by thanking God for one more day of life. I am still surprised when I hear a 7 or 8 year old begin their prayer in this way. However, in Honduras life is never taken for granted. The kids thank God for their classes (yes, you read that right) and the opportunity for education. They thank God for helping them to concentrate as they study for exams. They give thanks for the breakfast program, the food, the nutrients and the attention they receive here. Their prayers can be heartbreaking as well. Sometimes they pray their parents will stop hitting each other, that someone in their family will get a job so they can have food at home, for sleep because they have to help their family by getting up at 2 a.m. to help make tortillas for their mother to sell each day. Prayer is something they take very seriously. It is beautiful to see children worship God with such intention and intensity.
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| Sometimes prayer is hard work |
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| Other times, prayer comes naturally |
Yesterday two of the kids showed up at the breakfast program with cash in their hands, wanting to buy potato chips. They were questioned extensively about where they got the money, since this was unusual. They insisted they got it from their fathers. However, we discovered today they are begging for money on the street . At the breakfast program we give them food and clothes. We talk to them and discourage begging. But sometimes it is encouraged by their parents. Lourdes talked to them today. It is still doubtful they will stop.
Monday, April 23, 2012
A good night for sleeping
I'm tired of being sick! Every morning I wake up thinking today will be different, but a few hours into the day I'm exhausted. Almost everyone is sick - Lourdes, Jairo, the Moms and the kids at the breakfast program. I was thinking I have never seen a flu spread like this, but it makes sense. I don't wash my hands as often. People always greet with a hug and cheek kiss. There's no hot water to kill germs. Of course the flu spreads like wildfire.
Friday night I went to bed early and slept late Saturday morning, then hung out in my bed most of the day. I've been watching tv in Spanish. The only thing I don't understand is some of the news. I made a huge dinner, so big I couldn't eat it all. Then I received a call from Jairo inviting me for dinner at his house to say good bye to Kim, Jovi, and Pat. Karla and Jose came to pick me up with their daughters in the car. It was great to see them again! Dana Sopia is now three. She reminds me of Karla with her quippy little sayings. Valery seems more relaxed and calm. She and Dana are almost the same size now.
The dinner was very nice. They thanked Kim and Pat for their time and their devotion. Everyone here is also very grateful to K2, my church in the US. Some of the church elders were also there. I felt great when Jairo asked Kim to please report to K2 that I am working hard here and serving them well. He told the story about how as soon as I got off the plane I was digging through food that smelled like garbage to pack it up and bring it to the church.
There was a tremendous rainstorm that night. The lightening was amazing from the top of the mountain. It is not supposed to rain at this time of the season, but it's been raining very often at 4:30 pm. They wonder why. Many people here are talking about whether it is La Niña or the Greenhouse Effect.
Karla and Jose invited me to come home with them after church Sunday to spend the night with them. I was excited. They have a washer (and I learned after I arrived, a DRYER too!) so they let me bring all of my laundry. We had a nice dinner after church, then napped for a few hours. We ate dinner, watched movies, and I went to bed. Just like old times. Dana Sophia and Valery seemed to be comfortable with me right away. Jose and I wondered if they remember me from when I lived with them. Doubtful, but it certainly felt that way.
Their house is up in the mountains behind the church. Next time I have to take pictures. For a North American, I think it is almost impossible to imagine. It is very interesting because the houses there are all so different. There is extreme poverty with no modern amenities, side by side with a home like Karla and Jose's. For example, their neighbors have 2 houses. One is a normal Honduran home of cement with a back patio and washing machine. Next door, the mother of that family lives in a place that looks uninhabited. There are boards over the windows, an outhouse, and I saw her cooking her dinner outside with a stone oven and oper fire. On the road to Karla's house I saw an outhouse with no walls, only posters strung together. Suffice it to say, it did not cover things very thoroughly. You don't want to know the details. This morning Karla and I walked down the mountain to catch the bus. The road is steep and rocky, with sections washed out from hard rains. Karla did the walk in high heels. I was nervous is flip flops. As we walked I took in all of these strange contradictions. Some people live like folks in the city and some live in falling down shacks. I observe with interest and try hard to imagine what life is like for them. Are they content? Do they wish they could have what the others have? On your way to work today, were you passed by a boy riding bareback on a horse? I was.
There were lots of kids at the breakfast program today. Almost 50 in the morning group. Lourdes was home, sick with the cold flu. I got there early and got things ready with some of the older girls. We finished early. The girls asked if I would practice self defense with them so we had some time to really work on the details. They had clearly been practicing and had improved over the weekend. They love it! It's fun to see them doing something constructive and having fun with it. We end every self defense move with "CORRE!" (RUN!). They even practiced that part.
I wish I could live in the mountains, like Karla and Jose, or like Lourdes and Jairo. It is so beautiful there. Especially at night, looking out over the city or across the valley to other homes on the surrounding mountains. But Jairo explained it is hard to find a property in the mountains which is secure enough for a single person. Here, in my gated community, with my 15 foot brick walls, topped with coils of barbed wire, I am safe.
Today was chilly, even down in the city. I wore a sweatshirt all day for the first time. Greys' Anatomy (Anatomia Aun Greys') and Private Practice are on tv. It will be a perfect night for sleeping.
Friday night I went to bed early and slept late Saturday morning, then hung out in my bed most of the day. I've been watching tv in Spanish. The only thing I don't understand is some of the news. I made a huge dinner, so big I couldn't eat it all. Then I received a call from Jairo inviting me for dinner at his house to say good bye to Kim, Jovi, and Pat. Karla and Jose came to pick me up with their daughters in the car. It was great to see them again! Dana Sopia is now three. She reminds me of Karla with her quippy little sayings. Valery seems more relaxed and calm. She and Dana are almost the same size now.
The dinner was very nice. They thanked Kim and Pat for their time and their devotion. Everyone here is also very grateful to K2, my church in the US. Some of the church elders were also there. I felt great when Jairo asked Kim to please report to K2 that I am working hard here and serving them well. He told the story about how as soon as I got off the plane I was digging through food that smelled like garbage to pack it up and bring it to the church.
There was a tremendous rainstorm that night. The lightening was amazing from the top of the mountain. It is not supposed to rain at this time of the season, but it's been raining very often at 4:30 pm. They wonder why. Many people here are talking about whether it is La Niña or the Greenhouse Effect.
Karla and Jose invited me to come home with them after church Sunday to spend the night with them. I was excited. They have a washer (and I learned after I arrived, a DRYER too!) so they let me bring all of my laundry. We had a nice dinner after church, then napped for a few hours. We ate dinner, watched movies, and I went to bed. Just like old times. Dana Sophia and Valery seemed to be comfortable with me right away. Jose and I wondered if they remember me from when I lived with them. Doubtful, but it certainly felt that way.
Their house is up in the mountains behind the church. Next time I have to take pictures. For a North American, I think it is almost impossible to imagine. It is very interesting because the houses there are all so different. There is extreme poverty with no modern amenities, side by side with a home like Karla and Jose's. For example, their neighbors have 2 houses. One is a normal Honduran home of cement with a back patio and washing machine. Next door, the mother of that family lives in a place that looks uninhabited. There are boards over the windows, an outhouse, and I saw her cooking her dinner outside with a stone oven and oper fire. On the road to Karla's house I saw an outhouse with no walls, only posters strung together. Suffice it to say, it did not cover things very thoroughly. You don't want to know the details. This morning Karla and I walked down the mountain to catch the bus. The road is steep and rocky, with sections washed out from hard rains. Karla did the walk in high heels. I was nervous is flip flops. As we walked I took in all of these strange contradictions. Some people live like folks in the city and some live in falling down shacks. I observe with interest and try hard to imagine what life is like for them. Are they content? Do they wish they could have what the others have? On your way to work today, were you passed by a boy riding bareback on a horse? I was.
There were lots of kids at the breakfast program today. Almost 50 in the morning group. Lourdes was home, sick with the cold flu. I got there early and got things ready with some of the older girls. We finished early. The girls asked if I would practice self defense with them so we had some time to really work on the details. They had clearly been practicing and had improved over the weekend. They love it! It's fun to see them doing something constructive and having fun with it. We end every self defense move with "CORRE!" (RUN!). They even practiced that part.
I wish I could live in the mountains, like Karla and Jose, or like Lourdes and Jairo. It is so beautiful there. Especially at night, looking out over the city or across the valley to other homes on the surrounding mountains. But Jairo explained it is hard to find a property in the mountains which is secure enough for a single person. Here, in my gated community, with my 15 foot brick walls, topped with coils of barbed wire, I am safe.
Today was chilly, even down in the city. I wore a sweatshirt all day for the first time. Greys' Anatomy (Anatomia Aun Greys') and Private Practice are on tv. It will be a perfect night for sleeping.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Beautiful Children
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| Blanca Flor |
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| Kebelin |
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| Stephany, Me and Lolita |
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| Lolita and Stephany |
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| Viviana |
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| Angelica |
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| Kebelin |
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| Blanca Flor |
Spectacular Day!
The breakfast program today was extra special because the kids are in exam week, so they all can come at the same time. Therefore, we were able to have a big group with all of them. We prayed, they shared special words with Kim and Pat, since this is their last day at the breakfast program. Then we gave out shoes, socks and undergarments. We also talked to the teenagers about dating (or in this case, NOT dating until they are older).
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| New Shoes! |
After the group was over, we had breakfast. Last week the older girls said they would like to learn self defense. For them, this is more important than we in the US can imagine. Every week I hear of kidnappings and rape and it is happening to people within the church. I was so excited to have God use me in another way I never expected. I took karate for 10 years and can teach the girls self defense!
First we talked about the fact that this is serious, we will only practice together. We will not use what we know to hurt someone unless we are being attacked. I also explained that the class will not always be fun because our muscles have memory and we need to do these movements until our muscles can do them with out our minds having to thing about it. That can be very boring, but it is necessary.
Then we got to work. They did extremely well. My plan is to review each move from the day before and add another move each day.
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| Some of the girls from Self Defense class |
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| These girls are FIERCE! |
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| Holds and Grabs
After the classes I had to say goodbye to Bismar. He was here for the week to heal his stomach. He still is only feeling a little better. The original plan was for us to accompany Bismar back to his school and say hello to the other boys there, but there is too much fighting on the roads on the way there, so it is not safe. We prayed over Bismar, for his safety and for his stomach. I gave him a Spanish version of Dr. Suess' The Places You'll Go. I told him how special he is and that I know he will do amazing things. I really love that boy.
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