I LOVE Honduras.

So I am leaving for the airport in 5 hours to begin my day-long journey back to visit family and friends in Virginia. This past week with my mom has been really special (except for the part where she got sick... which can only be accounted to a true Honduran welcome) and I am so thankful to have been able to share my life here with her. I do feel like she was able to see places I love and meet the people who are so important to me here. In addition, she was able to drink water out of a bag, judge a science fair at Brassavola, ride the public transportation, help out in two medical clinics, talk a little bit in Spanish, make tortillas from scratch, meet my hermanitas and their grandmother as well as see their house in Armenia Bonito, and of course, walk around the busy streets of Ceiba. I know that I would have no problem getting her to come back to visit me if I were to stay here (or somewhere else in Latin America) longer. Sharing my life with my mom here has reminded me HOW MUCH I love it - and how richly I've been blessed with amazing, intelligent, and such sweet Honduran friends. I have to remind myself WHY I am leaving here, knowing that I want to do what my Heavenly Father calls me to... but - who knows what the Lord will bring after nursing school... :)

Here I am, Lord. Send me.

beautiful Roatan

My mom, Mari, and I had a great time in Roatan - waking up to the sound of the waves, taking walks on the beach, relaxing in hammocks, kayaking and snorkeling around on the reef, going out to dinner... ok, ok, I'll stop before you get too jealous. ;) Here are some pictures from our time there:
Of course, we can't be in Roatan without spening some time helping out in La Clinica Esperanza. Mom was able to see common medical problems here and help translate Spanish for the newest volunteer in the clinic, an ER doctor that will be there for 3 months. (in this picture, I am posing as a patient with another volunteer, Deb, to give you a view of the exam room.)

We are back in Ceiba now - and I am preparing to head to Virginia on Saturday. It is hard to believe that I was originoally going to be home for good on April 1st. I am grateful for all the support I recieved to be able to stay until the end of the school year at Brassavola - and am definitely looking forward to coming back here on the 10th!

OH! Please pray for my visa situation, I was only given a 30 day visa last December and I need to go get it all straightened out before I try to leave. This usually means spending all morning in the immigration office and then in lines at the bank - and it is a ridiculous and LONG process that can be very annoying and discouraging... so pray that it goes smoothly and for some reason they won't make me pay the $80 to be able to leave! :)

i love kids

This week has been so rewarding - as I have taught in the school, been in Armenia Bonito with our short-term teams, and out in the medical clinic in El Pino. I have loved being an "extra hand" with the teams - to translate for the kids or just someone to give more one-on-one attention.


The little girl next to me in the blue jumper, Jessica Sarai (9 yrs old), and her sister (in front of me - 6 yrs old) have decided to become my surrogate sisters (hermanitas), since of course, all of mine are in the States. They have adopted me quite well - and I am very taken by them both. :) I went to their house this past Thursday - and I am still in shock at what I found: Nothing.
Here I am in a village that has access to the city, so these children are so much better off than a LOT of children in Honduras- and still, they had nothing. (Except, logically of course, a television and stereo system.) I was not going to whip out my camera to take a picture of their home - but let me tell you - they best thing they had going for them was cement floors. They did have a refrigerator - which they proudly showed me, and when they opened it up - I was surprised that there was NOTHING inside it. They showed me their bedroom, which they share with all the kids in the house, that was complete with mattresses that took up the entire room, pero falta bastante.. sheets, pillows, and just about everything else that would normally make our bedrooms our own.
I have fallen in love with all the kids here - especially my hermanitas - and I am SO torn between wanting to give them SO MUCH that I could temporarily give them - and just loving them.. so that they don't come to expect STUFF from gringos all the time. As it is with the rest of this culture, mis hermanitas were very generous hostesses, and they gave me what was, I think, the only piece of food they had in their house - a rotten piece of fruit. I marvel at the fact that they had a tv and stereo but not a table or chairs... or food! I definitely don't understand it, and I don't know if I ever will... but I do know that these two girls have found a special place in my heart and I will continue to spend time with them and give them things, as is appropriate, while I remain in Ceiba.

the days continue to be very full... but I am loving every moment of it. Our two short-term teams leave for the States tomorrow morning, and my mother and I head over to Roatan. I feel like I am running a marathon at a sprinters pace - and I am anticipating another busy week before my trip to the States. Pray that I find rest in the midst of activity each day.

visitors, visitors!

Time continues to fly by as each week is filled with different activities and different people!
Let me recap and give you a look into the next couple weeks for me: Jarrod came at the beginning of the month, and before he left, we ushered a short-term missionary team from Florida. Another team came in today to meet up and join the team we have here currently and will also be working in Armenia Bonito (at the orphanage, Ninos de la Luz, doing construction work and in the village holding and after-school program for the kids). Before both teams leave, my mother arrives for her week visit, and part of that time we will be working in Roatan in La Clinica Esperanza. Then I am heading home for 10 days and will be back just in time for "Semana Santa" with my brother, Caleb, in tow. AND - when Caleb leaves, I find myself with 4 weeks left in Honduras.

I can't believe I have already been here for 6 months!

Here are some fun pictures from hanging out with the kids in the village of Armenia Bonito the past week:
This is an example of the prevalent dichotomy between trying to be a child while having adult responsibilities. This little girl came to do crafts with her friends, but also was in charge of taking care of her young siblings. She was a perfect mother, comforting her little sister when she cried, playing with her, or riding around on her bike with her. We all watched in fascination as a little girl of 8 years mothered this little child, and again realized that this is part of the reason why the girls are having babies of their own at 12.

Something I realized this week was a commonality between the poor children in Armenia Bonito and the more wealthy children at Brassavola Bilingual school. No matter how much money they have, they are all hungry for love and attention. They all need a word of encouragement or a smile. What a privilege I have (and the teams have) to be able to pour out love on these children!

This week coming up, I am looking forward to continuing my Bible classes at Brassavola in the morning and then spending some of the afternoons out in Armenia Bonito with the boys at the orphanage and the other children in the village - lifting up Jesus' name to them and showering them in unconditional love.

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

Be Thou my Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art,
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son,
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

A piece of Virginia came to Ceiba

As I mentioned earlier, my friend from EMHS came to visit Honduras.  It was arranged for him to get credit for school, but for me - it was really nice to have a piece of my past experience my life in Honduras.  When I go back to Virginia, I will have someone there who will know what I am talking about and understand better what life was like for me here.

 I am so glad to have shared these days with Jarrod - it was really nice to have him here!

 It is sad to see him leave - but I am looking forward to both my mom and my brother visiting in the coming weeks!  I know each visit will be unique - but definitely worth it!

Thanks for coming and sharing a part of my life in Honduras, Jarrod!

some highlights

Here are some of the highlights of this past week:

For those concerned dads out there... let me explain about my friend Jarrod, who randomly showed up in my blog a few days ago. ;) He is a friend from high school, and traveled to Ceiba during his spring break in order to complete his ESL practicum for Covenant College.
He spent the majority of his time here teaching at Brassavola Bilingual school. I was impressed with his flexibility - that he was able to walk into the school and be ready for the administration to give him classes anywhere between 6-10th grade (in English, Math, Science, or Bible) for him to teach. He did a fabulous job, the kids all love him (he has the notes to prove it!) and the school is definitely ready to hire him.

Outside of Bible classes, I have been working with a small group of 2nd graders on a short play that they will perform at the end of the school year. The kids constantly crack me up as I demonstrate putting emotion into the words they read, and then they do the EXACT same thing for every line for the rest of the play. They are so fun - and I'm definitely enjoying working with the kids in a new way.

On Thursday morning we had the opportunity to judge the Brassavola Science Fair. Jarrod and I were judges (along with another woman) for the 6th grade classes. We had presentation after presentation for 6 hours straight - but the kids all did a great job! I was glad that Jarrod would work with them the next day so that he could give them constructive criticism on their projects so they would know why they got the scores they did and how to improve for next time.

We also went out to the orphanage, Ninos de la Luz, where we sang songs together during the kids devotional time and then had time to play with the kids. They always appreciate extra love and attention.
Jarrod and Michael had fun playing futbol and basketball together - and I know that Michael hopes to see Jarrod again someday. ;)

Oscar gave me my first "latino beso de un Hondureno". Que rico!

Time has flown by, but the days have been so full with teaching, loving on kids, enjoying friendships, "breaking bread" together with other missionaries, playing games, and enjoying the beauty of Honduras.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Psalm 19:1

Jungle Adventures....

This week has been crazy busy - full of adventures and new experiences - and promises to hold many more! A group of 8 gringos and 3 catratchos (Hondurans) went out to Rio Maria to swim, jump off rocks, and play in the jungle that is Honduras. It was a great time to spend with each other, getting to know each other better and develop relationships more.
Afterwards, I had my FIRST Honduran bicycle ride, with a good friend, Stephanie, pedaling while we shared the steering responsibilities... I was laughing all the way! (It helped to not think about the.. Uncomfortable... bar I was sitting on.) ...we will get a picture of that experience soon!

Praise the Lord for good friends - and great opportunities in daily my conversations to open up and share who He is and how He shows Himself to me. Please pray for me - and every Christian here - that we would continue to be bold in our friendships and not shy away from declaring Truth. Pray that we would be able show what it means to be faithful and unconditional in our friendships with non-Christians (and with the body of Christ!) while holding firm to the standard Christ sets. AND finally, pray for our hearts - that our motivation to LOVE and SERVE would be from the desire to bring God glory and benefit others instead of ourselves.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support and I look forward to hearing from each of you soon! (hint, hint!)

Friday night futbol...

Another "must" was checked off last night as I went to my first futbol (soccer) game to see Vida, one of Ceiba's two professional teams, take on another team. It was such an interesting experience, starting when we bought the tickets - women and kids get to pay half of the price that guys pay to get in- there were little boys (ages 10-13) running around trying to sell us cerveza or pizza hut, a fence around the field that people would jump on and shake when Vida scored a goal, how incredibly... um, vocal.. the crowd was throughout the entire game, and even in how roughly they played soccer! Overall, it was a really fun night - and I'm glad I had the opportunity to go!
The most random experience though, was when we were walking around the stadium to meet some friends, and all the sudden this guy called out to Jarrod - and they go over and greet each other and start talking... Erin and I were left standing there in shock! Jarrod has been in the country for less than 24 hours and he was running into people he knows already? It turned out to be a man named Angel, who sat next to Jarrod on his plane ride here.

For those who care, the game ended in a tie, 1-1.
Viva Vida!