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.