Actually, I could say that I learned multiple lessons today. However, three stick out in my mind.
Today, I was blessed to work with a small group in Nueva Oriental to build a house--Joe, Katie, Dalton, Dylan, Kyle (a fellow teacher at Pinares), Will and his son (Hondurans who work with TORCH). Even though we didn't finish, it was a good day. I look forward to returning to such a fabulous community.
Half-way through the work, a little girl somehow cut her leg. It was a very small wound that barely bled. Nevertheless, she was shaken up and needed attention. Thank goodness we had brought a first-aid kit. Too bad it was located in the truck at the top of the mountain. [For those of you who have not been to Honduras, don't take me lightly. When I say "mountain", I mean MOUNTAIN!] So, when you are hiking up and down a significant incline, you have time to think. This is what I came up with on my travels.
Number one: "Barbwire can be good and bad." Has your washer or dryer ever broken? Seriously, I am not changing the subject...Yesterday, the washer broke. I was not frustrated, because I knew fixing it wouldn't take that much time. Throughout the path I took on the mountain, there was barbed wire fencing. Protection and boundaries were the original intentions. But today, the fences were covered in drying laundry. Often we are so consumed with the conviences of life that we forget they are actually luxuries. Millions of people throughout the world will not depend upon two machines to take care of their clothing.
Number two: "Small is not good." Don't get me wrong, this is a generalization. There are times when small is good--but it wasn't good today. Do you know what to call a solitude pebble? Priceless. Do you know what you call a thousand pebbles together? An injury waiting to happen. Downhill...uphill...it doesn't matter! I think I fell five times (going both ways). I searched for solid footing as much as possible, but found few areas. Ready for the analogy? Our "Christian" sins (white lies, gossip, jealousy...take your pick) seem small, insignificant, and unimportant. Yet, when you let them get clumped together, they will bring you down--FAST. And, I am not saying "maybe"--it is just a matter of time. Don't start half-way down the mountain and get cocky--you are going to fall when that clump finds you. Put your trust and faith in our Solid Rock.
Number three: "Follow your experienced leader." Not just the guy walking in front of you, but someone who truly knows the path. I have seven years of "following the rules" in Honduras. I have never been so stringent to follow the rules in my life as much as I have those two-week periods in Honduras. I know them like the back of my hand. Ask any TORCH member--the number one rule is to STAY IN GROUPS! "Always at least four people--one of which must be a male." Well, when only six Gringos are present to build a house, you don't have much room for subtraction. So, I decided that my conditioned reaction to grab even one other person was going to have to be put aside. I had formed a bond with a twelve-year-old girl named Sara. I felt comfortable and safe with her, so I asked her to lead me back to the truck. Two females--one a child and one an American. This community has been very receptive to our presence; it is not like I was hiking through gang country with a $500 bill posted to my forehead. However, I can admit that the first five minutes made me uneasy. Then, I realized, "Why are you worried? This girl is leading you, and God is protecting you both." I then focused on staying close to my guide and trying to learn from the way she climbed with ease. I was amazed by the fact that she knows this mountain so well that she didn't need to look down. It was comforting to be able to trust someone and simply follow what you know is right. It is like this with God. There are so many distractions and difficulties (the fears, the incline, the pebbles). Yet, if we focus on Him and stay close, we will make it to the the destination. No one said it would be easy. But He will be there to hold your hand when you are unsure. He will be there to help you up when you do fall. Stay close to our Guide and learn from Him.
Well, that is all for tonight. Scroll down to see some pictures of today. We had a lot of fun and made some new friends.
Love you all,
Jennifer Michelle
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