Friday…We tried to switch things up and try something new. Normally, we go shopping EARLY on Saturday morning. While I was in the States, Randy found out that the farmer’s market is open on Friday as well. So, Evelyn, Katrina, Josue, and I traveled down in the afternoon. Everything went well and the best part was the ability to sleep in on Saturday. I set my alarm for noon—I was ready to get as much sleep as I could. I woke up at 8am. Oh, well. I still enjoyed my day free and was able to visit with some friends here.
Sunday…I walked into the classroom to find four small chalkboards with pictures and my name written all over them. The kids had written me about 40 little notes (I love you, I miss you, Hurry back, etc.) for me to find when I got back.
I continued this idea during Sunday school class. We talked about different ways to make God happy. The two we emphasized were singing praises and encouraging people. So, we made cards to give Melissa. She has been in the States for awhile now helping her sick aunt.
Monday…back to the kitchen. Everything was normal in Mololoa. We had spaghetti—the ladies like to cook spaghetti on Mondays. Then, Katrina and I headed to the house. As I rounded the last corner in our neighborhood, the generator (or whatever that huge thing is) was hanging half-way off the pole. A tree had fallen directly onto the pole splintering it in half. When I got inside the house, Alora said the power had been off since 1:00pm.
This had to be the best night I have had in Honduras in a long time. I had so much fun that night being the big sister. I have never had sisters and (for the most part) have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Alora and Katrina. They were afraid of the dark, spooky night. Everywhere I went they were right behind me. We ordered pizza, played cards, and laughed all night long. Katrina turned in early while Alora and I played Monopoly (I won—just ask Alora about it). Then, Alora and I went outside to spend an hour and 15 minutes doing laundry (the towels and aprons from the feeding center) by hand with no running water. Alora would go scoop buckets of water out of the cistern while I used the pila (Honduran, cement scrub board) to wash.
Tuesday…first thing in the morning, I dropped my car off at the mechanic because it had been making a scraping noise Monday night. Now, I know it is the bearings in the rear tire. My poor car—the roads are so rough here that I am always taking it to the mechanic for something. All cars here are like that but mine is worse, because it is an Isuzu. What I didn’t know when I bought the car was that Isuzu is not popular here, and the parts cost an arm and a leg. I have been looking at the classifieds with the help of my friend who is a mechanic. I am hoping to be able to trade in my car (without spending any money) for a brand that is more common. So, the routine check-ups will be on a normal cost scale.
I am learning that the culture differences are never-ending with Honduras. So many things seem normal to me, and I forget that my norms are not the same as those of my new friends. Two examples…fridge supplies and bubble wrap.
Because of the power outage, we loaded up the truck with food from the freezer and fridge to eat at the kitchen. I was unloading items into the fridge at the kitchen while Evelyn looked wide-eyed at my work. Finally, she gawked at me and said, “So many types of food! Why do you have so many different kinds of food.” I glanced at the packages of lasagna, shrimp, beef, chicken strips, and vegetables and just replied, “Because we like them all.” That was the best answer I could come up with. For her and the other workers, we were unloading a buffet of extravagant food—for me, it was a normal necessity.
How many of you could spend endless hours with bubble wrap as a child? I remember LOVING the stuff, but I grew out of it. On Monday, I gave Oneyda and Evelyn their birthday presents (frames kept safe with bubble wrap). They felt that the bubble wrap was the highlight. I was somewhat amused at their “immaturity” when I realized that they never had the enjoyment of bubble wrap as a child. They said that they enjoy popping it whenever they are lucky enough to get some. It was sweet to see them take so much pleasure in something so small.
On the way home, we stopped at Baxter Institute (preacher school here in the capital) to visit some students who worked in Mololoa for a short time. Just like a college student majoring in education would go and visit schools, these students go out and work with local churches for time periods. They worked in Mololoa for about 3 months. Leo, Sebastian, and their wives proved to be great additions in the work force. They have become great friends and Christian leaders that I admire.
During our visit, they expressed that they wanted to work again in Mololoa during their vacation time (December until February). However, they have to find sponsorship, because the school does not provide for them during this time. We want them to work with us, but the church cannot provide any financial help. If any of you want to help see the church here grow and mature, I ask you to consider helping financially with these families. Their living costs are an average of $350 each month. If you would like to help in this matter, please E-mail me from the link on the left side of my blog.
And, as always, continue to pray for the community, the church, and the feeding center. I love you all!
Jen
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Thursday, November 23, 2006
The value of a dollar
Wow! What a crazy week! My first week back kept me busier than I had remembered.
Wednesday…On my first full day of work, a mother of three (5-year-old and 17-month twins) approached me with tears in her eyes, because she could not feed her family. She asked that I allow her to bring her twin boys to the feeding center. Our rules say that the minimum age is 2 years old. Once you break a rule for one person, it is impossible to go back. So, I had to tell her no, which was hard. However, I told her that I would try to help by spending my personal money (not that of the feeding center) to buy some baby formula.
Thursday…I decided to spend some quality time with the workers’ kids (usually 6 kids and one baby) in the daycare. Katrina has spent every day since the kitchen opened with the kids in the classroom. I thought she could use a break, and they were so stinkin’ excited to see me. The best part was the 12-minute nap time.
However, around noon, someone rushed to me in a panic saying that a child was dying. In the chaos, I quickly gathered that one of the volunteers had a one-year-old baby a short distance from the kitchen that her mother was babysitting. The mother had come down to the kitchen screaming and crying that the baby was dying. Aldo and Bryan jumped into the car with me to drive to the baby’s house while the mother, grandmother, and Josue (a good friend) roughed it up the mountain on foot. We all got there at about the same time, and found the baby crying (which was a great sign). The mom with baby and Josue joined us in the car to rush to the nearest emergency hospital. As we drove, I found out that the baby wasn’t eating or chewing anything but stopped breathing for a few seconds. Then, he coughed up some blood.
At the hospital, two doctors inspected him and had no explanation. They only said he had a slight cold and needed medicine. So, after a good scare, we were all relieved to see the baby return to normal behavior. For the doctor’s visit and three medicines, it cost about $7.
Two mothers, three babies, $15. I have learned a different value to money since I have been here. I remember when I was a teenager and began paying for my own things. All of the sudden, I learned to take better care of my possessions and watch where I spent my money. My parents were glad to see me learn “the value of a dollar”. Here, it is an all-new ballgame. A dollar can go so far. For these two mothers, $15 means the world. Many of us spend $15 like it is no big deal. Here, it means life and death for babies.
Love ya,
Jennifer
Wednesday…On my first full day of work, a mother of three (5-year-old and 17-month twins) approached me with tears in her eyes, because she could not feed her family. She asked that I allow her to bring her twin boys to the feeding center. Our rules say that the minimum age is 2 years old. Once you break a rule for one person, it is impossible to go back. So, I had to tell her no, which was hard. However, I told her that I would try to help by spending my personal money (not that of the feeding center) to buy some baby formula.
Thursday…I decided to spend some quality time with the workers’ kids (usually 6 kids and one baby) in the daycare. Katrina has spent every day since the kitchen opened with the kids in the classroom. I thought she could use a break, and they were so stinkin’ excited to see me. The best part was the 12-minute nap time.
However, around noon, someone rushed to me in a panic saying that a child was dying. In the chaos, I quickly gathered that one of the volunteers had a one-year-old baby a short distance from the kitchen that her mother was babysitting. The mother had come down to the kitchen screaming and crying that the baby was dying. Aldo and Bryan jumped into the car with me to drive to the baby’s house while the mother, grandmother, and Josue (a good friend) roughed it up the mountain on foot. We all got there at about the same time, and found the baby crying (which was a great sign). The mom with baby and Josue joined us in the car to rush to the nearest emergency hospital. As we drove, I found out that the baby wasn’t eating or chewing anything but stopped breathing for a few seconds. Then, he coughed up some blood.
At the hospital, two doctors inspected him and had no explanation. They only said he had a slight cold and needed medicine. So, after a good scare, we were all relieved to see the baby return to normal behavior. For the doctor’s visit and three medicines, it cost about $7.
Two mothers, three babies, $15. I have learned a different value to money since I have been here. I remember when I was a teenager and began paying for my own things. All of the sudden, I learned to take better care of my possessions and watch where I spent my money. My parents were glad to see me learn “the value of a dollar”. Here, it is an all-new ballgame. A dollar can go so far. For these two mothers, $15 means the world. Many of us spend $15 like it is no big deal. Here, it means life and death for babies.
Love ya,
Jennifer
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Back in Tegucigalpa
Yesterday I returned to Tegucigalpa. My trips to Gatlinburg, Nashville, Sarasota, and Ruskin went well. I was blessed to spend time with friends and family and meet many new people. Thank you to all of you who were involved in my presentations. You all were very encouraging, and I hope to hear from you soon.
My welcome back was incredible. Before I left, I estimated my return to be on the 15th, and Randy repeated that while I was gone. When I bought my ticket for the 14th, Randy didn’t inform anyone so that I could surprise them. He picked me up from the airport and took me straight to Mololoa. By the time I arrived, the groups had already finished eating, but the ladies were still working. So, Randy went up to distract them while I hid in the car. I got up most of the way before I was spotted by one of them. Then they came out screaming and smiling. There was a big group hug; Oneyda and Evelin were so overcome with joy that they cried.
Then, the kids heard the adults making so much noise that they came barreling into the commotion. I have never had so many hugs in such a short period of time. Every corner I turned, I heard my name. Every kid wanted to play—so, of course, that’s what I did. I had pulled an all-nighter preparing to leave and was “dead-dog” tired. But something about kids can refresh you. However, when we arrived at the house, I fell asleep on the couch before dinner time.
The welcome continued as I was able to spend the day in Mololoa as the groups came through. I would like to say I worked, but I found myself visiting and playing with kids. A special thanks from the kids goes out to Jenny Lovell’s family. Today with their fried plantains, rice, beans, and tortillas, the kids received candy. They were so THRILLED! It was an unexpected treat that they loved. Buying candy for 200 kids isn’t a regular thing in our budget, but Jenny’s kids were gracious enough to share their Halloween goodies.
Thanks to all of you for everything!
Love ya,
Jennifer
My welcome back was incredible. Before I left, I estimated my return to be on the 15th, and Randy repeated that while I was gone. When I bought my ticket for the 14th, Randy didn’t inform anyone so that I could surprise them. He picked me up from the airport and took me straight to Mololoa. By the time I arrived, the groups had already finished eating, but the ladies were still working. So, Randy went up to distract them while I hid in the car. I got up most of the way before I was spotted by one of them. Then they came out screaming and smiling. There was a big group hug; Oneyda and Evelin were so overcome with joy that they cried.
Then, the kids heard the adults making so much noise that they came barreling into the commotion. I have never had so many hugs in such a short period of time. Every corner I turned, I heard my name. Every kid wanted to play—so, of course, that’s what I did. I had pulled an all-nighter preparing to leave and was “dead-dog” tired. But something about kids can refresh you. However, when we arrived at the house, I fell asleep on the couch before dinner time.
The welcome continued as I was able to spend the day in Mololoa as the groups came through. I would like to say I worked, but I found myself visiting and playing with kids. A special thanks from the kids goes out to Jenny Lovell’s family. Today with their fried plantains, rice, beans, and tortillas, the kids received candy. They were so THRILLED! It was an unexpected treat that they loved. Buying candy for 200 kids isn’t a regular thing in our budget, but Jenny’s kids were gracious enough to share their Halloween goodies.
Thanks to all of you for everything!
Love ya,
Jennifer
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