People in Copan

When we got home last night from Copan, my mind was still overflowing. After two weeks of spanish lessons (I am still conjugating irregular verbs in my sleep) and two and a half days of the conference with its staggering statistics and great information and ideas, I found it hard to clear my mind. But thinking back over the last two weeks, I realize we have met a lot of interesting people.

The direction giver and the taxi driver.
The night we arrived in Copan, after the long adventurous drive, Marc asked this guy for directions to our hotel. He not only gave us directions, he ran along side the car to show us. Marc went inside the hotel and the guy waited at the hotel door. He then ran over to the car and stood beside the car door grinning his great big toothless grin at me. He then went back to the door of the hotel door waiting for Marc. Of course, he wanted to be paid for his great direction giving. The next day, after school, we were walking around town and ran into this guy and he asked us where we needed to go. That day we weren't going anywhere and told him so. The next day, Marc actually asked him for directions again and I was standing there saying no, no, no. Finally, Marc said never mind. We saw this guy many times. Once we were discussing something between ourselves and he walked up, with that toothless grin, asking if we needed directions. We began to avoid the direction giver. On the day we walked to the bird park, we ran on to a taxi driver. Of course, he wanted to give us a ride. He told us the walk to the bird park was dangerous and we should let him take us to the bird park. We said no thanks. The walk to the bird park was not dangerous. He gave us his card in case we needed a ride at any time. We continued to see this guy around town too, always wanting to give us a ride. He grinned and had one big silver tooth. He would honk and wave and say "hi guys" He would wave and speak even if he had other riders.

Seriously, we did meet some interesting people. The little girl from La Pintada that led me down the mountain; we saw in town during the conference. She had walked down the mountain and was selling dolls. She recognized us and we recognized her. She ran over and gave me a big hug. How sweet was that?

Sarah. Sarah I met at language school. She is 23 and from Toronto. She was in language school for 6 weeks and in two more weeks will be going to Siguapeteque to work with HIV patients. Sarah was a pleasant person to get to know and always had a sweet smile on her face. She got to attend the conference with us the last day. We plan to stay in touch with Sarah while she is in this country. She is a long ways from home and by herself. Please remember Sarah in your prayers as she finishes school and goes to work.

At the conference, we met and talked to quite a few people. There were some, Terry Rikard from Starkville, Joe Denton, Jason and Sarah Farrow, Mike and Kim Miller, that were there because they are or soon will be working with children of Honduras just as we are. We already knew Terry. We left the conference feeling we had met new friends that will only become better friends as the years pass and we strive to help these wonderful little children.

Tonight, I am very thankful for friends, those I have known for years and for those I just met.

Terri