Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Another Busy Week In Honduras

With Thanksgiving and the group here, last week was extremely busy. This week will be also.

There are several Teleton appointments for the kids. Kindergarten graduation is Saturday and we have been on the hunt for white sandals and pink bows. Dresses are being made. Folks from Baxter are visiting on Friday afternoon. Pamela has been working with the kids on songs and drama for the kids to do for our guests.

The Tupelo container was unloaded on Friday afternoon. We could do Thanksgiving again now. Marc is busy distributing beans and other items. Beans have been distributed to a community out in the boonies that has no electricity and another community on the other side of Tegucigalpa. A washer, dryer and one baby bed has been delivered to the daycare center at the dump. Let me tell you, they were happy to receive those items. Lots of soap, shampoo, laundry soap and other items have been brought to Casa de Esperanza. We appreciate all the help we receive.

We are also running around getting ready for the Jesus banquet next week and for all those coming to help with that.

We are busy and scrambling, but good things are happening. May God be praised and may we always give God the glory.

Terri

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Monkey In The Park
















Our out-of-school schedule started Monday. On Saturday morning we get to go to the park for two hours. This was our first trip to the park. It was a beautiful day. Not too hot, not too cold. We walked to the park and we were really spread out. Some of the kids are fast and some are just too little to be fast.


They climbed and played. Little Josue was walking all the way up the big slide. He has no fear, reminding me of my Nathan at about the same age.


Everyone had tons of fun in the park today. Everyone took good naps today after playing so hard. I know some boys that did not want to get up at 3:00. There might have been one big person that did not want to get up at 3:00 also.
Terri





Friday, November 26, 2010

Why Me Lord?

Why me Lord?
What have I ever done?
To deserve even one
of the blessings I've known
Why me Lord?
What did I ever do?
That was worth love from you
And the kindness you've shown
Words by Kris Kristofferson
If you are anywhere near my age (a decade or so either way), you probably remember this song. I have been thinking about this song a lot lately.
Marc and I have lived in Honduras over three years now and been working here on short term missions for almost a decade. It doesn't take long to realize how blessed I am. And I don't mean financial and material things.
I was, as most of you were, given every opportunity for all the education I desired, with a minimum of twelve years of grade school and high school.
I was given and taught about proper nutrition. Yes, we had cake for breakfast sometimes, but not all the time.
My parents made sure I had good medical and dental care. Nothing ever happened that did not get seen about.
I was taught good hygiene habits and the importance of practicing those habits.
I don't know why I was born in the USA and someone else wasn't. I don't know why I had all those opportunites and someone else didn't. It is not because I am a better person or that my parents were better people.
People in third world countries love their children as much as my parents loved me. They desire a better live and better opportunites for their children than they had themselves. They usually do not have the means to provide the opportunites.
The government imposes rules that keep children out of school instead of encouraging them to be there, thus perpetuating the cycle of uneducation and poverty. Uneducated people cannot find jobs and thus cannot buy adequate food for their families. Medical care is pay before you are seen. With no money, a person cannot get the medical care or vaccinations a child needs. Without running water or a creek or lake nearby, it is impossible to maintain good hygiene. And when one generation cannot provide these things to the next generation, the knowledge is lost and the cycle continues.
The poverty and lack of education and horrible hygiene hit me hard today. I pray that it never stops hitting me as hard as it did today.
Terri

Post Thanksgiving






















As it is with most that cook Thanksgiving dinner, we began early yesterday. The first turkey was on by 5:00. Dressing, sweet potatoes, and macaroni and cheese were done at my house. Mashed potatoes, salad, guacamole, corn, beans and I am not sure what else was done at Casa. I know they were scurrying up there until the last minute, just as we were in my house.
Fitto(Antonio) came down to help me. We started with the dressing. We added ingredients and stirred. Added ingredients and stirred. We were finally ready to make the first taste test. It had to have more sage. When we got it just right, it took both of us to carry that big dressing pan to the oven.
Pamela showed up to price some necklaces for the store. With that task completed, she gladly stayed and helped with the cooking. I started her on the macaroni. My thought was she would do one thing and Fitto another. They wanted to work together. If it was stirring, she stirred for 60 seconds and then he stirred for 60 seconds. With both of them helping, I was able to do dishes as we went and keep things fairly done up.
After we added the brown sugar and butter and syrup to the sweet potatoes, we all three taste-tested. They thought it was perfect. I knew it needed more brown sugar and syrup. We added, stirred and tasted again. Both Pamela and Fitto agreed, it was much better the second time.
As these huge pans of food were done, Dennis would come down to the house and carry them up to Casa for us.
Karen had the other children, sweeping and cleaning and setting up the tables and chairs on the soccer field, a great place to have Thanksgiving dinner. The kids were so excited and out of control, Karen sent them all to bed at 11:30. They could read. They didn't even have to go to sleep, just calm down. I don't think anyone went to sleep, but Karen did succeed in calming them.
At 1:30, they were allowed to get up from their beds. Many of them were running to my house seeing if any thing needed done. They were eager to carry the bread or any little chore that needed done.
We were ready start about five minutes after 2:00. There were 50 people here, including a very special guest, the director of IHFNA. IHFNA is the agency we work with to get our children. The director is the person that gives us our license to operate this home. His daughter was with him. They are delightful people.
All the children lined up and told at least one thing for which they are thankful. Brayan led us in prayer. Then the feeding frenzy began. This is the one day of the year the children can choose what they want and eat as much as they want. Karen had only two rules: that the children not pile their first helping too high before everyone had been through the line one time and that they not eat dessert first. Both reasonable requests. Everyone ate to their heart's desire. Jackson proudly claimed he had six plates. And some of the dessert plates were piled pretty high.
It was a wonderful day enjoyed by the children, our staff and the group that is here.
Terri

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The Day Before Thanksgiving
















And all through the house everyone was stirring. And chopping and grating and peeling.


I was on duty with the kids from 7:00-12:00. After morning chores, we began the chopping and grating in the kitchen and Karen began the peeling outside. There were eight kids in the kitchen with me. All were just as excited as could be, even the ones chopping the onions. I am not sure why the excitement about chopping onions today, when some of those same kids complain and whine when they have kitchen duty on other days.

I was impressed. Eight kids for a couple of hours and only one argument. One thought he was a celery-chopping expert and no one else could do it right. And what a mess they made. I had most of it cleaned up before Dilcia saw it.


For the afternoon, I still had several batches of cornbread to make and the pumpkin pies. These are things that almost second nature to me, but I decided to bring the kids to my house, one by one and let them do these things. Brayan came and made one patch of cornbread. Rosy came a made a pie. Jose came for more cornbread and Cindy came for another pie. That was all that came. I was surprised at how precise Rosy was at measuring everything and trying to do everything right. Jose had a lot of fun and Cindy was beside herself when we opened the pumpkin. Brayan was impressed by the electric mixer.


After the cornbread or the pie was in the dish, I let each one lick the spoon or the beater. Jose loved raw cornbread batter. Cindy was not going to leave anything in that bowl. She had it all over herself. She thanked me when she left.


Yes, I could have done all of that much faster by myself, but those kids had a wonderful time and it was so worth the extra time it took.


The first turkey goes in at 5:00 in the morning.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Thanksgiving Preparations Begin At Casa De Esperanza

Thanksgiving is an American holiday, not a Honduran one. I think a few years ago, we started fixing it for ourselves. But now the kids and the staff get excited about this American holiday. Most have talking about it for weeks.

I kind of got broadsided by November. It just came at me out of nowhere and slammed right into me. Friday I went to the market and began the Thanksgiving shopping. I got home at 7:00 Friday night. I was exhausted and did not have all I needed. We had ordered some hard-to-find things on the Tupelo container that was suppose to be unloaded today. Cutting it a little close, but I could live with that. Welcome to Honduras. Maybe tomorrow, but if I was a betting person, I would bet the container will be ready to unload on 2:00 Thursday.

I made another list and went back to town today. Since I was looking for some American things, I was shopping in the American stores. And, I was not the only person looking for those things. The stores were so crowded I felt as if I was in the States doing Thanksgiving shopping.

As I left Karen's apartment a couple of hours ago, she was starting her cookies. I came down and started the first batch of bread and some cornbread for dressing. I hope there is enough cornbread left by Thursday to make dressing. My Aunt Jemima cornbread cooking is going to be hard to not eat.

Tomorrow the kids will start chopping the onions and celery and grating cheese. I know my own kids are sad they have to miss the chopping of the onions and celery. Many more preparations will be made tomorrow and Thursday, we will start very early.

I am so thankful for this time of year.

Terri

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Third Anual Thanksgiving Build Week

Yesterday 12 people arrived from the Nashville are and one from Salt Lake City. Two arrived today from Atlanta and 2 more people will arrive on Tuesday. They are here to build as many houses as possible in one week. That is what Thanksgiving build week is all about.

I think five wooden houses and 1 block house will be built. After church today, the group was eager to get started and built one of the wooden houses. Other than building houses, the group will get to visit the dump, eat at Carnitas, visit the Jesus statue, eat Thanksgiving with the Casa kids and have some awesome devos every night.

We are thankful for this group and those that receive houses will be grateful also.

Another great week in Honduras.

Terri

Saturday, November 20, 2010

A Girl And A Hammer

Before I ever came to Honduras, I had a nice little hammer that was used only for putting a nail in the wall on which to hang a picture. I was not proficient with a hammer and would have failed hammer using 101. The first year I came to Honduras, I wanted to work on a house and I discovered there were many useful tasks in house building that did not require the use of a hammer.

As time passed, I gradually got better with a hammer and I have become fair at nailing siding and flooring. But, of course, I use a girl hammer. The kind that most guys would be ashamed to be caught using. A couple of years ago, Lanetta taught me how to get the hinges on the doors and windows. I was really moving up in the world of hammering since those are four inch nails.

Recently, Karen and I have purchased new merchandise for the Casa store. Something had to be done about our store to get the new merchandise displayed. We bought some pegboard from one of our suppliers. Yesterday I bought some S hooks and other hardware that I could get into the pegboard and we could display keychain, necklaces and such. The pegboard was hung while I was in town.

Today, I was a woman on a mission. I was going to get the store ready for these last groups of the year. I immediatly encountered a problem or two. The S hooks were bigger than the holes in the pegboard.

I am a person who thinks inside the box and my mind doesn't wander from that box too often. To me, this problem seemed like it could not be overcome.

Marc took a hammer and a nail and showed me how to enlarge the hole and get the S hook in. He said after you get the hole the size you want it, just tap the hook a couple of times and it will go right in. Sounded very easy.

Marc left.

Nothing is as easy as it seems. First of all, Marc's hammer is a fat max, not a girl hammer. I could barely pick the thing up. Second of all, enlarging the hole was not near as easy as it was when Marc did it. And when, I finally got it done, I had to do more than tap the hook a couple of times to get the hook in.

After the first 30 minutes, when I did not have the first hole enlarged, I was becoming quite frustrated. I was ready to scrap the whole project. But I decided I was not going to let some pegboard and some S hooks beat me at this game. With determination, I enlarged that hole and, with all my might, pounded that S hook in the hole. It may not ever come out. But I may not ever want it out.

The next one only took five minutes. Yay! I was on a roll. I got several more hooks into the pegboard. I didn't get completely finished before I had to go on shift with the children, but I sure made good progress. My decorator friends may not think so.

Now that we all know I can use a fat max, I think I will go back to using my girl hammer.

Terri

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Remember The Necklaces







The necklaces are arriving. It is not too late to order one. Remember each necklace purchased helps the seven ladies at the dump who are trying to find a way to earn a living other than working in the dump. It also helps Casa de Esperanza. There are several new, fun pretty colors.
For more information about these necklaces or to order one, please email me at terriltindall@yahoo.com
A big thanks to those people who have already ordered one or more.
Terri

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Gratefulness

This time of the year, most of us Americans are thinking of things for which we are thankful. Because we are so blessed, it is easy to do.

Many times in Honduras we find people that are truly thankful for things we sometimes take for granted. Today was one of those days.

Minimum wage just went up. By American standards, minimum wage is not much and, by those same standards, the raise was small, extremely small. The minimum wage law was just passed but was effective September 1. Therefore, we had to pay the raise portion of the salary retroactively.

As I paid employees today, I was explaining the raise, then the retroactive portion, then their salary for the last two weeks. One employee is extremely sensitive and cries easily. She burst into tears after I gave the retroactive portion of the pay. I began asking what was wrong, was everything figured correctly. I was getting no answer, just more tears. I was thinking I had done something horrible to offend her. She finally pulled herself together and told me she was so grateful for the raise and the extra pay. She had so many expenses. She told she was not sad or mad, but happy.

Her raise was 11 lempiras a day or fifty eight cents. Fifty five lempiras a week or two dollars and ninety cents a week. The retroactive raise for September and October was just over $25.00. And she was weeping with gratefulness.

I can waste her week's raise without even thinking about it or knowing where I wasted it and she was thinking of all the bills she could pay.

And she knew exactly who to thank. She thanked me, but her biggest praise was "Gracias a Dios" (thank you God).

Terri

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Church In Desamparados

When Matt and Nicole moved to Costa Rica, their sponsoring church, South Baton Rouge Church of Christ, said they knew the minister at a church in Desamparados and that Matt and Nicole should meet him. Matt and Nicole did call him and the church is not only the nearest one to their house, it is quite close. It was a pretty easy decision to go there since they are in Costa Rica without a car.

The whole weekend I have been stunned by how much more wealthy Costa Rica is than Honduras. Yes, there is poverty here, but it is hidden. Costa Rica is far more Americanized than Honduras. Realizing that Costa Rica is more wealthy, I was still amazed when we arrived at the church building this morning. The building was far nicer than I expected to see in Latin America and it had a parking lot with several cars parked in it. The building would not be large or grand by American standards, but by the standards by which I now make these judgements.

The people were lovely, so warm and welcoming. Just as church should be. They loved on us and it was plain to see that they love on Matt and Nicole all the time. Everyone was loving on and complementing Haley. Anyone who thinks Haley is grand, is good in this grammy's eyes. I think they have never had a gringa baby to love on for a whole year.

There was about 120 in church this morning. The singing was nice, but I like singing at my church in Santa Ana much better. At Santa Ana, we may be fewer in number, but we are sitting together and blending our voices as one. Everyone was too spread out this morning.

It was so difficult for me to hear this morning for several reasons. One, I knew it was my last day here and I was watching Haley. Everything she did was so cute and sweet. Two, the accoustics were kind of funny and it was just hard to hear. And three, in much the same way after I moved to Illinois from Mississippi and no one could understand my deep south english, after hearing Honduran spanish, Costa Rican spanish was just hard for me to understand every word. In spite of that, the fellowship was sweet.

As the offering plates were passed, all the children go up front to give their offering. Nicole took Haley up and she put two little coins in the basket.

I am pleased Matt and Nicole have found a church in which to worship the next year. I am glad we visited this morning. It is always fun to visit other churches.

Terri

Volcan Irazu

The view from the top of Volcan Irazu



Yesterday we decided to see some of the sights near San Jose. We chose to go to the nearest volcano. It is Costa Rica's tallest active volcano, even though it has not erupted since 1963. The drive was about 60 kilometers from Matt and Nicole's house. It was a pleasant drive, but anything would have been as long as we were with Matt, Nicole and Haley.





The guide books all stated that on a rare clear day you can see the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean. Since we could see the clouds sitting on the mountains when we left San Jose, we did not expect it to be that rare clear day. Mr Optimistic kept saying the fog was burning off and we would see both oceans. No one got their hopes too high.





When we got to the top, all we saw was clouds. I don't know what else you really expect at 12,000 plus feet above sea level. We were thinking perhaps we did not get our $7.00 per person's worth. We drove down slightly lower to the visitors center and got to walk the rim of the crater and and were able to see a lot more sights, thinking that became a lot more worth $7.00. The crater was 300 meters deep. The pictures in the gift shop showed a crystal clear lake at the bottom. I did not see a lake, but still saw some spectacular views.





While we did not get to see both oceans, we saw the best sights of all, Nicole, Matt and Sweet Baby Haley. And that is what we really came to see.



Terri

Friday, November 12, 2010

We Are In Costa Rica

We finally left Santa Ana around 2:00 p.m. Wednesday. I had hoped to leave a bit earlier, but it is what it is. Crossing the border into Nicaragua was easy. Easy as long as we paid someone to help us. That was ok, it did not cost much and when we saw the line of truck, it was well worth it to not wait in that line.

By the time we got into Nicaragua, it was dark. I just love to see where we are, especially when it is somewhere I have never been. We got to Leon with a problem and stopped at On The Run for a sandwich. We continued to follow the signs to Managua. There was traffic and mileage signs and Holiday Inn signs. And all of a sudden, it was all gone and the "highway" went to pot, literally. Marc said "I think we missed a turn somewhere." I commented that I wished it was daylight so we could see all of this. Marc said you only get to do this road at night, because you don't miss the sign in the day.

We found a nice, clean, inexpensive place to stay that included breakfast. But we left way before breakfast was served. We were just a little excited to get to San Jose. Again, we went to On the Run and ate some breakfast. Marc bought a paper and the headlines were declaring Nicaragua is declaring war against Costa Rica. Lovely.

We kept stopping at gas stations to ask where the road to Costa Rica was. Everyone kept sending us north to go south. They were right and we discovered the road we had come in on, was the road we should have been on. I still find it amazing that major highways are that bad. We enjoyed driving along, visiting and singing. Some things in Nicaragua are vastly different and some are the same.

We had a flat just as we got to the Costa Rican border. We definitely could not have negotiated the system without paying one of the "bringers." We had made sure all of our paperwork was in order before we left Honduras. And it was in order. It was easier for us to enter Costa Rica than our car. We could not have ever negotiated all that. By the time Marc changed a flat, we spent that much time at immigration and customs and then we ate lunch (at some place other than On The Run), we had spent three hours at the border. Not exactly what we had planned.

We saw wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Costa Rica is a beautiful country and lot more americanized than Honduras.

As Tindall's law would have it, we arrived in San Jose at 4:50, just in time for evening rush hour. We had directions from the Costa Rican border to Nicole's house. All was well, as long as we were on the highway. Once we exited the highway, we quickly discovered the direction were useless, as, just as in Tegucigalpa, there are no street signs.

We stopped at McDonald's and Marc called Nicole. Nicole said I will get on the computer and try to find better directions. Marc said no you want, you will get in a cab and come here and then we will get to your house. You think Marc was just a bit tired. I never thought I would see the day when Marc would not be bound and determined to find something by himself.

Matt and Nicole and Sweet Haley finally arrived at McDonald's. It even took the cab driver a while to find where we were. I went running to the cab. Nicole and Haley jumped out and I was hugging on them while Matt payed the taxi driver. The drive drove off with Nicole's keys laying on the back seat. Fortunately, Matt had his keys and the only thing that can't be replaced is the key to my storage unit in Mississippi and we can break that lock.

Matt and Nicole are pedestrians . They do not have a car. They know their neighborhood well, but not much else. They did not have a clue how to get back. We saw a whole lot of San Jose last night. And it looks pretty much like any big city in the U.S. When we finally found their neighborhood, we had a great big pizza and then came home. It was close to 8:30 and we were glad to be here. Thank you God for giving us a safe trip and as always, making it an adventure for us.

Terri

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

My God Is A God Who Hears And Answers Prayers

About 4:30, one of the employees realized two of the boys were missing. We did not know how long they had been missing, maybe up to two hours. Normally, we could not go that long without missing kids. We had so many employees working this afternoon and helping the kids study for exams that everyone thought the two in question were with someone else. When Karen realized what was going on, she called down here to tell me.

I grabbed my jacket and to join the others looking for them. Brayan went to look in their closets and discovered shoes, blankets and toys were gone. We also found out that one of them had some money. We were thinking they had got on a bus and were already in town. That makes it much harder to find them. By the time we drive to town, where do we even begin to look.

Dorian and Ivan left in a car, headed to town. Marc was thinking about driving the other direction. We stood on the back porch debating what to do and whom to call. Marc said lets pray for our boys. Marc, Karen, Stacey, and I held hands and prayed for the kids. We prayed for their safety and their quick return. As we finished, Karen decided she better go ahead and call IHFNA.

Before she could make that call, Dorian called and said he had them. They had their bags packed and were playing with some friends from school. The school is a good long way from here and they were further than the school. Thankfully, they had not got on a bus.

God heard our prayers and answered quickly. All praise to God for keeping the boys safe.

Terri

I'm On My Way To San Jose

And I don't mean California. Not that I have anything against San Jose, California. Matt, Nicole, and Haley Grace live in San Jose, Costa Rica. That is where I am going.

Tomorrow after Marc feeds the hungry at the dump, we will leave. We will drive to Managua, Nicaragua tomorrow and on in to San Jose on Thursday. I am so excited to see those kids. Calling Costa Rica is a lot more expensive than calling the USA. I do not talk near enough to Nicole. Two days from right now, I will be loving all over Haley.

In addition to spending a long relaxing weekend with the kids, I will get two new country stamps in my passport. I get excited when we enter a state in which I have never been, and within the next two days, I get to be in two new countries.

Terri

Monday, November 8, 2010

Dinner With Friends

Last night I was chatting with Nicole and Kim, when Timoteo popped up as well. I have never chatted with three different people at once, much less having to do one in spanish. Timoteo was asking if we could come to their house tonight for supper in honor of Milton's birthday.

Timoteo and his family have been our friends since 2001 when Marc and Nicole made that very first trip to Honduras. I quickly checked with Marc and responded yes we would come.

I have been with Marc when he has taken the boys home, but I had never been inside Timoteo's home. It is a very nice home. We were welcomed warmly. As we entered, wonderful smells filled the house and the tortillas were being prepared.

It was soon time to eat. It was insisted that I take this huge amount of chicken. There was enough chicken for me to have two or three meals. But I took it and I ate it. Every single bite. In addition to chicken and tortillas, we had vegetables and rice. And fellowship with good friends.

Sometimes, I am too tired at night to do anything, much less go to town, but I am really glad we did this tonight. It is always a good thing to spend an evening with friends.

Terri

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Christmas Pajamas











Monday was November 1 and at Casa de Esperanza, that means time to put up the Christmas tree. Of course, Karen did not tell the kids they were going to get to put it up until it was time to actually begin.


After the lights were strung and each little ornament hung in just the right place, the kids got a big surprise. Some friends of Karen's, Brian and Joyce Foreman, whom we count as friends also, were visiting. Joyce had made all the kids new pajamas. She also made new pajamas for all the employees kids. Thirty pairs of pajamas. Joyce wrapped all the pajamas. Karen sent all the kids outside to get the clothes off the line. While they were out there, Joyce put presents under the tree. When the kids came back in, they were surprised to find presents already. We don't put presents under the tree until Christmas morning.


One by one, each child opened their new pajamas. One by one, each one was excited. I am not sure who was more excited though, the children or Brian and Joyce.


A couple of days later at morning devo, I got some pictures of the kids in their new pjs. Some were not smiling as big at 6:00 in the morning as they were when they opened the pajamas.


This is the fourth time Joyce has made pajamas for the Casa kids. Thanks Joyce. It is appreciated and the kids love them.


Terri

Friday, November 5, 2010

Brayan

Brayan has lived here three and a half years. At thirteen, he is our oldest boy. Most of the time, he is a pretty happy kid. But, when he's not, it can be pretty ugly. That happened this morning.

Sometimes he gets really angy, but this morning, he just cried and cried and cried. Exams started today. It was time to leave for school and everyone was in the van but Brayan and he was in the house crying. Karen told me to go on without him. I took the kids to school and came back. I was leaving again to go to the bank and the market. I told Brayan I would be leaving in 20 minutes if he wanted to go to school. He stood there like he didn't hear, and maybe he didn't. The tears streamed down his face.

After I brushed my teeth and a few other necessary things, I went to see if Brayan was ready to go to school. He was still crying. Our counselor had arrived and she and I tried to console and coax and whatever it took. Dalys walked him to the car and we left.

I told him sometimes I get up and start crying like that; that sometimes everyone has a bad day. I told him we loved him and he could tell us anything and we would not love him less. I took his hand and prayed all the way to school. I did not shut my eyes.

I thought he was ok by the time we got to school. When he got there, he just froze. Couldn't and wouldn't move. I asked him if he wanted me to walk him to class and he nodded his head. I got out of the car and put my arm around him and walked all the way to the classroom. Just as we got to the classroom, Brayan started crying again. The teacher asked what was wrong and all I could say was we don't know. The teacher began talking to Brayan and walked him into the classroom. I watched for just a minute and turned to leave. The teacher and Brayan came walking out into the school yard. I left.

I know Brayan terribly misses his mom. Most of the kids do miss their moms. I don't know if this meltdown was related to visitation one week ago. Whether it was due to the stress of exams. If something had happened at school. Or at home, even. Or all of the above. Maybe Brayan didn't know what was wrong.

Brayan, and all of our kids, have lived through things most of us cannot imagine. They are separated from Mom. Surrounded by people, they are probably lonely. I did every thing I could do for Brayan this morning. My heart hurts when one of the children is so sad and cannot even express what is wrong.

When I got home this afternoon, Brayan looked like he had cried all day.

Pray for Brayan. And for all the children. Pray for us that we have wisdom to deal with these situations. Pray for us that we have compassion for these hurting little souls. And that we love them unconditionally.

Terri

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Refreshing Sights

This morning some of the kids were going on a field trip and had to be at the school at 7:30. I drove them to school and as the others were getting out of the car, Ana says to me that she left something very important at home and her teacher said she could not go on the field trip if she didn't have it. Kids are kids in every language.

I drove back home, not knowing whether I would return to the school or not. We usually let the kids suffer the consequences of forgetting. If we didn't, that van would be making a hundred trips a day to the school. When I walked in the door, Karen asked if Ana remembered her letter and I said no. Karen said she has to have it. So, on Karen's say, I returned to the school.

All the kids were on the buses. I got on the first bus and saw Antonio and he told me Ana was on the other bus. As I began to get on the other bus, I stopped. One of the teacher's aides was leading the kids in prayer before they left on the field trip. What a refreshing sight that was to me. The kids pray every day in school here. Wouldn't it be nice if that still happened in the USA?

After the prayer ended, I saw Ana at the very back of the bus. She saw me, too. Her face broke into a gigantic smile and she reached up and wiped her hand across her forehead. She ran to the front of the bus wearing that big smile. She hugged me and said thank you, Terri. Thank you,very much. As I was standing there, holding that letter, I was a refreshing sight to Ana.

Terri

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Morning Traffic

Morning traffic in Tegucigalpa is getting worse. It is worse every day than it was the morning before. I know with the bridge still out on the San Pedro Sula highway that all that traffic that normally uses that road has to go somewhere, but this makes Atlanta and Los Angeles look good. And I always hated driving in those two places.

Most mornings by the time I get Rosy to school I feel like I have crossed a battlefield full of active land mines. And when I get to school and one hasn't blown up, then I am the winner. Rosy usually goes back to sleep and doesn't even know the battle I am fighting.

Fortunately, Rosy only has two more days of school this year and then she and I both have early morning dentist appointments on Monday. I might need to celebrate when this school year is over.

Terri

Monday, November 1, 2010

Pan American Lectureship

The PanAmerican lectureship is a seminar basically for Church of Christ missionaries that rotates among the Latin American countries. This year it is in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Marc went yesterday. Tonight we both drove into town to sing and hear the speaker.

We left early and went to dinner first. That alone made a wonderful evening. It has been a long time, too long, since we did that. I had fresh asparagus. My whole year was made with that treat.

I love worshiping in spanish. And as I learn more and more spanish, I sometimes discover the words in spanish are even more meaningful than in english. But as we began to sing, I soon realized I did not know how much this heart needed some english singing and some english lessons from God's word and some english fellowship. It was just lovely.

The speaker, Doug Peters, gave an absolutely beautiful lesson. I then learned he knows some of my friends in Arlington, Texas and in Topeka, Kansas. It is such a small world.

This evening, full of old and new friends and wonderful fellowship, was worth not seeing game 5 of the world series. When we left the Marriott, Marc wanted some ice cream and we stopped at McDonald's. We got to see the last three pitches of the game. So we saw the Giants win the world series after all.

I probably will go to the lectureship tomorrow night and then we will see what the rest of the week holds for me.

Terri