Relationships

When I was asked why I wanted to return to Honduras the first thing that came to mind was to see the girls in the Hogar de Nina (home for girls).   When I went to Honduras for the first time I remember saying in my prayer letter that one of the things we will be doing is hugging little girls.  Indeed, that is what we did....and that is what we do. But the beautiful thing is that the hugs are mutual.   

I am not just eager to go to see the girls but to see those that I have come to love over the years.
In 2008 I didn't know anyone there but as I return now I am going home.  I am going to visit family. 

Tina

Tina, who is the cook at the hogar welcomes you with open arms.  She feeds us and makes sure we have what we need.  We cut up and carry on like families would in any kitchen when the gang is there to visit. 

Louis, is a long time friend and member of Fuente de Vida church.  He is there to welcome us at the airport and drive us home in the school bus.  He loads and unloads our luggage and is available during our stay if we need him.  He reminds me of a favorite Uncle you would see at your next family reunion.       

Louis and a porter loading the bus

Lizzeth, my sister and friend.  When I returned home from Honduras the first time Lizzeth was my connection to the world I left behind.  In 2008 there wasn't a connection via Facebook or internet on campus but I would email her and she would respond at the local cyber cafe'.  In 2009 we were bunk mates when she came to stay with us at the mission house.  We have had many conversations and we have prayed for each other over the years. 

Carmen, is a teacher at the school and has become a precious friend to me.  She and her husband have a sweet little girl and a new baby who was born the end of last year.  I am eager to hold the new little one that I have seen so many photos of. 

Pastor Yaboni, Glendis, Senovia, Johana, Paola, Sister Reyna, Wilmar, Gasbar, Adon, Olga, Christina, Andre', the children in the school yard, Gladis....and my list can go on. 

Gladis and Ricardo

They are all people I have gotten to know and I am so thankful that I can build relationships in the small town of Taulabe'.  Not so that the people there know me but so that I can show them that they are loved by a wonderful heavenly Father who sees them in the midst of their struggles and their hard times.   I am honored that I can be His arms and give hugs to little girls that may be missing their families or a teenage girl that may be heart broken.  I can remind them that they are not alone.  I am honored that they call me sister and friend.  Even though we may not speak the same verbal language we speak the same heart language.

A lap full of love



Louis' daughter and granddaughter

Adon and Pastor Milton

Surprise

 

Surprise!!

I'm Going Back to Honduras

 

 

Ok so it may not be a surprise to some of you but it was a total surprise to me.  I had marked Honduras off my calendar for 2017.  With me only having two weeks vacation a year he hubby and I had discussed taking a longer vacation together this year, instead of our normal jaunt to the beach.  Well after some unexpected expenses at the beginning of this year:  new car for me, heat pump, and recently  removal of trees that were looming over the house, we decided that an extended vacation would need to wait. 

 

I still wasn't thinking Honduras until mid January when rumblings of a youth trip started to circulate.  My antennas went up like I was trying to tune in an old radio signal.  The tug at my heart strings were being pulled.  I was really missing the girls of the hogar and my friends in Taulabe'.  I stumbled on my old prayer letters from years past and pictures kept popping up on my Facebook news feed from previous years.  I needed to go...but could I go?  How?  The wheels started to move in to motion, talking to Pastor Jim, asking for time off, emailing Greg: Grace Youth Minister...would it all come together??? 

 

It appears the answer is YES!!!  YES!!! 

 

I attended my first trip meeting this past Sunday.  The meeting was held in the youth room upstairs at Grace Community Church.  I have been attending Grace for 17 years and I have never gone upstairs to the youth room.  I couldn't think of a better reason to go than for this meeting.  Brief introductions were made around the circle all who were either youth group members or youth leaders, then there is me.  I am so honored that they will let me crash their party.  There will be 13 youth and 7 adults. possibly more, on this trip....the perfect size!  I already know several of the team members and I am eager to know the rest. 

 

This is going to be a special trip.  I am so excited to be able to share with these young folks the place I call my second home, introduce them to the people and the culture, but most of all I am looking forward to them seeing for themselves what God is doing there! 

 

 

We will be leaving July 14 and return home July 21st.  Please stay tuned to updates.  July may seem like a long time away but if time goes as fast as the first half of the year has gone it will be here soon.