*note* I apologize for the delay in updates. When I started this, I didn't realize how hard it would be to be taken back... Remembering is bittersweet. When do we go back??
So, Sunday morning... a little tougher to pull myself out of bed after the Coke in a Bag the night before and some crazy noises that sat me & Ali up in bed in the middle of the night. More than once.
Anyway, it was a slower morning for everyone but once we were dressed and ready, we loaded the vans for the daycare. Breakfast was delicious!! Pancakes! However, in Honduras, pancakes aren't served with syrup like they are here - they're served with honey. I felt like I was at Rosa's eating sopa pillas for breakfast. We all lounged over breakfast before going to market. The store we went to had everything you could want - groceries, toys, books - kind of like a Honduran Wal-Mart. I picked up a few small notebooks (in case I filled my journal), a package of Honduran cookies (they were similar to Nilla Wafers), a Twix (which turned out to be quite stale), and a can of pear nectar (best purchase of the day). Once we were content with snacks and other necessities, we visited the home of one of the micro-loan recipients. She owns something of a small grocery/convenience store so we were sure to buy from her to support business. Her neighborhood was also home to 2 Bread goats Bobby was sure to get pictures with.
Our morning was spent exploring places in Campamento; the central park, local shops, and the Catholic church. A few blocks from the church was Bob's house where we could access the internet and sit to visit awhile. After seeing the livelihood that exists in Honduras, it was odd to walk through Bob's front gate and find plush grass, blooming rose bushes, and a comfortable home that seemed more likely in the states. Since Bob used to live in Ft Worth and has only been in Honduras for 15 years, it seemed fitting his home would be a more Americanized establishment. It was comforting to sink into one of his couches or play with his dogs on the back patio. He had Christmas decorations everywhere; his home even smelled like Christmas. It was lovely.
After our visit, we made our way back to the daycare for lunch: vegetables, french fries, and fried tilapia. AMAZING. I actually had a second helping :)
Church service was held at 2pm but Marin told us there were going to be 4 baptisms if we came around 1:30. When we got to the church, we found out 3 of the 4 came to him early in the day so there would only be 1 for us to witness that afternoon. Surprisingly, when we entered the church, we saw the platform used as a stage/pulpit had been lifted to reveal the baptistry. Very smart!! It was a quick ceremony and we sang "We Love You With The Love of The Lord". Soon after, the church started filling in with the regular congregation and we sat quietly and waited.
Service was completely in Spanish and Sra Longcore, if you're reading this, I can't begin to thank you enough. My understanding of the language is due so much to you and the rest of the department at Milford High. I understood enough to get the message of the sermon and take notes. Here's what I learned in church that day:
Navidad (Christmas), is not about new clothes (nueva ropa), food (comida), or vacations (vacaciones). There are three things (tres cosas) you need to remember to understand Christmas;
1. Christmas is about God being born of a virgin
2. Christmas is about the transformation of our divine God to man
3. Christmas is the love of God manifested through his son
Supporting verses
Luke 2:6-9
Matthew 1:18-25
Psalms 139:13-15
John 3:16
Philippians 2:5-7
"Celebramos que Jesus ha nacido en nuestros corazones" - We celebrate that Jesus was born in our hearts
I love a good Christmas sermon. Every year. Turns out, I love it in any language :)
Communion was taken standing "con hermanos de Cristo" - with brothers of Christ. Marin was sure to make it clear to the congregation that communion is taken by those who are baptized and I think it was a big deal for many of the people of that church to understand the family that lives in Christ when they saw our group stand to participate. At that moment, it didn't matter who any of us were, the shade of our skin, the color of our hair, or the accent with which we spoke. Anyone could look around the church and see people we'd be sharing Heaven with - it was pretty amazing.
When service was through, Marin commented on the Americans in the audience and told everyone to be sure to welcome us and thank us for the work we were there for. The children wasted no time swarming our group for hugs and smiles and gracious thank yous. We took pictures and loved on them and their parents for quite a while before making our way outside. Walking down the street to the daycare, you could see other children poking their heads out or lingering in the street, waiting for our return. They were anxious to play and visit so we spent the afternoon entertaining... it wasn't long before someone produced a soccer ball and the playtime became competitive. The game started in the street and after the ball had to be saved one too many times from under the van, we got permission to move down the street to the park. I sat on the bleachers to cheer and visit with my friend Mauricio, who was there with his sister Jenny. He was more interested in visiting with me than playing futbol so we were content taking pictures and goofing off. Ali found Carlito to keep her company since he was too small to play and we cheered for players of all ages and sizes. The kids had a BLAST playing futbol with the Americans and Calvin was quick to notice that the 2 best players on his team - a young boy and even younger girl - were playing in Crocs with no backstrap and Jellies. Talk about a lesson for American kids: shoes have nothing to do with skill.
We had to wrap up the soccer game to get part of our group to Mass on time; some of them wanted to experience Mass in Spanish and a few others wanted to see about finding a fabric store. Naturally, I went on the hunt for fabric :) However, we quickly learned that the shops close down right around 5 so everyone can attend Mass. I stopped at the fire department and asked the on-duty fireman about finding a fabric store in Campamento (in Spanish, of course!). He told me I wasn't going to find that there; fabric was in Tegucigalpa with the manufacturers - Campamento is where you buy coffee!! He was funny and friendly & even let me take his picture with the firetrucks. "Bombero" - firefighter. It was printed on the trucks backwards, similar to how we'll read 'ambulance' in a rear-view mirror here in the states. We said goodbye to our new friend and ventured on. Soon, we learned the only places open were pool halls and the occasional convenience store but we luckily happened upon a place selling "helado" - ice cream!! (definitely one of my favorite Spanish terms from my trip to Spain 10 years ago...) Our little group had an ice cream appetizer and sat in the park outside the church to wait for the rest of our group. Calvin and I found a quiet park bench and were looking through all the pictures I'd taken that day while he played soccer. Soon after we were joined by Pat and I showed both of them the video I'd shot of the singing that had taken place at church. When I looked up, I saw 4 young boys watching us curiously so I invited them over. There was an empty bench across from us they sat on and I asked them their names and ages. They ranged from 8-12 and I asked what they were doing out and where their parents were. Their parents were attending Mass. They couldn't answer why they weren't at church...
I asked how long Mass lasted and they said until 8. Mass started at 5!! Somewhat alarmed (since we knew dinner was at Bob's house at 6), we quickly found the others in our group on another bench and told them this information. We decided to go ahead to Bob's so we wouldn't be late and as we were walking away, I realized my camera wasn't in my pocket. When I couldn't find it in my pack, Calvin and I turned to cross back over to the park we'd been at. We noticed the 4 boys were nowhere in sight and sadly... neither was my camera. I'd set it on the bench to give the boys some candy and never put it back in my bag during our conversation with them. So bummed... I realize these boys never have things like that and I wasn't so upset about the camera since it was my own foolishness but I really would've liked to have that memory stick.
Dinner at Bob's started sadly but soon lifted my spirits; we ate out on the front lawn under the open star-filled sky. We were served stuffed chicken, baked potatoes stuffed with goat cheese, rice, vegetables, and more of the same amazing cake served at the wedding the day before. Rachel, one of the teens on our trip, turned 18 that day and someone went back to the bakery to get a cake to celebrate. Such a sweet girl and such a blessing, spending her 18th birthday giving back. We were very blessed for all 4 of the teen girls on our trip: Rachel, Haley, Callie, & Mariah. They were some of the hardest working high schoolers I know.
After dinner, we sat out in the cool breeze while Bob got his guitar out to serenade us with some old George Strait and even a few songs of his own. Love the sound of an old man's singing voice; there's just something comforting there...
We cleaned up Bob's yard and packed our things to make our way back to El Cafe. Before we left, we prayed over Bob and the work he's been so diligently doing in Campamento. Circle prayer is something I'm getting more comfortable with; I never have much to say (and rarely speak at all), but there's something so honest about it that I love. Especially when it's with a group of people who are so honest and open and willing. Such a blessing... God is so good.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Day 2 - Saturday, December 3, 2010
Waking up my first morning in Campamento was the way I wish I could wake up every morning; soft, sunny breeze though the window, the smell of hot coffee being served (even though I don't drink it, I appreciate the smell), and the comfort of a warm blanket and cozy pillow. Oh, and did I mention by the sound of voices instead of my blaring alarm clock? I quickly learned that the table outside our window was the one used by the staff to serve hot coffee to guests every morning and when you sleep with your window open by a table of coffee, people tend to hold their morning conversations right outside that window...
I walked outside in my pj's and bare feet to take it all in. Seeing the plantation for the first time in daylight was quite a site after arriving the night before after dark. Everything was lush, green, fragrant, and beautiful.
It wasn't long before everyone was dressed and ready to go, some after having explored the grounds (which we learned included a stable full of very big pigs). At 7:30, we loaded up the vans to leave the compound and head to the daycare for breakfast. The daycare was even more adorable by daylight!! We were served a hot breakfast of beans and eggs and to drink: pineapple (pina) juice and Tang. Our group sat at tables of four, getting better acquainted and discussing which showers we'd found with hot water. Everyone felt rested and anxious to get started with the list of tasks for the trip. The first task: spread out around the courtyard and daycare to prepare for the group coming to turn in eggs and gather chicken feed.
We shook hands, accepted hugs, got pictures, and served a multitude of people who needed feed for their Bread chickens. The deal the organization has is for owners to return 1 egg to the daycare a week in exchange for corn and chicken feed. Most families came with two eggs and left with bundles of food for the family. While some members of our group were responsible for handing out goods, others were responsible for building relationships. Calvin worked with a bunch of little kids, teaching them how to 'pound-it' and blow it up. High-fives weren't catching on and since 'pounding-it' is so popular at home, most of us helped start a new fad in Campamento. This was the day we met Mauricio, the cutest little boy with the deepest dimples who I would've put in my suitcase and smuggled home with me if I thought I could get away with it (and not upset his mother). We gave candy to the children and took pictures on digital cameras and showed them the outcome on the screen (they LOVED seeing their own faces!!).
When everyone in line had been served, Bobby had us split into teams depending on how we wanted to spend our time and where our talents would be best spent. Some went to work the first garden that would plant okra, cilantro, and melons. Another group stayed to sit in on the first micro-loan meeting of the week. I joined the small group responsible for decorating the church for the wedding that evening.
Once we finished, we went back to the daycare to listen in on the end of the micro-loan meeting. A family in attendance had a little boy named Eduardo - 2 years old - who spent the meeting being chased by his 10 year-old sister to stay occupied. No matter where you are, it seems kids are still chased by older siblings when Mom and Dad need a break!!
After a delicious lunch of chicken, vegetables, and rice, we headed out for part 2 of planting. This time, we ALL got involved. One of the guys on our trip, Brandon, has an agriculture degree from A&M and was there to educate us all on what was being planted and how to make it most effective. The men in our group were eager to throw pick axes into the dirt and make some headway. Everyone jumped in with shovels, rakes, and even sticks to dig, clear, plant and help.
When we were through, we blessed the garden and cleaned up to visit a family whose house wasn't far and was home to some Bread chickens. The coops were great little places for the birds but the house was situated into such a hill, it was a little scary to imagine as anyone's backyard. On the street next to the house, we could see a path up the hillside containing stairs that lead to the top where a white cross overlooked the city. A good number of us made the trek for a gorgeous view...
After a dirty day of work, we returned to El Cafe to shower and relax; I wandered the compound barefoot (the grass was so soft!!) and took pictures. After a while, everyone was cleaned up, rested, and ready to return to town for the wedding ceremony.
Ah, the wedding: one of the coolest things we got to do. In Honduras, if a couple wants to get married, the cost of the marriage license depends on wages earned throughout their entire working lives. So, if you started working when you were 15 and were getting married at 25, you had to pay a percentage tax on what you'd earned in those 10 years to the government for your marriage license. It gets to be pretty expensive when you think about that amount for 2 people, so many of the couples in the church were only united under common-law. The problem is, common-law isn't recognized under God so most of these couples haven't been baptized. The solution?? Get these people married!! How?? Provide a free ceremony to members of the church who want their union to be recognized under God.
But... it gets better. A gentleman by the name of Bob who partners with the church and Bread, has made friends with very important people in Campamento. He had a meeting with the mayor and expressed our desire to do this for these people and you know what the mayor did? He agreed to waive the tax for ALL the couples who got married that day.
Marin, the pastor at the church, married 13 couples that night in a lovely white and gold ceremony. Recognized under God AND their country. Some of these couples have been together more than 20 years and had children together. Others had little babies and were just starting out. One couple in particular had a little boy named David that stole many of our hearts that night... The vows were a simple, blanket promise and a choir of 7 sang songs (many of which we recognized as popular church songs we sing at home). After the ceremony, the girls from the daycare served a meal to every single person in attendance and there was even cake for cutting afterward...
Oh, the cake... it was still warm... a decadent mixture of yellow cake and pineapple, served with a fluffy coconut/marshmallow frosting... best cake I've had in ages...
I digress. We played with the sweet kids and visited with the newlyweds over cake and juice and it was a very beautiful thing. Another one of the children there was a chubby-cheeked 4 month old who you couldn't help but fuss over. The openness of the people in Campamento amazed me because you could reach for any baby in their mother's arms and she would hand the baby over to a perfect stranger because the trust and love is so unquestioned. Everyone was very receptive to having photos taken with the 'gringos'; the children were rarely shy or scared (unlike American kids who have to remain guarded and are taught never to take anything from strangers).
Many of the brides approached us to give us hugs and say 'thank you' for everything. They were so lovely and I counted my blessings for my own parents - in high school, I desperately wanted to take French but they insisted on Spanish because they thought it would be more of a necessity in the states. Thanks Mom and Ron, for being right (again), because even with high school Spanish that's 10 years old, I was able to comprehend, translate, and converse all week long.
Once we cleaned up the church, we walked back to the daycare to debrief. We talked about the day, the things we appreciated, and the things we wanted to change when we got home. At the end, we broke into smaller groups and prayed over each other.
While we waited to leave the daycare, a few people ducked outside and Bobby returned carrying a plastic bag full of Coke with a pink straw popping out. Of course, when we saw it, we ALL had to have a Coke-in-a-Bag so Bobby treated everyone at the corner convenience store. While we were there, a lot of kids came out of their houses to meet and visit. Mauricio was one of them!!
Our evening wrapped with showers and conversation at the plantation. I loved sitting outside, under a dark sky, smelling the freshness of nature and listening to the crickets while I lounged on the patio, journaling. There's something about a comfortable calm, being somewhere quiet and foreign, without cell phones and computers and television. Although, I did have my iPod playing quietly in the background with Hall & Oates and Mandy Moore keeping me company...
I walked outside in my pj's and bare feet to take it all in. Seeing the plantation for the first time in daylight was quite a site after arriving the night before after dark. Everything was lush, green, fragrant, and beautiful.
It wasn't long before everyone was dressed and ready to go, some after having explored the grounds (which we learned included a stable full of very big pigs). At 7:30, we loaded up the vans to leave the compound and head to the daycare for breakfast. The daycare was even more adorable by daylight!! We were served a hot breakfast of beans and eggs and to drink: pineapple (pina) juice and Tang. Our group sat at tables of four, getting better acquainted and discussing which showers we'd found with hot water. Everyone felt rested and anxious to get started with the list of tasks for the trip. The first task: spread out around the courtyard and daycare to prepare for the group coming to turn in eggs and gather chicken feed.
We shook hands, accepted hugs, got pictures, and served a multitude of people who needed feed for their Bread chickens. The deal the organization has is for owners to return 1 egg to the daycare a week in exchange for corn and chicken feed. Most families came with two eggs and left with bundles of food for the family. While some members of our group were responsible for handing out goods, others were responsible for building relationships. Calvin worked with a bunch of little kids, teaching them how to 'pound-it' and blow it up. High-fives weren't catching on and since 'pounding-it' is so popular at home, most of us helped start a new fad in Campamento. This was the day we met Mauricio, the cutest little boy with the deepest dimples who I would've put in my suitcase and smuggled home with me if I thought I could get away with it (and not upset his mother). We gave candy to the children and took pictures on digital cameras and showed them the outcome on the screen (they LOVED seeing their own faces!!).
When everyone in line had been served, Bobby had us split into teams depending on how we wanted to spend our time and where our talents would be best spent. Some went to work the first garden that would plant okra, cilantro, and melons. Another group stayed to sit in on the first micro-loan meeting of the week. I joined the small group responsible for decorating the church for the wedding that evening.
Once we finished, we went back to the daycare to listen in on the end of the micro-loan meeting. A family in attendance had a little boy named Eduardo - 2 years old - who spent the meeting being chased by his 10 year-old sister to stay occupied. No matter where you are, it seems kids are still chased by older siblings when Mom and Dad need a break!!
After a delicious lunch of chicken, vegetables, and rice, we headed out for part 2 of planting. This time, we ALL got involved. One of the guys on our trip, Brandon, has an agriculture degree from A&M and was there to educate us all on what was being planted and how to make it most effective. The men in our group were eager to throw pick axes into the dirt and make some headway. Everyone jumped in with shovels, rakes, and even sticks to dig, clear, plant and help.
When we were through, we blessed the garden and cleaned up to visit a family whose house wasn't far and was home to some Bread chickens. The coops were great little places for the birds but the house was situated into such a hill, it was a little scary to imagine as anyone's backyard. On the street next to the house, we could see a path up the hillside containing stairs that lead to the top where a white cross overlooked the city. A good number of us made the trek for a gorgeous view...
After a dirty day of work, we returned to El Cafe to shower and relax; I wandered the compound barefoot (the grass was so soft!!) and took pictures. After a while, everyone was cleaned up, rested, and ready to return to town for the wedding ceremony.
Ah, the wedding: one of the coolest things we got to do. In Honduras, if a couple wants to get married, the cost of the marriage license depends on wages earned throughout their entire working lives. So, if you started working when you were 15 and were getting married at 25, you had to pay a percentage tax on what you'd earned in those 10 years to the government for your marriage license. It gets to be pretty expensive when you think about that amount for 2 people, so many of the couples in the church were only united under common-law. The problem is, common-law isn't recognized under God so most of these couples haven't been baptized. The solution?? Get these people married!! How?? Provide a free ceremony to members of the church who want their union to be recognized under God.
But... it gets better. A gentleman by the name of Bob who partners with the church and Bread, has made friends with very important people in Campamento. He had a meeting with the mayor and expressed our desire to do this for these people and you know what the mayor did? He agreed to waive the tax for ALL the couples who got married that day.
Marin, the pastor at the church, married 13 couples that night in a lovely white and gold ceremony. Recognized under God AND their country. Some of these couples have been together more than 20 years and had children together. Others had little babies and were just starting out. One couple in particular had a little boy named David that stole many of our hearts that night... The vows were a simple, blanket promise and a choir of 7 sang songs (many of which we recognized as popular church songs we sing at home). After the ceremony, the girls from the daycare served a meal to every single person in attendance and there was even cake for cutting afterward...
Oh, the cake... it was still warm... a decadent mixture of yellow cake and pineapple, served with a fluffy coconut/marshmallow frosting... best cake I've had in ages...
I digress. We played with the sweet kids and visited with the newlyweds over cake and juice and it was a very beautiful thing. Another one of the children there was a chubby-cheeked 4 month old who you couldn't help but fuss over. The openness of the people in Campamento amazed me because you could reach for any baby in their mother's arms and she would hand the baby over to a perfect stranger because the trust and love is so unquestioned. Everyone was very receptive to having photos taken with the 'gringos'; the children were rarely shy or scared (unlike American kids who have to remain guarded and are taught never to take anything from strangers).
Many of the brides approached us to give us hugs and say 'thank you' for everything. They were so lovely and I counted my blessings for my own parents - in high school, I desperately wanted to take French but they insisted on Spanish because they thought it would be more of a necessity in the states. Thanks Mom and Ron, for being right (again), because even with high school Spanish that's 10 years old, I was able to comprehend, translate, and converse all week long.
Once we cleaned up the church, we walked back to the daycare to debrief. We talked about the day, the things we appreciated, and the things we wanted to change when we got home. At the end, we broke into smaller groups and prayed over each other.
While we waited to leave the daycare, a few people ducked outside and Bobby returned carrying a plastic bag full of Coke with a pink straw popping out. Of course, when we saw it, we ALL had to have a Coke-in-a-Bag so Bobby treated everyone at the corner convenience store. While we were there, a lot of kids came out of their houses to meet and visit. Mauricio was one of them!!
Our evening wrapped with showers and conversation at the plantation. I loved sitting outside, under a dark sky, smelling the freshness of nature and listening to the crickets while I lounged on the patio, journaling. There's something about a comfortable calm, being somewhere quiet and foreign, without cell phones and computers and television. Although, I did have my iPod playing quietly in the background with Hall & Oates and Mandy Moore keeping me company...
Day 1 - Friday, December 3, 2010
Friday was the earliest morning I've had in a while; Calvin & I had to be up with the car loaded to drive to Ali's house in Colleyville to carpool to the airport. Surprisingly, the day before hadn't been as traumatic as packing tends to be for me... I was actually organized and packed at a decent hour (thanks to my handy-dandy list) and ready for a decent nap. Ali asked us to be at her house by 4:15am so her husband Stan could cart us with all our luggage to DFW airport. When I say all our luggage, I do not exaggerate. Calvin and I each had been given an extra duffel full of quilts for children in the daycare and Ali was carrying a duffel full of shoes donated by members of The Hills Church of Christ to outfit people in Tegus and Campamento who were without. In addition to our own luggage and carry-ons, it looked like we were leaving town for more than a week!!
Stan was a wonderful driver; we got to the airport in record time (mainly since NO ONE is on the roads at such an early hour) and we were anxious to get checked in and through security.
Check-in: where we encountered the trip's first hiccup. My confirmation number wasn't recognized in the system so I had to get an airline agent involved. She took one look at my print out and said "yes, it's not working because you're at the wrong airport". Excuse me? How is that possible? A minute detail overlooked by a number of people who reviewed my booking through Expedia and my own moment of less-than-brightness by assuming (I hate that word) the only airline to use Love Field is Southwest. Wrong-O. Fortunately, for a mere $100 (total), Calvin and I could depart and arrive in and out of DFW. Yes, thank you, so appreciated!! I didn't want to trouble our ride by coming back for us only to go across town to the OTHER airport in the Metroplex (why do all these big cities need more than one anyway?? Detroit only has one...). Our itinerary was changed, Calvin swiped his Visa, and the agent took our bags. Phew!! We had tickets!!
Security: no issues, thank goodness!!
Domestic flight to Houston: a quick surprise when Calvin, Ali, and I made it though security to check our boarding passes for our gate info. We were still putting on our shoes when we realized we were at different gates, which meant different flights, only to find the flight the agent had put Calvin and me on was boarding at that moment. A quick goodbye to Ali and an immediate board to head to Houston. Good thing we checked or we would've tried to board the wrong plane!!
Houston, TX: a few good hours to relax. We found the food court near our gate and enjoyed an early breakfast while we waited for the rest of our Continental group. The airport is a great place for people watching, even though we spent most of our time wandering and shopping for pens.
Departure!! Adios, Texas :)
We'd been warned the flight into Tegucigalpa, Honduras is lovely but the landing made the top 3 most scary on a number of lists. I can't say either of us was worried but we definitely had others on our flight who were nervous. As we rounded the city on our descent, it was easy to look out the window and preview the angle at which the plane would have to land. Let me just say, I have a great deal of respect for the professionals who land planes that size because all the hype leading to the trip had people scared for no reason. One of the smoothest landings I've experienced; I've had rougher landings in Chicago!!
Bienvenidos a Tegucigalpa!! One of the easiest strolls through customs imaginable, followed by a great welcome from Marc Tindall, one of Bread's wonderful Honduras contacts. He had drivers ready and other men there to help handle our bags and load the vans. He even had guys on hand to exchange currency and help us navigate a very scary walk across the street to the Pizza Hut we ate lunch at.
Yes, Pizza Hut in Honduras tastes the same as it does in the US. Well, the pizza does at least. I can't say the same for the salad bar...
We spent a couple hours visiting and absorbing the environment. Just listening to a few people around me and reading the menus, I was surprised at how much Spanish came rushing back. Kind of like riding a bike...
Ali got pictures of a very shady clown wandering the parking lot... he was making balloon animals but he was as scary as clowns in the states are. Who likes clowns??
Once the second flight arrived, containing the rest of our group for the week, the vans were filled beyond capacity (Bobby had to rent a truck), we piled in for our journey to Campamento. To this day, I don't know how I was lucky enough to land the shotgun seat, but I'm so glad I did. I had a front row seat to see Tegus...
"Even with the garbage & poverty, Honduras is home to a quiet, humble beauty that would be hard to capture in a photo. The landscape is breath-taking & even though the homes are shacks made of mismatched materials, the people here are blessed and happy" (Day 1 journal entry)
We were able to drive along and enjoy the scenery for a while and even stopped at a gas station for refreshments. There was so much to take in... we were stopped at a few police check-points (I don't know if we ever learned what they were looking for), we saw a man walking a pig on a leash, half a dozen horses wandering the road and being followed by a boy on a bike (who we guessed was herding them that way only to watch the bike turn another direction and the horses continue on, unattended), and an old Datson flatbed with rails being used as a horse trailer - something I seriously wish we had a photo of but I think every one of us was so surprised and fearful for the horse, grabbing the camera was not a quick reaction for anyone.
Now being from Michigan, I know what it's like to drive on crummy roads. It's a joke up north that Michigan has 2 seasons: winter & construction. I will never again complain of such conditions because the road from Tegus to Campamento was worse, times 50. Huge potholes, weird transitions from pavement to gravel, no painted lines, no lanes at all actually, occasional cliff drop-offs on either or both sides (without guard rails), need I continue?? It was scary and drizzly and calling it bumpy would be putting it lightly. You can imagine the anxiety once it got dark because the roads aren't lined with street lamps and the headlights on our van were not good. At one point our driver, Jonathan, stopped to use a bottle of water and clean the dust from them!! For a 19 year-old, that kid quickly became my hero. He and our other driver for the week, Freddy (21), were two of the best guys imaginable and God bless them for being brave enough to drive a bunch of crazy gringos all week.
Four hours and approximately 60 miles later, we arrived at the daycare facility Bread partners with in Campamento. The building is painted Pepto Pink and decorated in paintings of American characters such as Aurora (from Sleeping Beauty), SpongeBob, Bob the Builder, Ariel, and so on. They had decorated with Christmas lights, stockings, and a tree to celebrate the season. Craft foam mobiles cut into flowers and honeybees were hung from the ceiling and dancing in the light breeze through the open courtyard. I was immediately enchanted.
We were served a hot meal and soon after driven to the encampment where the majority of us would be staying: a coffee plantation, gated and guarded by a smiling man with a shotgun. Once through the gate, we drove down a steep hill into a lush valley of palms and coffee plants.
The dorm rooms were modest and simple but inviting and wonderful. My roommates, Ali & Linda, got settled in while I kicked off my shoes to spend the evening in bare feet. My shower was brisk and refreshing (aka COLD!!) and when I returned from the baths, I found a crew in my room cutting tulle and hot gluing pearl-encrusted hair combs for the brides who would be married the next day.
After gluing 18 simple veils together, we visited in our rooms and were able to unwind after the crazy day of traveling. The beds were warm and comfortable; a blessed reprieve from the chill we've been experiencing in Texas. I journaled quietly and tried to take it all in. Since it was my first mission trip, I had no idea what to expect and so far, I was feeling a little guilty about staying somewhere with a good roof and foundation, running water, electricity, and a warm bed. From what I'd seen, not many people living there could say the same. We slept with the window open, blowing in a central-American breeze with the sounds of the forest, lulling us to sleep. Bed was early because we couldn't wait to see what the week held for us...
Stan was a wonderful driver; we got to the airport in record time (mainly since NO ONE is on the roads at such an early hour) and we were anxious to get checked in and through security.
Check-in: where we encountered the trip's first hiccup. My confirmation number wasn't recognized in the system so I had to get an airline agent involved. She took one look at my print out and said "yes, it's not working because you're at the wrong airport". Excuse me? How is that possible? A minute detail overlooked by a number of people who reviewed my booking through Expedia and my own moment of less-than-brightness by assuming (I hate that word) the only airline to use Love Field is Southwest. Wrong-O. Fortunately, for a mere $100 (total), Calvin and I could depart and arrive in and out of DFW. Yes, thank you, so appreciated!! I didn't want to trouble our ride by coming back for us only to go across town to the OTHER airport in the Metroplex (why do all these big cities need more than one anyway?? Detroit only has one...). Our itinerary was changed, Calvin swiped his Visa, and the agent took our bags. Phew!! We had tickets!!
Security: no issues, thank goodness!!
Domestic flight to Houston: a quick surprise when Calvin, Ali, and I made it though security to check our boarding passes for our gate info. We were still putting on our shoes when we realized we were at different gates, which meant different flights, only to find the flight the agent had put Calvin and me on was boarding at that moment. A quick goodbye to Ali and an immediate board to head to Houston. Good thing we checked or we would've tried to board the wrong plane!!
Houston, TX: a few good hours to relax. We found the food court near our gate and enjoyed an early breakfast while we waited for the rest of our Continental group. The airport is a great place for people watching, even though we spent most of our time wandering and shopping for pens.
Departure!! Adios, Texas :)
We'd been warned the flight into Tegucigalpa, Honduras is lovely but the landing made the top 3 most scary on a number of lists. I can't say either of us was worried but we definitely had others on our flight who were nervous. As we rounded the city on our descent, it was easy to look out the window and preview the angle at which the plane would have to land. Let me just say, I have a great deal of respect for the professionals who land planes that size because all the hype leading to the trip had people scared for no reason. One of the smoothest landings I've experienced; I've had rougher landings in Chicago!!
Bienvenidos a Tegucigalpa!! One of the easiest strolls through customs imaginable, followed by a great welcome from Marc Tindall, one of Bread's wonderful Honduras contacts. He had drivers ready and other men there to help handle our bags and load the vans. He even had guys on hand to exchange currency and help us navigate a very scary walk across the street to the Pizza Hut we ate lunch at.
Yes, Pizza Hut in Honduras tastes the same as it does in the US. Well, the pizza does at least. I can't say the same for the salad bar...
We spent a couple hours visiting and absorbing the environment. Just listening to a few people around me and reading the menus, I was surprised at how much Spanish came rushing back. Kind of like riding a bike...
Ali got pictures of a very shady clown wandering the parking lot... he was making balloon animals but he was as scary as clowns in the states are. Who likes clowns??
Once the second flight arrived, containing the rest of our group for the week, the vans were filled beyond capacity (Bobby had to rent a truck), we piled in for our journey to Campamento. To this day, I don't know how I was lucky enough to land the shotgun seat, but I'm so glad I did. I had a front row seat to see Tegus...
"Even with the garbage & poverty, Honduras is home to a quiet, humble beauty that would be hard to capture in a photo. The landscape is breath-taking & even though the homes are shacks made of mismatched materials, the people here are blessed and happy" (Day 1 journal entry)
We were able to drive along and enjoy the scenery for a while and even stopped at a gas station for refreshments. There was so much to take in... we were stopped at a few police check-points (I don't know if we ever learned what they were looking for), we saw a man walking a pig on a leash, half a dozen horses wandering the road and being followed by a boy on a bike (who we guessed was herding them that way only to watch the bike turn another direction and the horses continue on, unattended), and an old Datson flatbed with rails being used as a horse trailer - something I seriously wish we had a photo of but I think every one of us was so surprised and fearful for the horse, grabbing the camera was not a quick reaction for anyone.
Now being from Michigan, I know what it's like to drive on crummy roads. It's a joke up north that Michigan has 2 seasons: winter & construction. I will never again complain of such conditions because the road from Tegus to Campamento was worse, times 50. Huge potholes, weird transitions from pavement to gravel, no painted lines, no lanes at all actually, occasional cliff drop-offs on either or both sides (without guard rails), need I continue?? It was scary and drizzly and calling it bumpy would be putting it lightly. You can imagine the anxiety once it got dark because the roads aren't lined with street lamps and the headlights on our van were not good. At one point our driver, Jonathan, stopped to use a bottle of water and clean the dust from them!! For a 19 year-old, that kid quickly became my hero. He and our other driver for the week, Freddy (21), were two of the best guys imaginable and God bless them for being brave enough to drive a bunch of crazy gringos all week.
Four hours and approximately 60 miles later, we arrived at the daycare facility Bread partners with in Campamento. The building is painted Pepto Pink and decorated in paintings of American characters such as Aurora (from Sleeping Beauty), SpongeBob, Bob the Builder, Ariel, and so on. They had decorated with Christmas lights, stockings, and a tree to celebrate the season. Craft foam mobiles cut into flowers and honeybees were hung from the ceiling and dancing in the light breeze through the open courtyard. I was immediately enchanted.
We were served a hot meal and soon after driven to the encampment where the majority of us would be staying: a coffee plantation, gated and guarded by a smiling man with a shotgun. Once through the gate, we drove down a steep hill into a lush valley of palms and coffee plants.
The dorm rooms were modest and simple but inviting and wonderful. My roommates, Ali & Linda, got settled in while I kicked off my shoes to spend the evening in bare feet. My shower was brisk and refreshing (aka COLD!!) and when I returned from the baths, I found a crew in my room cutting tulle and hot gluing pearl-encrusted hair combs for the brides who would be married the next day.
After gluing 18 simple veils together, we visited in our rooms and were able to unwind after the crazy day of traveling. The beds were warm and comfortable; a blessed reprieve from the chill we've been experiencing in Texas. I journaled quietly and tried to take it all in. Since it was my first mission trip, I had no idea what to expect and so far, I was feeling a little guilty about staying somewhere with a good roof and foundation, running water, electricity, and a warm bed. From what I'd seen, not many people living there could say the same. We slept with the window open, blowing in a central-American breeze with the sounds of the forest, lulling us to sleep. Bed was early because we couldn't wait to see what the week held for us...
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Oh, the places you will go...
In the last year, God has laid a path for me very different from the one I'd painstakingly attempted to construct for myself. Not only did He pull me from the world of fashion and nudge me into ministry, He also decided stamping my passport was much overdue.
Who am I to argue?? Sure, I was bummed when January rolled around and the passport I'd sadly stored in my firesafe expired with one lonely stamp from a trip to Spain in 2000. What better way to start a new passport's decade with a Central American stamp (and a MUCH better picture)??
The decision to go to Honduras was one of the easiest I've made in a while. Working for Our Father's Children blessed me with the opportunity to work in an office that shares space with Bread for a Hungry World & the faaaabulous Bobby Moore. Wanna go to Honduras?? Um, yes!! My first mission experience couldn't have been more of a God thing if I'd been sitting next to Him, sipping sweet tea, and having Him lean in to say "You know, I think you should do this young lady". What's even more is His sense of humor. Once upon a time, I was on a cruise ship that docked in Roatan - I know people heard me mention more than once my distaste for the country and my plan to never visit it again... how's that saying go?? "Never say never..." That God is one hilarious fella...
The words fell from my tongue without hesitation when I agreed to go, the blessing of time away from work was one I'm thankful for (thank you Darren!!), and the opportunity for Calvin to join me on this mission was granted without resistance. Because of the nature of our (somewhat) late and immediate decision, raising funds for the trip was the biggest stress, which quickly dissipated when every conversation I had was met with open hearts and helping hands. To this day, I can't find the words to express my gratitude to those of you who made this trip possible... thank you thank you thank you!!
So, after paperwork, quick funding, expedited passports, hasty immunizations, a team meeting, and a last-chance opportunity for the short-term mission funding from the church, Calvin & I were ready to pack our bags and leave the country on our first mission trip: Honduras.
We left on Friday, December 3, 2010. Today, a little over a week later, I've returned a little tanner, surprisingly rested, with a full heart, a happy outlook, and a desire to return to a place called Campamento. For those of you who couldn't go, I also returned with a journal full of stories and adventures I plan on sharing right here. That journal is filled with a week's worth of life experiences I'm going to work though (hopefully with pictures) over the next few days - I hope you enjoy what I brought back to share and are patient with the time it takes for me to get things posted.
Love & blessings!!
Who am I to argue?? Sure, I was bummed when January rolled around and the passport I'd sadly stored in my firesafe expired with one lonely stamp from a trip to Spain in 2000. What better way to start a new passport's decade with a Central American stamp (and a MUCH better picture)??
The decision to go to Honduras was one of the easiest I've made in a while. Working for Our Father's Children blessed me with the opportunity to work in an office that shares space with Bread for a Hungry World & the faaaabulous Bobby Moore. Wanna go to Honduras?? Um, yes!! My first mission experience couldn't have been more of a God thing if I'd been sitting next to Him, sipping sweet tea, and having Him lean in to say "You know, I think you should do this young lady". What's even more is His sense of humor. Once upon a time, I was on a cruise ship that docked in Roatan - I know people heard me mention more than once my distaste for the country and my plan to never visit it again... how's that saying go?? "Never say never..." That God is one hilarious fella...
The words fell from my tongue without hesitation when I agreed to go, the blessing of time away from work was one I'm thankful for (thank you Darren!!), and the opportunity for Calvin to join me on this mission was granted without resistance. Because of the nature of our (somewhat) late and immediate decision, raising funds for the trip was the biggest stress, which quickly dissipated when every conversation I had was met with open hearts and helping hands. To this day, I can't find the words to express my gratitude to those of you who made this trip possible... thank you thank you thank you!!
So, after paperwork, quick funding, expedited passports, hasty immunizations, a team meeting, and a last-chance opportunity for the short-term mission funding from the church, Calvin & I were ready to pack our bags and leave the country on our first mission trip: Honduras.
We left on Friday, December 3, 2010. Today, a little over a week later, I've returned a little tanner, surprisingly rested, with a full heart, a happy outlook, and a desire to return to a place called Campamento. For those of you who couldn't go, I also returned with a journal full of stories and adventures I plan on sharing right here. That journal is filled with a week's worth of life experiences I'm going to work though (hopefully with pictures) over the next few days - I hope you enjoy what I brought back to share and are patient with the time it takes for me to get things posted.
Love & blessings!!
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