The third and final group...for now

What an encouragement this last (third) group has been! They came with lots of ideas, energy, and questions and left a lot of hope. The group of 25 was divided in two for most of the week. Half of the group worked in the Christian School, helping the students write letters and paint pictures for their stateside sponsors and half helped to construct a house for a poor widow named Isabel. Isabel’s husband committed suicide a few months ago and left behind a family of 5 living in a stick frame with only tarps for walls. By the time the group left, 3 walls of their new house were erected. Friends of the family plan to finish the house in the coming weeks.

I was refreshed to hear more about the congregation in Georgia from which most of the group came. I was told that even though the members consist of people with a wide variety of worship style preferences, they all get along. People feel free to not participate in what they don´t feel comfortable with and the elders are sensitive to this, yet they don´t get caught up in arguments about their differences.

Also, the leaders of the group were interested in networking area resources. I was very honored that they asked for my input about the school, the local churches and was also very impressed that they were interested in finding ways to help me in my ministry. Having recently taken over the responsibility of the Christian school, they are looking for ways to make improvements. I am anxiously awaiting and anticipating the good things that I am confident will be coming to Trujillo through the spirit and vision of this group. What a blessing and encouragement they were!

Still translating...

Group number two is here from the South working with the Christian school. Though I am more than willing to help translate and enjoy doing so, my personal goals have been on hold in the meantime. It has been interesting, also, to be in a position in which it is my job to communicate ideas that I may or may not agree with. Each group brings its own ideologies, the communication of which has the potential of putting me in an uncomfortable situation as the translator. I try to be very neutral, though I wonder how easily the Hondurans separate the ideas from the voice they are hearing speaking them.

I am glad to say that though I have recently encountered some theological differences that my coworkers and I have, no judgmental attitudes have emerged. Because we are such a small body here, we all have to live with one another whether we agree with each other or not. I have been impressed with the commitment that the Hondurans have to love one another in spite of differences. I pray that this continues. I have been informed that I am more controversial than I had thought. I would never know that by the way people treat me. Praise God for that!

The Homecoming

Though I had experienced many different emotions during my travel across the US and Honduras the beginning of last week, I received several reminders of why I love it here. The children greet you as if they were your own nieces and nephews, running out of their houses, yelling your name with arms wide open, ready for that huge hug that only children can give. People visit with each other on buses as if they were old friends even if they just met. Even adults run out of their houses to greet you. When I arrived at the apartment, I found everything clean and in order. My roommate had even washed my sheets and bought me a new shower curtain and my very first toilet cake! A sister in the church fixed me a meal even though it was 9:00p.m. Though I’ve been gone a couple months, in many ways it feels like I never left.

My first week back has been a busy one. When I arrived, I was informed that there was a group from Mississippi holding medical clinics in the Christian school and that they could use some help translating. During the day, I´ve been translating for the clinics, children´s classes and women´s seminars, going to church in the evening, and seeing what carnaval is all about at night. It seems to me that it mainly has to do with drinking and dancing but there are some special events like parades in which the high school bands play, and the crowning of the barrio princess.

I´ve been told that another group from a different part of Mississippi is coming to do some construction projects at the Christian school this coming week. I plan to help them as needed, but need to find time to do little things like grocery shop. The seemingly little things can be some of the hardest to do in this culture...