I have only been in Honduras for 9 days but I still get frustrated with myself when I can't understand the language. My brain has been processing a lot of information and trying to put a new language on top of it is challenging to say the least.
I have 3 semesters of Spanish from Sierra College and 6 months of experience in Mexico but sometimes I feel like I can't understand a word. I am realizing the power of words since I am limited by them.The kids are patient with me and try to repeat things, say them in different ways and act things out :) I know God can still use me in spite of my limitations and through them He can shine brightly because I will know it is Him and not I who is working.
I am also trying to observe how each kid learns and what their strengths are. Having two boys that have never been in school is like having a 5 year old in an 11 year old body. I have to readjust my expectations and find creative ways that they can learn. I am constantly trying to think of new ideas, crafts and projects that they will like and will help them succeed.. I have to continually pray throughout my day for God to give me patience and guidance.
They only have until the end of this week until they start school so I think my role will be changing a little..we will see where God leads.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Living by faith and not by sight
These past few days have been very difficult and stretching.
Saturday
On Saturday morning two of the boys who have live here with Lisa the longest ran away. It is heartbreaking that they did this after she has poured so much time and energy into them. And they not only ran but they also took some of her things with them.
How could they do this I thought? Why would you want to run from opportunity, safety, love, and a good life. But the streets is what they know. I feel like God sometimes asks me the same question. "My child, why do you run from the good I have for you. Why do you not trust me with all your heart and remember that I have amazing plans for your life?" And this is often my response to him, "Well Abba, its unknown. How can I know for certain when I cannot see? When I am uncomfortable with something I don't want to continue, I want to go back to the security of the known even if its not the best for me."
Sunday
Today was the twins birthday! We went to the circus. When we got there we realized it was more than we thought it would be but decide to go anyway. When we get to the counter the lady gave us a deal! Its neat to see the provisions of God when you are at the end of yourself and are forced to trust Him.
The circus was a blast. We saw lions, tigers, a kangaroo, a camel and a bunch of neat acts. After it was over and by the time we got home I was very tired. In addition to the circus today, I had broken up a dog fight, found out a child had died at the children center, was still trying to process what the boys had done and another boy had come to visit who was possibly going to be stay with Lisa. It was a full day emotionally and physically to say the least. I was ready to hit the sack when I got to my "casita" and realized the lock was off.
I called for Lisa and she came with one of the older boys and when we got inside we found out that indeed I had been robbed. My computer, money, chocolates, milk and bread were all gone. I just started crying. It was the thing that pushed me over the ledge. I had never been robbed before. I felt violated. After looking around we came to the conclusion that it was probably the boys. We can't be 100% sure but we have reasons to believe it was them. Part of me hoped it was and part of me hoped it wasn't. My mind was to jumbled to think clearly.
Tuesday
Today I took the boys to a nearby hot springs along the river. As we were walking these worship lyrics came into my head, "We live by faith and not by sight for You, we're living all for you." I don't know what God is going to do with my time here in Honduras, but I do know that I am here for a reason and the timing is not by chance. Where I'm living is not a dangerous place. Lisa has had at least 6 other Americans stay with her and nothing like this has ever happened before. At times I walk in fear. Fear that is not from God but of from my own thinking. Satan would like to creep in wherever he can because he doesn't want God's will to be done. This doesn't mean I should be smart about things, but I will hold onto the promise that He has placed me here for such a time as this and trust He is in control even when I cannot see.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Fist Day
Today the boys met me at my "casita" at 9. The all came in with their notebooks and pens and were ready to learn. It was so fun to see there faces light up as they were excited to show me their past work and were eager to learn something new. It's interesting when you don't fully understand a language how you pick up on other things such as body language and emotions.
They all sat down at the table and Jose asked me where he could find some tape. I showed him and he went around the table putting a piece on the table in font of each of the kids so that they could right their name on it. Then when everyone had their name he asked if we could pray. This kid comes from a rough background and has been to countless foster homes and now he is initiating prayer?! God is at work here and I feel so blessed to be able to see the fruits of what he is doing. I am overwhelmed with the blessings of working with these kids. They have so much love to give and so much grace with me, I feel I am learning more from them than I am teaching, which I knew was to be expected :)
However kids will be kids and throughout the day situations arose and we would have to talk about it. It has been a stretching experience because consistency is important and I am trying to learn how Lisa does things with them, what is culturally acceptable and what is appropriate for each age. Its going to be an experiment on finding out what works and what doesn't.
After doing some school work for a little while we went to the beach which is only a short distance from the house...less than a five minute walk. There the boys enjoyed the ocean and I enjoyed watching them as they would do flips into the water, dive into the waves without a care in the world.
Tonight we had bible study at church which is also less than a 5 minute walk. I was surprised that the boys sat through the 2 hour service. They sang the songs (some of them with their loudest voice) and looked at their bibles, trying to find the passages the pastor was talking about.
Overall as you can tell today was great. I had some obstacles but nothing that was completely overwhelming. I spent the rest of my evening making tomorrows schedule for the boys, which was fun. I am quickly learning that they do much better with a little structure. It wouldn't be as hard if there were one or two but it is tricky when you have 6 kids doing different things and they all want your help.
I'm absorbing information like crazy and feel like a sponge that can't absorb enough water, whether its learning the correct word in Spanish or the best way to deal with a kid that isn't listening.
Tomorrow i will learn more and so will they. I think its a little easier to be patient with them when I am learning also. Its an adventure we will continue to go on together.
Hasta Pranto.
They all sat down at the table and Jose asked me where he could find some tape. I showed him and he went around the table putting a piece on the table in font of each of the kids so that they could right their name on it. Then when everyone had their name he asked if we could pray. This kid comes from a rough background and has been to countless foster homes and now he is initiating prayer?! God is at work here and I feel so blessed to be able to see the fruits of what he is doing. I am overwhelmed with the blessings of working with these kids. They have so much love to give and so much grace with me, I feel I am learning more from them than I am teaching, which I knew was to be expected :)
However kids will be kids and throughout the day situations arose and we would have to talk about it. It has been a stretching experience because consistency is important and I am trying to learn how Lisa does things with them, what is culturally acceptable and what is appropriate for each age. Its going to be an experiment on finding out what works and what doesn't.
After doing some school work for a little while we went to the beach which is only a short distance from the house...less than a five minute walk. There the boys enjoyed the ocean and I enjoyed watching them as they would do flips into the water, dive into the waves without a care in the world.
Tonight we had bible study at church which is also less than a 5 minute walk. I was surprised that the boys sat through the 2 hour service. They sang the songs (some of them with their loudest voice) and looked at their bibles, trying to find the passages the pastor was talking about.
Overall as you can tell today was great. I had some obstacles but nothing that was completely overwhelming. I spent the rest of my evening making tomorrows schedule for the boys, which was fun. I am quickly learning that they do much better with a little structure. It wouldn't be as hard if there were one or two but it is tricky when you have 6 kids doing different things and they all want your help.
I'm absorbing information like crazy and feel like a sponge that can't absorb enough water, whether its learning the correct word in Spanish or the best way to deal with a kid that isn't listening.
Tomorrow i will learn more and so will they. I think its a little easier to be patient with them when I am learning also. Its an adventure we will continue to go on together.
Hasta Pranto.
Traveling
Jan 21st, 2013
After my last plane landed, I was very excited when I finally found Lisa and two of the boys who had all been waiting at the airport to meet me in La Ceiba. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make it to La Ceiba that evening because my plane was delayed because the whether was bad. About 2 hours later it opened again and I was finally able to take the short 15 minute flight. When I got there Melvin and Jose, the two boys who have been with Lisa the longest, took my bags for me and we were off. We went to the mall first so that I could eat dinner and later traveled back to the house which was about an hour away. Lisa and the boys live in a small town called Balfate and she has a guest house which is located on the same piece of property.
My new home for 3 months is perfect. Before I went to be that night Jose came to the house to give me some sort of ice cream. It was very delicious. He also wanted to make sure that I knew how to lock my door so that no one could come in. I thought it was very kind that he wanted to make sure that I was safe. That night I slept so well because I was very tired from all my traveling.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
It's hard to believe that in less than 6 hours I will be on a plane headed to Honduras. The roller coster of emotions is sometimes hard to describe. It has been an amazing and wonderful weekend in Southern California with Brandon and some of his extended family and friends. I have been blessed by every family we have been with this weekend.
God is already showing me some of the fingerprints of his working by the way things have worked out this weekend. As some of you know I was trying to raise some money for the foster boys I will be working with for a computer that they could use. I wasn't able to raise quite enough money but on the way down to Southern California God had a surprise planned.
I got a call from my mom saying that I had received some more support and that one of the supporters said that they had a computer that they could donate. I thought "This is so cool. How am I going to make this work? I'm in Southern California, the computer is in Northern California and there is only a short window of time to get it overnighted before I leave." God had a better idea. I call the couple that was donating the computer and sure enough they were also going to be in Southern California this weekend!!! And... they were only going to be less than 1/2 an hour from where we were! So not only did the support come in for the supplies for the boys schooling and money for their school uniforms but they will also be receiving a new computer. God is so good.
This weekend has been a time of celebration, enjoyment and anticipation. I have been doing my best to live in each moment and appreciate it for what it is. Life is funny sometimes. I have been asking myself...how do you live in the balance? This is something and am learning and there will be more on that note coming soon....
God is already showing me some of the fingerprints of his working by the way things have worked out this weekend. As some of you know I was trying to raise some money for the foster boys I will be working with for a computer that they could use. I wasn't able to raise quite enough money but on the way down to Southern California God had a surprise planned.
I got a call from my mom saying that I had received some more support and that one of the supporters said that they had a computer that they could donate. I thought "This is so cool. How am I going to make this work? I'm in Southern California, the computer is in Northern California and there is only a short window of time to get it overnighted before I leave." God had a better idea. I call the couple that was donating the computer and sure enough they were also going to be in Southern California this weekend!!! And... they were only going to be less than 1/2 an hour from where we were! So not only did the support come in for the supplies for the boys schooling and money for their school uniforms but they will also be receiving a new computer. God is so good.
This weekend has been a time of celebration, enjoyment and anticipation. I have been doing my best to live in each moment and appreciate it for what it is. Life is funny sometimes. I have been asking myself...how do you live in the balance? This is something and am learning and there will be more on that note coming soon....
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