Day 10: ¡FÚTBOL!

Today was such a wonderful day. It was our last final full day in the village. I already started to feel sad knowing tomorrow is our final 'see you later' With the kids, but it's ok because today was great.

Right when we got there Nicholas came running at me with a finished bracelet that I just adore! I was so excited about it! I put it right on! Then I got to know Nicholas a little better and decided I really want to support him as he grows up in the village.

I played soccer with Loiuse for about an hour and then we played a puzzle game, which in the end he gifted to me. It was so sweet. It totally melted my heart and you don't want to take it from him, but you know how much it would hurt if you denied the gift! My favorite passage in the bible is in Luke and it reminds exactly of these moments and to even begin to explain how much it touches me is impossible.

Luke 21:1-4 NLT
[1] … While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. [2] Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. [3] "I tell you the truth," Jesus said, "this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. [4] For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” …

Right before linch I got s chance to spend some time with one of the house moms. She was so nice. She told me though a translator child that I looked like Miss America and was so kind. I also got to talk to the older boys for a bit and I enjoyed that as well.

After lunch I went to the girls house to make headbands. Julianna was waiting for me to give me s huge hug. She did my hair then she made me a headband. After that Myra planned a water fight for us. She rat at us as sitting ducks open to play her game and let her pour bucks of water on us, then she handed us our own buckets. So we ran a poured buckets on each other for s bit then soaked clothes and all we played volleyball. Once we couldn't take being soaked anymore we went back to the boys house where our backpacks were to change (she did at least worn us to bring extra clothes bless her).

After that it was fútbol time! We all went out to the field and played a game of soccer together. It was so much fun having everyone out here playing together! We all came together and had so much fun. Most of the girls and the house moms were all out watching the festivities aka the boys dominate the gringos. It was a great way to end our day there.

Once we were back at the hotel we went on a boat ride around the Caribbean and it was also so much fun. We got some great shots and the time with each other was great.

I can't believe how this trip is starting to wrap up. I just pray that I can keep my emotions together in front of the kids because wow have they blessed me and leaving is going to be such a challenge. But I have been so grateful for this experience and for all those who have prayed for me or wished me well on this trip, I truly feel so completely blessed by these kids.

Day 9: Bracelet Day!

Today was such an amazing day! (Like I'm sure I have said about every other day, but still.... 

We went to the village and we started at the boys house making bracelets. Wow they loved it! I can't even tell you how much! We spend so much time in the super hot room making bracelets together. I made bracelets for Christian, Carlos, and Loiuse. Christian loved it!  Louise said he didn't like bracelets, but once I restated I made it specifically for him he was all about it and pretended to like it. 

Loiuse then came in and made me a string bracelet, which I love and I probably won't take the sucker off until it falls off or starts to rot. 

During lunch the gringos always get one cup of soda. Normally I don't take it but today I decided that I would take my portion and give it to the boys to share. I'm so glad I decided to do this, because they are just so grateful when ever you give them anything. 

After lunch we were going to go to the girls house to do bracelets, but some of the boys who were working didn't get to make them so I stayed behind for a bit to give the older kids a chance to get supplies so they could make bracelets too. They are only 11-15 but they work so hard and it was such a great feeling to stay behind to let them do something that was still a bit kid like. 

I then walked down To the girls house where we did bracelets again with them. I can't even tell you how many rubber jewelry gifts were made for me... So many. 

While I was at the girls house I made one of the older boys named Denis some bracelets. He wanted to learn how to do a certain style I had on my anklet I made, but he said he was to busy to learn so I said I would make him one. Which turned to two, because it was just too much fun. He was appreciative, but he did say I was supposed to teach him and then I felt guilty =\. 

Today was solid. I literally made bracelets all day! I mean what an accomplishment. I also got  to know some more kids a bit more which was nice. It's hard to think that we are building these relationships and starting to get to know these kids so much better and in two day we won't get to see them anymore. 

I am having such a hard time deciding which child to sponsor and support from the village. I have a top eight and it is so hard to narrow it down. I just have fallen in love with each of them. 

Day 8: Iglesias de Domingos

Today was a relaxing day. Not to much to share really. 

We went to Sunday service at church where we sang songs with the kids then separated by age group to do a lesson. We met with the head of Heart to Heart and she shared the story of how it came to be. Then we prayed for one another individually. 

Someone today told me during prayer I was very meek and humble and how useful that is and so I had to look it up because I didn't actually know what it meant really. And I was so flattered that that is how I was viewed. 

After church we went and had lunch at the village. I didn't eat all my plate so I offered the left overs to the boys. I know that sounds terrible in first world eyes, but it's unimaginable to me to think about throwing away food that I know kids playing outside would feel treated too if I offered it. I had a cup of soda I only drank half of and same thing. You hand it to them and they get so excited for the treat and then without hesitation they share with each other so that everyone gets a treat. It is such a reminder to me about being happy with what you have becomes some have so little. Enjoy your blessing and use your blessing to bless others. 

Day 7: Water's Pumping!

Great news! The water system the boys have been working extremely hard on is now hooked up! No more bucket baths for the orphanage, hello showers and clean drinking water!!! I got the chance to help move one pipe and it literally made my day and made fee feel like such a part of the team... But realistically the majority of the time the ladies play with the babes and the men have been doing the hard stuff in the heat. 

Today at the village we started with painting the girls nails they loved it. I painted two different girls nails and then one of the girls wanted to paint mine. It was so pampered. I said I was warm, so out of no where as I was getting my nails painted a damp t shirt arrived for me to put on my arms to cool me down. I can't even explain to you how delicate they are and how much the aim to please. After messing up a nail and running out of polish remover Anna used her shirt to scratch off three mistake. I wanted to encourager not to ruin her clothes but at the same time I didn't want to offend her. I was really inspired with their worth of material things being so low and it made me realize that I could really learn something from that. My happiness in her eyes was far more important then the shirt she had on and the blew my mind. Here I am struggling to figure out which shirts to leave behind for them and she is ruining her clothes she does have to give me as close to perfect as possible. Wow. 

At lunch time we got to eat with the boys and enjoyed authentic tacos. Num! When I walked into the cafeteria where the boys had already started they started tapping spots to have me eat with them. I put my plate down next to a boy named Nicholas who has motioned for me to sit next to him and I turned around to go grab a chair. Before I could even take a step a chair was ran into my leg, gently of course. He had stood up and pushed his chair to me and stood to eat the rest of his meal. Talk about an amazing heart melting moment. After I finished eating and went into clean my plate the same boy was out there and insisted on cleaning my plate for me. [Insert second heart melt episode here]. I think I mentioned it already but these kids have such goods manners when it comes to respect and treating ladies right. Again wow! 

After that the village was pretty low key. I colored, sang with one of the older boys, and played games with Louise. 

One amazing moment was when Carlos an older boy talked about his life and really reminded us why the village exists and how hard life in Honduras can be. He told us he had a friend who died in a fire when Carlos ran to go get help the building exploded and he ended up in a coma for two weeks. And then he shared about not knowing who is dad is. He is an artist with great drawing skills and it was just nice to get to be a listening ear for him. 

To finish off the night we went to Saturday church service. It was so cool! All the things discussed for the most part were on the screen in Spanish so i used the opportunity to try and translate and work on my vocabulary. But, boys am I terrible... I loved singing the worship songs in Spanish though with the words. It was overall a nice day. Everyone is getting pretty tired and exhausted from the heat but I have high expectations that great things are still to come and we will all overcome the struggles to do great things!

Day 6: The Celebration

We started off our morning in the village playing music with the boys. But, it was a bit unorganized for me so I move on the the girls house where they were practicing there dance for the evening. It was so much fun watching  them prepare! Eventually the guitar and vocal group aka Brittany and Holly showed up and we had an amazing time playing and singing together. The girls naturally where much better at organization and participation. Before we knew it, it was lunch time!

After lunch I got the chance to play cards with some kids. First we played slapjack then Louise came over and we played speed. It felt so much like home playing cards with kids. It really was a soft part of my day, but still wasn't as emotional as the celebration later...

After we got done playing cards I went to see what the girls were doing. I found them making decorations for tonight's celebration. I stepped in to help make streamers and while I was doing that a little boy named Christian Came and started putting pieces of left over streamers in my hair. At first I thought he was just trying to be mean but then I realized he was just playing and being nice and trying to so hard. Once he was done he sat next to me and put his head on my should which quickly escalated to him laying in my lap as a scratched his back. 

This moment really hit me. It's so hard to know they don't get this kind of attention a lot of the time and it's only when groups like ours come that they get that attention. But the people always leave after a small time. That must be so hard for them, yet when we come they crave the attention and love from us and let us in and it just feels so special to me. 

After decorating we went back to the girls house to watch High School Musical 2 where we sat and I then had an extreme hair makeover that kept going and going and going. It was so much fun to let the girls play with my hair and watch a musical! I was totally in my element! 

I I eventually ended up with this look for the celebration, which I was quite happy with.

We walked back a bit before the girls to change in to our new change of clothes and then went out to the main area where music was playing. I got the chance to dance with my favorite little, Carlito and also another boys named Louise. It is crazy how polite they are taught to be even at such a young age. When Carlito was dancing Louise politely cut in, then when he was done he made sure before ending his dance he had someone to hand me off to. Mind you Louise is only about eight. It really touched my heart getting to do this.

Once the live band started there was much more dancing to a really great worship team who sang only in Spanish. Louise found me again and danced with me for ages. At one point a song came on that he had a dance for so he taught me the moves and made sure I was keeping up and dancing along. The feeling I had in the moment is priceless. Then once the program's started he performed that dance and another in front of the entire group and I couldn't help but be emotional. I was just so proud of him and happy to share the moments with him. 

After the music the pastor gave a message about dating and it was so powerful and funny. He made the point that until you find "the right one" you should keep your focus on "the one who created you" and not worry about the rest because if your living God's will, your esposa will find you! And if we want to know who your future husband is you just have to read the first Psalm. Boys had to read a proverb for their future wife but I forgot the referencing seeing as I already knew I for the bill so I'm good =P.

Overall, amazing day! I mean I keep thinking it can't get better... But it does every day. Wow. God is good.

Day 5: The Water Park/Zoo

Today was an amazing night day! It's crazy how quickly you build relationships with kids!

We started off the morning playing soccer with some of the boys. The longer we played the more kids joined in. It was an amazing exerience! They are so talented and I just looked like a chicken with my head cut off. My team one, but with no help from me (minus my really positive encouragement that is).

After this we had the boys dancing with us the music they had playing and that was fun too. They weren't as in to the dancing as the "gringas" but some enjoyed with us anyway.

After lunch we loaded up and made our way to the Water Park/ Zoo. And wow was it cool. I mean it's nothing like the American style is far less low key, but when we arrived there was almost no one there and in seconds 130 people were in the park enjoying what it had to offer. 

Playing with the kids in the water was so much fun. As I mentioned before its so funny how quickly you can build relationships with people. The kids you felt a small attachment to in the children's village grew so much more at the park. It's amazing how they trust you.

I was so amazing to see how the older kids step up to take care of the younger kids as well. The village has house moms who care for the kids but there are to many kids for a lot of extreme one on one interaction. But the older boys and girls took time to grab the littles and help them swim in the deeper water or take them on the slide without even being asked. It really is so touching seeing how they look after one another and love one another like a huge family. 

While playing in the water I enjoyed so many different things. I played volleyball for so long until one of the girls, Myra asked me to join her on the water slide. So I did that then I jumped back in on ball. But, after awhile I felt pulled to go play with the littles in the shallow end for a bit. I then had the chance to take one of the littles down a water slide. 

I also came back and played with one of the little boys who has touched my heart. He looks about four or five and had spent music time with me each day's today in the pool we played and I tried to help him figure out how to swim but he was a bit afraid of the water. And when he started playing monster when some other "gringo" Carlito would run grab my hand and used me as protection. 

After that I got to know a little girl, named Yohana, who was about eight and take her down the slides too.

After about three hours of swimming I decided to get out to dry off before ingot in the car but then one of he older boys named Denis asked me to pay what started of as volleyball and turned into monkey in the middle. I told him while playing that I was terrible at this game and he replied. " you're not terrible. You are having fun I can tell because you are smiling and that is all that matters is that you are having fun, so you are not terrible." That was such a powerful rememberable statement that just sits with me. That someone who has so much less than me can have such a positive outlook on life and encourage me in such an extreme way. I hope to grow up someday to be like Denis, a sixteenish (age is a guesstimate) Honduran.   

Heartfelt moment:

One of my tender moments of the day was a boy named Louise. Louise was crying his morning so I went out to see what was wrong. He had been pushed down so insist next to him and he just snuggled up until He felt better and then he stood up and helped me up and stayed close. Then at the pool he hit his lip and I heared him crying again so I come again went and loved on him and when he was better took him down the slide. I hope the attention ment has much to him as it does to me to get to give it, because I don't believe he would have been given that attention if I wouldn't have been there. The one kids would have made sure he was alright yes, but I feel like it is so important for kids to know an "adult" is looking out for them and cares. 

Day 4: Back to the Village

Today we started of back at the village and WOW was it an amazing day! There still is very little work for the girls to do so our main priority is loving on Los niños. The older boys at the camp have been spending there time digging a ditch so the village can finish of the new well system. They literally took the shovels from our group and wouldn't let us help, in return they only insisted on "fresco!" Aka Pepsi! 

Brittany and I decided our first goal was playing with the littles so we ran down to the girls house to spend time with them. You just walk into the room of about 20 kids ranging from 2-8 and they just start running up and hugging you like crazy and wanting you to play with them and you can't even say no! The hardest part is trying to remember all the names of the kids, but even without names they still just love on you and jump at you with the expectation you will catch them. 

We then assisted in taking all the littles and girls back to the boys house for an airplane contest! We got to color and spend time with he kids! It was so fun getting some organized fun in with all of them.

After that I attempted to assist in repairing s shower that is broken, but we have not quite solved that problem yet, and really I was just moral support... And they needed a girl to give the "all clear!"

After lunch is my favorite part of the days so far! It's the time where we get to watch the kids be involved in their devotionals. They sing songs and have a message and it is amazing! After the message any child who wants can come and lead a song and they all rush to he front to get a chance! I actually got a video today I'm so excited to share! But I can't figure out how to add it.

 This time is just so special The kids will just like on your lap if they see it empty. In the course of the forty five minute class I think I had five different kids on my lap at different times. 

But not only are they so loving, but the kids are caring too. When instructions are being given the kids will help you follow them. If you miss the instructions many will tell you exactly what to do and show you. It's pretty amazing having five year olds give you directions during song time, or having three kids grab your hands to drag you up front per the pastors instructions, but you had no idea they were given. 

After this I walked into an opportunity to make tortillas and it was such an amazing experience! 

We had so much fun! I'm so. It a master and I don't even know how to mix the dough but wow was it fun! 

The moments we get with these kids are just amazing. For instance, Louise took some time to play the guitar and sing with us some songs we knew. He was so little, but knew some chords and it was so amazing getting to see and be a part of.

Songs we sang in Spanish (canciones que cantábamos en español):

Pápá Abraham

Pápá Abraham tenia hijos
muchos hijos tenia padre abraham
yo soy uno y tu tambien
alabemos al Senor
MANO DERECHA
Etc.

Zaccheus

Zaqueo era un hombre pequeño, poco 
y un hombre de baja estatura, poco se fue. 
Se subió a un árbol sicómoro. 
para que el Señor quería ver. 

Y como el Salvador pasó por allí, 
Miró hacia arriba en el árbol! 
Y dijo: 
Zaqueo, que bajar de allí! 
Porque yo voy a tu casa. 
Porque yo voy a su casa hoy! 

Y Zaqueo bajó de ese árbol! 
Y él dijo: 
Lo que un hombre mejor que se. 
Voy a dar mi dinero a los pobres. 
Lo que un hombre mejor que se. 
Lo que un hombre mejor que se.

Cristo me ama

Cristo me ama, bien lo se

Su palabra me hace ver

Que los ninos son de aquel

Quien es nuestro amigo fiel

Si, Cristo me ama X3

La Biblia dice asi

Today's Morning Devotion Message:

Isaiah 58:10-11 NLT

[10] Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. [11] The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

Day 3: First Day At The Village

The First Day at the Village:

Today was our first day to actually go to the Village we are going to be working in during our time in Honduras. The village houses 102 boys and girls of various ages. Our projects maiming revolve around clean water, but their our many other things will be helping with as needed.

Today we were greeted at the gate by one of the boys who instantly saw the van pull up and he opened the gate without hesitation or direction. Before we even entered the village had stolen my heart! I mean what manners honestly!

Then we entered and we were given a tour. We saw the boys house and then the girls house and following that we went into the little's room, which was s zoo of about 25 young kids ranging from two to eight playing with toys and watching Dragon Tales. Instantly, the young ones just attacked wanting to be held, loved, played with, and they wanted to see your cameras (they love electronics). 

After about an hour of littles I want to enjoy some of the bigger girls. After lunch their was a time of kid's bible study where the kids sang Spanish versions of classic children's church songs I recognized like Father Abraham (aka pápá Abraham) and If You're Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands. I had a little boy come and just plop himself in my lap. It was amazing to sing then songs and be there to experience the kids at study time.

We then played a game where the "gringas" were against the kids in a high speed race to see which team could get their shoes (Los zapatos) on quickest. We lost (keen'a may be more powerful in terms of comfort, but in this competition the flip flops took the gold).

After that we got the chance to play volleyball with some of the older girls. Even though it was a million degrees out we still really enjoyed ourselves.

The final highlight at the Villiage consisted of taking a break and spending some time with a little boy named Christian, whom was in the cool-off room suffering a bee sting injury (left eye completely swollen). We went in saw him and prayed for him and when we came back two hours later it was much better and Brittsny rocked him and snuggled him for about s half hour and by the time we left it was completely healed. There wouldn't have been anyone there to give him that kind of attention if we weren't there and that's a powerful thought! 

The rest of the day was pretty low key, once again dinner was amazing and I am feeling pretty grateful for my electric band shorts, because by the end of the week I am so going to need the extra space!

Morning Devotional:

I signed up to give the first devotional of the group while we are here in Honduras, which honestly I did see myself doing something so bold before I arrived. Previously, before arriving we were asked to prepare a devotional and being the amazing student I am I prepared it the next day. However, unfortunately after preparing it completely disappeared as did all the notes I used to create it...

Being so discouraged I decided not to even bother rewriting and then hoping I wouldn't be selected to share. However, last night as Pastor Scott shared a word about courage and listening to what your being led to do and then I felt a pull that not only did my topic need shared with the group, but I needed to go first and start us all off before we entered the Children's Village for the first time. 

So, even more surprisingly I was bold enough to listen and to sign up to go first! So this morning I shared my word from Luke 10:38-42.

Luke 10:38-42 NLT

[38] As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. [39] Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he taught. [40] But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me." [41] But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! [42] There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."

The message was just a reminder to the group that both Martha and Mary were serving Jesus and while we are at the village working we need to remember that when others slow down to enjoy we are not to be hard on them and if we slow down and others are working hard that's ok too as long as we focus on the main goal of listening and focusing on Jesus. We need to spend our days focusing on Him and asking what he wants us to do and be obedient to His wishes.

Day 2: Honduras Mission

Today we finished our our traveling to our hotel location. It feels like it's still Sunday as we never really got to sleep accept for our catnaps on plane rides. This experience already has felt so surreal.

When we got of then plane we went through customs and had no trouble then we loaded up and headed to have out first authentic Honduran meal...at Pizza Hut. I tried a banana soda which tasted like cream soda essentially. When we were leaving the resturaunt two kids came up to us and started talking to the youth pastor who is traveling with the group. One of the guards in the parking lot told the children to leave, but we were able to send them with some left over chicken wings before they went. This is the first of many moments I'm sure we are about to have here.

We then drove the hour to the hotel and unloaded our luggage etc then we opted to take a dive into the Caribbean Sea, which is right outside our beautiful hotel room. It felt like bath water and the view is beautiful! I could get used to that.

After a swim it was nap time. We hadn't slept a true sleep since Saturday night. We woke for dinner and had an amazing homemade meal with homemade lemonade and plantains. This meal was a true Honduran meal, and I believe if it continues to be this good I'm going to come back with ten additional pounds on me...

Our ruitine is going to include opening and closing the day with a devotional and worship. So we sang some songs and I signed up to be the first devotional for tomorrow, and it is safe to say I'm terrified, but it's all for the glory right?

Culture notes:

I have already seen some cultural differences here. For instance, outside of establishments are what look like some sort of guard holding guns. It's not a scary feeling but rather just different then what someone born in the United States would be used to.

Also, the roads are pretty bumpy and the drivers are a bit crazy! It's pretty much a guarantee that i will get car sick while riding. Often times you see passengers riding in the back of trucks as if it's normal. I actually saw one man riding in the back of a truck full of what looked like squash, I would have loved a picture of that. Also lots of people biking and individuals catching s ride on pegs or handle bars.

The scenery is beautiful here. It's much greener than I expected.  But, just as we mentally prepared for, it's HOT! The women walk down the streets with umbrellas to block out the sun, which is quite the transition being from the pacific north west!

Honduras Mission Trip Take One

I'm so excited to be headed out today to Honduras! The team had been meeting for months in preparation for this journey and the take off day is finally here. But, I've gotten ahead of myself. 

Before the trip:

 The group has been working together months to make the trip a success. To raise money for this trip we did a couple of fundraisers and the amount of generosity we received was astounding! But, not only was I blessed with seeing the church step up to support the mission, so many people in my life stepped up to assist me in the journey validating to me that I was doing the right thing. Not only where people financially generous in my life, but the amount of well wishes, positive thoughts, and prayers that people extended have been numerous and so inspiring! 

The day of departure:

The team met up at both church services to receive prayers from the congregation. It was such an amazing experience to have so many people lifting us and wishing us well for our journey. I have had no fear about our travels and only complete peace. I can't wait to see what this journey brings each of us traveling and how we will be used to make a difference in the lives of others. 

Thank you to all who are praying for us and thinking of us as we our on our journey, I am truly blessed to have you in my life and can't wait to share with you my experiences from the next ten days.

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

[6] Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.