Our kind friends, the Lee’s, invited us to stay with them on the West side whenever we needed to. In their beautiful and spacious home, we had yet another home base, and we used the time on the West side to plan and execute our fund raising projects. Challenge 2.
We had to raise enough money for our family to live in Honduras for six months time. Our friends, family, and new friends that we know from our Church, Mosaic- all gave and we reached our financial goal in three weeks time. Wow!
Packing for Honduras was quite the venture! Olivia is a growing baby, and so I had to plan her wardrobe to grow with her. I also needed baby goods, and some sentimentals that would keep me feeling not-so-home-sick. Strategically, we packed things that we were willing to give away to people in Honduras once we finished using them, and we had already send a large bag ahead of us with Chris, our host and the toy company owner who had been living in Honduras already for three months. Five fifty pound bags, four carry-on bags, a pack and play crib, car seat, travel high chair, and yes- Sing a long Care Bear made his way with us as well- we were packed and nearly ready to go.
Passports travel health insurance, cell phone coverage plans, computer, US bills paid on line, and all and any other US mainanence and Honduras need had been met with efforts of Brian and Chris and encouragement provided with prayer.
While all this had been going on, the US news altered the world that Honduras was currently in a “political crisis”. The president of Honduras was just taken out of power and replaced by the next power in line. People of Honduras were protesting, and their was “civil unrest”. Our family was concerned, and so Brian made a trip to Honduras to make a decision for us. Would we still go?
Brian had a great time in Honduras, attending team meetings for the toy company he would be working for, and getting to know the city we would be living in. He assured that it was safe, and although it was no LA or NY, we could manage to live there, and it would be ok. Not easy, but ok.
August 17th was our departure date. I had done and seen just about every one and every thing before our time was up. We had a celebration for Olivia’s baby dedication the week end before we left. I was savoring every moment, taking picture, posting daily updates, and enjoying everyone. What I still can’t seem to figure out is why I didn’t cry?
Still awaiting tears, I write to you from my home in Honduras. Perhaps it is the busyness that is keeping me from feeling sad.
Our trip here allowed us a stop over in Miami, and we were blessed to spend the evening and brief morning with my sister and father who live in Florida. It was a great send-off, as they have become excited about our trip, as well as the usual concern.
After a delicious breakfast, kisses from family and their dogs, we loaded our five bags; four carry on bags, and yes, Sing along Care Bear with us into the fifth SUV and our last airplane that would take us to our new city. I held Olivia on my lap, thinking of the many homes, beds, dogs, meals, hugs, pictures, and memories that we had in the last week. I softly told Olivia, as we looked out the small plan window, that we were headed in the direction that God put us in, and that we would soon be in a new home, making new friends, and serving together as a family. The sky was broken with clouds, and although I tight in my throat and tummy, no tears came. I squeezed Brian’s hand, as we lifted off into the sky.
Landing in the Tegus airport can be compared to a bee landing on a flower. The plane circled the landing strip, which seemed too short, and too nearby the hills and city scrape. At a drastic angle, the plane edged its way onto the landing, and everyone cheered as if we were lucky to have safely touched-down. Olivia had had two naps, two feeds, and was doing well.
Darwin, Chris’s Honduran employee and friend, was waiting for us at the airport, and we collected our bags and squeezed into yet another SUV. Olivia’s cars seat was delayed and would arrived the next day, which normally would be a crisis- but in Honduras, children ride in the back of pick-up trucks and motor bikes, so having her on my lap in a four door air-con SUV was perfectly safe. Although, the driving in Honduras was crazy time!
Darwin’s girlfriend from the US came along to the airport to pick us up, and I felt an immediate relief that God had already provided a new friend for me. The ride to our home was full of traffic, bumpy roads, exhaust, and car horns. I was so happy to finally step foot into our home.
Our room is the master bedroom with a bathroom. The closets are built in, there is already a bed, and the walls are bright blue. I was happy that I brought my curtains from home to cover the bar windows. That night, although exhausted and a bit delusional, we unpacked and hung my curtains in the living room, dining room, play room, and bed room. Thinking to myself, could this really be home, I felt a bit better when I saw the kitchen was already stocked with brand new- everything. There is also a couch, two sitting chairs, pillows, bed sets, a dining table (sort of), sitting hairs, shower curtains, some rugs, and ceiling fans. I was stirring with ideas of home décor and could not wait to make the place feel homey.
August 18th our first night was a bit restless. We had the place to ourselves because Chris was in NY on business. Funny enough, the next morning we had to pack all of Olivia’s things and two nights’ worth of clothes because the home needed to be fumigated to get rid of bugs. So once again, our little family packed up and slept at the neighbor’s home. This home was huge. Part of it was a bed-and-breakfast, and the home used to belong to one of the president’s in the past. Olivia was excited to crawl n such vast open space and slide as she quickly made her way across the marble and tile floors. It was strange sleeping in this huge home, while maids vanished behind hidden doors and long hallways. There was also a baby at this home who rumor has it- the maids were raising because someone left him outside their doorstep. We only saw the baby once, and was told he was ill with the flu. His wide eyes gleamed with tears, and I was so curious about his story.
August 20th we could finally move back into our home and really begin to settle in. We also had a great night’s sleep, and Darwin took us around town with his girlfriend, Bethany, to have some local food, and check out the shopping. The malls remind me of the Philippines, and the food is greasy and heavy. I was able to call my family because there is wifi at the restaurants. Feeling a bit more at home after seeing the stores because one large store is just like Costco, with huge family sized items for sale, and long lines with customers holding their member cards and waiting to buy “Costco style pizza” after a long shop. Strange that the Costco look alike would make me feel at home. They even had pampers and Huggies diapers.
August 21st we spent the day at the local National Park which has beautiful landscape and a tall statue of Jesus. His outstretched arms cast a shadow across the city. From a distance, vultures could be scene circling above the trash dump that some thousand people call home. The dried up river where Darwin used to live near was visible as well, and we took a photo of him with his land across the scape behind him.
Olivia has taken an immediate liking to Darwin. He is very playful and loves holding Olivia. This is also encouraging, as I know children’s instincts to be accurate, and I know God is providing us with a community here.
August 22nd, the Mosaic team arrives, and we take a trip to visit the AFE School which was established by Pastor Jonie and his wife to teach the children who live in the trash dump community. The drive to AFE was breathtaking was we drove past green hills, trees, and a thick sky dense with clouds. The school is made of cinder blocks and cement floors with walls that are tiled or wood and desks that scatter in the middle. There is a mural painted on the out side of the bright green school with smiling faces and children holding hands. From a distance there again are the thousands of vultures cascading their circles ahead over the trash dump just a few miles away from the school. We listened to Jonie talk about the many miracles that brought the AFE school to life and how children’s’ lives are being changed. It is both heart warming and remarkable to see the fruit of his efforts.
We drove up to visit the trash dump that the AFE children live at or near by. It is hell on earth.
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good luck and God bless you! love, Ann
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