Taxi cab, rain, rest, and weekend fun

September, 12th, 2009
Getting rest afterTaxi rides, Homita, and Hives

Getting rest after busy weeks, early mornings, and long nights has been a priority and enjoyment for us. Last week, the guys were working long hours interviewing, and managing the needs to set up the factory for Tegu. With the launch of the website, and beginning of sales, it seemed they were always working. When the weekend came, Brian and I decided to venture out on our own, and explore a bit of downtown. We took a taxi ride, which was only 3 dollars (US), and said our prayers as the shocks in the taxi cab were shot; we bounced so hard that it felt like our bums were dragging along the road. Olivia loves riding without a car seat, and looks out the windows as I hold onto her for dear life, my knuckles whitening in stress. The taxi driver follows another driver who cut him off, yelling and then looking back at us for approval while he sips his water from a plastic bag. Finally we are downtown, and it is a good time walking through the streets, ducking into shops, and people watching. We didn’t take photos because we were being conservative, and not wanting to be robbed. We ended up getting a ride home from our friends who live downtown, and we just beat the down poor of rain. When we were back home, we plugged in our 5 inch Homita DVD player and laughed that this is our family entertainment systems. Watching old DVD’s that bring comfort, I nursed Olivia and Brian noticed hives about her legs and arms and face. For the next few days I would watch what she ate and try to figure what was causing the hives. After a few days I realized Olivia was reacting to nursing because I now had hormones and estrogen in my milk again for the first time in 19 months. The hives are gone, and with some rest, Olivia also beat the cold that she had.

As we all nap together as a family, I listen to the sounds that are now familiar; soccer games with fans cheering and whistles calling out goals, fruit falling from the trees above and landing on the roof and ground, rain tapping at the windows, dogs barking, cars honking outside people’s doors, the watchman’s whistle, and birds singing, doors squeaking open and closed, water flowing through pipes…these sounds are now a comfort because they have become a familiar tell of time.


Amazing Olivia!
September 13th, 2009

Olivia is so amazing, and I am always struck with how she is learning about her world. Her favorite things to do right now are play with new friends- she is so friendly, making it easy for us to make friends as well, and gapping the language barrier for us all. Any baby she meets, she reaches for and laughs at. At the Via Linda Miller community, she is making friends with a little boy who is MR. He laughs and grabs back for her.

At home, Olivia’s play includes her burppie cloth, which she puts up to our face for us to play with it too. She loves reading, and there are several books that she puts in my lap and yells for me to read as she point to the pictures. She stands up and reaches for things, mainly anything electronic, or dangerous. She is always trying to get what she is not allowed to have. She loves to feed me, amazed by my teeth, and points to things saying “this, that”. Magnets are fascinating to her, and she tries to stick them onto different surfaces. She loves her toys that sing, and bumps up and down trying to dance and mimic the tune. Bath time is a joy, as she pours water and pops bubbles. Olivia knows what she likes and dislikes, communicates with body language and sounds, and can sign “all done, more, and milk”. Here are some shots of her being amazing!

September 13th weekend CHIMINIKE children's Museum and interactive Center
Celebrating the day of NINOS - Children's day!!

Brian surprised us this weekend by taking us to a children’s interactive Museum center. These photos tell how incredible the place was! Most of the activities would not fly in the US because of safety standards, but here, it’s the creativity and freedom to still explore and run wild with such fun activities at hand. The views from inside and around the building were beautiful, and there were so many children and families! This weekend was the celebration of Children weekend! Day of NINOS.  People really love and celebrate children in Honduras. They are one of lifes most important blessings. So many people were out with their children celebrating. We had a great time, and Olivia fell to sleep after the excitement

Children's art work                                            Grocery store play                           Olivia watching a puppet show

Olivia playing in the baby area

Stroller walk

View from out side Chiminike

children on climbing structure                               

Love In Honduras found at LA Cumbre- 4 year Wedding Anniversary

LA Cumbre- September 10th, 2009

4 year Wedding Anniversary

Brian and I celebrated our four year anniversary tonight. We have had, so far, an amazing life together. Let me share our short history with you.

We met in New York City 2004. Brian was riding his dream, living and working in NYC. He had awesome hobbies: JKD- Martial Arts, drummer for the Journey Church, surfing and snowboarding during seasons, and a great social life. I still try to picture him on the subway with his surfboard, and can remember helping him drag his snowboards onto the train as he headed off for snowboarding season.

I was finishing my Master’s degree in Early Education- working every day (sometimes weekends) and attending long classes that lasted until 9:30pm at night. My social life previous to my MS program was great, but now only had room for the best of friends- Brian, Anyeline (my roommate), Naomi, Jennie (suffering the classes with me)…

In November 2004, the day after Thanksgiving, after a weekend at my parents’ home in LI, Brian and I were officially dating, and then that January 2005, Brian got a transfer to work in CA! SO we had a long distance relationship and engagement which made us bi-coastal, making trips between LA and NYC- the two greatest cities ever. We created a bond through conversation, prayer, and devotionals. We were ready to begin a life together.

September 10, 2005, we were married in NY and can say that our wedding was so beautiful including participation from family and friends, and memories that will never fade. We honey-mooned in Maui- an absolute dream, and moved to Santa Monica- quite possibly the best city in the USA (after NYC that is). We both worked, and began to fall in love with the activities that our home offered us; the beach a mile from our apartment, hiking nearly 2 miles, snowboarding at Mammoth, the hustle of downtown Promenade, the Pier, Main street shopping, Venice freak shows, Korean BBQ, Hawaiian food, swimming, parks, evening walks, and of course, our community at Mosaic- our new home Church.

We began serving in our community by starting groups like Married Couples Bible studies, ReCreate (a recreational group), Women’s discipleships, JKD classes, volunteering at the West side Pregnancy Clinic, PLAYe (an arts group)…any and every interest and need there was- we engaged. It was a taste of heaven! Then we began to travel. Snowboarding trips to Utah, Tahoe, Colorado, Mammoth, and Canada. Wedding anniversaries in Canary Islands, NYC, Malibu. Vacations and business trips to Hong Kong, Tokyo, The Philippines, Arizona, Mexico, Florida, and NY.

And then, Olivia joined our family. Like the cherry on top! An amazing pregnancy, baby moons in New York and Santa Barbara, and a delivery fast and amazing right in our living room (not that we planned that). Olivia brought blessings instantly! Friendships, community, and every need we had was met.

Now, as parents, Brian and I began to pray, talk, and dream about what was next for us. New jobs? Brian knew his job term was coming to an end, and my small business that I own was slow. Do we search for new jobs just so that we can make a lot of money and never see each other or our baby? No. Do we try to buy a home in this buyers’ market so that we can have a mortgage and be tied down to paying it off for the next 30 years? Not for us. We are both wild at heart, love adventurer; dreamers. We talked and prayed every night about what we both wanted. Our common dreams were (and are) travel, volunteering, living abroad, and working together. We imagined together- building a school, educating teachers, living in another country while serving and working as a team. We knew we wanted to use our time, talents, and gifts together.

Honduras- view of Tegus

After sometime, Honduras became an opportunity for us. We could live with a close friend for free, help him with his amazing start-up toy company, work together, volunteer in the poor communities together, and basically live our dream.

And so that brings us to today. We made it here by God’s grace and the love and support of our family and friends. We can truly see each other for who we are in character and gifting, and we love each other more and more with each adventure and challenge that we face together. We put each other first, and try to be self-less in spirit (of course some days are better than others).
We need God’s help, and call on Him all the time. He has blessed us, and we are so happy to be in His will. Here at the top of Tegucigalpa- looking out at the lights below that sparkle like distant starts and galaxies, we talk about the present, past, and future. In this moment, we could be any where. This is the best restaurant in all of Tegus, and Brian arranged for us to be here (our friends baby-sitting Olivia! Yea!) We enjoy steaks, wine, crème brule, and each other.
It is a gift.
A perfect night.

vic and brivic       vic          

when it's quiet

September 9th, 2009

With the house quiet and still, I sit in our air conditioned bed room – thankful that Olivia has taken well to a daily nap schedule, and typing away to keep my self company. The pitter patter of the keys, the potential social life that rests in the roar of “face book”, and “blog spot”, the unrest that is within me…



I know that creativity comes when there is unrest. This is good. And time with God brings about answers and peace. This is good too. I’ll try at some poetry- corny, cheesy, and soothing.



Cubes of cinderblocks form a large square room.

This is their home. This is their doom.

Can’s see past the pain when they are smiling.

A mile of tears in the river that was.

He says his home floated away.

Promises of a better life…flies take over the kitchen.

Hands with out washing. Feet run bare.

Across the dirt. Smoke in the air.

Who am I to help? Who am I to cry?

Maybe this is bliss. Happiness in the filth.



Ok. That was fun. I plan to do some paintings of the tamales that we made together last week…was it last week?

It feels as if I have been here for years already. Days move slower. There is importance in the small things like buying milk, mopping the floor, 11 am baby nap, play time, doing dishes, praying, 4 pm baby nap, nursing, preparing meals, cleaning kitchen, sweeping, a stroll around the yard, keeping track of my thoughts, praying.

It has been hot and I have been antsy. What God has spoken to my heart is that I must be patient and serve who is in front of me at the moment. Being that I am in a home full of people- Brian, Olivia, Chris, Charlie- there is much to do, and many ways to serve. To keep up with the home, the meals, and the needs here is enough. But God knows my heart and knows that I have a passion to serve the women and children here in Honduras – who aches for hope and love.

At first I must be faithful with the little things, and may I be given more…

I must learn the language better. Find friends and bravery to travel alone with Olivia- outside our small neighborhood. I must be confident and dedicated to what and how I will serve. Must be sure that I am where God wants me to be and not where pride guides me. Patience. What a virtue indeed.



These quiet times, bring everything to its root. The true meaning cannot hide between laughter, business, movement, talk and chatter.

I am faced with the reasons. The reasons why we are here. The reasons why I am here.

It was almost as if there was no choice in coming. As though I were in an ocean’s tide being pulled and calmed at the same time.

Growing with the knowledge that sometimes we cannot take care of only ourselves. Sometimes the beauty is in taking care of each other. The beauty is in asking for our “daily bread”. I believing that God will give us what we need- not what we think we need.

This has been the reason so far. This is what I hear in the quietness. Back in LA there would not be such quietness. I have a car there. Friends. Places to go, things to see, people to meet, and walks to take…busy.

I am soaking up the provision of time, and patience. The reasons before me. The reasons ahead.

a week later...

September 8th already?

Where did the week go- I think.

After the Awaken team left to go back to LA, it hit me- we live here. We are not "going back" with the team. This is home for now. Yet I keep catching myself calling LA “home”

Where is my home? I’ve decided it’s the cheesy saying, that home is where the heart is.



The past two Sundays, we have gone to a Church near our home called Impacto (Impact). We live just around the corner from it, and so we walk there. The service is in Spanish with simultaneous translations. I’ve become friends with the woman who translates, her name is Gabby, and she is an answer to prayer. Gabby invited me to a Mommy Bible study, which also has been great. Now that we belong to a Church, and a bible study, I am making friends. Gabby also takes me grocery shopping. There is a Costco here and it’s called Price Smart. Has just about everything at home, with mush less selections, so choice making is limited- easier. I have been shopping for three men, and a baby- and myself (haha). That’s Brian, Chris (Tegu owner and who’s home we are staying at), and Charlie, who is spending a month here with us to volunteer at Tegu (like Brian). I feel like I have two sons! I’m packing lunches; cleaning the home, making dinner…It has been a lot of work. This is how I am serving right now.

On Sunday we also spoke to the Pastor to find out how we can serve with them. There are some programs through the Church that help children and families. I must find a ride to these functions. Not having a car is my biggest obstacle. I pray for transportation, because even if I had a car, driving here, if you are not a native- is like suicide! It’s like LA and NY’a worst drivers on crack.

With that said, I am still finding ways to be busy. I am helping Tegu with some of the educational text for the website www.tegu.com.

The guys have been very bust this week interviewing candidates to hire. 200 + Hondurans lined up to apply for jobs with Tegu this week and last week. The requirement was a test, which many had a hard time passing. Men and women applied, and this week the team will make some decisions about new hires. SO many people waited and waited, and were hopeful- as they applied. Many were surprised by the test, and found it difficult. Many were not used to the work environment- and so there were some strange behaviors. The team is challenged in finding candidates, and will be challenged to train the new hires.

At home I wait each night, cooking dinner for 5, playing with Olivia, and excited to hear the news about how the day at the factory was. I am also anxious to pass Olivia onto Daddy so that my hips and arms can have a break. She is so active and playful, and learning so much every day.

This home is much bigger than our home in LA, and I find keeping up with it to be exhausting. I feel blessed though that God has provided for us, and that slowly, I am making friends, having days out, and soon hope to serve outside of the home- in the community – with the women and children who need love.

Fun at home!

At the local Mall- Cascades

Making Tamales

Aug 31 today Olivia and I learned how to make tamales with our friends who lives in Via Linda Miller. Bethany, who is Darwin’s girl friend from the States, was with us as well, and we girls learned a lot about Tamales and the culture and hard work of the Honduran women.

It took the entire day to make the Tamale dinner for 15 people- including us, and the Awaken team. To start, Mrs. Pavon went to the market to pick up corn, chicken, spices, veggies, banana leaves, and coffee. Mrs.Pavon is a mother of 7 children. The family used to live near the river bank before hurricane Mitch took their home in 1989. Darwin says he can remember what it was like, how horrifying, to watch homes float away in the vicious wind and rain that stole their community. That year, a community was built for the people who lost their home, by the Miller family. The community is called Via Linda Miller, and has hundreds of homes, a Church, near by is a school, nursery, and clinic (that is not yet operating and one of the projects that the Awaken team was working on). Mr. Pavon died years ago when trying to help someone who was in a truck accident. The truck landed onto of him killing him, and leaving Mrs. Pavon and Darwin to raise and care for the family.
The family’s home in Via Linda Miller is simple, and has the basic needs, but is not the kind of home we are used to. There are 3 bed room shared amongst the family of 8. Darwin mostly lives at the Micah leadership home. He is a graduate of the Micah house- he has gone to college both here in Honduras and in England and has a degree in Agricultural Engineering. He is 25 years old and has been supporting his family for years. Now, as a Tegu employee, he hopes that his siblings will follow in his shoes, and continue onto college as well.
I watch his sister Ali as she studies hard in the afternoon. School is from 7 am until 12 pm. A short day. I wonder what kind of dreams the children in the family have. The Disney channel plays from their TV set, and the kids eat tortillas, bean paste, and cheese. Every one drinks sweet ice tea or coffee, and when Mrs. Pavon calls them to the back area, they all help to make the Tamales. Some help more then others. Mrs. Pavon instructs Ali, who must be about 16, to clean the corn. Danielle, who is about 8, separates the banana leaves. Kiki, about 2 years old, makes coffee, and Pedro, who is about 18, hides out in his room. The older brother, Moi, is at work, and older sister Patty, is a teacher. Darwin tells us that everyone helps to keep the family going, and the loss of his father was hard. He explains that he Via Linda Miller community is such a blessing because most of the families in this community- including his- were living in shacks near the river side. Very poor- he describes it- we were very poor.
As I look around their home, I try to imagine 8 people sharing 3 bedrooms and one bathroom, with no running water- the water flows into bins and runs freely only at night, a small sitting room next to a dining room table…this is what we would consider poor. Here in Tegus, Via Linda Miller is considered a new second class

Bethany and I begin to help with the Tamales. I drain the corn and Bethany smoothes it with her hands. We then stir the mixture of flavors and veggies that Mrs. Pavon has prepared. The cooking area is outside with a tin roof above. The stove is built of bricks and wood burning. It is so hot to stir with the fire burning beneath. Mrs. Pavon keeps saying hot sweaty and hot she is. Keep stirring- she tells us, as she dips her finger into to taste the sauce. Chicken boils on the stove, and soon is loose and falls off the bone. Kiki blends the cilantro mix, and Ali stirs the potatoes and rice. Now with all the ingredients cooked, its time to create the Tamale. First the banana leaf is laid out, then a piece of saran wrap, next the corn meal is poured on, then the sauce, then the rice, then the chicken, then the potatoes, then one raisin. Bethany and I take turns folding, pressing, bending the corners, and wrapping the wet hot ingredients into the banana leaf. A corn tie is then tied around the leaf, and like a beautiful green present, the Tamale is ready to be steamed.

The ritual of making these takes me away to another time and place. I think, what if this was home? If these Tamales were my life line? Could I sleep in a cinder block home with flies buzzing in my ear? Could the taste of sweet coffee and perfect Tamale give me such pleasure that I would not nothing more than another bite? Another sip…Olivia begins to cry, and the reality that I am just a visitor- that I have family in Boca, NY, LA…with big homes and loving arms- my reality- my life reminds me that we all hold onto to something dear. I take Olivia from Mrs. Pavon’s strong loving arms. Olivia is happy where ever she is. She loves people- people love her. But she will not grow up in this reality. Hers will be different then the Pavon family’s.

Our guests arrive and we all savor the amazing creation- the Tamales. Everyone is amazed and satisfied.

We actually don’t need as much as we think we need. We just need each other. I am conflicted with wanting more and less and the same time.

Having family, friends, and Tamales- we could be anywhere and be happy. We made 40 Tamales, ate about 30, and took home the rest. Can  you tatse them?





 

photo journal- August 2009 Moving to Honduras

smallgroup reunion & Honduras fund raising picnic

Olivia's baby   dedication                                       Airport travels- LAX to Miami to TGU Honduras 

Landing at TGU airport window view Aug 18th   

 Here at last! visting the National Park        time for some eats! Baleadas- yummy like a burritoJesus statue that overlooks the city                   Livi at te Tegus ruins- yes we climbed up!visit to AFE schoolvisit to the trash dump communityour clinic day at Via Linda Miller- 100 patiemtsback at our home in Honduras - Livi stands now

visiting Darwin's family at VLM(via linda miller)the drive to Valle do Angeles(valley of angeles)Olivia enjoying corn along the way to valle de angeleDaddy and Livi at Valle de Angeles                    Friends Darwin & Bethany w Olivia at VA art fairvisit to Santa Lucia                                                at night a visit to the street kids                              Milli anos claims to be 1,000 yrs old(on glue)        re cooperating w Awaken team and friends- dinner party       back at home in Honduras- follow our blog for next week's pics!