Accent

Last night I got laughed at for my Honduran accent... Hmm I didn't know I had one, but it makes me excited! Apparently my Spanish is more sing-songy than the monotone Spanish of Lima. Interesting...

One of many things I learned yesterday, and probably the least important:)

Great Opportunity

I’m wearing sweatpants :)  And I love it.

This morning finds me in Lima, Peru visiting with MTW missionaries the Rosses.  I’m so thankful for their generosity to let me stay with them and share with me the wisdom that they have.  The Rosses started a girl’s home here for pregnant girls and young moms called “House of Glory”.  It is the most similar thing that MTW does to what I’ll be doing in La Ceiba with “Puerta de Esperanza”.  And you want to hear the best news… they didn’t really know what they were doing when they started either?  So there is hope :)

I’m really thankful for this opportunity to go visit their girls, learn how the home functions, what kind of rules they have, how counseling with the girls works, etc.  It is going to be so helpful.

Please pray for my time here.  Pray that the Lord gives me vision and wisdom for the future in La Ceiba.  Pray that I will feel renewed and excited about the work that He is doing and will do.  Pray that I will return to La Ceiba and see that He has been at work in my absence preparing an abuela for the house and the girls that will live there.  I’m praying that he brings these people into my life in the next month.

Thanks for caring what is going on here and lifting me up to the Lord.  I know that He is doing this and moving us forward.  And I know that know very little about what I’m doing :)  So… keep praying!

Panic Attack

Me: good morning
Taco lady: good morning where are you headed?
Me: Lima, Peru
Taco lady: do you have your visa?
Me: ummm no, what? Don't I get it when I get here?

And then I started freaking out...

Taca lady: let me check. (minutes tick by) Okay seat or aisle...
Me: wait what about the visa?
Taco lady: oh sorry... You don't need one.

Nothing like a heart attack to wake you up at 5:15 in he morning.

To be known…

This week I had a dream that one of my close friends told me they hated me.  I woke up knowing that it wasn’t true… but it struck a chord. 

Maybe it’s a lack of time with Jesus, maybe it’s a lack of faith, maybe it’s human nature. 

I want to be known, and loved.  I want to know that I’m not forgotten about while I’m off living in a foreign country.  I want to know that when people do things that I used to be a part of that they notice the fact that I’m not there.  I want someone to eat a fried dough at the fair in my honor, I want someone to say that the Thanksgiving gravy doesn’t taste as good b/c I wasn’t there to make it.  Maybe I’m selfish.

But I think it’s who I am and the Lord knows that.  He knows it because He put it there inside of me.  And He reminds me that He knows me… and loves me… better than I know.  He knew that I would need Him because people wouldn’t be enough to fill that need that I have to be loved.

And then… not only did He look at me, see all my mess, know me perfectly and choose to love me… He also gave me blessings, and so many of them.  A friend who reminds me that she doesn’t hate me, but really loves and cares.  A family who comes and invests their lives to know my life and share it with me.  A grandma who prays for me every morning.  Friends who put up with skype when the internet is terrible just to be able to get caught up.  People who support me with money, prayers, cards, emails. 

I think the Lord knew that every once in awhile I would need someone with skin on… He is good to me. 

Its really happening…

Thank you, thank you, thank you… to everyone who donated stuff, bought stuff, or gave money to help with the proceeds of nan’s yard sale.  Puerta de Esperanza is really happening! Look at all this fun stuff we were able to buy!

Refrigerator, stove, washing machine outside…

Kitchen stuff!

My favorite part :)

beds beds beds

About a month ago I called dad and asked if he and Rick could build beds when they came down to visit.  I really wanted each girl to be able to have a bed/dresser that they would use in the home and then be able to take with them when they leave.  Most of these girls have never slept on a good bed with a real mattress before, much less had anything to call their own.  So, a plan was born.

Don’t they look awesome?  And everyone also gets a bookcase!  Love it.  Thanks dad and Rick for all your hard work! (and John, and Xan, and Jeffri, and mom, and Patti…) :)

Nan in Honduras

It was only the second time she has ever left the country.  Lets be honest… nan has friends all over the world and could travel just about anywhere and have a place to stay.  I mean, she even has people that would probably pay for her to come if she would just give the word.  But… I think I must just be her favorite of them all because last week found my grandmother here in Honduras. :)

I know it killed her to not be able to talk to the kids.  Although she was making good use of her Spanish… “Donde esta el bano?”  And she made a great effort with all the other phrases I wrote down for her as well.  And I will say, the Bette McGee look translates because I think even little Honduran kids knew when they were being disobedient just by one look at her face.

Here are some favorite moments caught on film… well… disk.

Helping Erin at kid’s club

Some of the kids who come to the house in the mornings

The beach of course!

Sorting things at Puerta de Esperanza

So excited about all the stuff we were able to get with the yardsale money!