This morning we woke up to the roosters calling at 6:30am. They run free around the yard. We all got ready for the day and Berta made some excellent bread and coffee. She and I prayed together for safe travels. She is very passionate in her faith. She wanted to show me so many things (in her country), but because of my flight leaving when it did...she could only take me to her sister's house (who now lives in the States). Her pastor drove us to the airport; but rather than taking the highway, they chose to drive on the country roads, so that I could "see the country better". Of course, that took longer and we didn't arrive to the airport until 11:30 (remember, my departure time was 12:47pm).
The check-in line was VERY long, so Patti's cousin stayed by the suitcase of items her mom had sent along with me while I ran to the bathroom. As I was washing my hands, I heard my name called over the airport's intercom system...to come to the front desk immediately. This, of course, made my heart race! Was there a time difference between Honduras and El Salvador that I missed?...Did they change the flight time and I missed my plane?...or What??? I ran back to the Delta area and Patti's cousin was still standing in line with the suitcase - holding my spot. When I went to the front desk, a lady reassured me that they were just making sure I was in line to get on the plane. Whew!
I checked in the suitcase (which came out to EXACTLY 50 pounds) and Berta invited me to eat with them at a restaurant in the airport called "Pollo Campero". Her nephew told me that "it's sort of like KFC, but much better". It was now noon (& I wasn't sure I had the time to eat, since I still hadn't went through the police check to get into the flight gates). Before the food came, Delta announce they were beginning to board for flight 404 - my flight. We had to get a bag "para llevar" and I said my "goodbyes". Patti has such a wonderful and supportive family!
When I boarded the plane, I was extremely surprised to see my seat was in the business class area. I have NEVER sat up there before on an airplane! When the food came, it was all on ceramic plates (rather than the plastic containers I am normally accustomed to), and the drinks were served in actual glasses (rather than plastic cups). The steward and stewardess were SO pleasant, offering us the local newspaper (which I kept).
We got in to Atlanta on time, but I still had to go through customs before catching my connecting flight. When I went to get my 2 suitcases, one had been 1/2 ripped open! Thankfully, Delta had "suitcase bags" for these events. As I was about to enter the customs gate, an officer looked at me and said "Excuse me, miss, but you can't take that Pollo Campero through customs." I said "really?...should I through it in this garbage then?" (I hadn't even gotten a chance to try it!) He got a BIG smile on his face and said "I'm just kidding you!...go ahead." I told him not to scare me because I didn't know all of the rules, since I hadn't traveled internationally in over 10 years! The next guy that I had to deal with (when you put your stuff through that x-ray machine) asked me if he could have some of the Pollo Campero, so I did offer him some...but he responded by saing, "If I took some, I'd have to have it all". Apparently they are very familiar with Pollo Campero in Atlanta!
When I got to terminal B-20 to Chicago-Midway, I sat down and began to read. I saw a girl put a quarter into a pay phone only to not be heard by whomever she was talking to - and not get her quarter back. She leaned against the wall, sunk down and started to sob. When I asked her what was wrong, it only made her more upset. She said she had been trying to call home and had tried different phones in the airport, but none had worked...and now she was out of quarters. I asked if she'd like to use mine (knowing full-well what it's like to miss your family, since I was feeling that too), but she refused. I took it out of my bag and handed it to her, insisting that we don't use nearly all of the minutes we're alloted each month...so she took it and made the call. She was so grateful when she handed the phone back, but just the look of relief on her face in being able to tell her family that she was okay was enough for me.
I got to talk to Bob, Andrés and Noah as I was waiting for my last flight. It was delayed by a 1/2 hour. On all of my flights from Honduras back to the States, I've been occupying myself with reading "The Shack" by William P. Young. It is, without a doubt, the best book I've ever read in my life to date! At this point, I'm not even able to put into words my feelings on this book. I have about 1/3 of the book left to go, and may blog a little more about it when I've finished.
When I arrived to Chicago-Midway, the baggage came quickly and I was out the airport doors in about 20 minutes from the time we landed. Jim & Jeanne pulled over to pick me up almost right as I came out. They said they had only made 3 loops around the airport (hopefully that wasn't a lot). We went back to their place, where I got a great night's rest!
Monday, August 18, 2008
August 16th - Meeting Berta
I woke up around 3am to discover there wasn't any power in the house. I was hoping to pack quickly and use the rest of the time to update yesterday's blog and write a letter to Doris before leaving Orphanage Emmanuel (Doris had written me a long letter and gave me a photo of her yesterday). Instead, it took me MUCH longer to shower and pack since I had to do everything in the dark. I received a small glimpse of what a blind person must endure on a daily basis.
I met Kim outside of her house at 5:30am as planned and she took me in to town to make sure I got on the right bus. Anita came along to get familiar with where the bus does its "pick up" so that when she heads out in 2 weeks, she won't be as nervous. It was a 2-hour ride to Teguc and a very short taxi ride to the Hedman Alas station.
I read this weekend that Tegucigalpa comes from the Nahuátl tribe. I didn't realize they came this far south as so many cities near México D.F. are also derived from the Nahuátl language.
This time I got a window seat on the Hedman Alas bus, so was able to enjoy God's beautiful creations on the way...for a little bit anyway. Just outside of Teguc, the bus broke down and we had to wait for the 9:00am bus to come by to pick us up. I went all the way to the back, so still ended up getting a window seat (which was great, since I didn't get a window seat when I came in to Honduras).
I saw a small waterfall among the many mountains we went through. Although a mountainous country, there are no volcanoes or earthquakes in Honduras. The rural people here plant cornfields into the sloped mountain sides. It's quite the sight to see if you're used to our flat fields in Wisconsin. I also saw many rural houses put together with plywood, metal sheets, loose boards, big tree trunks...even plastic sheets (for walls). Many of these houses were the size of my bedroom...or smaller! Due to the poverty here in Honduras, there are many houses for sale and many more houses that have had construction on them started, but never finished.
We stopped for a 20-minute break in Siguatepeque (another Nahuátl name). There was no bathroom on this bus, or refreshments...so this bus generally stops here as a 1/2-way point on the 4-hour trip. As you are riding between San Pedro Sula and Teguc, you'll notice many horses and donkeys standing alongside the highway eating. This is perfectly normal as their owners ride them to work and then let them graze while they work. Occasionally you'll also see cows alongside the road as well (although I don't believe they ride the cows in). The government in Honduras sounds just about as corrupt as in México, because if a police officer feels like taking a horse on the side of the road for himself - he can.
Many people have cell phones down here. There are 2 companies you can go through - Tigo and Claro...both of which operate off of calling cards which you must purchase. Tigo (the less expensive of the two) sells their phones for about $20USD and calling the U.S. costs about $1 Lempira/minute, however I was told that these phones will ONLY work in Honduras. Claro phones and service will work anywhere in Central America, however calls to the U.S. cost about $2.5 Lempiras/minute.
The international airport in San Pedro Sula is about as small as (or smaller than) Outagamie Regional Airport in Appleton. The plane to San Salvador seemed to have a sort of "dry ice" substance being sprayed from above the luggage compartments. I'm not sure what this is for...perhaps a cheaper way of cooling the plane down? I was in a seat all by myself (2 empty seats next to me), so a stewardess asked me to move to seat 14E. That seat was next to a many from Fort Lauderdale, Florida who had his 20-month old son, Dillon, with him. He said his wife was from Honduras, so they travel there about 3 times/year. They own land and are beginning to build a house so they can retire there. When I had mentioned my interest in retiring in a Spanish-speaking country, he had lots of good advice to offer such as:
I met Kim outside of her house at 5:30am as planned and she took me in to town to make sure I got on the right bus. Anita came along to get familiar with where the bus does its "pick up" so that when she heads out in 2 weeks, she won't be as nervous. It was a 2-hour ride to Teguc and a very short taxi ride to the Hedman Alas station.
I read this weekend that Tegucigalpa comes from the Nahuátl tribe. I didn't realize they came this far south as so many cities near México D.F. are also derived from the Nahuátl language.
This time I got a window seat on the Hedman Alas bus, so was able to enjoy God's beautiful creations on the way...for a little bit anyway. Just outside of Teguc, the bus broke down and we had to wait for the 9:00am bus to come by to pick us up. I went all the way to the back, so still ended up getting a window seat (which was great, since I didn't get a window seat when I came in to Honduras).
I saw a small waterfall among the many mountains we went through. Although a mountainous country, there are no volcanoes or earthquakes in Honduras. The rural people here plant cornfields into the sloped mountain sides. It's quite the sight to see if you're used to our flat fields in Wisconsin. I also saw many rural houses put together with plywood, metal sheets, loose boards, big tree trunks...even plastic sheets (for walls). Many of these houses were the size of my bedroom...or smaller! Due to the poverty here in Honduras, there are many houses for sale and many more houses that have had construction on them started, but never finished.
We stopped for a 20-minute break in Siguatepeque (another Nahuátl name). There was no bathroom on this bus, or refreshments...so this bus generally stops here as a 1/2-way point on the 4-hour trip. As you are riding between San Pedro Sula and Teguc, you'll notice many horses and donkeys standing alongside the highway eating. This is perfectly normal as their owners ride them to work and then let them graze while they work. Occasionally you'll also see cows alongside the road as well (although I don't believe they ride the cows in). The government in Honduras sounds just about as corrupt as in México, because if a police officer feels like taking a horse on the side of the road for himself - he can.
Many people have cell phones down here. There are 2 companies you can go through - Tigo and Claro...both of which operate off of calling cards which you must purchase. Tigo (the less expensive of the two) sells their phones for about $20USD and calling the U.S. costs about $1 Lempira/minute, however I was told that these phones will ONLY work in Honduras. Claro phones and service will work anywhere in Central America, however calls to the U.S. cost about $2.5 Lempiras/minute.
The international airport in San Pedro Sula is about as small as (or smaller than) Outagamie Regional Airport in Appleton. The plane to San Salvador seemed to have a sort of "dry ice" substance being sprayed from above the luggage compartments. I'm not sure what this is for...perhaps a cheaper way of cooling the plane down? I was in a seat all by myself (2 empty seats next to me), so a stewardess asked me to move to seat 14E. That seat was next to a many from Fort Lauderdale, Florida who had his 20-month old son, Dillon, with him. He said his wife was from Honduras, so they travel there about 3 times/year. They own land and are beginning to build a house so they can retire there. When I had mentioned my interest in retiring in a Spanish-speaking country, he had lots of good advice to offer such as:
- Get to know the area years in advance and bring donations down with each visit so that the community can get to know me.
- Most Americans are getting a 99-year lease on a piece of land in Honduras rather than to trying to purchase land. It's easier and there's a lot less paperwork (red-tape).
- Visitors to the country (non-citizens) are only on Visas, which expire every 90 days, so they need to leave the country for at least 3 days before coming back in. This gives "retirees" to go back to the States every 3 months to visit children/grandchildren...or they can simply cross the border into Belize for a short 3-day vacation as well.
Although I didn't catch his name, this man was SO nice and informative that the hour plane ride to San Salvador flew by (no pun intended). When I came out of customs in San Salvador (it costs $10 to go into the country), Patti's son found me right away. He approached me and asked, "Es usted la patrona de Patti?" I'm not sure I like being called her "patrona", but her family was SO nice. I was thinking we were going to spend the night in a hotel in San Salvador since my flight was supposed to leave at 12:47pm the next day, but when we stopped at a hotel (and it cost $140USD/night), Patti's cousin (who flew in from the States at 9:00pm) suggested we travel the 2 hours back to their house to spend the night. He assured me that we'd get up early enough to head back to San Salvador in the morning. I agreed, and that made Patti's mom (Berta) extremely happy.
We all (Berta, her husband, her son, Patti's son, Patti's cousin & I) all had a "cozy" ride back to her house in Chalatenango. We got there around 12:30am and went to bed at 1:00am. She lives in the country in a simple 4-room cement house. If you'd like more details on what "simple" means, please ask me personally, since putting that kind of information all online would still not be completely comprehensible to most Americans.
August 15th - Saying Goodbye
Max led the circle this morning. The 3 photographers from the California team were taking individual children's pictures. But due to the rain, the big circle needed to end early. I made wheat pancakes when I got back to the volunteer house, but made a few too many...since I haven't cooked "for one" in a while.
When I got to school this morning, I chatted with Doris a little before classes began. I opened the door to the storage room and WOW! I was so amazed by what the team had done yesterday afternoon. It will for sure be finished today! :-) Merethe only gave me one girl today to help out, but there's not much more to do. Since I am not an "artsy" person, I asked her to organize the 2 shelving units of arts and crafts while I went to one of the 7th grade math classes.
The students were reviewing their multiplication tables, and subtracting/multiplying/dividing mixed numbers. In all three math classes I've been to, I've noticed that these students are not given NEARLY as much homework as our students in the States.
I went back to the storage room and Melissa (one of the California volunteers) & I had finished organizing it by noon. We ended by scrubbing the termite nests off the walls, and sweeping & washing the walls and floors. Of course I took pictures of how the storage room finally looked. :-)
I came back to the school as lunch time was finishing to get pictures of the kids waiting on the steps to go to class. There I met Amparo. She asked me about my family...and since my sister Mari had left a few pictures of my children on the camera she lent me, I showed them to her. Of course, she was particularly interested in Andrés! :-) Most of the girls I work with are very young (Alina's age), so they usually ask about Alina: what her favorite color is, what chores she does around the house, etc. I haven't met many teenage girls (although there are MANY), so I haven't had to "field" questions about Andrés. I guess this is more confirmation that when he comes down with me next year, he'll be out working with Todd...FAR away from the girls!
I went to talk with Katja at 1:30 about leaving tomorrow morning. Kim will take me to the Chicken Bus (as a lot of Americans call it) at 5:30am. It's a yellow school bus that runs back and forth between Guaimaca and Teguc, a 2 hour trip that costs $38 Lempiras (about $2USD). In Teguc, I'll have to take a taxi to the Hedman Alas bus station, which should cost $50 Lempiras. My bus at Hedman Alas, which will take me on a 4-hour ride to San Pedro Sula will cost $17.50USD, but again...it IS a coach bus. Katja reminded me that I will need $35USD in cash to leave the country, and she gave me her cell phone number in case there were any problems.
I went down to the restaurant for my last "taco de pollo" from Elvia & Verónica. I was sure to take their pictures too! I got something special for Kaylyn, but it is really meant to be shared and appreciated by all of our family.
Towards the end of supper-time, I went to the young girls eating area for the last time. I got them all bathed quickly because Anita was coming over to play with them. After getting them dressed, a girl took a pictures of Doris, me, Carlita and all of the young girls in their room: Paola, Michel, Nani, Blanca, Yenci, Evelyn, Karol, Cindy & Reina. Afterwards, I spent an hour outside with Doris & Pamela, just chatting...before I had to leave to do laundry for the night.
When I got to school this morning, I chatted with Doris a little before classes began. I opened the door to the storage room and WOW! I was so amazed by what the team had done yesterday afternoon. It will for sure be finished today! :-) Merethe only gave me one girl today to help out, but there's not much more to do. Since I am not an "artsy" person, I asked her to organize the 2 shelving units of arts and crafts while I went to one of the 7th grade math classes.
The students were reviewing their multiplication tables, and subtracting/multiplying/dividing mixed numbers. In all three math classes I've been to, I've noticed that these students are not given NEARLY as much homework as our students in the States.
I went back to the storage room and Melissa (one of the California volunteers) & I had finished organizing it by noon. We ended by scrubbing the termite nests off the walls, and sweeping & washing the walls and floors. Of course I took pictures of how the storage room finally looked. :-)
I came back to the school as lunch time was finishing to get pictures of the kids waiting on the steps to go to class. There I met Amparo. She asked me about my family...and since my sister Mari had left a few pictures of my children on the camera she lent me, I showed them to her. Of course, she was particularly interested in Andrés! :-) Most of the girls I work with are very young (Alina's age), so they usually ask about Alina: what her favorite color is, what chores she does around the house, etc. I haven't met many teenage girls (although there are MANY), so I haven't had to "field" questions about Andrés. I guess this is more confirmation that when he comes down with me next year, he'll be out working with Todd...FAR away from the girls!
I went to talk with Katja at 1:30 about leaving tomorrow morning. Kim will take me to the Chicken Bus (as a lot of Americans call it) at 5:30am. It's a yellow school bus that runs back and forth between Guaimaca and Teguc, a 2 hour trip that costs $38 Lempiras (about $2USD). In Teguc, I'll have to take a taxi to the Hedman Alas bus station, which should cost $50 Lempiras. My bus at Hedman Alas, which will take me on a 4-hour ride to San Pedro Sula will cost $17.50USD, but again...it IS a coach bus. Katja reminded me that I will need $35USD in cash to leave the country, and she gave me her cell phone number in case there were any problems.
I went down to the restaurant for my last "taco de pollo" from Elvia & Verónica. I was sure to take their pictures too! I got something special for Kaylyn, but it is really meant to be shared and appreciated by all of our family.
Towards the end of supper-time, I went to the young girls eating area for the last time. I got them all bathed quickly because Anita was coming over to play with them. After getting them dressed, a girl took a pictures of Doris, me, Carlita and all of the young girls in their room: Paola, Michel, Nani, Blanca, Yenci, Evelyn, Karol, Cindy & Reina. Afterwards, I spent an hour outside with Doris & Pamela, just chatting...before I had to leave to do laundry for the night.
Friday, August 15, 2008
August 14th - La Clase de Matemáticas
This morning Lydia came to talk at the young girls circle. Since it was drizzling outside, the girls met in their eating hall. There were a few women from the California team that came. When I got to school, I tried to quickly get some tasks for the storage room lined up for the 4 California team members that Katja had assigned to me.
I went to the 8th grade math class at 9:15am and watched the "profe" teach 'Order of Operations'. He gave 3 examples and then some of the girls in the class (who knew me) asked him if he would let me teach. He asked me if I'd like to give some examples, and OF COURSE I said "yes"!!! That was probaly the highlight of the day!!! I gave 2 examples that had quite a bit more steps than the ones he gave, and the students who came up to the board to do them got them right! It was so fun. After the 2 examples that I gave, the students asked for more, even though it was time for recess. We sent them on to recess anyway. Before they left through the door, I took a few pictures of the class and gave them each a "paleta". They were wondering if I still had the "paletas picantes" that I had yesterday but I had run out, so I'll have to make a note to bring more of those chili pepper covered Mexican lollipops down next year. Believe it or not, some Latin American countries don't much care for hot foods...I wasn't sure about Hondurans, but I guess the children really liked them yesterday!
When I got back to the storage room, the volunteers were waiting for me. They knocked at the storage room door (even thought it was open) and said "¿Habla inglés?" With 4 extra people, we really got a LOT accomplished before leaving for lunch at noon! I came back around 1:00pm to work for another 1/2 hour, but the girls didn't come back until 1:30, so I had to let them know what I wanted them to do while I was gone, and that they should turn the light off and lock the door behind them when they were done. Anyone who knows me probably knows that leaving an organization task (that I've been working on) to someone else is not something I can easily do. Actually for the next few hours, I was a little bothered/worried about if they'd try to do MORE than what I had asked, lol.
Esti and I went into town (Guaimaca) so that I could change the remainder of USD that I had. I figure that if I come down here each year...it doesn't matter if I have extra Lempiras to take back home with me - since then I won't have to worry about changing them back in the States in order to get down here. On they way out of the bank, I asked the guards if I could take their picture. The guard said I could take it on Saturday, so I explained that I won't be here on Saturday. He said I couldn't right now because they were working. It was the same way with the guards when I was a college student in México for the first time. Another student tried to take a pictures of some guards outside a bank (they're REALLY interesting, especially with the BIG guns that they carry around)...but when he did, the guard came over and opened his 35mm camera and yanked out the film, yelling at him. I think they have to protect the bank at all costs, and if someone takes a picture of them outside the front door to the bank, that could "potentially" be someone trying to get the "layout" of the bank in order to rob it.
Esti & I also stopped at the "supermercado" to get a few items before heading back home. I needed more "paletas" for the math class that I would be visiting tomorrow, and I saw that they had WHOLE milk, so since I am generally a big milk drinker, I bought a box of it. Milk down here only comes in skim & whole, no 1% or 2%.
While in town, I took a picture of their town's cathedral...generally every town has one. I also took pictures of the dirt road and various houses from Orphanage Emmanuel to Guaimaca on the way to town and back. I also got some pictures of their enormous potholes, although I'm not sure that the pictures are going to do much justice to what I had actually seen in person.
After entering the entrance to the orphanage, I saw Andrés again, tending to the cows. It was about 3:00pm, so I asked him how long he had to be out with the cows. His friend said that they needed to stay out with them until 3:30 and checked his watch. Andrés didn't have a watch, so I gave him mine.
When we got back to the volunteer house, I had to quick snack and then run to the little girls eating area so that I'd get there before they went back to the house to bathe. The girls realized for the 1st time today that tomorrow would be my last time with them. I told Carlita (the older girl, with the broken arm, that's in charge of them) that I'd like to get a picture of me & her tomorrow, and then another picture of the 2 of us with the children "we're" in charge of. She got SO excited about getting her photo taken!
Doris stayed close to me the entire time I was at the girls' house. She kept asking me questions about the CD player, and also kept mentioning that she hoped I wouldn't forget about her. I reassured her that I was coming back in ONE year, and that she was the girl I knew the most...so if I forgot about her, that means I'd forget about everyone! She is 16 years old, and I can't even remember how many "big squeeze" (as my kids call them) hugs she gave me. This is SO different from teenagers in the United States.
When I got back to the volunteer house, Sheila gave me the "wish list" of medical supplies from Corelia...so I will be sure to send it Linda's way when I get back to the States. She also asked me if I could stay overnight in the clinic with the 2 children that were there, but when we got to the clinic for me to relieve Esti - Esti said that one of the boys (Cristian) wanted her to stay for the night, so she was planning to stay for the night. As soon as she said this, I remembered that Fridays are the "big circle" time, when ALL of the children gather around in a circle to recite Scripture and sing praises to God. I also realized that if Esti hadn't planned to stay overnight, I would've missed it (and I had only seen "big circle" once - last Friday). I gave Esti a huge hug and thanked her for being open to spending the night, so that I could have one last opportunity to go to "big circle".
I went to the 8th grade math class at 9:15am and watched the "profe" teach 'Order of Operations'. He gave 3 examples and then some of the girls in the class (who knew me) asked him if he would let me teach. He asked me if I'd like to give some examples, and OF COURSE I said "yes"!!! That was probaly the highlight of the day!!! I gave 2 examples that had quite a bit more steps than the ones he gave, and the students who came up to the board to do them got them right! It was so fun. After the 2 examples that I gave, the students asked for more, even though it was time for recess. We sent them on to recess anyway. Before they left through the door, I took a few pictures of the class and gave them each a "paleta". They were wondering if I still had the "paletas picantes" that I had yesterday but I had run out, so I'll have to make a note to bring more of those chili pepper covered Mexican lollipops down next year. Believe it or not, some Latin American countries don't much care for hot foods...I wasn't sure about Hondurans, but I guess the children really liked them yesterday!
When I got back to the storage room, the volunteers were waiting for me. They knocked at the storage room door (even thought it was open) and said "¿Habla inglés?" With 4 extra people, we really got a LOT accomplished before leaving for lunch at noon! I came back around 1:00pm to work for another 1/2 hour, but the girls didn't come back until 1:30, so I had to let them know what I wanted them to do while I was gone, and that they should turn the light off and lock the door behind them when they were done. Anyone who knows me probably knows that leaving an organization task (that I've been working on) to someone else is not something I can easily do. Actually for the next few hours, I was a little bothered/worried about if they'd try to do MORE than what I had asked, lol.
Esti and I went into town (Guaimaca) so that I could change the remainder of USD that I had. I figure that if I come down here each year...it doesn't matter if I have extra Lempiras to take back home with me - since then I won't have to worry about changing them back in the States in order to get down here. On they way out of the bank, I asked the guards if I could take their picture. The guard said I could take it on Saturday, so I explained that I won't be here on Saturday. He said I couldn't right now because they were working. It was the same way with the guards when I was a college student in México for the first time. Another student tried to take a pictures of some guards outside a bank (they're REALLY interesting, especially with the BIG guns that they carry around)...but when he did, the guard came over and opened his 35mm camera and yanked out the film, yelling at him. I think they have to protect the bank at all costs, and if someone takes a picture of them outside the front door to the bank, that could "potentially" be someone trying to get the "layout" of the bank in order to rob it.
Esti & I also stopped at the "supermercado" to get a few items before heading back home. I needed more "paletas" for the math class that I would be visiting tomorrow, and I saw that they had WHOLE milk, so since I am generally a big milk drinker, I bought a box of it. Milk down here only comes in skim & whole, no 1% or 2%.
While in town, I took a picture of their town's cathedral...generally every town has one. I also took pictures of the dirt road and various houses from Orphanage Emmanuel to Guaimaca on the way to town and back. I also got some pictures of their enormous potholes, although I'm not sure that the pictures are going to do much justice to what I had actually seen in person.
After entering the entrance to the orphanage, I saw Andrés again, tending to the cows. It was about 3:00pm, so I asked him how long he had to be out with the cows. His friend said that they needed to stay out with them until 3:30 and checked his watch. Andrés didn't have a watch, so I gave him mine.
When we got back to the volunteer house, I had to quick snack and then run to the little girls eating area so that I'd get there before they went back to the house to bathe. The girls realized for the 1st time today that tomorrow would be my last time with them. I told Carlita (the older girl, with the broken arm, that's in charge of them) that I'd like to get a picture of me & her tomorrow, and then another picture of the 2 of us with the children "we're" in charge of. She got SO excited about getting her photo taken!
Doris stayed close to me the entire time I was at the girls' house. She kept asking me questions about the CD player, and also kept mentioning that she hoped I wouldn't forget about her. I reassured her that I was coming back in ONE year, and that she was the girl I knew the most...so if I forgot about her, that means I'd forget about everyone! She is 16 years old, and I can't even remember how many "big squeeze" (as my kids call them) hugs she gave me. This is SO different from teenagers in the United States.
When I got back to the volunteer house, Sheila gave me the "wish list" of medical supplies from Corelia...so I will be sure to send it Linda's way when I get back to the States. She also asked me if I could stay overnight in the clinic with the 2 children that were there, but when we got to the clinic for me to relieve Esti - Esti said that one of the boys (Cristian) wanted her to stay for the night, so she was planning to stay for the night. As soon as she said this, I remembered that Fridays are the "big circle" time, when ALL of the children gather around in a circle to recite Scripture and sing praises to God. I also realized that if Esti hadn't planned to stay overnight, I would've missed it (and I had only seen "big circle" once - last Friday). I gave Esti a huge hug and thanked her for being open to spending the night, so that I could have one last opportunity to go to "big circle".
Thursday, August 14, 2008
August 13th - The Gift
Esti & I went to the little boys circle again today. Two boys immediately grabbed my hands and held them just about the entire time. The boys practiced their scripture verses and sang worship songs. The boy on my left was named Joel and towards the end of circle-time, he looked at me with a BIG smile and put 4 beads from a necklace into my hand and said "Son para usted." This just melted my heart (as have quite a bit of other things that have happened in the last week and a half). These children don't have all that much, but are SO willing to give their only material possessions to others. Sometimes I think our children (in the U.S.) could learn SO much more from these children than they could ever learn from us (parents), in terms of giving away possessions.
I went to the school today around 8:20 to talk with Katja and Merethe about giving a dress to Doris and possibly giving her a CD player. Merethe said that Doris was taken out of school today, so I should strike a deal with her to get good grades on her exams the 1st week of September - and I will leave the CD player with Merethe. If she gets good grades, she will get the player...if not, it will go to another girl in her house.
I cleaned the storage room until about 9:10am when I left to go watch a high school math class. It was a 9th grade algebra class that was reviewing multiplication of binomials. After the review, they began their new lesson - multiplying polynomials. With the teacher's permission, I took a few pictures of the class and gave the class some Mexican "paletas". It must've rained pretty hard last night, because the high school yard was flooded. After sitting in that math class, I went back to work in the storage room for an hour and a half before taking off for the internet cafe and having lunch.
While I was down at the restaurant, I bought something for Andrés (my son), Noah, and of course - my favorite nephew (& godson), Max. It's a "guy thing" that Andrés may have to show the other two how to use properly...and NO, Andrés, it's NOT a machete.
I also bought 3 bottles of Pepsi. They only cost $11 Lempiras (65 cents) here. I gave them to Andrés and his two friends on the way back from the restaurant. They were out tending to the cows again.
I worked for another hour and a half in the storage room, putting items on shelves and labeling the shelves. Katja said she's going to try to find me some help for tomorrow and Friday, so that the room can get done. I am hoping that when I return next summer - all's still organized in there! :-)
On the way back to the volunteer house, I saw Doris...so I gave her one of my dresses that had shrunk in the wash. I mentioned what Merethe had said about getting good grades on her exams and that her reward would be the CD player. I went to the young girls dorm again to help them prepare for the evening, but I had to hurry because church began at 5:00pm.
We began with singing praises, and then some of the volunteers from the California team that arrived today went up front to lead a few songs. Since David's leg got infected on Monday, a pastor from town came to give the sermon and Robert translated. The sermon began with the question, "What's the best material gift you've ever given or received?" You were NOT allowed to mention gifts to or from your spouse, since once you are married, "you become one flesh." If you'd like to know more about what this pastor had to say, ask when I get back. :-)
So as I mentioned above, a group from California came today and will be staying for one week. I think Katja will be sending me a person or two to help get that storage room done before I go.
I went to the school today around 8:20 to talk with Katja and Merethe about giving a dress to Doris and possibly giving her a CD player. Merethe said that Doris was taken out of school today, so I should strike a deal with her to get good grades on her exams the 1st week of September - and I will leave the CD player with Merethe. If she gets good grades, she will get the player...if not, it will go to another girl in her house.
I cleaned the storage room until about 9:10am when I left to go watch a high school math class. It was a 9th grade algebra class that was reviewing multiplication of binomials. After the review, they began their new lesson - multiplying polynomials. With the teacher's permission, I took a few pictures of the class and gave the class some Mexican "paletas". It must've rained pretty hard last night, because the high school yard was flooded. After sitting in that math class, I went back to work in the storage room for an hour and a half before taking off for the internet cafe and having lunch.
While I was down at the restaurant, I bought something for Andrés (my son), Noah, and of course - my favorite nephew (& godson), Max. It's a "guy thing" that Andrés may have to show the other two how to use properly...and NO, Andrés, it's NOT a machete.
I also bought 3 bottles of Pepsi. They only cost $11 Lempiras (65 cents) here. I gave them to Andrés and his two friends on the way back from the restaurant. They were out tending to the cows again.
I worked for another hour and a half in the storage room, putting items on shelves and labeling the shelves. Katja said she's going to try to find me some help for tomorrow and Friday, so that the room can get done. I am hoping that when I return next summer - all's still organized in there! :-)
On the way back to the volunteer house, I saw Doris...so I gave her one of my dresses that had shrunk in the wash. I mentioned what Merethe had said about getting good grades on her exams and that her reward would be the CD player. I went to the young girls dorm again to help them prepare for the evening, but I had to hurry because church began at 5:00pm.
We began with singing praises, and then some of the volunteers from the California team that arrived today went up front to lead a few songs. Since David's leg got infected on Monday, a pastor from town came to give the sermon and Robert translated. The sermon began with the question, "What's the best material gift you've ever given or received?" You were NOT allowed to mention gifts to or from your spouse, since once you are married, "you become one flesh." If you'd like to know more about what this pastor had to say, ask when I get back. :-)
So as I mentioned above, a group from California came today and will be staying for one week. I think Katja will be sending me a person or two to help get that storage room done before I go.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
August 12th - Los niños
Anita, Esti and I went to the young boys circle this morning. They are led by Robert and Max (Katja's husband). They sang quite a few songs and many were VERY different from what I have been hearing the girls sing. Robert led the Lord's Prayer in Spanish and then told the boys that they would have a unique opportunity today to listen to the Lord's Prayer in FOUR languages! He then went to recite the Lord's Prayer in English, and had Ingrid recite it in Danish, and Esti in Romanian. He used this as a prelude to asking "Who knows why there are so many different languages on the earth?", of course leading into the opportunity to tell the boys about the Tower of Babel. After the lesson, Robert told the boys that they had 3 minutes to give "hugs" before they were expected to be at the breakfast table, so they came running at us in herds! :-) Luis David and Eric both came over to me. I also introduced myself to a boy named Arnulfo.
Lindsey asked me to take some pills over to Cindy in the toddlers area, but when I got there, they told me she had left to go make cement blocks at the entrance to the orphanage. As Anita & I were headed down to get to Cindy, Lydia drove by and asked if we wanted to ride down to the front of her orphanage in the back of her pickup, so we hopped on. When we got down to the entrance, there were only boys working on the cement blocks, so Anita & I chatted as we waited. Finally I asked for Cindy and they said she was at the high school and wouldn't be coming down until later. The older boy offered to give the medication to her, so I left it with him.
Back up to the school Anita & I went to organize the storage room. She had taken a break today to come and help me. On the way, I saw Andrés (who's 13 years old, just like MY Andrés). He was tending to the cows. I told him that I had my camera on me and he came over. Anita took our picture together. Anita and I then continued our walk up the big hill to the school. We organized the storage room for about 2 hours. She really helped me get quite a bit done - although there is still plenty to do. It looks a little better each day. I can't wait to get all of the empty boxes out of the room tomorrow morning. That will open it up even more!
Anita & I took a short break down at the internet cafe. I updated my blog and had a chimichanga for lunch. It was $18 Lempiras (about $1 USD). Although it was okay, I will most likely stick to the "tacos de pollo" since the chimichangas had quite a few more beans than I expected. We spent an hour after lunch working back in the storage room before I had to get the young girls ready for bed.
Back at the young girls dorm, the group I'm helping with were assigned to pick up leaves in the yard before bathtime. They didn't really seem to be into doing that, and were more "goofing around", so I told them if they picked up LOTS of leaves, I'd take their picture. Children at Orphanage Emmanuel are ALWAYS asking you to take their picture! This was definitely a motivator for most of them.
It really amazes me how clean this orphanage is, especially for its size! But each group is responsible for their chores to keep it clean. Antonia (a girl I had met last week) is not in the same room as these 7 young girls, so she came up to me tonight to ask if I could help her room of girls tomorrow night. I let her know that I probably wouldn't be able to, since I was REALLY helping Carlita (who is the older girl in charge of the 5-6 year olds, who was the one that had broken her arm).
By the way...I met Corelia tonight (Robert's wife). She's the nurse that oversees the clinic. She told me she would make a "wish list" of supplies for the clinic - since the only current needs of the school are construction paper & uniforms. The children also need underwear & socks (especially the younger boys and girls)...and the older girls need feminine hygiene products.
Lindsey asked me to take some pills over to Cindy in the toddlers area, but when I got there, they told me she had left to go make cement blocks at the entrance to the orphanage. As Anita & I were headed down to get to Cindy, Lydia drove by and asked if we wanted to ride down to the front of her orphanage in the back of her pickup, so we hopped on. When we got down to the entrance, there were only boys working on the cement blocks, so Anita & I chatted as we waited. Finally I asked for Cindy and they said she was at the high school and wouldn't be coming down until later. The older boy offered to give the medication to her, so I left it with him.
Back up to the school Anita & I went to organize the storage room. She had taken a break today to come and help me. On the way, I saw Andrés (who's 13 years old, just like MY Andrés). He was tending to the cows. I told him that I had my camera on me and he came over. Anita took our picture together. Anita and I then continued our walk up the big hill to the school. We organized the storage room for about 2 hours. She really helped me get quite a bit done - although there is still plenty to do. It looks a little better each day. I can't wait to get all of the empty boxes out of the room tomorrow morning. That will open it up even more!
Anita & I took a short break down at the internet cafe. I updated my blog and had a chimichanga for lunch. It was $18 Lempiras (about $1 USD). Although it was okay, I will most likely stick to the "tacos de pollo" since the chimichangas had quite a few more beans than I expected. We spent an hour after lunch working back in the storage room before I had to get the young girls ready for bed.
Back at the young girls dorm, the group I'm helping with were assigned to pick up leaves in the yard before bathtime. They didn't really seem to be into doing that, and were more "goofing around", so I told them if they picked up LOTS of leaves, I'd take their picture. Children at Orphanage Emmanuel are ALWAYS asking you to take their picture! This was definitely a motivator for most of them.
It really amazes me how clean this orphanage is, especially for its size! But each group is responsible for their chores to keep it clean. Antonia (a girl I had met last week) is not in the same room as these 7 young girls, so she came up to me tonight to ask if I could help her room of girls tomorrow night. I let her know that I probably wouldn't be able to, since I was REALLY helping Carlita (who is the older girl in charge of the 5-6 year olds, who was the one that had broken her arm).
By the way...I met Corelia tonight (Robert's wife). She's the nurse that oversees the clinic. She told me she would make a "wish list" of supplies for the clinic - since the only current needs of the school are construction paper & uniforms. The children also need underwear & socks (especially the younger boys and girls)...and the older girls need feminine hygiene products.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
August 11th - La clínica
I had to be at the health clinic this morning from 6:30-8:00am. There was a little boy about 2 years old named Memo who had spent the night because he had diahrrea for a week. And there was also a 12 year old girl who had burnt her hand pretty severely about a week ago. Sheila (who works the clinic) told me that this girl's skin had all burnt off of her ring finger and the rest of her hand was pretty badly burnt as well.
I went to the school about 8:40am to work in the storage room some more. ***NOTE TO ALL: They will not need pencils for a very long time. I've been working on organizing pencils all day Friday and just about all day today. I'll bet they have well over 50,000 pencils. I was in the room organizing for 3 hours this morning and 1 hour this afternoon with a small break inbetween to update my blog from the weekend and to have lunch. The cue that it was time to go to lunch was Robert coming into the storage room to offer me some of his "yuca", I guess in the States it's called a Gasava root (did I spell that right, Bob would know). AFTER offering it to me and AFTER I bit into it, he said "you know it's poisonous". Then he paused for quite a while (I guess for effect) and continued by saying "until they boil it". It tasted like a home-made french fry to me. Robert even put ketchup on it.
The school had a TV news reporter there this afternoon, who was looking into every room to film a little bit of everything to put on the news. Robert asked that I work with the door closed and locked (since the room is SO messy right now). It got pretty warm in there which is another reason I was only in there about an hour. When the "coast was clear", I checked to see how everything went. The reporter's camera battery went dead while he was still over at the colegio (high school), so he'll be back Thursday morning to film the primary school. I'm just about finished with the pencils and got a little start on organizing the blue/black pens.
I went to put the young girls to bed again tonight. The normal routine for me with them is:
I went to the school about 8:40am to work in the storage room some more. ***NOTE TO ALL: They will not need pencils for a very long time. I've been working on organizing pencils all day Friday and just about all day today. I'll bet they have well over 50,000 pencils. I was in the room organizing for 3 hours this morning and 1 hour this afternoon with a small break inbetween to update my blog from the weekend and to have lunch. The cue that it was time to go to lunch was Robert coming into the storage room to offer me some of his "yuca", I guess in the States it's called a Gasava root (did I spell that right, Bob would know). AFTER offering it to me and AFTER I bit into it, he said "you know it's poisonous". Then he paused for quite a while (I guess for effect) and continued by saying "until they boil it". It tasted like a home-made french fry to me. Robert even put ketchup on it.
The school had a TV news reporter there this afternoon, who was looking into every room to film a little bit of everything to put on the news. Robert asked that I work with the door closed and locked (since the room is SO messy right now). It got pretty warm in there which is another reason I was only in there about an hour. When the "coast was clear", I checked to see how everything went. The reporter's camera battery went dead while he was still over at the colegio (high school), so he'll be back Thursday morning to film the primary school. I'm just about finished with the pencils and got a little start on organizing the blue/black pens.
I went to put the young girls to bed again tonight. The normal routine for me with them is:
- Put a dab of toothpaste on their toothbrushes & send them to the bathroom to brush their teeth and go to the toilet
- After the bathroom, I send the girls to the showers (it's a communal shower) where I have to stand outside the shower door and squirt a dab of soap into their hands to wash their bodies, and then squirt a bit of shampoo on their heads to shampoo their hair. On some nights they get conditioner as well. I have to make sure they scrub good and get all of the soap/shampoo off...and fairly quickly as the older girls start heading into the showers - so the little ones need to get out.
- I hand the girls a small towel as they come out to use for drying themselves off. They are to be dry by the time they get back to their rooms.
- In their rooms, I hand out their "blumers" as they call them (underwear) and I comb their hair.
- I send them to the living room next to get their clothes. They do not have jammies, but sleep in the clothes that they are going to be wearing the next day. They do not get to choose the clothes they wear, but instead are handed clothes by an older girl who is in charge of giving out clothes that she believes will fit them.
- Depending on the night, they either watch a movie or get read a couple of bible stories. Tonight we read about Jonah and The Creation. They wanted to hear the story both in Spanish AND English. Before turning the pages, I'd ask them questions about what was about to happen. They know those stories VERY well.
The youngest girls in this room that I have been helping out with are 5-6 years old. Their names are: Nani, Blanca, Yenci, Carol, Evelyn, Cindy & Reina.
We had our volunteer meeting at 6:00pm and Kim came to lead it. She wanted to talk about missions work so she read Acts 1:8 which says "...You will be my witnesses - in Jerusalem (your town), in all of Judea (your state/country), in Samaria (your enemy's land), and in every part of the world." We need to be witnesses to Christ, from our next door neighbor to the ends of the earth. And you don't have to GO to do God's will. We also looked at Romans 12:4-8 which reads:
- Each one of us has a body, and that body has many parts. These parts all have different uses. In the same way, we are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body. And each part belongs to all the other parts. We all have different gifts. Each gift came because of the grace that God gave us. If one has the gift of prophecy, he should use that gift with the faith he has. If one has the gift of serving, he should serve. If one has the gift of teaching, he should teach. If one has the gift of encouraging others, he should encourage. If one has the gift of giving to others, he should give freely. If one has the gift of being a leader, he should try hard when he leads. If one has the gift of showing kindness to others, that person should do so with joy. (International Children's Bible)
Each of us has different gifts, some the ability to serve, others the ability to give, and so on. Use those gifts to let God's grace shine through you!
Oliver stopped in much later to say "goodbye". He'll be heading back to Berlin early tomorrow morning. I'm the next one to leave (this Saturday) and although I do miss my children more with each email I get from Bob, the time has flown by so quickly!
Monday, August 11, 2008
August 10th - All of God's Creatures
This morning when I woke up, Sheila was quick to point out the tarantula they had killed last night outside the volunteer house. The ants were already starting to carry it away. I asked if they were common, and she said they didn't see tarantulas all that often, but that a few months back...one the size of her hand crawled under the door into the house!
Church began at 9:00am. The boys sit in front and the girls sit in back. This is mostly so that there is no temptations between the two. There are flags that hang from the ceiling of all the countries and U.S. states that have been to Orphanage Emmanuel to help out. They are missing the Wisconsin flag...I guess I'm their 1st visitor from Wisconsin, so I have to make a note to bring one next year!
Anita, Esti and I were officially introduced to David and Lydia this morning. They both said they had felt so bad about not having met us sooner but that David had surgery on his leg a little over a week ago, so to us it was completely understandable that he had been spending a lot of time in their house recovering and she had been tending to him.
David had us stand in front of church at the beginning of the service to have us introduce ourselves to all who were there - into a microphone. Even though I am a teacher by profession, I am still a fairly shy person when it comes to strangers, so this was something a little out of my comfort zone. But again, in serving others, God frequently asks us to go outside of our comfort zone.
We sang prises both in Spanish and in English. David leads the worship service, and his sermon was also in both languages. It amazed me how he could talk for 5 minutes straight before he would switch to the other language and repeat everything he had just said. He had many points today, but the biggest one was to listen to God and follow what He tells you. Be ready to accept the challenges He gives you and serve others in His name. David has such a unique way of presenting God's Word. I see a lot of similarities in teaching and personal characteristics between my pastor (Pastor Jeff) and David, although David is about 10 years older, his service lasts 2 hours...something "us Lutherans" are not used to. But believe it or not, I actually had not checked my watch until the very end!!! What a great speaker!
When we got back to the volunteer house after church, Esti went straight to bed. She had been up all night in the clinic with some children that were sick. An older girl had burned her hand, a toddler had a fever of 101, and another toddler had diahhrea pretty bad.
I ate and then met up with Oliver (a college student volunteer from Berlin, Germany) to take the young boys to the soccer field. Oliver had organized a soccer tournament for the boys and it was their 1st time EVER to the soccer field (normally only the middle to older boys play there). There were 4 teams and each team had their own soccer jerseys (red, blue, grey & purple). I got some GREAT action shots of the soccer game. The older boys were their coaches and they were just as excited to be coaching them as the children themselves - although they told me that when they were that young, they played a lot better than these boys. My response was that they should take the younger boys out more often and practice with them! :-)
Half-way through the tournament, Lindsey had brought over the "charamuscas" that Oliver had bought for everyone to enjoy. The best way to descri be a "charamusca" is if you were to make a popsicle out of fresh fruit and put it in a sandwich bag rather than on a stick. They tear open a corner and suck it out of the bag. I had met 2 young boys: Eric and Luis David.
After the soccer game, I went back to the volunteer house and ate. Lindsey was really excited to show me a picture of a tarantula that she had taken on her way back from the soccer game. It was also dead, but you'd never be able to tell by looking at the picture. It must've just died. Pretty gross!
I headed to the girls' eating hall about 4:00pm to help them get ready for bed. I met Yenci, a girl who's 6 years old that I had seen before, but just now learned her name. My goal is to meet & learn the names of a couple of new children each day.
Church began at 9:00am. The boys sit in front and the girls sit in back. This is mostly so that there is no temptations between the two. There are flags that hang from the ceiling of all the countries and U.S. states that have been to Orphanage Emmanuel to help out. They are missing the Wisconsin flag...I guess I'm their 1st visitor from Wisconsin, so I have to make a note to bring one next year!
Anita, Esti and I were officially introduced to David and Lydia this morning. They both said they had felt so bad about not having met us sooner but that David had surgery on his leg a little over a week ago, so to us it was completely understandable that he had been spending a lot of time in their house recovering and she had been tending to him.
David had us stand in front of church at the beginning of the service to have us introduce ourselves to all who were there - into a microphone. Even though I am a teacher by profession, I am still a fairly shy person when it comes to strangers, so this was something a little out of my comfort zone. But again, in serving others, God frequently asks us to go outside of our comfort zone.
We sang prises both in Spanish and in English. David leads the worship service, and his sermon was also in both languages. It amazed me how he could talk for 5 minutes straight before he would switch to the other language and repeat everything he had just said. He had many points today, but the biggest one was to listen to God and follow what He tells you. Be ready to accept the challenges He gives you and serve others in His name. David has such a unique way of presenting God's Word. I see a lot of similarities in teaching and personal characteristics between my pastor (Pastor Jeff) and David, although David is about 10 years older, his service lasts 2 hours...something "us Lutherans" are not used to. But believe it or not, I actually had not checked my watch until the very end!!! What a great speaker!
When we got back to the volunteer house after church, Esti went straight to bed. She had been up all night in the clinic with some children that were sick. An older girl had burned her hand, a toddler had a fever of 101, and another toddler had diahhrea pretty bad.
I ate and then met up with Oliver (a college student volunteer from Berlin, Germany) to take the young boys to the soccer field. Oliver had organized a soccer tournament for the boys and it was their 1st time EVER to the soccer field (normally only the middle to older boys play there). There were 4 teams and each team had their own soccer jerseys (red, blue, grey & purple). I got some GREAT action shots of the soccer game. The older boys were their coaches and they were just as excited to be coaching them as the children themselves - although they told me that when they were that young, they played a lot better than these boys. My response was that they should take the younger boys out more often and practice with them! :-)
Half-way through the tournament, Lindsey had brought over the "charamuscas" that Oliver had bought for everyone to enjoy. The best way to descri be a "charamusca" is if you were to make a popsicle out of fresh fruit and put it in a sandwich bag rather than on a stick. They tear open a corner and suck it out of the bag. I had met 2 young boys: Eric and Luis David.
After the soccer game, I went back to the volunteer house and ate. Lindsey was really excited to show me a picture of a tarantula that she had taken on her way back from the soccer game. It was also dead, but you'd never be able to tell by looking at the picture. It must've just died. Pretty gross!
I headed to the girls' eating hall about 4:00pm to help them get ready for bed. I met Yenci, a girl who's 6 years old that I had seen before, but just now learned her name. My goal is to meet & learn the names of a couple of new children each day.
August 9th - To Guaimaca
Anita & I were going to go to the farm this morning to watch the boys milk the cows, but when I woke up, Anita had told me she wasn't going because she had been sick all night. I went with Lindsey over to the boys' area to look for Velma so she could take her medication. When I got back to the volunteer house, I worked on the puzzle a bit more until Lindsey, Oliver & I went in to town.
Lindsey needed groceries and I found out that the supermercado takes credit and debit cards AND will give you money back if you have a debit card and request money back. Oliver brought 2 girls from the orphanage who are sponsored by his parents. The girls had a little bit of cash to spend from their sponsorships. One girl got a pair of sandals and a nice skirt & the other girl got some tennis shoes and lotion. Oliver took the girls to "el parque central" for some ice cream after they were done shopping. All of the children here at Orphanage Emmanuel are currently sponsored and some children even have more than one sponsor, which is awesome...considering the number of children here.
I bought a special gift for Alina today which I think she's going to love! I have ideas for Andrés and Noah, but we'll see as time goes on. When we came back from town, I updated my blog and headed back to the volunteer house. Esti came out and said she was headed down to the restaurant for a taco de pollo (did I mention the BIG hill between the volunteer house & the restaurant???)...but I accompanied her anyway. We met up with Todd and ate together. Todd will be going back to Alabama Sunday morning and getting ready to go to Spain to study in Salamanca this fall semester.
I saw David & Lydia (the founders of Orphanage Emmanuel), but only in passing. When I got back to the volunteer house, Anita was still sleeping I woke her to check on her and she claimed to be very tired, dizzy and cold. This happened to me when I traveled with my college group to Cancun on my study abroad trip to México. My professor had told me that I was dehydrated and lacking the proper sugars in my body. He had me drink a carton of apple juice and after a few hours I started to do better. I suggested the same to Anita and she too started feeling better after a bit.
I went to the young girls dorm again tonight to help with bath time and brushing teeth. The girls were SO excited that I was helping them. After getting back to the volunteer house, I worked on the puzzle a bit more and then Todd came over to say his "goodbyes" to all of us, since he'll be leaving on the 6:00am bus to Teguc.
Lindsey needed groceries and I found out that the supermercado takes credit and debit cards AND will give you money back if you have a debit card and request money back. Oliver brought 2 girls from the orphanage who are sponsored by his parents. The girls had a little bit of cash to spend from their sponsorships. One girl got a pair of sandals and a nice skirt & the other girl got some tennis shoes and lotion. Oliver took the girls to "el parque central" for some ice cream after they were done shopping. All of the children here at Orphanage Emmanuel are currently sponsored and some children even have more than one sponsor, which is awesome...considering the number of children here.
I bought a special gift for Alina today which I think she's going to love! I have ideas for Andrés and Noah, but we'll see as time goes on. When we came back from town, I updated my blog and headed back to the volunteer house. Esti came out and said she was headed down to the restaurant for a taco de pollo (did I mention the BIG hill between the volunteer house & the restaurant???)...but I accompanied her anyway. We met up with Todd and ate together. Todd will be going back to Alabama Sunday morning and getting ready to go to Spain to study in Salamanca this fall semester.
I saw David & Lydia (the founders of Orphanage Emmanuel), but only in passing. When I got back to the volunteer house, Anita was still sleeping I woke her to check on her and she claimed to be very tired, dizzy and cold. This happened to me when I traveled with my college group to Cancun on my study abroad trip to México. My professor had told me that I was dehydrated and lacking the proper sugars in my body. He had me drink a carton of apple juice and after a few hours I started to do better. I suggested the same to Anita and she too started feeling better after a bit.
I went to the young girls dorm again tonight to help with bath time and brushing teeth. The girls were SO excited that I was helping them. After getting back to the volunteer house, I worked on the puzzle a bit more and then Todd came over to say his "goodbyes" to all of us, since he'll be leaving on the 6:00am bus to Teguc.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
August 8th - Helping the Little Girls
On Fridays, all of the children get together for their big circle. You can see a video of this at Orphanage Emmanuel's website. This morning, the various age groups went up to the center to recite their bible verses. Then Merethe led the children in a devotion, followed by the children singing praises to God. After circle, I went back to the volunteer house to have breakfast, work on the puzzle, and journal a little bit before heading off to the storage room. I have to wait until the children are in their classes, so that I am not a distraction to the school - or the children would be hovering around me and arrive late to class. They SO crave attention.
Todd sat in the storage room keeping me company. Robert had assigned him to gather email addresses of various colleges, so that he can look for potential teachers willing to donate a year to come down and teach at their school. He played Spanish Christian songs on his computer while we worked - introducing me to various artists. It took an hour to fill a rubbermaid container with pencils. The pencils were in cardboard boxes and some of the boxes had already been the victims of termites.
I came down to the internet cafe at about 11:00am to update 2 days worth of journaling since the internet was down yesterday, then went with Esti to the restaurant for another taco de pollo. This time, instead of the avocado, Verónica put lettuce with shredded Honduran cheese on it. It was still good - although I'd rather have the slice of avocado.
After lunch I went back to the storage room to continue working on filling a second, bigger rubbermaid with pencils. I worked until 3:00pm before heading back to the volunteer house. Since the kids eat supper at about 3:30 and I wasn't hungry yet, I listened to a praise and worship CD to relax. When I went through all of the songs I was familiar with, I headed to the young/medium girls eating hall, hoping they would be close to finishing their food. I noticed some young girls were standing in a line while eating their food. When I asked the older girls in charge, they had told me these girls were goofing around during the devotion, prayer and song-time before supper; so their punishment was to stand while eating.
Doris came over to chat with me a bit and when the younger girls were finished eating, she had to clean the eating hall and kitchen area. I offered to help, but Merethe said that Doris and 2 other girls were cleaning as an "extra" chore tonight since they did not memorize their scriptures for this morning's circle. She mentioned that if I'd like to help her bathe the children that she was in charge of and help them to brush their teeth, I was welcome to do so. In addition to being the high school principal, she is in charge of 64 young girls. Although Merethe said volunteers generally don't help with this (because they usually feel uncomfortable doing this type of work), for me it was a BLAST! I put toothpaste on their toothbrushes for them (so they didn't squirt too much on) and there were girls Alina's size running around everywhere...waiting to shower, waiting to get clothes on for the night, waiting for toothpaste, or waiting to get their hair brushed. The girls finally started to settle down to watch a movie together and Merethe mentioned that it was about to pour, so although I had planned to watch the movie, I ran back to the volunteer house before the hard rain came down.
The girls at the volunteer house (Esti, Anita, Sheila, Carolyn & Lindsey) got out a game of Scattergories and we all played. Sheila ended up winning - she is a very quick and original thinker! After the game, I spent time on my journal, watched "Sweet Home Alabama" with Lindsey, and then headed for bed.
Todd sat in the storage room keeping me company. Robert had assigned him to gather email addresses of various colleges, so that he can look for potential teachers willing to donate a year to come down and teach at their school. He played Spanish Christian songs on his computer while we worked - introducing me to various artists. It took an hour to fill a rubbermaid container with pencils. The pencils were in cardboard boxes and some of the boxes had already been the victims of termites.
I came down to the internet cafe at about 11:00am to update 2 days worth of journaling since the internet was down yesterday, then went with Esti to the restaurant for another taco de pollo. This time, instead of the avocado, Verónica put lettuce with shredded Honduran cheese on it. It was still good - although I'd rather have the slice of avocado.
After lunch I went back to the storage room to continue working on filling a second, bigger rubbermaid with pencils. I worked until 3:00pm before heading back to the volunteer house. Since the kids eat supper at about 3:30 and I wasn't hungry yet, I listened to a praise and worship CD to relax. When I went through all of the songs I was familiar with, I headed to the young/medium girls eating hall, hoping they would be close to finishing their food. I noticed some young girls were standing in a line while eating their food. When I asked the older girls in charge, they had told me these girls were goofing around during the devotion, prayer and song-time before supper; so their punishment was to stand while eating.
Doris came over to chat with me a bit and when the younger girls were finished eating, she had to clean the eating hall and kitchen area. I offered to help, but Merethe said that Doris and 2 other girls were cleaning as an "extra" chore tonight since they did not memorize their scriptures for this morning's circle. She mentioned that if I'd like to help her bathe the children that she was in charge of and help them to brush their teeth, I was welcome to do so. In addition to being the high school principal, she is in charge of 64 young girls. Although Merethe said volunteers generally don't help with this (because they usually feel uncomfortable doing this type of work), for me it was a BLAST! I put toothpaste on their toothbrushes for them (so they didn't squirt too much on) and there were girls Alina's size running around everywhere...waiting to shower, waiting to get clothes on for the night, waiting for toothpaste, or waiting to get their hair brushed. The girls finally started to settle down to watch a movie together and Merethe mentioned that it was about to pour, so although I had planned to watch the movie, I ran back to the volunteer house before the hard rain came down.
The girls at the volunteer house (Esti, Anita, Sheila, Carolyn & Lindsey) got out a game of Scattergories and we all played. Sheila ended up winning - she is a very quick and original thinker! After the game, I spent time on my journal, watched "Sweet Home Alabama" with Lindsey, and then headed for bed.
Friday, August 8, 2008
August 7th - Boxes are Exciting!
After getting up, showered and dressed, I had a little breakfast here at the volunteer house. I wanted to start this blog about a few observances that I didn't pay much attention to (having lived in México), but may be "different" from what most Americans are accustomed to:
- Eggs are not refrigerated - they say that when they come straight from the farm, they'll actually last longer if you don't refrigerate them.
- Milk comes in boxes/cartons and is not refrigerated until you open it. They "process" it in a way that does not require refrigeration for the milk before it is opened. You can also buy milk in small bags (smaller than the bags you get at Kwik Trip...approximately pint-sized).
- The soap for washing dishes comes in a solid, the most common brand is called "Axion". You use one of those green scrubbies and put a little bit of water in the container of soap (the container is slightly larger than a container of Cool Whip), and scrub all of the dishes with this. After all dishes are clean, you rinse them and allow them to air-dry. Dishes were ALWAYS washed like this in México, and I wanted to make special note of this, because I liked this soap and method MUCH better than our liquid soap that we use.
- Toilet paper cannot be flushed in most restrooms/bathrooms. The plumbing is very sensitive in these countries, so if you see a waste basket next to the toilet, that is where you should put your toilet paper after you use it.
I went to the young girls circle this morning. Antonia, a girl who I had met yesterday, asked me to stand next to her. I have to be sure to get a picture of her, Lilian and Blanca. The last two I had met earlier in the week, but see every day. I'll still have to take a picture of Cynthia too.
As I was working in the storage room this morning - I had to get rid of all of the empty boxes from yesterday. Todd was next door in the principal's office, so I used his phone to call Robert (the elementary school principal). Robert said to take them out to the high school yard for the kids to put the grass clippings in. I have NEVER seen older kids like this so happy to get empty boxes! They just ran at me with smiles on their faces each time I brought more out.
I spent two hours this morning on the storage room before heading to the internet cafe at 11:20am to update my blog, but since the internet was down, I ended up hanging out at the restaurant with Esti and Todd. I had a baleada de pollo and a baleada de frijol, but decided I liked the taco de pollo that I had eaten yesterday better. Todd mentioned that he comes every summer, so I told him I'd most likely hook Andrés up with him next summer to help on the farm, in the yards, or at the school.
I spent a little over an hour in the school's storage room this afternoon doing more organizing. I have about 1/3 of it done now. When I came back to the volunteer house, I finished my 2nd book of the three that I had brought down. There was a 500-piece puzzle on a shelf, so I started that. Anita helped me with it for about an hour, then we went on a walk down to the farm. I took pictures of their horses and cows, and had to get a close-up of their bulldozer (for Noah to see). We saw the boys out playing soccer. When we came back, we worked on the puzzle until about 7:00pm before updating my journal and heading to bed.
August 6th - The Clinic Gets Medical Supplies
I woke up about 5:00am and read a couple of chapters in another book I brought. I went to the young/medium girls circle again today and saw Doris, an older girl I had met in the circle yesterday. I am going to try to learn at least one new name each day. Hopefully they will let me take a picture of them as well.
After circle, I came back and met Sheila at the volunteer house door. She is a long-term volunteer and works in the health clinic here at the orphanage. She's decided to go to college to become a nurse when she returns to the State in late October. We took the medical supplies to the clinic that Linda had sent. Sheila was very appreciative of all the supplies and mentioned that the arm sling would come in handy since she just got back from the Teguc hospital with a girl from Orphanage Emmanuel who had broken her arm. When we arrived at the clinic, there was already a line formed to see Sheila.
After that, I headed back to the storage room at the school to do some more organization. Esti joined me after about an hour to help. I'm still nowhere near done, but did manage to open and put away ALL the boxes of notebooks - or so I thought...until I found 5 more boxes! I had been working for two and a half hours and my stomach was really starting to growl, so I locked up and we went down to see Verónica in the restaurant. We each bought a chicken taco for 13 Lempiras (about 60 cents in USD). They were big and filled us up. Then I went to the internet cafe to post my journal.
I saw Doris on the way back to the volunteer house and I think she's excited to be the 1st person whose picture I take. On the way back, I also saw the girls getting into groups to check each other for lice. This is a routine thing here and there is a rule that any girls who do not comply get 3 inches cut from their hair. The orphanage wants to ensure that the children practice good hygiene.
Esti and I put in two more hours on the storage room. I can see a little progress has been made now, but still have a long way to go! I ate supper with the young girls - tortillas, beans, salad & fried bananas. Then I took a picture of Doris before heading back to the volunteer house.
At 5:00pm there was a bible study for the older girls (ages 16+). The topic was on respecting your elders because their advice is due to their experience and also to leave your problems in God's hands for Him to handle in God's time.
After circle, I came back and met Sheila at the volunteer house door. She is a long-term volunteer and works in the health clinic here at the orphanage. She's decided to go to college to become a nurse when she returns to the State in late October. We took the medical supplies to the clinic that Linda had sent. Sheila was very appreciative of all the supplies and mentioned that the arm sling would come in handy since she just got back from the Teguc hospital with a girl from Orphanage Emmanuel who had broken her arm. When we arrived at the clinic, there was already a line formed to see Sheila.
After that, I headed back to the storage room at the school to do some more organization. Esti joined me after about an hour to help. I'm still nowhere near done, but did manage to open and put away ALL the boxes of notebooks - or so I thought...until I found 5 more boxes! I had been working for two and a half hours and my stomach was really starting to growl, so I locked up and we went down to see Verónica in the restaurant. We each bought a chicken taco for 13 Lempiras (about 60 cents in USD). They were big and filled us up. Then I went to the internet cafe to post my journal.
I saw Doris on the way back to the volunteer house and I think she's excited to be the 1st person whose picture I take. On the way back, I also saw the girls getting into groups to check each other for lice. This is a routine thing here and there is a rule that any girls who do not comply get 3 inches cut from their hair. The orphanage wants to ensure that the children practice good hygiene.
Esti and I put in two more hours on the storage room. I can see a little progress has been made now, but still have a long way to go! I ate supper with the young girls - tortillas, beans, salad & fried bananas. Then I took a picture of Doris before heading back to the volunteer house.
At 5:00pm there was a bible study for the older girls (ages 16+). The topic was on respecting your elders because their advice is due to their experience and also to leave your problems in God's hands for Him to handle in God's time.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
August 5th - My 1st Full Day Here
This morning I took a shower. They had HOT water (unlike the hotel I stayed in), but I grew up taking "4 minute showers" as my dad would say...so I didn't waste any water. The water here comes from a well, so it is safe to drink. You hear all the time that when you go to a country south of us (i.e. Mexico), you should NOT drink the water. It is not because the water isn't purified - but rather because their purification process utilizes different chemicals than ours, leaving some microorganisms in the water that our body systems aren't used to.
Anyway, Esti & I went to the young/medium girls' circle this morning. They sing songs and have a devotion. One of the older girls, Cynthia, led the bible reading and followed up with devotion. I was told that she goes to the university in Teguc and is studying to become a doctor. Esti & I helped with breakfast (granola and a Hostess cake...Alina would LOVE it here). We chatted with some girls afterward - most thought Esti (who's 20 years old) was my daughter! After chatting, it was time for the girls to go to school.
I went to the toddler's dorm next, to play with the bubble-making machine that I had brought. At first, the toddlers took more interest in the actual machine than the bubbles coming out of it, but eventually started to chase the bubbles.
I then went to talk with Merethe about the library, but she said that the boys were still working on shelving for the primary library. She wanted to know if I could help her out by organizing their school storage room. She showed me the room which has 3 rows of metal shelving with supplies piled everywhere. There were boxes of donated items stacked on the floor as well. She mentioned that termites had gotten into the room (and she pointed them out), so all of the cardboard needed to go. I said that I could get it very organized...many of you know me & my perfectionism in organizational tactics, LOL. After she left, I looked around and didn't have a CLUE where to start. Everything was everywhere!!! I got a shelf cleared & stacked the entire shelf with wide-ruled notebooks. That's about all I could do yesterday since in the afternoon I was scheduled to work in the internet cafe.
I worked in the internet cafe from 12:15 - 2:45. Esti & Cynthia came in to use the internet, and at 2:45 Kim came by to take us to town. The road from Orphanage Emmanuel to town is a dirt road and their "potholes" make ours in the U.S. look like nothing. I'll have to try to remember my camera the next time I go into town. We got a few groceries and just saw a little bit of the town before coming back.
When we got back, it was too late to join the kids for supper, so I made myself a chicken-bologna sandwich with cheese and mustard on whole grain bread (supplies I had bought from town). After chatting with the volunteers, I decided to "call it a night" around 7pm.
Anyway, Esti & I went to the young/medium girls' circle this morning. They sing songs and have a devotion. One of the older girls, Cynthia, led the bible reading and followed up with devotion. I was told that she goes to the university in Teguc and is studying to become a doctor. Esti & I helped with breakfast (granola and a Hostess cake...Alina would LOVE it here). We chatted with some girls afterward - most thought Esti (who's 20 years old) was my daughter! After chatting, it was time for the girls to go to school.
I went to the toddler's dorm next, to play with the bubble-making machine that I had brought. At first, the toddlers took more interest in the actual machine than the bubbles coming out of it, but eventually started to chase the bubbles.
I then went to talk with Merethe about the library, but she said that the boys were still working on shelving for the primary library. She wanted to know if I could help her out by organizing their school storage room. She showed me the room which has 3 rows of metal shelving with supplies piled everywhere. There were boxes of donated items stacked on the floor as well. She mentioned that termites had gotten into the room (and she pointed them out), so all of the cardboard needed to go. I said that I could get it very organized...many of you know me & my perfectionism in organizational tactics, LOL. After she left, I looked around and didn't have a CLUE where to start. Everything was everywhere!!! I got a shelf cleared & stacked the entire shelf with wide-ruled notebooks. That's about all I could do yesterday since in the afternoon I was scheduled to work in the internet cafe.
I worked in the internet cafe from 12:15 - 2:45. Esti & Cynthia came in to use the internet, and at 2:45 Kim came by to take us to town. The road from Orphanage Emmanuel to town is a dirt road and their "potholes" make ours in the U.S. look like nothing. I'll have to try to remember my camera the next time I go into town. We got a few groceries and just saw a little bit of the town before coming back.
When we got back, it was too late to join the kids for supper, so I made myself a chicken-bologna sandwich with cheese and mustard on whole grain bread (supplies I had bought from town). After chatting with the volunteers, I decided to "call it a night" around 7pm.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
August 4th - Arrival at Orphanage Emmanuel
I woke up at 3:30 this morning to catch the 5:45 Hedman Alas bus to Tegucigalpa. I realized 2 things: 1) the sun goes down at 7pm here (which explains why they get up so early & go to bed so early at the orphanage), and 2) I was charged WAY too much last night for the taxi to take me to my hotel. He charged $20USD. At that point, I didn´t care, because my hotel taxi was not at the airport to meet me...but I did ask this morning how much a taxi would cost to go to the bus station & he said 80 Lempiras (or $4USD). I asked him to call his taxi and used that rather than waiting for the taxi driver from last night - who was going to take me this morning...for another $20USD!!!
The Hedman Alas bus to Teguc (as Hondurans call it) took 4 hours. It was a coach bus and they played the movie ¨The Guardian¨ with Kevin Costner. It played in English with NO subtitles - which I found surprising seeing as the majority of the riders were Spanish-speaking.
Carlos picked me up from the bus station and took me to the Metromall in Teguc where I met up with Esti & Anita (the other 2 volunteers). I bought 2 packages of Special K granola bars to snack on if I got hungry. It was about an hour & a half ride to the orphanage. We saw lots of cows and donkeys along the road-side as we went...similar to what I had experience when I had traveled on rural roads in Mexico.
Katja met us when we got to Orphanage Emmanuel and showed us to the female volunteer dorm. We then headed down to their internet cafe to let our families know we had arrived safely. I sent an email to Bob & he had responded before I logged out. Lindsay, another volunteer here, gave us a tour around the grounds. Anita & I also walked around with Lindsey as she gave out medications to the girls during supper. I was offered 2 tortillas, which were VERY good. When I got back to the volunteer dorm, I unpacked and settled in. All of the volunteers seem SO nice.
Katja held a meeting at 5:30 to give us our responsibilities for this week. My main responsibility is to help split the current library into a primary & secondary school library. Each of us 3 new volunteers received different responsibilities, but we seemed to feel they were a perfect fit for us. I really believe that Katja prayed to God to speak to her about how to best use our talents.
After the meeting, the volunteers (mostly college-age students) hung out to chat for a while before heading off to bed at 8:45.
The Hedman Alas bus to Teguc (as Hondurans call it) took 4 hours. It was a coach bus and they played the movie ¨The Guardian¨ with Kevin Costner. It played in English with NO subtitles - which I found surprising seeing as the majority of the riders were Spanish-speaking.
Carlos picked me up from the bus station and took me to the Metromall in Teguc where I met up with Esti & Anita (the other 2 volunteers). I bought 2 packages of Special K granola bars to snack on if I got hungry. It was about an hour & a half ride to the orphanage. We saw lots of cows and donkeys along the road-side as we went...similar to what I had experience when I had traveled on rural roads in Mexico.
Katja met us when we got to Orphanage Emmanuel and showed us to the female volunteer dorm. We then headed down to their internet cafe to let our families know we had arrived safely. I sent an email to Bob & he had responded before I logged out. Lindsay, another volunteer here, gave us a tour around the grounds. Anita & I also walked around with Lindsey as she gave out medications to the girls during supper. I was offered 2 tortillas, which were VERY good. When I got back to the volunteer dorm, I unpacked and settled in. All of the volunteers seem SO nice.
Katja held a meeting at 5:30 to give us our responsibilities for this week. My main responsibility is to help split the current library into a primary & secondary school library. Each of us 3 new volunteers received different responsibilities, but we seemed to feel they were a perfect fit for us. I really believe that Katja prayed to God to speak to her about how to best use our talents.
After the meeting, the volunteers (mostly college-age students) hung out to chat for a while before heading off to bed at 8:45.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
August 3rd - My 1st Night in Honduras
I had never been to Atlanta International Airport before this trip. I entered the airport and went to the line for kiosk assistance - having absolutely no clue what that meant. A lady in a Delta uniform was walking up and down the aisles telling everyone to try the "self check-in" kiosks first. So, I got out of line to try to check myself in. I scanned my passport through...only to read the message "Go to kiosk assistance", so back to the end of the original line I went. I was behind some people from Indiana, Chicago and Milwaukee though...so we shared a commonality.
It seems Delta had a LOT of delayed and cancelled flights last night due to the storm. When I got to the representative from the kiosk assistance area, he told me I was in the WRONG line. He pointed out the "Ticket Line" across the room, which seemed to have a never-ending, snail-paced line. I was extremely grateful that he checked me in rather than making me go over there.
My black bag weighed in at 51 pounds - he made a verbal note of that, giving me the opportunity to take something out before charging me. Again, I was very grateful. All it took was to take out a pair of shorts (my carry-on could at least fit those) and I was down to 50 pounds. The other suitcase weighed in at exactly 50 pounds. I had done some shifting around of the items to my carry-on back at the hotel this morning.
My flight to San Salvador went well. I had requested a low-calorie meal when I ordered my tickets online, so when the flight attendant came around with the meals and asked if I had the diabetic meal - naturally I said "no". They checked their records and said "Are you LoriAnn?" That´s when I realized that DIABETIC EQUALS NO SUGAR WHICH MEANS LOW CALORIE. Where´s Bob when I need him?
My layover in San Salvador was just under 7 hours. Did you know their currency is the U.S. dollar? About 1/2 way through the layover, I got myself a vanilla cappuchino. I spent most of my time doing sudoku puzzles and finishing the book that Rita bought me - Sticks & Stones by Susan Meissner. It was a GREAT Christian fiction book! I will most likely leave the book at the orphanage for staff and future volunteers to read.
While I waited at Gate 12 for my TACA flight 374 to Honduras, the large flat screen TV on the wall came on and the 1st thing that was shown was a music video by Maranatha Music of "Power of Your Love". This was one of the songs played at Bob & my wedding. It was very reassuring for me to see and hear music worshipping our Lord as well as giving me a few comforting minutes to remember one of the best days of my life.
The flight to Honduras was okay. We flew through a storm, so there was quite a bit of turbulence. When I got to the airport, there was no one to pick me up; however a really nice young man from Hotel Real Intercontinental sent me one of their taxis to take me downtown to the hotel. I shared the taxi with a woman from Panamá. The taxi driver was GREAT and drove a lot better than what I was used to when I lived in México.
My hotel room is cozy, but I´m only going to use it to sleep and I´ll be heading out for the bus station at 5:00am tomorrow to catch a ride to the capital, Tegucigalpa. A driver for the orphanage will pick me up at the Tegucigalpa Hedman Alas bus station to transport me from there.
It seems Delta had a LOT of delayed and cancelled flights last night due to the storm. When I got to the representative from the kiosk assistance area, he told me I was in the WRONG line. He pointed out the "Ticket Line" across the room, which seemed to have a never-ending, snail-paced line. I was extremely grateful that he checked me in rather than making me go over there.
My black bag weighed in at 51 pounds - he made a verbal note of that, giving me the opportunity to take something out before charging me. Again, I was very grateful. All it took was to take out a pair of shorts (my carry-on could at least fit those) and I was down to 50 pounds. The other suitcase weighed in at exactly 50 pounds. I had done some shifting around of the items to my carry-on back at the hotel this morning.
My flight to San Salvador went well. I had requested a low-calorie meal when I ordered my tickets online, so when the flight attendant came around with the meals and asked if I had the diabetic meal - naturally I said "no". They checked their records and said "Are you LoriAnn?" That´s when I realized that DIABETIC EQUALS NO SUGAR WHICH MEANS LOW CALORIE. Where´s Bob when I need him?
My layover in San Salvador was just under 7 hours. Did you know their currency is the U.S. dollar? About 1/2 way through the layover, I got myself a vanilla cappuchino. I spent most of my time doing sudoku puzzles and finishing the book that Rita bought me - Sticks & Stones by Susan Meissner. It was a GREAT Christian fiction book! I will most likely leave the book at the orphanage for staff and future volunteers to read.
While I waited at Gate 12 for my TACA flight 374 to Honduras, the large flat screen TV on the wall came on and the 1st thing that was shown was a music video by Maranatha Music of "Power of Your Love". This was one of the songs played at Bob & my wedding. It was very reassuring for me to see and hear music worshipping our Lord as well as giving me a few comforting minutes to remember one of the best days of my life.
The flight to Honduras was okay. We flew through a storm, so there was quite a bit of turbulence. When I got to the airport, there was no one to pick me up; however a really nice young man from Hotel Real Intercontinental sent me one of their taxis to take me downtown to the hotel. I shared the taxi with a woman from Panamá. The taxi driver was GREAT and drove a lot better than what I was used to when I lived in México.
My hotel room is cozy, but I´m only going to use it to sleep and I´ll be heading out for the bus station at 5:00am tomorrow to catch a ride to the capital, Tegucigalpa. A driver for the orphanage will pick me up at the Tegucigalpa Hedman Alas bus station to transport me from there.
Atlanta - August 2nd
After getting stuck in stopped traffic for 45 minutes on the south side of Milwaukee, and after road construction from the Illinois State Line to Jim & Jeanne's, I finally got there (late) at 12:30pm. We had planned to have lunch - but because of the slow driving from Milwaukee to Chicago (and knowing I'd be late), I had grabbed lunch on the way. When I got to their house, I only had time to quickly use the bathroom. By the time I came back outside, Jim had my bags loaded into his vehicle and we were off to Midway.
Jeanne helped me take my 2 suitcases and 2 carry-ons into the airport while Jim circled the airport waiting for her. I was charged $25 for "extra baggage", but I supposed that's much more tolerable that the $80 I should've been charged when their meter read that the bag was 51 pounds (for going over their 50# limit). the plane was the smallest I've ever been on and it was packed with people. I suppose with the higher gas prices, the airlines are trying to take the smallest, most fuel-efficient aircraft possible that will fit all who bought tickets.
My ride down to Atlanta was good. Atlanta is HOT! I had to wait outside for my shuttle to the hotel which was right outside the airport. I got to the airport at 7pm and it began to storm heavily immediately after I arrived. Glad I missed it. I signed in, got my room (on the 2nd floor), went up and locked the door behind me. I put my luggage in front of the door just as a precaution since I am traveling alone.
I called mom when I got there & talked to mom, dad & Alina. Alina told me that Kaylyn said "mama" for the first time. OF COURSE she HAD to wait until I left. Mom agreed that she said it clear as day. I called Cheryl after talking to them, to chat for a while and keep me busy. I was contemplating going to Denny's to eat across the parking lot, but decided I wasn't that hungry after all. I finally drifted off to sleep between 9:30 and 10pm...Atlanta is an hour ahead of our Wisconsin time.
Andrés called just after I had fallen asleep to tell me that they were on their way back from the Timber Rattler game. We said goodnight and here I am this morning, waiting for the 7am shuttle to take me to the airport. My plane heads out at 10:00am, so I should be there by 8:00, but I want to get there a little earlier so that I can check in and call Bob & the kids before they head off to church.
I thought I saw on the internet that Hotel Real has a computer with internet access, so we'll see how tired I am when I get down to Honduras tonight - provided the 2 flights go well. I will head for the capital tomorrow morning (at 5:00am) in a coach bus, which should take about 4 hours. A driver will pick me up from the bus station to take me out to the orphanage at that point. So I should be to Orphanage Emmanuel by tomorrow afternoon.
Jeanne helped me take my 2 suitcases and 2 carry-ons into the airport while Jim circled the airport waiting for her. I was charged $25 for "extra baggage", but I supposed that's much more tolerable that the $80 I should've been charged when their meter read that the bag was 51 pounds (for going over their 50# limit). the plane was the smallest I've ever been on and it was packed with people. I suppose with the higher gas prices, the airlines are trying to take the smallest, most fuel-efficient aircraft possible that will fit all who bought tickets.
My ride down to Atlanta was good. Atlanta is HOT! I had to wait outside for my shuttle to the hotel which was right outside the airport. I got to the airport at 7pm and it began to storm heavily immediately after I arrived. Glad I missed it. I signed in, got my room (on the 2nd floor), went up and locked the door behind me. I put my luggage in front of the door just as a precaution since I am traveling alone.
I called mom when I got there & talked to mom, dad & Alina. Alina told me that Kaylyn said "mama" for the first time. OF COURSE she HAD to wait until I left. Mom agreed that she said it clear as day. I called Cheryl after talking to them, to chat for a while and keep me busy. I was contemplating going to Denny's to eat across the parking lot, but decided I wasn't that hungry after all. I finally drifted off to sleep between 9:30 and 10pm...Atlanta is an hour ahead of our Wisconsin time.
Andrés called just after I had fallen asleep to tell me that they were on their way back from the Timber Rattler game. We said goodnight and here I am this morning, waiting for the 7am shuttle to take me to the airport. My plane heads out at 10:00am, so I should be there by 8:00, but I want to get there a little earlier so that I can check in and call Bob & the kids before they head off to church.
I thought I saw on the internet that Hotel Real has a computer with internet access, so we'll see how tired I am when I get down to Honduras tonight - provided the 2 flights go well. I will head for the capital tomorrow morning (at 5:00am) in a coach bus, which should take about 4 hours. A driver will pick me up from the bus station to take me out to the orphanage at that point. So I should be to Orphanage Emmanuel by tomorrow afternoon.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Tomorrow is the Day!
Today was pretty busy. I took the three packages of donations to the DHL facility about 2 miles from our house. Shipping was a lot less than I was expecting to pay. They say the packages will be in Tennessee in 2-3 days, so that will be plenty of time to go out in the August 15th shipment.
When I got back home, Patti came over to bring some things for me to take to her son in San Salvador. Her mom will meet me at the airport when I am en route back to the United States & we will both spend the night at the same hotel, as well as her cousin who flies in that day.
After my visit with Patti, I ran to do some last minute errands like: returning library books (and checking out a book for Andrés), going to get some last-minute supplies (OFF w/ 98% DEET, gum for the plane, sunglasses, SPF 80 sunscreen, etc), and finally stopping at the Christian bookstore for a book for myself to read on the way down. I had 2 books at home as well as a sudoku book, but want to be sure I have too much rather than not enough. I'm also taking a few Christian CDs and a CD player which I picked up at a church rummage sale yesterday for $1. I'll be leaving those down at the orphanage.
After packing Patti's things and the extra supplies I bought, both large suitcases were exactly 50 pounds according to my scale. Let's hope my scale matches what the scale at the airport says so that I don't have to pay a hefty fine.
Jenny came over tonight to participate in our Family movie night. We watched Hermie's video on sharing and then the new Bananas comedy: Bunch 3 (?). Mom & dad came over with Max to visit while we were about 1/2 way through the comedy and watched the end of it with us.
After everyone left, I called my uncle Jim down in Wheaton, IL. He'll be taking me to the airport and picking me up when I get back. I mapped out some directions and now am blogging. I'm winding down for the night, so hopefully I'll be able to get SOME sleep before waking really early to take off. I'll most likely leave around 8:00am. Have a great night!
When I got back home, Patti came over to bring some things for me to take to her son in San Salvador. Her mom will meet me at the airport when I am en route back to the United States & we will both spend the night at the same hotel, as well as her cousin who flies in that day.
After my visit with Patti, I ran to do some last minute errands like: returning library books (and checking out a book for Andrés), going to get some last-minute supplies (OFF w/ 98% DEET, gum for the plane, sunglasses, SPF 80 sunscreen, etc), and finally stopping at the Christian bookstore for a book for myself to read on the way down. I had 2 books at home as well as a sudoku book, but want to be sure I have too much rather than not enough. I'm also taking a few Christian CDs and a CD player which I picked up at a church rummage sale yesterday for $1. I'll be leaving those down at the orphanage.
After packing Patti's things and the extra supplies I bought, both large suitcases were exactly 50 pounds according to my scale. Let's hope my scale matches what the scale at the airport says so that I don't have to pay a hefty fine.
Jenny came over tonight to participate in our Family movie night. We watched Hermie's video on sharing and then the new Bananas comedy: Bunch 3 (?). Mom & dad came over with Max to visit while we were about 1/2 way through the comedy and watched the end of it with us.
After everyone left, I called my uncle Jim down in Wheaton, IL. He'll be taking me to the airport and picking me up when I get back. I mapped out some directions and now am blogging. I'm winding down for the night, so hopefully I'll be able to get SOME sleep before waking really early to take off. I'll most likely leave around 8:00am. Have a great night!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
2 Days to Go
Today was pretty busy for me, although I spent most of the day at home. My arms are quite tired from packing a suitcase and running to a non-carpeted area to make sure it's less than 50 pounds. I've had to unpack and repack quite a bit to make the 1st suitcase work out. I'm now on the 2nd suitcase and it's currently at 55 pounds. I have to figure out how to get 5 pounds out of much-needed items out of there and onto my carry-on.
Speaking of carry-on, I'll have to check back onto the Delta Airlines website for the 3rd time today to double check on the dimensions I'm allowed. I had one carry-on in mind, but it didn't have enough room to get close to the 40 pounds I'm allowed. The duffle bag I tried seemed too big. Now I'm using a carry-on that came with one of the luggage pieces I purchased at Savers (for $0.99), but I'm not sure that it'll have enough room either.
Julie stopped by to drop quite a few boxes of crayons off for the children at Orphanage Emmanuel and Mari brought over the Lempiras that came in today. The kids had fun looking at the money from Honduras. I just hope they don't think it's "play money" and it disappears before I take off, lol.
Speaking of the kids, Noah was very eager to grab a bunch of his trucks and put them into the boxes that I will be shipping off to Dr. Reynolds tomorrow. Alina was a little more reluctant, but did grab a Dora the Explorer hand-held toy as well as a Dora doll (complete with shoes, backpack, a book & dog!). I would love it if the kids sent some of their toys each year down to Honduras!
Andrés asked Noah where Mommy was going and he said "to Honduras". For all the times that I think he's not listening to us...he's ALWAYS asking "What?" when we say something to him. I'm so proud of him for paying attention to this! I showed Alina & Noah pictures of the Orphanage Emmanuel website today, so they got to see the pages with pictures of the girls and boys - along with their names, which made it a little more personal for them.
I am actually going to turn in early tonight because I have quite a bit to do tomorrow - seeing as it's the last full day I'll be home. Have a great night!
Speaking of carry-on, I'll have to check back onto the Delta Airlines website for the 3rd time today to double check on the dimensions I'm allowed. I had one carry-on in mind, but it didn't have enough room to get close to the 40 pounds I'm allowed. The duffle bag I tried seemed too big. Now I'm using a carry-on that came with one of the luggage pieces I purchased at Savers (for $0.99), but I'm not sure that it'll have enough room either.
Julie stopped by to drop quite a few boxes of crayons off for the children at Orphanage Emmanuel and Mari brought over the Lempiras that came in today. The kids had fun looking at the money from Honduras. I just hope they don't think it's "play money" and it disappears before I take off, lol.
Speaking of the kids, Noah was very eager to grab a bunch of his trucks and put them into the boxes that I will be shipping off to Dr. Reynolds tomorrow. Alina was a little more reluctant, but did grab a Dora the Explorer hand-held toy as well as a Dora doll (complete with shoes, backpack, a book & dog!). I would love it if the kids sent some of their toys each year down to Honduras!
Andrés asked Noah where Mommy was going and he said "to Honduras". For all the times that I think he's not listening to us...he's ALWAYS asking "What?" when we say something to him. I'm so proud of him for paying attention to this! I showed Alina & Noah pictures of the Orphanage Emmanuel website today, so they got to see the pages with pictures of the girls and boys - along with their names, which made it a little more personal for them.
I am actually going to turn in early tonight because I have quite a bit to do tomorrow - seeing as it's the last full day I'll be home. Have a great night!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
3 Days to Go
I thought I'd get this blog on yet tonight to keep you updated on my progress towards this trip.
Yesterday and today were packed with appointments and errands. I met Mari downtown so that she could exchange some money for me into Honduran Lempiras. The current rate is $19 Lempiras to $1 USD. I guess it's considered "exotic money"...that's what Mari told me...which means that it takes just a hair longer than overnight to get. They were pretty sure I'd have it by Friday afternoon though.
Yesterday afternoon I picked up my malaria pills, but since I didn't have a "substantial" supper, I didn't take them. I took one this afternoon and got quite an upset stomach. I guess next week when I take the next one (you take one weekly) I'll have to be sure to eat quite a bit of bread to absorb the chemicals coming out of this pill.
Last night, Linda and Jenny came over to bring some money for shipping all of the donated items that I now have in the garage. Linda said each of the kids had chipped in to help. THANKS SO MUCH FLENZ FAMILY!!! You are the best!!! I will most likely ship these items either Thursday or Friday.
Speaking of donations, here is a glimpse of all the items that you have sent my way and will be going down to Orphanage Emmanuel:
Today I took the kids to go visit Patti - our old babysitter. I gave her my flight information since I'll be in El Salvador, where her family lives. She let me know that she's going to arrange for me to meet up with her mother & her cousin in San Salvador on my way back to the States. I have an overnight stay there and was hoping that I could meet them.
After having lunch with Patti, I took Andrés to the post office to finally have his papers and application approved for a passport. The lady told us that he'd have his passport within 4 weeks. Jenny had turned in her application yesterday...so we'll have to see who gets theirs back first.
I packed some of the donations this evening, the toothpastes, toothbrushes, and medical supplies. They are currently all in one suitcase, and the suitcase is 48.5 pounds (I have a limit of 50 pounds per suitcase/carry-on)...WHEW! I thought it seemed a LOT heavier than that, but that's what the scale said. So I still have about 70-80 pounds of stuff to pack. I'll keep you posted on some more of my creative packing strategies as I figure them out, but for now - have a great night.
Yesterday and today were packed with appointments and errands. I met Mari downtown so that she could exchange some money for me into Honduran Lempiras. The current rate is $19 Lempiras to $1 USD. I guess it's considered "exotic money"...that's what Mari told me...which means that it takes just a hair longer than overnight to get. They were pretty sure I'd have it by Friday afternoon though.
Yesterday afternoon I picked up my malaria pills, but since I didn't have a "substantial" supper, I didn't take them. I took one this afternoon and got quite an upset stomach. I guess next week when I take the next one (you take one weekly) I'll have to be sure to eat quite a bit of bread to absorb the chemicals coming out of this pill.
Last night, Linda and Jenny came over to bring some money for shipping all of the donated items that I now have in the garage. Linda said each of the kids had chipped in to help. THANKS SO MUCH FLENZ FAMILY!!! You are the best!!! I will most likely ship these items either Thursday or Friday.
Speaking of donations, here is a glimpse of all the items that you have sent my way and will be going down to Orphanage Emmanuel:
Today I took the kids to go visit Patti - our old babysitter. I gave her my flight information since I'll be in El Salvador, where her family lives. She let me know that she's going to arrange for me to meet up with her mother & her cousin in San Salvador on my way back to the States. I have an overnight stay there and was hoping that I could meet them.
After having lunch with Patti, I took Andrés to the post office to finally have his papers and application approved for a passport. The lady told us that he'd have his passport within 4 weeks. Jenny had turned in her application yesterday...so we'll have to see who gets theirs back first.
I packed some of the donations this evening, the toothpastes, toothbrushes, and medical supplies. They are currently all in one suitcase, and the suitcase is 48.5 pounds (I have a limit of 50 pounds per suitcase/carry-on)...WHEW! I thought it seemed a LOT heavier than that, but that's what the scale said. So I still have about 70-80 pounds of stuff to pack. I'll keep you posted on some more of my creative packing strategies as I figure them out, but for now - have a great night.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
4 Days to Go
Sorry about not having blogged over the weekend. We went camping down to Richard Bong Recreational Area. It was our first & only time down there. Bob mentioned on the way down that a website claimed "the mosquito population is healthy" down there. It was EXTREMELY healthy! I don't think I could count the number of mosquito bites that our children had on their bodies. It's like the insect repellent we put on them had absolutely no effect. We ended up keeping Kaylyn in the camper almost the entire time - only taking her out on Saturday when we went swimming. She was such a good sport!
As far as plans go, we had Andrés' passport photos taken on Thursday - but Walgreen's was too busy to print them right away, so I had to wait for my sister Julie to bring them to me yesterday. We have an appointment with the post office to take care of his passport materials on Wednesday this week, and can then send them off in the mail to the National Passport Agency.
I went in yesterday to get my Meningitis & 1st of my Hep A vaccinations (the 2nd one needs to be done within 6-18 months from now). Noah came along with me to "hold my hand". He was so cute. I've showed Noah the pictures of children from the orphanage (the ones I have posted on this blog), and when he found out that I'll be riding in an airplane to go to see them, he has been insisting on going with me ever since!
Linda brought over the boxes of donations last night - and there is quite a bit more than I'll be able to take in my suitcases. I'm so glad that Dr. Reynolds does take care of shipping down to the orphanage, because I'll just have to "creatively pack" the items into my suitcases...and whatever doesn't fit, I'll send down to him. It's SO great to see all of these things that people are willing to send to children in need. I will try to get a picture of all the donations on to tomorrow's blog.
I've heard via email from the hotel in San Pedro Sula that my reservation has been "confirmed". Their name is the Hotel Real and their website is: http://www.hotelrealhn.com/. I was beginning to get a little worried since I hadn't heard from them. The mentioned in the email last night that they've been having internet problems for the past week. I had called my cell phone company to activate the international calling feature yesterday so I could call this hotel to confirm, but I was still not able to call the hotel. I'll have to call my cell phone company again today to ask why those international numbers weren't working.
With those thoughts, I'm going to end this blog for the day. Since my days until departure are dwindling down, I find myself more & more busy each day.
As far as plans go, we had Andrés' passport photos taken on Thursday - but Walgreen's was too busy to print them right away, so I had to wait for my sister Julie to bring them to me yesterday. We have an appointment with the post office to take care of his passport materials on Wednesday this week, and can then send them off in the mail to the National Passport Agency.
I went in yesterday to get my Meningitis & 1st of my Hep A vaccinations (the 2nd one needs to be done within 6-18 months from now). Noah came along with me to "hold my hand". He was so cute. I've showed Noah the pictures of children from the orphanage (the ones I have posted on this blog), and when he found out that I'll be riding in an airplane to go to see them, he has been insisting on going with me ever since!
Linda brought over the boxes of donations last night - and there is quite a bit more than I'll be able to take in my suitcases. I'm so glad that Dr. Reynolds does take care of shipping down to the orphanage, because I'll just have to "creatively pack" the items into my suitcases...and whatever doesn't fit, I'll send down to him. It's SO great to see all of these things that people are willing to send to children in need. I will try to get a picture of all the donations on to tomorrow's blog.
I've heard via email from the hotel in San Pedro Sula that my reservation has been "confirmed". Their name is the Hotel Real and their website is: http://www.hotelrealhn.com/. I was beginning to get a little worried since I hadn't heard from them. The mentioned in the email last night that they've been having internet problems for the past week. I had called my cell phone company to activate the international calling feature yesterday so I could call this hotel to confirm, but I was still not able to call the hotel. I'll have to call my cell phone company again today to ask why those international numbers weren't working.
With those thoughts, I'm going to end this blog for the day. Since my days until departure are dwindling down, I find myself more & more busy each day.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
10 Days to Go
My main accomplishment today was helping Andrés and my cousin, Jenny, with their passport application process. They both have all of the paperwork taken care of now (in order to go with me next year - EXCITING!!!), but need passport photos and have to take them in to the post office to have all the documents verified before sending them in. I'll take Andrés tomorrow morning to take care of all of that.
I received word from the 2nd hotel about their rates - which are MUCH better. They will charge $17/night and will send their hotel taxi for me at the airport. They assured me that the vehicle will have their hotel logo on it and the driver will also be wearing a polo shirt with the hotel logo on it...all safety precautions since I will be arriving after dark. I've emailed them back to see what the next step is to confirm the reservations.
I heard from Dr. Reynolds today. He is the man who is in charge of sending larger quantities of donations down to Orphanage Emmanuel. He mentioned that the next shipment would be going out on August 15th, so if there is anything that I cannot fit in my suitcases - I should get it to him before I leave.
Speaking of things that I cannot pack in my suitcases. You all have been wonderful!!! My aunt Linda called today to say that the response she's received from St. Elizabeth Hospital and other area businesses has been overwhelming! She currenly has NINE boxes full of items. My mom, who works up at New London Family Medical Center, has had a wonderful response as well from a coworker, which will greatly help in me getting all of these items that don't fit into my suitcases down to Dr. Reynolds. I had never expected monetary help - just items that were "extras" around the house, but with the overwhelming response of donations for the children - that will help so much in sending these items all the more quickly. THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!!! I will be sure to take pictures of the many boxes of donations before I leave & post them to this BLOG for all to see.
So, now on to how I picked this orphanage to serve at...
As I mentioned in the initial letter, I had found this orphanage online back in 2005-2006 when I started to search more seriously. I had been searching in Guatemala, due to their extreme poverty...but also decided to search in Honduras as well. At the time, it was solely because we sponsor a child in Honduras named Eduardo through Compassion International (http://www.compassion.com/), and I thought it might give us a chance to go visit him at some point. At that time, I knew nothing of the poverty level of Honduras. As of today, I found the following link: http://www.aneki.com/poorest_central_america.html which lists Honduras as the POOREST country in Central America as of July 23, 2008.
Anyway, after searching online for "christian orphanage guatemala", I found an orphanage in Guatemala that looked like a place that could really use an extra set of hands. I sent an email towards the end of the school year to both orphanages at the same time letting them know of my desire to form this annual relationship and help as much as I possibly could.
When I sent this email, my inital thought was...What if BOTH orphanages are really in need of help? How will I know WHERE to go??? At that point, I was confused. Should I have emailed both orphanages at the same time? Each country had their own advantages:
God had answered my prayers and my emails with Katja (the volunteer coordinator in Honduras) and Becky (my U.S. volunteer contact) began. I've been working diligently ever since to make sure that I will have safe travels and keep the costs down to a minimum. So far, with round-trip airline travel, 2 hotels for overnight stays (Atlanta & San Pedro Sula), and a taxi ride from the San Pedro Sula airport to the hotel, I am at just a hair under $500 - which is INCREDIBLE!
God is Good!!!
I received word from the 2nd hotel about their rates - which are MUCH better. They will charge $17/night and will send their hotel taxi for me at the airport. They assured me that the vehicle will have their hotel logo on it and the driver will also be wearing a polo shirt with the hotel logo on it...all safety precautions since I will be arriving after dark. I've emailed them back to see what the next step is to confirm the reservations.
I heard from Dr. Reynolds today. He is the man who is in charge of sending larger quantities of donations down to Orphanage Emmanuel. He mentioned that the next shipment would be going out on August 15th, so if there is anything that I cannot fit in my suitcases - I should get it to him before I leave.
Speaking of things that I cannot pack in my suitcases. You all have been wonderful!!! My aunt Linda called today to say that the response she's received from St. Elizabeth Hospital and other area businesses has been overwhelming! She currenly has NINE boxes full of items. My mom, who works up at New London Family Medical Center, has had a wonderful response as well from a coworker, which will greatly help in me getting all of these items that don't fit into my suitcases down to Dr. Reynolds. I had never expected monetary help - just items that were "extras" around the house, but with the overwhelming response of donations for the children - that will help so much in sending these items all the more quickly. THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!!! I will be sure to take pictures of the many boxes of donations before I leave & post them to this BLOG for all to see.
So, now on to how I picked this orphanage to serve at...
As I mentioned in the initial letter, I had found this orphanage online back in 2005-2006 when I started to search more seriously. I had been searching in Guatemala, due to their extreme poverty...but also decided to search in Honduras as well. At the time, it was solely because we sponsor a child in Honduras named Eduardo through Compassion International (http://www.compassion.com/), and I thought it might give us a chance to go visit him at some point. At that time, I knew nothing of the poverty level of Honduras. As of today, I found the following link: http://www.aneki.com/poorest_central_america.html which lists Honduras as the POOREST country in Central America as of July 23, 2008.
Anyway, after searching online for "christian orphanage guatemala", I found an orphanage in Guatemala that looked like a place that could really use an extra set of hands. I sent an email towards the end of the school year to both orphanages at the same time letting them know of my desire to form this annual relationship and help as much as I possibly could.
When I sent this email, my inital thought was...What if BOTH orphanages are really in need of help? How will I know WHERE to go??? At that point, I was confused. Should I have emailed both orphanages at the same time? Each country had their own advantages:
- Guatemala - airfare that was significantly less expensive than Honduras, the stories posted by the orphanage director were heart-breaking...babies being left on the streets just after their births because parents could not care for them. This lady had a true heart for taking ALL children in. The orphanage was just starting to get on its feet and had just purchased land to build a larger facility.
- Honduras - a Christian orphanage that had over 400 children, and having the chance to visit Eduardo.
God had answered my prayers and my emails with Katja (the volunteer coordinator in Honduras) and Becky (my U.S. volunteer contact) began. I've been working diligently ever since to make sure that I will have safe travels and keep the costs down to a minimum. So far, with round-trip airline travel, 2 hotels for overnight stays (Atlanta & San Pedro Sula), and a taxi ride from the San Pedro Sula airport to the hotel, I am at just a hair under $500 - which is INCREDIBLE!
God is Good!!!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Plans in Motion...
Good evening to all,
Today was quite busy for me. I began this morning by emailing 2 hotels in San Pedro Sula, Honduras about their availabilities. One just replied with an email - and although for most American standards, their rate may seem really good...it is quite a bit more than what would be charged of most Honduran hotels, so I'll most likely wait for a reponse from the other hotel.
I also washed all of the clothing I'd be taking to Honduras and put them into one of my suitcases...just to have them there so that I can focus on other things between now and next weekend. The great thing is most of the clothing was linen or very light cotton, so when I weighed my suitcase, it only came to 20 pounds. I'm allowed 50 pounds/suitcase and my carry-on can be 50 pounds as well, for a total of 150 pounds! I'll still have to pack my "toiletries" as many people call them - and then reweigh the suitcase, but I think I'll have around 100+ pounds that I'll be able to use strictly for donations!
This morning I also took the 4 kids up to the Waupaca County Courthouse. I want to get all of Andrés' paperwork ready to apply for a passport before I leave, so that he'll have it for next year. Bob had mentioned that he'd also like to go next year and his passport expires this December, so we'll most likely be filling out both applications at the same time.
I'm still in the process of working on a "look" for this blog, so bear with me if you see color or template changes as you check in from time to time. I hope that you enjoy the slideshow of the Orphanage Emmanuel pictures taken in June of this year by the lady who is my U.S. contact to the orphanage. Underneath this slideshow is another of pictures from San Pedro Sula as well as cities along the way to Orphanage Emmanuel.
Tomorrow I will blog about how the decision came to serve at this orphanage. Until then, have a great night!
Today was quite busy for me. I began this morning by emailing 2 hotels in San Pedro Sula, Honduras about their availabilities. One just replied with an email - and although for most American standards, their rate may seem really good...it is quite a bit more than what would be charged of most Honduran hotels, so I'll most likely wait for a reponse from the other hotel.
I also washed all of the clothing I'd be taking to Honduras and put them into one of my suitcases...just to have them there so that I can focus on other things between now and next weekend. The great thing is most of the clothing was linen or very light cotton, so when I weighed my suitcase, it only came to 20 pounds. I'm allowed 50 pounds/suitcase and my carry-on can be 50 pounds as well, for a total of 150 pounds! I'll still have to pack my "toiletries" as many people call them - and then reweigh the suitcase, but I think I'll have around 100+ pounds that I'll be able to use strictly for donations!
This morning I also took the 4 kids up to the Waupaca County Courthouse. I want to get all of Andrés' paperwork ready to apply for a passport before I leave, so that he'll have it for next year. Bob had mentioned that he'd also like to go next year and his passport expires this December, so we'll most likely be filling out both applications at the same time.
I'm still in the process of working on a "look" for this blog, so bear with me if you see color or template changes as you check in from time to time. I hope that you enjoy the slideshow of the Orphanage Emmanuel pictures taken in June of this year by the lady who is my U.S. contact to the orphanage. Underneath this slideshow is another of pictures from San Pedro Sula as well as cities along the way to Orphanage Emmanuel.
Tomorrow I will blog about how the decision came to serve at this orphanage. Until then, have a great night!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Initial Plans to Honduras
Hello to all.
After much research (Bob would tell you "too much research"), I have some of the initial plans in place. I just want to make sure I'm getting the best rates, yet still will be safe in my travels.
I purchased my flight tickets on priceline.com by putting a bid in. I ended up getting the tickets for just slightly over $400. Considering full price at that time was $687, and they are currently around $820...I think I got an awesome deal. The down-side??? I have to be on 3 planes rather than two and I'll have to have an overnight stay on the way down & back. But I don't mind riding in planes, so I guess that's okay. I'll just have to be sure to have lots of gum.
Here's my Flight Itinerary:
Departing Flight Information - Saturday, August 2, 2008 (Arrives Sunday, August 3, 2008)
After much research (Bob would tell you "too much research"), I have some of the initial plans in place. I just want to make sure I'm getting the best rates, yet still will be safe in my travels.
I purchased my flight tickets on priceline.com by putting a bid in. I ended up getting the tickets for just slightly over $400. Considering full price at that time was $687, and they are currently around $820...I think I got an awesome deal. The down-side??? I have to be on 3 planes rather than two and I'll have to have an overnight stay on the way down & back. But I don't mind riding in planes, so I guess that's okay. I'll just have to be sure to have lots of gum.
Here's my Flight Itinerary:
Departing Flight Information - Saturday, August 2, 2008 (Arrives Sunday, August 3, 2008)
- Delta from Chicago/Midway Departs: 3:00 P.M. - Arrives Atlanta, GA: 5:55 P.M.
- Delta from Atlanta Departs: 10:00 A.M. - Arrives San Salvador: 11:47 A.M.
- TACA from San Salvador Departs: 7:25 P.M. - Arrives San Pedro Sula, Honduras: 8:20 P.M.
Returning Flight Information - Saturday, August 16, 2008 (Arrives Sunday, August 17, 2008)
- TACA from San Pedro Sula Departs: 5:45 P.M. - Arrives San Salvador: 6:35 P.M.
- Delta from San Salvador Departs: 12:47 P.M. - Arrives Atlanta, GA: 6:37 P.M.
- Delta from Atlanta Departs: 9:25 P.M. - Arrives Chicago/Midway: 10:24 P.M.
Yesterday I made a reservation for the Days Inn in Atlanta (remember, I'm trying to keep this trip as inexpensive as possible). I looked on priceline.com and then went to the Days Inn website, and found that it was cheaper to contact them directly. I had never reserved a hotel before from priceline.com, only airline tickets - since I've always placed a bid. But I didn't feel comfortable "naming my price" and then not getting the free shuttle service from the airport to the hotel (I've seen on many reviews that it's much better to get an airport with a shuttle service than to pay a little less...only to pay $25/one-way for a taxi). They have a continental breakfast - so that'll help save some money too! I also saw that the Days Inn I'll be staying at has internet access and computer use in the lobby for their guests, so I should be able to post yet while in Atlanta.
I talked to Patti (our old babysitter) over the weekend and she said she has family that lives in San Salvador, so perhaps they'll be able to help me find a reasonable and safe place to stay during my overnight stay there on the way back. Her mother and mother-in-law have sent up such beautiful things for our children over the past few years. I'm hoping to be able to meet them either during my 7 hour delay on the way down, or on the way back (or both!).
My next adventure will be setting up some place to stay in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. I will have to spend the night there before taking a bus to Tegucigalpa (the capital). I will keep you posted as I get make those details.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Introduction Letter to this Blog
Hello family & friends,
This blog is to keep you posted on my travels to Honduras beginning summer of 2008.
I had sent out the following letter letting you know about my reasoning for this upcoming trip:
In January of 1994 while on a study abroad trip to Mexico (required by the state of Wisconsin to become a teacher of a foreign language), I visited an orphanage. Although orphanages had existed in the United States, it was before my time and I only had movies like “Annie” to relate to them. This was first-hand experience for me of children who were either abandoned or who had lost their parents and had no other relatives to take them in. This was also the first moment in which I felt a need to help.
Serving in an orphanage has been something that has been on my mind constantly since this first experience, but I haven’t had the opportunity or the means to do it until now. Back in 2005-2006, I began searching for orphanages online. Because of my abilities in Spanish, I stayed partial to those orphanages in Spanish-speaking countries because I believed that’s where I could be most effective in my service.
I have been feeling that God has been putting this vision of service onto my heart more and more over the past few years, so because of this I had set summer of 2007 as the date to begin my summers abroad. As all of you know...last summer I was pregnant with Kaylyn. That put yet another halt to going.
I had told Bob of my desire to serve when we first met back in 2001 and had mentioned it here & there ever since. But that tugging I’d been feeling at my heart has been getting stronger each year, so this spring I spoke to my husband once again (for the first time since 2006). I was a little nervous because that would mean Bob would be staying back with all 4 kids this summer…but to my surprise, my wonderful husband said “go”…that now is the time.
I know our children are loved completely, not only by my husband and me but also by our close family and friends. I know that they will be well cared for, even if I travel to an orphanage to serve other children. I believe that ALL children should feel that they are loved and wanted, which is why I want to give of myself to those children who have been abandoned by their families. Eventually when they are old enough, I plan to bring our children with me to serve along-side of me.
Okay, so with all of that said, let me share the details:
I have been in communication with a Christian orphanage in Honduras called Orphanage Emmanuel. Their website is: http://www.orphanageemmanuel.com/ if you’d like to check them out.
I will most likely be going from August 2nd – 16th this year…the dates have been scheduled into their calendar; I just have to wait for confirmation & then get the plane tickets.
My goal is to take 2 suitcases and a carry-on (I still have to check with the airlines for restrictions)…and ONLY come back w/ my carry-on. So I would like to take some much needed supplies down there. After speaking with their U.S. contact, she mentioned they are really in need of stuff that is“consumable”…meaning:
This blog is to keep you posted on my travels to Honduras beginning summer of 2008.
I had sent out the following letter letting you know about my reasoning for this upcoming trip:
In January of 1994 while on a study abroad trip to Mexico (required by the state of Wisconsin to become a teacher of a foreign language), I visited an orphanage. Although orphanages had existed in the United States, it was before my time and I only had movies like “Annie” to relate to them. This was first-hand experience for me of children who were either abandoned or who had lost their parents and had no other relatives to take them in. This was also the first moment in which I felt a need to help.
Serving in an orphanage has been something that has been on my mind constantly since this first experience, but I haven’t had the opportunity or the means to do it until now. Back in 2005-2006, I began searching for orphanages online. Because of my abilities in Spanish, I stayed partial to those orphanages in Spanish-speaking countries because I believed that’s where I could be most effective in my service.
I have been feeling that God has been putting this vision of service onto my heart more and more over the past few years, so because of this I had set summer of 2007 as the date to begin my summers abroad. As all of you know...last summer I was pregnant with Kaylyn. That put yet another halt to going.
I had told Bob of my desire to serve when we first met back in 2001 and had mentioned it here & there ever since. But that tugging I’d been feeling at my heart has been getting stronger each year, so this spring I spoke to my husband once again (for the first time since 2006). I was a little nervous because that would mean Bob would be staying back with all 4 kids this summer…but to my surprise, my wonderful husband said “go”…that now is the time.
I know our children are loved completely, not only by my husband and me but also by our close family and friends. I know that they will be well cared for, even if I travel to an orphanage to serve other children. I believe that ALL children should feel that they are loved and wanted, which is why I want to give of myself to those children who have been abandoned by their families. Eventually when they are old enough, I plan to bring our children with me to serve along-side of me.
Okay, so with all of that said, let me share the details:
I have been in communication with a Christian orphanage in Honduras called Orphanage Emmanuel. Their website is: http://www.orphanageemmanuel.com/ if you’d like to check them out.
I will most likely be going from August 2nd – 16th this year…the dates have been scheduled into their calendar; I just have to wait for confirmation & then get the plane tickets.
My goal is to take 2 suitcases and a carry-on (I still have to check with the airlines for restrictions)…and ONLY come back w/ my carry-on. So I would like to take some much needed supplies down there. After speaking with their U.S. contact, she mentioned they are really in need of stuff that is“consumable”…meaning:
- toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap, shampoo, wet wipes, deodorants, and socks & underwear (in all sizes).
- She also mentioned some outside games such as jacks, marbles, jump ropes, etc.
I would love to take as much as I possibly can fit in those 2 suitcases.
If any of you have “an extra or two” of any of the above lying around in your house & would like to send it my way to take with me (if you happen to see me, whether visiting or at church or you just happen to be in our neighborhood) – that’d be great! PLEASE – DON’T GO OUT & BUY ANYTHING!!! I don’t want to put anyone out, and hopefully w/ all of the people I’m sending this too, the suitcases will fill up w/ just an item here & there.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me or call. Hope you are all enjoying your summer!
LoriAnn Harmon
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