Well, the big landmark has arrived: I have been living in Honduras for exactly one year! At moments throughout the year, I wondered if I could really make it to this point, and at other moments, a year just did not seem like enough time. Yet in all of these, I can honestly say that the time spent here has flown by, and I have grown and learned SO much. I will attempt to share with you some of these moments of learning in this blog, although merely an entry could never contain all that the Lord has so gracefully shown me through my year of service, struggles, growth, and joys.
As I glance back at these God moments of understanding, hoping, and changing, I've gotta share with y'all the news of the year ahead...after much praying and waiting, and a bit of anxiety, I have decided to pursue what I feel is a calling from the Lord to remain down in Honduras another year! It really has been a rollarcoaster adventure, all of this...just 4 years ago I had no desire for international mission work, no understanding of Spanish, and no clue as to where the Lord would be leading me in a couple of short years. Now, following a year of complete immersion experience at the most difficult job I have ever held (and still surviving!), I will be embarking on new, uncharted territory...I will go from Tia to Maestra, serving as a middle-school teacher in (of ALL things!) Science to bilingual, Honduran students in a Christian school in the nearby capital, Tegucigalpa. The Lord just isn't finished with me down here in CentroAmerica...I'm not sure what He's got up His sleeve with this next step, but I am very excited to be working with a new organization but yet to be an active part of the childrens' lives at the Ranch whom have completely captured by heart.
As I begin my final month with the beautiful children and staff of NPH's El Rancho Santa Fe, I reflect on some of the many things these young yet well-lived souls, as well as the intriguing culture of Honduras, have taught me throughout the past year.
1. It can take an entire lifetime to truly make and see a difference...or it can take simply a moment.
2. Fresh fruit had never tasted so good as it has in Honduras: Five mangos for a dollar, and free pineapple, watermelon, cantelope, and bananas very week....heavenly!
3. Some of the hardest workers in the world get paid the very least.
4. The grossest thing I do every week is take out the organic trash, because dozens of vultures swarm me as I do it. Vultures are my biggest phobia, for real. We're not in Kansas anymore...
5. Some of the kids whom are the meanest to me actually love me the most...they just don't know how to show it and have defense mechanisms just like I do. And some of the toughest kids to love are the ones whom need it the most.
6. Things such as photo albums, rain jackets, and random necessities can be incredibly hard to find—in the center of the big city!
7. I have never gotten so physically sick in my life has I have here—and those moments can be the most homesick ones as well!
8. Classism and Christian denominations create a huge divide in this culture. And sadly, it's difficult to find a church anywhere that is doing anything about it.
9. I will never, ever again take the quality education which I have received for granted; those whom have received it are a very small minority in this country.
10. I oftentimes prefer spending times with kids over adults! I think I've re-realized this one too many times...:)
11. I wish I could love and forgive like little kids do. But I have not been as in love as I have been here...they have totally robbed every piece of my heart!
12. The solution to the worldwide pandemic of poverty is education...and Jesus. You cannot have one without the other and be successful in overcoming poverty. Young people need to know and understand that they have a lifelong and eternal purpose in order for education to have true meaning for their lives.
13. I've learned to exercise my creativity, which was dormant for many years...lots of kids + lack of supplies allows one to succumb to this! I've also been working with some of the most creative people I've ever met...it's rather intimidating, actually.:)
14. “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Paul, Philippians 4:12. I have learned what contentment means like never before, in many situations throughout my days.
15. I frankly and honestly do not support large orphanages; I believe that children need and desire a smaller environment in which to grow, learn, and receive love. However, the sad thing is that this large orphanage sometimes is the only solution to huge, worldwide problem of poverty, infidelity, and abandonment of personal responsibility.
16. The safest place in the big cities of Honduras are the malls—noooo!
17. Hondurans are the most beautiful people I've ever met.
18. Sometimes the biggest thing I can do in a student's life here is simply be his/her friend. It's amazing what a difference it makes in their lives to know that someone cares about them. And sometimes, one friend is all they've got.
19. The top foods I crave from the States are chocolate, peanut butter, goooood cheese, and fresh sandwiches! The beans and rice everyday just don't suffice...
20. I at last feel completely at home in the Latin American culture!
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