I delivered some of the tortuga peluchas (turtle stuffed animals) made by the St. Peter and St Paul VBS to the youngest children. See the very youngest Lamb with his tortuga! I also made the acquaintance of an adorable little girl, new since April, named Erika. Erika has Down's Syndrome and is just precious. I got a huge hug from her - a most sweet hug indeed.
After a quick tour, we went across the street to the LAMB offices to meet with the ladies from La Cantera. (See the picture of Meagan with Elvira. Elvira is a perpetually cheerful deaf mute. She helps around the school and lives in a house built by Discovery Service Projects. Janet was part of that team. Elvira is the mother of my sponsored child Elias. He and his sisters are at SBV.) La Cantera is the extremely impoverished squatters' village on the edge of Flor. The poverty is unimaginable. Unfortunately, we couldn't actually go into La Cantera because it is too dangerous right now - gangs and not enough police. So, the lovely ladies came to us. There were about 25 of them with a few of their children. We all introduced ourselves and then some of the ladies began giving their testimonies. You might expect to hear lamentations from these women who live the most difficult of lives. About half of them have no electricity. They live on a few dollars a day. Several of them live in "nice" houses built by LAMB - a nice house has 4 wooden walls, a tin roof, and a cement floor, holes cut in the walls for windows and a door that locks. The size is that of a very small bedroom. Often 8 - 10 people live there. One certainly would not blame them for a lamentation or two. But no, each one who spoke told us of the blessings in their lives. One explained she had gotten a bed to sleep in. That coupled with the wooden walls of her home, well, she was doing just fine. Demos gracias a Senor! (Thanks be to God.)
Another told us of an experience from this very week. Her refrain throughout the story was, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13) She was awakened by some noise outside her door. She was frightened but (refrain) got up to see what was happening. She saw that her son's bicycle had been stolen. She was bereft but (refrain.) She had prayed for 5 years, since her son was 6, that he would get a bicycle. He had just won one at Children's Day as a prize and now it was gone. She couldn't believe this had happened so she prayed. Soon, she went out to search for the bike...and found it hidden in some bushes! At first she was afraid to take it, afraid the thieves would attack her but (refrain) she got a friend to go back with her and she retrieved the bike! Demos gracias a Senor!
I spoke on behalf of our current team and all the teams that have come. I explained how we pray for them everyday and admire their courage and strength. I went on to say how inspiring they are to us and how much we love them. It was truly a privilege to be the spokesperson for all of us who care for them so deeply. They send special greetings to Dorita, Margot, Anne and Jan!
Several of the women thanked us for coming despite the "problems" going on in Honduras. There was one man there. He had been shot in the head. He clearly had difficulty talking but was able to introduce himself. I learned later he is an artist. I have included just a few pictures of these women. Hunter filmed their testamonies. I hope to edit it into something I can post on YouTube and the LAMB website. Stay tuned.
We did our requisite run to Giancarlo's -- they have even more beautiful things... they have added some wood pieces. I did my thing, leaving the store laden with bags. Then, a delish lunch at Erika's. Janet and Bonnie were feeling a bit puny so they stayed home for the afternoon. Hunter, Meagan and I headed off to SBV for a short afternoon of painting (H&M) and scraping (me.) A bit playing with the babies, Meagan and Hunter playing with Gina, and then time to go. We searched the roadside carefully for the man with the stick because we now have the crutches for him. We didn't see him this afternoon so we will keep looking.
Tomorrow, Hunter, Meagan and I will do soil testing that John McKinnon has assigned while Bonnie and Janet paint. I hope to see Suzy to hear if there is any more news about the newborn, the twins, Mirza's youngest brother, or the boy attacked by dogs.
Love to all back in the US... We are all happy, mostly healthy, and very safe.
