Heavy hearts

Friday February 26, 2010


Our last day started out as all the other days had. Sleepy folks stumbling to get coffee and plopping down at a table in the courtyard waiting for the coffee to kick in. Fortunately, we don’t have any of those perky, whistley, “I just love the early morning” types. We are all pretty bleary-eyed when we get up. Morning prayer comes next and then breakfast. By then we are getting jazzed up for the day. Slowly reality began to sink in as Short Anne and Margot tearfully began to say their good byes. They had to leave a day early. Uh-oh. That would be us tomorrow. But, not yet!

Part of our group got on the van to Flor to finish painting the school and the rest of us loaded up to go to SBV. We stopped at Café Sur, LAMB’s new coffee shop on the way to SBV. It really is lovely. Then on to work. Marilyn and Leamarie headed up to the school to teach. Karen and I prepared to paint more pipes – red this time since they ran out of green. (I will pause while the mental image forms of my already green legs from yesterday and the potential impact of the red paint..) John, Al, and James when back to their sand and cement hauling.

Just about lunchtime, Suzy and Elsa showed up. They joined us as we shared our lunch with the Honduran construction workers. It was a beautiful day, sitting under the trees with a view of the mountains. Soon Gladys and Evelyn came by so John could take us, along with Suzy and Elsa, on a walk to see the prospects for wells, dams, and other possibilities for water. The solution to the water issue seems to be getting more concrete. Suzy told John that they were ready to do whatever he recommends. He is pondering the various options before declaring! Just about all of the options involve buying property to get us closer to either existing water or good well-digging spots. Pray that we are able to negotiate a fair price. Suzy and I were casually looking for a perfect site for the cabin I want to build on the property. I promised Leamarie that we would share the house. We may have to make room for Short Anne too!

The Flor team joined us after stopping for a delish lunch at Café Sur. We had some time with the kids before their program. As usual, the program was precious. First all the children sang us some songs and then each class sang a song. The first grade recited Psalm 23 in its entirety! Daniel gave his testimony and little Joselyn did too. I made a short speech entirely in Spanish! Woohoo!

We had a bit more time to relax with the children. I repeated over and over that I would be back in June. Evelyn graced me with some smiles. Jimy and Marilyn, our newest love story, were so sweet together – savoring every moment before it was time to go. All too soon, John was herding us on the vans. How I hate that moment. The only possible way I can leave is if I already know when I am returning – Junio. Regresso en Junio.

When we got home we cleaned up and began the packing party. We have so many beautiful things for the art auction. Pray they all get back to Atlanta in one piece! Pat Cashman, a priest who has been with us off and on all week, celebrated the Eucharist with us. What a wonderful way to finish the week.

So, tomorrow we rejoin our other world. We will be happy to see our friends and family but leave our beautiful Honduras and our friends and family here with heavy hearts.

Hasta Junio.

The 23rd Psalm

Evelyn smiles!

Pictures from Thursday

Thursday February 25, 2010

Evelyn

Angelica and Mirza making necklaces... which you will see at the art auction!

Sleepy Fanni

Ladies Night Out:

Young Anne and Abraham

Beautiful women

Thursday, February 25 2010


Thursday was a lovely day. Several of the team went to paint the school at Flor. The guys and I went to SBV. I painted the pipes that will hold the fence up. It was very windy and they dilute the green rustoleum paint so it was a little runny. So there you have the perfect storm – drippy paint, wind, and… me. Another way to imagine it is the “greening of Amanda.” I had drips of paint all over my paints. Paint that soaked through my pants so now it looks like I have a bizarre green rash. I had merianda (snack) with the younger kids. They handed me a mango whose peel I elected not to eat to their amazement. It was wonderful but I had mango hair in my teeth all day long! I also spent a lot of sweet time with the children. Evelyn, in particular, grabbed my heart. Her story is heartbreaking. She came to us when she was 10. (Hunter and I were at SBV for her very first day.) I learned this week that she has a recurring illness. One that no one would want but one that a young girl should NEVER have. She is sad most of the time. So I spent time with her, just sitting together. After a while a small tear rolled down her cheek. It took a while for me to find out what was wrong but finally she whispered to me, “No tengo una Madrina.” (I don’t have a Godmother – sponsor in our terms) I promised her I would find her a Madrina and then assured her that I am also her Madrina.

The team has had a number of conversations about the children. At the beginning of the week there were 3 teams here so lots of people. Many of the children had their Madrias or Padrinos here. A couple had more than one. But…some children didn’t have anyone. (except me cuz I am everyone’s Madrina) As a result, we decided that when we get home we are going to create a “shadow sponsorship program.” We will find a Madrina or Padrino for every child. This will be about relationships. If the person is moved to provide financial support also, thanks be to God. But the focus is on a sustained relationship with the child. The sponsors don’t have to go to HN but they will need to make a committed to connect with the child. They can send small gifts, cards, pictures of the child’s “American family”, pray for the child, etc. We can be surrogates for them when we come down on trips and deliver the mail and gifts. I hope people in the Atlanta area embrace this idea. Valerie and Suzy both thought this was a terrific idea.

Last night was Ladies Night Out. It is really so hard to express the joy it brings us and the CAP ladies. This was our third annual dinner so now we all look forward to it all year long. Several of the ladies wore the outfits that they had made this week! They made a skirt, a blouse and a matching scarf! They were so proud of their new clothes. Rosangel let a group game to reinforce team work. It was a hoot! We stood in a big circle holding hands. She put a hula hoop around my neck and the next of the woman next to me. We had to send the hula hoops around the circle without letting go of our hands! If the hula hoop dropped, we had to start over. By far the best part of that fun exercise was the reaction of the woman on my right. The belly laughs coming from her were wonderful. I just love seeing these women relaxing and having fun. They lead such hard lives – to see them laugh and smile is truly a gift from God. We served them a lovely dinner. Margot, Short Anne (Patrick), Leamarie, and Jan had outdone themselves with the planning and decorations. A very sweet but bittersweet scene was Young Anne( Rackley) holding Elvira’s 5th child, Abram, who is 2 yrs old. Elvira is a deaf mute who lives in La Cantera. We have her 4 older children at SBV – the oldest Elias,8, is my child. Social Services is scheduled to come get Abram this week and take him to SBV. It is absolutely clear that Abram needs to be with us but it is sad to think that Elvira will lose yet another child. We take her to get birth control shots every 3 months and worry that she will refuse after Abram leaves so she can have another child. Sigh. Please pray for her. Young Anne fed him and held him in her lap all evening. Soon he fell asleep and she held him and rocked him. So very sweet.

After many pictures and hugs, we said good bye to the ladies and stumbled into the vans. It was a very long day but such a blessed day.

Today is our last day at SBV. I hate that.  (posting pix later.  late for the van!)

News flash: Honduran economy rapidly recovers

We had a very productive day shopping today.  Almost all of my shopping was for the art auction to raise money for LAMB.  We started the morning at the pewter factory, Giancarlo's.  I tried very hard to rein myself in because Bonnie put me on a budget.  James was assigned to keep track of what I was spending to make sure I didn't go over.  He did an excellent job...at Giancarlo's.  We stopped quickly at Erika's to unload which, it turned out, was very wise.  If we hadn't someone would be walking home from Valle. I don''t think we could have fit one more thing in the van, especially after Jan bought 30 plants!

When we got to Valle we had lunch first in a cute restaurant right on the plaza.  And, our driver, Hugo, parked right there!  That was so convenient to have the van so close so we could drop off our packages.  Hugo was a dream, following along to gather our purchases and take them back to the van.  The lunch was delish!  All our lunches included rice, beans and plaintains.  YUM.  Our first shopping stop was at my new best friend, Juan's.  James was very good again at monitoring my spending.  Next was a leather shop, James, ever vigilant kept track of my running total.

Then we got to my favorite shop.  This is the one where the owner jumps up and gives me a hug whenever I walk in!  I have to say, it is not my fault that I blew out the budget.  James was worthless as my accountant.  He was like a kid in a candy shop looking at  all the beautiful crafts.  Wily me, I took advantage of  his inattention and went to town.  He tried to redeem himself by attempting to keep me out of any more shops but that horse was out of the barn.  It was exhaustion that finally brought the spree to an end.  As we drove away, I saw them changing the name of the town to Valle de Amanda.

On the way back to Erika's we stopped at a nursery (floral nursery) so Marilyn could get an orchid, the national flower, to take to SBV school tomorrow for her lesson.  Jan bought 30 small plants to put on the tables tomorrow night for ladies night out.  I know the CAP ladies will be thrilled to have what will certainly be their first plant!

Tonight is the sorting night to unpack all the items from ingathering and figuring out where they go.

Hasta luego!

Cesia Maria - US bound!

The school at SBV

Outstanding Stewardship

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

First – Thanks be to God! Cesia Maria is adopted by a lovely family from PA! Alaina, her mother, has been here for over a month working night and day to navigate the Honduran social services and legal systems. She had the crucial appearance before the decision making committee and after a grueling interview they approved the adoption! Now it is a case of finishing the paperwork and getting her US papers! Glory Hallelujah.

I spent the day with other members of the LAMB Board and several Honduran department heads who came to present reports about their departments. To sum it up, our support of LAMB is not just good stewardship, it is OUTSTANDING stewardship. I was so impressed by the intelligence, creativity, dedication, and spirituality of each person. There was a time when it was difficult to keep a consistent group of employees. Now, there is a group of people who are working at LAMB because they feel called to LAMB. They love their work and the children.

Jackie, the Director of the El Cordero school in Flor, told us:

“I feel I am doing exactly what God has called me to do. I love MY school! I tell everyone to come see my school. God has given me a vision of what will happen with the school. He has already answered many prayers. I believe my school is going to grow – more children, more buildings! The school is such a blessing for Flor, we do strong work, it is very challenging but the Word tells us we can do all things through Christ who strengths us.”

Toyita, who runs the toddler cottage and is the house mother for the teenage girls in SBV, is so inspiring. She noticed the teens were fighting with each other and had bad habits. (This set of teens came to us as older children from horrific circumstances. They were living in the main cottage with all the girls.) Toyita felt that God wanted her to take them into her little cottage on the property so she asked Gladys, the Head Administrator over all the operations, if they could move in with her and her husband Abel (Katie M – that is Matt to you!) She sat them down and said, You are now part of the Garcia family. I am your mother, here is your father, and you are all sisters. Here are the house rules (she listed them) and we will love and respect each other. The transformation of those girls is amazing!

I also learned that Yolany, the blind baby, is in excellent hands. When Lizeth, the administrator of SBV, learned she was coming, instead of being reluctant to take on such a huge responsibility, she was excited. “What a wonderful opportunity for us to learn so many new things through this baby!” They have arranged for Yolany to participate in a government program that works with blind children. They will even go out to SBV and teach the caregivers how to work with her! We have to prepare some space for Yolany and get some equipment and special toys and things. She goes every Tues from 8 -12 for this early intervention care. So, Lizeth asked them if she could also bring Melvin, one of the children who is blind in one eye. “Of course!” This is characteristic of the entire staff – finding ways to help the children.

Each of the Hondurans described their work with love and pride. I was so impressed with how things operate and the plans and vision they have for their area of LAMB. This is truly God’s work and I cannot think of a better way to be stewards for Him.

The others had a good day as well. Part of the team went back to SBV and continued work on the wall. Fr. Julio, Jan, and Margot went to the beach with 13 of the CAP ladies! They rode 3 hours on a bus to the beach (and, of course, 3 hours back!) and just had a blast. The ladies had never seen the ocean! They had a picnic, splashed in the water and generally horsed around, led by the Horsing Around Maven, Jan!

Suzy came by last night and we had a wonderful time with her singing and talking. It was the perfect end to a really terrific day!

Now – off to help the Honduran economy in Valley of the Angels!

Three Billy Goats Gruff

Monday, February 22, 2010

There is a comfort that comes from predictability and routine. The SBV team entered into that zone of serenity this morning when we arrived at SBV for our first real workday. We stood around while John and the Hondurans examined the work site. Karen and I went into Sala Cuna (the toddler’s cottage) to see Yolany. Yolany as you recall is 16 mos old and blind from birth. Her mother scornfully said, “No one will want this dog.” Guess what. We do, we want this precious little lamb. Toyita was with her and loves her so much. All the children and caretakers do. I have the cutest video of Yolany “dancing” as Toyita sang a little song. Yolany is just about ready to walk!

We lounged so more as El Jefe (the boss) counted up the tools available to see if we had enough. “We have 3 trowels, 5 shovels, 6 wheelbarrows, only one paint brush…” Then there was the discussion about whether we would haul the many bags of concrete all the way from the farthest work shed to our worksite way below the cottages or whether we would use El Jefe’s truck. Seems like a no brainer, right? Not so fast. El Jefe said he didn’t have enough gas. OK, we’ll buy him some gas. Next, do we hand mix the mortar (a back breaking job) or do we get the cement mixer running? Well, it doesn’t work. Why not? It needs gas. OK. And oil. OK. So, we finally have our shopping list – 5 paintbrushes, gas and oil. Finally we are ready to start work – a typical Monday morning at SBV. We really wouldn’t know how to behave if Mondays were organized ahead of time.

We began the day hauling wheelbarrows of sand down the hill to the future location of the cement mixer. We had a nice rhythm going with a couple of people shoveling and the rest of us wheeling up and down the hill. When Jesus said that, with enough faith, we can move mountains, we didn’t realize this is what He meant. But, as good servants, move that mountain we did. (If you are dying to ask why they didn’t unload the sand where the cement mixer would be, don’t bother. It is an enigma wrapped in a paradox… We always are moving a mountain of sand or gravel from one place to another.) Soon, the cement mixer arrived and, natch, the rip cord (what you start it with) broke. No problem, you can tie it back together. But first, we need to find the tools to open the compartment. Off went Jefe to find it. We continued hauling until lunch.

We sat on the porch of cottage 2 to eat our lunch. Soon the children got out of school and joined us. We are strictly forbidden to share our food with the kids. So, I want you all to know I DID NOT sneak cookies and melon to the little boys. When I was done eating I joined some of the 9 and 10 year olds on the playground. When I was little my family and I ALWAYS played 3 Billy Goats Gruff anytime we were near a foot bridge. So the playground has a crawl tube as part of it. I decided it was time to play Tres Cabritos Malo. I explained (in espanol!) how to play and announced I would be the troll. I got in the tube as the first billy goat came across the top of the tube. “Quien es?” I roared. (Who is that?) A falsetto voice answered, “Estoy la cabritto bebe!” (I am the baby billy goat.) “Voy a comerle!” I shouted. “No, estoy muy pequeno. Espere para mi mama!” (No, I am too small. Wait for my mother.) “OK,” I answered. We repeated this with the mother goat and then came the father goat who challenged me to a fight. Out I burst to fight Alex on the tube. Just like the wrestling channel we had it out until he “hit” the fatal blow and fell to my death on the platform. Gales of laughter as the triumphant Billy Goat finished crossing the tube.  It was lovely reliving this special memory of my childhood with my father and my mother, in whose memory our family built the playground.

Back to work. The cement mixer was working now and we alternated between hauling sand to the mixing spot and hauling the mescla (mortar) to the trench. Oh. I forgot to describe what we are doing. We are building a huge fence around the whole septic system and the pit that collects nasty water during the rainy season. I think it is “gray water.” Anyway, the Hondurans had dug a trench all around the area and now we were to fill it with rocks and mescla as a foundation for the fence. Some of our group painted the fence poles with rustoleum. It was hard work, very hot, but so much fun.

Other members of our team did other projects. At SBV, until about 2:45, Marilyn and Anne R. (known as young Anne vs. short Anne Patrick) worked in the school helping to assess math skills and handwriting. In first grade it was M day. Then they took them to the library where Marilyn read Goodnight Moon in Spanish. Anne was entranced but not so much the children. Tomorrow, they will be back in the classroom. Marilyn has an assignment to teach 4th tomorrow.

Several ladies went to Flor to work with the CAP ladies. They were joined by some women from the Sumter team. They had several sewing projects going and Joey was doing a bead project with them. A very cool project they did was part of the preparation for the Ladies Night Out dinner that has become an annual event, and one we all look forward to as a highlight of the week. Part of the event is creating an ambiance that the CAP ladies (extreme poverty) have no way of experiencing otherwise. We endeavor to have candlelight as part of it. The first year we used little tea lights which were impossible to keep lit because it is quite breezy in the evening in Flor. The next year we put the tea lights in plastic cups with a little water in them. It was virtually impossible to light them (didn’t have long matches) and then very hard to keep lit. So this year, in the spirit of continuous improvement, we will use luminaria. Anne (short Anne) was inspired to have the ladies think about their hopes and dreams and express them artistically by decorating the white luminaria bags. Then she had them interpret their drawings and she wrote their interpretations on the bottom of the bags. When they come to the dinner Thursday night they will see their dreams illuminated! Isn’t that cool? The things they drew and expressed are beautiful… Can’t wait till Thursday night.

Wheeler, his son Phillip and I had a lovely chat tonight. It was great getting to know another of his five children. All I can say is, Wheeler has good genes!

Honduras is wonderful, all is well here. I hope the same is true wherever you are.

Va con Dios. (Go with God.)

Yolany, 16 mos and blind

Maria Mercedes, 16 mos

Young Anne and Kenneth

Sergio

All I have to do is get close to pink paint...

'Nuff said...

Sacred space

Sunday, February 21, 2010


Today we dedicated the Chapel at SBV. Our team got there early because we wanted to hang the Honduras Building Mission banner, designed and made by Jan Kramer, and we had dress clothes to give to the teenage girls. (Confessional moment – another reason I wanted to get there early was so I could be sure to get “my seat” – same relative seat as my seat at St. David’s! First row, aisle seat, Gospel side.) The other teams and many Hondurans started arriving. Wheeler was delighted that Raymond, the artisan who made the windows and doors, was there. His work is magnificent and it was a thrill that he could be part of the celebration. The children started wandering in, picking which lap they wanted to sit on or who they wanted to sit next to. I got Joel and Kennet! Marilyn had Jimy who fell asleep on her lap. What a dear sight that was. The service was delayed a bit because someone ate the bread Suzy had set aside for communion! Suzy had stored the bread in the pulpit the day before figuring it was safe… I guess a delicious looking loaf of bread was too much temptation to resist! Finally, more bread arrived and we were ready to start. Yonibel, in an acolyte robe, was ready to process carrying the cross. He was followed by a crowd of children and then 4 Episcopal priests. 3 were from the US plus Elvia, a Honduran priest. Suzy, Mari, Astrid, Reina led the singing. The most moving hymn was signing Amazing Grace in Spanish. We sang most of them in Spanish then in English. It was really cool to sing their hymns – praise songs along with them. A highlight was the “drama” the older children wrote and performed. They had created “Hell” in one corner and “Heaven” in another. Yonibel and Elias were angels guarding the entrance to heaven! One by one, someone “died” and arrived at the gates of Heaven to face judgment. Sadly, several of them were tossed by a very serious Yonibel into the eternal flames. A couple of souls were gently led to Heaven by a serene Elias. (serene and Elias is an odd juxtaposition of words!) After the drama, Mari explained each vignette to us. It was fascinating to get an insight into both their theology and their perspectives. One pretty rotten character was saved because at the moment before death he asked for forgiveness. His partner in crime didn’t and was escorted away by Yonibel… (and when I say escorted I mean hurled into the pit!) One of the sorry characters was a televangelist! (I think it was Julio.) This “televangelist” was stunned that he was welcomed into heaven with a brass band because, after all, he was a famous preacher on TV! But, replied “God” from behind the pulpit, “What about your family? You ignored your family and only cared about your fame.” Yonibel went to work again. Then Reina summarized the drama for us. This poised, beautiful 17 yr old girl who suffered unspeakable abuse and hardship before coming to LAMB hit us all between the eyes as she said, “Whether you go to heaven or hell is entirely under your control.” Then she paused and looked into our souls and asked, “Which will you choose?” Silence as her words and insight sunk in.

After the drama we had communion. That was so special to share Eucharist with Americans from several states, Hondurans, and the children of SBV in such a beautiful and sacred space. A final hymn and then the procession out. “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!” Thanks be to God!

Lunch was served on the portico attached to the chapel. The cooks from the Children’s Home catered the lunch. It was delicious! They really went all out. After lunch, we took a tour of SBV for the new folks and then back in the vans for a short tour of downtown Tegucigalpa.

Tomorrow begins the hard work… Several ladies are going to Flor to do projects with the CAP Senoras. The rest of us will be building a fence around the septic system. Very glamorous work!

Hasta manana!

Katharyn, Paty, Astrid

Fani and tummy

Angelica and Isaac

Karen with beautiful Cesia, pray for a good result at the final meeting at child services for Cesia's adoptive mother on Tues.

John and Gina receiving communion together

Serene Elias waiting to lead a soul to heaven!

Lucita, Jan, and Marilyn with sleepy Jimy Wheeler, Phillip Conkling, Barbara (founder of Discovery Services Project that built El Cordero and the school at SBV)

Jan and our banner

Anne with Maria Mercedes

More Friday pictures

I ran out of time this morning and couldn't get all the picture uploaded from Friday. Here are some more. Later tonight I will post the Saturday blog.
Marilyn and Sallie after M put S hair in french braids.

FanniWheeler giving the benediction at the end of the celebration Sat. night.