The day began with pancakes – a harbinger of wonderful things to come. Sure enough, the pancakes didn’t disappoint. What a wonder-full day we had. Joey and I went to SBV in the morning to help clean the chapel for the dedication tomorrow. Our plan was to return to Erika’s for lunch to greet the rest of the team, and get ourselves ready for the celebration tonight.
We arrived at SBV at the same time as the Charleston team. Joey and I headed up to the Chapel and began washing the windows, inside and out. Those are BIG windows and a big job but it was truly worth it when the beautiful vistas emerged through the newly cleaned glass. Meanwhile, the Delta flight arrived with the rest of our team and the Sumter team and all the luggage. Well, not ALL all, really most all. We are missing 4 or 5 bags and the Sumter team missing several as well. Jose, our driver, was held up at the airport as they all sorted out what luggage had arrived, what was missing, and then filling out the paperwork. So, that left us “stuck” out at SBV. Oh darn. We had time to chat with the other folks, finish the windows, play with the children, and explore our work site. The only downside was we had no lunch! The other team, once they realized our predicament, gave us the remnants of their lunch – a banana and a lettuce sandwich. Needless to say, when we finally arrived at Erika’s we were starving! We snarfed down some of the world’s best potato salad, thanks to Erika, and then rushed up to our room to get cleaned up for the big celebration.
We arrived at El Cordero, on the soccer field transformed as party hall, at about 6:30. The party was already in full swing with lots of Hondurans and Americans. They had a band and a Christian rock duo who were really terrific. After a delish dinner (which included pepian, my favorite vegetable – sort of like zucchini) the band played and many of us danced. Wheeler danced with every woman within reach! Suzy was having a blast. What a joy it was to see her having so much fun! Then the formal program started. Several children from the dayschool, El Cordero, put on a program with singing and dancing. Next were children from the newly formed Alonzo Movement. (This is a grass roots movement begun as a response to the murder of Alonzo, a LAMB staff member. Alonzo was murdered two blocks from El Cordero because of a cell phone. Gladys, the Honduran operational director, was horrified that the young people of Flor were so lost that they would take a life over a cell phone. She conceived of a grassroots movement in Flor to provide early intervention in hopes of preventing the young people from taking such a destructive path as Alonzo’s murderers. Clearly, this concept was inspired by God because it took off immediately. They received seed money from a benefactor in the US. The most amazing and beautiful part was the immediate support of the neighborhood, local churches, etc.) After the Alonzo children’s performance, several SBV children performed. So cute!
The most moving part of the program was Esli’s testimony. Esli is a gorgeous 18 yr old who recently graduated from the Children’s Home and is now working in the day care at El Cordero. She told us about her mother marrying a man when Esli was 10. The step father began sexually abusing her almost immediately. By the time Esli was 14, she was pregnant. She ultimately found her way to Suzy, full of bitterness and hatred towards her mother, the fetus, and God. She gave birth to a beautiful little girl, Angelie. She realized Angelie was a blessing from God. Esli went on to tell us that now she thanks God every day for the gifts He has given her. She deeply loves Angelie, has reconciled with her mother and is deeply faithful to God. I couldn’t possibly convey the horror of her early life, the anguish she felt for so long, and the transformation she has undergone with such grace and maturity. Her story is yet another example of the miraculous work that LAMB does. I videoed her testimony and hope it turns out. It is really something to share. I am so proud of her.
We are all snug in our beds now, exhausted. Tomorrow is the dedication of the Chapel (with clean windows..) Another big day. The internet is fnally working so I hope to post every day so far in the morning.
Blessings to all.
