Hola Amigos, This last week we not only took the kids on a hike, we took their tutors out, too. The tutors here have a challenging job. they are responsible for 10-15 kids ranging from 2-5, 5-11, and 10-13. They take care of everything (getting kids up for school, serving meals, supervising clean up, helping with homework, encouraging and disciplining, being big sister/moms) apart from school hours. for 3-5 days at a stretch. They are mostly pretty young themselves (early 20's). We figured they needed a break. We hiked around the hills and then around the village. They introduced me to a lot of local folks and to some of the local iced treats "palitos" sweetened juice and milk frozen in a little bag and chocobananas(frozen bananas dipped in chocolate. I was also served "machucas" a kind of tamale served up with butter.
Our teenage girls dropped by for toast and tea before we lit out on the bus for church. We like having people over even if it is only a short visit. They're getting the route down , so we think they'll manage fine after we leave. Then we took off on a long distance bus for Siguatepeque (Central Honduras). There we met with Norma former director of AGROS Honduras, and Luis, former agronomist with Agros. Norma is now teaching LPNs the skills they'll need to work in rural communities where there are no doctors and Luis is studying for a master's in Agriculture at the Univ. of Arkansas, specializing in entymology. Luis was able to come with us when we left the next day for Nuevo Amanecer (see March Blog). We met with Agros director Joel, social worker Sandra, and agronomist Saul, and the whole community. There are 6 new families since March. We toured the farm, It's much greener now ( March was the dry season). The Plantain (think starchy bananas) we planted then is now 9 feet high! The next day we visited famiies, writing down everyone's name, and taking pictures. There are loads of kids now, mostly girls. A big plus with this community is that there are 2 schools nearby. We met Gloria, who is continuing her training as a volonteer health promoter. Even neighbors are seeking her help, the grandma of an expectant mom came looking for her that afternoon. We picked up some groceries and with the help of community cooks fixed up a lunch for the whole village. Afterwards Jane conducted a Bible study on Exodus 1.9-2.10. How God uses the powerless to show his power. Moses' life was saved by women who were slaves (except for Pharoah's daughter). Check out "Reading the Bible with the Damned" by Bob Eckblad . I finished up with a talk on preventing and stopping the spread of H1N1 flu. We were very encouraged that the community is learning self reliance and working towards self sufficiency as they pay off their loans.
Today I talked to Honduran missionary trainees about my experiences in Tunisia and ways to encourage dialogue between Muslims and Christians. One student is preparing to go to Morrocco and another to Pakistan ( she's already visited once).
We are looking ahead to our return to Seattle on Sept. 11th. Thanks to the internet we can do some job hunting ahead of time. If you have any leads please contact us. We're looking for openings for an RN/health educator and a psychotherapist. Til later, Gil.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Painted Cave, Ebenezer, and Cloud Forest
¿Que Tal Amigos? Hope you`re having a great summer. It`s been busy the last few days. I was able to arrange transportation in a truck for about 35 of our kids ( a hay-ride without the hay) to the trail head for las Cuevas Pintadas. These are indian caves decorated with petroglyphs some 600 years ago. We all made it even some of the 4 year olds. These kids are hardy! We ran into some bats and a very large variety of moths called Buhos (owls). I was very encouraged, after all my talks about preserving the environment, to see the kids picking up trash along the trail. I talked with the staff manager of the home about continuing these outings with the kids and he too is concerned that they go on after I leave. Hurray!
Sunday we accompanied 5 teenage girls on a trek to Tegucigalpa and their church Ebenezer (Hebrew: Rock of Help). We went by bus, teaching them what they need to know so they can be more independent. They were riding in a van from the home but engine problems and high cost of fuel closed down that possibility. It was a lot of fun, I like exploring town on a bus and the girls always found something to laugh about. They get a lot out of church, where they have been studying the Bible to learn how to live out their faith as followers of Jesus. Needless to say they were grateful for our help. We are going to the same church now, where people have included us like part of the family. A great help to all who are learning Spanish, most of the churches project the words to the songs and often the sermon outlines on screen.
Celebrating Jane`s recovery, we made a day trip on Tuesday up to La Tigra National Park. This is a cloud forest, high elevation and always in the clouds so that there is a luxuriant growth of ferns, mosses, bromilades, orchids, and many many trees. It`s interesting that this area was once the scene of American mining exploitation. They hacked it up pretty bad while taking out millions in valuable metals and left when the Hondurans started talking taxes and unions. It`s been protected since the 80`s and is now the source of a major part of Tegucigalpa`s and 30 other communities drinking water. We got off the bus and found we had a 2 km hike up hill to get to the trailhead. We hiked the Esperanza (Hope) trail. It reminded me of the Olympic Rain Forest except that some enchantment had fallen over it transforming the ferns into trees , little vines into ropey cables, and, seemingly fallen from the sky, exotic bromiliades ( air plants) perched on every branch. Some of these look like Pineapples and some like houseplants gone crazy. We hiked and hiked and then almost ran out of the park, rushing to catch our bus, the last one. The bus driver had told us 3 PM but fortunately it was 340 PM, so we weren`t left behind.
This week the talks were on the Heimlich Manouever. This gave me lots of opportunity for physical humor, which the kids love, and a great need for volunteers, which gave me something to do with the rowdy ones. I asked about emergency services, you know they always tell us to call 911... I was told that even though the firemen drive fast, they`d be a long time getting to our neighborhood. I did get the school coordinators to call the Red Cross which do give classes.
I`m developing some habits, like swinging in the hammock in the morning, and tastes like mangoes with my granola that are going to be hard to satisfy when I`m back in Seattle. I think I`ll be able to keep my Spanish up, if I keep riding the bus. I do hope we can keep some of the attitudes like not being in too much of a hurry, and just enjoying being with people and talking. I don`t think I need to be "plugged in"
all the time. It`s been good for Jane and me not to have so many distractions so that we`ve had more conversation time and more shared experiences as well. Still sometimes I think she might want to smother me with my crossword puzzle book. I`m even doing it in Spanish sometimes.
Adios, for now and hasta luego. Gil.
Sunday we accompanied 5 teenage girls on a trek to Tegucigalpa and their church Ebenezer (Hebrew: Rock of Help). We went by bus, teaching them what they need to know so they can be more independent. They were riding in a van from the home but engine problems and high cost of fuel closed down that possibility. It was a lot of fun, I like exploring town on a bus and the girls always found something to laugh about. They get a lot out of church, where they have been studying the Bible to learn how to live out their faith as followers of Jesus. Needless to say they were grateful for our help. We are going to the same church now, where people have included us like part of the family. A great help to all who are learning Spanish, most of the churches project the words to the songs and often the sermon outlines on screen.
Celebrating Jane`s recovery, we made a day trip on Tuesday up to La Tigra National Park. This is a cloud forest, high elevation and always in the clouds so that there is a luxuriant growth of ferns, mosses, bromilades, orchids, and many many trees. It`s interesting that this area was once the scene of American mining exploitation. They hacked it up pretty bad while taking out millions in valuable metals and left when the Hondurans started talking taxes and unions. It`s been protected since the 80`s and is now the source of a major part of Tegucigalpa`s and 30 other communities drinking water. We got off the bus and found we had a 2 km hike up hill to get to the trailhead. We hiked the Esperanza (Hope) trail. It reminded me of the Olympic Rain Forest except that some enchantment had fallen over it transforming the ferns into trees , little vines into ropey cables, and, seemingly fallen from the sky, exotic bromiliades ( air plants) perched on every branch. Some of these look like Pineapples and some like houseplants gone crazy. We hiked and hiked and then almost ran out of the park, rushing to catch our bus, the last one. The bus driver had told us 3 PM but fortunately it was 340 PM, so we weren`t left behind.
This week the talks were on the Heimlich Manouever. This gave me lots of opportunity for physical humor, which the kids love, and a great need for volunteers, which gave me something to do with the rowdy ones. I asked about emergency services, you know they always tell us to call 911... I was told that even though the firemen drive fast, they`d be a long time getting to our neighborhood. I did get the school coordinators to call the Red Cross which do give classes.
I`m developing some habits, like swinging in the hammock in the morning, and tastes like mangoes with my granola that are going to be hard to satisfy when I`m back in Seattle. I think I`ll be able to keep my Spanish up, if I keep riding the bus. I do hope we can keep some of the attitudes like not being in too much of a hurry, and just enjoying being with people and talking. I don`t think I need to be "plugged in"
all the time. It`s been good for Jane and me not to have so many distractions so that we`ve had more conversation time and more shared experiences as well. Still sometimes I think she might want to smother me with my crossword puzzle book. I`m even doing it in Spanish sometimes.
Adios, for now and hasta luego. Gil.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
On the lake and under the falls
Hi friends, We've been carrying on work at the children's home and the schools. Jane's more or less recovered from the virus that had been plaguing her. She is happy about losing some weight. I'm glad she's gettting her energy back. We found a gym with a swimming pool, where she can go and that is her favorite exercise. I've been going with her and am feeling much more comfortable in the water. Maybe I'll try one of those just for fun triathelons...?
When we first came down here for 2 weeks at a time we wondered how we could make much difference in such a short time. Now We've been here 6 months and I still feel the same way. You see a lot that needs changing. You get to know people and see what they're up against and wonder what will happen 6 months down the road. I hope we've communicated that we care and left some good memories. I guess every goodbye is preparation for the last goodbye.
I've been talking to the kids about setting goals ( paso a paso a su pasion) and eating healthy so they'll be in shape to get there. I continue to work with a great group of poor, mostly unsupported women who have been working to make a living through microbusiness cottage industry. They liked the goal setting exercises, too. I'm encouraging them to make a personal contract, with a specific measurable step tied to their calendar, each week.
My latest project is to ge a basketball hoop set up at the children's home. Where do you find one around here? I found an idea on line for recycling an old bike into a hoop, using the handlebars, fork, and a wheel rim. Wish me luck.
Jane and I got off last week, celebrating her recovery and bringing a teacher from the school who was needing a refreshing. We went to Lake Yojoa, the one big lake in Honduras. It is the place to see birds, so we got up early, 530am, and hopped into a leaky boat rowed by an eight year old boy. He did good! I spelled him a couuple times and realized he was a much better rower than I. We wandered around the shoreline through sub tropical rain forest checking out the myriad trees, plants, butterflies, and other crawling creatures. Later we went to Pulhapanzak Falls. We didn't just look at this incredible falls 15 meters high, we went under it and behind it. Led by a guide we braved the "firehose" spray' sometimes holding on to each other so as not to fall down and not get lost, since we could barely open our eyes in that churning water. By the end I was washed ,rinsed ,and put through the ringer. What a rush!
Jane and I are reading Job, Do we serve God for love of Him or to get a blessing?Look at Job 13.15 In the morning I'm reading Acts, lately realizing how God is working in many many people all around me, even those I'd never suspect. He's a surprising God.
For you bird lovers, I think I identified the bird that every morning wakes us up singing "Did you pray?" He's an ocellated quail, Im pretty sure. Hope you're all well. Hasta luego! Gilberto.
When we first came down here for 2 weeks at a time we wondered how we could make much difference in such a short time. Now We've been here 6 months and I still feel the same way. You see a lot that needs changing. You get to know people and see what they're up against and wonder what will happen 6 months down the road. I hope we've communicated that we care and left some good memories. I guess every goodbye is preparation for the last goodbye.
I've been talking to the kids about setting goals ( paso a paso a su pasion) and eating healthy so they'll be in shape to get there. I continue to work with a great group of poor, mostly unsupported women who have been working to make a living through microbusiness cottage industry. They liked the goal setting exercises, too. I'm encouraging them to make a personal contract, with a specific measurable step tied to their calendar, each week.
My latest project is to ge a basketball hoop set up at the children's home. Where do you find one around here? I found an idea on line for recycling an old bike into a hoop, using the handlebars, fork, and a wheel rim. Wish me luck.
Jane and I got off last week, celebrating her recovery and bringing a teacher from the school who was needing a refreshing. We went to Lake Yojoa, the one big lake in Honduras. It is the place to see birds, so we got up early, 530am, and hopped into a leaky boat rowed by an eight year old boy. He did good! I spelled him a couuple times and realized he was a much better rower than I. We wandered around the shoreline through sub tropical rain forest checking out the myriad trees, plants, butterflies, and other crawling creatures. Later we went to Pulhapanzak Falls. We didn't just look at this incredible falls 15 meters high, we went under it and behind it. Led by a guide we braved the "firehose" spray' sometimes holding on to each other so as not to fall down and not get lost, since we could barely open our eyes in that churning water. By the end I was washed ,rinsed ,and put through the ringer. What a rush!
Jane and I are reading Job, Do we serve God for love of Him or to get a blessing?Look at Job 13.15 In the morning I'm reading Acts, lately realizing how God is working in many many people all around me, even those I'd never suspect. He's a surprising God.
For you bird lovers, I think I identified the bird that every morning wakes us up singing "Did you pray?" He's an ocellated quail, Im pretty sure. Hope you're all well. Hasta luego! Gilberto.
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