Pools, Parties and Praise...

Friday was the last day of school so we took the kids to the pool. Actually, pools. There were four of them available for the children. It was great. They also had two cages on one side of the park. One held several varieties of birds, including a scarlet macaw. But it was the other one that really got my attention. It contained six large (4-7 foot) iguanas and two spider monkeys. That was cool You could even pet the monkeys. They would stick their little hands out of the cages and grasp onto your hand. Yes, I enjoyed that. No, I don't want a pet monkey.

Two things about our day really impressed me: Not once did I hear a single argument, disagreement, or fight among the children. And, when it was time to leave, not one child complained or asked for more time. Wow! Try that in America!

I spent most of Friday evening in the kitchen at Enlaces, talking to Xiomara. Friday is tajadita night, and I often make that my dinner. I was asking Xiomara questions about what spices she uses, how she prepares this or that, etc. I enjoyed the time. I always enjoy talking to Xiomara.

My plan for Saturday was to be down at the mercado by about 7am so that I could watch as things came to life. I got sidetracked reading the paper online and didn't leave my house until about 7:45. That was still earlier than I've been down there before. I really enjoyed it and even spent some time just eating breakfast and watching everything. Before heading home I bought some aguacates, mandarinas, bananos, and tortillas. I also found a birthday present for Jorge Eduardo. His birthday party was later that afternoon.

According to the invitation, Jorgito's party started at 3pm. So, at about 3:30 Elizabeth and I got a taxi and made our way over there so that we'd be just about on time. We were. Birthday parties here are fun and are definitely a slice of Honduran life and culture. No birthday party would be complete without a piñata, and this one did not disappoint. I also got a kick out of watching some of the children chase the chickens and roosters around the yard. One of the roosters got tired of that and flew up into a tree. I've never seen that before.

Dinner on Saturday was at La Casita and was for all the teachers. It was a going away dinner for Elizabeth. She's leaving Honduras and heading back to the States on Wednesday. Every one of the teachers was able to make it. We all had a great meal and shared lots of laughs.

This morning I started to make my way across the street at about 10:40, to wait for the bus that takes me to the military base. The bus was already there -- a full 8 or 9 minutes early. So, I ran toward the bus and made it on before he took off. Then we saw someone else running for the bus and the driver stopped for her also.

I enjoy going to the base on Sunday mornings. It's my one service in English during the week. I've gotten to meet a lot of nice folks there as well.

Can you believe that I will be heading back to KS in just under three months? Where does the time go? It seems like I just arrived here last week. God has blessed me here in so many ways. I've made so many friends, and deepened relationships I already had. Although I will always stick out here, I feel totally at home in this culture. I love talking to people when I'm out and about. It's awesome; as soon as people find out I'm from Enlaces, it opens up all kinds of opportunities to talk to them. I've even been able to pray with a few people, whether it's in the mercado or in their own stores.

Well, that's all for tonight.

Dios le bendiga.