A few little ones

   So its Halloween and I just realized it, it has pretty much passed without occasion.  But after viewing all the cute photos of my nephew back home, I thought I'd enlighten you with a few cute stories about some of the kids who come to the comedor.

       One day one of the boys and his younger brother come in without shoes, and I am very concerned, so I ask him what happened to their shoes, and he looks at me and indignantly says "What do you think these are!, [pointing to his blackened feet] These are the best tires in the world!" as he begins to run in circles all over the comedor, making car noises, and making his younger brother fall on the floor in laughter.
       Another time one of the girls comes in with a huge grin on her face and tells me she has a secret to tell me, and then she tells me she bought this gum for me and hands me a piece of gum.
      Well later one of the boys asked me for a piece of gum, but I didn't have any to give, but another one answers "Hey I have a ton of gum for everyone!"  to which I say   -"Really! How!?" and then he begins to scrape some gum that had been smashed on the floor for ages!
  
     Just this past Thursday it was one of the girls' birthday, so Sor Vilma gave her two pieces of a sweet bread from the bakery that we run, and ohh how happy she wasas she ran to show me! She insisted on giving me and the lady I work with a tiny piece, it was too cute!  The next day she came skipping in to the comedor, and I cannot explain the smile she had, that just wouldn't disappear.  Then she began to tell the story about how she got to share her "Birthday Cake"(the sweet bread) with her family the night before.  Way too cute!

And well these aren't as much cute stories, but I wans to tell you about the life of a few of the kids,
      Valeska, she is 12 and she dropped out of school in this year to take care of her younger brother who just turned 3, because he was getting beat up in the daycare, her mom right now is working at a store of some sorts, as a type of clerk, but doesn't get paid well at all.  Valeska is smart, and she loved school and always tells me that she dreams of going to "El Maria" [my school], but she loved her brother more, however, we convinced her to go to school next year and complete 6th grade and then we could find a sponser to send her to school here.  She has recently began to sell earrings in the street, but is not very good at it [this month I think she has only sold two pairs].  Also, she is the biggest help, because she will explain what the some of the parents or kids that I don't understand are saying.
     Belky, is 10 and she has never gone to school, like the rest of her family.  She lives out in the campo, around the city, and would just play with her older brother. When her older brother, 12,  became too busy with work, she didn't have anything to do all day, until this past week, when she began her work as a nanny for a 3 year old.  She brings him to the comedor every day and is so great at taking care of him.  However not ever having gone to school, or having talked to many adults, she can't read and even has a hard time with naming colors in spanish.  After we had been talking about her family, I changed the subject and I  asked her what her favorite color was she stopped and then she said she didn't know.  So I pushed the question a few more times, and then she looked like she was going to cry, and pointed to the blue plate, and said its just that she forgot how to say this color.  
        Well It is getting too late, and I can go on with stories like these way past my bed time, but I need to sleep.  But this is the life of these precious kids, who it seems cannot escape the grasps of poverty, and the seemingly inevitable cycle of uneducation like there parents. I love these kids, they are all soo great!

Pray for us, and pray for the bible camp that we are going to have with them Nov. 16 - 18, its only three days, but hopefully it will be the start of something bigger for the kids... I have some ideas, pray for some miracles, so they can happen.
Also it is the end of the school year here and we are starting final exams this week.  Pray for all the kids here, because failures in a class for some, mean that that they will not be able to continue going to school, which pretty much damns them to poverty for the rest of their life.

GRAN RIFA!

Some girls ready to do a traditional dance to entertain the crowds!

Saturday, at the Maria Auxiliadora, a large crowd gathered, to spend  all afternoon listening to music, playing volleyball, eating traditional food, and watching some traditional dances, until the final show, the Gran RIFA! [Great Raffle!]  As a fund-raiser, we raffled off a  washing machine, a fridge, two twin sized beds, and many other prizes, like clothes, irons, and random stuff that was donated.  Amid all the nervous silence waiting for the winning tickets, my name was called! “I won an iron!” I thought, but no, my name was called as one to be eliminated, ahhh, I could have had an Iron!  Despite the great disappointment ;-)  I was happy to finally have this long awaited event, because leading up to this week, we have been selling raffle tickets for what seems to be an eternity!  Me and Tracy had been taking groups of girls out into the city almost every day for the past month and a half, to sell their twenty raffle tickets each, and then to sell the raffle tickets of the sisters too!  Ironically people were often more willing to buy tickets from me, a foreigner, than Marinita, and Ruth Alicia, the smallest and cutest girls, who I thought would sell like crazy because of the cuteness factor!  The first week, I stumbled over the words as I tried to quickly name off the prizes before people walked away, but by the end I could spurt out the names as quickly as the girls.  However, I never seemed to overcome the stumbling over the sidewalks, and thus have quite a few bruises from running into things when I misjudged the very uneven sidewalk or missed a random haphazardly placed step  The tremendous amount of inclines and steps in the city were at least good exercise, but equaled bruises when added to both trying to sell to random people while walking and keeping an eye on the girls while they talked to random strangers!

Selling tickets around the city gave me another look at life here, and well, if yal think this time of economic hardshipis hard on American businesses, its even harder here.  The cost of ten Lempiras (roughly the equivalent of 60 cents) was way too pricy for many people [so you don’t ask them] and for others, the idea of having an electric appliance, though idyllic, it is quite repulsive because it would only mean an electric bill they couldn’t pay. Once again, I just want to reiterate, don’t feel guilty for your life, if you have a refrigerator, a bed, a washing machine, and three meals a day.  However,  what I hope you do is to Thank God for it, and be grateful for the blessings you have! And, then stop and think before you go and waste your money on useless things.  
Prayer Requests! Please pray that the Camp that I am putting on  for the kids who come to eat in the comedor comes along, becasue I am running into some difficulties.   It is going to be Nov. 16-18th for about 100 kids from 2-12 so I still need to find helpers!

Some girls hangin out with Sor Roselba in the Patio

La Contenedor y el Hogar de Don Bosco!

Dinner at the Hogar don Bosco

 So hello to all!  My stories from Tegucigalpa will have to be cut short because so much has happened since then, that I am just far too behind in the blog.  So first I want to tell you all that you are still in my prayers, though I might not seem to be a part of your lives right now, I know that your lives have continued to move along, with your own triumphs and difficulties, so please don´t forget to let me know how you are, your lives are important to me! 

 So in Tegus, I have a few mental images for you: 

    One:
Forty children from first through sixth grade, all running around in torn clothes, broken shoes,  having a blast playing basketball, and soccer.  They are all skilled because they have an hour and fifteen minutes of mandatory sports time every day, and also play in their free time too! Aww Man they were cute!  Then  the fighting breaks out and these cute little kids start hitting and cussing, etc, and I remember the problems these kids have.   After dinner and after polishing their school shoes and putting on their pj´s the twenty girls start going crazy during their weekly dance party. Until I realized that some of these six and seven year old girls are dancing how little girls shouldn´t know how to dance, the only evidence of their past history, and the work of some of their mothers...   These are the awesome, tough, and troubled kids that arrive ever Sunday, eat and sleep during the week at the Hogar.  While there, they are taken to the public school that segregates and picks on them :(, they return return to the Hogar in the afternoon, and they have catechism, homework help, crafts and sports.  And then finally Friday, they return home to their poor broken family lives with their prostitute mothers/ beggar parents, and every other lowest of the low professions you can think of. 

Dance Party!

That is the Salesian Father on the Right, and a box of Trader Joe Crackers form the Contenedor

  Two: a trailer truck full of food and clothes, well  I was at the Hogar Don Bosco when they reiceived the monthly  “contenedor”  which they use for themselves, and dispense to 40 other families  most in need.  Up a steep steep hill from the street we sent truck load after truck load of boxes while the kids hung on for their dear lives while also attempting to hold the boxes in, as Kate drove the dying stickshift “ 92 up the hill.  They received a ton of (what i think is really good) healthy Kellogs cereals (that none of the Hondurans liked), food from Trader Joe's, tons of hospital garments,  and tons of miscellaneous boxes of clothes and random stuff.  The other volunteers there are from Spain along with the Salesian priest, and it was refreshing to have other outsiders looking in with me.  In some senses it is important to have a foreigners view of your country to see critique things well.  As Spaniards, the father there also was used to the higher standard of living (like those in the US),  but now lives here where things aren’t always so nice.  Being there I didn’t feel guilty about where I came from, unlike in Santa Rosa, where I often felt guilty for having been raised in “wealth”.  The priest didn’t try to hide that he had lived with higher quality things and was used to European food, but explained to the kids what it was like!  H explained to them what the boxes of "Flat bread" were to the kids, who were amazed that anyone would use crackers like tortillas!  I realized that I don’t need to feel guilty for having been raised in a more affluent country, and neither do you, we just need to rejoice and be thankful for what we have, don't waste it, and give what we don't need. 

Two of the three Spanish Volunteers who work with Kate

Three: a see of white and gray habbits!  The reason I could come down to the city in the first place was because the Madre superior Sor Yvonne came to visit  from Rome to celebrate 100 years of the Salesian sisters in Honduras, with all the sisters from Central America!  It was so cool to see so many sisters dedicating their lives to serve, and then to see the 17 postulants and 27 aspirants (those who are going to become sisters), was really cool, the church here is alive and the congreagation was so young!  I was lucky enough also to be able to participate in some of the fesitivities and see some professionals dancing really well, the professional dances that I've seen the girls here dancing all the time.    

Four: Finally imagine a shnazzy restaurant where at least hapf the people are on the dance floor jammin out to the YMCA (not doing the letters)!  I had the chance to go out dancing one night at a restaurant, and it was really fun, it was in the breaks they had Kareoke, and they played such an array of music it was hilarious at times that they would follow a regatone song with some cheasy song in english, but everyone loooved it!  Before we left, the spaniards were worried that they didn't look nice enough and would get kicked out, but we had to remind them that they were in Honduras, where everything matches!  The joke was that we all needed to go"al Contenedor para hacerse guapa" [to the container to make ourselves beautiful!]  which probably was true , but no matter, we went and danced and all was fine,  The only sad part is that unfortunately, Tracy (the volunteer here in Santa Rosa with me) had already left for Santa Rosa and after seven months still has not gone out dancing, but, hopefully we will get to go out dancing some time here before she leaves in November! 

Driving Through "Gracias" in one of the few areas of flat countryside!

Overall It was an awesome trip, beginning with Mass at the Cathedral in the Centro, and ending with a Mass with the sisters on Sunday! Is there a better way to have a trip than beginning and ending with Christ!    well there was a lot in this post, but believe me there is alot more going on here right now, but that will have to wait until later!  

--Prayer Requests: For all the missionaries that serve here in Santa Rosa, and all the other VIDES volunteers all over the world right now, especially for two of my friends Mary and Monica, who have gotten very sick on Mission.   And that we can figure out a good plan for what more to do to improve the Comedor Infantil (the soup kitchen I work at). 

Random Pics from Valle de los Angeles where a Spanish friend of  Father Eduardo lived.

Exploring with Kate and a Irene! We couldn't believe ther eare more than 14 types of bananas!

Bananas Grow on trees!

Guayabas! Also grow on trees!

 These next were actually packed from the sisters for my lunch!

Mangostinas and Lichas, they are really good!

We learned how to harvest Yuca

Tegucigalpa part One

Driving into the city from Valle de los Angeles

So I feel like a post right now will be completely insufficient to explain to yal about whats happened these past few days, but I'll try to summarize.  Basically I went to Tegucigalpa, the capital for three days, for two occasions.  One was the Madre Superior Sor Yvonne came to visit Honduras for the Centenario of the Salesian sisters in Honduras, and  then also to visit mi amiga Kate Palla from University of Dallas, also a VIDES volunteer who works in Tegucigalpa with the Salesian priests at the Hogar Don Bosco.  And finally I returned here to work.  However that really explains nothing so I'll have to compartementalize my trip in a few posts. 
 First:  Taxis!
So after a seven hour squished car tip, I was dropped off on a corner along a taxi route to catch a taxi to al centro, the densly packed cars mostly taxis-- not having to pass emissions tests, were suffocating me with their exhaust as they moving past the similarly densly stacked buildings--lacking the same building codes were a little overwhelming, and the sidewalks even though we were around the outskirts were full of people walking every which way--the majority not owning cars, and then the stores all with open doors becasue they lack airconditioning. 

The view from Hogar Don Bosco

  So I had to go to this corner because with the taxi's in Tegucigalpa, you have two options, directo which takes you directly to the place, and is expensive, or collectivo, which has a route and you can only get off or on along the route, and you have to wait to go anywhere until the taxi is full with someone in each seat--even in front.  I was always crossing roads and bridges multiple times back and forth so that I could find the right find the right place to get on the right taxi route, and then wait until the car was full often with other odorous passengers.  One time on our way from the centro to my friend Kate's place at the Hogar Don Bosco, after the taxi was full, four men surrounded the car, and my heart began to pund wondering if they were going to rob us, until they started to push the car up the hill so that it would start! However there was not enought room so then they pushed the car backwards and then forwards, but still it did not start.  This process continues two more times one time hitting another car, but no one even fliched when that happened until finally the taxi with all five people in it started and we were on our way! Another time I asked all the taxistas (taxi drivers) at the station who would take me directly to the Maria Auxiliadora where the sisters were, and only one said yes, but when I got to the car, it was missing a tire!  He kept saying don't worry don't worry, and he put the tire on, and I got in the car.  Then while we were driving he said don't worry I was just fixing the breaks!  lol.  This is the life here.  This city despite its modern malls and modern fast food places (unlike Santa Rosa where I live), is still forced to pay the same prices as American prices for cars, clothes and food, but have little way of earning the same amount.  I told one of the girls my adventures with the Taxis and she said something I didn't know how to answer.  "In the US you have subways and metros but here we have pushed taxi's and taxi's without wheels, what do we need to do to be a "developed" country?"  I have no idea, I wish I could have an answer, but until then, I am just thankful that the guardian angels here seem to always be working overtime, with all the "normal things" here, that we consider so dangerous. Welll good night I will write more later!
--Becca
Prayer requests, for the girls as they take their final exams, that they don't fail. For the families that have sick relatives, the mother of Ana Patricia, the step-mother of Sandra, and three of the girls with serious teeth problems, and another with various other problems.

to come...
El Contenedor and the Hogar!
La Madre y las Hermanas!
Espanoles y Bailando!
Los Carnets y el Comedor!

NormalThings

El Estudio

   So I have now been here a little more than a month, and I just had a review of things with the Directora Sor Mirna, and she said she is happy with how I am adjusting to things here. Things are starting to be more normal.  The culture and the schedule come more easily to me now.  I realize however, that that means very little to yal, as I have not told yal what normal is. 

Monday to Thursday Normal schedule:

5:20 (or earlier if I wan to go running) wake up (the girls wake up at this time too)-get ready for the day

6:00 Me or Tracy has to be outside and go to breakfast with the girls in the comedor, making sure we say our grace before and thanksgiving after the meal  

6:30 Supervise chores for an hour in the corridors, Tracy supervises chores in the Lavanderia, and the sisters supervise the chores in the kitchen, chapel, and out back.  I usually eat breakfast while supervising chores. 

7:00 School starts and on Tuesday And Thursdays I go to mass with them, while other days  I help Sor Mirna do random tasks and occasionally have a little time to myself when I can do laundry or skype or email.

11:00 Go across the street to help Doña Samira serve the kids at Cenprof, which usually means serving drinks, and washing and drying the plates and cups.

1:00pm head back and eat lunch and at one fifteen, school is over and then at

1:30 Tracy or I supervise the internas’s lunch.  After lunch they go do officios/chores again.

3:00 Teach resfuerzo classes until 3:45/4:00 except Tuesdays when I go out shopping/ running errands with the girls who need to get stuff. 

4:00- 5:00 time with the girls in recreo

5:00-7:15 Estudio riguroso  where all sixty-four girls are supposed to be in silent study except for a break at six fifteen when we all pray the rosary together.

7:15 say grace with girls then go eat dinner with the sisters 

Norma hiding from the camara while studying during recreo

Fridays:

Mornings: same, but after second oficios we have recreo, rosary

5:00 pm and then dinner for Internas, 

6:30 a movie which ends at 

9:00pm, I finally eat dinner.   

Then Finally Saturday comes, my one free day! Wow it is soo nice, but ohh how I feel guilty, because a day of rest is unknown in these parts professors work usually at other jobs, or teach on weekends too.  There is always work to be done, and its almost a necessity to do work all the time, to have a decent standard of living.  Tracy and I get our day off and though we feel lazy at times we are soo blessed, to have our day off! Ahh to sleep in till six! What a blessing, and then Me and Tracy usually go walk around the city and go out for lunch and dinner. And then Sunday comes around again and we have four hours of studio Riguroso 2 in the morning from 8- 10 am and then two more hours in the afternoon, 5 -7pm!   Man these girls are disciplined! Even though some of them end up talking a couple times here and there, for the most part I am blown away that there is that many girls able to be quiet in the same room for that long!  

The hijas de casa would kill me if thye saw this photo!

So basically this has been the past week, following the schedules more or less, while along the way going to the doctor for some kind of allergic reaction; receiving a special award with the other professors for the award our school recieved for international for educational excellence; trying some great food during the school's Honduran Gastronomical festival; and  being tricked by one of the kids at Cenprof, to make him an Id with the name of a famous soccer player instead of his own name! I also stayed up late this week helping one of the Hijas de Casa pass physics and have been spending time generally getting to know the girls in the upper classes a lot better, as I talk to them about their studies. Also I got to go to this famous vacation pool place this Sunday, on a school trip with the hijas de casa!

The hijas de casa being ridiculous as usual!

Life here is wonderful, it is challenging, but it is like that for everyone, though people here don't have free time like we do in the states, they are quite human and find ways to take breaks.  I have found that I really need to just take advantage of our times of prayer in adoration, the rosary and at Mass.  It rejuvenates you when you are empty and centers you when you are going crazy.  I’m just beginning to understand how much rest the spirit gives us in prayer!  Well Thanks for reading, sorry so long, its just we have long days :! 

Prayer intentions for the week, That the flu stops spreading among the girls, and that my blood pressure goes back to normal(I've been having some problems with having low blood pressure, but its not serious I just don't feel that wonderful always), and for a safe trip to the capital Tegucigalpa--I leave for there Thursday to visit a friend and to meet the head of the Salesian order who is visiting from Rome.
God Bless yal are in my prayers!