Dad, under a Shady's medicines sign

Getting fruit from a vendor

Grupos y mas grupos

Photos from the Family visit:

My two families: In back- Mark, Dad, Mom
In front: Carlos, Diana, Teresa (host mom), and Daniel


As we visited the Ruines of Copan, the President Mel Zelaya was
also there and was welcomed in by women in their traditional dresses.

Dad at the Mango festival in Yuscaran


Mark, Mom, and Kathy and Virgil at Zamorano
checking out the plants and grafted trees

Dad, Mom, and Mark at Copan Ruinas

Mom and Dad at Montana de Luz

with Francisco (seated) and Ricardo

Dad on the corner of the square in Copan Ruinas

My brother Mark, Mom, Dad,

Michael and I at Copan Ruinas

Mark and his colorful friend

Dad, Me, Mark, and Nicole,

holding her blanket that Mom made for her.

Holla Peeps! There hasn't been anything nearly as exciting as earthquakes, as in the last entry written by my parents. There has been plenty of heat, baleadas (flour tortillas with beans), bus traveling, laughing, reading, listening to latin funk, and water fights with the kids.

I had a great time with my family going to Copan Ruinas and visiting Gracias, where Michael is at to see the variety of landscapes and realities in Honduras. My host family loved to have my family there and Dad was able to cook for them twice. They loved the little "panes" (bierocks) that he made, although our whole house was smoking hot afterwards.

My time here is winding to a close here with 3 and 1/2 weeks left to go. However, not without getting to know the entire state of Ohio. Just kidding but seriously. Nearly all of the groups that come to Montana de Luz to volunteer are from Columbus, Ohio. They have brought us many games and crafts and have provided the kids with extra entertainment to play soccer. It has been a challenge at times to help translating and explaining everything, but it has also helped me realize how much I have grown. We have had 2 groups already and other than a break this next week, we will have groups for the rest of the summer until late August. So maybe when I visit Ohio in the distant future, I'll find a place to couch surf....

Other than that, I just been enjoying the last moments with my host family and my favorite telenovela, or Columbian soap opera. Its based in Bogota, I think, and I'm really addicted. I need to know what happens to Rosali and Andres as they now started running a rich company, and if they can find the millionarie Bryan (who was married for his money but ditched by his wife) and now everyone thinks he died in a car crash, but is really in prision. Haha. You know the everyday stuff of life.

Its funny how when I came I said to myself I would never make it through watching any telenovela with the family and now I'm the one to remind them what time it is each night at 7:00pm. However, it is interesting that many of the soap operas have a social commentary piece to them. It especially seems to address the infidelity between husband and wives as well as some political themes of corrupt governance. I think it really helps people open their minds to confront what is happening in their own lives and government. However, also it has been a fun bonding experience with my family here because they are so into it.

Or also, another thing I got into here is Zumba. Its a super intense exercise video with dances like bachata, salsa and other latin dances to help people exercise. They were the most neon colored outfits that are hilarious just to watch. Its great how just shakin your hips can be such good exercise. I can't wait to bring it back to Kansas City in the middle of the winter.

The kids have been good in general. We have gone to the pool as a prize, which is awesome because it is really hot. Most of the kids are fairly healthy, with a few still dealing with chronic lice. Little Hector is still pretty sick and not responding to his ARVs. Keep him in your thoughts because his mom is out of the country right now and we are praying that his health will start improving. Often times the hospital we go to has no ideas of what more to do for him.

On another note, it has been exciting to see kids improving in school. They are halfway done with their school year and will finish in Novemeber. We are pushing them and working to keep them focused in this time with many mission groups visiting. I have been pushing the kids I tutor with multiplication tables and working to read syllables and sentences.

I was sent an interesting summary of a current political history of Honduras under Zelaya. It might be of interest to someone: http://www.coha.org/2009/05/21st-century-socialism-comes-to-the-banana-republic/

I have also been reading Shane Claibornes Becoming an Answer to Our prayers. It has been a bit of a teaser because I long for this faith community that he talks about. I have still been going to the Catholic church on Sundays but its a service to the other orphanage. Its a blessing to be surrounded by joyful kids but I still have a longing for community of people my age. It will be nice to be back in KC for that but I know there are so many great ways I have been stretched and challenged by God here as well.

Things that I will miss from Honduras:

-undefined reading times on bus (waiting for hours is common and acceptable)

-sharing toothpaste with my host family

-being really conscious of how many drops of water I use

-talking to anyone and everyone in buses and taxis

-waking up to cows at 5:30 because our neighbor decided to enclose one in her yard for milk

-getting romantic texts nearly everday from my phone company TIGO

-fresh fruits and their products (enough said)

-going to the gas station just to buy chocolate

-enjoying the extra protien (ants) that comes with my meals

-playing hide and go seek with the kids, each time being super joyful

-waiting for the power to go out nearly every time it rains and listening to the raindrops on the tin roof

-sensing the wonder in the sunrise over the mountains on my morning runs