Coyolitto Beach House

 

 

 

 

This is where I finally decided to spend my first Honduran Independence Day! In Coyolitto!!

Our stay was only for a full day, two nights, but it was well worth it! The gazebo with jumbo hammocks was definitely relaxing. I spent a lot of time there catching up on some reading, listening to music, and of course taking a nap. We also spent some time out in the sun by the pool (and in it of course). Diego also took his guitar and we enjoyed time out on the dock listening to him play and singing along. I had a mini-search for shells which was short-lived due to the several mini-crabs that were busy about their day out on the shore. And of course there was some game action going on in the evening, but the best of all was 5am sunrise out on the dock. It was beautiful!

                 

 

 

Photo Update!

 

These pictures are from a church (CCI) picnic that I attended about an hour outside of Tegucigalpa. The owner is a father of one of the families that attends the church. The land is absolutely beautiful! It was such a great day to be out there too!! We went for a hike to see a waterfall, we experienced kayaking on a lake, played around with a frisbee, and of course ate some delicious food!  

Dan was my wingman almost all day. I attended the event with a wrapped foot. 

And, yes, hiking was totally worth the pain.

                         

The Bucket List

I've been putting together this "bucket list" sort of thing so that I can begin to check off adventures as they happen (and maybe add adventures that weren't originally on the list). This list is pretty much just a bunch of random things that I would Love to experience while living here in Honduras. So here it is:

(If you have any suggestions, feel free to share)

My first official  hike. What an adventure.

* ride in a taxi
* ride the Rappidito down/up El Hatillo
* cook a Honduran meal
* play soccer!!
* worship in the woods (again, and again, and again)
* take a road trip
* have clothes made for me by a local seamstress
* get a haircut  (yikes!)
* go to the outdoor market
* go to the beach!
* ride on the ferris wheel on the fourth floor of the mall in Tegucigalpa
* eat Chinese food
* make banana bread! from actual bananas!!
* squeeze out real limonada!
* visit Nicaragua
* go to Valle
* Buy some local art
* sleep under the stars
* Buy (or receive) some flowers from the lady down the street
* have a complete conversation in Spanish!
* go on a date
* hike La Tigra!

(of course this is not the end all... there's so much to do!!)

<-- look at the red dirt!!

From Awful to Full of Awe

It's hard to believe that i've already been here for a month (as of tomorrow). I've already experienced so much. I've stepped foot into my "professional life" and it has been such a blessing to have coworkers who have a real passion for Jesus and for community. As I'm learning more and more about the culture here in Tegucigalpa I am becoming more and more attached. I absolutely Love the ride up and down the mountain (minus the occasional car-sickness) and I want to see so much more. The saying's true, once you start traveling you grow to have a heart for it. Last year a couple of us went to San Luis Potosi, Mexico (and surrounding cities)… this year I am LIVING in HONDURAS! Who knew?
It's amazing how God works and how He knows exactly the people you need around in order to feel like you can survive. I'm thankful for John and his spunky personality (we've had several interesting conversations - never a dull moment), for Charith and her motherly tendencies (especially during the event of the sprained ankle/cast), for Sarah and Julie and their sweet spirits and friendships, and for Dan and his spontaneity. There are many others who have made this transition feel so smooth and comfortable here (too many to individually describe them in one post). I am very thankful. There seems to never be a dull moment here… something is always happening and even in the stillness God is there and His presence is too sweet to not feel Loved. 
Life here is so different from the States. One thing that I have noticed so far, especially since I have gained my latest accessory (the purple cast), is that in the States I was so independent. I had my car, and whenever I felt like getting out I went. Here, not only do we depend on each other and the school for rides, but I am in no rush to get anywhere. Here I am just going with the flow and taking every opportunity possible to meet new people and get to know the city better. Relationships have sprouted so easily here for me. And especially now with the cast, I am getting use to the idea of actually asking for help. God has really been showing me what it means to be dependent on one another, but in a healthy way. There's a particular balance that not everyone gets. My balance is in training. 
Yesterday was the end of my first official week as a teacher and my day was horrible. Not only did i have seven classes out of a eight class school day, I had maintenance men drilling holes in concrete walls during class and a very lousy lunch. My patience was tested throughout the day, and by the time I got home whoever walked in the door received my frustration. I was about to blow. Thankfully with the encouragement of John, I joined a group of friends down the mountain for dinner (which was super yummy) and a Young Professional's Bible Study at Impacto. The message on relationships really spoke to me (and yes, I understood about 85% of the message which was given in Spanish). After the study, we headed to Denny's (a pretty popular restaurant here) and settled for dessert and coffee (my cappuccino was delicious by the way). We hung out there, had several very interesting conversations and then went on our way back up the mountain jamming to 80's music. By the time we hit our destination it was around 11:30pm… but it wasn't the end of our night. Richard took us on a spontaneous trip to what seemed to be at the very top of the mountain. He had a special spot that overlooked the entire city. It was absolutely gorgeous. Standing in the middle of the woods, surrounded by swaying trees, and in complete darkness overlooking the city was breath taking. But the night got even better. Richard began to play worship songs from his phone and we all stood/sat singing to our Creator and taking in the scenery. I could not have asked for a better moment than that. That was what I had been craving. I could have stayed there for hours. 
We ended up back home and I finally got to bed around 1-1:30am. A day that seemed so awful turned into a day full of thanksgiving. Watch out Texas, my heart may have found a new home. 

Thanks guys for such an amazing night. I'm looking forward to many more. 

First Four Days of School And Some

Apparently this blog couldn't wait for the weekend. 

Now, where to start.

     This week has been the beginning of my first school year on the other end of the food chain. I am now teacher and not student. Sometimes i can't even believe it. The degree that I had worked so hard for was now being used. at times I feel as though being in college was a crutch, wanting to teach but at the same time not wanting to be on my own. I am approaching this year with high hopes and an attitude of trial and error. yes, I may not know what i am doing sometimes, but the kids will surely correct me (if they even have the slightest idea of what I am talking about). I have the privilege to teach 7th, 8th and 9th graders as well as an art elective comprised of only 11th and 12th grade students (of whom I have yet to meet). 
     I must say, being that it is only the 4th day,  that teaching here has definitely been a blessing. The first four days have been a learning experience, and as I learn my own teaching style I am also learning the learning style of another culture. Yes, there are similarities between the teenagers here and the teenagers in the states. But being a "gringo" teacher (I'm still not sure if I'm included in that term) the students have many more questions. So we are learning about one another. Today one student asked me why I didn't say "hey y'all?" or have a deep-rooted Texas Twang. I told her, that her idea of people from Texas is a misconception and that not all people from Texas talk like that. I later said, "Alright y'all, get the hall pass handout out". Rookie mistake. They of course caught it and made sure I knew it - I denied it. 
     Moving on, last week I went out on a limb (no pun intended) and attempted to play soccer here at the school. That night (Tuesday) I played like a champ. I scored a goal that wasn't counted and by the end of the night my ankle took twist. To say the least, my night was cut short and I ended up catching a ride on John's back up to the apartments. Well, fast forward to yesterday (Wednesday) just before the after school meeting. I was tipi-toeing with anticipation of getting this ice cream thing on a stick (called Zero I believe). Well, on my way down the tipi-toe my ankle went as well. I heard a crack and all of a sudden an explosion of pain erupted in my ankle area. I bit my lip and limped back to my seat (yes, chocolate ice cream on-a-stick in hand). We split up into groups for prayer and I asked for healing in my foot - fast forward one hour later and I was sitting in the hospital waiting to be called up for my appointment. Yes, I said hospital. Apparently here, most doctors have their office in a hospital. This scared me. 
     So, here I am. Sitting on the couch with my purple cast foot in the air writing about my week thus far. Back to the students… they are great. Of course there are a few classes that will be of some trouble, but i'm not afraid of them. This teacher thing has been going pretty well. With each class comes some wisdom, so by the end of the year hopefully I will know a thing or two. 

Doing a little soul searching... get it?

 

Oh yes, the good'ol first day of school pictures. (Me and the housemates)

First day of my official teaching career... complete!