February 27, 2009
So it has been over 2 weeks since I last wrote and this will probably be a quick catch up. Since that time I have mostly been at camp where I worked with a team that came from Houghton College to help us out on camp. It was lots of fun to hang out with old friends from college and camp (in PA) as well as see much progress on ropes course repairs and other projects around the camp. For some reason we were blessed with much rain so lots of the work was done during downpours. I gave in to getting completely soaked and went for a run the one evening with two of the girls. Over the weekend we hung out with a group of children who were at camp with Compassion International. It was fun to chat with them, play games, and worship with them.
After the team left, my friend Janae remained and we headed to the beach for 2 days. Unfortunately the rain continued but in between the raindrops we got in a hike, swim on a beautiful beach, walks through town, and some boat rides. We also witnessed two rainbows during our journeys across the water.
Now I am settling back into work. Tomorrow morning I head out to camp to help with a weekend group who is doing the ropes course. I am getting reaccustomed to being in the house with a crying toddler. Perhaps later I can go into more details about the work team and the progress that Lisbet is making because she is improving and crying less. At the moment it is dinner time though.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
A Peaceful Passing
February 12, 2009
Today for some reason the internet was not working at my house which always creates a challenge. I ended up going to a coffee shop to check e-mails, knowing that at this time it was important to keep in touch with family back home. Sure enough there was a note to call my mom (from last night) and then a church e-mail update that said my grandfather had passed away. It took a while till I could get to a phone to call my mom. When I did, she said that my grandfather had peacefully passed away last night. And some of the family was able to be present. I am saddened for my sake and the sake of my family but happy for him. I feel like I was able to do much of my grieving while in Florida this past week so this news was not a shock or as difficult as the initial news of his stroke. I think that when it comes time for the funeral and I am still in Honduras, it may be a little more difficult but I know that I need to be here and not there this time. Meanwhile I pray for my family who will be traveilng south tomorrow, many by way of car.
Today for some reason the internet was not working at my house which always creates a challenge. I ended up going to a coffee shop to check e-mails, knowing that at this time it was important to keep in touch with family back home. Sure enough there was a note to call my mom (from last night) and then a church e-mail update that said my grandfather had passed away. It took a while till I could get to a phone to call my mom. When I did, she said that my grandfather had peacefully passed away last night. And some of the family was able to be present. I am saddened for my sake and the sake of my family but happy for him. I feel like I was able to do much of my grieving while in Florida this past week so this news was not a shock or as difficult as the initial news of his stroke. I think that when it comes time for the funeral and I am still in Honduras, it may be a little more difficult but I know that I need to be here and not there this time. Meanwhile I pray for my family who will be traveilng south tomorrow, many by way of car.
Baby Steps
February 12, 2009
I am so excited to see progress in things with Evelin and Lisbet. Both are taking baby steps and sometimes giant steps. Today Evelin encountered a former drug dealer that she knew while taking a bus. Rather than be tempted to buy, she ended up sharing with him how Jesus has changed her life and can change his too!
As for Lisbet, last night we went to a Bible Study at church and I threw in a lot of extra toys because I knew that the atmosphere would not be conducive to her walking the aisles. Basically she would end up being very distracting and disruptive. Although I was not really able to gather much from the Bible Study because of keeping Lisbet content with sitting on the bench or standing on the floor in our aisle (and the Spanish of course), Evelin could concentrate enough to be challenged. I think that she was surprised that it was possible to keep Lisbet in one place without her crying and screaming.
This evening we taught Lisbet to put her toys away (or began the teaching because it will probably take a few times). She has been much more willing to let me pick her up and play with her which are also big steps. There is hope that she will one day let her mom entrust her to a babysitter and not scream the entire time.
I am so excited to see progress in things with Evelin and Lisbet. Both are taking baby steps and sometimes giant steps. Today Evelin encountered a former drug dealer that she knew while taking a bus. Rather than be tempted to buy, she ended up sharing with him how Jesus has changed her life and can change his too!
As for Lisbet, last night we went to a Bible Study at church and I threw in a lot of extra toys because I knew that the atmosphere would not be conducive to her walking the aisles. Basically she would end up being very distracting and disruptive. Although I was not really able to gather much from the Bible Study because of keeping Lisbet content with sitting on the bench or standing on the floor in our aisle (and the Spanish of course), Evelin could concentrate enough to be challenged. I think that she was surprised that it was possible to keep Lisbet in one place without her crying and screaming.
This evening we taught Lisbet to put her toys away (or began the teaching because it will probably take a few times). She has been much more willing to let me pick her up and play with her which are also big steps. There is hope that she will one day let her mom entrust her to a babysitter and not scream the entire time.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Heading Home
February 10, 2009
I am here in the Tampa Airport with over 2 hours yet till I fly south. I came early since my sister was also flying out, but on an earlier flight. It was fun to have a few minutes in the airport waiting with someone else since usually I travel alone. We enjoyed a Carmel Cider from Starbucks and then parted ways.
It has been a busy 4 days in many ways and yet the pace has been mostly the same each day. I arrived in FL early Saturday morning and after a full course breakfast with family (but no sleep), I headed to the airport to see my grandpa. I was disappointed that he did not respond or seem to recognize me but then as everyone else pointed out, I probably spoke too quietly. We stayed there until lunch time when we headed back to my aunt and uncle's house. I then tried to take a nap before going back to the hospital after dinner. The next two days followed a similar schedule except that little by little my relatives returned to their homes in Georgia and Pennsylvania as it became obvious that my grandfather was going to hang in there for a while yet.
I think it was Sunday morning when we gathered around my grandpa's bed in the hospital and sang hymns. He seemed to enjoy and notice the singing and it was a beautiful moment. As I looked around the room at all of my aunt's and uncle's, I could not help but shed tears. I am so thankful for my family and the love that we have for each other. I cannot imagine being in their place since it is their father and not grandfather who is nearing the moment when he will see Jesus face to face. Many of the hymns reminded me that for him this passing is a joyous moment because there will be no more suffering and he will be with Jesus. Later on my sister and I got to sing a few more hymns with him and there was another precious moment when we sang with some of younger cousins.
Val and I were able to lend a hand and cook a few of the meals to give my aunt a break which was fun. Yesterday afternoon my grandpa got moved to hospice so he is now settled into a tranquil room where his needs are met and it is a relaxing place for my grandma to stay with him. Just as my mom and other relatives experienced, it is hard to leave knowing that we will not be there with my grandpa in the end (at least I will not though the others hope to return in the next few days). I will not be back for the funeral, but I am thankful for these days that I had with him and with the family. It will give some closure that would not have been there had I not returned to the States for any part of this time. So many stories were shared as we gathered around the bedside or for meals as a family. I have learned even more about my grandfather's generosity and heart for God. I read in Acts 13 this morning that when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep. My grandpa will soon have served his purpose here on earth and God is calling him home. He has left a legacy of faith and service to God. And for this I rejoice.
I am here in the Tampa Airport with over 2 hours yet till I fly south. I came early since my sister was also flying out, but on an earlier flight. It was fun to have a few minutes in the airport waiting with someone else since usually I travel alone. We enjoyed a Carmel Cider from Starbucks and then parted ways.
It has been a busy 4 days in many ways and yet the pace has been mostly the same each day. I arrived in FL early Saturday morning and after a full course breakfast with family (but no sleep), I headed to the airport to see my grandpa. I was disappointed that he did not respond or seem to recognize me but then as everyone else pointed out, I probably spoke too quietly. We stayed there until lunch time when we headed back to my aunt and uncle's house. I then tried to take a nap before going back to the hospital after dinner. The next two days followed a similar schedule except that little by little my relatives returned to their homes in Georgia and Pennsylvania as it became obvious that my grandfather was going to hang in there for a while yet.
I think it was Sunday morning when we gathered around my grandpa's bed in the hospital and sang hymns. He seemed to enjoy and notice the singing and it was a beautiful moment. As I looked around the room at all of my aunt's and uncle's, I could not help but shed tears. I am so thankful for my family and the love that we have for each other. I cannot imagine being in their place since it is their father and not grandfather who is nearing the moment when he will see Jesus face to face. Many of the hymns reminded me that for him this passing is a joyous moment because there will be no more suffering and he will be with Jesus. Later on my sister and I got to sing a few more hymns with him and there was another precious moment when we sang with some of younger cousins.
Val and I were able to lend a hand and cook a few of the meals to give my aunt a break which was fun. Yesterday afternoon my grandpa got moved to hospice so he is now settled into a tranquil room where his needs are met and it is a relaxing place for my grandma to stay with him. Just as my mom and other relatives experienced, it is hard to leave knowing that we will not be there with my grandpa in the end (at least I will not though the others hope to return in the next few days). I will not be back for the funeral, but I am thankful for these days that I had with him and with the family. It will give some closure that would not have been there had I not returned to the States for any part of this time. So many stories were shared as we gathered around the bedside or for meals as a family. I have learned even more about my grandfather's generosity and heart for God. I read in Acts 13 this morning that when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep. My grandpa will soon have served his purpose here on earth and God is calling him home. He has left a legacy of faith and service to God. And for this I rejoice.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Traveling Again
February 7, 2009I am sitting in the San Pedro Sula airport as I write this entry. I shall be here until around 2:00AM which because I am not a night owl, is definitely not my preferred time of travel or wakefulness but it works every once in a while. It seems like the last few days and weeks have flown by and been one unexpected event after the other. I am currently enroute to Sarasota, Florida so that I can be with my family as my grandfather is in his last few days (or weeks) after suffering from a stroke on Wednesday. I am thankful for the time that I had to visit with him over Christmas this past year but I do hope that I will get to say good-bye when I arrive in Sarasota on Saturday morning. Being in Honduras the events that I know have been taking place these last few days often seem unreal, until I talk with my mom and hear the pain in her voice.
Last year seemed to be a year of walking with others through pain and I had hoped that this year might be different but I guess that there is always pain; sometimes it is just more noticeable than others.
The past week has been interesting for me as Evelin has settled into the apartment and I have begun interacting with her one year old daughter, Lisbet, much more. There are so many times that I want to jump in and exert some discipline or offer suggestion after suggestion. And as her crying continues day after day, I marvel that Evelin does not get more frustrated than she does. I am definitely seeing the importance of teaching children, using consistent discipline, from infancy on. By one year old, so much has already been set in place in Lisbet’s habits that it is difficult to change because it requires enduring tantrums and screaming – something that is not fun for Evelin, myself, nor the neighbors. I keep praying for wisdom about when to offer help and when to remain quiet. I also pray that Lisbet will warm up to me so that eventually I can give Evelin a break and she can go to a church service and really worship, without having to be chasing a toddler or dealing with her cries. I find myself analyzing Lisbet’s actions and reactions and wondering what kind of experiences she
has had. I wish that I had paid more attention in some of my Psychology classes, especially Child Psychology.I talked to one of my friends today and it turns out that she is not looking to move into an apartment at this point so I am praying about whether there is someone else who would want to share the apartment. Otherwise I do need to seriously start apartment hunting again.
Last weekend Evelin and I attended a young adult retreat in the camp which was a neat experience. I got to know a few of the young adults and to was a good time of teaching and worship. Since it was a retreat there was more down time, but to my dismay I had not brought any games along. I taught a few of the girls the game of Up Jenkins which we enjoyed playing the one evening. I was glad that Evelin was able to participate and get to know a few people and that her sister was willing to watch Lisbet.
I cannot remember the list of other things I was going to blog. Though rainy season is technically over, we are continuing to experience torrential downpours with frecuencia (that may only be a Spanish word, I actually cannot remember). I cannot complain too much though because the weather is still cool.
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