Buenas noches amigos y amigas! For those of you who are
unaware, I am alive, safe and in Honduras!
First off, Honduras is absolutely breathtaking and the
Amigos de Jesus property is equally as beautiful. The mountains extend in each
and every direction with the foliage draped, creating a picture perfect
landscape. Driving through the city to Amigos de Jesus, I immediately
recognized the poverty within the city of San Pedro. In between the scenic
beauty of the mountains, were villages of little shacks. In addition to poor living conditions, mothers swaddle their
children in what little clothes they could afford.
The financial instability of the country
causes many Hondurans to sell what the can on the street to moving cars,
similar to panhandling. Guards with machine guns patrol outside of banks and
stores to ward off any robberies. There is a difference between reading about
the severity of poverty in Honduras and experiencing it.
Google Image
With all that on the outside, I finally arrived at Amigos de
Jesus, a home for abused and abandoned children in Honduras. I cannot emphasize
enough how amazing this home is. The life that Amigos provides for these
children is truly a blessing and sanctuary away from the chaos of Honduras. Not
only to they provide a home and nourishment to these children but they also
extend their love. As our van enters through the gate, I quickly see 120+ of
God’s wonderful children huddled around eager to meet us volunteers. Looking
back on it, I was extremely overwhelmed. Children from all ages and genders welcomed
us with open arms. Literally. All the kids rushed up to us, shouted their
names, asked our names and gave us a huge hug. If I had any apprehension and anxiety about
moving to Honduras this year, it would have disappeared. I felt so incredibly welcomed by their warm
smiles and enthusiasm.
Part of the Amigos de Jesus Property
Days here are really, really busy. Our day begins around
6:30AM with breakfast in the comador and ends at 8:00PM with prayer circle.
Since it’s summer most of the children attend escuelita in the morning with
computer, art, reading and physical education classes. But don’t worry, Amigos
de Jesus knows very well that it is summer and the kids need fun. School ends
at lunch then they’re free to do as they please with the remainder of the day.
For the rest of the day, until supper, we spend it with the kids playing and
improving our Spanish. I don't know if learning Spanish from 6 year old is the most grammatically correct, but, ah well. It's fun! The sound of a bell radiating throughout the Amigos
property signals that supper is ready. Meals here consist of 4 staple foods:
chicken, beans, tortillas and cheese. Let’s just say that my stomach is not
happy… Regardless, I am fed well and for those of you who were worried about starvation, it's not an issue, lol.
Cross at Amigos de Jesus during sunset.
The day usually ends around 8:00PM with prayer circle. All
of the children, staff and volunteers gather around and join hands in a circle.
Whoever feels inspired will begin with gracias Señor, thank you God, and then
say what/who they are thankful for. Usually this ends up being a competition
for the kids for whoever can speak the loudest. The beauty of it lies in the
fact we are all praying together up to God and intentionally sharing this time
with each other. I think I’m going to like it here…
Coming up in the next few blogs will be living conditions,
our cockroach friends Jerry and Jerome, job descriptions, and more!
Until next
time amigos!
Hasta pronto y blessings from Honduras.
Kelly
