Teaching in Honduras

Even though I feel like I'm teaching in the States there are several things during the day that remind me I'm in Honduras.

1 - Every morning I turn the light switch to the on position but nothing happens.  We work by natural light until about lunch time.  At this point the lights start coming on one by one.  I still don't fully understand the reason but I just have to go with the flow.

2 - I'm not always able to log on to my computer.  Sometimes the server is down or it's just the lack of internet.  Taking attendance on our internet program is super easy BUT since the internet isn't always working I have to remember to do it when it finally returns (it could be hours or days). 

3 - The electricity hasn't been consistent since we've been here so I can expect at some point today or tomorrow we will lose power for a few minutes or a few hours.  Today it just so happened to go off during class (but since the lights hadn't come on yet we didn't realize it).  When it was time to heat up our lunches in our classroom microwave we couldn't.  We just had to go with the flow and eat cold food for today.

4 - Of course we have no air-conditioners and honestly we don't need them.  I have plenty of windows in my room that we have to keep open to let the breeze blow through so we're not hot.  Because of this we must learn to tune out the students on the playground, the people walking past our class, or even all the other classrooms that are near by with their windows open.  

Please do not read this and think I'm complaining.  The students have been here all their lives so they're use to it and they think nothing of it.  I'm finally getting to the point that I don't notice the lights aren't on yet or the electricity has gone off (unless I'm at home and it's dark).  I enjoy the fact that we never know what the day will hold and what new things we can experience. 

Random Information

Tim and I have been in Honduras for almost four weeks now.  It's hard to believe we have lived here for only a month.  Like Tim has said before, we are well settled and have made amazing friends along the way.

Shopping is getting easier and I look forward to the bus trip down the mountain every Saturday morning.  It's such a beautiful drive and even though I've seen it many times now, it never gets old!

I love the view of the mountains in the background!

These are just a few items we have been able to find that help us feel at home.  I can read the directions on these items. :-)

We have found that a lot of items come in bags.  The mayo is so much easier to use in these cute little bags.

This is the final hill I have to walk up to get to my classroom everyday.  It may not look too bad from here but it feels like it will never end and then I have to walk up a set of stairs to finally reach my room. 

Here is my classroom!  When I'm at work it feels like I'm still in the States.

I have really enjoyed teaching here.  Friday we had our Open House, and the parents are so sweet and helpful!  Some even told me that if I needed anything to let them know.  They are willing to drive me into town anytime if I need to shop in the middle of the week or need to go see a doctor.  Meeting the parents and getting to know them better was a huge encouragement.  I know I am where I'm supposed to be!

Tim will be starting classes tomorrow, so pray for him and his students to get into a routine quickly. 

What's New[s]?

We are well settled in our new house in Honduras. So settled in fact that we got a “guard” dog – Brutus Perezoso (lazy). He’s a 3 month old black lab. He’s great, although Liz won’t let him come inside at any time (even at night or when it is raining). Don’t worry, he sleeps in one of the plastic containers that we shipped over. It is plenty big enough for him.

The school is treating us so well. We “let it be known” that the couch (loose term for the piece of furniture) was quite uncomfortable. So… they bring us a used living room set. The couch and chair stayed downstairs and the love seat went into our bedroom (after 30 minutes of squeezing it through the doorway). The maintenance staff here is awesome.

We finally got internet as well, so please feel free to skype us anytime. We even got a google voice account set up with a VA phone number. So we can now make phone calls for free (from our computer)‼! Technology is wonderful… when it is working… when we have electricity. That is a luxury that is not so consistent here in El Hatillo of Tegucigalpa.

Today (Saturday) was an interesting shopping day. We went to the stadium market, which is basically like a huge farmers market. The produce is fresh, good quality, and cheap! We got a bag of lime/lemons for a $.50, a pineapple for $2, and etc… We’ll keep a better list next time, because I can’t remember right now. Amazing deals though! Its fun to try your Spanish there. I am finding that numbers are the hardest words to recognize. Makes it hard when you ask “quanto cuesta?” (how much does it cost?).

School has started for the elementary and Liz. But with the construction of the new secondary buildings, the high school is delayed a week. So I will start Aug 29^th or 30^th. I also have the privilege of preaching in the opening chapel “spiritual life week” series. I will be going through Haggai. These kids need the gospel. Pray that it is clear and the Spirit will open hearts.

“My heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved” – Rom. 10:1.

Unflushable!

So we made it to Honduras. I hate that I waited so long to write this. There are so many things to talk about. I think I'll just list them for fun.

• The title was proposed by Andrea (thanks!) and indicates that we are now in a place where flushing the toilet paper is a no-no. That's what I miss most about the states. But it's not that bad.
• Due to security, we will be getting a DOG!!! I'm excited. Liz is not. But for safety sake she agreed. It will be a pure-bred black or brown lab (we get to pick it out this Sunday).
• Our house is great. All tile floors. Bare walls til we get something to hang our pictures on.
• BTW... our 15 boxes arrived yesterday (Tues.). It was Christmas that day.
• Our maid's name is Ana. She speaks no English. This will be great for our Spanish. She cleaned the house very well today. And she cooked one of my fav's - Arroz con pollo!!! It was great.
• We've been in meetings ever since we arrived. Busy, busy, busy. School will be starting next week for Liz and the following week for me (rebuilding the high-school buildings).
• We've been a little sick trying to adapt to the new food. But hopefully we will be better soon.
• The weather is amazing here. Nice and cool in the evenings. We walk everywhere so we are getting good exercise (plus being at an elevation of 5,000 ft doesn't hurt).
• Internet in our house should be coming soon. So everyone needs to get Skype!!!
• Tegucigalpa is not that different from America. Ok... that's not true. But there are plenty of familiar American sights and stores. Of course we couldn't resist going to Wal-Mart (on our 6 year anniversary no less). We'll be going to Price-Mart this Saturday, which is like a Sam's Club or Cosco. Fun stuff.
• The campus is beautiful. The teachers, staff, and administrators are so friendly. I already feel a part of the family here. I love the Honduran culture. It is a relationship-centered. You must greet everyone (individually) and hugs and holy kisses on the cheek are normal.
• The airport in Teguc wasn't too bad. I did make a Honduran mad though. They have "workers" who grab your bags, load them on carts, and take them where they think you want to be. You get to tip them. Yay. Well I tipped the guy who helped us through customs and took our bags outside. Only we needed to be inside. After I tipped him $10, he was gone. Then a another guy saw that we needed to move 10 ft to get inside. So he loaded us up w/out our consent, took our luggage over, and waited for denaro. I gave him a dollar for moving us 10 ft. He was not happy. Oh the joy of a new culture.
  

I'm tired. This is the list of things I can think of. Perhaps Liz will add some later. We love everyone. Pray for us!!!

Tim

Almost There!

It’s Wednesday… just hours before our plane leaves Thursday morning. I’m not gonna lie; I’m a bit nervous. I think once we get to our house in El Hatillo, I’ll be relieved.

We are taking 4 suitcases (2 of them overweight), 2 carry-on duffel bags (loaded down), 2 computer bags, and 1 purse. Thankfully, 6 other teachers will be on the same flight into Honduras.

Next post… we’ll be updating from Honduras. Prayers please!