Friday night, April 11

We have just now gotten power after 48 hours!  Major wind storm here Wed. night and much of the city lost power. So no computers, no Wi-Fi, phones uncharged.  And coldshowers!  But we are well and have had a terrific time, especially our time in the classrooms, playing games in the twilight, and sitting by candlelight on the porch.  We did our bit for the Honduran economy today with 6 of the 7 of us buying purses in Valle.   More soon ...

Tuesday, April 8

We got up bright and early again at 5:30am in order to get dressed, eat breakfast, and

be in our classrooms by 7:20am! We have been blessed with warm showers so far...

What joy to face our students with clean hair !

 

Each of us has been assigned to help students who need extra attention in some way.

This has been a challenge for those who don´t speak Spanish and are tutoring students

in the 4th and 5th grades. However, Our Epiphany women are forging ahead, using all

their extensive mental capacity, creative ideas, and positive attitudes to reach the students,

keep them focused on the task, and develop a wonderful bond. 

Our first grade team has the additional task of keeping students from killing each other.

(Think of 6 Julios in a class of 12 students!!!!)

 

We have spent a good deal of time discussing our trials and triumphs in the classroom

with Doña Claudia.  She is creating a formal program of using teaching assistants in

each class and is looking to us to give her feedback on our experiences.  It´s fun to be

a part of the planning process and hopefully we can help her create a permanent program

that volunteers can join if they choose. She continually impresses us with her growing

vision for El Hogar!!

 

We spent the evening with the little girls of Dorm 2.  They attacked the princesa glitter

paint books with such excitement and energy, and then moved on to making Judy´s

rubber band bracelets, puzzles, jumping rope, and toss game.  Our new volunteers

were terrific and took the whirlwind hour and a half in stride!!!!

 

We all think of you while we´re sitting on the porch, talking a mile a minute, over the

sounds of the noisy street.  There is no better place to be after a rewarding, yet

exhausting day.  We are truly enjoying getting to know each other and sharing our

love of the children, our admiration for the tireless teachers, and the comfort of

God`s `presence in this magical place.

 

We ended the evening, reflecting on the sad news of the passing of Jack Bishop.

Those who knew him as their rector at Epiphany shared their favorite memory

of Jack and Betsy and helped the rest of us understand some of the reasons he

was so special.

 

- Claudia Bell

We started the day early with breakfast at 6:20 am.  Next followed the weekly Civil Ceremony in which the children participate and honor their country of Honduras. It was also International Health Day so the children were given ideas about good eating and exercising  habits. El Hogar is having a health fair April 23rd and 24th.The children were so inspiring as they marched in with the Honduran flag and sang the National Anthem. We all felt the beauty  of El Hogar as they sang the "Home of Love and Hope Anthem."

 Today was the first day for each of us to work until 3:00 in our respective classrooms as a teacher's assistant. This included first, second, and fourth grades. All of us said we felt immediately more connected to the children regardless of our Spanish speaking skills. We learned about the individual needs of certain children and the many challenges the teachers face.

Although we were all exhausted by the end of the school day, we are looking forward to playing with the children tonight. We are anticipating another wonderful experience tomorrow in this place of Love.

Claudia W.

Sunday, April 6

Our first morning at el Hogar opened with some quiet leisure over coffee--a well-earned moment of centering ourselves after a full day of travel.  We organized  for church, and stuffed the boys into the rumble seat of the van, where they seemed delighted to be picking out cars "Americano" on the road. And cars were not the only influence Americano that has made it to Honduras--any flavor of fast food has made its presence known, golden arches and all!

Though the service was in a language foreign to some of us, we did not feel removed--the ritual and rhythm of the Espiscopal service brings us comfort and familiarity. The "Paz" in particular was defining, as we were embraced by the warmth and welcome of the Hondurans. We are struck not only by the sense of the supreme, but a connection to the overall global humanity to which we all belong.

Lunch at the food court was clearly a special treat for all.  Not only did the Wendy`s hamburgers and fries go down smoothly with quiet concentration as every morsel was savored, but the bouncy slide after made it feel like an EnKa fair moment for these little ones!

At 3:00 we made our way into the mountains to the casa of the older girls, bearing provisions for another meal "Americano"--burgers, fries, and coca-cola to wash it all down.  After a "photo shoot" and tour, we all got down to business of cooking. The girls instructed us as to just the right level of pinkness for their preferred level of doneness, and nothing less would do!  With the light fading in a spectacular sunset over the mountains, the dining room became a stage for singing and dancing by a troupe of beautiful lively girls. How lucky we were to be in their presence, and to see such unbridled joy from these young hearts!

All too soon it was time to say goodbye. There were tears in our eyes, as we were all overwhelmed by the wonder of falling in love in the space of two short hours with the girls.  As we traversed the long, steep and winding trail back to El Hogar, the silence that had descended upon all of us was a clear indication that we were all savoring our own sense of "paz" and wonderment not only of a day well-lived, but of all that would unfold for us in the week ahead.

Susan Haskell

We're here, we`re happy, we`re hot.  Easy trips on both American and Delta.  Some  clouds and  90 degrees.  We packed our painting and gardening clothes but tonight we met with Claudia and we have a new task!  We are going to pilot her new volunteers in the classroom project.  There are several children in the 1st, 2nd and 4th grades who need very special attention, so starting Monday morning at 7:20 AM, we will be in the classrooms until 3:00.  We are very excited to be spending such quality time with the children==just wish we had more Spanish.

Claudia also introduced the new El Hogar Anthem which the children sing during their Monday assembly.

The chorus:

This is my home where I come from
Where I lived, grew up and learned to cry
I go out from this my home
Leaving my mark for eternity

This is my home, a godsend to me
Here I received protection and education
This is my home full of peace
It is my home of love and hope

 Love and hope to you all, Susan