Where Everybody Knows Your Name...

...and they're happy that you came. I am home! Unlike my return in February, I was so glad to come home this time! I love living in Honduras and caring for children, but it is time for a break. I have friends at the orphanage, but there is nothing like your own family and friends who have known and loved you forever.

My first happy renunion was with my family on Wed., the 12th. Granted, it was a day later than planned, but that made it even better. I slowly worked my way up by seeing one friend on Thursday, talking to another on Friday, and then Saturday was the big immersion at my Christmas Open House. Friends from all walks of life: high school, college, work, church, even Orphanage Emmanuel arrived, and I was happily surrounded by loved ones.

I am thankful to God for this time of rest and refreshment. Merry Christmas!

Visiting Rita

On December 6, I had a second blessing of visiting my other Compassion child, Rita. This time around, I traveled with a new Compassion friend, Oscar, and we went to the town of Comayagua. Our arrival was a little more anticipated there. Rita arrived at her Compassion project in a taxi with her little sister, Yenni, and her little niece, Yoali.

We first had a tour of the project, and Rita was practically glued to my hip. Oscar was very impressed and said that it is one of the best Compassion projects he has seen. Candy and Yanira, the project director, bestowed on me gifts of a scarf and bracelets that had been made by children and mothers from the project. The best gift I received was when Rita sang a song to me that she had written about God. I was amazed and so proud! Rita used to be really shy, but it appears that my "wallflower" is a blossoming flower, and I am so thankful to God, especially with my concern for her after her mother died in January of this year.

After the project, we took Rita and the two little ones to Central Park. There we viewed a big Christmas tree and the beautiful cathedral, bought cotton candy, took pictures, and went into a museum. Next, we went to Pizza Hut for lunch, which was pretty fun. The small girls had a blast on the playground. Rita and I had fun taking random pictures. After lunch, we went to Rita's home. There, I got to meet her stepfather and sister-in-law. I also gave out gifts, took more pictures, watched two little girls get blue tongues from cotton candy, and videoed Rita singing her song.

I was so touched by this visit with Rita. It is amazing to see God working in her life, giving her confidence to become the young woman He created her to be.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child, you can find more information at http://www.compassion.com/. It is a real, life-changing (for the children and for sponsors) ministry.

Visiting Candy

On December 4, I had the blessing of visiting my Compassion child, Candy Gisela. My Compassion friend, Abraham, picked me up at Emmanuel, and we traveled to Candy's town of El Paraiso. Abraham, himself, was a big part of the blessing because God always inspires and encourages me through him. God's hand was definitely in this trip, since we discovered upon arrival that noone knew we were coming! (small miscommunication) Thankfully, though the door and windows were closed when we got to Candy's house, we discovered her at home, happy and very surprised.

We spent a few minutes at the house and then Abraham, Nanita from Candy's Compassion project, and I took Candy to the town of Danli, about 15 minutes away. Candy and I chatted a lot along the way. We ate lunch at a chicken place called Chester's, and then we walked around a small mall and took some pictures with fun Christmas decorations. Next, we went to Danli's beautiful central park where we strolled, relaxed and enjoyed being with each other. After the park, we returned to Candy's home where we spent a few more minutes giving out gifts, taking more pictures, and praying for the family.

I am so blessed to know Candy. She is a beautiful, joyful young girl who loves the Lord.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child, you can find more information at http://www.compassion.com/. It is a real and amazing, life-changing (for children and for sponsors) ministry.

Hope Deferred....

So, I was SUPPOSED to come home on Tuesday. My Emmanuel volunteer friends, Emily and Kelly, were also traveling with me, U.S. bound. We got to the airport early and safely, carried by staff friends, received help from another friend at the airport, got checked in and were ready and waiting at our gates. Emily and I sent Kelly off on her Continental flight, me with the comment, "See you tomorrow at your party." Meanwhile, at 1:20, Emily's and my 1:30 American Airlines plane had not even arrived. We received the announcement that we would now not be leaving until 3:50. Well, that would surely cause me to miss my Miami connection, and I began to be very disappointed, having anticipated my trip home for a long time. I called Mom, and she thankfully informed me that the airline had already booked me for a later flight from Miami, and I began to feel better. However, in the end, we ended up not leaving Tegucigalpa at all due to a malfunctioning battery in our plane.

My first thought was to call my friend, Ethel, who lives in the capital, to see if we could stay with her and her family. That would have been fun, and I know they would have gladly accommodated us. The airline, however, took very good care of us by providing free taxi service to and from a hotel, 3 free meals at the said hotel, and a hotel that was five stars! We were pretty amazed!

Obviously, we both would have rather have been at home on Tuesday. We give thanks to God, though, that 1) He protected us from flying on a malfunctioning plane, 2) we had each other to be stuck in Teguc. with, 3) He blessed us with a fun, mini-vacation in the process, and 4) we are all three safely home with our loved ones for the holidays. God is SO good!