Honduras Highlights

We've Got Talent!

2008-06-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 14, we experienced our first annual talent show, planned and hosted by the Emmanuel volunteers. The children had two weeks to practice. There were 20 acts, including a presentation of some artwork, and the action ranged from dances to dramas to breakdancing. (yes, breakdancing) Two staff members got in on the fun with juggling and balancing things on the chin, including a broomstick, a metal folding chair and a flaming newspaper cone! My girls performed two dances and a drama. Third place was a tie between two of the other girls' houses. Second place was the staff member's balancing act, and first place went to the breakdancing boys. The grand finale was the volunteers' surprise rendition of the "Thriller" dance! It was definitely an entertaining night!

Becoming a mother...

2008-06-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

Where do I start? Seeing as how 95% of the people I know are real-live, true parents, anything I write here will probably not strike most of you as new. Being a parent is hard! I obviously have not experienced the stress of pregnancy or the pains of labor, but coming to care for and understand a child without knowing what has happened to that child before you arrived on the scene of that precious life is pretty difficult in and of itself...times 44! I am pretty much daily amazed by the blessings and challenges that I face as I try to raise 44 girls in the way of the Lord. Please pray that I will continually seek God's help for the wisdom to do this because I can surely not even begin to be successful in my own strength...I have none. In ONE day, I had:

*1 girl who wandered over the hill behind our house and down close to our neighbor's property because she was upset about something another girl had said to her (This was in addition to the same girl ripping someone's drawing, breaking a mop handle and breaking a window pane, all within 3 weeks. Can we say anger management?)

*1 girl whom I argued with because, well, it would take too long to explain. Basically, she was disobedient to me because she was angry that she had already missed out on a privileged opportunity due to vanity and stubbornness, etc. (Of course, her version would be something totally different, right?) Teenagers!

*1 girl who was upset about I don't know what and chose to hide while I was putting the other girls into their rooms for the night, so that I thought she had run away and went out looking for her. Thankfully she didn't and was o.k.

*1 girl, one of my normally good 20-year old leaders, who refused to go into her room because she was mad about not being able to go to the planned talent show that evening because she had to stay and watch over the rest of the children who were not going.

WHEW!! Not to mention that Honduran pride is some of the toughest I have ever seen. Pretty much every time I try to help and ask, "What's wrong?" I get the back of a head, or whatever kind of blow-off they seem to think is appropriate at the time--tighter than a clamshell!

It's a pretty stressful profession/ministry/life at times. Please pray that I will allow God to help me put aside my own pride and frustrations so that I may be a pure example of His love to these children. I was thinking about my own family yesterday and how blessed I am, and I cannot even begin to imagine how these children without families or with every-now-and-then visiting families must feel. Lord, please help me to understand and love them!

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:27

Painting the Town!

2008-06-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

Last month, I had the privilege of chaperoning one of our 7th grade classes as they completed a community service project in our hometown of Guaimaca. The project took 3 days, and it involved cleaning up and refreshing the town's central park (pretty much every Honduran and possibly Latin American town has one). The first day, the children used their expert cleaning skills (we clean a lot at Emmanuel) to rake and pick up trash around the park. I was pleased to see an elderly man joining in the process (I think there might be one or two Guaimacans who care about the cleanliness of their environment). They also painted all of the benches in the park, and by the end of the project had painted a monument, the lamppost bases, all of the parking lot curbs, and a yellow line around the park (?). We worked in conjuction with the mayor's office, so we basically did what they told us to. The students did an excellent job. They worked diligently and offered few complaints, which made me very proud. It was a little disheartening to see the ground covered with trash again on the second day, as well as places where people had carved their names into our fresh bench paint, but just like anywhere else, there are those who protect and those who destroy. There were two elderly women who were very protective of one bench in particular and made excellent security guards, watching that noone sat on it. At the end of the third day, we had enlisted half of the jobless, stray men hanging out at the park to protect other freshly painted areas, so it really did become a community project, which was fun to see. As some of us discussed, we did our service...it's up to the others whether they appreciate it and care for it or destroy it. My prayer is that the townspeople saw Jesus in the children and that they learned a little about serving and taking care of what they have been given.

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

Back to Belize

2008-05-06T22:15:00.000-07:00

In April of 2008, I embarked on my 4th visa renewal trip, my second to Belize. Thankfully, there were no impending hurricanes, although I am grateful for the previous trip to Panama which resulted from such. Unlike my previous trips to Belize and Panama, this one was relatively calm with few glitches...unless you count having a stomach bug the entire week, which I did. Bummer!

I traveled to the small Latin American country with 4 Orphanage Emmanuel volunteers--2 from Denmark and 2 from the States. The first day, we traveled partway and spent the night in Puerto Cortes, Honduras, at a girls' home run by a former Emmanuel volunteer. This home has 15 residents of all ages, and my heart was captured by an 8-year old in a wheelchair named Gaby. Thankfully, Gaby is in the middle of the adoption process by a North American couple so that she will be able to receive the physical therapy and special care she needs for paralysis that she has as a result of fused vertebrae.

The next day, we left Honduras on a boat called the "D-Express." After about a two hour ride, we arrived in Placencia, Belize. Funny that this was the original planned destination for my first trip to the country. I must say that I kind of enjoy the long bus rides, but in its own way, by boat was definitely much better! No 32 hours straight!

Upon arrival in Placencia, we took a taxi to "The Nautical Inn." Emily and I had found this hotel on the Internet and fallen in love. Key phrases like "reading in hammocks," seaside pool, and Wednesday night "coconut bowling" had done the trick to capture our attention. Thankfully, there was no need to worry about availability, as we became the only guests at that time. The hotel was as nice as it looked on the website, the only disappointments being that it was pretty far outside of the main activity area--restaurants, shops, etc., and that they did not have coconut bowling scheduled for the week we were there. =( The first evening, we headed into the town of Placencia to check it out and to get something to eat. We ended up at "The Purple Space Monkey." Gotta love those beachside names. TPSM was a happening restaurant complete with coffee shop, free internet service, and Wednesday night karaoke which we participated in later in the week. (well, Emily that is) We ended out the night with Italian gelato from a gelateria run by a true Italian from Rome and a nighttime swim back at the hotel.

Highlights from the rest of the week were mainly the places we ate and time spent at the beach. Unfortunately for me, and rare at that, the stomach bug hit me the morning of our first full day, and it stayed with me the whole time, putting a slight damper on the trip. However, I was by the ocean, and that is always a happy time for me! Plus, it was wonderful just to have a break. The weather was actually pretty cool, cloudy and windy, until, of course, the day we left to come back when it was perfect. We had hoped to take some side trips to the rainforest or snorkeling, but those were a little too costly. The night we returned to Honduras, Emily and I spent the night with my Honduran family--my friend Ethel and her relatives.

View photos at: http://tammyelrick.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php

We Love Chiminike!

2008-05-06T21:47:00.000-07:00

Sixty excited first and second graders, 10 equally excited team members, 5 pretty excited volunteers, and one ecstatic staff member made for a busy month of February as I had the privilege of chaperoning 3 fieldtrips to Chiminike, the children's museum in Honduras' capital, Tegucigalpa. I'm not being sarcastic...I really did enjoy it. Chiminike is an amazing place--something that you would not expect to find in the middle of a still-developing country.

The museum consists of different scientific learning rooms which the children travel through, guided by enthusiastic and knowledgeable young people who are students at the university. From lying on a bed of nails, to imitating the digestive process, to climbing on an "atom," children are provided hands-on experiences for gaining a greater understanding of scientific and social concepts. During the month of February, the museum graciously provided free admission with snack to orphanages, children's homes, etc. Needless to say, we took them up on the offer. The children love the museum, and it is a great opportunity for them to experience something new outside of Emmanuel.

You can see pictures at http://tammyelrick.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php

Where Everybody Knows Your Name...

2007-12-16T19:20:00.000-08:00

...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

2007-12-16T19:07:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-16T18:47:00.000-08:00

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....

2007-12-13T15:17:00.000-08:00

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!

Container UN-Loading!

2007-11-24T22:22:00.000-08:00

Oh, containers! They are a monthly highlight here at Emmanuel. Pretty much on a monthly basis, we receive the blessing of a Dole pineapple container sent from Chattanooga, TN. These container shipments are organized by Dr. Don Reynolds. You never know what one might find on a container (well, we know we'll always find Moon Pies--of those, there is no shortage). We've had anything from equipment for an entire playground, to tanks for our new dairy, and anything and everything in between. Much of these items are donated from churches and other places. Sponsors can send gifts to their children. (Parents of staff and volunteers can send gifts to their children.)

The unloading of a container is quite an event. Most often, they arrive around 5 or 6 pm. Sometimes earlier, sometimes later. Recently we received two at the same time, and we began unloading the first one at 9:00 PM! We didn't finish until after midnight! Usually, there are about 5 or 6 of the older boys who come to help out, along with all of the staff men who are available, and anyone else staff and volunteer/team-wise who are interested (especially those who know they are receiving something!). The men have this nice game they play where they try to break every unloading time record that has ever existed (I think we have to pay based on how long it takes.), so it is a hurried event. Wheelbarrows are flying, carrying clothing, shoes, and moon pies to various locations in our bodega (warehouse). People are pushed out of the way for safety's sake when David or someone else comes roaring into the container on the forklift to pick up things packaged on palettes. The kid helpers are secretly taking inventory of the gifts that come in, so they can spread the word to the blessed receivers.

Two containers are currently on the way. One is loaded with Christmas gifts for the children, a sight to see for sure! We thank God for these blessings and the people through which He provides them.

"Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

The Big Move!

2007-11-24T21:55:00.000-08:00

Ever tried to move over 400 people in one day? Well, we did this past Monday. There were some pre-moving activities on Saturday and Sunday, and quite a few post-moving activities afterward, but Monday was the main day, and it was CRAZY!!

We have 6 living areas, in general, for the children--2 for girls, 3 for boys, and 1 for toddlers. On Monday, EVERYONE switched houses! Girls are where boys were, boys are where girls were. This moving day was probably the most fascinating one I have ever seen...trucks, trailers, tractors everywhere. Kids' belongings tied up in sheets; televisions, Christmas trees, mattresses being toted from one side of the orphanage to another. Brooms, mops, soap suds abounding. It was pretty fun, actually.

Out of all this moving, I acquired my own house of girls that I am responsible for. A little intimidating, indeed, but God seems to be throwing a lot of those intimidating opportunities my way these days. (All the better to learn and grow.) I am in charge of 37 girls. They live in a house that consists of 4 separate rooms. Some of the girls I know from the old yard where I was an assistant leader. We also acquired some of the "special needs" girls. Thankfully, everyone seems to be getting along well so far and most have been very helpful. The good thing about this move is that instead of having to hike the entire length of the orphanage to get to the girls' yard, my house of girls is directly behind my own house!

"Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18-19

"Perhaps They Will Listen..."

2007-10-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

These words come from the Scripture Jeremiah 26:1-3 and were passed on to me by a friend after an exceptionally difficult Bible study we had with some of the older orphanage girls. It was quite appropriate, helpful and inspiring because many days here, I feel like I am talking to the walls or to the numerous pine trees around Emmanuel.

I used to think and worry that I had chosen the "easy" mission field by coming to this Christianity-based orphanage. I no longer think so.

The danger of growing up in a Christian community is that it becomes routine--things that are done because they have to be done and not because there is a joy and zeal for the Lord. Of course, God can use all things, and I am sure that He is planting seeds through the 5-times-a-week morning devotions and the tri-weekly afternoon Bible studies, but when I see the glazed, unfocused looks and hear the half-heartedly we-do-this-all-the-time sung songs, it frustrates me. My desire is for these kids to be on fire for our Lord, and I just don't see it.

So, as I continue to allow God to speak through me in Monday morning circles and Monday and Wednesday afternoon Bible studies, I will keep in mind the verse that says God's word that goes out will not return empty (Isaiah 55:11), and pray that..."perhaps they will listen."

**Please pray for a refreshing anointing of the Holy Spirit to rain down on Emmanuel and fill all of us with God's joy and peace. Thank you!

A New Friend

2007-10-12T20:28:00.000-07:00

I have a new friend...she's black and white, has four feet and meows A LOT. She's a 2-month old kitten (who obviously thinks she's a parrot because she is sitting on my shoulder right now), daughter to one of my neighbors' cats, and her name is "Madrugada." This is a fun, new word that Kelly and I learned in Panama. It means "dawn," and it kind of fits because she has black for the night and white for the day. I call her "Maddie" for short.

I have had Maddie for 3 days now, and we're pretty good friends (except when she runs under my feet and I accidentally step on her). She has lived up to her playful reputation passed on by her previous owner. The first day she played with a plastic bag, red admission tickets that I use in my English classes, and an aluminum foil ball. Who needs store-bought toys?

I will always, first and foremost, be a dog-lover (the volunteers and I name all the dogs that visit the store at the front of our property), but I am thankful to God for the company of my new feline.

Hurricanes and Visas

2007-09-21T20:30:00.000-07:00

The hurricane part would be what changed Kelly's and my trip destination from Belize to Panama. Visas would be the reason we had to go to begin with (although a little vacation is always a good incentive). Enjoy the brief notes (with one exception) that follow.

Day 1: We had to go to Tegucigalpa (Teguc.), the capital city of Honduras, a day early in order to purchase our bus tickets for the next day. We hung out in Teguc.--watched a movie, did some shopping, and visited with some friends.

Day 2: 18-hour bus ride from Teguc. to San Jose, Costa Rica. The bus was tour-bus style with very good service. Arrived in San Jose at 12:30 AM, spent what was left of the night in a very nice hostel, Hostel Bekou.

Day 3: This day needs a detailed explanation!

SO. It's our second day of real travel, the one after our 18-hour bus ride to Costa Rica. We're on our way to Panama. We got really good, step-by-step directions from our hostel people about how to get to Bocas del Toro, and we're feeling pretty good about it. We buy tickets for the bus that will take us to the bordertown between Costa Rica and Panama, supposedly a 5 1/2 hour trip. We leave at 10:00 am. The first thing that happens is traffic due to an accident up ahead. That was about a 45 minute lovely wait. (Keep in mind we have reservations in Panama for this night, and I had told them we'd arrive around 4:00.) The next obstacle was slightly larger...our bus broke down!! Sitting alongside the road in Costa Rica for about 2 hours. (We were actually inside the bus most of the time. People were trying to fix it while we were waiting for another one from the same company to come get us. Thankfully, I had a really good book to read at this point in time.) By this time, Kelly and I are getting a little concerned. The second bus finally comes, and we stop at all of these little places for people to get off, and we don't think we're ever going to make it. (a little foreshadowing there)

We finally arrive in the bordertown around 5:30 or so. As we're walking to the border, to the immigration office, this "random" (angel-to-be in disguise) man informs us that we can't walk across the bridge border into Panama because immigration closes at 5:00!!! (We were at the Costa Rica border at 8:00 last night!) WHOA!! What now? Don't panic! Our new friend, Nestor, tells us to follow him to a hotel down the road. Um, o.k. Can't sleep on the street. That's when prayer comes in real handy! So, we follow Nestor, praying all the way, a good ways down the street to this hotel. When we arrive, we see, with relief, a group of white girls standing outside the hotel. Turns out they're from Germany, Holland, and the U.S., and also missed the border crossing. Unfortunately, there weren't enough rooms for all of us.

So, still praying, we follow Nestor back to where our bus arrived, full circle, and he puts us in a taxi with directions for the man to take us to another hotel. It's dark and we have no idea where we're going. We arrive at this hotel and when we first ask the dining couple outside if there's a room, there's some hesitation, but then the man says "yes." He opens up our room,*cough*,closet, which contains 3 beds, a bedside table, and a fan that doesn't work. The toilet and showers are separate stalls around back, no sink in sight. Wow. True, we were very thankful to have a roof over our heads, but it was slightly scary. We pushed the 3rd bed against the door and slept with our money on us.

I know it sounds crazy and scary, and believe me, it pretty much was, but at the same time, it is even more proof that God exists and that He watches over and provides for His children. There was nothing we could have done other than what we did, and He thankfully protected us. It definitely gives definition to the word "adventure"!! An added blessing to all of that was that when we finally arrived at our hotel in Panama, our room was still waiting for us, and they didn't charge us for the night that we missed. Praise God!

Day 4: We were told last night that there would be taxis going by our shady hotel early in the morning. There weren't. So we walked from the hotel back to the border and the immigration office, walked across the bridge, and finally arrived in Panama. Took a 50-minute boat ride to Isla Colon, one of the larger islands of the region called "Bocas del Toro." Checked into our nice hotel over the ocean (Hotel Olas ("waves")) and went to explore the island. Walked for a long time and then with relief, ate lunch after a day and a half of eating nothing. Checked out a beach area and ate a good dinner at a restaurant where God used us to encourage the staff who were being hasseled and exhausted by an annoying patron.

Day 5: Boat tour!! We went on a boat tour that took us to many different locations: Dolphin Bay where we got to see lots of dolphins, snorkeling, a restaurant over the ocean where we ate lunch, and the most beautiful beach that I have ever seen! Ate dinner at a fun, cute little restaurant called "The Pickled Parrot."

Day 6: Went shopping. Traveled to the supposed best beach on our island. We were skeptical at first, due to the fact that there was no beach of sand to sit on, but when we discovered the starfish that our taxi driver had mentioned and that God lovingly created for us to marvel at, we were happy campers. The starfish were big, numerous, beautiful, and amazing. Ate GREEK food for dinner--more happy travelers.

Day 7: Time to go already? Traveled back to San Jose, CR. Much smoother trip this time around! Stayed in a bed and breakfast close to our bus terminal.

Day 8: Left San Jose, at oh, 2:00 AM!! Traveled back to Tegucigalpa. Spent the night with my friend, Ethel, and her family

Day 9: Last bus ride for awhile, hopefully...to Guaimaca. Now, we're rested and legal. Thanks be to God for a safe and wonderful trip! Check out pictures through the link below!