We Love Chiminike!

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...

...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!

Container UN-Loading!

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!

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