This is an interesting time of the year in Honduras as many families are preparing to eat that pig they have been feeding for the past 10 months. The big preparations here are for Christmas Eve Mass and the dancing and food that follows until the early hours of Christmas Day. Christmas Day itself is a day to relax/recover. While a child may receive 3-4 small gifts, adults don't give/receive gifts like we do in the states. If they do it's 1 or 2 items, but certainly no need to buy a case of wrapping paper.
Two volunteers from Massachusetts (Rick & Don) were here for 9 days in November. Rick and Don are both retired but haven't slowed down a bit. They visit Juticalpa for a 9 days in November and assess the needs of the organization, basically a game planning session, they return for 8 weeks in January and February and that's when the real work begins. Plumbing, electrical work, lite construction, you name it, these two will do it. They work with 2 Olancho Aid employees (William & Toni). These guys have a blast together, Rick and Don know about as much Spanish as William & Toni know English...20, maybe 30 words. Not only are they saving the organization a small fortune by donating their time and talent, they are teaching William and Toni how to properly resolve issues. As our founder preaches, "Education, Education, Education", it's what Honduras needs most.
Rick & Don also provide a scholarship for Toni's daughter (Neomi) to attend school. They discovered that Neomi has problems with her vision, so the January trip always consists of a visit to the eye doc for a check up and new glasses. The world needs more guys like Rick & Don.
The long-term volunteers built a trench around the home of an employee (Dona Marina) a couple weeks ago. During the rainy season water flows through her kitchen and living room, sometimes 1-2 feet high. Rick, Don, William & Toni also built a small brick wall and installed a gutter to keep water away from the home. In exchange for the work, Dona Marina made us baliadas. A baliada consists of a tortilla (toasted) with beans, cheese, avocado, egg, and a little chorizo. Very popular here in Juticalpa. Here is a picture of Rick, Don, Dona Marina, Toni, William, & some of the long-term volunteers.
Hondurans don't celebrate Thanksgiving, however Padre Ricardo (founder of Olancho Aid) had a nice feast for us this past Sunday. Padre is also President of the University here in Juticalpa so we were able to use one of the University classrooms, tables, and chairs, it was a nice feast. The Bishop was in attendance as well, Thanksgiving with the Bishop...that was a first!
One of the churches that I attend on occasion has been raising money for years to build a parish hall. They want a place to gather for meals, parties, religious education, et cetera. At the beginning of October they figured they were still about $14K short of their goal. Somewhat frustrating considering all the work they have put into raising funds. At the end of October a generous couple from Texas got word that the church was short of their goal and scratched a check for $14K. I hope someday I make it a priority to give a gift like that.
We hiked Boqueron Mountain for the second time this year. Hondurans don't really understand the concept of walking, running, hiking for exercise/fun. They get plenty of exercise walking to work, church, bus, school, the grocery store, so the thought of hiking for fun doesn't really make since. I was pleasantly surprised when Carina wanted to join us on the hike. Should I tell her what to wear? Should I warn her about the distance? Nope. I did something I rarely do, I kept my mouth shut. When I picked her up she looked more prepared for a trip to Macy's than to the mountains but she was a trooper....rocks, rivers, snakes, she never looked back. She also brought sandwiches for everyone, she will be invited again!
Tomorrow I will be attending the Baptism of Bicry, a 9 year old boy who attends our special needs school, Escuelita Nazareth. Bicry has asked me to be his Godfather. I get to visit with Bicry a few times a week as he attends the school where Carina works, we have become good friends. Here is a picture of Bicry visiting the Fire Department with his class.
Carina and I will be going to Panama via the Tica Bus for Christmas to visit her Aunt and Uncle. We will leave Juticalpa on December 21 and arrive in Panama City on December 23. Yep, 3 days on a bus! We will travel from Juticalpa, Honduras to Tegucigalpa, Honduras...Tegucigalpa to Managua, Nicaragua...Managua to San Jose, Costa Rico...and San Jose to Panama City, Panama. I'm not sure what to expect but I'm looking forward to the unexpected, seeing Central America, meeting some more of Carina's family, and we will definitely visit the Panama Canal. We will go to Mass on Christmas Eve and afterwards attend a dinner and dance.
The non-profit that I'm working for (Olancho Aid Foundation, Inc) operates 4 schools, a special needs school (Escuelita Nazareth), a bi-lingual grade school (Centro Escolar Santa Clara), a Middle/High-School (Instituto Cardenal Rodriguez) and a bi-lingual Middle/High School (Instituto Bilingue Santa Clara). The majority of our students come from extremely poor families, these students are only able to attend our schools due to the scholarships they receive from people in the U.S. Please consider sponsoring a child, with your monthly donation ($25 - $100) we are able to provide Education, Hope, and Transformation to many disabled and extremely poor children in Honduras. Visit http://sponsor.olanchoaid.
Many blessings to you and your families during the holidays & Merry Christmas!
Michael
