Another Week

Well, it's my first week back from language school and we have done a lot of different things. Some of the highlights are as follows.

• Sunday I had to wash my clothes and I am not going to complain about doing it in a washing machine ever again. Then a couple of us went to a youth group that Francisco leads and though I was not much help, I had a good time.
• Monday is the day of cleaning and it really is a challenge to make a chore into a prayer. We also had a goodbye party for Kristan who was finishing up her time here. I am of the opinion that Hondurans know how to have a great party (with a ton of food).
• Tuesday was a laid back day. I helped out in the library tutoring kids in the scholarship program.
• Wednesday was an amazing day because I saw so many little and profoundly beautiful things. For example, in the morning I got to talk with a family that stopped by the mission house. It was a mother and her three children. They clearly had absolutely nothing. In fact the mother, who looked old beyond her years, appeared as if she would crumble into dust before my eyes. But when she smiled, her face looked young and full of life again. The oldest son was probably about eleven and was quite outgoing (and an amazing artist). Then there was a seven-year-old girl who was just adorable in her old pink jumper. The youngest was a girl who was probably about four and just seemed to be taking everything in. As I said, they had nothing, but their faith was amazing and so inspiring. As the mother told me 'I have nothing but God.' One cannot see so many beautiful things and remain unaffected. That night we also had a birthday party for Carol (the community leader).
• Thursday I ended up helping to plan a retreat we were doing for a local Catholic high school. It is very humbling to take a background job for the retreat and it is probably good for me. I simply cannot share my 'big ideas' or be in the spotlight. Instead, I got to do small tasks and lift the retreat up in prayer. That evening we had yet another party at a home for girls who have been taken out of bad home situations. They were so beautiful in their simple joy even though they have suffered so much.
• Today we had the retreat which turned out well even though the planning was really last-minute. Please keep those youth in your prayers. Then there was a fùtbol game between Honduras and I think Germany. Crazy!

Anyway, until next time, God bless!