H is for Hola

Here we are with our last team of the summer.  They are from Belair Maryland.  It was easy to spot them at the airport, wearing these "H is for Hola" T-shirts.  I must admit they practically stopped traffic with people trying to figure out what it meant.  It did bring about conversations between strangers and the team.  I guess that is what it is all about; communication.  The team arrived with no problems.

We got them back to the campground and into the work and witness house for lunch.  The AIR CONDITIONED work and witness house.  How awesome is that?  Don't know how long we will be able to use it since electricity is so high here,  but hey, someone needs to try it.  Thanks to the team from Salem Oregon, we got to put it in. Having 30 people in this space, with the temperatures over one hundred degrees is horrible.  We are VERY thankful.

7/26 - Today we went to the market and bought $300.00 worth of fruits and vegetables for the two children's homes we visit.  Since we went to the wholesale place, the items were waaaaayyyyyy cheaper.  We bought 200 bananas, 100 pounds of green beans, 100 pounds of potatoes, 20 pineapples, 200 oranges, 100 pounds of carrots, 12 watermelons, and 2 cases of papayas.  It was a blast buying like that.  I'm sure the Hondurans thought these Gringos were nuts.

 We took all the food and split it between the two homes.  The team sang songs and did a puppet show and then did crafts at the girl's home.  This baby is 2 months old.  His "mother" just turned 13 years old.  Can you even imagine a 12 year old getting pregnant?  And then, imagine that same 12 year old being thrown out of her home and placed in a home for girls at risk.  How sad is this? A child having a child.  She was even breast feeding it.  It was so obvious that she was awkward about all of it. Such a shame. Thought I'd better say here the girl in the picture is NOT the mom.  This is one of the team members (for those of you who don't know the team)      

When we got to the children's home, there was already a team there.  These kids were on attention overload by the time our team left. They were off the hook!  Our team tried to make balloon "art" but the kids kept breaking the balloons or stealing them and shooting each other with the balloons.  It was a zoo.  Note to self. NO balloons, EVER at the children's home!  The team split up and went in all the areas of the home with kids.  Some went to the special needs room and just held those same kids I talked about a couple of weeks ago.  Only this time, they have had a chicken pox outbreak there. Many of the kids were really sick.  BUT, our team held them anyway.  REALLY hope everyone has had chicken pox or at least has had the vaccine to prevent it or they might have a big surprise when they get home to the states.

We got back to the campground and we made everyone take a shower immediately upon arrival and to place their clothes somewhere that won't be touched again until they leave. Dinner was made by
Efrain's wife, Loyda.  She made Tajadas con carne and baleadas.  Everyone seemed to really enjoy the food.  Now the team is having small group time and Tom and Amy are having "missionary only" time.  It is a perfect night.

 Buenos noches everyone!