The List

Today:

1. The other visitors left.

2. Carmen Maria, a pesquenos (orphan teen) and I went on a walk to the front gate to buy a Pepsi, but it was closed. We met up with some volunteers and decided to walk to Casa Pasionista, which is a home for people living with HIV in its final stages. We met Oscar who told me that he is thankful to God for letting him come here where he can eat and get medicine. He smiled the whole time we were there and seemed very happy to shake and hold our hands. As Trip, one of the (amazing) volunteers said, "These people KNOW how well they have it here. Many of the pesquenos "kids" don't really have a comparison, especially if they were very young when they joined the ranch."

Carmen Maria pointed out the room where her mom lived before she died and the "table" in the chapel she passed on. She walked around slowly and thoughtfully. I asked her how she felt (she knows some English) and she said "happy, but not my brother. He feel sad when he come to here. He hate to come to here." When I asked Carmen to describe her mom, she described herself. : )

One of the other amazing volunteers is playing patriotic songs on a trumpet outside of the volunteer house right now. It IS the Fourth of July! I have never been too awfully patriotic myself, but I really love the sound of those songs today. We have MUCHO to be grateful for with unparalleled freedoms. I may just kiss the ground on Tuesday.

3. A government sponsored pesticide team showed up unannounced around noon to spray all homes in order to prevent further spread of "Denga." (sp?) It is an illness, painful, but not fatal like Malaria, that is pretty widespread in Honduras this summer.
As I walked toward our building to get some water, I saw men walking through the gate that looked straight from the movie Ghost Busters. I asked around and found out that they were spraying for mosquitos and that it was "not toxic."

Knowing better, I asked if I had time to remove my stuff first. They said, "You can ask, but it will do no good." So I assertively shut and locked my door and begged them to leave my room alone. This spray was certainly toxic and I understand the need to spray, but I was so disapponted that we had no time to prepare. This is Honduras.

An hour later, I came back to retrieve a dish and fork for lunch. The kitchen was so cloudy and it hurt to breathe. I got outta there and stayed away all day, until now. . . It's better, but still here.

4. I ran into Donna after lunch and ended up spending the rest of the afternoon with her, which was a treat. She has such a cool job. I plan to attend one of her workshops tomorrow (for the tias and tios) on "Behavior Modification with Love and Logic." I won't know the Spanish, but am well-aquainted with the material she'll be covering. That should be fun. Donna is a vibrant person who will be as effective as anyone could be, I am betting. (Her son is currently employed at NHP Donican Republic and she has been connected to NPH for about ten years.)

5. It's de-lice day here. Many of the girls are working tirelessly on each others' hair, pulling out nits. I am positive I do not have them. Hooray! I wear a hat most of the time which can't hurt.

6. I have gone like 6 days without my favorite snacky foods, milk (which I live on), or wine. I had chances to obtain these comforts (well sort of, but it would have taken some favors and I hate to ask), but I thought it would be good for me to leave them for awhile. I can't say I don't miss them, but I can say I did fine. I also noticed that my pants are falling down. I don't have much of an appetite here.

7. My relationship with Treisy is in process, but in an awkward place. Given these kids' histories with loss, trust, and change, I expected this. Donna shed a lot of light on this progression as well. These kids are used to pushing, pulling, testing, and being survivors. I look forward to exchanging letters with Treisy after tomorrow night. We have a game night planned for tomorrow, my last night here.

8. Tomorrow will be busy. I have plans! First, coffee, of course. Good coffee has been a big bonus during this stay. School after that, then a visit to the vocational school where they teach sewing, shoe-making, cooking, electronics, auto-mechanics, and maybe more. All the school uniforms are made right here! I am impressed by the self-sustaining nature of this place.
Anyway, after vocations, I will take my guitar up to Casa Pasionistas and hang out for awhile, until I go observe Donna's presentation. Dinner, then game night in Treisy's hogarre.(sp?)

After that I PACK TO COME HOME!