I just found out this week that starting Monday, September 6 I will be teaching Jewelry classes for high school students. I will teach one class on Mondays and Saturdays and another class on Wednesdays and Fridays. The kids make beautiful jewelry that they sell in Art Shows when groups are here. Seventy percent of the profit goes to buying supplies, ten percent is tithed, and the kids get to keep twenty percent. They are really talented and make some really cool stuff. They really enjoy this class and it not only gives them a little bit of spare money to buy things with but it provides them with a trade that they know how to do once they leave. I look forward to teaching this class, yet I have lots of work to do because I don't know any Spanish words that have anything to do with jewelry or art
Saturday I hope to go to Tegucigalpa (the capital) with Rachael and Owen. Rachael has been teaching the art and jewelry classes and she is leaving this weekend. As part of my responsibility of being the teacher I have to go into Teguc and buy supplies that we need. Hopefully this weekend she will be able to show me around the city and stores that sell jewelry materials. This jewelry program originated from a grant from the Danish government and so keeping up with the sales and costs of supplies and all of that information is very important. If you would like to send art supplies for jewelry – pretty beads, beads of any size, yarn, hemp, cross stitching thread, connectors, earring loops, string, wire, etc. – we can put it to use. I hope to continue to teach some jewelry classes even after the school year ends at the first of November.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
PROJECT BIRTHDAY
The longer that I am here the more needs I become aware of. I have been trying to come up with things that I could do for the kids to make them feel special. With over 400 children here, it's impossible for the staff to minister to them one-on-one and to do special things for them – there's not enough time or hands to do it. But I am not staff and therefore I have a little bit more time and flexibility to do things. So I've decided that I want to do a birthday calendar for all the kids. I want to post it on a wall in the girl volunteer house so that after I leave hopefully someone else will keep going with it. I want to make a lot of birthday cards and so that when it is a kid's birthday I can find them, hand them a card, give them a hug and say, "Feliz Cumpleanos!"
I seriously doubt that anyone reading this does not know how old they are or when their birthday is. We tend to think that everyone knows when their birthday is and of course kids especially keep up with how old they are. Yet this is common here. As I started gathering the information to make a birthday calendar, I realized that many children did not have a birthday listed and some just had "About 1995" written. I was sitting watching some of the medium boys play soccer the other day while working on the birthday calendar and of course they were curious as to what I was working on. When I explained to them what I was trying to do, they all wanted to know when their birthday was and how old they were. Of course there are some children who have a birthday and know exactly how old they are…but many do not. I asked one little boy Johnny how old he was and he said 9, but his birthday was listed and he's actually 12. It may be hard for you to believe that a kid could be so far off on their own age, but think about it… Many of these children were rescued out of extreme poverty and/or abuse, which has made quite an impact on their growth and development. Often the kids look at least 3-5 years younger than they really are.
My first goal is to find out when everyone's birthday is or let them make up one if they don't have one by the end of this month. It's been pretty fun to sit down with a calendar and let them pick a birthday. Most of them want to choose the following day With my other responsibilities I'm not able to work on this as much as I'd like to, but my goal is to have the calendar made by the beginning of November and have all the birthday cards made by the end of the year so that at the start of next year we'll be set and ready to go! We'll be celebrating over 450 birthdays next year!
I seriously doubt that anyone reading this does not know how old they are or when their birthday is. We tend to think that everyone knows when their birthday is and of course kids especially keep up with how old they are. Yet this is common here. As I started gathering the information to make a birthday calendar, I realized that many children did not have a birthday listed and some just had "About 1995" written. I was sitting watching some of the medium boys play soccer the other day while working on the birthday calendar and of course they were curious as to what I was working on. When I explained to them what I was trying to do, they all wanted to know when their birthday was and how old they were. Of course there are some children who have a birthday and know exactly how old they are…but many do not. I asked one little boy Johnny how old he was and he said 9, but his birthday was listed and he's actually 12. It may be hard for you to believe that a kid could be so far off on their own age, but think about it… Many of these children were rescued out of extreme poverty and/or abuse, which has made quite an impact on their growth and development. Often the kids look at least 3-5 years younger than they really are.
My first goal is to find out when everyone's birthday is or let them make up one if they don't have one by the end of this month. It's been pretty fun to sit down with a calendar and let them pick a birthday. Most of them want to choose the following day With my other responsibilities I'm not able to work on this as much as I'd like to, but my goal is to have the calendar made by the beginning of November and have all the birthday cards made by the end of the year so that at the start of next year we'll be set and ready to go! We'll be celebrating over 450 birthdays next year!
PROJECT SIZING
When I arrived, clinic was my first assigned duty. Katja, the volunteer coordinator, also asked me to work on sizing all of the children when I wasn't in the clinic. They try to update sizes for all the kids around this time so that the kids' sponsors have the right sizes to buy them clothes for Christmas. I was given a list of all the girls and a list of all the boys, 2 measuring tapes, and one shoe sizer thing. She told me that there was a group from the States coming August 19th to do sizing in the schools and she wanted me to try and have all of the kids not in school sized by that time. LoriAnn, my partner in the clinic at that time, helped me with sizing the toddlers, special needs kids, kitchen girls, and working boys. When the group arrived I helped them get started in the schools but was not able to help much because I am still mostly in the clinic. At nights when I am off from the clinic I try to work on the sizing – transferring the measurements to American sizes. There are still quite a few children that haven't been sized yet that I need to track down this week and measure. I hope to be done with this project by next Wednesday, but we'll see.
CONTAINERS ARRIVE!
A container came in on July 15, the day after I left Emmanuel. When I got back some of my friends had set my boxes aside, so it was such a blessing to receive some things. Thanks so much to all of you who sent things for the kids and volunteers. You have no idea how much the smallest things mean to the kids here. Another container came in about 2 weeks ago – at just the right time. Things were getting really overwhelming here with the clinic and everything and it was such an encouragement to get a few notes from people and of course the food was an added bonus! I really can't say thanks enough – just know that not only me, but the children and staff as well, have been blessed by your giving. I pray that you are realizing the blessings that He gives you daily as well!
Quite some time ago I made a list of things needed and I have only one thing to update that we are in need of: thermometers. They don't have to be expensive or fancy, we just need some thermometers. Right now we only have two that are working at the orphanage – thankfully I brought one with me this past time and was able to take it to the clinic. If you know of anyone who has medical connections that might be able to send some thermometers – it would be such a great help!
This is not a need, but it would sure be appreciated…DVD's or VHS tapes for children. With having so many children in the clinic for such an extended period of time, it would be really cool to have something to pass the time. All of the children are in one little room and aren't allowed to go outside. We've brought puzzles, markers, crayons, fingernail polish, books, and anything else we can think of to them, but they really enjoy watching a good movie. Maybe if you have old VHS tapes that you don't use or find some at yard sales you could send them. If you can find things that have a Spanish audio option (most DVDs do) it would be great, but it doesn't have to be in Spanish. Like I said, this isn't a "need" but it would be greatly enjoyed by all of us in the clinic – kids and volunteers! :)
Quite some time ago I made a list of things needed and I have only one thing to update that we are in need of: thermometers. They don't have to be expensive or fancy, we just need some thermometers. Right now we only have two that are working at the orphanage – thankfully I brought one with me this past time and was able to take it to the clinic. If you know of anyone who has medical connections that might be able to send some thermometers – it would be such a great help!
This is not a need, but it would sure be appreciated…DVD's or VHS tapes for children. With having so many children in the clinic for such an extended period of time, it would be really cool to have something to pass the time. All of the children are in one little room and aren't allowed to go outside. We've brought puzzles, markers, crayons, fingernail polish, books, and anything else we can think of to them, but they really enjoy watching a good movie. Maybe if you have old VHS tapes that you don't use or find some at yard sales you could send them. If you can find things that have a Spanish audio option (most DVDs do) it would be great, but it doesn't have to be in Spanish. Like I said, this isn't a "need" but it would be greatly enjoyed by all of us in the clinic – kids and volunteers! :)
CLINIC: GIFT, PRIVILEGE, OFFERING (August 6-present)
As I mentioned before, my new assignment here at Emmanuel is the clinic. The week after I left Emmanuel there was an outbreak of chicken pox. That outbreak is still going on. Every day since I've been back I've been working many hours in the clinic. When I got here there were only 2 other people who were able to work in the clinic and one of those was Owen who also teaches in the school. When there are children in the clinic it is the volunteers' responsibility to be in the clinic 24 hours a day to care for them. With only 3 volunteers and over 10 kids in the clinic, my schedule included being in the clinic 15-18 hours a day. When I wasn't scheduled for the clinic I tried to catch up on sleep. At first the kids in the clinic had bad cases of chicken pox but they were doing okay. Gradually over a week or two, the number of kids dwindled down to just one little boy, Kevin. The afternoon that Kevin was released we got a new little girl in with chicken pox. The next day 5 more came. The number was back up to 10 in just 3 days. However this group of kids was much different than the first. Many toddlers were in the second group of kids and for quite a few days all the children had over a 101.0 fever and were really sick. It was really stressful for quite some time and I was worried about how we were going to make it.
I have been extremely busy being a mom to these kids. There's just something in us as children that when we are sick we want our mommas. The same is true for these kids, except that don't have a momma here – or maybe anywhere for many of them. It didn't take long for me to realize this. Night after night and day after day I spent with these kids who were so sick and some of them would just cry for hours, "Mama, mama, por favor, yo quiero mi mama." Break your heart. There were many times when all I could do was just cry with them and rock them. A couple of them asked me if I would be there momma. And this is why I am here. Anyone who knows me knows that I long to be a wife and mother some day. I love children and always have. I knew that preparing to come here meant that I would fill various roles and would be responsible for children, however I had no idea I would have this level of responsibility so soon. If there is a role that comes with much responsibility...it is that of a mom. For this reason, I am thankful that I am a woman and that God has instilled in every woman the abilities and characteristics needed to be a mother. He created me to nurture and care for, to comfort and encourage, to serve, help and love others. There have been many moments recently in the clinic that I didn't know what to do, but the Lord has formed my heart from the beginning of time to be prepared to be a mother – even if the children aren't "mine". Yet these children are mine for right now. They are my sweet little ones and they're sick. So my days are spent caring for them.
Wade told me the other day, "With many blessings comes much responsibility". These children are a blessing to me and it is a blessing to have the opportunity to care for them, but with that blessing there is a whole lot of responsibility attached. I am finding this out to be true. I have struggled with patience the longer that I've been in the clinic. The longer that I'm there the more difficult it is to be gentle and patient and kind with the children – especially with the frustrations of the language barrier. I've been begging to have one day off from the clinic to do another "job" – to have something accomplished during the last 4 weeks other than staying in the clinic. And although I've been trying to work on other things during my off hours, the reality is that the clinic is my job. Many times I find myself complaining about always having to be in the clinic. I wrote Philippians 2:14 on my mirror as a reminder, but still failed to live by it. Yet while I was reading the other night I came across this quote by Elisabeth Elliot and it was such an encouragement in changing my perspective on the whole clinic issue.
"This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness."
Therefore the clinic is the job that the Lord has given me to do. It is a gift. Caring for His children in the clinic is a privilege. It is an offering that I may make to Him. If I am here to serve Him I should serve Him gladly, willing to do whatever job He gives. It is my time in the clinic, my job of being a nurse and mother, in which God is looking for faithfulness. Many hours in the clinic the Lord has brought Matthew 25 to my mind. "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' I encourage you to go read the whole chapter as a humbling reminder.
Thanks to all of you who have prayed for the health and safety of these precious children in the past few weeks. I know Mom sent out an email asking you to pray for not only the kids but for those of us who are taking care of them. The Lord is faithful and has heard our prayers. Praise be to Him that slowly but surely the kids are getting better. There were also quite a few staff and staff children that had dengue and they are doing well. Please continue to pray for the health of those here – children, staff and volunteers. Also, please continue to pray that the Lord would work in the hearts of people to come here and serve as well.
I have been extremely busy being a mom to these kids. There's just something in us as children that when we are sick we want our mommas. The same is true for these kids, except that don't have a momma here – or maybe anywhere for many of them. It didn't take long for me to realize this. Night after night and day after day I spent with these kids who were so sick and some of them would just cry for hours, "Mama, mama, por favor, yo quiero mi mama." Break your heart. There were many times when all I could do was just cry with them and rock them. A couple of them asked me if I would be there momma. And this is why I am here. Anyone who knows me knows that I long to be a wife and mother some day. I love children and always have. I knew that preparing to come here meant that I would fill various roles and would be responsible for children, however I had no idea I would have this level of responsibility so soon. If there is a role that comes with much responsibility...it is that of a mom. For this reason, I am thankful that I am a woman and that God has instilled in every woman the abilities and characteristics needed to be a mother. He created me to nurture and care for, to comfort and encourage, to serve, help and love others. There have been many moments recently in the clinic that I didn't know what to do, but the Lord has formed my heart from the beginning of time to be prepared to be a mother – even if the children aren't "mine". Yet these children are mine for right now. They are my sweet little ones and they're sick. So my days are spent caring for them.
Wade told me the other day, "With many blessings comes much responsibility". These children are a blessing to me and it is a blessing to have the opportunity to care for them, but with that blessing there is a whole lot of responsibility attached. I am finding this out to be true. I have struggled with patience the longer that I've been in the clinic. The longer that I'm there the more difficult it is to be gentle and patient and kind with the children – especially with the frustrations of the language barrier. I've been begging to have one day off from the clinic to do another "job" – to have something accomplished during the last 4 weeks other than staying in the clinic. And although I've been trying to work on other things during my off hours, the reality is that the clinic is my job. Many times I find myself complaining about always having to be in the clinic. I wrote Philippians 2:14 on my mirror as a reminder, but still failed to live by it. Yet while I was reading the other night I came across this quote by Elisabeth Elliot and it was such an encouragement in changing my perspective on the whole clinic issue.
"This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness."
Therefore the clinic is the job that the Lord has given me to do. It is a gift. Caring for His children in the clinic is a privilege. It is an offering that I may make to Him. If I am here to serve Him I should serve Him gladly, willing to do whatever job He gives. It is my time in the clinic, my job of being a nurse and mother, in which God is looking for faithfulness. Many hours in the clinic the Lord has brought Matthew 25 to my mind. "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' I encourage you to go read the whole chapter as a humbling reminder.
Thanks to all of you who have prayed for the health and safety of these precious children in the past few weeks. I know Mom sent out an email asking you to pray for not only the kids but for those of us who are taking care of them. The Lord is faithful and has heard our prayers. Praise be to Him that slowly but surely the kids are getting better. There were also quite a few staff and staff children that had dengue and they are doing well. Please continue to pray for the health of those here – children, staff and volunteers. Also, please continue to pray that the Lord would work in the hearts of people to come here and serve as well.
HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN (August 6)
I was so excited to finally be back home again. After being away from the kids for 3 weeks I was ready to see them and play with them and just hang out. I wasn't sure about what job I would have when I returned because Owen (a volunteer here) took over my English classes when I went back to the States. It took all of about five minutes to find out my new placement – the clinic. I'll explain later.
Life here at Emmanuel is really different for me this time compared to when I was here before. The biggest difference is probably volunteers. Throughout the summer we had many volunteers here (at one time we had around 30) but when I returned there were 6 here. Shortly after, 2 of those 6 left to go back to the States. Two more are leaving this weekend. There are so many things that need to be done here and so it is a blessing to have many volunteers to help out where needed. But when there aren't many volunteers here, there is still just as much that needs to be done and things can get a little crazy. It has taken some time to get adjusted to things being so different (especially living in a quiet house) but I'm finally getting back into the swing of things. Daily my responsibilities here increase, even more so as the number of volunteers decreases.
Life here at Emmanuel is really different for me this time compared to when I was here before. The biggest difference is probably volunteers. Throughout the summer we had many volunteers here (at one time we had around 30) but when I returned there were 6 here. Shortly after, 2 of those 6 left to go back to the States. Two more are leaving this weekend. There are so many things that need to be done here and so it is a blessing to have many volunteers to help out where needed. But when there aren't many volunteers here, there is still just as much that needs to be done and things can get a little crazy. It has taken some time to get adjusted to things being so different (especially living in a quiet house) but I'm finally getting back into the swing of things. Daily my responsibilities here increase, even more so as the number of volunteers decreases.
BACK IN THE STATES (July 14-August 5)
For quite some time while at Emmanuel I had been struggling with sickness. Things were gradually getting worse so I decided that it was best if I went back to the States to see what was wrong. The timing worked out really well. A good friend of mine that was a volunteer here was leaving on the same day and my Pop's surgery was the day after my return so I was able to be there for that as well. After a week in the States I found out that I had dengue fever and salmonella. Dengue fever is a mosquito spread disease that is common here in Central America. In fact, the day that I returned to the States I received an email from the U.S. Embassy declaring a dengue epidemic in Honduras. There is no cure or prevention for the disease, other than just precautions taken to avoid mosquitoes. It took a couple of weeks for me to regain my strength and completely recover but I was ready to head back to my kids as soon as I could. It was good to be able to see a few friends and family, but I really missed not being at Emmanuel. It was during my time in the States that I realized how much I truly feel at home at the orphanage. I missed them dearly. However my time in the States did allow me the opportunity to get well, see family, and better prepare for my return - with lots of bug spray, better clothing, and a mosquito net.
POR FIN
Thankfully I've done a good job of journaling because obviously this whole blog thing hasn't quite worked out for the last month and a half. Many unexpected things have happened during that time and I have a little bit of free time right now so I hope to catch you up. It will definitely be the abbreviated version, but hopefully once I get caught up I'll blog more about things going on here. I've actually been dreading having to update over a month's worth of information, but I'll just hit the high points. Once again I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement!
For those of you who are curious about POR FIN – it means FINALLY!
For those of you who are curious about POR FIN – it means FINALLY!
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