I cannot believe a week has already past, but at the same time I cannot believe that final exams finished only a week and a half ago. During the first few days here we began to realize that time moves slower here, although now that we are starting to get into the swing of things, the pace is picking up.
I continue to oscillate between the reality of my stay not sinking in (which usually occurs when I’m with the class group) and being overwhelmed by the amount of time I will be here for (especially when trying to communicate in and learn more Spanish). I assume it will sink in more when they leave to return to the United States and I stay. We have one more week here in Santa Rosa de Copan and then will go to Copan Ruinas (the Ruins of Copan) for the last week.
I met the guy I’m renting an apartment from (named Orlando), and he’s apparently very excited. After meeting him, I’m also really looking forward to it because he seems like a great guy (and seems around my age) and will probably be a great help with my Spanish.
We visited Teleton where I will be helping at once the class is over. This is where my comprehension of Spanish will be most necessary. I have been encouraged that I am understanding more as I eavesdrop on conversations going on around me.
I continue to be thankful for the class because it is a great transition time for me where I am able to experience Honduran culture and Spanish without being completely overwhelmed by everything I do not understand.
This week we visited a clinic, El Centro de Salud (The Health Center), and the hospital. Honduras has social health care but that does not guarantee health care. The hospital we visited had several long hallways full of hospital beds (probably 40-50 beds) where some had two patients on a hospital bed. In the maternity, sick men, sick women, male surgery patients, and female surgery patients wards it is common to have at least a few beds shared by two patients. In the maternity ward there was an especially large number of beds with two women on it. The beds, you should note, are regular hospital gurneys.
In the classroom sessions we learned about different diseases and injuries that cause disabilities and will be learning about the treatments next week. Terms like cerebral palsy, bone sores, German measles, spina bifida, leprosy, Rheumatic fever, and juvenile arthritis have been bouncing around in our heads.
On Friday we visited a sort of boarding and trade school called the Moses project where boys from villages in Honduras attend for three years to learn how to be leaders and learn woodworking, welding and agriculture. Their families have the pay $30 US for the first year (only $30 for the whole year) and then the other two years are free because the boys are giving back through their learning. Afterwards they finish the program they take their new skills back and become leaders in their villages. The project is mainly funded by Canadians and is working to become self-sustaining (sound like Bulembu, Swaziland?). We got a tour of their land and the different things they were producing like fruits, vegetables, chickens, tilapia, and coffee beans. It was very encouraging to see the work they were doing there.
On Thursday I took my shoes to a cobbler because the sole was coming apart from the shoe. For $5 US he sewed the soles onto the upper for both shoes and they work great now. Uniquely cultural experience? Check.
On Saturday we went to Gracias Lempira and visited a fort and the hot springs. Thankfully it was raining earlier so it got a little colder and the hot springs felt great. In the evening we are going to a party/fashion show which is raising money for something (possibly one of the clinics, but I don’t remember). Orlando is the one who invited us and is giving us a VIP table. A popular song here right now is On The Floor by Jennifer Lopez, and I really hope they play it. We we we so excited.
Thoughts: There is something very unique about being placed in a group of people that you don’t know very well for it is there that my heart’s confidence is revealed. My prides and insecurities flare up after being uprooted from my place of security with familiar relationships and culture. I look for satisfaction from things other than God, but what other than the Lord bear the weight of my soul. Move me towards contentment in you alone, Lord, for I know I have not.
While we talk about disabilities and what it looks like to live with one in a developing country, I have the song Beautiful Things by Gungor playing in my head. It is also very applicable as the depths of my heart are revealed as mentioned in the post above.
Another thing—it is a very weird experience to have internet in a developing world. It is unlike any other experience I’ve had. The hotel we’re staying in has wifi so it’s very accessible and an unexpected luxury.
I can’t believe how long this post is, but I hope you enjoyed it and it gave you a peak into my first of nine weeks. Thanks for reading! :)
Hasta luego,
~Bennett
