My Brain is Too Tired for a Creative Title

Hello All,

I just wanted to give a quick update. I am doing well here in Honduras. It really feels like I was just gone for one day instead of a year. I have picked up exactly where I left off. I’m struggling to think of some creative way of writing this post, so instead I’m just going to give you a run down of what I’ve been up to.

Friday: I went into the mountains again on Friday. We visited a small village that I have actually visited before. I love the mountain people. They live simple lives. Most will not leave the general area of their village. They are all very close. It is almost as if they are all family. Another thing I love about these people is their hospitality. Hospitality is HUGE in Honduran culture. It is very disrespectful to refuse this hospitality. Almost every time we go to a village, a family will offer to fix us a meal. These meals usually include rice, beans, cabbage, and chicken in one form or another. I actually really enjoy this food. It is customary to eat whatever is in front of you, and all of it. I have learned the most important thing is to eat all of the meat given to you. Meat is special here and not for all meals. Only for guests and special occasions will they eat meat. Most of the time, I will be eating a piece of chicken while that chicken’s brother is walking around my feet and under the table. I love it.
But eating was not the main purpose of Friday’s trip. We were putting on an eye clinic. The short term group that is here right now brought with them donated glasses and a large amount of various kinds of eye drops. A couple people would check the eyes of the people and then send them over to get the prescription they need. My job was to translate for the prescription table. This included asking them if the glasses they got were helping and explaining to them how they should take their eye drops. This went on for three hours. We saw 105-110 people that day.

Saturday: Saturday I did more of the same translating for the eye clinic. This time we set up the clinic right here at the school where I live. We spent the day setting up the students and staff with glasses and eye drops. Saturday night there is a church service just for the students. I went along this time because of the short term group that is here. I have missed these church services. There is dancing and jumping and singing. It is joyous and full of life.

Sunday: This morning I was once again translating for the group. This time for Sunday school here where I live. This afternoon was very laid back. I hung out with friends and joked around. I love these days where I can just relax and be with my friends. Tonight is the real church service. This is where everyone is invited. This includes students, staff, and the community. I can’t wait. There will be people there that I have not seen in a year.

Prayer Requests:
1. I have discovered what may be my biggest challenge this summer. As I mentioned in my last blog, I want to be challenged this summer, I want to get to the point where all I can do is lean on God and trust Him. For in this suffering there is growth. James 1:2-4: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” I think my biggest challenge this summer will be totally relying on God even when things are wonderful. I want that thirst and yearning to be closer to God at all times in my life, not just the bad. It is only by the grace of God I am here and able to do anything. This is going to be a process, but a process I am looking forward to.

2. My Spanish is getting better, but I want to learn more.

3. The students here are going home for the week for a break. Most are returning to horrendous situations. Pray for their safety and spiritual well being.

4. This short term group is going back to Georgia on Tuesday. My prayer is that they are forever changed by what they saw here. May they never forget the beautiful people of Honduras.

I think that’s it for now. I am so thankful for your thoughts and prayers. Love you!

-Katelyn