Marcos

Today I was able to do one of my favorite things in the entire world... spend some time with several boys from Jovenes and basically my Honduran dad, Marco Varela.

As you can see, Marco is quite the teddy bear. He is a former cab driver turned bus driver for groups that come down here to do mission work. To say Marco has a heart of gold truly isn't doing him justice. Marco's a single dad, supporting two kids and living in a house in a bad neighborhood. Today, after over four years of being great friends, I finally was able to see his house. Marco lives in a two bedroom house where he, his 16 year old son, 9 year old daughter, and mother in law all reside. The house is in an area where the worst gang in Honduras frequently hang out and reside. With that said, it is not a suitable place to be raising children, especially when Marco is constantly working to make up for the lack of a second income in the family.

Today Marco showed a few of us a plot of land he bought 5 years ago. The area is a little bit better considering its more closed off and private than their current house, which is literally separated by paper-thin, wood walls. Although he saved up enough money to buy the land, he has not been able to make much progress since purchasing the land. He wants to build a cement block or brick house, because it has hopes for being able to last longer and be a better investment for their family. As I translated for Marco and Jonathon Seamon, the Brentwood Hills group leader, I was able to see Marco's vision for his family's future. It was truthfully a beautiful moment. He cares more for his son and daughter than words can describe, and considering he's doing it alone makes it even more meaningful. Hopefully this home will become a reality sooner than later for this sweet, sweet man. Today Jonathon said, "If anyone deserves a house to be built for their family, it's this man". I don't think I could have said it better myself.

This is Marco in front of his land. So proud. Hopefully I'll live to see this dream come true sooner than later.

Big Week In Teguc

This has been a great week at work. A chiropractor from St Louis came this past weekend, so I’ve been translating for him every day and even received a free adjustment out of it. Big time score. Considering I’m a frequent visitor to my chiropractor back home, I obviously find it more interesting than just prescribing antibiotics for a cough or the flu. *This is not me undermining anything that my nursing friends do or what the clinic does here for the people of Honduras* I’m just simply saying I personally found this part more interesting.

For those of you who have never had the pleasure of being adjusted by a chiropractor, the basic point is to make sure that your spine and vertebrae are aligned, because when one thing is out of whack, then your neck, lower back, and everything else can really be affected. Most people come into the clinic with some sort of discomfort or pain. The age doesn’t matter, because everyone here knows the meaning of hard work.

Most of the patients we saw weren’t too bad, but man did they freak out when the chiropractor popped their necks and backs. This also includes the doctors and nurses working in the clinic - who had also never been adjusted. The main doctor here at the clinic outright screamed when he popped her neck, just simply because no one here is used to that or has witnessed it.


Yesterday about 13 boys from Jovenes came to the clinic to have their teeth cleaned. Since they are little boys, several had quite a few cavities, and only one was proud enough to walk away scotch free with a certificate of congratulations. It was quite hilarious to see these boys marvel at the wonder of numbing cream. Since I had the pleasure of hanging out with them, today was extremely enjoyable at the clinic. Tomorrow all the bilingual boys will have their turn in the chairs, and I can’t wait to see all them as well.


Besides work, I have been so blessed and excited to have Brentwood Hills here in town. I was so excited to see several people and families I know from Nashville around, especially my good friends Ashley and Jenna. Both of the girls I know from college, but Ashley and I haven’t seen each other since her wedding since she moved to North Carolina shortly after. It’s been so great to have dinner with her and the group the past two nights, catch up, and SPEAK ENGLISH.

To say the past two nights I have eaten like a king would be an extreme understatement. If anyone from BHills reads this, thank you for feeding me, a mere, poor college grad who was getting a little tired of peanut butter and doritos. Saturday the group is heading to Jovenes, so Stephanie, my roommate and I are hoping to catch a ride out to Zamorano to see all our favorite little faces.


Excited to say that one week from yesterday is my 23rd birthday. While I do wish I was able to celebrate that with you, my family and friends, I have many friends here who have already told me they are going to celebrate it with me. I am excited, to say the least!

One last minute note... HARRY POTTER COMES OUT HERE ON FRIDAY, SUCKAS. Going to buy my ticket today :)

Mi Casa

Some have asked about my living arrangements for the next few months, so here's a little picture of my little "casita". I mentioned my little "abuela" in a previous blog, and I'm not quite sure what her marital status is - whether divorced or widowed - but she now occupies this house with her best pal and seemingly soulmate, Frigo.

Frigo and I had a rough start. The first day I arrived, he decided to lunge at my quad muscle and take a chunk out of my jeans. Good start - for sure. I'm a huge dog-lover, so this upset me as it was our first encounter. Luckily Frigo has come to know my face, and now he let's me rub his belly and floppy ears. Occasionally he'll wander into my room, which is in the very back of the house right next to the bathroom. If he decides to be "tramposo", or sneaky, he'll grab a pair of socks or underwear lying around and sprint out really fast.

To say the room is bright is not truly describing just how lime green it truly is. Just to make things even greater, my bed sheets I brought were lime green and the ones provided are Barney purple. I also have a lime green LL Bean suitcase, so the room really just looks like straight up out of a tacky Barney episode. The room is probably 12x15... so smaller than a dorm room. Right now I'm sharing the room with Stephanie Fulford, a good friend from Nashville who's working at the clinic with me doing some translating and getting some "unusual" nursing experiences.


The bathroom situation - well - I'll keep it short and sweet. It's tiny, and just big enough for a toilet, sink, and shower. The shower lever is one temperature, since there is only one to turn on the water. When it rains, the pressure is hard and cold. Unfortunately it has rained about every day we've been here except two. Warm showers aren't really in my vocabulary anymore. The best way to describe it is to say each time I duck my head under the water feels like I'm jumping in the gorge at church camp. This is not me complaining, just sharing the hilarity that is my life. Needless to say, I've perfected the 3 minute shower.

Hope everyone is doing well at home. Miss you all lots.

Luckily found Modern Family today on TV, and it's in ENGLISH! WOO HOO. Happy Hump Day.

Pictures From Last Week at JEC