If you had asked me 2 years ago if I would be overseas in the spring of 2013, surprisingly I would have said yes. This time 2 years ago I was graduating high school and excited to start in Messiah College's nursing program in the fall. My dream was to study abroad in my spring sophomore semester (the only semester nursing students are allowed to go abroad). Little did I know God had had plans that far exceeded my dreams at the time.
Today I'm writing this as a "break" from writing my final essays for the online classes I have been taking over the four months of being in Honduras. I did end up studying abroad the spring semester of my sophomore year... just not in the way I expected to! Having classes to do while being here was at times frustrating, and to be honest I did not enjoy it. I either had to do homework when I was exhausted from being with kids all day, or I had to skip being with kids to do homework... I disliked both of those options. My one "day off" a week consisted of always thinking about the homework I needed to get done, or actually doing it (I admit, I struggle with the ever common procrastination disease). However I know that it will be rewarding in the end when I'm not receiving loan bills in the mail this summer, and so it was worth it.
On top of studying english, history, and math while being here, I have also been studying spanish... in the absolute best way you can study the language: by being completely emersed in it. I came to Honduras with little to no spanish, and was completely overwhelmed when I first got here. I slowly learned a few words, the most important ones when taking care of toddlers: sit down, calm down, get down, eat, bathroom... the crucial phrases for 2-4 year olds. Thankfully "no" is said the same in spanish as in english... just in case I wasn't sure of that I had a couple 4 year old girls remind me of that one. Then I began to really put in effort of making conversation with some of the older girls who worked at the toddler house. Through lots of confusion, frustration, and of course many times of being laughed at, I began to catch on.. as well as grow a love for these girls that I didn't know possible. To this day those girls have a giant piece of heart and I don't know what I would do without them. Now, four months later I can hold a conversation fairly well. When left alone without a translator, I can get by. No, I am not fluent, and I don't understand everything said to me, but I have had several amazing conversations with kids here solely in spanish. Some of them have been hard to sit through, and I didn't always know what to say. I truly believe God gave me the ears to hear what these kids were saying regardless of my spanish knowledge, and the words to respond to comfort them as best I could.
Last night I had the privilege of watching Slum dog Millionare with my older girls at the toddler house (For those of you who have not seen this movie... you now have plans for tonight. I'm telling you, you won't regret it). I knew this movie would be a risk because it might bring up things from their past, however I really felt it would be good for them. Kenia cried, but I could see her heart truly feeling for those kids. Jesi was appalled. Many of them seemed shocked at things that happened... I don't think they realize this movie, that took place in India, could very well have taken place in Tegucigalpa. The scenery of hills covered in trash and houses piled on top of each other is the same scenery I see every time I leave this orphanage. The movie was in english, with Spanish subtitles and I was blessed to have enough understanding to talk those girls through the whole movie. They were either silent and listening, or asking questions of why things happened; guiding them through those emotions was one of the most eye opening experiences I have had here.
Last week in my small boys house one of the my boys who has been given more responsibilities was misbehaving during their cleaning time. His punishment? He wasn't allowed to clean the next day. I'm telling you, you would've thought I just took away and American 10 year old's play station for a month. He was so mad at me he wouldn't even look my direction all day. This was an ironic situation (I wish my mom took away my cleaning privileges when I misbehaved as a 10 year old), but also a learning one as well. It was difficult to have him be mad at me. Mom, I am so sorry for all those times I gave you the silent treatment! It was hard not to say "forget it Saul, you can go clean" (Im trying not to laugh as I write those words). But at the end of the day, he pulled me aside and apologized. After a hug, he immediately asked if he could clean again (I mean, seriously kid?) and I had to tell him he still could not for the rest of the day. THAT was hard! He apologized, I can take away his punishment now, right? But I knew that I needed to follow through so that he would learn there are consequences with his actions... even if it meant the silent treatment again. But he surprised me, and just smiled and said "okay, tomorrow" and walked to his room to take a shower. Moments like that, when a kid just gets it... they make up for all the moments where I feel like I'm pulling teeth to get the kids to listen.
It's my last week here until June, and I'm already preparing myself for saying bye to my kids. I know that I will be back here in a month, and so it is not as hard, but I will miss being with them everyday! I know that adjusting to life back into the states will be different, but I am excited to take all that I have learned here, all that I have grown in, back with me to put it to use for God's glory. I am so thankful for these past four months, and am so excited to have 2 more months with these kids (WITHOUT homework!)
"And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary" -Galations 6:9
