Hola, amigos. Day 3 in Honduras and Day 2 on the worksite in Limon de la Cerca. Another beautiful day with sunny skies and nearly 100 degree temperatures, and we were blessed with a fairly consistent breeze throughout the morning that made working conditions more bearable. After maneuvering around cows, horses and chickens on the way to the worksite, we settled into a fairly good ryhthm and made a lot of progress laying block. We put up both windows and by the end of the day we reached the tops of them (and the doors) with our block. Feeling accomplished, we rather conveniently ran out of mescla, ending our "work" day.
Throughout the day, we attracted more and more children from the neighborhood. Some were familiar faces from the day before, and others were new curious kids. We entertained each other with frisbees, tennis balls and bubbles. To see and hear the children scream with delight as they chased the bubbles--and the designated bubble blower--was memorable. Shrieks of "Yo! Yo!" (Me! Me!) were let out each time we dipped the bubble wand back into the bottle. The kids fought to see who got to blow the wand or catch the next wave of bubbles.
Two other highlights (setting aside Rosa's delicious dinner of pork chops, mashed potatoes and green beens which was followed by Gerardo's birthday cake):
-Victor is a young neighborhood boy (probably around 11 or 12 years old) who was eager to help build from the moment we arrived this morning. We gave him some gloves and he hauled block, chisled cut block and helped however he could. At the end of the day, as we were leaving the worksite, we wanted to show him our appreciation. He (and the other kids) knew we had some tennis balls in the van, so JB made it clear that we'd hook up Victor with a ball as we drove away for the day. With 20 or more kids in the area, we had to try to be discrete. His proud grin was a sign that he knew what we were up to, and he was happy to get the ball without much fanfare. When he did receive it right before we drove away, he knew he had earned it.
-Despite best intentions, the other kids saw Victor's ball and knew there were more tennis balls in the van, and many lingered at the van's sliding door as we loaded in and drove away, hoping we'd toss some more out before leaving. One boy who we saw on and off all day, Franklin, started chasing after the van, his bare feet kicking up dust, dirt and pebbles and he tried to catch up. He managed fairly well, as the road conditions limited our speed, and to reward his determination we quickly tossed one more tennis ball out the back window of the van before heading towards the main roads. Looking out the back window of the van, you could see Victor--probably out of breath--standing still, turning, and holding the tennis ball up in the air with one hand, triumphantly looking back at the other children who hadn't bothered to follow us, as if to say "Victory!"
Dios te ama, Victor. Buenas noches. --Geoff
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
These children as demonstrated last week can sense a tennis ball through 2 windows,3 car seats,acloud of dust and 2 adults trying to hide them. Good work. I met with Abernthy and Brunson yesterday. They as always love talking with ME. That were excited to hear about Mike and Ginger and Teams 1 and 2. I wish I was there but my flippin mountain will do. The tram rides and even a larger bubble machine will start this week-end.
ReplyDeleteNow for the new Honduras Anthem!
Buenos Dios Honduras,
Buenos Dios Honduras
Buenos Dios Honduras,
BUENOS DIOS H O N D U R A S!
Try that one Jonathan.
I am thinking about yall every minute.
Good work!!
BOBO,alias Mountain Mano!
One more comment from Bobo. I watched the video. Great work Jess! Some advice from someone who has been 9 times. Throw the mortar on the block,then stand back. Carefully watch to see what falls off,what goes in the crack or what just flippin sits there. The Honduras workers have always been amazed at my methods.
ReplyDeleteThey also run out of mortar more often if I am laying because there is more on my pants,my boot or my flippin hat than on that lonesome block. I have been thinking about going to downtown Raleigh,finding some Spanish speaking workers and sharing my knowledge but then again in a Christian manner I don't want to embarras them. Great house Jonathan and Oie by the way but out of place at lemon day circle or however you say that.
Bobo
Good job BOBO --- but how many year's in a row?
ReplyDeleteJess is obviously inspiring the carry over members to finally live up to the example shown by JB. Great work guys and girl! Are you all planning to start the other house? Did the foundation on Pastor Ancelmo's house get done? After having sneakily given out two tennis balls you can expect about a hundred more kids crowded around and chasing the van today. So you guys should be on schedule to try passing out about 35 Tootsie Roll pops to about 150 kids. Bobo can tell you how to do that.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Hee Haw's comment yesterday was just wrong. It is not a "tradition" to take off your hat and place it over your heart as you pass Monte Bobo; it is now a Honduran law. If you don't believe it, ask Bob.
ReplyDeleteCan't you just see that expression on Bob's face as he realizes he is going to run out of Tootsie Roll pops, the kids are getting restless, 30 more are running down the street towards him and he yells "Help, somebody find something in the van to give them! Who's got the van key?"
ReplyDelete