Home Sweet Honduras

Well...I've officially made it to the beautiful country of Honduras. (I have been educated that the "H" is silent in that word so I am actually in Onduras with lots of rolling of the "rrrr") :) I could not have imagined a warmer welcome from the amazing people here. They painted our room according to our favorite colors and decorated them so beautifully. I am now finally unpacked and settled in to my small but cozy home. Pictures are on the wall and the mosquito net is hung...clothes are put away and there is even food in the cupboards. Amy and I had our first experience with grocery shopping and it was a little bit challenging. We were so thankful to have the help of 12 year old Hansi (the pastors daughter) to guide us along. She is already becoming like a little sister to me. I love her! The Rodriguez family (our sponsors who brought us here) are the most wonderful people. Pastor Elías and Pastora Abbie along with 12 year old Hansi, 7 year old Ian, and precious 3 year old Joy are quickly becoming my Honduras family. 

The church family here is so very sweet and excited to have us. Some people speak English but not very many so we are working on our Spanish. Slowly but surely! I am surprised at how much I remember from college. 

Amy and I are getting excited to start teaching in a little over a week. We start ballet classes on September 2nd and although we have much to prepare, we know The Lord has so much already planned. We will definitely be stretched, challenged, and learn to grow over this next year. We are thrilled to use the gift of dancing as a tool for worshipping The Lord, but more importantly teaching others how to do that as well. All the little girls we meet are almost star-struck to see us and they follow our every move. They are just precious!!

Yesterday was a day of adventures and fun, first memories. We went to San Pedro Sula (the large city about 20 minutes away) and ventured around the mall with our Honduras Family. We also tried Rambutan...

It is a fruit that tastes kind of like lychee. It was a fun experience to eat...it's a bit gooey. Pastor Eliás bought it off the side of the road for us to try. The prickly part was a little intimidating and I was relieved to find out you don't eat that part,...just the inside. Whew!

Here are some pictures of my house. It is small but I am thankful for how quickly it feels like home. 

 The house from the outside. There are like 3 different gates that we go through before we get to our house. We aren't sure if that makes us feel safe or worried, but we do feel very protected and have the Rodriguez house literally right across the road.

The kitchen and small dining room. 

My princess bed which is also functional for mosquito-free sleeping. :)

The Rodriguez' beautiful house! Pastor Elias is an architect. 

Today Amy and I danced for the first time in Honduras. We performed during the church service and had so much fun despite how our bodies felt. The Lords name was exalted and we pray He was blessed. We spent the rest of our day meeting and hanging out with new friends from church. It is so fun to know we will be here for an extended time and will get to keep building on those friendships. 

Thank you to all who are reading this and praying. I am so grateful for each of you!

Prayer needs:

Peace and clarity as Amy and I have some publicity to do with local tv and/or radio. Neither of us like public speaking!!

Organization of details and time to get our minds ready to teach next week. 

Open hearts and ears to hear the Lords leading and to follow His agenda for what He wants to do thru the ballet school this year. 

Quick learning of Spanish! 

Love to all!