Honduras Day 2 - A Visit to the Collegio and Food Delivery

Our first night in Campamento quickly helped us remember all the noises of the nights.   The motorcycles apparently don't worry about the speed bumps anymore, and enjoy ramping up the street next to us.   The dogs like barking into all hours of the night, and the random birds flying around near the roof periodically.   And the most memorable sound from last year was a staple of the weeks of the fair downtown...the loud booming fireworks that begin each morning at 5AM, quickly followed by the city waking up with traffic and voices.   

Since we did not have a school to attend, instead we went to the high school, where they had an event to celebrate the fair.   This event included all the students breaking into various parts of Honduras, and sharing information about each "departmentario".   Campamento is in the department of Olancho, but each of these parts were selling foods from the different areas of the country.   Which made it perfect for our group as a cultural and culinary experience, with the only problem our hesitation to eat anything not properly cooked.   So a few things were tried, but we were hesitant to get a full plate.   I did purchase a plate from one girl, because she came out of the booth and was trying her English to help me to get a plate from them.   I appreciated her effort, and she really did speak English well, altho she did not know a lot of words.   I took my plate back to the day care to share with the doorman, Robillo.   I heard that Anabelle and the other girls actually got into the dance circle at the school.  

Our walk back to the daycare took us past Yeni's sister and mothers home, so it was nice to talk with them for a little bit.   They live right across the street from Donny and Dana.  We also walked over to the central park and fountain to see the fair activities.   And back at the daycare, we got to play with the pre-school kids for awhile.   We also got to play with the kids when we woke up that morning.   I had brought a spanish version of "There's a Bird on my Head" with Piggie and Elephant.   They really liked the story, and I hope to bring more books like this for them next year.   I got a little bit of celebrity when they saw me later that afternoon, many of them calling out "Escott, Escott".    But when Maddyn arrived with Davis and Bobby, I saw true celebrity status for those kids...."MADDYN!!!" they all screamed as they ran and jumped onto her.    

So we were finally reunited with Davis, as he made it into the daycare that afternoon.   He told us a few quick stories, but during the midst of crazy fun with the day care kids, the details came out later of his time in Guatemala, and were saved for their own blog post.   And shortly after Davis showed up, we had a visit from Carmen and her family.   I loved seeing all the smiles on Briggeth, Anderson, Jeyson and Zohe's faces when we shared a few presents, but the best was Jeyson.   He is getting older and the man of the family, and I gave him one of the solar powered flashlights.   His eyes just lit up when he got this adult gift.   Can't forget those cute little faces.   

That afternoon, we visited three families in the area to deliver food.   We were able to pray with these families.   The girls brought little baby dolls for the little girl Cecilia, and one of Oscar's sisters...those girls thought of this idea of the little baby dolls and they were perfect.   It is a struggle to see families in the states dealing with death and being a caregiver for a child, but in these homes, there is little, sometimes in rooms just separated by a curtain.   But their love for their children, their love for their husband is the same no matter where you are at.   We were happy that we could help even if just providing for meals for another week.   

1. Mamita...A grandmother that lost her husband earlier in the year and spoke of loneliness when her grandchildren were all at school

2. Oscar and his family...Oscar was in a motorcycle accident and had a severe brain injury that has left him paralyzed from neck down.   His mother was in good spirits, but struggles taking care of him and the rest of family

3.  Cecilia and family...Cecilia was born and had severe epilepsy that leaves her bed ridden.   Dana told me that her mother and father were always doing their best to take care of her.

Our evening back at the Day Care was around the table playing cards.   Hard to stop seeing the families that we visited, but happy to have our church family to laugh and enjoy time with one another.   The card game of the week began as 9s, but then Bobby introduced us to 7s.   And 7s, while limited in strategy, provided a good way for 8-10 people to play at one time.   And due to the nature of the game, it keeps everyone playing until almost the very end.   But in every card game, you have the people trying to find any strategy they can to win, and the ones that are just happy to be there.   Well Sarah Beth and Linley were just happy to be there, and laughing deliriously not paying attention, except to laugh even more every time Brandon (trying to win) would hollar that it was their turn to play.   Concrete day was on the schedule for the following day!