Catching Up

It seems hard to believe, but we have now been here for two years, eight months. With every passing month we are more deeply connected to Honduras and it seems less and less likely that we will ever return to the US to live. I have learned to never say never, but at this point in time neither Barbe nor myself can see that happening. We have a mission, a church family, three businesses to maintain, friends and a busy, rewarding life. The only thing we don't have often enough is an opportunity to visit or be visited by family. But, that is really no different than when we lived on the West Coast and my family lived on the East Coast.

I also realized as I sat down to write that it has been nearly five months since I last blogged. It isn't like there hasn't been anything to write about, but honestly I just haven't felt like writing. I have been really busy, and by the end of the day I am emotionally and physically worn out. I made two quick trips back to the US on business in the past two months as I work on getting our third business up and running and I have been working on several large projects/contracts that have taken a lot of time and energy. Between all of this, the Spanish Institute of Honduras continues to grow and as we grow we have been faced with new challenges that have taken a toll on me emotionally. Everyday we have nearly 50 people pass through our doors and our lives. We have 6 properties we rent and are responsible for and have about the same number of Honduran host families. Barbe and I both threw our hearts and souls into our work here at the Institute right from the beginning and nothing has changed as the school has grown. If anything, our love and commitment to the work is even deeper. In many ways, our roll has become that of parents. We care deeply about each one of our teachers and students, and our deepest desire for each of them is the same as any parent....we want to see them excel and become all that God has called them to be.

Most of our student body celebrating "the day of the child" at Parque Calenterique

Luis' adoptive family is here with us. Although Sloan will need to return to work before the final steps in Luis' adoption is complete, Mandy will stay with us until she can take Luis home with her. Luis has been with us for almost a year and a half and he has become like one of our own boys. We are going to miss him but, we have always known that this day would come and we are very happy for him and his new parents. I laughingly told Luis as we talked through some of these changes that it is time for me to stop being "dad" and to become "abuelo" (grandfather).

Carlitos is getting big and has become the light of our lives. He also keeps all of us more than busy. He is into everything! 

Thomas and Ben with big sister Gaby

Ben and Thomas are tall, lean and handsome and are very content here. Both of them will soon be working with me in the new business as they continue to their high school studies.

Mark is in Morocco right now as he back packs around Europe (I know, Morocco is in Africa). He's having the time of his life with best bud Nate Moore and I am super jealous. I am hoping that he will come back to Honduras for 6 months or so before he heads off to college and take over some of the responsibilities of the Institute so I can concentrate on getting a new project up and running. That's the plan for now anyway.

I still love the work I do in public schools. It may be the thing that lifts me up and encourages me the most. 

And then there's all the other neat things I get to do.

  

And I finally found a good home for Alfredo with someone who loves him as much as I do.