Cambio

Ever since I returned from Honduras last week I have felt different.  I've wanted to hug my students a little more, speak kindness to them, and encourage them when I can so they will see the love of Jesus in me.  Why?  That is a question I have been grappling with.  What happened to me in Honduras?  People have been asking how my life was changed during that short week in La Moskitia, and I have struggled to put these feelings into written words.   

For those of you who know me personally, you probably know that my past adventures have included Kenya, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe.  I even lived in Tegucigalpa, Honduras in the late 90's for a semester.  But, La Moskitia (the Mosquito Coast) is a whole different world.  For me the smells and some of the sights were the same, but the needs of these people seemed more urgent.  They seemed more important.  God really burdened me for these people.  My friends Alex & Laura are moving to La Moskitia later this year.  I truly believe God sent me on this trip so I could experience what they have experienced. So I can be an advocate for this ministry and the Miskito Indians.   

So, why the change?  It's in these faces.

Lord, be the change in me today.

Hosquili

                  

It's been almost a week since I met Hosquili (pronounced Yos-kelly), the little boy that I am sponsoring at Mama Tara's Miskito Orphanage in Puerto Lempira, Honduras.  I am having a difficult time putting into words how I felt meeting him.  We don't speak the same language.  He speaks no Spanish, only Miskito.  But, I know from the look on his face how he felt about meeting me.  Proud. 

The night before I left I stopped over at Kohl's to use a free $10 gift coupon, and I found this cool tube of bubbles for Hosquili.  I think they were meant for him.

Our team of 9 gringos arrived at the Mosquito Coast after almost 3 days of travel by bus and airplane.  Our first day there we were able to walk through the dirt airstrip down twisting paths about a mile to Mama Tara's.  I felt such excitement and love for these kids almost instantly.  And, it wasn't just the kids I fell in love with.  It was this young lady, too.

She has at least 25 kids who live with her at the orphanage http://www.mamatara.org/.  And, she has lived a very full life.  She used to be governor of Gracias a Dios, the largest state in Honduras.  She speaks Moskito, Spanish, and even some English.  She is an advocate for kids.  She is my new Grandma. 

I went to Honduras and was expecting to meet my Godson, Hosquili, but also met my new Grandma, Mama Tara. 

There are so many stories I have already planned for this blog, and I can't wait to share them, little by little.  But, my heart continues to remember Honduras.  Tonight some of our team members were standing around talking about if Mama Tara would have enough rice for her children to make it through this month.  The local rep from UNICEF dropped off a 50 pound bag for the orphanage, but we figure that will not last more than 2 weeks.  There are at least 6 children who are in need of sponsors.  If you would like to know more about this opportunity, please contact me through the comment section or on Facebook. 

Blessings,
Wendy