Honduras so far...

I got back from our work day early enough to "blog" "note" whatever. We are in day 3 of being in Honduras. The first thing that I must do is rub it in everyone's faces about the weather here. It's cool enough to wear short sleeves without sweating and up on the mountain where we are staying it is cool enough to wear long sleeves...or a sweat jacket. I probably just jinxed us, but oh well. Since I haven't been able to do a day to day up until this point, I will just do a quick summary to bring you to where we are now. Oh and I have pictures, but can't upload them now because Jason has the card reader (and he's not with me right now).

Day 1:
Started SUPER early. Our flight left at 6:50 am, but we had to be at the airport at 4:45. Our flight time changed last month, by about 20-30 mins and it made a big difference. When we made it to Houston, the hour layover that we were supposed to have was cut down to more like 30 minutes, which is NOTHING in the Houston airport, we had time to take our train to our terminal and check in...then they were calling for boarding. When we arrived in Honduras we met the rest of the group (approx 120 people) at the mall. Yes, Honduras has a mall...but what I bet you will really be surprised to know is that this mall has a WAL-MART! It apparently just opened, and I'm not too sure how or if having a Wal-Mart will help a place with the terrible economy it already has....we all know Wal-Mart is good about putting small businesses out of business (and there are a TON of small businesses here) but I digress (nor am I a Wal-Mart basher--I'm just saying). Our first meal in Honduras was Wendy's. Very American of us. After the mall we went to a place called Mi Esperanza which is a school for women founded by one of our hosts, an American woman named Lori Connell and her friend. They teach women a trade (sewing, computers, beauty, etc.) They hand make clothes, jewelry and hand bags and sell to help keep the organization going...they have some awesome things and I plan to specifically write more in depth about them later because they really inspire me (www.womenofmyhope.org). After shopping we went to a very large house and had dinner catered from Taco Loco. Our night ended with a quick devotional and a drive back up the mountain to our mission house. And OF COURSE..SLEEP!!

Day 2:
Our first work day. Jason and I decided to go to paint some walls at Mi Esperanza. After a few hours we were sent to Mauna Loa. to drop off VBS supplies to a group there doing, well, a VBS. Then we were told that the bus was going to Oriental, to pick up another VBS group before heading back up the mountain. Well, that turned out to be not so true. Instead the group we were picking up was a house building group. And they weren't done building said house. And they weren't done an hour later. And they weren't done 2 hours later. Finally, after waiting on the bus for nearly 2 and a half hours the house group completed the house and we made our way back to the mission house. But not without some drama! On our way home, our bus hit a pot hole the size of the bus. It ended up rupturing something that ended up messing up something that caused lots of diesel to leak from our bus--like my technical terms?? ;-) We wouldn't have noticed that this happened (well we knew we hit the hole because I have whip lash) until we tried to climb a hill but were unable to because the bus couldn't get any traction on the wet (from rain and GAS) pavement. After several attempts, our bus driver pulled over and we began getting high on gas (totally unintentional, by the way). Thankfully we were being followed by part of a group in a van. Some of us were able to fit in the van to come back while others had to wait on another bus to come pick them up. We made it back just in time to eat dinner (and we were pretty hungry by this point). All in all, it was an adventurous day!

Day 3:
That brings me to today. Today I went to a children's home called Jimmy Hughes. If you don't know his story, google him. The children there were precious. We had a great time and there were no surprises...which made it even better. I have pictures that I will post soon. Tonight we will have dinner (apparently it's enchilada night) and have our devotional at 8pm (9pm central time). After devotional, I plan to skype with my parents for the first time. I didn't have the app downloaded on Jason's computer until a few minutes ago and they are super excited. It should be funny. I might video it in fact. If you're on skype and you're up my screenname is renada.robinson.

That's all for today!! :)

Day 4 in Honduras

Soooo yeah, I've been terrible about updating this blog....it's been really hard though. We do have internet connection, but I didn't bring my computer and so I have to borrow Jason's who lives on the other side of the property! By the time we have time to get online I'm sooooo tired!! So I'm doing my best to remember everything that has happened and will do a full retelling of my adventures here when I get home and can blog from the comfort of my bed. Right now I'm sitting outside of the chapel--just uploaded some pictures that can tell a better story of what I've seen that I can (after all, a picture is worth a thousand words, right?)

One more day here at the mission house. Today was our last day of work. Tomorrow is church day and a farewell banquet at a restaurant in town. Then, we load a bus to Le Ceiba for rest (at 3 am--8 hr bus ride) then on Tuesday, we load back up and come back to the airport to come back to the states. I have really enjoyed my time here, but I am soooooooo exhausted. I'm ready to sleep for 12 hrs straight and have some buffalo wings, a big greasy cheeseburger, and a pizza. I'm pretty sure I've lost some weight here, but I plan to gain it alllll back ASAP :)

One of the funniest things that has come out of this trip: my parents becoming internet savvy...including email and SKYPE!!!! LOL.

That's all for now...adios! :)

4 hours...

I have to be up in four hours to go to the airport...and yes, I'm still awake. I had a non-stop day today--including cramming all of my stuff in my 3 bags. But not before having to drive to Conway for class (yeah, today was the first day of my summer session of classes). I'm staying with my parents tonight. My mom, sister and I are all sleeping in the living room, slumber-party style! :) My dad opted not to join us and went to bed hours ago, which means he'll have to wake us all up later. I think it's bedtime, my sentences are not flowing.

1 more day=errands and packing drama!

I can't believe I will be boarding a plane to go to Honduras in a day! I still have so much to do. So much in fact that in the the time it took me to update this blog I could have been doing something to get ready. This morning I spent most of my time cleaning my apartment, packing loads of t-shirts and comfy pants and socks. I honestly have NO idea how everything is going to fit in my one suitcase that can only weigh 50 lbs. I packed 10 t-shirts, 2 dresses, a skirt, and about 5 pairs of pants. I still need to do laundry tonight and somehow how to find room to fit my new red rain boots in. Oh and my snacks...can't forget about those. :) Carmen and I are going later to buy some things that I somehow forgot during my wal-mart trip yesterday, like bug repellent and work gloves. I also need to get a few more games to play with the kiddos (Jason said they loved the first horseshoe game set that we bought--and I'll be able to buy those with another surprise donation that I received this weekend!) and comfortable walking shoes. Aye...it's not going to all fit! Maybe my mom can work some suitcase magic.

Almost time...

Jason left yesterday and arrived safely in Honduras. I've gotten to talk to him online once and twice via email. He keeps sending me suggestions of what to pack. So in a way I'm glad he's down there first. Tropical storm Agatha passed through Central America (and Honduras) last week causing loads of rain. Everyone has probably heard of the sinkhole in Guatemala, but nothing like that in Honduras. Jason said that it's just very muddy and rainy. Hopefully that is all gone by next Wednesday when I leave. The aftermath of the tropical storm has left plenty for our group to do, though. So now begins my 4 day stretch of packing and buying stuff that I need to pack. The list includes rain boots and hiking shoes. I'm trying to find the motivation to actually go shop...which is not normal...I remember when I needed no occasion to shop. Funny how becoming an adult can change your priorities :)

Tetanus, donations and more preparations...

Today I had to go get my tetanus shot. Wish I had a crazy story to tell with this one, but I don't. Actually I'm glad I don't. My trip to the health department was quite uneventful. I made Jason go with me to make sure that the nurse didn't fill the syringe with air before sticking me with it. We waited for about 10 minutes before going in....we stood the whole time for fear of catching some nasty health department germs from the chairs. It ended up being a "booster" shot of tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. I hate shots, but apparently it's recommended for where we're going. Don't want to risk stepping on a rusty nail on a job site and getting "lock jaw." After the shot the nurse told me to take a tylenol to help with stiffness. So far it only hurts when you touch the injection site...keeping my fingers crossed for no pain.

In other news, I'll be in Honduras in about 8 days! I can't believe that it's almost here! I went to pick up another nice donation from my old job (Second Baptist Christian Academy). I have been really blessed in the fundraising department and these last minute donations have just been an even bigger blessing. God is so good and has provided everything I needed for this trip. Can't wait to get there and share my stories of all that we are doing there! Prayers are continually requested and needed! :)

Prayers tonight needed for Jason and the other 2 that are traveling down with him tomorrow morning.

Fundraising update

Next Wednesday I leave for Honduras!! I can't believe it's come up soooo fast! Friday I received a donation from Pleasant Valley Church of Christ! Awesome! Thanks, PVCOC!!