First Impressions

I have now officially lived in Santa Lucia for 2 weeks, and I have to say that I have really enjoyed them. So what is my life like here in Santa Lucía?  The food is really good for the most part. It's comical because there are tortillas with almost every single meal.  Life here is slower paced then in the United States. People actually walk at a turtle’s pace and it’s very acceptable. Although there is variety in the each student’s home here (I have visited a handful), all are smaller than United States. However, through personal experience and talking with others in the group, extended family and friends are constantly in the home. In my living room alone, there are at least 10 people hanging out every evening.

I have especially enjoyed getting to know my family. While I thought I knew who lived in my home beforehand, it turns out that there are only the two younger siblings: Josúe and Estefani. The two oldest brothers do not live in the home, but they and my nephew are often at my house. My sister-in-law’s name is also Brenda, which makes me feel right at home (for those of you who don’t now that’s my mom’s name too). My mama and papa are wonderful. My mama especially tries really hard to make me feel a part of the family. I am so thankful, because she is really a godly person. I have much to learn from her.

• A few new/interesting things that I have seen/visited:
• The tradition of a gift exchange for the celebration of the Three Kings with my extended family
• Touristy town Valle de Angeles and to the National Park “La Tigra”
• The Basilica, which is the biggest cathedral in Honduras
• The local zoo and Picachu, which is a park that overlooks all of Tegucigalpa
•  The local fair and watched their version of a mini-pageant
• Soccer game of the different towns playing each other (I have also played a bit of soccer too which is always fun)
• The Honduran National Police Headquarters. Our group was the first to walk through their newly constructed building for their offices.
• Church/mass with my family in a town 1.5 hours away from Santa Lucia

While there have been many excursions and fun things, life here does also include classes. I have a test tomorrow in Spanish History, so we’ll see how that goes. Pretty much that class includes me praying every day that my professor will not call on me to answer because I really don’t understand what is happening. However, every day gets a little bit better, but your prayers would also be much appreciated! We also have started our class about justice and poverty in Honduras. A friend gave me this poem by Sir Francis Drake before I left and I think it encapsulates much of my sentiments from this class. It says:

“Disturb us, Lord, when

We are too pleased with ourselves…

Disturb us, Lord, when

With the abundance of things we possess

We have lost our thirst

For the waters of life…

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,

To venture on wilder seas

Where storms will show Your mastery…”

During this class, we have already learned of much of the corruption and injustice that is happening both in Honduras and in the United States. You could say that I have definitely been disturbed. However, there have also been many examples of how in fighting injustice, God has done some incredible things. I am thankful and excited for the chance to view the world anew as God does and see where God would have me go next.

Alright if you read all this, thank you for your dedication! I really appreciate all your support and prayers for me. So on that note, a few prayer requests:

• Continued health (there have been several people sick already) and safety
• Spanish History
• Being a witness to my family as well as learning from them
• Better understanding of Spanish
• Getting enough sleep (we have to get up at 6 am every day)
•  That I would form deeper relationships with Christ and the other people in my group

Thank you so much!

Jenna