open your eyes

8/11/10

There is something so spiritual about this place, this community, this school. Singing Spanish praises during devotions with our music instructors Augustine and Juario every morning has become one of if not my favorite time of the day. I feel God moving tremendously. He has surrounded me with amazing and encouraging peers; Zack, Erin, Kelly, Harrison and Amber. He has blessed me with the most selfless human beings I have ever met; Jaime and Nina. Mentors who are willing to help us with anything we need; our local teachers. This morning we had a chance to each stand up and tell our stories - where we are from, why we are here and what we hope the year will bring. Most of the testaments from our local teachers moved us to tears as they proclaimed the good news of the Lord and the will of God that brought them to Children's Palace. The commitment to teaching our students not only education but that they are dearly loved by their awesome creator is so apparent and I have never felt so at home and at peace.

We walked around Coxenhole this afternoon which, is another area of the island close to Sandy Bay where we purchased some extra school supplies. We were specifically looking for some bicycles to make transportation a little easier. We met a man named Nelson. Nelson might be one of my favorite locals I have met. He is a descendant of a Tanzanian tribe, was born in Roatan but has lived all over the world. He first offered us a free animal refuge ticket for Saturday, we'll probably take him up on that offer. I really want to meet the monkeys he talked about all afternoon. He is a wealth of knowledge and gave us a phenomenal tour around Coxenhole. He bargained bike prices with us, he showed us the oldest clock tower on the island and took us to his favorite cheap alley restaurant. I have a feeling we will be friends with Nelson for a long time.

Favorite quote so far:

"Van a los discotecas o van a iglesia?" (So do you all go to the club or do you go to church?) -taxi driver

Please pray for our families who are in financial need and may not be able to send their children to school this year. If you are interested in sponsoring a child so they are able to receive an education, please shoot me an email!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!