hitch on that hike

  Just another typical Fat Tuesday here in the Ro. I started my 7th grade devotions with an explanation of Lent which, of course turned into a conversation about the coolest things to sacrifice to represent the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert with Satan before beginning his ministry. 

STRAIGHT THUGS

Casey: "OOOoo Ms. Jessica! I'm going to give up Playstation!"

Ms. Jessica: "Oh snap, that is going to be tough, chief."

Van: "I'm going to give up Facebook!"

Ms. Jessica: "No more poking for you!"

Angela: "I'm going to give up soda!"

Ms. Jessica: "Angela, you don't drink soda. Doesn't count lady love."

Have I told you how much I adore these kids? We have a traditional Friday dance, they hug me before they go to class, they come by my room during recess to hang out and eat baleadas, and I'm going to miss them. We are currently rehearsing a Father's day dance to, yes, you guessed it. Will Smith's "Just the two of us." Taking it back to 1997. Big Willie Style.


I am also constantly amazed at the goodwill and grace of the people here in Roatan. I am trying to save every lempira I can, so paying $2 for a taxi ride home has become quite an absurdity. There are roughly 70,000 people living on this island and surprisingly 75% of the time we jump in the back of someone's truck, we know them. We live a solid 40 minutes away from school so the time between French Harbour and West End is time well spent with a new friend. Thank you Casey Jackson from Fantasy Island, Orville from Anthony's Key resort and Aaron from Sundowners. Oh, adventure, how I love thee.

More importantly, I am learning more and more each day about what it really looks like to follow the Lord wholeheartedly. Being here. Being surrounded by people who love me just the way I am. Being tempted by some of the same struggles I thought I could get away from. Being reminded daily of the many blessings we have. Being a not so smart little sheep who thought she knew so much before she got here and attempting to follow the voice of the shepherd has been exciting and frustrating and just down right good for the soul.


My sheep recognize my voice and follow me [John 10:27]

a million miles in a thousand years

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What story are you telling? from Rhetorik Creative on Vimeo.

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"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." [matthew 25:35]

First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone who contributed their prayers, love and support towards the Los Fuertes Family house build. We raised all $9,500 from 77 donors and I can't tell you how exciting it was to check our fundraising website daily to see new gifts pouring in. The month of March crept up so quickly and yesterday morning we began to lay the floor, beginning the foundation of the new home.

Working with Antonio and Giovanni was awesome, they showed us the rules and assembly like system to nailing (CLAVO! DALE!)

Our sweet mother of the home, Juliana, was so hospitable and liked to feed us grape soda. We kindly accepted and then asked for lots and lots of agua.

OH JUST SO MUCH LOVE!!!

It was a beautiful morning, we finished in about 3.5 hours. All of the little children were running around, dancing in the breeze and eating fresh mangos.

I have never seen or felt so much exuding joy from one amazing family. I still can't believe we have the opportunity to help build them a new life.

Mucho mucho amor...

what is mine is yours

I went into the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life...to put to rout all that was not life; and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.
[Henry David Thoreau]

I don't think I've ever squeezed enough amazingness into a single Saturday like we did yesterday. Bharath, Amber's buddy from DC, was in town visiting and he definitely brought the party. We rented a sweet tinted window, black, Toyota corolla and drove that beast ALL OVER this island.



We headed to Jonesville and took a boat over a restaurant called Hole In The Wall which, was awesome. We ate seafood, met some friends and watched a beautiful macaw parrot named Abogado (lawyer in Espanol) eat garlic potatoes off of our plates.



Punta Gorda was next on the list. We stopped by and said hello to our friend Francesca and her sweet baby and walked around the main street on the ocean.


We then crossed over to the other side of the island to Camp and Paya Bay. Dusty, long and bumpy roads finally lead us to a quaint and tranquil cove and resort

Breadfruit seeds are melon sized, and it's tree is native to Pacific and Caribbean islands. They can be fried, baked, boiled or roasted. It has a potato like substance and tastes a lot like fresh bread, yum. Kelly attempted to climb the tree and lasso one down from tall branches but to no avail. Maybe next time!



We headed back into town where all the action was; watched some of our high school boys play futbol, rode on a ferris wheel, and danced around the mall. BOOM.

i'm on a horse

It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously—take God seriously. [Micah 6:8]

Why do weekends fly by?! Kelly, Zach and I finally know how to set up our diving gear thanks to Stevae, our amazing instructor from Myrtle Beach, SC. I swear the Carolinas are taking over Roatan, Honduras. We went to a benefit on Saturday night in Brick Bay for a woman fighting cancer. We sang some songs and busted some moves.


There was an olympic qualifier triathlon here this morning and Roatan's 1 main road was closed so we all got up early, walked to West Bay and cheered on the masses. Oh yeah, and danced the Papa Americano for at least 3 hours. Clay and Max know how to work it!!




Erin's friend Ian/Spanky was in town and graciously offered for us to ride horses and visit his farm on the island. We drove through the beautiful Flowers Bay with the top to the jeep off, just loving life. Riding around on the back of Kelly's moto has been very freeing as well.








After bumping up a long, dusty dirt road we made it to the beautiful stables and hiked around the mountain. It was gorgeous to say the least. We ended the weekend worshipping with our friends and family at Pastor Jeremy's house, overlooking the Caribbean.

enero

"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world." [C.S. Lewis]

Apologies for the bloggy blog hiatus, January brought lots of new and exciting changes here in Roatan and if we're not sleeping, we are either: practicing dance moves for All Nations Day, grading exams, playing beach volleyball, mentoring/tutoring, getting SCUBA certified or getting dominated playing Rock Band.

I had a wonderful week and a half back in the states visiting friends and family for the holidays. It flew by. Thanks to all of you who were able to make it to my party! It was a white Christmas in Charlotte and I have to admit it was beautiful considering I left Caribbean temperatures back in Honduras. I was able to head to Charleston for New Years Eve at th SC Aquarium, it was phenomenal. I surely miss all my girls there, pumped Rach is coming to visit in March!



Our Senior class has a social project that they are required to complete before graduating which involves many community service hours around the island. We planted donated palm trees one Saturday, good times in the neighborhood.

Some of my sweet 7th graders.

More to come! Mucho amor!

murry chrimus

Life is still phenomenal here in Roatan. We've been busy at work, busting out exams and study guides for our checkout list before we all head "home" for the holidays. The school had it's annual Christmas play last Friday. Here is the manger: (please notice the toucan, turtles, frogs and pond. Only in Honduras. It's love)













Also dressed up as Mrs. Claus. I know, you're shocked.

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE EVERYONE!!