Another day, Another Dollar

Buenos Noches!

It is 9:35 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, 2013. I just said goodbye to my church group, FBC Tuscaloosa. They came to stay at the children’s home for a week and work with the kids. They built relationships with the kids that I believe will last a long time. These kids and team members shed many tears today while saing goodbye. It was not an easy sight for me to see because I know that in 2 weeks that will be me. I am now down to my last two weeks here. I have had 2 breakdowns already. I was talking with Flor, a 19 year-old-girl who is living with Kelly and Trisha as she finishes her last year of high school, on Saturday. While we were talking she started to cry as we were talking about how much love Kelly and Trisha has for her and how much I love her. Has I saw the tears run down her face I couldn’t hold my tears back. It was a moment that I will treasure forever. Siting and talking with her about how much love she has in her life and crying over me leaving in 2 weeks. You might be thinking, “you have two weeks left…that’s a lot of time.” If you only knew how fast two weeks flys by. I can’t believe I am already done with 5 weeks. Time flys when you are loving life and loving beautiful children. The second breakdown I have had was tonight. Tonight, I got the privilege to go to the mission house with the Tuscaloosa team and have dinner with them. Mike Edwards, the Honduran field director for BMDMI was sharing about a moment he had with one of the kids from the home his past week at a youth conference. It brought tears to my eyes to see the love and passion that Mike and all the other missionaries have for these children. These children are marvelous. The particular teenager has brought a cheerful smile to my heart these past few weeks. I have gotten to talk more with him and get to know him very well. He is a sweet boy with a bright future ahead of him if he will stay motivated and focused in school. I am overwhelmed and blessed with the opportunity that God has given me this summer. I am able to experience God’s love and presence in an extraordinary way.

                So I mentioned in the beginning that FBC Tuscaloosa was here this past week. It was a great week. I really enjoyed getting to know everyone and even made some friendships that I hope to continue when I return home. I know I say this all the time, but I truly mean every bit of it, I am SOOO thankful for my FBC Tuscaloosa family. Within this past year I have been able to meet so many new people through different ministries in the church. I have gotten to know more youth, people coming into our college ministry in the fall, my amazing adopted parents, and other great adults in the church. God has blessed me so much. The Tuscaloosa team had bible studies, sports, and night activities with the kids throughout the week. They were able to build strong and deep connections with the kids. I thank God for this past week. It was tiring, full of so many bumps, but it was a blessing that I will be able to keep with me here and take back to the states with me. Two of my favorite memories from this past week was first watching the Honduras vs. Jamaica soccer game on a big projector one night with all the kids and team. Honduras played great and won! They will be playing USA on Tuesday, June 18. Get ready Honduras, USA is gonna dominate! Haha Another great memory was getting to tuck my sweet babies in from Casita 1 in one night. We watched a movie one night and I was able to tuck all my little boys into bed and pray with them at night. It was a sweet and beautiful sight. They all prayed out loud as I was leaving their room, saying “Thank you God for my life. Thank you God for my family. I love you . Amen”. Oh it was beautiful.

                I last wrote on June 2 and 3. Bailey and Morgan were leaving and Hannah and Gigi were starting their second week here. I can’t tell you how much I loved seeing Bailey, meeting Morgan, and the second week getting to know Hannah and Gigi even more. It’s amazing how fast you can get to know someone and feel so comfortable around someone after only knowing one another for a week or two weeks. Haha I love you South Haven girls and I am SOOO ready to come see you guys! And Bailey, you better be ready for our road trip to see Angie! It’s going to be fab!
                These last two weeks are going to be hard, sad, and fun. I am going to be spending some time with the McKenzie family and the transition home girls. I am going to have to attend my last church service for a while, I am going to have to say goodbye to my lovely students I have gotten to be with these past few weeks, and I am going to have say my goodbyes to all of the children and staff here. It’s going to be a dreadful day come June 29. Mom, if your reading this I am sorry. Haha I am excited about seeing you and dad, but I am not ready to come home. It’s never easy to come home and leave my life here behind. Today, I was talking with two girls who are here for a little time this summer and I asked them “do you eve wish you could have your Honduran life with your North American life?”. It’s something that I wish I could have all the time. I wish I could have all of my Honduran family with me in the states, but I wish I could have all my North American family with me in Honduras. It’s just never going to be easy to be away from these people and this place. Once it has captured your heart, you will never be the same again. It’s true love. I know what true love is. It’s the love I have with these kids.  I can’t wait for the day that my family can come here and meet my kids and meet all of the wonderful people that are in my life here. Showing pictures and telling stories about these people will never be able to suffice the way I feel for these people.
                I know that I always say this at the end of my blog entries, but I truly mean it and I want everyone to always know I am grateful for all the prayers and financial help I have received over the past months. Without you and the Lord I could not be here living out a dream of mine. I would not be able to do the mission the Lord has given me. I am forever humbled and blessed by each of you all and your faithfulness to the Lord. I pray the Lord would bless you and your family and your ministry. I love you all so much. I can’t wait to see you all soon. Keep the prayers coming! Roll Tide!

                P.S. HUGE SHOUT OUT TO MY BROTHER AND FUTURE SISTER-IN-LAW!!! Holla, I’m getting a sister!!!!!!! You cannot even understand my excitement! I have wanted a sister ever since I was little and the Lord saw my desire and blessed it. Hahaha I am SOOO happy for my brother and Elsa. She is going to be an amazing parent of our family! September can’t some soon enough. I am dying to see you guys! I can’t wait to travel central America with them one day! It’s going to be amazing. I love you both!
Also, I love you mom and dad! You both are in my prayers and thoughts all the time. I miss you and can’t wait to see you on June 29! Dad, if you see this PLEASE PLEASE don’t let mom have a banner hanging from the house when I come home. Thank you dear Father. Love you MOM!

 

                                                                                                                Te Amo Siempre,

                                                                                                                                HayleyJ