We Made It!

Well, family and friends, we made it! We arrived safe and sound with all of our luggage on Monday afternoon. We took a bus from Tegucigalpa to the Orphanage (2 hr ride). IT IS BEAUTIFUL HERE! We live in the middle of the mountains. Everywhere you look, there are more and more mountains! It is breathtaking!

Our first day here was interesting. They literally dropped us off at our apartment and said "See you tomorrow." We wanted to go straight to work but they said we needed a few days to get to know the place and adjust. So we walked into our new home, dropped our bags, and stared at each other. We began to unpack. Our apartment is huge! We have 2 bedrooms, one bathromm, a kitchen, and a living room. i'd say it's about 1100 square feet (almost twice the amount of space we had in quaint little place back home). One room we are using for storage but it will come in handy when our family members come to visit! (Get ready for bunk beds, guys). Our bed is made up of two bunk beds put together. Derek has hit his head about 5 times already. Haha. After we settled in, we wondered around and had dinner with the group we rode in with. We were exhausted and went to bed by 7:00. Everyone is asleep around here by 8:30 at the latest.

The second day (yesterday) we met with Katja (the volunteer coordinator) to get our assignments. After visiting for an hour she told us to enjoy a break and she'd let us know by Thursday where she is going to place us (that is tomorrow and we are so anxious to find out). She said I might be helping at the toddler house some days, with the special needs kids other days, and possibly be able to teach a little English in the school. She also wants me to implement a dance class once I'm more comfortable (Sisters, I immediately thought of you two and how much you'd love that as well). Derek might be placed on the farm, doing manual labor, or in the science lab (where kids get help one-on-one). She also wants him to start teaching some of the younger boys baseball once he gets settled. We can't wait!

Since then we have wandered about "Emmanuel" and become more familiar with the kids and our surroundings. We were able to go into town yesterday (literally right outside the orphanage gates) and get some staple food items. It is dfinitely a different world outside those gates than in here. It is beautiful in here and out there it is quite dirty and poor. Still, everyone has been extremely helpful and courteous.

One thing we've had to adjust to is the eating schedule. Since we wake up so early, (the sun is up by 5:00 am and goes down by 6:30 pm) they eat breakfast at 7:15, lunch at 12:00 noon, and dinner at 3:30m... yes, 3:30- that is not a typo! So needless to say, we have had to eat once again around 5 when everyone is winding down for the day because our bodies have had dinner around that time for over 20 years! We've eaten most meals with the children (leche con arroz or cereal for breakfast, soup for lunch, and beans and rice for dinner so far). We might come back looking like sticks! Haha. (Allyson and Robin, don't tell that to Mami or she will worry).

Our internet connection is a bit sketchy so we do not know when we will be able to update, but I will try to once a week. If you don't hear from us, it's probably b/c we couldn't get a connection. I tried to update on our blog (all of this info) but it wouldn't let me... picky thing!

Anyway, please be praying for where God wants us to be placed. Pray for our feet (they are swollen and not used to this heat!), pray for our patience as we try to learn this language, and pray for our overall health as our bodies adjust (one blessing is we CAN drink their water! It is purified at the orphanage but not anywhere else).

We love you all, miss you all, and think of you often!