Friendships

One of the things I most enjoy about Central America is the early morning sounds and smells. Songbirds fill the morning air with their music and chatter. The pungent odor of smoke from wood cook fires wafts through my open window filling the room with the smell of cedar and pine. Then there are the other noises, perhaps not as pleasurable, but distinctly Central American. The sounds of people beginning their day, motorbikes, roosters, horns honking, It is different here because most people do not "commute". so beginning the day may mean coming from the back of the building to open the front of the store or repair shop.

Farmers bring their produce to town twice a week in the back of pickups. Yesterday was market day. We walked down the hill to the market, bought fresh papaya, cantaloupe, potatoes, avocados, bananas, passing by many other kinds of fruits and vegetables.

Yesterday was Micah's eighth birthday (Mark & Michelle's son). In preparation for his party, Barbe and I went with Mark across town to buy ice cream. There is a Mennonite community here in Siguatepeque. They are good people, very industrious and self sufficient. One of the things they do is make bread, cheese and ice cream to sell at their shop in town. I guess it had been a good day for them because the store had very little ice cream left. We bought what was left and drove to the small village outside of town where the family lives to pick up more. Mark's youngest son, two year old Malachi, wanted to see the baby goat.

Later that evening we gathered in the courtyard area of the seminary for games, Honduran tacos, birthday cake and some of the best ice cream I have ever had. There is the good feeling of community here. Several American families live on campus or nearby. There are also the Honduran professors and some students living here with there families. On February 10th classes will resume and the activity level will increase substantially as 25 or so students return to class. One of my prayers for my boys has already been answered, abundantly. I had asked God to bring the boys friends while were here. Watching all the children ranging in age from 2 to 16 play football and soccer last night...my heart just said thank you, Lord.

Special thanks to Barbe. Many of the pictures you will see have been taken by her. She has recently taken up photography and digital scrap booking and is finding that she not only really enjoys it, but has talent!