It's official! I moved to El Progreso, Honduras three weeks ago. It’s very exciting to (finally) be where I’ve been planning and preparing to move to, for almost 2 years. I am very, very grateful that I am able to speak Spanish, and for the numerous opportunities to stay in Latino homes in several Central/South American countries in the past; but it’s still a big adjustment to live in a foreign country. (Picture: Sign over highway states: Welcome to El Progreso, The Beautiful City, [current mayor's name].)
I’ve mentioned a few things on my Facebook page, but here’s a summary of what God has allowed me to do in the last 3 weeks:
- Purchase a phone contract with a new Honduran phone number. (Facebook messenger is the best way to contact me, or my Honduran number can be used with WhatsApp. Email or message me for details.)
- Open one bank account for US dollars (required, since my support comes from the States), and one for Honduran Lempiras.
- Acquire the semi-equivalent of a Social Security number, called the RTN; enabling me to make large purchases in the country (such as a car).
- Buy a used car: Nissan Qashqai (see picture).
- Start teaching piano lessons to 6 students from Hope Children’s Home.
- Start assisting in the Children’s Home school (See Picture below; I work directly with 5 teens). The Hope Children’s Home is a ministry hosted by Team Honduras.
- Start the Honduran Residency process (hoping to have my residency within the year).
- Pull stitches and monitor the scar for a patient who had minor surgery, performed by a medical team 2 weeks before I arrived.
- Start assisting weekly with a 2-3 year old Sunday School class.
(Picture on R: first time driving in Honduras!)
As far as housing… I’ve been staying with the Team leader’s family (Goins) while I have pursued different housing options near the church property. Lord willing, I will be moving into an available room in a house in a local neighborhood, where I’ll stay until my permanent apartment is built above a surgical clinic on the church property. The house belongs to two Christian, Honduran women: a mother and a daughter. The mother looks forward to turning 100 years old this year!
Though I don’t plan to do any consistent Deaf outreach for about a year, I have been given many Deaf contacts that I look forward to following up on in the future. Additionally, I have met and spoken with 2 Deaf people who I bumped into during other ministry activities. The first one knew no sign language (only made-up, “home” signs), and the second one was fluent in LESHO (Honduran Sign Language) as well as reading and writing in Spanish. What a huge range of education levels!
Picture: Fried Tilapia with tejas - sliced & dried plantain - refried beans and local cheese. Also some pico de gallo on the side. Delicious!