Day 2

Today was jam packed –

• Mixing concrete to expand the cancha, or play area – the guys enjoyed working side-by-side with Honduran men, and discovering that language doesn’t have to be a barrier.

• Coloring, crafts, and cookie baking with the girls.  The kitchen sounded like a huge party, complete with music and dancing. 

• Errands in downtown San Pedro Sula – grocery shopping is its own special challenge, but we were struck once again by the generosity and helpfulness of the people here

• Back to the airport to seek the lost bag – no luck yet!

• A visit to the barrio, hosted by our cook, Miriam.  She has moved to a bigger home – three rooms now.  It’s all concrete block, and has a corrugated roof.  It’s a big step up.  Her four children are pleasant and gracious hosts, and we were treated to Coke and cookies there.  As Steph says, “It’s a nice house, and shows what people can do with just a little space.  We really don’t need the big houses in Northern Virginia.”

• There were fireworks in the sky (a display to celebrate the annual city holiday) and fireworks in the kitchen (Mel had to break up a fight, which had the intensity that only occurs when sisters argue.)

Blessings in disguise:

• Chet was locked out of the room, and wound up spending a good hour of quality time with Raquel, the girl he sponsors in cooperation with three other St. Alban’s teenagers.

• Crowds and a rainstorm could have ruined the festival the group attended with the older Roses tonight.  Instead, they put months of team-building to the test.  Everyone stepped up.  Liz and Barbara protected Juliana’s foot, and Mel put her trainer’s experience to work in rewrapping it as soon as the group arrived home.  Chet led the way through the crowd.  Tom made sure the taxi got everyone back to the home.