Hello from Honduras! Isn't it wonderful that in this day and age, you don't have to wait until I return to see what it is that I am doing? This website, while it is just being started, will eventually contain pictures and stories of my experiences here in Honduras. Please come back as often as you like. I plan on updating this site as often as I can, although because the Internet in Honduras isn't always the most reliable, it may go slowly. I hope you enjoy what you see.
***UPDATE***3/6/2003
Hey all!
I know that it has been a while since I wrote and I found that I had a few minutes extra so I decided to write. Normally all of my time at the internet is taken up with work e-mail. However I just came yesterday to check the mail and there isnīt much today.
Things are well here in Honduras. The kids came back to school and we have been underway for just under a month now. There are so many new ones! It is nice to see that we are helping new kids, but at the same time it makes me cringe because that is a lot more work for me! As you know, I work with the Sponsorship program. I have to have all of the kids in my database for me to assign them sponsors, and those that have gone I have to delete. It is too complicated to explain, but it means a lot of work. But thatīs okay. I truly enjoy my work, even if it is too much at times.
Usually there are quite a few kids who donīt come back the next year. Two of my favorites did not come back this year and I miss them. But the grand majority of the kids that I feel close to have returned. Only those two. I guess I should count my blessings. Usually the reason they donīt come back is because their family wants them to stay home to work. Itīs sad, because we know that the education may be their only way out of poverty, but we donīt have any control over it. We donīt legally adopt these kids, and their families still have the say-so.
It is really hot here already! During the day it is around 90 and at night it is around 70. Really beautiful. Finally I can enjoy our cold showers again! During November through January it was tough. Sometimes we wouldnīt shower for 3 days just because it was too cold! But now we take two a day and it is so refreshing! Who would want hot water in this climate? Even if I had it now I wouldnīt use it.
Thank you to all who have written me letters! I so enjoy hearing what goes on in the States and in your lives. Usually my time is taken up doing work email, but I still enjoy reading them. Every now and again I get a few minutes to reply. Please keep me updated on what is happening in your lives! I donīt want to cut myself off completely!
Okay, I am going to draw this one to a close. Hopefully I will have more to write about next time. There really hasnīt been anything going on here right now. I am sure I will have more news next time. Take care all of you!
All my love, Rachael
Here are some of the pictures that I have taken along with an explanation.
This is our cook, Sonja. She is 19 and is more like our friend than our cook. We call her Sonjita, because she is so tiny!
Every couple of weeks they send one of the boys into all the buildings to fumigate. There is a problem here with Dengue Fever, and they love to run us out of our houses to kill the mosquitos. I have no objection. The boy here is Wilson. He has been a student with APUFRAM for 9 years.
This picture was taken at the beach retreat house in Chachaguala. It is owned by APUFRAM, and is used by many different groups. Father Emil travels there every week to say Mass at 3 churches in the area. He usually takes some students and visitors with him, and I went one weekend. These kids love to swim, and they have no fear!
Please email me at rachaelj77@yahoo.com. Due to the limited time I have to check email, and the cost per minute, please refrain from sending forwards of any kind. Thank you for your cooperation.
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