November and December in a nutshell

To catch everyone up on life here at the Finca over the past couple months I'll go back to the start of November. We started the month with the graduations of our 9^th graders and 6^th graders. This year marked a change in Honduras (one that I don't fully understand). As I've stated before formal education is only required through 6^th grade. Therefore, 6^th grade is when the kids are recognized with a large graduation. However, this year we were told the 9^th graders would be the ones formally recognized with gowns and diplomas. What I don't fully understand is whether the national standard has now been increased to 9^th grade or if this is just a way of encouraging more kids to continue through 9^th grade. The other question that remains is if the government standard has increased then how are many schools supposed to provide those next three years of education since many schools end at 6^th grade. I guess I'll leave that be as is and simply share some of the smiling faces from graduation day.

 

Amid all the rush of ending the school year we also brought to a close our large sculpture garden project as part of the contest at the nearby zoo/botanical gardens (Campo del Mar). The kids under the guise of Harrison (one of my fellow missionaries) and alongside our maintenance team spent about 2 months turning an empty plot of land into a beautiful sculpture garden. Our scuplture is of the facade of the Cathedral in Trujillo. On the back side of the cathedral is a map of the bay area marking where the first Mass was ever said in the Americas after Christopher Columbus landed. There are also 4 pathways leading to the cathedral lined with pavers. Each paver has our kids' footprints and their names. At the entrance of each pathway are the 4 pillars of the Finca (Spirituality, Service, Community and Simplicity). Check out the music video (eventually it will be on the right hand side of your screen) I made of the project's progression.

 

When all was said and done we had another month to wait before the projects were judged. During that month the kids kept the plants watered and maintained. Then on the day of the big announcement we were all invited to spend the afternoon at the zoo/botanical gardens hanging out on the beach and enjoying cupcakes and soda.

Everyone waited anxiously as each place announced starting with 13^th. It came to 3^rd place and we'd still not had our name read. The excitement rose! Just one more place to go and the Farm would receive at least $2,500. The name was read for 3^rd and suddenly we were still in the running! They called us and the other remaining contestant to the front. 2^nd place was announced and the next thing we knew everyone starting cheering as we were handed a 1^st place check for $5,000! Due to the hard work off our kids, the maintenance team and especially Harry our kids now have a scholarship fund underway.

 

 

As a way to celebrate we took all the older kids who had worked on the project to a resort further down the beach. We enjoyed a lunch of hamburgers and french fries. Even the kids who usually have two hallow legs when it comes to eating were so full some could not finish. Then they spent a couple hours living the high life... playing pool, swimming, jumping and sliding into the pool and finished the afternoon with cake. A well deserved retreat for all their hardwork.

 

In between finishing the sculpture garden and the judging we also said goodbye to our “oldies”. The missionary class ahead of us had to leave about 2 weeks early (before Thanksgiving). Because of Honduran national elections there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding possible unrest pending the results. That meant the borders could have potentially shut down and there would be no way of knowing when they'd have been able to leave. It was therefore decided best to get them out before the elections. That meant cutting short many training opportunities for our newest missionaries, but so far so good.

 

 

Just a few days it was time to get the gears moving for Thanksgiving. Now with just 11 of us instead of 19 cooking for over 100 people seemed quite daunting. Fortunately God has a way of knowing just how much we can handle so he brought us a flood. For those who have been following my blog you may recall back in March we had quite a flood during which about 50 students, teachers and patients became trapped at the Finca. Well, I for one was not going to have a repeat of that chaos especially with Thanksgiving just a day away.

It had started raining Tuesday night. Then Wednesday (still raining) we had just finished our morning hour of tutoring at school when some of the kids came back and said the river was too high to cross on foot. They asked if they could get a ride across in one of the vehicles. I went into quick action mode. Running to the clinic I told the nurses they either had to get everyone out now or they'd be trapped in the Finca again. Then finding the first available driver I told Rony (one of the house dads) there was no time to wait. Within the half hour everyone who lived on the other side of the river was either safely across or had found a neighbor to stay with.

 

Unlike the storm back in March this one did not let up within 24 hours. It would go on for over 72 hours! Some of the guys made the most of the rainday. We canceled all activities for the kids and they went for a swim in the now roiling bay. If that wasn't enough of a workout for their gaurdian angels they were put to a speed test as the guys got out of the water. As Pat, Curt and Harry walked back to the house we (inside the house) heard a massive CRACK. My first thought was the waves had reached the fence. Within a split second I hear “Oh ****!” as the guys then slammed into the front door. A massive tree by our fence completely uprooted from all the water and was just feet from crushing them.

 

 

Another near tragic incident happened that night in one of the mountain communities as well. An older couple (I know by acquaintance, but our nurses know well) lost their home to a fire and because of the flooded rivers our nurses could not get them help till the storm stopped. Also somehow the driver of a truck managed to escape before his vehicle was washed over one bridge eventually landing further down river submerged to the roof.

The rain continued as Thanksgiving morning came. Uncertain of when or if the rain would let up we all took to multiple houses to start cooking. By the time 1:00 rolled around it was decided the priest would not be able to cross the major river in town to make it for Mass. An hour later with the rain still coming down we began to realize the number of guests we'd be having would probably be cut in half since only those living on our side of the river could make it. There was so much to be thankful for and even amid the storm we found calm in the more close knit group that gathered. We sent out the word to more of our nearby neighbors and between employees and visitors still had around 50 people. This provided for plenty of leftovers for everyone to take back to extended family.

 

To work off all that turkey the following weekend we had our first (and hopefully annual) turkey trot. The original plan was a 5k but was closer to a 2 mile race. Our youngest boys and a few others had been training a few times a week with Laura and Kevin Kuehl. Race day came and although 1 or 2 did tire before finishing the lap within the Finca they all brought their A game. Holding true to his word that he would leave everyone in the dust without training 18 year old Juan Carlos basically sprinted the entire way lapping back while some were still heading to the turning point. Kevin Mader, Harrison pulled in a tight 2^nd and 3^rd with 13 year old Daniel right behind. 11 year olds Brayan and Joel had impressive showings. It was clear they had been training and now understood how to pace themselves unlike in a soccer game. 9 year old Seidy and 14 year old Belkis were neck and neck the whole way as they represented the girls houses. I am so proud of them all and so pleased to see how happy they all were with themselves for such an accomplishment.

 

Let's see... what else has everyone been up to. Our kids that are part of the PAVI work program (the acronym translates a bridge to independence life) took cooking and jewelry making classes in November.

 

We also celebrated a wonderful Christmas... unfortunately I don't have pictures of that just yet. Because my camera was stolen back in October I am now just using pictures that others have taken. That said you will just have to check back in for my next blog update. I will try my best to get it up in January.

To all: I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that the new year is filled with every grace and blessing possible.

Love,

Kit

Living La Vida Finca

I can hardly believe it's been over
a month since the last time I wrote. So much has happened since the end of September. I think this blog will best be told in photos and videos.

Before all the craziness started we (the missionaries) took a few days away for a retreat in the town of Saba. Just take a look at this view.

It was a great time of celebrating, coming together and reflecting.

A couple more missionaries entered into the ¼ century club (not that you could tell by the pictures since we are all acting like 10 year olds.) Here we are all together:

 

The transfer was made at the end of the retreat... the “oldies” said “goodbye” to Harrison... and my class officially welcomed him into our class since he has discerned to stay a 3^rd year.

On our way back home we made a stop to visit Edgar, Blanca and their 2 kids. They were the house parents in House 5 when my class arrived. Little Suyapa was just a few weeks old when we arrived so it was really great to see her now a year old. She's looking more and more like her big brother Oniel every day.

The following Saturday the entire Finca pitched in to clean up our beach. It's unclear why but one morning a ton of trash had washed up from the bay.

Trash is a huge problem in this country or at least the disposal of it. So hopefully this activity helped show our kids the importance of not just throwing stuff in the streets or the rivers since it all washes downhill and then into the ocean and back up on our property.

The end of September also brought the annual Independence Day school parade.

Considering the only people who come to watch are parents, the missionaries and maybe the odd neighbor it is actually a really big deal.

The kids get really into it and it's amazing to see how disciplined they can be.

I give our Honduran teachers a lot of credit for getting 16 first graders to march in any sort of formation.

The daily grind was broken up a bit when we received a “care package” from Sara. In this care package were 2 doggy bones which brought laughter to everyone since it's something so unheard of here to give treats to a dog.

So that night the few of us who actually sort of enjoy the two dogs (Oso and Canela) that hang around tried to teach them to sit with some success.

The last Saturday of September brought us to our day of the child celebration. We spent the day at a local hot springs/pool resort with food and pinatas from a local rotary club.

 

As fun as pinatas look it is not something I endorse with the least bit of my being.

I'm sure you can understand the stress of putting a stick in the hands of a “blind” child with 30 others hyped up on sugar encroaching out of control and then telling that child to start taking batting practice. But for some reason I permit it to happen.

Amid all these adventures since the start of September we've also been working on a very large project at the Canandian owned zoo/botanical gardens nearby.

     

As part of a competition with 12 other “artists” to beautify their property we have been charged with the duty of creating a sculpture and garden area.

The competition closed Nov. 1^st and will be judged Dec. 1^ste. We could potentially win $5,000 for the Farm and no less than $500.

Our sculpture is the facade of the cathedral in Trujillo with paths leading to it. On the paths are paver stones with the kids names and footprints.

This project would not be possible without the kids work, our maintence team and even more so than anyone Harrison who has really led the charge.

 

October 1^st we welcomed our newest missionaries to the Finca. It's been great getting to know Patrick, Curtis, Noelle, Tiffany and Natalie.

Before their arrival there were some “small” house repairs needed... this was the best water pressure we'd had in the shower for months so some of us were sad to see the shower fixed.

The first weekend of October we took about half the kids to a massive national get-together weekend of children's homes from across Honduras. We stayed at 2 children's homes in San Pedro Sula which gave our kids a chance to hangout with kids outside of our area.







There were lots of fun games and talents competitions. We took home 3^rd place for the most “beautiful and handsome indian” contest along with an award for our traditional dance.

Mid-October Andrea (former missionary/stateside director) came down to visit along with Katherine King (former missionary). Andrea's baby shower gave us all a chance to escape from the Farm for a night and just enjoy each other's company and plenty of cream cheese and cake.

It was also great to hear stories from Katherine of the earlier days of life at the Farm since she served from 1999-2001. This was just after Hurricane Mitch hit in 1998 and while many transitions were going on. It makes our level of “simplicity” seem like nothing now.

October 16^th marked a big day for our youngest and newest child. Yadira turned three and celebrated her first birthday with us here. I can hardly believe it's been nearly a year since she arrived.
 

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