Saying Goodbye

Yesterday was the hardest thing I've done so far. We had to say goodbye to the kids at the CTC/church and at Casitas Kennedy. That being said, it was such a wonderful celebration of our time here. Our students spoiled us by making breakfast baleadas. We ate them around a huge table with laughter and tears. These students are our friends, and it is so hard to say goodbye. The orphanage was a whirlwind. We bought pizza and coke for everyone, so it was a madhouse. It was so busy, but a nice way to celebrate them. We had dinner last night with some Buckner-Dallas employees. We got to brag on our awesome translators and share our incredible experiences. Today is our last full day. I don't want to even think about having to say goodbye to our new best friends, Luis and Karla...

A Walk By The River

Today we had the incredible opportunity to walk around the community where the CTC and church minister.  Buckner helps families with jobs and school, and the CTC has a beauty school and computer classes.  The church provides nutrition packs for kids in their immediate community.  Some of our students (volunteers at the CTC) came with us today to meet some of the families Buckner works with. 

A typical home in the community

This little girl just got some new shoes from Buckner

We bought some very tasty tortillas

Many people who live in the community make their living by selling tortillas or anything else they can find.  One of the families we met has a 20 year old daughter, Abi, who is paralyzed from the waist down.  She is one of nine children, and their father left because he did not want to pay for a special needs child.  However, her sisters take such good care of Abi, and she also has a little bike she pedals with her arms.  When she is riding down the street, people ask for a ride and pay 1 Lempira (roughly 5 cents).  Abi just started school, and she was able to share her workbooks with us.  Apparently this weekend, she did all of her homework for the entire week!  I told her she was a nerd like me!  Abi and her family are just one of the families with incredible stories of survival.  Praise the Lord for the work the CTC and the church are doing in this community to change lives.