It has officially been one week since I flew out of Chicago to go to Atlanta… Wow! The days have just blurred together. I already feel like I have known my teammates for months now…some even years. Zion's Gate feels like home to me, and I'm so exited to be here for another 7 weeks.
Training camp was pretty incredible. I was nervous at first that I would be impatient for the three days and that I would just want to leave already. It was really helpful, though. I feel like I grew closer to the Lord in just those few days and I gained a pretty solid understanding for what the next two months would look like.
In order to not repeat what we all have been doing, I'll just give you all a short synopsis of what Zion's Gate has looked like for me so far.
Thursday night, I went to Los Pinos with Maria (one of my teammates), Tony, Anderson, and a few of the girls who are ministering on the property. Los Pinos is a community right outside of the capital. It has a very bad reputation because there is so much violence and poverty. In particular, we went into Sector 7 to see Anderson's family.
After scaling a small mountain that was at least a 50 degree incline, we sat with Anderson's family for a while. One of the girls who lives on the property had made a cake for Anderson's mom, so we all celebrated together and just talked for a while. It was pretty incredible to see this family of 6 people living in one tiny room made from scraps of tin and wood. Anderson's mom is 26 years old (as of Thursday) and she has 5 kids ages 8,7,4,2, and 8 months; the kids are from 3 different dads. Even in these circumstances, they all continue to have faith that God is good. It really makes me reflect on my own life and how unbelievably blessed I have been.
I have been practicing my Spanish (and my patience) everyday with the boys. They are pretty awesome teachers! I am also learning how to climb trees, shower in ice cold water, jump of giant rocks into rivers, and sleep outside. Right now, all of the other 8 girls sleep inside and I sleep outside in my own tent next to the boys' tent…mostly so that I can look at the stars before I go to bed. Plus, the sun wakes me up at about 6 in the morning, so I get some solid quiet time before things get crazy with the boys.
God has done incredible things already on this property and with the boys, and every day is a new adventure here! I am so excited for all of our projects and ministries this summer and to grow more in my faith. Please continue to pray for me while I am here, for all of the boys on the property, and for the entire country of Honduras. It looks like I will be able to go to the mall about once a week to get internet and post on the blog. Sorry for the length of this one, I am guessing the other posts won't be as long.
¡Adios!
