"I originally saw Honduras as a way "to get away." It's not that things are bad at home. There has just been too much going on this year. I originally knew I was going to help, but that's all I really knew, and sort of cared to know. But the day we walked into CDI, I was overwhelmed by the love that the kids had in their hearts. That night, the thinking started. I realized that I was there more than just to help. It still didn't connect though what my purpose on this trip was.
Probably my biggest contribution on Thursday and Friday was working on the bathrooms. Avery, Anna, Taylor, Luke, Jordyn, Mr. Keith Topliffe and I all worked so hard to try to build/ paint the "prettiest" bathroom possible for these kids. I've been good friends with Taylor Stroobosscher since 2011, when we were going into freshman year of high school. Now, we're about to jump into our senior year, but I have yet to see him as happy and proud as he was when he was working on the bathrooms this week. Taylor put all his efforts into making the bathrooms look the best they could. He added shelves, a toilet paper holder and arches to the doors, on top of completely reconstructing the walls, all to try and better the way kids saw the CDI. Then, Avery and I got really into designing and painting the whole thing. We came up with this whole intricate plan, and even though we didn't have time to carry out our ideas, Honduras really brought us closer together. I'm super thankful for that. As we were all discussing the design of the bathrooms, Pastor Carlos asked us to put a bible verse on the side. We debated on it for a little while. We really focused on two main verses. At first we were considering Romans 12:12. This is probably my favorite verse in the bible: "Rejoice in hope; Be patient in affliction; be constant in prayer." But then we looked at 1 Timothy 1:5: "The aim of our charge is love." It was much simpler. We went with the latter. Anna wrote it on these two planks of wood, and it looks so so good. We mounted it on the side of the bathroom that faces the entrance of CDI, knowing that every day that the kids will enter CDI, they will be reminded that "El proposito de este mandamiento es el amor." It was awesome to see how everyone contributed this week to the numerous projects we completed.
This week, I met a boy named Wilson. This little 5 year old boy caught my eye within the first 5 minutes of our first day. I'll never forget the moment I first saw him, grinning at me but trying to cover his eyes, because I truly believe that God put that moment in my life for a reason. Later that day, I decided to approach this little boy. At first he mumbled to me what sounded like "Me llamo Huecho." His brother soon came to tell me that his name is Wilson. Something or actually Someone was drawing me to this little boy. Not only did I get to see pure happiness in Wilson this week but I was also blessed enough to experience it. I can honestly say that I've never been happier than those times I spent with Wilson. He brought real joy into my heart. I think God gave me the task of loving Wilson with my whole heart, because he really needed it. Yesterday, his mom thanked me for making him feel loved. It was so unnecessary but made me feel so incredibly happy. I was kind of bummed, at first, when I learned that Wilson was already sponsored-only because I really wanted to sponsor someone I had a connection with. Then, on Friday afternoon, Leslie, a woman in charge at CDI, approached me to say that Wilson's youngest brother, Darwin, didn't have a sponsor. It was named a miracle in my eyes. I am now the sponsor of Darwin Garcia Santos. He's only two years old. I'm excited to build a relationship with his entire family. They all seem so special in their own ways. Wilson's mom was so grateful to me, just for giving Wilson my love (and I'm really grateful to him for loving me back). Darwin couldn't take one photo without putting his finger up his nose, and, well, Wilson has a heart of gold. There are no words to describe the joy that Wilson and many other kids at CDI have placed in my heart this week.
After a week of go-go-go, we finally settled down for 20 minutes on our last night. All us high schoolers plus Kyle, Tom, Susan and Marjolein, got together in the lobby of our hostel and sat in a circle. In the past two years, everyone had candles and shared stories from the week, plus gave shout-outs/compliments, etc. But this year, Kyle told us ACE hardware didn't have enough candles. He said, "but to set up traditions for the sake of traditions is not what they are for." So, instead, we simply shared our thoughts on how the week went. Then, we closed in prayer. It was so cool but still so simple. The theme of this trip, for me, was definitely how something so simple can be so good. In almost every scenario I was put in this week, simplicity provided me with joy. Despite the tarantula in mine and Iris' bathroom, the inability to use the tap water, and the cold showers, this was the best week I've ever experienced. The many setbacks only created many memories. Going home feels bittersweet. I wish I could have more time to try and make a bigger difference in all the kids' lives, but I'm excited to go home and try to be different. I'm excited to pray for Wilson and Darwin everyday with my mom in our nightly prayers, and I'm excited to share my experience with others. This week, God placed two young boys in my life that will stay in my heart forever. He showed me that I need more true joy in my life, and that I need to not be so selfish. Finally, he helped me build relationships with people from Grace Point that I'm excited to go home and build upon. #gpchonduras2014 was (as Kyle would say) rad."
-Anita Kelleher
I have no other words. Other than that pictures will be posted tomorrow or perhaps as early as this afternoon.
kyle
Jesalyn Nichelle was also a huge help to our bathroom project!!!!!!! I can't believe I forgot to include her name in this post!
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