Day #11
Today we were back in El Porvenir at the main clinic. I do love adventuring out into the mountain villages, but I also really enjoy being at El Porvenir. There we have a more definite routine, and I know what Elba needs me to do and how to help her– rather than be in her way. Even though there’s an immense language barrier between the two of us, we’ve found a way to communicate impressively well (in my humble opinion). We do a lot of hand signals, extra explaining, and patience. Elba likes to overlook the fact that I don’t speak Spanish, and continue to go 100 mph when she speaks, and then look at me expectantly as if I FINALLY understand Spanish. I can’t say that I understand her all the time, but for a good majority, I end up figuring it out. When I don’t, I know how to say “yo no say,” and then we both just laugh. We do a lot of laughing…
I’m beginning to feel very at home at the clinic. I know I said it already, but my biggest fear (which turned into my biggest prayer) was that people around me would be frustrated and that I would be in their way here. I’d be lying if I said I never felt like I was in the way, but it was never the people around me that made me feel that way. It was really only myself. Every. Single. Person. That I have met, has been painfully patient with my incredible lack of Spanish understanding. They cheer me on when I decide that I want to try and make them suffer through a hodge podge sentence that sounded bad even when it was still in my head. And, on the RARE occasion that what does come out of my mouth does make sense, they celebrate with me!
I came here to serve, but I feel like all the while, the people I’ve met have served me. I came to share Jesus’ love with the people of Honduras, but they’ve taught me more about what His love really looks like. It is patient even when you can’t communicate simple ideas, it is kind even when you make their job more difficult, and it keeps no record of wrongs even when you accidentally almost give a shot to a baby that wasn’t supposed to get it. The love and kindness I’ve been shown can never be repayed, but I’ll sure as heck try:)
After noon, there were no more patients showing up, so Dra. Altamirano asked if I would like to go with her to the downtown market. It’s like the farmers market, except it’s there every Tuesday and Thursday all year long. There is so much to see: fruit of all kinds, vegetables, beans, fish, Honduran cheese (which is not cheese… they think it is but it’s just not… I’m from Wisconsin, I know these things.), and so many different baked goods. Being with a local at the market was so much fun. Jennifer knew about so many things that I never would have noticed. She also knew the vendors which means FREE SAMPLES. We tried fruits, “cheese,” sweet cream, and this coconut candy stuff that I sooo badly wish that I could get through customs. It is candied shaved coconut with either brown or cane sugar. We also tried candied coconut husk which was dipped in sugary stuff and then roasted somehow. It almost tasted like popcorn, but was the consistency of a cocounut. I’m pretty satisfied by my spoils from the market though. Three fresh avocados for 25 lempira which is equivalent to about 1 USD, some of that coconut candy stuff, and, my favorite, “leechies” they look like those clickbait food pictures for sure, but they taste a lot like grapes! There’s a big pitt in the middle though.
To top the night off, Mitch and I ran down to the Mennonite store to get some fresh icecream and yogurt. The carmelo ice cream was a good call, and the perfect way to end the day. Now it’s way past my bedtime, so I gotta go to sleep. Here’s hoping that Jack the Honduran Turkey Dog doesn’t keep us all awake tonight.
ENOUGH. 