Feliz Navidad

Merry Christmas... Today is Christmas here at Emmanuel. We were able to sleep in this morning till about 7:15, which was nice to sleep a little more. All of the kids, staff and volunteers ate a big lunch together. We ate chicken, rice, potatoes, some fruit and a roll. It was really great, and I enjoyed helping out with the lunch. After we went to the church and passed out the presents to all of the children in the church. This took majority of the day. It was a good day, and wonderful to see the kids smiling faces. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. God Bless, Lindsey

Wow, I am so sorry it has been so long since my last post. I have been really busy with getting ready for Christmas, having my family come in town for Thanksgiving, and going to Tegucigalpa for a couple of days. I guess I should start by saying that I have really been blessed this past month. I had the opportunity to meet a lot of really great people from one of the teams that came in November. They were actually from Gainesville, so it felt like they were close to home. That whole week I worked in the clinic with a wonderful Doctor and other very sweet women from the team. I had a really fun time with Redwine, thank you. I was able to see my mom on Thanksgiving, which was such a blessing. I had not seen her in over 4 months, the longest amount of time ever for us. It is so wonderful seeing people that you love and spending time with them, even if it was only for 4 days. This past week I went to Tegucigalpa with a friend here. She had to run some errands and well as visit the hospital, so we made a many trip out of it. She along with another volunteer here were very unfortunate and got Malaria. I think it is going around if that is possible. (Please pray for continual health.) We had the opportunity to go to a church in Tegu, which to my surprise was very nice and big. I really enjoyed the worship, and although I was unable to understand everything they were saying I could really sense the presence of God there. It is an amazing thing, and I can only pray that God’s presence is in the churches in the United States like it is here. The container came this week as well, so we sorted all of the gifts for the children. I am really enjoying my mission here. I am happy to say that I purchased a plane ticket to come back in February for 2 weeks. I don’t have the money for my plane ticket right now, but I have faith that God will provide. I want to encourage anyone that may have to opportunity to come to Emmanuel or go on any type of mission trip to proceed and go with good faith. This experience although it is not over has taught me so much about God, myself, learning to trust in God to give me strength. I am so grateful for all of the people that have been supporting me through prayer and funds. I would not be here if I did not have family and community support. I have about 6 weeks left of my trip, which is very crazy to think about. Once again thank you for your prayer and support. Have a wonderful week, God Bless, Lindsey

71 Days Left

Hey Everyone, I hope this finds you well. I just got home from my trip yesterday. I went to renew my visa with another volunteer. We left on Saturday the 25 and headed to San Pedro Sula. We stayed there till Monday and we drove to Puerto Cortez to take a boat ride to Belize. When we got there they let us know that they would not be making the trip to Belize on Monday because of the weather, but maybe on Tuesday. So then we road back to San Pedro to stay one more night. The next day they called and said that they would not be going at all. So we had to figure out another plan to leave the country because I had to get my visa renewed. I was able to find a decently cheap flight out of Honduras to Fort Lauderdale. The reason it was so cheap was because it left at 1:00 AM, but the Lord was good and we made it to the US at 5 in the morning. I have a wonderful friend with an amazing family that picked my friend and I up at the airport and let us stay at the condo for the week. I cannot thanks Francesca and the Guerrieri Family enough. We had home-cooked meals that were so good, God was definitely taking care of us during our trip. Our flight left Tuesday night at 11:25 which put us in San Pedro at 1:00 AM. I have a hard time sleeping on airplanes and there was a guy talking to me the whole trip, needless to say I did not sleep during the flight back. So we just hung out in airport until about 4:30 then took a cab to the bus station. After our 4 hour bus trip back to Tegucigalpa, we took another taxi to a different bus station that brought us to Guaimacia, and then we took one more taxi to the orphanage. I am glad to be back and finish my time. I am completely finished with school, which is really exciting. I will continue working in the clinic and we have to start working on cards for Christmas. Thank you for all of your prays, I really appreciate them so much. God Bless, Lindsey

Day 90

Today is the middle point of my trip in Honduras. I have officially been here for 90 days. When I think about it, at times it seems that I have been here forever and other that the time is going by real quickly. Since my last post things have been going much better. Sonia was let out of the clinic, which is such a praise. I am working in the clinic in the mornings and afternoons still as well as teaching school. I am giving my classes their finals early because I am leaving for Belize on the 25 of October. I am going with another volunteer here, so please pray that we will have safe travels. I am very excited to have a little break and get to see more of Central America. This past Monday we did not have school and a group of the medium boys went to the Mountains, so I went with them. I came back with so many mosquito bites, I think my ankles are swollen. They itch so bad too, but I try not to scratch them cause they will leave marks on my legs. The mosquitoes are different here, they leave little scabs when they bite. I have been hanging out with some of the new volunteers and they are really fun to be with. It's nice to be with people your own age to talk about things you have in common. Not much exciting is going on, but I can see the God changing my life in many different aspects. I have been reading The Purpose Driven Life, and I would highly recommend it. I learn something new everyday, it's really exciting! Please pray for the orphanage, there have been a lot of government official coming and trying to stir up trouble. Thanks again for all of your prayers and support, I really appreciate it!
God Bless,
Lindsey

Day 82

Hola,
Today has been a bit of a drag for me. Do you ever get in a funk where you just don't feel good and happy. That has been me these past two days. Two volunteers that I became close with left yesterday. They had been here since last October, so they were excited to leave. I on the other hand was not excited for them to leave. There are only two volunteers in the house now, me and the new volunteer that is from Denmark. The girls that left taught me so much about the orphanage and what to do, I am going to miss them so much. I think it is also sad because you develop a strong bond with these people that share your same struggles and triumphs while you are serving, and once you leave them it's not likely that you will ever see them again. Also every time someone leaves it makes you want to go and see your family too, but I am excited about my trip to Belize that is coming up in three weeks. I am still giving out medicine, but for the boys now. Sonia is still in the clinic, I think this is her 6th week. This has also been hard because the other volunteer and myself are constantly in the clinic. It is hard sleeping in the clinic every night and being here during the day. I am still teaching school, and we have about 5 weeks left before the end of the quarter. I am also helping in the clinic, I went to the hospital yesterday with a boy because we thought he might have broken his elbow. I don't think that he broke it, but he is wearing a cast. I am very excited to have my mom come and visit me over Thanksgiving. I really miss my family, but then take a second to think of how much these children probably miss their families. Please continue to pray for me, I really appreciate all your prayers. I pray that God would protect us here in Honduras and that he would continue to work in my life and revile the plan that he has for me. Once again thanks for all the support and Love!!!
God Bless,
Lindsey XOXO

Day 72

Hola,
This morning I am in the Clinic.... Still! Hopefully within the next 2 weeks Sonia will be able to go back to here house. A new volunteer came this week, she is from Denmark. The other 2 volunteer girls are leaving in the beginning of October, and I am going to miss them so much. We walked into town yesterday after school. I was actually able to buy chicken breast for the first time. I have not eaten one in forever. We have some new volunteers coming soon, and they will be teaching school. I am not yet positive whether or not they will take my place in the school. I have to go to Tegucigalpa soon to buy an extra month in Honduras. I have almost been here for 90 days, which is really hard to believe. At the end of October I am going to Belize to renew my visa for another 90 days. A little problem that I am having is there are no other volunteers that need to go. A family will be going and I will travel with them, but I still have to stay by myself which will make my trip much more expensive then originally planned. I do know that God will provide and protect me while I am there. I really wish that I could go on this trip with some people, because it looks really fun. I will have to opportunity to relax be myself, and that is exciting. There was a group here this past week and one day they served chili dogs to all of the houses. They smelled so good, but we didn't get to eat one. My Spanish is beginning to make better sense. I am still learning a lot of words every week, which to me is exciting. I hope that they weather at home is nice, it is so hot here especially if it doesn't rain. Everyday I am here I learn something new, whether it is about myself or just a fun fact I am always learning. God is working in my life right now, it is so amazing to me how I am changing. Just my outlook on life in general is different.
I really hope everyone is doing Great and I miss you all. Have a woonderful rest of the weekend!
God Bless,

Lindsey

Day 63

Hello Everyone, I hope that this blog finds you well. I am doing really great. This week we did not have school on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. This only meant that I had more time to be in the clinic. Monday was independence day for Honduras. There was a really big parade with kids from all of the schools in Guamacia. Some of the kids from the orphanage were in the parade and the teachers went to walked with them. It was very hot and I was sunburned by the time we go back to the orphanage. On Tuesday I was in the clinic for the morning which was long, but after I was able to go and help the little boys build a garden. I went with another volunteer and we dug up lots of dirt and they planted some vegetables like: beans, peppers, yuka, and onion. I hope that is grows and produces lots of crops. God has really been working in my life. I am learning so much about myself that I would have never know had I not come here. I am very thankful to everyone that made this opportunity possible for me. I am still in the school right now. There is a couple that is coming next week for a year. I think that at least one of them is a teacher, and will be taking my place in the school. Once they come I will start working in the clinic everyday. The volunteer that has been in the clinic is leaving in October, so I am learning a lot from her. On Wednesday I pulled pieces of a torsalo out of a boys leg. It was really disgusting, but I was so proud of myself. I am doing things here that I would never been able to do or want to do anywhere else. I am still teaching tennis, which is discouraging because the kids are not very good, but I can't be to serious about the tennis. When I think about it I am a little sad that one-third of my trip is over. Thanks for all of the love and support, I really appreciate it!!!! God Bless you all, Oh sorry about the video, I could not get it to flip upright!

Lindsey (:

Day 56

Today I went to Tegucigalpa for the day. I was supposed to do some much needed grocery shopping, we had to take a trip to the doctors office and did not have much time to shop. I think that I have a parasite in my body. I took medicine for it so hopefully it will go away soon. This week has been a pretty long week for me. I had to give the students that failed their exam a retake. It is a bit discouraging when my students are unable to tell me that banana in Spanish is also banana is English. I just have to keep doing my best and remember that I am not here for myself, but for God. We are still in the clinic 24/7, which is hard because there are only 4 volunteers here. I believe that a team is coming to Emmanuel soon which will be nice. The children enjoy it when teams come, it gives them a chance for a change of pace. It has been raining consistently everyday, which is great because it is so hot during the day. I hope that everyone is doing well, and I miss you all. Thanks for the prayers and support! God Bless, Lindsey

Day 49

This morning I woke up around 5 AM to the sound of gunshots. I was truly concerned that someone was in the complex. I later found out that this month is some type of holiday and I will be hearing a lot more gunshots. This week at school we are having exams in all of the classes. I had to come up with all the test, and give them to all of my classes. Majority of all the kids have a very low self-esteem and don't believe that they can do anything that may be difficult to them. I am trying to help them with their confidence. We are still constantly in the clinic 24/7. Since we only have 4 volunteers here right now we spend lots of time there. This week at tennis we played with real tennis balls for the first time. I hope that the boys and girls will begin to pick it up a little better now. My mom sent me a Hannah Montana video and all of the girls went crazy over it. She is very popular here, as well as High School Musical 1 and 2. I have both of these movies memorized. Last night we had the Lord's Supper in church. It was a good fun experience. My Spanish is improving pretty well. I am learning new words everyday. It has been raining majority of the day today, which is really great because it cools everything down. Thanks for the Prayers and support. God Bless, Lindsey

Hot Honduras

Today is August 30 and it has been a very hot day! The container came last night and I was the happiest girl at the orphanage. Haha I am still working at the school, passing out medicine, tennis, and helping out in the clinic. There is a girl in the clinic with hepatitis C or A. So there constantly has to be someone in the clinic with her. There are only 4 volunteers here so we are constantly rotating. I will be sleeping there tonight. I am beginning to enjoy my time here. It is getting better because I know more of the kids and spanish. Since I have been teaching I am learning lots of the words. This week we learned different foods, so I am definitely getting better. Thanks for all the support and prayer. I really appreciate it! God Bless, Lindsey

Day 40

Today is Wednesday the 27 of August. The internet has been down for the past week and a half. We are hoping for it to be back up in 2 weeks. I have been working in the school on week days except for wednesdays. I am also beginning to work in the clinic. The kids come to the clinic if they are sick or hurt theirselves. I drove the truck into town on monday, we had to go to the hospital. It is very different driving here because there are no driving laws. I was nervous about being pulled over because I am white, but thankfully I made it back safely. My days are becoming more routine here, and I think that I am growing. Hopefully the internet will be back up soon. Thanks for your prayers and love, they are much needed! God Bless, Lindsey

Day 31

I have been teaching English in the Primary school this past week. It is not easy by any means. I did not expect this experience to be easy, but right now I can say I know that I would not want to be a teacher. Today was a really hard day for me. I was asked to teach, but was given any instructions. After having a mental breakdown, I learned that I do not have to give tests or even go by the book I was given. I hope that this will make class more fun, and the students will be able to learn more. I can teach whatever I want and I will be giving them a grade on their participation in class. Please pray that God will give me strength everyday to show God’s love and be encouraged. On a lighter note I had a good weekend. I went to the toddler’s kitchen and helped make lunch. I also was able to learn how to make tortillas. I can’t wait to come home and make them for my family. We have a group here from California that has been nice. Please continue to pray for me, and that God will be able to use me in the best possible way. Thanks for the continuous support for my while I am here in Honduras. It has not been easy and I would love to come home, but this is where I am needed the most. I will continue to do God’s will, and pray for confidence within myself. Thanks again. God Bless, Lindsey

Day 24

Hello~ I think that I am beginning to feel more encouraged. I have been home sick much of this past week, but I am beginning to feel more encouraged. I will start teaching thr Primary school English classes. This includes students in 1st through 6th grade. Majority of these students do not know any English. I have a really large challange before me, but I know that God would not require something of me that I would be uncapable of doing. Someone recently told me that I need to have my heart guarded from the mean comments and gestures that some of the children may say to me, but on the other hand I need to have an open and loving heart. As humans we are the same way to God, we say or do things that hurt him, but he still loves us and would never turn him back on us. I had a great afternoon on Sunday. I was able to take on of my friends Angie to lunch up at the store. She is an older girl that has always been a good friend, and has such a big heart. I was so happy that I could do something special for her, because I know she has had a rough life. On Sunday night one of the girls killed a tarantula outside of our house. I had never seen one before sunday night, and they are not cute. I hope I never come into contact with anymore tarantulas. The rest of this week will be interesting. Please pray that I will have lots of patients with these students and also that they will have patients with me! God Bless! Lindsey

Day 22

Hi Everyone,
This week has gone by some what fast. I have been doing the same chores. I am getting into a better routine. We had 3 volunteers come on Monday. One is a lady that has 4 kids at home, and she will be here for 2 weeks. Another is an older woman that will be with us for 4 weeks. There is one more girl that is 20, and she will be here for 6 weeks. I am hoping that she will be able to help me in the school. One of our teachers is leaving, so the girl that I am teaching with will have to take his place leaving me all alone. I have learned some new Spanish words. I don't know how is spell it but it sounds like crietia, which means snobby. Another gesture that I learned is when someone hits their elbow to their hand. This means that you are selfish. I have been getting this one a lot lately since I have started giving out the medicine. Everyone wants some medicine and when they don't get it they get mad at me. It's ok though I just smile and say thanks. Yesterday a girl that is not all right in the head tried to hit me with a mop and then some rocks. She was mad I made her take her medicine and then would not give her my medicine bag. It can get under your skin when no matter what you are doing someone is constantly upset with you. At this point in my visit it has been a good thing that I don't know much spanish, because I don't understand the rude things that the kids are saying to me. I went to town today to pick up some food, and I had never seen so many people in the little town and on the roads. Once I am back inside the gates of the orphanage I feel much safer. I am ready to go to church tomorrow and hear an uplifting message. Last night the 5 volunteers and myself played a fun game of scategories. I had the lowest number of points out of all of us. Oh well.... Till next time God Bless, Lindsey

Day 17

Good Afternoon,
I made it home from the city safely. We left really early and walked to the bus. This bus is an old school bus, and it's called a "chicken bus". I think because you are allowed to carry your chickens on it, luckily no one brought a chicken. The bus makes numerous stops along the trip to the city. People will get on and sell food, and I bought these bread type things. They were good, one had a cinnamon taste. After riding the bus we go a Taxi, and I think that I mentioned before they drive crazy. Finally we were dropped off, but it did not really look like a clinic. After about 10 minuates a man was walking down the road and asked if we were looking for the clinic. He told us we needed to go to the front. The taxi driver had dropped us off behind the clinic, so we had to walk alittle ways to the clinic. Once we got there we were greeted by one of the men that work at the orphanage. He was there with his dad, and he had already gotten us a number. After we left the clinic we went to one of the malls. For the most part it looked similar to an American mall. We went to the food court, and I ate Wendy's. The grocery store was also in the mall, and it resenbled Wal-Mart a lot. I really like Arizona Green Tea, and I found some there at the store. I bought it only to later find that I had paid about 6 dollars for it. Owell. We were able to ride home with a staff family that had been in the city for the week. Today was a good day at school, the students were some what behaved. I have began to take medicine to the girls at their houses in the morning and evening. No one has died yet so I am doing ok. Thanks for your prays! I Love and miss everyone!
God Bless, Lindsey

Day 14

Hello,
I hope that everyone had a great week. I have been tired majority of the week. After saying the night at the clinic, I never got my sleep back. Wednesday night our power went out in the middle of the night, and for some reason it woke me up. I have come down with a sinus infection, which makes me tired also. This week at school was a little rough. I am not yet callused to the kids and their unkind attitude. I think that God is not only teaching me more patience, but also to become stronger emotionally. I don't know what to do when a students constantly will not take his book out and tells me to leave them alone. It is frustrating to say the least, but I know it will get better as time passes. I was walking home tonight from dinner at the team house, and for the first time I looked up at the stars. Although I could not find the moon (sorry mom), they were so beautiful. The stars look really close, maybe because we are high up. In the morning I am going to Tegu. with one of the other girls. She has to take a girl to the clinic, so I am going to go along for the trip. We are leaving at 5 am, and walking to the bus. I think we are going to the mall, I am really excited!!!! Also, I want to tell my parents that Fanny got her tooth fixed. One of my dad's friends had a large chip on her front tooth. She would always put her hand in front of her mouth when she smiled, but not anymore. Please keep me in your prayers. Thanks!!! God Bless,
Lindsey

Day 12

Good Morning,
I hope that this post finds everyone well. This week has been so busy with the group from alabama here. Monday night I slept in the clinic with Louise a toddler that was sick. He had something like Dingy Fever(not positive of the name). He went to the hospital monday morning, but needed to be watched through the night. Praise the Lord I did not get sick, even though it was not contagious. He was feeling better, but now I think he has a fever again. I did not sleep much monday night. We are low in number of volunteers, so we have been running around trying to make the best of the situation. One of the girls left, and when people leave they leave their food. I was finally able to eat some spagatti O's, and they were so good. School has been going ok, it is just me and one other girl teaching english. Majority of the kids do not want to learn english, which makes teaching it interesting. In one of our classes yesterday I told a story about myself in english of course. They seemed to enjoy and for once listen. Thanks for the prays and support! God Bless, Lindsey

Day 9

Hello All,
This weekend went by very fast, although I only spent time with the kids in their yards, and went to church it was eventful. Tomorrow I am officially teaching with another girl. We teach English for 7th, 8th, and 9th. We just found out friday that the primary school (1st-6th) has to begin english classes. This means that one of the teachers I had been teaching with will now be working with the primary school. I am looking forward to teaching, and being able to help the students learn english while I am still learning spanish. Primarily I have been hanging out with the older girls. This weekend I went to the toddler house, and the middle age girls. I really enjoyed playing with them, they are really sweet. One problem that I don't want to face in the future is becoming good friends with my students, and them seeing me as a friend rather their teacher. Majority of the girls are sweet, and hopefully this will not be a problem. I have not spent that much time with the toddlers, but they are all very sweet. There is one boy named Oscar that is especially kissie. He is really cute thought, he looks American almost. I have a really busy week at school and tennis this week. One of the men that usually helps me with tennis, will not be here so I am on my own. I hope that everyone is doing great, I thanks so much for the support. Bonnie, I love and miss you so much! Everyone have a great week!
God Bless,
Lindsey

Day 5

Hello, Today I woke up and went to circle with the older girls. For those of you who don't know circle is in the morning before breakfast when we sing and have a short devotion. All of the different group split up in their yards. After circle I went to see if I could find my boxes, but no such luck. It's ok... I was also able to go and work with one of the girls on my Spanish and her English. I also went to school today and had a fun two classes. I got back home and went outside and there were some cows out by our house. They were not our cows, but they were enjoying the grass outside our house. Tomorrow I have tennis once again. I am looking forward to working with the girls. Thanks again for the support. God Bless, Lindsey

Day 4

Hello Everyone,
Today was a bitter-sweet day. It was my second day teaching school. We had four classes, and all but one were pretty behaved. Today was my first day teaching tennis. I enjoyed this the most. The nice thing about teaching tennis is that I am teaching with two workers that are men so they are able to interpret for me and the children listen to them very well. On the down side of today I am pretty sure that I lost one or two of the boxes that I sent back in June. I don't completely remember exactly what was in the box, but I'm sure it can all be replaced. I have only been here for four days, but it feels like four weeks. Tonight I steamed an onion, carrot, and bell pepper that I purchased in town yesterday. They were good, but I bought some soy sauce and it was not the type that I am used to. I am slowly becoming a vegetarian, I have not eaten any thing with meat except last night we had pizza. The pizza was definitely different. It had some vienna sausages on it... My papa would have liked it. I am excited that there is a large group of volunteers coming this weekend. Usually we are invited to eat with them, and they are coming from Alabama so hopefully they will have some good food. I really appreciate all the support and this is just the beginning.
God Bless,
Lindsey

Day 2

Hola,
Today was my second full day here at Emmanuel. On Saturday I woke up and there was not much to do. Saturday and Sunday are considered free days, unless you have an obligation. I made friends with two boys and some girls that know my parents. There was a concert that some of the children sang in at the church. After the concert the volunteers were invited to eat dinner with a Danish group from Denmark. We had a good time of fellowship singing after dinner. I was very tired even though I don’t feel like I did much. Today I woke up and went to church. It was a good sermon about God and his strength. Papi (The Director) was interpreting the whole message. It was different. After church I went and played with some young girls on the playground. The great thing is once one child begins to talk to you everyone wants to know who you are. On the down side, it is really hard for me to communicate. I speak very little Spanish and majority of the time the children will not speak English whether or not they know it. They will talk among their selves and I can tell that they are talking about me, but I don’t know what they are saying and they laugh at me. I have begun to learn to brush it off. I feel like I am on a roller coaster, one minute I feel like I don’t know what I am doing here and the next minute there are girls all over me. I am almost positive I will be teaching English and tennis! Please continue to pray for me, especially that I will be able to pick up Spanish in order to better communicate with these children. Thanks so much for all the support!
God Bless,
Lindsey

Im Here!!!

I am Finally Here at the Orphanage. My Flight left this morning at 6:40 and I traveled all day. I rode to the orphanage on a bus with lots of people. It is very intimidating being in a country where you don't speak the language. I will be doing my best to learn it though. We didn't know whether or not there was a rainy season, but I will go ahead and say that there is. It rained the whole way home from the airport, and will continue to rain till Dec. (we need a rainy season) Honduras is not what I had envisioned in my head. There are chickens and dogs running around loose. I don't think that the people like me, they are looking at me weird. I have not met any of the children at Emmanuel, but I am staying with a house full of girls. I know that in the end this is going to be a great trip, but having to leave my family and David for 6 months was really hard for me. I really appreciate all the support and hope that you will continue that God will give me peace and use what he has given me to it's fullest. Please keep me in your prayers.
God Bless!

So finally the time has come and I will be leaving in 4 Days. God has answered one of our prayers and the airport at Tegu is now open. My flight leaves at 6:40 a.m. I appreciate all the prayer and support. Thanks
God Bless,
LIndsey

Round/Robin

I just want to thank everyone that participated in Play for a Cause, whether you played or just supported this fun event. I am leaving in 25 Days, and becoming very nervous and anxious to leave my family and friends. For those of you who may not know me that well I would like to believe that I am not as adventurous as I may seem.
May of you heard that my transportation plans have changed. I was originally flying into the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, but a plane crashed and 5 people were killed and the airport is temporarily closed. I will be flying into San Pedro Sula, and taking a bus to Tegu and spending the night (probably not sleeping) until the people from the orphanage come and pick me up. The beginning of this journey is the scariest part of the trip. Please pray the God gives my peace, guidance, and safety as I travel alone!
Thanks again for all the support for everyone!
God Bless

Thanks Everyone so much for such a great graduation/going away party. I appreciate all the support while I am preparing to leave.

Hey Hey hey