Soccer, a Universal Language

Our last day in the village.  We’ve worked together, prayed together, and sung together.  Today it was time to play together. 

But first, a visit to the local school.  Since his fellow teacher was hurt in a motorcycle accident in June, Maestro Joseph, a terrific young man, has been the sole instructor for 53 students, grades 1-6, in two separate classrooms.  Despite the lack of support from the government, he remains passionate about teaching and clearly cares for his students.  

And then it was time for celebration!  Frisbees, bubbles, jump rope, soccer, and around two hundred people filled the community field and surrounding area.  We’re talking serious soccer here, organized teams of adults in their team shirts.  And a few turkeys.  Seriously, a few real live turkeys that rambled onto the field every now and then.  Mike and Ryan represented us well on their respective teams, despite Ryan’s soccer shirt that was obviously several sizes too small. 

After lunch, we shared a “typical” American birthday party, complete with party hats, noisemakers, kazoos, leis, and eight small cakes carefully cut into tiny pieces so that everyone could have a taste.  Paul graciously agreed to be our “birthday boy,” so to a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” sung in Spanish and English simultaneously, he blew out the candles, which repeatedly relit, drawing hysterical laughter from the crowd. 

S'mores!!

The “bombas de agua” water balloon toss was a smash hit, in every sense of the term.  Chaos reigned.  Pin the Tail on the Donkey was especially popular, particularly with the adults, much to our surprise.  The grand finale?  S’Mores!  Thirty people at a time crowded around smoldering coals, gooey marshmallow sticks, and smiles on faces young and old are memorable images we’ll carry with us. 

After a heartfelt and tearful farewell, we departed Bella Vista, grateful for the opportunities to serve with and be served by the hard-working and loving families of this special community.  How to respond to such caring, as well as such need?  We left what we could: children’s books for the new preschool, supplies for the grade school, a guitar for worship in the community center, and sewing and craft supplies, which may spur microeconomic enterprises.  We join with our dear friends in Bella Vista in praising God for the incredible progress witnessed over time, and pray that God will continue to bless our mutual efforts to do God’s kingdom work here in the mountains of Honduras.

Some of Bella Vista's Great Kids

According to Libby, an unofficial Honduran Mission Trip slogan is “Semper Gumby,” meaning “always flexible.” Whether it’s an altered  timetable or an unexpected change of plans, we are challenged to be flexible.

 For example, after devotions in the community room this morning, the field crew went off to work, some of our women went to help with meal preparation, and suddenly over twenty children seemed to materialize from out of nowhere.  With expectant faces, they took their seats and announced that school had been cancelled for the day.  Semper Gumby!  Thank goodness for a guitar and a few books. 

Meanwhile, a mighty crew of about 24 men, joined by Jane, Libby, and our Agros interpreter, Carmen, worked to clear an acre and a half of hillside land for cultivating chiles.  Using hand tools, they toiled in the sun for a couple hours and successfully prepared the land, despite encounters with ants and even a couple snakes!  The afternoon’s task, fertilizing plantains, was completed in record time, providing the opportunity for some story swapping in both languages. Carmen’s translating skills were put to the test with Steve’s cowboy poetry.  How do you translate “pert near?” 

Being flexible also involves creativity.  Ann and Vickie continue to generate great enthusiasm among the women and teens with their friendship bracelet and embroidery projects. Libby and Mike did a great job telling the story of Noah with animal puppets floating on a blue “sea,” courtesy of team members’ blue shirts.  Ward pitched in to read a children’s story in Spanish.  He remarked that he never realized “Cat in the Hat” was so long! 

May God guide us as we attempt to be His faithful and flexible people here, open to the possibility of each moment, the opportunities to build relationships, and the movement of the Spirit of God.

Outstanding in Their Field

Our work began in earnest today.  After a brief morning devotion led by Paul Hoard, the men took off, pondos in hand, for several hours of arduous work weeding the coffee plants perched on the steep hillsides.  The men of Bella Vista work with such methodical and organized skill and remarkable endurance, that at one point Mike Meyers asked if we weren’t in their way, holding them back.  The response was a sincere and resounding “No.”  To paraphrase, “Your visits motivate us, encourage us, and  bring us hope.” 

Meanwhile, the women helped prepare lunch and entertained the young children who don’t yet go to school.  Tortilla-making proved somewhat challenging, but hey, what’s wrong with square tortillas?  Libby and Field made their share of taquitos, trying hard to keep up with the speedy 12 year-old working with them. 

 After lunch, the men resumed their field work, fertilizing coffee plants in a protected “nursery” on the property.  The 4700 seedlings there represent a hopeful future for the community, as a cash crop will bring significant benefits.  In particular, paying off the loan for the land will realize the dream of land ownership.

 While several of the women from our team engaged women from Bella Vista in embroidery projects, the rest of us invested a couple hours in songs, stories, and crafts with close to 40 children from the village.  The school age children demonstrated no lack of energy despite having walked for an hour to get to school by 7 AM! 

Professor Kerry Does Elementary

Our day in Bella Vista concluded with songs and stories in the community center, highlighted by Kerry Irish reading “Huevos Verdes y Jamon” (“Green Eggs and Ham”), undoubtedly the hit of the day.  With the strains of “Yo Tengo Gozo, Gozo, Gozo, Gozo”

(“I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy”) ringing in our ears, we left the village with gratitude for the joy we are experiencing here in Bella Vista.

Welcome to Bella Vista, 2011

An hour’s ride on a dirt road leading us through picturesque countryside and up to the cloud-covered 3000′ mountains brought us to Bella Vista this morning. The mud created by last night’s spectacular thunderstorm in no way dampened the enthusiasm of our team and the tremendous welcome the 32 families gave us.

Council President Luis Alonzo Pineda began the welcome ceremony by leading us in a devotion based on Acts 2:42-47, “…they broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” this passage seemed to come alive in front of our eyes as we witnessed their love for one another. Afterwards, introductions were made, children sang a welcoming song, and several council members updated us on the major changes made in the village this past year. And major they are! New crops such as yucca, cocoa, and passion fruit have been introduced this year, and over twice as much land is in cultivation this season. Returning team members are amazed to see new fencing, chicken coops, family gardens, and improved sanitation. Despite the worst drought in the past fifteen years taking a toll on the plantain crop, the council members enthusiastically shared their ambitious goals for the coming year, which include fencing the entire property (over 200 acres), building a third water tank, and creating roads to facilitate harvesting and marketing crops. Improving community health and supporting effective communication and decision-making are important goals, as well.

After a brief tour of new homes, garden plots, and a few of the newer crops, we feasted on a delicious lunch prepared by women in the village, who treated us to tilapia, rice, tortillas, and Bella-Vista-grown yucca and passionfruit juice. Very few five star restaurants could beat the beautiful mountain views we enjoyed from the veranda.

Since it was Sunday and a time for families to enjoy a day of comparative rest, we departed earlier than usual, returning to the hotel in time to cool off in the pool and gear up for a full day tomorrow.

August 13-20

Please keep us in your prayers this week as we build community with the people of Bella Vista. From left to right: Steve Johnson, Field Hubbell, Ward Hubbell, Pat Crowell, Kerry Irish, Libby Boatwright, Jan Pearce, Wayne Waldal, Anne Waldal, Mike Meyers, Jane Ramsey, & Vicky Irish. Not pictured: Paul Hoard & Ryan Favero

Working hard at the "Tanka"

Our daily lunch at Bella Vista

Singing songs of praise (en espanol)

SMORES!!!!!

Hard to believe we are finally here and ready to go!