Tegus is growing on me

Looking at the calendar, in just three weeks will be the year anniversary of our decision to take the jobs in Tegucigalpa. It's amazing to think that it was a year ago. And now here we are, in this troubled city, learning the culture and getting to know it's people. And some of them are just wonderful. This weekend we spent time with a Honduran couple, Mario and Soad (and she happens to be one of the most beautiful Hondurans I've seen yet). They had us over to their home, made a big Thanksgiving feast for us, and then we all swapped our comedic marriage proposal stories. Mario and Soad attend our church, and they are eager to be our friends. I'm so glad! In the midst of their obvious wealth, they have such humility and "down-to-earthness" about them. After church today, they even treated us with some cafe' at the nearby Expresso Americano (the best spot in town for the infamous granita cafes- a frozen coffee drink). 


We're getting more and more accustomed to our new home. It has really helped to have such an embracing church nearby. That community, while mixed of all kinds of denominations and mission purposes, believes that the body is one and acts in a genuine, loving manner towards each other. All pretenses are stripped. Being around this group of people has opened our hearts to their perspectives here in Honduras. However, I'm still working through the music we're singing as a "choir" for Christmas--eek... I think I sang something similar in showchoir one year. But hey, beggars can't be choosers! 


The weather is actually growing colder. We pulled out our sweaters this past week. Hondurans here though go the whole nine yards. They're selling down feather jackets in the department stores. Scarves, toboggans, and gloves are donned by our students almost everyday--and they don't even take them off when they're playing soccer during recess. It's definitely not THAT cold (maybe it's been in the 50's), but it's enough to want a little something to ward off the chill.


Driving around town is also less threatening now that we're used to where we're going (even though we still just go around and around our little bubble). We're in the mood for a car, but not in a rush. Our sweet neighbors lend us their car anytime it's available. And when it's not, we've got a faithful taxi driver, Marlo, who's always eager to pick us up anytime (and Colin always is over-generous with the price, but I married a tenderhearted man. I'm not complaining. He's just like my father-in-law--always wanting to make sure people are taken care of).


I miss home, but not because there's no TJ Maxx down here (although there should be). You can buy anything you need or want down here--and I've even found gluten-free crackers and cookies to satisfy my longings for Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. I miss my family and friends quite a bit. I often think about you all. Thank you for checking in on our blog. I'm heading up the blogs lately because Colin's hit a bit of a writer's block. But since I know most of our readers don't mind a little blabbing from me, and I don't mind blabbing, I have no qualms posting my random thoughts on a Sunday. 


We're working up the energy to suffer a SIX DAY WEEK at school this week. We're making up one of our missed days on Saturday. I've never gone to school on a Saturday before. Should be fantastic. Got any ideas to entertain the kiddos, since I know they're going to be so much fun to teach on their weekend day?? I'm thinking a game of Taboo all day--I teach English after all. Or maybe Scattegories if I can create it...I left the game at home. 

The product of not having carpet (Hondurans don't believe in it) and keeping your windows open all day. The foot-washing practice is necessary before bedtime...at least for Colin. I'm not as cleanly as he is, and so sometimes I (slight hesitation) forget...