Names and Things

          I love how Obed and Abaid call me B, how Eduin calls me señorita Gage, how Ashley and Antonia run and give me a hug and a big smile everytime I come to the restaurant. I love how Jonathon says 'Riah' from across the room with his head tilted to the side, how Joshua is still willing to sit on my lap and let me hug him, how Michelle breaks out into a smile and how Micheala makes getting things done sound so easy. I love our families! Nora, Karol, and Diego; Mama Luz and Romeo, The Maldonado’s – Ruben y Doña Toñita, Daniel, Jessy, Ashley and her quiet, smiling heart, and Danielito, Diana, Antonia with her confidence and friendship, my exercise partner por siempre, and Emma, precious emma – I had to work so hard for her to like me, and now her chubby arms willingly wrap around my neck and her dimpled cheeks smile from ear to ear when I pick her up and throw her in the air. I love Chino and his crazy laugh and crazy jokes and crazy hugs and crazy attempts to make Eduin jealous. I love Chino and Edwin’s impersonation attempts, especially Edwin’s impersonation of Antonia and Chino’s impersonation of Kelli – “papa’s fritas otra vez?” Allan and Enma, Rosinda, Don Marco, Pastor Castillo and Jonathon, Reina, Magdalena and Dina, Amec and Sindy; so many people so full of friendship and hospitality. From our families, we were invited over and over again to come back and bring our families and eat their food and occupy their couches and beds and not so spare rooms. I have no doubt that I would be well fed and and well bedded if I ever come back to visit.

I love the kids in the orphange, Johnny, Sammy, Belkis, Jennifer, Jenny, Jessica, Katarin, Miky, Alex – AKA Primo, Jonaton, Daisy, Luis, Augustin, Chino – AKA Andres, Johanna, Junior, Jaime, Paula, Alejandra, and so many more. My heart hurts for them, I feel like whatever I did wasn’t enough. Whenever I gave them things it made it worse even though I feel like I should have given so much more. I really love them but I was at a loss of what to do for them. Even the time I spent with them sometimes seemed to make it worse b/c I wasn’t spending time with somebody else. That was hard. But the good times outweigh the bad and I still love them. And the babies from La Finca – who haven’t learned that stangers are there to request stuff from and haven’t hardened themselves to loving and being loved by the people that come and go so freely.

I love Sandra from the orphanage in Santa Barbara and her daring, persistent heart.  I love Jehovanni and what he gave me – purpose for being in Honduras. He was always so grateful, willing to share love, laughs, thoughtfulness and appreciation through text messages and words when at his house. Bringing him company and what little relief I could was like experiencing a part of God's plan.

And I love, love, love Kelli. My friend of seven years and my wife of nine months. I am convinced that her supportive friendship and contagious laugh was God's way of getting me through this year! 

There are a few things besides people that come to mind as well. I love the clouds, full and white! There were so many beautiful places: the waterfalls, also known as Las Golindrinas, Roatan and it’s INCREDIBLE snorkeling and clear blue water, Copan’s butterfly sanctuary, and the market in Santa Barbara.  I loved running; the fresh air that filled my lungs and the scenery that refreshed my soul! I love that no matter how much I ran, the hills were still challenging, they could always be ran faster, yet made me feel accomplished just to get to the top no matter what pace I went. I also love Spanish, learning a new language was my biggest and most rewarding challenge from my year in Honduras! Last but not least, I love the pace of life. Sometimes it drove me crazy, but the majority of the time I soaked up the spare time that I had to do things that I wanted to do, like run, study Spanish, go to the orphanage, help Jehovanni, and spend time with friends.

Thinking of things I love in Honduras makes me think mostly of people. Everything I did has somebody connected to it, rather it’s a patient and their family, a friend, or a coworker. The friends and family that I made have truly enriched my experience. As I look back at this year, I remember the relationships so much more than anything that I ever did. There were challenges, there were hard times, there were tears, and there were many frustrations, but besides some hard lessons learned, I prefer to remember what I love. There will always be memories that will fill my heart with warmth.