Naomi, Ally (Samuel's fiance), Samuel, me, my Dad, Raúl, my Grandmom, and my Mom
Hello from the US! When I last updated, we were in the thick of last minute preparations--leaving bills paid in advance, making sure all of our students had their expenses covered and school supplies provided, and making sure we had somewhere to leave our car and someone to take care of our house and dog. For the most part, things were already mostly set whenever the Honduran Congress passed a controversial law that sparked public outrage. Since the election in 2017, there have been sporadic protests, but often, they have been limited or with little participation in comparison to the uproar that happened in 2017. The law in question was rumored to affect the whole education and healthcare workforce, and the response was more wide scale than previous protests had been (so much so that Congress later cancelled the law). There were roads blocked across the country with burning tires, and in some cases protesters clashed with police, and tear gas abounded. One woman on the northern coast gave birth in the midst of a protester crowd because she couldn't get to a hospital, and at least one bystander was injured in the crossfire of protests. Where we live, there is one principal road to get to the city. There are several back ways to get to the city if you know the way, but many of those areas are rough neighborhoods or areas also susceptible to protests. In the weeks leading up to traveling, I was having such a hard time sleeping because my brain was too active in thinking of all of the things that still needed to be done or what to do in the worst case scenario.
The weekend before we were set to leave, Raúl lost a dear friend who died in a motorcycle accident. Raúl headed to San Pedro Sula for the wake and funeral, and he still feels like the suddenness of such a young person's death is too surreal. It's hard to believe that his friend--who leaves behind a wife, a daughter, and a stepdaughter--is really gone. Please join us in remembering their family in prayer. His name was Robert.
Due to the protests and just an overall feeling on my part that we had already faced so much opposition to the whole immigration process and to this trip in general, we decided to ask some missionary friends who live closer to the airport if we could stay with them. They received us with loving hospitality on such short notice, and we started our trip feeling loved and at peace. Overall, our trip, though long, went fine. We had no delays or issues in immigration even though the process of getting approved felt a little nerve-wracking since we weren't clear on what to expect.
It still feels surreal sometimes to have Raúl here. He, meanwhile, has marveled over the dishwasher and has wanted to go down every aisle at Walmart asking me what everything is and what it does and what it's made of. He has been surprised by the tranquility of rural West Virginia and how people can leave all kinds of things in their yard or outside their businesses and no one steals them. He's also had some challenges in adapting to having down time. My husband is very hyperactive, and he loves to work. Relaxing is hard for him. Not having a pressing task at all times to keep him busy has been stretching, as I knew it would be. But, as he is constantly asking my dad what he can do around the house, he has push mowed lots of grass and is preparing to chop some wood even as I write this. My family is reluctant to give him jobs to do, but life, in general, is more peaceful for him and me if he can be in motion. Other times, when dad doesn't have a task for him, he has been reading--a first for Raúl, really. He's been enjoying a book about marriage that my mom got him. Overall, having been in similar seasons, I know that when we are uncomfortable is often when God is working the most, speaking the loudest, and transforming our lives from the inside out. So, while I sympathize, I'm also conscious of not entertaining him constantly and asking God to use this time well.
We hit the ground running a bit when we got here. I had to renew my driver's license, and we ran some errands with my dad. And two days after we got here, my brother proposed to his girlfriend, Ally. It was such a blessing to be able to be a part of such a special day that my romantic brother had planned to a T. He took Ally hiking and collaborated with one of his best friends to take pictures as he asked her to marry him. She said yes! The rest of the evening was spent in a surprise party at a popular café where the live band played a song they danced to. And, one of his best friends flew in from Denver for the occasion, while two of her best friends surprised her by flying in from Chicago and Baltimore. Watching my brother and Ally dance brought tears of joy for my family and me. We love Ally. She has fit in with our family pretty much from day one, and she loves my brother well. I usually miss these kinds of occasions, so it was priceless to experience my brother's deep happiness. True to Ally's disposition, even though it was her special day, she took the time to sit down with Raúl for a while and use some Spanish to communicate with him. He later commented how she made him feel much more at ease.
On Sunday, we headed to church with my parents and then drove two hours that evening to speak at my cousin's church. It had been a few years since I had had the chance to visit with that congregation, and they received us with such welcome arms. Raúl even felt at ease enough to share some of his own testimony, and true to Raúl's disposition, he was so genuine and charming that I think they loved him immediately. We finished the evening in a time of fellowship eating many of the delicious pies they had made.
Since then, we've been resting at home but will soon gear up for another round of visits. With all of the running and driving and busyness, I needed some time to just settle in and be. Thankfully, we have had some slower days recently where we've been able to do just that.
In the mean time, Raúl's brother continues to maintain the business and care for our house and dog. We are very grateful for his willingness to care for our life in Honduras so that we can participate in life here.
Later this week, we'll be headed to my old college stomping grounds. I have wanted to take a trip there for several years and just never make it to that part of the state. So, I am excited to revisit some beloved places, see some people I love, and get to share a part of my life with Raúl that has always been dear to my heart. We will also be doing some sightseeing around the Washington, DC area, so Raúl can have some more cultural experiences and get a sense of the grandeur of the US beyond rural West Virginia.
Overall, we feel so blessed to be here and are enjoying the time with family. My brother recently graduated with his master's degree in occupational therapy, and we were able to be present at the ceremony. I caught myself unexpectedly weepy as the whole coliseum sang "Country Roads" at his graduation because I'm proud of my brother and also proud of where I am from.
This is the first time probably since I was 18 that we're all living under the same roof again as Naomi is home from college for the summer, and my brother is waiting to take his license exam. It's precious time that God orchestrated perfectly. I hope to see many of you all while we are here.
All my love,
Sarah
