The Christian Gringa

Next month begins my second year in Honduras. Its crazy to think about.

A year ago it took me 30 minutes to get the courage to leave my house and catch a taxi to grocery shop.  I use to cringe at the thought of walking to the local corner store to buy minutes for my phone. The people that yelled through my front gate selling stuff use to scare the heck out of me.  I was even intimidated at church services.  Dios le bendiga huh??  I use to feel everyone stare at my blonde hair and pale skin.  I felt so out of place.

Wow.  What one year can do. 

It will be year number two and not only do I enjoy the pleasant conversations I have with the taxi drivers, many of them know where I live.  The local corner store owners also know me and unlock their doors to welcome me in.  And when the street vendors come to my gate I am eager to see what they are selling.  Also, I have an iPod filled with Spanish Christian music. Dios le bendiga?  Amen!  And about the sticking out thing... I've embraced it with neon clothes and blue hair extensions.  I don't even notice the stares or kissing noises anymore. 

So what's the deal?  What's with the title of this post?  Well, now that I'm at home... Honduras is a whole new animal.  I feel like I've passed the initiation and am now entering the true test.  Can this Christian Gringa survive the real Honduras?  Can she?

Well, as I fight my way through I am remembering what a good friend told me years ago.  I was fighting through a different battle and when I thought there was nothing left, she told me to appreciate the little things.  At that time those little things were things like peppermint hand lotion.  It sounds silly but the smell was something little I found comfort in.

So as this Christian Gringa is fighting to stay true, I just wanted to share a few of the little things that bring me joy and have blessed me throughout my year in Honduras.

1) Hitch hiking through the mountains in the back of a pick-up truck.

2) Hiking for 8 hours a day visiting homes and people no one would ever see.

3) Realizing EVERYthing bites in Honduras.

4) Hearing children yell my name from the top of a mountain.

5) Walking along a highway, buying strange fruits and watching people laugh as I try to eat them.

6)  Sitting outside at night, staring into the mountains and sharing scary stories with a bunch of my favorite boys.

7)  Letting 30 children know I am afraid of large bugs.

8)  The smell of hand made tortillas cooking over a wood fire.

9)  Getting decorated with flowers.

10)  The 50 hugs and kisses I get every day.

11)  Getting called 'Mommy'

I tried to stop at 10 but realized my list could go to 100...  I am blessed.  Everyone should make a list like this. 

Here's to another year.