My grandpa recently passed away, and it has been inherently difficult being away from my family during this time. There was nothing more that I wanted to do than to give my momma a big bear hug and to tell her that I love her, but I am TRULY, TRULY, TRULY blessed to be surrounded by such a terrific Finca community as well! I have been recently reflecting on what family means, and, in my opinion, it partly means who you lean on for love, encouragement, and support when things get a tad difficult. I obviously have an AMAZING family in the United States, but I also have a terrific family here that I appreciate every day.
In the first week or so after his death, I found myself craving to spend more and more time with the amazing kids that we have at the Finca. I deeply desired to chase around the young kids in Houses 4 & 6 and tickle them until they are crying with laughter once I finally catch them. One girl in particular in House 4 (we aren’t allowed to use names in our blogs) has the most INCREDIBLE laugh ever, and it brings an enormous smile to my face every time I hear it. Even though it was obviously difficult to be away from my family in this time, her laugh reminded me of what a family is all about.
I have formed incredible relationships with the girls and the tía in House 5, especially one girl in particular that will turn 18 and leave the Finca later this year. The day after I found out about my grandpa’s death, I had an UNBELIEVABLE afternoon at House 5 with this girl & tía, which I call my ‘Mama in Honduras’. The girl showed me old pictures from her photobook and told me many hilarious and loving stories from her time growing up at the Finca, as she has been living here since she was 4 years old. This afternoon with my best friend at the Finca and my Mama in Honduras filled me with an indescribable peace, love, and joy that a family is supposed to provide in a time of difficulty.
Our two oldest boys at the Finca (ages 13 & 15) live in San Valentin, and I am deeply grateful every single day for the relationship that I have been able to form with them during my 8ish months at the Finca. I deeply desired to kick around a soccer ball with them in the campo, share teenage boy jokes about girls and relentlessly laugh until we realize that we shouldn’t be laughing that hard, and genuinely just enjoy their presence while we watch a movie, eat together, or throw around paper airplanes.
I truly never have a dull moment with the younger boys in Casa 2, whose ages range from 9 to 11. I desired to play soccer with them in the campo or in the dirt outside of their house and have absolutely no regrets for slide tackling one another. ANYTHING TO SAVE A GOAL! The dirt stains will come out eventually, trust me! These boys in particular do an unbelievable job of showing me love no matter the circumstances, as they are always giving me random hugs and showing me their latest toy that they literally created from almost nothing and will keep them entertained for days on end.
Lastly, I desired the endlessly amusing jokes and games of rock-paper-scissors from our girls in House 3, whose ages range from 11 to 13. This group of girls truly never fails to bring a smile to my face, no matter how I am feeling or the circumstances of my day. This is a gift that I am forever appreciative for, especially in times when you can use a good ‘ol fashioned smile.
All in all, this small little Finca community is truly my family away from my family and has captured a piece of my heart that I never thought possible. From the moment that I wake up and do my morning prayer in our hammocks overlooking the gorgeous sunrise over the ocean to the moment that I finish my night prayer in our amazingly beautiful prayer room in Casa Santa Teresita, I am truly grateful to live, serve, and love in such an awesome place that I call home. I love these kids SO, SO, SO, SO much, but my grandpa’s recent death made me fully realize just how much this Finca community has become my “family away from my family”. That is never more evident than who you turn to when something challenging occurs in your life, and, for me, that is every child, watchie, missionary, support employee, and tía that is at the Finca. WHAT A GIFT!!!
Please pray for our summer missionaries that are arriving in just about three weeks. Please specifically pray that their time in preparation for this wonderful mission in rural Honduras can be filled with peace, joy, love, and confident expectation that God always provides. Please pray that they will be able to love these Finca kids and the kids from surrounding communities with all their heart, and that they will be filled with peace and joy during their time at the Finca.
Nick and Alyssa are visiting in just about three weeks as well!! I AM SO, SO, SO EXCITED!! It is virtually impossible to share the intricacies of my daily life at the Finca in a short blog post or a quick phone call on weekends. Truly the only way to experience my life here is to visit and live it for yourself. I AM SO, SO EXCITED to introduce them to all of the lovely people at the Finca and at our school, as well as to genuinely spend time with them and enjoy each other’s presence during their week here.
Please know of my prayers for you, and please let me know of any specific prayer intentions.
Thanks for reading! GOD BLESS!