Day 5: Making connections in new places

Today was a bit different, as we waved to some of our new school friends in the village but otherwise made connections with new friends and got to see the commercial and recreational side of Honduras. 

We began the day with a visit to the town of Peña Blanca to explore the stores, eat fried chicken and French fries for lunch and sample lychees and salted mangoes from street vendors. 

We then traveled to Pulhapanzak to try out their eight ziplines over the Rio Lindo waterfalls and cool ourselves in some of their smaller falls. We were joined by our newest friend Wilson, a translator who we first met at the Instituto Gubernamental Soberania, and later met up with two others, Flor, and Stephanie. 

Our dinner was special, as we returned to San Antonio de Cortese, picked up Chinese food, and brought it to share with the family of Kalin, a young girl the youth group sponsors through Por Que No Tu. She lives in La Cebita, about an hour from Providencia. While driving, we were able to see some of the jungle in Honduras. We then walked several minutes down a narrow path to their house, where we were met with tiny puppies moseying around and timid children in the doorways. 

While eating in their outdoor kitchen, we were able to share the true Hondurian experience of eating noodles and rice with our fingers. Afterward, we sang a few small, silly songs for them (and Flor and Wilson sang “Father Abraham” in Spanish, and shared lots of laughs. 

To end the evening, we prayed for them and then headed back to the mission base, along with Wilson, Flor, and Stephanie. We are happy to have the night to spend with our new friends, including devotions, snacks, and fellowship. 

-- Hannah Keeler :-)