Every Sunday night, we witness a beautiful sound radiating throughout the town's sky. I, along with two other "gringas," set out to find that sound this past weekend. After a 15 minute walk, we came upon an open air church halfway up the boulevard. This is what we saw:
Hondurans dressed in their Sunday best, bouncing on stage, dancing in the isles, clapping hands until they tickle, waving colorful flags/balloons. We were invited in with wide open arms, smiling at the little children... members trying to speak to us during the near 3 hour celebration of life, gifts, of love, friendship, health, happiness, and generosity... We saw our faces posted on the only two flat screens we've seen in the town! Bibles without hymnals, dramatic enactments of children escaping evil, thunderous singing, hands in the air, 5 year old boy singing solo with a microphone, on stage for everyone- hard to bear!
Here's part of an observation I wrote to a very missed friend:
"At church and in school, Honduran prayers are very celebratory. They request that families are provided with the things they need, that they are able to be generous.... They pray for us, as their teachers, and their friends. No one has "enough," but whatever they have, they share without the thought of anything in return. They will always stretch space and food for an extra mouth. These people are lovely. Tough as nails, yet gentle and always welcoming..."
Hard to know how to end this post. I put my computer down 3 times, and am now just eating this delicious fruity ice thing on a stick that my friend just ran and got for me- less than a nickel. Smile stretching across my face... There aren't always words, but it is something to sit beside someone who understands what's in your heart...
because they feel it, too.
Thank you for having us in your home!
