Language Barrier.

6 years. Maybe even 7 years of Spanish classes and what do I have to show for it? I had an incredible time at the school today but I'm becoming increasingly frustrated with my communication skills. You'd think after 7 years, I'd be able to communicate better but I'm struggling more than I would have expected. Fortunately, the kids have been patient with me and taught me all of their recess games today. One of which was a Honduran version of 'Little Sally Walker' but it had to do with proposing marriage with some leaves and a kiss on the cheek....yeah I'm not quite sure. The kids were much more open today. So many abrazos de los niños. It is insane how eager these kids are to learn. Karin and I started in the kindergarten class and so many first and second graders came over during that time, not because they had to but because they wanted to. The school is flexible, so sometimes the kids float from classroom to classroom when they have some downtime. I'll take some pictures tomorrow so you can see the structure of the school (it's basically a long, turquoise building with four rooms). We ended the day in the first and second grade class. I showed them picture cards of animals, which they had to first identify in spanish, then translate to english. The cutest little boy was trying so hard to say 'puppet' but for the first few times, could only say,'pluffet.' Also, instead of airplane, 'hairblane.' So adorable.

On our way back from the school, we stopped with Penny at a mud hut, inhabited by one of the poorest families in the village (according to Penny). The grandmother takes care of the home, children and grandchildren but unfortunately, her body is riddled with severe rheumatoid arthritis. One of her daughters recently gave birth so when we walked into the hut, there was the tiniest of babies lying on one of the 'beds.' Penny brought cots, so the kids didn't have to sleep on the ground. There were chickens, puppies and kids running around everywhere. I really admire the work that Penny and the Rumbaughs are doing in the communities here. They don't believe in giving anything to the people here. They've seen first hand the effects of short term missionaries coming in here and giving the kids new school supplies and locals, new clothes. It creates a state of dependence for the villagers, and diminishes their work ethic (I'll explain more about this in another post).

When we returned to the casita, some MKs (Missionary Kids) came down and showed us the way to the ocean. We walked down past the children's hospital, through the oil palm tree fields, banana tree fields and a forest straight out of Alice in Wonderland to get to the beach. I hadn't anticipated swimming but I soon decided I couldn't pass up the opportunity to swim in the ocean (that little dot in the picture to the left is me). It was salty. So so so salty. And sandy. I felt like I was thirteen. I realized that there was a certain technique for riding the waves. Luckily Karin, Jenna and Mikayla helped hone my skills so I'll be better equipped next time out on the water. Tomorrow, Karin and I will be on our own at the school. I feel so much better about the material and just better prepared so I think we'll do well. We also might have lunch with Bictelia, the school director, and her family at their house tomorrow, which I really hope happens. I want to get out in the villages and get over this Spanish funk I'm in. Adios amigos.