No Shoes, No Shirt, No problem.

...Unless you're a member of the Honduran church. Today, Karin and I got the opportunity to hang out with a third generation missionary nurse. She was born in Mexico, went to University in the states and then moved to Honduras, where she's been for the past 11 years. She married a Honduran man and they have three of the most beautiful children I've ever seen. It was really interesting to hear her perspective of the church in Honduras. I know I've mentioned the extreme legalism of the church here before but I don't think I really delved into it that much. Church here is everyday. 7 nights. Christi, the nurse, said that the church she attends, starts at 7 and ends around 9:30pm. EVERY night! She says it's extremely difficult because her husband works throughout the day and by the time he gets home, it's time to go to church and when they get out, it's time to go to bed. Women in the church are more strictly held accountable. Women cannot cut their hair, wear makeup or jewelry. They also can't wear pants. Skirts. All of the time. Lindy, one of the girls we've been working with, at one point said she didn't know if she could be a missionary because she's seen some missionaries wear pants and that's not "Christian." I can't imagine having to abide by these ridiculous rules. And these crazy ideas have been ingrained in the minds of the younger generation. If you neglect to attend church or cut your hair or disobey any of their insane rules, you're placed on church discipline. Church discipline means that you're unable to publicly read the Bible or preach or have any responsibility in the Church. Christi mentioned that her mother, who grew up a missionary and lived in Mexico for about 30 years translating the Bible, came to speak at her church. Her mom had the typical short grandma haircut (no offense to the g-ma's out there). After her sermon, a church member approached Christi, saying that some of the members said they didn't believe her mom could actively follow Christ because she had short hair. How ridiculous is that?! I mean I struggle with my faith enough as it is. I can't imagine trying to juggle these rules that really don't mean anything. I'm sure that there's a plethora of long-haired, skirt-wearing, clear-faced, church-attending women who have no idea what it truly looks like to follow Jesus. Dr. Don once said that if he had to attend church for two hours every single night, he probably wouldn't be a Christian either. I just think they're getting away from the point. If they truly took to heart the Bible's teaching of love, compassion and forgiveness, the length of their hair wouldn't matter nearly as much as their character. I don't know. Anyway, just sharing again what I've heard and learned. I'm currently sitting in a hammock on the Rumbaugh's porch, overlooking the Caribbean, listening to some angry howler monkeys. There's a cool breeze and for once I'm not sweating. Instead of saying I never want to leave, I'm just going to leave this lame post as is and enjoy this weather. I love you guys. XoXo.