God continues to provide!

We definitely slept better last night – thank heavens! We spent most of the day at the school today (Wednesday) from about 8:00am to 2:30pm. We learned more about the requirements for our classes, got some instruction from fellow teachers, and received our classroom supplies.

Here is what each teacher received:
1 glue stick
1 dry erase marker (which I learned that when it dies, I just exchange it for another one) l
1 pencil
1 eraser
1 black pen
1 red pen
1 tube of white out
1 one subject notebook
1 pair of scissors
1 set of rulers
1 dry eraser

The last three items on the list must be turned it at the end of the year, as they will reuse them. The librarian, Micha (pronounced Meecha) generously snuck a manual pencil sharpener in my plastic bag of supplies. She made me promise not to tell anyone she gave it to me though…not even Greg. I will be really impressed with myself if I don’t loose ½ of the supplies by next week. Well, maybe I’ll be more careful since I only have 1 of each item (or I’ll just steal Greg’s).

Our two foot wide closet and 2 drawers!

We finally had some time this afternoon to actually unpack! All of our luggage is officially empty! Although we don’t know where to find anything, we at least have it all put away! With only 1 armoire (think small), 2 drawers, and 3 shelves I must say that I really impressed myself by packing all our stuff into those tiny places! (Greg just happened to be really tired and in need of a nap when I mentioned the word unpack.)

Our three shelves...view from living room. Our bedroom is to the right.

Later this afternoon, Greg ran into our landlord, Alejandra (the mother of one of my future 4th grade students) and asked her up to our apartment to help us with our phone. It has a dial tone, but we cannot make phone calls (and no, people can’t call us because we don’t know the number…so we can’t give it out!) Of course, we got nowhere with that except that we will have to go to the Hondutel (phone company’s office) to find out the problem. However, she did give me lesson in washing clothes…Honduran style! We are very fortunate (no…that isn’t sarcasm in my voice!) to have our very own Honduran washing apparatus (see photo). What you do is fill the concrete basin (on the left) with water until it is nearly full. Next, take an article of clothing and place it on the left side where the built in scrubbing board is located. Wet the shirt by filling the bucket with water from the filled basin and emptying it on the piece of clothing. Then use the handheld detergent bar to lather up the article of clothing along the rough area of the scrubbing board. After a few minutes of scrubbing, rinse the piece of clothing with water (again from the basin reserve), ring out several times, then hang on the clothes line. Alejandra reminded me to spend extra time and work extra hard on the ‘armpit’ area of the shirts…as stink tends to build up in that area…especially in this weather! After she left, I did a couple more clothing pieces, then called it a day. I’m sure I’ll be back to do more tomorrow while the water is still semi-fresh as I was informed that you only drain and refill the water contained in the basin once a week (remember…it is outside and uncovered!)

Following that new experience, we joined Alan and the group at Mang Ying for dinner. It was great to be in the company of fellow Americans and learn about their path to Honduras. God continues to connect us with people here as while we were at dinner we met the Chaplain at the church on the base! He was having dinner with a young woman that we met yesterday at the school (she was there looking for a job). We recognized each other and she invited us over to meet her dining companions. The Chaplain said that he can get us clearance to enter the base on Sunday’s for church! We are very excited! It is so amazing how God keeps leading us to people that can help us! He truly is taking care of our every need! It is really cool to see His hand in everything! Greg and I pray that we continue to rely on the Lord everyday no matter where we are as much as we do while we are here! We were discussing earlier today how it is so easy to give yourself credit for the things that you have (I worked and made money, so I provided this food for myself! Or, I went to college and got this education, so I was offered this job because I deserve it!) Here, we are so unsure of everything that we have really have to rely on God to be our supply. We know He will not let us down!