Stitches in Honduras Round 2: The Drama Continues...

Greg was working out at the gym on military base on Monday night when he was approached by a fellow lifter. The man introduced himself and asked Greg if he was playing on one of the base intramural basketball teams. (Apparently the guy remembered Greg from flag football and was impressed with his athletic ability.) Greg told him he had not been recruited yet, so the guy asked Greg to join his team (the Fire Department on base). There were only a few games left, and several makeups, but he wanted Greg to play with them. Greg accepted and found out they had 3 games this week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday). I went and watched his game on Tuesday, and for a minute felt like I was at the NBA championship! The crowd was BRUTALLY intense, chastising the players, ripping the referees, and being just plain rowdy! And of course about 90% of the fans were there cheering for the OTHER team! I seriously was scared and barely even clapped when Greg´s team scored or rebounded. The other team and fans talked a big game, but fortunately didn´t bring one, because Greg´s team won by 12 points!

The best part of the night though, came after the game. The Honduran referrees offered to give us a ride home, back to Comayagua (about 15 minutes from the base). We gladly accepted, as a car beats the bus any day! So on the way home, one of the refs asked Greg to play on his basketball team! Supposedly it is the ´best basketball team in all of Comayagua´so they said! Another opportunity to play sports? Clearly, Greg accepted!

Last night, Greg had his second game. I couldn´t make it (I had other obligations in Siguatapeque) but Greg was there and rearing to go. Apparently the game was pretty one sided again, and his team had a decent lead near the end of the game. However, Greg´s intensity did not waver...he keeps it going till the last buzzer sounds! So with a couple minutes left, he went up to block a shot and collided with a player on the other team. He jumped up and when he came down, he landed on an opponents head...with is chin! Greg´s chin busted open along with the other guy´s head! Of course, Greg´s the only one that came out with stitches! 4 to be exact! I guess it had been a good 5 - 6 months since the last ones, so he was due! They stitched him up at the Medical Unit on base and send him home with some band aids and antibacterial cream. He said he isn´t in too much pain, the worst part is his tongue. He bit it pretty hard from the impact of the collision and it is bloody and swollen. Poor guy!

So, today Greg has a soccer game and another basketball game. He is determined to play. I am not in support of this decision, but hey, I´m just his wife not a doctor, so my advice is not credible enough to stop him! I think God is on my side though....because the weather is overcast and rainy today (and both games are supposed to be outside!) It seriously has not rained here (at least not in the morning) for months! Moreover, it is the ´dry season´ right now! I am keeping my fingers crossed that the rain doesn´t let up anytime soon! :)