Breaks on the beach are a good thing

As you might have noticed in some of my blogs, there is a wonderful family that lives here in Ceiba and helps us out with both hospitality and caring for the teenagers, the Satterlees.  Almost every Saturday we eat lunch and then hang out at their house to share time and have a change of scenery (they live in a quieter neighborhood in town). 

This past Saturday, Scott wanted to take us out to a pretty nice restaurant on the beach in Ceiba, "Guapos," and then spend the afternoon on the beach in front of the restaurant.  As any of you know, I am awful at taking breaks, awful.  So I of course worried we would not have enough time when we got back for them to get dinner before youth group, what about their project for school, etc.  I definitely fulfill the over worrying maternal stereotype in my role as the girls caretaker.  Eventually though, we decided, why not.

So we had a picnic in a nearby park, then headed to the restaurant for sodas and some Frisbee and volleyball on the beach.  It turned out to be one of the most relaxing and pleasant Saturday afternoons yet in La Ceiba.  We all enjoyed, and headed back before it got dark with plenty of time for all the things we had to get done that afternoon.

I therefore dedicate this blog to Scott and Janet Satterlee, for forcing me to take a break, and granting my self and the girls a truly beautiful afternoon.  Thank you both.

Feliz Cumple Marina!

On April 17, Marina, one of the three teenage girls here in the apartments in la Ceiba, celebrated her golden birthday; she turned 17 on the 17^th.  As it was her golden birthday, we went all out.

We started the day with fresh baked cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  For lunch, we had Ceiba’s beloved “Pollos Marlon,” aka fried chicken with fried plantanes in a way only Ceiba can create.  Keeping with the Hondu theme we got a 3 liter of Coca Cola to wash all the chicken down.  That afternoon she headed off to the internet café to check all her facebook messages.  Before dinner she got birthday phone calls from former volunteers Scarleth and Francesca, and got to talk with her three younger sisters who live on the farm in Trujillo. 

For dinner we ate the favorite for most all of our teens here in la Ceiba, Chinese fried rice from the Chinese restaurant across the street.  After Marina opened her presents, which included two shipped in from America (Thanks Erin and Francesca!), we then proceeded to kick the boys out and have a pajama party…Twilight Style.  Marina loves Twilight, so we started at 7 with the first movie, and didn’t rest until we made it through the first three at 1 AM.  Then she decided it was time for bed.

Was Marina truly spoiled on this day, yes.  For those of you who know her though, you can understand why she deserved every last bit.  Marina is a quiet girl who likes to read and listen to new music.  She is rarely outspoken in her opinion, and almost never asks for anything but the essentials.  So when I asked her what she wanted to do on her birthday, and she told me all these things, we just had to do them.  She is a quietly incredible girl, and for once we were able to reward her for being so amazing, so we did, in an epically amazing teenage girl way. 

Grand Central Station, La Ceiba

The Ceiba apartments provide a home to our teens in high school.  They also provide a rest stop for all finca people passing through la Ceiba for whatever reason.  This can range from visitors heading back to the states, children with doctor’s appointments, volunteers who need a little weekend break from the farm, etc.  So as the “encargados”, Nils and I also play the role of host to our many visitors. 

Many of our visitors are rushed for time as they must get back to the farm for work or are with kids here for appointments.  We love to see anyone from the farm, so we are always glad to help these people out however we can.  Less frequent are former volunteers, visitors taking a short break from work, and kids with simple routine appointments. 

This past month we have been truly blessed in that we have had a nice mix of work related visitors with fun visitors with flexible schedules.  We have been delighted with the presence of former volunteer Peter Tooher, Megan St Julien (an fellow Lyons Hall RA from my sophomore year at Notre Dame)and her husband Nick, our nurse Ashley as she headed off on her first vacation since arrival last October, beloved fellow vols Betsy and Erin Marina whom accompanied Betsy’s super fun dad Mike as he traveled to visit the farm, the arrival of a new full time volunteer missionary Harrison Hanvey (Welcome to Honduras!), the passing through of our director Ysmary in toe with the men of the maintenance team Jacob, Edgar, and Jorge, our beloved Nurse Deirdre with the one and only adorable 7 year old Luz from house 1, our fun Nicaraguan psychologists Haydee and Margine, the ever entertaining teenage boys David, Wilmer, and Jose Luis from house 5, fellow vols Erin Lucia and Allison on a weekend away, and all three Franciscan Sors (Sor Elda, Sor Cristiam, and Sor Keidy).  While it has been somewhat like a train station at points, it has also been a true blessing to share time with so many great people. 

Easter at Wendy's

After a wonderful holy week at the farm in Trujillo, Nils, the teens, and I headed back to La Ceiba early Easter Sunday morning.  Upon arrival to our apartments we realized we had little food and also had rats while away.  Not a tasty combination.  As all were still tired from the vigil the night before, and no one wanted to go grocery shopping or cook, Nils and I came up with a different solution.  We decided to buy Wendy’s for the teens and ourselves, as everywhere else in the City was closed. 

So we walked down the empty, better put desolate and littered, street and ordered food and frosties for all (vanilla for Nelly of course, as she hates chocolate).  They sat in a booth and watched the slightly ridiculous music videos on the television; while Nils and I simply smiled, this is an Easter brunch we would never forget. 

That night we went to mass in the cathedral.  Then with newly filled cabinets we made a yummy dinner with a typical chicken and rice Honduran dish.  Afterwards we enjoyed yummy Easter treats from multiple care packages we had received from family, friends, and former volunteers.   

While this second half of the day proved much more conventional, I will always remember the dusty bus ride and Wendy’s brunch, and how both were beautiful in their own ways.

Semana Santa

Traditionally, the teens and caregivers of la Ceiba get to go to the Farm for “Semana Santa” or Holy Week. Sor Keidy gave us approval, so Palm Sunday morning we headed to Trujillo. 

Honduran spirituality is great in the fact that you don’t only celebrate on Easter Sunday morning, you live out every moment leading up to that glorious morning.  The Farm is no exception to this rule.  So during our week off we attended a combination of 12 different prayer/ communion services.  Last year I remember I was simply tired by the end of the week.  This year was different.

This year we were on vacation from the constant city noise of la Ceiba, I did not have to dead bolt any steel gate doorways at night; I didn’t even have to cook lunch.  We were with the rest of our finca family, we did run to natural watering holes, and we did spend afternoons with the littlest kids on the playground.  Our perspective was renewed.  We were not obligated to attend prayer or decorate for an event; we were given the opportunity to experience holy week with the beloved children, adults, and neighbors of the finca.

As I attended all the services I was truly touched by all the hard work the delegados (ministers of the word/ lay people who help out at church) and Franciscan sisters put into the many events.  You could tell they worked very hard to create a truly special holy week.  In the end, it was truly special, from the Stations of the Cross with the neighbors, to the entombment of Jesus on Friday night led by the cutest little angels ever, to the candlelit vigil complete with chanted psalms by Erin Lucia; one could sense a special spirit of Easter looming in the air.

Late Saturday night as we packed up, readying for our early departure the following morning, it was bittersweet.  I was at the same time not quite ready to leave the incredible natural beauty of the farm, but also so grateful for an entire week of shared moments with our beloved finca community.  Easter is supposed to be a time of great joy and light.  This Easter was truly joyful, in that it reminded me countless times what great light the entire finca community has granted my own life, and the lives of so many others.

Easter Letter

Here is a letter I recently wrote my benefactors, enjoy!

Dearest Friends and Family,

I write to wish you the most joyful of Easter seasons. May the glorious resurrection and amazingly yummy taste of chocolate bunnies and Cadburry eggs brighten your days and bring peace to your hearts. I apologize for the long delay since my last letter (Christmas 2011), and now wish to update you all on life here in Honduras at the Farm of the Child.

In the past fifteen months the finca celebrated its grand 15th anniversary, welcomed seven new children, received the gift and construction of a much loved playground from a visiting brigade, and proudly witnessed the graduation of thirteen kids from our primary and secondary schools along with the graduation of Dalila from high school in la Ceiba. Most importantly, due to the great generosity of our benefactors, we have been able to continue to care for our now 41 amazing kids.

I personally spent the majority of the year teaching special education in our school. While I was challenged daily, I found true joy in working with my students and watching them grow and reach such amazing milestones. Then in July I also took over middle school math classes, this proved a new adventure, but one that brought much grace along with hilarious moments courtesy of my beloved teenage students. During this time I also taught ballet to the younger girls and swimming to the little boys and girls.

When November arrived I took on the new position of caretaker of our teenage girls (Marina, Nolvia, and Nelly) who attend high school and live in the nearby city of La Ceiba. I work with Nils, fellow volunteer and caretaker of the two teenage boys, Carlos and Arturo. Sor Keidy, a Franciscan sister, supervises our program. This job proves truly unpredictable, but also beautiful in its many small moments of grace and hilarious commentary that our teens never fail to provide. I will remain in this post until the end of the year.

The more time I spend in Honduras, the more I come to appreciate how amazing the children of the Farm of the Child are. Our kids are truly amazing testaments to the ability to overcome all obstacles and to continue to love unconditionally. Their amazing example is a daily reminder of how important the farm and its mission are here in the very troubled country of Honduras. I therefore simply want to say thank you. Thank you for supporting me in my service here in Honduras, and allowing me to take part in this amazing mission. Thank you for keeping Honduras, the Farm of the Child, myself, and most importantly the amazing children of the farm in your prayers.

If you ever want more information, or simply wish to say hello, feel free to email me at marykate.battle@gmail.com. You are also welcome to follow my blog, which I update about once a month at www.mkatthefinca.blogger.com.

With a grateful heart, Mary Kate