giving and giving

...simple joys...

Christmas Eve wasn't marked with last minute shopping and running around or wrapping presents this year.   I was asked by Roberto, who works for Channel 4 to come along to take photos and give out gifts to the poor people of the island.

It was classic Roatan time:  they said we'd leave at 10:00 and they showed up at 12:30, but that's okay we eventually got there.  I am not sure my words can convey what I saw.  I have been up to the Colonia before here on the island.  But I hadn't been up as high on the hill as we went.  Let me tell you this:  in some places the higher up you go the more exclusive it is but here the higher you go the POORER you are!  I wasn't prepared for what I saw.  I really wasn't.  We drove for about 15 minutes up until the road was too washed out and undriveable!  Then we began to walk UP.   The poverty up there was too much for me.

  it's hard to imagine living this way isn't it?

A couple of times I was racked with pain and sobbed out loud.   The conditions up there are deplorable.  The people don't have electricity, so they cook on open fires in a lean to type "room" with a tarp and then a one room area where 8 kids (at least) and the parents stay.   It broke my heart.

   I saw a women cooking and I asked if she was making tamales which is the tradition food for Christmas.   And she smiled a toothless grin and shook her head as she rubbed her thumb and forefinger together (no money)

The donations that Roberto had were mostly second clothing and toys but they were still thrilled to receive them.  The Chinese restaurant donated some fried rice and we shared that with the people.   At one point we gave a little boy some coke and in order for him to hold it the girl took his plate (which looked empty to us) but he fussed and wanted to finish every single grain of rice!!  (that was another sad moment for me..)

 you can click on this and it will be larger so you can see the photos

After we left there we went to another area down closer to the centre of the Colonia and saw people handing out packages of food (which I helped package up the day before: rice, sugar, beans and flour).   We asked if we could have about 20 bags to take up to the area where we just were.   There is a family from Montreal visiting the island and they followed us up in their truck and we proceeded to TREK up again with the food.   Since I am still recovering:  no I didn't carry any food bags up the hill and just prayed that I wouldn't strain anything in the second climb up.

1. boys so excited to get an apple

2. NEW shoes.. oh my goodness

3. later we went down to the truck and just began handing out things

4. the 'team'

The people were surprised and delighted to see us again!  Of course!   After giving out the food we headed down to the truck and proceeded to distribute the rest of the clothing to the people there.   There was a lady who had many children and she was obviously really grateful so I said to her (in broken spanish and mime) that the love is from Jesus, from Him to me, through me to her.   She nodded slowly, smiled and said  "Mucho gratis Senor"  I had to walk away and I just sobbed because here was this woman thanking God for rice, and beans, and simple things like second hand clothes. No tree, no wrapped presents, for fancy meal, no festivities but it was HER day to receive and she was blessed.

 this is the lady I spoke with.  her daughter was thrilled to get a barney (even though it was 2nd hand)

I talked to Emily on skype on Christmas day (which was wonderful!!!) and I told her that this Christmas has changed me forever.  I will never again forget the poor among us.   I can't come back to Canada someday and pretend they don't exist.  They do exist.  I confess that in the past I used to look at people on the streets and sometimes I would judge them for their bad choices that led them up to being there.   Well I have to say that is so wrong.  I realized this Christmas up in the dusty, hillside that Christ loves the poor.  He was born poor and He served and fed the poor.  I was hot, sweaty,dusty and smelly from being out in the heat and climbing but it didn't matter because the fragrance of Christ was stronger then anything!  I am not sure what this means practically or what it will look like.. but I am trusting He will lead me and direct me to make sure the poor are not overlooked...


 

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: 'He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.'"  2 Cor. 9:8-9

firecracker blessings

We don't have doorbells in Roatan.
If someone comes they either beep, holler, or the dog starts barking madly!

While I was inside baking cookies I heard a beep so I went outside to see who was outside the fence.
There is a man sitting on his motorcycle.   I thought he said, "Carne" which means meat.  I am rather fascinated .. I don't want any meat but for some reason I open the gate and I see that he has about 4 large bags strapped to his motorcycle.

He takes out a firecracker!  I laugh and say.. ahhhh.. boomm boommmm boommm!!   He said, 'si boom boom boom!

It is tradition on the island to light many firecrackers, sizzlers and sparklers at Christmas.The kind man had noises for each one so I would know which ones were sizzlers, sparklers or boom boom booms!  Being a kid at heart I decide to join in the festivities and make my own noise!!   We are having Marco and Zenola over on the 24th so that would be just perfect!! 

So after making my selection I said adios!  And he said "Dios te Bendiga"  (which means God Bless You) so I took his hand, looked him in the eye and said "Oh si Dios te Bendiga!!" I MEANT IT!   I guess he felt the sincerity because  he proceeded to say he was a Christian, a child of God!  Spanish people are so wonderful, so expressive, so enthusiastic!!  I kept agreeing with him and then he said that Jesus was his peace.  I said muy paz!!  (great peace!) We exchanged several hallelujahs and glory to God's...it was real worship on a sunny afternoon in the driveway.

It was amazing to have this wonderful little moment of praise out in the yard!!!  You just never know what is going to happen when you hear a beep outside but I was truly blessed!!

God bless you today!

Christmas Dinner Roatan Style

 

Christmas

I remember once as a teenager writing radically about the consumerism of christmas and how people seemed to have lost the 'real meaning' of Christmas.   At that point in my life seriously I didn't know what the 'real meaning' was but I was very clear about not wanting it to be simply about gifting, drinking madly, partying, rushing around doing things that weren't really essential.  I remember one of my Mom's friends dropped by the house and brought her a little gift.   It was a sweet gesture but she said, Oh no, now I will have to go out and buy something for her!!   That stayed with me and even as a young girl I determined to not make Christmas either obligatory and reciprocal.

As you know it was a very difficult decision to stay here for Christmas.  I am a memory maker at Christmas ...we have many traditions we hold to year after year that generate a sense of realness, and connection.   So what I am saying is that I ache to see my kids and being able to share with them around the advent wreath, have shepherd's pie one night to remember how God choose to herald His coming to the ordinary of the world, stand around the piano and sing carols (thanks David for spontaneously playing and loving carols), make gifts or cookies to give away to friends and people who are less fortunate than us, play games loudly, give toasts with glasses full of eggnog, and have our door open for friends to come to a 'Cowan Christmas Party' and celebrate together.   I would light all my Christmas candles, and white lights and think the ambience was beautiful and in that stillness I would experience  the Presence of the Holy One within.

That is Christmas for me.

So this year is different.

Being in another culture changes things.

At first I was worried that since most Islanders that I talked to don't make a big 'deal' of Christmas that we would miss out in some way and being that it is tropical it wouldn't 'feel' like Christmas.  Well oddly enough since we don't have alot of shopping to do here, not alot of christmas concerts to attend, banquets to go to, or church obligation  there is space in our lives for just living and giving.

signs of christmas in west end?

On Friday night we had Canadian Christmas dinner for our 'staff' here. We had it early since Carlos and his Dad are going to the coast on Tuesday. Marco, Liliana and their three children live on the property and manage it.  Maria has been helping clean since my surgery and she has been such a blessing.

Carlos takes care of the property and we invited his dad, Enrique to come too.It was so special.

These people are in our world, they work hard and selflessly. They deserved to be spoiled and blessed!

For some of them, it was the first time having turkey or as they called it 'grande de pollo'  (very big chicken) It is heartwarming to share with others who have so little.

 ever try cooking a turkey in an oven that is mini size? it just wouldn't cook!!

we were an hour late in eating and still it wasn't cooked through but they didn't mind waiting.  

"no problema!"

you can see everyone joined in 'helping' in the kitchen!

It is a blessing in fact to be able to give knowing they won't be able to return the blessings except with their gratitude, hugs and smiles. A few highlights:

~Enrique singing spanish songs and me and the kids dancing in the kitchen.

~Having a white elephant gift exchange and seeing the guys pick obvious girl presents (the hair clip on the top of the present was their first clue) to give to their sisters or wives since they don't have alot of money for that sort of thing. Selflessness at it's best.

~Little Edwardo thanking me over a dozen times for the 'cool hair gel'

~Sitting around the advent wreath listening to the Christmas story in Spanish

~Watching Carlos eat more then I thought humanly possible!!

~Seeing Bob shoosh Maria out of the kitchen and shocking her by doing the dishes himself (Honduran men don't hang out in the kitchen!!!)

I could go on and on.

Carlos with his SECOND  plate of food!

all week long he was waiting and kept saying..

'mucho comida!' well he ate alot!

the kids had so much fun!

Enrique entertained us.

Maria's smile in this photo came from the depths of her soul.   She told us at dinner that this was the 

first meal with friends she has had since she came to Roatan 8 months ago.

Bob and Marco 'hamming' it up!

You can see everyone was enjoying the Christmas hats!

So please let Him open your eyes to people in your world who are less fortunate, who might be blessed with a bag of groceries, a coffee, some spare change.   The poor are among us everywhere and to consider them makes Him smile.  Of this I am certain. After all the Lord spent His first night on the earth laying on dirty hay, visited by common , smelly shepherds, and held by a rough handed carpenter.

Please don't allow the mayhem of 'what  we think we should do' keep you from doing what you should.

silent night

Holy night

L.O.V.E with reckless abandon,

GIVE from your heart to those you know,

and to those you don't.

xo

Merry Early Christmas!

We are enjoying leftovers already!!

a few stories

The other day Bob was driving and the police stopped him.  They asked to see his driver's license (we have hondurans driver's licenses now!)  so the police looked at it, turned it over and said, "pastor?"    and bob said,  "si, pastor"   the police smiled, patted him on the shoulder gently and said, "es bueno" (it is good) and let him go!  (most people who get stopped get fined for some reason.. especially at this time of year)

It is good!   Serving Him here is so rewarding and full of many blessings!

I love how things often 'just work out'.  On Thursday Melissa and I went out 'christmas tree searching' and I must say I was a little shocked at how expensive trees are here.   It isn't uncommon to pay anywhere from $100 - $300 for a tree. (or even more then that!)   Well no thanks.    I am used to having a live tree and there was NO WAY I was going to spend that much on a dumb artificial!! (oops sorry)  So I had a brainwave:   my friend Myra was in the states and if none of her family were borrowing the tree then maybe I could just borrow hers for this year.   So we drove into French Harbour and managed to explain in spanish that we wanted to use Myra's "arbor de navidad".   It was a 'no go' since the house was locked and only the cleaner had the key.   I did get a phone number to call Myra in the states.   Okay that was a good start.   So we headed home (with turkeys in the car.. yahooo!!) and within the hour my cell phone rang and guess who it was:  yes it was Myra!!!   I thought her daughter in law had said that I had come by but she said, No girl, I just wanna hear your voice that's all!!"  (in loud island style!!)  After chatting it up for awhile I asked about the tree and of course she was happy for me to use it.   So we went over there on Sunday and picked it up.   "buenos tardes, um... arbor de navidad por favor?"   "si si si"     I guess Myra told her to watch for a gringo to come on Sunday because I barely was able to say that to her when she came out with the tree in a box.   Tree in a box??!!   Oh well I am grateful.. although I do miss having a live tree!

 I have never put together a tree.

  Bob said, well where were you at all those ladies Christmas teas?

doing something else i guess!!!  (talking...)

So tonight we are going to 'construct the tree' and decorate it!   We are having an early Christmas  dinner on Friday so want to get everything ready for that.  (I will write about that later)

we have this poinsetta outside on the front porch.. i must say it is sweet to have one outside!

It is beginning to look a little like Christmas on the island with christmas lights, decorations, christmas trees.  We haven't heard a single Christmas carol in any of the stores though.  But more then that we are hoping that LOVE will be seen and shared more and more in  small and simple ways.   We are doing our part and hoping that it will become contagious.  I talked to a young man today and he said, "well it is good that you can give back to the island"  I laughed and said, "Anyone can give... because there will always be someone with less then you.  So if you give a little of what you have then they'll be happy!"

Well the sun is setting, a close to another beautiful day here so that means it is time to start supper for my love and I.

  I hope that whatever you are doing it will be marked with PEACE from above.   Don't stress the Christmas stuff..... just think of a young girl saying yes to Him, think about Love coming down on Christmas in a lowly manger, think of angels breaking out in song, (they didn't get to do that very often), think about wise men travelling along ways to see the One who was to redeem the world not only with His life but His death.

still say yes, still give of yourself, still sing, still seek Him, still give yourself away....

xo

open for business

Bob standing outside the 'Made in Roatan' shop

you can see me in the reflection of the left window

The day finally arrived for the Made in Roatan shop to open!   We are grateful to be able to help islanders in this way.   Presently we have 6 different people featured in the shop and are happy that it will mean income for them.   We have wood work, carvings, jewelry, a natural remedy book, island made dresses, paintings, and my photography in there presently.   It feels good to be supporting people in this way.  It is different from most shops since we have made it more like a gallery and we wrote bios of each person.  I think it is good for people to 'see' who are are buying from.

some of Yourgins stone jewelry.  very popular!! 

But I tell you, selling stuff is hard work!!   People on the cruise ship just don't seem to be buying like they used to.  Times are tough.  Fortunately though our shop is more then just selling: it is a vision of being helpful and having an "other then me" focus.

The Honduran wood cutting boards are made by an islander named Enrique...excellent work and our prices are reasonable!

I have been going down there to help out.   Usually I just stand in the doorway and 'chat'.   People are intrigued about a Canadian living on Roatan and they want to know what brought us here.  I invite them in to stand by the fan (yaaaaaa fans!!!) and then I am able to share about our desire to help islanders to help themselves.   Most people are rather blown away.   Once they catch the vision that they will actually be helping a family to 'eat something' tonight they are more inclined not to shop but to help.

another view of the shop

We are on the 'sunny side of the street' which is unfortunate because most tourists walk in the shade.  It isn't easy to get them to come in on our side.   Bob is going to make a sandwich board and a 'made in roatan' sign which I think will help.    In the meantime I just keep 'hailin' them over' (to quote the islanders) Once we get the store 'wired' it will be great to have ceiling fans, but presently we are running a cord from Marco's house to provide the coolness from a fan.   Tourists like things to be comfortable... we will do all we can to make it just that for them!!  :-)

bob happy to have a 'project complete and  a dream realized!'

I thought sales were slow, but apparently Zenola said that other vendors are happy if they make 10 dollars a day.(i can't believe that!?)  We have brought in close to 200.00 in two days.

So thanks for praying!!

It makes a difference.