without internet

so sorry to have been absent for the past couple of days but our internet just stopped working.  it is interesting/annoying because we went to tigo, our internet server to talk to them and they simply said there are some problems in la ceiba.  i think that is their answer for everything!!  so all we could do was wait til it started to work again.

truthfully i think the break from the computer is good for me.  my neck and back has been very inflamed and being on the computer only irritates it more so... having said that.. this will be brief.   i have been going to physio and it is looser but i still have nerve pain in my arm so i am pretty sure there is a pinched nerve somewhere.  hoping it will get better soon. i haven't gone snorkeling in a couple of weeks and well... that is just wrong!!

i have been enjoying buddy.  he is getting tamer day by day.   he now comes readily on my finger and even gives me kisses.  he is a gentle and wonderul little guy!

click to view a video that i made

please let the video load up before viewing.

have a good day.

cashew season

click to view large

so the cashews are back in full force.

i love cashews but having 3 trees on the property

is a bit of a headache.

last year we (ha.. the gardener)

picked them off the ground, separated the fruit

and we had them roasted.

i don't think we are going to do that this 

year.

our roaster lady isn't well.

we have some island friends who are going 

to come and pick some of  them up.

so what is the big problem with cashews?

the rotting fruit STINKS!!

it is nauseatingly disgusting.

click to view large

carlos our gardener often burns

the leaves etc.

one day last week i could barely stand the smell of the

fumes from the fire

i went over to investigate and saw that he was

burning the cashews!!

the problem with that is that they are 'extremely'

toxic.

so now we have carlos trained:  no burning cashews!!

so now we have lots of rotting fruit around.

great compost

just stinky.

i am still extremely sore with neck and upper pain.

have been to therapy a couple of times

doesn't seem to be helping.

not on the computer much as typing

really irritates it.

so ...on that note...

i better get off this beast.

hope your day is good whatever you do.

Bob the co-pilot?

Lansa airlines is a new and wonderfully inexpensive way to travel in Honduras!!!

We were so happy when the pilot asked Bob if he wanted to sit up front with him.
What a cool opportunity and amazing view!

I love that about Honduras:   they do things differently ~~~  like ask passengers to sit up in the cockpit.
How cool is that?!
Here are some pictures for you to enjoy.

we aren't off the ground yet... what is your first clue?

the black sun visor still on the plane's windshield!!

 

zooming down the runway!!

 

bob checking out the display panel...

yup we are still in the air!!! 

good job man

 

all the little planes on the ground were jealous that we got to fly 

and they had to stay home!!!

 

click to view larger
amazing shots of us landing that bob took!!

what a great experience!!

A trip to Ceiba

 

this is a little 8 seater plane

Yesterday we flew to La Ceiba to get our residency renewed.  Never sat so close to the pilot that I could read the instrument panel before though.  

LOW  FUEL!??~   yikesss!

Fear not though, we made it safely. I couldn't believe it though when i saw this.. fortunately he really was a trained pilot and after a few button pushing everything was okay.  I actually love flying in small planes.  They don't make me nervous and the views are spectacular!!!

the cruise ship and coxen hole from the air

this will give you an idea how close the reef is from the shore!

beautiful isn't it??

You never know what will happen in Honduras and yesterday was no exception.  We had arranged to have our friend and taxi driver Rene meet us at the airport but he told us that the bridge was closed so he wasn't able to get across.   It turned out that there was a teacher's strike and they were 'marching' on the bridge and all traffic was clogged solid on the bridge. 

 

  So we got a taxi to the bridge, walked over and then took another taxi to the immigration office.   I was really proud of our taxi driver because he managed to get us really close to the bridge and that was quite a feat considering the traffic was backed up for a couple of miles before we got to the bridge.  So that meant that he went down muddy little back streets, and then back on the main road where he passed park cars, which means he actually drove on the wrong side of the road!!  Yes that is true.  The funny part is no one thought it was strange.. the oncoming traffic just let us squeeze past them!   Bob said that when a taxi driver has a gringo inside we become like an emergency vehicle and get the right of way all the time.  "ahhh see those gringos inside.. let em through!!!"  Either way, we were grateful to be able to have such a talented taxi driver.

once

Once at the immigration office we had to wait for about an hour, then found out we needed another letter from the bank which meant another taxi drive over, and then another hour wait.   That is one of the things you get used to in this country:  waiting!!!  It is just a fact of life.   So I just sit there and either try to practice my spanish or people watch.  So here is a little funny story.  I was sitting there and I noticed a few well dressed loan's officer dealing with a client.  He looked so professional in his mauve shirt and matching tie.  All of a sudden he picked up a huge file and whacked the desk and killed a huge BUG!  Then he flicked it on the floor as if it was the most normal thing to do.  I died laughing... !  Only in Honduras!

We managed to get the letter, then had to go to another bank to pay for our residency which only meant about a 20 minutes wait, then we went back to the immigration to find out that the girl was on her lunch break for an hour so we went for lunch at the Mall.   Yes they have a Mall here!!  How exciting.   After lunch we went back and yes, finally we got our residency renewed which means we can live in this country, make money legally and not have to leave every 3 months.  

After that we had Rene bring us back to the hotel for a well deserved NAP!   In the afternoon we enjoyed wandering around the city. 

  We were intent on finding a computer store and after many attempts, several spanish drawn maps, little back streets we finally found it.  Unfortunately they didn't have what we needed so more maps, more back streets, and through the rain we finally got what we needed.   Due to all my photos I wanted to buy an external hard drive so it wouldn't take up so much memory on my hard drive.  Mission accomplished!

You can check out my facebook link for more photos if you like:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=221410&id=742125548&l=65b2f6bcf3

In the evening we decided to go see a movie.  We don't have a movie theatre in Roatan so it is always a treat to go to a movie on the mainland.  We went to see  Iron Man 2 and after loading up on popcorn, chocolate and drinks we happily settled in to watch the movie. 

It was funny because during one of the intense fight scenes the movie just stopped.   Caput!!!   Now in Canada if that happened people would sit quietly and wait for the guy to fix the machine but not in Honduras!!   Suddenly they are standing up, shaking their fists at the projector guy, yellling at him,  harrassing him!  I died laughing!! For some reason the whole scene struck me as hilarious!!!   Other people were laughing.  They weren't angry.. they were just 'expressive'.  That is the way things are here.

Such is life in Honduras!     

I need some coffee.. going to the coffee shop next door to get a cup of morning coffee.

We were going to fly back at 3:00 today but it looks like rain and since our 'little plane' doesn't fly in the rain we have opted to fly back this morning at 10:00 instead.  I am happy to hear that..  I miss my little Buddy boy....

 went for a beach walk first thing... another glorious day!!

Yesterday was a cruise ship day in Coxen Hole so that means that the "Made in Roatan" shop is open for business!!  Usually Bob goes in the morning and then we trade off and I take the afternoon shift but yesterday I suggested we go together for the whole day.  It works alot better because Bob invites people in the shop and I am able to talk with them and sell stuff.   It was a good day!   Tiring but good.  No not tiring: exhausting!!   I don't mind talking (some of you are thinking that is an understatement!) but saying the same thing over and over and over is very tiring.   But it is worth it because people catch the vision of how we are trying to help the people here and they are more inclined to want to buy something as a means of supporting and helping the islanders.

Our friends Jeanette and Don have their daughter and son in law visiting and they were looking to buy a hammock chair and so they asked me to help them find a good deal.  I went through the shops at the market before they arrived trying to wangle a deal!!   It was funny because one lady told me to go find Tio.  I asked where he was and she said.. just down that road..  (typical island instructions!) but the problem was I didn't see a road anywhere nearby the market!!  She finally pointed to a 'path'... a narrow dusty path and said, "Go down there and holler for Tio.. he has hammocks back there!"   Okay I thought, no harm in trying right?   I walked down the road/path and saw small wooden homes with ladies out washing or hanging clothes, kids playing, dogs half starved, garbage everywhere, but  no sign of a shop.  But I do what I am told:  TIO!!   TIO!!   And sure enough a little spanish fellow comes out of his 'shop/house'   Unfortunately no hammock chair!   I decided to go visit another guy I know who works in the market and he took me to a Nicaraguan lady who sold hammocks.   She offered me a very very good price for a hammock.  In fact, I was shocked at how low it was!  The reason was because he told her I was his friend and so I got the 'friend price!'   Rachel was happy, of course with this, and mission was accomplished!   Here on the island..  as in many places.. it is all who you know!!  :-)

I was glad to be able to help.

 i love mimosa~~

We left the shop around 4:00, feeling hot, and tired and needing a wee siesta.   Just as we left I ran into Ingrid, who is a friend who sells in the cruise ship market and she told me she made 5.00 all day!!  My goodness.   That is hardly worth it.  It made me grateful for the 150.00 we made for our island friends yesterday.   I have to admit every time we open that shop we pray that God would bring people to us who catch the vision and are feeling generous.  Well He does answer prayer alright!!

Friday night is pizza night at the Cowans..  It has been for many many years and last night was no exception.  We like to go to Pizza Inn.  It is a definitely an island hang out.  You don't see too many gringos in there but because we go weekly we are getting to know the people work there as well as see alot of our island friends there.   As we walked in I saw a spanish lady that I recognized from somewhere and greeted her.   She was very excited to see me and we ended up chatting for the whole time we were there (about an hour).  The amazing part was that it was all in spanish!!  I am grateful for how that language is finally 'sticking to me'.   Little by little!   As it turned out, Louisa is a teacher at the collage and she was sure I had been in the school that morning. I guess there is another gringo who looks like me on the island.. or maybe we look that same to them!!  :-)    So she thought she knew me and I thought I knew her but the truth is it was the first time we ever met!  She wants to meet me next week and continue to practice Spanish.  This actually could be an answer to prayer because I have been wanting to take Spanish lessons.   She also wants to practice her English.   A good fit I'd say!   We exchanged phone numbers and I can't wait to see her again.

Today looks like another glorious day in paradise.   We are going to take it easy today.  Hoping to go for a massage since my neck and upper back are really bothering me.   But truthfully you never how things will unfold here on the island.. all I know is I am looking to another day!

I hope you have a good weekend too!

thanks for giving

Last week one of our friends that we took out on a tour gave us some money to 'help someone' on the island.
I have kept that money in trust, believing that He would make it clear who needed some extra help and encouragement.

I was talking outside with our neighbor the other day and she introduced me to a lady who was helping her clean.    The more I listened to her story, the more convinced I was that I should help her.   We talked for a long time, I listened, we prayed together.   She and her family have had such a hard time lately.  No work for her husband, she has struggled in her life and even contemplated suicide.   She is trying to keep her head up.   Her little daughter is sick.   She came to Liliana today to work trying to just make end's meet. 

Depression is an ugly thing that bites us when we least expect it.   That dear woman needed encouragement in a tangible way.  I believe in prayer.  I do.  I believe He comes in the midst of our struggles and brings peace.  But I also believe in providing practical help too.   I asked if she had food at home.  She said no.  She told me that after she worked today she would get something to eat for her family.  Now I know how much a maid makes in a day and it isn't much.  

So I told her about Don and Judy who visited the island from Florida and before they went back on the cruise ship they gave us some money to help someone on the island.  I smiled and said, Maria, you are that someone today!!!   I think it took her a few minutes to realize what I meant.  I told her to come back to the house after she was done working and we would go to the grocery store together.

She arrived a few hours later, very sweaty and hot.  We took a little walk down the street to the local store and began to put food on the counter.   Rice, beans, flour, spagetti, tomatoes, avocados, bread, milk, eggs... on and on.. the food piled up.  I admit... I got a little carried away.   I spent more than what they gave me but to be honest I felt right about it:  I felt that woman needed the storehouse of heaven to open up WIDE and bless her and it did!

Thanks Don and Judy for sharing and giving... it has made a difference for this one family.   She left me smiling and assured that indeed she is not alone.   He does hear the sound of her voice and longs to sooth her tears and her burdens.

a drive to church

Sundays for us mean driving to the East Side of the island to go to church.  It is about a half hour drive to go there.   You may ask:  why is the church so far away?  Why not go closer?   We felt called to go to that church -- it is an island church.  There is one other gringo couple who goes there.   All the rest are from the island:  primarily black and white islanders.   A white islander is someone who was born and raised on the island and probably has some white back in their genes.   And the most distinct thing about people from French Harbour is their accent.  In Canada we all recognize when aperson is from Newfoundland by their accent!!!  :-)  It is the same here:  I can tell a person from the East Side by their accent too. At first it was difficult to understand them but we have gotten used to the way they speak.

I decided to bring my camera along to give you an idea of what the drive is like

The road around the island is two lane everywhere, no shoulders, no lines and curvy.  I love how the trees and the hills fringe it with so much green.   That day the clouds were fantastic!!   We haven't had clouds or rain for about 4 months so I was happy to see the beautiful clouds.

 This is the community called Los Fuertes which means "strong town".It is primarily a spanish community.

Apparently the spanish came over the island and decided they liked that area and 'strong armed' the islanders off and thus it gets it's name

It is colorful, active and I would say it is one of the few areas of the island that I haven't walked through.

It isn't because I am afraid. It is just that we are usually just driving through to French Harbour. One of these days I will need to get out of the car and really explore this area.

I made this collage to show the contrasts between the different types of places to buy food.  (you can also see that in the collage from Los Fuertes)    The little green building is called a "pulperia".  It is a small business that the locals will go into to buy vegetables, fruit, cold drink, beans, and other staples.   You will literally see hundreds and hundreds of these around the island.   They usually have a a sign like:   Super Patsi, Emily's Mini Mart, Los Gemelas.    The other two buildings in the collage are evidence of the North American influence that has come to the island.  The large photo is of Eldon's Grocery Store.  It carries all sorts of American products, has a bakery, a deli, a great produce section.  It even has the little signs above the aisles!!!   Oh it also has a candy/chocolate bar aisle!!!         We like this store!!  But to be honest:  I won't drive out here specifically to buy groceries but we will pick up things on Sundays after church. Normally I get my groceries at Plaza Mar in Coxen Hole.  I feel sorry for that manager because he has lost alot of business when Eldon's opened up so I give my business to him.

The other picture is of our very own Mega Mall.. that's what the sign says out front!!!   It has a Wendys, an Appleby's, a couple of computer stores, a grocery store, a couple of icecream stores, a great pizza place, and alot of clothing stores that carry cute but tiny honduran clothing!

 

this is our church.

i think it is one of the biggest churches on the island.

we enjoy the worship and the fellowship we receive there!

Earlier in the week Bob and I were having lunch at the place in Jackson Plaza... apparently they have the best BLT's there so Bob loves to go.   They know him well since he often goes there while over on that side of the island.   I had to laugh because they have his order down to a 'tee'.   He gets a fresca with one ice cube in a glass plus the BLT!   :-)   Anyways, while we were there we met a girl from Germany who is working in Roatan.   She is trying to promote tourism to the Germans in hopes that they will come to Roatan.  It is clear that she is in those early 'adjustment' days of living on the island.  I was shocked that after being here for 1 1/2 months that she hasn't snorkeled yet so we agreed to pick her up after church and take her with us to lunch and then go for a snorkel.  What a beautifully delightful young woman!   We really enjoyed our time with her.   She was missing her family so it was good for her to be with us on Mother's Day.

   As it turned out she had never snorkeled in her life so I gave her my snorkel set (it is a really good one) so that everything would work perfectly for her, and Bob took her out.  He is such a great teacher and she caught on quickly.  She thought it would be alot of hard work to snorkel but I told her the secret is to stay relaxed and kick slowly.  You don't need to exert alot of energy while snorkeling (unless you want to)  She told me later that, while out at the wall, she got nervous and panicked and then she remembered to just breathe slowly and kick slowly and she calmed down.   The wall is a drop off of about 50 feet and it is about a quarter of a mile t from the shore so it can be a little un-nerving until you get used to it.   Bob said she was so excited about everything she saw but when they swam over a turtle in the shallows he thought she would explode with joy.   It is one of the things I enjoy about living here:  We have time.   We have time to help people out and spend time with them.   I am grateful God has given us this chance to bless people in this way.

this is us at infinity bay after our snorkel.  Little Rebecca, our neighbors child warmed up to Lena (although

we couldn't get her to smile for the photo!)  

By the way, I had the most delicious sea bass for lunch with lime cream and sweet peppers over top!!!  It was delicious.   A very delicious mother's day lunch.

Here is Bob talking to his mom on the phone and wishing her a Happy Mother's Day.  I sometimes wonder if people  think that we are just happily over here and have forgotten those we love back in Canada.  No true.   We were all sitting around the table chatting and laughing and suddenly Bob stood up and said, "hey I am going to call my Mom to wish her Happy Mother's Day"  Just like that he got up, left the table and called her.   The reception wasn't great but it was good to hear her voice.  She is one of my faithful blog readers and I am glad we can stay in touch this way.

It isn't the same as being together but we are grateful for the phone, and the internet.. it does help to stay in touch.

the most amazing snorkel ever!!!

yesterday we met up with some friends to go snorkeling at west bay.  i can truly say it was the BEST snorkel ever!!   first off:  it was sooo clear!!  i have issues with visualibility always because of not wearing glasses but i could see!!  it was incredible.

we didn't have our camera so i uploaded some photos from the internet so you could have a visual.


secondly we went with a group and the more people.. the more chances that someone will see something!   both bob and ron can dive down so a couple of times they would roost up turtles.  i love swimming with turtles!!!


it is very peaceful to watch them slowly glide through the water and over the reef.  i am amazed at how they can camoflauge themselves though.  there was a little baby turtle on the sand and so bob swam down towards it and it immediately it swam to the coral and laid so still that if you didn't know it was there you'd think it was a piece of the reef.   brilliant!

 http://afrosistance.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/sea-turtle.jpg

the highlight for us was when ron spotted an eagle ray laying on the bottom.  i have seen eagle rays before but i haven't ever seen them swim.  well when ron swam down this big one started to swim and it was absolutely incredible!!!!!!  they are so graceful.  we were in relatively shallow water (maybe about 20 feet) so we could see him beautiful.   they flap their sides to propel forward and i thought they looked like a bird under the water!!!
it swam around us for quite awhile.  at one point he swam right under me.

 http://www.ravensroost79.com/images/fish/eagle_ray.jpg

the guys spotted a HUGE barracuda nestled in amongst some coral.   i hate barracuda .. they scare the living daylights out of me. i hadn't ever seen one so large before.. this was about 3 feet long.  ron swam down a couple of times to get some photos and i think mr. barracuda was ticked off because he charged at ron and nudged his fin. it was at that point that i took off swimming and got out of there!!  i can swim fast when i put my mind to it.

some other things we saw:  a huge midnight parrot fish, several angel fish, a boxfish, parrot fish, as well as the usual grubs, butterfly fish, squirrel fish etc.

http://www.divesearobin.com/Photo-gallery/images/BoxFish.jpg

it was a day to remember!
i am so grateful to live here.
we came home, a little sunburnt but truly in awe of His wonderful underwater creation!!

btw, happy mother's day! i hope you have a wonderful day.  we are heading out this afternoon for another snorkel.   i wish my kids could be here to share in that!  

judy and don's visit

yesterday we had planned on meeting judy and don, friends of bob's mom in florida at 9:00.
we were there right on time, or so we thought.  but the mix up was that wasn't roatan time and they had been waiting for a few hours for us to come!    they got off the ship at 6:00 our time and we arrived at 9:00 our time.. thinking we were on the same time but we weren't..   what a shame!!

enjoying the beach at west end

oh well we made the most of it.
marco, our friend took them out in the morning and gave them an excellent island tour. it is great because he has lived on the island all his life!   we connected with them a couple of hours later.  we showed them around the west side of the island and had a wonderful time.  short but sweet!!

 enjoying fresh pineapple and watermelon out on our deck

they had a great day exploring the island, and getting a flavour of what we are called to do here.  it was a great time of fellowship together.. what  a special couple

heading back to the cruise ship

Where's my head?

You ever have one of those days where you keep either misplacing things, dropping things, or forgotting what you were doing?
You do?  Good read on.   :-)

Yesterday Melissa came by early at 7:00 since they needed to get the windshield fixed in their vehicle.  Just to give you an idea of one of the hazards of living here:  some of the hills are so steep that a generator in the back of a vehicle unfortunately could roll hard and smash out the back car window.  Yup that's what happened.   So... we dropped her vehicle off at the garage and headed out to do errands.  The tricky part is that nothing was open at that hour and I was starving.  I know, I know.. I forgot to EAT!   But I did remember that the Sandy Bay Carwash was open early and they had a little 'restaurant' next door that served up good island food.  So we headed there.  I love those little island eating places because there isn't any menu.   Basically, (in Spanish) you find out what they have made.  Pastellitos... umm.. no thanks too greasy first thing in the morning.  I saw eggs and I knew they'd have refried beans (who doesn't?? oh you don't... oh yeah well in Honduras it is as common as peanut butter)   So I had her make a lovely breakfast of scrambled eggs, refried beans, fried plaintain (which was done to perfection!),and avocado.  It was delicious!   So I was able to get the car washed (inside and out) and have breakfast for under 9.00 .. my goodness!

So with all that good nutrious food in me when did i start to lose my head?  Well I guess it was after wandering through the market looking for shoes for Melissa's twins, it was after going to Warren's to get groceries.   We were just at the parking lot and for a better visual it isn't: paved, large with painted lines. It is a small little lot with gravel and a guy in the booth collecting my 15L (75 cents).   Yes it was there was I saw some tourists taking an awesome shot of a cruise ship so I decided to go over and take one too.

 where all the problems began....

I put my bag of groceries down and the lady asked me if I was on the ship.  When I told them I live in Roatan they were surprised and   asked if I knew where they could buy a "harley davidson" tshirt.  Oh of course!!   At West End at the tshirt shack.   I told them we were just killing time waiting for Melissa's vehicle to get fixed and we'd drive them there.   They agreed to go, all along joking about us kidnapping them.  Once they knew what we were doing they said the story got even better:   missionaries kidnapped us!   They got their tshirt, and we had a good time walking and talking. 

a funny sign we saw in west end

We dropped them off at the cruise ship and they were thrilled.  They gave me a $20.00 tip which I refused, which they insisted, which I refused.  It wasn't a tour, it was just something for us to do.  They insisted and won.   Nice folks.    Once they left I said to Melissa.. oh my goodness my lettuce that I got at Warren's is going to be all 'wilty'.   Melissa started to dig around and that is when I realized that I had left my bag of groceries on the ground in the parking lot when I took the photo and in the excitement of meeting those people.   Oh brother!  So begins the losing of my head!

So someone, somewhere in Roatan is enjoying rice milk, probably for the first time.  I doubt if they are enjoying my lettuce since it will probably be bad and they don't eat salad.  But they can use the garbage bags and the dish soap!   We decided to go   to Plaza Mar (the other grocery store) to get my stuff that I needed since it was close to the garage.   I got everything I needed and then some!  I got some great cheeses there:  smoked gouda and spicy pepperjack.    YUM!  When we got in the car I  asked Melissa to get us some of that cheese since we was starving.   She said, What cheese??! 

I couldn't believe it?!  I left my cheese in the store!!   She checked my bill and I hadn't even bought the cheese!  (although I waited at the deli for about a half hour for it!)  I am not sure what I did but I think I must have put it down somewhere while Melissa was talking to Henry.  I guess that is why you should always get a cart because holding all that stuff gets tiring.

I ended up going back to the store, found my nicely sliced cheese, smiled sweetly at the little spanish boy who was probably wondering why I didn't get the cheese he cut for me .. so perfectly... no delago??  (not too thin?  no .. not too thin!) 

All I can say is I am glad that couple gave me that 20.00.. it helped with all the gas I used driving hither and yon trying to find the stuff I lost!! 

I hope today is better.   We are meeting a couple from Florida at the cruise ship and showing them around the island.  Oh it will be fine.. Bob will be driving!  :-)

i see i am not the only one who lost my head!!  :-)

food distribution #2

We woke up yesterday morning to a very empty house.  Missing Emily so much. We are grateful to have had her here with us for so long but it hard to see them go.

  But one thing that helps with feeling of emptiness is to do something for someone else.  It was good for us to package up over 400 pounds of dry food for families here on the island.   We got at it early to avoid the heat.   We bagged up:  rice, beans, flour and sugar.   You should have seen the floor once we were done!!   I needed to sweep and mop!!!

We still needed a few more things so I decided to go to the little pulperia (store) down the road to get them there.  I prefer to give my business to small owners and I am getting to know the family that runs the store and I am sure they appreciate my business.  The funny part is that I needed eggs.  In most groceries stores it is no problem.. you just go to the dairy section and grab eggs.  I needed over 11 dozen eggs and all they had was flats, on the floor, near the back of the store.   So I asked if I could cut the flat boxes into 3 and put 10 eggs into each cut piece.   So there I was at the counter, cutting away.. too funny.   Fortunately Bob came and helped to put them neatly in little boxes.   I also bought powdered milk which is pretty expensive but I know it is a treat for the poor people to have milk.   Plus some more beans.. because well islanders LOVE their beans!!

We don't go into the colonia and just begin distributing randomly, we trust God to lead us to the ones who need it the most.  People who are destitute due to illness or no work or a death in the family.  This morning I said to Bob, I think we should give some food to Carlos (our gardener) and his dad.  Bob looked at me like I was crazy because they are working etc.  and have money to buy food.  I reminded him that Carlos sends all his money to his family on the coast and I am sure they would be blessed to have a little food.   So we packaged up a box for him.  Later when he arrived at the house he was so excited because his whole family was arriving on the island today!!   They have been separated for along time!  I believe the Lord prompted me to give to Carlos because, of course, He knew they would need extra food now that his family was on the island.  Isn't God great?  :-)

I am sorry I don't have pictures but we both forgot to take our camera yesterday!

But it was a great day all in all.  One good thing about living here is that we hear about situations that are dire and we can step in to help.   Our friend Dugard told us about a family in Mud Hole that is very poor.   We went to see them yesterday.  A sweet family!  The husband struggles to find work, and they have 4 children with another baby on the way any day now.   They were so grateful for what we brought.

We also went out to Hottest Sparrow and gave food to those people out there.  It is a long drive to get out there but they are often overlooked so it is good to help take care of them.

Many of you, have sent money to help with food for the families.   We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.   The people are blessed.    We package up enough food for about 2 weeks per family because we sensed the Lord saying 'give RELIEF!'  and one day's worth of food doesn't give relief but 2 weeks worth sure does!

Blessings to all of you!   xo

this was taken on our anniversary... 28 years together and going strong.

doesn't Bob look great in that hat??

Our anniversary

we had a beautiful day to celebrate our anniversary!!

emily made us a nice breakfast to celebrate and we

ate out on the deck.

one good thing about being married on may 1st 

is that you get to enjoy all the May Day celebrations too

so we went to Bay Island Beach resort for 

fantastic island food, and enjoyed watching the 

traditional 'plait pole dancing' 

i found little heart shaped piece of coral

while out taking photos.

of course...

i gave it to the one i love!

we had a wonderful lunch there.

bob had a baleada which is a traditional island food of

tortilla, refried beans, cheese and a variety of fillings.

they are delicious!

emily and i opted for thai food and that too

was soooo good!

all proceeds of the event went to the e-learning centre.

what a wonderful way to spend the morning.

once we left there we decided to go for a snorkel

at infinity bay.

i often joke that we should live closer to infinity bay since

we make the 1/2 hour drive about 3 times a week!!

it was a lovely day there

you can see alot of hondurans on the beach

they typically come to the beach on saturdays and sundays.

i was hoping to get a good photo of the lady with the purple shirt with

a scallop on it carrying a frisbee.

never too old to have fun!!

some one should fix the sign, i'd say!!

really i was taking a picture of the little girl

not the cute guy in the snazzy orange shorts.

really i was!

;-)

you can see emily and bob coming

in from snorkling.

(those two dots to the left of the boat)

i ended up talking to alejandro while snorkeling

about his desire to restore the reef.

we first met him at turquoise bay and

he is so knowledgeable about the reef and sealife that it

was very interesting to have him point out all sorts of 

sea life and information about the coral.

so i got separated from bob and emily.

i wish i had gone because they saw

a turtle and a huge stingray!!

i am glad they got to see that since emily 

will be leaving soon.

check on photo to view large

after snorkeling we rushed home to have a quick

shower 

then don came with us out for dinner.

we went to the REAL china palace 

(haha.. the rest are fake i guess)

it was a great way to end a great day!