Coming into a new country is a whole different experience... Everything that I'm used to had to be thrown out the proverbial window. As soon as we stepped off the plane, we were herded like cattle to customs to receive our visas. It seemed like it took forever and a half to get to the customs agent. I hoped and prayed that they would let me in with no problems. It would be horrible if they got to me and said, "I'm sorry you can't come in." What would I do then? Turn around and go back home? Live in the airport for 3 weeks like Tom Hanks in "The Terminal" until the Nodals got back? Thankfully, though, she looked at me, smiled, and said "Welcome to Honduras. You have 90 days." 90 days? Are they serious?! Do they know how much havoc I could cause in their country in 90 days? Well, I wasn't gonna tell them, that's for sure.
When we all finally got our entrance granted, we were accosted by what I like to call ' the airport ants"... because they were everywhere! In heavily accented english they kept asking, "Where are your baggage, sir? Can I help baggage? Here, I has baggage for you." They grabbed our bags (which was no small feat, may I remind you), put them in a cart, helped us get it through the exit xray (yes, you heard right. Here in Honduras they x ray your bags before AND after your flight), and finally get it loaded in the car. All for a nominal fee, of course. We met the brother and all loaded into his truck to Puerto Cortez.
The 45 minute drive was a wonderful lesson in the history and local intricacies of Honduras. When he started speaking of the congregations in Honduras, we were all intrigued. There are 2 districts in Honduras, each meeting in San Pedro Sula for their District Conventions. In most cities there are between 4-6 congregations, not counting the congregations in rural areas that still have not received their own Kingdom Hall yet. Most of each congregations have 2 elders, 4 MS, and between 60-100 publishers. They have also congregations and groups in a local native african dialect, english, and sign language (they use a mix of american sign language and a honduras sign language known as "Lesso").
Then later that night we went to the meeting in Puerto Cortez, it was awesome. The brothers there are so nice. They all came to introduce themselves to us. One young brother gave the #3 talk and spoke like a public speaker- and he's only 14! His little sister, I later learned, is 5 yrs old and is already a publisher that conducts a bible study and gives parts in the Theocratic Ministry School. Out made me feel like I need to work harder in Jehovah's service. Then we had dinner with the family we stayed with and they made a delicious meal. We talked, told experiences, and enjoyed each other's company.
Yesterday morning, day 2 of our adventure began with getting up at 4:30am to take a 4hr journey to La Ceiba to catch a ferry to Roatan. It turns out that there are a lot of traffic police on the roads at all times, but they only seem to be present to enforce seat belt regulations and their "no talking on cell phone while driving" law. Petty things like speed limits, transit lanes, and stop signs are merely suggestions and not enforced. I came to realize this as we were barreling down the mountainous, winding road at 70mph and a bus decided to move into our lane to pass someone going the opposite direction. After the uninteresting ferry ride, we met with our partner-in-crime, Gail. She took us to eat, where we met some brothers from the sign language group and their visiting C.O. Then, after a brief stop at the grocery store to buy food, we went to her house. She told me she lived on a steep mountain... and she wasn't lying. Several times I thought the poor little truck wouldn't make it. Then after getting passed the steep road we arrived at her even more impressingly steep driveway. How we will ever make it back up the driveway, I'll never know.
The day was long, the anxieties of traveling were high, and we needed to unwind. Luckily, Dr. Gail prescribed us an afternoon of enjoyment. She took us to this beach resort where we played in the lagoon, drank Piña Coladas, and just plain relaxed. On our way home we met with some friends and played dominoes and watched a movie. My night ended with stretching out on a hammock to sleep in the balcony in the breeze. Yes, so far, this has been an enjoyable trip... but our work has yet to begin.
-Adrian
P.S. Internet here is shaky, at best. I have to find a wifi hotspot to upload anything when her cellular modem is not working. So if you don't hear from us for a day or two, don't despair: your regularly scheduled program will return as soon as we have internet access.
P.P.S. Pictures will follow later, I have to get it on my phone to upload it.
When we all finally got our entrance granted, we were accosted by what I like to call ' the airport ants"... because they were everywhere! In heavily accented english they kept asking, "Where are your baggage, sir? Can I help baggage? Here, I has baggage for you." They grabbed our bags (which was no small feat, may I remind you), put them in a cart, helped us get it through the exit xray (yes, you heard right. Here in Honduras they x ray your bags before AND after your flight), and finally get it loaded in the car. All for a nominal fee, of course. We met the brother and all loaded into his truck to Puerto Cortez.
The 45 minute drive was a wonderful lesson in the history and local intricacies of Honduras. When he started speaking of the congregations in Honduras, we were all intrigued. There are 2 districts in Honduras, each meeting in San Pedro Sula for their District Conventions. In most cities there are between 4-6 congregations, not counting the congregations in rural areas that still have not received their own Kingdom Hall yet. Most of each congregations have 2 elders, 4 MS, and between 60-100 publishers. They have also congregations and groups in a local native african dialect, english, and sign language (they use a mix of american sign language and a honduras sign language known as "Lesso").
Then later that night we went to the meeting in Puerto Cortez, it was awesome. The brothers there are so nice. They all came to introduce themselves to us. One young brother gave the #3 talk and spoke like a public speaker- and he's only 14! His little sister, I later learned, is 5 yrs old and is already a publisher that conducts a bible study and gives parts in the Theocratic Ministry School. Out made me feel like I need to work harder in Jehovah's service. Then we had dinner with the family we stayed with and they made a delicious meal. We talked, told experiences, and enjoyed each other's company.
Yesterday morning, day 2 of our adventure began with getting up at 4:30am to take a 4hr journey to La Ceiba to catch a ferry to Roatan. It turns out that there are a lot of traffic police on the roads at all times, but they only seem to be present to enforce seat belt regulations and their "no talking on cell phone while driving" law. Petty things like speed limits, transit lanes, and stop signs are merely suggestions and not enforced. I came to realize this as we were barreling down the mountainous, winding road at 70mph and a bus decided to move into our lane to pass someone going the opposite direction. After the uninteresting ferry ride, we met with our partner-in-crime, Gail. She took us to eat, where we met some brothers from the sign language group and their visiting C.O. Then, after a brief stop at the grocery store to buy food, we went to her house. She told me she lived on a steep mountain... and she wasn't lying. Several times I thought the poor little truck wouldn't make it. Then after getting passed the steep road we arrived at her even more impressingly steep driveway. How we will ever make it back up the driveway, I'll never know.
The day was long, the anxieties of traveling were high, and we needed to unwind. Luckily, Dr. Gail prescribed us an afternoon of enjoyment. She took us to this beach resort where we played in the lagoon, drank Piña Coladas, and just plain relaxed. On our way home we met with some friends and played dominoes and watched a movie. My night ended with stretching out on a hammock to sleep in the balcony in the breeze. Yes, so far, this has been an enjoyable trip... but our work has yet to begin.
-Adrian
P.S. Internet here is shaky, at best. I have to find a wifi hotspot to upload anything when her cellular modem is not working. So if you don't hear from us for a day or two, don't despair: your regularly scheduled program will return as soon as we have internet access.
P.P.S. Pictures will follow later, I have to get it on my phone to upload it.
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2 comments:
I tell you Adrian, you should have been a writer....u make very entertaining narrations....but please post some pictures
Wow, and it's only been three days! I can only imagine what awaits you for the next two weeks! I miss you guys like crazy! But I am also having a blast from just hearing about your experiences! I must say you all have really wet my appetite for travel, adventure, and serving in temporary need greater work! I know Jehovah will bless you immensely for the sacrifices you are making to give of your time and energy to help his global preaching work be accomplished! What an honor!!!! You said that Gail had said something along the lines of how most people would not be attempting what you all have already accomplished and I know that is because you are no average family (Adrian included). You push the boundaries and show when you make Jehovah your focus and strength your faith in him can move even the tallest Mountain that sits on the on the grounds of Honduras lol. I love you guys so much! Have plenty of fun for all of you and the rest of us back here who anxiously await your next call. xoxoxoxox
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