And he smiled.....

Mission Accomplished with Mr. Grumpy. 
As I spent a few days in this Hotel in Masaya, I spent some time getting to know the owner-Mr. Grumpy.  He was so serious and professional with not one smile on his face. He would interact with his family in a serious manner. When I sat down and spent some time getting to know him(difficult conversation as he spoke some funky Spanish), I tried to smile as much as I could. "A smile is contagious." I shared with him some of travel questions that I don't understand like "Why do people hurdle together with no direction?" "Why do they speak Spanish so quickly in Honduras?" He loved the story of me jumping off the bus at 1am to switch.

After this first conversation, that smile just kept reappearing.  He felt comfortable to make his own jokes and he called me the "Spanish Indian." He would pat me on the back so hard I felt like it could be effective as a choking maneuver.  When I would sit in the rocking chair in the front, I would see him check on me from the inside.   A couple times I came back after my curfew and he said he was going to have me sleep with the dog in back. He always had these tough love ways of expressing himself and I was happy to see him happy. (Ce La Vie). 

One day, I was walking towards the hotel and he says, "Hey, hey." I look to my left and he just arrived back in his mini red geo.  It was the smallest most compact car and he sat their waiving and smiling-moments that I just adore people. 

 It was difficult parting ways because I kind of saw him as a father type. It was nice being part of a family again. This is why I just love the accommodation run by a family-it's a great way to  get to know the culture. 

He was one of those people who wanted to smile, but he was trying to portray a serious and grumpy image.  That didn't last long with Priscilla coming to the rescue.   

Desperate Home Make Over

Mrs. R is not only an incredible woman when it comes to community organizing/outreach, being resourceful, and making things happen.  She is a woman who loves home design and her home is one that is difficult to work with and quite small. She loves the colors purple and red. She loves paintings and bright colored drapes. But most of all....she loves a home that feels like home.  
With her busy days, she would love to just come home and feel relaxed and happy to be home.  Instead, she feels uncomfortable and tired of having no space to breathe between her three kids, herself, and her husband-it is quite a tight squeeze.  She helps so many other people, but she doesn't have her own space to breathe and reboot.  

With this conversation, I could not help, but feel empathy for her.  The times when I stay with my Mom, I feel uncomfortable and completely unwelcome by my brother. "Home" does not feel like "Home." It's a horrible feeling and no one should ever have to feel that way.  While she has a happy family and a good relationship with her husband and kids-it is more of just the exterior that needs to be cleaned up.  I made some suggestions on how to create more space in the house, colors that would brighten up the rooms. Fresh paint and a few nice wall hangings or paintings can make such a difference. 

Unfortunately, Mrs. R feels that her house needs more than just some fresh ideas inside rather she just wants a new one. The house is quite small with a couch hardly fitting in the living room area.  The one she has does not have any springs and has been stained from years and years of use. The children have hole's in their mattresses with little space to walk let alone play.   
It's been 12 years of living in her house and she prays for something new.  

With all her participation in the neighborhood, she should have opportunity to move into another house.  All the houses are given by the government with no payment required.  She is the one running the medical clinic out of her tiny living room. It doesn't even make sense to have a space that small for medical purposes.  Sometimes she has people lining up outside her house at night. It's just such an unfortunate situation.  

When I watch her speak about her dreams of having a new house, I get tears in my eyes with her simple requests. She is not asking to move out of her community, but she just wants some more space. Space to design, space to put a couch, space for her children to sleep, space for her to do her work, and space to raise a family. As for me, I also want this space for her and I think about ways to make it happen. The reality is sitting in the back seat. The reality is tapping me on the shoulder.  As I sit in the front seat, I am reminded that there is only one thing I can do to help her: I can pray.  I dream about having her on one of our American TV home makeover shows. I imagine her face and how happy she would be, how happy the kids would be, but it's just far from reality.  I believe that anything is possible to to the extent of God's grace. 

Is it possible for her to get a new house one day? Yes, it is possible. Prayer is required and constant belief that change out of ones normal circumstances is possible.

Some people in Belize stay in poverty because they believe that is where they belong. They give up their hope and surrender to their culture's negative impact on their being, their strengths, values, and purpose.  They are left behind to wonder and dream about what a life having money would be like. They don't wonder about purpose rather they focus on the materialism-how money would change their life for the better.  

Money or a bigger house would not change Mrs. R's life in materialistic way. It would give her the comfort, the space, and the home that she deserves.  She deserves to come home, sit on the couch, read a book, and feel relaxed.  She deserves it more than anyone I know.  

The prayer will continue for this lovely, amazing woman. PRIS

Continued San Ignacio Explore

                 

 Wondering around the streets, I spoke with an older gentlemen who sells cupcakes, an adorable young girl selling ice cream, and this friend below. He lives on the streets and asks me for some money.  Usually when I'm staying in an area, I get to know the homeless and they get to know me. They know that I will sit and have long talks with them and I will give them food-I will not give money. It defeats the purpose of my work and my beliefs. 

After my chat with Henderson, I sense he is being dishonest with me about his life choices.  It's quite common and understandable in his predicament. I part leaving him my favorite fruit-the dragon fruit. I could not believe I gave away my favorite fruit, but this happened to be a trip trend..just giving it all away and sacrificing my own wants for another-fantastic.

Along my walk towards the Mayan ancient ruin, I came across another bakery. There were three great bakeries I found where I ate a carrot cake cupcake in one of them. It was so tempting to get something else, but I had to have some self control.  The bakeries and homemade goods in Belize are just so delicious! 

I made it to the Mayan ruin, stopped in, and then walked to the top of the hill where I found a gorgeous hotel. It was game time and this was the perfect place to watch it right at the pool bar. 

To be continued.....

Homeless But Fashion Forward Henderson

                  Lots of Fried Chicken 

                                                                                       Belizian ice cream

                 

                                     World Cup

  

                   Ready for the game 

 

       

Lunch and World Cup at fab hotel 

My Funny Valentine

My Funny Valentine is a kind old man who is 55 years old. He always wears the traditional pants and tribal color shirt with opened toe black sandals. He had the kindest smile that would make my heart melt. He was sincere and just a wonderful person. In our conversations, I could tell he was just a simply happy kind who was content with his life. He worked during the day and enjoyed watching TV in the night or fishing. 

When it came to my stay, he was always checking on me when I entered to make sure I was doing okay. He would kindly make me coffee in the morning and I would kindly accept even though I don't drink coffee. I just did it for him and it seemed to add an extra kick start to my day.

One day I asked him a specific question about my bedroom cleaning. I know that he was the main one who cleans all the rooms. The bedspread in the room is hot pink complemented by pink sheets.  Every day I got my pretty pink sheets, but one day things change.  I came home and turned over my bed cover to find blue sheets. He switched to blue sheets and being ridiculous and curious- I had to ask him about this change. He speaks all Spanish-and not one word of English that makes him even cuter. I told him in a very nice and cute way, " I don't like blue sheets, I like pink I'm a girl. "

He responded with the cutest look and he said, "Oh I see, I see"  The next day I was curious to see if I had pink sheets. I peeked underneath the comforter and I had a whole new sheet set. I had light green, silk pillow cases and white sheets with pink flowers with small, green stems. 

I've pretty much seen all the rooms and I have never seen this sheet set. I didn't ask where my funny valentine got it, but it was clear he put some effort in just for me. 

One time I also told him I was out of soap in the bathroom to wash my hands. It was just one night, but I couldn't go without out. My little friend knocks on my door and he has 3 head and shoulders shampoo packets. He shrugs his shoulders and says, "good, it's good" 

He also cut some roses from the garden for me to put in my room. He cut firewood and would put in my room with my request. He would ask the time I came home so he could put light the fire to ensure my room was warm at arrival. 

As people, we just had a mutual respect and caring for each other. Often when I would buy snacks, I would buy something extra for him. He would often look surprised that I was giving him something. We shared a whole loaf of fresh, homemade banana bread( one of the best banana breads I have ever had). Everyone at the hotel called him my "little amigo." When I needed something they always knew who to call. 

My Little Amigo could say absolutely nothing, but his smile shines through just like the sun and so did mine. 

When I left, he said he was going to be very sad and I told him I'm going to miss him very much. He probably rarely have guests who give him such attention, but God granted him with my kind spirit and I was blessed with his friendship.