Hey Everyone,
Saturday, August 27th, 2005
Hello again! I am writing this article for the second time, because the first one was erased. I hope I get everything right this time. Everything here has been great since I last reported. I feel like I have really adjusted to life here on the island. It is pretty hot down here, and there is no air conditioning. I am so thankful when there is a nice breeze, especially at night. But the heat has not bothered me like I thought it would. It just took a little getting used to. I am really enjoying my teaching job at the school. The students are beginning to get used to me, which is a blessing. I think that it is important for them to feel comfortable with me. My 10th and 11th grade English class is enjoying reading Romeo and Juliet, and my 5th graders loved it on Friday when I took them swimming for PE. The school needs alot of work. I think that for them to be able to learn to their fullest capacity that they should have good lighting and air conditioning (both of which they do not have), but I just have to work with what we have. The main thing is that they are getting an education.
Last weekend I traveled to the state of Olancho with Sister Eleanor. It took us about five hours to get to our destination, which was an extremely remote and isolated village. I mean we are talking outhouses, no water, and no plumbing. But, the amazing thing was the attitude of the people. They were so excited for us to come. Friday night they had a church service, and it was truly amazing to see people who have so little that have such a strong faith. Getting there and back was also quite interesting. At some points the unpaved road would end, and we would proceed to drive through a creek or stream. Once we got back to La Ceiba Sister Eleanor commented that I was now “broken in as a missionary.” I really enjoyed getting to know Sister Eleanor. There is alot to learn from her. She is very grounded in her faith, and offers encouragement to those like me who are working to become stronger Christians.
I mentioned one of my previous articles that I was going to be introducing you to different people that I come in contact with on a daily basis. This time I am going to fill you in on Harriet. She is known around here as Mrs. Harriet or, for the Spanish speaking people, as Pastora. She is a very important person in the community of Oak Ridge and throughout the country, and alot of people look up to her. She leads worship here at Oak Ridge Chapel, she has a church in La Ceiba, and she began and manages a national organization that focuses on women’s issues. On top of all that she is a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a host mother to me! She has alot on her plate, but she always keeps her head on straight. She does it all in the name of God. Like Sister Eleanor, there is much to be learned from Mrs. Harriet. Whenever I have a question about what a scripture means or where to find a certain thing in the Bible, I go to her. I am so lucky to be under her care. She treats me like one of her own sons. She makes sure that I always feel included and that I am never left out of anything. Mrs. Harriet is also very patient with me. Whenever I mess up, she doesn’t get angry, but instead offers me advice…like the other day when she sent me on an errand, and coming back I ran the boat into the house! She just said “you are panicking, you just need to slow down and think.” Mrs. Harriet has also been a great exercise partner. We take the boat to the mainland, and I run and she walks. We meet at the top, and then walk down together. She is really an amazing woman, who is always “letting her light shine.” God has truly blessed me by allowing me to be so close with her.
Well…that about wraps it up for now. We are still working on plans for the youth trip in October, and the food kitchen is still doing great. If anyone is interested in helping, please email me (hlray3@gmail.com). As always, thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers. I am so thankful for all of you….my support team. Look forward to more updates. Contact me for anything at any time. God Bless, HL

Sunrise in Oak Ridge (taken from my bedroom window!)

Micah, Pastor Kirk, Winston, Mrs. Harriet, and me after Bible

5th and 6th grade PE class, before we went swimming on Friday

Miss Beverly (a fellow teacher) and me before the swim