First post as a 21 year old...

Finally I find myself with a good amount of time to write on here again! The time is flying and I've been so busy, but I'll catch you up on what I've been up to over the last few weeks :)

So yes two weeks ago was my 21st birthday and I had a really great day! Thanks to all those who sent messages and cards, I really appreciated hearing from you all and it's such a joy to receive post! I managed to speak to family and friends on Skype in the morning and then came down to the office where I found my desk covered with balloons and a few cards which was a lovely surprise! At camp the kids sang to me and a kid called Hector René because it was his birthday too (I always have to share haha) In the evening I went out for dinner with all the staff which was really great and the food was delicious too. 

(From left to right: Hugh, Fausto, Kourtney, Me, Keyla, Katie and Elizabeth)

The last few weeks of camp for 2013 were pretty busy because we were getting ready for our 'clausura' which was on Monday evening (28th October). It's an event all the parents and families are invited to and we have a big meal and then we presented to them a nativity play and two of the kids sang some Honduran Christmas songs (I am aware we're very early for Christmas!). It was a very special evening! All the kids really rose to the occasion and performed very well. I felt like a proud Mum! At the end of the night each child received a certificate for completing the year and a card from one of the youth. So until January when we have vacation camp, there is no more camp Hope. I do feel sad that camp is over as over the last 6/7 weeks I have become really attached to all the kids and I will miss them and all the craziness. 

Some pictures from Monday night: 

And our last day of camp in 2013:

Whilst camp has kept me pretty busy I have had time to get involved in some other things too! Been spending some time outside of UPH with some of the youth which has been really good fun and I met 1-2-1 with one of the youth called Roscelyn last weekend and it's looking like we may do a bible study together so praise God for that. I am also so thankful that I have found a church I really like, it's called Amigos, and last Saturday I went to a small group for the first time and it was brilliant! I was made to feel extremely welcome by all the women and we had a really great bible study. I am already looking forward to when I can go again :)

So yes life is pretty busy here in Copan but November looks like it'll be a slightly quieter month as there is no camp. We do however have all the end of year camp trips to look forward to. This weekend we are taking the 5th and 6th graders to San Pedro Sula for their trip, they are all very excited! For some of them this will be their first time ever going there. 

I'll close this blog with a very entertaining story. A few weeks ago Honduras were playing their final match to qualify for the World Cup in Rio. Katie and I went to watch the match with some of the youth which was really fun. Honduras only had to draw in order to qualify which they did so they're going to Rio!! Once the game finished the whole of Copan proceeded to go completely crazy with everyone jumping into the back of their trucks and driving around town. Katie and I stood on the street and watched all the cars go past, however one stopped in front of us that had some of Katie's friends in and they invited us to get in. Without giving it much thought we went to jump in the back. Katie got in first but as I was climbing in after her the truck started to move... My feet were in but with the momentum of the truck I fell back so I was basically hanging out the back of this pick up truck holding on for dear life!! After about the longest 10 seconds EVER it stopped again and I was pulled back in to safety. I managed to escape competely unharmed so the story has a happy ending but a crazy experience!! Only in Honduras.

Thanks so much for reading! What can you pray for?

- safety for staff and kids as we travel to San Pedro this weekend. That we would have fun and good behaviour

- that Roscelyn and I would get time to regularly meet and study the bible together

- that I would continue to get involved at my church and small group

- praise God that I have seen so much growth in relationships with kids and youth 

First few weeks

Sorry it has taken me a while to write another post! Every time I plan to write something comes up leaving me no time. But here I am now, thanks for your patience :) 

First few weeks have really flown! Can't believe by next week a month will have already gone since I left, feels like no time at all. But I am really enjoying myself and feeling more settled with each day. My first full week here in the office was quiet because we had Mon&Tue off and then the next two days were admin days for all the staff. However the two camp directors, Katie and Kourtney, asked me to plan the activity for camp on Friday that was all about peace. I was daunted at the prospect because it had to last about 2 hours and needed a craft (for those of you who know me well, not my strong point!) but planning actually ended up being really enjoyable. I decided to take the angle of looking at peace as part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit which is a gift from God sent to help us, we then made paper doves to remind us of this:

The next day, because it was world international peace day, we did a 5km peace trek with youth from the community around Copan. As we walked we stopped in different places and talked about different kinds of peace, challenging them to consider what it meant for them. It was a great event with a good turn out! I enjoyed it and was a great opportunity to start getting to know the youth better. We did another trek last weekend up into the mountains which was so gorgeous, despite it being extremely hot! The whole walk was about 15km (should have been a bit shorter but we got lost!) and again just another chance to chat and build relationships with the youth. This is the group that went:     

Despite the temperature and extra walking there were no complaints it it was so encouraging to see them help each other out, even though some of them had only met that day. Here are some of the views:

The rest of my time has been taken up with camp which has been great!! All of the children are so wonderful. Here's how the time goes:

2-3pm: set up, meeting & prayer with Katie, Tania (assistant director) and the youth who are helping that day.

3-3.30: warm up game and then normally either Spanish or Bible class. However atm we are not doing that because we are in rehearsals for the Christmas play which we do at the end of this month when camp ends for the year (crazy early I know!)

3.30-4.15: time for them to do their homework or read. All the kids want you to read with them it's so lovely!

4.15-4.45: snack and break 

4.45-5.30: 'options' a chance for the kids to do an activity they would not get to do in school such as art, music, science, cooking etc. 

So as you can see a pretty full on schedule but the time really flies and I look forward to going every day. It's taken a few weeks but the kids are getting used to me being around and I'm getting there with the names! Lots of Hectors and Hernáns. 

I think I will wrap it up here, I feel I have missed out a lot but next time will tell you more about what Copan is like and the lifestyle here :) 

Things to pray for:

1. Last Sunday I went to a church that I liked so pray with me that I would continue to feel settled there and if not God would provide another church for me

2. Spanish is improving all the time but I need boldness to speak and not have a fear of making mistakes!

3. That relationships with the youth and children would continue to grow and I would take every opportunity to get to know them better. 

Thanks so much! Your support, prayers & encouragement continues to surprise me and brings a lot of joy. I'll leave you with the 'Lema' from camp we say everyday before leaving:

'Sé fuerte y valiente. No tengas miedo, ni te desanimes. Porque el Señor, tu Dios te acompañara dondequiera que vayas' Josué 1:9. (Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. For The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1vs9)