This is Jeff. We returned last night and arrived home at 1:15 in the morning.
It was real culture shock returning to school today. My thoughts were still with the 4 girls who accompanied us to La Ceiba. They were wonderful for the 2 and 1/2 days they were with us. Several of us commented on what an emotional roller coaster those days must have been. They had never seen the ocean and had certainly never snorkled or swum in the ocean or seen an island of golden sand far enough from shore so that the mainland couldn't be seen, or lifted a conch shell to their ear, or spirited away
a few shells in a pocket, or squeeled as a boat bounced over 3 foot waves, or ridden a zip line high over trees and rivers, or froliced in a pool at a hotel built on the beach and so on. Yet, we know at times they missed their friends at home at the hogar and found it hard to keep up with the english being spoken around them and must have thought about the family lives they saw unfold before them and the lives it was possible to live as teenagers nearly their age and the contrast of those lives with their own and they must have had a few dreams run through their heads that were in stark contrast to their own realities. Still, it was a joy to watch them relish a few days of fun in a new environment.
And then, we went in two different directions, geographically and economically.
Today, I frequently found myself thinking often about the 4 girls and about other children at the hogar. Emotionally, it didn't hit me until today. Like many others, I'm sure, who have been there the first time I am struck by how much could be done for these kids and I long for ways to have a lasting, personal impact on their lives. It remains to be seen how that all unfolds.
Bob, Debbie and Chris are doing great things, truly great things for these kids. But there is so much more to be done. If you are reading this blog and have not considered a trip to this hogar to meet and help these kids, I strongly urge you to give it consideration. I traded emails with my dad over the last couple days and he reminded me that none of us can save the world but if many of us try to impact a life at a time, we can have an impact that matters.
I'd be happy to share my experiences and I know Chris, Debbie and Bob would as well.
Jeff
It was real culture shock returning to school today. My thoughts were still with the 4 girls who accompanied us to La Ceiba. They were wonderful for the 2 and 1/2 days they were with us. Several of us commented on what an emotional roller coaster those days must have been. They had never seen the ocean and had certainly never snorkled or swum in the ocean or seen an island of golden sand far enough from shore so that the mainland couldn't be seen, or lifted a conch shell to their ear, or spirited away
a few shells in a pocket, or squeeled as a boat bounced over 3 foot waves, or ridden a zip line high over trees and rivers, or froliced in a pool at a hotel built on the beach and so on. Yet, we know at times they missed their friends at home at the hogar and found it hard to keep up with the english being spoken around them and must have thought about the family lives they saw unfold before them and the lives it was possible to live as teenagers nearly their age and the contrast of those lives with their own and they must have had a few dreams run through their heads that were in stark contrast to their own realities. Still, it was a joy to watch them relish a few days of fun in a new environment.And then, we went in two different directions, geographically and economically.
Today, I frequently found myself thinking often about the 4 girls and about other children at the hogar. Emotionally, it didn't hit me until today. Like many others, I'm sure, who have been there the first time I am struck by how much could be done for these kids and I long for ways to have a lasting, personal impact on their lives. It remains to be seen how that all unfolds.
Bob, Debbie and Chris are doing great things, truly great things for these kids. But there is so much more to be done. If you are reading this blog and have not considered a trip to this hogar to meet and help these kids, I strongly urge you to give it consideration. I traded emails with my dad over the last couple days and he reminded me that none of us can save the world but if many of us try to impact a life at a time, we can have an impact that matters.
I'd be happy to share my experiences and I know Chris, Debbie and Bob would as well.
Jeff
