Conversation of the Day

The infamous Pablo: squeaking, squealing noises - similar to a pig

Me: Pablo, stop.

Him: Aww, Miss... You are just like my mom. (Don't forget to read it with a STRONG accent!)

Me: I'm like your mom?

Him: Yes... (Which sounds like "jes")

Me: Well maybe the common problem is you.

Him: No. The problem are womans...

Me: The problem is women? (Trying not to laugh at this point...)

Him: Yes. (Jes.) They are so anti-noise.

Monday

If all goes as planned, Monday will bring a return to school. Our buses have gotten special permits to be out even before curfews have ended so that they can pick up our students on time. Unfortunately, tomorrow is the 3-month anniversary of the "coup" so large demonstrations are expected throughout the country. Please pray for our buses as they come so far with such precious cargo.

I would also appreciate prayer as I try to figure out the best way to handle our return. Things here are day-to-day, so we never know if we will see our students two days in a row or not. They've even suggested that we send textbooks home with the kids along with work that they can be doing if we have another break. It is possible that attendance will be low, so it could be hard to find a balance of getting back to work without leaving others behind. Pray that the Lord will give me wisdom in my planning, patience with tardies and absences and all the uncertainty, and most of all - a stronger connection with the kids so they feel like they can talk to me and know that I care about them.

Thanks friends! I hope things in your world are a bit calmer than in mine! :)

Black Sunday

Apparently today is being called "Black Sunday", and I have no idea why. Just when we felt as though things were settling down and starting to feel normal again around the end of the week, we hear that the military is gassing the Brazilian embassy where Zelaya is hiding out, at least two people were killed yesterday in relation to the demonstrations, and it is rumored that two planes full of troops landed at the US army base last night.

Praise the Lord for His protection of us, but what is going on?

As a result, I've decided to avoid going into the city for church today. I guess it's possible that everything would be okay during that time - but I feel like it's best to be overly cautious.

We went down the mountain yesterday for our weekly grocery trip, and it was actually the best shopping trip I've taken so far. If you've been following the blog, then you know that shopping was one of the hardest transitions I faced when I first got here. However, yesterday, I felt so calm and prepared. I had a list and plenty of time to go up and down the aisles by myself. I'm just thankful for those small details in which I am beginning to feel adjusted. :)

Then when I got home, I flipped to CBS just in time to see the kickoff of the Alabama vs. Arkansas game. I'm loving SEC on CBS. :)

And here are some pictures from yesterday... These were the only things we saw that looked out of the ordinary. These are the military and police guarding the Brazilian embassy.

Same song, fourth verse...

I don't want to continue to go on and on about what's going on here at the risk of boring or desensitizing anyone who happens to read. Yes, school's cancelled for tomorrow - but that's all I'll say about it for tonight. If you are interested in someone else's similar and better expressed perspective, read this post written by our high school guidance counselor.

God has really used these unexpected breaks to teach me and draw me into Him. One of the major things that I believe He showed me just last night is about obedience. I am re-reading Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot, and I came to a passage about seeking the Lord's plan for our futures and our prayers about the matter. Elisabeth set forth the challenge, "Why not start by simply telling God you'll do anything He says?" Instead of spending hours praying that He will do things the way I would prefer, perhaps the best way is just pure submission from beginning to end. The part of me that longs for control is tempted to fear such surrender, but the Spirit within me reminds me that it is not a risk and is not scary to submit in obedience to a loving, good, and faithful God.

And finally, God has reminded me of the blessings of relationships - particularly when you are loved by someone and you don't feel you deserve their love. In those relationships, I see grace.

Today's been a good day, but what I wouldn't give for a night in the warmth of love at the Fleagle household - sitting on the porch or around the island in the kitchen sipping on mint hot chocolate, talking about the Lord, and feeling known and loved. That's comfort to the soul...

God of This City

The phone rang again around 5 o'clock today, just as it has done for the past two... No school tomorrow. Again. Some have said this new curfew is just indefinite, unlike the others that have had specific time frames. I guess maybe they're tired of reissuing them.

They lifted the curfew from 10-5 today so people could get out and attempt to get food and clean water. A few of our teachers braved the grocery stores downtown and came back with lots and lots of staple foods like milk and flour. Another group went up the mountain to a farm and literally walked through the fields picking fresh vegetables. I love the way that those of us who live at the school have such community - sharing what we have to make sure no one is in need... And even when our basic needs are met, we turn to each other for entertainment, like this afternoon's game of Phase 10. :)

My spirit is in a different place today. I'm burdened for the people who have little to no access for food. The news videos are overwhelming. I am not afraid, but I wonder when or how this will end. What will the city be like? People are not only concerned about food for now, but also long term. I read in an article that eighteen-wheelers are parked at roadblocks, and no one knows when the large food deliveries will resume, even if we are allowed out of our houses and into the stores.

I feel removed from it all - like a fly on the wall watching from the distance and comfort of my school. However, I can't believe this is really happening. And I'm a little nervous about what it is going to take to make either side back down.

I know that God is in control, but that doesn't always mean that everything will be perfectly fine.

"You're the God of this city... You're the King of these people... You're the Lord of this nation... You are... You're the light in this darkness... You're the hope to the hopeless... You're the peace to the restless... You are... There is No one like our God..."

Update...

Things here are much the same. I spent the day in my apartment and in my classroom, sometimes flipping to the local news channels to see what is going on in the city. It's crazy to me to think about all of the violence going on just 30 minutes from here. Mel is at the Brazilian embassy, and there are lots of demonstrations going on around that area. The police and military are out in full-force using tear gas to try to get rid of the crowds... There are cars that have been basically destroyed, and even business windows have been shattered. The curfew has been extended until 6:00am tomorrow, which once again means no school for us. This afternoon, an announcement was made that we would all be losing power and water, but it hasn't actually happened. Maybe it was a rumor. Maybe it was a threat. Maybe the plan changed after the media heard about it and started sharing it with the people... You never know, I guess. But just in case it actually does happen and I'm out of touch for a little while, please don't worry and just pray.

I'm really sad for this country, and I'm wondering what it is going to take to bring a resolution...

There are also rumors that the US may be considering pulling their embassy, and I've heard that could mean that they strongly recommend that we leave or possibly even make us leave. I really hope it doesn't come to that.

Many say that the ultimate solution will be the elections, but can things really go on like this until the end of November?

No school...

Well, after an incredible two-week break thanks to swine flu, we returned to classes today - only to find out at the end of the day that school is closed tomorrow. The old president returned to the capital city today in an attempt to recapture his power, and there are violent demonstrations all over the city.

Don't worry... We're very safe up here on the mountain. (In fact, my dad and I looked at the city and my school on Google Earth the other day, and he was pretty shocked to find out just how far we are from the city.)

Unfortunately, our students are scattered throughout Tegus, so some of them are probably right in the middle of it. The government issued a curfew from 4:00pm this afternoon until 7:00am tomorrow. Our buses leave MUCH earlier than 7:00, so starting on time isn't a possibility. I guess we could start late tomorrow, but it's just too much of a risk to have our buses running all over the city.

Of course, in a country where truth is seemingly impossible to find - rumors have already begun to fly... Some have even said it was the US that got Zelaya back into the country. That provokes frustration in me, but I'm really hoping it's false.

Anyway - my major point in this post is just to praise the Lord because of His overwhelming goodness in His sovereignty. I am so thankful for the unbelievable timing of all of this. I just reentered the country yesterday around lunch time. I am thankful that I did not return to a city in such unrest as it stands today... Even if I had, I know He would still be a good God. I'm just thankful because I feel spared and protected.

So now we'll see where we go from here... Please pray for Honduras and that God will not allow evil and lies to have any power.

Edit: One more amazing praise... Apparently Atlanta flooded today and that obviously affected the flights to and from the airport. I missed it all by one day. Incredible.