Some big changes happening here in Honduras...

So some pretty big changes since my last post – I´ve been offered an extension on my volunteer contract with CRWRC, I finally got my Honduran missionary visa approved, and last but not least… I´m married now!   Isaí and I celebrated a small civil ceremony Saturday August 27th in Villa Paraíso, Santa Maria del Real with our co-workers, friends and the Honduran part of our family.  Rev. Roldan gave a heartfelt message and blessing, the mayor of Santa Maria del Real officiated the signing of the marriage licence, and our micro-credit director, Lety, was a terrific MC.  Many others helped us out with decorations, picking up table cloths and flowers, managing the sound system and music, taking photos, and whatever else we needed.  So we send out a giant thank you to all of our many helpers.  We couldn´t have done it without you!

Villa Paraíso is a touristic site with a hotel, swimming pools with waterslides, ponds with fish, turtles and even a crocodile, and of course a terrific restaurant.  After the ceremony we all enjoyed anafres, tortilla chips with a bean and cheese dip served over hot coals, and a delicious plate of fried Tilapia fish with toasted slices of plantain.  The Tilapia are raised right there on the property in their fish farm and is their speciality.  All in all, it was a very busy but joyous day that we will never forget. 

In our case one wedding just isn´t enough, so we are hoping to celebrate again in December – God willing.  We would love the opportunity to rejoice in our marriage vows in Canada in front of more family and friends.  I know my extended family is anxious share in the celebrations and also to meet Isaí in person.   The plan is to spend the last three weeks of December visiting Edmonton and the Rockies and then returning to Honduras January 7^th or so in order to start the second year of my contract with CRWRC.  We´ve encountered some challenges in getting Isaí´s Canadian visitor visa so we´re praying for good news in the next couple of weeks.  We have certainly been blessed with a very supportive community and we remain optimistic that everything will work out in time. 

Isaí has been perfecting his English skills in anticipation of our trip.  We both spent the first week of September in 30 hours of intensive language classes with CEHDE in Santa Lucia, just outside of Tegucigalpa.  I worked on honing my Spanish grammar and expanding my vocabulary to include more technical credit jargon and such.  In the classroom next to me, Isaí was reviewing and fortifying all the English he has already learned over the years and surprised both himself and me at how much he can speak and understand. 

Each morning was scheduled for grammar lessons and review, and each afternoon was dedicated entirely to practice!   On my first day, my teacher and I went to the local mayor´s office and I interviewed their representative regarding their social development programs and initiatives.  Another day I went to the home of one of the founders of Santa Lucia´s micro-financing cooperatives.  The practical aspect of CEHDE´s language program is essential so they try very hard to tailor the visits to your specific interests.  Isaí is really interested in improving his conversational skills so did a lot of one on one with his tutor and they even went to a local store to purchase a few items without speaking a word of Spanish.  After his first day, Isaí felt totally motivated and surprised at his own abilities.  He kept saying, “I can´t believe I had a conversation for an hour and a half totally in English!”  I was so proud of him.  Now we´re speaking more English at home and he takes advantage of every chance to speak at least bit of English with my parents – December is just around the corner.