Bumps in the Road

I title this post in honor of my great friend who constantly inspires me to keep climbing the bumps. This past week held a few bumps in the road. The smaller one being having no internet working at home for a week and a half due to my router breaking. Finding technology in Honduras is hard and EXPENSIVE! Thus, I had already spent $50 on a router 6 months ago to just spend another $100 yesterday. Thankfully, we are up and running again and the problem is solved. Makes me realize how much I truly do appreciate internet, technology, and the freedom to communicate with the world.

The other more major bump in the road occurred last week Tuesday when my principal Mr.Greene entered my room looking for my student David Mejia. David was told to pack up his things, he was going home. I was then asked to come into the hallway to speak in private. I was, in short form, informed that David's father had died that morning. I was told it was by a car accident. I was shocked and numb and had to return into the classroom acting like everything was normal and help David pack up for the day. I gave him a hug before he left, but I knew his life as he knew it was about to forever be changed and I knew about it before he did. How hard! He has been weighing on my heart all week. The next day was a difficult one also as I found that I had to break this news to my students. They were shocked and saddened also. No one ever trains you for a situation like this. THat's not a seminar they hold in college. :( I had a hand full of students cry as they could relate to personal situations. We focused on the need for our personal salvation in Jesus Christ as we don't know when our day is. We then made cards for David. Finding those words is hard. We focused on the hope that his father is in heaven and there's peace in knowing he'll see him again. Those words later felt hollow as I found out that afternoon that David's dad did not die in a car accident. His father was a lawyer in another large city where he had another wife and family also. He returned home with his wife after dropping off the kids at school. The power was out, so he got out to open the garage door. Upon opening it, he was shot 8 times by a man in his garage waiting for him. The man took off, and I believe was taken into custody, but the wife saw it all, dragged her husband into the vehicle and took him to a clinic where he died soon after. How do you have words for such a tragic death? I found myself ANGRY that night. How unfair! I'm angry for David and that someone sought out his father and stole him from him. This poor baby's life will now forever be changed thanks to someone else. I still don't have the words. I guess I just realize how much our world is truly in need of God's grace and forgiveness. We need God or look what happens to our world! I've spoken with his mother who sounds like David while being surrounded by family is doing ok. I'm nervous for once he returns back to Tegucigalpa and it's just him and mom. As I explained to my kids, this isn't just a one day deal with kind of thing or for even this month, school year, etc. This is something David will deal with the rest of his life. I guess in situations like that we have to welcome God into our pain and grieving. Please pray for David and his family especially upon his return to school and "normal life" this week.

David's the sweet one in the yellow jacket

Well, with all of that, I was reminded today of a song I've been introduced to that I intended to share a while ago. It's by Chris Tomlin called God of this City. It reminds me that God is God of this city. I can do my part through him, but he will accomplish here what he wants to. There is still hope for Honduras.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d61LamkXfwk

Peace and Blessings to you and yours this week.
Kristi

P.S. If I dare be so bold, following Semana Santa (Easter Week) it's going to be the stretch until coming home at the end of June. It may be a rough stretch with it getting hotter and stir-crazy kids. I would love to receive letters and care packages. You know what I need? Blue poster sticky tack! Anyone want to send it. Call dibs by commenting.