Another Beautiful Home

It has been a wonderful several months as I look back on my time in Honduras so far. About a month ago my parents, Theresa, and Luke came to visit! It was such an incredible gift to have them. I was deeply grateful that despite the language barrier, they were more or less able to experience my life at the Finca, even getting glimpses of the kids’ personalities, and definitely getting to know my missionary community. We spent some time together at the Finca and then a few days at a resort nearby. The time together with family is priceless. I look back fondly on the time we got to sit outside looking up at the star filled sky and listening to the waves of the Northern sea.

Myself, former summer missionary Javi,
Doctor Julio and summer missionary Marshall

Actually, we have had numerous visitors to the Finca recently! During the summer, 4 shorter-term missionaries come for 10 weeks to cover for us while we go on vacations and to experience our life. It has been amazing and fruitful to have new blood, new energy in the house. We have also had numerous former missionaries coming back to visit this summer. It is incredibly inspiring to see their continued support of the mission and desire to return because of its impact the Finca has had on their lives.

God has also been blessing my work in Honduras in very practical ways - Spanish is becoming more exciting than stressful; I enjoy my work at the clinic because the relationships I have with the people from surrounding villages are deeper, and I am getting to know and appreciate the Honduran doctor much more than before; and I have much deeper relationships with the other American missionaries which is a huge source of strength. All of these changes have happened so very gradually I barely perceived them happening. I am left with no choice but to thank the Lord for his work!

One of the littlest girls - being herself :)

The night before I left Honduras for this vacation, God was pouring out His blessing through some incredible experiences. I got invited to have dinner with some Honduran friends in the neighboring town of Mojaguay and chose to go there instead of going to dinner with our missionary community at the neighboring resort - Tranquility Bay. Earlier on in this mission, I’m positive that I would have chosen the resort with Americans, but the Lord is beginning to work on me and provide a real place for me in Honduras. Before I left for Mojaguay with one of our summer volunteers, Bibiana, I stopped by the youngest kids’ houses, knowing that I would be too late to say goodbye when I got back and was leaving early in the morning.

I can’t quite describe the experience of saying goodbye to the little guys. I guess I just realized how much I love them and how much they love me too. I don’t even remember what we talked about, but I just knew they cared about me.

Then, I went into Mojaguay with Bibiana and was overwhelmed again by the love and generosity that was shown. Meat is a very special commodity - at the Finca we only get meat 1-2 times per week because it is much more expensive than beans/eggs. But these women laid out a feast of 2 different kinds of meat, plantain chips, tortillas, chimol (pico de gallo), and bread. They had 3 tables pushed together outside their house, music playing, children everywhere, and it felt like family. I forgot how different their lives look than ours in the U.S., and they did not count the cost as we feasted like queens. It certainly was humbling as I realized how little I have put into these relationships with the people of Mojaguay. Somehow, over the years, the missionaries of the Finca have lost touch a bit with them. We used to be at every spiritual event they hosted, and an integral support of their community. Now, women’s group once a week on Thursdays is about my only connection to them. However, that night eating dinner under the stars put the fire in my heart longing for deeper relationships with these women - not as a prize or a sacrifice (although it might take a little sacrifice), but because I think we are truly called to bring life to each other, to experience life with those we can.

It has been such a gift to look back on this memory over my time at home. It gives me hope for a deeper connection with the people from whom I have so much to learn about hospitality, generosity, peace amidst difficulty, and so very many things. There exists such a discrepancy between the way that they live there and the way I have always lived. Most of us residents of the United States do not think twice about our plastered ceilings, washers/dryers, or air conditioning. We are plagued by the decision between chicken or beef for dinner. I am not at all trying to be judgmental (although we all, myself most definitely included, could grow in simplicity). Rather, I am admitting the fact that I have lived an incredibly wonderful, but more narrowed existence than I have been blessed to live for the past months in Honduras. In this new country, I have been getting to know (conociendo) a life which I knew (supe) existed. A friend recently pointed out that it is a beautiful journey from the head to the heart. In Spanish, there are two verbs for "to know" and I would venture to say the meanings are thus:

• head knowledge: saber 
• heart knowledge: conocer 

Incredibly gradually, I am realizing simply that this way of life exists; to be honest, I have not made a lot of judgement calls about it. I'm not quite sure what to do it, but I am grateful that I have (at least) 5 more months to simply soak it in.

A lovely reunion with dear friends
in my favorite hometown

I spent the last 3 weeks incredibly grateful for hot showers, air conditioning and the ability to walk/bike wherever I pleased. I still love fancy things! Above all, I am so grateful for the gift of the time with family and friends and the gift of the sacraments and the community of persistent pilgrims I leave behind in the states. My Father, God, is very faithful and goodness itself. How could I fear? How can we fear? I found this quote by JPII which seems so fitting of my time at home and my view of the future laid before me - guaranteed to be full of both joy and pain. I pray that whoever you are reading this, you may be inspired to live deeper into your true identity and filled with trust and joy that we have a Father who is on your side - truly!

"Christ loves each one of us in a unique and personal way in our practical daily lives: in our families, among our friends, at study and work, in rest and relaxation. He loves us when He fills our days with freshness, and also when, in times of suffering, He allows trials to weigh upon us: even in the most severe trials, He lets us hear His voice.” - Pope John Paul II

One last thing - If you are still reading this, thank you for your perseverance! I have not yet decided if I will serve for another 12 months after December 2018, however if you would be interested in supporting me financially with a monthly donation, I would be delighted to keep you informed on my plans and would be honored to have you as a partner in this incredible mission. You can contact me via email: ruthgross360@gmail.com

Peace.