Wed., 4 Feb. - Monday morning about 6:30 am I was headed for the kitchen at the other end of the balcony and noticed a long line of people, adults and children at the school. About 200 m long. Many of them were carrying a file folder and it was later confirmed this was the first day of registration, school begins Monday. Eva is having to do some shuffling of her classes. The school is on 2 shifts, am and pm, and those attending ‘colegio’ didn’t know when they registered with Eva which shift they would be on. Tues am had another, though shorter line, and today it was insignificant.

We waited most of the day for Cristina, the laundress, to arrive with the clothes she got last Wed. We’re running short of some things. Last year in Yuscaran it never took more than 2 days. We went to her home but she wasn’t there. It was a very poor looking home but her son called her on a cell phone and she said she would deliver them today. (Everyone has a cell.) 6:30 pm, the laundry arrived, 50 L, ($3.35), 24 pcs. washed and ironed, .

Now that we have gas for the stove, we had roast chicken and baked potatoes with beets for supper. It is great to get away from fried meat or stew from the stove top. However, the oven doesn’t get as hot as it should, at least not in the time I had it on.

Fri., 6 Feb - The printer quit last night and we got a message “Waste tank full.” Several weeks ago I cleaned out the waste tank and tried to reset the counter. It obviously didn’t take. I don’t know if it just needs resetting or something else that we can get repaired here at a reasonable cost. We’ll see what can be done.

Sat., 7 Mar. - The printer is working. This morning we headed to the stationary/internet store to check our mail. We took the printer with us intending to head downtown for a computer store. We asked for a good place to go and he was headed downtown and gave us a lift to ‘the best technician in town where we left it. We then went to the bank to get smaller bills. Few stores like 500 L bills, ($33) except for large purchases.

BANKS in Honduras always have 2 or 3 armed guards, some of them often outside. Men are often searched for guns or knives before allowed inside. Some banks have a ‘vestibule’ where you have to check packages. (Packages also have to be checked as you enter many of the larger stores.) Once this is done you are allowed in where you are generally faced with long line-ups and one short one which is reserved for handicapped, pregnant women, and those ‘tecera adad’, (over 60). I have twice entered the long lines and been pulled out by guard and sent to the short line. Grey hair is great.


Alejandro teaching the pre seminarians

From the bank we went to Cristo Rey to take photos of the pre seminary class that Dean Alejandro was teaching, their last day. The class started with 9 people and has shrunk to 4 people that are defiantly interested in continuing.


Eva relaxing in the central park

Returning downtown we enjoyed sitting in the ‘parke central’ until 11:30 when the computer technician was due back. He was able to show us how to temporarily overcome the problem. I will have to do an internet search for a more permanent solution. Then to lunch followed by the grocery store to stock up on things not available near ‘home’.


The fellow on the bike just couldn´t wait to read the newspaper

Sun., 8 Jan.- An interesting thing happened at the church service this afternoon. A baby was ‘introduced’ to the congregation after which it was passed to each member of the congregation old enough to hold her. In Honduras this includes those about 10 and even younger who have probably already had experience looking after babies. I was particularly impressed how the baby took it so calmly, but then she’s probably is used to being passed among strangers.

Tues., 10 Jan. - With the return to school this week, (the long school break is from Dec. to Feb.), Eva was concerned that many of the students might not be able to attend. (They have 2 shifts in the ‘cologio’, (secondary school), morning and afternoon. Fortunately there has only had to be one big change, the Tues/Thurs afternoon class moved to the morning and 2 students switched to a class at a different time.

I went to the deanery meeting in Yuscaran this morning, Eva stayed to teach. Cindy and Laird from the Texas Scholarship program were there as well as a few of the students. Thoughts and ideas and future plans were discussed followed by the regular meeting. I finalized the schedule for the Canadian Pilgrimage to Honduras which begins 28 Feb.
Dean Dagoberto and Rev. Lourdes are scheduled to go to the US later this month where they will be visiting and speaking to several churches in Central Texas. I pray they will have a rewarding trip and not find the culture shock too severe. They return the day before the pilgrimage arrives in Yuscaran, Dago’s home.