Time Flies When You're Learning

As my final week here in Honduras approaches, i've been thinking about the different things I have learned and discussing with myself (don't worry it's completely normal :)) how my mindset has changed since being here. The list keeps on growing. This summer I have been blessed to learn from the gold mines (minds) of long-term missionaries here. I have been picking their brains learning what I can about a life devoted to Overseas missions. I have been able to witness a Biblical way of approaching a different culture. I have learned to have a "glass half full" mindset when approaching different cultures. I have learned the 5 principles of being a missionary: flexible, flexible, flexible, flexible, and fun. I have received so many tools to add to my Spiritual Belt of Truth. I have seen to learn to teach.
As for what i've been doing this past two weeks.....well there's been quite a bit. We have formed quite a schedule and stick to it pretty stringently. On monday I go to the Bilingual School in Rio Esteban. On Tuesday I go with Dr. Don to three different schools teaching Bible Songs, Guitar, and English in each. Wednesday we go up to Satal...it's a mountain and it's big and tiring to climb...but the children there are so bright and eager to learn. Then Thursday we go to schools in Lucinda, Margarita, and then we walk across rivers to go to Las Niguas and teach there. Fridays have been more free, because we don't have certain schools we need to go to, so sometimes we'll visit the Bilingual school, some fridays we will stay at the house and work on songs and power point slides. During this past week I had the opportunity to go and stay in the villages again with Bictelia. Naomi and I went to stay with the Garcia-Ramos family on Sunday night and went to school with them on Monday, then I went back alone from Thursday to Saturday. As my time here wraps up I wanted to get more time with their family. It is so peaceful in the villages. We eat, walk to the beach, lay in hammocks and talk or just rest. You know when you've become good enough friends with someone that you no longer feel the need to be constantly talking? You feel comfortable with silence? Well that is how I feel with this family. Yes the silence might be due to a bit of a language barrier...but throughout the past 7 weeks my Spanish has grown and so has their English.. so needless to say our conversations are definitely Spanglish. Just last night we sat in the hammocks, Bictelia, Delmy, Deyni, Walter, and I and just talked about life in America and life in Honduras and just laughed. I've said it before but I cannot get over the joy that I see here among the people.
Parts of me are sad to leave, but other parts are excited to return home and share more personally with whoever wants to know about the things I have learned here. For those who care to know I will be arriving in Tulsa, July 16th around 10 pm. Feel free to call and we can get together and I will share all that I can about how I saw the Lord in Honduras. :) I leave you with pictures.