Can This Be Real?

A day on the river was exactly what was needed on our day off this week. Wednesday five of us loaded the eight boys into a Kia and began a roadtrip through the mountains of Honduras. An hour and a half later we arrived at a quaint river in the middle of the mountains. Immediately the boys took off for the river and without hesitation they dove under the the murky water.

 

Over the next few hours we all took turns swimming up to the riverbank, climbing a large tree, and jumping 15ft down to the water. As I was treading water I took in my surroundings- mountains, billowing clouds, local villagers transporting dirt, wild horses trotting along the shore, donkeys sipping from the river…I was in amazement of the beauty that surrounded me.

 

Clouds rolled in, raindrops began to fall, and the darkness of the evening announced that it was time to pack up. On the way home we piled six of us in the trunk of the Kia, and started our drive back to Los Pinos to drop the boys off.  Within minutes Luis was asleep leaning on my left shoulder and Carlos was fast asleep resting on my lap.  I leaned my head against the window and closed my eybes in hopes that I would be able to get a little shut-eye on the ride home, but every time I closed my eyes a silly grin crept on my face. This is my life now…drenched from the river, the boys sleeping on me, crammed in the back of a Kia, the moonlight shining down on us…what more could I ask for? 

 

As I prayed a silent prayer of thanks to God Tony pulled off the road at a small corn stand.  Surprise!  He was treating us to a local Honduran treat- grilled corn on the cob covered in lime and salt.  It was really the cutest little place.  There were cement grills under the tent where the corn roasted and could just stand by the grills to keep warm as you ate.  It was the best corn on the cob I’ve tasted, and definitely a treat I will bring back to the States with me. 🙂

 

We continued the drive home, and once more I tried closing my eyes just in time for our vehicle to hit a large pothole.  Tony veered off the road to the shoulder and sure enough discovered that we had a flat tire.  While the men were working on the tire the jack broke.  No biggy.  I mean, we are in the middle of the mountains of Honduras with a flat tire and it is pitch black outside. Our group circled around to pray that the Lord would send someone who would help be able to help us and no more than 10 seconds into the prayer a small car screetched to a halt beside us.  Three of the nicest men jumped out with a jack and began helping us change the tire.  Talk about fast delivery! 🙂

 

Needless to say, we made it home safely and with many more memories than we expected. 🙂

 

If I were to continue the story I would tell you that the next morning as we left for our ministry we hit another pothole and the spare tire popped- in the middle of no where, no “extra” spare tire, and no jack. No joke- this is my life. I guess you never know what is going to happen but you always know that God will get you through it. 🙂