Ruthy

Honduras. Day 25.

Today rocked.

Me, Karis, Kale, and Luis woke up early this morning to go meet up with a small part of the TORCH group to go finish a few houses in Ojojona (it was going to be just me and Luis until I mentioned that I was making chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, and then I picked up two more people, haha). So we headed out (it was a LONG bus ride), and got there at about 9 this morning. We got as far as we could on the houses, but still didn't get to finish because Tim Hines wanted us to leave early to go meet up with the rest of the TORCH group at a children's home called Good Shepherd. We were all really frustrated that we didn't finish the house today; but it was a divine frustrated. I saw people who were angry that someone was going to go without their new house for another day, and that is a type of anger that inspired me. The people I worked with were genuinely caring about this lady and her house... It was awesome.

So then we made the... EXTREMELY long bus ride to Good Shepherd from Ojojona. But it was so worth the trip. We got there, and they had grilled chicken for all of us and all of the kids. I had lunch with Luis, Gellermo, Marlon and Josue on the bus. Those guys are hilarious. Then I met up with these guys named Francisco and Miguel, and two of their other friends whom I never caught the name of. We actually had some good conversations, hung out and watched some people break dance for all the kids, but then I didn't see them again for awhile. But the reason.. was pretty cool.

This girl came up to me and grabbed my hand out of no where. I looked down and saw her, and she just looked up at me and smiled. I could tell there was something wrong with her, but I wasn't exactly sure what. She couldn't walk very well, and after trying to talk to her for a while, some other girl walked by and finally told me that she couldn't talk. But she clutched my hand tight, kept smiling at me, and then led me around the children's home for the property for a while. Eventually I picked up her name: Ruthy. There were a lot of different kids there that day, but I think the one I remember most is Ruthy. She wanted to give me presents all day long (which usually were just pieces of trash she picked up off the ground and broken crayons), and eventually she gave me a balloon. Well, it was a busted balloon... that she blew on for a while, trying to blow it up and give it to me, but then she figured it was as good as it was going to get and just gave it to me with a smile. I gladly took it, and I still have it.

I pushed Ruthy in the swings for a while, and every time she'd go up she'd look back at me and smile like she was in heaven. Eventually she got tired of that and led me over to the kitchen area to show me how she could stand up on the tables all by herself. When she'd get on top of one, she'd just laugh and laugh and laugh. And I'd laugh with her. And then the bus started loading up, and I tried to tell her that I needed to go. But she wanted to keep holding my hand and walking around with me. I bent down and tried to explain that I couldn't stay. But she wouldn't have it. As hard as it was, I finally just had to say, "Adios, Ruthy." And then she got it. She looked up at me, opened her arms wide, and wrapped her arms around me.

Wow. Quite possibly the best hug I've ever gotten.

I saw Francisco and Miguel on the way out, and they asked what happened to me. I just told them, "Ruthy," and they just smiled and nodded. I shook their hands and got on the bus. It was hard to leave Good Shepherd. Not only was it a secluded children's home surrounded by gorgeous mountain farmlands, but it was a place full of new friends.

We went back to Villa Gracia (the mission house) for supper and devo. Tim Hines delivered one of those "you'll-never-forget-this" messages, and then we all hung out with Gellermo and Marlon for about an hour. Gellermo was going CRAZY, and it was hilarious. I can't even describe it, it was just too funny.

Today was a good day. And I think I know why. Here's my new equation: Life is Jesus; Jesus is Good; therefore, Life is Good.

:)