Bittersweet.
Leaving one place to return to another.
My final week in the States was bittersweet, with many goodbyes and packing twenty years into four bags. I took photographs of everything that I had to pack, just in case I lost one of the bags, and I painted the bags too, so I’d be able to find them better when I was at the baggage claim. I also brought my bird to my sister’s house, and he seemed to be getting along with her bird.
Meanwhile, in Honduras, my husband was preparing everything in our house. He built a few shelves for our kitchen and made sure everything else was ready.
My last full day in the US was spent meeting up with friends and family, doing some last-minute shopping for bee propolis, and ending at my paternal grandparents’ house, where I said goodbye to them and my great-grandparents. My whole family spent the night at my grandparents’ house since the airport is only thirty minutes away.
The next morning, bright and early at four am, we all got up. I said my goodbyes to my grandparents, and my parents and most of my siblings brought me to the airport. On the ride over, we played one last game of tic-tac-toe on the frosty windows, and we talked about things we remembered from growing up.
The drive was over so quickly, though, and we were at the airport unpacking everything from the car and checking my baggage. Saying goodbye to my mom and dad, and siblings was hard. Just like with everyone else, I don’t know when I’ll see them again in person.
One of the ways I’ve been reassuring myself through the sadness of moving two thousand miles away from the places and people I’ve known my whole life is by thinking about my great-great-grandparents, who immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands. They knew they wouldn’t be able to go back or even talk to the people back home, but they went anyway. My life is the proof of that sacrifice.
A few people told me not to forget them when I left, but how could I? We become like the people we are around, and so many of my ideas, my taste in music, and other parts of my personality come from the people I love. How could I forget myself?
The actual flights and trip were blessedly uneventful. I had one layover in Dallas with plenty of time to get to my next gate. I tried to sleep on both my flights and spent plenty of time praying and reflecting on the events of the past year.
I arrived in Honduras at 1:30. Customs went smoothly, and while waiting for my bags, I saw my Darwin waiting for me through the glass separator. Neither of my bags was missing or flagged for anything, so I went right out to him.
It’s truly incredible being back with your spouse after two months apart. Seeing all the things I’ve seen before on the two-hour drive home, and knowing that I won’t be leaving in two weeks. My husband is so caring. He had some bananas and oranges for me after the flight.
The day I arrived was very restful. I was able to sleep for nine hours, which is more than I’ve gotten for at least three weeks now! Sunday was busier. We had a lot of preparation for the team that came today (Monday), and we bought a washer and dryer. It was also his younger sister’s party for her tenth birthday. I brought her the Spanish version of the book Smile by Raina Telegemeier, and we got her a few other things at one of the shops.
At the party, I got to re-meet his maternal grandmother and meet his paternal grandmother. We were hoping to surprise his parents and siblings at the party, since no one knew I was coming back to Honduras so soon, but they saw me beforehand, so it didn’t quite work out.
Today we’ve been doing the final preparations for the two teams coming to build this week. We brought food, fans, pots, and pans to our other location, and ice to both of them. I got to see a gecko, which was fun, and we went to a hardware store for an extension cord for our dryer. Geckos are nonexistent in South Dakota, but there are a few hardware stores, haha!
We made our way to pick up the team at the airport, which was my first time going to the airport, but not so I could leave, and as I’m writing this, we are on the way back with one of the teams that we will be working with this week. For those of you whom I told this was my husband’s first time leading a team, sorry for the misinformation, haha! He’s led them before, but this will be my first time with him.
Hopefully, I’ll have another update in a week after this team goes, and I’ve been praying for you guys back home. I’ve got my new phone number set up, so if you want to contact me, just drop a comment or reply to this email, and I’ll get that sent your way! Otherwise, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat should all still work. I love you all so much!
This verse was prominent again this week. My paternal grandparents both prayed it over me, as well as my dad, so I’ll end this newsletter with it too-
The Lord bless you and keep you
Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face toward you
And give you peace, now and forevermore. Amen.