Ive learned something, something so important; Family, is everything. No, this is not something new or something Im just now realizing. Ive always knew. I love my family, they are my everything.
My family supports me and Finding Hope. They pray for me, love me and are 100 percent the backbone of what I do. Being apart from them is the hardest part of being a missionary (although food is a big contender). I can skype call, facebook, snapchat but its not the same. Its not until I can sit on the couch with a tub of cookie dough with Riane, go thrift store shopping with mom and mommom, help dad paint his new house flip, or play RLC with Ally and Dan while eating white cheese dip do I feel complete. So seeing them only once or twice a year tears my heart apart.
Id like to share this picture with you:
This is a Honduran family that I have grown close to over the past few years. Not all the siblings are pictured but I want to share a bit about who they are. In the yellow is Mario, Papi Mario, bricklayer, mason, painter, plumber, and all over laborer. He is always pending and comes to help withing seconds of a phone call. In the black next to Mario is Doris. She cooks meals for me almost everyday, washes my clothes, and cares for me like one of her own children. The children are Mario and Doris' grandchildren. The little nugget in the one piece standing up is Alyson. She is my heart and sole. I love her, honestly, as if she were my daughter. When she screams "LINAAAA" whenever she sees me, I melt. Shes got a smile that kills and a heart sweet as sugar. In the black shirt next to Alyson is Diana. Diana's son is Danielito (Gordo) who is pictured under the table. He is a chunky little rascal who is always in trouble. But with those chubby cheeks how can you not forgive him? Diana is a talented young women who works (whenever she gets a call) painting nails and styling and cutting hair. Every week she creates another master piece on my toenails. Even if I dont want it, she insists a new design is a must every Sunday. Kelvin, in the white, is father to the two little girls, Kaylee and Yiret, pictured sitting in the sand. His wife, Lesli is pregnant with a little boy on the way. Kelvin works day and night fighting for his family. They have their good days and their bad but there is one thing I know, He loves his girls with all his heart and would do anything for them. On the right, in the black shirt is Alvin, the youngest of Mario and Doris's children. Alvin is like a little brother to me. We hit each other, I bother him about girls, and he loves to flick me in the ear whenever he gets the chance. Not pictured is Heyson, Ever, Marito and Keyla. Heyson is the punk of the family, too cool for family events and always slightly angry at somebody (also in love with me). Ever is again like a little brother. Although sometimes I want to rip his head off, hes still a sweet guy. Marito is the lover of the family. There is always a girl in the picture. He also has a little girl, Brithany, who lives with the mother. He loves his daughter and is always talking about her. Marito is thoughtful, caring and a good listener. Lastly, Keyla. I would consider Keyla as one of my closest friends here in Porvenir. Especially recently. Keyla is the mother to Alyson. Keyla is very similar to Riane (my sister). She would do anything for you and is always there if you need her. But the moment you piss her off, you better run. Shes got a fiery spirit.
We call the family "The Marios" because there are so many of them. I also call them family. My Honduran family.
I can spend hours at their house and not tire. There are days I ache to be at their house because they are who I have here in Honduras. I can sleep over and snuggle with little Alyson, I go fishing and help catch fish for lunch, go for evening beach walks with Mario and Doris, help make tortillas for dinner, walk to church together and just have hammock talks. If a day or two go by and I haven't been to the house, one of them call to make sure everything is okay and wonder why its been so long.
Im grateful for the Marios. Im grateful to have my Honduran family. Sometimes when im sitting in their house and the chaos of having 7 children and 5 grandchildren surrounds me I can feel nothing but love. How perfect? To have all your children and their families living in the same place?
But you know whats even more perfect? The love the Marios have for others. They share everything. When I say everything, I mean everything. Anyone who is at the house during mealtime is fed. If you need something and they have it, they will give it to you without thinking twice. This neighborly love is overwhelming. And they care, they honestly truly care.
Thats why it breaks my heart when they dont have food for lunch because no one in the house is working. It breaks my heart when Doris has had pain in her breasts but they cant afford tests so nothing is done about it. When Kelvin gets appendicitis and the only money they bring to the hospital with them is 10 lempiras (50 cents).
Having Mario and his boys be our construction workers for Finding Hope is more than just labor. Were not just hiring them to work for us, but in turn, we are able to support the family. Because when we have work for them, they have food. When we dont, neither do they. Yes, we pay them (in comparison to US standards) very cheap. Labor is inexpensive in Honduras. But we do pay them more than the average worker gets in this country. Not just because we are foreigners and "we have money" do we pay them more. But we are invested in the Marios. We love, encourage and support them, just like any family member would do. Which is why, family, is everything.
I would ask you to please pray for the Mario family. Please pray that Finding Hope would receive the funds needed to continue construction. We've stopped construction 2 weeks ago and do not foresee continuing until December. When I talked to Keyla today, and she told me the family didnt eat lunch yesterday because no one had money, I knew I had to reach out for prayers. Yes this is common in my town, many times families do not have money to even buy rice. We are working to change that, one family at a time.
I love my family, both here and there. I am grateful to have people in my life who love me and show their love. Even if that means giving me their last plate of tortillas and beans.
****Just as I finished writing this, Doris calls saying dinner was ready and was wondering if I was going over :) looooooove
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