Las Colonias

Las Colonias

Tuesday 15 March 2016

Retail Therapy

As many of you know - I used to be a shopper.  I LOVED shopping!  I loved the pursuit, and I loved the conquest.  Living here in Roatan has basically cured me of that addiction.  Firstly, there's the obvious - how much stuff do I need when someone else has no stuff?  But also, there is the practical.  There is absolutely no where to go shopping for the stuff! Larry gets an adrenaline rush from his visits to Serranos and ACE hardware. On occasion he'll try to entice me to join in his pleasure. "Look at all the plumbing fittings!" "Do you think we should get a new flea collar for Hunter?"  Let's just say I'm not suffering that much!  But, one place we find lots of shopping diversion is at the grocery store.

In our shopping city - Coxen Hole - we have three grocery stores. One meets the needs of the local shoppers who want something bigger than the market or the local tiendas.  The other two are much like the grocery stores of North America. Similar, but there are a few entertaining surprises.....  


For example, who wouldn't be mesmerized by rows and rows of beautifully decorated cakes?





Fruits and vegetables, as well as various meats have become more plentiful and meet the high standard of the champion shopper, Larry, as well as the various needs and demands of an Expat and local population. 







Honduran chicken is the best you've ever eaten!  Really!  And when you ask people here what food they like best, most will respond with good reason, "fried chicken."  The huge freezer at Eldon's is filled, and emptied of frozen chicken frequently.



We have never felt the need to experiment with a few of the meats we see in the meat counter, including tongue, pig tails, and.....

yes, those ARE chicken feet....
I know someone must like them.






Something you notice about the grocery store itself, is the cleanliness.  The floors are constantly being dry mopped and broken floor tiles are repaired. There are several cashiers working, so you don't have a long wait, and the bar codes on the groceries are scanned. Cashiers are required to use a thumb print scan as ID.  Wow, eh? There are several young guys eager to pack your grocery bags (plastic bags are not provided), and provide carry out. Cleanliness, no line-ups, high tech stuff, and carry outs?! No wonder we enjoy grocery shopping!

You can shop for a prepared lunch at the luncheon counter, pay for it at the cashier, and then find a table and hopefully chairs to sit to eat your boxed lunch. Several of the people we know do this - we haven't yet. 

On occasion, the aisles can be under-stocked. Since Roatan is an island, everything is imported from the Mainland and frequently from farther away. We can pick up many of the name brand items we enjoy in North America, but those come with a high price tag.  Our usual items are grocery store brand. If the sea is rough for several days, shelves show this.



I am saving the best for last.  I am always amazed with the candy aisle. It goes on and on and includes colourful marshmallow treats, chocolate treats, and huge bags that are bound for piñatas. Piñatas are big here, especially for first birthday parties. Suckers are also popular with kids and adults alike.  As a retired teacher, I find suckers particularly distasteful. However, that's obviously not the case here. 

Huge 5 pound bags of
piñata-bound candy.
The candy aisle stretches on.......




















How perfectly named!

While grocery shopping may not normally rank high as an activity for a hot date, it is something we do together. Retail therapy is retail therapy, and sometimes you just need the thrill of the conquest. Coming home with a treat like Snickers ice cream, is sometimes all you need to feel rejuvenated and ready to keep on. As for entertainment? There's the occasional collision of Spanish and North American culture resulting in cart-stopping, head-turning laughter.  






  

Sunday 13 March 2016

2016 - March Update - finally....

Hi Everyone!
Ohhhhh – this is a long-overdue update!  I’m not so sure I can even make an excuse. So, today it is time to reflect and put fingers to keyboard. We have just returned from the airport after saying “adios” to our sister and brother-in-law, Pauline and Garry. We so much enjoyed their visit and encouragement – as well as the opportunity to play tourist a few times - in the middle of the week!  Now, back to routine.

Time and change have been on our minds quite a bit lately. Seven years ago, our extended family came on our mission trip to Roatan, and since then, we have seen so many changes.  I guess when you’re in a place where termites literally eat you out of house and home nothing can be expected to remain unchanged long!
In many ways, things are easier for us now. Each time we land at the airport, we are amazed with the changes. Processing in and out of the airport is much more streamlined, with more workers and electronic scanning. There are two grocery stores to locate our preferred foods. The power is more reliable and if it goes out, it is usually back on within a few hours. We now have wifi, and other than today (!), we have had uninterrupted service. These are all changes that make living here easier. 



We have also seen changes in the area where we work, particularly in the Colonia. The main roadways have been partially paved – with concrete! There are many taxis, buses, motorcycles, scooters, and even family vehicles driving on these roads (not so sure all the drivers are licenced!) 






Many homes now have electricity as well as TVs and refrigerators. Teachers want students to have current information and frequently require students to use Internet to research for homework so there are a few Internet cafes (expensive) in the Colonia.  Many students use data packets on their phones to access the Internet for school homework, as well as social media. For sure, there’s lots of changes. 

Concepcion's casita - 2010 -
single room with no electricity or indoor kitchen.



Concepcion's home now includes bedroom,
livingroom and kitchen with countertop
propane stovetop, frig, and electicity















While these changes seem to be occurring really rapidly, we aren’t sure that there is the understanding that there can be sacrifices in quality of life in trying to keep up with the Gomezes.  Many of these conveniences are costly, so, much like in North America, some people live beyond their means. We have always contended that food, shelter, and water were basic necessities and we would help provide in emergency for these.  Now we have people requesting assistance to pay their power bills, or food money is spent on outfitting the family in jeans. (bedazzled, skin-tight jeans – in the tropics! I am getting old!)


Registering for school this January -
all the kids are wearing jeans - in the tropics!
I am getting old!
So while it seems there are so many changes, it is reassuring to remember the eternal truth:                                                                   Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.  ~Hebrews 13:8

While circumstances change, He doesn’t. Our reason for being here in Roatan has not changed.  We are here to shine the light of Jesus in the homes that now have electricity, as well as the places where there is no electric power. We are here to open God’s word using the paperback text or an electronic version.  We need to provide reminders that a new job, or opportunities for education, or a new roof are provisions from the same God who provided before, and the God who will continue to provide.  And in all, we need to thank our unchanging, eternal Father. That never changes either!
              
Over the past several weeks we have had many opportunities to see God working here.  Recently, we
were reminded of how God provides above and beyond anything we can think to ask.  Arezzi and Victor have three school-aged children as well as a toddler. Owing to their various grades, a parent would be walking children up and down the hill to the public school at three different times each day.  Victor had worked over the school break in the addition on a second level on a private school near
the entrance of the Colonia. Arezzi approached the director last week, asking if she could get a cleaning job at the school.  The Director needed a full-time worker, but had no money to pay.  She offered Arezzi an exchange – Arezzi could work cleaning and in exchange the director would waive the tuition and registration fee at the school.  We received a gift to assist in providing the required texts and uniforms.  Not only do the three kids get a bilingual, private education, but Arezzi has a testimony of God’s provision for her family in answer and beyond to her prayers. Please pray that both parents continue to rejoice in this gift and that friends do not begin to respond in jealousy. These Spanish speaking children will also need to learn English – quickly.

Larry has filled his days in a variety of ways.  He continues to provide support to a few of the guys.  Franklin comes by before and after work, just to check in and receive a pep talk.  At times Larry accompanies Franklin to the Clinic if there is a two-man job.  Larry has assisted with construction needs at the church in the Colonia.  Last Friday, we traveled to join with friends from R-Church to serve at the Bread for the Bight ministry.  While there, Larry was involved in a renovation project – oh my – ask him about it. 

By far, Larry’s most ambitious project lately has been in the construction of the new mini-roof over our steps – so great not getting drenched going up and downstairs! - and then the new upper deck on our house.  We now have a tropical treehouse – with a view!


School has been in session in Honduras for a month.  Four days a week, our classroom is opened to the kids we support in the private and the public school.  I have a few regulars that come every day, some that come a few times a week, and a few that show up when they’re in an emergency.  We assist 15 kids, and they often come to use the computers and research on the Internet. Some of the students I have worked with for a few years are really independent. Last week was very encouraging for this teacher, when Carlos prepared an eleven page info packet about various types of art, and Oscar created a multi-slide PowerPoint presentation – all without my help!  Twice a week, a few new students come to the classroom for English lessons.  Julisa is extremely excited about these classes and I look forward to her coming as much as she enjoys the lessons.





As always, we have a few prayer requests for you.
1. Please pray for Arezzi, Victor and family.  The kids will be challenged as they begin a new school a month into the year.  They will need to learn and work in English for half of their school work. Yikes! 
      2. Please pray for all of our students that they continue to work with enthusiasm.   
      3. Please pray for us as we wrap up here in 5 weeks.  Pray that we are attentive to God’s direction in all we do.
        
        Thank you for your continued encouragement and support. Enjoy the last few weeks of this mild winter.  Send a note to let us know what you are doing – and when you see your first robin!  ~  Larry and Susan             roatancampbells@gmail.com