ONE WEEK IN THE COUNTRYSIDE OF HONDURAS

I am loving it here. It is so different from anything else that I have ever experienced.
I am so disappointed that I am not a photographer. I am sure I am in National Geograpic
county. Yesterday we went way up in the hills to the church. Everything seemed even
more quaint. I got a picture of a woman about 4 ft. tall with a withered face carrying a
basket on her head. She weighed around 80 lbs. I also took a picture of a woman sitting
in the doorway of her cinderblock house. In front of her on the grass were chickens, roosters,
pigs and dogs all together. I think she liked having her picture taken. All the shacks that
people live in are even smaller, a combination of corrigated metal and old wood, covered
with vegetation and moss. The faces, the smells, the settings. Oh that I were a great
photographer or artist. (I may take up painting when I get home).

Church was great, about 60-70 people in attendance. A 9 year old boy was baptised.
I took his picture afterwards. He then proceeded to ask me for 5 limps, (around $1.00).
I told him I had not brought any money, which I hadn´t. I was a little disappointed and
thought I wouldn´t say anthing to the missionaries. Then I found out, he has no dad
and his mother is completely disabled by an accident. I asked the missionaries how the
family supported themselves and they scrugged their shoulders. They said they had
personally been buying food for them out of their own pockets. One elder is from El Salvador
and the other is from Bolivia. I believe I heard that it costs about $700.00 for an elder to
serve here for two years. We should be so lucky in the states. I think the church may
step in and help. Every young man in the church that has been baptized wears only a
white shirt. Only invesigators come in different clothes. I told the missionaires that I
would like to buy him a white shirt. Maybe that one white shirt will make a difference
in his life. He did seem very prayful and sincere at his baptism, hopefully he will make
it and the gospel will make a difference in his life.

Drove into another town today where they have a mini mall and an ATM. The first
counselor and his wife took me. I then took them to Dunkin donuts for a little treat.
Always thinking of others!

The living conditions are perhaps a wee bit better. At least I don´t have to brave the
weather to get out to the outhouse. But the bathrooms here are still gross and we can
only flush in the a.m., otherwise you get out the bucket of water to flush it out. Not
fun!

I am still hungry but I´ve realized that my clothes are not fitting loosely, therefore I
am trying to talk myself out of eating a lot. To overeat is just not in their nature and
everyone is only allowed one serving and one of anything. I am lucky because I now
get one hard boiled egg for breakfast each morning. The kids eat cornflakes. Have I
told you how absolutely adorable the kids are!! I am taking lots of picutures. Also,
back to the food, I try and stockpile a few little things for my bedroom but the dad
is always with me and it´s embarrasing for me. The dad doesn´t get paid until tomorrow
so someone in the ward is fishing for talapia for our lunch. I love it. We should be back
on track tomorrow.

Love and miss you all.
Bonnie

p.s. the day we moved their dog gave birth to 7 pups but only 4 lived. It was her
first puppies and she seemed very out of sorts in her new surroundings.