As I complete my third week serving in Honduras, I want to share another person’s story with you. The more I have come to know the English teacher at the elementary school, the more he inspires and amazes me. This man works from 7:15am to 12pm with every class from kindergarten to 5^th grade teaching each class a unique lesson. Despite all the loud outbursts and even tears, he diligently does his job and it is obvious that all the kids adore him. After he is done at the school, he goes directly to another job at a car manufacturer, where he is a part of the testing crew. He works that job until 12:30am and goes home to sleep for 5 hours before he is back at the school again in the morning. I thought I had misunderstood when he told me that, but that is his life and he lives it with joy and determination every day.

He has 2 children, ages 9  and 1, and even with his excessive work hours, it is hard to support his family. He said that while he earns a little more at the manufacturing job, most of the men are paid about $20 a day or 456 lempiras. I asked him if he gets to see his kids at all during the week and he said that the weekends are the only time he spends with them but he also has to plan out English lessons on the weekend. He reminds me of my own dad and how I always respected how diligently he worked to support his family in more ways than one. As a kid, I remember him always spending as much time with me as he could- even after long days or long weeks. I mentioned to the teacher how proud his kids must be of him in the same way I am proud of my father.

One of my favorite things about God’s character is that He works in ways I least expect. I didn’t even have a thought of helping teach English in the school when preparing to come to Honduras, let alone getting to know the teacher. My hope is that I can be an encouragement and also practical help in the classroom for him. I know he is an encouragement to me as I see the kind of work ethic in him to which God calls us to. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” (Colossians 3:23).

Today I taught the Sunday school lesson at the church here. I spoke about David being anointed as king and how Samuel thought that Eliab would be the chosen king because he was the oldest son and the strongest but God rejected him. He instead chose David, the youngest of eight and a simple shepherd. In the story God says that people look at the outward but that He looks at the heart. I talked about how all the kids are capable of doing great things for God no matter how strong or old or rich they are because God cares more about their hearts. All the kids then got to make crowns out of paper plates to remind them of the story. I am so thankful for opportunities like these to teach and talk about the God I know and love. (I am attaching some pictures form this morning)

It is amazing to me that I only have two weeks left in Honduras. While the language barrier is challenging I have really enjoyed forming relationships with the children at the children’s home, students at the school, teachers, and community members. I love learning how people do daily things here like wash clothes and cook (if you’re ever craving fried plantains just give me a call). I’m also addicted to the night sky in Honduras. When it storms the lightning lights up the sky so you can see the gray outline of every cloud and when it’s clear you are able to see the stars so clearly that Mars with its red starlight is obvious. I love how God has worked to make me content where I am right now.

Thank you all for your support and prayers. Lots of love!

-Emily Hunt