First Impressions

Chloe one of our newest members to the community has been with us a little less than 2 months now, but she has jumped right into ministry, serving with her whole heart and all of her talents....which have turned out to be many. This her reflection, in her own words on how its been going so far, what she's experienced and some of the projects she's taken on.

Honduras is such a beautiful place. It's so entirely different from what I'm use to so there's been a lot to learn in these first weeks of my time here. Everything is new and exciting and bewildering and wonderful.

Coming from cold Wales (UK), the tropical climate here is like living in a dream-I have to remind myself that it is March and that on the other side of the world it continues to rain and feel like winter.

Traveling through Tegucigalpa on my first day with Friar Damiano and two of the missioners who had collected me from the airport I saw how "immediate" the peoples lives are. The streets were packed with men, women, and children talking, shouting, and practically all trying to sell something: many of them sitting on the pavement with their goods spread out in front of them and the traffic roaring past. The chaos of cars and bikes and people weaving in and out was incredible, along with so many things that are forbidden in England and Wales like entire families riding open air in the back of a pick up truck along fast roads, and men carrying machetes in their belts.

Joining the community of the Missioners of Christ is like becoming a part of new family. Each person is so different and has so much to offer as well as to learn from the others. Its such an amazing grace to have Mass every day, morning and evening prayer, and a whole hour in Adoration each day in the very house where we live. Since the chapel walls are only railings, with the fresh air (and dust) constantly blowing through, Jesus' presence is all through the house. Its an incredible haven of serenitiy in the midst of a poor, chaotic neighborhood.

After my two weeks in Guatemala at language school, I began to help Tracy in the program "Ninas del Rey" each week. The girls are beautiful, full of life and appreciation and interest for the lessons. Things that I have always taken for granted -like pencils- mean the world to them. Their immense love and yearning for education is an amazing example and witness after being surrounded by a culture of young people who constanatly complain about school. Two weeks ago when I mentioned to Carol that I took ballet classes, she suggested I start a class with the girls. So I spoke to Erica who used to figure skate and we held the first class on a Saturday morning two weeks ago. It was lots of fun and a great success! Having worried beforehand about where to start and about what steps to teach, I soon realized that it didn't matter to them at all; they have no experience of learning to dance, let alone ballet, and their big smiles as they copied the movements were enough to tell me that they enjoyed it. Erica and I are hoping to organize a show for their parents to come and watch what they've learned which I am looking forward to very much!

Time is going by so fast however, every day flies by and I know this 6 months is going to be gone too soon. So I am trying hard to appreciate every moment.

- Chloe Fawcett