The regular chorus of dogs, roosters, and other tropical birds awakened us again this morning. For a change of pace, we ate out at the Gran d’Elia for a hearty buffet breakfast. We all followed Alredo’s rule to eat everything on our plate...that is except Eric. He struggled through his heaping mound of pancakes, eggs, tortillas, cereal...essentially three breakfasts in one. Alfredo extended grace and let him leave a few bites of pancakes on his plate.

Instead of heading to the worksite next, our tour guide took us to a remote ceramic house. Wonderful pots and ceramic bowls decorated the wood studio. Once each of us purchased a piece (for very few limperas), Steve boldly asked to make his own on the potters wheel. Sharon was next working on the same piece. But the lady who helped them both then quickly removed their “masterpiece” and began to methodically and precisely make a flower pot within minutes. Steve wanted a photo with her. He placed his arm around her should but quickly removed it once Alfredo explained that in Latin America, that gesture is one meaning, “Will you marry me?”

The highlight of the day, though, was driving into the property and seeing Marísol, the little girl we saw the day before, with her mother and two siblings standing on the road. They had returned! A collective thanks and praise to God echoed in the van. Once we were off to work, Alfredo picked up the family to his house to have them meet Jennifer and provide them with clothes. Jennifer welcomed Marísol with open and loving arms, dying to herself as she realized that this was yet another sacrifice their family would have to make. We saw God’s providential hand before our eyes.

Derek was able to visit a client’s factory. The person to whom he was to meet was no longer working there, but he and Alfredo did meet her replacement. Meanwhile, the Final of the Copa Mundíal (World Cup) between the visiting Estados Unidos (United States) and hometown favorite Honduran National Team met for the final time. Despite heroic efforts of Dad and then Steve in the goal, we lost 2 to (a generous) 1. What a great time we all had, even in the slippery mud of which Omar tasted the most.

We finished our respective walls and then said our goodbyes to these men who had become our friends. We had one more with us for dinner that night. While we enjoyed great Chinese take-out, tiny María, ate Cheerios. Even though she was obviously tired, her big eyes tried to take in all these new faces. But in the gentle arms of Derek (or was it due to the menagerie of Eric’s Yogi Bear, Donald Duck, and Scooby Doo with Shaggy, of course), this precious little girl eventually fell asleep.

“I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection...”