A day of transitioning from Xela to Union Victoria. Woke up in time to be dressed and ready to say good bye to Paula and Bryan before they left for school... they go at 6:45 a.m.... it was tough to say goodbye to them.
Then I headed for a shower and while in the shower... I heard children in the garage. The shower is under the stairwell leading up from the garage/workshop to the living quarters. Was quite surprised when I topped the steps to find that the whole family from the farm was in the kitchen... they had fixed a breakfast for us and wanted to say goodbye.
The breakfast was elaborate. Corn mush with a chunk of chicken cooked in a banana leaf and fresh hot tortillas. Before eating the meal, the mother-- Ahora, told us that she was so appreciative of our visit and so thankful for all that Dad and Mom have done for her family. She knew there was no way they could ever express their thanks or repay. Her hope was that this meal would be an offering to God expressing her thanks and seeking his blessing on us. This was a very moving time. The meal was delicious!
Following the meal, Carolina's mother and Ahora got on their knees in the kitchen and invited us to join them to pray. They prayed a long heartfelt prayer of thanks and blessing for our travels. At times they each touched our heads as if to bestow a blessing on us. It was a VERY moving time.
As we got closer to our time of departure, the mood got much heavier and heavier... and tears came for some.
After Jose finished painting his last metal window guard, we ALL (minus Bryan and Paula, Carolina's mother and Melanie) walked to the bus stop to go to the bus station to begin our journey to Union Victoria. It was a long quiet walk. At the bus terminal, it was VERY CHAOTIC. We had planned to take a direct bus to Potalul at 11:15, but they saw a bus leaving for Cocales and talked to the bus helper... he took my bag and put it on the bus as it was driving away... so, I jumped in the back door of the bus... but Dad was still hugging the folks good by...and I was praying that he would get on the bus... didn't know how I would make it if he didn't. But he was able to get on as it was driving slowly away. As we were making our way out of the chaotic terminal/market, the family was following us and waving goodbye. I was concerned about how I would get my bag which was in the front of the bus and we were in the back. But soon after that, Ahora and Carolina got on the bus and brought it back to me and gave each of us a hug again... all the while the bus was driving down the streets farther and farther away from the rest of the family...
The bus ride was interesting... nearly 3 hours long...VERY HOT and Chaotic. Two different evangelical preachers got on the bus and preached as it was traveling from town to town. One even asked for and got an offering!
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