Dodsons plan a Youth class

Step #1:  Get super-excited that we get to work with young people again.

Step #2:  Allow our perfectionistic tendencies to creep in, as early as the brainstorming   stage.

Step #3:  Write a curriculum appropriate for kids, dedicating at least 25% to games, activities, and fun.

Step #4:  Actually remember what it's like to be a kid, and dedicate at least 75% to games, activities, and fun.

Step #5:  Spend the rest of our spare time shopping for the candy and prizes we'll give as rewards.  :)

Step #6:  Wait in anticipation to meet our new students!

Next week Bart & I are teaching English to kids in the city of Mateo (where we go to church). Each day we'll have a group of 9- to 11-year-olds for 3 hours, and a group of 12- to 18-year-olds for 3 hours. We've been told that our class could help the kids get a jump-start to their new school year, which begins in February.  We definitely hope that is the case, and that the kids are blessed through the experience.

md

In case you're wondering...

yes, piñatas are VERY popular here...
and, yes, Bart has finally found his calling in Honduras.

On Sunday our church threw a Christmas party at a home for children with Muscular Dystrophy. We tried to help out with whatever they needed. I have a feeling this won't be the last time Bart finds himself serving in such a role! 


md

Picture Honduras

nacimiento - nativity scene

All over the city there are either miniature or life-size nativity scenes. Sometimes they're simply the 'manger scenes' we're familiar with. Other times they depict places or events in history. This one, in a shopping center near our language school, is a miniature portrayal of various places described in the Bible. 

The Amazing Race

Our truck is in the shop. We had been noticing a funny noise, so we took it to a mechanic and - big bummer - the engine is in need of quite a bit of repair. But we never want car trouble to slow us down, so in order to continue life as normal, we've rented a truck, taken plenty of taxis, and traveled on foot to the places we've needed to go. 


Riding in taxis gets my vote for the most interesting mode of transport so far. Each cab and each driver have their own unique flair. And while it might be a frustrating experience to be on the road with taxis, who are pulling a few illegal tricks in order to get their paying passengers to their destinations quicker than anyone else, it's kind of cool to be in that taxi.


You could feel sorry for us for our current car troubles. But you shouldn't. This is exactly the kind of experience we've been wanting for years! About 5 years ago, when we lived in Oregon, we heard rumors of a tryout in a nearby town for the show The Amazing Race. So immediately after our church service that Sunday morning, we drove down to a car dealership in Cottage Grove to film our 2-minute tryout, in hopes of becoming the next contestants on our favorite reality-game-show. 


Obviously, we didn't make the cut. But if at first you don't succeed, move to Honduras, hop in a taxi, and just pretend like the place you're headed is the next pit stop! 


And really, when we think about it, this short time we are living without the privilege of our truck is helping us understand 'real life' for most of the people we're around every day. The majority of those living in Tegucigalpa and around Honduras have never dreamed of owning a vehicle. Walking, riding a bike, and sitting (or standing) on hot, crowded public buses are normal, expected experiences for Hondurans. And for me, getting just this small taste of some of their daily obstacles helps me respect them all the more.


md  

Nancy, you've done it again!

Over the four years we lived in Norman, Bart & I tried to establish some long-lasting relationships. One of our favorites was with a woman who happens to make the best strawberry cake in the world. Her name is Nancy, and she creates her mouth-watering treats at store called Cookies 'N Cards, a very nondescript place on OU's Campus Corner. Nancy and her infamous strawberry cake & cupcakes helped us celebrate many special events in Norman, and we knew they'd make the list of 'things we'll miss most' when moving to Honduras.

Well, thanks to my mom's vision, Nancy's gift of baking, and the willingness of Dudley & Vicki Chancey to serve as transporters, we were able to celebrate my 29th birthday on Thursday with our favorite strawberry cake! I can't imagine the amount of trouble it was on everyone's part, but my taste buds would like to take this opportunity to say, "Muchas Gracias!" for your efforts.

Hello, old friend!

  
And if that wasn't enough, I also received a box full of birthday cards from many of you! It absolutely made my day to be able to open real mail...and I've already read them through a few times.  All in all, this last year of my 20's has gotten off to a great start!


md