Then the day came to fly to Honduras. My feelings were of fear, anticipation and the unknown.  I took all of the precautions I could think off.  I wore no jewelry, no flashy clothing and kept my money on my body.  I traveled alone to Honduras, a Spanish speaking country.

I had only been studying Spanish for about three weeks, but I was confident that I could get a taxi to my hotel.  As a woman traveling alone to a foreign country, I was a bit afraid. After landing in Honduras, I sought out a yellow mini van taxi.  I had read that these are official taxi cabs.  With the Spanish I had learned, I easily asked the driver how much the fare was to my hotel. I was astounded that we understood each other, as I had only practiced Spanish on my husband.  My driver was very friendly and took me right to my hotel.  You can imagine my relief!

The next morning, I was met at my hotel by Geovanna from Plan International Honduras. Geovanna was my translator and Oscar was our driver. He spoke no English.  Geovanna was very helpful and answered all of my questions. She really helped to put me at ease. I am so thankful to her and Oscar, who by the way is "an excellent driver".

Our vehicle was a newer SUV with dark, tinted windows.  I felt much more secure knowing people couldn't see a scared, white, gringo girl inside. As we drove through the capital city of Tegucigalpa, during morning rush hour, I realized the intense need of Childreach services in Honduras.  I saw the poverty and poor living conditions. I saw starving animals and filth.  I saw homes not fit for living in. I saw homeless people, I saw disabled people and children begging in the streets.  These visions tore my heart out. Geovanna explained that we were driving through a very poor, ugly part of the city.

I realized how fortunate and blessed  I was.  I am not a wealthy person by American standards.  I am a working middle class person usually living paycheck to paycheck.  In fact, the trip was paid for on credit cards. It wasn't until this day that I realized how rich I am and how much I could help.

As we drove deeper into the countryside it started to rain and I was nervous.  The sky was cloudy and dark. I was silent as my eyes and heart took it all in.  This place was nothing like America.  It was as though I had stepped into another world. I didn't know what to expect when we reached Dilcia's village. The drive took about an hour and a half. I was in the middle of Honduras, Central America!

As we approached the small school house, my eyes filled with tears when I saw all of the children waiting for me. The little faces of all shapes and sizes looking out the open windows and waiting on the porch, which was decorated with balloons and hand made streamers.  As I stepped out of the vehicle I was greeted with smiling faces, cheers and applause.  I was overcome with emotion.  The greeting was so warm and genuine, the smiles so happy. They were so happy to see me.

I was then led into the small, cinderblock schoolhouse.  The room was filled with more smiling faces of children and adults.  There was a large handmade banner on the front wall that said "Bienvenida Leslie Glass" in bright red letters which means "Welcome Leslie Glass".  There was a large bouquet of locally grown roses, later presented as a gift to me.

Then I saw her, the beautiful face that I had grown to love so dearly. Introductions were made.  Dilcia was quite shy and seemed afraid of me at first. I did not push her for fear of making her afraid. We were seated in the front row for the reception that the school had planned for me.  I was greeted and spoken to by each of the community leaders.  Everyone was so sincere in their appreciation.  Each of the community leaders introduced themselves and told me of all the things that Childreach had done for their community such as building the schoolhouse we were in. They gave a presentation of how Plan Money had been spent in the community. Below: BOOKS FOR THE CHILDREN

I was introduced to Dilcia's mother and grandmother who were also a bit shy. Grandmother spoke.  She thanked me and blessed me.  She told me that I had brought the rain.  This is a farming community that had been enduring drought for a very long time.  That day, I guess I was a rainmaker.  I had never been happier for rain and from now on when it rains I will rejoice. 

The children, individually and in groups, sang me songs and recited poetry. It was awesome.  The local teacher told me that she had been a sponsor child.  She went on to finish high school and college and then returned to the community to teach.  College educations are free in Honduras but not many children actually make it through high school.  Just knowing that this young teacher was able to suceed and go on to help others do the same was proof to me that I could help.  I could make a difference in one child's life.  You can make a difference too!  I urge anyone reading this to sponsor a child.

After the reception we went to Dilcia's home, a small three room cinderblock construction with a door and two windows.  The room was very clean but baron.  It had a small table and on it was a threadbare, pink tablecloth and a small mason jar filled with wild flowers.  There were two plastic chairs, a table and nothing more.  The two bedrooms were curtained off. I did not ask to see them as I felt it would be an intrusion on their privacy.

I then presented the gifts that I had brought, nothing elaborate, just simple things like hats, tee shirts, flashlight, school supplies and stuffed animal. For Dilcia I had brought a baby doll, baby blanket and baby bottle that I bought at a second hand store.  When I gave her this doll she was filled with such excitement and joy that she ran to me and hugged me with all of her strength.  It was such a simple gift that brought such great joy to us both.  I was filled up with feelings I can't describe, watching that child cradle and rock that baby doll with such love.  The baby doll broke the ice.  You would have thought I had given the child the moon and the stars. 

I also brought pictures from home.  We sat down with Damaris on my lap, and I showed them things they had never seen before.  Ice fishing, snow, animals of the prairie like bison, deer, turkeys, groundhogs, and wild horses.  Even though we could only communicate through the translator, words were not needed.  You can't translate laughter.  Laughter and joy is a universal language. 

I had learned from Geovanna that I was Dilcia's third sponsor.  Her previous sponsors did not stay committed to her.  I asked Geovanna to tell Dilcia that I would be her sponsor until she grew up, and that I was committed to her.  She smiled and I knew that I could make a difference.  Then, sadly it was time to go and we said our goodbyes. 

As we drove away I thought to myself  "I wish that every single person could commit to one child, because together the difference would be amazing".  No child should ever suffer. I have been changed by the experience and it will be with me forever.  I would not hesitate a second to do it all over again.  After all it was an adventure of a lifetime! View the Adventure Gallery.

Leslie Glass
North Dakota, USA

Sponsor a Child at www.childreach.org
Email me: leslie@aptnd.com | My web site: http://www.aptnd.com/gates