After 96 hours of travel from Honduras to Romania we finally made it! Talk about culture shock…the complete opposite of Central America no question asked. From sleeping on the floor, cold showers, no furniture, smiling people who instantly count you as family and embrace you with hugs and kisses, hot weather and beautiful mountainous views to comfy beds, hot showers, couches, straight faced people who seem to keep to themselves, cold weather and beautiful flat farm lands. Romania is a beautiful country and we are beyond blessed with our living conditions. Our contacts and the people of Caminul Felix are really nice and I have enjoyed working with them. But with all that being said, I’m not going to lie, Central America has officially stolen my heart and being here in Romania is difficult for me.
Caminul Felix is an amazing ministry to say the least! The heart behind it is to take away the ordinary “orphanage” living and instead replace it with family living. They have two villages, one with six houses and one with 10 houses (where we are staying). In each home there is a Dad, Mom, and 12-15 orphans. Each set of parents raise the children in a family like setting and love on them as if they were their own. We are spending the month here building houses. The house we are working on will be the home for a family who is downsizing. The older children have all grown up; they have gone from 19 children to 6 thus needing a smaller home.
I’m not going to lie, a big portion of our work days I’ve had a really rotten attitude. We are on the plastering step of building the house and I’m frustrated. It started of good and I actually enjoyed it…the first few days. But instead of moving forward and seeing progress like I assumed we would see while house building, the steps just kept getting repeated over and over again I just became more and more frustrated. As I try fixing the plaster mess that was done before me, I say to myself “I’m a relationship builder! Not a house builder!” It’s not that I don’t like manual labor because I do, when I can see progress, and when I’m building relationships at the same time. Like last month in Honduras we did manual labor and seeing the finishing product excited me! The relationships built last month are awesome and will last a lifetime. This month, just building, no progress, no relationships. Or maybe I’ve been looking at this wrong….
I was talking to a good friend of mine on facebook one day and was sharing with him my frustrations. He reminded that God has called me to this, whether I enjoy it or not I’m doing it for Him and it’s with purpose. I CAN do it because God says I can. So, on the verge of breakdown from frustration I brought it before God. God showed me…yet again…that I may not always see the fruit of my labor. I may not always like what I am doing but I need to always choose joy. Then it dawned on me. I’m not just building houses, I AM building relationships! I don’t see it now but after I’m gone, after the paint is on the walls, the pluming and electric is done, after a few more teams work on their portion of the house, a family will move in. I am building a home so they can build their relalationship. Laughter over dinner, game nights in the living room, dad and mom tucking in their kids at night, husband and wife kissing each other goodnight. Family. It’s not about the plaster, the nails, the sanding or hammering now. It’s about the family, the love, the joy later. And I feel honored to be a part of that!
1) 5 people, headphones in, singing 5 different songs out loud at once
2) Early birds vs. the sleepy heads, later nighters vs. early to bed
3) 2 people brushing their teeth, 1 in the shower, 1 going to the bathroom, 1 doing makeup, 1 drying hair, and 1 changing all in one bathroom.
4) Good conversation and laughter with a bunch of your friends over every meal
5) 10 people, one room, all doing different things
6) Never alone unless you have headphones in…that’s about as close to “alone” as you get
7) Saying hi to squadmates’ family and friends via skype
8) Everyone farts in front of everyone and if you say you don’t, yours are just always silent
9) You know your squadmates entire wardrobe
10) You know what all your squadmates do in their sleep….Snore, Fart, Nightmares, Talk…..
Month 3 Honduras this was my "community"
Top 10 Cultural differences in Central America
1) They speak Spanish
2) Toilet paper never gets flushed, always goes in a trash can
3) Corn tortillas (every meal), beans and rice, eggs, and plantains are common meal choices
4) Mountain dew is impossible to get in Guatemala and EXTREMELY rare in El Salvador and Honduras
5) You are instantly a part of their family and always greeted with a hug and a kiss on the cheek
6) Tons of round-a-bouts, parasites, and ants
7) Standing in the bed of a truck or riding in a big yellow school bus is common public transportation and if you’re 1 inch away from everyone around you 10 more people could probably fit
8) Showers are cold
9) Dish soap is a solid in a plastic tub
10) Hand washing clothes and hanging them out on the line to dry
Top 10 favorite foods
1) Pupusas (ES)
2) Tostitos with ground beef, green beans, carrots, and potatoes on top (G)
3) Mangos (CA)
4) Bean and veggie soup (H)
5) Tortillas filled w/ rice, beans, cheese, tomatoes, avocados, and plantains then grilled (H)
6) Chocolate filled croissants (R)
7) Beef Stroganoff (R)
8) Veal Soup (R)
9) Beef and veggies over rice with a really good sauce (ES)
10) Refried red beans (ES)
Top 10 Impactful People
(So many more have impacted my life on the race but for the sake of my readers I've narrowed it down to 10)
1) Dani aka “Dona” ~ She is an amazing bold woman of God. She isn’t afraid to tell me how it is. She has a past similar to mine so she is able to relate to a lot of things I’ve gone through. Her passion in both Guatemala and Honduras is equal to mine and I’m excited to move to Honduras with her next year! She has been an incredible support to me, a listening ear, tons of fun, and a great laugh!
2) Jill aka “Jilly Fish” ~ A complete sweetheart! She is sincere, honest and caring. She has been my shoulder to cry on several times and has held my hand through some extremely tough moments. Never judging, always loving. She is my confidant, my encourager, and my prayer warrior.
3) Kevin ~ He is a man full of passion and a heart truly after God! His heart for ministry is amazing. He has encouraged me, spoke truth into me, reminded me that what I’m doing is worth it, and he has continued to pray for me. His love and joy is contagious!
4) Pastor Roni ~ His heart for the orphans is indescribable! God’s love pours through him and into others. God works and speaks through him. I have never met a man with such great faith! He truly walks boldly in faith in every aspect of his life. I love his jokes!!
(Far right)
5) Benjamin ~ A man full of love and compassion! He loves whole heartily and blesses those around him. He speaks life and encourages. His every action is Jesus filled. He brings joy to everyone he comes in contact with.
6) Andres ~ Little baby Andres, only 2 months old. So incredibly precious! He’s the first I gave a piece of my heart to in Guatemala. Even though he will never remember me, I know I was there to be Jesus’ arms…to love him, hold him and comfort him.
7) Hector and his family ~ Watching this man come from where he was and start the journey to where he is going has been amazing! It was a joy getting to know him and his beautiful family. I’m so excited to see God continue to work in his life. God’s grace and redemption is a beautiful thing!
Tony and his amazing wife Nidia
8) Tony ~ A man full of compassion and grace! He holds his arms wide open for the boys and girls who the world says will fail. He gives them an opportunity, he believes in them, and gives them hope. He loves them whole heartily as if they were his own.
9) Cassie ~ An amazing woman who has left everything behind for the sake of following Gods calling. She left life as she knows in America to move to Honduras to be the mother of Luis (one of the boys from Los Pinos). In the process she has also gained a daughter. Her love for these children and her faith in God to just up and go is a huge encouragement. I was pondering the idea of moving to Honduras after the race and after meeting her it confirmed it is possible and completely worth it!
10) The boys and girls of Zion’s Gate ~ These boys and girls have done and seen more than anyone should have to in a lifetime. God’s grace and redemption is active in their lives. They have decided to walk away from life as they know it and better themselves, get into school, and give their life to Christ. Thanks to Tony, they are able to come live on the property and are giving an opptunity to succeed. I’m so excited to watch them continue to grow into awesome men and woman of God!! They are my brother and my sisters and I love them like crazy!! SEE YOU NEXT MARCH!!!
* He is the same God no matter what country I’m in
* No matter what my past is, if I seek him He will redeem me
* He comforts me better than any person can
* Through Him there is hope for the hopeless
* His beauty always shines through, even in the dump
* He always provides, even when I think it’s too late or I need too much
* He wants to have conversations with me
* His grace is my hero
* No relationship matters as much as the relationship I have with him
* He’s always speaking; just take a moment to listen
* Worship whole heartedly no matter how I sound or look….He loves it! (and so do I!)
* He is jealous for me
* He accepts me right where I am
* There is nothing I can do or say to make Him love me more or less…His love is unconditional and everlasting
* He speaks through people even if that means speaking perfectly in a language that is usually broken
Top 10 favorite memories
1) Monday morning worship, prayer, and intersession – Guatemala
2) Showering in the rain – Guatemala
3) After only seeing the moon once the entire time, a few days before I left Kevin ran up to me, grabbed my hand, and excitedly pulled me outside. As I stood in the middle of the yard confused he pointed up to the moon and said “for you!” (My dad and I’s thing…I had been feeling homesick and was sad the moon never showed itself) – Guatemala
4) Holding little baby Andres, watching little baby Enita get stronger each time I visited her and then finally being able to hold her, trying to dance with the break dancers, watching the old man at the nursing home play the guitar and sing, and seeing the beauty in the dump. – Guatemala
5) The panel van (mama rock me, worship, pushing it up a hill, 18 people in the back), Dance parties (MAS MUSIC!), Pastor Roni’s jokes – Guatemala
6) During worship on the front porch, God showed me a vision of fireflies…when I opened my eyes and looked out there were fireflies dancing along the grass! – Guatemala
7) Pupusas, Victor saying we are leaving right now then jumping in the shower and really leaving 45 minutes later, Ready Freddy?!, Mountain dew given to me by Kate after spending over a month searching for it, and rides in the back of the pick up truck – El Salvador
8) Watching TV in Spanish with Dona, both of us cuddled up with the boys – Honduras
9) Everything with the boys and girls…Chasing them with toads, cooking together, dancing, the slapping game, late night chats as best as we could, hugs and kisses on my cheek, hair dying night…I loved every moment with them! – Honduras
10) Lunch with Alys and Jill sharing amazing Romanian food – Romania
Top 5 things I miss from home
~ My family, friends, and catface
~ Fast, reliable internet
~ Driving when ever and where ever. Or just driving for that matter
~ Hot Showers, Couches, Washing Machines
~ Eating whatever I want whenever I want
Top 5 things I DON’T miss from home
~ My cell phone
~ How everyone is always busy and in a hurry. Quality time with others is taken for granted
~ Work uniform and carrying trays….shoot, work in general (minus my co-workers and regulars! I miss you guys!)
~ Watching TV all the time
~ The American “dream” ….I finally feel like I’m living life and that I have purpose. Success is in relationships you make, not how much money you make.
Monday worship, prayer and intersession (photo credit: Robin Brooks)
Winter is soft pajama pants and a hoodie curled up on a comfy couch with a fuzzy blanket. Sitting in front of the fireplace with a hot cup of chai tea in hand. Occasionally a chill breezes through but the warmth of the fire shakes it away. Comforting, Cozy, Relaxed.
Spring is brightly colored flowers, warm sun on your back and cool breezes across your face. The smells are refreshing and energizing. Excitement, Growth, Life.
Each season brings different joys and comforts. Each season serves its purpose and shouldn’t be looked back upon in sadness that it’s over nor in regret that things should have been done differently but it should be looked at exactly for what it is. A season. A moment in time that was exactly what it should have been and has brought you to exactly where you should be.
Seasons have changed here for me on The World Race. Not only from the first quarter of the race to the second, not only from Central America to Europe, Not only from hot weather, cold showers and mountainous views to cold weather, hot showers and flat farm land but the biggest change of seasons for me lies within my team. It has changed. Completely.
Some of you may know but for those of you that do not I will explain the reasoning for team change. Our squad consisted originally of 6 teams (6-7 people per team) and 3 squad leaders. Now we have 5 teams. Squad leaders have been on the race before and spend the first 4 months of our race leading us. At the end of month 3, they raise up 3 new squad leaders who they will spend the next month training to take their place the remainder of the race. Our original squad leaders were Mac, Hope, and Caitlin. I can’t even begin to explain these amazing people! They have poured so much into each and every one of us. I could write an entire post just about them but for now I will just say they totally rock and you guys will just have to trust me on that one. Our new squad leaders are Priscilla, Brittany and Lindsey Q. They are amazing woman and I’m so excited to have them as our leaders! Before I go off on yet another tangent, I’ll stop there. Again, trust me….they rock. Because of the shift in leadership there has also been a shift in teams. A total shift, a complete new season.
My previous team, Team Cherished, was made up of myself and 6 other amazing and beautiful women. Kate, Katie H, Katie W, Jill, Julie, Misty....They are each dear to my heart and I’m so incredibly thankful that I spent the first 3 months with them. They were there for me during some of the hardest points of my life, they called me into greatness, they comforted me and encouraged me. I love each one of them so much! I completely believe that God had the 7 of us together for a purpose and His timing was right on! (as always!) Even though they are no longer on my team, they are still part of my family and always will be.
From winter to spring, from Team Cherished to TEAM BREAK FORTH. Such an awesome, powerful group of women! I am so excited to get to know each of them at a deeper level! God is gonna rock the world through this team and I feel so blessed to be a part of it! I’m so excited to work side by side with them, doing ministry together, living a life of true community together, and calling each other up into greatness!
4 short days ago I was in need of $2700 to stay on the field! Today my account reads $1600 more than I needed for deadline! $4300 was added to my account in 4 short days!!! My mind is complete blown!!! Looks like I'm headed to Romania on Friday!!! Thank you all so incredibly much for being the vessel God used to provide!
God is my provider and He never ceases to amaze me. :)
I don’t even know where to begin about this month here in Honduras. We are heading into our last week here....time has flown and my heart breaks at the thought of leaving. Internet has been few and far between that is why I'm just now writing.
We are working with Tony at Zion’s Gate Ministry. I have never met a man so full of love, passion, and compassion! He reaches out to young street boys and gives them an opportunity to leave their current lifestyle. He gives them a chance. He gives them hope. He gives them endless love.
Currently there are 11 boys here from the ages of 10-23. I have fallen in love with each and every one of them. They are tough boys with troubled pasts. Even though they are younger than me in age they have done and seen more than anyone should do or see in a lifetime. My heart breaks for these boys in ways I can’t even put into words. The world says they can’t succeed, they say are tough and have no future. I see potential. I see sweet, loving boys. I see men of God, leaders, husbands, fathers. I see so much more than the world would ever agree with. Tony sees it too and because of that, he has this ministry.
This month (short 3 weeks) I get to love them! We work in the yard together, I help them with English, I’ve helped with homework, we play futbal, snuggle up on the couch watching tv together, and we do ministry together. I’m completely overjoyed being here and I’m excited to spend every day with my boys!
In addition to living with the boys, we are doing several other ministries. We are currently working on a path from the main building to the fire pit and also to the house. We are painting and doing landscaping as well. We go into a small, poor community and visit families. We were also able to paint someone’s house for her. We visited the dump one day as well where over 1000 people live and work. This month has rocked my world! I’m so incredibly happy to be here!!
I still need $2100 by April 1st to reach deadline OR I GET SENT HOME! Please help by clicking “support me” to the left of my blog jenniferlanges.theworldrace.org
Thank you all so much who have already donated….I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else!
Ok it’s time for some FUNdraising!
I'm limited on fundraisers since I'm out of the country and since
I still need $3100 by April 1st
I'll do what I can. Here's the deal.....
Every donation of $50 or more
=
1 day I don't shower!
Yep, that right! Don't have $50? Find a buddy (or however many you need) and all throw in! DONATIONS MUST BE IN BY MONDAY MARCH 26TH!
For your donation of $50 or more to go towards this dirty little fundraiser you must either email me at Jenlanges@gmail.comor post on my FB wall that you have donated for that cause. My last shower will be Sunday March 25th!!! Be grateful I’m in another country but feel sorry for my team haha
Example: 20 people donate $50 each (totaling $1000) means I don’t shower for 20 consecutive days
To donate: Click “Support Me” via my blog jenniferlanges.theworldrace.org
