Reminiscing: My Time with Estefani (Honduras 2015, Part 3)

Yes, I am aware that it has taken me more than 3 months share my thoughts about my return to Honduras in July.  Like I said before, it was an experience like no other.  No words could match it.  So, for a while, I didn't even try.  Part of me thought that if I prolonged these posts, these memories, until it was almost time to see my Estefani again, it would ease the heartache of being away from her.  And it did.  I plan to return to her in January.  This post will not be a chronological story like many of the others.  I simply want to reminisce on every moment with my girl and cram them all into one long memory. 

My week with Estefani was nothing short of miraculous.  We went swimming (twice), did bible devotionals together, made crafts, celebrated her birthday, and gave about a million hugs.

On our first day together at a pool, I had brought Estefani a new pink sparkly swimsuit, heart-shaped sun glasses, and a matching fish floatie.  We spent our morning in the baby pool (her choice), where she would attempt to balance on the floatie, and erupt into hysterical laughter when she fell off. 

 

 

We spent the majority of two days like this, sitting in a little pool, "swimming" back and forth.  She would wrap her arms around my neck and rest her head on my shoulder for minutes at a time, pull away only to giggle and look at me, and then wrap her arms around me again.  This would often go on for twenty minutes or more.  She would go down the little baby slide with the other children who were there.  Sometimes, she would ask me to catch her.  Other times she would announce, "Solo me!" 

 

It was also there in that little pool that Estefani approached me and said, "I have a question now."  I braced myself, knowing that it was likely a question related to the recent changes in her sponsorship, as I'd told her earlier that she could ask me about if there was anything she wanted to know.  I turned my full attention to her and asked what her question was.

"Why did you want me?"

 

Wait...what?

"Why did you choose me?"

Her question was followed by a sigh of relief on my end.  The answer was easy.  I explained that from the second I saw her picture for the first time a year and a half ago, God put a great love for her in my heart.  I explained that when I realized a few weeks ago that she needed a new sponsor, I chose her instantly.  I told her that I loved her and that I always would.  She was satisfied with this answer and moved on to asking how long I could hold my breath under water.  Yes, the transition was seriously that easy.  

 

Later, we ventured to the big pool and slide a few times.  At one point, Estefani had gone halfway down the slide and decided to climb back up.  My sweet girl is always getting into some sort of innocent mischief such as this.  My (adult) teammate was already coming down the slide at this point and almost ran her over.  This hilarious and yet terrifying moment was somehow caught on camera by a bystander.  Here is Estefani reaching for me to save her.

 

 

 

 

So many perfect memories were made....

 

My Estefani and banana soda.  What more could I ask for?

 

 

Devotional craft

 

 

 

 

Although I had only found out a few weeks before the trip that Estefani would be mine, I managed to pull together way too many gifts to bring to her.  Some wonderful people from my church and missions team pitched in to get some needed things for her too.
 

Some late birthday gifts- a doll, tiara, and balloons

 

 

 

Looking through doll clothes with another little girl

 

 

 

 

 

We also spent a day at the sponsorship center where Estefani goes to receive tutoring, meals, bible teaching, and letters from me.  I arrived at the center that morning and waited for her.  She didn't show up along with the other kids, so I had one of my translators inquire about her and was told she would be there soon.  About a half hour later, she still had not arrived, so I inquired again, anxiously awaiting her arrival.  When you only get 3 days together every 6 months or so, every second counts.  Then, an hour or two into the day, she ran through the doorway and greeted me with a hug.  She then handed me a bracelet she had made for me.  I scooped her up and we sat down to have some lunch.  Then, we played for the rest of the afternoon.

 

 

 

 

  

   

Making jewelry

 

 

 

With my friend Susan

 

 

On our last day together, we were at the pool.  When the day had ended and goodbyes had been said, I put Estefani on the bus back to her center.  I would be taking another bus to my hotel.  As we were about to drive away, I left my bus and went over to hers one last time.  As if she knew I would be back for another goodbye, Estefani was peering out the window.  We blew kisses and I told her I would see her soon.

 

 

 

I got back on the bus and cried along with many of the others who had just said goodbye to their kids.  Honduras and Estefani had become my home.  My heart would stay there with her.  More than ever before, my calling was clear- and I would surely be back.