After having only on-line classes from September until February, I was very excited when the Honduran government finally decided to begin opening schools for a hybrid type setting. Because I teach 6th – 9th grade, we worked out a schedule where each of my grades would come one day a week. It was exciting to have students in my classroom again. I was able to address a lot of questions that the students had, as well as get to know some of the students that I had never met face to face. I’m praying that we will be able to continue the hybrid situation, or even open full time next year!

I also had a student from last year contact me about coming to church. He had been begging his mom to let him come for months, but she was always hesitant because of the COVID situation. However, two weeks ago, he sent me a messaging saying that she had finally given him permission, and that he couldn’t wait to be back in church. I gave him the details of when the bus would be by to pick him up. The next morning, he showed up at church and even brought his aunt with him! This young man accepted Jesus as his Savior in Bible class shortly before the government closed everything. I’m grateful that the closure of everything did not douse his new faith.

In March, our church also had our annual Ladies’ Conference. I was anticipating a lower turnout than normal since many people are still fearful of the virus. However, we had just as many ladies show up as previous years. Since the conference is an overnight conference, I invited the girls from my bus route to spend the night at my house, that way we could stay out until late for the evening activities and still get there early for the morning activities. We had a great time!

A few weeks ago, I was working at my desk in my classroom. Since my classroom is set apart from the others, there’s not normally a lot of foot traffic, especially since we’re still on the hybrid schedule. I tend to get absorbed in my work, so it took me a few minutes to realize that there were two seminary girls standing about ten feet from my classroom door, giggling and giving me strange glances. I had no idea what was going on, but I eventually got up to ask. As I got close to the door, they just pointed to the ground near me. I looked down and somehow managed not to jump out of my skin. There was an opossum walking by. The girls were waiting around to see if it went into my classroom. The girls and I decided we should catch the thing before it wound up in someone else’s classroom. I eventually found a bucket to throw overtop of it. At first, I was rather proud of the ease with which I caught the opossum. Then I remembered that opossums are known for playing dead when scared. It made my catch a little less thrilling. We called someone to come do something with it, then I went back to my classroom with the knowledge that no opossum would enter anytime soon.

I am looking forward to being home over the summer! However, my time will be limited. I will be returning to Honduras mid-July to help translate for a medical team. What makes this opportunity even more exciting is that I’m headed to a remote area of Honduras. Not only do very few people have electricity, but even fewer have ever actually heard the Gospel in their native language, which is NOT Spanish. They speak a remote dialect. That means I will translate for the doctors from English to Spanish, then someone else will translate from Spanish to the native dialect. There are not very many people who speak both English and the native language, hence the need for two translators. I am thrilled for this opportunity! But like I said, my time home will be limited. If you would like to set up a meeting between June 13 – July 11, please contact me!

Thank you so much for your prayers!

Ericka Wright