October 12, 2010

hammock for sale

every day that the cruise ship comes in

the island gets hyped up about the influx

of tourists landing for a day at our shores

from the top floor of the cruise ship they can see the beautiful colors of the coral,

they see the green hills with palm trees waving hello

as people get off the ship they see the garifuna dancers dancing on the dock

being that it is our rainy season  i hope they see some sunshine, and turquoise blue water

many islanders are hopeful to get someone to take a tour with them

so you see line ups of tour guides vying for your business,

as well as taxi drivers,

and independent tour guides,

you have girls who want to braid your hair,

you have little children who tag along giving you a walking tour

it can be noisy and overwhelming

the shops that are empty all week are now loaded with

t-shirts, souvenirs, hammocks, earrings, vanilla and coconut jewelry

everyone is hopeful

bob and i  go to the made in roatan shop on cruise ship days

and hopefully are able to sell paintings or carvings or jewelry

for our friends.

it isn't a business for us,

it is non profit

it is a gift that regularly blesses us to meet new people and to share

the wonderful joy of 'giving' and thinking about others

we hope we 'rub off' on someone else and they will start thinking about the poor amongst them

today was a good day at the shop

and yes

the hammock sold!

zavala, the man across the street was so happy that the hammock

sold

it mattered to him since he only made one other sale all day

so i want to say thanks to this young girl for buying it

you made his day!

you did.

in fact many people tonight are celebrating, 

not in the way we think like eating out in a restaurant

or going shopping at the mall

but they are celebrating making it through another day

having enough to buy their family dinner that night

or to pay their electric bill

or buy shoes for their kids

either way,

i know they are smiling

thanks to those of you who come to the island

i hope you realize what a difference you make by coming

you made someone make it through another day

God bless you all.