Times are Tough

Why are times tough here right now?  Well at the Coxen Hole port we are only getting one cruise ship a week.   That means vendors and tour guides have only 1 day a week to hopefully make some money to provide for their families. Times are really tough for many people here in Roatan.   Imagine if you could only work one day a week!!   Um.. yeah.   Tough times.


I went out with my camera on Wednesday (ship day) to take some photos.  One thing you will notice is a shortage of tourists buying and shopping at the shops around the port.

every person i spoke to said the same thing: it is so slow!
click on the photo to see large

I spoke to Jose, who makes beautiful silver jewelry, and he said,  "I am not looking to get rich, all I want is to feed my family".  So come off the ship and meander through the shops outside the port.    It is hard for us North Americans to grasp the concept of living day to day, hand to mouth.  If people don't sell anything or get a tour it truly affects them.


So why am I writing this blog??  I am here today to implore you:  PLEASE HELP!  Take a short walk outside the port and you will see the Methodist Market where they are over 20 different vendors inside selling their wares.  And continue walking along the street where you will see people hoping to make even ONE sale.  Or get your hair braided.  Or stop at a restaurant for local food (iguana anyone?!) or a nice cold drink.  Basically consider blessing the locals here and drop some of your money into their hands.

And please stop in the Make in Roatan shop so and let me know that you read this and I will thank you personally for your kindness and help.

  I am asking you to consider that if you spend money anywhere that it can mean a meal for a family.   Seriously.  During the slow season people are doing well if they get one meal a day.  It breaks my heart. We need your help during this slow season.  Tourism is our primary industry on the island so I thank you in advance for coming for your vacation.  I just want to share the need we face every summer when less ships come.   Please be generous!  Plan on it and I know you will be blessed as you think about helping out the families here that are trying to simply make it through this slow season.

Pedro showing off his latest creation!

 About a month ago a lady came into the shop and showed me a black quartz anklet that was all stretched.  She asked if there was anyone who could use the crystals to make some jewelry.  I thought it would be perfect for either Pedro or Victor to use to make their beautiful chain link jewelry.

   Didn't that turn out wonderful??!  

Thanks Connie for your generosity and kindness in giving to help out! 

  May you be blessed for thinking of others and taking action!

So to all you Norwegian Spirit Cruisers!   Thanks for coming to our island, thanks in advance for your support and help to those who are simply trying to make a living.  You make a difference!

God bless you today!

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it.

Proverbs 3:27

jewelry lessons

About two months ago Bob came home with a couple of boxes of supplies for making jewelry:  beads, wire, findings, earring parts, strange looking tools, necklace fasteners.. you name it he had it.   I looked at him quizzically and he told me that our friend, who used to make jewelry was moving to the states and sold it to him.

Then I asked the BIG question:   What are we going to do with all that?

He said, "Oh we can help young island girls make jewelry and then they can, in turn help their families!"
"But Bob I don't know how to make jewelry!!"
He just smiled!  :-)

So I called Michele and asked for a crash course on jewelry making.   She came over one evening (yes I only got a 2 hour lesson) and taught me how to make the 'p loop'  (the what?!) and how to finish off necklaces, how to use the tools etc.  I admit, even now I am not very good at it but I am able to teach the girls and it is helping the families.

So that is what we are doing.   Below is a photo of some of the jewelry (there is LOTS more) and of course, the beautiful girls!

I want to introduce you to the girls 

Kendi Mendoza is 15 years old and she lives in the Colonia nearby where we live.  I got to know her about a year ago.   Her brother works for us as a gardener and he has been the sole provider for his family for the 2 years that they have been living here.   Their dad just got a job as a night watchman and we are so grateful.   Kendi is a delightful young girl.   She wasn't able to go to school since her family couldn't afford to put her in school so this year we registered her, got her books and supplies plus her uniform and now she is doing very well in school.   She is so smart!   I can attest to how quickly she has picked up the art of jewelry making and already we are seeing her creativity blossom!   Thank you for your support with this family!  I know they appreciate it so much.

  

Angela and Christy Webster are sisters who are 14 and 15 years old. 

We got to know them in February of this year when we found out, through a friend that the girls weren't able to go to school because the Mom couldn't afford to put them in school.   So Bob, bless his heart, jumped in the car, drove to their home and picked up the girls (and their brothers) and took them shopping for school supplies and uniforms.   They are so happy to be able to go to school.   We are grateful to the people who send us money so we can help the locals.  It is making a difference in their lives!   About a month ago their mom had her 8th (and last) baby.  Until she heals up she isn't able to work so we decided to teach the girls to make jewelry and sell it in the shop.  They have been very busy making earrings, bracelets and necklaces and we are so proud of them.

If you come into the shop, check out their work.   It really does help immensely in their lives as right now they have no source of income coming in. (their father is in jail)  I know they are months behind in paying for the rent, and are grateful for the food from friends and family. Every little bit helps!!  I can say this for certain:  HE takes care of them. You can read about them in my other blog.   You can read it here

God bless you all!

Happy Birthday to Andrew from Katy, Texas

the Made in Roatan shop is not a usual shop.

it is more then shopping!

it is a place where we have alot of fun together,

sharing stories, laughing, giving advise of what to see and do,

helping people find tours, and directing them to other great shops on the island.

sometimes i see a family and immediately i can tell they are special

such is the case with the Armstrong family from Katy, Texas.

their little boy walked in wearing the coolest sunglasses ever

I asked him if he was a super hero!

when he told me he was going to Gumbalimba Park i told

him to be careful around the monkeys because i know they love to 

snatch sunglasses!

Andrew is one of those no nonsense kind of kids that i love to meet!

His mom told me they were looking for something for his room and 

he walked straight up to a painting of a moray eel that Jackie had painted

and said,

"I want this one!"

Then later I asked if he wanted to hold my budgie, named Buddy

and he wasn't afraid one bit!

He held out his finger and he was comfortable holding my little

feathered friend.

Yesterday Andrew celebrated his 6th Birthday so i wanted to send

this out to wish him a wonderful Happy Birthday and a year

full of fun times, joy and many many blessings to his sweet little heart.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!

and 

Buddy says 

Happy Birthday too!

Happy Birthday Andrew!

what's new!

pedro and victor have been very busy lately!

beautiful acrylic paintings by Jackie

a one of a kind jade necklace by yourgin

handwoven bracelets made by david

a shell necklace made by moi

a beautiful necklace set made by pedro

a beautiful pearl necklace by kendy

a lovely underwater scene painted by luma

Check out the video!

 TJ Lynch's Video of the shop

 Yesterday it was a beautiful seamless blue sky, the weather was warm (well probably hot for most visitors but warm to us), the sea was boasting her beautiful shades of aqua, deep blues and green and was beckoning many to cool off in her waters.

Where were we?  Well we were where we are every time there is a cruise ship in Coxen Hole:  the Made in Roatan Shop.  Bob was outside greeting and talking to tourists and I was inside telling people about our vision.   We were very excited because a lady from the states had sent us a parcel full of beads, wire, and accessories for Pedro and he was happily rummaging through the contents.   I forgot to take note of the name of the lady on the return address but I will get it from Pedro so I can adequately thank the person who was kind enough to put 'feet to her words' and give so generously to Pedro.   It was quite funny because the one thing that caught his eye was a very fancy glittery ladies watch. I thought he was taking it out to give to his Mom but I soon realized how wrong I was:  HE was wearing it!  I just laughed, shook my head and thought all that bling bling was definitely calling his name!!!

We had a visit from TJ Lynch from Buy Roatan and he did a feature on the store so you can view the
video. What is the most stressful thing for a person like myself?   When someone says, "Oh just tell us all about the store in 20 seconds!!"   WHAT!??  I don't say anything in 20 seconds so if it appears I am speaking fast:  I am!!!   Check it out!   :-)


But either way, I hope that when you come to the island, you will come and visit us and help support a local family and as well walk along the peaceful seasides.. leaving your footprints in the sand....and your quiet heart in the trade wind breezes....

a chance meeting with a fellow Atikokanite!!!

What a great day at the shop!   The sky was seamless ~~ a solid blue, the sea was calm and the breeze was sweet.  Another beautiful day on Roatan for sure.

The Epic made her Tuesday appearance.   See the chairs in the photo??  I saved a couple for you!

Several people asked me this question today:

Is it safe in Roatan?

Well we have been living here for almost 3 years without any problems.

I asked one person why they asked and they said he knows that the Mainland isn't safe and there is alot 

of crime there.

That's true.

But although Roatan is included as part of Honduras it is an island and it is very different from the Mainland.

For this I am thankful.

So don't worry when you come here!

Just relax, breathe deep that sweet sea air,

go and explore the island.

It is truly one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean.

Not only do we have pristine beaches with glorious shades of turquoise blues, we have  the most amazing snorkeling and diving!

 And the beauty and the views of the East Side of the island are spectacular!

This is taken while on the mangrove tour in Joneville!

How gorgeous is that??!

 (sally on the right)

One of the things I love about being in the shop is that
we get to meet so many wonderful people!
People always want to know where we were from in Canada
I told these ladies I was from North Western Ontario
and Sally said, Where?
When I told her I was from Atikokan, Ontario (ati-where??!!)
she was delighted to tell me that she lived there
from 1973 - 1982.
She used to curl with my Mom
(for those of you who don't know it curling is a sport!!)
and she lived very close to us.
Small world isn't it??!
We had a great time catching up!

We have some new things in the shop that I want you to see:

this is Adelina holding a handcarved boat that Yourgin made!

 

Here are some fish made by the Rusty Fish.

Aren't they so colorful and beautiful?!

I hope that when you come to Roatan you will enjoy

our island.

It is a special place and we are happy to share it with you.

someday soon, that  could be you walking and shopping!

Thanks for your help!

I am so grateful for those of you who helped out with donations for getting the kids 

'back to school'.   Our little donation bowl comes in so handy to meeting many of the needs on the island and I appreciate the generosity from many of you~

We were able to buy more shoes and supplies for the kids and I really appreciate your help in that!

These are some of the kids who received shoes at the Public  Library in French Harbour.  We connected up with Miss Joan who gave us shoe sizes of the kids who needed shoes in order to go to school.
Here is a link to my other blog if you want to see more photos and read about it

Back to School

We had a wonderful surprise visit at the shop last week. We are starting to get many repeat visits from people who have returned to the Island again.  Ed and Judy Lamb from Florida  cruised into Roatan on Jan 25th loaded down with pencils for the children of the island.   How kind!   We had a wonderful visit together catching up on news and appreciated seeing them again.

The Made in Roatan shop is more then a 'shopping experience'.  It is also a place to connect, to laugh, to listen to stories (yes I have ALOT of stories! *s*)  If you need help finding things, or you want a tour but are nervous we can help you find a tour.   Please see the island.. it is worth seeing.. so beautiful!

 

  I am sorry I don't have a photo of Judy and Ed,  but I didn't have my camera that day.   But it was a joy to see them again. Thank you, thank you, thank you!   I have been able to give many pencils to the kids on the street here and they were so happy. Believe me, it didn't take long before the 'word was out' that they could have free pencils.  I gave them the most colorful and beautiful ones! I also sent some to a teacher in Punta Gorda, a teacher up in the Colonia here in Sandy Bay  and on Monday when the classes start I am going to walk to the tiny school on the beach and bring some pencils to the teachers there.

the little school on the beach behind our house

Rusty Fish!!!

What's new at the shop?   

Well I know many of you enjoy the recycled rusty fish and Adam brought in some new frames, larger butterflies and some crosses.   If you go up to the top of this page and go to 'artists'
you can read more about the Rusty Fish and even watch a video which will give you a better idea of the whole process as well as how it helps many local people here on the island.

We are so happy to have our son David here for a few months!   He enjoys coming to the shop and helping us and as well we are excited that he will be here to help put together a Roatan Photo Book.  It is a big job and I am happy to have his editing advise.   I took a photo of him with Pedro, one of the artists in the shop.  They are enjoying listening to some music and having a good time together!

Also want to say thanks for reading my blog.  On Tuesday a very smiley happy Canadian woman

walked in the store, shook my hand and said "I am so happy to meet you.  I have been reading your blog and I want to meet the couple who are helping at the Made in Roatan Shop"

I stood there rather dumbfounded (I know very out of character for me!!)

We had such a wonderful visit together!

I asked if they were going to see the island at all and she said no, they just wanted

to come and spend money in the shops to help the locals.

OH JOY!

I told her that whatever they buy would be a blessing:

a meal, a drink, a bottled water from a pulperia, some souvenirs,

some artwork... 

it all helps~

They walked up and down the street shopping.

They came back into the shop several times,

met Pedro, met Bob, visited with us and each time

they bag was a little fuller and they'd have to go the cruise ship

to unload.

And.. they gave me a Canadian bag which I have to admit I gave to

Pedro to put all his jewelry making stuff in.

He loves it!!

So Cindy and Kevin, my wonderful new Canadian friends

BLESS YOUR HEARTS!!

Family of the Week - Rose and Joiner Family

 FAMILY OF THE WEEK!

I want to introduce you to the Family of the Week.   They came to the Roatan Shop last year and came straight off the ship and headed for our shop.   Meet the Rose and the Joiner family from Huntville, Ontario Canada. 

they gathered quite a crowd...lots of fun and good times to be had by all!

So what would make them the family of the week at the beginning of the week?   Why not wait til Friday to decide??

Well let me sum it up:   friendly, giving, caring and fun loving!   oh and Canadian too!!   :-)

We were so happy to see them again.  I recognized them right away!  As soon as they walked in the door I said, I remember you!!   I guess they left an impression last year too!  :-)

I was so happy when they said they came off the ship and came directly to the shop to see us and to see what new things we had for sale.  I loved their kind hearts and their  willingness to support local  art!

They bought several anklets from Victor (Pedro's brother) and a necklace of Yourgins.   We had a wonderful, crowded visit with them in the shop.  Laughing, telling stories, playing the Yabba Ding Ding guessing game (no they didn't guess it).  It is interesting because Bob's family had a cottage very close to Huntville where he went every summer when he was a boy.   We knew many similar people and places.  It was fun to reminisce together.


If you have been to Roatan you know that it is common to have young kids who serve as 'walking tour guides'.  They walk with you, tell you about the island, help you find things that you are shopping for, and are basically 'tour guides in training'.

My family of the week had about 4 guys walking with them.  They didn't want to take a tour since they had been to Roatan before and I suggested that they go through the Mercado in Coxen Hole which is a local market where all the locals shop.

After about a couple of hours they came back to the shop and said they had a wonderful time!  In fact the time they spent with those boys was the highlight of their cruise so far!   I wonder what made it so special??  Well let me tell you what I think.  I think:   THEY made it special!   They enjoyed the boys, they took them shopping and bought each of them new shoes!!   They bought them cold drinks.   They laughed, they connected.

They were a blessing and that is why they are by far, my family of the week!

Lord bless you all as you continue to be a light wherever you go!!

AND THE WINNER IS!!

 we have alot of fun in the shop

one of the games i like to play with people is a guessing game

i always tell them that if they can guess what the yabba ding ding is used for
then

i will give it to them for FREE

well i am happy to say that  Christopher Sorensen

guessed correctly and is now a proud owner of the

payan yabba ding ding

you are wondering what it is??

oh i can't give away the surprise!  

:-)

what do you think it is?

or better yet...

come in to the shop and guess for yourself!

way to go Christopher!

thanks for taking this photo for me so i could post it here

and then going an extra step and emailing it to me

it is people like yourself that makes being in the shop such a joy!

i am happy to hear you had a wonderful day in roatan

and the rest of your cruise was good as well.

happy and blessed 2011!!

The Port of Roatan

One of our artists in the shop is named Javier.  He does work carvings made of mahogany and pine. Come in and buy one of his turtles for only 8.00!   It will help support Javier while he goes to University in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras.   Did you know that every time something of Javier's sells at the shop that Bob goes to the Bank and deposited the money in for Javier since he is now in school and can't come to pick it up here in Roatan.  That is trust on Javier part and commitment on Bob's part. 


So that is what we do.   The bank is at the Port of Roatan, so while Bob is in the a/c bank I often wander around and take photos.


I decided to see if I could go out on the cruise ship dock (since it wasn't a cruise ship day) to take a photo of the port. 
So here is the view from the cruise ship of the Port of Roatan!

 

it is a beautiful port with many different shops, a coffee shop that makes the BEST iced coffee,

a couple of restaurants.

you will also see little kiosks .. please support those as well since

they are locals folks trying to make a 'go' here.

one other thing:

if you see a lady there braiding here and you are thinking about

having your hair braided then DO IT!

she is my neighbor, her name is Carol, she has a house full of kids

and grandkids

she pays to be inside the port and if no one gets their hair braids, 

she loses money instead of making it.

so help her out!

thanks!

flower's bay as seen from the cruise ship

Flower's Bay is  a quaint island community all along the sea

nestled in behind the lush green jungle hills.

it is one of my favorite places to walk as it is the only residencial place

with a SIDEWALK!

In case you are wondering:

the weather is still fine in Roatan during the rainy season

tabayana beach  a great place for a snorkel!

some locals carrying an umbrella not for the rain but for the SUN!

thanks for your help!!

for one week before christmas we asked for donations in the Made in Roatan for an island wide food drive that we held on the island here. this was the first of 4 food drives we were involved in the week before christmas.  we loaded up 7 trucks with food, toys, and candy.  even santa showed up!!
  thanks for your support!!

you can see these women and children are so happy with their food and toys!

we bought some new shoes and took them into the 'swamp'

  bob is going through the names and sizes on the list one of the ladies gave us

we also bought some clothing. 

it was a happy day there!

with the money from the shop we were also able to buy enough food for 15 extra familes.

  here is bob helping the lady at los fumerola's 

 bag up the beans!

these are the children from punta gorda where we gave food to the mothers and toys and candy to the kids!

this lady was sooooooo grateful for her juice and food!  i know she isn't smiling but hondurans rarely smile for the camera but believe me .. she was overwhelmed and kept saying gracias a Dios!!!

the living conditions here on the island are not what we are used to

they are poor, and live on the side of the hills in make shift homes

but i can attest to this:

they are happy

they have a faith in God that astounds me as they daily trust in His provision

thanks for being a part of helping them out

Lord bless YOU!   

xo

Happy One Year Anniversary!!!

this was taken

we have been celebrating our anniversary all week!

thanks to everyone who came in and supported the local people here

you made a difference in their lives!

look at that beautiful view!

that was taken from our deck!

i was so grateful as 

it is always good for sun to accompany those who are 

coming to the island for the first time

i was rather disappointed when by 10:00 am

the clouds rolled in and we experienced a heavy down pour.

a note:

i keep a couple of umbrellas in the shop 

so if you are coming to the island and forgot to bring your umbrella

off the ship i will lend you one of mine.

as long as you promise to bring it back!! 

the equinox taken from plaza mar

but fortunately the downpour didn't last for long and the sun came out in all her glory!!

i spoke to alot of people who enjoyed snorkeling, island tours, visits to gumbalimba park, the botanical gardens.  there is sooo many beautiful things to see and do here!  one lady said to me yesterday:  it sure is green here!  i told her that it is a tropical rain forest so yes... you can truly say 'it's a jungle out there!'

everyone who came in was happy with their time here on the island.

the couple of the week

meet Isaac and Emily from Seattle

they came into the shop about 4 pm

they had gone snorkeling at half moon bay and although the 

visibility wasn't fantastic they still had a great time

they immediately said that they didn't have any money on them

but wanted to see the shop

as it turned out,

they were handing out chocolates to the kids on the street!

isn't that wonderful!?

i actually ran after them to take their photo

i know, now that is a scary image!  haha

i couldn't catch up to them so i hollered at one of some island friends

'hey man, stop that guy for me'

so he hollered,

'hey you, stop'

the american looked confused and didn't know what was going on 

til i ran up and said,

hey guys it's me.. i love what you are doing, can i take your photo and blog about you?!

what a beautiful unselfish couple!

thanks isaac and emily for doing small things that matter

we don't need to do grandiose huge acts of kindness... 

just go the extra mile and give someone a smile ...

or.. even better.. some chocolate!

bless your hearts!!  

as i walking back my friend said to me,

'oh i thought that guy had stolen something!'

when i told him they were giving out chocolate

he smiled and said

'they got big hearts like you, don't they?'

yes indeed!

:-)