catalina's porch

of all the places we've been in central america, perhaps the one that will remain in my mind the longest is catalina's porch.  incredible family.  their property is the site for the community garden, which is now enclosed in fence, planted, and sprouted, mostly by the efforts of this family and other community members.  we set up tent in their yard, and would spend most evenings on their porch, talking, shelling red beans, drinking strong coffee together.  it was fascinating to hear catalina's story.  she was forced to quit school, run away, and start working at about age 8.  despite a rough start in life, and her husband and soulmate dying 3 years ago from leukemia, she is one of the most joyful, and i would say, sucessful people i've met.  she has been following christ most of her life now, as did her husband.  each of her 5 kids are so unique and full of life, they all live together and work hard to make ends meet, yet their life is not all about work, they spend a lot of time enjoying each other, talking, playing.  the hammock in the foreground is one of only a few pieces of furniture, but catalina would say "what more do we need?"