Thursday, July 24, 2014

Headed home! - 2014

We are currently sitting in the Miami airport, waiting on our connecting flight to Nashville. The flight from Tegucigalpa was smooth and on time. We hope we will be able to say the same about our next flight, although it has already been delayed 20 minutes. 

I cannot express what a great week this has been. This trip is such a blessing every year!  I would encourage everyone to try to experience it at least once. But be prepared - it you go once, you may fall in love with Honduras and the Honduran people like I have and find yourself going back year after year. 

Day 7 - 2014

Wow, how did it get to be day 7 already?! This week has flown by! I think everyone in our group would agree that this has been a fantastic trip. And one again, we have probably been blessed more from the experience than anyone that we have tried to help.

Day 7 was the day we handed out the food bags.  Somehow, Carlos had gotten word out in the area that we would be passing out food from the church building. Of course, there was already a line when we arrived. 
Carlos spoke for about 45 minutes and then we passed out the bags as people left. 
I am always touched by how gracious and how thankful the people are that we are able to give food to. You have to wonder how many would not have eaten this day if we have not been there. 
The ladies and some of the teenagers conducted another VBS while we were passing out food bags. 
And then after we were done, we spent the rest of the afternoon touring the park where the statue of Jesus overlooks the city of Tegucigalpa. 
We made a quick stop by the grocery store on the way back to our Hotel. Everyone stocked up on coffee, vanilla, and last minute souvenirs. Then it was off to the indoor soccer field for an American / Honduran grudge match. 
Even one of guards got in on the action!

I think the final talley was 1 - 1 with the Honduran girls beating the American girls and the American men beating the Honduran men. 







 

Day 6 -2014

Day 6 started the same as most: an early breakfast, quick stop at the "On the Run" convenience store, and then off to our appointed work sights for the day. First we set up the medical clinic. Tuesday's clinic was at another school in the Valley of the Angels. This school was only about 10 minutes from the church building. 
As usual, we had several people already waiting for us when we arrived. 
The medical team quickly got set up to see patients while Ms Amy, Ms Sally, Erin, and several of our young people got a VBS started. 
The construction team went back to the church building to begin work on their new baptistery. Men from the church already had the sight prepped. 
I found myself missing my Kubota several times throughout the day. It was a VERY hard day of moving gravel, sand, water, cement, and blocks by hand. The way the Hondurans work is simple amazing. They go 100%, non-stop, with never a word of complaint. And actually, I can't say enough about some of our young people. They worked side by side with the men all day. 
After construction and medical on day 6, head headed back to the Hotel to get ready for our annual group meal at El Patio. But, we were in for a huge surprise - Derrick (Carlos' middle son) had decided to be baptized! Ricky baptized him in the Hotel swimming pool as soon as we got back. 
Then it was off to El Patio for a wonderful meal. A perfect ending to a fantastic day. 















Monday, July 21, 2014

Day 5 - 2014

I will let the pictures tell most of the story in tonight's post. Today was a day of "hurry up and wait". It was a day where our medical team served over 160 people. It was a day where our construction team put a roof on a mud house for a single mother who couldn't afford to do it herself. It was a day where we delivered meals to 500 people at one of the saddest places imaginable - the public hospital in downtown Tegucigalpa. It was a day where we will go to bed feeling like we made a difference in some people's lives and praying for those that we can't. 










Sunday, July 20, 2014

Day 4 - 2014

As I've said before, worshiping with Brother Carlos and the congregation in the Valley of the Angels is the highlight of our week here.  Sunday alone is totally worth the trip to Honduras.  Today was no exception! We were reminded that although we may be separated by language barriers and many, many miles, we are all one in Christ. We are greeted with such genuine warmth and love - we are truly made to feel at home!

As service started, we took turns singing songs in English and Spanish. Joe did an excellent job of leading our group with the English songs.
And, as always, Ricky brought a very good message. This year's sermon tied nicely into our theme of "Beautiful Things". 
After the service, we we're treat to a skit by the children of the congregation. 
Then we all played a little soccer and volley ball while the ladies of the congregation cooked lunch. 

After lunch, we distributed eye glasses while Dr. Paul held an impromptu clinic. He ended up seeing about a dozen church members. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping in the Valley of the Angels and then stopped by KFC on the way back to the Hotel. 

Can't wait to see what tomorrow holds!



Day 3 - 2014 (Part B)

We knew we were in for a real treat Saturday night. We were the special guests at the wedding of Arturo and Alba Banegras (sp?). The ceremony took place at the church in the Valley of the Angels where Brother Arturo and Sister Alba are regular members. We arrived at the building at 5:45 for the 6:00 ceremony. In typical Honduram fashion, it started a little after 7:00. Sister Alba's daughte, Monica had done a great job of decorating. 
It was a beautiful service, complete with bridesmaids and groomsmen. 
And of course, Ricky did a great job officiating. 


After the wedding, we were once again treated to a wonderful meal.  We were told the bride had worked all day preparing the food.
It was a great ending to another great day!





Day 3 - 2014 (Part A)

Day 3 started very early. Our plan was to finish up the first house, and to conduct a second medical clinic. We hoped to be finished up at both sites by 2:00 in order to have time to get cleaned up for a wedding at the church building in the Valley of the Angels that was supposed to start at 6.  The medical clinic set up in a school on top of the mountain overlooking the Valley of the Angels. Once again, there was already a crowd waiting when we arrived. 

It was a very successful clinic - they were able to see 40 patients.

The construction crew returned to the build site to finish the house. This is the path leading up to the house.
Keep in kind that the landowner had carried EVERY stick of lumber up this hill! He had also carried all sand, gravel, and bags of concrete up before we arrived. 

The Hondurans got right to work mixing concrete. It is really amazing to watch these guys!

Our fearless leader went right to work on the windows and doors.
And once again, we were treate to a wonderful meal from the homeowners.
We managed to get everything finished up by 1:30. 
What a blessing it is to provide a house for this family!





Friday, July 18, 2014

Day 2 - 2014


Wow, what a great day! We have been blessed again with perfect weather and a very productive work day.  Everyone is tired but going to bed with a nice sense of accomplishment. We ended the day with a wonderful group meal with some of our Honduran friends. Great food and great fellowship! 

We split into 2 groups today. The medical brigade set up in a school in Los Angeles. This was a little community very close to the church building in Valley of the Angels. 

Dr. Paul saw about 70 patients and the local dentist working with us saw many as well. Ms Amy Osteen and Ms Sally Sain did a great job teaching bible school for the children who came to the clinic.  Several of our teenagers also played soccer with the local children. 


The construction group had a great day as well.  We managed to almost completely build 1 house today.  
During the day, we were treated to homemade tortillas with cheese and FRESH bananas. 

Tomorrow we will return to the build site to pour the concrete floor, install the window and door, and wire it for electricity. The medical team will also host a 2nd clinic in the Valley of the Angels.