2023 Team

2023 Team
The 2023 Team

Sunday, April 17, 2011

40 Miles & 3 Hours Later

Amusement parks should create an amusement ride called “Honduran Roads” so everyone would be able to experience the bumpy and curvy roads we have been experiencing! Our bodies get a total workout just traveling to our destinations.


This morning we lived the example of ‘hurry up and wait.’ All were up by 5:30 a.m. Hard to believe, huh parents? We ate French toast for breakfast with various fruit choices. Then we rushed to make the 7:30 procession, which actually didn’t start until some time after 8. Everyone met at the edge of town. Many of the town’s children were in costume. After Fr. Bonilla blessed all the palms we were holding, Jesus mounted the burro and we processed through town, shouting ‘Viva, Jesus’ and singing as we walked. After we arrived at the church, the Passion was read and Mass continued. When the sign of peace starts, our group is generally surprised as the Hondurans walk all over to hug each other with the sign of peace. All the little children go to Father behind the altar to give him hugs.

Immediately after Mass we climbed aboard the bus for our ‘amusement ride’ to Sulaco and our visit to the malnutrition center. I believe many hearts were touched by those cute little children. Each missioner had the chance to hold a little child. Some of them coaxed a little boy to kick the soccer ball back and forth with him. It was hard for both missioners and little children to say good-bye. Our next stop was at the sewing academia and wood carving school for a few handmade souvenirs. Our last stop in Sulaco was at our friend Dulce’s who provided us with her delicious sweet fried bread and ice cold sodas. What a treat!

On our return we stopped at the homes of two extremely poor women. Pastora, who is quite elderly, expressed her gratitude for the food we gave her. Our final stop was a return to the house of the ‘Stick Lady.’ Her photo appears on this page. As soon as Linda gave her the new outfit she’d brought, Virginia put the clothes on right over her ragged clothes. Linda gave her a bag of staples, soap, and shampoo and she thanked the group.

We arrived in Esquias at 6. The students were overjoyed to find that Frank had returned from Tegucigalpa with all the missing bags. Even though they were shaken, both emotionally and physically, everyone pitched right in to empty the bags. Enchiladas were served at 7. Our junta followed. As I finish the blog at 10, I can’t hear a sound. I think they’ve all gone to bed. Many of them have written to you –

Ashley Ellensohn – Love you Mom and Dad! Everything is wonderful. Mom, you would love these kids. Xoxo

Britt Jaminet – Who knew it could take 3 hours to travel 84 km? The rock roads and narrow roads combined with the steep mountains could make anyone sick. Love you Mom. Dad and I miss you!

Sana Naqvi – Miss you and love you Mom & Dad.

Becca Vonnahme – Hey Dad! How is Tegucigalpa? How are all the girls treatin’ ya?  Everything is going great in Esquias. I’ve never been so sweaty and dirty in my life. Love you and can’t wait to see you Thursday!

Mike Jaminet – We got to experience forest fires firsthand. The smoke and damage is unreal.

Becca & Steve Swalve – Miss you and love you Mom, Nic, and Bob!

Zach Maxey – Hey everybody! It’s amazing here in Honduras! Everybody is so welcoming. Playing soccer w/the Hondurans is really fun and they are all really good. Miss you and love you Mom & Dad & the family!! Happy 18th Jack!! Love Zach

Fr. Cosgrove - We celebrated Palm/Passion Sunday with the parish. The procession came into town with palms from the trees and all went to the church high on the hill. The procession began at 8:00 a.m. and Mass ended at 10:30. The church was full so many of our students stood outside. The Holy Week celebration will be a highlight for everyone.

9 comments:

  1. Sturge's Spanish 4 Early Bird class says hola. Les extraño. Zach, ¿Sabes que estás en prom royalty?

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  2. Period 3 Spanish 4 says hola. How's Sam's beard progressing (from Joe)? Te amo.<3

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  3. Sam, Lizzy misses you. Dougherty, it's your turn for treats on Wednesday the 27th. Zach, Whitney says hi. Bailee and Corinne, Lizzy misses you. AJ and Nick, Brady and Ian miss and love you. (and Morgan is waiting for her shout out). Katelyn, Jeff, Anthony, Pete, and Jenny 5th period Spanish 4 says "Hola". We really miss you and hope you are having a good time. Mostly Lizzy hopes that.

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  4. Luis says hi. :) We are celebrating Jack's birthday during 7th period Spanish 4. The treats are awesome. Jenna brought cookies and brownies. Kyle, Jenna misses you in online class. Danny Lee misses you and he won student of the year in English. Sam, Jack is crying because he misses you. Seth misses you too. We hope you are enjoying your time there and using your Spanish.

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  5. Becca,
    Teguc is really pretty nasty! The girls seem to like it and we are getting along well. Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday. Keep swinging that pic ax! Love Dad

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  6. Anthony...your whole family is sooooo proud of what you & what everyone is doing. Hopefully this opens your eyes to what being poor really is! It's not so bad here, is it?? We all miss you so much! Nicholas keeps telling everyone he sees that Anthy is in Honduras. They are so proud of their big brother & can't wait to see pictures! We check the blog several times a day. Take pride in what you are doing. You are such a strong, kind boy!Hope Jeff hasn't blown away. WE LOVE YOU! Mom, Dad, Anna & Nick.

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  7. Monday in Tegus-Cardinals and Roses
    Today we went to Fr. Petricio’s school (St. Teresa’s) again in Nueva Capital in the north art of Tegus. About a dozen children were there to meet us and we spent the morning doing crafts, playing music and visiting with the children. Since it is Holy Week, the school is closed as are all schools in Honduras. The students seemed to enjoy their time with the children doing various activities.
    After about 30 minutes at the school, Julie started to feel somewhat poorly. Like me, her system is not completely agreeing with the local food. She has been resting and is feeling better as I write this. While she was resting I was next door reading my book when Sr. Juanita called me down. We received a Today we went to Fr. Petricio’s school (St. Teresa’s) again in Nueva Capital in the north art of Tegus. About a dozen children were there to meet us and we spent the morning doing crafts, playing music and visiting with the children.
    Since it is Holy Week, the school is closed as are all schools in Honduras. The students seemed to enjoy their time with the children doing various activities.
    After about 30 minutes at the school, Julie started to feel somewhat poorly. Like me, her system is not completely agreeing with the local food. She has been resting and is feeling better as I write this. While she was resting I was
    surprise visit from Cardinal Maradiga, the Catholic Cardinal of Honduras. He met with the group and me and he was very nice. He did know where Sioux City was and made me feel he was interested in me and thanked our group for our good works. He has known Sr. Juanita for many years.
    We tried to visit the blind boy who is the good musician again. He was not at home but we did visit the family anyway. Katie was admiring a rose bush outside the home. As we were leaving, the mother found a sharp object and was able to cut off some roses and give them to Marta because she knew Katie liked them. I pulled the kids together to point out what I see so often with the poor. They will indeed try to give you whatever they have if you only will acknowledge them. It was a powerful moment. A few minutes earlier they had just met the most powerful Catholic in Honduras yet this impressed me (and possibly them) more. Will go to the orphanage this afternoon to visit and set up the DVD program. Al

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  8. Sounds like everyone is working hard and taking it all in. We want to wish Nick a Happy 18th tomorrow. Hard to believe. We hope this is one birthday you will never forget. You all have been given so many gifts. We have witness many of you at Heelan share your faith and love of Christ with each other. You all have been given a great opportunity to continue to spread your love and strengthen your faith. Nick, we send our love to you and your friends and many birthday blessings and prayers. Miss you. Mom, Dad, Ben and Michael

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  9. Megan,
    We love looking at the blogs Learned about paying forward today and thats exactly what all of you are doing. Its the little things you do that are big things. Emily loved Harry Potter and says hi. We are so proud of you Love mom and Dad

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