2023 Team

2023 Team
The 2023 Team

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

We Have Arrived

As I write this message, the students are outside playing soccer. They’re using up the rest of their energy so they can rest well tonight and be ready to go to work early tomorrow. I hear them outside my window and from the sounds of it, they’re getting their butts kicked by little Honduran students.
Our day began early in Omaha – around 2:30 a.m. Holiday Inn Express had a nice breakfast for us; then we were off for the airport. Unloading our bags train-style was a sight for the other passengers. Delta checked us in very efficiently, and we were through TSA and at our gate in record time. Both flights were uneventful. There were plenty of ooohs and aaaahs as we circled the mountains around Tegucigalpa and came in for a landing. Of course, the traditional applause was given the pilot for a perfect landing.
Another positive: all the bags arrived! I believe two of them were the very last ones unloaded from the plane, but they were all there. Our greeting committee of Francis, Julio, Marta, Carlos, Fabio, and more welcomed each and every one of us to Honduras. We definitely noticed the heat the minute we left the airport. 83 degrees was 50 degrees warmer than we experienced when we left Omaha this morning. We’re enjoying it right now. However, I have a feeling we may not appreciate it as much once we start our physical labor.
The missioners witnessed the impressive poverty so apparent in Nueva Capital the moment we turned onto the dirt road up the mountainside. Santa Teresa De Jesus school sits atop the mountain and has a picturesque view of the valley below. We had a brief welcome we unloaded the black bags from the truck. We feasted on cooked beef, rice with chopped carrots, green beans mixed with eggs, and machitiadas (fry bread dessert). We then worked out proper sleeping quarters for everyone, sorted our belongings out of donated items, and learned a few of the rules for the building. For example, which is the girls’ bathroom, which is the guys, how to use the bathrooms in Honduras, etc. There is always much to learn on the first day. Many of the missioners had time to write in their ‘junta’ books, reflection journals, that we’ll use every night for our ‘junta.’
After our 7 p.m. supper we’ll have our junta to process what we’ve experience thus far. The chaperones will go over the groups for our jobs  tomorrow because we know everyone will want to get right to work.
We’ll let everone sleep in until 6 tomorrow with breakfast at 6:30. I can hardly wait to tell you our first work experiences and hopefully post our first pictures. I’ll do my best to blog as early as possible, but we are one hour behind you so it might be around supper time or later before I can get to the computer each day.
Know that your prayers and good wishes helped us to have a great first day. Parents, you should be very proud of your sons and daughters and their actions and attitudes thus far! I know all the Hondurans have been happy to see us here!

By the way, Seivert, Daniel from Marcala now lives at the school and attends school in Tegucigalpa. He asked if you were here so he could do the “South Dakota Slide” with you.

13 comments:

  1. Can't wait to see pics! Thankful the journey today was good!

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  2. How long was the bus ride from the airport?

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  3. How long was the bus ride from the airport?

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  4. Just wanted to tell Miss Kennedy that dance went really well tonight! I took a picture of the babies blowing you kisses in their ending pose, but I don't think I can post it here! Both they and the modern girls say they miss you!

    Glad all of you made it safe! Keeping you in my prayers!

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  5. Miranda your sisters say they love you and miss you. Grandma G is lighting candles for you. Everyone wear your sunscreen and stay hydrated.

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  6. Glad you made it safely! Mya is jealous you got to see Fabio. Can't wait to hear all about your adventure! Stay safe.

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  7. We are thankful that you had a safe trip and that everyone is doing well! Jim: Matt and I went on a shopping spree today, but don't worry we didn't go overboard! Have a great night and day tomorrow. Michelle, Emily says hi!

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  8. So thankful everyone arrived safely. May God bless you all. Miss you Patrick and Megan :)

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  9. 2nd hour World Religions miss you and are praying for all of you. Some commented that class is much quieter!

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  10. Carolini (Caroline)...Stefan te ama y esta llorando, Levi le gustan las galletas, queremos un burrito. Te extranamos :)!

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  11. It's suppose to get up to 60 degrees today. Right now it is around 55 degrees and beautiful. There is hardly any breeze. Mariah--Cole wants you to know that he is taking good care of Flounder for you, BUT... it's not his fault if he dies. Also, he wants to know if you are taking him to college with you or if he can have him. I hope the first day of work went well for all. Enjoy your evening and get a good nights sleep.

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  12. Dear Missioners: the 7th and 8th grade Spalding Catholic students would like you to know that we are praying for you. One of our daily Lenten prayers, excerpts and meditations from the diary of St. Faustina, seemed particularly fitting, so we will share it with you here:
    Excerpt from the Diary of St. Faustina: In difficult moments, I will fix my gaze upon the silent Heart of Jesus, stretched upon the Cross, and from the exploding flames of His merciful Heart, will flow down upon me power and strength to keep fighting (Diary - 906).
    Meditation: When I am tired or discouraged, I look to You, Jesus, to Your merciful Heart and Your immense love for me. In Your love, You left me Yourself in the Eucharist. In it, I find the hidden strength to continue this battle for my soul and for all souls. Refresh me. Transform me. Sustain me. I look to You, O Lord. - Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC

    So missioners, find your strength in the Lord - he will sustain you!

    And to Kelly - Missing you big time! It's really quiet around here! Rosalie, Emily, and Riley all said to tell you hi!

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  13. Hi everyone:) So thankful that you arrived safely along with all the bags! Hope your first day of work went well as I am sure you made good headway! So proud of you all as you begin this journey in making a difference in these family's lives as well as them making a difference in yours! Cherish every moment and memory. Bruce and Alex...Gpa is home and adjusting very well! He had a very good day today and is asking about you...if I heard from you. Ann pulled up this site on their computer so they will be able to follow the updates also. Love and miss you both!

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