2023 Team

2023 Team
The 2023 Team

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

We'll Make It Work!

French toast tasted good at breakfast this morning. Afterwards we took our group photo on the steps outside our building.

Then we had to figure out who was going where and what projects we could do with the personnel and equipment available. Our orange paint disappeared from the hallway. Later we discovered the principal had given it away to the gate guard. So we had to improvise on that. With Bruce and Alex leaving, Pat needed to know what had to be done on the upper house. They made a trip up to discuss that.

Dave’s group started working on the three picnic tables because the paint for the school building walls did not show up this morning. A couple students went with Pat and Randy to the lower house. There they worked on installing the wiring, door jambs, and glass window. We are happy to report that it was finished at 5 this afternoon and the lights were on when we left the lower house.

The building paint showed up at noon. After lunch the paint crew went to work on the school wall. Unfortunately, someone told them to paint blue on the top part of the wall. After a section was painted, the principal informed them that the top was supposed to be white and the bottom blue. The crew switched gears and painted the bottom blue.

Students were pulled off their other crews to help build the picnic tables. The final nail was pounded into place at 6, just in time for supper.

We also rotated students to deliver gift bags. I cannot express with words the poverty we witnessed as we delivered the gift bags. One family deeply affected me. There were three children and a mother who lived in a shack about the size of a decent bathroom. The house had a dirt floor with one or two very small twin beds covered with all kinds of rags and other items. There were no windows, and the walls were patchworked with posters and plastic to cover the holes. A small table which butted up to the bed had some small cherry tomatoes and some other small food item. A small metal bin hung from the ceiling with a few tiny items. The mother had left the three children, ages 11, 8, and 6 alone for the week while she went to be with her sister whose husband had been killed in an accident, according to the neighbor. I have no idea how the children were able to find any food. Fortunately, they are all students and receive a small meal at the school. It was truly a shock for the whole group to see. A photo below shows the group with the children on the side of the home.

We’re all starting to feel a sense of accomplishment. The picnic tables are done. We’ve totally finished one home. The sand and rocks have been carried down the mountainside for the chicken coop project. One full building is completely painted and another will be completed tomorrow. Six gift bags were delivered by six student missioners. The second through fourth graders have had multiple English lessons. We shopped for our souvenirs after Mass in a church from the sixteenth century and visited a beautiful oasis in Santa Lucia. We helped children at a feeding center. We’ve enjoyed immensely interacting with both the school children at Santa Teresa’s and at the feeding center. Obviously, much has been accomplished by this year’s team.
I’d like to sign off tonight with a quote by Dan O’Brien. If you need any explanation, you’ll have to ask him. “There is no mission without i.”

Missioner blogs follow:

Kennedy Rolfes: Hey Mo! I am having a blast down here and can’t wait to tell you all about it! Of course, I did break the bank shopping. ;) It’s in my nature!! Missing you like crazy and the countdown is on! Love you to the moon and back!

delivering gift bags

audience for drilling

table 3




11 comments:

  1. Hi Carolyn! Mya will be happy to see a picture of grandma. She has been asking. I am happy to see you are supporting a UNI shirt!. Pakka and Angel are doing good Lyndsi said. It sounds like you are all doing a lot of work and getting much accomplished while you are there. We will pray for safe travels tomorrow and can't wait to see you and hear all about the trip on Saturday. We will make you lunch or supper ;).

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi everyone! Just wanted to let you know that Bruce and Alex arrived home safely last night. We continue to pray for each and every one of you as you continue on this journey. It is just truly amazing hearing the stories Bruce and Alex experienced! You all hold a very special place in their hearts as you all witnessed and worked together as a team in making a difference in the lives of the Hondurans! Just listening to Bruce and Alex share their experiences, it is truly apparent that the people of Honduras touched their lives as well in a way no one can understand unless they have walked in your shoes. We are very proud of you and wish you a safe trip home!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Glad to hear you have accomplished so much! Hope you all enjoy your last full day there. I can about imagine all the emotions! Corey, I can't wait til you get home! We love you & miss you so much! Can't wait to hear stories. Praying for a safe trip home. So proud of all of you for being so kind & wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I can't even begin to imagine all of the emotions you missioners are feeling today. Knowing it's your last full day in Honduras, knowing that you have done so much for the Honduran people and they for you, and knowing that tomorrow night you will get to see your families again must be a lot to take in. It sounds like you have gone above and beyond what you were expected to do on your mission and I'm sure that gives you a great sense of pride. You all have so many talents and you came together to share those with those are less fortunate then you. That is something you can truly be proud of. I can't wait to hear your stories and see all the wonderful pictures! Prayers for safe travels tomorrow. Mariah--can't wait to see you! Miss you tons.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sadie- Zella was so excited to see the picture of you!! Zia is now walking around saying "Sadie"! We miss u and grandpa Randy lots- and baby F looks like its awaiting your arrival home before it makes its arrival!:) Get ready for a lot of questions from Zella- just looking at the one picture you are in she was SO curious!! Lots of love- Ali, Jake, Zella and Zia

    ReplyDelete
  6. Caroline: el pelo de Stefan se asoma hoy. Lleva rojo a causa de su amor para ti. Durante el almuerzo, Levi y Stefan jugaron "What are the Odds" con Jaycee y ahora ella tiene que llevar una camiseta que dice, "Huelo bratwarts?" Te extranamos! Te veremos pronto :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Patrick and Megan - The days have flown by. We are all looking forward to seeing you again and hearing about your trip. We'll bring jackets for you as I think it might be a little chillier here than what you've become accustomed to ;) We're so proud of you. We love you. Travel safe. Vaya con dios.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Patrick! You have truly been missed!! We hope that you will travel home safely and that maybe you will be able to catch some of the IA State game while in the airport; they play at 6:30 tomorrow. Can't wait to hear about your trip, making a difference in someone elses life is pricless. Sending prayers to everyone to travel safe tomorrow. See you soon! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi, Brady we have enjoyed the pictures and blog. You all have been in our prayers. It sounds like your group has accomplished a lot for the people of Honduras. We had drizzle most of the day and it turned into snow late afternoon! We went to Kennedy and Lauren's concert in Alton last night. We will pray for safe travels tomorrow. Grandpa was at your house this afternoon and they are all looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night. Take care! Love G&G

    ReplyDelete
  10. Missioners-we wish you safe travels. Wherever you are - wherever you go from this day forward - you will take your God and your Savior with you. I pray that you embrace Him as He has so obviously embraced you through this ministry.
    Kelly-it's driving me crazy that I won't see you and hug you till Tuesday-remember you promised to tell me everything! Love you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Greetings everyone ~ As you come together tonight and reflect on the past eleven days know that one person can make a difference and each of you was that one person for someone on this trip. Maybe you were that one person for a team member or for someone in Honduras. Your desire to serve has been a stepping stone for others to follow and has been the sunshine for those who have been around you in Honduras. The Lord is smiling down on the work you have done. We are praying for a safe trip home for the team. God Bless!

    Caroline, we are looking forward to seeing you. We love you and are anxious to hear your stories. :)

    ReplyDelete