2023 Team

2023 Team
The 2023 Team

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

The Adventure Begins

All missioners were up at 2:30 a.m. That was the beginning of our "hurry up and wait" day. We hurried to the airport, arriving at 3:40. Although United Airlines personnel were very efficient, it just takes time to ticket 36 people and tag 72 black duffle bags. As soon as that process was completed, we headed through TSA. A few people had to empty their bags, but most of us strolled through the process.

We didn't have long to wait at our gate before boarding for Houston. Shortly after we boarded, the flight attendant asked for patience as they tried to load a lot of heavy bags that the passengers had brought. I believe he mentioned about needing a lot of stuff so we must be staying a long time. Then they called for the fearless leader of the team. The baggage handlers informed me that they could not put all the weight on the plane and were trying to distribute it as best they could. When I asked if there were any way possible to include the odd numbered bags (knowing those were our personal supplies), I just got a big smile. I told him to do the best they could, and we'd understand. Part of mission work is to learn how to get along with less. For two years I got to learn that lesson; I really hoped mine wasn't one of the bags we were leaving behind  to arrive later.

We left the gate late. I still wasn't worried because we had plenty of time to get through the airport in Houston. We had plenty of turbulence, so we had to stay in our seats and they had to delay distributing beverages until the route was calmer. All were great; not a single issue of sickness. THEN, the attendant asked for patience again because we were not going to be allowed to land for a bit. We went into a holding pattern for the next 30 minutes or more. Finally being allowed to land, we rushed to our next gate. Of course, it was on the opposite end of the terminal. We still made it with 5 minutes to spare. Shortly after we boarded, we were again asked to be patient because all flights were grounded until a thunderstorm passed.

We sat on the runway and awaited our turn to take-off. An hour and 40 minutes later we took off, landing exactly that late in Tegucigalpa.

Frank, Marta, Julio, and Carlos met us at the airport. We were 37 bags short of our 72 bags. MANY missioners are learning how to survive without their bags. It's a good thing Seivert always has them pack their work clothes in their carry-ons.

The missioners had plenty of eye-opening views of poverty as we climbed the road to Santa Teresa School. We ate a quick lunch and walked to Paola's house so the missioners could see the finished house from last year. It was too late to walk to our new building sites, so we spent the rest of the evening unpacking our 35 bags, setting up our bedrooms, finding the materials needed for tomorrow's projects, and taking care of all the details that arise in our compound.

We had a Mass that was offered for my husband Dan on the anniversary of his passing and for Janet's Uncle Don Murphy whose wife donated a chalice that will remain here in Honduras for our group to use in the future. We ate supper and had our first junta in Honduras.

Again I am typing this with the missioners in bed. I will be joining them within minutes. Continue to keep us in your prayers.

I've included a photo of the group with Paola and Enrique while we were visiting their home.


13 comments:

  1. Great to see the picture of all of you! Enjoy your days as you work to be the hands and feet of Christ to all those new friends you will meet.

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  2. Nice pic. Your wonderful to keep us informed. Keep up the great work.

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  3. Nice pic. Your wonderful to keep us informed. Keep up the great work.

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  4. It is good to see all the smiles! Josie, I think you will appreciate having your things when you get home! The kids miss you and Calla and Emma have already been asking what you are doing! My boys at work are following the blog with me...they are in awe of all that you all are doing! I hope you are having a great day...drink lots of water!
    Love, Mom

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  5. Hope you are enjoying your time. Take time to make new friends and teach them more about English. The hallways are SO empty and we miss being called "stupid freshmen." (laughing emoji) Track is so lonely without the seniors. Be safe and wear sunscreen!!! Love, Foundations in Scripture Amen!

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  6. CSP says hello! Daniel REALLY misses Joe... We may or may not be having pizza and ice cream while you are gone... Relax, Roman, at least you got one unlike Joe LOL! Just wrap it up, let's go, send that thing...

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  7. Ethan Mousel looks like a sea horse... (insert sea horse emoji) Hope your bags have arrived. We're praying for everyone who has to listen to two particular senior boys (R & D) argue all the time... Adios, muchachos! Sacraments Class

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  8. Stats class and calculus class Sarah and I have been working very hard. Instead of learning to train dolphins or dogs we are learning how to train dragons :)

    Work hard and remember when language fails SMILE
    Mrs. H

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  9. Hi Carolyn! Mya misses you a lot! She got her cavities filled this morning and cried for 2 hours after for Cayden. Who knew she really loved him! So glad you are all safe in Honduras. Bring some warmth back with you! We look forward to hearing all about your journey.

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  10. 8B says to say something funny... We miss you, Mrs. Bickford- that is NOT the funny part... Study halls are not the same without you telling us all to be quiet, but Mrs. Schroeder does a pretty good job. (That's not the funny part either.) Bergen has been put in charge TWICE since you've been gone- THAT is the funny part!...Hurry back! Things are out of control!

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  11. Glad to hear all is well. Emerson is still practicing saying Grandma and DJ so she should have it perfected when you get back. Love ya and hope you are having a great time!

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  12. Praying that today was a better day than yesterday:) Nice picture! I'll look for the stitches in the next photo.

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