2023 Team

2023 Team
The 2023 Team

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Bags and Buildings


Our first morning of work began after a breakfast of eggs, ham, tortillas (we get those a lot!), and fruit. Some missioners loaded the wood on the military truck, while others prepared for gift bag building. Once the wood was loaded and the military personnel had eaten their breakfast, we made the slow upward drive to the three house pads.

No time was wasted at the house sites. Immediately the men pulled out tape measures to check if we had any square pads and made adjustments according to the measurement of each one. I do believe that one of the concrete pads was exactly 20’ x 20’. The other two were variations of that measurement!

The guys unloaded all the wood and supplies from the military truck and a flurry of activities ensued. Some cut wood, others measured wood, still others began marking the concrete and bolting the wood base to the concrete. Before long the frames of all three homes were in place. They even had time to play with a couple of the children who love to be with them no matter where they are.

Meanwhile, Linda had the other missioners in the school library putting together the gift bags. She obtained a list of families from Prof. Jessica, the principal of the school, and the missioners chose the supplies they felt those families would most need. Tomorrow we will begin delivering those supplies to the homes. One child from the family will lead us to their home, where we’ll present the gift bag to them. The missioners will have a great time acting like “Santa Claus,” although most of us wouldn’t be as thankful for bars of soap, shampoo, lotion, and other household items. The families will also receive clothes, shoes, and toys.

Kevin presented the statue of Mary that Jerry Traufler carved to Prof. Jessica. I saw tears of joy when Pro. Jessica saw the beautiful statue, which she plans to put in place in the new school being built in this area. The new school is named Santa Maria, so it’s a perfect statue for them. The first thing Prof. Jessica wanted to do was take a group photo with the statue and the first children who will be attending that school.


As you can see, we’ve accomplished much in our first half day. As I type this, all the other missioners are at the house sites, nailing on the siding. Bruce claims that one of the houses will be totally sided by the time they return to the compound later this afternoon. I plan to check on them soon. Marta and I are going to have all the missioners walk down the “block” to a small pulperia so they can enjoy a Coke in a bag and a small bag of chips. Even though it’s not very hot, it’ll be a fun treat for them today. Thanks for all the comments. We hope you’ll keep them coming! Until tomorrow …..

Fr. Jim Sichko and Carolyn pose for a selfie on the plane while he hold Pope Francis' skull cap. He is taking the Mission Honduras LeMars newsletter to Pope Francis to show him what our groups are doing.































After lunch siesta

Doing chores



Jeremy Sitzmann issued a challenge to Bruce and the other missioners. In case you did not read his comment on the blog, he challenged Bruce to do 20 push-ups in each house, and the rest of the missioners were to join him for 10 of them. He will pay $60 for each day they complete the challenge. I did do a video of today's push-ups; however, it is taking one of them more than 10 minutes to upload. Thus, Jeremy may have to accept that I have taken an oath of truth. I did witness Bruce doing 20 push-ups per house. All missioners did at least 10 or more with him. If you don't see the video here, it's because our internet "chip" cannot handle so much memory. By the way, Bruce did admit that he has not done push-ups for many years, so it's not an easy challenge!

22 comments:

  1. Thank you for the update and the great pictures. We are enjoying them very much and anxiously await them. It's great to see all the smiles and the amazing work you re all doing. Missing you Brooke, but can see you are having an experience of a lifetime. Your sister cleaned your room in your absence, so maybe you should do those pushups with Bruce in repayment to her! Just don't show him up, he won't like that!

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  2. Thank you for the terrific pictures! Brady, I didn't know that you know how to do dishes?!? Warms my heart to see all of the smiles! Carolyn, what's the story on the Pope's skull cap? Why is it not with the Pope - was it on display somewhere?

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  3. Hey Luke this is Cole. I just wanted to let you know that Notre
    dame Beat Princeton and will play West Virginia on Saturday. I hope your having a good time and it's awesome to know I have a big brother helping so many people in so many ways like you are. Love Cole Go Irish!

    This is Dad. Sure miss you here and it is really quiet!! I am practicing my ping pong game why you are away and have a little surprise for you when you get home!! God Bless.

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  4. Thank you for the updates and all the great pictures! It is great to see the progress. Thomas, we miss you! The house is so quiet! We are very proud of you. Keep up the good work! We love you. Mom and Dad (and Christopher and Matthew, too).

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  5. Love the pictures and the smiles! Thanks for the updates. Sounds like you have had a very productive first day. It has been way to quiet around the house so your dad is picking on Gabi so I have some noise. I have been reading the blog to Grandma Docker and Grandma Jackie has been reading it also. Keep up the good work! We love you! Mom, Dad, Chavis, Colby and Gabi.

    PS Colin, is that a little 5 '0 clock shadow I see? :)

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  6. Hello Ralph, Catherine, Haley, Hannah. Its sure good to see that you made it there. Good job at working so hard. Miss your smiling faces at school.

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  7. The pictures are just wonderful! Again thanks for the updates! I keep the blog on my computer all day waiting to hear about your progress during the Day! I miss you girls! To my mom I almost called you because I'm so used to talking to u everyday! Enjoy the memories together. God bless you!

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  8. Love all the pictures! Looks like you got a lot accomplished! Lots of smiles! Keep the pictures coming! Miss and love you!

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  9. Great to see u all getting alot accomplished in the.first day. Your all probably all shot and will sleep well tonight. Madison, brenna was here today
    And is not happy with u for taking her tent down. She said u have to put it back up when u get home. She still loves u.
    The house is still too quiet. Miss u. But I am getting some sleep.love u mom

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  10. Wow it seems like I am still there seeing you all in line for food and the library where the men slept. Love that you are all taking part in bruces challenge, so the money I give is in bruces name but my new challenge to you all is where does it go in his name? Please think it through the week and give me feed back I have an idea but would love to see what you all come back with. My next challenge is to you all as you are all busy as I was and I don't think I did was step back sit down and look around, wow how blessed are we to be where we are hug every kid you can and fist pump every little boy who walks by they love it! keep up the good work and take home good memories!

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  11. Hi Patrick! Love seeing the photos and the beginning stages of the houses that are being built. We watched the Iowa State game tonight half time score was State 40, Nevada 27 and I am happy to say they won with 84 to 73 . It was a good game! They will play against Perdue next. Addi is no longer on her hunger strike but is still pouting and is longingly staring at the door waiting for you with every noise that she hears. Hope you all are staying healthy and getting the rest that you need.
    Missing you tons! Love from Addi and Julie AKA: Remember, NOT the “neighbor lady!” Right??? Lol…

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  12. We love seeing all the pictures, too! It looks like you have accomplished a lot already and are having a great time! Iowa State just won their first game! They made us nervous, but pulled away at the end. 84-73. We are praying for all of you!

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  13. Hi Ree it's Gabbie i hope you're having fun without me ): i miss you and i'm impatiently waiting for you to come homee. love you boo

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  14. Here is a shout out to my favorite little Irish girl! Happy St. Patrick's Day, Catherine!! We miss you! Robert has taken over your room. You might have a tough time getting it back! The little girls are enjoying wearing your clothes! I just miss you! I'm very proud of you!! Give my love to Haley, Hannah, and Ralph...and everyone else too of course! 🙂

    Love, Mom (and Dad)

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  15. Hi Haley, we are missing you back home, but are so proud of what you are doing in Honduras. We love all the pictures! Thank you for keeping us informed. Taya wanted to know if you were playing Duck, Duck, Goose.... she hopes you will play that with her when you get home. She will be excited to see all her friends including Catherine, Hannah and Micheal in a week. Love you! We are praying for all of you!

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  17. Looks like you are accomplishing a lot in just the first days....love seeing all the pictures and look forward to them each day! The house is too quiet....Love and miss you Brian and Jeremy!
    From - Samantha, Kimberly & Sandy

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  18. Good morning to you all! Wishing all the Irish & Reanna a Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!! Wear your green! Have a fun productive day! Dont forget the hugs!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Happy St. Patrick's Day! It is supposed to be 60° today. How has the weather been for you? We are so grateful for this blog and the amazing photos bring us great comfort and pride! It is awesome to know how many classrooms at Gehlen, Spalding and Remsen St. Mary's are following daily! Think of all the people you are inspiring! Love and prayers to all! Pam, Ashley, Cody and Anthony Schmit

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  20. I'm trying again! It is amazing how fast you guys were able to build the frames! Juan and Cat, we are missing you very much. Cat, Nala was looking for you last night. She went to your room and smelled your bed then looked at me .....! Enjoy your time there. Love you. Valeria and Gigi.

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  21. Madi- art is very quiet, and not in a good way. Miss your helpful attitude and I know you're making good use of it over there. Proud of you and the team
    Amanda and Breanna-those pictures of you and the Honduran children are seriously precious. I can't wait to hear about your experiences in Honduras and IMY
    Holton- I'm loving the pictures, you look really cool in braids. I recently talked to Mary on the phone and I gave gabbie the blog information as she wanted to send you messages. They both miss you a lot.. I miss you a ton :( but I'm so proud of you. I have a lot to tell you, but I'm more excited to hear all of your stories! Honestly can't wait to catch you up on memes. Love you so much

    -a very proud Cady Mccallan

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