It's Better To Give Than To Receive

This was a day of gift bag deliveries. It took a while for us to get the correct students for the deliveries, but we were finally off. I can tell you that the principal’s idea of students who live close to each other and our idea of students who live close to each other do not coincide. These are not easy walks on paved roads, but “roads” where you must be careful to watch where you are walking. Dangers include ruts, rocks, dog droppings or horse droppings, barbed wire, and vehicles driving past with blaring horns. At the same time one of the missioners had to carry a large gift bag that they had earlier packed with soap, shampoo, toys, clothes, shoes, and much more. The excitement began inside each of the houses when the missioners pulled out the items for each child and gave it to them. Lots of smiles and giggles abounded.

We were all impressed with the cleanliness of all the houses. Floors were swept; items were put away. All of us agreed that even though they didn’t have much, the Hondurans did take pride in their homes and did what they could to keep them clean and orderly. We truly enjoyed the giving, though, more than they enjoyed the receiving. Over and over missioners have commented at their happiness, though they have very little. We all realize we are blessed that we were born in the U.S. However, we all have discusses that we have become very wrapped up in material things.

The photos you will not see today are the special things each team is doing to their home. I have heard a few things, but the teams are keeping it pretty quiet. I just thought you’d enjoy being surprised tomorrow with the creativity and ingenuity of every team member, using the supplies they have to make their house stand out from the rest. I am looking forward to joining Bruce in the judging when we go to the houses tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be our final day here in Nueva Capital. Everyone agrees that it has been an amazing mission trip! All are so very happy that they decided to be on the Project Paul team.

Tomorrow morning will be a day of organizing, inventorying, delivering, and packing. Most everyone will leave behind their clothing and supplies. In the afternoon we’ll travel to each home as a group and have a brief blessing ceremony. The crosses/plaques will be hung in each home, legal papers will be signed, and the keys to the home will be turned over to the family. I expect it will be an emotional afternoon! I challenge you to think of what you could do to give your Honduran home some character, using the supplies left over from the building of it. You are about to be shocked, I believe!