2023 Team

2023 Team
The 2023 Team

Monday, April 4, 2011

Day One- We Made It!

Hola! As Dick already let you know we have made it safely to Esquias, Honduras. This is Katie and Mary and as we write this the kids are settling in, getting unpacked, and acclimating to the heat…. We heard it’s snowing in Rapid… bummer. So far our trip has consisted of a lot of traveling, singing, and ice cream and it’s gone very smoothly. After we landed in Tegucigalpa we boarded a bus and headed toward Esquias. Along the way we were greeted by Honduran students (yes, they wear uniforms too!), many oxen in the road, we were serenaded by our ever-talented students (Mrs. Weber you’d be proud) and received waves from friendly people all along the way. We also came to appreciate the American driving regulations… as here in Honduras it seems to be a free for all (but don’t worry, we’re in good hands). We just finished up a delicious dinner which included ice cold Coca Cola in glass bottles, and Father Mark will be saying mass for us shortly. We are blessed to have him with us and students who are so ready to participate and engage in their prayer/faith life. You would have been impressed with them singing psalms and doing morning prayer in the Houston airport this morning. Tomorrow we will begin our work on the water project, and everyone is really eager to get started on doing the work we came to do. Although we’ve just been here a day, it is already clear that God is present in our trip, our students, and the people of Honduras. We thank you for your continued prayers.


Observations from the Day:

  • Don’t forget your work gloves (cough..Bill Freidel…cough), but if you do there’s a shop on the way to Esquias where you can buy 2 pairs for $8.33.
  • We wish we could all speak Spanish as well as Lauran Feist. The Honduran children already love her!
  • Pine trees and palm trees look strange growing next to each other.
  • The students of St. Thomas More have bladders the sizes of peanuts.
  • Ms. Trucano- the students are journaling… even Derek.

Vaya con dios!

16 comments:

  1. Hey, this is the Duffy's. We are happy to hear you are landed,settled in and ready for your first day of work. It is so fun to get the updates, we feel as though a part of us is traveling with you.May God continue to pour his grace over you as you do the work he is calling you to. UConn is up by 5 with 13min. to go. Love you all, Karrie and crew.

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  2. Thank you for the update -- we're so glad you are there safe and sound. We are praying for you! Andy -- you might watch for an outbreak of hives -- Michael is having an allergic reaction to the antibiotic both of you are on -- if you break out, perhaps Gehlen will have some Zyrtec. Dad hopes you don't have to buy it on the black market! Love you!

    Hansons

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  3. So glad we can hear about all your hard work through this blog! Praying for you all! Stay healthy! Thought I would give you an update to Karrie's update...Final score - Uconn 53 Butler 41

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  4. I know about their peanut-sized bladders. I teach them :) God bless you guys, we talked about you in class yesterday, prayed for you at STM Mon. Mass in the chapel... and will do so each day. Derek, I want DIRT. Or a ROCK. Just so you don't get held behind at customs. Thanks for keeping us posted gang. Jesus and Mary are with you. Fr. Jim

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  5. Love the picture! You all look filled with the Spirit and ready to be His hands and feet. God bless you all! Love that we can be a part of this God-filled mission with you. Everyone here is praying for you. Have a great day. Marcia

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  6. We are so excited to see your smiling faces in the photo!! Do God's work and enjoy yourself!! Lauryn, Butler lost but I still won $14.00!! We will get Starbucks when you get home!! Love to you all!!

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  7. Soooo glad you made it safely! Hope all of your journey is wonderful and that the Holy Spirit is with you at all times!!!! L-dub don't listen to Mike, sunscreen will not drip off with sweat...take a picture of a large bug for me, the kids would dig it!!

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  8. Our prayers are with you Linda R. and your mission team. May this day be a blessing as you are the hands and feet of Jesus.
    Your friends at Community Bank

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  9. Glad to hear the team made it safely! I'm sure you are already creating memories that will last a lifetime. God's blessings to each of you as you perform His work.
    Troy & Christi Richardson

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  10. Hi! This is Mrs. King's 2nd Grade Class. We are praying for you and hope you have a blessed trip. We pray that you work hard building the well. We have you and the people of Honduras on our minds and in our prayers. God Bless!

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  11. We are glad you are all there with your bags. Hope the day went well for all especially Connor.

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  12. It's so wonderful to see your smilin' (soon to be tan) faces! and am so jealous of the shorts and sunshine... hope you had a great first day of work, glad Bill was able to buy some gloves, would've been a shame to not be able to work (smile)
    Love you all and praying for you!

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  13. "T" post above is from Freidel's...
    This is PJ-- dad, you better hurry home before I spend all the bracket money! "Go UCONN" :-)
    - Freidels

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  14. Yay! I'm so proud of all of your work! Lauryn, 2a and 2c miss you and hope you aren't too hot! Stay safe and healthy all of you.

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  15. Hi all you pilgrims. That looks like quite a hill you get to climb with your little pet rocks. Hopefully Coach Friedel will use that as an idea for the next STM football camp at Terra Sancta.
    Confirmaation class 2010 from Cathedral - today is your anniversary. Ask for prayers from your confirmation saint.
    We wouldn't mind if you brought back some of the warm weather, just not all of it.
    Jonathon, we wouldn't mind seeing your smiling face while your working hard.
    - the Hofers

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  16. Mrs. Oleson's 2nd grade is very proud of you. We are praying for you and hope you are all safe and have fun!

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