The Importance of Water

Saturday began at 6 a.m. Our breakfast of pancakes, oranges, and mangos was consumed at 6:30; then the groups took off for work. Since there were no students in school today, Linda kept a paint crew to do the green layer on the bottom of the school building. The rest of the missioners were split between the two building projects. Much progress was made at both sites. The upper crew got the roof on but did not do any painting. The lower crew did not get the roof on but did get some painting done. Thus, I’d say they’re pretty even on their progress.

We agreed that today’s lunch was our favorite: enchiladas with tomatoes, cabbage, and cheese. There were many happy people when we got to have a twenty-minute siesta after lunch.

The afternoon chores consisted of the paint crew finishing their green base. The rest of us strung crosses that we’ll distribute to the Santa Teresa students on our last day. Our table definitely strung many more crosses than the men’s tables.

Fr. Patricio, the head of the schools, celebrated Mass in the compound at 3. He took the opportunity to welcome our group and to point out how important it is to do service, like we are doing.

Marta then did a laundry lesson for the students so they could clean some of their clothes using the pila. Some of the girls generously offered to do laundry for the boys. Unfortunately, Kyle will have to get his laundry off the basketball hoop in the morning. Even a few of guys did laundry for some others. It’s hard to believe they actually enjoyed doing laundry

Many of the boys played soccer before we had supper. Supper consisted of grilled beef and pork on tortillas with pico de gallo. We have definitely been fed well.

As we talked during tonight’s junta, quite a few missioners expressed the difficulty we were having not giving the Honduran children our water, and how important water is. It is quite apparent in this region where we are working because they have to buy their water – not just drinking water. Water trucks drive through the area all day long selling water. Some of it is just river water that they use for laundry or making cement. We also have had to purchase all the water we are using, so we try to conserve as much as possible. We take so much for granted. Now that we are witnessing what happens in a country with a shortage of water, we can start appreciating what we do have and not waste our precious commodities.

The students are having a wonderful time without their electronic devices. They’re getting the chance to really talk to each other and play together in simple ways. It’ll be interesting to see if that continues once they return to the States.

Here are the latest missioner messages:

Randy and Sadie: Hello everyone back home! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM! We hope you are having a great day, and Presley is treating you well! Everything here is going pretty good so far besides some minor details. The first day Randy ripped a hole in his work pants so he just fixed them up with some duct tape; they are still holding strong on Saturday. Yesterday I realized hammers and I do not get along well! So I got moved to mixing cement instead. We finally got juice, but we had to jerry rig it and steal juice from the neighbor’s house.  We are guessing Tim and Julie got engaged! Tell everyone Hello from us and we miss them all.  Also tell Ali that baby needs to stay in until Friday. That’s the first day that works for us. ;) By the way Jake, Bruce misses you!

Megan & Patrick: Hello, family? Anyone there?! Why have we not heard from you guys lately? J We love and miss you guys (even though Patrick has not said it. I think he does anyways) and would LOVE to hear from you guys! The days are passing faster than ever, and I am learning the meaning of Honduran time! That will definitely not help out with my senioritis, at all! Anyway, we only have 6 days left here, and I am not sure how I feel about that yet. I miss you guys, yet I don’t want to leave here! #yahoo #omaha

PS. Patrick found out that Iowa lost…some words were said.

Rebecca Feller: Hello mother and I guess Les, I love and miss you tons. Umm do you know where the Senior Trip is and if I am going? Also Mother I just want to let you know that I am surviving off tortillas and peanut butter. I somewhat know how to do laundry but doesn’t mean I am going to do it at home just yet. And last but not least please have cheeseballs for me when I get to Omaha. Can’t wait to see you, Cathy, and Lyns. Love you very much and I miss you tons! Kisses!

Dave & Janet Klein:  Hi everyone, we are having a great mission.  Dave has been helping build the home, and I am doing many things – pictures and helping with other projects as needed.  We are seeing another part of Honduras – the school children have been a lot of fun giving a lot of hugs and very high energy.  During the day the children are all over in the grounds. Recess is total chaos.  Hope everything is going well at home.  Hello to all the students at Emmetsburg Catholic.  

Brady Heying: Hi mom and dad. The trip is going great. First off, I wish I could say that it doesn’t surprise me that Iowa lost. We have been doing a lot of work in the past couple days. Linda has been taking advantage of being my aunt and used it as a power to use against me. I told her I was going tell grandma on her if she didn’t start to be nice to me! Anyways, I have to shower and get ready for bed now. Goodbye, I will see you soon.

Caroline Ascherl: It’s been so great to hear from everyone! Mom and Connor, I hope you are making it okay without me there.  Thank you so much for all the prayers. Connor don’t lie, I know you miss me.J Caitlin you were completely right about everything on this trip. I have so much to do when I get back, and I don’t even care! Dad, I wish I could tell you that I’m a pro at the building sites, but I’m pretty lost on everything. Patrick has good instructions though, and he’s been keeping an eye on me just for you, Mom! Spanish Class, I would just like to let you all know that what we are learning IS RELEVANT! Mrs. Wrather, you would be proud of my speaking. I think I deserve a 5 for speaking points because I am doing GRRRRREAT! Also Happy Belated Birthday, Stefan, I hope it was great, and I can’t wait to see you! I have so much to tell all of you and I can’t wait to see you.J I think about you all. Good night!

Kelly Full: I am not sure how to greet my parents because everyone has used up all the clever ones. Hi Tony and Kristine. I miss you guys a whole heck of a lot, and I can’t wait to see you both even if I have to wait a little bit longer to see you mommy. I’ve been thinking about you guys a lot while working these past few days and all of the important lessons you have taught me to prepare myself for the future, and I’m sad to say it took me so long to realize this was a gift instead of an annoyance. Thank you for instilling in me a good work ethic and a sense of responsibility. Say hi to everyone at home for me, Rosalie Kris Emily Emilio Riley Grandma Gabriel and Lucia. I’m having a blast here, but I’m also counting down the days until I get to see you again. Dad, I might bring a mutt home.