Rushing toward the Finish Line

Today’s breakfast of eggs, ham, beans, and fruit greeted us at 6:15, after waking at 5:45. We felt the urgency to start a little early so we could get to the work sites earlier in the hopes of completing all of our projects before leaving.

Bruce assigned work crews for the day and off we went. The main event was painting at Paola’s house. With the painting crew in full gear, the outside of the house was painted in two hours. Dennis worked on the electrical wiring, while Pat and his crew put the finishing touches on the windows and doors.

The painting crew then moved to Dave’s house and began painting inside and out. Dave and his crew also worked on windows and doors.

One of the paint crews hard at work

After lunch all missioners, along with Marta and Sofia, walked to Paola’s house while carrying the roof tin. We had to be very careful not to bend the tin or it would ruin it. No worries, though. The missioners did an excellent job of walking together over rutted, rocky roads up the mountainside to deliver the tin to Paola’s house.

Carrying the tin for the roofs

While we were there, we sang “Feliz Cumpleanos” (Happy Birthday) to Paola and presented both her and Enrique with a small birthday cake and gifts. You can’t tell from the picture above, but both Paola and her mom were barely holding back the tears.

David presents the birthday cake

Then it was back to work. The paint crew continued working at Dave’s house, while Bruce took a small crew with him to do the finishing touches there. When the painting neared completion at Dave’s house, Linda sent a crew to Bruce’s to get started there. I am pretty sure it won’t take much more than a couple hours to finish that painting on Wednesday.

Tomorrow we take a trip to Talanga to serve food at the Feeding Center. Hopefully, the missioners will also have some time to play with the children. We’ll have a little picnic lunch of peanut butter & jelly and granola bars as we travel back “home.”

We’ll be working on gift bag creations and finishing the bunk beds tomorrow. We’ve decided to place a bunk bed inside each of our homes. If time permits, we hope to deliver more of the beds to other families.

I informed the missioners that we would sleep in until 6:30, and David and Alissa, I want you to know that Josie stated, “Yes! I never thought I’d be so excited about getting up at 6:30!” Just thought you should know that.

Please continue reading for other missioner messages:

Bruce and Alex

Hi, Mother.  Miss you and can’t wait to see you on Friday.  We are having fun and all the houses are going well.  Dad wants to bring a little kid home in his bag.  See you later. Love you! (P.S. You are lucky you got this many words out of us.)

J.D. and Lucas

Hi, Mother/Mary ---- get a crib ready – Dolly is coming home with us on Friday --- You will love her! Miss you lots. We are doing fine (except for some cuts on our hands to match our leader Bruce). Hope all is well there. Love you lots!

Nicole and Mark

Kris and Becs- We miss you lots but have been staying busy with the houses and talking to the Hondurans. Went to church in town on Sunday and went shopping in a lot of little shops for Nicole. Dad couldn’t find a Bomgaars or Bass Pro and was pretty disappointed. By the way, we are bringing the little girl in the picture home with us because Nicole wants a little sister that is actually smaller than her. Love you and can’t wait to see you on Friday!

Mark and Nicole with their little Honduran friend

Caroline

Hey Fam! Thanks for sending a message so quickly.J ConCon, I am SO happy you are having fun with soccer. I know you’ll have stories to tell me! Mom and Dad I know your lives seem worthless and empty without the bright shining star that is your daughter! I’ll have lots to tell you when I get home. Stefan, Happy belated Birthday! I hope it was as wonderful as you are! LOVE Y’ALL

Josie

Mom, I’m glad to hear Evie’s shower went well. I’m sure she was spoiled rotten. I am really happy you and Dad have posted and not forgotten about your middle child. ;) Dad, I never thought I would say this, but I miss your big booming voice, and I’m expecting a great big hug when you pick me up on Friday. I love and miss you all, and I am eager to tell you all about my time here!

Sydnee

Family, I miss you guys a little bit. Tell Rylie she can wear all the clothes she wants...NOT. Tell Travis that just because he got a job at Bob’s, he should know I am still Nate’s favorite Theisen. Love you guys all! See and talk to you Friday!

Morgan

Aunt Nita - It has been extremely odd waking up so early, but hopefully I can learn to do that back at home too! Mom, Dad, Michael, Miyah, and Marcus- Even though I haven’t heard from you, I miss you all very much! Can’t wait to tell you all about the wonderful life-changing experience I’m having. I can’t explain how grateful I am to be on this trip with such amazing people. Morgan and Taylor- I miss you both lots! I’ll see you soon, so don’t go too crazy without me. J Morgan, tell B Happy belated Birthday! Love all of you, and can’t wait to see you!

Melissa

Hi, everyone (not just Mom, since I got into trouble for that last time). Dad still isn’t into computers so I’ll speak for both of us. We are both learning so much about how blessed we are back home, and I think it is safe to say that we have both been touched by the lives of so many people here in Honduras. I miss everyone, but it is going to be so hard to break off the connections with the children here. Dad is even starting to learn some basic Spanish! Meghan Heying- This is your shoutout that I promised you! I miss you so much and can’t wait to see you! Taylor- I also miss you very much and can’t wait to see you! Love you all and see you soon J

Carolyn Bickford – Well, I’m glad at least one of my sons could write me a note. Drew, I know from your own mission experience that you know the changes we are making in our own lives. We are having a great trip. You would have loved working with this crew. Wow, Cayden! He is getting to be quite a big boy! That’s really good for his age. Give Cayden and Mya a big hug from Grandma. Jay, give Marshall and Paige a hug too. Love you!  - Mom/Grandma Bickford

Oh yes, thanks to my jr. high students for following the blog. (Aubree, you would really love the food here. Too bad I can’t share it with you.) Seventh and eighth graders, I hope you are really working hard in class and being good for Mrs. Schroeder. I expect to be impressed with the knowledge you’ve attained in my absence. Thanks Mrs. Christoffel and Mrs. Henrich for writing for the students.