Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Again, we were off to a good start this morning. Eggs and ham for breakfast, though I believe many of them supplement that with peanut butter and jelly. Then everyone slathered on the sunscreen before loading the military truck and the MHL pickup for transport to the work site. Pat still feels we are a little behind, but hopes to be caught up by the end of the afternoon.

There was activity on all three houses. Before lunch: The lowest house had missioners painting the inside, touching up the paint on the outside, windows being cut into two walls, and the tin going on for the roof. The middle house had painting going on outside, and then later they began on the inside. Windows were being cut into the walls. The upper house had painting being finished on the outside and the two inside walls being installed.

After lunch: The lowest house only had touch-up painting going on and the tin roof totally installed. The windows are finished and doors are being hung. Dennis is also working on the wiring in all the houses. The middle house has most of the tin roof in place. Missioners are finishing the inside painting, and the doors are being worked on. The upper houses has the tin roof installed, all walls are up and inside painting has begun. There is touch-up painting being done at all houses.

We did have a little break during lunch. Today the sun is shining, but there are lots of clouds to help with the heat. It makes a big difference here. The temperature feels like it drops 20-25 degrees when the sun goes down. I think the sun seems a lot hotter here. And even though the missioners put on plenty of sunscreen, you can still tell they’ve been in the sun.

The missioners are proud of what they are accomplishing and doing their best to meet Pat’s deadlines. So, what is left to do next week? The doors must be painted. If the doors don’t get installed today, that will have to happen first. Doorknobs and locks have to be installed on the doors. The wiring has to be completed in all the houses. We still need to build 10 bunk beds and 2 picnic tables. The wall mural for this team must be drawn and colored on the wall of the school. We still need to do one more round of gift bag deliveries (5 families). Inventory will need to be taken so we’ll know which supplies are required for next year. Missioners will start sorting their clothes and supplies to decide what to leave behind. Some of them will most likely give some of their items to their special friends here. And I’m hoping they’ll get some time to play soccer with the students during the school day. That is much easier to accomplish when they’re working on projects inside the compound.

Tomorrow we’re attending Mass at the Basilica de Suyapa. Our Lady of Suyapa is the patroness of Honduras, kind of like Guadalupe for Mexico. I suggest you Google her to find out about her. We’ll then travel to Santa Lucia for lunch at “the oasis.” That’s not really what it is. In actuality, it is Marta’s brother’s place. He has some acres of land where he has all kinds of trees and foliage, hammocks, some fruit trees, water fountain, and paths that run through the grounds so people can hike the grounds. It will be a nice break for all the missioners. Some will hike, some will rest in the shade, while others will group for visiting. It’s like an oasis in the desert, hence the name I’ve given it. We’ll eat lunch at “the oasis” before traveling to Valle de Angeles (Valley of the Angels) for our shopping/tourist day. This team definitely deserves their day off after all the work they’ve done and are continuing to do. I expect to see plenty of high fives from you for them at the airport on Wednesday night, as well as plenty of applause. I’ve received lots of compliments from chaperones and Hondurans alike as to their work ethic, friendliness, courtesy, and thoughtfulness. It’s quite apparent that they love carrying out their mission!

Delanee post-braid removal

Keith & Carlyn work together

The guys make sure it's level

The painters quickly cover the inside walls

Making sure all boards are covered

Enjoying the ride in the military transport truck

Lots of Honduran helpers

Fr. Matt works on the door

Lots of hands make the tin go on faster and easier

James takes a rest with some friends

Lucas & Chris make a door delivery

Matyas & Jared set the hinges into the door frame

Joe gives directions

The roofing team poses with their sign

Mason & Daniel have extra help

Chris and Brooke give a hand with the tin

Kathryn gets a hug from a Honduran friend

Walking from the work site to the compound

Addison does her laundry in the pila

Delanee Nilles - Hello everyone! I want to let you know that this trip is more than I could have ever expected. I love it here, and I’m sorry Derek, but I might never come home. I miss you, Mom, Dad, Derek, Grandma and Noah! But more than anything, I MISS LILY!!!!!Mom- I wanted to let you know that I am eating everything given to me. The food here is amazing! I love hearing from you on the blog. I also wanted to let you know that I may or may not be bringing three more siblings home with me (lol). I now have a sister named Kimberly and another sister named Lexi, and also a new brother named Nelson! I love you all and am very happy you are keeping up with all my work here! Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers! (also s/o Xavier, the best streak keeper and another s/o to English 4 and Accounting I - miss you all!!)

Kayla Mayer - Mom and Dad, I would say keep me updated on how my bracket is doing, but I already know that it’s busted. L I love and miss you both. Hug Kylee for me, even though she’s completely abandoned me at bed time. Also, don’t worry. I haven’t gotten sunburned, am staying hydrated, and eating everything I’m given (which shouldn’t be surprising). Sara, thanks for keeping my streaks. Glad to know they’re doing okay. Love you and can’t wait to fill you in when I get back. Katelyn, thanks for filling us in on track and giving us the good news about the Snickers. Tell my hurdle girls hi and that I’m excited to get back on the track with you guys. Everyone, I love and miss you and am excited to see what the rest of the trip has in store!

Kathryn Ripley - Hello all! I am really loving it here in Honduras and experiencing so many new things. I can’t wait to come back and tell stories. Mom and Dad, I miss you guys a lot! I love hearing from you every day. I just want to let you know that I did hammer my finger, but it’s all good! I’m fine! To all my sisters, I really want to hear from you all. I’m missing you guys a little extra now. Kara, hi and say hello to Julius and Alex. Katrina, say hi to Peter and your Clinician Nexus team (free advertising lol J). And Kaleigh, how did I know that you’d become the boss of the house when I’m gone…. ;) I love you all and miss you!

Jordan and Steve Larson - HOLA!!! Sorry I had to, we, I mean, I have been speaking a lot of Spanish and had to start it off that way. I am having a blast here in Honduras and am not ready to come home. Mom- Yes I can work without my phone. I do not need it all the time. I hope the girls are not giving you too much trouble. Dad says he loves you, but he is a little busy right now so I am passing along his message. Kevin and Lynn- Thank you for the messages. They mean a lot to Dad and me while we listen to them during our junta meetings. I hope everything is good for you guys up there. Uncle Kevin, I cannot wait to exchange stories with you when we get home. I am super excited to hear about your hiking trip!!! Dad is having a blast and is actually doing work…for once lol. I know you two like to joke around with each other about that all of the time. Thank you all for your prayers!! They are greatly appreciated! Dad and I are having so much fun and have so many stories for all of you when we return. We love you all and cannot wait to see you once we return!!

Rebecca Johnson- Hi everyone! I miss you all so much, but I’m having fun. I’m doing well, and I’m sure Mom will be proud because I haven’t gotten burnt yet. I hope Beau is enjoying his week without me, and Brittany is keeping my streaks! I really hope Ethan is doing okay. I wish I could’ve watched his concert. I miss that kid so much! Hi Wyatt! I miss you too, and I can’t wait to see you and Britt in the play. I have so many stories to tell you all! I love you all, tootles!

Mason Kellen- Hi everyone back home. I miss you all so much right now, but I love it here. These kids here all love us to death and greet us in the morning by the doorway. I met a little girl named Reina that became my best friend, and I love spending as much time possible with her. All the work here is going pretty good even though we did not get the wood delivered right away. I hope Grandpa doesn’t miss me too much and is taking care of the farm and the cows for me. Give me an update on how many calves are on the ground and see you guys soon. Love you.  

Daniel Kessenich - Hey everyone! Having a blast here. Kids love to play with us every day here at school and don’t like to go home. We’ve gotten a lot accomplished, but we’ve got a lot of stuff to finish. Hope everything is going well back home. Can’t wait to see everyone again!

Eli Ellensohn - Hello everybody. I sure hope you are all entertained without me at home. I know there is probably not much work being done at the farm without me there, but I am definitely making the most of the day by participating in the very best roofing company ever assembled. I have had a lot of fun interacting with all the children here. I love and miss you all, and cannot wait to get back home.

ADDED AT NIGHT

Abbie Dickman- Hi Mom, Dad, Maggie, and Drew! I cannot put into words how much I miss you guys, but I am loving it here! The food is great and the weather is better (I am only a little sunburned J). Thank you for the blog posts. I love hearing from you! Good news, Mom, I am definitely bringing these children home with me!!!!! Tomorrow we are going shopping, and it is not going to be the same without you there with your credit card, Mom J. Katelyn- Thank you for the track updates. I CAN’T WAIT TO GET BACK TO THE TEAM! Melinda- Happy late birthday! (sorry for not writing to you sooner) Love you guys!

Brooke Woerdehoff- Hey Mom, Dad, Sam, Dallin, Austin, Tiffany, and Cara! I am having so much fun down here! Even though the weather is hot and the days are long, the kids make it all worth it. Thank you guys for writing on the blog, hearing from you makes my days even better. Tiffany, I am glad that you are enjoying my room, just as long as you aren’t messing with my stuff. Cara, I miss you so much, and I promise to watch some movies with you when I get home. Accounting class- I miss you guys so much and all the fun we have in class! I am excited to see everyone when I get home, but I also know it is going to be hard to leave this wonderful country. Love you all!

MaKenna Alesch- Hola familia! Today I had a fever, so I didn’t do much. Other than that I am having a blast and really enjoy it here. The food is amazing (especially the pineapple) so I’m not going hungry. The weather is great, and I’m only a little sunburned. (oops) Linda is being a great “mom” for me. I also think that my painting is excellent so I’m going to ask Bob for a jobJ. I miss and love you and can’t wait to see you and tell you all about it.

Lucas McCarty- Hey everybody, I’m doing fine and am proud that I didn’t even get sunburnt until today! I hope things are going well at home and hope Cole is enjoying his unlimited time on the xbox, and if Anna sees this you better not have lost our streak ;). I love and miss everybody back home, can’t wait to see you all! (Mom and Dad, just like last year an all meat pizza in Omaha would be nice;) )

 Alexa Scheitler- Hey Mom, Eric, Blake, and everyone else! I absolutely love it here. It is an experience like no other. I miss you all but also do not want to leave. The endless hugs all day from all the Honduran kids really brightens my day. The food is really good; every meal has been fantastic!! Not gonna lie though, I would pay a lot of money for a cheeseburger right now. Kody, if you see this, miss you lots and see you soon. We’ve accomplished a lot, and I can’t wait to see what the next couple days bring. Sounds like the weather here is slightly better than home- which I’m not sorry about. Tomorrow is shopping day…thank goodness Dad is with me right ;) Katelyn, I can only imagine the pictures I will see when I get home lol. Love you lots and miss you much. Hope everything is going well at home & see you all very soon.

Jordan Von Arb- Hey mom thanks for checking and commenting on the blog so much. We all appreciate it. I have only gotten a little sick, but nothing that has affected me very much. I love the experience I am having here. Love and miss you still, cya on Wednesday. Cooper, I got your message thanks for the S/O. Kenny says he remembers you and then repeated to say your name 20 times in a row. John and Alec, I doubt you two won on rules and I honestly, even all the way in Honduras, still feel bad for you. Nicole, even though you said that you weren’t going to comment, I still enjoyed it. Don’t worry! I played soccer with the kids, but we lost. I miss you very much, see ya soon.