I see that Francis is doing a great job of keeping you posted in the morning, for which I’m thankful. I can never get to the blog until the afternoon. He is generally the first to rise in the morning; thus, he can let you know what’s happening before the rest of us crawl out of bed.

Our second full day in Honduras began with a breakfast of French toast and fruit. Many of us enjoy the Honduran coffee. I noticed that the cooks make two full urns that usually make it through breakfast.

Wait, I should go back to yesterday, since I blogged fairly early in the day. Most of the crew worked on the houses in the afternoon. Bruce was very happy with the progress made and allowed the crew to return to the compound at 4. That’s good for a couple reasons. First, it means that we will probably finish the homes in plenty of time for the students to decorate them. And, second, it lessens the chances of dehydration because of the heat. Some of us also worked on the gift bags that are here at the compound.

At 4:30 we all gathered in the library to celebrate our first Mass together. It was a nice time to center ourselves.

Supper consisted of chicken tacos, shredded cabbage, and fruit. We then got to surprise Melinda with a little birthday party. We’d had a large Honduran cake made especially for her and were fortunate to find a birthday candle. It was for a first birthday, but it truly was her first birthday celebrated in Honduras. We had plenty of cake for all who wanted to try it. Of course, no birthday in Honduras is complete without a piñata! After all that excitement, it was hard to get everyone into quiet mode for our junta.

Now, back to Friday – today. A sizable work crew headed for the house site, but we pulled out a group of four to deliver the first of our gift bags. Not only are the families who receive these gift bags extremely grateful for the items, it gives our missioners a chance to see how the people in Nueva Capital live. I’ll be including some of those photos in tomorrow’s blog.

As I draw to a close on today’s blog, I want everyone to know how much we enjoy reading your comments on the blog. Please keep them coming and encourage others to read the blog. Later today I’ll give the missioners a chance to write their own messages to you. I’ll post those before I head for bed tonight, so please check back later for that.

Mary’s friend – she said YES, you can share with her students. Hello to Miss Peters 2^nd graders. I want you to know that Miss Peters was one of my junior high students many years ago. I’ll bet she’s a great teacher!

We are glad to hear the flooding is not growing worse back there. You are definitely in our thoughts and prayers.

Until later when I post the missioners’ blogs! (Yes, I know I got carried away with pictures today.)

Missioner Blogs – Friday

Carolyn –

Hi, Mya. It was nice to hear from you. I hope you’re enjoying your long weekend break. How are Max, Chunk, and your parents? And tell your mom that I am following the doctor’s orders MOST of the time. I love you, buddy!

Hi, Cayden. Thanks for writing to me. I hope it gets warm enough for you to play basketball outside. I love you, too, buddy!

Hi, Paige. I hear you’re living at my house for a while. It’s just like when you were little. Are you sleeping in the room with all my missioner crosses on the wall? When I come home, I’ll add the next one. I love you, buddy! You can tell Marshall too.

I’m sending a big Grandma Bickford hug to all of you! Be good!   ~ Love, Grandma

To all my family and friends in Northwest Iowa, I am doing quite well and amazed at what we have accomplished in just three days.  I have mastered the 30 second shower, and I have eaten some foods I have never had before.  I am sending lots of love from here to all of you and be sure to give Ollie, Rae and Sylvia extra hugs and kisses from Grandma Mary.

Katie-

Hi everyone! I am having a fantastic time in Honduras. As many of you know, I am a picky eater, but I am figuring out how to eat the food here.

Mom, you should be proud of me; I have NOT gotten burnt. I miss you and Taylor a lot, but I’m not sure I’m going to want to come home.

Grandma Jo, I miss you and grandpa and our pre-work talks. I can’t wait to get back and tell you all about this trip.

Marsha, your shoes are getting good use. Thank you for sharing the pictures with your class. The dimensions of the houses are 20 feet by 20 feet. Inside, the house is divided in half, making two rooms 10x20, and one half is divided by half for bedrooms that are 10x10.

Thanks, everyone, for the prayers. Dad told me to say hello from him to everyone! Love and miss you all, don’t drown!

Hello Stacey and Deven,

This is Dad. First of all, it is hot. On Friday morning I developed a blister on two of my toes but am still working. This whole adventure is hard to imagine. I have been able to eat everything that they have given us. After seeing what they get to eat, we are lucky. I do hope all is good back home and I miss both of you, Buddy too. I will see you in a week. Keep blogging, it makes everyone happy.   Love Dad!

PS: Drew is doing well also.

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Hello Tom Schuch and all!

What a blessing to be here! I have heard the stories for years and now it is the real thing! Parents – you would be so proud to watch your children work. They are working hard, pitching in, learning how to use the tools and do whatever they are told. It is quite impressive. The houses go up so quickly! The 7 adult women are sleeping in one tiny room, and it is like a sorority. We also have 2 geckos rooming with us.  One has been named Charlie. I really wish that I could speak Spanish. But the smiles are universal. When we arrived, the kids just came running to follow the buses into the compound. They know what our arrival means. To the Bretey Family – I met Dilcia, Paola and Javier the first night. It was quite a reunion when I gave them your gifts. Paola was wearing the necklace the next day. Adam and I are doing great!  Such an amazing experience.  Thanks for taking care of everything while we are here.

Go. Do. Love.
Love, Lori (and Adam too!)

Hi Jenna, Family and Friends,

Thank you Jenna for the sweet message. Jenna, it was nice to hear from you. Miss you guys so much!  I am doing well.  I am having a good time here. I am trying new foods here, believe it or not. I have helped build the houses and have helped packed the bags for the kids.  Sending lots of love back home.  Thanks, Bob, for taking care of all the construction and mess back home.  Sorry to leave you with all of that.  Love you guys…Lisa

Hey, everybody, just wanted to give you a little update from down here. It is very warm in the afternoon but nice in the morning. The food is great, like usual. The homes have been going up quickly. Also thanks Jenna for the message. I miss scaring you haha. Trevor I hope you are lifting like you have been and helping everyone out; miss you lots, bud. Dad, I hope the water mess isn’t causing too much trouble for you. Miss you as well. Love you all, Jared

Hi everyone! I absolutely love hearing all the replies on the blog!! Please keep posting a lotJ. Leah-HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You’re lucky. I was almost too late to post tonight. I’m so thankful I got it in. I miss you all so much at home, but this place is amazing. Dad-You would be so proud of me. I used a hammer drill! Mom-Your posts are uplifting and inspirational I think everyone enjoys them a lot. Also, I look forward to your notes every night, THANK YOU so much. Alec, Rachel, and Aden, I hope you are all doing well. Give Leah an extra birthday hug for me. And everyone who helped me get here-I cannot thank you enough. Somehow even though it is so poor, it is also beautiful. Luckily, I have not gotten sick yet. Please pray for the health of all of us missioners. See you all soon.

Go do love,

Katelyn