Message

From Fisher:
The last couple days have been pretty chill. No work and lots of relaxing. Saturday we had some intense games of soccer and I think we are all proud to say that we won two, the number of games played does not matter. Yesterday we went to the valley of the angels and shopped I got some cool stuff and I think in the end everyone was happy and happy to leave. We also went to a coffee place that was neat and we ended up enjoying the fruit more than the coffee. It was an overall good day, shout out to the Sunday Night Crew and my family miss you all and can't wait to see you

Early Morning Wake Up

From Mike Wostoupal:

Heelan Families -

Ramon and I got the Honduran boys to wake up our boys with GRANDE wake up songs! It was absolutely hilarious.

The girls' dorm is locked so they received a couple of loud rooster calls from me.

Buenos Diaz!

Senor Woz

Buenos Diaz!

Justice

This last day has been filled with contemplative thought and a few tears. If you remember from one of my previous entries, we are building the house at site two for the Cabrera family, three boys and a mother. Kevin, one of the kids, has been particularly fun and kind. He calls me Bajo Jack because I'm the shortest of the workers. I was aware that there wasn't a father in the picture and was also aware that Kevin's mother was ill, but sadly, I didn't realize how sick she is. Her disease is terminal and there's no possible way to get treatment for her. So how is this fair? Kevin, a kid like any other you'd meet is living in a shack the size of a toll booth with a deathly sick mother, no father, no education, and no opportunities. I'm hurting, I really am that I can't do more. It forces me to come to the conclusion that life isn't just. My initial reaction is to feel completely powerless. There's disease, crime, and poverty running rampant throughout this country and all I am is a teenager with a shovel. But that's just it, that's exactly what I am. If life isn't justice then it is the duty of the privileged to make it just. I never truly realized it before, but I am lucky to be who I am and I have a civic and a moral duty to help out those less fortunate. I understand that there is only so much that I can do, but it is still something. It matters to me and it matters to Kevin and his family. If everyone can recognize and act on this call to service and unity, then maybe we can make life a little more just and better. What are those paintings where all the dots make a bigger picture? I guess everyone's acts can come together in the same way. I guess I'm one of them. I hope I'm one of them.

Jack G. OB

More photos from Nueva Capital

Hi to all.  I am sitting here at the airport with Joann as she waits for her flight.  We have downloaded a few photos from her camera.  Most are of Sister Juanita and others fitting little girls with pillow case dresses as well as her sowing class along with a couple photos of team members visiting homes and providing a pack of supplies.  You can also see a pic of the kids from Heelan.  Have a great day.

Joann and Mr. Francis

Prayers Requested

This is a photo of little Cynthia from Mother Teresa's Children's Home in Tegucigalpa. My brother Francis sent it to me last evening - taken by one of the Heelan students.
Mission Honduras LeMars has been dealing with Cynthia for the past few years, providing the orphanage and her mother and family with necessary items to live(one of the many children we take care of - thanks to Francis). However, this is a sad sad story. The family is from New Capital where the Heelan team is working and staying. A couple years ago MHL rebuilt part of their home - new roof, new latrine, new pila, new beds, etc. I would imagine a good number of the Heelan students got to meet Cynthia yesterday.
Cynthia is dying and there is absolutely no doubt about her condition - she was born without one chamber of the heart - nothing can be done. Two years ago the decision was made by the orphanage to let her go home to die - to be with her family. However, the decision was reversed when they realized her mother would not be able to care for her adequately.  I personally was happy to know she would remain at Mother Teresa's for the wonderful care she receives. It now makes me sad to know her health is deteriorating. I don't like this very much but I realize this is what takes place in developing countries all over the world - not just Honduras. Sometimes I feel so powerless.

Richard Seivert
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Marta and I both think Cynthia is very bad. Just out of the hospital esquela. She looks really bad, has no energy and is very cyanotic. Really sad. Maybe the last time I see her.

Mr. Francis

Eye's and Heart Opening

From Madeline:

I am definitely starting to miss my family and friends. I think about everyone a lot. Today as we visited the orphanage I realized these kids find hope and faith in the simplest things. Like a balloon. I think the situation of the entire country has sunk in. It is extremely hard to find words to explain how I feel. I want to understand how people live like this but I don't think I ever will. I know it is the only thing they have ever known but still it doesn't make sense. My heart is starting to ache for these people. We live at the school and have had the opportunity to talk to the students about their future plans. A lot of them want to go to college and be successful. A few days ago I saw these dreams as inspiring but today I think I realized these kids will barely get the chance to fulfill their dreams. One thing that I do know is even though these kids might not have the life I want for them they are happy. Every time I step into a classroom or a little kid sees me I get showered with hugs. It is hard for me to understand how a child can live in a hut, barely eat, and yet show a complete stranger such unconditional love. It is something unexplainable. I want to be happy for these children because of their happiness but I just can't stop thinking about their future. For now I am having difficulty with these things.

Another beautiful morning in Neuva Capital

 It's about 6 am and another beautiful cool morning as I look out over the various wooden homes of some of the thousands of residents that live in Neuva Capital towards Tegucigalpa.  I will let the team members blog about their day yesterday.  Mass at the cathedral was great.  Food and then a trip to Hogar Don de Maria (Mother Teresa's home).  Today the team will leave around 8 am for a visit to the Basilica of Suyupa.  Then on the way to Valley of the Angels their will stop and see a coffee growing operation and see the process from growing to selling all at the same place.  Then off to Valley of the Angels.  I will take Joann to the airport for her flight home today and will stay at the airpot until wheels are up on the flight.  I will then travel to Valley of the Angels to join the team members.  Mass will follow upon returing to the school. I wish all a happy day.  God bless and peace.  I am attaching a few others pics from the other day that did not get sent.  Mr. Francis