From Jack:
So something crosses my mind as I watch Father Cosgrove and Padre Patricio make the wine together at Mass. The language barrier doesn't divide us. At all. People can come together over religion or simply a common good. And then I realize that's what we've been doing the whole time. I had no idea what Salim, Carlos, or Julio were saying, and we still managed to build a house together. So I guess what I'm saying is that I believe, at heart, people are truly indivisible. There is a mutual language of humanity between everyone and a common goal happiness. Languages, borders, and oceans may separate people, but when I smile at a Honduran, they smile back. So I'm feeling connected and worldly, despite the fact I don't even know the entire Spanish alphabet. Minor details.
2024 Team
The 2024 Team
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Bittersweet / Freedom in their Hearts
From Megan and Abby
I would describe today something like bitter sweet. We went to the work sites for the final time, and took pictures of our progress with the families. We also went to classrooms and handed out shorts, shirts, shoes, and toothpaste. I have never in my life seen kids so happy to receive a tube of toothpaste or a shirt that is a 3XL. I am ready to come home and see my family and friends, but at the same time it is hard to say goodbye and leave when there is so much to still be done. Also, HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY ADAM!!! Good luck on your permit test :) -Megan
Hola amigos! Today was probably one of the hotter days but it's been great so far. I'm excited to go home but know it will be extremely heart-breaking to say goodbye. The freedom in all of these people's hearts is amazing. They inspire me to appreciate what I'm given and all the oppotunities I have. I've also learned to simply be happy constantly because no matter where these kids are or what they are doing they have a smile on their face. They always drop what they are doing just to give you the biggest hug and grin. See you all soon! Adios! :) -Abby
I would describe today something like bitter sweet. We went to the work sites for the final time, and took pictures of our progress with the families. We also went to classrooms and handed out shorts, shirts, shoes, and toothpaste. I have never in my life seen kids so happy to receive a tube of toothpaste or a shirt that is a 3XL. I am ready to come home and see my family and friends, but at the same time it is hard to say goodbye and leave when there is so much to still be done. Also, HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY ADAM!!! Good luck on your permit test :) -Megan
Hola amigos! Today was probably one of the hotter days but it's been great so far. I'm excited to go home but know it will be extremely heart-breaking to say goodbye. The freedom in all of these people's hearts is amazing. They inspire me to appreciate what I'm given and all the oppotunities I have. I've also learned to simply be happy constantly because no matter where these kids are or what they are doing they have a smile on their face. They always drop what they are doing just to give you the biggest hug and grin. See you all soon! Adios! :) -Abby
Bishop Heelan Mission Honduras
Greetings from Gehlen Catholic Mission Honduras ‘Changing Lives.’
As I look forward to the Gehlen portion of this year’s Mission Honduras program, I cannot fully appreciate that adventure without first and foremost speaking to and about Bishop Heelan Mission Honduras; toward the end of their very special journey. It is Tuesday morning at about 7:10 a.m. our time and most of you are just getting up in New Capital and the school of St. Terese de Jesus. You leave for Tegucigalpa tomorrow morning and your return home to the United States.
Many of you will experience, and maybe already have, a feeling like “I don’t want to leave Honduras, not just yet anyway.” Thoughts like, ‘there is so much to do, how can I leave such a beautiful people and all these children.’ I echo my brother Frank’s sentiments found in his morning blog.
We at Gehlen know those feelings and those thoughts all too well. We have them with each and every journey into Honduras and it never seems to change. Only time will tell how each of you process this experience and how it might ‘play out’ in your lives. I hope and pray that your time spent with the poor will have been worth it. It sure seems like it has on reading the many messages you have posted on the blog.
Please accept my deepest thanks and admiration for what you have done, the friends you have made, and the lasting bond that you formed with so many. I want to thank each and everyone: Fr. Cosgrove, Pat Jones, Mike Wostoupal, Jo Ann Sawin, Ramon Alcaraz, Sister Joan, Francis, and Julio. I want to thank Marta Sosa, your cooks, all the directors of St. Terese de Jesus, Fr. Patricio, and all others that helped make this mission a success. But most of all I want to thank each of you mission students that ‘put yourself out-there’ – that got out of your comfort zone; that looked, held, smelled, and lived with poverty. What a great group of adults and students you have been.
The world is a little better place today because of Bishop Heelan Mission Honduras and all the work you did. The ‘Power’ of young people - it is truly amazing. I wish each and every one of you the best in the future – no matter where you go or what you do. But please, I have only one request. Never forget those amazing young people you have met – the children of Honduras. If you ever need me or my brother Francis we promise to help you in any way.
Take Care Bishop Heelan Mission Honduras.
Richard E. Seivert
Casa Uno
From Paul Jacobson:
Hello to all back home! First off I hope everything is going well and having a blast back in the states and at school. We're definitely all having an amazing experience down here and are all loving every minute. We're going hard at the two houses and they're both definitely coming along. Wesley, Nick, Tony, Jeremy, Kyle, and I are hoping to finish the first house tomorrow. Pat, Ramon, and the rest of us site 1'ers have the first house completely sided and lathed. We also started on the roof and have about 3/4 left for tomorrow. Victor, the official contractor, has the pila looking awesome. So much progress has been made but more importantly the people are noticing we're making a difference. Though it may seem small in the scheme of things it is still something. All Hondurans are so happy to be alive and they always have smiles on their faces. Bonds are forming with all of us here but also with the Honduran people and children. The language barrier can't hold back smiles, hand shakes, hugs, and soccer games. Still loving it here and excited to see everyone soon!
Hello to all back home! First off I hope everything is going well and having a blast back in the states and at school. We're definitely all having an amazing experience down here and are all loving every minute. We're going hard at the two houses and they're both definitely coming along. Wesley, Nick, Tony, Jeremy, Kyle, and I are hoping to finish the first house tomorrow. Pat, Ramon, and the rest of us site 1'ers have the first house completely sided and lathed. We also started on the roof and have about 3/4 left for tomorrow. Victor, the official contractor, has the pila looking awesome. So much progress has been made but more importantly the people are noticing we're making a difference. Though it may seem small in the scheme of things it is still something. All Hondurans are so happy to be alive and they always have smiles on their faces. Bonds are forming with all of us here but also with the Honduran people and children. The language barrier can't hold back smiles, hand shakes, hugs, and soccer games. Still loving it here and excited to see everyone soon!
A day for goodbyes
As I sit here next to the internet tree I look out from my hill perch and wonder what the day will bring. It is windy and cool again this morning with a haze in the air. We had rain last evening (not enough) which makes for this cool morning. The team members are still sleeping. It will be a difficult day for most as they travel to the work site, the classroom, or the homes that many will visit today. It will be a day of goodbyes. To the families that many have spent these past days building a house, working on the foundation of another house, or digging a latrine. I know the emotions that will be shared. The one house has a few pieces of the roof to be put in place and then it is done. The door and window have been ordered and hopefully will be here today. We plan to paint the one house which will make it last much longer. Some of the kids will finish the latrine at the other site. Only 1 1/2 foot more to go. The team has a number of packages made to give to families during their home visits while others have to complete a project in the classroom that started last week. All seem healthly. It will be a busy day. It's time to do it!
God bless to all. Peace, and thanks to all the parents of the Heelan team, husbands and wives of the chaperones for letting me be a small part of this very successful team trip. Much has been accomplished. For these young adults, it is just the beginning. I wish them well.
From Internet Tree central
Mr. Francis
God bless to all. Peace, and thanks to all the parents of the Heelan team, husbands and wives of the chaperones for letting me be a small part of this very successful team trip. Much has been accomplished. For these young adults, it is just the beginning. I wish them well.
From Internet Tree central
Mr. Francis
Monday, March 26, 2012
Message
From Abbey Myers:
High tensions, swollen thumbs, sun burns, and strange bites: the results from only a couple hours of work. In the matter of an hour the first house should be finished! It only needs half a wall and the roof. It feels great to look at the house and know that we were able to build something from nothing. The second house is another story. It is slowly coming along but it is extremely hard to know that we may be leaving it unfinished. It is also hard knowing we have to leave on Wednesday. Many of us have learned valuable lessons, formed friendships, worked hard, and are beginning to realize how painful it is going to be to say goodbye.
High tensions, swollen thumbs, sun burns, and strange bites: the results from only a couple hours of work. In the matter of an hour the first house should be finished! It only needs half a wall and the roof. It feels great to look at the house and know that we were able to build something from nothing. The second house is another story. It is slowly coming along but it is extremely hard to know that we may be leaving it unfinished. It is also hard knowing we have to leave on Wednesday. Many of us have learned valuable lessons, formed friendships, worked hard, and are beginning to realize how painful it is going to be to say goodbye.
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