Yes they do!

The question is, Do they really live like that? It was amazing to see what conditions the Honduran people live in. It was obvious from the moment we began our van ride to La Ceiba that things were different...very different! You would see these little shacks, every where. Along the rode side, even in the "cities". You would have a nice looking home and it would would be completely surrounded by these little shacks (actually there where way more shack than nice homes). We had a chance to really get to know one Family. Roland Bessy and Liliana.
Roland is second from the left.


Bessy in the center.

And Liliana. She was such a cute little girl, but sadly I never seen her smile, not even one time during our stay.


This is their house

This place was about 12X12 but then you have to look inside


Then you see more then half of their "house" is being used as construction storage. So they are actually living in a space about 6'X12"

Look closer and you will see where Liliana sleeps




Lets not forget the "kitchen"





Or what about the laundry room? Ok this is not Roland or his family, but this is site you see nearly everytime you pass a river

No that's not just old clothes laying next to the river


She was maybe 8

Look at the shape of the stone she is using to wash her clothes. Notice the angle of it, I wonder how many times and for how many years that stone has been used as a wash board that made it into that 45deg angle?
Which reminds me I need to go start a load of laundry and thank God for the blessings of what he has given me!

Monday...the fun begins!

The construction site can best be described as a large field of rock's with a little dirt mixed in. The digging for the foundation of the first dorm began Monday morning. Talk about slow going! A lot of pick action a little shovel.
Go Mason! "The Rock Man!"



I know many of us over did it, trying to make some good progress. It's funny you forget your age sometimes, your mind still says yeah I can sling a pic like I could when I was 18, but your 40 year old body says...oh no you can't! Monday for most of the guys was all about the construction site. But we would soon find out that we had so many task ahead of us, it felt like we would run from one activity to another.
We only worked on the dorm one day, and then we started a new project and left the dorm for the "pro's"
On Monday even the Ladies pitched in!

Go Carol!!!

Get'em Jody!

WHY?

Just a thought. Someone might be asking themselves why go to Honduras to build an orphanage?






Does that answer it?

Matthew 19 13-14 13Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Whats next???

OK, so now we are "in Honduras"! Whats next? There was 18 people on this mission team, and now it's time for them to come in and tell you about their stories! It may not be a day by day account of what all took place, but that's OK, the objective now is to share our experiences with each other, and with the Hondurans! This group of 18left on Saturday basically strangers, but came home the following Saturday friends, many very good friends! I was so blessed to get to know so many people. This trip will forever be in my heart!
Aside from the activities with each other, the main purposes of course was the kick-off on the construction of the Orphanage. Rancho Hogar Viva Agua. The Orphanage will house 300 children when it is complete! WOW 300! Isn't it awesome to be a part of that??? This country has such a need for this, and YOU are a part of this!!! As you read this, the first dorm is under construction! We also had teams go to orphanages to visit the children, we visited with some of the local's in their homes, we met with members of the Board of Directors and some local political figures. Our team and the Orphanage managed to get on the TV 3 times (one of those stories was very interesting, you will hear about it later), and in the local paper. God made it possible to start getting the word out in a big way! This project is God's, He has given people the vision for this and you can see His hand moving and things happening....ITS EXCITING!!! This trip to Honduras is not over, there is no end to it, there was only a beginning! Are You READY? It's going to be fun, don't just be a spectator, you can be a part of this!

Some images of the site



The Ladies at the construction site


The guy's at the site, Have you ever seen such a good looking group of

guys! :-)

Home Sweet Home...

So after a very interesting 3 hour van ride we finally made it to the Mennonite camp. All in all it wasn't a bad place. Bunk bed dorm style. No A/C of course and NO hot water...Cold shaving in cold water not fun!!!



This was my Home away from Home for the next 6 days.


The Gate to the camp, the camp is behind me the building across the road is a house and "corner store".



A couple of the locals walking by, more about that later! The place was dusty, old smelling the matresses where worn out about 2 inches thick, it was NOT what we had just came from...But we were about to find out that we were living like wealthy people in Honduras. We had it pretty good!

Welcome to Honduras!

Finally after months of planning, meetings, prayer(lots of it), and a lot of excitement we are here!!!
We first stepped off the plane and got our first "feel" of the Country...HOT and HUMID! Think south Texas in mid summer! Very hazy. Very noisy. We had a bit of a wait to get through customs. The airport was very old and not in the best of condition. Just a small sign of what was to come. One of my first "images" of the Country was a little crippled old lady sitting on a "wheel chair" It had a wheel chair bottom, but the top was a plastic yard chair with the legs cut off and then attached to the frame. We finally found our vans and began loading the luggage on top.
As soon as we hit the city streets we really knew then we where in a different place...much different. yellow lines on the road, just a suggestion. there appear to be no real laws enforced here. It is nothing to see vehicles 4 abreast on a two lane road. It takes some getting used to. before you STOP seeing your life flash before your eyes every few seconds :-)
The first thing you notice is just how beautiful the country is! God's creation is just so awesome! SO Beautiful. Then you start noticing the filth, the trash just thrown everywhere. We had a 3 hour van ride to La Ceiba Honduras, our home for the next 7 days...OH my what have I got myself into ;-)

Saturday Morning o'dark 30

That's right 430 am Saturday we all meet at KSAT (San Antonio international airport for all you non-pilot types) to begin this journey. I can tell you this, meet a group at 430am and you already start learning about them. ;-) Yours truly, yes i know I look half dead...thank you :-)

Señor Steve

Some of the group waiting...the 2 hour wait!

FINALLY...Time to board! woohoo
So we are of for Houston! We lucked out in Houston, the connection was right across the concourse and had just enough time to make a bathroom break have a little chat and it was time to board! The flight down to Honduras was interesting there was another large group from the Dallas area going on an XMA ( http://www.xmaonline.com/about-xma ) mission. So Honduras was in God's cross hairs this week! You could feel the excitement, the anticipation, it was a little stressful too! Here you had 18 people leaving behind their families going to a place they had never been. I will admit there was some fear there! It's not easy to step out on faith sometimes. That first step can be difficult. If you are living by faith in God, you can do it, He will be there for you! OK, so for now I leave you while we are enroute to Honduras. Sit back relax watch the inflight movie we will be back soon!

We're Back

WOW what A trip! Honduras was such a beautiful place! Yet it was a sad place. I don't want to just dump a bunch of pictures and a short story on here so I have decided to try to break the trip down over several post over the next week or so. So be sure to come back and follow along of this journey of missionaries and learn about a people and a country in great need of Christ!

4:30 AM!!!!

Tomorrow morning, at 4:30 am is the time we meet. That's right its here!!! Tomorrow is the day! We are off to Honduras. I'm not sure if i will be able to update the blog while we are there, but I will have tons of pictures and stories when we return! Remember to keep the team in your prayers that God's will be done, the trip will be successful and we all return safely. Thank You for your support, you are all a part of this trip, and know that you are helping build the Kingdom of God!

Father bless us all, help us to be open to you that we may serve you and those you place before us Watch over us all, give us the strength that we need to take your word to the people of Honduras. In Jesus name, Amen

Here we Go...are YOU ready?

Rene
Joseph
Jody
Sydney
Tim
David
Linda
Oscar
Mark
Chloe
Carol
Michael
Justus
Steve
Veronica
John
Mason
Misse
Here is your Team. The 18 who are going to take the word of God to help spread it throughout the World! Our final meeting was yesterday (Sunday), now it's time for personal preperations. Are we ready physically, mentally, and Spiritually? Saturday morning at 4:30am we meet at San Antonio international and begin this journey. I know for some it will be a first time to go on a mission trip. I know for me it is my first time out of the country. Im excited, but i guess i'm also a little anxious. Stepping into an unknown. I'm sure it will be a fantastic time! However I think nowmore then ever we need our prayer supporters to be lifting us, and this trip up in prayer. I'm not sure if I will be able to access the blog while we are there. If not I will update everyone asap once we return!

How Great is our GOD

One week away. wow is it getting close and the anticipation is growing. A little scared/nervous maybe. After all, this is going out of the country. very little contact with our family's back home. Now days we're seldom out of contact. with things like Email, and cell phones seems like we are never out of contact. What did we do before cell phones?

About two weeks ago, I had checked my funds for the trip. I had collected $700 of the $1300 needed, but everyone who I had contacted about support had already replied, and donated (if they were going to). So I was a little nervous about collecting the rest. I knew God was going to have to provide. Well, I found out yesterday I am at $1160...wow...I don't even know how...well, Yes I do. I had to give it to God and let Him take care of it, and He did! It's hard sometimes to give Him control of our lives. We want to handle it our selves. We know better right? We know what we need. Well, sometimes He has to remind us just how much we need Him. He will provide, and care for us, if we let Him. be careful though, because He will let you do it yourself! I'm reading Proverbs again right now. I don't want to quote a specific verse, but would encourage you to read it through, really study it. God wants to give you wisdom, and understanding. But it is your choice to go get it!

Please remember to keep this group of 18 servants in your prayers. As we continue to prepare for this trip. Thank you for your support, We all need it, and appreciate it!

Please leave some comments, We would like to know who is visiting the Honduras Mission trip blog. Your words of encouragement are also very welcome! Please share this site with your friends and family, each of you are a part of this Journey!