An update from the basement

     Monday held some surprises for us! VBS & sewing started slowly, with 5 & 0 people. Optical was off on their normal bounding pace from early morning.

     The sewing room had time to clean the machines which had been delivered and to finish set up. Our goal this week is to train 8-10 people so they can train others. This means that, once again, our focus has shifted upon arrival. (Last year in Tegucigalpa, the sewing team was asked to make 2 dozen tote bags with pockets for Pastor to give as needed.) Flexibility, flexibility!! We got our housekeeping done as the 1st client arrived. She was followed closely by 2 more. I taught a brand new sewer, & our interpreter, while Pat assessed and started the others on a project. Two more ladies came late in the day; we wil get them going on projects tomorrow.

     My biggest, most welcome surprise arrived at lunchtime. One of my most favorite of our old interpreters, and sometime travel companion, unexpectedly visited the church site! We sat, talked all through lunchtime. He greeted other team members as he saw them. Many of us have worked with him in past years. Best lunch ever! Thank you, Manuel!!

     Afternoon progressed as expected. Optical still at breakneck speed trying to see all the patients still waiting, VBS closed for the day, onto the home visits.

     After dinner was the next surprise. I have not worked at the church site in Tegucigalpa for a few years so had not been exposed to the musical talent in house. Their playing (guitars, drum, saw) was rousing, moving, toe-tapping in 3 languages!!

Well, Monday's gone. On to our next opportunity.

Day 2 - First day at Site

Today was the beginning of our work week at the church headquarters site.  The construction team went to work right away on the various tasks at hand.  Primarily sanding concrete walls by hand and chipping off concrete from the metal ceiling! Hard dusty work but we still manage to have a little fun.  The rest of the teams, VBS, Optical, and Sewing were busy with their various tasks and working with the local people.  

Highlight of the day was being able to do a home visit to a couple of families that belong to the church.  It definitely gives you a new perspective to see the level of poverty these people live in.  Small shacks made of tin and cardboard, and other items such as plastic and sheets.  Two different families, two different stories.  

Our day ended with the construction workers and a few others coming to dinner at the mission house. Pastor Guadalupe and his wife Sandra, and their son Abraham, Superintendent Pablo and his wife Claudetta, and several others entertained us with their guitars and musical talents and Superintendent Pablo even played the saw for us.  Great fellowship with some faithful Honduran people.  

 Leslie & Sandy with one of the families from the home visit

One room home of one of the families

Pastor Guadalupe with a home visit family

Inside home of the second family we visited

Me with 3 month old from second family we visited.

Entrance to one of the homes

Kitchen?

Till tomorrow.  Blessings!

Señor estas aqui

Well, Shelley summed up today pretty well in the previous post. The attached video says it all, "Señor estas aqui".
God is here.
I felt it.
Maybe we all did.

All the Sunday mornings that I have been here with a brigade, we have attended a church service. It always seems to be one of the most memorable times of the week.
And then, we get to the business we came to do.

Day 1 Tegucigalpa

Today was a day of worship and set up.  After arriving at the church this morning to worship we were pleasantly surprised to see how much construction had taken place on the third level of the church head quarters.  

Worship was true Honduran style - full of passion.  

My biggest take away from the day was from a discussion we were having with our construction workers and the pastor of the church.  They were discussing how the neighbors didn't seem too friendly and didn't like them too much in the beginning, but after years of watching mission groups come through and seeing the work that they do as well as all the relationships that are being built, they have grown to become friends.  Some have even begun to come to church. People often ask why do you go to Honduras.  I personally question whether what I say or do in Jesus name ever does any good and if that seed you try to plant is really growing. It's when hearing stories like this that I feel hope and comfort that the word of God is powerful and it is necessary that we continue to do these things such as mission trips.  We may never see the fruits of our labors but we have faith.  

Hondurans are very passionate about their worship and really throw their heart and soul into the worship service and their commitment to God.  Something we should all strive to do.  

Fun times are always had with this group too so it's not all work and no play.  Below are some pictures of our team during the day.  

Last year the construction crew worked on the rebar supports for these posts. A hug was necessary.  

One of our missioners thoughts on Honduran wiring!!  

Masks for construction?  I have no words!

Finally a you tube link to one of the hymns sung today at worship. 

https://youtu.be/k6QPriueeOM

Work starts tomorrow. 

Gathering of the brigade

     Well, the rest of the week 1 team has arrived. A missing crew member and fuel mix up fouled our lunch plans. That is why the most basic skill we bring on mission is FELXIBILITY.  We do not always need it but are always glad to have it.
     My day was less eventful than some. After making pancakes for my hosts here in Tegucigalpa, we loaded the luggage & took off to run errands. As I got an in-depth tour of the city, we talked of politics, family, education & relaxation. We ate THE BEST PUPUSAS I have ever had. (If you know me, you know this is what I look for while I'm here; great food!)  My friends showed me a park only a few blocks from the mission house that overlooks a nice section of the city. After that it was, unfortunately, time to say "Hasta luego", goodbye for now to my friends.
     Rather than having time to be sad, I was pulled into a different group of friends. Six of the team were already at the house!! I had expected them to be waiting at the airport for the delayed plane. We caught up with news and happenings as the optical team prepped for the weeks ahead. As hard as we worked to get ready, as much as we saw each other in December & early January; for many of us it had been 2 weeks since seeing one another.
    The last of the team arrived and was pulled into the scrum. Conversation died out in favor of rest, for some. Others gravitated toward their devices. Song books were distributed by our wise praise master. We sang, we prayed, we discussed itinerary issues. Then we ate!!
   The last bit of the day was quickly over. A short ride to the B&B for the night. (The mission house has a team in residence for one last night.) A distribution of keys, luggage & wifi password is all that was left. Ready to begin.

MIA flight Crew and Incorrect Fuel Placement!

MIA flight Crew and Incorrect Fuel Placement!  

Well we had some interesting delays including but not limited to a flight crew being MIA and someone putting fuel in the wrong place on our second plane. We finally landed safely in Tegucigalpa - Toncontin airport - 2nd most dangerous airport in the world 😳.  Several hours late but nonetheless we are here. More updates to follow. For now at the mission house. 

On our way

Well the day has arrived and off we go to Honduras to do our mission work. Excited to see our Honduran friends again and meet up with the rest of the mission team. Despite the 3am start this morning!  

Blessings!