June 13th - back in Atlanta

Thank you God, for a safe return to Atlanta.  We are all looking forward to seeing our loved ones.

June 13th - More photos

Today is the final day of our mission trip.  We fly out of Tegucigalpa at 1:09PM local time. Please continue to pray for us today.

Here are some more pictures of the week which I've received from other team members.

June 10th - 3rd Day in El Ocote

On our way out to El Ocote on Wednesday, we stopped off at the elementary and middle schools which are sponsored by Honduras Outreach Inc.  We learned that $600 will sponsor a student for an entire year and includes room and board.  We were able to meet and talk with Kathryn Hernandez, who is sponsored by Hillside UMC.

The third workday in El Ocote began with a lot of sunshine and temperatures in the 90s.  We worked on concrete floors in 7 houses today.  The villagers are so happy with the upgrade from dirt floors.  The first photo below is of an outdoor oven at one of the houses we did a floor in today.   The second photo is of one of our young mission trippers showing a couple villagers how to play UNO.

That's about it for today but remember to read 1 Corinthians 13 as you continue to pray for us.

We still are not able to access wifi so this and previous updates may not be available to view until Friday evening.

June 8th - 1st Day in El Ocote

Monday morning was our first day in the village of El Ocote.  As in past years, the school children greeted us with songs and a prayer.  We each then introduced ourselves with our Spanish names.

On Monday, we started construction on four latrines and one Pila (outdoor sink and shower. Also on Monday, the school children attended the first day of Bible school.  Each child was given a backpack with their name on it. Throughout the week, we will fill these packs with school supplies and toys.

We are having trouble with Wifi connection here on the ranch so it may be Friday evening before we're able to upload these daily updates. 

June 9th - 2nd Day in El Ocote

On Tuesday, our 2nd day in the village, we completed the latrine projects we started on Monday.  The photo below shows a young boy cutting a piece of plank with a machete.  It's amazing all the tasks the Hondurans are able to perform with a machete.

At Bible school on Tuesday, the team gave a lesson and completed several activities on the story of Joseph and the coat of many colors.  

We are all thankful for a safe and a blessed trip so far and trust Him for continued blessings.  For those of you back home who have been praying for us, know that we feel your prayers and that God will bless you for your supprt.

Sunday Jun 7th Juticalpa to Rancho El Paraiso

This morning we took a short walk through the open produce markets and town square of Juticalpa.  We ended up at the Iglesia Catolica (Catholic church) where  the residents had just completed a procession thru the streets in remembrance of Corpus Christi.  As shown below, the tradition includes decorating the streets with flowers, plants, and various religious symbols. 

We should arrive at the Ranch around lunchtime, after which we will unpack and begin preparations for our first workday in El Ocote tomorrow.

 

June 7th - Bible School Prep

Here are a couple photos of the team preparing gifts for the children of El Ocote. The gifts include backpacks full of school supplies and Bibles donated by Edu-Pack, and soccer balls donated by BEIN Sports.  The kids of the village accept these gifts with such joy and gratitude.

June 12th - Travel Back To Tegucigalpa

On Friday morning after breakfast and saying our goodbyes to the ranch staff, we boarded the bus for the 7 hour ride back to the capital city of Tegucigalpa.  We stopped again at the Mennonite bakery for lunch and to buy some souvenirs for our friends and family.  Hammocks, blankets, hand-woven baskets and machetes were the hot items.  

We should arrive at the hotel around 3pm (5PM ET) and begin round two of souvenir shopping.  We are also looking forward to getting a wifi signal so that we can get these posts and pictures uploaded to the blog site.

Saturday morning we will start the final leg of our trip and are scheduled to arrive in Atlanta at around 6:30pm.

God Bless

June 11th - Final Day in El Ocote

On Thursday we completed our work in El Ocote and sponsored a fiesta for the villagers.  Gifts, hugs, and thanks were exchanged with old friends and new friends.  As is tradition, the villagers sang their national anthem and we sang the Star Spangled Banner.

Everyday we thank God for the perfect example of his love and ask that He use us to show His love to others.

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casters out fear...

Here are some photos of the projects we worked on Thursday and some of the fiesta.

Safe Arrival - June 6

We are all thankful to have arrived safely in Honduras.  From the airport in Tegucigalpa, we traveled by bus to the Mennonite bakery (shown in the background of the picture below) where we stopped for a quick snack and a leg stretch.  From the bakery, we traveled to Juticalpa, where we will spend the night.  We just finished dinner and a short time of devotion focused on the unique gifts we are all given and the responsibility to use those gifts in the spirit of love towards others.  Buenos Noches from Honduras and Dios Te Bendiga.

Honduras 2015 - Travel Day 1

Departure day is finally here...

Everyone has made it through security and we're now just waiting to board our plane to Honduras.  Here are some pictures of our group and one of part of another mission trip group headed to Honduras.  I've counted more than half a dozen different mission groups and we haven't even left Atlanta yet.  

Our theme scripture this week is 1 Corinthians 13.  Please read that passage today and rememember us in your prayers.