Today, we followed our usual routine. We woke up, some of us a little late, and ate breakfast. Have we mentioned the fresh fruit that is at every meal? Mango and pineapple are among the favorites. The pineapple is different because it's sweet, and not too sour. We were picked up and shuttled to La Providencia where we were immediately greeted with several of the staff and the director. They started the morning off with a beautiful devotion based on Philippians 2, putting others above yourself. We sang songs in both English and Spanish. And what was really cool was when we sang "Lord I Lift Your Name On High" in English and Spanish at the same time. It was a beautiful moment. We ended the morning playing a game where we had to pass a glove, and whenever the music stopped, the person holding the glove had to do something silly. It was a great time getting to know everyone we would be seeing over the next couple days and growing closer to each other and our God.
Following the devotion, we were given background and a tour of La Providencia. The director took time to give us a very detailed history and discussed the struggles and strengths of their ministry. They have completely devoted themselves to Christ and it was absolutely wonderful getting the opportunity to hear the love for Jesus that they have. We started the tour in the medical clinic. They have a dentist that comes twice a year so the children and members can have proper dental care. A doctor is on site twice a week to do check ups and administer medication. They provide extensive surgeries and we got to see the OR. It was super cool! Pretty sure Rachael was way more excited then any of us were. After the clinic we were shown where we would pick up our tools for the rest of the week. We were given the opportunity to visit one of the homes where 5 of the orphans stay. They way the houses will be set up is there will be two people that make an 18 year commitment, and agree not to have their own children, and raise 7 orphans and then maintain a family like relationship thereafter. The houses have 4 bedrooms, 2 living areas, a kitchen, and playroom. We got to meet with one couple already there. They have 2 of their own children, but they are considered an "exception" They have an incredible commitment on their hands. They let us into their home and shared a little bit of their story and they are doing all of this for Christ. The lined up 6 of us, and said, "This is what I want my kids to grow up to be like." She was in tears as we started praying over her and her husband. Following that emotional and inspiring experience, we got to see the classrooms and the dining hall. In the classrooms we got to meet a few of the teachers. Two of them are from England! The other is named Katie and she's from California. She is an intern.
Lunch was coming up and we finally got to interact with the children. They were so awesome! They were so full energy. Rachael got pummeled with kids. They were wrestling and messing with her. Ivan told one of the boys to kiss her on the cheek and at first he was like, "No, no, no." And then he just did it! Everyone was laughing and having an amazing time. We got to go out on the playground and play soccer and run around! Madison started teaching some of the kids American games, like "A, E, I, O, U are OUT!" Once they got the hang of it, they loved it! We also discovered the Spanish version of "Duck, duck, goose!"
When it was time for the kids to get back to class, we started the work on a new classroom they are building to add another grade next year! We had to dig trenches. And that's all we did. A lot of digging. But it was totally worth it and it seemed like we were definitely accomplishing something. Ivan really bonded with one of the workers named Hedy (the H is silent). It was awesome seeing the work God has done with La Providencia.
Most of us got back completely exhausted. We went straight to dinner but then got the chance to play some Ultimate Frisbee. All the blood, sweat, and tears shed was totally worth. It was a blast. As a group we have grown so much closer together and God is definitely at work in each of us. I can't wait to see what the rest of the week has in store!
Check out Anna's take on Day 3 (with pictures!)
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
One Day Down...
Today we started the day out bright and early to head off to church. Our transportation came at 8am to take us into the city. When we got to the church, we met the pastor and an American family that has been living there for the past 6 1/2 years. The father teaches at the local seminary, and both the husband and wife and their seven children help out at the church however they can. Our group divided up into two groups: Hayley, Lindsay, and I sat in on the preschool room, while the rest of the group listened to the high school during Sunday school.
During church, we sang "Amazing Grace" and "Lord I Lift Your Name On High" in Spanish and we sang "Happy Birthday" to Hayley in a Honduran song. The boys quickly found a soccer ball to play with some of the local boys, while the girls had to sit and watch since we all had dresses on. Douglas, the leader of the mission trip, then took us to go eat "family style" with his family and the family of our bus driver, Henry.
After changing into play clothes, we headed over to another church to do Awanas. After introducing ourselves, we sang some songs with the kids in both English and Spanish. The sermon/message/lesson was also put on our shoulders, and to do an easy skit, we performed a chair skit where the chair represented sin and the second that we touched it, we could not let go and get away. No help could break the bond until the cross touched the chair releasing us from our struggles. The kids loved our over the top acting. After the bible study, everyone went outside to play games and run around. Sweat was dripping from everyone's faces by the end, but no one wanted to leave.
Even though this may not seem like a whole lot, it wore us out. It's easy to forget how much energy kids have and how they can wear you out so quickly!! However, everyone loved every second of it. We are starting to get accustomed to the way of life, but there is still so much that we don't know. Tomorrow is our first real day of work and we are so ready, but we did play some ultimate Frisbee to expel whatever energy we had left.
Thank you again for all of the support that you have given each and every one of us from finances to prayers!! We would not be here sharing God's love without you!! With love from Honduras,
~Rachael
Check out Anna's take on day two (with pictures!)
During church, we sang "Amazing Grace" and "Lord I Lift Your Name On High" in Spanish and we sang "Happy Birthday" to Hayley in a Honduran song. The boys quickly found a soccer ball to play with some of the local boys, while the girls had to sit and watch since we all had dresses on. Douglas, the leader of the mission trip, then took us to go eat "family style" with his family and the family of our bus driver, Henry.
After changing into play clothes, we headed over to another church to do Awanas. After introducing ourselves, we sang some songs with the kids in both English and Spanish. The sermon/message/lesson was also put on our shoulders, and to do an easy skit, we performed a chair skit where the chair represented sin and the second that we touched it, we could not let go and get away. No help could break the bond until the cross touched the chair releasing us from our struggles. The kids loved our over the top acting. After the bible study, everyone went outside to play games and run around. Sweat was dripping from everyone's faces by the end, but no one wanted to leave.
Even though this may not seem like a whole lot, it wore us out. It's easy to forget how much energy kids have and how they can wear you out so quickly!! However, everyone loved every second of it. We are starting to get accustomed to the way of life, but there is still so much that we don't know. Tomorrow is our first real day of work and we are so ready, but we did play some ultimate Frisbee to expel whatever energy we had left.
Thank you again for all of the support that you have given each and every one of us from finances to prayers!! We would not be here sharing God's love without you!! With love from Honduras,
~Rachael
Check out Anna's take on day two (with pictures!)
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Airports, Anchors, and Arrivals....Amazing
We have arrived! We had an early flight out of Little Rock this morning at 6, made the changeover smoothly in Houston, and got to San Pedro Sula with suitcases in tow and all luggage secure. From there we got on a van with Douglas, the director of the orphanage we're working at: La Providencia, and got a quick lunch at Burger King. I know, it wasn't authentic Central American cuisine, but from all accounts it was just as good or better than the Burger King of the United States.
After a 2.5 hour drive through the Honduran hills (with much singing along the way) we arrived at La Providencia. We received a quick tour of the place and learned where we will be working at. We will be helping to build a classroom for 5th graders there. While touring the campus we came across a very interesting poster. There was a large mural made in the shape of an anchor with the words "Hope" and "Esperanza" underneath and a bible verse: Hebrews 6:19. This verse has become a sort of theme verse for this trip, and it was amazing that it happened to be one of the first things we saw at La Providencia. Not only was it used on our LSF t-shirts we made for this year ( and happened to all be wearing that day) but it was also the verse we were using on the canvases we painted as gifts to bring with us. It was a clear sign to everyone that we were meant to be here, and one of the major "God sightings" of the day. We took some pictures which I'll try and post later.
It's been a long day of traveling and we have church tomorrow morning so we're all going to get some rest. Hopefully I'll have a chance to post some pictures tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers and support for us on this journey!
--Colten
Anna's view on day 1 (with pictures!)
After a 2.5 hour drive through the Honduran hills (with much singing along the way) we arrived at La Providencia. We received a quick tour of the place and learned where we will be working at. We will be helping to build a classroom for 5th graders there. While touring the campus we came across a very interesting poster. There was a large mural made in the shape of an anchor with the words "Hope" and "Esperanza" underneath and a bible verse: Hebrews 6:19. This verse has become a sort of theme verse for this trip, and it was amazing that it happened to be one of the first things we saw at La Providencia. Not only was it used on our LSF t-shirts we made for this year ( and happened to all be wearing that day) but it was also the verse we were using on the canvases we painted as gifts to bring with us. It was a clear sign to everyone that we were meant to be here, and one of the major "God sightings" of the day. We took some pictures which I'll try and post later.
It's been a long day of traveling and we have church tomorrow morning so we're all going to get some rest. Hopefully I'll have a chance to post some pictures tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers and support for us on this journey!
--Colten
Anna's view on day 1 (with pictures!)
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