Tuesday and Wednesday followed the same schedule as Monday with everyone working on the same various projects in the morning and then half of everyone leaving to help with VBS. The only difference is the switching of who leaves to help with VBS. On Monday and Wednesday, a particular half helps and then on Tuesday and Thursday, the other half helps. In this way, everyone gets a chance to spend time with the boys.

John Ware was invited to preach Tuesday night at a local church’s prayer meeting. So he invited any of us who wanted to come to join him and Cathy. Several of us came—even though we were very tired. All of us were glad we did because the prayer meeting was electrifying and we left charged! That body of believers was so welcoming and warm to us. One of the greatest memories will be John’s message on fear as delivered by him and his translator! What a dynamic duo! Our faces nearly hurt from smiling so much in delight! Truly, God’s Spirit was at work and present in that place. Thrilled to have been there.

Monday

We arrived at Casa del Niño with the sun just beginning to warm the air. The boys greeted us from the balcony with huge smiles and a colorful banner. After getting a tour of the grounds, we split into groups to work. About 8 people worked indoors finishing the ceilings by putting up wooden planks. A few people started work on staining wood to be put up tomorrow. About 15 people worked outside washing, scraping, and then painting the front of the building with a warm yellow. The front of the building faces a busy street which stays bustling with people, cars, and cyclists. So, we feel like we are in the thick of the community as we work, and we really enjoy it.

After lunch, half of the group helped with VBS while the other half continued the various projects. VBS highlighted the fact that there is only one way to heaven and closed with the excitement of alka seltzer rockets. Of course, this was Teri Reed’s idea…and of course war broke out with the boys turning to shoot them at each other. She has a history of bringing out the wild side in these boys. Glad nothing has changed! J

The really neat part of the day is everyone’s willingness to work hard and work together. Fascinating to watch because rarely does anyone get to see 40+ people get along and work together with such ease. “We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future” (Eph 4:6). This is evident.

Sunday

Busy with activity, Sunday morning was spent directing Sunday School for about 250 kids at the Philadelphia church and then rushing to the feeding center in which we helped build last year. At the feeding center, the community had put together a small program for the celebration, which included two coordinated dances by young girls, a skit by some boys, several short speeches, and providing Feed the Children with a plaque of recognition and thanks. Following the program, members of our team personally handed meals to each of the children. For those of us who worked at the site last year, seeing and hugging familiar faces was wonderful.

The afternoon was spent enjoying the beautiful drive through the Honduras countryside to La Ceiba. We arrived at our hotel just after nightfall.

The 5 guys who came later arrived during the festivities at the feeding center. Their adventure is packed with exciting moments of life’s greatest luxuries. Just ask Kyle Kinder about his seat 1A in 1st class. Of course, AJ Reynolds, Steven Reed, and Ryan Atkins were not far behind in their own 1st class seats.

We´re here...well, most of us!

It´s Sunday morning, we´ve had breakfast, and we are dressed and ready to go to church. We´ll be visiting the Philidelphia church, where we´ve been several times before. The church is located just down the street from the ABC center (the orphanage).

Getting here was peaceful and wonderful. In years past, it has taken 18 hours of travel time to get here, but this year they had us come through Houston, and it took less than 8! That meant arriving with some energy still!

Everyone´s hearts are ready for whatever challenges await us. Challenges at the airport usually mean opportunities to witness to the airport staff and be a blessing to them. This year, both groups traveled peacefully. Thus, it was an easy day of travel.

Now, that´s not to say there wasn´t a hitch: 5 guys got bumped from their flight at the OKC airport. From what I hear, the guys are really excited about the opportunity to be bumped and have an additional adventure on their way here. They are taking a van to Houston and arriving here in Honduras later this afternoon. Perfect timing to catch up and ride with us on the cross-country treck to La Ceiba, where we´ll be for the rest of the week.

Hopefully, we will have internet access at our next hotel, too. If so, we´ll let you know how things are going!

Excited to be going to church with local believers today. Then we get to visit the feeding center we built last year. The neighborhood wanted to wait until we came back this year before they dedicated the building to the Lord. Really sweet for them to want to include us in the festivities. Today promises to be really fun.

Yesterday, a group of us got to go to church with a different local body who teaches the children and youth on Saturday evenings. The Pastor and his wife have designed services so that youth teach the children´s program for the first few hours and then have their own service right after. In this way, they are discipling the youth for ministry every week. Sweet spirit in the church and very hospitable smiles and hugs! We had a good time.

Hugs to all of you!
May God bless you as you as you also walk among Believers and non-Believers during your day today!!

Night Before

So, it's the night before we leave, and 4 of us are at home packing our bags. Becky & Caiti Cheary, Megan Osborn, and Wendy James (me) get to leave for Honduras a day before everyone else. Before we leave, I thought I would see if I could figure out how to blog...or I will be calling Scott from Honduras! :)