Sacks of Love from Susy

The team received the most amazing send off during our three hour drive from La Ceiba to the airport in San Pedro Sula yesterday.  Susy, one of our trip hosts and now a member of our family, shared that reading our nightly blogs inspired her to write a blog of her own about the team.  We love you Susy!

Dear Mount pleasant group…..

I just wanted to write a little something about each and one of you before saying an “hasta luego”…I guess you all encourage me to do a kind of a Blog, ive never ever done before.

Im not that good at writing but ill try my best. I want you all to know what an amazing group you are, fulled with love and kindness ive never seen before in my life. So I don’t have an order to describe each of you but ill start with the ladies, 

Ginger it has been awesome getting to know about you and ur family specially your son, I hope every thing goes well as we talked about, im sure he’ll do great so don’t you worry, he’s so blessed to have you as a mom, you are an amazing woman always wanting to learn, asking about everything just shows how much you enjoy being on another place and with people you don’t know but want to get to know, thank you for that.

Cristina, I just cant thank you for how helpful you were with everyone including me that I was just a stranger at first but we got along so well, it was hilarious hearing you laugh when I laughed I enjoyed to see that, ill miss all your “Si’s”!! you where the mom for the group and I just think that your as well an amazing mom with Kaitlyn you’re just awesome in every sense.Thank you for making me feel part of you! 

Trish your are the most positive, strong woman ive ever met… we couldn’t get enough of you I mean it in the best way!, you are for me the SACK OF LOVE, that ill never forget, you’re so nice to everyone from a stranger you just met at a pool and all the people from the community to the team you’ve worked with, I just loved to see the way you enjoy life cause as you said, theres only one…and we must get the best of it.. thank you for it.

Now ill begin with Le Boys!

Juan….ohh Juan….(this is juan “ill come after you” this is not juan”) hope you never forget about that!! You are just an amazing person, so real and kind spreading God’s word, actions and I can see it in the way you talk to people, you see people. And I stand for what you said… God brought us together for a reason… Thank you for how you welcomed me since day 1 and for coming back as well, you are part of this country just so that you know and I cant thank you enough. 

Tino you’re just sooo nice! Thank you for my shirt and my bandanna!, ure just sooo kind and helpful in each way, working with you has been so awesome…and I love the way you tell serious jokes and laugh afterwards…I know im just so Golable! Thank you for being such a great person with me and to always come back to our country I appreciate that! 

Gary you are such a wonderful person to work with, thank you for teaching me stuff like the Wine, you’ve also been so kind and please never erase that smile you always had since day one, except for the boat ride to loscayos, we all had the scary face upon us! Thank you for everything and thanks for coming back also, and enjoying this journey as much as I did. 

Patrick I just want to thank you for also coming back and having a great time in here, not because you said so but because I saw it, you were just amazing and a hard worker and the way you shared with all the people specially the kids as well as Trish, even though you’re still not parents I’m 100% sure you’ll be amazing parents someday. I enjoyed our conversations and getting to know you I’m sure u’ll be an amazing lawyer too!Thank you you for everything.  

Chiki you are just unique you know, that smile you carried everyday,especially on our way to the Hamac rest or the Jam in the van or simply just going to the site , describes you are so full of love and kindness and so curious to know about everyone and everything around you, I’m just so glad that you liked my country and enjoyed it as you did, I hope you come back too as the others! Si o no? 

Rusty thank you for teaching me what golable meant…..all week! I had a blast working with you, it was entertaining , I enjoyed all our laughs jokes and team work thank you for the hospitality you brought to our country and making me feel like we’ve been friends for a long time si o no? And thank you for always asking, as well as the others, every morning how are you susy? Believe it or not that means a lot, thank you for it! 

Chad… I think I’ve never teached Spanish to someone sooo much as I did with you I enjoyed it believe me! The team doesn’t know this but me and you are the free tears team! Yey! I’ll miss hearing you scream to the masons or to the people on the streets. I enjoyed also laughing with you and sharing so much, I really hope your adoption plans go as well and thank you for showing how much you enjoyed this trip Si o no.

Last but not least B.O.B, le boss, or le jefe!! Too many nicknames in a week don’t you think? BOB you are just an amazing human being, let me tell you when I first met you at the airport I saw you so serious and I told Gaby iwas like,,, I hope I do a good job here cause I wouldn’t like him to get mad at me and she was like, nooo he is very nice… so I didn’t know how nice you where until we went on our survival journey to los cayos, the way you grabbed me to keep me safe (of course everyone thinks it was the other way around) that was just , I cant even describe it of how that felt, you hugging a stranger, your are the sweetest person ive ever met,thank you for that and also for our chat at the Bar, it was awesome to feel like I was talking to a long term friend and you where just there listening and also sharing and giving me amazing advices, you touched my heart! and as John said your leadership brought ya’ll to where you’re at, I hope to see you soon Le Boss! 

So I just want ya’lll to know that you have taken a piece of my heart with you, and that you have become so special to me. In This trip as I was learning to be a guide for the next brigades, you have taught me so much as well, so you have all been teachers to me. And this experience for me was something ive been asking God to give me, you don’t know how much I needed this and it has made an amazing purpose to my life, helping and sharing with others couldn’t be better if it weren’t for you guys. And as John asked you where you’ve all  seen God in this journey … I can say I saw God in each and everyone of you.

Hasta luego Amigos….. 

Friday, March 28th

We started our day at Marco's Cafe where we enjoyed another delicious meal of baleadas. Then we hopped into the van for the trip to the Dole Pineapple Plant. After we donned hairnets and washed our hands, our guide led us through the plant. With interpretation from Gaby and Susy we learned how the pineapples progress from their arrival at the plant to being boxed for shipping.  Once we had eaten our fill of fresh pineapple we were off to the job site.

Teamwork resulted in many wheelbarrows full of sand filling in and leveling the foundation. More block was laid and the walls are growing taller. The work has been difficult but satisfying.

It was a short work day as Habitat threw us an end of the week party. We all got certificates as well as personalized photo frames. There was cake, ice cream, popsicles and a Spiderman pinata. After several kids had a go, our able mason Nedi broke it open.

It is with mixed emotions we begin preparations to return home. We are anxious to return to our families and our daily routines but we are sad to the leave our new friends and this beautiful country.

Adios from La Ceiba,
Virginia "La Power"
aka Ginger

Si or No?

NOTE: Unfortunately we were without internet yesterday (Thursday, March 27th) so this post is appearing a day after it was written.

Today is the day where "excited to see our friends and families back home" collides with "getting sad to leave our new friends, families and the work we were only able to begin" behind.

The day began with all of us a little too full from the night before at the tremendous dinner we shared at La Hacienda! Some of us fought off our stomachs aches a little better that others ;) Guillermo wasn't having it!! I sure wish I could come back in a month to meet that little fellow! Last night's dinner was very entertaining as we got to go around the table announcing the 3 new Spanish words that we learned for the day. "Que Pex" was the hit, a slang phrase for "what's up?" that translates into something a tad more vulger!

Today's work day began with Gaby announcing that there was a ZERO percent chance of rain, meaning "it's gonna be a scorcher!" It was a full day of "mescla" pyramids and block brigades! Teamwork was everywhere and a visit from Transito and his middle boy, Charlie proved to be a high point! Those that were on the trip last year had a great time catching up with Charlie, now 13 years old and back in school with his dreams of being an architect still flying high!

The highlight of the day for me came at the end of the work day with us presenting our gifts to Nedi and Marvin (our project's Mason and his helper). A new hammer for each that we picked up at the local hardware store and a pair of work gloves. The joy on their faces followed by watching them try on their gloves immediately reminded me that the impact we are having here ripples out much beyond the family we are building for!

The day winded down with a trip to the hammock bar where we celebrated our successful work day over some cold Salva Vidas or Coca-colas depending on your preference! Dinners highlight for me was our nightly round of "high/low" and hearing Suzy's emotional "high" explaining to us the difference we have made in her life during this week!

Today, today was a good day!! Si or No?

~ "El Chiki" Antonio

A Sense of Place

Sometimes the mission makes sense only when we step back and absorb the place.  Sitting in the back of the van, place is flying by me everywhere.  The forty-five minute drive from La Ceiba to San Franciso where our building site is located, brings meaning not just in the wonderful coordinated building efforts but in experiences with the people of Honduras, starting with our family who will soon receive their new home.  We travel the only paved road to the site, which is filled with old American yellow school buses (public transportation), old cars, motorbikes, bicycles, donkey carts and lots of walkers.  The bigger vehicles give frequent horn toots, usually not in annoyance with each other, but in gentle warnings or greetings to each other.  The pulperias (very small general stores) are spaced along the route offering their limited goods.  Many vendors line the road, starting with the individuals offering goods in coolers filled with something to produce small income.  We see a variety of partially completed buildings, standing idle because of neglect or lack of funding (or some other obscure reason).

But the people are all purposeful, digging, arranging their merchandise, waiting patiently for the elusive customer.

The pineapple plantation fields abruptly end the sights of commerce and homes, stretching over vast areas, from our road to the 6,000 ft. mountain range that parallels our road.  We see scraggly dogs and occasional horses grazing alongside of the roads.  The houses of all sorts are built for security - walls, razor wire, and occasional guards for places with money.

So we're here, experiencing the context of a poor country with rich people, rich only in their fortitude of making it each and every day.  What we are giving in labor and resources gives back two or three fold gains in that which we learn about ourselves and each other.  Perhaps we have discovered that when we stop looking for meaning, it is then when it all starts making sense.  We learn that relationships and serving others must constantly reach out, beyond our families and communities to nations in need.  Need has no boundaries; therefore, giving should have no boundaries.

It was a good day!
"El Magnifico" Gabriel

Tuesday, March 25th

Today, we were able to see real progress on the house...completing the first three courses of block and making significant head way in digging the septic tank.  While the scorching heat continued to be our greatest obstacle, the team did an amazing job.  In addition to the physical labor, we also continued to build our relationships with the family as well as the masons.

As construction was coming to a close and we were beginning to gather our things we were joined on site by a few of the family members from neighboring houses.  They were a welcomed "sack of love" after an exhausting day with their bright smiles.

After work, we continued our cultural experiences and were taught how to paint our own souvenirs.  It was a nice way to wind down after a day of hard work.

Adios from Honduras!
"El Grande" Tino

It Got Real, Real Fast!

Today began with another delicious meal from Marcos.  This time it was one of "El Grande" Tino's personal favorites, French toast.  Following our hearty meal, "El Quabo" Camilo, did an awesome job leading the morning devotional.  I walked away from the devotion with a fresh reminder that I may never understand why I'm facing a particular struggle, but I should always trust my one true source and know that there is purpose in my pain.

Next up was the forty-five minute drive to the work site.  After arriving, things got real, real fast.  Facing our first full day of work, I am proud to say that our team met the challenge.  Despite the oppressive heat, each team member gave their all.  Working together as a team, we completed bucket and block brigades to help lay the foundation of the home.  I'm also happy to report that the worse injury of the day was to "El Master" Juan's pride when he lost the wheelbarrow race...to a girl, and a Canadian at that.  ;-)

After a hard day of work, the team enjoyed a brief stop in the beach side community of  El Porvenir.  It was a treat to enjoy the breeze coming off of the water as we were given the opportunity to continue getting to know each of our teammates better.

Next on the schedule was dinner back at Marco's, which was of course delicious.  Following dinner each night, we all take a turn sharing our high and low for the day.  I have enjoyed listening each night but tonight was extra special to me because in every high was a reference to the camaraderie being built amongst our team.  For you see, though we will share descriptions of this experience with close friends and family, it was the eleven of us that were actually called to live the experience together.  Even though many of us didn't know one another before this trip, we are now bonded by an indelible mark that we will carry with us always.

As I was thinking over the events of the day one last time trying to decide how I would close tonight's post, the image of our amazing masons laying the blocks of the foundation popped into my head immediately followed by the lyrics of Hillsong's "Cornerstone."  So, I'll leave you with that...

      Christ alone; Cornerstone
      Weak made strong; in the Savior's love
      Through the storm, He is Lord
      Lord of all.

Adios from La Ceiba!
La Mera mera Cristina

Trust the Captain!

Following our strenuous 1.5 hour workday yesterday, "El Master" Pastor Juan Hage decided it was time for a little R&R.  So after another wonderful breakfast with Marcos and our devotion we set out on our day of much needed fun.  Our destination was Cayos Cochinos, a group of small islands off the coast of Honduras.  From the beach of the Sambo Creek community the 12 of us (11 missioners & Suzie from Habitat Honduras) departed in an 18' boat powered by a 75 h.p. Yamaha tiller steer from circa 1985.  No worries, we were all wearing our standard orange life jackets. There was a sense of uneasiness and hesitation as we left the front beach and began the 45 minute trek across the big water to the islands.  Did the 12 of us trust the captain of the boat to take us on the journey?  (no symbolism here right?)  Well, to be honest we had no other choice but to trust him, so we did.  Our boat ride to the islands was a little rough and wet to say the least.  For the 3 of us in the front of the boat it was a rather nice and enjoyable ride, for the other 9 behind us....lets just say they got a little damp.  The main thing is that we arrived to the islands safely.  It may not have been the smooth journey that we wanted, it never is, but it was a journey that got us where we wanted to be.  

Once at the islands Aldo took us on a little nature walk to find some rare pink boa constrictors. Again we are hesitant but follow him on a trail through the woods in search of serpents.  Interesting enough we find a few pinkish boas hanging along some tree branches.  They are tempting but oddly enough the trail that lead to them was a dead end trail to no where.  

So back to the boat we went.  Our next island was a paradise island where we could enjoy the beach and do a little snorkeling.  We spent a few hours here, most of us snorkeling around the colorful coral reefs that appeared to be very full of life.  At first the snorkeling really didn't appear to be that great to me. Not many fish, not a lot of color, etc.   What I realized is that I was swimming over the reefs like we tend to go through our daily lives, going too fast and moving too quickly from one thing to the next.  So I slowed down and as soon as I did, I began to see more detail, more of the things that I was looking for in the beginning. They were always right there in front of me, but I wasn't allowing my self to see them.  I think we all kind of took this approach today.

After the snorkeling we headed to another island that was maybe 2 acres in size and was home to approx. 35 families.  There we had a great lunch of fried whole fish, rice and beans, plantain chips and coke in a glass bottle.  We were able to walk around the beaches of the island where we saw hand carved wooden boats and other items and small treasures that the islanders and sold.  It was a very interesting place.  

It felt as if as soon as we had arrived it was time for us to head back to the main land.  By this time the wind had picked up and there were white caps everywhere.  The 12 of us got back in the boat for the dreaded journey back.  Even though we had safely made the trip across earlier, we boarded the boat this time with more uneasiness and hesitation then before.  We still didn't trust our captain.  But this time he had on a life jacket! Again our journey was rough.  Again our journey was wet (except for the two of us that traded places with Pastor Juan...not smart Pastor Juan).  But the captain again got us to our final destination.  It wasn't the smoothest ride nor the straightest, but we ended up where we wanted to be.  More importantly, this group of 12 learned to trust the Captain. 

Adios from Honduras!  Time to drop the nets and become fishers of men!

"El Macizo" Roman

A.K.A. Rusty

The Gringos are coming... The Gringos are coming...

The merry band of missioners have landed safely and successfully fallen blissfully into an amazing band of like minded, warm hearted, good humored cast of friends. How do we know this? Well, first signs of friendships usually start off with some sort of nick name to characterize the best qualities seen in a person. We, the 2014 Honduras LaCeiba Mission Trip Members shall now be known as:
John Hage - "El Master" Juan
Bob Hervey - "El Jefe" Tito
Butch Neal - Tino "El Grande" or "The Big T"
Gary Awkerman - "El Magnifico" Gabriel or Maginificent Carol
Rusty Blake - "El Macizo" Roman
Nate Harrison - "El Chiki"Antonio
Patrick Townes - "El Constructor" Patrizio
Chad Webb - "El Guapo" Camilo
Ginger Herrick - "La Power" Virginia
Christine Pinson - "La Mera Mera" Christina
Trish Elsie - Makanudo Leticia

and what has this merry band of missioners been doing? For our first day we visited the newest community where we will be building. We were greeted by the families and had a great welcoming and orientation to the site. We spent the morning digging foundations, forming and cutting rebar and drinking lots of water. Lot's of water. I'm not sure if you've heard but Honduras is hot. Really hot.
Being that it's Saturday, we were let off the hook early and had a great lunch with many laughs at Marco's place.
The afternoon was spent visiting the home of the family that last year's group built with. It was heartwarming for last years members to see the family in their home, amaze at how much the children had grown and to catch up with this family that had indeed become forever friends in their hearts. It was like going back home. For the new members on the trip is was resonating to see and feel the impact that the efforts of the mission do in fact accomplish. What we do matters. What we do makes change. What we do creates love. The rest is just all part of the adventure.
So how will we end our first day? A well deserved dinner shared amongst this merry band.
And...some first class tickets to the pro futball game in town! I have visions of us in matching team jerseys with our faces panted in local team colors doing the wave. Yes, the Gringos are coming.
Love and light to everyone back home. You are missed and are in our intentions.
-Makanudo Leticia

Preparing for Departure

Final preparations are underway as our team of eleven prepares for tomorrow morning's departure.  It will be an early start as the team will meet at 4:15 a.m. to fly from Charleston to Atlanta.  After a brief layover, the team heads from Atlanta to San Pedro Sula, Honduras.  After we land, we'll begin a three hour drive to La Ceiba.

We appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers as we embark on this life changing experience.  We invite you to check back often as we plan to provide regular updates on our experiences throughout the trip.

God Bless,
Team La Ceiba 2014