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