Thursday, March 17th

We woke up to the St Patrick´s Day decorations hanging in the volunteer house to remind those of us with some Irish blood that today was a special day.

It was our plan to head out to the farm today. We had all the suitcases full of the supplies we were taking, tied to the top of the van and had piled into the van ready to go, when we got word that all roads out of Tegucigalpa were blocked due to the teacher´s strike that was happening today. We feared it would be unsafe to attempt to try and travel, so just canceled our trip.

As we had talked about in our devotion and meditations just last night, God had other plans for us. It actually worked out well as there were numerous jobs that we had to finish up. Painting had not been completed. Michael-angelo and all his workers continued on with the "Cistern" chapel, a few were in the bodega (storage and supply room) unloading the suitcases of stuff that we brought down. Some popped the popcorn for tonight´s snack for 108 children and staff, some went to help in classes and our two teenagers are in the music class singing with the children. Susan and Ros continued on seeing children that needed attending to in the medical clinic.


We were pleased to witness an assembly where the first of Phyllis and Kay`s dolls were presented to 8 little girls to mark some of their achievements. La Directora Claudia told the group that they had been made and sent with very much love from Canada. As you can see the girls are very happy and proud of their accomplishments.

Louise, Darla, Melissa and Michael were very privileged to go on a home visit to potential new students with La Directora Claudia and Arturo, one of the teachers. They headed into one of the poorer and unsafe areas of the city to interview the mother and children. It was an emotional and difficult visit for the team to see the conditions that some of these children come from. The good news is that two of the older boys will be able to start next week.

Tonight was our night out at a Honduran restaurant where we took Raul and Claudia

and their daughter Takerly, as an appreciation for all that they do for us and for this wonderful place. We missed seeing Lazaro and his wife who is the director of the Technical Institute.

During the day in amongst our work, we have continuing interaction with the children and caught a picture of Jorge using Rev Sharyn´s roller blades that she donated to El Hogar. He always stops to say hello or give a hug to the team when he sees us. His sister, Andrea, age 7, is now here at the school and he was very pleased to introduce her to us.

We feel connected to you all and delighted to hear from some of you.

Con carino,
The Team!

posted by Janice