Arrival Day, Saturday, February 22nd , 2014

 It is now into our evening and what a full day.  There is the chance that we won’t get this posted tonight as we do not have a key to the computer lab to hook up to the internet.  But we do want to be able to let you know that we arrived safely and it is so wonderful to be back here again.

Our day started when our alarms went off at 0200.  It was great that we got to the airport when we did for it took us 2 hours to get through all the lineups (baggage, customs, security) before we even got near our departure gate. 

All flights were on time which was a good thing as we only had an hour to get our connecting flight in our stop at Atlanta, to Tegucigalpa.  A clear landing into the infamous short runway with the mountain at the end of it.  No problem.  Only experienced pilots need to apply for that job to get us into Tegucigalpa.    

 It is quite an ordeal collecting all those bags with several other full flights arriving at the same time in this small airport. Joining us on the plane were medical teams, building teams and volunteer missionaries to do the work that Honduras is always grateful for.

We met up with Geraldine and Brandon who arrived earlier on other flights via Panama and Houston and we were all together at last.  

As usual our friend, host, driver and project manager Raul met us as the airport after we gathered all our bags.  It didn't take long for Raul and Rick to discuss the many things they do about El Hogar while the staff loaded the van with our luggage.  Rick is the new president of the El Hogar Board of Directors. 

We didn’t head out until we got our money exchanged outside the doors of the airport.  This ‘money changer‘  is trusted by Raul and he is beginning to recognize us after so many years arriving at this airport.  We certainly remember him, as the experience is the same every year. 

This is the first year that we got ALL the luggage and the WHOLE 15 of us in ONE van!  No problem, we just travelled a very slow pace through the city to get to El Hogar arriving safely. 

Being the weekend, there were less children around, but Cesar, the young man who Alan and Judith sponsor was here waiting for Alan as soon as we arrived through the gate and they connected right away and were inseparable for the rest of the day. 

We had a meeting with Raul first thing and he informed us what the week would look like and to the best of his knowledge, what it would look like in terms of work and schedule.  The rest of the day was free to be with the children.  There was a cooking class in progress when we arrived.  I guess the more fingers you get into the batter, the better!  

 

 They don’t have a big schedule on the weekends, so we had to time reconnect with the children and to introduce Brandon, Geraldine, Louisa and Stuart to the campus and to the children.  They gather round us when they see us appear out of the guest house with soccer balls, skipping ropes, and frisbees. 

Darla, Melissa and Geraldine got their first crafts ready for a group of kids and so it is a busy time already.  We had our first sharing time, and loved hearing the reactions of the first time team members.  They found the children loving and sweet and energetic.  Already lots of hugs all round. It is so good to be here.

 We have internet and it is a wonderful balmy evening as we send this on it's way, though hardly able to really enjoy it, as we are all just so fatigued.  Don't forget to click on the pictures to get full size images.  More tomorrow, see you then.