Many things in our lives have changed over these past weeks.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our team has cancelled our service trip which was to start on March 27th.  We had been looking forward and preparing to go but know that is best that it be cancelled at this time.  Honduras continues to take measures as we do here and their county is in lockdown as well as schools cancelled.
We did pack up the many donations from you all that we were to take in our suitcases and thank you immensely for these.  Hygiene products - shampoo, toothpaste, etc are much needed and we keep them for our next trip - whether that be in this school year or the next.

And as we have time to reflect on these changes and our lives in the uncertain time of this pandemic, our purpose in our El Hogar ministry at St Luke's remains the same - to continue to support and nurture the vulnerable children in the care of El Hogar.  While we gaze out of our windows in this cool March, we look for signs of spring and have hope as we see the snowdrops and the early bulbs showing their heads up through the frosted winter's soil.  While we are anxious to get into our gardens, the kids at El Hogar are harvesting a crop of root vegetables that they have been tending the past few months.  They seem to be enjoying themselves.  Many of these raised garden beds were built by the 2018 St Luke's team. 

 Hello Friends of El Hogar,
You will pardon our fun as we work on our egg-citing, ongoing fundraiser for our beloved El Hogar de Amor y Esperanza in Honduras.  We just can't help it when chocolate is involved.    But truly, this is serious stuff and we are so pleased to be doing this for the children of El Hogar in Honduras.  We have made over 300 hand-made and hand-dipped (with the best quality Belgian chocolate) Easter eggs for purchase for your Easter. They will be available from any team member or at coffee hour at St Luke's starting March 15. Cost is $6/egg or 5 for $25.


It is messy business, but someone has to do it!

Before we get to the chocolate covering, we need to make the inner egg with the fondant.  We go through alot of icing sugar and sweet condensed milk and so you know that the ingredients are the best. 

While the chocolate is being coated in one room, we have a team packaging and labeling in another room.

Looking good, team.  Thanks to our workers and alumni for your hard work.  Now we need you. You will not be disapointed with your purchases.














Meanwhile, the schools at El Hogar are getting well into their school year which started at the beginning of February.  And this week, it was photo day for the kids.
You can keep in touch with life at the schools through facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElHogarMinistries
or their Instagram posts  https://www.instagram.com/el.hogar/
  We have been so grateful for your generosity of helping us out with the donations that we take down each trip in our packed suitcases.  This year we are looking for donations of toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, deodorant, soap,and razors. There is a basket in the parish hall for the collection of items you donate. We will pack up everything on Sunday, March 15th. Thank you so much! Muchas gracias!

We are so looking forward to being part of their lives for a week when we arrive there March 27th. Check out these smiles!  Wouldn't you be too?