Domingo - Day 2

Today we went to Church at the Episcopal Cathedral of Santa Maria de los Angeles, a 15 minute drive from El Hogar.

We went in two vans – one for us volunteers and one for many children who accompanied us to Church, and then on to a nearby restaurant, the Pollo Campero – a very special treat for the children!

The Dean, the Very Rev. Gerardo Antonio Alonzo Martinez preached a long sermon on a Gospel lesson about Jesus’ new laws of love. Jesus quotes common practices “You have heard it said … but I say to you” and gives his new rule. This Gospel speaks against the eye for an eye mentality of retribution and tells us to turn the other cheek; if someone asks for your shirt, give them your coat as well. Garardo said that Christians are to be agents of change so that situations of injustice are changed into communities of wholeness and peace. Because of God’s great love, visible in the gift of his son, we, like Jesus, can transform situations through love.

What a wonderful sermon to prepare us for a tangible sign of this peace - the passing of the peace - which lasted for a long time as the Dean and the assistant priest passed the peace with everyone in the Cathedral. It was also the second week of their Stewardship program and so instead of passing the plate, we were invited to come to the altar to place our offering there.

This movement to offer our gifts parallels our journey from Canada to El Hogar as we offer our time and our love to this community. Already, in just over one day here, we have experienced how we are receiving so much more than we are giving through what we have already shared with the children. We come to be agents of transformation, but are becoming transformed ourselves.

We were able to give the layettes that Caroldean put together to send with us, to Father Garardo.  With him in the picture is his daughter who has come back from University in Vancouver. 









At the restaurant we sat amongst the children and were able to get to know them a little better. Some of us were able to sit with the children they sponsor. Alan and I sat with Alan’s sponsored child, Cesar and his friend, Rony. Both of them have other brothers at El Hogar and we were so touched when at the end of the meal they saved their dessert to bring back for their brothers. Givers receive, receivers give: if we thought that we came here to give, we are receiving the gifts that these children are giving us, a teaching about how to give!

The afternoon was a flurry of activity as boys and girls played every sport imaginable with or without a ball! Several of our group were engaged in soccer, volleyball, basketball, or catching up with one on one conversations with the children. Several of us were remarking how we hadn’t seen children so naturally just play together with whatever tools they had.  Notice the stones collected to use as markers for their bingo game.

In our reflection this evening, we spoke about the ripple effect. The actions which we can do will make a difference beyond what we can know, both in these children’s lives, but also in ours. When we return home, the changes in us will continue to make a difference in our families and the communities in which we live.

Posted by Stuart.

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. 

One week to go

Today was a busy and full day, with one week before we leave for Honduras.  At our morning worship service, the team was commissioned by Rev Elliott. It was an awesome experience as we stood side by side in prayer and preparation for our  journey next week.

This was the prayer said as the congregation witnessed our commitment to this mission:

Prayer of Commissioning for El Hogar Missionaries

O God our creator, we thank you for calling us to be your servants.

Help us gladly to respond to your call and obey your will.

We give thanks for your call to our people who will travel to Honduras in your service.

Make them ready for every situation they will face.

Give them hearts and minds which are open to knowing the presence of your son Jesus in the faces of the poor and the orphaned. 

Let their lives be changed and enriched through their relationships with the children of El Hogar.

Let them faithfully serve you and show forth your love to the world and may their experiences fill them with your peace and hope.  Bless them on their way and bring them safely back to us. 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

After coffee hour and being wished well by the congregation, we started sorting and packing all of our donations and were overwhelmed by the generosity of so many.  Amongst all the donations, there were  many brand new items that had been lovingly chosen for us to take with us. Along with clothing, we will take craft supplies, office and school supplies, games, soccer balls and skipping ropes, etc and much needed medications.

Caroldean again donated baby layettes which she lovingly puts together for us.

 and Kay has once again hand-made the precious dolls which the young girls will cherish. 

 

When finally packed and weighed, we were able to get a group picture with those suitcases and a plan to all meet at the airport next Saturday. 

Be sure to watch this blog for further updates and our arrival.  We thank you for your support and your prayers. See you in Honduras. 

 Last night we had our last detailed planning meeting as we prepare for our trip to El Hogar in Honduras in three weeks time. This is the 7th trip where teams from St Luke's have traveled to Tegucigalpa to be of service in the lives of the children and teachers at El Hogar -  to help in brighter futures for many young children in Honduras.  Because they deserve hope for a better future, escaping from poverty, hunger and fear, the various teams and the parish of St Luke have supported this ministry in so many ways.  We have seen these children, who were taken from desperate situations in this impoverished country, flourish in a loving, stable environment with opportunities to get the tools needed to have a loving, stable life....  and we can hardly wait to get back to see them!

So much to think about. Flights and connections, transportation to the airport with all the luggage we will have.  What to take - crafts, games and activities for the kids, collected items that are on the wish list for the schools, the beginning discussions and planning for our church service and presentation to the congregation when we get back.   What to take as a small gift for our sponsored children.....  Jorge  has been sponsored by St Luke's for 4 years and it has been a joy see him grow and learn and mature.  He has done so well in school and so we will miss him when we are on the campus in Tegucigalpa  

as he has graduated to the Technical Institute where he will learn a trade and a skill.  We will see him there.. 

Jorge is in the left of the picture.  He has become a leader to younger Erick and to Moises





St Luke's has also sponsored Nelsin since we came back from our last trip in April.  We look forward to meeting up with her again this year.  Note the message she is giving us as written and drawn on her paper.  (Be sure to click on all the pictures to get a larger version to view.)  We have been so grateful for the support of the St Luke's parish who have been following our ministry in Honduras and have been involved in so many ways which includes being able to sponsor these children.  Meaning that they will have a wonderful chance at a good life ahead of them.  .

Besides all the details that we had to work on in our planning, we got in time for a picture and some Spanish practice.  Missing from this team picture is Alan, Louise and Chris, as well as Lynn who comes from Kanata and will meet us when we fly out on the 22nd.

Some of the items on the wish list of needs for the schools, are jeans and socks.  It is hard to keep 250 children in jeans and socks and so if you would like to help in providing these much needed items we are looking for jeans, both new & gently used, in sizes 6 to 14 for both boys & girls at the elementary school & in sizes 28 to 36 for the young men at the Technical Institute & Agricultural School.  Socks of all sizes & colours for girls & boys are also requested. There is a box in the parish hall for the collection of any items you donate. We will pack up everything on Sunday, February 16th.
İMuchisimas gracias por su apoyo! Thank you very much for your help

El Hogar Service Team to Honduras, February 22 - March 1, 2014

Here we are again - preparing for another mission trip to Honduras in February with a brand new team that are already preparing and looking forward to serving once again.  There is a core of the team returning and 4 first time team members.

The first thing we did after our team was chosen was  to book our flights for departure Feb 22nd.  We had to work fast at getting seats as flights were filling up fast.  October then arrived and we began the job of team building which took place mostly over the building of our Gingerbread Churches that seem to be a big hit and a big seller. This fund raiser  covers the Project Fee for the work we do in the week that we are at El Hogar.  Gingerbread was the focus of our lives for more than two months as we got together regularly to roll, bake, construct, decorate and package our gingerbread. 

 As well as the team, we had some additional people who came to help, mostly to decorate and share and speak a little Spanish and listen to Christmas carols!  Perhaps we did get a little competitive trying to use original ideas in decorating, but mostly it was all about team building!

We began selling in earnest on the day of St. Luke's Christmas Market. By selling more on that day then in any other year at that Market, it says that people are coming to expect our churches and we found that some of our visitors were coming just for the gingerbread!  Here is the father and daughter duo added to our team this year.  Our own Rector and Louisa. 







Or..... our success may have had something to do with Rick, our team leader and also Market welcomer, who greeted everyone at the door with a map directly to our Gingerbread table!

All in all, (and with 20 houses going to a Real Estate company),  we made and sold 151 churches and houses.

We are so grateful to Marilyn who again this year has made beautiful note cards from her lovely original paintings which she sells to benefit the children of El Hogar.  She is a talented lady.  Thank you Marilyn!

And thanks to all the team and those alumni or friends of El Hogar who baked and decorated.  A special thanks to you all for purchasing our handiwork and helping to make a difference in the lives of the children of El Hogar