Honduras--community, land, and animals

Okay, this is the final entry for Honduras.  By no means, does this exhaust the number of stories, experiences, or photos of people and places we now hold dear.
Thank you for "hanging with me" through these entries--
Community

Produce for sale

Boys walking home with firewood

Local sundry store 

Teen boys hanging-out to play soccer and/or basketball 

Wash day

Land

Hiking up to Rafael's farm

Rafael's farm

The road home

Mountain view from town

Animals

Our HOURLY alarm clock

Tarantula at the bathroom

A fast ride into town for a quick stop at a convenience store

Calf is a day old.  Rafael at his farm…wasting milk--smiles!

What?

Again, this was an experience beyond many others.  Both Matthew and I send thanks and love to everyone we met.
Love to all of you!
Susan and Matthew

Honduras--host family, friends and home

We were extremely fortunate.  The members of our host family, for and with whom we worked, were friendly, generous, and open-hearted…wonderful people…absolutely wonderful.  Matthew and I love this family!  Adrianna and Dania worked tirelessly to make sure our stay was comfortable, and that we were well fed.  Olban slaved as a master painter--interior and exterior!  Rafael conducted church services and maintained the supply-line (paint, brushes, materials, tools, etc.).

Pastor Rafael and his wife, Adrianna.  I love this photo of the two of them.

Adrianna, Rafael, Dania (their daughter), and Olban (their son)

We all also include, in this family mix, Darwin and Bryan.  For Matthew, it was a very strong dude-connection.  For me, I feel as though I gained two more sons.  Bryan and Darwin--thank you!   You are both loved and admired!

(Left to right):
Darwin--an extraordinary painter with a beautiful heart
Bryan--our uber translator, security guard, driver, and pursuer of dreams/goals

We send you love, positives, and great luck!

Matthew had an intense connection with Rafael and Adrianna.  A few years ago, their daughter, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, died.  She was non-ambulatory and unable to eat independently, but her physical features and skin color were comparable to Matthew's.  Adrianna and Rafael loved on Matt, and Matthew loved and adored them.  (He even started calling, Rafael, Father.)  Through the shared tears and joys, we cemented a bond.

A very difficult, "Hasta luego…"

These were our "digs" while staying in Subirana, Honduras.

Women's dorm (I was top right)

Dining room

Where we brushed our teeth

Bathrooms and wet room (in the middle) for the "splash wash". (No showers.)
The "cement box" held water for the buckets.  After using the toilet, you poured water into the bowl to flush it.

Honduras--the work, the team, and the teamwork!

We accomplish a fair bit the first week!  Hmmm, I think I will do this through a visual medium again--

Mom ready to paint on the second floor

Olban painting

June finishing up

The team painted all of the rooms on the second floor of the mission house.
Hats off to all who completed the task; it was daunting!

The park BEFORE clean-up

Because there is no garbage collection in most rural communities, litter is the norm.  Even though the free roaming poultry enjoy "the bounty," the team thought it would be nice gesture to clean-up the debris.
In addition, we put wooden seats on the swing sets.  (We replaced the two rigged-sugar-cane-seats.  Although creative, the seats couldn't have been comfortable!)  Given the number of children using the swings after the repair, the gift was a success.
The team also wants to add backboards for the basketball hoops and seats for the teeter-totters.  I cannot wait to hear how those projects turned-out!

Note the wooden seats and the clean park in the background!

Members of the team also put together 3 new bunk beds.

Clayton, Matthew, and Steve--measuring, drilling, nailing, carrying, and assembling the bunk beds

After completing work for the day, Matt was done-in!!!

Not only did the team paint the interior of the mission house, but they also hoped to finish painting the exterior.

Nope, this does not exhaust the list of projects/activities.  Tina, skillfully painted the United Methodist symbol on the front of the church.  (Sorry, I do not have a photo of the completed cross and flame.)  Donna, is teaching Adrianna and Dania to use the sewing machine that she donated to the family.  June, coordinated the vacation Bible School.  (Attendance was between 30 to 50 children and adults—Impressive!)  The team also taught English to anyone who wanted to practice their English skills.

Now, to introduce the team--

(Their "super-person titles" are not all-inclusive of the work that they did.  The labels are, however, the aspects/skills for which I will most remember them.)

Back (from left to right):

Jeremy--The Kid Magnet; Vernon--Super Dad (Hey, it is my blog; I am allowed); Russell--Scaffold Scaler;   Tina--The Artist; Susan; Steve--The survivor (poor guy was very sick); and Donna--Super Seamstress

Front (from left to right):

Clayton--Master Carpenter; Margaret--Super Mom (Smiles!); June--Bringer of Joy; Matthew--The Connector

I am honored to have worked with everyone!  

Honduras--the people

Matt and I just returned from an intensely inspiring mission trip to Honduras.

This particular entry will highlight the people of the town--Subirana, Honduras.  I am incapable of articulating how much the residents/community/team have expanded our lives…

A neighbor--she was pointing to her mom

Coffee bean pickers on pay day, Friday.  Depending on age and experience, a worker can earn the equivalent of $5.00 to $7.50 per DAY. (100-150 Lempiras--Honduran currency)


This January, the Honduran government declared a national emergency.  The Coffee Rust Plague has destroyed a quarter of the coffee plants.  There will be fewer workers needed.

A young boy 

Young girl coloring
Although not pictured, many young adults enjoyed the activity too.

A family watching the market activities…

Boys taking a break from play.  

Dude is 93!  His secret (yes, I asked)--"Don't get mad and don't worry."  I also think his 6:00 a.m. exercise, chopping wood, contributes to his longevity! 

The four amigos…

Love between brother and sister!

young girl on the playground

The soccer kid

Son of the cowboy below

He has excellent horse riding skills!

Doesn't he have a beautiful face?

I don't normally take photos of people, but I was captivated by their faces.  I asked permission to take photos of each person(s), and most (okay, really, ALL) loved looking at their images on the screen.  

Clayton, the group coordinator, brought a photo printer with him.  Brilliant!  I printed a few photos and gave them to "the subjects"…soon, people were asking us to take their photo so they could have a print of themselves.  (Although some Hondurans have phones with camera, they aren't able to print them.)

Clayton and the "magic machine"

If I could, I would definitely pack a photo printer for every "other country" experience.   It was beyond fun to give that gift!  Thank you, Clayton, for making it possible!