Honduras Missions

We Saw God’s Smile

shereer — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:49:40 +0000

We had the honor and true pleasure of installing 14 stove tops in El Obraje for families who suffered from respiratory health issues as a result of inhaling smoke from years of cooking over an open wood stove, and in most cases this was done indoors. The families were extremely grateful and appreciative and several actually assisted us during the construction of the stoves.

On Wednesday, we participated in Worship with the congregation and shared a meal consisting of jelly sandwiches, chips, cookies, licorice bites, and a drink (the majority had never had these items before). We had approximately 90 in attendance which included 40 adults and 50 children. It was amazing how everyone treated us as if we were family, you could feel the energy in the Community Center where we met. That evening I had the opportunity to say a few words and I thanked the congregation for letting us come share this week with them.

I saw what GOD’s smile looks like and what it feels to receive a hug and a kiss from HIM. Let me explain. On Friday, after we completed all of our stoves we decided to give our leftover bricks, cinder blocks, rebar, and wood to a family who lived on the hill (they were also recipients of a stove). They, by far, were the poorest in possessions but richest in happiness. As we carried the items up the hill, the father, Don Antonio, wife Julia and their 2 daughters had the biggest smiles on their faces. They joined in helping us carry the items to their home, and you could see their joy in receiving these things. To say the least, their gratitude for these items was overwhelming. The smiles, hugs and kisses from each of them truly felt as if it was GOD who was smiling, hugging and kissing me. To be honest with you, I have never felt that way before and it was extremely hard for me to leave them, as I wanted to make that moment last as long as I could. As I was walking down the hill towards our truck, Pastor Alejandro who was also helping us told me that Don Antonio had just told him that he has decided to start going to church as a result of the Evangelism that Pastor Alejandro had done on him. For which the Pastor replied to him, I can’t take any credit, it was all GOD not I.

I personally feel that we received far more last week than we gave. And I can’t tell you enough, how proud I was to represent The Church of the Resurrection. During the last Debrief with the team I informed them that each of us has been selected to be Disciples of Christ through this Ministry and it is now our responsibility that we share our stories so that others can also answer the call to serve. My hope is that this flame that is lit in each of us is not distinguished but rather, multiplied.

Thank you, Elisa

Honduras

ginnyg — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:12:32 +0000

We were awakened early this morning(5am) to the sounds of women and children walking past the hotel singing in celebration of the corn festival. It was so unexpected and beautiful.
In Donli we had to say goodby to our “master stove builder” and friend David. He was headed back to his home in the mountains,and we headed to Tegucigalpa to experience a day of Honduran culture. It’s a two hour drive through the mountains. A very pretty drive, although a lot of traffic!
We checked into our hotel a chinese owned hotel- in Honduras-named the America! Very international!
Today we drove to see the Christ statue that overlooks the city. And then we were off to the Valley of Angels to do a little retail therapy. The city was crowded because they were having a festival too!
Tomorrow we will return to Kansas City. We have had an amazing time, and can’t wait to share with you our pictures and the stories that go with them.

Honduras

ginnyg — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:39:08 +0000

We were awakened this morning to the sounds of loud booms. We later found out that today is a day celebrating the day of the immaculate conception. (Bompas were set off at the church and park near by.) Today was our last day building stoves, our final count was 14 stoves. It was hard to say goodby to all of our new Honduran friends. It has been a wonderful week of fellowship,work and relationship building. We think this a great start to a long relationship in El Obraje. They have welcomed us into their community and homes and hope to see members of our church again.

Honduras

ginnyg — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:30:46 +0000

Greetings from Honduras!! The team has spent the day building four rocket stoves. Today we divided into teams– the guys vs. the girls! It was a fun competition and all thought that their stoves were the most beautiful. The families who received them were so very happy and grateful. They report that cooking on them is wonderful because they can use four pots at a time, and tortillias too.

We saw our first live scorpion but Stacey made fast work with her shoe and Mary Beth gave him a proper burial. Tomorrow is our last work day; we hope to install four more stoves. It will be sad to leave our wonderful new friends. We will leave with fond memories of Manny the Dog, Bessie the banana eating Brama, momma pig and her 15 piglets, and all the darling children and adult friends.
Saturday morning we will head back to Tegucigalpa.

Honduras Report 10-19-2011

jimcallanan — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 03:08:20 +0000

Ginny, one of the team members, called with the following message: Everyone is doing well and enjoying the trip. Waking up at 7:00 a.m. every morning, to the smell of fresh air and the sounds of the birds chirping has been amazing. Between the sounds of the birds, you can hear people and vehicles in front of our hotel. It’s been a great place to stay and we are enjoying the great food. Driving along the winding roads filled with buses, bikes, people and donkeys on the way to El Obraje is a delight in and of itself. Upon arrival into El Obraje we are greeted by chickens, pigs, horses and cows all walking freely in the middle of the street. The entire team is amazed by the beauty of the flowering trees in El Obraje, they are so beautiful.

The roads are filled with smoke from the women cooking on their adobe stoves. We have been very busy building the Rocket stoves for families. The team has built 6 so far and will build several more. We are split into two teams, each team building 2 stoves a day. The Rocket stoves build up heat up very quickly. The heat spreads evenly throughout the stove and vents the smoke outside of the house. The stoves only utilize two sticks of wood, which is definitely saving wood compared to the adobe stoves.

The team was blessed as they attended a church service in El Obraje at the community center with 90 adults and children present. Pastor Alejandro preached and we listened to wonderful music. Worshiping God with the people of El Obraje has been a definite highlight of the trip. After worship, we served small plates of food to the congregants and shared gifts with the children. The bracelets were made by both the children of Navajo Nation and Resurrection and crosses were made by our friends at Rez West.

We are having an absolutely wonderful experience and enjoying serving and the people of El Obraje. We are all staying healthy and looking forward to several more days of service. – Ginny

Jim – I told the team that I was praying for them and we all send our love.

Honduras

ginnyg — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:13:55 +0000

The team left early this morning for El Obraje where we were instructed to install the Rocket stove. The family who received the stove was so very excited to have the stove top and anxious to cook for her nine children. We had the opportunity in the afternoon to see the water filtration system that has the capacity to filter 10,000 gallons a day, providing fresh drinking water for the community. It was exciting to see the people lined up, filling their plastic jugs and buckets with fresh drinking water.

The team is well, eating exceptionally well, and having a good time. We feel very blessed to be here, working with the wonderful Honduran team members and look forward to installing more stove tops tomorrow.

FYI….we found an internet cafe and were able to post this ourselves. technology is everywhere!

Ginny

Team Departure and Arrival in Tegucigalpa

jimcallanan — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 13:53:14 +0000

The team arrived at the airport at 4:15am with smiles on their faces and the check in went smoothly. The team gathered in a circle and Jim Callanan prayed for them. The team all made it through security and departed for Houston on time. Jim received a text message at 8:00 a.m. that they arrived early and will be departing for Honduras. Please continue to pray for the team and their families every day. At 2:10pm, Jim received word from our Co- Team Leader, Elisa, that the team has made it safely to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. On Sunday evening, Jim received word that the team is in Danli resting and enjoying themselves. Jim (Context Coordinator for Honduras) will be making future posts as he receives them. Hopefully you will be updated frequently, but sometimes internet is sporadic so always remember, no news is good news. May God Bless each family member and all of the prayer partners. A big thank you to each one of you that sent a team member and for the sacrifices that you are making.

Your Brother in Christ

Jim

Honduras Mission Trip

ginnyg — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:08:41 +0000

Members of the Honduras mission team are packing their bags to leave 10/16/2011. The team is anxious to begin their journey to Honduras, to install stovepipes in El Obraje homes. Please pray for a safe journey, and that we will … Continue reading →

Honduras Mission Trip 10-16-10-23-2011

jimcallanan — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:41:00 +0000

The team met for training on August 27, 2011. The Co team leaders are Elisa and Brad. The team members are as follows Frank, Virginia. Stacey, Dave and Mary Beth. The team’s focus will be installing stove pipes in El Obraje. One of the main medical issue in El Obraje is respiratory problems since the people cook on wood stoves in their homes and there is no ventillation for the smoke. The people would breathe in the smoke every day and therefore would have respiratory problems. The team will help eliminate some respiratory issues by installing the stove pipes. The stove pipes take approximately 4 hours to install with a cost of $50 to $75 per installation. The team members were very excited about their mission and are looking forward in leaving for the trip. Please be in prayer for each member for safe journeys and they will remain healthy while in Honduras and that the Holy Spirit will give them strength and keep their families safe while in Honduras. I will be making posts/updates as the team begins their journey to Honduras on October 16 and returning on October 23.

4-8-11

jimcallanan — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:46:51 +0000

Today we went touring for our culture day. We went to the Christ Statue – it is one of the highest points in Tegucigalea. We could almost see the entire city. Went to see Easillica. It is a Catholic Cathedral and was beautiful. We also went to the Valley of Angels where we did shopping. In Tegucigalea we are staying in a Bed and Breakfast. Tomorrow the Continental flight is leaving at 12:20 and the Delta flight is leaving at 12:45 p.m.
This is my last blog. Jim