JESUS LOVES ME

These boys are some of the most loved boys in all of Honduras!

You'll love them too after you watch this video...their story will follow in a later blog!

DAY EIGHT

Ok...it is so hard to believe that we are packing to go home tonight! No one really wants to go to bed because I believe it will be making the end a reality. But today one of the missionaries told us that if we can't come back to Honduras to serve then we should find our own Honduras where we live...how true that is for all of us!

Today we got up and went up the Mi Esperanza to shop. This shop is filled with awesome items made by Honduran women who have once lived in poverty and even in the dump that we went to after shopping. There was some jewelry in the shop that is made by women who lived in the dump and collected newspaper to make this jewelry. How humbling is that! The missionary in the store assured us that by shopping there we are heroes...let me tell you that's all a girl needs to hear before shopping.

After shopping we headed up to the dump. The road to the main part of the dump was lined with garbage, buzzards, dogs, and yes...people. The rains had made the roads quite muddy and I have to admit I was scared that we would get stuck and have to walk in the mud to serve these people. How selfish! But God made a way for us to get to the spot where we would feed the dump people. There are people who live in the dump and there are those who go to the dump to "recycle" mostly the plastic...it's their job. The people lined up in an orderly fashion to wait for a hot meal and a bag of water from the team. In the past, they told us the people would be pushing and shoving but in the past few months that has all changed and the people just have been more ready to listen and line up for their free meal. We stood and had prayer right there in the middle of the garbage while some of the dump people stood and listened. The future plan is to get the children out of the dump...that's when Mark Tindall told us about finding our own Honduras if we couldn't come back to help here.

We then went to the Valley of Angels shopping...it was funny how so many people in the stores were American. I saw one t-shirt that said "I survived a mission trip to Honduras". It was a surprise to me as they also gave a 20% discount to missionaries shopping there.

We meet the kids from Casa at KFC and bought them dinner...played with them for a while and then had to say some sad good-byes. Michael and I had purchased a little lime green bracelet for Daniela and as we put it on her arm...I told her to think of Mike and me whenever she looked at it. Then the priceless hug of that little girl sent me off in tears as Michael gave her a hug and told her he loves her!

Then it was off to Baskin Robbins for a final stop before coming back to the Missions House to pack. I will continue to post some of the happenings in Honduras so that I will have them on record and so that I will never forget them....not that that is even a remote possibility!

So it's back to Norton...pictures will follow on the blog and on facebook when I get home to a real internet connection so keep checking the blogs....they will be updated as things pop in our heads.

DAY SEVEN

We got up bright and early today and went to church at Casa de Esperanza. We arrived and walked down a beautiful tree covered sidewalk. We started into the church to take our seats when we were met by the kids from the orphanage. The excitement was so amazing. Caity Davis first saw Daniela and introduced us as we both knew, Daniela was really looking for Michael. The next few minutes were more than this Mom's heart could take. I went in and sat down and watched the interaction between a little girl and the man she has called Papi! What a rush of emotions took over my entire being. I just couldn't help myself as the tears began to flow. It was a feeling I won't soon forget actually not ever!!! As church started I watched as every so often Daniela would gently touch Mike's cheek as if to make sure he was really there....really holding his precious little dark haired girl. After church was over we went back to the orphanage with the kids and the introductions began. It was great to see the kids face to face that I had grown to know and love through all of Michael's pictures. The kids went in for lunch and then it was nap time so we had to leave for a while. We were supposed to pour some concrete for their soccer field but Mother Nature had other ideas and we weren't able to do it for them.

We headed up the road for a wonderful lunch and then went to walk around in a village area where there were little shops and a fun Sunday afternoon for the Hondurans. While we were there, Ashley got a call that the kids were up from their naps and wanted to know where we were... so we headed back to Casa.

There I was met with the most beautiful little girl with the biggest hug I could ever have imagined as I got to the end of the sidewalk. I was thrilled. Her eyes looked up the sidewalk and she said one simple word...Mike!!! I assured her he was coming. With that it was up on Mike's shoulders, jumping on the trampoline, or just sitting together enjoying their time with each other after 3 months.

We had dinner with the kids and my trip just got better and better. Daniela came over and sat with me while she ate...she hugged on me....and I loved every minute of it. The team sensed what was going on during all of the exchanges with Mike and Daniela and someone came over and said something about me being a proud Mama. Truer words were never spoken at that moment. Here was Michael walking around with Daniela on his shoulders and Daniel walking around with various children up on his shoulders.

When it was time for showers and bed, we said our good-byes and this someday a Grandma got her hug from her little Daniela. It was an exit I could deal with because I know we get to take them to dinner tomorrow night. The next exit will be filled with tears I'm sure.

DAY SIX

The internet was down last night so I didn't get to blog. Sooooo here's Day Six. We got up very early and headed up the mountain to build another house and to have a clothing store for the people in the village. It was raining so hard and there was so much mud that we were told we couldn't take the bus up to the site for the store. We talked about it and decided to do the store from the bus. We bagged the clothing for the people while Ashley and JT went up the mountain to tell people we were going to be there at the bus with clothes. We were almost done bagging when people started to line up at the bus door. We didn't know what to do...no one really knew enough Spanish plus we didn't even know for sure how much to sell the bags for...but as usual...God is there when we start to worry. Jen Arnold showed up at the bus looking for Ashley. Apparently she was waiting for us to come and set up the store. She knew the people in that village and so we opened the store. We were pretty much sold out in less than 1/2 hour. Now what? The rest of the team was building a house...it was raining off and on...and we were just kind of stuck. Well once again...the need always arises in Honduras. We got word that one of the feeding houses had a mud slide on their sidewalk so we went up to shovel mud. Now the walk to this house was bad enough but all I could think about was what goes down the hill will have to travel back up the hill on the return trip. Anyway we got up there and since there was only one shovel and later two, the rest of us played games with the children of the village. What fun you can have with a beanie baby and a game of toss!!!

So while we were up playing with the kids and shoveling mud, the builders had met with a huge challenge for the building of this house. Before they could even build they had to tear down what was left of their house. The ground wasn't level and the area was very small. They had to travel down a small opening to even get to the site.

When we finished with the mud and the kids...we started back to the bus and the rain let loose big time. The building team had to finish in the pouring rain but they DID finish. They were all so moved by the prayer and the owner of the house prayed when the house was done..it made it all worth it.

We came back to the Missions House and we were pleased to have Taco Loco bring our food in for dinner. It was awesome! And after a great time of devotion, we went to bed ready for what God had in store for us on Sunday.

DAY FIVE

We can't believe it's Friday already! Our trip is going so quickly.

Today we got up very early and headed out to the hospital. We went into the maternity ward first and visited some of the new moms and their babies. We gave them beanie babies and blankets. They were appreciative for sure.

Next the group I was with headed to the Cancer ward. We realized that we didn't have anything but a few blankets for them so JT asked if anyone had any paper. I had put a notebook in my bag today to try and get the words to a song we had been singing at devotions...so....we made paper airplanes. What fun we had just sitting with the kids and throwing paper airplanes back and forth.

Next we headed to the Special Needs Orphanage. The kids there were happy to see us. We wheeled them around in their wheelchairs, held them, took them outside to the swing set and in general...just loved on them. There was one little girl, Katty that only liked the men. She was so cute jumping from lap to lap. She really liked Mike Noland but would NOT let Mike leave his hat on...it was so cute. Then it was time for lunch so we went in to the cafeteria area. JT asked me if I was helping anyone and when I said no, he asked me if I would help Katty. I said oh great...she doesn't like women. But off I went. She was great...what a sweetie...she let me feed her no problem and I didn't end up with any food on me and very little on Katty. It was getting to be time to leave and Ashley Roberts had bonded with a certain little boy and was getting emotional trying to decide how to say good bye to him...all of a sudden she felt something running down her leg.....she had no problem saying bye after he had his little accident on her lap. God does work in mysterious ways. What a great sport Ashley was about the whole thing when her teammates couldn't help but laugh!!!!

Next it was off to the Boys Correctional Home. They were inside watching the Honduras soccer game. We weren't quite a noticed as we might normally have been when we entered but they quickly warmed up to us. They make friendship bracelets to sell and when they are good they are given the money to go to the pulperia. I bought lots of bracelets to share back home.

There was one little boy Fazio that was just sitting on the floor kind of curled up and not really participating in the soccer game or anything else going on around him....I gave him a look and he smiled. After that he would show up behind me...under the bench...or somewhere just out of sight and then he would gently touch my hair or my arm. Later on some of the other boys were "fighting" with him and he was so upset. When they left him...I brought a chair over beside me and patted it and he came over and sat with me until we had to leave. I had to wonder what could he have done to have to be locked up like this...I only hope he finds his way.

Our last stop for the day was the State Orphanage. We got off the bus and the kids literally ran to us...hugging us so very happy to have visitors. We played in the courtyard for awhile and then some of us went over and held the babies. What sweet little babies that "no one wants"...how can this be true?

Our devotions tonight ended with Matthew 25:35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Please pray for these we've visited....I can assure you it is needed.

DAY FOUR

So today "we" were able to build two houses for the people in the dump community. I found out tonight that these people used to actually live in the dump. The mayor offered them a piece of land if they would move out of the dump. Of course they wanted to move so many of their homes are made of the items they brought with them from the dump. It is awful to see the conditions they live in but when you look into their faces...they are still smiling!!!

The group I was with built a house for a young family of 5. The mom watched us all day along with her three children a little girl, a little boy, and their baby girl. The dad was in the house ill with what we hope will end up to be a stomach virus. Not only did the family watch us all day, many of the people came to watch and to help.

One little lady pitched right in to help carry boards...some were so heavy she would rest them on her head as she walked. I found out tonight at our devotions that they had built a house for her last week and when the truck with all the supplies arrived she was there to help. When David asked her why she was there, she said you helped me so now I want to help. The other Honduran man that was helping us was great. After we were all done, Ashley walked down the village with some of the local people only to find out that his house had washed away and he was living with his sister as his house was just a tarp. He needed a house so much more than the people we built for but he was there to help...he said that he knew God would help him when it was his time. Humbling, for sure.

I spent much of my day handing out push pops to the Honduran children. I have to send out thanks to Sally Little for sending two cases of push pops for the kids. They loved them. It wasn't anytime at all before there was a line of children waiting for their push pop. I finally needed to learn in Spanish...."no mas" meaning no more!!! I wish I had cases to share...it was so sweet to see their smiling faces.

Well we have a big day tomorrow and an early start so I'm off to bed. Keep those prayers coming!!!!

DAY THREE

Today was a work day! We met Amber last night when we went to the streets to feed the people. Amber has been looking for a house that she can use to help the street people better. The first house she looked at was a mere $300,000. As most of you know, missionaries just can't afford that kind of money. The next house was $125,000. Here's Michael and Daniel getting ready to work. This house is amazing but it needs ALOT of work and we started on it today. Amber is renting right now with the option to buy later if she decides she can swing it.

Amber is an amazing lady. She has already taken in a Honduran couple to stay at the house while she is gone. They were both alcoholics but the opportunity Amber has given them has been phenomenal. They have both remained sober since moving in to help and help they do! They are wonderful. You'll be doing something and one of them will come up behind you and start helping. They won't eat until all of us have eaten....and so on.

So anyway today we scraped, sanded, primed, painted, trimmed, and scraped some more. Daniel and Michael were among the demolition team along with Brent. Wow! What a messy job. They tore down some of the ceiling that just had to come down. There were others upstairs cleaning up the pigeon remains (I'm sure you get it). What an ugly job for Mike, Emily, Danielle, and Ashley...their showers were especially special tonight. We had pizza for lunch from Little Caesar's...it was a welcome treat although the food has been wonderful.

We then went to visit one of the Catholic churches in Tegucigalpa...it was beautiful and very peaceful. Then it was off to unload one of the trucks that comes in from the states. That was unbelievable. The guys carried an entire play set off the back of that truck. What a generous outpouring of love for the Honduran people was visible by all that people donated.

Pray hard tomorrow...we are going to be building at least one house. We will be divided into two groups so I'm not sure what each group will be doing. It's gonna be hot and we will be close to the dump as we build so we will have our first real connection with the Honduran people on our own since we got here.

Michael had our devotions tonight as we talked about our fears and how to overcome them. We are here to help these people...God's people and that's what we're going to do.

We have received over $1300 in donations since we had our monies stolen. Thank you to ALL who have contributed above and beyond what they had already given.

KEEP PRAYING

DAY TWO

Today we went to the Micah House. This ministry helps the children in Honduras...trying to get them off the streets and trying to help them with their addiction to glue. They call them Glue Boys. We met the people who run the house and then we all went down to the streets where these boys "live" and gave food and love to them. They literally walk around with bottles with glue in their front pockets and inhale the fumes to stay warm...to forget they are hungry...and of course to get high. We then went back to the House and watched a documentary called Glue Boys. They are everywhere. The Micah House has room for 12 boys that have a brought in off the streets. After lunch with everyone...the boys sang for us. Then we walked to a soccer field and the fun began. WOW! Those boys can play soccer. A great time for everyone. We walked back up to the Micah House and said our thank yous and good byes. Check them out on the web www.micahcentral.org and definitely pray for these boys. They are truly awesome young men and we need to pray that they will be able to continue to overcome this addiction.

Then a group of us went to the streets tonight. The first half of the team went last night.

We went down and saw the people that most people don't want to be around. They too had the glue bottles and some had definitely been drinking. We gave them stew and tortillas. Most of them definitely want "chili" added to it. Hot sauce for sure...they wanted it hot! Amber and her group took care of us while we were down there helping...what a great ministry. We will be going to Amber's house tomorrow to help her with some painting and some much needed fix up at a house she hopes to someday be able to open for homeless people to have a safe place to sleep for a night

Again...thank you for your prayers...God is working! Satan just isn't strong enough to keep this team down!!!!

DAY ONE

Ok....so we got here safely...Praise the Lord! And then the devil stepped all over our toes. We had 1/2 our money stolen today. Everyone was so discouraged. It happened in the the parking lot of Church's Chicken while we were eating. Mind you..it wasn't our vehicle but the vehicle of David, our awesome friend who helps us with so much. He also lost his passport so David needs special prayer. If anyone would like to help us with this horrible loss...go to Ashley's blog and contribute through her pay pal account. I hate to ask this of you who have given so much already but if you feel God leading you to help...we thank you!!!

http://ashinhonduras.blogspot.com?

IT"S SPECIAL

God is so Good! God is so Good! God is so Good ... He's so good to me!!! Not only do I get to go to Honduras...I get to go with my two favorite sons...Michael and Daniel! What a treat! A treat that could only have been better if Amanda had been able to come with us but summer school has to come first. Maybe she can go on the next trip!!! Thanks to Bob for being that kind of husband and dad who supports his family...besides...I know...some has to stay home and let the dogs out!!!!

Check out Michael's blog ...he makes me so proud with his writings. He says he's going to blog again but even if he doesn't...this blog is worth reading again and again...
http://thoughtsfromastrangplace.blogspot.com/

THE DESIRE TO BLOG

So now I know why I really felt the desire to blog. I was checking out Ashley's blog the other day (go to http://ashinhonduras.blogspot.com/) and once again...I was moved to tears. Go there...go there often...an amazing blog. This is definitely the best way to keep up with us while we are in Honduras. But I digress!

I didn't realize Ashley had blogged about our team on Tuesday, June 15...and in a very touching moment for me, she talked about the trip Mom. I am so excited to say...

It's Me!!! It's Me!!! It's Me!!!

I'm really going to Honduras!!! Talk about bringing it all home. Ashley's blog did it!!! I won't even try to tell you what she said...you just must go read it for yourself. What a heart for the Honduran people! I can't wait to meet them.

PASTA FUNDRAISER DINNER

Wednesday, June 16 turned out to be a very long but amazingly wonderful day for the ABT part of our Honduran Missions Team. Caity Davis, Mike Noland, Daniel Wallace, Michael Wallace and I were busy ALL day with our Spaghetti Fundraiser.



First of all, we want to thank Pastor Ed Holland and the Akron Baptist Temple for allowing us this opportunity. We moved into the Memorial Fellowship Hall in probably four or five carloads. Pretty much everything one needed to have a pasta fundraiser except for what we forgot or the things we miscalculated. There is NO way possible to thank everyone who helped with this fundraiser but we so appreciated EVERYONE!!!! ABT had their Wednesday dinner back at least for one week.



THE BAKE SALE ~ There was an alarming amount of goodies at this bake sale. My Mom, Mary Lou Carr is quickly becoming the Bake Sale Queen. Asking people to bake, donate, and/or volunteer is second nature to Mom. Thank you sooooo much, Mom. I love you!



THE DINNER ~ Caity was out at the "ticket" table with Stephanie Orlando and Mike's Mom, Betty Noland Atkinson...they were busy from beginning to end! Mike, Michael, and Daniel took care of serving our hungry guests. Verlin McCulley took care of the salad and beverages. And in the kitchen were some of the craziest cooks ever. What fun Jan Liddle, Ralph McCulley, and my new BFF Carolyn had in the kitchen!!! 7 and 1/2 minutes...they had it down!!!!



AUCTION ~ I was at the auction table and every so often I would go over and restart Michael's video so people could see what we would be doing in Honduras. Thanks to all who donated to the auction. Congratulations to those bids who got to take it home!!!



CLEAN-UP ~ The only word I can say here is AWESOME!!!! So many people stayed to help clean up. Thanks to Megan Stefanik for hanging in there and for helping Carolyn sell the bake sale items to anyone who came near them.



S-U-C-C-E-S-S...that's the way we spell success!!! Thanks again to all who attended. Such an outpouring of friends and family! WOW!!! Don't think I didn't notice all my BFF's (be it from the BBC, the Movie Group, or ABT Euchre). One can never have enough BFF's. Love you all! And for those who couldn't come but baked....again with the WOW!!! Gracias to all of you!



There is another dinner on Wednesday, July 14th for Katy Reiss and Carl Holloway's trip to Honduras...come back for some more good "sketty"!!!!

YOU'VE BEEN PINK'D

So now that the decision had been made to become part of the team...we needed to start figuring our ways to raise monies. The Wallaces increased by one as Daniel signed on to go again. So we needed to pay for three. We were representing Akron Baptist Temple along with Mike Noland and Caity Davis...and Norton was well represented with Caity and Jared Emerick joining the team.

So off I went to the internet to see what ideas we could come up with for this trip. In the past, I've seen the teams sell raffle tickets for gift baskets, candy bars, and of course the support letters were sent to family and friends. So we wanted something different. And I found it!!! PINK FLAMINGOS!!! What, you say? PINK FLAMINGOS!!! That's right...You've Been Pink'd became an ongoing fundraiser for our team.

A cute little flock of flamingos would show up in someone's front yard with a sign saying, "you've been pink'd by the Honduran Missions Team. The back of the sign gave them their options:

• Promise to pray for us and we will pick the flamingos up at no charge!!


• Donate $5.00 to help the Honduran people feel the love and we will retrieve our flamingo friends.


• Donate $10.00 and we will place the flamingos in the yard of your choosing.


• An additional $5.00 will get us to spill the beans on who put them in your yard.

The flamingos have been all over Norton, Barberton, Wadsworth, Akron and have even traveled as far as Kent, Doylestown, and Uniontown. They are a very friendly group of pink birds and so far ALMOST everyone has enjoyed them.

What a great fundraiser this has been! THANK YOU to ALL the good sports out there who have been pink'd. Oh..and watch out...the pink'ng may continue...who knows????

NO MORE EXCUSES

Ok...so I'm gonna go!!! I suppose it was decided back in March when I picked Michael up at the airport. I knew there was a plan to go back in June so I asked Michael if he was going. His answer as it will more than likely always be when asked about returning to Honduras was probably either "yes" or something like "planning on it". His next question was right back at me with, "you going?" It is very possible that right then it was decided for me but I answered Michael with an I think I just might. So the bottom line...I'm going!!!!

Now please understand, I've been invited many times by Ashley. Many, many late night instant messages have been Ashley trying to get me to commit. I would always have an excuse..something going on I couldn't miss...bad timing...no time....excuses, excuses, excuses. But the entire time any of them would be in Honduras I would practically sit by my computer waiting for an update to someone's blog. Ok..that may be an exaggeration but I would check daily and often times multiple times during the day to catch a bit of news...and even better...a picture. Well...watching from a distance, a very long distance has come to an end.

No more excuses!!! It's my time...I really am going! Sounds like I'm trying to convince myself...but in just a few short days (actually tomorrow since this blog didn't get posted) I will be on the plane with an awesome team of young people going to love on the Honduran people. WOW!!! I can now say...I CAN'T WAIT!!! The journey since that ride home from the airport with Michael has been crazy! And to think, I'm just now sharing it with all of you.

I don't know how good I will be at this blogging thing or even if I'll be able to from Honduras but I know God will lead me whenever I need Him. He will help me with the words. He will calm my fears and soothe my emotions. We will all be blogging somewhere, I hope. Live through our blogs! You'll be touched like I was over and over again. Share our love for these people I haven't even met yet. See us get on fire for serving our God!!! But most of all, pray!! Please pray for this June, 2010 team. God has so much to give and I can't wait to feel His arms wrapped around our team.