After a leisurely breakfast, we said goodbye to our cooks, Cindy and Gina. Milton and Jorge arrived to take us to the airport. We dropped Franklin (translator) off enroute. The ride through the mountains was scenic, but winding (Joyce had to move from the backseat to a middle seat in the van). It’s a bittersweet feeling to be leaving this beautiful country and the people we worked with. Most of the missioners said they would like to return someday.

Customs clearance was quite easy and we were on our way out of the beautiful, new Comayagua Airport (to Miami). Many purchased last minute souvenirs and snacks before boarding the plane. After picking up checked baggage (we’re only returning with 2 of the 4 church bags we took), we were off to catch our final flight home. A beautiful sun was bursting through the clouds as we passed through the terminal…perhaps another sign of God’s blessing on our trip? Our last meal together was pizza at the gate in Miami. We got our steps in at the Miami airport…upwards of 7,000 from the arrival to the departure gate!

We will go our separate ways, but, we sing “Blest be the Tie that Binds”…to each other and our Christian brothers and sisters in Honduras.

We awoke to (individually) go through the inevitable Covid test for reentry into the U.S.(had we stayed another 24 hrs, this would no longer be a requirement).

Literally hundreds of pictures were taken at Juan Wesley’s Student Day (Callie says there are often celebrations, especially on Friday). Following recognition of the top students in each class, we were invited to participate in the competition between the red and blue teams (designated by color of shirt). 8 activities were planned…the red team started with an advantage as our translator, Bessy, wisely advised the red team to stagger the rope for more efficient pulling. (Some questioned this advisement since Bessy was a judge, LOL! Another translator, Maria, was also a judge). Approximately 40 competitors enjoyed cup stacking, lime-on-a -spoon walking, sack racing, limbo, eat the cookie from forehead without touching, balloon pop, soccer kick, and obstacle course (blindfolded…except for the COR visitors). The competition was fierce and each team had great fan support. The red team (including half of our grp) enjoyed soda and donuts for their win; the blue team got candy.

After the Student Day Celebration, Rigo introduced us to 2 local entrepreneurs who took the local entrepreneur training program; Alex, a graphic designer, designs (& prints) colorful signs for businesses and personal use (i.e. birthdays). Bryan (who works for his brother Luis) runs a pulperia (small convenience store) from the front of his home. Luis is looking into acquiring space for the first Internet café in Ciudad Espana. (editors note, this actually happened on Thursday after classes not on Friday.)

Lunch was a 3-course meal at La Restaurante de Colonia in Valle de la Angeles. For the first course, we had the option of a homemade corn tortilla (baked on a wood-fired griddle in the beautiful flower 🌺 garden). The second course was a tasty vegetable soup. The 3rd course wasn’t a plate, but a PLATTER of chicken with mushroom sauce, French fried papas (potatoes) and salad.

Some of us thought the Valley of the Angels is a natural setting…it is a quaint little artsy town with cobblestone streets lined with art galleries, shops and cafes. A good-sized Roman Catholic Church is in the middle of town. The shoppers among us could’ve spent more time there! Others were happy to stroll around town and enjoy the ambiance (& maybe walk off some lunch!) This was the first opportunity we had to use Lempira, Honduran currency. Souvenirs in hand, we returned to the Mission House to prepare for dinner.

Dinner was another epicurean delight! Mission House employees joined us at Ni-Fu Ni-Fa Argentinian Steakhouse. Needless to say, we didn’t leave there hungry!

It was late when we returned to the Mission House…& way late when we finished our team meeting! It’s a good thing we don’t have to get up as early tomorrow!

We picked Rigo up enroute to Ciudad Espana for the last time. That man is a walking Wikipedia! He spent considerable time in Chicago as a child (& therefore learned to speak English fluently). He has contracted with UMVIM in various capacities (and, blesses everyone he works for/with). A man of great faith, Rigo has a Jesus-heart. We were blest to have him translate and share his great knowledge of his country with us. Today, he shared the history of Ciudad Espana and introduced us to 2 entrepreneurs who told us about their small businesses started through the Entrepreneurial Training Program. We were happy to purchase baking supplies from an entrepreneur who manages a pulperia (convenience store). Fyi, flour and sugar are sold in 1# plastic bags and lard is in a plastic roll (like sausage). Staples such as rice, beans, bread, dairy, condiments and, of course, candy, soda and juice can be found in most pulperias (which are often part of the front of a home).

We helped with making semitas again. Today, they packed 5 to a bag with the invitation to the church. We wish we could go door to door in this evangelism effort!

We have come to enjoy our sweet snacks such as Yippy (like Kit Kat), Chiky shortbread cookie sandwiches (with a chocolate center), now we can add semitas to that list! We've also tried a variety of plantain chips and chicharrones (similar to pork rinds).

Shortly after we arrived back at the Mission House (earlier than usual this afternoon), we were treated to real Honduran takeout for lunch from Pollo Supremo (what many of us thought was lunch at school we later learned was just a snack!) We’re told this takeout is Sheree’s favorite. Not having had any other takeout in Tegucigalpa, we wouldn’t disagree. Cindy will have dinner for us later (resulting in 4 meals today!)

More prayer letters keep coming…thanks to Joyce who has been busy rounding them up for us. We are so blest by the love and support of family and friends back home (&, in some cases, across the country).

This team has jelled well…like jelly on toast? Each of us has a responsibility for the group (i.e. preparing devotions (all), leading songs (Bill), handling money conversion (Melissa), initial lesson planning (Natalie and Sally), metrics (Joel), photographer (Monty and Ryan), “cruise directing”, sponsorship information and special support for Joyce (Cheryl) Note: Joyce is leading her first mission trip for COR (& she’s doing a fantastic job!) I hope you are enjoying my contribution through this blog (Ruth). The success of this trip has also been effected by Alex’s leadership. Because of past experience in Panama with the Peace Corps, Alex speaks excellent Spanish. His “cool, calm and collected” nature is the perfect match for our bouncy, bubbly Joyce!

Joyce shared that: “Jesus, once again, has struck!” after Joel and Monty shared encouraging words from Paul. Tonight we begin our Jesus letters. Jesus letters are notes we will open 6 months from now which are essentially like encouraging notes to our future selves.

Last, but, by no means least, Thomas, the CFO/COO/CEO? of the Mission House shared about the history and purpose of the Mission House and his personal faith journey. He lead us in singing: “O Let the Power Fall on Me.” A traditional hymn from his home church in Roatan.

Something new since the pandemic began…we will take a Covid test tomorrow morning in preparation for our return home.

Despite the prediction for rain today, we had another day of sunshine in beautiful Honduras. We are warmed by el Sol, and especially by the bright eyes of the beautiful children at the Juan Wesley School (we are unable to see their smiling faces because they wear masks). Our school routine was a little different today since we rotated in and out of the kitchen to help women from the church make semitas to deliver to residents of Ciudad Espana as an invitation to church…500 in all! Semitas are tasty bread pies (coated in sugar). Some of them would be baked in an outdoor, wood-fired oven. There was also baking going on in another kitchen at the school as women prepared baleadas (home made tortillas filled with refried beans and cheese) for our lunch. YUM!

While we’re talking food, I haven’t mentioned the drinks we’ve had…last night, Cindy served a freshly-blended cantaloupe jugo. What a tasty blast of vitamin C! Tonight we were treated to tacos…the pico de gallo had corn in it and the guacamole had hard boiled eggs. Both were delicious! Olga, the Principal of Juan Wesley, and her son and daughter joined us for dinner, brought cake for dessert and stayed for a rousing game of Sorry.

Back to our afternoon service project. While we may never get used to the steep mountain curves and narrow road to Los Pinos, we have fallen in love with Pastors ….(husband and wife) and the congregational members who came to work alongside us (or, better yet, directing our efforts!) It was truly God-ordained that Milton should need a service project for us and translator (& van driver par excellence!) Carla should suggest the Dios Viviente Church has the materials for a new kitchen. A brief shower stopped work today for a few minutes…giving us a break, cooling the temp. a bit and leaving a pleasant breeze. The foundation is nearly finished along with the pila (cistern) and a layer of cinderblock extending the outer wall. It will be so much easier for the church to serve the children once the project is completed. We were each presented with a thank you mug which included the church name and Luke 9:48 on it. This team will remember the hard-working, dear people of Dios Viviente! We look forward to our leaders keeping us updated on progress…how nice it would be to come back for a ribbon-cutting ceremony!

Melissa’s devotion focused on Psalm 33. Being over the hump day, we could lament about being tired or thinking about leaving this beautiful country. It was fun to share a rose(positive experience), a thorn (not-so-positive experience), a bud (something we’re looking forward to) and strawberry (random thought) during our nightly debriefing.

Tuesday 6/7/22

We are glad to be traveling out of Tegucigalpa during morning rush hour (it’s crazy coming the other direction!).

It’s not “over the river and through the woods, to grandmother’s house we go”, but, “over the Ring road and through the city, to Ciudad we go”…Monday thru Thursday this week. Discussion in the vans is often lively…and informational as our translators answer questions along the way. There’s also talk about best practices in our various lessons (grades 2-11). Some of our group even participated in a pick up ⚽️ game with some of the boys (hey, Cheryl, your shooting accuracy ain’t bad!)

Between sessions, we heard Amanda’s touching story of her work as Juan Wesley School Sponsorship Coordinator. We were surprised to see how much work the churchfolk had completed after we left yesterday. From elementary-aged boys to adult men and women, everyone is involved in the effort to get their church kitchen built. Melissa learned some masonry skills while working with Marvin and Bill carried buckets of dirt a young church member filled for the foundation. Others prepared cement, moved rocks and/or carried concrete blocks. We were blest that our work wasn’t interrupted by rain.

It was Italian night back at the Mission House…the spaghetti and meatballs were delicious! To top it all off, Bessy, one of our translators, made cinnamon rolls that could compete with the best bakeries in KC!

Joyce’s devotion focused on the whole person of Mary…not just in the stable in Bethlehem, but, as a woman of strength and courage who gave of herself in following through with God’s plan through Jesus.