Day Two (Sunday, July 6)

At dinner tonight, I met an Emory University student working on a public health project in Honduras. She informed me I could use her internet service to send out messages. So it seems incredible to me that in this remote place, with pigs and chickens running wild, I hope to keep you up-to-date with emails this week. I am sitting on the front porch of the student's home being dive-bombed by beetles as I type.

Last night after dinner, we had a discussion with Clementina, a 78-year-old Honduran woman who taught first grade for many years. She noticed early in her career that the children were falling asleep during school She asked them why they could not stay awake and the children simply said, "We have not eaten." She found out they seldom got breakfast or lunch. They could not study on an empty stomach. She told us through tears that it broke her heart. For 30 years now, this woman has been cooking breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday for the children of her village. Even her translator cried in telling the story to us in English. God has placed saints throughout this world and so often we miss them. About 15 of us heard the testimony of such a saint of God last night.

Today was another day of travel followed by an evening of settling in and preparing for our work week. After a breakfast that had some of the juiciest pineapple I've ever eaten, we got on a school bus and headed for the ranch we will call home this week. There are 32 of us total, not counting the in-country leadership. Ten are from Steven's Creek Church, a Church of God church in Augusta, Georgia. This is their first mission trip. The other 22 are from St. Andrews and Grace Presbyterian churches. Grace church is our team leader, Nancy Sterling's, former church in Virginia. Actually, a few on our team are from other churches, but have aligned themselves with St. Andrews or Grace.

We traveled through some of the most beautiful country on this planet today. Combine Hawaii with the Blue Ridge mountains and Scotland's hills and you get the feel. Lush green hills with low hanging clouds create what one on our team called "thin places." He was referring to one writer's description of holy places on earth where the line between heaven and earth is thin. From time to time the vista would open up and the view was spectacular.

The ride today was not nearly as harrowing as the one yesterday. The last hour of travel was on all gravel roads in desperate need of grading in places. However, aside from some potholes that could swallow a small child and the seven hours on the bus, the trip was pleasant and spirits rose higher and higher as we approached the ranch.

Every team member brought two large suitcases. That is 64 suitcases total, 44 for our team. Each was filled with 50 pounds of school supplies and building supplies. Our personal items were packed in our carry-on. The St. Andrews Presbyterian Women (PW) made 120 school bags with pockets and a note written in Spanish for children in Honduras. I was so proud of our PW as we opened the 44 suitcases. Everyone on the team was overwhelmed with the labor of love of our women. So, Presbyterian Women, you totally rock!!

After dinner tonight, we had a devotion and prayer time, briefing from our Honduran team leader, and, much to my surprise, singing "happy birthday" to me and a woman named Jan from Grace Presbyterian. I was overwhelmed when Heather Potter, Nancy Sterling's daughter, together with two members from Grace, presented me with a beautiful white preaching stole. It was handmade in Israel from which they just returned. Just amazing.

Tomorrow, a group will begin the same Rainforest Vacation Bible School (VBS) our own children just finished. Those of you who volunteered for that know what the children will get, music and all. After breakfast, the rest of us get our assignments. What we know so far: we will be pouring 13 floors in homes and doing one room expansion. Off to bed now. Remember, God loves you and so do I.