Honduras Mission Trip 2009 - Awesome Trip!

This year’s mission trip went so well….I can only thank and praise God. Starting from the beginning of our trip until we came back home. Again, praise our Lord for a successful mission trip. I also thank our church family and prayer partner’s for keeping us in their prayers with specific requests for keeping us healthy, safe and to have a Godly attitude.



DAY ONE – Saturday, March 21, 2009

Our team of eight met at FLC at four in the morning, it was a bit chilly but bearable. A few of us came earlier because we still had some last minute packing of Spanish Bibles and resources.

This year, our check-in in Norfolk went incredibly smooth (see last year’s blog for our un-smooth morning). Our flight departed on time at 6:05 a.m. and arrived in Newark, NJ. Then we boarded another plane to San Pedro Sula. During our time on this flight a few of us discovered other mission groups with the same purpose of helping the Honduran people. The gentleman to my right was a doctor and was with a team of nineteen doctors and nurses who were going to a different region than us to provide healthcare. The young lady to my left was with a group of sixteen from Pennsylvania who would be spending the week with us in La Union partnered with International Aid. They would be assisting a village called La Zona and possibly another one called Quicamote. They too, will be constructing latrines.

When we arrived in San Pedro Sula it was incredibly humid, I should know better and this being my fourth trip to pack a t-shirt in my backpack…so I just endured my lovely warm sweater.

Kurt and Matteah our International Aid leaders were waiting for us and the group from Pennsylvania after we collected our luggage.

Once our drivers loaded our luggage to a pick-up truck we headed to Villa Nuria Hotel. It was a highly secured hotel with metal fencing (electrical?) and the gate guards carried rifles. This was a new experience for me. Normally we’d stay in a regular hotel without the added security.

The hotel was a beautifully landscaped and not the same Honduras which awaited us outside the fence.

Here we got a chance to fellowship with the group from Pennsylvania plus meet a couple from Michigan that would be joining FLC group for the week in Agua Zarca.

DAY TWO – Sunday, March 22, 2009

After eating breakfast at 6:30 a.m. in the hotel restaurant we began our four hour trip to the southeast mountains and region of Lempira (3000 feet above sea level). The first two hours of our trek is on pavement and the remainder on rugged terrain. Right before starting on non-paved roads we stopped at a gas station with one restroom without a toilet seat, no light nor toilet paper. Those with experience and or those who followed their ‘what to bring on the trip list’ brought out their traveling toilet paper. For those that didn’t and needed it shrugged off their shyness and asked to borrow some. It took a while for both groups and drivers to get through with the bathroom details.

Once we left we all started to see a glimpse of Honduran life. There were a lot of roadside food stands and fresh fruit. There would be people walking and enduring the heat, some would have open umbrellas to help provide some shade as they walked the dusty roads. When we’d pass by homes, people would be hanging inside their doorways and staring at the cars that would drive by.

We arrived in La Union around noon, once there we all selected a bunk bed. This year, thank goodness I got a bottom bunk the top ones are a bit challenging for me.

After a spaghetti lunch, not traditional US spaghetti but yummy nonetheless both groups met in the pavilion where our IA leaders would be providing us with pointers for the week. One was to make sure to greet the head male in the household before the wife, otherwise it’s considered rude. We have to make sure to respect local protocol. Our leaders also informed us of the upcoming activities for our respective villages.

Once finished we all loaded into our designated vehicles and headed for our villages. It was pretty awesome to see Agua Zarca again. Our mission team and some of the villagers met in the Christian church. With the assistance of our translators who double as our drivers translated for the villagers who said they were very happy to see us. They also thanked us for the past for providing the children with school supplies and stuffed animals. We also said we were thankful to be there and thanked them for allowing us to be a part of their community.

Back at La Union some of us rested before dinner. Other’s played basketball or futbol (soccer) with some of the locals and our drivers.

Dinner was delicious, Honduran fare…tostadas, salad and watermelon and cantaloupe. And absolutely delicious coffee!

Tonight was the first time I attended Vida Abundante Church which is on the premises of the compound where we stay. Worship was incredibly loud but beautiful and all in Spanish. Once the preacher started to preach we left since most did not understand a word he was saying.

One of the funny things that our IA leaders recommended this year was to use some of the outside bathrooms whenever ones bowels began moving. Otherwise, either the dorms or shower areas would smell terribly because lack of ventilation. It was even funnier to see people walking with a roll of toilet paper headed for those specific toilets because you knew exactly what they were about to do.

Another bathroom tidbit, toilet paper is not allowed in the commode because their sewer system is not prepared to handle that. So all paper products are discarded in the wastebasket provided.

DAY THREE – Monday, March 23, 2009

Breakfast 6:30 a.m. in ‘el comedor’ (dining room) then at seven we all met in the pavilion for our devotional/worship time. This year we had a guitarist in the PA group play our worship music instead of singing acapella.

By seven thirty we were on the road. At Agua Zarca, Kurt our IA leader divided our group into teams and each team matched with a Honduran foreman. This year I noticed that all the villagers who were having latrines constructed had done their prep work of creating the base for the latrine and the cover for the sewer; this made things so much smoother and faster.

During our lunch time some of us ate quickly so we could meet the village children in the school courtyard. Our mission team guys played futbol with the boys. Our mission team gals met with the girls to clip, file and paint fingernails. They all loved it! Then it was time to get back to work.

Once back in La Union it was time to shower and downtime. Others chose to play basketball.

After dinner we all met back in the dining room. Tonight Matteah asked both groups what we saw in the villages. Those who were new saw things like dirty children, lack of hygiene, poverty. For others who’ve been coming for a few years now saw a definite improvement in health and prosperity.

DAY FOUR – Tuesday, March 24, 2009

We arrived in Agua Zarca a little before 8 a.m. Today most of the teams started on a new latrine. The one I worked on today was inside a porch that had an overhang. This was good because it meant we didn’t have to spend time creating a roof for it. However the space was cramped so movement was limited but workable.

Behind where the latrine would eventually be was a beehive. Apparently the homeowner found the beehive which is inside a tree trunk so he chopped the tree and saved the hive. It’s about sixteen inches in diameter and four feet wide and hangs to the side of his home with some wire. He covered the open sides of the trunk with wood and opens them when someone in the village wants to buy some honey. We were leery of the bees at first but according to the locals they don’t sting, the ones in that hive anyway.

We broke our lunch early again and met in the school courtyard. The guys played futbol again. The girls got their hair cut but it was assembly-line style. Our mission team consisted of four women so one washed hair with shampoo and conditioned in the outdoor cement basin in the schoolyard. The second one rinsed with a large bucket. Third step their hair was combed free of tangles. And finally, they got their haircut of choice.

During this process we discovered that most of them had head lice. Usually when lice found in these regions it’s is due to poor nutrition.

After our day was over in Agua Zarca we took a tour of the clinic in La Union. It is very small but clean. This year I was pleasantly surprised to find they had an infant incubator.

DAY FIVE – Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Today in the village it seemed like we didn’t have much work to do. I was re-teamed with the Michigan couple, this gave me an opportunity to get to know them better. Also was a chance to get speak with the homeowners and the children.

There were a few times I would try and catch a baby chick or a chicken, don’t ask me why but I just wanted to hold one but didn’t have any luck. Next thing I know I turn around and a four year old hands me a full grown chicken….which I gladly take and awkwardly hold. Then later she also hands me a baby chick which I liked better. Yes, pretty funny.

Today during our lunch time with the children we were going to spend time with them but they in turn invited us to the ‘campo’ to watch them play futbol. Their campo is where they play football in an almost flat field. I asked Kurt if it was okay to do that for about fifteen minutes, he said fine. Well, I didn’t realized how steep the hill was to get to the campo but I was terribly out of breath as most of our group. It seemed like the children were holding our hands and pulling us upward.

What I found out when we got there is the boys wanted to play a futbol game with our guys. So they made two teams and played. I think it turned out to be thirty minutes but we had to return to our work sites, so I had to be the bearer of bad news. I was so happy to be walking back ‘down.’

When we left Agua Zarca we headed to a different part of La Union where IA has an ongoing agricultural project there. They are educating the villagers how to properly grow successful crops.

DAY SIX – Thursday, March 26, 2009

Today we finished incredibly early. Our team divided into two groups and visited/prayed with each of the families we assisted in constructing the latrines. As we visited we told the families we were going to meet at the school at eleven because we wanted to give out some things for the children.

At eleven I told the kids about the school kits (50 kits) which I left with the teacher to distribute later. We also gave each child two booklets in Spanish that teach about Jesus and a complete Bible. The boys also got a comb and the girls received either two rubber bands or a hair claw.

Our group went back to the church to unwind but someone asked if they could play baseball with the kids until classes started again at one. I said sure and most of the group was gone for about an hour or until 1:30 p.m. Every time we visit the village the school teacher is always flexible with her time because she says the children are so excited that we are here and it’s only for a short time.

This was the day of goodbyes…..the children were asking if they will see us next year. I could only say what I’ve usually said in the past, only if God allows us to come back.

When we arrived in La Union we made a quick stop at the Christian Bilingual School (K-7th) to drop off the donated books for their library.

This time around we had a chance to visit a coffee processing plant. They showed us the process starting from the picked coffee bean to the drying process. At this point the coffee is green and unroasted which is then shipped off to the city to get reprocessed, roasted and packaged.

During dinner time in La Union all electricity went out at the compound. We don’t know what happened. However, good thing many remembered to bring flashlights. We didn’t meet at our usual seven. But people did hang out where basketball/futbol is normally played and cement bleachers are provided. I laid down watching the beautiful stars which seemed so close you could grab them. The night began cooling down from the hot day and it felt great.

DAY SEVEN – Friday, March 27, 2009

There is still no electricity within the compound. The ladies in the kitchen managed to make us a nice breakfast. I noticed they used the adobe stove which is heated by wood. Also, there were some battery operated machinery which insured we got hot coffee.

A little after seven we met for the last time in the pavilion for worship and devotion.

Today seemed especially hot and our bumpy ride a little tougher. Once we got on pavement it was so nice. Soon thereafter we stopped at a gas station that had a mini mart. Nice cold drinks and snacks, the pleasure of convenience.

Finally we were back where we started, Villa Nuria Hotel.

DAY EIGHT – Saturday, March 28, 2009

We left the hotel at 5 a.m. to catch our 7 a.m. flight out of San Pedro Sula. Then it was to Houston, Texas; Newark, NJ; and Norfolk. Our families were waiting for us at 11 p.m. Home Sweet Home.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR NEXT YEAR’S MISSION TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blessings,

Maria Winchell
FLC Missions Leader
missions@freedomlifechurch.com

Honduras 2009

Our mission team will be going to Agua Zarca village March 21-27th and this will be our fourth year going! Our project this time is the same as last year to assist the villagers in constructing latrines. They are outhouse-style with a basic sewer system.

We have less than a month before we are out there. Please be in prayer for us, specifically to keep us physically strong and healthy and that we demonstrate God's love through our actions.

Thank you!

Maria Winchell
FLC Missions Leader

Freedom Life Church Mission Team 2008

The following is a letter I sent out to friends and family (I have amended it to add more information)

Dear Friends & Family:

Thank you so much for your prayers for our Honduras Mission Trip 2008!

As much as one plans, I have learned that it won’t go as one plan’s. Proverbs 19:21 says it well, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” That is what happened during this trip, my plans didn’t match my paper outline but God’s will happened, and that’s what only matters.

Day One: We had some passport issues at Norfolk International, VA. I learned that we have to use given names instead of nicknames for our airline tickets. So instead of Tommy it had to be Thomas. Half the group had to be re-ticketed at $100 each. That was at about 4:30 in the morning, what a wake-up call!

We boarded our plane but didn’t go anywhere because Atlanta was having bad weather. So we un-boarded and had breakfast and took a brief nap. Some of our loved ones were still around in the airport so we met up with them in Starbucks.

Finally we flew into Atlanta about three hours late. Our connecting flight already departed and Delta had only one flight per day to San Pedro Sula. Boy oh boy, that did not sit well, however I learned that we had to remain positive no matter the circumstance. A few of us tried everything to get us on another airline or alternative method to Honduras but they were all booked. After a few hours of trying to control our plans did we have to submit to an overnight stay in the Peach State. Despite this setback everyone on our team remained positive and upbeat, we made the most of it. It was a bit challenging though hand carrying nine 34 pound boxes of bibles in addition to our carry-on which was full of hygiene kits, school kits and supplies. That’s okay, we’re burning calories which doesn’t hurt . . . much.

Our airline found us a low-cost hotel and boy low budget it was! But! It was a bed and shower, just no extra set of garments or specific toiletries, like deodorant since our luggage was checked-in. So I hand washed some of my clothing but did hear later that some of the ‘guys’ flipped their undergarments. Yes, ewww! Before we went to bed I told everyone we’d leave at 7 a.m. the next morning so to be ready.

Day Two: Someone came knocking at our door at 6:05 am; it was one of our team members saying they were ready. I didn’t realize we sprung one hour ahead that night! Speedy morning it was. I was very impressed when I and the only other female in the group found all eight men of our team (two teenagers) all ready in the lobby. Since I was so impressed I let go of their smart aleck remarks. We made the 7:30 a.m. shuttle.

Good thing we arrived early, there was a long line getting through security. Finally when we arrived to our gate we had to wait to see if we would get a seat because we were placed on standby. Well, we didn’t get called. It was almost dejavu from the day before when we got in line again to get re-ticketed. By this time we learned a lot. We made sure to ask for an upgrade in hotel (the guys idea, not mine, they kept saying we stayed in a ‘ghetto hotel’ because it was in a very bad part of Atlanta), courtesy calling cards (5 minutes each), toiletry bag which contained a razor, toothpaste, toothbrush, detergent, hairbrush and a t-shirt (some wished it was underwear), plus a free meal in the airport up to $7. By this time we had confirmed seats for the next day.

When we arrived at the hotel it was certainly nicer and thank the Lord, a Target across the highway! We all took the hotel shuttle and I believe everyone bought underwear, I sure did. America!

Day Three: Off to Honduras, we were so happy to be in an airline seat. We arrived in San Pedro Sula around noon. The line in customs was slow but I was so relieved to be there. Next would be getting our luggage outside, 20 suitcases or duffel bags weighing 50 pounds each (I tried to ‘carry’ the ones with wheels), our carry-ons and 9-34 lb boxes of bibles. Outside waiting for us was our International Aid leader Kurt with three trucks and drivers, what a blessing. I was afraid that we would be stranded for a while. Communication to Honduras had been quite difficult this weekend.

Normally we would be staying in a hotel this night in San Pedro Sula then drive to the village the next day. However, because of our delay we drove straight to La Union for four hours. Paved roads for the first half and unpaved the second half. We made it in time for dinner at the retreat center. After we took our gear into our dorms and selected a bunk bed we headed to the dining hall where the other group, Covenant Life from Michigan started clapping and whooping that we finally made it.

After dinner we had a meeting with Kurt. He gave us ten pointers for our week there. 1. Free yourself of your expectations. 2. Try something new, be willing to try something new. 3. Keep ears, eyes and mind open. 4. Do ‘with’ not ‘for’ 5. Be flexible. 6. Respect Honduras staff and people. 7. Remember your purpose and task (Love of Christ & humility). 8. It’s not about you and it is about you. Integrate our experience and take back with us. 9. Enjoy community work. 10. Be flexible!

The pastor Freedom Life Church sponsors, Pastor Amilcar, invited us to his home that night. We all jumped into his truck, most of us in the back of the cargo bed. Some tried to sit on the edge like Hondurans do but soon found themselves sitting on the floor for how bumpy the ride was. We all had delicious Honduras coffee and sweet bread. We fellowshipped and prayed.

Hard to believe it’s Day Four: Behind schedule but if we’re on God’s plan then we’re right on schedule.

We finally arrived to our befriended village, Agua Zarca. The villagers, especially the children had been waiting for us since Sunday but explained we had been delayed. It was so good to be there.

There was a mini lesson on how to construct latrines or ‘letrinas’ in one of the homes. A lot of manual labor, power tools would have been so handy. But we had to do with physical strength. Unfortunately most of the homeowners did not prepare adequately, so we started with what they needed to have prepared. I’m glad we didn’t have to dig the ten foot hole by four feet which collects the sewage, it was already done.

This first day we had to make the wooden form to create the base of the latrine and fill it with cement, rocks and rebar. We also made the lid for the sewage hole which is about two feet wider than the hole, however, some went a lot wider (bigger is better I guess). Two holes had to be created in the lid, so we stuck a bottle or a leftover PVC pipe. One is for venting, the other is for the pipe that attaches to the commode. So when they flush with a bucket of water it goes directly down.

Some of us cut lunch short and had VBS at the village school for the children. It was fun and a learning experience. We used one of our vehicles to play our VBS song because we intended to buy a CD player when we arrived in Honduras, but since our plans didn’t go accordingly, we improvised.

Day Five: I believe it was this day (forgot to include it in my journal) that one of our vehicle’s wheels got stuck in a hole on our way to the village. It was an interesting way to start our day. It took about twenty minutes to get it out. Someone tied a rope to the car with another car and pulled it out.

At the village we started building the walls of the latrine. We only had time to build 10 instead of 14 but that is okay, it’s God‘s plan.

We had VBS today, the kids were so excited beforehand. Every time they saw us they’d ask, ‘so we’ll see you at the school at one, right?’ Today in addition to our Bible reading we made necklaces which consisted of a wooden cross and colored beads. Each color representing a bible verse which leads up to the plan of salvation. This day, nine children accepted Christ into their hearts!

Pastor Amilcar had joined us today. After VBS we saw Pichingo who is known as the ‘crazy man’ who roams three villages, including Agua Zarca. Our U.S. and our Honduran pastor started talking with Pichingo and then were praying with him. He asked Jesus into his heart!! Afterward, the pastors were asking him about his decision and he was responding correctly instead of his usual mumbling. Pastor A. started to share Pichingo’s story how he came to be that way because he was not always crazy. Suddenly, Pichingo started telling his own story how he made a pact with a demon in the mountains . . . Pastor A. was obviously surprised and said “listen to him”, referring to Pichingo who was speaking clearly. I’ve known Pichingo since March 2006 and this was the first time I could hear him coherently, he was repeating his story about his pact. It was after the pact that he changed. It was amazing and weird at the same time, obviously God was at work. He was not completely healed from his state of mind but I believe he was given some clarity. Praise God!!!

Day Six: On our way to our village, we stopped by the Christian Bilingual School in La Union to drop off the books our church family collected for their library. I think we had about 150 pounds of books. A few of us had a chance to peek into some of the classrooms. I’ve been told by some of the school teachers that when students are given homework they are literally happy about it and say ‘thank you.’

At the village some were still working on the walls and others were constructing the roofs, indoor door frame and doors for the latrines. Later the following week one of the Honduran International Aid workers would install the commodes and piping for those needing help completing their latrine.

Instead of VBS today we had a mini fiesta with the children and villagers. Earlier one of the village women was seriously ill and the school teacher told me there were no cars going to La Union so they could take her to the clinic. With IA’s approval she was rushed to the clinic in one of our vehicles. Back to the fiesta, our Christian music, soccer ball for the games and other resources was in the vehicle that took the villager to La Union. More improvisation. But that’s okay, it’s God’s plan that is happening. Pastor Amilcar

preached, he had a guitarist with a little girl sing. Then we distributed beanie babies, every child received three minus one who got only two (the rest of the beanie babies were in the vehicle that left). Then the hygiene kits were distributed. It all went well.

Day Seven:
Both Covenant Life and Freedom Life traveled together to San Pedro Sula. Once on paved roads it was nap time. After checking into our hotel we went souvenir shopping where we put our bargaining skills to work. Then we all had dinner at a restaurant we walked to, it was a nice way to end our time there.

Day Eight: Home at last. Thank the Lord we all made it home together, instead of 11:05 pm at Norfolk International, we arrived around 2 a.m. But that is okay.

There is so much more that went on this week but I hope this gives you a glimpse of our stay. I discovered that it wasn’t all about the ‘letrinas’ but about relationships and accomplishing God’s plan and not mine.

Again, thank you so much for your prayers and please pray for the community of Agua Zarca!

Blessings,

Maria Winchell
Missions Leader
Freedom Life Church

8 Weeks and less than a day to go!

Time seems to be flying now that we are nearing our departure to Honduras. This year we'll have the opportunity to work with the villagers in constructing latrines. New this time around is our chance to minister by providing Vacation Bible School for the village children after each workday. And on the last workday we are having an Outreach Festival event for the entire village. Please pray for God's hand in all we say and do!!! Thank you, Maria Winchell

Latrine Project - 2008

Unfortunately I made an assumption that we would be working on the bio-sand water filtration system for this upcoming trip. I just received confirmation that we will be working on latrines. Here is a picture directly from International Aid showing us what to expect.

Quicamote

Pastor Amilcar emailed us some pictures from Quicamote where they held a church gathering for surrounding villages.