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.
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!
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!
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.
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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.
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!!!
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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!
Maria Winchell
Missions Leader
Freedom Life Church



