Today after a breakfast tortillas and beans (oh no Jimi) we went for an arduous trip into the mountains!  What started out to be an hour long trip to the village of Tao turned into a two hour adventure.  We thought the little taxi cars in Copan were scary ….. thank God for four wheel drive.  We even drove through a river just like on the truck commercials!  Lucky for us the “bus” made it there safely and we are all still in one piece.  Driving so slowly, we attracted a lot of attention … or maybe it was because we were a bunch of foreigners crammed into a Toyota “bus”!

The school we visited today was “Escuela Del Carmen Pena”.  This is a public facility that educates 130 kids in three classrooms (and three teachers to match – talk about overcrowding)!  We are charged with helping to build a fourth classroom to ease this overcrowding.  The kids were all in class when we arrived but had lots of fun watching us work. We all pitched in with digging dirt, shoveling, brick laying, carrying rocks and supervision as well as experiencing the sights and sounds of the area to include local vegetation (lots of corn there;)  Most of us have not worked that hard in some time!

We had local fare prepared most certainly in an outdoor kitchen!  You just can’t buy that in Aiken.  Whole chicken was prepared for us (good thing they eventually cut it up as it is doubtful that many of us even know how to cut up a chicken … except maybe Jimi but he eats squirrel) in addition to soup and rice … and of course tortillas!

When school let out the kids were ready to play!  Thanks to Jeff and Michael we had lots of toys to entertain the kids.  The girls had an absolute ball playing with the jump ropes and the balls and Frisbees were a huge hit!  The squealing from the kids was evidence of their degree of excitement!  We are headed back their way tomorrow so we better take candy to step it up a bit.

Everyone barely had time to shower (never could get Leigh in there but it worked out as we made her sit on the porch) after we got back before it was time for dinner and a movie.  Several kids from the Agape Promises program joined us for the Spanish version of Shrek the Third and popcorn.  It is great to see all the Saint John’s Youth interacting with these special kids!

Roz and Abby dig some dirt …. actually mostly rocks … and we see who is working;)

Front of the school

Sydney is planning on trying out for the South Aiken track … wants to throw discus

Amy rocks

Can we build it??  Yes we can!!

Abby get your swing on!

Dave trying to tutor Abby on how to swing a pick ax

Yay! Beach ball is a blast!!

The fish was enormous … with huge teeth!

This is so much fun!  I hope we can find jobs doing this back home!

Ms. Reed where did you learn to spread mortar?

David, Abby, Kaylee and Allie

Our fearless leader demonstrating the finer points of robotics

Lunch Break!!  Sydney liked the chicken:)

Side of school – three classrooms are in this building

Allie is being recruited by Clemson

Jump rope was a hit! Michael wanted to jump but we needed a rope turner.

Jeff loves him some beach balls!

Kids loved the camera (the other one).

And that girls, is how you turn a cart wheel.

Cuatro

Day 4

Another early start to Santa Clara VBS at the public school (1st grade to 6th grade). 

We started with a lesson on brushing teeth and each child got a new toothbrush and toothpaste to take home!  Next was the fluoride treatment-  they were in a hurry to spit it out with priceless facial expressions. 

Then VBS began – same theme as Monday.

Today we had much more time to play games with the children – throwing beachballs, footballs, tennis balls and Frisbees.  The children today really interacted with us and answered questions about the storyline of Jesus being our shepherd and how God loves each of us.

Gloria and Sandra packed us wonderful shredded chicken sandwiches and PBJ’s – we got eat in the shade near a small stream.

Afternoon “fun” was helping to construct a wall around Roxanne’s soon to be orphanage.  We moved rocks, mixed concrete by hand, along with new Honduran friends, and laid the foundation for approximately 12 to 40 feet (depending on who you asked!).

Adios!

 
supermodel Rozzi passing out fluoride

 
David, Allie, and Kaylee killing the music station

 
making ovejas

 
Passing out goodie bags to the kids

 
Kaylee teaching kids how to brush their teeth

 
Sydney playing with the kids

 
do work son!

 
Jeff playing with the kids

 
making concrete Honduran style

 
Amy wheelbarrowin’

Fun With Sheep

Today, we went to the White Dove bilingual school in Santa Clara. Dave and Jimi helped with construction on a new office and computer lab for the school while the rest of the team conducted a bible school for the kids. The children were awesome and excited to learn. The theme was about how God is our shepherd and that he watches over us. The kids made ovejas (sheep) to take home with the 23rd Psalm on the back.
Once we left the school, we stopped for some excitement at a rickety bridge. For dinner, we joined Reyna, a friend from past trips, for homemade pancakes and tortillas. We even received tortilla making lessons. We decided to rough it by watching the championship at a local restaurant with air conditioning. We also managed to squeeze in some time for soccer.

 
Jimi reading a math book???? And failing.

 
classrooms at the White Dove School

 
vacation bible school

 
building an office

 
arts and crafts

 
music station

 
swinging bridge

 
game time!

 
Rozy, the tortilla master

 
Reyna and her family with Michael

 
Allie ballin’ on the futbol field

 
Go Louisville!

Touring with the Hondurans

Day 2:

Yesterday was an exhausting success on arriving in Honduras. That evening, we went to the city’s recreational center. While there, we enjoyed the games of ping pong, volleyball, and soccer.

Today we went to the Mayan ruins and a bird park in Copan. We brought along with us 15 Agape Promise kids. At 7 in the morning, we all piled into a school bus and rode two and a half hours to Copan. At the ruins, it was very hot. For lunch we ate at a pizza restaurant with the Agape Promise kids. The group of us headed off to the Macaw Mountain in the always exciting motor taxis. We got to see several species of birds and even got to hold some for a picture. Afterwards, we headed back to the bus for the ride home. About 30 minutes away from the compound, we stopped for some last minute shopping. Thanks for the prayers and we can’t wait to see what God has in store for us tomorrow!! 🙂

 
Michael playing dirty at the rec center.

 
todos las personas

 
Rozy, the supermodel!

 
Allie, breaking it down on the ping pong court.

 
just another Honduran escalator…..

 
Two modes of transportation, the horse is safer.

 
And Abby is on the ground!

 
Start your engines!

 
our new amigo, Miguel.
 
 
Water in a bag, what???
 

   

Mission trip – April 6 thru 13

Members:
Michael, Leigh and Allie N.
Jimi W.
Deanna and Sydney G.
Rosalind and Kaylee C.
Nancy and Addie R.
Dave W.
Jeff, Abby, and David R.
Amy B.
The next mission trip starts on Saturday, April 6.  Our primary tasks will be VBS at 2 locations, school building construction at Teo, office construction at the White Dove school, and taking the Agape Promises youth on a field trip.
Watch the BLOG and the Aiken Standard for updates on the trip.  Please pray for safe travels and a successful trip.
Michael N.

Now to Sleep


        The team made it home – even a bit early.  Almost a full flight from San Pedro Sula to Atlanta, half full from Atlanta to Augusta.  The arrival drill in Atlanta has been improved with the opening of the new (extra) international building.  There was NO waiting at immigration or at customs (Praise the Lord).  
        Come join a HAF mission trip, you will be blessed.

The end of a successful Dental Team Mission Trip


       
          Today we finished a most successful Dental Clinic.  One Hundred percent of all the Agape Promise children were examined, had their teeth cleaned, and restorative procedures performed as needed.  Additionally 15 children from La Montanita were treated as well as: Gloria’s daughter, two members of the hospital staff, and our own Dr. Tino – who had no cavities. 
          Randy, Tommy, Maynor, Dr Tino, and several AP students along with Gloria attended the Friday night Tejeras feeding, passing out clothing and sandals donated from St. John’s UMC and other Aiken area churches.
 
Our review showed that the AP students are caring well for their teeth as the number of restorative procedures was down and the number of no cavities was up.  Next year we will hang two charts on the dental clinic walls.  One will be titled “The NO Cavity Club”.  Children’s pictures who have no cavities will be posted on the charts.  Stars will be added for second and subsequent years without a cavity. ” The second chart will be called “The Valiente Club”.   The Valiente Club poster will contain pictures of children who exhibited bravery when visiting the dentist.

           After inventorying all the supplies, the dental clinic trunks were moved to the ranch for storage.  A very enjoyable dinner was had with Sister Martha, her husband Gary, and Dr Tino as our honored guests along with all the team members, our driver, and translator.  As an additional treat Sam and Roxanne joined us.  For dessert we enjoyed a homemade flam as the birth cake for Alan who turned 73 during the trip.

         Saturday we will have breakfast at 8:00, pack the bus, and depart for the airport in San Pedro Sula at 9:00.  It will be a tired bunch of travelers who will lose two hours of sleep Saturday night – time difference between Central Standard and Eastern Standard Time and the start of daylight saving time.  It will take a great effort to make church on time Sunday.

A short 11 hours day at the dental clinic


          Thursday was a light day; we only worked 11 hours running the dental clinic.  We examined and treated 20 children plus two members of the hospital staff.  Several of yesterday’s clients returned for additional procedures.   

           This brings the total of number of Agape Promise children treated to 49.  The 50thchild will examined Friday morning along with about 15 children from La Montanita, a hill top village which is some 30 – 45 minute drive from Quimistan.   

           We will close the clinic Friday at 3:00 p.m. so the entire team can participate in the Tejeras feeding program.

The start of a successful 3 day Dental Clinic


          An exhausting day, breakfast at 7:00, dental clinic open at 8:00 and we successfully examined and treated 29 children from the Agape Promises program.  We all worked a very long 12 hours, but were much pleased to see significant improvement in the overall dental health.   
         
      Many of the children had no cavities and even some had no cavities for a second year in a row.  One new child in the program, an eight year old girl, had four baby teeth       removed and one small cavity filled.  She sat through the entire procedures with a smile and never  flinched.   
           The team was most appreciative of the 3 older AP students who assisted in keeping our “little patients” engaged while they waited their turn.
 
         
  
        Tomorrow we will finish up the Agape Promises children and Friday children from La Montanita will be bused down and treated.

Praise the Lord, the chair is fixed!



 

      Up early this morning to move tables and supplies from the ranch and Maynor’s office to the hospital.  There was one surprise, the overhead light fixtures is now working – no more sterilization in the dark!   
      Randy, Charlie, and Kathy arrived without problem about 2:30 p.m.  After greetings and gossip we enjoyed an excellent chicken lunch.  We then all went to the hospital to finish setting up the dental clinic.  Thanks to Stanley (one of our excellent translators) the dental chair WAS REPAIRED.  The new patient lights make a significant difference, no longer is a helper needed to hold a flashlight.
     We returned to the ranch at 5:45 ready for dinner and a well deserved rest.