HandsandHeartsforHonduras

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Messages and pictures of our day... (Friday)

P.S. Our flight is due to arrive tomorrow night at 9:51pm in
Columbus... for all those wanting or needing that
information... We all agree that we leave Honduras much
richer for the experience God has granted us to be His
servants.

2006-04-22T01:13:00.000-04:00

Thursday night was spent by the whole team at Casa de Esperanza Children's Home... Most collapsed early after a long day...

Friday Morning

The last home built by our teams yesterday (Thursday)...

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The mother, and new owner, of the home built yesterday in Santa Ana... thanks to all who gave to make these things and many others to come possible...

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The women who were "pampered" yesterday with the manicures and pedicures may just "break a nail" today!

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Friday evening

Part of our fun today was serving food at a "cookout" at the local park for over two hundred and twenty five local residents... many of them may have otherwise gone without food today...

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As we completed the playground today at Casa, we invited the neighborhood children in for the "fun.."

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The final stages of the "Taj" of all playgrounds at Casa de Esperanza

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Laughery friends and family,
Sorry we haven’t done the best job about blogging this week. It has been very busy. From daylight (well actually before daylight) to dark. If you have been keeping up with the daily activities posted to the blog you can see that for yourself. Plus some things never change – I have been responsible for the bank while we have been here. Exchanging currency and making sure the appropriate items are paid for out of the mission fund and then recorded. The week has been wonderful. Jody has hustled every day, all day. I don’t think I know anyone who works harder than he does. It has been wonderful to see the girl’s hearts and how they are growing in their relationships with God. We visited the hospital yesterday to deliver the rocking chairs. While we were there Kelsey held a little baby boy that more than likely was HIV positive. She held and bounced him while she feed him a bottle all with tears streaming down her checks. And then on the way to Santa Ana last night Delaney began many of the songs we sang in the van on the way to the children’s home. Speaking of the van that is a whole other story. Let’s just say we had a true Honduras experience with how many people can fit in one vehicle. We’ve taken lots of pictures again and have lots to share. Looking forward to seeing all of you but hating to leave. We love you! See you soon! (Sarajane – miss ya, lots!)
Mary Anna

Adam and Momma,
Hi there! Good to hear from you as always. Can’t wait to hear your voice tomorrow. It’ll be a long day nonetheless, but at least I’ll be home again…wahoo people! Today we’re at Karen and Jen’s children’s home doing little touches like finishing painting and finishing a playground here, etc. It should be a reasonably easy day. Tonight we’re having a dinner with the community and fixing for people to come and eat. Then we go back to the mission house tonight to pack up for home! I’m soooooo excited to come home. Adam, that note from Taylor was adorable! Tell her that I love her and miss her as well. I can’t wait to see her again. Give her a big hug from me. Mom, thanks for putting my car in the shop…I’ll have to have a few more things checked on it over the next few months. Maybe I won’t need to buy a new car before I move, lol. So, why isn’t the lady from the lodge letting us have it? I don’t understand why after 2 weeks of not hearing back from those people that she won’t let us use it. Harass her please! If not, I will when I get back. Well, I should go…I need to eat and get ready. I will call you guys from Houston if my phone doesn’t die first…the battery is just about dead from talking on the way here. I love you both and miss you. Mom, give Brennen hugs and kisses from me, I miss him soooooooo much. Seeing kids this week made it difficult to not think about him.
Love you guys, Amanda Beth

Tony Foreman,
I know you’ve missed seeing my smiling face this week at the church. Just think you can harass me even more about ND come Monday, if I come to work….jk. Of course I’ll be there! Hope you had a great week. It was an awesome experience to come to Honduras. You’ll have to come next year. Nothing like having your heart ripped out on a daily basis. Have a great weekend.
Amanda Beth

TSCKCKDWR,Foreman Grose
SJLJK,Brown
RRAA,Werry
One more day of hard work hear I’m taking a break fromjust moving a whole lot of sand from one pile to another. Yesterday we ladies all went and got manicures or pedicures and some eye brow plucking, and delived some rocking chairs to an infants ward at a poor hospital, and shopped and shopped. Yes , I got you allsomething small, do be excited to see me or you may not get it. Just Teasing. Pray for our plane rides tomorrow, as they tend to make me a tad nervous. I appreciate all that you all have done –
taking care of my precious boys. I can’t wait to see their smiles and feel there hugs. Oh yeah the other part of the manicures and pedicures we did that to help out mi esperanza which is an organization that trains women in business skills and trades so that they can provide for their families. Manicures were $2 or 40 limpiras and pedicures were 50 limpiras and eye plucking 20 limpiras about $1, so there tip we gave them was much more than the cost. It helps to boost there self esteem and gives them a lot of experience. So we just did it to help out not to be pampered ( yeah, your right, Maybe a little of both). Love you all, Rebekah
See you soon my Ryley, Wyatt and Dylan!! Mommy and Daddy Love you!
I’ll be sure to bring Grandma’s and Grandpa’s home with me. See you at Church Sunday.

Dennis, Brandon, Michael, Mom, Dad, Mama, Pat, Grandma and Grandpa,
We are coming home!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to see your beautiful faces and welcoming embraces! I saw Cristian today! He is WONDERFUL! Full of smiles, kindness and appreciation. He loves the little children and is a real caretaker. He even smelled a 3 year old for poopy! I got to talk to Greg Vaughan the director again he had nothing but praise about the progress Cristian has made in the last year. A rough start but a fantastic success. I will tell you more later. Saw a naked Honduran man just strolling down the middle of the highway today between traffic. Could have done without that image!!!! Looking forward to being home and have come to appreciate each of you even more. I pray I will do a better job of letting you all know how much you mean to me. I love you all. You bless me. Luv Le
PS I’d love to see you all and sleep on Dennis arm on the way home tomorrow! Columbus airport 9:51 pm Continental from Houston, TX luv ya

Erin, Allison, Dad, Mom, Heidi, Andrea, Mary, Sally, and friends and family—
Our week here is almost over and we can’t wait to see you tomorrow and in the next few days. My heart is so full and I pray that we will be able to share this experience with you. We are so thankful for all of you and all of our many many blessings, including the opportunity to come to Honduras this week. We are so grateful for your support and hope that you know
that you have contributed to the many many people we have seen and touched and spoken to this week.
See you SOOOOOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Barbara & Joel

Bobbie, Becca, and Sam,
Well, this is the last night in Honduras. We finished the playground today; Jody didn’t think we could get it done, but we did. Maybe there will be some pictures on the blog. We had a nice picnic for people in the community tonight in the Santa Ana community. Quite a crowd showed up for the event. We served hotdogs and hamburgers to 227 or so people. I got to do more crowd control, but everything went all right I think. I am looking forward to Saturday night/Sunday morning and getting home. Thanks for praying for us. I love you all.

Dan/d

Hola Foreman family and friends
Well, tonight was the night when all of our tears were shed yet again since a week ago. It has been a wonderful two weeks and two weeks that I will never forget. We have made new friends not only here in Honduras but with people like Jessica from New York and Kristin from Seattle, Rachel from Nashville, and Jamie from Arizona. It has been great and a blessing to Joyce and I and we feel we have been blessed far more that those that have been blessed here in Honduras through the working of our hands for Jesus. We miss our family and friends at Belpre, and we leave with mixed emotions and truly changed people. So get ready kids and grandkids cause Mom and Dad and Grandpa and Grandma are a’comin home. Pray for our safe trip and if we don’t see all of you Saturday night late, we will see you Sunday morning. Love to all, Mom and Dad (Grandpa and Grandma)

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Connie, sorry I missed the post deadline tonight so had to go in and send a seperate to you. Im sorry I have not been able to write. I wasnt sure if you would be checking since you were at the beach, but it has been so busy, by the time we get back in the evening and we get the plans made for the next day, its late, and then in the morning there is more to do. I have had a great trip, but am sooooo ready to get home to you and the girls. I hope you had a safe trip home, and a great visit with John.
We started the playground at Casa De Esperanza today and got so much accomplished, it was after dark when we quit and were using flashlights for the last few bolts. We still have a lot to do tommorrow to finish it, but this group is full of "bufftruckers" and jump in and get the job done.

We are spending the night at the childrens home tonight, and then work all day tommorrow and have a cookout for the community tommorrow evening. Then it is back to the mission house to pack and get ready for the trip home.................YEAAAAHHHHHHHH. You know how I love this place, but love you all greatly also and I am ready to see you and share everything with you and show you my pictures. (oh yeah, I broke my promise to you, I bought you something at the valley of the angels......haha, Im sure you will forgive me).

Please give the girls a great big hug and kiss, and let them know that the time till I get home to see them, is now very short, and that I love them more than all the grains of sand on the beach. I love you and look forward to seeing you.
Love Mark

2006-04-21T00:08:00.000-04:00

Thursday - Messages from abroad...
Many of the women on the team visited Mi Esperanza today to give the women learning a new trade practice at doing manicures, pedicures, massages.. etc....

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A service project... with your help... we were able to provide 4 rocking chairs for the newborn areas of Children's Hospital... Thanks!

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We worked late in the night on the playground at Casa de Esperanza.. which we will finish tomorrow...

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Hola Foreman Family and Friends,

Sorry, we haven’t written for a couple of days. We have been so doggone tired of an evening, so I am writing this morning. Monday we built two more houses and Tueday we built another house and distributed food and clothes at Santa Ana. Yesterday, we pretty well finished a playground at Jimmy Hughes’ and got to shop for an hour at Valley of the Angels. Bob, I blessed a couple of cramps for you. Sherman and Tony Frock, thanks for the nice e-mails. You certainly boosted my energy level after reading them. You guys are great. I miss you all and you too Grubbs. The new bunch of people have been great and great workers as well. We will be at Casa de Esperanza for the next two days, spending the night there. We miss all of our family a lot and are looking forward to seeing you all. All you grandkids keep praying for us and you kids and friends as well ( as if I need to remind you to). Love you all and keep writing. Thanks Tony, Rachel, and Sarah for the e-mails and glad you had agood time with the kids at the cabin. Also glad no one drowned at Pipestem. Abby, Jodie said to thank you for praying for him. Got to go. Other people wanting to blog. Love to all, Mom and Dad

Momma, Brennen, Adam, and Anita…
Hello! I’m writing this morning, all the girls are headed to Mia Esperanza to get their nails done and all that jazz. Then we’re going to work at Karen and Jen’s place for awhile and we’re all sleeping there tonight. Things are good. I’m definitely ready to come home though. I miss you all, but I miss holding and kissing Brennen so much. I’m ready to come home and catch up on some sleep. I hope you all have a great day. I love you all soooooooo much and miss you bunches.
Love, Amanda Beth

Teresa --glad you could talk to mom. Did you tell her I called? On the 17th – Wednesday – I think there is a noonish flight but an earlier flight might be cheaper. And then leave that Sunday on the 6:00PM ish flight. If you play with the times the cost may go down. $290 if that is the best then that is fine…me and mom will split it. As far as my AA account number, I have no idea – I can fill it in when I get to the airport. Hope all else is going well and mom’s trip is good. Talk to you in a few days. Take Care – Love you loads….

Mom, thank you for your results on Idol! ILY, Deb

Dear Allison and Erin and family,
We’re thinking of you all today and tomorrow. APlease give Loueta a hug for us and say hello to Uncle Tom, Aunt Linda, and Aunt Mary. The week is going so quickly now. We can’t wait to see you on Saturday!
Love, Barb & Joel/Mom & Dad

Gigi & Grampa, The food is still good. I am getting up at 6am every morning and into bed after 10. We’re staying very busy! I’m keeping up well and not getting tired in the afternoons! A rooster crows and wakes us up each day. We met one lady whom people had tried to teach to say “nice to meet you” but instead she says “ I want to eat you!” Tomorrow we go to Good Shepherd Children’s home to see Cristian. LeAnn is so excited! Can’t wait to see you, Leah, Seth and Mark at the airport. I dream of your hugs each night before I fall asleep. I love y’all so much!
Tammy

Lisa, Hillary & Haley,
It was good talking to you yesterday. Lisa, just do what you have to do to get it fixed and we will worry about the rest later. Don’t worry about it will be fine!!!!
Mom & Dad, help lisa get the basement figured out. Mom please call the Blains and check on the offer and help them thru it. You probably already are!!!!! Please call the studio and tell the girls I said hello and that I will see them Monday.
See you soon! Love Brian

Steve and Stephen,
Lots of love can’t wait to share this with you. Stephen don’t forget to sign up for football Saturday.
Love Mom

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Headed to Jimmy Hughes....

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Common sights as you travel just outside the city...

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Jimmy Hughes Rehab Center...

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Inside the Rehab facility...

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Salvador... one of the ministers working with Rehab Center at Jimmy Hughes...

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Fortunately... Mark was able to capture the "mountain lion" reportedly seen on the Mission House grounds recently by Mary Ann and Jen...

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Dinner together at Santa Lucia...

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Continued work on the playground at Jimmy Hughes...

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Stories From Another World
Wednesday, April 20, 2006

Most of us are still processing the events of a day that began over 12 hours ago when we arrived at the Jimmy Hughes Childrens’ Home. We listened to Jimmy tell his story of a life lived in the Mafia. It’s a world we see in movies and read in books but assume its absurd and extreme existence is only the product of fantasizing imaginations. Not so. And because I know some of you are reading this blog to your children and it is being accessed by some young people, I will omit the details of his story here. But please ask your loved ones to tell you about our visit there when they get home.

His facility has a rehab center for teens and young adults and a childrens’ home specifically for the protection of abused and abandoned children. Oh the incredibly painful lives some of these babes have lived in a few short years.

Tomorrow we will begin our work at Casa de Esperanza where Jen and Karen live. We’ll be painting, building a playground and helping with the overall cleaning and prepping of this place that will soon be home to more orphaned children.

We continue to ask for your prayers for safety but most of all for hearts that continue to be bent toward obedience to Father’s will.

From our captured hearts to yours, good night.

Hi Mom! I got your email! Thank you SO much….I was wondering if I was going to hear from you! I’m missing home, but it’s been such an awesome trip and experience. I was able to call Kak from the mall last night and of course, lost it as I heard a familiar voice. He said Brenda had a hard time emailing me too, but just keep trying b/c it will get here!
Yesterday we went to one of the churchs and handed out bags of food, washed the womens feet and distributed clothes. They held a bible study for the adults and a vacation bible school for the kiddos. Again, another rewarding and moving day. I think I felt more tired doing that than I did building a house. Once you get to the destination, you just want to work harder and help them all, but it’s just not possible and so heart breaking to have to turn them away. Today we are going to Jimmy Hughes childrens home and building a playground. *sigh* I just have so much to share when I get home.
I love and miss you, Deb

Dear Allison, Erin, Mom, Dad, Heidi, Andrea, and friends—
Hola! The week is starting to go quickly. It seems like we have been here for a month—a great month. Yesterday we worked on passing out food bags, fitting shoes for entire families (after we washed the feet of the mothers), and we also had a “vbs” for at least 100 kids while they held a Bible study for the adults. It was a busy day.
It was great to talk to Dad and ever;yone yesterday morning and Mom and Erin last night. Thanks Heidi and Andrea for your emails! Lots of love to all of you! We can’t wait to share our pictures and everything. People are waiting for a turn
Love, Mommy and Daddy/ Joel and Barb

Hello Everyone –
My team built a second house yesterday while the other team handed out over 200 food bags and clothes. All of the clothes I brought went to some very needy children – thanks guys for sending them. I can’t wait until I come home to show you all of my photos and you know I have tons.
Mom, be save in Texas. Love Jessica

Adam,
Hi sweetie! Sorry I didn’t get to write yesterday. We’ve had a really busy couple of days, today will be as well…so we’re writing early this morning we won’t be able to tonight. I hope work is going well and you’re not too busy. Sounds like your parents all have everything taken care of as far as traveling. Did they find anywhere to stay yet? Are you getting anything else done? Been working on the outfits for the guys? LOL. Sorry, don’t mean to pester! I miss you a lot. I can’t wait to talk to you again. My bruise on my leg is still rather ugly. It’s black and purple now and quite sore. Actually my whole body is sore and a bit sunburnt. We’re really close to the equator here so no matter how many times you apply sunscreen, it doesn’t exactly help. Well, I need to eat breakfast. I love you and miss you like crazy! Have a good day hon!

Love you, Amanda Beth

Momma,
Oh no, I hope Brenn is okay. Give him lots of hugs from me. I miss you guys like crazy as well. I can’t wait to come home and see you guys. We’ve been really busy lately and been out late so I haven’t even had much time to write. Yea, the group has been hit with a lot of injuries and little things happening. I’m sure Neil is scared. How’s Lexi? Man, what’s goin’ on with everyone having health issues? Well, I hope you get some sleep. I love you and miss you momma.

Amanda Beth

Tammy’s crew, Yesterday was great! We had between 80 & 90 Kids show up for the VBS! We taught them Jesus, Loves Me in Spanish and had craft stations with the packs from Studio 24/7. Those packs made the day! Leah, there was a one-month-old baby there all day that lots of us got to hold. You can see pictures of her on the blog. Seth, I helped build a house! Lots of hammering and passing lumber through an assembly line, you would have liked it and been a big helper! As LeAnn said, God took care of me and I got to go take a snack break at Casa with Jen in the afternoon. Thanks for all the prayers Mark & Mama! I helped hand out shoes, too. I got teary-eyed seeing the shoes of people I love going into the hands of little brown-eyed children. And the mamas were so happy, too! Love you, Mark. Thanks for emailing. Aunt Gale you’ve been on my mind too, I can feel your prayers. Love to all. Tammy

Dennis,
You better e-mail me or I’m not blogging you again! I miss talking with you about your days. I pray your meeting is going well and isn’t too boring. When you get a chance call Brandon. Michael’s social life is about to drive him over the edge! Well, I gotta catch a bus!
Luv Le

Lois and Pat, God is good all the time even when it’s not going my way! Keep up the prayers. I miss you! Mom, you’re my rock! Love Always LeAnn

2006-04-19T00:56:00.000-04:00

Can you see the need for hope in these eyes?

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The community begins to mass at the gate to receive clothing, shoes, and food....

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Shoes...shoes... and more shoes...

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Brother Mark doing VBS class for the adults...

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Footwashing.... just as Jesus did...

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Clothing giveaway.... at the church near Casa de Esperanza

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Another service project paid for by your donations to the Honduras work fund... a baptistrey for the Santa Ana...

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Tuesday – April 18th - Messages from abroad...

Dear Galloway and Columbus, OH
Wow, where do I begin with what I have experienced the past few days. It’s been so awesome and eye opening in many ways. We visited a children’s home called Good Shepard. I met two girls, Meylin and Anna that left the biggest mark in my heart. I don’t think I have stopped crying since. The kids are so trusting and loving and come up to you and hold on to your hand and never let go. And the ones you bond with..it’s like they pick you. It’s amazing how you can bond with a child in 2 hours, just can’t put it into words. I’ve picked up on some more Spanish, so the language barrier isn’t so bad, but even so, you just need to sit down and color or kick a ball around and they are so appreciative. The couple that runs this home was so appreciative to for us coming out. We had an Easter Egg hunt and had a popcorn and candy cotton machine. Yesterday we built a home for a family. It took all day and just as well…hard to put in words the experience. Pounding a nail it the blazing sun just knowing you are giving a family a home tonight. Even some of the local kids came and helped. Everyone in our group has been working so hard and are such wonderful people to be with. Today we are going to another area to conduct a Vacation Bible school and hand out clothes and wash the women’s feet. Later we are going to the mall. Hehehe. I have taken about 100 pictures so far and truly cannot wait to share them with you all.
I love you and miss you dearly.
Deb

Kathy Collins & Studio 24/7,
We are using your craft packages today! Barb and I are leading VBS (imagine that)! The team from last week used all the supplies. So, God provided for us through you! Thank you sooooo much!
Love in Jesus,
Tammy

Christine, Susan, Norah and all at Reynoldsburg CoC ,
We are washing feet and handing out shoes today. Thanks to y’all we have shoes for everyone! We’ll send pictures tomorrow! Thanks for sharing your soles & souls for Jesus!
Tammy

Dear Stephen, Steve and Friends,
First of all THANK YOU THANK YOU for contributing in any way to this trip. SO far it has been an amazing experience and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. Yesterday our team built a house in 6 hours. I am now a spudbar operator and post hole digger specialist. Brian and I are doing just great and we are off to another building site. We have been chosen by some children that we would love to bring home to meet you all. Start adding on. Keep us in your prayers.
Love,
Eva

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This is the material from the original house where the family on Site # 1 lived "UNTIL" tonight... Blessed be the name of the Lord!

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Site # 1

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Dedication of the first Site...

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The proud owners of a new home for their kiddos... and the crew working Site # 1

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Site # 2

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Honduras ladder...

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Team working Site # 2

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Dedicating the house...

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Another proud owner of a brand new house....

About Our Day...

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It is HOT in Honduras!

The sunscreen industry made a killing today with our group. We spent over 6 hours in the blazing sun today, divided up into 2 teams to build 2 new houses and there was no shade to be found at either site. Let’s just say some folks will forego a hot shower for a cool one this evening!

Memories of today…
A bus ride to the building sites that took us so close to the edge of a drop-off that ¾ of the team scurried to one side of the bus in order to leverage some weight,
A breath-taking view from both sites that includes a clear vision of 3 mountain ranges.
One month old baby in the casa next to site 1 that spent the majority of the day cradled in the arms of various team members. The baby is yet to be named, most likely because they will first wait to see if she survives.
3 children sharing a half bottle of Sprite that a team member offered them (it’s tough to stand and sip on a cold drink when small children who have no running water in their shacks are looking up at you with their huge eyes),
Team members standing on each other’s shoulders to reach a hard spot to hammer a nail into a plank of wood,
A team member using a homemade broom made of a small tree trunk and some plant shoots to make sure the new floor of this home was as clean as we could leave it,
A mama with a tear-stained face as her team gathered around her in her new home and prayed for her children to come to know the One who gave His life for them.
New team members saying once again…”You know, there’s just no way to describe this experience with words; you just have to be here.”
Amen and Amen…

Messages for you…4.17.06

Schroer and Gilbert Family,
I just want to say “hello” before we go out to build our first homes. I just wanted to say “Happy Easter”. Talk to you soon. Jessica
Dennis!
· I made it here yesterday, Sunday. It is so good to be back in Honduras. But I miss you terribly! Every time I think of you I see your happy smile and I feel your awesome hugs. I want you to know it really meant a lot to me when you were so kind and supportive of the passport episode. I couldn’t ask for a better friend. Don’t worry about the money Mark says the Honduras fund would like to reimburse us for the expense. Isn’t it amazing how God takes care of us?! Unbelievable! I helped build a house today. It was hard work. I find it even more difficult this year for some reason. I hit my finger with a hammer and it really hurt! The funny thing that happened today is Kay Grose has this new chapstick that helps fight breast cancer! Well, it has the logo pink bow that supports the cause against breast cancer. But several of the team tried it and they still had lumps in their breasts – Jody and Jeff! Well, my dinner is half eaten because I ran to blog you today. Love Always, LeAnn

Lois Holder and Pat Graham,
Your prayers got me through another episode in life! Thanks sssoooo much. I love you both! Pray for stamina as we build another house and the two playgrounds. God answered Tammy’s prayers, she got out of building the house for afternoon tea! She’s so spoiled. God just loves pampering her! Well there is a line now, I have to hurry. Le

Brandon, Michael,
I love you and miss you! I AM a Bufftruck, ok maybe not! I miss you both. Luv Mom

Adam, Brennen, Momma, and Anita…
Hey! Hope you guys all had a great Easter. I hope you guys sent the pics to me of Brennen and the Easter eggs…I haven’t have any time to check my email though. I saw them when Karen checked her email. Well, today was our first day of building houses. We split into two groups and each build a house today, it took 7 hours. They were 18 x 18 I believe, not big enough for what we’re used to…but over here its amazing to them. It was hot, I didn’t really get burnt much…I sunscreened up before I went. I got a nice tan though! It was exciting to see it all come together and finally where nothing stood before to see a home as the finished product. We were able to meet the family that would be living in it as well. They apparently attend the Santa Ana church and that’s how they got connected. Needless to say, I was attacked by a large piece of lumber today. Well, we were putting up one of the walls and two people decided to let go and it fell right on my thigh leaving be a huge purple bruise and a big knot…it’s a bit sore. All in all, I’m good…had a good productive day. I mostly helped carry lumber all day, deliver it, and nail everything. We’re all bufftrucks…that’s the term here in Honduras more or less for people who work their butt off, lol. We’re all very tired this evening. We’re about to go have a devo together and then I’m off to shower, journal, and go to bed to do it all again tomorrow! Well, I love and miss you all!

Amanda Beth

Bobbie, Becca, and Sam,

Hello again from Honduras. Today was hot and dirty and exhausting. We built two houses and were able to meet the people who were going to live there. The site I worked on seemed like it was in a pasture field…which is good. The other site was in a typical situation with houses close by and lots of people gathering around. Obviously, we finished our house first…ahead of the others by about an hour and a half. We helped them clean up and load the equipment from their site and then came back to the mission compound. The only complaint I have is cramps in my legs after a day like today; that is not serious really just interesting if I am sleeping in the top bunk and have to get down to walk it off. Tomorrow is VBS and giveaway day at the Casa de Esperanza site like last week at San Miguel. It will be a different kind of tired tomorrow night. Well, good night for now. I love you all.

Dan/d

Lisa, Hillary and Haley
Brian is being his usual whatever-it-takes guy! He is enjoying the experience so much and everyone absolutely loves him and Eva. Thank you for being so understanding about his desire to come. Girls, your daddy has a lot of great pictures to show you!
Take care,
Kay

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Sunday... we returned to the community of San Miguel for church (where we built 3 houses last week)... it is one of the poorest communities in and around Teguc...

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Easter Egg Hunt and good times with kids at Didasko Children's Home

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More Children…More Captured Hearts
Sunday, 4.16.06

Just about the time the team members decide they’ve become attached to their one child for the trip, we visit another orphanage, and by the time we leave there are brown arms clinging to the necks of the “Americanos” and everyone has a story to tell when they get back on the bus. Happened today at Didasko where we had an Easter egg hunt with the 31 children there. And tugging at our heartstrings was the emotion that emanated from the circle we formed around Jorge and Rosa, the mama and papa of Didasko, while we stood close and sang, “Surround Us, O Lord”. This precious couple has committed their lives to these children for 14 years, sacrificially and humbly.

To those of you at home who have family members here, you better start adding rooms to your house cause these folks are collecting kids by the bushels! Tomorrow, their bodies will be taxed by the efforts of building two homes for families who are sleeping tonight, for the last time, in an impoverished condition that we have absolutely no way of identifying with. Pray for our strength to be equal to our tasks.

From our captured hearts to yours.

Brennen,
Mom Mom misses you so much sweetie! I have been hugging on all these little kiddos….but its just not the same as hugging you. I’ve been showing off your pictures though. I love you precious!

Mom Mom

Adam, Mom, Anita, and Griswald…
Miss you guys lots! Hope Griswald isn’t pottying all over the place or breaking free anymore. We started the day off with going to church, which was honestly almost a waste, sadly. We went to church and they wouldn’t let anyone translate, so it was all in Spanish and I think I maybe understood approximately 10 words, if that. The group was a little upset about that. Afterwards we went and finally picked up LeAnn and Tammy at the airport, they finally made it. Then we ventured to Didasko, another orphanage WAY out in the boonies. I think it took us almost 2 hours to get there. The kids were great though. I think there were about 30 kids there and they were adorable. We did an Easter Egg hunt with them, played as usual and gave them things, as well as made cotton candy and popcorn for them. I got attached immediately to this little girl named Maria, she was four and absolutely beautiful. We hugged and hugged and hugged and hugged. I’ll show you all pictures when I get home. I have lots of pictures and stories to share. It’s crazy how you can really see the distinction between the poor and rich areas of Tegucigalpa. The driving here is INSANE…Adam, you’d love it. Haha. Trash lines the streets and most peoples property, it looks dirty and overcrowded here for the most part. Hope all is well with you all. Adam, hope you’re getting lots done! Mom, hope you’re making it and not missing me too much. Adam, can’t wait to hear your voice again in 6 days. I love you all bunches! Can’t wait to come home and have my shower back! Water temperature varies greatly here, LOL. Love you all!

Amanda Beth

Hola, children and grandchildren of Bryan and Joyce (friends too), Well, it’s Easter Sunday and we worshipped at San Miguel, the area we built the 3 houses in last week and where we also distributed food and had a VBS. We got to meet one of the ladies (Claudia) and her two children that we built the first house for and had a very nice, emotional meeting with her. One of the ladies here said that little Ismael looked better than she had ever seen him look and she knew it was because of the better living conditions from being in a new clean home with a roof over is head and not having to sleep on a dirt floor anymore. We went back to Didasko for an easter egg hunt with the children we saw there last week and now I have 3 more kids; Little Miguelito (3 years old) reminds me of Jordan, jabbering away and not being able to understand him either, Enma a cute little girl and Ada another sweetheart. They are so loving and wanting so much attention, it breaks your heart. Your Mom (Grandma) is doing well. We hope all of you grandkids had a great
Easter and that the Easter Bunny was good to you. We miss you all a lot. Rebekah is doing fine as is Chris. I have 6 chainsaws to sharpen to get ready for the 3 houses we will be building in the next two days plus we have 200 food bags to pack tonight to distribute on Tuesday. Talk to you later and keep us informed. Love to all, Mom and Dad (Grandma and Grandpa).

Rebekah’s Siblings, Bros and Sis in laws and sweet kids.
What a day, I hope your Easter was as good as mine and but less tearful. I got to see my Leonel at Didasko , my boy I fell in love with last year. I was with a small group that went to Mass and was a little late getting to the Childrens Home, when we pulled in he was standing alone by the gate just waiting for me to come. What a feeling. He was so sweet so shy (shy is unusual here) I just love that boy. We got to spend about 3.5 hours together so that was great. I took him a whole bunch of stuff, and he wouldn’t stop eating, he seemed so hungry. Dylan and Wyatt and Ryley mommy loves and misses you and Leonel loved the stuff we bought for him. He also loved seeing pictures of you boys finding easter eggs like he did today. And guess what his birthday was yesterday he is 10 years old. So cool because Mommys was yesterday too. Isn’t that neat. Abby today has been my favorite part of the trip so far, I got to see a great little boy that I met last year. Te amo mi familia. Dios le adora! Rebekah

Leah, Seth, Mark McCullough and family and friends, We made it! All went well today. Leah, we met a little girl named Sindy who was 9 years old. We ate popcorn and cotton candy with her and lots of other kids. Seth, some of the guys were playing ball. One little boy got a plastic bat. The children at this orphanage are very well taken care of and are very happy. Although, nothing can prepare you for the sights and emotions that we experienced today. Mama, Papa, Jana and Todd thank you so much for taking care of my kids. It is wonderful going through all of this with no worries about their well-being. Mark, I love you and thank you for all of your strength and support. You are with me always. Keep prayin’. Talk to you soon. Tammy

Hey teens I guess im the only one that write’s to yall well we are doing good and having a lot of fun. It has been a blessing to be here to work for the Lord. Well keep praying for us and those who are going on the college trip have fun and I will pray for yall love you a lot .
Delaney

Bobbie, Becca, and Sam,
I have not been successful in trying to email again yet, so I will blog a while again. Today we went to church at the San Miguel church. The preacher refused to let us translate for the non-Spanish speakers; that was weird, but I think it was a control issue. The same guy had to be persuaded to let us do the distribution/VBS day reasonably on Wednesday. Today we also went to Didasko children’s home and did the Easter egg hunt. By the way, Happy Easter! We also spent time with the kids. After returning, we ate supper and just got through packing the food bags. Tomorrow we plan to build two houses; it will be a long day. Thanks for sending the medicine! Tuesday will be VBS and a third house. I will try to post a message again tomorrow. It is kind of iffy. I love you all.
Dan/d

Dear Mom and Dad, Allison and Erin, and friends;
Another busy day! We just finished packing 200 bags of food to hand out in a poor community on Tuesday. Each bag has rice, beans, sugar, cornmeal, tomato paste, coffee, bouillion, salt, and lard. Earlier today we went to Iglesias de Cristo in San Miguel—a tiny local church built right in the middle of another poor poor community. We didn’t understand every word, but we could still sing and worship together. Tammy and Leann finally arrived today—yeah! Then we spent the afternoon at another children’s home in the country. Playing, passing out bracelets and beads and balls, coloring, and trying to communicate. We met a spunky little girl named Noellia and I spent the whole day with her. She is 7 and loved seeing the pictures of our family, especially Allison and Erin! She has a sister named Alexandra who turned 12 today, so Joel led a round of Felice Compleanos. We also had an Easter egg hunt and made cotton candy and popcorn—fun day!
Allison, how was the sleepover?
Erin, are you having fun with Grandma and Grandpa?
Mom and Dad, are you holding up OK? J
Mary, I got your message and hugged lots of kids for you today. Thanks friend!

Bobbie, Becca, and Sam,
I do not have access to internet to get yahoo email regularly, so if you want to send something to the address handsandheartsforhonduras@gmail.com I can get it regularly. Otherwise they have only had wireless internet signal one time that I have been able to get to it. Love you all, Dan/d

Lisa, Hillary, Haley,
We are really having an experience that will be hard to put into words. I can’t wait to see the pictures. I am anxious to tell you about johnnie, yordi, osman, freddy, dennis, yolanni and scarlett!! They are the kids that have chosen me. They are from different childrens homes but all with the same big brown eyes and smiles. We are building houses tomorrow so yet another new experience. I will talk with you soon. Wish you were here! Hillary and Haley I have to tell you something – I love you!
Love you more –

Brian, Dylan, Wyatt and Ryley
We look forward to the time when we all can be here together…what a wonderful experience! Love you so much,
Mom/Grandma Kay and Grandpa Rick

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Upon arrival at Casitas Kennedy... part of the team began to inspect and repair parts of a playground we constructed last year...

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The children at Casitas Kennedy... all of these children are basically off the street... no where to go... no one wants them... and the state can only hold them for a year... then they go to other foster care... all with emotional scares... and many with physical ones as well...

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Both teams went to the Jesus Statue for a devotional on Friday night... along with many of our friends working with us here in Honduras..

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Our visit to the Children's Hospital in Teguc...

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One of the groups praying with a family of one of the children