Outreach at St. Marks

2004 Honduras Trip

2004 Honduras Group

Here follows a transcription of our Community Journal that was written in long hand during our trip. Apologies to the authors for errors and omissions. Submitted by Eleanor.

Saturday, June 26

Maggie and Abby: Maggie and Abby started out on our service trip to this third world country with incredible class.
Joel: Well, we started out today and the days have been long. Apparently we had to wait in the airplane for 2 1/2 hours because a light wouldn’t turn on but I wouldn’t know, I slept through it. Honduras so far kind of reminds me of Africa but not nearly as many animals. Looks like the trip is going to be lots of fun though.
Danny Hickle: I slept through the delay too! I’m mad at Joel for losing my CDs, including “Kings of Crunk” by Lil Jon and the Eastside Boys. This tragedy has taken a toll on my self-esteem seeing that the option of being crunk was swiftly taken away. Honduras is nice though, and I’ll be crunk without it.

I’m happy because I found my ATM card and slept the whole plane trip. DMX is in jail so I don’t know what to think about life. I managed to smuggle some muffins through Customs. Rough Rider of life. DMW
David: Down: Plane trouble 2 hours delay Newark.
Up: The plane – it did take off.
Further up: The beautiful grounds of the Center.
Lee: Writing on a bus kinda sucks, but I’ll survive. So far the trip has gone quite smoothly, excepting Maggie’s passport blunder and David’s temporarily missing bag. The best moment to date has to be seeing the children skinny-dipping/bathing in the river. There is obviously a major culture difference.
Phil: Everything is charming, in a jolly good way.
Molly: The plane ride was long. But we are here. The bus is great. The trees are green. We’re hungry – but good. It’s not as hot as I expected, though that may be due to the fact that the bus I’m riding on is hurtling down the road at un-bus-like speed. Eleanor; We’re here, yea! Travel time from National Airport to San Pedro Sula turned out to be 8 hours. For me the trip so far is fine. I was super grateful Continental to Honduras produced breakfast for us. We are en route to Muchilena in our orange school bus (retired from the U.S.) “Dios es Amor” on the back. Much fun looking out the window.
Miryam: We arrived safely and so have all the bags. Gracias a Dios. We are riding on the yellow school bus. It’s hot, kind of sticky but it feels good. Lots of people mostly young guys, riding bikes. Some young girls but they were walking along the road. The roads are okay, kind of bumpy and lots of construction. Glad to be in Honduras with the St. Mark’s group. Glad I made it. The Lord was with me and making sure I made it on the plane. Gracias a Dios.
Shearon: I give thanks that we are here safe and sound! I feel as though something awesome awaits us. The land is beautiful – lush and green. The mountains on one side and the ocean on the other (this road is bumpy!)
Clint: Very, very tired.

Sunday: The Day of the Lost Bus

Eleanor: We meet Bonny and Tom, a middle aged married couple who are Peace Corps volunteers in Omoa, the next town to Muchilena. Bonny is a health worker teaching HIV/Aids prevention, health and sex education, self esteem to teens; Thomas teaches English to Tourism guides and to others. They live in a small, pleasant house with a view of the sea. The Honduran householder next door prepared a great lunch for us all.
Milagros (Millie): This was a wonderful Sunday. We saw the historic fort in Omoa, La Fortaleza, then took off to the beach and had a great time. We also got to meet Peace Corps volunteers and their hosts who offered us a wonderful lunch of pastelitos. Our bus was missing, but we negotiated a deal with a town bus driver only to find that our drivers were waiting for us at the entrance to the town. I learned to be flexible and have faith.
Shearon: The day started with a beautiful sunrise and the “call of the rooster.” The mountains were shrouded in clouds. Kathy led some of us in yoga in the outdoor chapel. It rocked! (in an “om” kind of way). Our meeting went well after breakfast and we left for our adventure to meet Peace Corps volunteers in Omoa. They and their host family received us very warmly. We visited the fort with them and came back for a lunch of Rosa’s sandwiches and the host family’s yummy food. We then had a great visit to the beach that ended in a miscommunication with our bus driver. We waited until it was obvious that something had gone wrong and then caught another bus. As we were leaving the town we ran across our bus and transferred. What an adventure!!
Brock: Anxieties come, anxieties go. Despite beautiful sunrise and quiet time, I was anxious about reporting home until Prof Maryta offered to let me use her phone when the calling card didn’t work. Felt better when I was able to reach Penny before she left for church. Followed up later with an email to Rita and Penny both.

The trip to Omoa went well after a nice morning of meeting, establishing safety procedures (count off by pairs in Spanish!!) and yoga watching and sitting in the outdoor chapel.

I got to use more of my Spanish in explaining to Felicita that our bus was “perdido” and we were buscar por la bus; and the grupo esta deb ajo de un arbor. [Editor’s note: Felicita, a Honduran teacher, is in charge of ACT’s scholarship program which takes place in another town. Millie and Eleanor would be meeting with her on another day to hear her report on how the scholarship students were doing and to exchange information about the program finances and other ACT matters. Randy had befriended Felicita’s young sons on earlier trips.]

We got home and ate dinner during a brief shower and rainbow. Then we went to church in San Marcos and discovered that the financial problems had been solved and we would all be able to work on the church – either building pews or painting. All in all, a lovely day, in which concerns melted away like clouds into rainbows.
David D.: I have never sweated so much in my life with the least effort. But drinking 4 liters of water a day seems to work. I enjoy my Gatorade cocktail in the evening.

Sunday, June 27

Miryam: A little soccer soiree. That’s a word, right? A little poetic license. Too late. We started the day with yoga. How wonderful I feel after all the morning stretches. I have to remember this feeling and continue it in DC. We had a good breakfast and then started getting organized for the day. Talked to Antonio, our bus driver, letting him know the schedule of the day. Leaving at 11:00 AM., dinner at 5:00 PM., and service at San Marcos at 7:00 PM. We had a group meeting, students/young adults. A few shared some concerns. I thought it was really courageous of them to do so in their peer group. And, of course, importance as that is what the time is for. I think the person to whom the comment was addressed heard it and repeated it and got it. We then had our adult meeting. One big item, discussed and decided.

We then headed out to the Peace Corps volunteers house. Lovely visit. We then went to the Fort/Museum. Great history and lovely weather and views. The Fort is the largest fort in all of Central America. The next largest is in Mexico. We then headed back for lunch and then the beach. Beach was very crowded. I think we all felt like locals, being Sunday and our group/family also hanging out at the beach. We headed back to the bus, but no bus. Okay for the first 30 minutes, but when it got longer, we got very worried. A miscommunication. David remembered that I said 5:00 PM. but he thought we would be leaving the beach at 5:00 PM. and didn’t remember that I told the bus driver dinner was a 5:00 PM. Oh boy. I was annoyed at the miscommunication as it impacted many people. I asked why didn’t they work something out with the other buses. And he said it cost $ and that they don’t have any $ with them. That shocked me. I always carry money…you need it. In DC if someone tries to rob you it’s best to give them a $20 and they’ll leave you alone. But it made me calm down realizing the poverty level in Honduras is a lot greater than anything I’ve known and will know. Reflection: not everyone is as blessed with the opportunities my parents have provided to me.

Monday, June 28

Randy: I have been forced to write in this book. Nonetheless, let me state that the trip is stupendous despite the fact that the ball is lost. If yesterday was the day of the Lost Bus, today was the considerably less serious day of the Lost Ball. We were playing ball and Father Midence’s son, Joshua, kicked a very light “soccer” ball into a tree. Eleanor counted at least 15 of us trying to get it down. Eventually another of Father Midence’s sons, Esau, found a ladder and our guard, Daniel, climbed up and knocked it down.
Brock: A dawn walk to the beach with David. We met Diego on the way when he hailed us with some of his little English. When I asked his name and told him we were from St. Mark’s and Collie and Betsy were friends, he lit up and began speaking much more rapidly in Spanish. He pointed out his house and I told him we had two amigas with mucho Espanol.

The beach was OK but the water was still fairly warm. I did not want to swim out very far alone, not knowing if there was a current.

After most of the group began work at San Marcos, Millie and I set off in Fr. Midence’s truck to talk to Tucker about money for paint and then to buy the paint. We went into Puerto Cortes for the paint and they told us it would take an hour to mix it, so we visited Antonio Carcel at St. John’s School and went to the Banco and Post Office while waiting.

Francisco [Midence] told us about his life, raising his sons alone – working hard – being sad for many years and now happy since his marriage to Veronica who is now expecting.

He misses the former Bishop who was a man of the people but respects Bishop Allen for his efforts to build the diocese.

When Millie and I returned, the bus had already left to come back to Muchilena so Fr. Midence gave us a ride back. He noted that the group has accomplished a lot. We will see him again for dinner tonight.

I should have mentioned his sermon last night. He told the story about fat and skinny dogs. The fat dog invites the skinny dog to join his life of luxury, but the skinny dog declined when he discovered he would be chained. Thus he related the ways we can be trapped or enslaved as listed in the Gospel passage: “By love of riches, by love of family, or by love of self – when they take precedence over love of God.” I related it to readings from Verna Dozier and Thich Nhat Khan.
Randy: Spent about half an hour speaking with Don Diego and Donna Celenia without a translator. Donna Celenia’s son who speaks some English came out. I was able to explain what we did and joke with them. I felt proud of my ability to communicate and had fun.

Oscar, his family (Oscar, Franklin, Gabriella), and Kelvin came to dinner along with his mother, Susanah, and Fr. Midence and his wife. A huge party that followed an epic Honduran soccer game (Oscar, his sons, Kelvin, Antonio, Daniel). They creamed us. It poured through much of the game.
Some Honduran Friends: Heydi. Consuelo Diaz Martines
Lugar. Corinto Omoa Cortes
Anos: 15 anos

Gabriela ole Jandra Trejos Chicas
Lugar: Corinto Omoa Cortes
Anos: 11 anos

After everyone left, we had a great meeting to plan for yet another Honduran surprise that we have to do: 2 hours of activities for a vacation church school for 100 (yes, one hundred) kids. The teens were magnificent in planning. Lee played soccer in the rain in his dress shirt! He got soaked. He was very wet. He fell in the grass. Will played too. More meetings about designing the presentations to the kids.
David D. (7:30 AM., 6/28): I am totally in awe of our teen group. When I heard from Padre Midence that we were going to be “entertaining” 100 kids from 3 to 14 in one church for two hours today (Tues.), my whole being sank a bit. Am naturally optimistic but by Monday evening at dinner when we heard from Padre M. I was quite tired, BUT the show must go on – but how? Well we had a meeting at 7:30 PM. Monday night and the teens got right to work. They found four activities: God’s Eyes, paper airplanes, pipe cleaners, and physical activities. The teen divided into one group for each activity and figured it out. No complaining and no grumbling. Sooo at 2:00 PM. it’s off to Chachaguala and 100 kids, high hear and humidity. Tune in later to see how it goes. Personally I have great confidence it will go just fine. We really have the GREATEST group of teens.

Tuesday, June 29

Milagros: On our trip from DC we sat on the ground in the plane for 3 hours. I just became aware of this yesterday. I was engrossed reading a book, Don’t Be Afraid, Gringo. It was the story of a “campesina” working on agrarian reform. The following quote from the book spoke to me: “I don’t think God says, ‘Go to church and pray all day and everything will be fine.’ No for me God says, ‘Go out and make the changes that need to be made and I will be there to help you.”
Eleanor: With a big assist from Miryam, one of our two translators, I asked Oscar to tell about Hurricane Mitch in this region. Mitch in 1987 was devastating to Honduras and other countries in Central America. Miryam translated Oscar’s account of what it was like. He said at the time 800 people lived in Muchilena; 100 died in the storm. The worst was the flooding of the rivers that swept away people and houses on the riverbanks. Sickness was rampant as the carcasses of dead animals contaminated the water supply. The roads were blocked. Help finally came by helicopter and by sea. Oscar’s mother who was also present described how people were buried in the sand. She saw a child’s hand sticking out of the sand but rescue was too late.
Miryam: Martes, 29 de Junio. We had guests for dinner last night, Padre Francisco and his wife, who is pregnant with their first child. She’s about 2 months pregnant. I talked to her some and she said it was not very easy as she was constantly nauseated and didn’t have much of an appetite. She seemed really nice and young. We also had Father Oscar and his wife and their two kids. They were also very nice. Oscar’s wife seemed to know Rosa (our cook at the Episcopal Conference Center, Muchilena) as they were chatting in the back. Also Oscar told us about Hurricane Mitch and how it impacted Muchilena. Very sad to hear of the many deaths and destruction of people’s homes. Oscar also let us know that they were very appreciative of the Church’s help.
David D.: Last night I read the three cards Stephanie gave me for our anniversary June 14. I was very happy and moved to be reminded of her steadfast love.
Clint: Seriously life is good, sleeping well, stars beautiful. Surprised by high tech-ness. Expecting the breeze to be our AC and saws to be our power tools, but I was proved wrong. The Honduran people are great, but I never want to see a paper airplane again. The humidity is up and shirts are sticking on our bare chests. Need to do push ups/sit ups as possible contest. Love the place.
David D.: We are truly blessed to have Antonio and Daniel [our bus driver and our guard) as part of our group; they joyfully join in our work and our play. Not to mention the fact that Antonio is a highly skilled bus driver who has taken us to places that I am not sure I would drive a car to. P.S. Antonio has been with the Honduran Red Cross for 13 years. He was a big help in calmly helping me treat Alex’s rather bloody nosebleed. Antonio knew exactly what to do.
Our Struggle, A Story by Joel Yatsko and Wally Sedgewick

Day #1, Clothesline #1 We realized that the clothes could stay on the floor no longer…In search of a spot we went. We explored what we could of the outdoors but due to adverse conditions (rain) we were unable to find a spot.

Upset with ourselves we laid on our beds, complaining of Our Struggle. Wally, in disgust, picked up an empty Gatorade bottle and hurled it at a moving fan. The bottle flew and struck Daniel Hickle. While Dan claimed Wally would be a _____, Joel and Wally stared blankly at the fan. Something was turning in their pre-brilliant minds. After their showers, whilst Nathan and Daniel were taking their showers, Joel and Wally calmly whipped out their “clothes lines.” Joel called Wally’s clothesline ______, so Joel’s began its use. One end wrapped around a fan blade and the other wrapped around a light holder, it swayed gently to the fan’s breeze. It would remain for the night and following morning. Clothes would continue to pile on until Wally and Joel realized it couldn’t take any more.

Day #2: Clothes line #2 (still holding!)
“She can’t take any more,” exclaimed Nathan. “It’s metal, she’ll hold.” Wally screamed with girlish excitement, like a schoolgirl holding a kitten. The clothes began to pile on. Because of the frequent usage and variety of clothes required to look good, Wally and Joe realized it was necessary to find a new clothes line. They discovered many spots that day but in the end they found a little something out about themselves. They were lazy. They made one important decision. They would wash their clothes the next day, before they hung out the new line. Little were they aware of the new struggles that awaited them the following day.

Day #3. Clothes line #2--The Pile
The day began uneventfully due to Wally being right about metal. We (exception, Nathan) were feeling the pain of no breakfast but we realized we need a stable clothesline before any washing would begin. Nathan and Joel Robert Yatsko ventured forth to about 10 feet away and between the cow fence and a nearby tree. It was neither long nor sturdy but it was a line. As Nathan hung up a few clothes, and then ventured inside the team’s cabin, Joel realized that the line just would not do and unhooked a portion of the line and attempted to pull it further. He didn’t realize how taut the line was and snapped it! The clothes came raining down and dirtied on the ground. Screams arose and there was a scramble to get the clothes off the ground before the local wildlife got to it. With armfuls of clothes in their arms, Nathan, Wally, and Joel Robert Yatsko ventured for a resting place. They decide to put it [the pile] in the corner that separated the changing area and the bathroom and thus began the PILE! [Editor’s note: And so it went, Day #4 and beyond. The struggle continued. In the interest of including entries by other Honduras trippers, this transcription of Our Struggle is concluded.]
David D.: Last night Shearon and I went with Padre Midence for a 7:00 PM. Eucharist Service at Chachaguala, where we were that afternoon. I had a really meaningful spiritual time. A little boy named Manuel remembered me from the earlier visit; I think we threw paper airplanes at each other. Well, he became my amigo and sat with me all through the service making sure I knew the name of the hymn Padre Midence was singing. I think what made the service meaningful was that, unlike Sunday at San Marcos, Shearon and I were not on display. I was simply there to worship and Shearon to assist Midence in the Eucharist. I did have one important role: when Shearon led the prayer in English, I supplied the appropriate response – and I was the only one. All in all, it was a very joyful and intimate service.

Wednesday, June 30

Brock: We arrived at San Marcos this morning to find that Jose [the carpenter at San Marcos in charge of making the pews] had worked late last night to complete one pew that the pieces we had been cutting and sanding. Father Midence told me they would be painted when they had the money for paint. We continued to sand the pew ends and carried in eight long slabs that will go to make seats and backs. That required a lot of sanding, however, perhaps more than we have time for. Meanwhile outside the first coat of yellow was going on the right side of the church. There is a good chance we will leave the church looking much brighter on the exterior with Francisco’s yellow and purple color scheme.

I wanted to see why the card reader did not work and discovered that a driver needed to be downloaded from the Internet, but they only have a phone in Omoa, so a computer must be taken to Omoa.

Francisco showed me his proposal for a vocational school with training for sewing, carpentry, electrical and computers. He has a floor plan and an organizational plan and a long list of needs.

When we returned to Muchilena, we picked up laundry (finally dry) and then went to the beach. An ice cream entrepreneur came by with a bicycle borne icebox and we bought 10 ice cream bars and 100 lipira (U.S. $5.) I shared mine with a guy swimming nearby who introduced himself as Jaime. We had a brief conversation from which I gathered that he wanted to go to the U.S. someday and he seemed to think Muchilena was feo (ugly). I said “No feo.” On the way back to Centro after a good swim, we bought candy and Gatorade at the Pulperia. Dan helped me order dulce and we got four bags for $6.00.

When we returned Esau and several friends visited for a very competitive soccer match. Even though Danielle (our guard) played for us, we lost 5 to 1. David and I cheered both sides. We then invited all visitors to have something to eat after negotiating with Rosa to make sandwiches enough for 18 visitors, which felt better to eating without them.

Miranda asked me if they could offer the little girls some small treats from our supply and I said sure. Soon the little girls appeared at my elbow to thank me. Randy was trying to arrange for Felicita’s sons to visit on Saturday while we were also changing a schedule for the farewell celebration from the Episcopal ladies of the area – and much confusion ensued. We live in hope that all will turn out OK. Vivimos en esperanza.
Shearon: The experience of going to the church in Chachaguala yesterday was really powerful. The poverty was incredible. I was overwhelmed by the illness and desperation and yet the joy that we all shared transformed the situation – even only for the little while we were together.

The youngest children were afraid of us at first. They seemed leery of all these people who looked different and spoke a different language. But the language of “Duck, Duck, Goose” seemed to be universal!

When David and I went back for the Eucharist with Father Midence last night, thing were much quieter. There were many sick people at the service. Father Midence asked me to lay hands on people and anoint them when they came to the communion rail before the Eucharist. This was very humbling. It was a great privilege to be with people in this way. I had a strong sense of the Holy Spirit’s presence with us.

Celebrating the Eucharist was also a great privilege. On one level I felt strongly about saying it in English but on another level it was sort of a “Pentecostal” experience in that it went beyond the words themselves.

I was very grateful that David went with me. I could feel his support during the service. Just having him there was comforting. Going back to Chachaguala was hard, but I am glad I did it. I will remember the bittersweet mix of desperation and hope.
Randy: My challenge is to say “seis” in the count-off on the bus (my buddy is Shearon). I can’t really complain because I suggested the count-off though I never imagined it would be in Spanish or that I would get a number I couldn’t pronounce….

Tonight Felicita arrived with sons, Mario and Arnold, and it worked out even though they were 24 hours late. Brock arranged for food and their cousins and other relatives had a good time. After they all left, Mario, Arnold, and I played soccer and I gave them gifts that they liked. [Editor’s note: Mario and Arnold are kids who Randy had befriended on previous trips.]

They are coming back on Saturday and are going to come to the play/work at San Marcos. I am so impressed with Mario’s English. He understands a lot and speaks and we even read Zits (I wrapped the gift in comics). I also got to talk to Oscar about Kelvin, whose education I am supporting, and, through Miryam, got to talk to Kevin about school. He and Oscar’s family came back tonight and I felt awkward making them feel welcome and hanging out with Mario and Arnold. Plus, I was exhausted and they didn’t seem to want to play. So I was confused and frustrated. I pray it will all work out.

Jueves, 1 de Julio

Miryam: We are waiting for everyone together for the bus. We did a lot of painting yesterday. The church is beginning to look really nice. It’s being painted a sunny, bright yellow. It makes the church stand out even more. We also saw one pew almost done. It still needs to be painted – but it was very inspiring to all.

Today we painted the east (sunny, hot) side of the church and actually started on the front. It’s strange that the west side hasn’t been finished, since we started there first. After lunch we walked to the church in Muchilena and had activities for “50” kids who turned out to number 85+. I was pleased all the children had fun; no one cried at all! We are noticing/commenting on frustrations, requests for gifts and money, poor planning, etc., and our inability to triumph. Antonio and Daniel continue to be great! They are our “doce groupo.”

[Editor’s note: Brock writes evocatively about “the day my tongue turned black.” He experienced some bad moments until he realized it was the result of Pepto Bismol.]

Saturday, July 3

Lee: Hola! Shiver me timbers...It be Lee. Since this is only my second entry and I have a bit to say, so this might take some time. Bear with me. Work: Jose and I worked consistently on those stupid benches the entire time, most of which was spent sanding. It was dirty and really, really sweaty work but I loved it. Food: Yom! Yuck! Cheese is bad, most other stuffy good, really good. Rosa and her team really came up with a storm in that kitchen of theirs. God: the only church service I went to was wonderful, if not sweaty. Though the service itself was nothing unexpected (ours but in Spanish), the atmosphere was amazing. Play: Ha! Been having good times with everyone! My new roommates (Wally, Nathan, Dan, Joel) are “hulleros”. Complaints: Today at our little sharing time-meeting, ____ said nothing. That’s after complaining how long Shearon’s little share was. How rude and untruthful can one person get? I’m sorry I’m making such a big deal of it but the incident really got to me. Scenery: Wow!
Maggie: The service in Muchilena Sat. night was a great experience. Shearon, El Brocko, Doc David, Randy, Miranda and I blended in with the small congregation – as much as, you know, six Washingtonians can – for over an hour of loud singing and sermon seminar. During the Peace, some Hondurans very warmly hugged us, shook our hands, and conveyed how happy they were to have us. That was my concern before we came, that people would resent us. I’m inspired by Padre Midence’s endurance and I’m enchanted by Asisena [Padre’s wife]. Her face!
Author?: Salutations. Today has been pretty relaxing, through and through. We’ve been kicking it in some cooler weather. Everyone’s been super cool. It’s a nice town and there are no worries here. Peace.
Danny Hickle’s Day by Maggie and Dan: I woke up to witness the quivering Honduran sunrise, a divine array of tropical colors. I awoke to the horrible reality that I was delayed for my appointment with the delicious buttermilk delicacy, pancakes. After binge-ing what was supposed to be savored, I hurried back to my brutal reality that needed to be faced. All articles of clothing were astray, our cabin a ramshackle interior. Socks on fans, shirts in sweaty piles, coke can dribbling its contents, an anal retentive’s nightmare. It was an OCD’s asylum.
El Brocko: Though the time in Copan Ruinas has been fun and clean, it has also been busy. We settled in Monday evening with a lingering dinner at Carnitas partly because the power went out, but mostly because they are not used to mass production for large groups. They basically served one table at a time. Tuesday, we spent the morning at the main archeological site for Mayan ruins with a comprehensive 3 hour tour and went to Macaw Mountain bird park and nature reserve to see Macaws, Toucans, and Papagaynos and then a swim in a cool stream and simple sandwiches for dinner. Wednesday some went for a horseback ride in the morning while some shopped or rested. In the afternoon after a community meeting to address violations of the covenant and feelings about rules, we went “canyoning” with a healthy hike to a waterfall and a bit further to a jumping rock. Eleanor won praise for keeping up with some 59 years younger and Shearon won the prize for being the last to take the leap of faith. Molly had a bit of a fall and we were reminded of the safety work with did at FLOC and how handy it was in this situation.

We went to Jim’s Pizza for dinner and consumed 17 of the 18 pizzas we ordered, plus enough soda to float the Titanic. We still had room for ice cream and cake to celebrate Nathan’s 18th birthday. After that I can’t report anything that may have happened since I was whipped and crashed early.

Tuesday, 6 July

Antonio: Esto es para mí una experiencia muy bonita haber compartido con jóvenes alegres y dinámicos. Espero volver a compartir cosas e ideas bonitas. Le pido a Dios que los cuida y los ilumine en sus vidas y en sus hogares con sus familias. No les digo adiós, sino hasta pronto.

[Translation: This has been a beautiful experience for me to spend time with such happy and dynamic young people. I hope to share similar experiences and ideas again. I ask God to care for you and to illuminate you in your lives, and in your homes, with your families. I won’t say ‘good-bye’ but instead ‘until we meet again soon.’]
Daniel: Mucha satifacción. Muchas gracias. Adiós amigos.

Friday, July 9

Nathan

Honduras was swell. Now we’re leaving. It is 5:45 AM.

Abby

Yea for Clint, our resident poet disguised very effectively in camouflage. Coincidence? I think not.

Clint

Synopsis of my trip –

Bought 4 knives
Almost single-handedly painted the side of church (minus trim).
Rested on 3 different hammocks
Wore 5 pairs of military pants
Won about $25 in poker
Sold 1 knife (extremely good deal)
Bitten by 2 bugs
Have loads of extra stuff
Made friends
Went to Internet cafes 6 times in 4 days
Hurt 0 people seriously
Made 36 pew sides
Help make 6 pews
HAD FUN

Lee

We’re just leaving. At 5 in the morning Daniel and Antonio come in screaming chants and sounding somewhere between a Wally giggles (very girlie) and whiny puppies. Oh, how I despised myself for forgetting to lock the door. I don’t do this 5 in the morning thing so I wasn’t hungry but we’ll live. Antonio keeps whispering in my ear “Vamos Amor” (Let’s go, love) but soon he’ll be driving and I’ll be able to ignore his constant squeal. The fog is rolling over the mountains so it’s making a pretty trippy effect. Kind of regret me and Wally not finishing our story but, hey, it’s a long trip. Probably will have another entry with some personal junk soon.

Brock

We’re driving the twisting road down from the mountain, each curve revealing another luxuriantly green valley deepened by the soft morning light. I breathe in, I breathe out, I am happy. Some of us are sleeping, some of us are talking quietly. One of us is driving and still honking at every pretty woman we pass. Dan and Maggie’s CDs are playing on the bus radio. The smell of manure and wood smoke blows in with the cool air. Millie puts on a long sleeve shirt. Drew was one of the first up this morning. Que milagros! But Will was the one who knew Drew’s passport was in his suitcase. I breathe in, I breathe out. I am relieved. Randy is screaming for the journal. Millie has sworn she will not answer Randy until he remembers her name – Milagros! Roadside shrines and signs about Cristos remind me to breathe in, breathe out as peaceful moment gives way to rancorous moment.

Randy – Front of bus business

Milagros and Kathy, with Randy hanging on for dear life, “consult” with Shearon about her clothes for two weddings in September, her first two as celebrant. Excerpts:

Milagros: “Are you marrying two different people?”
Re the garb, Kathy: “She needs more.”
Milagros: “No, less”
Kathy of Shearon: ”She seems pretty committed to the collar thing.”

Each of which reduced Shearon to tears of laughter.

Earlier:

David: “Randy, you didn’t get your ferret.” (Randy had said he wanted to get a ferret at the “ferretaria.)
Brock: “He couldn’t get it in the country anyway.”
Randy: “I’ll get Phil’s cane and say it is a seeing eye ferret.”

The effects of sleep deprivation on leaders!

Author?

Hot Café
With the sun slowly rising over the slanted tile roof, the group huddled for breakfast. “I’ll have the coffee,” Nathan mumbled to the exotic Honduran waitress. “Café?” She confirmed. “Thank you.” “Bastard,” the girl thought, her sweet face not losing its innocent expression, but her mind teeming with dark thoughts, plans of revenge. This girl dreamed Americans would finally learn. Her father, Pedro, had died for this cause. She would do this for him. Nathan meanwhile was rubbing his chin with bug repellant, absentmindedly spiking his greasy goatee. He hardly noticed when the dark girl returned, gently placing a plate of eggs in front of him. “Hey, wait,” Nathan said, snapping out of his empty reverie, “I don’t have a pretty flower.” But the girl was already gone.

Afterward: My novella studies the often unspoken conduit between different cultures. One of the most fundamental differences is language, and thus I have explored the rise of communication, or lack thereof. Hot Café, the title, plays upon this tension, the two languages unsympathetic as they are shoved together. The café is dark, brewing trouble, difficult to discern what lurks below the surface and hot, because this issue is pressing. This is not the Hot Water of your parents’ generation. This is Honduras 2004.

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Feeling very tired. Had a pretty good time here. People good on the trip, surprisingly few problems. Not sure we did as much of the right projects as we should have. Honduras is actually a nice country from what I saw. Overall, this trip was good enough for me to seriously consider going again.

Wally

This is my second real entry into this journal. The first was the day we arrived and this is the day we leave. As I look back and reflect on the trip, the first thing that comes to mind is the unity of our group. We have managed to live together for 2 weeks and live through lost keys, spider attacks, and a generation gap. I have grown closer to everyone on this trip including people I have known for a majority of the years that I have been alive. I even formed a good relationship with the person who built his house on top of my childhood playground (David). Thanks for the memories. Sorry about the handwriting, apparently, roads without asphalt are a characteristic of a third world country.

Joel

This will probably be my last entry so I’m going to make it real long and give observations I made on the trip. First of all I think that although some people did more than others, every single person did something or showed some sort of spirit on the trip that I had never seen before. Since I have lots of time, I guess I’ll write about all you’all.

Brock ~~ always showed his responsibility and leadership in the group. It was easy to tell from day one that he was used to facing difficult or disorganized situations and the confidence and skill he showed throughout the trip was amazing. Thanks for helping us through thick and then.
David ~~ being our group doctor was great with helping us with our little cuts and boo-boos and his leadership really shone through. Although he was one of the oldest, he managed to keep up with all of us young kids and gave us many inspiring speeches. Thanks for upholding the group safety.
Kathy ~~ words cannot describe what you meant to the group. You were always honest, strong, trustworthy and straightforward. You were perfectly blunt with us (good thing) and managed to keep us in line whilst still being our friend.
Eleanor ~~ you will always stand out in my mind as a true trooper. On one of the very last days we hiked for almost 2 hours. I know it wasn’t easy for you but you kept with it and followed us to the end. Thanks for showing outstanding strength and confidence in yourself in a difficult situation. It was truly inspiring.
Shearon ~~ your speeches and prayers helped us though the church services. No offense to San Marcos, but listening to a Spanish church service that you cannot understand can get quite boring. You helped give new life to the group and your confidence in the entire group helped us all. Thanks for being a great leader.
Randy ~~ always happy and willingly giving your input, and although sometimes we didn’t enjoy it, you never stopped trying. Also, all the friends that you had made on previous trips, helped us to make friends with the natives and learn more about their culture. Thanks for your never-ending efforts.
Millie ~~ without you we would still be lost in Honduras. You helped us to get through every area and getting us through the country. Thanks for the great translations.
Miryam ~~ the spark plug of our games area. It was amazing how easily they [the children] warmed up to you and how quickly they shut up when you left. Without you, I know that our physical activities group would have been nothing. Thanks for your never-ending enthusiasm and best of luck with you and your hubby.
Wally ~~ the biggest and oldest member of our room. You were always in the mood for fun and your constant spirit for adventure made this trip more fun than it would have been. You will be missed greatly next year but your greatness will remain in the group. Thanks for giving me some lifelong memories.
Maggie ~~ in the entire year and a half I’ve known you I don’t think I have ever seen you mad or angry. Your constant love of life and sticking by your morals has inspired me to become a truly better person. I know the group will never be the same without you because you always brought something special to it. I can’t wait to see you at UVA next year.
Clint ~~ in the words of my brother, “You know what you’re doing in 10 years.” The goals you set for yourself and the effort that you put forth to achieve them is inspiring. You truly know yourself and for that I have great respect for you. Thanks for showing me how to achieve my goals.
Nathaniel ~~ probably one of the funniest sarcastic guy I know. Most people can’t pull that off but you manage. We really got to know each other better. Your constant work and effort really set examples for us. I know we’re going to have fun next year and I hope you do another trip with us because it just wouldn’t be the same without you. Thanks for the sarcasm.
Molly ~~ getting around the streets of Honduras would have been very difficult without you and I know the trip wouldn’t have been the same without you. You showed extreme toughness when you fell down on the hike and even though you still had that nasty cut, you stuck it through, sucked it up, and made it down. Thanks for showing us how strong you really are. Sorry, I forgot to mention how much confidence it took to start up with the school children. That took guts.
Abby ~~ always happy, touchy (more punching) and full of joy. You always look on the bright side of things and know the right thing to say to people when they’re feeling down. I’m not sure you want to hear it but you are to me a reflection of your sister in that you know who you are and stick to your morals. I have great respect for you because of this and I hope it rubs off on me during the next few years we spend together. Thanks for cheering me up and being a great friend. Can’t wait to see ya in N.Y. city.
Brother Dan ~~ you’re my brother so you know what’s up.
Lee ~~ although you joined our room like halfway through the trip, it was definitely worth it. You are one of the most confident freshman I ever know and you seem to have a never-ending supply of happiness that can always perk up anyone. You also always have a keen eye for noticing fine details and always making comments on the things that nobody dared say. Thanks for being yourself and showing the group what a great person you are. I forgot to mention the effort you put forth on the pews. Greatness!
Miranda ~~ one moment that will always stand out about you is the confidence it took to jump from the rock. You were easily the most scared and it was plain to see that it was extremely difficult for you. You overcame your fears though and did it and it showed how strong you can be. Thanks for showing us that we can overcome our fears.
Drew ~~ during the beginning of the trip I questioned how helpful you would be, and although you had some bad moments, you really came out at times and showed how helpful and useful you can really be. You proved my first impressions of you were wrong and really turned out to be a great kid. I hope you show the same strength next year and thanks for joining us on our trip to Honduras.
Big Philly ~~ your accents and humor will never be forgotten and it will make a great addition to the group next year. I hope you have fun with your mobsters over the summer and thanks for bringing so much laughter to this trip.
Will ~~ although you were very quiet at times, your hard work and effort showed in painting the church. Keep up the hard work and I know that you’ll be a great member of our group next year.
Alex ~~ sometimes it seemed like you were off on your own little planet and that is what is unique about you. The effort you put into the church painting was great and it really helped our efforts. Thanks for gritting your teeth and putting in the work that needed to be done.

THERE, I think I got everyone, but I’m going to be very disappointed if I missed someone. But overall, our trip to Honduras was a huge success because not only did we help out the church, but we made many little children happy, whether they were whipping us in soccer or stealing our balls, we gave them all a little fun in their lives that they will hopefully remember the rest of their lives. Also, not on the Honduran aspect, I feel like I got to know everybody in the group a lot better. No offense to anyone but I didn’t know half the people’s names before we came on this trip. Now I know everyone’s names and can tell you 5+ great things about each and every one of them. Thanks to everyone for welcoming me and my brother into the community since we are still “newcomers” and giving us many memories that we will carry for the rest of our lives.