Be it ever so humble...

It was a marathon of a traveling day: getting up at 4:30 am to pack and load up for the four hour drive back to San Pedro Sula, through customs, on to Houston, through customs again, and finally to Albuquerque safe and sound. Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home... 

 

Last group shot of the tired and weary international travelers!

Vaya Con Dios, El Ayudante! Te Amamos!

It is our last day here at El Ayudante in Honduras! This morning we were able to split into three groups and put the finishing touches on projects we had started during the week. One group finished the concrete floor that was left on the adobe house from yesterday, another group put another two layers on the adobe house that was started Tuesday, and the last group completed the latrine we began Tuesday plus another one. 

This afternoon we were able to take in the sights and do some souvenir shopping in the central park square of Comayagua. We were able to tour (actually we climbed) one of the oldest bell towers in the world at the Catholic church located in the square. Then, we had a fancy dinner at the Lo de Kerpo steakhouse. The food does not disappoint here in Honduras. 

It is very bittersweet to have our mission trip adventure end. We are all ready to go home, but sad to leave all of the amazing people we have met at El Ayudante and the communities we helped in Honduras. So, all that is left to say is vaya con Dios, El Ayudante! Te amamos! (Go with the Lord, El Ayudante! We love you!)

Heading out to do concrete floors and work on the adobe house.

Finished concrete floor! Woo hoo!!

Group picture with the owner of the house after the concrete floor was completed.

One of our amazing translators helping out with the adobe. It was definitely messy, hard work!

Before picture of the latrine.

Mixing concrete for the latrine.

Putting the frame on for the base on for the toilet.

Concrete for the base.

The toilet goes into the concrete.

Ta-da!! And it's complete!

Catholic church with the bell tower we climbed in the square of Comayagua.

The view of the mayor's office from the top of the bell tower.

Looking out from the bell tower.

The courtyard of the church.

The kiddos playing before our dinner at Lo de Kerpo.

Dinner time! 

Last night with all of our new friends...

Firm Foundation

Today, one team started out checking water filters in the area to make sure that the filters were working properly. While we were checking the filters, we also had opportunities to visit with the families and pray with them for any needs they had. Then, we met up with the other team that had spent the morning mixing concrete for the floor of an adobe house. 

This was a very special project for the team at El Ayudante, because the man who owns the house works for them. We felt very special to be a part of building his house. It was a four room house, and we were able to complete the flooring in three rooms. As we laid the concrete flooring for the house today, we realized what a blessing it has been to be a part of laying the real foundation of Jesus Christ in the lives of the people we have met here. 

After a break for lunch, we assisted with a sports program for kids in the area to learn to play wiffle ball. They practiced throwing, batting, and then played a game. After the game, one of our team shared a devotion with them. 

Getting water to run the check on the water filter. Only 30% of the houses in Honduras have running water, so other water sources must be found.

Checking for the correct flow of water to make sure the filter is working properly.

Loading up the concrete for the floor in the adobe house.

This is the outside of the four room adobe house.

This is the inside of the house before the flooring has been put in.

Filling the water tank from the canal in order to have the water needed for mixing the concrete.

Leveling and finishing the concrete.

This is the last room left for concrete flooring in the house.

The whole team pictured with the owner of the house.

Warming up before practicing the skills of wiffle ball.

Practicing throwing the wiffle ball.

Practicing batting.

Finally!! We get to play ball!!

After meals in the morning and evening, our team must sign up for dish duty. One person washes, one person rinses, and one person much dip the dishes in a bleach water bath for sanitation. These beautiful ladies had dish duty this evening and are doing a fabulous job!

And.... we're spent! Off to bed we go! 

Reaching Lost "Soles"

Today was our second day of VBS, which was an enormous success. The second day is always easier when you know what to expect. This afternoon, we broke into two groups. One group went to begin building an adobe house and the other to begin the first stage of building a latrine. It was hard labor for both groups and we were exhausted after we finished. Today we worked ourselves right out of our boots LITERALLY! (See following pictures...)
We had a quick dinner, and then participated in a local church service. One of our parents gave a wonderful message on trusting in the Lord and not ourselves. Then, our students who came on our trip shared their testimonies with the congregation. They did a fantastic job! We were all very proud of their wonderful testimonies and the bravery they showed in sharing them in front of the congregation.

Last day of VBS! The students are waiting to receive their goodie bags with the spiral notebook, pens, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, and dental floss. 

The students greeted us each day with smiling faces and were so eager to give us all hugs and high fives.

Our fearless leaders from El Ayudante who showed us how to mix concrete on the latrines! 

One of our team members had the soles of both of her boots come off while we were mixing concrete for the latrines! We are truly reaching lost soles! 

This is the beginning of the latrine--a ten foot hole in the ground. We needed to build a small trench around it.

Working on the trenches that led to the hole.

The PVC pipe leading to the hole.

Making the "volcano" to help mix the concrete Honduras style! 

Leveling out the concrete once it had been poured.

Mixing the adobe for the first few layers of the adobe house.

The team had to wear galoshes to mix the adobe with their feet. It was hard for them not to get stuck.

It turned out to be much easier to just mix it with their hands. 

The first two levels of a 3 room adobe house. 

The future owner of the adobe house has lived in this shack for 20 years.
He's looking forward to having a little more space!

Our students giving their testimonies with an interpreter.

Part of the team taught children's church while the sermon and testimonies were given.