The Countdown Begins...

I'm sure none of us could have imagined all God had in store for us in this past year as we began planning our Honduras mission trip. We have already learned some amazing lessons of God's provision and guidance before our trip has even begun. It has been a whirlwind of planning, fundraising, and LOTS of prayer!

Our committee began looking at different organizations that were viable options at this time last year. After careful research we felt God was leading us to work with El Ayudante in Honduras. Thus began our international mission trip journey.

In the summer, our fundraising began. We needed to try and reach a fundraising goal of approximately $20,000 ($1,600 per person). We held two car washes which were extremely successful. Chick Fil-A, O'Neill's, and Fuddruckers sponsored fundraising nights for us, giving us a percentage of all profits from people in our school that dined there those evenings.

In the fall, we held a school wide garage sale which turned out to be our biggest (and most tiring) fundraising event. We also held bake sales, a penny war, a baby-sitting Saturday, and wrote sponsor letters to our friends and family to reach our goal. Our group was able to raise $19,400 to help with expenses and supplies for our trip and to assist El Ayudante mission.

Starting in September, our group has been meeting twice a month to plan two days of Vacation Bible School, a Family Night outreach, and our participation in a local church service. Each adult is leading a part of the Vacation Bible School events, which include an opening and closing event, Bible teaching, games, crafts, and songs. Students will be assisting adults and interacting with Honduran students attending. Family Night is an outreach of El Ayudante for local families in the area to play Frisbee, UNO, and learn about the importance of prayer. At the local church service, a member of our group will be leading the sermon and the children's church for the service. Our students will also be giving testimonies to their congregation. These planning meetings have also been a fantastic time of growing and bonding together as a group.

In addition to participating in these activities, we will also be assisting in installing water filters, a concrete floor, a latrine, and building an adobe house. It will be a busy week!

Our group is so thankful to God for what He has provided for us and taught us already in this past year. We can only imagine the great plans He has for us. T-minus 12 days and counting!