Hands, Hearts & Hope in Honduras

The time is rapidly approaching for us to head South... well, technically South-east, I suppose. I can honestly say that we are excited beyond belief. There is anxiety about leaving our children. We have not left our kids like this since our eldest was 1 year old. It is a bizarre feeling to plan school days that someone else will implement and to write medical consent forms for someone else to utilize. I don't like it one bit. And yet, we must make this first trip alone.

We will fly into San Pedro Sula and spend the night in an orphanage that we hope to work with in the future. We will then take an early bus ride to La Ceiba on the northern coast of Honduras. We will visit an orphanage in La Ceiba and take shoes and undergarments, for which there is a dire need. A few days later, we will catch a very small plane to fly to the Puerto Lempira on the Mosquito Coast. This area is accessible by small plane or shallow-bottomed boat. It is called Mosquito coast or La Miskitia because of the Miskito Indians that live in this area.

There are 3 orphanages in this very rural, jungle area that we will visit. One home is Mama Tara's, which I wrote about here. Another home is a fully-functioning orphanage and home for malnourished babies - House of Hope. This orphanage is completely U.S. funded - started by a dentist here in the states. House of Hope is a success story and a model of sorts. The third home does not have indoor plumbing. There is a hole outside used as a toilet. This home also does not have mattresses. We are blessed to be able to measure for mattresses and arrange delivery. :) And I have no doubt that one of our first projects when we get there full-time will be to get this home at least a functional bathroom.

We will return to La Ceiba and San Pedro Sula and visit the Pan American Malnourished Children home. We will stay in other orphanages for the remainder of our visit. We plan to take as much as we can with us. I bought the smallest of suitcases for my personal stuff so that I can stuff as much as possible into our other bags. One friend even suggested I wear several undergarments and t-shirts layered on the plane to avert the need to pack. That is a great idea!!

If you are interested in what we are gathering to pack our suitcases and duffel bags, you can read at our church website - Mission Effort for Honduras.

Most of all, we ask for your prayer coverage. Our children at home will be well taken care of; however, their week will be a challenge. Please pray for them. The children we will visit live in some of the most impoverished situations I've ever heard about but have hearts ready to hear the good news of a Savior who loves them. Please pray for them. Honduras is in political turmoil with the US meddling where it doesn't belong. Please pray for the country.

And above all else, may God be glorified in anything we attempt to do and every word we say! It is all for You... our Audience of One.