Hola All!

We apologize for being out of contact.   Part of life in Honduras,

especially in a rural region like the agricultural school, is dealing

with uncertain public services.  We had no access to internet for

about two days.  Even now it is painfully slow.  That has kept

us from posting. 

Yesterday and the day before were working days for us.  We

dug some foundation holes, and carted tons of rock and gravel

to two different sites.  Much of the gravel we produced

ourselves by digging at a nearby hill.  We also gathered

two pickup loads of large stones for the two projects we

were working on.  I was very proud of the way our group

worked together.

Yesterday morning some of the boys were at the

slaughterhouse, processing chickens.  Some of the

young people went up to learn about that also.

This morning we traveled to the Technical School

and got a tour of that facility.  We were back at the farm

for a lunch of tilapia raised right outside our little guest

house.  It was delicious.  Wednesday afternoon is the

normal chapel service.  We got to worship with the boys,

and I had the chance to celebrate the Eucharist with them.

That accounts for organized activities, but probably the

more important part of the trip has to do with the

relationships building among the members of our group,

and between the group and the boys here.  I came out

of the volunteer house yesterday evening, and stood and

listened to the laughter and animated conversation happening

between our young people and the boys at the farm.  It was

a delight.  As I sit here quietly writing this, most of the group

is up on the court playing futbol with the boys.  They have

gotten to the point now that they basically come and ask if

our group can come out and play. 

Tomorrow is our last full day in Honduras.  The plan is to go

to Valle de Angeles to shop and eat, visit the girls' house in

Santa Lucia, then pick up 20 large pizzas to have a party with

the boys.  Friday morning we will be on our way to the airport.

This has been a blessed time.  We have gotten to know each

other much better, and I think have learned something about

ourselves, God and others in the process.

Please keep us in your prayers as we finish out what has been

a full and fascinating week!