next trip - July 29 thru August 5

The dates for the next Honduras Mission Trip have just been confirmed by Emma at Gerizem. We will be going July 29-August 5. For those of you who have been on a trip before, you do not need to complete a whole new application, but can just let me know of your interest. - Nancy

The announcement of this trip coincided with a Planting Seeds conference where the subject was postmodernism. In this conference it was pointed out that we should encourage non-Christians to participate in holistic ministries, such as mission trips. So I just wanted to share that this is true for our Honduras trips as well.

The primary purpose of the trip is spiritual, to work alongside and support a Christian community. It is important, in some sense, to know that, and to be comfortable with the environment. That said, the work we do, requires no qualifications, other than a heart for giving of ourselves to others. So, anyone who wants to go, to do just that, and join a group that is spirit-led, preparing for a week of work alongside a Christian community, ministering to all people through the church (wherever we go, we are open to the entire community) -- that is cool. You need not be a super-Christian, or true believer. - Eric

Honduras Mission Trip Video - Take 1

I heard this song, Better Way by Ben Harper, on the radio when we returned from Honduras. I knew right away that I wanted to create a video using it (I think there will be many other videos from this trip as we've got hours of playback).

This song for me sums up the paradoxes I experienced on the trip: peace vs. violence, hope vs. fear, joy vs. despair, wants vs. needs, including my need to believe in a better way (a way lead by Jesus).

i'm a living sunset, lightning in my bones
push me to the edge, but my will is stone
i believe in a better way

fools will be fools, and wise will be wise
but i will look this world, straight in the eyes
i believe in a better way

what good is a man, who won't take a stand
what good is a cynic, with no better plan
i believe in a better way

let these words be a blessing as they rest upon your head

reality is sharp, it cuts at me like a knife
everyone i know, is in the fight of their life
i believe there’s a better way

take your face out of your hands, and clear your eyes
you have a right to your dreams, and don't be denied
i believe in a better way

adios

worship3
Originally uploaded by kimxtom.

The end of the trip was bittersweet, but we'll have memories to last a lifetime.

tourists

Dscn0037
Originally uploaded by kimxtom.

We also got to see some sites around Tegucigalpa. We walked around El Picacho, a national park located at the north end of Tegucigalpa.

school

group1f
Originally uploaded by kimxtom.

One of the most memorable and enjoyable parts of the trip was entertaining the school children (and having them entertain us). After much rehearsal ;) there was juggling, a puppet show, singing and shared testimony.

just hanging out

ruthie1
Originally uploaded by kimxtom.

We worked hard, but we also got to just hang out. It is amazing the fun and community you can build when there isn't the distraction of TV and the internet.

medical brigade

clinic2b
Originally uploaded by kimxtom.

The medical brigade consisted of Nancy, Margy, Eric, Sarah, John, Kalie, Irene, Carol, & Tom. They held 4 clinics and saw almost 1000 people.

construction brigade

wall1
Originally uploaded by kimxtom.

The construction brigade consisted of David, Russ, Miguel & Robby. They had lots of help from the locals (adults & kids).

computer lab

lab1
Originally uploaded by kimxtom.

I had an awesome time working with the kids in the computer lab. I had a translator for teaching technology lessons, but I also had children show up after school to hang out in the computer lab. David and Alejandro helped me wire the lab for the network and install apps (despite the language barrier).

arrival

thebus
Originally uploaded by kimxtom.

We arrived in Tegucigalpa, Honduras on March 5, 2006. The day was gorgeous and we got to experience the 2pm worship at Gerizim.

El Levantara

El me levantara, el me levantara, el me levantara, asi dice el Senor

El me levantara, el me levantara, el me levantara, asi dice el Senor

El me levantara, el me levantara, en sus manos me sostendra, asi dice el Senor

Me fortalecera, me fortalecera, me fortalecera , asi dice el Senor

Me fortalecera, me fortalecera, me fortalecera , asi dice el Senor

Me fortalecera , me fortalecera, en sus manos me sostendra, asi dice el Senor

El me sanara, el me sanara, el me sanara, asi dice el Senor

El me sanara, el me sanara, el me sanara, asi dice el Senor

El me sanara, el me sanara, en sus manos me sostendra, asi dice el Senor

Casa del Padre

cdp3
Originally uploaded by kimxtom.

Mission preparation @ Casa del Padre.

trip prep

Instead of getting more excited about the trip, I'd become more nervous. As the technology person, I've been feeling some pressure to have something prepared for the trip, but with no clear idea of exactly what that might be. I finally found comfort in Psalm 119. For some reason "I live here as a stranger" seemed to sum up how I feel about living on earth with me here in middle-class America and many Honduras living over there in poverty. Living here is a waypoint, it's a learning center, it's an opportunity to connect to others and God, it's not about being comfortable or having everything you desire.

team song

Practice the team song - click here.

Honduras mission trip video

Preparation

Prior to leaving for Honduras, the Mission Team met four times for training, equipping ourselves with basic skills and knowledge for our mission trip. We shared personal testimony about our faith journey and our reasons for being on this trip. We learned how to pray together. We learned to trust one another. We learned how to open ourselves to the Holy Spirit. We practiced taking blood pressures. We shucked pills and packaged medicines. We collected and stuffed suitcases. We learned to sing together, even a song or two in Spanish.

What was I prepared for?

I knew intellectually that Honduras was a poor country, with little infrastructure. I imagined that my accomodations would be stark, the bare essentials. I was prepared to go without running water, hot showers, a bed to sleep in. I had my small camp towel, my rolls of Coleman toilet paper, my bug spray, alcohol and wipes, clean underwear, socks, t-shirts... a cap to protect my thinning hair... a "wallet" that could hold my documents, money, and credit card around my neck. No need for my Kroger Card, or my Bagby's loyalty card. I was prepared to "rough it".

I had my lists of medicines that we were bringing... organized by type AND alphabetical... laminated, six copies. I had medicine labels, and instructions, organized in folders, written in Spanish, with English translation.

I had the tickets... the insurance papers... luggage tags... hotel vouchers for the Crystal City Holiday Inn.

I had some 37 years of travel experience, even behind the Iron Curtain, but nothing to compare to this. With a working vocabulary of maybe 200 words in Spanish, only some of which were useful, and few of which were verbs, I was prepared to smile a lot and say little.

I had a Discipleship Small Group, a "Triad" of four (math-challenged?) brothers in Christ, to lean on for support, to count on in prayer. Dave is coming along, and I knew I could find comfort in his sense of humor, kindness, reflection, and newfound devotion. I knew that we could count on John, even while he was travelling with Dona to the wilds of Alaska, to be with us in spirit. So, too, Randy, ever steadfast.

I had the support and prayers of friends, family, parishoners, strangers...

I had my family... Nancy, Sarah and Sam forming the experienced core of our team... Dan "holding the fort" at home... the cats and ferrets won't starve.

I had my medicines, my shots... I was resigned to some form of physical discomfort, some illness, just nothing too bad that Imodium and Advil couldn't help.

What wasn't I prepared for?

Honduras Medical Mission Team -- August 2005 

We're Back!

What an exciting and transforming experience!

I invite all members of the Team to post and share their experiences here, and all others to engage with us.

--Eric