Kids Ark International Honduras Missions Trip Day 7

 One would think that the last day when all we have to do is board a plane it would be uneventful. Not so.

After a good breakfast we headed to the airport. As we are on the road to go we have to go through a checkpoint. At this checkpoint they made our buses pull over. An officer comes to our bus, our bus driver gets out, and the officer steps up in our bus smiling and says something to us in Spanish, to which we all looked at him with a deer in the headlights look since we did not know Spanish and we did not have an interpreter with us. Thankfully Hosias, the camp director also stopped the van to come help us out. Turns out it was something to do with a permit from the bus company but we all did have a minor panic attack thinking we aren't going home today. 

Once we got to the airport things went about as expected. I was able to buy some snacks for the kids to try, and get a cup of coffee. The airport was small, I want to say they had maybe 3 or 4 gates? But it was not anywhere near as crowded as I expected. I guess that happens when you are used to Tampa or Orlando airports.

I love sitting at a window seat, which I got to do. 

During take off I took time to write a little in my journal, the down time gave me some time to think and start processing things. I had been asked a few nights prior how my expectations of the trip had been met or changed. I really didn't have much to say.  But as I sat there and thought about how every aspect of the trip was I realized what my take away was. 

The people there, were set up in communities, sharing things. The homes, especially on the mountain, were set up with several groups of homes close together. When we gave out food to the families, they were selected based off of someone in the community identifying the biggest needs in the families at that time. 

Those members of our missions team took vacation time to come to work in a 3rd world country. The passion I saw in so many was incredible as this was not their first time there, they came back to give more. The authenticity of these people was real. I met one man who's family left the US to start a feeding program there. He left the safety, security, and comfort of what we have here, to go live with the people he is so passionate about. 

My take away was that I have never seen anything closer to the actual church in Acts as I did on this trip.

Kids Ark International Honduras Missions Trip Day 6

 Today we started our journey back into San Pedro Sula, where the international airport is. Our first stop on the way out was actually to a coffee factory. Hello! Is this even a missions trip if  I'm getting to go to an actual coffee factory? I could smell it as soon as I walked up to the building. It was so cool! I was able to get a few bags of coffee to use as gifts and obviously to keep as well!

Our next stop on the way back was to Pulhapanzak falls, which were absolutely amazing. They freefall 140ft, and the water spray off them was thick! For perspective, Niagara falls is 170ft, so this is only 30ft less. Probably the most amazing, huge waterfalls I have ever seen, or at least remember seeing. Its a tourist location, and seemed to be much like a state park here. They also had armed guards there too, which again, not used to.

While in the bathroom there we looked in many stalls and couldn't find any toilet paper. Turns out it was on the wall and you had to get  it before going in. You need to have good estimation skills.

Once we got into San Pedro Sula, it was almost like being in American again as far as how things looked on the main street. (Remember when we came in it was dark so we didn't see any of San Pedro Sula.) Much cleaner streets and establishments that were also found in America, such as McDonalds, Wendy's, and even Chucky Cheese. However once you ventured off the main strip, it was back to looking a lot closer to what we had seen before. We ate lunch at a sit down restaurant and enjoyed a platter of taco fixings that were put on the table for everyone to make their own tacos. Didn't taste anything I didn't like. 

When we left there we made a visit to a place called Esther's House, a home for prostituted women who have been rescued. Their goal is to provide a safe place for them, help them by providing counseling as well as teaching them skills so they can get jobs and back on their feet again. I noticed they had copies of Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers there in their library, which made me smile.

Our hotel was pretty nice, the rooms were a nice size, hot water and a clean bathroom. They did not however have AC in the hallways. The room AC was fine but the hall was quite a surprise when you walked out. 

We ate dinner at a very nice place called Pats. It felt like I was walking into an American steakhouse, and the food was fabulous. One of the best steaks I think I've ever eaten. I was unfortunately too full to eat much of it. As I said, the whole week we were fed very well and I felt as full as I have ever been. I do have to say, I think more steak houses should offer guacamole and chips as an appetizer, I liked it.

Kids Ark International Honduras Missions Trip Day 5

 I woke up at 4AM this morning to our power being out. It was pitch black in the room, so I had to use my phones flashlight to go to the bathroom. I wasn't sure how long the power would be out so I turned off my white noise app to save battery incase I needed the flashlight again tonight. I mentally prepared for no coffee, told myself I could make it a few more hours till we got to camp and have my first cup there. To my delight the power was not out at the whole place and coffee was available up at the front. I fully admit how much of a first world American I am.

Our day started with the team splitting up and half delivering food, and the other half doing a program at the local school. I was part of the team delivering food. These homes were worse than the ones I saw before. Mostly shacks. Some had cardboard for interior walls to divide up their living space. Some had block homes, some had homes made of whatever could be found. When we asked what they wanted prayer for most of them responded with "a better home" or for health concerns. 

The crazy thing was the views these homes had. These lean-to's, shacks, shelters that were on the sides of this mountain had the most amazing mountain views. We are talking million dollar views if they were in the US.

I did get to see coffee trees!

After lunch we all went to a special needs school to do our program. This school was located in Las Vegas, which is again a place you only want to go in the daylight, because its very rough at night. One little girl came up to just about everyone to be held and hugged on. She was the sweetest little thing, and even gave me a kiss! I can't say that this was an easy part of the trip, because coming from a home with special needs siblings, I can't imagine what their life is like in a 3rd world country. 

On the way back to the camp, we got another story. The same rice truck that has been there for days told our bus driver to go around them, there was room on this one lane muddy road. There in fact was not room to do this, especially without getting stuck. Which we did. Everyone had to get out of the bus, and we were able to get it unstuck. The rice truck had to back up almost all the way to the camp to get to a place we could pass them. Yet another bus story.

The rest of the evening was very relaxing and such a wonderful time spending with everyone else on our last actual day at the camp.