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Mission Honduras International
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty ... One Child at a Time
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October 2010
Newsletter
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Greetings!
This newsletter is full of good news. In this issue we share our happiness as an extended family with the news of the birth of little Tessa Looby-see story below for a first-time father's reaction to the miracle of birth. We also have an update on the steady progress of our school building program in Liberia. Plus Bernadine Ileto gives us a peek into the joyful celebrations that occur for our mission children when they are fully engaged in participation of the Mass.All in all we have much for which to be grateful. Our blessings are many, our children are thriving, and we have numerous wonderful friends and supporters who cheer us on.May God grant us all continued blessings,
Bob O'Dwyer
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Mission Honduras International
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| Congratulations New Parents Monica and Todd! | Monica Desmond and husband Todd Looby welcomed their first child, a daughter, into the world on October 24th. Monica is director of operations and development for Mission Honduras International in Chicago. She and Todd volunteered for six months in Honduras in 2008-2009. Later that year, Todd visited Liberia Mission and filmed the highly acclaimed video series Children of Hope. He also filmed Son of None, winner of best short at the Boston Film Festival. Below is Todd's letter.
Hello All,
Sorry it took so long to get back to you; we are home and doing well - though all a little sleep-deprived. It is so good, reassuring, and beautiful to have received so many prayers and blessings from you all.
Teresa "Tessa" Day Desmond Looby was born on 10/24/10 at 11:14pm at 41-6.9/7 weeks of  cooking. She was 8lbs. 9oz. Monica performed a truly unbelievable feat from that little body. I am humbled by her strength, resolve, and nurturing spirit.
When Matt Travis sent his message about all the kids (at Liberia Mission) cheering the birth news, I cried like I never had as an adult (well maybe when I was asked to speak at Mass on my last day in Liberia or at the final moment of the birth). But, I so clearly could imagine the scene of their reaction in the prayer room. And when we received such a beautiful message from Sirlea, I could barely read the whole thing to Monica before breaking down. In case anyone forgets her story, please click here.
I hope I can relay this well enough for you to understand, but it's just so strange to me that all these kids who come from one of the poorest places in the world and have so little want all of us to have the very best of everything. They prayed often for the health of the baby and Monica. They had an excitement and anticipation about the birth that was much more than that of even our close families - not that our families lacked any - the children just exceeded it. And strangely, I almost feel more secure knowing that all these kids in Liberia are thinking about us and praying for us. And I'm typically more pragmatic than emotional, ask Monica, but their spirit does something to you.
As I said many times after my trip: there's something extremely special going on at the Mission and those who work or have worked for the kids have done an incredible thing. And it must continue! Keep it up!
Thank you all for your well-wishes, prayers and work. It makes it so much easier!
Todd Looby
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| We're Half Way There! Classroom Construction Update |
 It started with a tent. Our general contractor showed up in his blue pickup carrying four large silver tarps and a dozen men with machetes and hoes. They marked out the new school site, then cleared and leveled an area in front of it, all by hand. Their machetes made quick work of a stand of bamboo, which they used to frame the tent. Then the tarps went up over the frame and the men went to work digging the foundation. Unless a company is financed by the UN, or a large Lebanese or Indian company, all the work in Liberia is done by hand. As the men dug for the next five days, trucks came and went dumping their loads of sand and gravel. Finally, late one afternoon, while all of us were impatiently watching the road for any sign of our next delivery, a truck hauling 300 lbs. of concrete showed up just as the sun began to set. We unloaded quickly in the dark as our security guards nervously watched; then we secured all the materials and prepared for construction to start in seriousness the next day.
 Construction progressed rapidly. One crew prepared the metal rebar and wooden pouring frames, another mixed cement to turn into blocks, and a third crew finished digging the foundation. As all five classrooms were dug out and leveled, the digging crew made a second cement mixing pit and started pouring cement wheelbarrow load by heavy wheelbarrow load. On sunny days, work moved quickly as hundreds of concrete blocks were formed and the foundation filled in with concrete. On rainy days, drainage trenches were dug to keep the tent dry and empty the water from the foundation until sunny weather returned. During one dry week, the school walls seemed to jump up as the stockpile of concrete blocks was stacked one atop another like Legos. Door frames were built, and stands to pour the pillars and cross braces were nailed together. As we entered the next stage of construction, all but a few masons went home as the knocking of carpenters' hammers replaced the sound of bouncing wheelbarrow loads and scraping shovels.
We've reached the halfway point now. The carpenters are about to start framing out the roof; the concrete walls and supports are all finished. As indicated by the swea t rolling off my nose and onto the keyboard as I write this letter, the dry season is upon us. This means very few rainy days will interfere with completion of the roofing. Once the rafters are up and covered in zinc (the universal roofing here) rain or shine our carpenters and electricians, followed by the masons and finally painters, will be able to work nonstop. This means that our school children should be able to move into the newly completed classrooms well before Christmas and the start of second semester.
To those who have contributed to this effort and who are working so diligently here as well as stateside to make these new classrooms a reality, our most sincere thanks.
Matthew Travis, Program Coordinator
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| Brother Elijah Engages Children in Joyful Mass Celebration |
Drama, laughter, and music. Sounds like an enjoyable night at the theater, no? Enjoyable indeed but these words do not describe the theater but rather a memorable mass one Su nday in September. Liberia Mission, Inc. was blessed to have Brother Elijah work with the children to prepare a special children's liturgy. Brother Elijah is a Liberian seminarian studying to be diocesan priest. He arrived one Saturday with hymn books, a small keyboard, a melodious voice, and an eye for drama. I was excited because I love music and exploring ways to make liturgy meaningful to children. Before working with the children, Brother Elijah and I had a "jam session" where we taught each other a few songs and he played the keyboard and I played the violin. That, for me, was a wonderful moment of prayer through music.
Then he gathered a few children to teach them how to prepare a dramatic presentation of the gospel. Together they read the Word of God and discussed the meaning of the passage. From there, they came up with ideas about how to make a drama that would teach the gospel message in an engaging way for the congregation. Afterwards, Brother Elijah worked with the choir to select a song with a message that matched that of the gospel.
On Sunday morning, as the children gathered for mass, the pews were abuzz with whispering and anticipation. The children knew something different was going to happen at mass because they saw their friends rehearsing and saw people running around getting props in the morning.
After the gospel reading, Fr. Tikpor, who enjoys preaching, surprised the congregation by sitting down and making way for the young actors and actresses. The drama began. For 10 minutes the people in the pews-children and adults alike-leaned forward, straining their necks to see the production; some even stood to get a better view. Everyone was drawn into the intrigue of the dictatorial king, the humor and earnestness portrayed by his servants, the activities of the townspeople, and the gospel message as it was brought to life right before them. The drama ended with much applause, a special song from the choir, and a brief message from the priest.
We are thankful for the energy, talent, and fresh ideas that Brother Elijah shared with Liberia Mission, Inc. and its worship community. The children are looking forward to the next opportunity to prepare a drama and the choir is eager to learn new songs. By finding new ways to pray together we grow as a community and as a people of God.
Bernardine Ileto, Director, Liberia Mission, Inc.
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| Warmly Welcomed, Seminarian Sends Thanks to Mission's Children | 
Dear boys and girls of Liberia Mission,
I hope you had a good start to the new school year and I hope everyone had a fun-filled summer. Since not all of you were at the mission when I left, I wanted to once again thank you for all that you did for me and my vocational discernment. Your generosity, hospitality, and love never ceased to amaze me. From the moment I arrived at the mission, I felt completely welcomed and at home.
I also appreciated your willingness to let me lead evening prayer on many occasions, which was a great help in my preparation for the priesthood. I came to Africa not knowing if I had what it takes to become a priest, but through serving you and experiencing your zeal and eagerness for the faith, I now, for the first time, feel like I can accept God's call in my life toward the priesthood.
I am back in the seminary and my studies are difficult, but I am motivated everyday by the desire to use these studies to help people. I hope that you have a great school year, and I hope you continue to focus on working hard. You have been extremely blessed to be at the mission, so make sure that you take advantage of the gift God has given you. I will continue to keep you in my daily prayers as I hope you will keep me in yours. I ask that you continue to express the love, generosity, and hospitality you showed me and that you continue to have zeal and eagerness for the faith. Being back in the United States, I have once again realized how much we lack these qualities and how much we can learn from your example.
God Bless,
Cameron Faller
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| Former Mission Directors Jerome and Clarisa Settle in Texas |
Dear Friends,
It has been a long time since Clarisa and I have spoken to you. Since so many have called and e-mailed us asking "Where are you now?" I thought we should update you.
Before leaving Liberia I found a job opening for the Director of Family Life in the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas. I knew Beaumont well as it is only 80 miles east of Houston, my hometown. Thankfully I was offered the position and started on September 13th.
Clarisa and I have settled in well and are quickly establishing ourselves in the community. We have experienced much love and warmth from the people of the diocese as well in our neighborhood. This is a wonderful opportunity God has given us and I am looking forward to serving Bishop Curtis Guillory, and the wonderful people of the Diocese of Beaumont.
The change in lifestyle has been quite an adjustment as you can imagine after spending six years in Honduras and Liberia but God has led us here and it is good to be close to my family and friends again. Both Clarisa and I have been blessed beyond compare.
As hard as it was to leave Liberia Mission and the children, we are both thankful because the mission is in incredible and loving hands with Bernardine and her team. There are so many great things already underway at the mission and the children are growing in all conceivable aspects. Clarisa and I miss them so much, we have pictures of them adorning the walls of our home and in my office; a big piece of our hearts are still with them and always will be. They are our children, after all.
I accepted a spot on the Mission Honduras International board of directors, which offers me a great opportunity to stay close to its children in Africa and Central America as well as work for the volunteers who have so selflessly given of their time and lives to the poorest of the poor.
The mission is alive and more than well today because of our supporters' remarkably generous hearts and willingness to say "yes" to our very deserving children. To use a Liberian colloquialism, "I beg you my good friend" please keep your prayers, love, and financial support coming because it is literally changing a nation. Also, you may want to take a moment to drop one of the volunteer team members an e-mail, letter, or care package while they are separated from their friends, families, and loved ones.
Join me in thanking Bernardine, Brian, Amy, Mat and Chris as they take us to bigger and better things.
Clarisa and I have you in our prayers constantly.
May Christ and His Blessed Mother be with each of you in peace and prayers.
Jerome and Clarisa Cabeen, Former Directors, Liberia Mission, Inc.
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 "Build a Classroom, Brick by Brick" Campaign Continues!
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Just 1200 bricks will build a solid, safe, dry place for our children to learn and grow for years to come! Thanks to the generous support of donors across the country. Buy your brick today and help us reach our goal of 1200 bricks!
Donate online and we will email you a "brick certificate" which you can give in honor of a loved one for a special occasion. Thanks!
Buy Your Brick online here!
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About Mission Honduras International / Liberia Mission
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Mission Honduras International is dedicated to breaking
the cycle of poverty for children and families through material and
spiritual support and a Catholic education.
Learn more on our website!
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