Hola from Honduras!
The start of our trip could not have been more perfect had it been scripted. Everyone showed up, on time, baggage in hand and passports. Well...almost everyone! Twenty-six 50-lb. duffels, one box of cardiac catheters, 14 personal carry-ons, and 14 backpacks were through security in a matter of minutes. Our connecting flight from Richmond to Newark was a piece of cake.
Next stop -- San Pedro Sula, Honduras!!! Five hours later as we looked out of the plane windows, we were greeted by the most beautiful mountains and countryside one could ever dream. Moments later after clearing customs, we were greeted by the smiling face of ELMER! (And a good bit of humidity.) Everyone was feeling a little hungry so we decided to partake in some Honduran food: Wendy`s!!! With the duffels waiting for us and the sun beating on our backs, we loaded up and headed for Alfredo`s House.
Driving in Honduras is unlike anything this gringo has ever experienced. It seems there are NO rules, but obviously God is amazing and we arrived safely. Upon entering the compound, it was as if we had never left -- open arms ready for hugs, smiling faces, the smell of lunch being prepared and what we would later learn to be, WORLDWIDE award-winning coffee.
A light afternoon of moving duffels, introducing Newbies and catching up with old friends led to a home-cooked meal and an extremely emotional and powerful hour of devotion lead by Charles Hunt who may have retired but has, by no means, lost his touch. The evening fog rolled in across Santa Barbara mountain and Alfredo`s House shut down for the evening as the weary travelers rested their heads (and backs). Alfredo's House is already our HOME!
Despite traveling over 12 hours the previous day, most of us rose with the sun. We were greeted once again by beautiful countryside and an awesome breakfast. After breakfast, we were given a VIP tour of the compound by Nury. This was not just pointing out bathrooms and laundry facilities; it was an in-depth, emotional, educational and awe-inspiring story shared by an amazingly passionate woman. She is the glue that holds it all together while the troops are in the trenches. As if that wasn`t enough to drive us through the week, it was time for church. We walked to our neighboring church for a bilingual, multi-cultural, and emotional service. It never ceases to amaze; you can travel half way around the world, be immersed in a third world country, hear a different language, and yet somehow, God will find you! Everyone seemed to receive a message that was personalized for them. The church had recently suffered a loss and during the individual testimonies as to how amazing "Gordon" was, you could tangibly feel the sorrow and grief, while also experiencing the tremendous amount of love and respect this community felt for him. There was singing, dancing, live music, fellowship, and a love for God that knew no borders and no nationalities. The service concluded with the leaders of the church praying arm-in-arm with the entire team.
And now...it was time to eat....AGAIN! The food here is incredible! After filling ourselves to the brim, it was time to do some real work. The strategy was to divide and conquer! A lot of prep work goes into visiting five communities in five days. The medicines, vitamins, glasses, flip-flops, toothbrushes and clothes necessary to impact approximately 1500 lives is truly unfathomable...and there might have even been a few soccer balls too! As the saying goes ¨many hands make for quick work.¨ All the work was completed in a little less than three hours; talk about teamwork! For all of our efforts this far, the team was "rewarded" with a wonderful meal at a local restaurant. Fun, fellowship and food were abundant!
As our night concluded, Charles led our evening devotions;' dedicated to a dearly loved, respected, and extremely missed teammate, Connie Richeson. How appropriate that this was held under the portico of Alfredo`s House, dedicated in remembrance of another dearly loved and very missed part of the Friends of Barnabas' family, Alfredo Vasquez.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers as we embark on this journey, and continue to check your inbox for our journals!
Buenas Noches - y Dios Te Bendiga!
Team Warwick!
