Today was bittersweet. We woke up excited to be returning to the U.S., yet sad to leave all the wonderful people and beautiful country of Honduras! We met after breakfast to have devotions and communion. Nury ended the gathering by reading a prayer written by Rev. Linwood Cook, the founder of Friends of Barnabas. This was an emotional moment as she recited all of our names in the prayer, thanking us for helping "her people."

A Prayer for Honduran Children
(by Rev. Linwood Cook)
We pray for the children of Honduras;
who play with sticks and rocks, their toys,
who laugh and sing, over the growls of hunger,
who know a tortilla and a handful of red beans is a meal,
who love their parents as they hug and bless each other,
who hope for a better life, someday.

We pray for those;
who have never tasted ice cream,
who sleep on the ground, a bed of cardboard or burlap,
who do not have a room to clean,
who learn to cook over a open fire at the age of four,
who have never colored a picture.

We pray for those;
who have parasites consuming much of what they eat,
who bodies are stunted by malnutrition,
whose stomachs will know pain in the day and night,
who will never see a doctor or a dentist,
who have never known a bathroom with walls. 

We pray for those;
who live with birth defects,
who have to be carried to the mountain medical clinics,
whose arms bear sick children many miles,
who travel so far, to help so many,
whose minds, hearts and hands will repair.

We rejoice and pray for those;
who see clearly for the first time,
who take their first wobbly steps after a surgery,
who show joy through a new smile,
whose load is made lighter when a child is made healthy,
who live, saved by the selfless love of a far-off neighbor.

We pray for those;
who will make a decision to make a difference,
who take their vacation to go to Honduras to help,
who give faithfully to make the ministry happen,
who will touch a child, and be forever changed,

for Barrett, Susan, Papa Joe, Dale, Donnie, Dr. Eapen, Jessica, Yolanda, Laura, Sean, Crystal, Neal, Peggy, Julie, and Shirley,

who are friends like Barnabas.

Amen.

After communion, we headed to the market to shop for a few souvenirs. We said our "see you laters" to Nury and Melvin and onto the plane we went! We are all home safely now. We thank you all so much for your support. Without your love, support, donations and prayers, none of this would have been possible. You may not have been there physically but you were definitely part of making a beautiful mission possible! We ask that you continue to pray for the children of Honduras! God bless you all!

Until the next trip,

Laura for the Dinwiddie Team

The Dinwiddie Team

Barrett Chappell

Susan Chappell

Papa Joe Covolo

Dale Field

Donnie Field

Dr. George Eapen

Jessica Earhart

Yolanda Mohammed

Laura Smith

Crystal Spiers

Neal Spiers

Sean Wade

Peggy Watson

Julie Williams

Shirley Woodlief