The girl on the bus

The girl smiles shyly
from the window of the bus
as Christian snaps her picture.
She rides to the maquila
where she stitches a sweatshirt
for a football player in the states.
Someday her little brother
will tug that shirt
from a bale of discarded clothing
sent to Honduras by Christian’s church.
He’ll cut off the sleeves
and wear it for 2 years.
At the end of the day
she returns to the house
that she shares with her father, her brother,
her big sister, and little nephew.
In one room they eat, sleep, live.
Her sister Maria turns tortillas with her fingertips,
nearly burning them on the hot black frying pan.
It was Maria
who got her the job at the maquila .
But Maria doesn’t work there any more.
The big boss discovered the secret
about the sickness
and sent her away.
Now she sews tote bags behind the clinic
with her son playing by her side.
One day I will return
carrying more medicine for Maria
in the tote bag.

Hasta Luego, Honduras!

Here we are at the gate, waiting to board the plan for Miami. We are all filled with so much..... heads full of impressions, hearts full of warm feelings, a camera full of images, ears full of noise and laughter, bellies full of Honduran foods, eyes full of tears as we leave the wonderful people we've met. But we'll be back. Hasta luego....until we meet again.

Faceless Jesus

This type of cross allows us to behold Jesus and see His face in our own personal ways. I have seen His face so many times this week. In the glowing face of the director of a home for boys from the street, in the creased face of the man who swept the dusty street, in the shy face of the girl who offered me a bag of banana chips, in the smiling face of a lay pastor who likens himself to Brad Pitt....

My friend and former pastor said this trip would be a life altering event for me. I think you're right, Jack.

Impressions

Bright colors, beautiful countryside, trash everywhere, depressing poverty
Loving and determined people, brown eyes and big smiles
Lots of singing, struggling to understand Spanish
Dirt roads, bumpy roads, mountainous roads, horns blaring
God's love, La Pas de Dios, hands joined in a circle
Greetings, hospitality, food, limonade
Schools, Orphanage, AIDs Clinic, Warehouse, houses, Churches
Smiles and laughter, razor wire, guards with guns
People not afraid to dream of a better life for all people

God help me to discern your path for me

Thank you for your sharing

Wow, what a trip- what a joy it has been to be a part of your travels and overall journey. I have so looked forward to each new post about where you have been and the experiences presented before each of you. I get the sense that this time- the folks that you have met along the way- will be with you always- in your hearts and in your souls. I anxiousely await hearing about your trip in it's entirity when you all arrive home!I love the photos you have posted. They helped to give us all a feeling of being there. There is much for all of you to process and digest, I am certain. I am praying that this opportunity will facilitate a real path for service in mission in the near future. I miss you all and keep you in my heart. Blessings and Love- Bon

Contrasts

Today we rode to a housing development which was built for displaced people after Hurricane Mitch. The houses were all built in the same design with concrete blocks. There is a large church and a school for the families of that area. As always, the people we've met receive is with a warm hospitaity and grace. It was gratifying to see that each house was decorated and individualized. The children were friendly and sweet.
In the afternoon, we were supposed to visit a settlement in the mountains and the Copan Ruins, but this was cancelled due to muddy roads after yesterday's rain. Instead we were treated to a ride to a beach area where we swam or paddled in the Caribbean. Very relaxing after the past few days of intense travel and almost overwhelming impressions.
It doesn't seem possible that the weekend is almost here....

Two faces from the Honduran Lutheran Church in Honduras

A Tortilla Lesson

Christian's Impressions

Children, children, children – young country
Rainbow in the sky
Poverty
Lush green landscape
Honking of horns
Bicycles
2 lane highway – dangerous passing
Pepsi/ Coca Cola – everywhere
Bill Boards abundant
Fruit stands – bananas, melons, pineapple
Laundry hanging to dry
Grey cinderblocks, pink cinderblock, metal roofs
Emaciated dogs
People standing, people waiting, people walking, people hanging out, people with time
Smiling people, joyful people, interest in foreigners

Ministry of the Church:
Episcopal Church with dual focus: Evangelism, and Social Ministry to people and their communities
Prophetic amazing ministry to people who are HIV positive or with AIDS – offering medical treatment, nutrition education, support groups, meals, employment in a sewing shop so they can have the dignity of work as well as income; particularly important and unique given the stigma people who are HIV positive have to endure
Episcopal Church is well organized; support a number of micro enterprises like a bakery run by number of women…
Lutheran Church more in the hills, on a dirt road in a very poor area, smaller church, fewer resources, but what a joyful group of people; they were so proud to host us, we sang together in Spanish, prayed together; they emphasized “we are a joyful people” and we could see that
Everyone has been extremely hospitable… there is a lot to absorb!

To Tegucigalpa and Back

Hello all,
It turned out that the internet was down in Tegucigalpa, so we couldn't update the blog from there. It was a wild and crazy ride both ways, but we were encouraged that our driver, who negotiated the stretch beautifully, is named Jesus! I keep thinking of the country song, "Jesus, Take the Wheel."
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/carrieunderwood/jesustakethewheel.html
In Tegu, we visited both Episcopalian and Lutheran schools, churches, and special projects, such as the boys' home, where 85 homeless and sometimes orphaned children live. Their hugs felt really great!
Leah, the food here is wonderful. Lots of fresh fruit and tortillas. Beans and meat. Lots of corn, even in desserts!
Tomorrow we are going to a housing project and then to Tela on the coast, where Bishop Allen comes from.
More tomorrow.

Honduras: Greetings from San Pedro Sula

Hey all you travelers,
My spanish class wants to know what the food is like down there. Leah

Greetings from San Pedro Sula

Hello everyone! We are in San Pedro Sula and have had a very busy day. Last night we fell into bed at our hotel after a delayed flight from Miami. Ruth & Pastor had a swim in the pool first!
We are soon on our way to Tegucigalpa on a nice bus. It will take 3.5 hours. We will add more to this blog when we get there. Everyone is well and we are sampling lots of PEELED local fruit and just had some fried plaintains. Earlier we were in worship and fellowship with a wonderful church in the middle of one of the poorest parts of the city. We sang from the Spanish LBW!
Pastor Priscilla had a tortilla making lesson at lunch when we visited an AIDS/HIV clinic.
Will add more soon.
Blessings and our love to all at home.

Safe and Happy Traveling!

Hi Everyone, I am so glad to know that you got off from Logan despite the snow here. We thought about your travels all morning. Just know we're keeping you all in our hearts- today and each day. Bon (aka-F.B.)

They're Off

In spite of snow in Maine and rain in Boston the flight took off on time. Next stop Miami. (I can see it now: Laurie calls from Miami while I'm shovelling the driveway in a snow storm!)
Bill P.

Overnight in Portland, Maine

The Beginning of the Journey

Here are the famous Honduras 4 plus "Flat Bonnie" in real life.This morning during service we had a very nice laying on of hands to send us on our pilgrimage.Laurie, Bonnie, Pastor Priscilla, Ruth, and Donna.

Adios!

Carry-On

Here are the regulations for carry-ons, for those of us who haven't traveled by air lately.
http://www.tsa.gov/311/311-carry-ons.shtm

Good Luck

I wish you all the best of luck as you take this journey on. Let God help you through out your work. Have safe travels! Leah

Hi Everyone, I am getting so excited for all of you. I woke up this morning thinking of what a real joy it will be to see this experience unfold as you all travel through the following week. We're all so fortnate to have a way to share in the journey with all of you. My thought for the moment: to share within the larger family in Christ- to be a part of one anothers lives in a different part of the world- well, it is a precious gift- one that makes my heart feel good and warm. Despite not being able to be with you physically next week I will be there in the 2nd dimension to be certain. Flatbonnie- who is also quite portable, I might add- is on her way to the Church this week (she won't even have to worry about luggage requirements- she travels light!) In all seriousness, my heart will be with each of you always and in the daily prayers of my family and myself.Till next post- Blessings of Peace

The "Honduras Ten"

Today the “Honduras Four” from St. Andrew in Ellsworth, Maine took a road trip to Worcester, Mass. With Pastor Priscilla Hukki at the wheel, Donna Searchfield, Ruth Dietze, and Laurie Gardner traveled 5 hours (at times in pouring rain) to an orientation meeting with the other New England Synod Lutherans who will be with us on the trip to Honduras. During the trip, Laurie taught the art of Moravian star making. Four long strips of paper are folded, woven, and twisted to create 3 dimensional stars. We plan to teach the Sunday School classes to make these tomorrow for Epiphany. We made enough stars on the trip to give one to each person at the meeting.

We were greeted by Wendell Beckman, who has been our travel planner and will be on the trip with us. We got to meet the other members of our larger “Honduras Ten” group. They are: Bishop Margaret Payne, Pr. Michael Bastian, Mary Hansen-Joyce; Pr. Christian Holleck, and Pr. James Reemts. Invited to the meeting were Pastors Jim and Lisa Hazelwood, who are actively engaged in mission work in Honduras with their own St. Andrew congregation in Rhode Island. They gave us lots of practical advice and showed a slide show from 2 of their visits to Honduras.

The trip is only 8 days away! I am really excited to the point of waking at night to ponder and reflect. I have had my shot for Hepatitis A and will begin my course of malaria and typhoid prevention tomorrow.

Honduras Revisited

Having served on the mission field in Honduras after Hurricane Mitch I am well aware of the needs in Honduras (and Central America in general). My guiding phrase was "See where God was working and go there". I welcome and encourage this ecumenical opportunity for Episcopalians and Lutherans alike to move out of their comfort zones and be exposed to life in Central America and the vast opportunities that exist there to make a difference in the name of Christ. Go for it! Your exercise in faith will definitely be rewarded.

Bill Phillips

Honduras or BUST

This blog was created to record a week long exploration of the new companion relationship with the Episcopal Diocese and Lutheran Church in Honduras. Under the guidance and leadership of the Hondurans, a group of around 10 people, including Bishop Payne, will visit churches, clinics, schools and various mission centers. This is an opportunity to meet the people who will help us as we plant the seeds for a long term relationship. Ruth Dietze, Laurie Gardner, Pastor Priscilla Hukki, & Donna Searchfield of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Ellsworth, Maine will be participating. We will fly out of Boston on January 15th going to San Pedro Sula via Miami. We will be traveling by bus through some of the country, flying back on January 22nd. A huge thank you to all who helped in any way with the rummage sale – we made a little over $1000! To our excitement, Thrivent matched that amount. Some folks have asked about assisting with finances – you are welcome to put a designated donation in the collection or leave it in the office. Some facts about Honduras – Physical. Honduras is located in Central America, with the Caribbean Sea to the north and El Salvador and Nicaragua to the south. It covers an area slightly larger than Tennessee. Capital: Tegucigalpa (pop 995,000). The terrain in Honduras consists mostly of mountains in the interior and narrow coastal plains. Natural resources include timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish and hydropower. Environmental concerns: urbanization; deforestation; land degradation and soil erosion; mining pollution. The climate is subtropical in lowlands and temperate in the mountains. People. More than 6.8 million people live in Honduras. Spanish and Amerindian dialects are the primary languages spoken by inhabitants. The ethnic make-up of the country includes Mestizos (mixed Amerindian and European, 90%) Amerindians (7%) and Africans (2%). The religious distribution is almost entirely Roman Catholic (97%) with a Protestant minority. Indigenous tribes have religions that often exist alongside Christianity and incorporate elements of African and Indian animism and ancestor worship. Life expectancy: Men, 65 years; women, 67 years. Infant mortality: 29.64 deaths per 1000 live births. 53% of the population lives in poverty. 1 physician per 1,586 people. HIV/AIDS rate in adults: 1.8%. 76.2% of adults are literate. Government. In Honduras there have been frequent changes of government, which, despite numerous constitutions and authoritarian leaders, have been unable to resolve basic problems such as widespread corruption. Current President Ricardo Maduro, elected in 2002, has focused on cracking down on the rampant crime wave, undoubtedly influenced by the loss of his son in 1998 to criminal violence. But social problems must be addressed as well. Fortunately many of the 300,000 refugees from Nicaragua and El Salvador have returned home, eliminating a source of much violence in the border regions. Economy. Honduras is a poor country. In 1998, just as the economy was recovering somewhat, the financial crisis in Asia and Hurricane Mitch—which destroy- ed the nation’s infrastructure, homes and thousands of lives—set Honduras back yet again. The website for the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras is: http://www.anglicano.hn . Facts about Honduras (from the ELCA website http://www.elca.org)