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A better wrap than Christmas morning.

On friday night Anita Kelleher wrote like a champion. She told us why this trip mattered. It was so cool. And then the internet attacked and it got deleted. So... being the champion that she is, she spent the whole flight from Honduras to the States yesterday re-writing. You need to read this.

"I originally saw Honduras as a way "to get away." It's not that things are bad at home. There has just been too much going on this year. I originally knew I was going to help, but that's all I really knew, and sort of cared to know. But the day we walked into CDI, I was overwhelmed by the love that the kids had in their hearts. That night, the thinking started. I realized that I was there more than just to help. It still didn't connect though what my purpose on this trip was. 

Probably my biggest contribution on Thursday and Friday was working on the bathrooms. Avery, Anna, Taylor, Luke, Jordyn, Mr. Keith Topliffe and I all worked so hard to try to build/ paint the "prettiest" bathroom possible for these kids. I've been good friends with Taylor Stroobosscher since 2011, when we were going into freshman year of high school. Now, we're about to jump into our senior year, but I have yet to see him as happy and proud as he was when he was working on the bathrooms this week. Taylor put all his efforts into making the bathrooms look the best they could. He added shelves, a toilet paper holder and arches to the doors, on top of completely reconstructing the walls, all to try and better the way kids saw the CDI. Then, Avery and I got really into designing and painting the whole thing. We came up with this whole intricate plan, and even though we didn't have time to carry out our ideas, Honduras really brought us closer together. I'm super thankful for that. As we were all discussing the design of the bathrooms, Pastor Carlos asked us to put a bible verse on the side. We debated on it for a little while. We really focused on two main verses. At first we were considering Romans 12:12. This is probably my favorite verse in the bible: "Rejoice in hope; Be patient in affliction; be constant in prayer." But then we looked at 1 Timothy 1:5: "The aim of our charge is love." It was much simpler. We went with the latter. Anna wrote it on these two planks of wood, and it looks so so good. We mounted it on the side of the bathroom that faces the entrance of CDI, knowing that every day that the kids will enter CDI, they will be reminded that "El proposito de este mandamiento es el amor."  It was awesome to see how everyone contributed this week to the numerous projects we completed.

This week, I met a boy named Wilson. This little 5 year old boy caught my eye within the first 5 minutes of our first day. I'll never forget the moment I first saw him, grinning at me but trying to cover his eyes, because I truly believe that God put that moment in my life for a reason. Later that day, I decided to approach this little boy. At first he mumbled to me what sounded like "Me llamo Huecho." His brother soon came to tell me that his name is Wilson. Something or actually Someone was drawing me to this little boy. Not only did I get to see pure happiness in Wilson this week but I was also blessed enough to experience it. I can honestly say that I've never been happier than those times I spent with Wilson. He brought real joy into my heart. I think God gave me the task of loving Wilson with my whole heart, because he really needed it. Yesterday, his mom thanked me for making him feel loved. It was so unnecessary but made me feel so incredibly happy. I was kind of bummed, at first, when I learned that Wilson was already sponsored-only because I really wanted to sponsor someone I had a connection with. Then, on Friday afternoon, Leslie, a woman in charge at CDI, approached me to say that Wilson's youngest brother, Darwin, didn't have a sponsor. It was named a miracle in my eyes. I am now the sponsor of Darwin Garcia Santos. He's only two years old. I'm excited to build a relationship with his entire family. They all seem so special in their own ways. Wilson's mom was so grateful to me, just for giving Wilson my love (and I'm really grateful to him for loving me back). Darwin couldn't take one photo without putting his finger up his nose, and, well, Wilson has a heart of gold. There are no words to describe the joy that Wilson and many other kids at CDI have placed in my heart this week. 

After a week of go-go-go, we finally settled down for 20 minutes on our last night. All us high schoolers plus Kyle, Tom, Susan and Marjolein, got together in the lobby of our hostel and sat in a circle. In the past two years, everyone had candles and shared stories from the week, plus gave shout-outs/compliments, etc. But this year, Kyle told us ACE hardware didn't have enough candles. He said, "but to set up traditions for the sake of traditions is not what they are for." So, instead, we simply shared our thoughts on how the week went. Then, we closed in prayer. It was so cool but still so simple. The theme of this trip, for me, was definitely how something so simple can be so good. In almost every scenario I was put in this week, simplicity provided me with joy. Despite the tarantula in mine and Iris' bathroom, the inability to use the tap water, and the cold showers, this was the best week I've ever experienced. The many setbacks only created many memories. Going home feels bittersweet. I wish I could have more time to try and make a bigger difference in all the kids' lives, but I'm excited to go home and try to be different. I'm excited to pray for Wilson and Darwin everyday with my mom in our nightly prayers, and I'm excited to share my experience with others. This week, God placed two young boys in my life that will stay in my heart forever. He showed me that I need more true joy in my life, and that I need to not be so selfish. Finally, he helped me build relationships with people from Grace Point that I'm excited to go home and build upon. #gpchonduras2014 was (as Kyle would say) rad."

-Anita Kelleher

I have no other words. Other than that pictures will be posted tomorrow or perhaps as early as this afternoon. 

kyle

Delayed goodbyes and happy crys

Last night we got back from the end of the trip dinner. It has become a tradition to spend our last night of the week at a resturant named "Jalapenos". FIrst off, let me say that we go there because it is a good place to say goodbye to the leaders of the churches that we work with here. Second, the food is great. Third, traditions are fun! but mostly, it's about the dancing. Jalapenos is an upbeat resturant with a band. They played the YMCA! They invited the Californian's to dance. And dance they did. I mean I'm not really going to call what they did dancing compared to the actual rythum of the Honduran's who were dancing, but hey...they had fun.

We said good night, good bye, and gave hugs of hopes of reunions. It was tearful, it was cheerful, it was goodbye. 

We came back to the Hostal and spent a last few minutes together preparing for our homecoming. We talked about what sharing about this week will be like. We talked about what we learned. It was my favorite part of the trip. 

I have viewed authentic serventhood. I have witnessed immediate love. I have observed gental compassions. I have seen tender patience. I have watched as this group became better. The better sort of people that spend less time seeing themselves and more time experiencing and acknowledging the needs of others. I watched our group be awesome. I am blown away. 

I asked Anita Kheller to talk about the week. She did. In fact she wrote about 3 pages of beauty. She was intentional, inspiritional, personal, and profound. I sat down to reread it last night after we uploaded it, and then... the internet decided to not save it. I almost threw up. I hate seeing these kids work hard on something and watch as it doesnt work. But then she was amazing. It might be the moment that most defines this trip to me. She worked hard, she poured her heart out. And when it didn't go as planned, she just decided to not stop giving. So, she said that she would write it again. I will have her post it from Houston airport. I can't believe we are loading up the bus right now to head to the market to buy gifts. We will see you soon :)

kyle kerchner 

Soccer goals and then not enough soccer goals

(Listening to "Only Love" by Ben Howard while rereading this.)

So this morning we went to CDI and some of us played with the kids while others were finishing up the new bathrooms, and starting to build the planter boxes. It's so cool to see the before and after construction of the bathrooms and I know this renovation is such a blessing to all these families. There were not as many kids today as usual, so instead of splitting into two different VBS and sports camp groups we just took all of them to the field and let the play around. We passed out a lot of soccer balls and frisbees and I really think the kids had a blast! Another thing, these kids love to play clapping games! They taught us a handshake called choco choco la, and also another game where you count to 10 and whoever gets number 10 is out (It's much easier than I made it sound). Then we went to lunch which was delicious (best so far!), and we got to ride in the back of trucks (yes, it's legal here) all the way back to CDI!

-kyra simmionds

Last night was one of my favorite nights of the whole trip. It started out leaving the hostal dressed in crazy high socks and our winning attire (GPC jerseys), as well as a short pre-gaming dance circle wich included many unknown dance moves from the late 60's. When we arrived at the park we saw about 250 new and old faces; many of wich we meet last year and the year before that. The games started and we were first on the field playing the cdi team, we lost. the next game right after the last we played the slightly more advance team, we lost. we were offically last place and no one let that affect their aditude towards the event; wich was great:). We ended the night in prayer, the trophy ceremony, and some pictures with the opposing team. all in all, it was a great night here in own-du-ras. 

- McKenna Pruett 15

It was a good day. They all have been good days. It is a good week. It is a busy week. It is a week worth living. I have watched these people fall in love with the kids here, serve with the best of their abilties, and dream and hope of how they can be the sorts of people that do more. I am blown away by what we have here. I found myself looking at facebook this morning and thinking of how hard the homecoming is going to be for the group. Serving has become the new normal... I love it.

kyle kerchner 

A tale of two toilets

(this post was attempted and assumed posted on thursday morning. It appears now, thursday night, that it did not work. so here it is... sorry)

Wednesday came on with a bang. For about half the group (including myself) we mean that in the grossest intestinal way possible. Every year we have a few kiddos get sick, this year the sickness decided that Wednesday would be a fun day to get the masses. But trick was on the stomic bug, wednesday was the best possible day for us to get sick. 

We started the morning with the hopes of running a sucessful medical birgade. And our hopes were realized. 82 kids got to see a doctor, get medicine, and get a complete examination. Here is Laura to talk about it. 

The medical brigade this year went a lot smoother than last year's. Families from Rio Blanco, most of whom are not affiliated with CDI or Iglesia Cristo Centro, came so that they could be seen by a doctor. Each family was assigned a number and had to wait for their turn to see one volunteer doctor. I helped the CDI staff interview the parents about their children's medical history and take the kids' heights and weights. For most of the children, this is the first time all year that they have seen a doctor. The medical brigade is always very eye-opening. It makes you realize how blessed we are to have the health care we do in the United States, where we go to the doctor for the common cold. It's crazy to realize how many of the seemingly happy and healthy kids that you've been playing with all week are actually seriously sick. Even though a lot of the kids are sick, they never stop smiling or wanting to play with you. I really enjoyed this opportunity to serve the larger Rio Blanco community in addition to our friends at CDI.

-Laura Fouquette

At the same time as that we also worked on some building projects. Taylor would love to share a little about that. 

Hey, I'm Taylor and I'm 17 years old and I'm in Honduras this week. Yesterday was dedicadeted to constructing somethings that these people need and that we easily take for granted. At the church, there are these outdoor bathrooms that have been there for maybe 10 years. They're not a room with a hole in the ground, they have running water, but theyre not quite bathrooms either. So yesterday I decided to give my time and expeirience with construction to the church and their dangerous bathrooms. So all day, some of the other Americans and I took down rotten wood and built up a new structure that will be here when I come back 10 years later. We will have a before and after picture somewhere on the blog. I think they look really nice. 

I would also like to say that this place is gorgeous. I came to Honduras last year and experienced the beauty of the country and it's people. The Hondurans seem to take what they need and give whatever they can. The way these people smile at something as simple as a hug or a handshake is absoloutely beautiful to me. I love it here.

-Taylor Stroobosscher

It was amazing to see. A few of us spent the afternoon stationed near our toilets and yet the work still got done. I blows my minds to see how God works in spite of our plans. For all the parents that I freaked out by the reading of this post, don't worry, everyone is up and going again and we are blessed to have some medical professionals on our team that really helped out. God is good and we are mostly feeling better.

kyle kercher 

Sporty tasks and Elephant masks

(i reread this listening to "Sweet Disposition" by the Temper Trap)

"While VBS is fun and all, obviously sports camp is at least twice as awesome. Pretty much all that we do in sports camp is walk a half mile to a park, yell "juega" (play) and toss a soccer ball into the air. Then we attempt to play witht the very talented 8-year-olds. After about an hour some of the kids start to get a littel bored or tired, so we change gears from soccer to either jumprope, frisbee, or my favorite, what we like to call "Children Attack". The "game" if thats what you want to call it, consists of giving a kid a yellow cloth and telling all the other kids to tackle whoever has the cloth. Lots of bruises, but more smiles." 

luke johnson

"Hola las Familas de Grace Point! (hello families of grace point)

          So, even though it sounds like sports camp had a blast, I'm pretty sure VBS had more fun. When we began, we gathered all the children into the main room of the pre-school and sang two songs, "Abre Mis Ojos o Cristo" y "Yo Tango Gozo (paz) (alegria) en mi corrazon" (there are supposed to be accent marks in there but this iPad doesnt have that feature, lo siento) :) and in english those songs are "Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord" and "I've got the Joy (peace and happiness) Down in My Heart". And after songs we have a bible story read by one of us, the gpc students, and today's bible story was "David y Goliat" (i dont think i need to translate that one) and the kids really enjoyed this. After the bible story is crafts. Crafts can be difficult because the kids usually need help, and in order to help you usually need to speak their language, but we figured something out and they absolulty love it! it puts the biggest smile on my face when I see how such simples things such as a song, or a sticker can bring such joy! From all of us here in San Pedro Sula, adios! (also I just wanted to say hi mom and dad love you<3) with soooooo much love"

Jordyn Stroobosscher 

After 2 days of VBS and Sports Camp, this week is rolling right along. It is getting to the spot where we are all getting a little tired and bodies are starting to say "no thank you" to the food. Last night after running through two sessions of sports camp and VBS, we got a nice little break in the form of an evening church service. 

The service took place on the outside patio of the church "cristo central la lima". Our 27 person addition was too much for the small building to handle. We sat in mismatched chairs and listened as the service started with a time of testamonies. Three or four people chose to get up and share about what God is doing in their lives. It was so pure and simple, and exactly what the church exists for. One of the sharers was our very own luke johnson, who shared for a few minutes in Spanish! I would share what he said, but as my spanish is limited to construction terms and mexican menus I will have to just share the gist. He spoke of understnding what the bible means about believing like children a little bit more since coming here. He said that the faith and trust of these kids was teaching him. He said that he was learning from these little ones. He said that God was working. 

The testamonies were followed up by a time of worship, prayer and then a message by none other than our very own Tom Carpenter. He spoke about the desert. It is a strange thing to talk about dryness in a place that gets so much rain, but obviously that was part of his analogy. God uses the dry times in our life to teach us. He did it with moses, he did it with israel, he did it with elijiah, he did it with Jesus, and he does it with us. God meets us in the harshness, because in the harshness we can start to trust that we need help. It was wonderful. I know that as we are starting to get a little sick and tired, that is when we as a group starts to rely on God more and more. I can't wait to see all the lessons that he teaches us now. We finished the night with some cinnimion rolls and sleep. Today is a big day, a big big day!

Kye Kerchner 

Bubbles and Bubbles

Today I listened to "Wild Country" by Wake Owl while I reread through the post. 

Three years ago I was new to the world of leading students through a week of International missions. I believed with all my heart that it was a valuable use of their and my time, but when it came to programing the actual schedule while we were here...clueless. Or at least nearly clueless. I did have nearly a decade of camp under my belt, so i ought to have been a little better prepared for the emotional, physical and spiritual journey that students go on during a week doing anything, but alas I found myself not even thinking about it until we pulled into the hospital on the morning of our first real day of the trip. It ended up being one of those accidents that I have made sure we make again every year. Hospital first day. In camp we knew that you start with an emotional tough day and work your way towards physically tough days. The body takes less time to heal.

I asked Avery Anton to share about the time at the hospital.

"Today was a day of many emotions. As we started our day at the hospital, I know that I was pretty anxious to get in to see the kids and hopefully be a distraction from what they were suffering from. We split into groups, grabbed some toys, and were off to the rooms. The thing about the hospitals here are that they are significantly different than those in America. In the General Pediatric ward, there are about five kids to each room, there are bugs crawling around, and the bed sheets are from whatever was donanted. Once I realized that most of the issues these kids were in for would be a simple fix back home, I started to realized how bad of a situation they are in. Knowing that, I went to see these kids with a whole lot of love and joy. If I have leared anything about these kids, it is that they LOVE bubbles and stickers. I think I sat with a kid and blew bubbles in his face for a solid five minutes and he never stopped smiling. So as we went from room to room, we gave the kids toys and played with them for a few minutes and then continued on. Even though it was a short time that we spent in the rooms, the kids, who now were covered in stickers, had some new toys to play with. 

Many of you know about our Coffee for Kids program at Grace point, but if you do not, basically we sell Honduras coffee and give the money to the hospital to pay for food for the kids. Three people in our group passed out food to all the kids. It is really cool to see this happen. Although we are here in Honduras helping, everyone at home who has helped out with this program, has made a HUGE impact on this hospital. It is rad to see that our whole church is making an impact and helping out so many kids.

Once all the food was served, we regrouped after the first fourty minutes, and then switched which wards people were in. Myself and five others went into the cancer ward. One of the first things I noticed was that everything was significantly more sanitry that the other wards. We went to a large room that had around ten beds (some were vacant) and handed out toys and played with each kid. The cool thing about this was that since there was six of us and about eight or so of them, we had a lot more time to play with each kid. I was with a young boy for the majority of the time and we played with these propeller toys, finding new ways to make multiple fly at once, and decorated a ball with many stickers. It was awesome to get to play with these kids and see the joy that they got from the toys. We saw some pretty hard things today at the hospital. It is weird trying to be joyful when you see a kid crying out of pain from his cancer. But, in a way, that is what we are here to do. We come to bring joy to these kids for a week and show them who Jesus is. No matter how much pain there is around us, we are here for Jesus and, yes at times we will have our moments and be sad, but i believe the main purpose of this trip it to show them who Jesus is and bring joy to them. Today was hard, yet it is very obvious to see how God is working over here."

-Avery Anton

It blows my mind each yeah to watch this day happen. The GPCers are placed into a place that is uncomfortable and difficult. They are equipped with only bubbles, small toys and a knowladge and hope that they can be a smile in a broken situation. It is difficult emotionally, it is beautiful and stretching spiritually. It is a day worth living. 

The rest of the day was spent running our first VBS and sports camp (Someone will talk about them tonight) and then going to play soccer against some of our new honduran friends after dinner. I'm sorry that I didnt get this out till this morning, my old body was exhausted after the soccer due to oldness. Thanks for following along, I'll try real hard to get more up tonight!

kyle kerchner