Let me start by saying that the goal of this blog is that you who are reading would hear a little bit of what is happening here. I know that my voice sounds exactly like I do, and so my goal is that I would not be the only one talking. I also will always start by saying what song I am listening to. Today it is "old school love" by lupe fiasco.
2 simple flights. 2 decent movies on those flights. Good starbucks in Houston, and the most over the top amazing reception when we landed here. With joyful faces, huge ol' signs of welcome, hugs all around, and a good nights sleep, last night went amazingly. I can't believe that we are back. Honestly, I can't believe that we are back. I woke up in a haze this morning. It's like I'm coming out of a serum induced, Erudite controlled trance. (if you don't get that reference, you too should watch divergent as we did on the flight... anyway,) I actually can't believe that I am in Honduras again. I know that some months ago we started signing people up. I know that we have been fundraising like crazy. I know that prior to summer starting I was so pumped to be coming here again. But then... out of nowhere came graduation week, VBS set building week, VBS week, High School Camping week, Sports Camp week, and suddenly I looked up and we were on a plane. Now, I am sitting at the Hostal writing a blog as sports camp supplies, and VBS crafts, and Hospital gifts are sorted. We have spent day one going to Church at CDI (the school/church that we will spend most of the week working with) to meet the kids and help with Sunday school. This was especially cool for one of our trip members, Anna Barberio, as she got to see some kiddos for the third year in a row. Other than Marjolein and I, she is the only one that has come all three years of the trip. Some of the reunions were especially important for her as she sponsors two children here through our sponsorship program. I asked her to share about it....
"I am pretty bad at not playing favorites. All of the kids are so sweet and just want you to hug them and just show them some love. There are some kids, however, that hang onto you just a little bit more than others. For the last two years I have had the most adorable shadow named Heydi. She is quite possibly the cutest little girl I have ever seen. In the past two years I have watched her take care of her little brother and putting others before herself. During the Medical Brigade last year, I found out that Heydi was suffering from Dengue Fever. Because she wasn't sponsored, this was the only time she would be able to be treated for it. It broke my heart to find out that this sweet, selfless girl was in so much pain every day, so I decided that I needed to sponsor her and her brother Allan. After learning how strong she really is, I fell in love with Heydi even more. Leaving them last year was the hardest part of the entire trip.
So today, I was beyond excited to see her again. A little part of me was worried that she wouldn't remember me from last year, but as soon as I called out to her she ran to me and jumped in my arms. For the rest of our time there she did not leave my side. She wanted to be holding my hand or being held by me at all times. She was sitting on my lap, and after a while I looked over and she had fallen asleep on my shoulder. She is actually the most precious.
I think that it is so great that the majority of our group is returning missionaries on this trip. I think that it is so important for these kids to see the familiar faces of people that truly care about them individually, and not just as a citizens of an impoverished country. I am so excited for us all to grow even deeper relationships with these sweet kids."
-Anna Barberio
We finished the afternoon with lunch and a hike up to the top of the mountain that overlooks the city. It was, as it always is, exhausting and beautiful. I asked the group to spend a few minutes alone asking God the same question I am, "why did you bring me here?" The answer that I am coming to this evening is found in the phrase beautiful and exhausting. I think that God is trying to use it to make something beautiful. I think that this beauty will be found in the faces of those we encounter, in the bellies of those we nourish, and in the hands of those we help. I believe that beauty is going to happen. And i believe that it will exhaust us. It will take every ounce of energy and time. It will take every bit of devotion, and it will take us realizing that no matter how strong we are, God is in control. In the past three years we have gotten better at this, but all our improvement only goes to show me one thing, the better we get, the more there is to do. I have such small eyes, and God is ready to do such big things. Come on Jesus, show us what ya got.
kyle kerchner
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