We are getting ready for another mission trip to Honduras. This trip will be our 4th that we have taken to Honduras. I will be travelling with 20 other members from Lydia Zion United Methodist Church. We are planning the trip for July 1 - 14th, 2007. We will be travelling to the El Sembrador boys school located Catacamus, Honduras. We will be doing an assortment of chores, including building, and cement work.

I have learned so much over the past 3 trips that we have went on. It seems that we get more from the trip, then what we are giving them.

I really enjoy taking these Mission Trips to Honduras. I remember the first trip we went on. I thought the entire time before the trip that I was going to be able to offer so much to the Natives of that country, but really they offered so much to me.

We used the term "Cheerfully Flexable" quite a bit on all of our trips. Up here in the states we are a very "Fast Paced" society. We want things done now, and we expect things to happen when we want them to happen. Down in Honduras is totally different. Time is really not a factor, and if something don't happen when its spose to, no Big deal.

On the last 2 trips I have gone on we have went to the El Sembrador Boys school. Back in the early 50's Donald Hawk had a dream to create this "Farm" school where boys of Honduras could work and learn. This is a Bible Based school today housing hundrends of boys. They also teach girls at the school now, but none of the girls live on the campus. How the school works is half the day they are working on the "farm" and the rest of the day they are in class. The Church is a strong part of their lifestyle. Each trip I have been on I see 4 to 5 children except God as their Savior. It is quite an excitement to me when they do this.

The other thing that I have learned is "Thank God for the things that you have." I have seen many "poor" people in Honduras on the trips that I have been on. The second trip that I went on a few of us went to a house where there was a family living. The parents had left them to go to the states for better living. They had told their children that they would be sending money back to them to support them, however this was not happening. The children had been alone for 2 years, with the 14 year old being in charge of her 7 other brothers and sisters. They lived in a small house, or I should say room about the size of 20ft x 20ft. It had no running water, dirt floor, and holes in the walls. I tried to imagine myself living in conditions like that, I don't think any of us could.

I can't wait for next years trip as I will be a special trip for me as Kristine, my 13 year old daughter will be going with me. When she gets there she will not see the TV, or the IPOD, or the Kohl's where she can go shopping, but she will see the people of Honduras and what it means to have God in your life.

I will be more than happy to get you some pictures of our trip. Each year I take many pictures, along with putting together about a 2 hour video of our trip for the people that go on it.

That is awesome! I’m definitely going to be checking back for updates. It sounds like you have some good work to do while you're down there.