Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Harris Honduras Update: Time is Flying By





Two weeks and we return home.  Can’t believe it!  It seems like it was only yesterday that upon our arrival here American Airlines lost half our luggage for five days—but I’m over it and don’t begrudge them in the least.  Right.

A team of good ole boys from Texas came down and with some help from a mason and his crew we built two concrete block houses, start to finish, in four days.  Don’t anybody mess with Texas!  Hard workers who laugh a lot.  Each evening we would return to the mission base for dinner and they’d chow down and while still at the table pull out their pouches of Red Man and chew a wad.  I got a kick out of it, but I certainly would never sit downwind of them at a picnic.

They were immediately followed by a team of @ 20 guys from Cincinnati.  We tackled a work project up into the mountains.  The typical 2 & a half hour drive on a rough unpaved mountain road and then a three or so hour hike to a little village, Agua Calliente.   We were able to pour a concrete floor for the village church and also put on a roof for a family who resides there. There was a gap between the roof trusses and the existing adobe blocks so we needed to mix some mud as filler.  Here’s a pic of the man’s wife mixing the mud with her bare feet.  Few “princesses” in Honduras.

I had a day off a couple weeks ago and went hiking/exploring further out in the country and met this family out in the sticks.  Three generations living together.

I regard Honduras as the Beauty and the Beast.  In my updates I know I tend to focus on the beastly nature of the country; here are a couple pics of the beauty.





When I take pics  I am still drawn to the children.  This is Michelle, who lives between our apartment and the mission base.  One of the most beautiful Honduran children I have met.

A few more pics of precious people.  When you look at their pic, please pray for them and, in turn, go out of your way to do something for someone you know who may be in distress.











Last and totally unrelated, the following is a pic of the inside of the back door of the bus we took from the base into town.  I guess Jesus is many things to many people.




As always, be thankful for what and who you have.


        









8 comments:

Jessica M said...

Beautiful pictures of the children...I will pray for all of them. It sounds like you and your wife have had quite the adventure blessing others as they touch your lives in profound ways...I'm sure memories of over there will last a lifetime. I pray you have a fruiful next two weeks and come home safe and sound, ready to share more stories with the rest of us. ~blessings

Nelieta said...

what a wonderful adventure and so much to be grateful for. The village has a beautiful name. In Spanish it means "Hot water".

Lovely post and like you say we have so much to be grateful for!

Steve said...

Nelieta, you're right--it's been unbelievably good and we have more than we know for which to be thankful. Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

Mary Hudak-Collins livingthescripture.com said...

Steve, I hope that you and wife will have a safe trip back home. I'm sure you will come home with many stories of interest and hopefully more time to share them on your blog. Certainly, you will return with memories for life. Hopefully, you will be able to re-unite with friends here in the states and things will settle back in for you :)

Steve said...

Thanks to all of you for following this 3 month adventure. Home May 25!!!

Bongo said...

Thank God....that Ice cold coke is almost within your reach..As always.....xoxoxox

Kriti said...

What a cool post - loved the pic and the narration - it was lovely visiting!!! Thank you for this lovely post.
http://kriti-howaboutthis.blogspot.com/2011/05/she-walked-on.html#comments

cathy jones said...

I'm just reading this and realizing you are home...I know how strange it feels to return home after a lengthy time away...

Take some time to relax and renew contact with family and friends. I have enjoyed reading about your time in Honduras. So wonderful to see another place through someone's eyes.

Take care and I wish you the very best on your future endeavors...and congratulations for completing your goal...
~cath
@jonesbabie on Twitter