SATURDAY JULY 19, 2008 DAY ONE

Saturday July 19

Today we all got up about 7:00 and ate a great breakfast at Lydia’s guesthouse. After breakfast we all pitched in to open and separate the shipping boxes. Jennifer had previously shipped 15 large boxes containing all of our Bible school supplies, soap making materials, sewing supplies and fabric, 10 sewing machines, and our carnival prizes. Once all our supplies were laid out we began to separate and pack for the trip to San Ignacio.

Seventeen of us loaded onto the 2 very nice vans donated by FOM to the Communion Church in Tegucigalpa for the wild ride about 2 hours north to San Ignacio. We have determined that Honduran drivers must take an aggressive driver test before getting a license, The roads have no lines, we pass going up hill, and around blind corners. It all seems to flow fairly well, just a little breath taking at times. Melissa was very thankful for seat belts. Antonio and Augustino, our drivers are very skilled at dodging cows and potholes while efficiently getting us to our assignment.

We arrived at San Ignacio about 11:30 and were able to see the children at the feeding center. We met Pastor Alex, Delmy, his wife, and Emy, their 15 month old daughter. Donna and Chris Keeter were busy serving and meeting the needs of the children. They enjoyed a lunch of baked potato and salad. We enjoyed the same fair after the children had finished. Once the children completed their lunch, they all retrieved their pails and began brushing their teeth. (This is an important hygiene skill being taught while at the church.) After eating several intense soccer games broke out. We had boys as young as 3 playing all together. Young and old they all had a great time. Vigorous competition, US vs Honduran skills and English vs Spanish, communication and teamwork melded together into a happy fellowship. Dale, Doug, and Kent quickly started work in the wood shop. Nelson, our interpreter, helped us lead bible school and Sam led the 12 to 15 year old girls in the self defense class. After a great dinner of fried chicken and vegetables we enjoyed Youth worship led by the SI Youth ministry team.

The sights and sounds of San Ignacio were gripping and helped us to understand the difference in culture and a simplistic way of life in Honduras. We particularly enjoyed the cold showers at our Hotel, the off-schedule rooster at 1:30 am and the numerous, donkeys, dogs, and cows that decided to serenade us all night long. The Lord blessed us today!