St. Michael the Archangel Honduras Mission Project

While I just met all of our Honduran friends, in some ways I think I always knew them.  I hope to always know them.  It is so truly awesome to have had this experience.

First I keep thinking – what were the trip highlights?  But, really – the entire trip was one long highlight reel for me.  From the minute we met the Sors and Don Christian and Orlando for the ride up to Santa Rosa and saw that sign at SAP to the ride back down and the lovely way they handled every meal there was not a moment where they were not shining Christ’s love.

After the gifts from the Sors at the Hogar de Ancianos I said something incoherent like they were miracle workers.  But in truth, the Holy Spirit works miracles through them every day with seemingly nearly everyone they meet.  These sisters are not only Godly persons – they  are strong women with amazing senses of humor and gifted with the patience and charity of angels.  I will never forget them.

And I got to experience the Holy Spirit in action: I am not a patient person; I am not good with the elderly; I am not gifted in understanding.  But with the Holy Spirit all of this goes right out the window.  I have gifts that I borrow from God.

I felt that we worked as a team in ways I just did not even see coming.  I do not remember anyone getting upset or cranky.  TIred, YES.  Upset or cranky – I do not remember it.  Mike was a fantastic leader – his humor and energy kept me going.  Jenny kept our reflections focused and strong.  Every time I felt tired I just looked around and saw my team going – and away I went.  If some of them felt tired – I looked at the Sors, the Marias, the Jovenes….  And away I went.

I feel like the girls are Honduran daughters.  I cannot believe I ever lived without them.  From the minute I first walked into the Hogar they mobbed me.  And I truly wanted to stay and be with them a little longer each time – despite how very tired I was.

I see the elderly in a wholly new way now.  It is so much closer to the way my wife, Jill, has always described it.  They are God’s children as much as the girls are and are just as deserving of our time and love.  It was, for the first time in my life, easy for me to give.  I am quite certain that was a gift to me.

The entire trip was a gift to me and I hope that I was able to give something of value back to everyone I met.

Charles