St. Michael the Archangel Honduras Mission Project

Hola!

This has been a week to remember. After serving on 4 mission trips (3 in Guatemala and 1 in Costa Rica) before coming to Honduras, I thought I knew what was in store for me this trip. Boy was I wrong!

The love and joy I have received from the girls here is like no other place. In Honduras, I feel at home.

Since being in Honduras this week, I am reminded of Father Brian’s homily this past weekend about the seven deadly sins. As you may know, it can be hard to be a teenager in the U.S. with so much materialism. Spending time with the girls this week reminds me how little a person needs to be happy. To be truly happy, a person only needs three things: God, relationships, and a purpose.

God

I have witnessed the girls and elderly hold God in the center of their lives. Throughout the week, we have attended mass and prayed the rosary with them.

Relationships

I didn’t know what to expect with how the girls would treat me considering I am around the same age as many of them. To my surprise, they accepted me with open arms. What I admire so much about the girls is that they never care what they look like and always feel like they can be themselves. I haven’t laughed this much in my entire life. In the U.S., we live our lives in a competition trying to outdo one another with our materialism, such as our money, clothes, work, and homes. The girls have taught me how grateful I should be for all the little things; my family, a bed, food, clothing, my education, and most importantly, God.

Purpose

One of my favorite types of service I have done this week is spending time with the elderly. Every day, we have played games and talked with them for a couple hours. My dad (Tito) and I grew very close to Jorge this week. Jorge had a stroke and was in a coma for twelve days before he came to the elderly home. He lived and worked in Denver, so he can speak a little English. Each time I have seen Jorge, he reminds me how much he loves me and points to heaven thanking God for bringing Tito and me to him.

This has been an unforgettable trip and I can’t wait to visit again soon!

Emily Koca