St. Michael the Archangel Honduras Mission Project

An inside joke of the team was this phrase. After four Masses and two rosaries this week, we finally asked the Sors why we heard gracias, adios so many times. After they stopped laughing it became the phrase of the week – Thank You God!

What a fitting end to a wonderful week. Gracias Dios for the opportunity to take my first trip to Honduras. It didn’t matter it was hotter than normal or the car ride was eye opening as to the Honduran countryside. The simple existence of the Sors are a shining light and example for us all. A life well lived in faith of the elderly gives me something to strive for. The love and care that the girls show one another was truly inspiring – can you imagine 50+ girls living under one roof?

An unexpected God moment was the time spent with one of our interpreters, Ivett. She did not know us or either of the Hogar’s despite growing up in Santa Rosa de Copan. She quickly became deputized as a team member joining us in all our activities. I think she was unexpectedly inspired by witnessing our love in action and the response of that love to the elderly and the girls that will impact her faith and desire to serve others – I think this will include frequent visits to her new friends across town. Gracias Dios for the witness of love in action.

As we journey home there is a tinge of sadness and jealousy (even though I can’t wait for some A/C). I pray that the unnecessarily active lives we are returning to don’t crowd out the simple existence that we are all children of God. Language and distance can’t and won’t change that.

We return home with as many memories as hugs received (and that was a lot) and for that I am grateful. The impact that SMA has made over the past 19 years is both tangible and intangible, visible and invisible. The impact of Jane, Magda, Lynn, and Mike and so many more cannot be measured. This was on full display last night at our pizza fiesta.

As for the cinco amigos of this team … thank you Jenny, Sharon (LM), Lynn and Mike for showing me the ropes, sharing your strong faith as well as your love in action all week. Coffee at 3 pm? We’re bringing plenty home.

Gracias, adios … for now. January will be here before we know it!

Chris