Today was a day full of heartwarming moments and pure joy! Our morning began early, waking up at 6:20 a.m. and gathering for breakfast at 7:00. The sors prepared a delicious meal, paired with plenty of much-needed coffee to shake off the morning sleepiness. During breakfast, we had a lovely conversation with Sor Victoria, who recently arrived from Mozambique to serve the elderly in this community. Her stories of devotion were both humbling and inspiring.
With caffeine fueling us, we got to work decorating the courtyard of the elderly’s home. Balloons, a photo booth, and carnival games transformed the space into a vibrant celebration. The excitement within our group was palpable, but it was nothing compared to the awe and delight on the girls’ faces when they saw what was in store. Their joy exceeded every expectation, reminding us of the beauty in life’s simplest pleasures.
Watching the girls and the elderly come together to play games, share laughter, and enjoy each other’s company was a deeply moving experience. The prizes were flying off the tables, and the sound of their laughter filled the air. As I watched their smiles, I couldn’t help but think of my own kids back home and how I might help them find happiness in the little things, just like the girls did today.
After the carnival festivities, we sat down to enjoy a much-anticipated pizza lunch. The party wrapped up afterward, with the girls heading home and the elderly retreating for their afternoon rest. By 2:00 p.m., the day already felt incredibly meaningful, but there was still more to come.
Next on the agenda was taking the quinceañeras shopping. These girls knew exactly where they wanted to go, and when we asked if the destination was within walking distance, they confidently said yes. Little did we know, this meant walking two miles down the steepest hill—in the rain! Despite our worries about slipping, the girls treated it as no big deal, reminding us once again of the beautifully simple way of life here.
After shopping, we treated the quinceañeras to coffee and dessert. It was a joy to see them savoring these small moments, just like any other 15-year-old would, even though such outings are rare for them.
By 7:00 p.m., we returned to the girls’ home for dinner, where we enjoyed comforting and delicious pupusas. Though we were exhausted, our hearts were full from the day’s experiences. After dinner, a beautiful surprise awaited. The girls gathered outside to join Yesi and John for a special FaceTime call, singing happy birthday to their daughter. It was such a sweet and heartfelt moment—the cherry on top of an already incredible day.
Before closing the day, we reflected on a simple yet profound question: “What was the hardest part of your day, and what was the best?” Unanimously, we agreed there was no truly hard part (except maybe the hill!), and that the entire day was a gift of joy and blessings.
Today has been our most rewarding day yet, and we can’t wait to celebrate the quinceañeras tomorrow!
Paz y bien,
Michelle
St. Michael the Archangel Honduras Mission Project 