Today began with another nice breakfast with the Sors, which included fresh harvested eggs from their chicken coup on the premises. Many of us, including myself, would have preferred the meal include Pollo (chicken) if that meant the rooster that keeps crowing at 3 or 4am would no longer be with us, but we weren’t so lucky! After breakfast, we got a full tour of the senior home we are staying at, and it was way bigger than I expected. It has a newer house that was partially funded by SMA, which is used for guests to stay in, including 6 of the 10 of us on this trip. It is called “La Casita.” There is also a full garden where they grow vegetables and some fruits year round, a chicken coup providing eggs, and a shack where homemade tortillas are made fresh daily! Also outside is a laundry facility where they have the ability to hand wash clothes and fresh dry their clothes on clotheslines. We also got to see the continuously improved outdoor courtyard near the entrance with lush green plants and nice sitting areas, along with the garage and newer pickup truck used to haul luggage from visiting groups.
Following our tour, the seniors were upstairs eating lunch which is a great time to visit with them. We made the rounds from table to table, phones handy to help translate in many cases, and were warmly greeted all around. After lunch we helped wheel our senior friends to the Chapel for an impromptu mass, as they were not expecting the opportunity to attend mass this Monday. I couldn’t help but notice some of these folks who could hardly move in a walker, would kneel all the way to the floor during the appropriate times at mass. I was blown away by this humility, which, by the way, was our word of the day.
After a lunch with Father and various robust faith based discussions happening all over the lunch table, we made our way to the Hogar de Niñas and were excitedly greeted upon entrance! It’s so cool to see the various Ninas gravitate to different activities. I usually grab a ball of some sort and have 3-4 immediately join me on the court to make up a game of some sort. Others want books read to them, some want to goof off, hair is styled, hugs are given, etc. It is such a great reminder that we can all be entertained and enjoy each other’s company without electronics… These girls just want attention and to engage with us, and it is such an honor to provide that.
After a long play date with the niñas, we had to wrap it up and get to the coffee shop by 5pm for alumni night! Upon entry, about 5-6 gals had already beat us there. And during the next 45 minutes, probably 25 or more additional former niñas came to reminisce and celebrate with us. It was cool for me to see many of my colleagues who have traveled here prior reconnect with ones they had once met. Sometimes they had met 8 or 10 years before, but were still coming together in recognition with a big hug! I’m learning the connections made on this trip can really transcend time and geography. After a successful 2.5 hour visit and overwhelming a very productive crew of baristas, we headed back to the Hogan de Ninas for a late dinner with the Sors. The niñas were still out playing and of course were happy to see us back yet again.
Dinner was yummy and filling as usual, and the conversation was even better. We closed the night back at the dark Casitas, as there was a power outage, and really had to focus hard on the whole humility thing until one of the Sors came and bailed us out with a simple flip of a circuit breaker… Hot showers for all in the morning! We go to bed worn out, and wake up tired, but it is more worth it than I could have ever imagined. John
St. Michael the Archangel Honduras Mission Project 