There are many days when we come down here when it’s difficult to understand the level of poverty and suffering and the why. We are not meant to understand it all and simply have to have faith that God has all people in His hands. One way I think a team can cope with that is with the incredible bonding that happens as a team and the times we spend enjoying each others company and laughing together.
One of the things I love about coming on mission, is not only the work we do down here, the relationships we build and the things we learn and grow from, but its the times spent in laughter, with the USA team and the folks from the community and Honduran team. We have had more than our fair share of laughter this week. There are no language barriers with laughter and it’s one of the simplest ways to spread joy. Laughing speaks the same language. So while the work we do here is serious and important, so is the joy that we can experience while we are here. Some of it comes from sheer exhaustion from the week and you have no sense of control anymore and laugh at the silliest things. Some of it is just how sometimes things spontaneously happen – take our visit to the hardware store this morning. I don’t think anyone could have prepared the store owners for the silliness that happened in there and the goofing around, and they didn’t seem to mind one bit and enjoyed the “show”. I could try to explain it but I’m afraid I just wouldn’t do it justice. Needless to say we had a great time purchasing supplies for our construction project today with lots of smiles from lots of people.
Team bonding, I believe, is crucial to a successful mission. You need to have good partnership, flexibility and understanding. I have to say I think this team nailed it this week. It’s been awesome and I’m proud of the amazing team they have been.
After our day began at the hardware store we headed over to the Tocoa feeding center where we were to begin construction of the outside shelter. Hector, our Honduran partner, had it all figured out and we were really and truly there just to lend moral support and a hand every now and again. So there was a lot more down time today than anticipated, but the team embraced the time and had so much fun playing with the kids from the school and the community and helping out where needed in various different spots. There were home visits and trips back to the hardware store, food prep for the kids and more. We dug post holes for the shelter and then mixed concrete and set the posts. Hector then got to work cutting wood for the roof. It’s coming along!
After our day was done, we headed back to the hotel for a little down time before dinner and devotion. Some of us decided to cool off in the hotel pool and some took naps. The heat takes it out of you as well as the constant emotional ups and downs and physical aspect of being on mission. But it’s worth it and we get up every day, feeling tired but ready to go.
We enjoyed dinner together as a team, again with lots of laughs and then a wonderful time at devotion, reading scripture, singing songs and praying and then sharing our highs and lows for the day. It was a great day and we are ready for more tomorrow. Tomorrow is our last work day before we make the trek back up to San Pedro Sula again.
Blessings,
