1 Corinthians 10:17 “Because there is one loaf, we who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.”

Our first team for the year and returning to a project that was on hold since last year. This team of 14 came from 6 different churches and from the Northern part of NY to the Pennsylvania/NY border. It didn’t matter where they came from but what was in store for them as a team in Honduras.

The first hour on the job was spent reconnecting with Pastor Giron and Juan de Dios who work for the ministry and have become friends to many who have come down in years past. It is amazing in how the returning and new team members quickly build on their friendships with these two brothers of the faith. From a diverse age range this team moved like lightning with the work. They took a building that was in need of sanding, priming, painting, roofing, framing, electrical and sheetrock and accomplished the majority of the tasks in such a short time. Most of our teams arrive in the afternoon of their first day and really only have 6 working days out of the 10 days spent in Honduras. The reason being is that the team spends time with our youth group, their sponsored children, playing with the kids at the school they are visiting, church, and some down time in visiting Honduras. The team installed the roofing for 2 classrooms and a kitchen in one day. While some were installing the sheets of roofing in the hot sun others took on the task of sanding all the plastered walls inside and out. Trust us this is not a fun job but the team made it fun as they joked and played with the children for breaks from the dust. While some were sanding, others took the opportunity to paint our lumber so it would be treated from termites. We don’t have treated lumber ready to be purchased like at home.

One of the things the teams come to learn through experience is that the availability of materials is not so available. In the states we take for granted that we can jump into our cars and drive to a hardware store and pick up all the things we need from our list of materials. Yes we do have a Do-It-Center lumber yard but it doesn’t carry all things that we need. So a lot of improvising comes into play. Each team member is impacted in how the children from Barrios or the Schools all seem to have such a positive attitude. The children have a smile that penetrates the souls of teams. With every night after work and dinner the team comes together for devotion time and it is interesting to hear in how the children impact their lives. It is interesting in how the children make a connection with team members so very quickly even if there is a language barrier. One team member said, “being here is like being on the mountain of transfiguration with Jesus”. The week is jammed full of spiritual highs that make a person to reflect and put into perspective what God is really asking us to do with our lives. God moves into the hearts and asks that one question, “What are going to do with the gift I gave you in seeing and experiencing all of this?” This is the challenge for our family of faith. Yes we can build buildings, yes we can kick off more lunch programs, but what impact are you making to those in Honduras and what impact is it making on your personal life with Jesus Christ.  Team #21 truly made an impact while they were here as we will share in the other newsletters coming next.