Hola from San Fransisco de la Paz. 

Two days in and we've already done a lot - or rather the team did! - I had a bad Stromboli in Miami and was out for an evening and most of Thursday with food poisoning.  Gracias a Dios for his quick healing powers!! 

Today we enjoyed time at a school and last night we enjoyed a wonderful prayer service and complianos fiesta (birthday party) for two family members of Rigo, a member of the Project Eden team here in Honduras.  I hope to blog longer through out the week and post pictures.  I hope to post a video tour of Hogar Del Nino where we stay!!

God Bless...

Michael.

This is Jim not Mary who just posted under my name.  Our first two days were perfect days for weather 80's during the day and 60's at night but that changed today 112 in the sun 95 in the shade. Thank goodness for a siesta after lunch.  Yesterday we weeded the gardens at Hogar Del Nino and today today we visisted a school and then began work on a new community garden in Terrra Blanca. We finished the afternoon back at the compound helping plant seeds for walnut trees.  Will blog again tomorrow.  God Bless, Jim <><

Hola Amigos -   We are here in San Francisco de la Paz.   Scott, Michael, Mary, Jim P., Therese, and Jay.   We have been working in the gardens at Hogar Del Nino.  Today the temperature hit 100.  Muy caliente.

We started to build a new garden today in the village of Tierra Blanca - the ground was very hard and we did not make much progress.  We will go back on Monday. 

Today we had a wonderful visit from a group working in Juticalpa - a city about a half hour away.  They are Cursillistas from Rockland, MA that come down each year.  They are all involved with St. Basil's in Methuen,  MA.   We went to a school together and had lunch.  They had back to Estado Unidos tomorrow.  What a wonderful treat to see these lovely people. 

Last night we went to a wonderful service in El Quiscamote followed by a wonderful birthday party - fiesta - for the daughter and son of Rigo, team member.  What fun! 

Tomorrow we go shopping for school supplies and out to lunch at the pupusaria.   Today the government shut the electricity off all day.  No fans.  Pat P., you would not have like it - no relief.

We will be back to talk with you manana.    Blessings to you all,    

Love, the travelers from NH

Hola , amigos y amigas! Sorry for the delay in posting, but things here don't always go as plan. Others will follow with thier pieces, but suffice to say a LONG day of travel, trouble getting signed in to the blog yesterday, and electricity out for the day today - but we're inally connected!

Everyone is safe, tired, and happy to be here!

Thanks for being part of our trip!


Mary and Mike prepared for a day of work!

Two hours and the shuttle arrives to start us on our journey. It's a longer flight from Boston to Miami than it is from Miami to Tegucigalpa. Can't wait to see our amigo Mario at the airport! Then it's just a 3 - 6 hour drive (road condition dependent) to San Francisco de la Paz and the Hogar del Nino.

Anytime you want to invent a "transporter" a la Star Trek, I'm in! Beam me down, Scotty.

Next post will be from Honduras!

See ya....

ALERT - we have received word that the internet connection in San Francisco de la Paz has been experiencing some challenges in the last few days.

While our intent is to blog every day, we are at the whim and mercy of the communication systems in a remote region. If this blog "goes dark" on some days, please don't give up on us! Hopefully, all will go smoothly and we'll be able to keep you connected and up-to-date.

Stay tuned!

"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go..." - John Denver (NOT Peter, Paul, and Mary ;-)

Well, pretty much. Today's the day for slipping the last few things into the suitcase, making sure my backpack has all the travel essentials - MP3 player and headphones? Check! Reading book? Check! Camera? Check! English/Spanish Translator (my 2nd brain)? Check!

Last minute errands to run, check the weather for flying, don't forget the rain jacket, be sure I have my Passport and license, check the weather again, lay out the travel clothes (light-weight, loose & comfortable)...

OK - STOP! Time to spend a few minutes with the Lord. Prayers for safe travel, prayers for the people of Honduras, prayers that we can strengthen our servant hearts and be the Lord's hands and feet, bringing His love to everyone we meet on this special journey. Lord, your will, not mine; more of you and less of me:

"I'm coming back to the heart of worship, where it's all about you, all about you, Jesus."
"I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it, when it's all about you, it's all about you, Jesus" - Matt Maher.

Thanks to all who have supported our work, thanks to all who pray for this trip, we carry you in our hearts.

Scott

The long road traveled ..

Monday, 3/27/2016

In 48 hours we will be traveling from Tegucigalpa (the capitol of Honduras) by vehicle to San Francisco de la Paz in the region of Olancho - known locally as the wild, wild West.  Depending on the road conditions (which vary from year to year), the ride takes anywhere from 4-6 hours.  Usually around 4 1/2 -5 hours.   We stop at the half way point to use the bathroom, stretch our legs, and have a snack.  The place where we stop was started by Mennonites in the 1960's.  A community from up-state New York and Canada decided to start a community down there.  It was successful in the farming;  the Old World order and the New World order people did not get along very well though.  In the 1970's the majority of them returned to the US/Canada.   The store is run by the same families who stayed behind.  They do not dress in Amish clothing, you would not know that they were of this faith, but it is a very interesting story.  And we are thankful that they are there so that we can stop and use the bathroom!    

 Weary travelers taking rest and refreshment at the Mennonite Community store & restaurant.

I want to thank all those that have sent me donations and those that are still planning to do so. Your response has been unbelievable! Sooo looking forward to be in Honduras with such loving and spiritual people. God bless.<><

Dining in Honduras

Nine days.  Temps in the 80's during the day, 60's at night.  Perfect weather.  What is even more perfect?   Frijoles (beans), arroz (rice), huevos (eggs), and pollo (chicken).  I have a favorite little restaurant in San Francisco de la Paz -  Restaurante de Pollo.   It serves chicken and tacos which are delicious.  You sit outside next to the dirt road.  The family that owns it are such nice people and have become friends.  There has been a parrot living there for years; it walks around the railing and looks pretty.  Do not try to touch it though - it pecks at you!   I cannot wait to be back in that spot.  Pictures will definitely be posted.    More to come another day.      Best to all,   Mary Fitzpatrick, Concord, NH

Hola a mis amigos y familiars,

A week and a half away until Honduras and I am super excited for the trip down there.  A week of gardening, visiting the locals that we all love and care about, and other activities that will make this trip a week to remember.

I hope to post numerous times during the week, updating and providing pictures of a days work!!

Until then,

Michael

As we get closer to our departure for Honduras the more excited I become.  I want to thank all those who have and will have donated to this mission trip.  I have asked that we visit a man named  Carlos in the village of Catacamas.  Fellow missionary Mary Fitzpatrick told me about Carlos as she saw in him a male Mother of Theresa. He takes in severally disabled children some of whom have been abandoned just to die.  I will be personally buying items he needs for the children. Please keep us and the people of Honduras in your prayers. God bless and peace be with you. <><

Ooooops

A quick historical correction from my La Colonia reference in an earlier post:

1. The name of the settlement is La Colonia Emanuel, and not Manuel.

2. Although La Colonia was begun shortly after Hurricane Mitch, it was not because of the hurricane. The original group of people did not have their own land, or resources to buy land, and it was with the direction and inspiration of Padre Andres Tamayo that they organized and took possession.

I was the victim of "alternative facts"  ;-)

Three weeks until we leave

I am sitting here in the family room sorting through items to take to Honduras with us.  Only 3 1/2 weeks - it is so close.  We have rosary beads donated by local women in our community, some Spanish prayer cards which I ordered, and other little items.  Our fundraising through family and our faith community has been very successful.  Mario is going to be ordered drugs and supplies for the local clinics, we will be providing a large quantity of pre-natal and infant vitamins, and, of course, school supplies.  We also plan to purchase flip-flops to deliver to the villages that we visit.  It is getting exciting and we look forward to taking each of you with us on the journey.  Thank you especially for your prayers. 

Mary Fitzpatrick

March 1st, Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season, a time for prayer, penance, and alms-giving. When I think of the people we'll soon see in Honduras, I am humbled by the way they also dedicate themselves to these ideals at this time of year. A truly united, world-wide Church.

I'm also excited to think that we will be with them until just before Palm Sunday, and hopefully have another chance to participate in the moving Stations of the Cross that takes place in La Colonia de Manuel. La Colonia is a community just outside of central San Francisco de la Paz that started several years ago as a squatters village. People who had lost everything in the flooding and devastation of Hurricane Mitch had nowhere to go, and peacefully occupied this piece of land. Passively resisting efforts of the government and town to get them to move, the held firm to hope until they were finally allowed to stay. This is now a new, productive neighborhood with many families and small businesses, contributing to the welfare of the region.

It is a reminder that perseverance is a key to progress, and in this case, survival. From nothing but bare, hard ground, God has raised a beautiful family as an example of His love for us. As we prepare to travel, please join us in prayer for the children, women, and men in Honduras.

Scott