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