June 24, 2011    

First Day Besides Travel:

 I slept maybe 4-5 hours last night, but those were good hours.  Today, the main goal of our leaders was to pick up about 109 people from the airport.  They were coming on various flights throughout the day.  My friend, Diane is planning to work with a couple areas to help them put in a sustainable, organic gardens.  She got special training with a group in Florida called Echo.  Today, she and I went with Jen Arnold, (an American missionary) to search for supplies for the garden.  The plan is to put in a garden at the Moaloa feeding center.  I have mentioned this place before.  They serve a hot meal daily to the poor children from the area out of the Iglesias de Cristo (Church of Christ). 

 I have been to this area a couple of times before, but I always forget the impact it has on me.  (You will see from the pictures below.)  They also run a daycare in that area, so that the parents can work and support their families.  They only charge a nominal fee.   Jen supervises these works and we enjoyed talking to her and learning more about the work of a missionary in Honduras.  I hope this is okay to share, but she says they have support from different people and churches back in the states.  Some people send money just for the salaries of the Honduran women they employee.  Other individuals send money to sponsor a child to go to school. 

 She said that one person (I think) sent money that went strictly for her gas allowance. (Which was about $300 a month!!!)?  Someone else supported her salary and she shared that it was $250 a month.  I was amazed by that!!  We got to stop by the daycare & I passed out Silly Bandz to the adorable little kids there.  They were between 1-5 years old and they were being very sweet and shy.  Since it was Friday, it was movie day and they were watching Pokémon in English!  J   We also picked up another young American missionary who is interested in starting a sustainable farm and has had land donated to him.  He and some visiting friends were without a car and we met them and we all went to the open air market that is only on Fridays and Saturdays.  I had been for a quick visit before and it is quite the experience. 

 Because Jen speaks very good Spanish, she took us around and got the vendors to let us sample some very interesting fruits that we don’t see in the US.  I bought some delicious fresh pineapple.  We came back up the hill at the end of the day and all of the groups had gotten in. (With the exception of an Ala. Group who were offered $800 travel vouchers in Miami & hotel vouches because the airline had overbooked.  Wow, I can’t believe how long this is!!!  I’m not sure what the plans are for tomorrow, but I’m sure it will be great.  The internet reception isn’t great, so I’ll cross my fingers that I’ll be able to post this update.

We ended the night with a great devotional.  The singing, as always, is like angels in heaven!!  I'm hoping to making a recording one night and post it to the blog.  The interns reviewed the rules by presenting some HILARIOUS skits.  Can you say Joe Jones wore a dress????  He had me record it, so I'm hoping that he puts it on Facebook!! 

Here's my pictures, I hope he brings to life all of the wonderful experiences that I had today.  I know I will defin. sleep well tonight!!!!

Our humble abode

Sights on the way to Moaloa (feeding center & daycare)

Mololoa (Manna Project/Daycare)

Picking up cardboard to use in the organic garden.  The muddy, steep hillside was tricky to get up.

 Diane speaking to the clerk at the seed store.

having lunch

 Pictures from the market

xoxoPJ