Travel day from Hades & Brenda's House

Since I have had my last blog, lots has happened.

Breakfast on the first bus (business class, the second bus wasn't and we got nothing)

Wed, June 29

Most of our group was traveling back to San Jose, but 8 of us were heading to Honduras.  Our bus driver  Rica at 2:30 am on Wednesday.  Our bus driver took us to a town three hours away to catch a Tica Bus, a Costa Rican version of a Greyhound.). You may wonder why we traveled by bus, well, it was to save money.  Flights were averaging about $400 & that was only one of three legs of our trip.

at the Nicaragua border, this was nothing compared to what would come the next day

The bus picked us up in a gas station parking lot and between the two buses it took us about 9 hours to get to Nicaragua.  It was fairly comfortable, but very long!!!  This small group consists of our leader, Terry, Bev Henry from the Tampa area, Julie & Lynette, bilingual twin teenagers from the Tampa area, Minor and Michelle Perez, (He is from Costa Rica, with family from Nicaragua.), Diane Adams from Sarasota and myself.

Several different check points along the way

We arrived at the bus station in Managua, Nicaragua around 5 pm.  Minor had some connections with a family that owned a hotel and they were supposed to pick us up.  Minor warned us to be very careful at this bus station.  It really wasn't too bad.  The family brought a car and truck to take us and our luggage to their hotel.  

I always enjoy when we have downtime between our big groups.  The hotel had a small open air restaurant and the food was good.  Some of us enjoyed their pool.  If you look at the pictures you can see what $17 a night can get you in Nicaragua.

Bev

Lots of chickens running around

The air wasn't working at first.  There was 5 single beds in our room.  Three of us shared the room.

They had several birds in cages, some of them talked.

Open air restaurant

Minor & Michelle

It was nice to cool off in the pool.

Lynette & Julie

Thur, June 30

We had to get up at 3:30 am the next day to catch our bus to Honduras.  We were again warned to be alert because it was so early in the morning.  Again, it was fine.  We boarded our bus and had a long uneventful trip until we reached the Honduras border.  To make a long story short, we stood in a line that was as long as a basketball gym. There was no AC and it was at least 90 degree with 100% humidity.  The line moved about a yard every 15 minutes.  About three hours later, we got back on our bus.  We traveled another 3 hours before we made it to Tegucigalpa .  Needless to say, we decided an hour flight would be worth whatever the cost if we did this next year!!!

This was taken inside a disgusting bathroom we had to pay to use at the Honduran border.

We had already been in the line for 30 minutes and we hadn't even gotten inside yet!

We arrived at the mission house beat and ready to go to bed.  There was a group of about 20 already there.  They had built a house.  Another group had arrived by plane and another group would be arriving Friday.  I had an idea that there would be no time to rest or catch my breath.  We have many house build and I assumed one would be mine tomorrow.  It didn't matter that the Costa Rican group were dragging, we would have to be ready to work.

Friday, July 1

Getting ready for morning devo, this is an overlook on the back of the property where we stay

Yes, I was building today and I decided this would be Brenda's house.  It was a little bit warm and sunny for Tegucigalpa, but other than that it was a great house build.  What makes a great house build?  Well, I'll tell you:

1.The materials are on-site. (Sometimes you have to carry it up a mountain.)

2.  The site was good. (Sometimes you have about a food between a wall and the side of a mountain or drop & you have to stand there and hammer.)

3.  Everyone worked hard and had a great attitude.

4.  The ground wasn't too rocky. (We have to dig out holes for post that are the foundation for the house.)

There's probably other good things, but I'm too tired to think of more.

This sweet family consisted of a young mother and her two young sons.  We always end the build by telling the family who built the house.   It was such an honor to explain to this lady (using a translator), that Brenda was a very sweet, loving, and kind lady who died suddenly.  I explained that her friends built this house for her as a blessing to honor her memory.  We hung up a plaque that included Brenda's picture.  

We have recently started having a small house warming gift for the families.  I had bought and presented her a bag that included things such as a Spanish Bible, dish towels, bowls, cups, forks, spoons, wooden spoons and such.

The lady was so thankful and said that we were a blessing from God for her.  Thank you to all who helped make this dream come true!!  I know Brenda is smiling from heaven!o0 

You may not really be able to see it here, but there is a rainbow.  God keeps his promises!!  What a perfect way to end the day! ❤️😇❤️