The mission team to El Hogar in Honduras brings us along on their journey with their daily reflections.
We write this blog entry in a state of utter exhaustion. This day was both physically and emotionally exhilarating. The morning began with a wonderful breakfast of homemade donuts. Desiring a refreshing drink to accompany the donuts, Daniel opened a pouch of milk that the team had received. After excitedly pouring himself a large glass, he downed a huge gulp. Overwhelmed by a horrid taste, Daniel attributed the poor flavor to the “wholeness” of the milk and encouraged the other young men on the team to try this “all natural” milk. Ian was the only brave soul to try the milk. Then the wise leader, Richard, informed us that the milk was actually extremely sour. Guess the milk really was “all natural.”
After battling an abnormally large cockroach using a plunger and Purell (it’s a long story…), the team jumped in a van to tour the St. Mary’s Technical Institute associated with El Hogar. The team was given a marvelous tour by Junior, a boy studying to become a carpenter. The team thoroughly enjoyed seeing the metalworking, carpentry, and electrical shops. The amazing training these boys receive, an education as well as occupational training, brought the team great joy because these young men will enter the workforce with an extensive skill set.
Following the tour of the shops, the team had the honor of seeing the chapel at the Institute. This building was BEAUTIFUL, with a large mural behind the altar that was painted by the art teacher at El Hogar . The team also enjoyed the lights in the chapel, which had small, dangling plates that rattled gently in the breeze. They made for a serene feeling within the chapel and left the team feeling very relaxed.
The lunch that followed took the team completely by surprise, a meal of fried chicken, french fries, and rice! It was an All-American meal, and the team truly enjoyed it! The team then left to finish looking at the Institute and purchase some of the boys’ finished products. 
However, the team was quickly called over to watch and participate in a volleyball game. Nick and Daniel represented the United States and helped lead the teacher team. Unfortunately, the victory could not be secured, but it was quite a fun experience for all.
The drive back to El Hogar was an exciting experience, as the team found out first-hand what Honduran driving is all about. The road through the mountains is approximately three lanes wide, that is, if there were lanes. The way it works out in reality is that the two edges of the road are slow lanes, while the middle is a free-for-all, any direction, daredevil, passing lane. The team experienced the thrill of darting between oncoming traffic and the cars in the passing lane and arrived back at El Hogar still chatting about the excitement.
Reverend McKenzie, feeling the “brick” of donuts, fried chicken, and french fries in her stomach, fell asleep for four hours in the evening and woke up rejuvenated at 10 p.m. In the meantime, the team had a ball playing with some of the younger boys, including Tulio, Jorge, and Jesser. The guys on the team played soccer and Uno, while Chrissy led Simon Says. 
One of the best moments, however, was when the teacher sat the boys down and asked the them to congratulate one of their friends on one good thing they did today. The team also received applause from the children for our work. Lastly, the teacher told the boys that they could play for 45 more minutes, news that made the boys cheer with excitement. Once playtime was over and the team cleaned up from the night’s activities, the team feel asleep rather quickly. Everyone, that is, except for Reverend McKenzie, who worked on crossword puzzles long into the cool Honduran night.
God Bless,
El Hogar Mission Team
