Almost back!

Landed safely in Miami :) now just customs, security, and one more plane away from being home. Miss the kids already!!

Saturday Prayer

Saturday, March 13^th

Saturday is always a special day at the Foundation. Every week neighborhood children enjoy a community program sponsored by the Children of Love Foundation, which is similar to the Bible School we provided this week. Today is extra special however, because police officers and the mayor of La Paz will be visiting so that we can thank them and honor their work. Please pray that the people of La Paz will see the Children of Love Foundation as a place that cares for them with the love of Jesus. Also, pray that the relationships with the political leaders of La Paz will grow and then provide greater opportunities to spread the Gospel.

"Greater love is none than this: that he lay down his life for his friends" - John

Our group has just finished bible study a few minutes ago after yet another fun filled, adventurous, and exhausting day.  Every night, after we sing with the children and pray before their bedtime, or St. Luke's team gathers in the chapel for a quick Bible study and discussion.  In these meetings we share our highs and lows, or anything else that's on our mind.  While every night has been filled with great thoughts and discussion, tonight was different.  You must understand that for the past 5 days we have all been running around after children, teaching bible school to hundreds of kids every day, and doing so many other small things that it all catches up to you.  In addition we all have shared so many priceless, amazing, and indescribable experiences together as a group that the "shock" of the feelings and emotions catches up with us as well.  Tonight, Bible study began with a short story read by pastor Abel about Dr. Maximillian Kolbe, a Franciscan priest who was incarcerated at Auschwitz during world World War II.  This man volunteered to trade places with a condemned man at the camp.  The offer to trade places was accepted and as a result, Dr. Kolbe died in a portion of the camp dedicated to execution through starvation.  Silence filled the room after pastor finished reading the story.  

Today in morning and afternoon bible school, we taught the children a similar story. More than 2,000 years ago, a man named Jesus willingly traded places with you and me.  This man was true God; A man that loved us so much that he came down from heaven to earth.  He took upon himself our sins, was crucified for them, and then rose again so that through him we can have new life.

It is truly remarkable to see the total dichotomy of good and evil in both of the stories.  While the Nazi's were brutally executing him in a camp dedicated to death, Dr Kolbe sacrificed his life so another might live.  Christ was put to death a horrific and barbaric way, by the very people he came to save.  While not to such an extreme degree, the same situation exists here in Honduras.  All throughout the country, specifically from what I have seen in La Paz, poverty is rampant.  The people live in such primitive structures with none of the amenities nor comforts of home.  Hunger is a normality for many of this city's residents, primarily children.  Good male role models are few and far between, women are seen by men as the person who has the baby and makes the food.   Many people here know of God, but do not know him nor of his unconditional love.   And then in the midst of all of this seemingly hopeless despair, there is an oasis in the desert, so to say.  And it is the Children of Love Foundation. Here, orphans who come from the most dire and horrible situations are cared for, loved, and are taught of the love of Christ.  Here, the kids can have an opportunity to have a normal life.  Words cannot describe the feeling you get when you get a hug from one of the kids here.  The warmth and unconditional love given to you by the child is remarkable.  The hug and smile from the child in itself are proof that Christ is alive and well here in Honduras and that he can turn a seemingly hopeless situation turn into countless blessings and opportunities.

I pray that this place continues to grow and I also pray that the children here continue to grow in love and faith

See you when we get back!

David

my week

I thought I knew what to expect from this trip before I got here because of stories my sister Leah had told me and pictures she has shown. My expectations have been met and exceeded. I have received love and hugs from people I hardly know but feel more warmth from than some people I have known for years. I cooked with the women in the kitchen in a flurry of chaos of trying to feed 200 people when we were expecting 50 and the only way to communicate was gestures and eye contact. There where a lot of laughter and hugs after. I have seen dwellings that would be condemned in the states but to these beautiful people it is home. I don't know if I have ever seen a place that God is so obviously present in my life. Even the poorest of people in this community want to share what they have. There is a young boy Walter who lives behind the Foundation. He and his family have next to nothing yet today he brought us nuts from a tree by his house and yesterday he shared mangos with us. That to me is amazing. I think so many of us take for granted what we have and feel sometimes we cant give because we need to make sure we have enough for ourselves. I myself am guilty of. However, I hope when I get home I will remember the people and experiences here and remember that I have more than enough to share. Thank you God for this opportunity to get perspective on life and my faith. I can't wait to share more when I get home. Night every one!

Friday Prayer

Friday, March 12^th

Our final Bible School lesson with the children today, focuses on the Resurrection of Jesus. Because He lives, we will live forever with Christ. Please pray that the children can see themselves as God’s beloved treasure and that Jesus will always love them and care for them. Also today, we will be bringing gifts of baby clothes and infant supplies to new mothers at the La Paz hospital. Pray that the citizens of La Paz see the Foundation as a source of generous Christian love, and that the Holy Spirit would draw them to know more about that love.

STEVEN DUDA'S BLOG!!! <3 <3

Today was a very crazy day.Instead of our usual 20 older kids who show up for the morning VBS session we ended up with 200 kids. We were running around like chickens with our heads cut off the entire morning. Apparently the teachers closed school and instead took the kids to VBS. In addition to the chaos, I was walking outside of the chapel when I stumbled on a kid lying on his stomach losing his lunch. I immediately found Mama Dorris and she took care of the kid. Mama Dorris said the kid overheated and I possibly saved his life by stumbling upon him. After the morning chaos the rest of the day went pretty smoothly. 

Wednesday as told by Tio Alex y Tia Natalie

This morning we woke up bright and early to delicious Honduran coffee. We were assigned chores and picked up garbage around the Foundation, which was a good bonding experience with Rosibel. The kids find our random Spanish sentences amusing.

The first group of kids arrived, and we started the day with musical chairs (Natalie: I broke one of them sitting down too quickly) and limbo, which the children loved. It was very shocking to us all when during the message when Pastor Abel asked the kids if they needed to earn God's love, and they all replied "si." It's good to know that children who know so little about the Bible can learn the good news of the gospel. They also had so much fun making bracelets with beads. The afternoon group painted with watercolors. They were so proud of their paintings, and even made some for their "tios y tias." (Natalie: Alex painted a bright orange Jesus fish on my head that many of the children laughed at.) (Alex: That was pay back for the bright blue streak she painted down my cheeks.)

After a yummy dinner, one of the kids, Walter, took us to his house and offered us mangoes. He climbed up to the top of a tree in his backyard and tossed us down several mangoes. It's amazing that those here who have so little are so willing to give what they do possess. Edty, who works in the kitchen, gladly cut the mangoes up for us and we put salt on them (after a long and confusing conversation with Walter in Spanglish about what to put on them).

Finally, we had an awesome (POSSUM) service led by pastor Ed. We took communion with some of the confirmed children and at the end, the kids received quilts made by a group at St. Luke's. Their faces lit up at the sights of them, and they were even more thrilled when they saw the patterns sown inside. Now we're blogging on the roof under a perfectly clear, starry sky. BUENOS NOCHES!!

Love,

Alex Domka and Natalie Farruggia

Thursday Prayer

Thursday, March 11^th

Today we talk about John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” We will tell the children how God’s love sent Jesus to suffer and die on the cross to forgive our sins, and to make us God’s children through faith. Pray that our lesson is successful and that we can help the children understand that they do not have to earn God’s love but instead, when they believe in Jesus, they already have God’s love. Tonight, the team will enjoy a little free time together, and will have a dinner out experience at a local restaurant.

More Pictures!

Another round of pictures provided by Alex Domka and Colleen Helmricks are on the picasa site, the link is on the left. Here are a few from the collection :)

Wednesday Prayer

Wednesday, March 10^th

The Lost is Found!  Today, the Bible stories tell the children that Jesus loves us so much that He searches for us. They are hearing the parables of “The Lost Coin” and “The Lost Sheep.”  Today we also, are visiting with Missionary Rev. Edmond Auger, and a young man from Honduras named Tulio, who is studying to become a Lutheran pastor. These conversations will explore how our Lutheran mission presence might expand in Honduras. Please pray that the Children will see that God’s love reaches out to them through Jesus, and that they will always have God’s love by trusting in Jesus. Also, pray that the Lord would bless the conversations with Pastor Auger and Tulio.

Its Wednesday Morning!

WOW! is the only thing to say about yesterday.  Several of us participated in a school parade with the younger kids in the morning and then rushed back just in time for our morning Bible school. We had a small group of around 15 kids and enjoyed our Bible lesson and video, water color painting, and a few rounds of musical chairs.  Just as we were wrapping up lunch with those children our Foundation kids and some little ones from the neighborhood came home and we spent time reading books (bi-lingual books are such a blessing--my favorite with The Little Mermaid which put a BIG smile on Alejandra's face.  And then the afternoon....we were overwelmed as truckloads of kids showed up still in their school uniforms and we ran out of food for lunch!  It was chaotic to say the least, but we managed to feed everyone eventually and were blessed with the appearance of Pastor Ed Auger of Lutheran World Missions and his Honduran mentee Tulio.  It was a blessing in the chaos to have another Spanish/English speaker as we "punted" a bit.  By the time we began the Bible video and lesson we had a full chapel.  Our sign in sheets reflect a total of 211 children and adults total!  AMAZING...and a little scary since we planned and packed for 100! But we are getting creative and keeping the number one rule--be flexible. 

This is my fourth trip here. It is amazing to watch how these kids have changed and grown and how the CLF has grown and changed as well.  It is fun to know all of their names and be able to help others learn. Every time I come I fall in love with them all over again.  In many ways they are just like American kids...they like to play tag and giggle and color and snuggle up to read books. And yet their is something different. Maybe it's because they are a family...a family of 22 kids who take care of one another, eat together, pray together, and sing together...and when we come here they welcome us into that family with hugs and kisses and joy.  They call us Aunt and Uncle and invite us to stand in the mealtime and prayer time circle to pray.  

Please pray for us today.  The numbers are exciting but we don't want them to get in the way of being effective. 

Leah

PS Hi Ella & Addy from Aunt Colleen, Uncle Scott, & Aunt Leah!

--
Leah Abel
Dir of Christian Education
St. Luke's Lutheran Church & School
Oviedo, FL

Fwd:

Today, March 8, we woke up to walk the younger kids that live at the foundation to school this morning. It was pretty amazing to see all the school children lined up in the courtyard of the school as they were arriving and we had a a first for the Honduras Mission trips. Mama Dorris talked to all the children in the court yard and had us all come up and the kids faces lit up! Then Mama Dorris invited all of the children to the Vacation Bible School (VBS) that we are holding for all of the kids starting tomorrow and had Pastor Abel attempt to speak to the kids in Spanish. We all were petrified when she had said that. But to our surprise he did very well and the kids were very entertained with his personality. Surprisingly, the kids here in Honduras love when we come down and try to speak Spanish to them. But we all had a great laugh about the whole first time event at the school. Not to soon after we walked around town with Mama Dorris to talk to the parents of the kids to tell them about the VBS and to invite the kids that we ran into along the way. Later we headed to Coffee Land and were unable to harvest any coffee beans, oranges, and bananas. So, we ran around and explored the plantation like we were little kids exploring the vast wilderness again. To end the night, we had a bonfire with the kids of the foundation. We roasted marshmallows and sang songs around the fire. Then the kids gave us all these wonderful hugs overflowing with love just before they went off to get ready for bed. 

Tuesday Prayer

Tuesday, March 9^th

Today is the first day of Bible School and our theme is “Jesus, the Son of God.” We are talking about Jesus’ Baptism. Please pray that the children would begin to know who their Savior is and what He has done for them, and would begin to experience His great love for them. Tonight we will be “caroling” in the city of La Paz. We will stroll through the center of town singing songs about Jesus, and telling folks about what Jesus is doing at the Children of Love Foundation.

New Pictures!

Check out the new pictures in the Picasa Web Album, the link is on the left!

also, you could go to http://picasaweb.google.com/childrenoflovefoundation

Monday Prayer Request

Monday, March 8^th

We have our first full day ahead of us!  We are walking door to door in the neighborhoods surrounding the Children of Love Foundation this morning, inviting children to come to our Bible School Program starting tomorrow. Tonight we will be getting reacquainted with the kids at the children’s home, and roasting marshmallows with them. A real treat!! Please pray that the Lord would bring many children to tomorrow’s Bible School and that the hearts and minds of everyone would be open and ready for the week ahead.

We had no idea. We began the day in Orlando, running through the
routines of checking bags, going through security, and sitting and
waiting. Our first flight arrived in Miami in a quick 43 minutes, just
as i was about to take a nap (Catching up from my six hours of sleep
last night :/) as the flight attendant announced our descent. After
much deliberation, chinese was on the menu at MIA After eating and
playing some cards in the airport, we boarded the plane for San Pedro
Sula, finding it funny that everything said over the intercom came in
two different languages. We almost made it the whole way without
incident, but at the very end, an undisclosed team member (John Allen)
decided to revisit the chinese he had enjoyed just hours before. A few
napkins later, and we were riding in the Jesus van
(http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4037190&id=518311874) on our
way to La Paz. We made our only stop at a full service gas station,
where two bags of water were excitingly purchased for the bargain of 4
limpiras!! (that's like 20 cents)(and yes, bags. it was awesome.)
Soon (three hours later) we arrived to sounds of firecrackers and
wooping children. We unloaded and listened to an inspired 'God Bless
America' as best as any Honduran children could sing it :) We were
then immediately bombarded with hugs and shown by them to our rooms.
We ran around and learned some Spanish, and enjoyed a wonderful meal
of chicken empanadas. Now we're sitting on the roof, listening to the
sound of roosters and frogs, and looking at the incredible sky God put
there for us. We had no idea, but now we do, and we (at least i)
couldn't love it more :)

--jake and brian

We're here!

We arrived safely in La Paz and had a great meal. More later!

Ooh yeah

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Here we come!

On board the plane to San Pedro Sula, leaving in 20 minutes! Homduras, her we come!!

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

In Miami!

Made it to Miami safely! Three hours and a chinese meal later and we're off to San Pedro Sula :)

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Sunday Prayer Request

Sunday, March 7^th

Today we are traveling to La Paz, Honduras.  We left the church parking lot at 6:45 this morning, and should be arriving at the Children of Love Foundation at about 8:00 P.M. We will be tired, but also excited about what is ahead. Please pray for our save travel as we embark and that the Lord would work through us to be examples of His love. Also, please pray that the Lord would prepare the hearts of the people we encounter in Honduras, to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

March Trip - Agenda

With a heart towards spreading the Gospel message of Jesus Christ into all the world, 13 members of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church will be spending this week on a mission trip to the children’s home in La Paz, Honduras, called the Children of Love Foundation.
o We will be involving the children at the Foundation in an outreach effort to their local community of La Paz. We will provide a week long Bible School program of activities, Bible stories, songs, and meals to the neighborhood children.
o In addition to this, we will be reaching out with gifts and the love of Jesus to patients at the hospital in La Paz.
o We will also be meeting with representatives of LCMS World Missions to continue the discussion about a possible mission congregation in La Paz.

Please keep us and the children of La Paz in your prayers each day this week. Also, you can follow our progress here on the blog.

Team Members: Leah Abel, Rev. Scott Abel, Rev. Brian Roberts, Jonathon Allen, Colleen Helmrichs, Alex Domka, Natalie Farruggia, Steven Duda, Brian Blank, David Blank, Jacob Lehenbauer, Doris Patalano, Frank Patalano.