Reflections from Emily and John regarding Honduras

Any parent trying to raise children today can attest to what a challenge it is - with ever developing technology that inhibits face-to-face communication and a sense of entitlement that seems to creep in no matter what efforts we make - how do we make sure our children become adults that understand the true meaning of life - and value what is important versus the accumulation of more stuff?

We decided this was the summer to do something more radical - not your typical summer vacation. We prayed about what we could do together as a family - and HEAL ministries was our answer. Our family of 4 embarked on a journey with Tina and 7 other amazing people that will provide us with a lifetime of memories that will forever be ingrained in our hearts.

We had no idea nor any expectations of what the experience would provide for us - we simply prayed for open hearts and an experience that would be life-changing. And boy did God deliver!

Our kids learned how to work up a sweat in service (without complaining) and how to operate as a team (they had some fantasic role models in 7 CPA high schoolers/new grads). They experienced how the heart can love someone after just one encounter, and how to identify "God moments" in the everyday. They now understand that laughter is universal - the same thing that makes a child in the U.S. laugh, also makes a child in a Spanish speaking country laugh. You don't have to understand a language to form a connection - and the simplicity of blowing bubbles or kicking a soccer ball can bring much more happiness and joy than an ipad, psp, or wii.

We as parents learned - that the love of a parent is universal - and that ultimately there is no doubt that we exist for relationship with each other and with God. We learned that God is a father to the fatherless and that our "family" extends well beyond the boundaries of our given family, our given community, or even our given country. Even with the challenges of language barriers, we found family in Honduras and family in the team of people with whom we served - a family that we will see again - not just on this earth but in eternity. How exciting that is!

We are so grateful to have had this opportunity and for the supporters "back home" who help make this possible. "Service" is so ironic as those that "serve" are as equally blessed as those who were served.

Emily and John Leonard

Reflections from Hannah.......

First going into the trip, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. All I knew to do was to hope for the best, but what I got instead was so much more than I could have ever thought possible. Bonds were made with team members, staff members, and children, but also with Honduras itself. The country and its people as a whole are a blessing and a privilege to be apart of and I feel like they impacted me more than I was capable of impacting them. It’s curious how God uses us to bless one another, and when he does there’s not a better feeling in the world, even if it’s just an unexpected smile, a hug, or tiger puppet craft.

Although this HEAL Ministries trip was the best trip I’ve ever been on, it was also the hardest to say goodbye to. One week just isn’t gonna cut it next year. You fall in love with the colors, the constantly changing sky, the people and so much more that leaving it behind doesn’t feel natural. I don’t want to wait a whole year before going back! Honduras brought me closer to God and gave me a knew perspective on what I should do/ how I should live my life. The experiences and lessons of going to Honduras were like squeezing toothpaste out of the tube; once it’s out you cant put it back. Now that I’ve gone and learned all that I have, I know I can only go up from here.

-Hannah Ruff

Reflections by Alice - a team member

The story of our trip to Honduras is really a two-sided one, written on opposite pages yet each reflecting the other. On one side of the page is the story of La Providencia: the staff, the families and their children and the school. What an amazing story it is. We were all in awe of the passion, the dedication and the love these people had for each other and their mission. Our team immersed itself in the daily life of the orphanage and school and soon found itself caught up in this same passion. It was contagious! The time we spent with the children was, of course, the most satisfying. Their smiles, laughter and unconditional love touched every nerve of our bodies. Talking to and getting to know the staff and foster parents however, proved equally as uplifting and at times humbling. Their stories and witness are a powerful testament to God’s grace and faithfulness. The reality of the many obstacles this project faces, though, was not lost on us either. The abject poverty in which most of the school children live in, the emotional and mental scars left on the orphans by abandonment, and the lack of funding in order to address these issues speared us to the core, making the whole book of James relevant and urgent.

The other side of the page tells the story of our small team, especially the kids, and how incredibly responsive they were not only to the task at hand but to each other also. The ages ranged from 10 to 50 but you would have thought they were family and not individuals thrown together by a mission trip because of the way HEAL brings the team together every morning and every night to reflect. As the days passed the bonds grew stronger. They were kind to each other, patient and accepting; they teased, played, laughed and cried, allowing themselves to be vulnerable and open. Every night they brought their experiences and feelings of the day to the devotional, and somehow what they experienced and felt was reflected in the way they treated each other. They embodied the truth that by serving others and loving each other, we love and serve God.

So those are the two sides to our mission story. We were all touched and changed by La Providencia and I would like to think that we left an impression on them too, even if it was fleeting. I do know that the love was real, and in the end that is what really matters.

Reflections by: Alice Jones - Toledo

A colorful day in Honduras!

Yesterday was one of those days that during our team meeting last night, we could not just name one "God moment" each. It was a fun, rewarding and colorful day. Honduras is full of color: the mountains, the people, the bright colors used in all the buildings, clothes, etc. And, so, it was only fitting that the day ended with the best part of Noah's Ark........the rainbow.

The children loved the projects with the animals as puppets on the craft sticks, but it was the mosaic rainbow that they loved the most. It was so sweet watching all the children help each other with the sorting of the colors and siblings helping each other to get the craft done.......60 ish children packed in a small room, all joyful, all colorful.

One of our team members, Hannah, worked with a little boy that worked intently on his tiger puppet with various colors because he wanted his tiger to resemble the rainbow. It was sweet watching the relationship between team members and the children and Hannah's patience was another moment that made me smile. The message was clear to the children in the school and to the children of the village and to the team: God's promises are consistent and His colorful world created was meant for us to be in relationship with each other.

A universal language of laughter!

Today's theme would be laughter. It's amazing how laughter knows no language barriers. We had a day full of laughter - on the playground, during school crafts, Bible stories, acting out animals to enter Noah's ark, playing with the children of La Providencia on the playground, and in the sweet, simple village church where we had VBS.

Our team ranges from age 10 years old to 50 years old. There has been a specific purpose designed by God for every age on this trip and laughter has centered around all of those purposes.

One of the team's favorite moments of the day was when Sam (our 10-year old on the trip) was making faces at a little boy that bursts into hearty laughter.

It is during moments like this that we realize - sometimes through tears - how awesome and amazing God is................that He planned for Sam to be here in Honduras at 3:00 pm on a rainy afternoon so that an 8 year old boy from Honduras could laugh for a while.