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Honduras Trip 2007 Have you ever seen someone glow when holding a new baby? Perhaps you recently watched the joy of Christmas in the eyes of a child. The tremendous joy in someone else can fill your heart with that same warm glow. That is what it felt like in Honduras for me. Juticalpa was bustling with people all about. The poverty was obvious, but every now and then I would see a glimpse of modernism. However the further we traveled out of Juticalpa to the mountain villages the more I witnessed first hand the difficult conditions people lived in. When we drove up the mountains. I couldn’t help but be in awe of God’s creation. The rain forest mountains were full of lush vegetation, coffee bean plants, banana trees, and bean fields. The much talked about mountain roads, were so narrow and rut-filled that I felt like I was on a roller-coaster. I saw people washing their clothes in the streams that they also used as their drinking source. Up the mountain there was no running water, electricity and very few hints that a modern society exists in the world. Homes were spread out miles from each other. But in spite of all that they didn't have compared to our standard of living, I marveled at what they did have. They had that warm glow. You could see how happy families were to see each other. Girls were skipping together down the road. Boys just hanging out together and talking. When we helped hand out the graduation certificates there was a great sense of pride in the children and parents’ eyes. I am still amazed that the kids there are so committed to getting an education that they walk up to 3 hours to be at school by 7 a.m. With tears in their eyes they thanked us (you and me) for giving them teachers for their school. I saw their glow in the love and reverence the people had in church. People in the mountains walk joyfully to mass. During communion, there were no casual steps in orderly lines, rather they rush up anxious to receive the Body of Christ. There were many tear jerking moments for me on this trip. Like when the kids performed a play for us, I noticed that the children’s feet looked old, calloused and worn from the lack of or ill-fitting shoes. Then I saw girls in the mountain village of Barrioseales wearing blouses made from pillowcases I sent last year. It was a moment that made very clear that the Lord called me to witness what a difference we, Holy Redeemer are really making. Two other girls made beautiful dresses with other material I sent. It made me stop and think about how vital a role that material is to them. When they covered their dirt floors with pine needles so that we wouldn’t walk on dirt...I really got teary eyed. It made me think of Palm Sunday and how the people laid palm leaves before Jesus...how humbling to be treated with such a welcoming gesture. There were so many sincere hugs of thanks and joy from families. As Fr. Jenry put it one day, we have been the answer to their prayers, in our partnership we have given them hope of a different life. I feel I built life long friendships with the people I went with. I am so proud and humbled to have represented our parish in Honduras. The people there are so thankful for you. They don’t know your names, but you are in their prayers. They know not your faces, but see you as the crack in the window that is providing them much needed change. They know not how to express their gratitude but as your brother and sister in Christ they give you their love. I found myself teary eyed as the plane lifted off back to the States because I felt like I left work unfinished. There was a big part of me that felt like I needed to pull up my sleeves and get to work. God sent me there, why. Perhaps it was to be fed with His love. Perhaps I am called to witness what I saw. Maybe it is both and much more. I know that this Honduran experience will stay with me forever. We have been blessed by our circumstances. We were born into countries where electricity is a standard not a luxury. Where food comes as a multitude of options, not whether will we eat but what. Where even the worst of roofs in Aledo would be high standards in the mountain villages. But in the material consumption we have here, we can be so poor. We can become so distracted in things and activities that Christ may not be truly a part of our everyday living. In Honduras it is quite the opposite, they are very people centered, they rush to communion, hungry for Christ. In our relationship with them we see the love of Christ in their eyes. Christ asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter responded “Yes, Lord”. Christ said, “Then feed my sheep.” My dear friends and family of Holy Redeemer Parish, in our love for Christ we are feeding His sheep in Honduras and the People of Honduras in their love for Christ are feeding us with their prayers and love. Your sister in Christ, Monica Collins ************************************************************************************************************************* Honduras Trip 2007 
As I look out the window of the airplane, I see the Church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Suyapa sitting on a hilltop. A flood of emotions overtakes me. I have to take a breath as tears come to my eyes. The people and the country I have come to love over the past three years are gone for another year. I take home memories of our nightly sharing meetings, of the beautiful and talented children of Barro Seales, of Carolina (who graduated) and her sisters, Elsa and Rixi in Valle Alegre. Carolina’s mother tells me that her daughter wants to continue her education so she does not have to be poor and beg for things like everyone else does. I reflect on the expert drivers who got us safely in and out of the most treacherous roads I have ever been on. I think of Father Alberto who was getting read to head to lead Mass in the mountains – 4 hours by truck and 4 hours on horseback (one way). I think about the Texas vs. Honduras soccer match in a ladies front yard on the way down from the mountains (Texas won 5-2). The widow that hosted us that evening was so typical of all of the people that we met – warm, hospitable and welcoming. Saturday was a day of celebration. First was the Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. We celebrated Frt. Bob’s 50th anniversary as a priest – again. Marco was serving his last mass as a deacon. We left the Cathedral after Mass and went to his ordination 2 hours later. He is such a remarkable young man, proclaiming himself as God’s servant. His mom and dad were present, beaming at with pride. After the obligatory $2 haircuts, we heard of a wedding at the Cathedral. The boy in the wedding was from Barro Seales. We crashed the wedding and ran into several of the students that just finished 8th grade at our school in the mountains. We left the wedding early to head for the last evening’s meal with the Bishop. After dinner we watched the parade which was lead by a statue of the Blessed Mother in the back of a Toyota Truck. Padre Jenry invited us to his place for a parting ‘social’. Some how, a couple of us ended up at the wedding reception with the kids from Barro Seales. After hours of dancing and carrying on, we felt it best to part company. It’s amazing how this trip always leaves such an impression on those who make the journey. I got to know Walter and Jenny, two beautiful parishioners that I did not really know. Julio, in his first gig as mission coordinator, did an admirable job. And Monica, one of my favorite people, was always good for a conversation, a hug and sharing tears. Then there were those in the priest-mobile. Somehow, Fr. Bob, Jonathan, Tom and I ended up packed into the little truck for 4 – 2 ½ rides. I love these guys! You see, many of the experiences that we encounter are more about who we are, not where we are. It continues to amaze me that we have to travel 14 hours to another country to hear of how our fellow travelers are dealing with loss, of addiction and life challenges. It is as if our ego, our selfishness and inhibitions were left at gate C31 when we left DFW. We allowed ourselves to reflect on who we are. We learned from those that could not write – from those who we could not communicate with. We cried with those that we had never met. We danced with those we had just met. We worshipped with all. We were not strangers – we are all God’s children. Only 51 more weeks until our next trip. By then, we should have a third school in the mountains, another grade added to each of our existing schools and many more roofs on churches and homes. We give so much financial support to the people of the Honduras and they really appreciate it. However, what we get back in peace and joy is priceless. Be careful when thinking about making the next trip – you may get bit by the ‘H’ bug and then you can’t stay away! Paz. Scott France ************************************************************************ Honduras Trip 2007
Initially, I was slow in committing to the Honduras trip. Family emergencies, surgery, and other events had left me totally unprepared for the quickly approaching Christmas season. Lots of time when I return to do the cards, decorations inside and out, and all the shopping yet to be done. I like to say, “yes” to every chance I get at new opportunities to broaden my horizons, so after meeting with Fr. Bob, I was ready to go. However, no one told me it would take at least two weeks to get my feet back on the ground on my return. What a life-changing experience this trip turned out to be. No Christmas preparations were completed on time; however, it turned out to be one of the most peaceful and joyous Christmas seasons ever for me. Meeting Tom at the Miami airport was my first clue at what was yet to come. He was so happy and excited to meet with all of us and just couldn’t wait until we boarded our flight to Honduras. My first trip to Honduras, my first impression on arrival at the airport in Tegucigalpa; there is just no way this huge airplane will fit on that short and narrow runway. We made it and after only one bounce we were safely on the ground. I did notice the power lines were only a few feet from the right wing tip as we taxied to the terminal. The Basilica of our Lady of Suyapa was breathtaking. The seminary is located directly behind the church. On entering Bishop Muldoon’s residence at the Cathedral in the Town Square in Juticalpa, I immediately noticed his banners of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. Red Sox okay, but for a die-hard Cowboys fan, Patriots not okay. Cold showers were yet an event to experience, but I was thankful for electricity. How many cold showers do you really need to take over a five-day period? As it turned out, daily and some times more than one daily. There was no place for vanity on this trip. Meeting Fr. Jenry was impressive. His passion, dedication, and conviction to the students and their education are phenomenal in all that we contribute for this cause. We also met Celia, and Bessie who were in charge of preparing our meals and keeping us healthy. They were almost always with us; their joyfulness was contagious. At dinner that evening we dined at Fr. Jenry’s residence where I met a young man named Gabriel. I had met his mother at the church in Pueblo Viejo. Her name is Esperanza and she is in charge of the church as they only have visiting priests. She sings, plays the guitar, and is a very delightful person. It was at this Mass that Fr. Jenry came over to me and said “La paz ser contigo.” Peace be with you. That was most helpful in the many Masses that were yet to come. Also the phrase following the petitions; Lord hear our prayer, is translated to “Senor, escucharnos: escucharnos Senor”. Lord, listen to us, listen to us Lord. How beautiful. Anyway, back to Gabriel. I asked if he has a girlfriend and he replied that yes he did but he had to break off with her. When I asked why he broke up with her, Julio was sitting nearby and enthusiastically replied: “ Because he’s a seminary student”. Whoops! I was still struggling with my Spanish at that point. Gabriel is nineteen and is a student at the seminary located near the Basilica. Thursday was our first chance to see one of the schools. El Redentor Barro Seales, translated as Holy Redeemer Barro Seales. It was a beautiful morning and as we approached the school the students were so eager to visit with us. We had a feeling that something unbelievable was about to take place; you could just feel it. As we entered the walkway beside the school, I noticed the area of approx. 50 or more feet long and maybe 8 feet wide was covered with freshly picked green pine needles. That’s a lot of pine needles! The pine needles served as a carpet for us to enter the school. The area where the altar was placed and later transformed to a performance area was covered with a multitude of pieces of fabric donated to them to cover the dirt floor. Fr. Bob and Fr. Jenry approached the altar on a long piece of red fabric as their official red carpet welcome. Following Mass, the students treated us to a presentation of “ Genesis.” They had hand sewn all their costumes from pieces of fabric. There was the sun, moon, stars, butterflies, animals, and crawly creatures everywhere; all easily identifiable. Adam and Eve (she was so cute) were also part of the cast. It was spellbinding and was introduced with the music El Condor Pasa that has been a personal favorite since we lived in Bolivia in the mid 70’s. Gustavo, their teacher, is a very talented and dedicated man. On the way back to the Residence we stopped for dinner at Dona Maria’s house. I immediately bonded with her as she had lost her husband to a fatal heart attack in their home only three years before. She had lovingly written a letter to her late husband to be placed at his gravesite that was engraved on a huge piece of silver about 4 feet high and 3 feet wide. It was so full of love and compassion that it brought tears to my eyes. She had also prepared a meal for 20 people and just sat there calmly when the electricity failed. I would have been freaking out. After about 20 minutes the electricity came back on and we sat down to eat. Villa Allegre was our stop on Friday morning. The students had finished classes Nov. 17, but waited for our arrival for the graduation. They attend classes from Feb. through Nov.. Dec. and Jan. are the months to harvest the coffee beans. This school is where a seventh grader named Jeffrey won over my heart. He wants to become a doctor when finishing his education. He has bright red hair and Fr. Jenry was his usual prankster self when he told Jeffrey he couldn’t do that because he was a “Gringo” and didn’t look like a Honduran. After the initial shock of what Fr. Jenry said, Jeffrey smiled at him. The trip down the hill gave me an unexpected blessing when the battery on my hearing aide failed. The silence was golden as Walter talks a lot. Bless you Jonathan who later said I did quite well with further events that followed that day before I was able to replace the battery. I went to Honduras with a little flame flickering in my heart and soul, but now that flame is so bright that I feel surely I must glow in the dark! John Denver had his “Rocky Mountain High” while I now have my “Honduras High”. Thank you Fr. Bob for this opportunity. And to you our parishioners, thanks for taking the time to read this reflection article. Oh yes, guys don’t forget soccer camp this summer!! Jennie Staud
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