Mission to Hondruas '06 — a genuine blessing
by Lea Kimbrell

The whirlwind trip from New Orleans to Houston to San Pedro Sula to Trinidad culminated in a Sunday morning confirmation service at Las Santismo Trinidad, the holiest Trinity. Over twenty men, women and children received the laying on of hands by the Rt. Rev'd Lloyd Allen, Bishop of the Diocese of Honduras of The Episcopal Church of the United States.
   Although Roman Catholics make up 97 per cent of the country's churchgoers, the Episcopal Church is the fastest growing church in Honduras. Most of the churches are missions financially supported by the diocese and our little Las Santismo Trinidad in Trinidad was no exception. The mission group from the Diocese of Western Louisiana came to help the people in this little sister church and help we did.
    The very best thing about any trip like this or any experience really is the people. Deacon Don Leger was the team leader in logistics, organization, travel, and local customs. He had been to Trinidad many times before and was well experienced in the "H" factor, which can be summed up in two words: flexibility and patience. Don prepared us all for inconveniences that might assail us, but truly the "H" factor came into play only in very minor ways. One "H" factor that did affect us greatly was the change in eating accommodations, which Don discovered upon his arrival to the village on Thursday before we arrived on Saturday. Don was always cheerful, accommodating, and helpful. Muchas gracias, Deacon Don.
   Our meals were prepared and served at a large house that had a courtyard shaded by vines which had been trained over a metal frame about 8 feet high. Our hostess had many tropical plants in pots. Some we recognized caladiums, hibiscus, philodendrons, and other plants that were foreign to us. Unfortunately, on Monday we lost Quinton and Jerry to stomach virus. They were sorely missed. Quinton is very funny and always kept us laughing and Jerry knew everything there was to know about building, well, almost, and the construction crew felt his absence. They were soon healthy and back to their very important roles on the team. Muchas gracias, Quinton y Jerry.

Important to the team
   Two very important members of our team came from Epiphany Church in New Iberia. They were Junie and Gladys. Junie has been on more mission trips than anyone else who went to Trinidad this year except Don. Like others on the trip, she was always smiling and sharing the love of Christ with anyone who came in contact with her, American or Honduran.
   Gladys was my roommate in Trinidad at the Gethsemane Hotel. We were fortunate to have one of only two air conditioners in the group, so we thanked God for our good fortune and complained not at all about cold showers, which truthfully were a blessing after a hot day of mission work. We all thank her son Daniel for wanting to come on the trip, so Gladys decided to come as well. Let me tell you the truth, she was a great roommate and since she speaks fluent Spanish, Gladys became a very important part of every aspect of the trip from teaching the Vacation Bible School lesson to interpreting for the bishop, the dean, the priest and the deacon. If Gladys ever tired of this constant responsibility, we never knew it. Muchas gracias, Junie, Daniel, y Gladys.
   The Bordelons came together as a family with Kevin and Judy at the helm. Judy is a registered nurse who tended to our health needs and also acted as superintendent of the Vacation Bible School. She planned and orchestrated, assigned and reorganized with Kevin right there at her side. Bruce, their nephew, played the guitar for all services with Daniel and Sean. Their daughter, Catherine, and niece, Grace were vital members of the VBS crew painting faces and hands and helping joyfully in any way. Grace's mother, Diane rounded out the clan with continuous smiles and encouragement for Hondurans and Americans both. Muchas gracias, Bordelons.    Noelle and Sarah Leger were also standouts on the VBS crew doing whatever they were asked to do from face painting to streamer making to handing out materials. Their presence and gentle loving spirits blessed us all. Muchas gracias, Noelle y Sarah.

Contruction, the hardest of all
   The construction crew had the hardest job of all, and everyone appreciated their efforts. The Hondurans are descendants of the Mayans and true to their heritage they were building their new church around the old church, which will be torn down when the new church is completed. Brian, Barbara, Jerry, Judith and others from the VBS crew pitched in when time allowed to carry cinder blocks, lay bricks and mortar, throw old stones over the church wall, and Judith even climbed the bamboo scaffold. Muchas gracias, construction crew.
   The people of Honduras blessed us in every way. From the first church service to the final party the team from Louisiana felt their love and appreciation. On Monday and Tuesday we went to the mission church in the mountains, El Retiro. VBS was a big hit with the local villagers. The children were shy and respectful and only a handful were brave enough to answer Gladys' questions about the daily lesson.
    The church was full of children and a few mothers when we arrived. Daniel, Bruce, and Sean played the guitars that were to be left as gifts to the parishes. The children laughed at the "A-la-la" song, and the boys played the song so much that some time will have to pass before they enjoy it again. The children and their mothers were thrilled with the Polaroid pictures. Some even came back for seconds and one little baby was passed around so that the women could have a picture with it. On Tuesday, Brian came to help with VBS and did a great job with "Simon says" and made everyone laugh.
   The two days at El Retiro gave us all a deeper appreciation for how the love of Christ shines through in all situations and with all kinds of people. These villagers had no means of transportation but walking, and their homes were spread out along a mountain road. It was an honor for us to be there with them in the name of Christ, and it is safe to say that we changed more from the encounters that they did. Vaya con Dios, El Retiro.
   Wednesday we had VBS at Trinidad and it was hot at three in the afternoon. Many of the children were not able to come because they were in school. The "escula" is not large enough to accommodate all of the children at once, so they go in shifts until after sundown. We had the little ones who were not in school yet. We took their pictures with the Polaroids, painted their faces, made handprints, and sang the "A-la-la" song again. The children were happy to be with us and we were happy to be with them. We were all filled with the love of Christ. Vaya con Dios, Trinidad.
   
Blessed by the Hondurans
    Truly, the Hondurans blessed us in receiving the joy of their acquaintance. Our constant companion was Nelson Gomez from San Pedro Sula. Nelson went with us to Trinidad, to El Retiro, to the beach, wherever we went Nelson went with us, Nelson and his smile. He spoke some English and understood more so that he was Deacon Don's right-hand man and like everyone else did whatever he was asked to do. Nelson comes from a middle-class family, but he chose the more carefree life of a jewelry vendor. We were more than happy to purchase his creations for our loved ones at home. Everyone loved Nelson and he loved all of us.Vaya con Dios, Nelson.
   The Honduran Mission Trip of July 2006 was a genuine blessing. I guess it is always the case that when we work in, with, and for the love of Christ, we will always be blessed in return. I wrote in my journal before the trip began, "What have I done? Pickpockets, thieves, hurricanes, malaria, Montezuma's revenge." What I remember are all the smiling faces, ours and theirs, basking in His Love. I remember the hugs, the handshakes, the kisses, and La Paz (God's Peace).

Vaya con Dios, Episcopalians.

—Lea Kimbrell is a communicant of Trinity, DeRidder.

For more information on International Mission,
contact Tom Dalton at: tomppc@bellsouth.net