Our mission team in Honduras is starting to send back reports. We thought we'd share about some of their travel experiences as well as the start of VBS.

This team is quite special -- it is comprised of listeners and sponsors from six different radio stations in three regions across the country. One trip participant from WMSJ in Maine wrote this:

After a very long night and day of travel, a beautiful flight, and what is called the second scariest landing in the world, we’ve arrived in Honduras.  The pictures you see of the houses and mountains above are from the plane during landing.  The houses were so close you could see the people inside.  This was the first time I ever heard cheering after a landing. 

It was also the first time I refused to look out of the window when we were landing.  Would you want to see the narrow path between two mountains before you suddenly dropped onto the runway, thinking the entire time that you were about to land on someone’s house?

The amazing thing about being on the ground in Honduras is knowing that God is about to intersect our lives and your generosity with the children here at the Mission of Mercy project. 

After getting through customs and getting settled in at our lodging, we spent the evening going over final preparations for tomorrow’s VBS. 

The best part of the planning was not just seeing the table overflowing with the gifts you so generously donated for the children, the toothbrushes, crayons, school supplies, toys, and books and crafts that will teach them about Christ – but the smiles on the faces of all on the team, who’ve gone an entire day without sleep, but are still overjoyed at the thought of what tomorrow will bring.

Patricia, who joined other listeners from Wisconsin on this trip, wrote about the first day of VBS, and of meeting her sponsored child, Madelyn:

Today, we went to the project and did a VBS with a group of kids 4-8 and then one for kids 9-12. It was great playing with the kids. I, being a people watcher like my dad, noticed how much these kids were just like my boys and the kids I see at church.

At my church in Gillett there was a VBS last month and one of the activities was telling the kids that Jesus loves them...like by saying "Jesus loves Ashley." Ruth, the director of the VBS, told about how touched the kids were to hear those words. We did a similar thing here....saying "Jesus cares for Rachel" and so on. The kids here reacted the same way with smiles. Those words really meant a lot to hear those powerful words....Jesus loves the little children. <3
 
I also met my little girl, Madelyn, today. sweet shy little girl....I knew her as soon as I saw her. I walked up to her and a translator told her who I was and she wrapped her arms around me. My heart melted. It was beautiful.
When it was time for her to leave, it felt the same as when I have to drop my own children off. How could I feel so connected after just one day? It was a blessing. I hope to see her again this week but  look forward to writing.  

Please keep the team in prayer as they continue to minister to children in Choluteca and Honduras' capital, Tegucigalpa. No doubt the jet lag is hitting, and there is much more to do! Join us in praying for sustained strength and health!