Our trip got off to a rough start. The bus never came to take us to the airport so some of our loving parents took us to Chicago. We got to the airport to find out Jenna didn't have a ticket and we had to pay for our 2nd bag. After all that we got on the plane and it was smoothish sailing from there.
We got to San Pedro and it was burning hot! When we got to camp it was a lot cooler. The camp is on a hill and going up and down the hill is a good workout.
On 7/2/08 we set up for camp only to find out that night that the first camp was not going to happen due to that fact that only 10 people signed up. So we had 4 days with nothing to do.
7/3/08 we went to repel down a water fall that was 150 feet high (I think). To get to the top of the waterfall we had to hike uphill. While Kike and Dave set up we got to go on a tour of a coffee farm. We all went down the waterfall only to find out the hardest part was to get back to the top. We had to step on a tree and climb on a rock then climb up a narrow part and then pull ourselves up by our arms. It was not easy at all.
7/4/08 was one of the best days of my life. We got to go to an orphanage and make bracelets, necklaces and play games with the kids. They were sooo nice and humble. We went there to give them bracelets and they would just give them back to us. They did this even though we have a lot and they have nothing, not even a mom or dad.
7/5/08 The people that didn't have time to go down the waterfall got to go down and the rest of us got ready for the camp. That night we went to a soccer game of Kike's favorite team-Olympia. It was fun to watch such a wonderful team play.
7/6/08 This day we got up and went to church. It was fun to watch a sermon in Spanish and the one pastor was good at English and offered to translate for us. After church we attempted to pack and do laundry before our trip to Tela.
7/7/08 We got up and went swimming in the ocean then we went on the tour boat. We went on a beautiful hike and swam though a cave. We ate lunch at this island with huts and ate fish that had teeth. On the why back it was crazy bumpy on the boat.
7/8/08 We just kind of hung out at the beach and pool and the shops. We went back to camp at 4 pm.
7/9/08 We got the ready for the campers to come. Later in the day they came.
When the campers got there we had free time to get to know them. We went to our cabins to meet our teams and we made a flag, a cheer and played a question game.
7/10/08 -7/13/08 At camp we did different sections. The different sections were high ropes, 2 low ropes stations, archery, team games, arts/crafts and I think that’s it. In the morning we would do fun activities like a photo scavenger hunt and we had free time at night.
7/14/08 was the last day of camp. Pobresita- oh dear get ready to get wet and dirty. It was sooo much fun playing with water balloons and in the mud but it was sad when all the campers had to leave.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
a few pics
Getting ready for camp.
Playing some games at the children's home.
Hiking near Tela through the rain forest.
Amelia trying to adopt a sister.
camp day 3
Good afternoon to everyone back home. Thank you for all your prayers and comments. We are about half way through the camp right now and the ten cabins/teams are spread out around the campground doing a variety of activities so I have a rare moment of call to write an update. Your students are doing an amazing job of jumping right in and getting to know the other campers. There are about 50-60 people at camp and most of our students are the only person from the States in their group. Everyone is healthy and seems to be in good spirits. We are thankful to be here doing what we are doing and have learned the lesson that we should never assume we know what the next day has in store.
Please continue to pray for us and for the Honduran students. The theme of the camp is ‘Be Different’ and each day we are talking about and trying to experience how our lives can be changed as we follow Christ. My time is almost up before I need to prompt the next teams to their activities. So hola from all of us until the next post.
Jon
Please continue to pray for us and for the Honduran students. The theme of the camp is ‘Be Different’ and each day we are talking about and trying to experience how our lives can be changed as we follow Christ. My time is almost up before I need to prompt the next teams to their activities. So hola from all of us until the next post.
Jon
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Camp day 2
This morning the campers were prodded out of bed at 5:30 to enjoy the sunrise and a time of worship around the campfire. It was a beautiful way to start the day although time for a nap later would have been nice. Then after breakfast and devotionals the cabins headed off to activity time. Over the past couple of years the camp here as been able to invest in both high rope and low rope challenges. They have both proven to be excellent hands on ways to experience trust, faith and teamwork.
Each day here the students spend about 4-5 hours rotating between high ropes, low ropes, rappelling, archery, crafts or games. And then in the afternoon it is free time and at least for today was an all out soccer (football) game of Gringos vs the Hondurans. The Gringos pulled off a surprise victory but it is up for debate as we had a couple extra players.
The reason for our team being here is twofold. One to build relationships among the campers and two is to aid in the process of the Honduran leadership running these camps. It is exciting to see both coming together. Together we hope and pray that Christ if glorified as we work side by side.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Camp Day 1
It is the end of the first day of camp and there is much to be thankful for. After we had to cancel the first camp our team is learning not to take our expected schedule for granted. Although we had some amazing opportunities because of the unexpected free time we were very ready for camp to begin.
This afternoon the campers arrived starting at 1 pm and over the next couple hours the cabins got to know each other through a variety of team building activities. The first couple hours are always awkward as our students and the Honduran students begin to mix but if the past is any prediction of the future they will be close friends by the end of camp.
Tonight we had our first session and the speaker for the week introduced the theme ‘Be Different’ as he encouraged the students to live lives that are transformed as they follow Christ. We also brought back the bus song and rover game which are past favorites and something we really should think about doing on a Sunday morning at Blackhawk.
It has been a good day and tomorrow early start so from the team here we sign off: Good night and thanks for your prayers.
This afternoon the campers arrived starting at 1 pm and over the next couple hours the cabins got to know each other through a variety of team building activities. The first couple hours are always awkward as our students and the Honduran students begin to mix but if the past is any prediction of the future they will be close friends by the end of camp.
Tonight we had our first session and the speaker for the week introduced the theme ‘Be Different’ as he encouraged the students to live lives that are transformed as they follow Christ. We also brought back the bus song and rover game which are past favorites and something we really should think about doing on a Sunday morning at Blackhawk.
It has been a good day and tomorrow early start so from the team here we sign off: Good night and thanks for your prayers.
update from mary
since we last wrote, our group has had many adventures. sunday morning, we had the opportunity to visit kike's (our honduran camp director) church. because there were so many foreigners in the service, one of the pastors offered to translate. it was pretty excellent to join hondurans singing worship songs in spanish. we recognized a couple, but we got to learn a few more too.
that afternoon, we did laundry (as much as we could in the morning before the rain - it rains nearly every afternoon here) and then took off for the beach in tela. the ride was about 3.5 hours and we made a quick pit stop at the megaplaza an hour outside of tela. this mall easily beats our dinky little west towne and east towne malls. it didn't fit any of the rest of what we've seen in honduras, so we were a little culture-shocked.
anyway, we made it in to tela that night, ran out to the beach to play in the sand a bit and headed to bed. our hotel was right on the ocean, so we fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean waves crashing on the shore that night. incredible.
the next morning, we experienced honduran time when out boat ride to punta sol was over an hour late (which stinks when you tell everyone to get up really early and then you all just sit around. oh well). the boat ride out was only a little bumpy, and our destination was worth it. we stopped at a national park and were guided through a rainforest area - we saw tons of big blue crabs and little crabs, big 'ol spiders, and a couple of snakes. we climbed to the top of a tall point and saw a whole family of monkeys swinging through the trees and calling out to us. zoos really have nothing on national rainforest parks.
after that, we swam through an open air tunnel under a rock off the shore, swam into a cave and learned about mayan myths, and then sped off in our boat for lunch on a little piece of land where the natives live in simple huts. the meal there was the best one yet. we spent the afternoon swimming until the boat guys called us back (if you leave too late from the shore, it can be a beast to get back). as it was, it was a much bumpier ride on the return, but most of us did just fine (except for jon & our friend dave who had to sit up front - i think they're still having a hard time sitting down). it was actually kind of like taking a roller coaster back. really fun. that night, we ate steaks and scallops and shrimp. delicious. we all went to bed pretty early that night because we got so worn during the day.
the next morning, we had breakfast, went swimming, had lunch, went swimming, yep, it was a pretty excellent way to relax before camp begins today.
thanks for praying for us and passing on all your comments! they're an encouragement to us :) we'll post pictures of our adventures this past weekend sometime tonight.
that afternoon, we did laundry (as much as we could in the morning before the rain - it rains nearly every afternoon here) and then took off for the beach in tela. the ride was about 3.5 hours and we made a quick pit stop at the megaplaza an hour outside of tela. this mall easily beats our dinky little west towne and east towne malls. it didn't fit any of the rest of what we've seen in honduras, so we were a little culture-shocked.
anyway, we made it in to tela that night, ran out to the beach to play in the sand a bit and headed to bed. our hotel was right on the ocean, so we fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean waves crashing on the shore that night. incredible.
the next morning, we experienced honduran time when out boat ride to punta sol was over an hour late (which stinks when you tell everyone to get up really early and then you all just sit around. oh well). the boat ride out was only a little bumpy, and our destination was worth it. we stopped at a national park and were guided through a rainforest area - we saw tons of big blue crabs and little crabs, big 'ol spiders, and a couple of snakes. we climbed to the top of a tall point and saw a whole family of monkeys swinging through the trees and calling out to us. zoos really have nothing on national rainforest parks.
after that, we swam through an open air tunnel under a rock off the shore, swam into a cave and learned about mayan myths, and then sped off in our boat for lunch on a little piece of land where the natives live in simple huts. the meal there was the best one yet. we spent the afternoon swimming until the boat guys called us back (if you leave too late from the shore, it can be a beast to get back). as it was, it was a much bumpier ride on the return, but most of us did just fine (except for jon & our friend dave who had to sit up front - i think they're still having a hard time sitting down). it was actually kind of like taking a roller coaster back. really fun. that night, we ate steaks and scallops and shrimp. delicious. we all went to bed pretty early that night because we got so worn during the day.
the next morning, we had breakfast, went swimming, had lunch, went swimming, yep, it was a pretty excellent way to relax before camp begins today.
thanks for praying for us and passing on all your comments! they're an encouragement to us :) we'll post pictures of our adventures this past weekend sometime tonight.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
note from Mary Grace
Hey guys! We are all still having a great time. Despite the camp cancellation, we did a ton of great activities to make up the time. On the 3rd, we all went to a coffee farm on top of a SUPER tall mountain. Yes, we had to climb up the mountain to get to it. Yes, we took many breaks. After resting for a while, we all put on helmets and harnesses and leaped off a 150 ft. tall waterfall! Hahh, just kidding. We did climb down it, though. It was simply amazing to bounce down these massive, slippery rocks while a waterfall came gushing at you. Scary, but fun (: We all returned with no major injuries, and only a few scrapes.
Then, on the fourth of July, our first sickness came along. Unfortunately, it was mine. I threw up a LOT and had a really bad stomach ache for most of the day. I think I’ll get better soon IF my dog’s name is Ollie…
The rest of the fourth was spent at an orphanage a few minutes away from camp. The kid’s there were all from ages 1-16, and they were all adorable! We helped them with crafts, gave them some craft supplies to keep, and played lots of games with them. It was really an eye-opening experience for all of us. It was simply amazing to see these kids make crafts and then be super eager to give them away to someone on the team. The kids & the experience were just super awesome. And to top off the day, we watched Indiana Jones and set off fireworks back at camp. We also sang the star spangled banner to the beat of ‘We Will Rock You’, but you kind of had to be there.
I hope all you guys are doing well back at the homestead. I love all you guys times a bajillion and really miss you all!
Then, on the fourth of July, our first sickness came along. Unfortunately, it was mine. I threw up a LOT and had a really bad stomach ache for most of the day. I think I’ll get better soon IF my dog’s name is Ollie…
The rest of the fourth was spent at an orphanage a few minutes away from camp. The kid’s there were all from ages 1-16, and they were all adorable! We helped them with crafts, gave them some craft supplies to keep, and played lots of games with them. It was really an eye-opening experience for all of us. It was simply amazing to see these kids make crafts and then be super eager to give them away to someone on the team. The kids & the experience were just super awesome. And to top off the day, we watched Indiana Jones and set off fireworks back at camp. We also sang the star spangled banner to the beat of ‘We Will Rock You’, but you kind of had to be there.
I hope all you guys are doing well back at the homestead. I love all you guys times a bajillion and really miss you all!
Friday, July 4, 2008
these pictures are worth a thousand words
hi all! just a quick post today with many pictures. there are lots of half-written blogs that we'll finish tomorrow and post then. so until the big write-up, enjoy the photos :)
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
student notes and a couple pictures so far
I love you!!
- Andrea
- Andrea
I love you bunches and miss you a lot!!
-megan J
Hey howdyyy (:
We are having a pretty awesome time here. Yes, tess, you are jealous.
Despite many issues with the schedule and such, we are being flexible and managing to have a pretty cool time meeting new people, including a team from California.
Love you all and take care of OLLIE for us!
<333,>
day two
Well, another day is in the books. Our day started with a gorgeous morning. I think that spending a devotional time while looking out at mountains is something we could all get used to. We spent most of the day getting ready for the first camp: organizing craft supplies, inflating all those balls we brought, and hammering out rules and procedures for many games. The kids were AWESOME, totally ready to do whatever was needed to make the camp fun and welcoming. The main building here is now covered in creative signs and posters. We were feeling good and ready to meet the Honduran kids tomorrow and then…it was time to learn about flexibility.
Later in the afternoon we learned that as of today there were only 10 kids signed up for the first camp. Not exactly what anyone here or on our team was expecting. The leaders met and prayed and weighed our options. After much discussion it was decided to cancel the first camp and fold those kids into the second camp. It sounds as if most, perhaps all, of those kids will be able to come next week and we’re thankful for that. However, that leaves us with about 4 days to fill. We’re still in the process of figuring out what the next few days hold for us, but we’re looking at some team building opportunities and service opportunities around Siguatepeque. Please pray for flexibility, patience, open doors and that we would be able to see God work in amazing and truly unexpected ways through this more unpredictable time.
This evening we met many of the Honduran leaders who will be with us next week. We played some great games, including a fun and confusing icebreaker called “Streetfighter” that the team of people from California (also staying at the camp right now) taught us. I’d guess you’ll be hearing/seeing this one when we get home. It was exciting to meet more of the team. I think it got us all excited for what is coming up.
It’s time to wrap it up for now—almost bedtime. Good night from Campamento Cerro de Luz! And a shout out to Mike D.—cuz he wants one here apparently. ;-)
~Abby J
Later in the afternoon we learned that as of today there were only 10 kids signed up for the first camp. Not exactly what anyone here or on our team was expecting. The leaders met and prayed and weighed our options. After much discussion it was decided to cancel the first camp and fold those kids into the second camp. It sounds as if most, perhaps all, of those kids will be able to come next week and we’re thankful for that. However, that leaves us with about 4 days to fill. We’re still in the process of figuring out what the next few days hold for us, but we’re looking at some team building opportunities and service opportunities around Siguatepeque. Please pray for flexibility, patience, open doors and that we would be able to see God work in amazing and truly unexpected ways through this more unpredictable time.
This evening we met many of the Honduran leaders who will be with us next week. We played some great games, including a fun and confusing icebreaker called “Streetfighter” that the team of people from California (also staying at the camp right now) taught us. I’d guess you’ll be hearing/seeing this one when we get home. It was exciting to meet more of the team. I think it got us all excited for what is coming up.
It’s time to wrap it up for now—almost bedtime. Good night from Campamento Cerro de Luz! And a shout out to Mike D.—cuz he wants one here apparently. ;-)
~Abby J
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
day one
It's the end of Day One, and I still can't believe how much we've packed in to such a short period. From our eventful drive down to Chicago to a few other mishaps with flights on the way down (we'll explain later), we finally made it to San Pedro Sula as scheduled. Though the heat was nearly unbearable, we were glad to find Siguatepeque quite cool. It's been raining here a lot lately and we were even treated to a small thunderstorm this afternoon. Most of the time since arriving at Cerro de Luz has been spent taking cat naps whenever and wherever possible. After dinner tonight, the students had some free time to explore the camp, while the leaders went through details of the camp schedule.
Tomorrow we'll begin a full day of preparations for the actual camp which begins on Thursday morning. We'll do some run-through games to figure out what works best here, what's easiest to be explained ("does it translate well?"), and get arts & crafts ready. It'll be a good day to regroup after an eventful day today.
Anyhow, all are well. We appreciate your prayers for us and hope to get some pictures up soon!
Tomorrow we'll begin a full day of preparations for the actual camp which begins on Thursday morning. We'll do some run-through games to figure out what works best here, what's easiest to be explained ("does it translate well?"), and get arts & crafts ready. It'll be a good day to regroup after an eventful day today.
Anyhow, all are well. We appreciate your prayers for us and hope to get some pictures up soon!
All-Star Parents
Since the bus company got their AMs and PMs messed up, we had some All-Star Parents step up and serve the MS Honduras Team in the wee hours on July 1st.
Woohoo for the following 5 vans that drove down to Chicago by 3:45 am to get the team to its flight and then return at 6:00 am this morning!
Karlene & Tim,
Brian & Katelynn
Dan & Heather
Bob
Kevin
You all are awesome!! The rest of the parents thank you so much, as I'm sure the kids and leaders appreciated how you all jumped in at the last minute to make sure the trip took off successfully. Thanks for serving in this way!
Honduras Team 2008
This is the team at Blackhawk just before leaving. The bus that was suppose to pick them up and take them to O'hare didn't show up. They finally left in vans with parents at about 1:30am.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Itinerary
Here's a map of Honduras, so you know where the team is heading...
Here is an overview of the Middle School Honduras trip.
Monday, June 30
6 pm, Prayer in the Underground; packing party
Midnight, Depart for Chicago
Tuesday, July 1
5:45 am, Depart Chicago for San Pedro Sula
Arrive in Honduras and drive to Siguatepequa; prepare for camp
Wednesday, July 2 - Sunday, July 6
Open Camp 1, ages 12-15 in Siguatepequa
Monday, July 7 - Tuesday, July 8
Visit the beach in Copan
Wednesday, July 9 to Sunday, July 13
Open Camp 2, ages 15-17 in Siguatepequa
Monday, July 14
Drive from Siguatepequa to San Pedro Sula; fly back to Chicago
Return to Madison very late
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
Sunday, September 14 at 12:15 pm
Join us for lunch to look at pictures and hear stories from three Blackhawk short-term summer trips, including the Middle School Honduras trip!
Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction
On Tuesday, June 3rd the Honduras team hosted a Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction to raise funds for their trip to Honduras (along with the high school students going to Romania this summer). The students did a great job welcoming guests, serving food, and sharing about their upcoming trip. Here are some pictures from the night.
The team shared a few prayer requests for the trip:
1) Pray that our team and the Christ followers we serve within Honduras would experience Christ-centered unity
2) Pray that our team would serve joyfully and joyfully be served
3) Pray that our experience would truly be a partnership of equal give and take; and that through our time there, Christ would be glorified
Spaghetti Dinner -- Sold Out!!
Emily with some spaghetti sauce in her hand, ready to deliver it to a table of hungry guests
The team on stage as Jon gives an overview of the trip
The team shared a few prayer requests for the trip:
1) Pray that our team and the Christ followers we serve within Honduras would experience Christ-centered unity
2) Pray that our team would serve joyfully and joyfully be served
3) Pray that our experience would truly be a partnership of equal give and take; and that through our time there, Christ would be glorified
Monday, May 19, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Hey everyonee! :]
im writing just to say how totally psyched i am to be going on this trip.
its the chance of a lifetime, and im so thankful to be a part of it.
i just wanted to encourage everyone to pray for our team as we go through
getting to know each other and planning awesome wonderful trip.
that would be amazing if you could do that for us.
thanks to everybody whos been so generous in supporting our team.
we <3 you!!
-Emma
im writing just to say how totally psyched i am to be going on this trip.
its the chance of a lifetime, and im so thankful to be a part of it.
i just wanted to encourage everyone to pray for our team as we go through
getting to know each other and planning awesome wonderful trip.
that would be amazing if you could do that for us.
thanks to everybody whos been so generous in supporting our team.
we <3 you!!
-Emma
Hi guys!
I am so excited to be a part of this team. Please pray for us as we prepare to go to Honduras, as we fundraise, and as we work out logistics. I know God will work in incredible ways throughout this trip and will continue to remind us of the things we learn there even when we come back to the U.S. Our team is amazing and it is fun getting to know more and more about my fellow team members during our meetings!
~Emily
I am so excited to be a part of this team. Please pray for us as we prepare to go to Honduras, as we fundraise, and as we work out logistics. I know God will work in incredible ways throughout this trip and will continue to remind us of the things we learn there even when we come back to the U.S. Our team is amazing and it is fun getting to know more and more about my fellow team members during our meetings!
~Emily
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Honduras
hey every one we just had our second meeting for honduras and we are coming closer as a team. we all hope you pray for us as we go on this awesome trip to Hunduras please pray!!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
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