Day Six

Thursday 7/16/09
And the King will tell them, “I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me (Matt 25:40 NLT)
Wow! What a day at the village, where we gratefully did not work in the physical labor sense, but had a celebratory fiesta with our newly found friends. After arriving there in the morning, we were able to examine the local church building and found it to be a beautiful, but somewhat worn structure with a seating capacity of about 160. Several internal artifacts, including a skull and ancient processional drum, were proudly displayed for us.
We then decorated the school yard with a piñata and other hangings from the large yard tree for the fiesta. The children gathered and sang the Honduran national anthem and we responded with our national anthem. This was followed by speeches from Mayor Filipe, our Leader Nancy and the local teacher. The children divided into five groups and proceeded to break five piñatas in a way that brought laughter to everyone. Did they ever scramble after the candy and other goodies stuffed into those piñatas. Then the real Honduran music began with an accordion player and a guitarist (who happened to have worked with one of our teams on the previous day as we filled in the “trench to China”) who played for the next hour as villagers and members of our team danced local dances on the bare earth under the “old schoolyard tree.” Team member Matthew reluctantly agreed to dance with HOI Team Leader Martha (his first dance ever) and came away enjoying the experience. Afterward, several village workers placed a handmade cross around the neck of each of our team members and many chose to hug us, which was probably against custom, but indicative of the relationships that had been created.
We then left the schoolyard to go to the soccer field and witness the final game of the girl’s part of the tournament, which was won by San Bonaventura! You haven’t seen happiness until you have seen people cheer like those girls and their village supporters did. Tearful farewells were exchanged as we boarded our vehicles for departure.
After returning to the ranch and having supper, we worshipped at the chapel (in Spanish with Martha interpreting) with songs, prayer and a sermon. Pastor Norm wrapped things up with a closing hymn (Amazing Grace) and prayer. The ranch then presented us with a memento of appreciation for our contributions.
The hand of God was very evident in work done, relationships established (both within our team and with the villagers) and the figurative and literal building of His Kingdom. We all have been changed by this week in ways we had not imagined and we shall remember it forever.
As noted previously, we still experience God’s presence in surprising ways and know that will continue. Tomorrow brings an early departure (4:30 AM) for Tegucigalpa.