We've Arrived!

The 2016 MOQ Honduras Mission Team: L-R: Mark, Carey, Jim, Tom, Allen, John, Charlene, Michael, Russ, Rick, and Colin. Photo taken in front of Mary Our Queen Catholic Church, Saturday July 9, 2016, prior to step-off.

Our day began at our home church in Norcross, Georgia – a few hours later we landed in Tegucigalpa. The roller coaster decent into the capital of Honduras was a thrill. Upon arrival, Brother Diego, a friar clad in the traditional “Jedi-esc” apparel of the Franciscan Order, warmly greeted us. We were also pleasantly greeted and blessed by good weather – an uncharacteristic cool, overcast day in the 70’s. Somehow all of us managed to pack into two vehicles – along with ten large suitcases full of donated goods - and departed for our road trip to the San Serafin Mission Home in Comayagua, Honduras.

Despite the cram, and the fear of bottoming out, the drive to Comayagua was rather pleasant. The lush green Honduran countryside provided us many scenic views as well as a quick, passerby glance of the impoverished state of the country. The road was crowded with old Toyota pickups, motorcycles, stray dogs, and multiple school busses - including one inscribed with “DeKalb County School System.” With Tom and Mark driving, and Brother Diego navigating, we safely managed the windy highway through the Honduran hillside and reached our destination in just under two hours. 

Unpacking and reorganizing donated clothes, medicine, vitamins, books, school supplies, etc at the San Serafin home.

We pulled into the secure courtyard of the San Serafin home, and upon unpacking, recited evening prayers and spent an hour before the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel. After Holy Hour, we ate dinner together, then Father Paschel went over the goal for the week: to grow as individuals in our relationship with Christ through our encounters with Him in the poor, in our community with each other, in the sacraments, and in prayer.  Fr Paschel also discussed ground rules for the home, and the rough timeline/schedule for the next few days.

This evening after our taco-nacho delicious dinner, we bunked down our barracks-style rooms as rain pattered on the tin roof.  By the time we settled in for the night, it felt late, and everyone was ready for bed - even though it was only 7:00 PM . Not sure if it was because of the time change (we are two hours behind eastern time zone), the busy day of travel, or because the sun sets around 6:30 PM here in Honduras.