Mary Ellen, Jim, Kathleen and Joe

Dear Friends and Benefactors,

On the last day of our trip to Honduras we celebrated our successful work with a day at the beach.

The view from the porch of the beachhouse

It was a wonderful day of fellowship with each other and finally a chance to catch our breath before we returned home to the States.

Deacon Bill relaxing at the beach

A large crowd of people left Casa Guadalupe at 4:00 am (!) to make the drive across the country to the Caribbean coast: all the missionaries, the Friars and a bus load of neighborhood Hondurans who either work with or are helped by the Friars.

A view of the beach

The Mission Team with the Friars

The water was gorgeous, clear and warm as a pleasant bath. As I was swimming around, I found myself playing with a group of young teenage girls who live in a home called Casa Milagro. (Miracle House). This home was established by the Friars as a safe haven for up to 8 girls who come from abusive environments.

One of the girls from Casa Milagro

A house mother lives there with the girls and they are raised in a secure Catholic home. When they finish school, the Friars even work with other Catholic organizations in Honduras to provide them the opportunity to go to University. It is truly a miracle from God for these girls who have been abused in all possible manner to wind up with a very bright future.

Br. Daniel, Kate, Kathleen and Tom enjoying lunch

While I was in the water, one girl in particular wrapped herself around me because she couldn’t swim and she was laughing and playing with the other girls. She was about 12 or 13 years old and big enough that I couldn’t manage swimming with her arms around my neck. So I turned her over on her back and let her lie in the warm, salty sea.

Paul and Tom playing with Jesus (one of the boys from the house they painted)

Immediately, her body relaxed as her ears lowered beneath the surface of the water. For ten minutes or more, I held her in the water as she floated and I could only stare at the serenity in her face and think about all the horrors this child has seen in her young life.

Tom with one of the girls from Casa Milagro

What a contrast with the security and peace she must have been feeling in that water! The sounds and sights of the world were blocked out by her closed eyes and the water over her ears. I hope she felt the presence of Jesus as much as I did.

This made me think that all we are really trying to do when we travel to Honduras is to bring the presence of Jesus to these children. Me and the girl in the water seemed a metaphor for the purpose of our mission: to provide a bit of fun and security to these children but especially to bring hope. The hope of a Christian who can face all things because God is with him. And the knowledge that every Christian has that ultimately good will always overcome evil.

Meghan playing with some of our Honduran friends

Thank you very much, benefactors, for the opportunity to share this hope with the children of Honduras.