More for Thursday

Ben and Br Pascal playing

Never a dull moment. We had to wait a minute to continue our games with the children as a herd of cows came through

Part of the team with some of the children today

Br Miguel and Dina singing with the children at the end of the day in teh aldea

Br. Pascal playing

Last night we had a competition and this is one team

Last night we also we given a tour of the Friary

Patrick washing his clothes in the pila

The Friars live completely on providence (people giving them food) so Fr Dye bought the Friars some food and supplies

Today I (Len Savini) had an experience that epytomises this mission trip to Honduras for me. It was on the way from our work project in the barrio Suyapa outside Comayagua. As we are going to lunch, so are the children from school. Here in Honduras the kids don't have a vacation till December. Each day we have seen the kids in their starched white shirts and blue pants or plaid skirts on their way home in twos and threes. They go home to eat, rest a bit in the heat of the day and then return to school.

As we crossed a bridge I noticed a young girl walking alone. She was looking down, obviously in her own thoughts. As we approached, I waved as is our favorite pastime here. She looked up at the approaching vehicle and smiled. Not just her mouth smiled, but her eyes smiled. It was the look of "Hey someone noticed me! Someone cared enough to say Buenos!"

I am sure that four dirty, smelly Gringos with a priest driving a pickup would be a hilarious sight for most anyone, but the look she gave me was that of "Thank you for noticing."

People here may have very little in the way of property, but they do seem to have happiness. It shows in the smiles of everyone we meet, of those that come to the vacation bible school, or those that get a new roof, a dry floor in their house or a new coat of paint on their walls.

We in the States can forget the blessings God has given us when we get caught up in making sure we live in the right subdivision or our children go to the right schools or play on the right teams. Here those things are not even on the map. But they do have a sense of humilty to be thankful for what they have and be gracious and happy at even the smallest gift, even if that gift is only a hello.

That young girl may quickly have forgotten about the crazy gringos in the pickup truck, but I will always remember her smile...the smile in her eyes.

Thanks to all my benefactors for giving me the chance to serve the people her and to have been lucky enough to have had this experience.

Len Savini