Stories from the 2009 Honduras Mission Trip

This past July, Shawn & Missi traveled to Honduras on a mission that was unlike any trip we had been a participant. Originally we had planned on leaving for Honduras on July 3rd. Much to the world's surprise a coup occurred on June 30th capturing the president of Honduras and taking him to another country. This in turn threw the country of Honduras in to a political upheaval. Riots and uncertainty ran rapid across the country especially in the capital of Tegucigalpa. We delayed our trip for 3 weeks and finally arrived in Honduras safely.  Our goal this trip was to travel to all the villages that we had worked in and visit our family and friends. Due to the political unrest we did have to rearrange our travel plans while in the country. But we played it safe and delayed some travel within the country until it was safe. Each week I would like to give a small view of our travels to you in the Visitor. This July was a wonderful venture for us in all ways. We were excited to make it to Honduras safely and share God's love with our brothers and sisters in Honduras. 

Missi and Shawn Findley

Click for Stories about: Medical Needs, Las Oloas, El Porvinier, La Ceiba, Las Delicias, El Modelo and El Obrahito.

An Ongoing Need for Medical Support 

Each year Shawn and I travel back to the first village we worked in Honduras. During these visits we buy food in one of the local markets in La Entrada, Honduras. We then trek up the mountain for our hour long drive to deliver the food to the entire village. Each year the villagers are aware that we will return and are eager to see the items we bring for their families. And each year that we are there - several of the villagers come to me and want me to help either by giving them money so they can seek medical care OR they ask me to diagnose, treat their ailments, give them medicine, or just to listen about their health issues. 

  My hope is to be able to take a medical team to El Porvinier each year. I have several contacts in Honduras that will help me with this mission. But I need your help! If you are of the medical profession and feel the calling to travel to Honduras with a medical team now is the time! I would like to begin planning the trip and need to know of any doctors, nurses, dentists, dental assistants, optometrists, or any other medical profession that would like to do a medical mission to El Porvinier in the summer of 2010. Even if you know of someone that is interested that is not a member of our church, please have them get in contact with me.

  This village is in dire need of medical attention. The resources for the villagers are few in comparison to ours. If you feel the calling from God to help these poor Hondurans - you will find this trip to be life changing!   You can contact me either by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or 765-474-0528.

Las Oloas Experience

One of our travels this summer was back to the village of Las Oloas where we began building the church several years ago. Our drive to Las Oloas is always a beautiful drive as we wind up the mountain on the most rugged dirt road. The temperature in Las Oloas is colder than what you would ever think. Looking at the trees along the road reminds me of our western states. The pine trees swaying in the wind and the gentle breeze that whistles through the air. It is a peaceful journey. The view from the mountains is breath taking. It is as if the world only exists at the very point of where you are. 

  As we drive, and drive, and drive, we always ask the same question…are you sure we are on the right road?  Because it seems as if we have been driving for hours!!!  The anticipation is almost more than we can bear! But finally we see familiar houses that belong to the family of Don Tiburcio. At last!!  When we pull on to the road that leads up to Don Tiburcio’s house we are always greeted by Don Tiburcio, Linda – his wife, his grandchildren, and usually one of his five daughters or 2 sons. They hug us so tightly and tell us that they thank God for our journey to Honduras and that we arrived safely at their home – our home! We then walk hand in hand in to my favorite room in the house – the kitchen. There we sit at the kitchen table and immediately are served a delicious cup of Honduran coffee along with a Danish, home made bread, or some sweet that the women have prepared for us. It is so natural to sit in this room – you can feel God’s love and warmth emitting from this gracious family. 

  We usually have the small talk concerning the building of the church and our families. But this year we are con-fronted with news that I did not want to hear was true. DonTiburcio had just arrived a few days before us from Tegucigalpa. He was in the hospital there having tests done on his stomach. The news was not good. We were having dinner now and as we sat around the table. One of his son’s, Tiburcio Jr. was at the home as well as all Don Tiburcio’s daughters. I sat at the end of the table and talked with his daughter Renia. She began crying saying that the news was not good and she as well as her family was extremely worried. We were given the news that there was a tumor in their father’s stomach and he needed to go back to Tegucigalpa for further tests.

  At this point I felt my heart fall in to my stomach. What was running through my mind at this position was that I needed to make sure that the church be completed; Don Tiburcio was to receive the best medical care,  and somehow we were going to make all this happen. As we were leaving before nightfall to go back down the mountain I could see the pain in Linda and Don Tiburcio’s face. They were trying to be brave for us but the emotions were too strong. I know that we were all wondering if this was to be the last time we would see each other. 

  Since returning from Honduras Don Tiburcio has been in the hospital three times. He has since had the tumor removed, was in the hospital for a week after surgery, went home, and then returned a week later due to complications from the surgery. At this point in time he has returned home and is doing as well as is to be expected. He is awaiting the beginning of chemo but is uncertain as funds for the therapy are not possible through his family. 

  His family is keeping a watchful eye over him as well as many of his friends. Don Tiburcio is a very strong spiritual man. I truly believe that he feels the prayers not only from Honduras but in the United States as well. Don Tiburcio is very grateful that God has sent us to help serve him, his family, and his country. He cannot say enough words to show his appreciation of how dear our church is to him. He has told me many times that he wishes some day he will be able to meet the many brothers and sisters that have made a point to help in his quest for a better spiritual life in Honduras.  He is ever so grateful for the support that we have given him. 

El Porvinier, Honduras

Since our original visit to their village in 2003 we have made the journey up the mountain each year to not only visit with our friends and family but to also help their village in many ways.

We traveled to this poor village to help rebuild 55 homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Mitch that devastated the country. Upon our entrance to the village we were greeted by over 300 children yelling, “The Gringos are here, the Gringos are here!” This village was by far the poorest and dirtiest village that we had seen. But over looking all this we were able to make friendships with these villagers and learn more from them than what we would ever be able to give back in return. 

One of our fundraisers for Honduras enables me to go to a local market in the small village of La Entrada, Copán. The owner of the market has gotten to know me so when she sees me entering the market she meets me with a huge smile and open arms. It is interesting to buy products in this market as people are coming and going shouting what they want, dogs running through the doors, vendors delivering their products, children standing in the entry eating papayas, staring at me, and trying to see what I am buying, and street vendors tugging at me wanting me to buy “their” baked goods or whatever they may be selling. The noise in this market is sometimes more than you can bear! After I purchase the staples to take to El Porvinier I wander down the cobble stoned street to a woman that has a stand where she sells black beans and red beans. We take our plastic bags and help her fill 60 one pound bags of black beans.

We have done this for many years now and have a system of distributing the food. The names of all the families in El Porvinier are kept by our dearest friend - Alba. After visiting with our friends and family we go to the school to prepare to distribute the food. One member of each family is allowed to come to the school and as their name is called off we hand them their staples of food. They are ever so grateful for the food that we give. Some have tears in their eyes, some give us hugs, and some tell us in Spanish how much they appreciate the fact that we have not forgotten them! You can see it in their eyes – they are forever grateful that each year we come to see them. They know and understand that God has put us in their lives for a reason. 

Over the years it is wonderful to see how this tiny village that relocated with only 55 homes has now grown to over 70! The school itself has tripled in size! There is now a school building that only houses the kindergarten children, the original school building that now has 3 classrooms that serve grades 1-6, and a brand new school that serves grades 9-12. Parents from surrounding villages bring their children to El Porvinier for the educational opportunities.

This village has made progress in the last few years to better the lifestyle of their community. There are still many things that need to be enhanced for El Porvinier. The water system is extremely poor, medical care is non-existent, fertile ground to grow crops is hard to find, the roads are poorly constructed, and electricity has not been brought as far up the mountain. These are just a few items that would help enhance the living in El Porvinier.

One of the hardest decisions that I have ever had to make was when Shawn and I cancelled our trip for the first of July due to the political unrest in Honduras. All I could think about was how the people of El Porvinier would be saddened if we did not come back to their village this year. So I knew that with the grace of God, He would permit us to safely make our journey to El Porvinier and carry out our promise.           

The Journey to La Ceiba, Atlantida, Honduras

  The Caribbean coast along Honduras is a site that you would not believe was situated in a third world country. The coast is very lush and full of vibrant green jungles that line the roadways and is seen as far as one can see. Traveling through this area of the country one would never believe that it is a country so full of hunger, poverty, and political unrest. 

  La Ceiba is known for being a port city on the northern coast of the southern edge of the Caribbean Sea, forming part of the south eastern boundary of the Gulf of Honduras. La Ceiba has a population of 170,000 living in approximately 170 residential areas (called colonias or barrios). The city is the 3rd largest and Capital of the Honduran department of Atlantida. The major income in La Ceiba arrives from commerce and agriculture. Pineapple is the cities major export. 

  As we traveled along the road to La Ceiba memories of our first journey to Honduras were coming back. We had not been to La Ceiba but only once so we were hoping that many things had not changed. Our destination was to find Eleanor Cooper – our host so many years ago. Milton, our translator and Rigo, our driver were doubting our directions and ability to find the compound. Just as we were discussing what to do if we could not find her – I yelled, “Turn here!” The old rickety sign of Mision  Cruzada Del Evangelio De Honduras hung on a rusty white pole high in the air. The dirt road had not changed much; possibly just more trash strewn along the edges. Shawn and I were both so excited that we made it! We could hardly contain ourselves until we were able to pull in to the compound. Seeing Eleanor's house reminded me of many memories of why I fell in love with Honduras. 

  Shawn and I walked up the stairs to Eleanor's and knocked on the door. I was so surprised  and overjoyed to finally see Eleanor's face! She had not changed in eight years!! We sat for a little while reminiscing and discussing the current political situation in Honduras. Then the moment came that brought us back to La Ceiba. We walked down the stairs and onto the lawn where we saw the building that we began building so

many years ago. Eleanor's vision was to build a center for battered women but due to changes that were out of her control the building now houses men that are entering rehab. 

  When we left Honduras the first time Eleanor had told us to not worry because we were not able to finish the building. She had repeated over and over that God's will will carry her through and some day she will be able to complete her mission for the people of Honduras.  Many new buildings are being constructed on her compound in order to better the people in her area. 

  Many new projects have surfaced in La Ceiba since Hurricane Mitch. One project that has stayed consistent is the feeding of the children in the city dump. Eleanor's organization continues to go twice a week to feed the children in the school that is located in the dump.  Many of the families that were drawn to the dump after the hurricane have continued to live in the same location. They built their homes from pieces of rubbish discarded within the dump. Our views of what a dump consists of is not what lies within the boundaries of the La Ceiba dump. Within the boundaries lie people who do not have the resources or opportunities to have a life that is something to be proud of. But they do have educational opportunities, food in their stomachs, and a roof over their heads. Sometimes the things in life are not always measured by how much money you have, or how big your house is, or even with how many friends you have -  but how you live with what you do not have.

San Marcos de Colon - Village of Las Delicias, Honduras

   Traveling through Honduras this summer was quite an adventure. As you all know we had to delay our trip due to the political unrest that occurred in Honduras on June 29th. Listening to the villagers as we arrived in their village was clear that the majority of the Honduran people were not in favor of President Zelaya (he was taken out of office as President and banned from the country). Mel-as most of the Hondurans called him, was not a well liked President. He claimed that he was in favor of the poor people but it was clear that he was taking advantage of the poorest villages. His people would travel to villages throughout Honduras and bribe people to come to Tegucigalpa and protest against the current President Mitchelletti. Most of the villagers were not interested in his offers so as we sat in our homes in the states and listened to the media, they spoke of protests occurring and major destruction. The truth is that many of the protesters were young children and teens that received money or food for their efforts.. 

Our flight to Tegucigalpa was unusual as our plane was not even half full. It gave me a rather strange feeling as any other time the plane is completely full. Departing from the plane in to the airport was rather eerie. As we approached customs thoughts went through my mind as to what was the officer thinking about two Americans coming into his country. While we were waiting in line it was very clear that on our flight were two military personnel that had come to Honduras on a mission. Not a mission like the ones we are accustomed to but a mission to help the police personnel in Honduras control the riots. Security was not as tight as I had expected. We were able to go through customs without any problems or concerns.    

As we met our friends Marisela, Milton, and Rigo outside the boarding area everything appeared normal. We were able to obtain our vehicle and continue on our mission. Driving through the capitol of Tegucigalpa it was sad to see much graffiti written on buildings, signs, bridges, almost anything that could be sprayed with paint! The entire country of Honduras was under a 6 pm curfew. With this in mind we had to plan our travels early in the mornings so that we would have enough time to travel without any complications.

Several days we were not able to travel as we had planned due to riots in the streets or on the highways. So our trip to the south took a little longer than planned. We started out for Las Delicias towards the end of our trip. The weather in the southern part of Honduras is very pleasant. It is hot but not humid as it is in the northern coast. Evenings are cool but very comfortable. Our travel to the south was calming. It was good to be out of the city and on to the open road where we could enjoy the countryside. In the south there was less graffiti unlike the other parts of the country. San Marcos de Colon is a very lush portion of the country. There are fir trees galore.  The Japanese had a huge part in the architecture of many of the bridges in San Marcos de Colon. 

We met Frisnedo on the main road to Las Delicias. Frisnedo is the principal of the school Jose Trinadad. He was very happy to see us and welcomed us with open arms. The drive to the school brought back many memories of our group riding horses throughout the roads, the kids playing soccer in the cow field, and evening walks down the roads. As we arrived at the school it was good to see many changes were made since we left. The fence around the school was constructed, the entire school had been painted, and an additional classroom had been built. The reason we had gone to the school in the first place was due to the fact that bandits had broken in to the school. Our group painted the building and built new windows to secure everything inside. Frisnedo told us that a group from the states had offered to give the school computers, but before they would give them to the school they must secure the building even more. So the school took an offering amongst their families and collected enough money to buy glass windows for the classroom where the computers were to be. After the windows were installed they contacted the person in charge of the computers and were surprised to find out that she had no intention of ever supplying the school with computers. It was very disappointing for the administrators of the school as they were excited to have computers for their students and to hopefully have a solar panel to supply the power. 

We were impressed with what the students, families, and administrators had done to the school since we were there 2 years ago. The students were excited to show us the mural they had painted on the side of the school building. It was very clear to see that all the children were happy and excited about their school. When we were with them 2 years ago we supplied enough money for the school to purchase 70 desks. The school had now grown by 40 more students. Most of the children sat 3-4 children per desk. In order to help with what we could we were able to give more money to go towards purchasing more desks.

As poor as most of the families are in Las Delicias they know the importance of having their children receive an education. It was an honor to be the first and only Americans in the village of Las Delicias. We were able to help the village provide a better educational experience for the children of the area and to form a relationship with the administrators of the school. Most of the faces of the children I did not recognize but it didn't matter. The sparkle in their eyes and smiles on their faces showed all the love and sincerity that expelled from their happiness to be in a learning environment. 

El Modelo, Copan, Honduras

The travel to El Modelo is always filled with excitement as we go back to visit with our friends. The first time we visited El Modelo in 2003 was to help build a kindergarten school for the community. This community was well on their way to advancing their village with modern technology. 

The mayor of the municipality and his elected employees study the villages and research what is needed, the cost of the projects, and how the new discoveries will benefit the people. The goal for the municipality is to educate their residents and allow opportunities for growth. For the past 6 years we have returned to El Modelo it is exciting to see new improvements and the excitement from the residents on their new adventure.

This year when we rode up the mountain to El Modelo it was a sunny day and of course very humid. The mountains are very lush with crops and a jungle that exhibits many vibrant colors of flowers. Winding up the road we take in the farm life of many people. Most homes have their laundry hanging out in the hot sun, children playing in the mud filled yards, men riding their horses on the road with their machetes slung over their shoulders, women walking with baskets of food on top of their heads, and many eyes looking at us wondering where we came from and where we are going.

Before we go to the village of El Modelo we always stop at our friends Antonio and Digna. Many years ago I gave Digna a wind chime so that every time she heard the wind blow she could think of me. When we arrive at their home she tells me every year that she knew I was coming because the wind chime would be singing more than usual! Antonio is the eldest child of Marco Algulera. Marco is the founder of El Modelo. All of his sons live in the municipality with one of his sons being the Development Director of the Municipality. Marco Tulio is the third son and is the Development Director. He is an exceptional man who knows every ones wants and needs. He is a very giving man and wants to see his people advance.

As we journeyed on to the school we were surprised to see electrical lines spotting the mountain side. This is a goal that Marco Tulio was most proud of. He anticipates that in one more year there will be lights that light up El Modelo. He as well as the residents are very excited.

The kindergarten school looks absolutely wonderful. When we built the school I also bought several Spanish posters for the children as well as supplies for their school. As you walk inside in the classroom it is very evident to see that the teachers enjoy teaching and the children enjoy learning. The children showcase their work all along the walls. There are 7 desks that seat 6-7 children made out of wood with little wooden chairs tucked under the tables. The tables were purchased by our church as a fundraiser. The inside of the school exhibits all the joy of learning that the children possess. You can tell that it is a very happy place that both the teachers and school children enjoy being involved in.

El Modelo has now been able to purchase the land next to the school to build a medical unit. They have 2 nurses that are there daily and the doctor visits once a week. It was fascinating to know that El Modelo is concerned with the health of all their residents and felt that it was necessary to have medical care available to their residents.

As we stood on the school porch and looked out upon the mountains word has now gotten around that gringos are at the school. Before long we are surrounded by little children, mostly staring and watching our every move. Some of the children it is hard to believe how they have grown. Others it is just unimaginable to believe that they now have children of their own! But time does continue to click on as much as we all want to believe that it needs to stand still! Children do grow up!!

As much as we see the improvements of growth and modern utilities in the village of El Modelo it still makes me wonder how the people afford the costs of these conveniences. The fact is still that most of the people are extremely poor and cannot afford to have the expenses in their homes. But progress is a major goal to improve the lives of El Modelo's residents. Education and progress will soon be a normal part of their lives. But often I have wondered when traveling to Honduras that they, meaning the residents have something that we do not. Their capacity to be able to live with so little is amazing. When you look at some of the families and you see how little they really have we think about how can they survive? They do not have air conditioning, electricity, name brand clothes, paved roads, cars, shoes, computers, TV's,  glass in their windows – I could go on and on. But even though they do not have all these amenities they are extremely happy! How can that be? You have to have all the name brand things in order to be happy, right? They know the true meaning of life. What it means to be happy with what you have and be thankful to God that they have family, little food, a roof over their heads, and each other. To most people in Honduras it doesn't matter how much money you have, how many friends you have, what kind of car you drive, how successful you are in your job. If you believe in God and vow to be one of his followers you are blessed.

Obrajito, San Isidro, Honduras  

Each year as I planned for our upcoming trips to Honduras I would coordinate with the organization CCD, which stood for Christians Commissioned for Development. Their mission in Honduras was to provide to the less fortunate by training villagers in their communities or helping to make their communities more productive. The training might consist of showing the villagers how to raise fish farms, help to build homes, churches, schools, and/or medical facilities, make or repair roads, provide bible school for the children, or to help educate the village in reading, writing, or spiritual teachings. 

Usually around January or February I would learn of the job(s) that our group would be involved with. This year we would be tested in our faith not only in the location of our journey but with the group size. This year was the smallest group that we had taken to Honduras. We were a group of eight! Even though we were a small group we were determined to provide to the village our undivided attention to the task. Our job this year was to test our ability not only physically but mentally. 

We flew in to Tegucigalpa and after a night of rest we began our journey. The drive to Obrajito started with a 1 hour drive from Tegucigalpa on the main roadway and then a 2 hour drive up the mountain. The view from the mountains is always a beautiful sight. The lush trees and valleys are breathtaking. Depending on the driver that we have the trips up the mountains can either be peaceful or adventurous. This year of course was none other than adventurous. One thing you learn about the drivers in Honduras is that they like to drive very fast – and it does not matter whether you are on a main highway or riding up the mountain on a dirt path barely wide enough for one car! Sometimes I think they drive in this manner just to scare the gringos! For at least the first 3 years it worked with me! I usually sat in the back of the vehicle looking out the back window and saying my prayers quietly to myself that we would make it in one piece! 

As we got closer to Obrajito the road got progressively worse. It ended up being huge rock boulders that tested our ability to ride safely in a vehicle. We ended up walking the last ½ mile just to save our heads and bottoms! It was a relief to finally walk on ground – no matter how difficult it was to ride on. 

Our mission this summer of 2005 was to help build a water system for a village that had never had water. The village of Obrajito was not like any other village we had been in. The homes were so far apart from each other. Families generally built their homes in clusters where 2-3 family homes were built. Our home away from home was very quaint and sat at the bottom of a valley.  Below their home sites you would walk through a field, across and down a rock hillside to the stream of water where we would build the water tank. 

When we arrived at this location we found that not one plan had been started as to how this water system was to be built. We discovered that our materials of course had not even been bought! So – now our mission was to begin literally from ground. As the men began strategically planning the water system we were able to get to know our hosts a little better. The children came to stare at us and soon discovered that we were fun to be with. 

We were set back at least 3 days since there were no plans or materials at our work site. When our materials finally came it was once again a struggle for us to get the materials down to the stream. Our mode of transporting the blocks to the stream was nothing more than our hands! 

Obrajito in all ways was a huge struggle for all of our group. This home away from home tested all of us since we were living in a muddy environment with water that only came from the sky (which usually meant when you bathed that the water was murky brown), the sanitary conditions were so bad that 3 of us were sicker than we had ever been, we slept on the floors in a pitch dark room with bats, but in some strange way taught us to survive. We depended on each other for support through the entire trip. All in all as hard as it was to gather all the needed materials the water system was finally completed with 2 water tanks in the stream at the bottom of the hill, water lines were built to most of the homes in the village, an upper water holding tank was completed at the top of the highest point, and a solar powered pump was installed to pump the water up to the top holding tank. 

Shawn and I have only been able to visit Obrajito twice since we were there in 2005. The area of Obrajito is a dangerous location that is not safe for travel. This year when we returned to Honduras we were told again that it was not safe to travel to the village. Against my wishes we did not visit our friends in Obrajito this summer. I am hoping that at some point during my travels to Honduras that I will be able to return to Obrajito and see the water system in full force. We take so many things for granted here in the United States, but it is truly a humbling experience to live as the Hondurans do on a daily basis.