Thanks to Kurt for producing this amazing video of our 2016 Missions Trip. All those interested in the John Carroll School's 2017 Senior Project Missions Trip to Roatan Honduras please contact Mr. Jake Hollin at jhollin@johncarroll.org
God Bless!
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Our final final Goodbye
Well we have come to the end of our time here in Roatan, Honduras!
Our team is exhausted and while we have had a wonderful adventure it is time to say goodbye.
Yesterday, we spent the majority of the day at the beach. We had an amazing time though a few students may have stayed out to long in the equatorial sun and are now paying for it with red backs and arms. We have also had some illness with some type of nasty bug caught by a few but it appears as though everyone is up and ready for our leave this morning. Amy has been amazing Mom/Nurse/Helper to all and we are confident everyone is ok.
The beach was a lot of fun but a good reminder that 'postcard' paradise is always a small picture that is capture of a whole life spent here on the island. Whether it has been jumping off a rather picturesque pier, playing some can jam in the sand, or just enjoying splashing in the translucent waters of the caribbean it was a true blessing to get to share the day with our new friends.
Now we are off to a long day of traveling - we essentially leave the home at 11am (our time here) and our plane departs at 1pm (again Honduras time here). We'll be getting in to Houston, TX at 5:05 (their time) and will have a good 4 hour or so layover there. Our final destination will be BWI airport at 11:57 ready to hug our loved ones and thankful but exhausted after a full trip that hopefully has stretched us, changed us, and opened our eyes to the world around us and the blessings in front of us.
To our administrators - thank you for supporting such an amazing opportunity for the students of the John Carroll School. We are encouraging the students to do the right thing - invest in people, because you have invested in them.
To the teachers and staff at JC School - it is obvious the lessons you have taught your young charges have been well received. Whether you taught many or only one of the students on this trip, you have contributed in many ways to their development. They have practically applied the many lessons you have demonstrated each day - not the problem or the test - but the patience, perseverance, and love that comes along with caring for others.
And finally to the parents of all of these amazing students - Thank You! I know your greatest treasure is your children (I know because, our children are our greatest treasure for sure). Thank you for not only trusting Amy and I but for trusting your daughter or son that they were ready to go on a journey like this. They have done amazing things here and my prayer is that they continue to build upon the lessons they have learned here - both about others and about themselves. We talk a lot about transforming travel. I am not sure we transformed a whole lot here (though in fairness building a 100 foot by 40 foot chicken enclosure with a coop and a compost bin is pretty transforming to the landscape here for sure). But I am fairly certain (whether we admit it readily or not) that most of us, if not all of us, have been transformed through our brief time here at the Children's Home. Seeing open and unconditional love, the value of hard work, and the pleasure of simply being presence are things we all take home with us (along of course with a few more bug bites).
Can't wait to see everyone soon. God Bless!
Our team is exhausted and while we have had a wonderful adventure it is time to say goodbye.
Yesterday, we spent the majority of the day at the beach. We had an amazing time though a few students may have stayed out to long in the equatorial sun and are now paying for it with red backs and arms. We have also had some illness with some type of nasty bug caught by a few but it appears as though everyone is up and ready for our leave this morning. Amy has been amazing Mom/Nurse/Helper to all and we are confident everyone is ok.
The beach was a lot of fun but a good reminder that 'postcard' paradise is always a small picture that is capture of a whole life spent here on the island. Whether it has been jumping off a rather picturesque pier, playing some can jam in the sand, or just enjoying splashing in the translucent waters of the caribbean it was a true blessing to get to share the day with our new friends.
Now we are off to a long day of traveling - we essentially leave the home at 11am (our time here) and our plane departs at 1pm (again Honduras time here). We'll be getting in to Houston, TX at 5:05 (their time) and will have a good 4 hour or so layover there. Our final destination will be BWI airport at 11:57 ready to hug our loved ones and thankful but exhausted after a full trip that hopefully has stretched us, changed us, and opened our eyes to the world around us and the blessings in front of us.
To our administrators - thank you for supporting such an amazing opportunity for the students of the John Carroll School. We are encouraging the students to do the right thing - invest in people, because you have invested in them.
To the teachers and staff at JC School - it is obvious the lessons you have taught your young charges have been well received. Whether you taught many or only one of the students on this trip, you have contributed in many ways to their development. They have practically applied the many lessons you have demonstrated each day - not the problem or the test - but the patience, perseverance, and love that comes along with caring for others.
And finally to the parents of all of these amazing students - Thank You! I know your greatest treasure is your children (I know because, our children are our greatest treasure for sure). Thank you for not only trusting Amy and I but for trusting your daughter or son that they were ready to go on a journey like this. They have done amazing things here and my prayer is that they continue to build upon the lessons they have learned here - both about others and about themselves. We talk a lot about transforming travel. I am not sure we transformed a whole lot here (though in fairness building a 100 foot by 40 foot chicken enclosure with a coop and a compost bin is pretty transforming to the landscape here for sure). But I am fairly certain (whether we admit it readily or not) that most of us, if not all of us, have been transformed through our brief time here at the Children's Home. Seeing open and unconditional love, the value of hard work, and the pleasure of simply being presence are things we all take home with us (along of course with a few more bug bites).
Can't wait to see everyone soon. God Bless!
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Punta Gorda, Bojangles, and Ice Cream Soup
Friday was a very special day as not only did we have a chance to give back to those who are less fortunate but we also got to celebrate and have a giant Fiesta that was full of fun and food!
Before lunch a part of the team went out to the Grocery Store to purchase bags of basic supplies that we were planning to take to the local community. Orsy and Banesa have a long history of trying to encourage those who are helping the Children's Home to also give to the even less fortunate in the community.
has basic - soap, sugar, coffee, boxed milk, flour, etc. and could mean a month or more of supplies to a family.
Our evening was dotted with a myriad of games as Kristen I. brought joy to the children's face playing with her rainbow parachute, there was a huge water balloon contest (with Kurt ultimately pulling out the win for the Blanca's red team) and a rowdy game of 'Stomp the balloon' where shockingly everyone survived uninjured.
We started our morning by finally finishing our Chicken Project - a long arduous task - the giant enclosure now has a door and is secure with a lock on it. The hope is that once the chicks have grown big enough they will get full run of their new play-ground. The roof is on the coop and the baby chicks have all been moved into their new home. It has been a huge project but one that we hope will give sustenance (eggs) and vision (hopefully some of the children will someday want to raise their own when they get older and can use it to generate some income).
Before lunch a part of the team went out to the Grocery Store to purchase bags of basic supplies that we were planning to take to the local community. Orsy and Banesa have a long history of trying to encourage those who are helping the Children's Home to also give to the even less fortunate in the community.
It is amazing that even while they are caring for 20+ children who have been orphaned they still have a hope to see good done for others in the community. Each bag purchased
has basic - soap, sugar, coffee, boxed milk, flour, etc. and could mean a month or more of supplies to a family.
After we had our lunch we were off to Punta Gorda - home of the Garifuna populations. Many of the Garifunas live below even the most basic of
standards and have been somewhat segregated into an individual community here on the island. The history of the Garifuna is unique in that they were brought to Honduras originally from Africa then transported through a number of other countries by the British until they have found a few small communities in various Latin American countries. The people were over joyed to receive visitors with gifts and share a little bit about their daily life with us.
(Some groups - like Savannah, Eve, Kristen, Holly, and Rob even treated their hosts to some sweet sounding songs from the States!)
It is amazing to think that the lessons of social justice and giving to others in need that our students here emphasized all the time by our dedicated religion teachers back to at school are truly being put into practice as we visit the least of these here on the island.
After we returned from our long day out visit folks in the community it was time to party. Friday nights are a traditional time for Fiesta here and we got a chance to bless all the children with a meal from the BoJangels (the only fast food restaurant on the island - there are actually 3 and seem to be growing).
Our evening was dotted with a myriad of games as Kristen I. brought joy to the children's face playing with her rainbow parachute, there was a huge water balloon contest (with Kurt ultimately pulling out the win for the Blanca's red team) and a rowdy game of 'Stomp the balloon' where shockingly everyone survived uninjured.
After our super fun night full of laughter and joy, we ended with a treat of ice cream soup - now before you get to inquisitive - while ice cream is a special treat - ice cream soup is nothing special it's just the ice cream in 90 degree weather. See just about anything cold and solid tends to melt here awfully quick. But it didn't seem to matter as the evening drew to a close - there were plenty of faces painted (by the expertise of Lexie, Faith, and a few other ladies) that were then smeared with some yummy and sticky ice cream soup for good measure. It is fair to say that the night is one none of us will forget. Warm breezes from the ocean sent us off to bed tired from a week worth of work but full from good food and new found friendships!
Tomorrow (our last full day here) we are taking all the children to the beach for a special beach day! Should be just another amazing day here in paradise (or Roatan, Honduras if you have to give it another name). Sun, surf, and fun with some special children who we now consider family!
Friday, May 20, 2016
Check Out Our Chicks!
Thursday - we did a whole lot of work and had a little bit of play ... but the most exciting thing we did was introduce 30 new chickens to the Children's Home this afternoon! You should 'check out our chicks!' They are pretty cool!
The idea for chickens for the home came back in September when Mr. Orsy and Mrs. Banesa visited the United States for their annual board meeting. They had a chance to visit the Hollin and Powell homesteads (which at the time were roughly housing 30 or so chickens collectively). Orsy saw an
Early on in the day Alex, Erin, Preston, and Eve took a journey out to the local pet store to purchase the chickens (along with a bunch of extra lumber and supplies to build our chicken coop). It was
The students worked the majority of the day on a multitude of jobs (with the promise of a special dinner out tonight). Between hauling giant pieces
of wood across a barren field, making more cement, finishing the chicken enclosure, and making the chicken coop, and organizing/cleaning up an old supply room in the school house - there was plenty of work to be found.
Mix in a whole lot of playing and hanging out with the children (once their school work was done) and you have the makings of another great day.
After a ton of work (and a ton of sweat) everyone got to shower up and take our host (Orsy and Banesa) out to a fancy dinner by the water at Splash Inn in West End. The restaurant, owned by a Canadian, managed by a Spaniard, and run by local Hondurans was a gem with great service and
amazing food. They have already generously hosted the children from the home here once and brought pizza to them free another time. If you
Tomorrow we are off to serve in the local community bringing grocery bags and visiting sick and shut in folks. We also hope to finish up our work on the chicken project and have our Big Fiesta with the children in the evening! Can't wait!
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Soaking up the Culture (and the Sun All in One)
Wednesday was full of learning and appreciating a new land and a new culture. After a leisurely breakfast, students got a full island tour full of the island's beauty and complimented by a lunch out at a fairly swanky resort to boot!
After some fresh Papaya, grain cereal, and black coffee, we were greeted by a cozy 25 passenger bus (you know the kind with the super amazing invention of air conditioning that we all couldn't wait to soak in).
As we set off, Orsy gave us a full tour of the island of Roatan (roughly 21 miles long and only 1-2 miles wide depending on your location).
We were swept away with beautiful vistas, friendly local shopping villas, and a gorgeous landscape dotted with inviting verandas. Along the way, Orsy answered questions pertaining to the island of Roatan (once actually part of Belize but traded to Honduras), the people, the economy, the culture, and island life in general.
After a long winding tour (props to our bus driver who managed to squeeze down crowded streets and climb narrow peeks with the greatest of ease), we eventually hit some hill top local merchants selling an a sundry list of antiques, artifacts, and cheap imitation knock offs. Students got a chance to practice their barter skills and contribute to the local economy all at once. Then it was off to the Mangroves.
The Mangroves (roughly about 10 miles due North of the Children's Home is an amazing boat ride across the ocean and into a above ground tunnel of nature's beauty.
With glowing blue and green water reflecting the sun's rays - we all were able soak in some of the beauty of the land.
Following our tour of the Mangroves (amazingly the rickety vessels chose not to topple over and we all remained dry), we headed off to lunch. Orsy directed the driver to a little slice of heaven known as 'Parrot Bay' - apparently a site where television shows have come to do some shoots, and it is easy to see why. For at least an hour or two we were transported to a lush white beach and feasted on yummy 'Americana' food - chicken fingers, burgers, and cold diet coke (does it get any better?).
Finally we were ready to get back to our true charges of the day and returned home and were greeted by smiling faces who couldn't wait to play. As some of our team went out to grocery shop, others laced up their shoes and hit the soccer pitch in the front yard. Soccer (football) is by far a national past time if not obsession and regardless if you are a pro - or only think you are one - just about everyone loves to go out and play!
Games included Boys vs. Girls (for the record the girls won), Honduras vs. America (for the record it was a tie), and Hodge Podge of Humanity vs. Hodge Podge of Humanity (for the record we all won)! One of the great blessings of a trip like this is the simple pleasure of watching kids be kids - no matter what age, what size, or what country of origin - through the simple language of play there is much that is communicated! If one is willing to cope with the ensuing sweat - a game of football on a breezy afternoon (with good mates) is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon.
Then after another delicious dinner of grilled chicken and beef, the best fresh pico de gala sauce you'll ever taste and guacamole (washed down of course by some fresh pineapple, watermelon, and cantaloupe), it was finally time for the evening activities.
We started off the evening activities by having Grace share the gift of over 100 books that she had brought with the kids -
no doubt many will be read by our students with the children over the next few days. Then they will be placed in the children's library to be used over the next year or two - a beautiful and thoughtful gift to be sure. Mikenzhie and Lexie also shared a generous gift with the children as they talked to the children about their sewing bag full of material and offered to give lessons to anyone tomorrow who would like to work with them sewing bags
with the Home's three sewing machines. New fabric is never to be taken lightly here and is gratefully appreciated. Finally, in what has become a beautiful tradition, our team got to share the gift of love from some very special ladies at the John Carroll School.
As we set off, Orsy gave us a full tour of the island of Roatan (roughly 21 miles long and only 1-2 miles wide depending on your location). We were swept away with beautiful vistas, friendly local shopping villas, and a gorgeous landscape dotted with inviting verandas. Along the way, Orsy answered questions pertaining to the island of Roatan (once actually part of Belize but traded to Honduras), the people, the economy, the culture, and island life in general.
After a long winding tour (props to our bus driver who managed to squeeze down crowded streets and climb narrow peeks with the greatest of ease), we eventually hit some hill top local merchants selling an a sundry list of antiques, artifacts, and cheap imitation knock offs. Students got a chance to practice their barter skills and contribute to the local economy all at once. Then it was off to the Mangroves.
The Mangroves (roughly about 10 miles due North of the Children's Home is an amazing boat ride across the ocean and into a above ground tunnel of nature's beauty.
With glowing blue and green water reflecting the sun's rays - we all were able soak in some of the beauty of the land.
Following our tour of the Mangroves (amazingly the rickety vessels chose not to topple over and we all remained dry), we headed off to lunch. Orsy directed the driver to a little slice of heaven known as 'Parrot Bay' - apparently a site where television shows have come to do some shoots, and it is easy to see why. For at least an hour or two we were transported to a lush white beach and feasted on yummy 'Americana' food - chicken fingers, burgers, and cold diet coke (does it get any better?).
Finally we were ready to get back to our true charges of the day and returned home and were greeted by smiling faces who couldn't wait to play. As some of our team went out to grocery shop, others laced up their shoes and hit the soccer pitch in the front yard. Soccer (football) is by far a national past time if not obsession and regardless if you are a pro - or only think you are one - just about everyone loves to go out and play!
Games included Boys vs. Girls (for the record the girls won), Honduras vs. America (for the record it was a tie), and Hodge Podge of Humanity vs. Hodge Podge of Humanity (for the record we all won)! One of the great blessings of a trip like this is the simple pleasure of watching kids be kids - no matter what age, what size, or what country of origin - through the simple language of play there is much that is communicated! If one is willing to cope with the ensuing sweat - a game of football on a breezy afternoon (with good mates) is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon.
Then after another delicious dinner of grilled chicken and beef, the best fresh pico de gala sauce you'll ever taste and guacamole (washed down of course by some fresh pineapple, watermelon, and cantaloupe), it was finally time for the evening activities.
We started off the evening activities by having Grace share the gift of over 100 books that she had brought with the kids -
Mrs. Anne Drummey leads up a ladies sewing group at JC (including Mrs. Danica Attanasio, Mrs. Celeste Smith, and Mrs. Lynn Mullin, as well as other ladies from time to time). And each year JC students make the trip to Honduras, the sewing group sends us with new pillow case for each child (along with bags for our community day).
The children are always so grateful and truly look forward to such a special gift. We start with the youngest - Eduardo (barely 3) who gets to pick his favorite and work our way up until everyone has one (and of course there are always a few extra because that's what generous ladies do... they give generously ... in love).
The pillow case gift is just one more example of the John Carroll School Community being more than just a school but a truly beautiful synergistic community that supports and serves others together. To know that the children at Sandy Bay Lighthouse Ministries will go to sleep tonight on a new pillow case knowing that it was both made and delivered with love is just one of the many examples of the Patriot community working to bring forth the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Finally, the night was wrapped up with a movie on the 'big screen' - the large white wall in the main room. We brought the cartoon 'Home' that shares the story of how a lost alien and an orphan girl work together to be reunited with lost families. But along the way the two unlikely compatriots find the true meaning of family and that it isn't always just who you were born with - but who sticks by you and loves you day in and day out - no matter who you are. A touching and personal message that certainly resonates here in this dear home filled with a big family who loves one another and opens their arms to love others as well.
We are all grateful that the Children's Home has become our 'home' for the week and that their family has welcomed us in.
We are all grateful that the Children's Home has become our 'home' for the week and that their family has welcomed us in.
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