The first day of the trip helped us all get used to rising early.  In order to catch the 9 am plane from Houston to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, we met up around 6 am in the morning to head out.  Prayers were answered for safe travel since we made it safely through check in, security, and through customs in Honduras.

Praise for a safe landing in Tegucigalpa, because according to the History Channel’s Most Extreme Airports, Tegucigalpa was ranked the 2nd most dangerous airport in the world (right behind the Princess Juliana International Airport on the island of St. Martin – for commercial flights, at least).

After a safe arrival, our team of 19 met up with Ron and Shelley Jones for the first time.  With 19 crates (full of medical supplies, and crafts and goodies for the kids) and everyone’s luggage, it took multiple vehicles to transport everything and everyone.  Once loaded, we travelled to see the Center of Life and Hope for the first time.

The Life and Hope project area is located in Mogote and consists of 20 ‘colonias’ that are home to over 60,000 people.  Shelley gave the team a tour of the facility, explained the programs that the center offers,  and informed us what was expected of the team throughout the week.  During our time in Honduras, each team member will have the opportunity to assist with the various programs. Between building a house for a family in the Hope Housing program, organizing the medication in the Hope Clinic, and helping the children and women during their bible study classes, each one of us will have plenty to do.

Once the tour of the mission facility was complete, we enjoyed dinner at El Patio, a restaurant that features local Honduran cuisine.  With full bellies and open hearts, we finally arrived at our home away from home for the week.  The theme of hope is prevalent, because the owner of the bed and breakfast is named Esperanza, which is Spanish for “hope.”

The evening of our first day abroad, we were able to settle into our rooms and wind down.  Finishing the day, we met for the nightly devotional to worship together, to plan the activities for the next day and for an icebreaker game in order to encourage team bonding.

In the end, we all came to Honduras to do one thing: be the hands and feet of Christ, and to share the love of God any way we can.  We only wish that the people of Mogote may know us by our love, and so that they too can discover the Hope that is in Christ.

–Go Honduras Team 2011