Day One

The day started well with the team arriving at the airport ready for the adventure that awaited us. The flight was smooth and really uneventful...in fact, one of the better flights I´ve been on. It was fun to watch ¨Valentine´s Day¨in Spanish. A few members of our group were even sitting in First Class. Not me though, I like to be with the common folk. :) Once we got to San Pedro Sula, the immigration line began. It took a while, and we ended up all getting into the ´fast´line which got us through faster than others who had been waiting longer. The airport was a buzz with the Honduran game which began as we got through customs. Most of the airport was watching the multiple screens showing the game. I was lucky enough to watch the game on the large screens in the middle of the airport while I waited to get lunch at Wendy´s. Yes, I said Wendy´s. Then it was time to exchange some money from the man walking around the airport. Again, yes, I said the random man walking through the airport. The team said that they knew him and trusted him so exchange we did. Then it was off to La Ceiba.

The trip through the beautiful countryside took about three hours. During this time, we were able to see the beautiful, green mountains and forestry that cover Honduras. Some of the sights...children walking barefoot along the highway, animals grazing along the side of the road, fences made of sticks that have taken root and sprouted trees, and of course beautiful homes along side some shacks. It was a beautiful and eye-opening sight. The fuel break at the gas station was nice and allowed the drivers, and us, to grabe a snack while finishing watching Honduras tie in their soccer game.

The Hotel Gran Paris here in La Ceiba is fantastic and the people are so nice. Many of the staff actually remember members of the team which is fun. Once we got here, we met up with Jimmy Thompson and his wife and the Simpsonwood UMC group for our walk to Zion Church for dinner. The ladies of the church prepared a wonderfully rich and delicious meal for our groups. A point of interest is that we ate in the room that was renovated by previous St. Mark Mission Teams. It was also nice to meet the group from Simpsonwood and ´take the torch´from them as they leave tomorrow.

As we gathered for our evening team meeting, I realized that I was among some great people with wonderful hearts. We are ready for the work to begin. The next few days will bring with it some interesting logistical issues but I know that it will be fine and that God will continue to lead us. Wrapping up the day, our devotional was centered around 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and how we are all a part of the body. It takes each of us doing our part to make this trip possible and really when one of us hurts (either here or back home) the whole body hurts.

Keep our other team member Roger and his daughter in your prayers....and till next time, love and do not fear.....
--Harvey Oaxaca

(PS-When I try and spell check, it says everything is misspelled because it isn´t in Spanish. So, I´ll do my best but if there are some misspellings, I ask for forgiveness ahead of time.)