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Youth Mission Trips

Youth Mission Trips - Honduras

From 10 to 20 June our Senior Highs left Atlanta, traveling to Rancho el Paraíso in the department(province) of Olancho, Honduras. They worked for a week in the San Esteban Valley, an area of about 5000 very poor people, building latrines and conducting Vacation Bible School. The impact these youth will have will be unbelievable. Their friendships made with the Honduran people will last a lifetime.

Here's their first trip report:

June 11, 2000
"The Honduras Mission Team arrived in Tegucigalpa, Honduras on Saturday, June 10, about noon. We were met by José Mondragon and Miriam Días. Everyone is doing very well. We traveled about 3.5 hours to Juticalpa, Honduras where we spent the night. On the way, we stopped at the Mennonite Bakery and enjoyed homemade banana bread and cokes. We arrived in Juticalpa about 5:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. EST). 35 'gringos' descended on a little restaurante and ate rice/beans, tortillas, pork chops, and fruit. Everyone enjoyed our first meal in Honduras. We stayed in the Honduras Hotel and enjoyed a nice warm night of rest! Today, we are on our way over the dirt road and mountains to Rancho el Paraíso."

June 13, 2000

“ The group arrived at Rancho el Paraíso about 11:00 A.M. on Sunday, June 11. It was a long, bumpy ride over the Agalta Mountain Range. After arriving at the ranch, we unpacked and settled in. Since it was Sunday, most people were observing a day of rest. We had a delicious lunch, then a short siesta. Afterward we went on a tour of the ranch and saw all the wonderful programs that happen here - the clinic, the vegetable garden, the animal pens, the duplex housing, the church, and the kindergarten. We visited the church that Decatur Presbyterian Church built, played a game of soccer with the Honduran children in the schoolyard, and visited several families we met five years ago. Sunday night we had a wonderful devotion. We talked about leaving distractions at home and being open to seeing and experiencing God in a fresh and new way.

"Monday morning came with roosters crowing and cows mooing. We started the day with fresh fruit from the garden, pancakes, and a cup of strong, sweet Honduran coffee. We left in the back of a big army supply truck to be taken to Ocotal, the village where we were to build 23 latrines. This included 70 cinder blocks to each house, four 50-pound bags of cement, and all the tools required. In many cases we had to carry the cinder blocks at least a half mile to get to the home where we were working. The Honduran family is required to dig a hole 3 feet wide and 6 feet deep. They provided help to the North American youth, so the idea of partnership is established and continued throughout the valley. The Honduran families were very receptive and pleased that we were working in the village for and with them. We worked hard today and completed eight holes with two more houses ready to be done and two platforms formed and cemented. It was a day of hard but productive work!

"Back at the ranch, most showered in the bathrooms, while some wanted the experience of bathing in the river, like the Honduran people do. We enjoyed dinner together and then talked with the Honduran ranch staff about all they are doing in the San Esteban Valley.

"Tuesday holds more work and VBS.

"Wednesday holds a Honduras vs. U.S. soccer game, work, and a San Esteban dancers performance.

"Thursday holds a dedication and celebration of the latrines plus handing out the children’s shoes in Ocotal."

  Visitor # since 7-1-00