This post was contributed by Jeff Parker
From March 29th through April 5th a group of 14 teachers, students, sons, daughters, fathers, mothers and new friends traveled from Eden Prairie, Minnesota to Hogar Tierra Santa. For most of us this was our first trip down. It was the third trip for Chris Kreie and for Debbie Bjerke and Bob Seitz it was another of many trips to a place that has become a large part of their lives.
The week flew by and for those of us experiencing the Hogar and Honduras the first time, it was an experience we will never forget and hope to soon repeat. I think, to a person, we were transformed in some way. As adults we have a new appreciation for our children, the strength provided by family and the stability we’re able to offer. The children and young men and women on the trip were reminded of the many benefits that come from living in Eden Prairie and certainly have an even better appreciation for their lot in life.
We were active – projects with students at the school (sock puppets, dolls, kites), letter writing with grade schoolers, building computer desks, teaching pre-schoolers new songs, helping students take photographs and printing pictures for them as memories, cooking a meal for 140 (unbelievable!), soccer in 90 degree heat (or was that the humidity?), observing a Stations of the Cross presentation at a private school some of the children attend, shopping at the outdoor market (can you say “fresh meat”?), shopping at the indoor market, a visit to the cathedral in the central square in Comayagua, humbly watching a brickmaker conduct his trade and a cane sugar operation, side trips to Pulpahanazac waterfall and to Lake Yajoa, a trip to the beach with four of the nicest girls one could meet (Jasmin, Marisabel, Rosa and Jessica), watching Holly and a few other talk their way out of a traffic stop by the local police (while 10 of us sat in the back of the pick-up truck making nervous jokes), dancing very poorly under the expert instruction of girls at the Hogar, performing a very “creative” interpretation of the Little Red Riding Hood story for the kids at the Hogar, and more.
But that list doesn’t really describe what mattered most to all of us which was the time we got to spend hanging out with the children at the Hogar. Friends were made, bonds were formed, hugs given, laughs shared, tears shared, and lifelong memories created. The children at Hogar Tierra Santa are beautiful in every sense. Their stories are all different except for the chapter currently taking place. They all share the same home and, I think, all share a need for friendship, companionship and love. We all hope, that in some small way, for at least a week, we were able to help fill that need. Those of us who were new to the Hogar were told early on that projects weren’t the most important thing. Rather, spending time getting to know the children, forming bonds, and providing companionship were most important. To a person, we found that to be true. The children were friendly and welcoming and I think many of us were surprised at how quickly we become comfortable with the children and soon attachments were formed. They left an impression on each of us.
If you’re reading this entry and have not found a way to the Hogar, find a way. You’ll get more than you give and you will give a lot. Hogar Tierra Santa is a special place with good children who are as deserving as any child in your home or your neighborhood.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
A Few Morsels
It’s been a bit since our last post to the blog and much has happened since then. I don’t want to spoil the upcoming newsletter so I won’t divulge everything here and now but I do have a few morsels of info to share especially with the readers of the blog.
I am fresh off my second trip to the Czech Embassy in Costa Rica. This trip was a success. I was able to deliver the visa applications for Rosa and Brenda without any major problems. Now we have to wait and hope that the visas are approved. If all goes well the girls will be heading to Europe the first week of September to start the school year. They are both very excited to go.
While there I took some time to walk around San Jose and get to know the city a bit. It is quite nice for a large city in Latin America. Most of its kind are dodgy, polluted mazes that aren’t pleasant to be in, but San Jose is the exception. Many areas of the city could very easily be mistaken as a Miami neighborhood. Costa Rica enjoys a much better economy than its neighbors and has one of the most vibrant middle-class populations south of the Rio Grande. Costa Rica is a great example for Honduras to follow. Honduras has the beaches, the rainforests, the coffee and in my opinion better food, but Costa Rica has done a better job of marketing itself as a tourist destination and accommodating the tourists when they do arrive. Honduras even has a few things that Costa Rica doesn’t, the Mayan ruins in Copan are a great example of that, and, again in my opinion, Honduras provides more of a distinct cultural experience. The Bay Islands are establishing themselves as a top tourist destination, hopefully the mainland can follow suit.
I managed to make it back from Costa Rica for the arrival of a visiting group from Eden Prairie, MN. The group, affiliated with Eden Prairie Global Connect, a group of Eden Prairie educators, is making its third time down to the hogar. This is the first group that is composed mostly of students. It is great to see that the youth are being exposed to new things that will expectantly bring about some inner transformation. During the groups time here they will be building some desks in the new computer lab located in the new building amongst many other projects. The group will also be following what has become tradition for them and bringing a few of the hogar kids on their excursion, this time to La Ceiba.
The new computer lab is a high priority as we are about to start vocational classes for the kids. The hogar has been working with the local Linaje Escogido Church and supported by King of Kings Church and TSSI, to put together the vocational classes that will be consist of three classes – computer, cooking and beauty. Hopefully the classes will provide the hogar children with some important skills that will serve them later in life. Next week we are having an orientation/kick-off event to start the classes, with actual classes starting the following week. About thirty hogar kids are signed up for the clases.
Hasta Luego
I am fresh off my second trip to the Czech Embassy in Costa Rica. This trip was a success. I was able to deliver the visa applications for Rosa and Brenda without any major problems. Now we have to wait and hope that the visas are approved. If all goes well the girls will be heading to Europe the first week of September to start the school year. They are both very excited to go.
While there I took some time to walk around San Jose and get to know the city a bit. It is quite nice for a large city in Latin America. Most of its kind are dodgy, polluted mazes that aren’t pleasant to be in, but San Jose is the exception. Many areas of the city could very easily be mistaken as a Miami neighborhood. Costa Rica enjoys a much better economy than its neighbors and has one of the most vibrant middle-class populations south of the Rio Grande. Costa Rica is a great example for Honduras to follow. Honduras has the beaches, the rainforests, the coffee and in my opinion better food, but Costa Rica has done a better job of marketing itself as a tourist destination and accommodating the tourists when they do arrive. Honduras even has a few things that Costa Rica doesn’t, the Mayan ruins in Copan are a great example of that, and, again in my opinion, Honduras provides more of a distinct cultural experience. The Bay Islands are establishing themselves as a top tourist destination, hopefully the mainland can follow suit.
I managed to make it back from Costa Rica for the arrival of a visiting group from Eden Prairie, MN. The group, affiliated with Eden Prairie Global Connect, a group of Eden Prairie educators, is making its third time down to the hogar. This is the first group that is composed mostly of students. It is great to see that the youth are being exposed to new things that will expectantly bring about some inner transformation. During the groups time here they will be building some desks in the new computer lab located in the new building amongst many other projects. The group will also be following what has become tradition for them and bringing a few of the hogar kids on their excursion, this time to La Ceiba.
The new computer lab is a high priority as we are about to start vocational classes for the kids. The hogar has been working with the local Linaje Escogido Church and supported by King of Kings Church and TSSI, to put together the vocational classes that will be consist of three classes – computer, cooking and beauty. Hopefully the classes will provide the hogar children with some important skills that will serve them later in life. Next week we are having an orientation/kick-off event to start the classes, with actual classes starting the following week. About thirty hogar kids are signed up for the clases.
Hasta Luego
Friday, February 6, 2009
King of Kings Annual Trip
Leaving Minnesota in January when it was -20 degrees below zero and arriving in Villa de San Antonio, Comayagua, Honduras where it was 74 degrees and sunny, was a bonus, but not what keeps motivating the Mission Honduras team members from King of Kings Lutheran church in Woodbury, MN. As we greet our familiar friends and meet the newer residents, it feels like we are “home”. After 13 years, we still get excited to see “our family” at Tierra Santa. The smiling faces of the beautiful children at the Hogar and our desire for them to know Jesus, keeps us returning year after year.
Each year the King of Kings team partners with the Villa’s church, Linaje Escogido, to teach a 4-day Vacation Bible School (VBS) to the children ages 6-12 and present a teen program for teens ages 13-18.
The VBS is taught in stations and includes a bible lesson/drama, music with a bible verse, snacks, and this year a science related station. The children are taught and showed the love of Jesus Christ. This year’s theme was ‘Adventures of the Rainforest’ in which we taught about Sharing, Giving, Loving, and Praising.
The teen program included two teachings this year. One day was on Attitude, Education, and Resilience; the next day we taught about Dignity and Respect. Each teaching was followed by watching part of a movie which demonstrated these important topics. Popcorn and lemonade were a hit at the end of the movie! On the third day, the team and some of the teens participated in a community service project to teach about giving back and helping others. On the fourth day, the teen girls were treated with a SPA day where they had their hair washed and styled, nails manicured and indulged in facials. The teen boys were busy doing chores, so the men from our team played futbol with the younger boys.
This year some women on our team taught a week long sewing and quilting class to women from the Linaje Escogido church. Prior to our mission, 13 used sewing machines were collected along with mounds of beautiful fabric and sewing equipment to help start a community sewing center. All this was shipped in October on the Christmas container to Honduras. The class was a huge success. Some students had never sewn on a machine before. Several baby quilts were completed. These women will now teach others in the Villa how to sew and quilt. We hope the children of Tierra Santa will take advantage of this sewing opportunity.
The people on Mission Honduras 2009 thank all our supporters for their prayers and donations for our mission. We also extend hearty thanks to Santiago, Iris, Jeff and the rest of the staff at Tierra Santa for their hospitality and help in carrying out our various activities.
2009 King of Kings Mission Honduras Team Members:
Ruth Edlund Jane Neuman Jane Ricklefs
Vicki Anderson Louise Sonnenburg Robyn Moravetz
Shirley Brenner Sheila Anderson Jay & Barb Keller
Dick and Nancy Gozola
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Sweet Smell of Change
Over the past week we have said “Hasta Luego” to our friends from King of Kings and seen many small changes about at the hogar. Most exciting of all, we have begun to move into our new facilities! First of course there was the preschool room, but now we have moved the main office and the administration office (my office) upstairs into the new building from where I write to you now. Let me tell you it is a joy to have moved out of the oven that was my former office and into this beautiful new one with a wonderful view and a nice breeze. I look straight ahead of me and out my window and there I see the tree-spotted Comayagua mountains.
Other parts of the building are progressing at a brisk pace as well. A new pump has been installed in the basement that will give the water sufficient pressure for the showers and the toilets. This brings us one step closer to opening up the bathrooms for use. What a wonderful day that will be! The tile has been almost completely finished and the foundation is being laid for the new post which will support our new front gates. Things are getting so close to finishing that the sweet aroma of a completed project has begun to waft throughout the hogar.
Besides the new building, the kids, namely Jesus, Novis and Henry have been busy assembling some new flower planters and walkways. Those three sure are some skilled handymen.
Another change from recent times is that we now have two long-term volunteers. They are Erin from Washington and Zoe from Ireland. Erin and Zoe are lending a hand to Suyapa caring for the tiernos and cachorros and at lunch time helping Alba out with the little ones at the comedor. Once again our volunteer program is growing and we have lots of new faces arriving in the coming months.
I want to thank all of you who have signed up to be a follower of this blog. Your dedication to the hogar is what keeps us going.
Other parts of the building are progressing at a brisk pace as well. A new pump has been installed in the basement that will give the water sufficient pressure for the showers and the toilets. This brings us one step closer to opening up the bathrooms for use. What a wonderful day that will be! The tile has been almost completely finished and the foundation is being laid for the new post which will support our new front gates. Things are getting so close to finishing that the sweet aroma of a completed project has begun to waft throughout the hogar.
Besides the new building, the kids, namely Jesus, Novis and Henry have been busy assembling some new flower planters and walkways. Those three sure are some skilled handymen.
Another change from recent times is that we now have two long-term volunteers. They are Erin from Washington and Zoe from Ireland. Erin and Zoe are lending a hand to Suyapa caring for the tiernos and cachorros and at lunch time helping Alba out with the little ones at the comedor. Once again our volunteer program is growing and we have lots of new faces arriving in the coming months.
I want to thank all of you who have signed up to be a follower of this blog. Your dedication to the hogar is what keeps us going.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Fairs and Groups
This past week the fair was in town here in La Villa. Twice a year there are fairs, with the larger of the two being held in June in honor of the town’s patron saint San Antonio (St. Anthony). There isn’t much to the fairs – a few rickety and dilapidated rides, a couple of game tents, some music, and several food stands. Even so the people turn out in good numbers.
What attract me to the fairs are two things. First and foremost the food, there are always Honduran specialties to be had at the fairs. Besides the food, I like to do a bit of people watching. It’s not often that you can find so many people from La Villa together, so I take advantage and observe my unsuspecting neighbors.
On Thursday I went to the fair in search of one of my favorite Honduran ‘delicacies’ – pupusas. Pupusas are corn tortillas stuffed with goodness (cheese and pork for example), fried ever so lightly so as not to crisp them, then topped with shredded cabbage and pickled veggies. Yum! My mouth was watering as I made my way to the fair.
To my great disappointment the typically reliable pupusa stand was no where to be found. Let down but still hungry I surveyed the food that was offered before settling on a plate with chorizo, refried beans, tortillas, a lime wedge and some not quite pickled jalapeños and onions. Naturally it was delicious, but my mouth was left burning and my nose running by the “not quite pickled jalapeños.”
On Saturday a group from Minnesota arrived to the hogar. The group, from King of Kings Church, has been making annual visits since I was but a young lad. They come to bestow their love upon the children and teach vacation bible school. They are about as organized as a group can be.
I am now going to end with a very loose comparison. Groups are a bit like fairs for the kids of the hogar. By that I mean that groups provide the kids with a break from the usual routine as the fair does the townspeople. Both are a time of different and fun activities. Both are looked forward to with anticipation by all.
Until next time…
What attract me to the fairs are two things. First and foremost the food, there are always Honduran specialties to be had at the fairs. Besides the food, I like to do a bit of people watching. It’s not often that you can find so many people from La Villa together, so I take advantage and observe my unsuspecting neighbors.
On Thursday I went to the fair in search of one of my favorite Honduran ‘delicacies’ – pupusas. Pupusas are corn tortillas stuffed with goodness (cheese and pork for example), fried ever so lightly so as not to crisp them, then topped with shredded cabbage and pickled veggies. Yum! My mouth was watering as I made my way to the fair.
To my great disappointment the typically reliable pupusa stand was no where to be found. Let down but still hungry I surveyed the food that was offered before settling on a plate with chorizo, refried beans, tortillas, a lime wedge and some not quite pickled jalapeños and onions. Naturally it was delicious, but my mouth was left burning and my nose running by the “not quite pickled jalapeños.”
On Saturday a group from Minnesota arrived to the hogar. The group, from King of Kings Church, has been making annual visits since I was but a young lad. They come to bestow their love upon the children and teach vacation bible school. They are about as organized as a group can be.
I am now going to end with a very loose comparison. Groups are a bit like fairs for the kids of the hogar. By that I mean that groups provide the kids with a break from the usual routine as the fair does the townspeople. Both are a time of different and fun activities. Both are looked forward to with anticipation by all.
Until next time…
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Welcome!
Hi All,
This represents the first post to the brand new Hogar Tierra Santa blog! We hope that this blog will help keep the hogar community better abreast of the activities of the hogar and its children.
We wish for this to be a joint project by the greater hogar community, not just the hogar staff. We ask that you, our supporters and volunteers, contribute to this blog with stories, anecdotes, news and photos.
To make a post please send an email to Jeff at:
admindirector@hogartierrasanta.org
We look forward to your contributions!
Hasta Pronto,
Jeff
This represents the first post to the brand new Hogar Tierra Santa blog! We hope that this blog will help keep the hogar community better abreast of the activities of the hogar and its children.
We wish for this to be a joint project by the greater hogar community, not just the hogar staff. We ask that you, our supporters and volunteers, contribute to this blog with stories, anecdotes, news and photos.
To make a post please send an email to Jeff at:
admindirector@hogartierrasanta.org
We look forward to your contributions!
Hasta Pronto,
Jeff
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