The Eagle Has Landed

Another successful landing!

The foremost reason for this note is to simply report that our team has arrived safely in Tegucigalpa. And I don't say that lightly. Every time I have flown into the airport here - well, all TWO times - the passengers have spontaneously erupted into applause when the plane comes to a stop at the end of the runway. If you ever have a chance to fly to Honduras, you will understand why...with the mountains that surround the city like the sides of cereal bowl (a small one, at that) and the short length of the runway, it takes special training to pilot a commercial airliner into this airport. I wonder if every passenger is moved to applause by the sense of relief that comes after a successful landing!

We've settled into the Martin's residence and had our orientation meeting. Now, while I stay behind to get some work done, the rest of the team is out running some errands - including a stop at the grocery store to buy supplies for the week.

THE TEAM

Let me take a moment to tell you about our group. In no particular order...

NICOLE MORROW - president of the board of directors for Honduras Ministries, Nicole is a nurse and works (as I understand it - please forgive me, Nicole, if I get this wrong) as the nutrition director with an inner city non-profit after-school program.

ALYSSA FULLING - Alyssa's father offered to take her on a trip to celebrate her 16th birthday, and she chose coming to Honduras.

RUSTY FULLING - Rusty is a business coach who works with a member of the Honduras Ministries Board of Directors (see below).

TOM MITCHELL - member of the HM Board who works with Rusty. Tom owns and operates a cleaning company based in Olathe, KS.

THE OHMARTS (Cindy, Tasha, Anna and Dale) - you've met us before...at least, most of you have. If you really have any questions about who we are, simply comment below and I will be happy to provide any appropriate information.

THE PLAN

We have a busy week before us, designed to take advantage of the unique skills of our entire team.

A Sewing Class - Alyssa will be leading a two day sewing class for six women. One of the goals of Honduras Ministries is to help people develop marketable skills that will help them earn a better living. While it takes longer than two days, each of those women will begin a process and have a tool (they will keep their sewing machines) to help them on the journey toward a greater level of provision for their families.

Medical Brigade - Cindy and Nicole (and others of us as are needed and available) will provide some basic medical care for 100 or more people over the two days that the sewing class is being held.

Education Research - Tasha, who is studying education in college, will be visiting a couple of different schools to talk with administrators and learn about how children in Honduras are educated. On Friday morning, I will be speaking in chapel at one of these schools.

Strategic Planning - Rusty's skills as a business coach and the fact that our team includes four members of the board of directors (the two cited above plus Jim and myself) provides an exciting opportunity to give the ministry a "check-up." We hope the result will be that we will identify how the ministry can function more effectively and what steps need to be taken next in our development.

Relationship Building - On Thursday night, Saturday and Sunday, we will worship with different churches associated with the ministry, renewing our acquaintances with those we have met before. This is SO IMPORTANT...it shows these people that they matter enough that we will come over and over again to help and encourage them.

Well, if you're still reading, thanks for your support. We appreciate your continued prayers on our behalf throughout the coming week. We will do our best to keep you up to date on what we see God doing through our efforts.