A little more than two weeks ago my sister and I, along with other members of our church, were boarding a plane for Honduras with the intention of staying for two weeks. Never in our wildest dreams did the two of us imagine that we would end up staying until August.
So why are we staying? Before we answer that question, it will probably be best to outline our first two weeks in Honduras.
We arrived in San Pedro Sula airport on June 13th 2009. We were both, as most of you can imagine, very excited to be returning to Honduras, and couldn’t wait to get started on all the projects that lay ahead of us. We spent our first two days in towns called Yuro, Puerto Grande, and Yuritto, all of which are deep in the rut of poverty. We conducted medical clinics, and showed viewings of the Jesus Video in Spanish in Puerto Grande, and Yuritto. The time spent at these places were priceless, and only God knows the extent of our impact.
It wasn’t until we arrived in Tocoa, the town where we would be spending the majority of our time, that we felt “at home”. The first time we set foot in the Casa Grande (a.k.a Gates of Hope), it just felt right. We have a deep love for the girls and their babies, and a passion to serve them however we can. The first week flew by, and before we knew it some team members were leaving, and new ones were arriving. Week two arrived with a fresh sense if purpose and excitement on all of our parts. We left for the mountains of Tocoa, and enjoyed a rigorous 5 hour hike up the mountain (although the word “enjoyed” is questionable) Once we arrived at our destination we immediately began setting up the medical and dental clinic that we would be conducting for the next two days. Our time spent in the mountains was amazing. The people were so friendly and appreciative towards us, and the scenery was absolutely amazing. By the time Wednesday arrived we were back in Tocoa, and ready to serve some more. This is the part where Chaunte and I started feeling mixed emotions about leaving Honduras. Despite all the tiredness I felt from our trip up the mountains, I had trouble sleeping Wednesday night. I woke up at 3:00 am feeling sick, and very very sad about leaving. All day Thursday I was jumbled about leaving, and I found out that Chaunte had been experiencing the same emotions. So we prayed.
After talking to Barry Compton and his wife Penny (The missionaries here in Tocoa), and to Luis, we decided to call our parents, asking for the “thumbs up”. Late on Thursday night we got our answer, but it was not the answer we wanted to hear, it was a “No”. We respected our parent’s decision, and although we were heavy hearted, we knew that we needed to accept the answer and return to the States. Well this is not what God had in mind. All day Friday, the day before our return trip, we felt unhappy, and uneasy about returning to the States. It was hard to enjoy all the shopping and sightseeing, and our dinner at “La Plancha” ( a very nice Honduran restaurant) was not quite as fun as it had been last year. It was then, when I looked at Barry and Penny sitting across from me, that I knew I couldn’t leave the country. I needed to stay.
So out came the cell-phones, and we called our parents. They conversed back and forth with the missionaries and Luis, and after about an hour of intense nerves, we got our answer. Yes!
The timing for our stay couldn’t have been better orchestrated. We found out shortly after our decision to stay, that the house mother of the Casa Grande, was on a mental, emotional, and spiritual low, and planned on taking a vacation. There was thus, a need for extra hands, provided by none other than the Durand sisters! Just before we arrived, the other missionaries, Allen and Michelle, had put some new rules into place that involved separating some of the mothers and children at night time. There was a need for someone (other than the mothers) to share a room with these children, and Chaunte and I fit the bill perfectly.
We are still not quite sure where our purpose lies, but we know that this complete and total God thing. We will try our best to examples, mentors, and most importantly, friends to the girls here at the Casa Grande.
We’ll try to keep this blog updated on a regular basis. We are very grateful for the graciousness with which Michelle and Allen have complied to let us use their computers.
Please be in constant prayer for us as we stay here. We need all the support we can get.
In Christ,
Leandrie.
