Tuesday, April 14, 2009

I Got a Letter from Honduras!

If you've read my blog from the beginning you'll know that partly what started me blogging was my desire to share my Sponsored Child from Mission of Mercy. (However, now it's morphed into all sorts of subjects) Last summer I turned 50 and wanted to do something to monumentaly mark the event. My plan was to sit on a tropical beach and celebrate reaching the 1/2 century mark while being waited on by handsome cabana boys. Well, God had other plans and lead me to sign up for a mission trip, even though I didn't know a single person going on this trip. I was out of my comfort zone but in the end had the most AWESOME adventure. I met life long friends and forever changed my outlook on life. I've got an awesome life and I need to be thankful for it, enjoy it, share it, and praise God for it. Below is our first walk into "the projects". The little ditch/trough on the right is an open sewer. The people in the projects were grateful to be living in the city...with amenities with included the sewer, SOME running water (a spigot outside) and electricity (one lone light bulb hanging from the ceiling). Yet, they were happy and satisfied. My little girl in Honduras is named Iris. She was 6 when I met her and this year she's going to school for the first time. The Mission of Mercy monies sent monthly cover her medical costs, at least one meal a day provided at the project, biblical teachings, tutoring assistance, playtime equipment, school supplies and school uniform. Below is the description I got of Iris when I picked her to be "my child".

This picture of Iris was the first one I saw and she just tugged at my heartstrings. Don't you just want to scoop her up and hug her!?!
Our team was awesome. There were 80 people in total on the trip and we were divided up and sent to four different projects. The young adults not wearing orange tee-shirts were our interpreters and they were so fun. I amazed myself remembering a lot of Spanish from my 7th and 8th grade Spanish classes.
Teaching the children praise and worship songs was a fun time and the boys liked singing for us and including the hand/dance motions.
On the last day of our visit, I took many pictures of Iris and me. She (and the other girls) like to "strike a pose". She's wearing proudly the cross necklace we made together during art.
One more hug and goodbye.... and whew...it was HOT there....my face was beet red! LOL!
So, perhaps now you can understand why I get so excited to receive a letter and updated picture of Iris. I feel like I left a part of me in Honduras and I love to hear how well she's doing. Below is a tiny section of the letter (and translation) that she sent me.
And here's a sweet little picture she drew for me!
And LOOK how she's grown! Isn't she precious? I'm SO glad to see that she has on nice shoes that fit. So many of the children wear shoes that are too little or are falling apart. She looks a little pensive in this picture but I bet if I were there to hug and tickle her...you'd see that BIG smile again!?!!? I'm planning on writing to her tonight and hopefully I'll hear back from her soon.

31 comments:

  1. What a lovely story...pictures and little girl!!! Thanks for sharing...

    ;-)

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  2. awwww,she's adorable, Susan. Thanks for sharing!

    suzanne

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  3. Susan, it's so neat that you have actually gotten to meet Iris. She's adorable. Don't you just want to bring her home? You are doing a great thing helping her.

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  4. Hello Susan and hello Iris. How lovely that you got to go to Honduras to meet up and that Iris's life will be easier because of your kindness, what a precious letter and drawing, Kathy

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  5. What a sweet story. She's a little princess!

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  6. Susan,
    What a wonderful thing to be involved with. Iris is a real sweetie. We just don't realize how good we have it!
    Blessings,
    Lorilee

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  7. Susan -
    that is so awesome! What a great thing to do! I have been looking for something like that to do for us as a family. I think it would be so good for my kids to sponsor a child and get to know her like you have!

    XOXO
    Jen

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  8. what a wonderful work to help these children.
    we are so blessed in this country that it is easy to forget those truly in need.
    good for you that you do this!!!
    chasity

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  9. Oh she is so cute! And how wonderful that you went on the mission trip and met her. The impression you are leaving on this young girl will carry her through her life. laurie

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  10. What an experience that must have been. She really has grown and I can only imagine how good it makes you feel to see that she is thriving and doing well with her colors/numbers. What a sweet girl.

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  11. What a wonderful and heartwarming story. Iris is beautiful and so lucky to YOU in her life. Fantastic that you were able to go to her home and spend that time together.

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  12. What a wonderful and heartwarming story. Iris is beautiful and so lucky to YOU in her life. Fantastic that you were able to go to her home and spend that time together.

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  13. Hi Susan! Oh, how wonderful! What a darling little girl and how proud I know she must be to have you!
    Thanks for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  14. Hi Susan,

    I am so happy that you visited my blog so I could get to meet you and read your beautiful inspirational story about meeting Iris. How blessed you were to get to meet her in person and receive her wonderful letter.
    May the Lord richly bless you and adorable Iris.
    Blessings,
    Erin

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  15. Beautiful story sweetie, and thank you for sharing! Hope all is going well...hope to see you again soon at the Yaya!

    Take care and "stay dry"! :)

    xo...deb

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  16. Glad to see that your mission trip was successful. I went on my first trip 7 years ago and have been on at least one a year since. Beautiful little girl! God Bless.

    Cathy

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  17. What an AWESOME story and adventure! You are a brave soul and I think it is so wonderful of you to do that!

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  18. Susan, It was great to hear from you. I loved this story. You are such a good person. I am sure Iris misses you! She is adorable.
    Hugs, Terrie

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  19. What a little cutie patootie Iris is! And how special that you chose to celebrate your big birthday that way...by serving others. I think you're pretty great!

    Hugs ~ Amanda

    p.s. I'm having a giveaway to celebrate the grand opening of my etsy shop. I'd love for you to stop by and enter!

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  20. Hi Susan...

    Just read the very sweet note that you left in my kitchen...so happy that you stopped by and thank you for your sweet comments!!!

    WOWZER!!! Girl, I'm so glad that I came by...I didn't know that you had done missions work in Honduras! I loved going through all of your photos and reading about your journey!!! I know that the Lord has blessed you richly for your self-less act of love and help to these children and specifically Iris!!!

    It's been several years ago, but I used to do the same kind of work! I have made several trips into Mexico (about 150mls south of Monterey) to work in an orphanage there! Ohhh...it's a life changing experience, isn't it? My daughter who was about 11 yrs. old at the time...would go with me! It really changed her life, Susan! She was never the same and has such a love for helping people!!! I'm a very blessed mama!!! Anyway, just wanted to share that with you...all of your photos brought back many fond memories to me!!! Thank you!!!

    Warmest wishes,
    Chari

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  21. She is adorable and I see why you are so excited about her*! I'm happy that you were able to go visit her*! I can't wait to see more pics and watch her growing into such a pretty young lady*!
    (((Hugs))) _Ashley*

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  22. Hello! Thank you for stopping by! What a sweet and inspiring post! Iris is beautiful and so are you for sharing Christ's love with her!

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  23. Oh Susan,
    What a gift. My heart melted when you mentioned shoes that fit. What a special way the Lord is using you in her life as well as the many other lives you touched on your trip!
    Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

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  24. What a beautiful story and Iris is adorable...Oh what a blessing that you can share love with her and make such a mark on her sweet life...thanks for coming by and I hope you are having a great week!

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  25. Thanks for stopping by. She is adorable and she would definitely tug at my heart.My husband has done Mission work in Honduras several times and he says it is life changing. I too have a schnauzer, Stella. Your Carson is so cute! Have a wonderful afternoon. Jackie

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  26. What an awesome story!!! It is wonderful that you got a letter. How special.

    Cynthia

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  27. I really enjoyed learning about Iris and catching up on your blog. LOVED the story about Lucy sharing her flowers...sooo sweet....love her cottage. Thanks so much for coming by and showing support for my etsy store. cherry

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  28. Iris is beautiful! Thanks for sharing your story. I think what you have done is just wonderful! Bless you!

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  29. Such a moving story. Thanks for sharing. Irish is adorable.

    I see we're from the same city. Small world.

    I clicked over from another blog... I don't recall where now... you were sharing gardening thoughts. I just posted a gardening essay you might enjoy, if you have time to stop by.

    Thanks again for the lovely story.

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  30. Wow, what a precious gift you are to each other. Thanks so much for sharing the story and pics.

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