Typical Day

To be clear upfront, there are no typical days in the sense of routine, predictable schedules. There are, however, some things common to our days here in Tocoa.

The children. The core reason we came. Playing, talking through the language barrier, hugging, and smiling are important parts of our days. And, more importantly, their days!

Unpacking, sorting, repacking, carrying, and distributing the supplies we brought along. The kids like to help as they can--partly because they're interested in what's in the containers but also because they genuinely like to help.

Meal times. Watermelon, pineapple, bean and rice, tortillas, eggs, chicken, potatoes, bananas, etc., etc. Local Honduras cuisine, nutritious and tasty. A time to relax with all team members sitting together.

The weather. So far this week has brought heat, humidity, sun, clouds, occasional brief downpours or light rain. Yesterday we enjoyed cooling breezes. (We'll, sort of cooling.) We can count on sweating each day.

Feeding stations. Two of them. Almost every day a number of team members go to one or the other. Giving out food is the easy part. We also give doses of parasite medicine, and preparing for and organizing the logistics of distribution takes up much time for some of us.

Hospital visit. At least once during the week. As a contrast to the health care we're accustomed to, this is a sobering experience. The team distributes medical supplies brought from home.

Craft projects and Bible stories. Great fun--especially when performing skits. The showmanship of certain team members shines! This is one of the times we can explicitly share the Good News.

Fixing & improving. Yesterday it was repairing window screens and sanding/varnishing the window frames. On past mission trips it has been a wide range of projects. (Last year's team will forever shudder at the memory of large rock in 5-gallon buckets.) This is support ministry, enabling Open Door Ministries to provide quality care to children.

We can expect some things in Honduras, but we always expect to be surprised.

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