Puppet Training Day
The Heaven’s Handful Team from Ferguson, Missouri, came to train the Mizzou March team in the art of puppetry. Here are some highlights…
Casa Hogar Vida Diagrams
We talk a lot about Casa Hogar Vida, and I know sometimes the descriptions (AIDS Orphanage, Family Support Center, etc) can sometimes be vague and confusing. Luckily, as I was sorting through some of my Honduras supplies in preparation for the March 20th trip, I came across some diagrams I picked up from the CHV team last year. Hopefully these will help you understand a little better what CHV will be like. These are diagrams of the "orphanage" part of the CHV project. There will also be a community of low-cost homes, several workshops, and a farm. Remember, the whole project is still very much in the construction phase, so most of these things don’t exist yet.
Click each thumbnail to see the full-size image
You can see more pictures and diagrams at the Casa Hogar Vida site.
Shoe Collection Flyer
We’re trying to collect 500 pairs of shoes to take to Honduras on March 20th. You can use this flyer/poster to advertise a shoe drive at your school, church, or business. Click to download the full-size image.
Abre Los Ojos
From March 2007, one of the Day Care kids, Stephanie, singing "Abre Los Ojos de mi Alma." Known in English as "Open the Eyes of my Heart."
Melissa’s Story
In fall 2007, Melissa went to Honduras for five months to work with the development of Casa Hogar Vida, teaching in the English School, and helping out with the Malnutrition Recovery program.
News from Choluteca
Some exciting news about Choluteca from our friends at GCLA:
Luz Moved in her New Home
from GCLA Foundation in Action
The community “Esperanza” has new kids in the block. Luz moved with her children, and Ramon moved with his family. We were delayed due to water and sewer but now the systems are in, and soon more families will move. Read more.
Expansion in Choluteca
from GCLA Foundation in Action
The Choluteca church has been growing in attendance and in services to their community. Some weekends the church receives 300 or more people, but it fits only 250. The church is building an expansion to the Auditorium where now 550 people will seat comfortably. Read more.
Basic Utility Vehicle in Casa Hogar
from GCLA Foundation in Action
A US college student designed a type of cheap, hard working, efficient, utility vehicle that could be used for heavy tasks in places of community service such as Casa Hogar. These vehicle is made in Honduras. Now we are using it to move rocks, materials, re-bar, blocks, cement, trash, posts, anything. Read more.
Fencing Casa Hogar Vida
from GCLA Foundation in Action
One of the last requirements to receive the orphan HIV/AIDS children in Casa Hogar Vida was the fence, we are building it and it should be finished within a month. The Honduran children agency has already assigned 4-6 children that could come and live here. Read more.
Shoes & Athletic Court Construction
We got an email from Tyler, our semester missionary in Choluteca, regarding what the church would like us to bring. Based on what he shared, our goal will be to bring 500 pairs of shoes and $6,000 to build a new athletic court for the school. If you would like to help with either of these projects, please let us know.
From Tyler:
1.) I asked to see if there was something better we could bring besides shoes, but Nelson is very adamant that shoes are a vital/special thing that only the Rock brings down. A pair of shoes are an immediate bump up in social class, a smile on your face and joy in your heart. A boost in self-confidence, so in fewer words, lets stick with shoes, and keep bringing them.
2.) The new auditorium construction is coming up soooo fast, you are going to be amazed when you come. That being said the old court had to be torn up and they need money for a new one. Nelson suggested this might be a good project for you guys, not sure. The total cost is $9,000, but they have $3,000 so what they are looking is to see if maybe we could set out to raise $6,000 to pay for their new court "Cancha" an absolutely vital part of their school. (Take that coming from me, the current PE teacher giving classes without a court)
Manualidades: Order Products!
Before the March trip, I will be taking orders for products made in the Manualidades project. We would like to get orders well in advance, as there will be several trips going down there around the same time, and the ladies need time to build up their stock.
Team members: please share this with your sponsors, friends and family.
If you want to order anything, please let me know so I can give them numbers to be sure there will be enough.
Read more about the Manualidades project
Looking to Learn Some Spanish?
Best online Spanish/English Dictionary
Additional resources are available (for team members only) on the Resource Page.
Please Pray for Carla Cruz
Carla Cruz is a 30-year-old single mom with two sons. Carla is HIV positive and suffers from other health problems. Her ten-year-old son, Jorge, also has HIV, but her six-year-old, Brian, is not infected. Carla is pregnant and due to deliver twins by cesarean in March. The cesarean will give the newborns a better chance of not contracting HIV, but it will be rough on Carla. She is following a special diet to maintain her health, but there are definitely worries about her health and the health of the babies. Please be praying for Carla and her family during this difficult time.
Read more about Carla and her family: http://casahogarvida.blogspot.com/2008/09/life-of-carla-cruz.html