Thursday night

Hello! Sorry for the delay in posting, but we have been so very busy. For the last 2 days we have been sheetrocking and painting, sanding and mudding. The girl's bedrooms we have been working in are beautiful. At the same time, some plumbers have been working with the money the church sent for construction and there is a working bathroom upstairs too! Thanks, Southern Hills!

Today's work has been tough as we held up sheetrock over our heads while Jeff put in the screws with an electric drill (which was very difficult to do!). We have worked hard, slept hard, and I personally have had the best time of my life. This was my very first mission trip and time out of the USA. My life will never be the same. I have a new appreciation for God, and my personal relationship with Him. I came with a group of people I really didn't know, and now I feel like my family has been extended, to also include the Webster's who have been the greatest hosts.

Tuesday afternoon we swam in the ocean. The waves were huge. We watched as the clouds uncovered the mountain tops. Today we went to a market area and we watched the people--some walking fast and some sleeping on the street. Some of us heard one of the local church boys preach a sermon, with bible in hand, trying to get the message over to the 2 of us.

We are all one, different countries, same types of people. Many lessons learned on this trip for all of us. Stop.................listen, watch, learn, and accept that we ALL worship an awesome God. We are all one big family.

Tommorow, off to Roatan on the ferry. Keep praying for safe travel, and rest. Peace be with all of you!!!!

Mary Jane

First Few Days

Dear loved ones,
We have been blessed so far with an awesome trip. Our host family has been wonderful. We all have different gifts, so we work very well together. The food has been awesome. I have eaten things I have not even heard of. I asked one of the ladies from the church who was fixing it, if she would come home with me. She said " By boat or car, NO plane." Maybe we can make time to build a bridge...I told her. Speaking of connections, the people here are amazing. When we walked the main street last night to get ice cream, as we passed people they either nodded or said hello to us, they made great eye contact.

We are very blessed to be here. This has been the greatest experience of my life!! I think everyone should do a trip like this at least once in their life. It makes you really appreciate the things we take for granted, every day of our life. Randy and Natalie's children are well behaved and nice. Randy has told some amazing stories about his life. He is truly a man of the Lord.

We have laughed and cried at all the stories of all of our families. I am traveling with people that are well-seasoned travelers. I am the newby. I walk with my mouth open all the time, just trying to take it all in. I want to remember everything.......I am keeping a journal. All of us thank you for your continued prayers and support. Knowing we have the Lord, and you all behind us is a real blessing!!!!!!

Thanks again,

Mary Jane

Safely Arrived...Hard at Work

Our team arrived safely after finally gathering all together in Houston (we had a contingent who left from Dallas).  After a surprisingly brief flight with some wonderful (but loud) children--thankfully the movie was engaging--we landed in humid San Pedro Sula International Airport.  All of our bags arrived on time and in great shape.  Randy Webster, the GBGM missionary we are here to support, met us at the airport with his lovely wife Natalie and led us to our hotel.  After an excited night's sleep for most of us, we got up for breakfast and hit the road for our three hour drive to La Ceiba.

 

The trip was BEAUTIFUL!  We passed acre after acre of palm trees, pineapple farms, sugar cane (just being harvested--by hand), and many more crops.  Randy pointed out interesting sights along the way and the conversation was lively (not that you'd be surprised with this group).  Only stopping once--a feat in itself--we arrived here safely a little before 11 am.  We moved our stuff in, got oriented to the area, walked down to the beach a block and a half away, and then got to work. 

 

Our work looks like it will be putting mud on sheetrock, sanding existing sheetrock mud, and then finally painting.  Today we did a little of all three with only minimal "scrambling" to make things work.  Scott did a great job teaching several in the team how to sheetrock before we left.  We have three rooms we are working on and are almost finished with one...on our way there!

 

Thank you for your prayers.  Will hope to update you all again soon!

 

Peace,

Pastor Jeff

Welcome!

Welcome to the Southern Hills UMC (Tulsa, OK) Mission Blog! This is a blog to discuss and report the work of the people of Southern Hills UMC in mission to God's world. A central location for VIM trip reports, journals, and media. Also a way for those who could not join the trip to follow along and hold those traveling in prayer!