I did it again! Almost 7 years ago I went on my first mission trip to the country of Honduras. The people were so kind and grateful. I came back carrying their gratitude for life and the memories that were made.

Last week I headed back with a group of wonderful people, nurses, doctors and dentist to visit the villages and pour into them.

I have so many stories about the trip that I did a podcast episode for it. If you prefer to listen then read here is the link Honduras Podcast Episode

Let me start by talking about Dr. Paz. She is the 76 year old pastor/dentist that lives in Honduras. Every day of the week she tirelessly goes to a village (mind you they are all about 2 hours away). She prays over these people, does her dentistry work and has built 5 churches. She does this all for Free, all from the goodness of her heart and from contributions from people who want to help. I have known her for 7 years and my friend Laura has known her for over 30 years. This last church she has built (dug the ground with a shovel herself to build it) needs some windows. I am raising the money for the windows and sending it to her. My plan is to match $1 for $1 to raised and we are looking for $2,000 total. If you want to contribute you can Venmo me at @LeeAnne-Hayden on Venmo. 100% of the money is going directly to her and getting the windows done. I will be heading back next year and would love to see this done!

When we first got there and where going through customs all of our medical supplies where taken from us. I guess there were some forms we were supposed to fill out (35 pages worth) that we didn’t know about. The supplies where toothpaste, toothbrushes, glasses, Pepto and vitamins. We couldn’t get them back until we returned to head home (we got them back and brought them home, we will be shipping them down to Dr. Paz instead). So with that hiccup done we headed to the Dr’s home which is where we stay. We were sad that we didn't have those supplies with us however, we were able to acquire a ton of medicine and vitamins while we were there to give out.

On Sunday we went to church and then organized and packed everything up for the next 4 days. Each day we were going to a different village. There is a water shortage in Hondorus right now so we had 20 minutes a day where the city turned the water on. We got to shower fast each night. I brought baby wipes with me (thanks Mila and Jack). Also I had a tube of toothpaste I snagged from Johns bag before I left. Good thing seeing that all ours was taken by customs! Everyone was thanking John every time they brushed their teeth.

Monday was the first clinic, it was about a 2 1/2 hour ride to the village and let me tell you there were a ton of pot holes along the route! We were swerving every which way to avoid them. Its a good thing I wasn’t driving! Believe it or not it was a bit chilly and rainy that day so we all had jackets on. The people were so grateful that we were there. We saw about 80ish people that day. We didn’t have enough boys clothes but they loved and were appreciative of the socks and underwear. We had a ton of baby girl clothing (Thank you to Ivanna my DIL) along with Camille’s daughter. What ever was left over there we brought back with us. Because Thursday was going to be an adventure.

Tuesday - I was in charge of giving out clothes again today. There was the cutest little girl who was about 8 years old who had a little sister who was around 2. She kept coming over the the table and checking things out. I kept looking to see what I had for a girl her age but there wasn’t anything but a pair of underwear and a pair of Minnie Mouse socks which I tucked away for when it was their turn. After they saw the Dr. and got their medicine they came to the table and the 8 year old was so happy watching me load mom up with clothes for the 2 year old and I gave the mom a piece of jewelry and the 8 year old her underwear. She kept trying to say something to me in Spanish which I didn’t understand so I brought her over to the interpreter and had him translate. She asked “ Do you like bananas” Me “I love bananas” She asked “ can you come to my house and have a banana with me?” Me. “ Oh I can’t leave the clinic, I am so sorry”. Her “ What time are you done”. Me “ I am not sure in about an hour”. She nodded her head, gave me a quick hug and left. 5 minutes later this little girl came back in with a black bag full of really ripe bananas for me as a gift. I was so touched by her generosity. I gave her the biggest hug, then she pointed to the table and I said “OH YOUR SOCKS” and I ran over and got her Minnie Mouse socks. She gave me another huge hug and left. Let me tell you I carried my bag of bananas proudly out to our truck when we were done. That memory will stick with me forever.

Wednesday - This was the day we were spending an overnight at the village like we did the last time. It was about a 2 1/2 ride to get there. One story I want to share is about a man who was about mid 30’s or so I think. He had just had surgery 4 months prior to remove a tumor from his head. Dr. Paz asked me to share my testimony with him. Again with the interpreter he shared his story with me and I shared mine with him. Something in me told me to give him a hug when we were done. He hugged me so tight and buried his head in my shoulder. When I went inside Dr. Tim told me that the man had been outside crying. I said “ I didn’t mean to make him cry!” He said “Oh no, he is crying happy tears”. It made me think about how important it is to listen to peoples stories, continue to share mine and the power of a hug. This day we slept in the church on cots with mosquito netting around our beds. There was an outhouse for the bathroom and if we wanted a room that was closed off to shower (aka a bucket of water and a bowl to pour over us). I just brushed my teeth with bottled water and used baby wipes.

Thursday - Ok this day was the day of the adventure! We left around 5am and drove for about 2 1/2 hours UP THE MOUNTAIN! For some of it I was in the back of the truck bed sitting on a cooler holding on tight lol. We were definitely 4 wheeling! The views were incredible, the pastor and the pastors wife were teaching me what was along the road (I was learning Spanish back there too). They showed me the coffee flowers, parrots, donkeys, cows, flowers. The scenery was spectacular and the photos do not do it justice! When we got to this village the people where just so grateful and wanted to know why we came all that way just for them. We told them that we were there because God loves them. That they deserve treatment and care just like everyone else. This day I was helping with the pharmacy. Marc and I had a great rhythm going. I l looked up and Laura was praying over someone and the women where shopping at the clothes table. It reminded me of Filenes basement wedding dress sale. LOL. These women were just so excited and grabbing at the clothing. It was so hard to tell them to only take 5 items or so that there was enough for everyone. It got to the point where I pulled out the leftover bag from Monday and let them go through that too. By the end of this day we ran out of clothes, adult vitamins, and Tylenol. We saw over 100 people and could have helped more but we needed to get back down the mountain and then drive 2+ hours back to Dr. Paz’s home.

Friday - was our whatever day. We relaxed, recouped, shopped and laughed a ton.

Saturday we headed home WITH our supplies!

Laura was the head of our team and a great friend of mine, who has done so many mission trips all over the world. Dr. Tim and I had done my last mission trip together and has done many mission trips Haiti, Africa all over really. Marc has done Hondorus in 2018 and has been to Haiti probably 1 dozen times. Camille was a nurse and this was her first trip. It was so wonderful to see it through her eyes for the first time. We all became fast, great friends who laughed together all day. Dr. Paz there’s so much to say about this woman there is a paragraph above, Dr. Blaas is Dr. Paz’s nephew he was fresh out of medical school last time I went. It was great to see him in action. Luiz was our interpreter who's English is fantastic! His family also owns a coffee farm. I did come home with 10 bags of fresh coffee beans. Sarah, was in High School and took the week off to come and help us organize the villagers before they saw anyone. This team is just so loving and giving. My heart is full every time I think of them now.

If you made it through reading all of this I thank you from the bottom of my heart and don't forget if you want to donate to the church you can send it to me through Venmo.

All my love

LeeAnne

xo