Kansas Group

Painting the church building

Building forms for the bicycle path

Working concrete

With the events of last week dominating my thoughts, I almost forgot to mention our Kansas group. The group that had to be sent home early because of the events of last week.

The day the president was removed from office we had forty eight eager people arrive ready to work. Most of these folks were from Topeka and Overland Park, Kansas. Over two thirds of them had never been on a TORCH trip. Even so, they came ready and willing to work.

In the few days they were in Honduras, much work was accomplished. Monday morning we could hear many excited voices as Scott Souder led a group in repairing all the bicycles at Casa de Esperanza. I am not sure who was more excited, the children or Scott. Another group went to the front of the property and painted the inside of the church building. Marc thought that would take the better part of the day. With workers as eager as these Kansas people were, it took a couple of hours, leaving more people to work on the bicycles. Others in the group built two houses that day.

By Tuesday morning, we knew we were going to have to change tickets and start sending them home. Nothing stopped them. They built another two houses on Tuesday. By the time they left, they had built six houses, distributed some food and made a nice area at Casa de Esperanza for the children to ride their newly repaired bikes. Of course, they mixed and poured concrete the Honduran way. And without complaining.

We love every group that comes. We bonded with this group in a way we have never bonded before as we watched the political crisis unfold. They got a real taste of "it is what it is" and had to stay out of the city. We found plenty to do in Santa Ana and Ojojona. I am really sad this group had to leave early. I hope they return next year and I hope they get to stay the whole week.

Thanks Kansas for coming and giving of yourselves, for falling in love with Honduras, and for encouraging us.

Terri