Until we meet again!

Today was really hard for all of us. In the three days we have been here, I for one have become very attached to these kids and thier families. I have gained many friends I hope to see again but if that is not God's will i am very sure that i will at least have the chance to meet them again in heaven. While im glad we accomplished the goal of finishing the kitchen walls and the VBS for the kids I am sad to see our time up so soon! Goodbyes are never easy!

Devotion today was also very special! We learned to "let go and let god" as Tess said. Tess, my roommate, and friend has made the decision to get baptized tomorrow. She is a great person and I am proud to have had the opportunity to meet her and share this trip with her!

As we leave Choluteca tomorrow we enter another chapter of our trip in Tegu. So, today was bittersweet. While we say goodbye to some that we have grown close to we are given the opportunity to gain more friends that will change who we are forever! God Bless! Buenos Noches!

Tyra Bertolotto- Choluteca Team

Meeting my sponsored child

Today was the day scheduled to meet Kimberli, one of my sponsored children! My husband and I now sponsor 4 kids. Two boys in Swaziland and two girls in Honduras. Both of us were fortunate enough to meet our two boys last September and now I have the opportunity to meet our two girls on this trip. I have been looking forward to today since February!

On the bus to the project today Kayla, a fellow traveler, asked me if I was nervous. I actually began to get nervous right then, as I hadn't truly decided what I was going to say. There were several of us meeting our kids at the same time, so when I walked in to the room I had butterflies in my stomach as Kimberli & her mother were sitting right there! She came over & gave me a hug. I told her that I loved her in spanish! She gave me a picture that she had colored with Ruth 2:12 written out. Her mother was so grateful and appreciative. She said that she recognized me from pictures I had sent. We talked about our families and prayed for her father as he is sick. We talked about Kimberli's favorite things. As most girls back home, she likes pink, likes to play with friends and loves school. With my limited Spanish & a translator we were able to connect. Then we began playing. We colored pictures, we played memory (a card game) and then played catch with a bouncy ball while she taught me how to count in Spanish.

We took lots of pictures and had to say our good-byes since she had to get to school. It was hard to see her go, but I know that God will watch over her. He will provide for all her needs. Through Mission of Mercy we will remain in contact. Meeting our sponsored kids has made a world of difference in our lives. I know it is an experience that none of us will ever forget!

Thanks,
Kari Raymond

Honduras -- new country!

What a great experience to come to this place with the expectation of meeting new people! I have traveled to many other countries and loved every place and the joy of meeting people at the church, orphanage or project. Today we worshipped with the church at La Joyada and the language barrier was no problem! While I speak some Spanish, we simply expressed our love to the Lord! The people were so warm and we hugged one another and rejoiced that we worship the same Jesus.

Meeting our sponsored child was a wonderful experience. I met our child's mother, brother and sister. We shared information and they were so pleased to meet me. The child's mother shared how much it meant to have her child in the program. I will get to visit their home on Tuesday and spend more time with them.

Be encouraged if you are sponsoring a child! They truly need your help in providing for their lives and to help them know Jesus loves them. The letters you send are SO valuable and especially a photo.

Blessings to all of you,

D'Jonna Sewell-Muehlbauer

God is Awesome!!

What an awesome time we have had here in Honduras so far. Yesterday, I got to meet my sponsored child. His name is David and I fell in love with him immediately. He is only 4 years old and neither of us could understand each other, but words were not needed. Just meeting him and seeing how God is taking care of him through Mission of Mercy confirms that God is awesome and He cares for all of His people. Amazing time here in Honduras, serving God alongside our brothers and sisters here. What an honor and blessing to show the love of God to Honduras.

Elsa Grant

VBS Day in Honduras

Hey everybody everything is going very well here! Today we completed Vacation Bible School in a village for two groups of 50 kids each! We had a lot of fun! The fun started out with them singing to us as we walked into their church, they also chanted "Welcome beloved brothers" or Bienvenidos queridos hermanos! The kids are so sweet, we each recieved a gift and a hug within 30 seconds of meeting them! During the VBS the kids got their faces painted by Myself and LeAnne and a few others joining and going for a while! Some of the other stations the kids got to enjoy was painting cars, reading bible stories, and floride treatments! After that we played hondurans VS americans in a little soccer, we played some frisbee and wiffle ball as well! Even though there wasn't a whole lot of communicating we got by with patience and a few translators! I am picking up a little spanish myself actually as each day progresses! Even though things may not be as organized as some of the adults would like I think the impact we are having on these children and the impact they are having on us is absolutely astonishing! No matter how long or well we organized things didn't matter today the fact that we are here and trying means so much to these kids! I will never forget the numerous hugs I recieved from children all day! One of the most memorable things to happen today had to be meeting Santa Elizabeth... she was one of our translators from the village. She and I had quite a conversation on just the appreciation she and her people here have for our willingness to leave our home to help her! Little did she realize even though I tried to explain, I truly believe that both sides are recieving equally from this experience! The people here have really been blessed with uncomparable humility I have never seen! I can only pray that some of it rubs off on us! So as the first day is coming to a close I must say .... Buenos noches! Good Night, and God bless!

Tyra Bertolotto - Choluteca team!

2 Days and we will be on our way to Honduras!

I am so excited to see what God has in his plan for this trip. We are taking so many supplies and 360 bibles! Please keep our team in prayer as we finish packing and preparing for this Mission. Pray also for the many people in Honduras that we will come in contact with and that their hearts will be open to hear about Jesus! We have an amazing team going and I can't wait to really get to know everyone! Keep checking for new posts! Thanks for the prayers and support!