CWWOV Sends First Team to Honduras!
November 28th to December 3rd, 2011

Check out their itinerary by clicking here.

Please plan to come for a full report in person:
Honduras Update – Invest, Empower, Transform
January 21st, 2012
9:30 to 11 a.m.
Columbia Presbyterian Church
805 Columbia Ridge Drive, Vancouver, WA 98664

 

Reports from the field:

Final Note, December 4, 2011

Hello friends,
This is the final note to finish off the trip from the Women of Vision perspective.  Sorry this is a bit late getting out, but I have been out of town and my Internet was a bit sketchy.  Tonight I am back at the Marriott in Tegucigalpa and will be flying out tomorrow afternoon.

 

To backtrack to Friday - after leaving the sponsored children, we hopped into our vans for the final drive back to Tegus.  Of course a stop did have to made for us to make our final contribution to Honduras.  We shopped!  Great fun and some good buys for all. The rest of the drive was uneventful, and we arrived about dinner time.  We had hoped to be joined by some of the FUNED staff for dinner but not everyone could make it.  Dana had arranged another terrific dinner at a lovely restaurant for our final time together.  Conversation flowed, toasts were made, gifts exchanged and it was a very good way to end our time together. The rest of the evening was spent sorting luggage and trying to get everything in! 

 

As I left so early the next morning, I wasn't part of the final airport goodbye.  I do know the 3 who headed home arrived safely and uneventfully.

 

Just some final thoughts on this precious time - a beautiful green mountainous (by East Coast standards, not Oregon) country with valleys and curves and breathless vistas. The people - so warm and welcoming, even in their poverty - beautiful and affectionate children who laugh and dance and swing at piñatas and work hard and help their families.  It is a place of contrasts - poor dwellings set in extraordinarily beautiful places.  Smiles on worn, work weary faces.  Their excitement about seeing us when we were the honored ones!  Stories like Saida - the only woman in a 12-member coffee growing group who stood up to a philandering husband and now supports her children on her own as a highly valued member of her small community. And stories like Angela getting "locked" in an outhouse!  I could go on and on but won't. Come to our trip report (on January 21, 2012, at Columbia Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.) to hear more about it and see pictures.  Boy, did we take a lot!

 

To close - a quote from some devotional material we used - "To know poor people as persons and friends is to know that there is also joy, caring, sharing, and happiness in the midst of poverty."  We got to do that and got to see God so clearly at work.  Thank you for allowing us to represent you.  It was a high privilege.
Jill for us all

 

Friday, December 2, 2011

We have just arrived back in Tegucigalpa after another full but wonderful day. After our veranda breakfast, we left our lovely hotel in Danli and gradually started our trek back to town.  On the way we stopped to visit two sponsored children.  The first one, Leybi, is sponsored by someone not on the trip.  However, when we drove up, I was one of the first people out of the car.  She came running up to me with a huge smile and a great big hug!  Made my day!  She is a darling 8 year old little girl and so sweet and welcoming.  I think she thought I was her sponsor so I quickly had Dana explain that I wasn't. I did, though, then get to read the letters and hand out the gifts from her sponsor. What a treat that was!  We met her mother and a little nephew.  There is quite a back story with her but no time now.  We chatted with Mama and had some gifts for her as well. It was a precious time for me and I would like to steal her as MY sponsored child!  Her little nephew, however, is up for sponsorship so one of us will most likely take him.  We then had a piñata for the children over in a large field - Papa Smurf!  Much bashing and diving for the fallen candy.  Such fun to witness.

 

The next stop was to Sandi's little Carlitos who is a very big 4!  We were all so blessed to watch this tender and joyous meeting.  Sandi and her family have already invested a great deal into this relationship so the whole family here loves her, of course.  There are 2 parents and an older sister - a very nice family with a good home. Mama had made a pillow for Sandi and some treats.  There were precious notes from them.  Sandi had gifts for Carlitos and also for the whole family.  We took loads of pictures and enjoyed the time so every much.
Leaving a bit reluctantly, we took a brief stop at a city park where mamas and their sponsored children were gathered for check-ups and meeting time.  It was a joyful time of many hugs and greetings. 

 

I am going to call a halt and add more tomorrow as it is late, I am tired and getting up at 4:15 to head to Copan to see the Mayan ruins.  Jan and Ria will be off to Costa Rica and the others head home.  

 

Blessings and love and thank you for joining us on this incredible journey.
Jill

 

 

Thursday, December 1, 2011

First - the weather report - blue sky, light breeze, probably mid seventies. I know you all want to know.  Inquiring minds and all that.

 

We eat breakfast on the veranda and then head out in our Mafia vans. A word about our drivers - one is Roger, our tour guide, and the other is Dana, our incredible WV liaison. They are both intrepid and skilled and drive into places that would cause Richard Petty to blanch! 

 

Today was ADP San Matias day - oh what joy!  I have been looking forward to this day all week. I love ADPs. They are the working arm of WV out in the communities and universally have excellent delightful staff and warm and welcoming hearts. We always feel like royalty there and today was no exception. We were greeted by Maritza, the manager with smiles and hugs. After some introductions, we headed to a large room and were enchanted by children from the arts program just started recently.  Guitars and voices serenaded us and then young people swirled in with full skirts and white outfits and delighted us with 3 Honduran dances.  A highlight for us came when some of the men came over, held out their hands and led us onto the floor for an enormously fun if much less skilled dance!  It was so much fun and yes we have pictures. 

 

A very tender and precious time followed as we had the privilege of praying for Maritza as she continues in her challenging job.
We then walked into the town center - picture dirt streets, little houses and buildings with tile roofs, a few chickens and the occasional pig or horse.  Today is World AIDS Day and most of the town had gathered to recognize this time.  We weren't there for it all but loved our little part which included coming up onto the stage and briefly introducing ourselves. More music and dancing and then we were off, feeling completely blessed by the people and the time. 

 

Then our bunch took time to munch our lunch. (Sorry - a brief Dr Seuss visitation).

 

Next we visited another sweet maker with an actual work room and some staff but a similar process as our earlier visit.
Then more fun began!  We went to a project where the folks are beekeepers.  Well - some of us got totally suited up in our official beekeeping gear and marched off to the hives, looking for all the world like some HazMat team. As the bees swarmed around us, we watched the keepers smoke a hive and then remove the panels of honey comb.  Back to the village and saw the honey
spun out in a hand cranked centrifuge.  It was great! 

 

Now one would think that was enough for one day but NO - we Women of Vision are intrepid so we marched on to visit a very successful cooperative of over 400 members, farming a very large area.  First was our usual inquisition as we gathered info - then off to a field to see newly planted peppers - and finally to another field to see mature plants. Now this all sounds innocent enough. However, it was getting late in the day and darkness was descending. Our final trek was in the dark on very bumpy dirt roads, over a stream, through some gates and finally arriving at the field. With flashlights leading the way, we marched out to see the peppers!  It was very funny and a lovely story to have in our repertoire. 

 

There is so much more to tell you, but I really must wrap up. The stories of the people with these businesses are so worth hearing and will be told another time. 

 

A final note - prayer seems to bathe most all of what we have seen, from public gatherings to meetings to events. People all stand during prayer and God is called Señor, which I just love.  Today was a day of great richness as we experienced so much of God's love shown to us through the people we met. Another occasion of asking who really is the least of these.  I think it is me.

Buenos noches,
Jill

 

 

 

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Today we woke to clear blue skies and warm temperatures, at least those of us who did not set the alarm incorrectly and woke an hour early to the pitch black!  The guilty party shall remain nameless, but she is writing this note.

After a lovely breakfast (we are all enjoying the Honduran coffee) we headed out in our faithful vans. For security reasons we drive around in vans with tinted glass so no one can see in. We feel like Very Important People!  Appearances can be so deceiving.

Our first stop was up another bumpy dirt road into a little village.  It seemed rather poor and simple but then we walked into this clean impressive small factory with two huge beehive wood ovens.  The owner bakes Rosquillas - a ground corn treat sold in local markets.   Tina employs several women to help her make these five days a week and is doing very well with her business. She works very hard but is a true success story. Again we all so enjoyed the green and beautiful countryside - favorite flower of the day were these brilliant blue morning glories. We made our driver stop for a photo. (Obnoxious women tourists!)

Next stop was back on the main road (paved!) where we visited a young woman, Fanny, and her family.  She and her husband, Dennis, are raising watermelons and other crops as well as running a small "7/11" in the front of their home.  Their home was quite lovely - had some appliances, distinct rooms, and even a flush toilet!  Oh happy day!  Their only child, Maria, is able to attend private school so they are doing well. Baby number two is on the way.

Lunch has been on the fly - sandwiches in the van and more snacks than we can shake a stick at (if we were crazy enough to want to do that!). Back to FUNED headquarters to watch a training session for a new Support Group - 9 people banding together to get a loan and a start at a better future. The young woman who led the training, Dunia, was excellent. Very warm and well prepared. The emphasis is clearly on personal responsibility and the importance of repaying the loans on time.

Our final stop - via bumpy dirt roads - (does one sense a theme here?) led to a beautiful tomato field. A couple run this project which was in this lovely little valley surrounded by mountains - rather idyllic. Both agricultural projects we saw today have extensive drip irrigation and are very well managed.  During harvest up to 100 people are employed to handpick the tomatoes which are then either sold in Honduras or San Salvador.

Today was a day of success stories and very heartening.  Although the loans are to individuals, the number of lives impacted ripples out onto the community.  Once I heard sponsored children called channels of blessing to their villages.  This is so true of these people also.
The subject line also tells of our happiness at seeing 3 apparently healthy good marriages - not at all the norm here. We continue to be humbled by the privilege of being with these dear people and their allowing us into their lives for a brief time.  However, as we move through the roads and villages there is still dirty water, darling children in sometimes shabby clothes, and quiet stories of poverty.  The need is great but so is our joy at being here.

We blessed women returned to our charming hotel for our own personal Happy Hour and then a good supper.  God is good - all the time.

Off to bed - blessings on you all.
Jill

 

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Our first evening in Tegucigalpa was delightful.  We are staying at this very plush Marriott all decked out for Christmas. We met the World Vision staff and they uphold the reputation of WV staff worldwide - excellent, competent, highly qualified, and just generally wonderful!  It is a peculiar blessing that God has lavished on this work - the excellence of its staff.  I will wax eloquent throughout the week.

Dinner was at a very lovely restaurant just across the street from the hotel - the staff joined us so it was a pleasure to start to get acquainted.  For future reference Dana is our official WV guide while we are here.  Karla and Libia are with us for translation and just fun.  Roger is our driver. He is not employed by WV but is hired to help arrange things for groups like us.  He is truly splendid.
The meal was superb!  The beef was recommended to us so we all gamely ordered that.  Well - - it was some of the best beef I've ever had. I am feeling slightly guilty about the true spoiling we are enjoying.  I'm sure it will pass!  After dinner we returned to our hotel, met for devotions and tucked in for an early night.

Up early this morning and after a banquet of a breakfast, we packed up and hit the road.  The drive was gorgeous - very green - many pines - hills and valleys and mountains.  Really quite Oregon like in spots.  I will also reluctantly mention, for all of you folks enjoying cool temperatures and lovely rains, we are struggling with sunny skies and warm breezy weather. 

We headed out to a smaller town named Danli.  After checking into a charming hotel - think Spanish hacienda style, we met with the FUNED staff and heard about their work.  A bit of a backtrack - for those of you not in the know - our Women of Vision chapter has a micro finance project which we help support here in Honduras.  FUNED is the acronym for this World Vision organization.  In a nutshell, FUNED makes small loans to people who can not get conventional loans to start a business.  Women are the primary beneficiaries of this program.  There is much more to be said about it but that will suffice for now.

 
This is branch 14 of the 18 branches here.  It is also the most successful with an almost 100% return on the loans. We traveled out and visited three clients.

Our first stop was in a small town where we visited Diana and her father, Jose, who make a lovely soft caramel candy.  The raw ingredients are boiled down over a wood fire and stirred by hand.  Then it is poured out onto a table to be cooled, rolled out and cut into candies.  Our samples were yummy!  Their candy is sold in local stores and they would like to expand their business as there is the demand.

Note to travelers - the secret to Pied Piper type popularity - the iPad!  Again, I had the delight of sharing it with children today and got to see their wide-eyed amazement and joy.  Upon leaving, I was asked when I could return so they could play some more!

Next stop was a coffee plantation. We drove UP into the hills for about a mile on a one lane dirt and rock road with breathtaking views on either side.  Some of us laughed and some of us prayed but we made it to the top and came into a small village topping a ridge.  This community is called Buena Vista - beautiful view and it certainly is. Again we were blessed with stories, children, brave women, strong men and coffee!

Our final stop was to see a woman who is a true entrepreneur.  Rosa sells Avon beauty products, runs a corn mill, caters, and sells clothing and jewelry.  She is the main support for her family of 5 and has had 11 loans.  (New loans are not given until the preceding one is repaid).
I know this has gone long and I have not even had the chance to tell the stories of the amazing people we met. People who work long physically exhausting days - day after day and still greet us with joy and warmth and wearing their best clothes!  Why did God choose to bless us so?  No answer but we are forever grateful.

Time for bed.
Hasta la vista.
And love to mine from me and love to all others from yours!
Jill

 

Monday, November 28, 2011

Hello all,
Just a quick check in - we are all here - warm breeze and sunshine - staying at a beautiful Marriott.  We are really suffering servants!  It really seems almost too much but we will get out of Dodge tomorrow so looking forward to that. 

Logistically - our luggage all made it and there were no travel mishaps so we are grateful. All is most well. We will have a debrief with World Vision staff soon, supper, and then an early bedtime as we are off early tomorrow morning.

I will report more (hopefully!) tomorrow.  Just wanted you to know we are all here safely and grateful to have this opportunity.  Thank you for your prayers and love.

For all of us,
Jill Sherman

LuAnn - I miss you here!

 

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Hello friends and family of our Women of Vision Honduras group,
For those of you who don't know me, I am one of the travelers on this trip and the assigned scribe. You will be hearing from me most days about all we are seeing and doing. For those of you who do know me, we are back on travel mode and I will love using this as a journal of the trip. We are all off tonight close to midnight. Half of us are flying through Houston and the other half through Atlanta. However, we will all end up in Tegucigalpa, Honduras about midday tomorrow. We would love your prayers for safe travel and my BIG one for every trip, that our luggage get there! We are women after all and need our stuff! Really, though, the prayers we really want are for the people we visit - that we may be encouragers, learners, friends, and the hands and feet of Jesus.  It is a high privilege to travel on these trips and we count ourselves blessed.
Thank you for your love and prayers,
Jill Sherman for us all