Emily Cuba

Dear Saints John & Paul Parish,

There are so many things I want to say about this trip, but it would take me forever and longer. I cannot stress enough the thanks I want to give to all the parishioners for providing us with the opportunity to go on this amazing trip. Without everyone that attended the Fest and donated shoes, we never would have been able to go to this beautiful country. I also want to thank Soles for Souls for everything they have done for us throughout the past few months: preparing us to travel and guiding un in Honduras. I felt so prepared and safe when we finally got there.

I was extremely nervous to go when I signed up because I barely knew anyone else. Signing up for the this trip turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. Coming back home after those short 5 days was heart wrenching and emotional for every single one of us. I never thought I would have been impacted by some kids that didn’t even speak English as much as I was. I would give anything to go back. I feel like a little piece of my heart was left in Honduras. At the malnutrition center we visited, I met a little boy named Anheil. I played with him the whole time. He didn’t really talk because he was so little, but he had the cutest smile I had ever seen. I never wanted to leave.

These kids are away from their families who cannot provide meals for them until they are healthy enough to return home. Some of the families call and check in often, but the kids still stay there with the caregivers. The few caregivers that help the 15 kids there were so amazing and don’t receive enough credit for what they did. They didn’t have much time to give attention to all the kids individually since there were so many, so just the two hours we spent there were so important to the kids. They taught me something I never would have thought: love is the most important thing you can give someone.

Emily Cuba