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To our supporters and fellow parishioners at Saints John & Paul—
As mentioned to many attendees during our very successful fundraising event in January, I am sincerely thankful for your support as a church body to help us realize our goals of growing our faith individually, in small groups of 5, and- as a VERY strong team of 30- assisting and making a lasting impression with not only children in Honduras but the very dedicated and knowledgeable Soles4Souls leaders and the Honduran people we encountered as well.
Amazing & Passionate People like:
Alicia – Director of Las Mercedes Malnutrition Center and her team of ‘Tias’ – showing nothing but love and dedication in a very difficult part of society in this third world country where a portion ofhumanity does not treat its own well at all! While all4 of the distributions were powerful and effective, this one had the most profound impact on me. I will continue forward with this facility always in my mind to give me strength and guidance. Daily prayers go out to them and all the caregivers in the world…
Raul Carrasco & team- our drivers/guides/translators/bodyguards/friends- I felt comfortable with them from literally the minute we were greeted by them at the San Pedro Sula Airport. It allowed me to concentrate on why we were there and to better interact with our kids. Not surprisingly, this team has made such an impression that many of our 24 missionaries have maintained social media contact with Raul, Rammel, Darwin and Christian.
As a contractor for the Soles program, Raul came to be who he is as the Holy Spirit entered his life in a feeling that came over him after helping someone in dire need. This was an unlikely situation due to the fact that his life before this transformation was full of violence and turmoil. His willingness to share his detailed story with us openly is a testament to why he calls himself a Soldier of God. I now have a goal to be that type of soldier.
Chris & Alishia Weeks – an American couple from Kentucky who live and work in Santiago, Honduras -they not only teach English to the students thru Sparrow Missions but also assist with struggling family’s needs. What a calling to provide such support! In addition to this, they have adopted several children there to raise with their toddler!! Their love, attitude and enthusiasm was heartwarming! I could see easily that the Honduran school children admire and love them. Chris told me that the visit from the Soles mission group is the highlight of their year.
Tiffany Turner- Director of Outreach- puts her whole self into her job. As proof of this, she was not feeling 100% on Sunday morning before church and had lost some of her voice but wanted to contribute to the Mass. And she did!! Unbeknownst to us, she arranged with the ushers and music ministry to sing to the congregation after communion. The song How Great Thou Art came from inside her Soul with such power and feeling that we were speechless and somewhat emotional. She received a “Saints John & Paul round of applause” from the all of the pews! Tiffany also amazed me throughout the shoe distributions by her special connections with some of the kids and families that she had encountered on previous visits.
Kristen Schwartz – Travel Coordinator – so perfectly guided many of our missionary kids in happy and trying times- there were many! She was right there with us as we sized, washed, fitted each child with a new pair of shoes or sandals. A kind and capable person we were fortunate to have as part of our team from the beginning in 2017.
My small group – Elizabeth, Elsa, Haley & Paige….. I could not have asked for a better team to share the mission effort with! We experienced a full range of emotions during the 5 total days. The knowledge that was exchanged among us amazed me. I had expectations, but they were surpassed by these young ladies!
These people and our core leaders Jen & Scott demonstrated without hesitation what it means to love others in God’s name. We all walked with the Lord together to help alleviate poverty, to spread love and hope – a little bit at a time. They all left a lasting impression on me. I believe we left a lasting impression on them. We are truly blessed to have had this opportunity to serve and will not forget it. We will continue to serve Jesus through his people here and where we travel. I would do this again and again – Especially in Honduras.
Thank you again, John