This morning began with breakfast and a bit of a treat with a quesadilla. Then Ann shared a devotional reminding us that we must take care of one another. When we got back to the church we split up in four teams. Emily and Ann went with Elder and Javier to do more surveys. Duke, Mary Jane, and Glenn stayed to work on more boards. Megan, Steve, Tracy went with Olvin and their Honduran team to do another installation. And Eileen and I went with Alex and another Honduran team to get the lights ready for the rest of the installation.

We worked hard and got the houses ready. It was fun and the views were amazing. Honduras is a beautiful country the scenery but especially the people. We are always greeted with hospitality and grace everywhere we go.

We got the the lights and panels all in for one house in the afternoon but there was some sort of problem. The team worked on it but it was getting late so we made the decision to come back the next day to find the problem and put the rest of the system in the other house.

It’s hard to give up even for the day but it was hot and we’d all been going strong all day.

The work went so well that on Sunday we had one house to equip from start to finish, the house with the problem to solve, one house where the lights were done but the system needed to be installed, and the house we were going to do in our way out of El Horno on our way to Comayagua.

We were wanting to get 9 houses equipped and at this point had 10 houses completed. If we had to stop now it would have been more than a successful trip but we still had another full day of work we could do. What a blessing we have had working with partners in Honduras.

We needed more supplies today so Alex (one of our drivers and interpreters) and Emily went to town. That meant that Ann and I traveled with the teams installing systems. Ann went with one team and I with the other. The weather was a bit cooler as it rained through the night. And it stayed cloudy most of the day and rained off and on. Our first installation was about an hour from where we are staying. The drive was into the mountains and in roads that look like they were meant for mountain biking (not wide and very bumpy). When we arrived we had a short trek up a hill but nothing like the walk to many of the houses.

The homeowners greeted us and we got to work. All went smoothly until the solar panel was damaged. But we made a decision to do everything except the panel and to come back with that later. The homeowners were gracious and very excited to be farther along with lights in his home. They fed us a wonderful homemade lunch which we didn’t expect. We tested the system as far as we had gotten it done and all worked well

Our driver parked the vehicle farther away because of the rain and muddy conditions. As we headed over the mountains we saw beautiful vistas but also hit a few treacherous roads. For this house we had to walk a half of a mile in slippery mud.

Once again the homeowners greeted us warmly and we got to work. The sun came out while we were there. The installation went very smoothly and very quickly. There was a cute little girl and boy at this house. They posed for pictures and of course wanted to see their photos. In this installation I stayed out of the way except to take pictures. I also had the best connection and was able to post a few blogs.

It was exciting to finish the installation and hear Eileen explain to them how to work the system. And then have them test all the lights. When we gathered the family for a photo the little boy wouldn’t join.

As we were finishing up the rain started in full force again. It was slippery going down the mountain and one of our team went down (no it wasn’t me). The Hondurans helped us as we slipped and slides our way down. As we loaded up the truck (6 the cab of the truck and 8-10 in the back) we were on a steep slope. Our driver is excellent but it was like being on ice. And we had a very scary moment on the side of the mountain, so much so that all of the Hondurans in the back of the truck and one of our team in the front got out and walked the rest of the way down. After that while it was still treacherous we made it without incident thanks to Javier, our driver.

The other team also had a good day. The stories are fun to listen to and share with one another at the end of the day.

The rain may make it difficult for us to get around tomorrow but there is still work that we can do to prepare for more installations.

Day 3

Emily arrived Wednesday evening so the whole team was here. We worked a bit to get the teams who were going to build the panels ready for the next day’s Installations. After a good night’s sleep (at least for me) we got up early to make our way to breakfast and start the day’s work. Two teams went out to install panels, those are the solar 2 folks who have learned about building the systems along with Honduran team members. Emily, Ann and I went with several other Honduran team members to survey more homes for installations. The covenant is for 76 homes to be equipped with solar panels. So far there have been xxx homes equipped with xxx to be completed on this trip. Each home owner contributes to the installation.

We surveyed another 8 homes today. This includes taking measurements, determining where the panel will be located in the house and where to places the pole with the solar panel. We got to meet the homeowners and were treated with hospitality each place we went. Each home was different but there is no doubt that each home will be improved with light. Many of the stories that you hear are that now there children can attend school because they will have light by which to do their homework.

The two teams that went out today each installed 2 systems. They worked well together and had great experiences. Both groups also had fun experiences with children.

When the work out in the field was done we gathered for a delicious dinner prepared by our hosts. We have eaten well. And we once again shared in a thoughtful evening devotion prepared by one of our team members. We share each morning and evening in devotions. It’s a great time for us to share our joys and struggles.

As I write these words the team is all working to prepare four more panels for tomorrow’s installation. The solar 1s will go to the community of El Sute tomorrow for more surveys of homes. I’m offto help put boards together so that we can go to bed soon. 😊

The first day of work we got up to Duke banging around the church getting things organized. He was ready to get started. When the rest of us got to moving we started to load up the trucks to go to breakfast when a bread truck pulled up. Some of the team bought bread. Then we went to breakfast. We had tortillas, black beans and eggs. There was also cereals and some of the sweetbreads we bought.

After we finished breakfast some of us decided to walk back to the church for morning devotions. Megan talked about the light of God going before the Israelites when they wandered in the wilderness. She encouraged us to see the presence of God before in the work that we are doing. Then the teams had prayer with our in country partners and started assembling the boxes that go on the panels in the homes. After breaking for lunch we headed out to a house for an installation.

The installation was for a house for an older woman who lives by herself. The whole team of 9 as well as 10-12 Honduran workers in this little bitty house of approximately 400 square feet. She had no light in her house at all. So we got started.

To be honest it was a bit chaotic with this first house. People trying to do too much, attempting to translate instructions no Spanish, making sure everyone had a chance to do some of the work. But we worked hard all afternoon and just before sunset the last light fixture was added and the lights were turned on. The woman’s face shone with joy!! And several of us newbies teared up when the lights came on and it all worked. What a sense of joy and accomplishment; what a sense of hope. The light does shine in the darkness when we come together and work together to help others. And we often find that in helping others we have been helped ourselves.