There are only the inadequacy of words to describe first hand what we’ve seen with our souls, felt in our hearts, inhaled with our gasps and heard with our senses.

And we may be home, but the people of Honduras and the mountains still call as our preparations are already underway for 2012′s mission.

Our team is completely humble by those who have supported us with your thoughts and prayers.  We’re common people  doing what any one person can do, too:  responding to the ‘God taps’ of mission work and then walking by faith.

Join us back here for  2011 Vision Honduras pictures that will follow within the next days and weeks to come.

Dios te bendiga (God bless you)…

kay (smiling)

The cases we’ve seen have varied from “scoring” with ease with the first pair of glasses for someone, to complicated prescriptions taking up to an hour.  While the team has seen many severe cases of cataracts in the aging population, it’s the children – the very young children – who’ve stolen our hearts with ingrown eyelashes and yet others with no pupils.  In the United States, children such as those we’ve seen would be easily treated with advanced medical technology, however here – in one of thee poorest countries in the world – their lives will not improve.

We are indescribably blessed.

I’ve taken on the “PR” (public relations) job in the mornings of handing out angel, cross and lamb stickers to the children.  This year, men and women also point to their chests with their want for a sticker, and respond to my broken Spanish phrase of, “God Bless You”…  with, “Amen”.  The way we’ve been especially received in Los Floras by a people so poor and so rich in faith has evoked much emotion and empathy.  No sufficient words describe the bashful smiles or tell you how rich the children’s laughter is.

Our team ended a ten hour work day by going to a thermal mountain pool.  The water was very, very warm and it felt amazing to relax and swing in nearby hammocks.

Beans, rice, tortilla’s and chicken still sustain us.  We are blessed.

We bid you good night and will try to check in again tomorrow.

Everyone here sends their love…

kay (smiling)

We’re having a wonderful time of many God moments and wondrous experiences in very remote and very poor villages of people who have so little that it takes your breath away and rocks your guts.  We are eating well – a lot of beans, rice and tortilla’s and we’re laughing a lot!  Our travels into the mountains have been very bumpy on one lane roads built of packed rocks with hair pin turns and 1,000 foot drop offs.  People in the villages have been very receptive to us being there with what we have to help.

It’s been very cold in the mornings (40*) but eventually warming up in the afternoon to 80*…  I’m glad I have my long johns along!

Tomorrow we’re going to yet another village at 6,000 feet above sea level but will come down to sleep and eat in Gracias.  Our internet service is very sketchy so I don’t know when I’ll be able to check in, but will try.

So much to share so little internet time…

Be well – love you all a whole bunch.

kay and the VH team

After a five plus hour switch back filled journey we arrived at our village home. We spent the last two day days at Guacutao, in the Department of Lempira.   We fit 277+ people with eye glasses! The children loved the sunglasses and candy of course.  We have been fed rice and beans, and a little fried fish including the heads and eyeballs.  Most of our hosts have no electricity but plenty of good coffee!  A few of us had extra large visitors in our rooms of the eight leg variety and our hot showers are rare and pleasant.

The road to Guautao was especially challenging with lots of bumps and creeks that we had to go over and through.  The pastor there was thrilled and the people were very happy to see us and felt very blessed.  We did have solar power for our equipment which worked great!

Renda, Steve and Obed ventured down the mountain in the back of the coffee truck with all our supplies. We’re now at LaCampa with full bellies (chicken, french fries, and veggies).  Some are playing cards and we’re all chatting and laughing!

Today is Beth’s birthday and we had a great Chocolate cake!

Papi Orville has a new nickname:  we call him “Red” as in Redenbacker!

Tomorrow is a set up day and we might go to the hot springs Friday and even catch the superbowl somewhere on Sunday.  Luis has had at least one village cancel us because most of the village is out picking coffee beans.

More soon -

Renda, Orv, Pops and the rest of the gang!

Quote of the day….  Art says Orville will wear a suit tomorrow… He says, “Are you kidding?  I can’t even find the legs to my pants!“.

Over and Out….

And our little band of visionaries remembers the family of Elvira, especially Bob…  Elvira’s littlest lamb… the prodigal son who represented the flock from the lectern with a brave, broad, confident smile… an infectious laugh… and a familiar, reassuring calm.

And Bob is our constant who directs the director, encourages by example, rolls with what’s peaceful and is the fuel who allows common people to attain uncommon results.

It’s true:  friends are the family we get to choose for ourselves…

***

Elvira A. Olinger was born August 1, 1924, in Round Grove Township, McLeod County, Minnesota, the daughter of Carl and Elsie (Klitzke) Brede. She was baptized on September 28, 1924 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Fernando, and was confirmed there on April 10, 1938. Elvira grew up in Round Grove Township, and received her education at the Country School there.

On February 4, 1943, Elvira was united in marriage to Melvin Wacker at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Parsonage in Stewart. They made their home in Stewart. Elvira joined Melvin’s family of three children, and seven children were born to their marriage. Elvira was involved with Melvin in the Implement Dealership, where she ran the Parts Department. Melvin passed away in 1966.

On September 11, 1970, Elvira was united in marriage to Pat Olinger at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart. They moved to Hector in 1974. Elvira was a partner of the L & W Chevrolet Dealership until 1975. She worked closely with Pat, who owned Load Star Trucking. She was also involved with a catering group in Stewart.

Elvira was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hector, and was active with the Funeral Committee. She was known for her cooking abilities, especially scalloped potatoes and ham. She also enjoyed quilting.

Elvira passed away on Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at the Hutchinson Community Hospital.

Elvira is survived by her husband Pat Olinger of Hector; Children: Gloria Foss of St. Paul, Brenda (Ralph) Larson of Hector, Beverly Sullivan of Rochester, Byron (Sandra) Wacker of Nisswa, Marleta (Hans) Lillejord of Manor, Texas, Mary (Clayton) Schroeder of Hector, and Robert Wacker of New Germany; Daughter-in-law Gloriann Wacker of Glencoe; Son-in-law Mel Rettmann of Minneapolis; Grandchildren: Karen (Adrian) Boll, Susan (Richard) Bautch, Grant (Janet) Wacker, Keith Foss, Brett Foss, Cindy (Paula) Faas, Treva (Jason) Thoms, Sheldon (RoAnn) Rettmann, Leon (Carol) Rettmann, Melanie Clark, Lisa (Bill) Irving, David Rettmann, Robert (Nancey) Rettmann, Phillip Larson, Michael (Pam) Larson, Lisel Larson, Pam Sullivan, Jeffrey (Jody) Wacker, Mitchell Tracy) Wacker, Kathryn (Glenn) Starfield, Maria Wacker, Hans Jr. (Loretta) Lillejord, Kersten (Jeff) Levine, Christopher (Tonya) Schroeder, Matthew (Kari) Schroeder, Joshua (Tina) Schroeder, Jeanna (Ankan) Petal, Erin Wacker, and Amber Wacker; Great-grandchildren: David (Jean) Boll, Daniel (Kary) Boll, Michael (Sarah) Boll, Alan Boll, Anne (Craig) Bautch, Philip Bautch, Evan Wacker, Kathryn Wacker, Brandon Foss, Troy Foss, Lindsay Foss, Lauren Foss, Mary Foss, Balinda Foss, Justin Foss, Mitchel Foss, Carlton Foss, Katrina Faas, Serina Faas, Corina Faas, Wilyem Thoms, Aleigh Thoms, Izaak Thoms, Raiann (Eli) Lopez, Katy (Matt) Peterson, Luke Rettmann, John Rettmann, Rosealyn Rettmann, Christin Clark, Amy Clark, Jennifer Clark, Kiersten Clark, Robert Clark, Brian Langdon, Robert Langdon, Lela Langdon, Alexander Rettmann, Andrew Rettmann, Tiffany Larson, Ali Larson, Gavin Sullivan, Broden Amadi, Connor Wacker, Alexandra Wacker, Tyson Wacker, Anthony Wacker, Madison Wacker, Julia Wacker, Colton Wacker, Gabriella Wacker, Ethan Starfield, Jack Starfield, Eliza Starfield, Ian Lillejord, Dana Lillejord, Wyatt Levine, Blake Ziesmer, Shawna Mayer, Kylor Schroeder, Dylon Schroeder, Aydon Schroeder, Jaydon Schroeder, and Mason Schroeder; Great-great grandchildren: Andrea Boll, Gavin Boll, Avery Boll, Sophia Boll, Sterling Bautch, Riley Foss, Sierra Foss, Ruby Foss, Perla Foss, Samantha Foss, Madison Foss, Zachary Foss, Payton Foss, Aliesha Lopez, Amanda (Richie) Fergeson, Lily Peterson, and Scarlett Peterson; and Great-great-great-grandchild Rhode Fergeson. Elvira is also survived by Pat’s family, and by many other relatives and friends.

Elvira was preceded in death by her parents, son Melvin Wacker Jr., son Kenneth Wacker, daughter Shelvie Rettmann, grandson Jack Brian Foss, granddaughter Jannelle Foss, great-grandsons Travis Foss and Nathan Rettmann, great-granddaughter Mariah Rettmann, sister LaVerna Schiro, and by her brother Ervin Brede.

Apparent prayers for travel mercies soothed hiccups for the wandering visionaries who “barely made it there”.  The team’s flight from Chicago to Miami survived the departure cut when the 30 state snow storm closed the airport, however their flight to Miami arrived behind schedule.  This left the team to dash (quite possibly like graceful gazelle’s) to a far-flung gate and finally flail themselves into the waiting hull boarding for San Pedro Sula.

So… I know you’re picturing the panoramic commotion in your mind  (yes… you are) wondering if they could have galloped to the finish line wearing winter jackets, snow pants, Sorels, hats and mittens.  Huh.

Their luggage arrives today.

The team is now 6 hours into the mountains and have settled into their new digs in Guacultao, Lempira for the next four days.

The fulfilling joy of the work begins.  Today.

kay (smiling)

The Vision Honduras Team warmly recognizes and thanks our dear friend and team member, Carrie Frank, for her outstanding gift of video production.

Carrie?  You.  Good.

kay (smiling)

Orville and Elvera/Vision Honduras, 2010

Our team sets off partially this year as my mom stays behind to continue her gutsy and very noble protest against endometrial clear cell carcinoma… a sneaky diagnosis that deserves no capital letters of acknowledgment.   We’ll do our best to live out mom’s driven heart, her positive perspective, her quick laughter and honest observations in her name this year.  No one loves you more.

Along with the 2011 “traveling team” of 12, countless disciples have selflessly gifted their encouragement, their time, talents and goods, and have  organized and shipped cargo containers of supplies for our mission to Honduras.  The semi trailer sized loads were packed with  reconditioned prescription eye glasses secured through Lions Club International;  food packaged through Kids Against Hunger/Stewart, Minnesota; New Testament Bibles written in Spanish; handmade quilts; blankets; clothing and shoes; as well as gifted wheelchairs, walkers and canes.

This I believe:  everything that happens on the mission will be directly related to the whispered prayers on behalf of the team during the 25 days we’ll work in the Honduran mountains.  Your prayers will sustain us on our schedule.

Please pray for our travel arrangements to go as planned, for our safety on the road and in the air, and for each team member’s health throughout the mission.  We ask for prayers for team unity, for protection of our group and for our loved ones while we’re separated.

Give thanks, too, for all those at home who have made our trip possible and meaningful:  our families and friends, our churches, our colleagues and selfless financial contributors.

Finally, we ask that you pray for Divine appointments for us with those we’ll meet, with those we’ll serve, and for continued blessings on those we’ll leave behind.

Please continue to check back in or sign up on our blog to receive post alerts that new information has been added.

God bless you all… really good.

kay (going again…  and smiling)