It will be a short and intense mission trip, designed not only to serve, but also to learn. It is the first time I have done something like this, and I am very excited.
Part of embarking on adventures like this is the collection of funds -- largely the donations of others who believe on what you are doing -- to finance the practical aspects of the work: Flight tickets, food in transit, supplies for the workshop and gifts for the hosts (we'll be staying with a teacher from the school while there).
Until last week, the accruement of these funds seemed a near impossibility. Who wants to donate right after Christmas?! And I hate asking for money, especially for something like this -- It seems everyone who hears "Honduras" thinks "holiday -- someplace warm", rather than "poverty -- opportunity for service". It has been a discouraging process in many ways.
And yet, this morning I am told that we are suddenly past the halfway mark to our target budget. I do not know all the donors by name, as our coordinator of donations just gave me a number, and also, some of the donors are anonymous. Nevertheless, it is so encouraging that people believe in what I am trying to do.
God is good!