El Hogar 2019 Medical Mission - Day 3
The third day began with a lively worship service at St. Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Tegucigalpa. Sitting in the back row was something I haven’t done in years, and you guys, I get it. It was nice back there. The music was loud and modern. We even said the Lord’s Prayer in Spanish while “The Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel played in the background.
I was able to look up the readings on my lectionary app so I wasn’t entirely lost in the service. My friend, The Rev. Maggie Foote of La Iglesia Del Espíritu Santo in Forest Park was also a huge help in navigating the service. It was beautiful to read the Prayer Book in Spanish and know that we are truly one Church worshiping in unity week after week. Carolyn also remarked how lovely it was to realize that the Gospel was Luke’s telling of the Beatitudes just by being attentive to the cadence of the voice of the Priest as he read the Gospel.
After church, we took a little drive up the mountain above the city to Santa Lucia to visit the girl’s home where 16 teenage girls live and learn together in community with a breathtaking view of the city down below. It was the perfect day to have just read the Beatitudes.
Most of the girls have been in the program since the Martins began coming here 8 years ago, and it was wonderful to see them all embrace after a year apart. Some of the girls had grown 8 cm since last year, and it was great to see them growing and thriving in body and mind.
Tomorrow is a new day, new joys, new possibilities. We will see about 30 students in the morning and another 20 in the afternoon. Prayers for strength are appreciated.
In Peace,Melanie
The Annual El Hogar Medical Mission Team from the U.S. and Canada is in Honduras this week (February 15-22). The Rev. Melanie W. J. Slane, Redeemer's Associate for Liturgy and Mission, has agreed to blog and send pictures to document the team's experience. This is Melanie's first trip to El Hogar.
Be sure to read her blog posts, as well.
El Hogar Medical Mission Trip
