Hello, friends! This week has been all around pretty tough. My team was on property by ourselves this week, and Kristen, our team leader, was sick. We got a lot of gardening and landscaping done, but it was just tons of work. Especially with our team leader out of action. I've also just been really really homesick. I feel like its way too soon, but I've just been missing friends and family so much.
What was cool this week was that I had an opportunity to be one of 4 guys on my squad to donate blood to Henry's grandmother, Mina, so that she could have surgery! Henry is a 19 year old boy who lives with us here who grew up in poverty in Los Penos. His grandmother still lives in this poverty and would never be able to afford the surgery if it weren't for our donations. I was definitely nervous going to an incredibly sketchy Honduran hospital to do this, but I knew it was something I couldn't pass up.
When we were walking right by the hospital to the entrance I was in shock when, Walter a Honduran boy guiding us, told us we were there. It was just a lot smaller than I imagined and the building was just in terrible shape. After getting through the heavily protected gates we passed lobbies crowded with Hondurans. Every 2-3 minutes or so you'd see someone get rolled in in a stretcher sometimes completely uncovered. It was so tough to see some of these sick and injured people. I've never seen anything like it. I think one of the main things that really got me was the look of hopelessness in some of their eyes. These people knew they weren't going to be taken care of long and that their suffering was just a part of reality to accept. I think lots of them have had such long time sicknesses and injuries that they barely even remember what it feels like to be healthy. If nothing else, I learned that I need to be a lot more thankful for what I have and I knew it was even more important to give to Mina than I had internalized before.
We waited in line to give blood for about three hours in a really crowded and terribly smelling room. When it was finally our turn it didn't take long at all. This was my first time donating blood, but I'm pretty sure the procedure was safe and efficient. We also got the opportunity to go see Mina and pray with her for a little while. I haven't heard how the surgery went yet, but I'm just glad that I could at least do my part for her. Keep Mina in your prayers.
Next week my team is taking daily visits to the incredibly poor sector of the city that Henry and Mina are from, Los Penos. We're going literally just to visit and be with the people there. I'm hoping for lots of opportunities to eat, talk, and pray with as many people there as possible. This is probably going to be my first time experiencing actual poverty. I've seen poor parts of big cities and things of the like, but from what Tony says this is going to be totally different. Please pray for me and my team this week! I think we're gonna be challenged like never before.
Andrew, This is Kristen’s mom. Thank you for hanging in this week. I am so proud of your team and thankful to to be reading your weekly updates. Please know, Andrew, so many are praying for you and for your journey. I will hold you up as soon the typing stops; I remember what it was like to miss family and familiar things the first weeks of being just 7 hours away from home at college. Thankfully, my Campus Crusade for Christ family held me up as I know your “family” will in Honduras. It incredible to be held by the arms of loved ones knowing it was Jesus own arms around me. Thank you for your gift to Mina; so cool, huh? God bless your week. Praying everyday.