Christ the King Catholic Church Honduras Mission

09.14.2009
Hearing Team 2009

It seems like each mission there is a moment that you can't seem to get out of your mind. For me, this trip, it happend in the hospital on Friday of our trip. A little background...After our Wednesday visit to Santa Fe we ventured a little further away to a couple of villages that we had not visited before. This particular village was La Brea. To get there we had to cross (drive through) a river (probably not a river, but more water than a creek) and we were in a small pick up truck. Tesla, our driver, consulted our interpreter, 16 year old Sohany, for her opinion regarding the best route! Being a tad bit nervous, I just shut my eyes. However, not before eyeing a group of children cooling off in the water. What fun they were having...oblivious to the oppressive heat.

Once at our destination, the Kinder in La Brea, Diana met and visited with the mother of two boys. I would say they were about 10 and 12 years of age. It was apparent they were profoundly hearing impaired...did not speak and had never heard the sound of their mother's voice. Mom had taught both boys her version of sign language...including signs for mama, papa, water and a few other survival words. Our recommendation was for them to come to the Hospital in Trujillo on Friday...our day for ENT consults and hearing aid fittings. No way did we think they would make it...trip was at least 30 - 45 minutes, across the 'river', etc...

Well, Friday came and so did the boys and their mother. After clearance from the ENT...they came to our team. I might add here that Friday is a crazy, busy day in the hospital for the hearing team. This family was so patient...they even waited til we came back from lunch. After testing hearing...Diana and I decided to aid one ear on each boy. Not sure how, or even if, this would make a bit of difference we began. Both boys required that a custom ear mold be made. We had 2 boys, their mother, our interpreter, myself and our helper in a tiny room. After the ear molds were made and dried, we attached the hearing aids and tubing. Our decision was to turn each aid on at the same time. I held my breath hoping to see any kind of reaction on the boy's face...or mom's. Much to my surprise, both sets of boy's eyes lit up. Mama smiled, too. We asked her to talk to them in a normal voice...she had never done this so she began to sign. We quickly picked
up on the signs and asked to boys to 'speak' the name of each sign. They hadn't heard their voices...maybe ever. Everyone in the room heard, "mama, papa, water etc..." The look of surprise on the boy's faces was priceless. I will never forget the tears of joy in mama's eyes. Hopefully, they will return next year so we can follow up with training and new supplies.

A heartfelt blessing goes out to everyone who helped make this possible. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart for your generosity in helping me get to Honduras this year. I will never forget it.

Sherry Hall, Speech/Language Pathologist, Hearing Team, Mission 2009

09.14.2009
Trujillo Water Project

Sometime ago it was recognized that the local water supply for the villages surrounding Trujillo was contaminated with bacteria and other impurities harmful to the health of the local population, especially the children.
Thanks to a Rotary Foundation grant, a chlorine tablet feeder was purchased for a water tank located in the mountains over the village of Aqua Amarilla. This tank supplies water to seven villages. For the past few years efforts have been made by our mission team working with local laborers to make this chlorinator operational. This year the necessary parts were obtained and brought to Trujillo and the system assembled. A local supplier for the needed chlorine tablets was located and an initial supply of tablets was obtained. Meetings were held with local health department officials and the operator of the water tank to ensure ongoing monitoring of the system.
The initial test of the system was partially successful. The on-the- spot repair could not be made since the construction team was unable to run down to the local Home Depot to buy needed materials. Subsequently, repairs to make the system operational will be implemented this fall.
These continued efforts by our mission's construction team and Rotary International will have a profound effect on the health of thousands of villagers supplied by this water project.

James Badami

09.07.2009
A Message from the Honduras Director

In 1996, when our mission founders first investigated the possibility of a parish mission to Honduras, they were moved by the profound poverty of the people of Trujillo and the surrounding villages. These beautiful people continue to remind us of the gospels and beatitudes that call all of us to help those in need. You who contribute to our mission effort and answer this call are true missionaries, for without your support our mission would not exist.

Each year our mission grows in both its scope and its impact on the people. Unfortunately, as the mission grows and the economy changes, the cost of our efforts increases. Our appeal goal this year is once again $75,000. This amount allows us to budget for our medical, surgical, educational, evangelical, and construction expenses for the coming year. Our budget covers all the basic expenses such as operating costs, supplies, shipping two containers, maintaining our schools and churches, and purchasing medications, our largest line item.

However, our budget does not allow us to do larger projects such as building and renovating schools and churches. These projects have always relied on special donations earmarked for a specific purpose. Renovations to the school in Los Leones, a 2009 project, was almost entirely funded by donations specified for that purpose.

Some examples of 'special projects' for 2010 include:

portable dental equipment to enable us to offer restorative dentistry (estimated cost - $10,000)
purchase 10 to 15 sewing machines over the next 3 years so that sewing classes use the same machine to facilitate repair and replacement parts.
(estimated cost - $3500)
continue renovations to the school in Los Leones (estimated cost - $6,500)

These and other projects are not funded by our appeal goal and rely on donations to special projects to exist.

I feel privileged to lead this mission effort for Christ the King Parish. I am continually amazed and touched by your generosity and by the sacrifices of the 95 missionaries who travel so far to serve the poorest of the poor. The need is great and my prayer is that our mission continues to do God’s work in Honduras. God bless you and your families.

09.07.2009
Satellite Mission - March 20 to 28

Article
"In 2010, for the first time, we will be sending two mission groups to Honduras. The March Mission, held during Spring Break, will be our first 'Satellite Mission'.

The 'Satellite Mission' is a unique new concept that will focus on education, evangelization and construction.

This mission will be limited to 20 to 24 missionaries who will stay at Casa Alamania, a small hotel located on the beach in Trujillo.
The March missionary team will be composed of:
- physicians, surgeons, and nurses who want to teach and work with local medical professionals
- teachers and teens for the school team
- construction workers
- an evangelization team consisting of a priest, team leader, and teens who held leadership roles with our CYM.
This mission will not provide medical care to the villages, however we will provide follow-up to our chronic patients at the local clinics.
Missionaries will be selected based on their experience and skills related to the needs of the mission.
We will continue to have our June mission as usual.
The Satellite Mission trip will be less expensive than the summer mission.
It is possible to participate in both the March and June mission.



	News Our Mission About Honduras Event Calendar Downloads Links Photos/Videos Contact Us Donate 09.14.2009 Hearing Team 2009 09.14.2009 Trujillo Water Project 09.07.2009 A Message From the Director	09.14.2009 Hearing Team 2009 It seems like each mission there is a moment that you can't seem to get out of your mind. For me, this trip, it happend in the hospital on Friday of our trip. A little background...After our Wednesday visit to Santa Fe we ventured a little further away to a couple of villages that we had not visited before. This particular village was La Brea. To get there we had to cross (drive through) a river (probably not a river, but more water than a creek) and we were in a small pick up truck. Tesla, our driver, consulted our interpreter, 16 year old Sohany, for her opinion regarding the best route! Being a tad bit nervous, I just shut my eyes. However, not before eyeing a group of children cooling off in the water. What fun they were having...oblivious to the oppressive heat. Once at our destination, the Kinder in La Brea, Diana met and visited with the mother of two boys. I would say they were about 10 and 12 years of age. It was apparent they were profoundly hearing impaired...did not speak and had never heard the sound of their mother's voice. Mom had taught both boys her version of sign language...including signs for mama, papa, water and a few other survival words. Our recommendation was for them to come to the Hospital in Trujillo on Friday...our day for ENT consults and hearing aid fittings. No way did we think they would make it...trip was at least 30 - 45 minutes, across the 'river', etc... Well, Friday came and so did the boys and their mother. After clearance from the ENT...they came to our team. I might add here that Friday is a crazy, busy day in the hospital for the hearing team. This family was so patient...they even waited til we came back from lunch. After testing hearing...Diana and I decided to aid one ear on each boy. Not sure how, or even if, this would make a bit of difference we began. Both boys required that a custom ear mold be made. We had 2 boys, their mother, our interpreter, myself and our helper in a tiny room. After the ear molds were made and dried, we attached the hearing aids and tubing. Our decision was to turn each aid on at the same time. I held my breath hoping to see any kind of reaction on the boy's face...or mom's. Much to my surprise, both sets of boy's eyes lit up. Mama smiled, too. We asked her to talk to them in a normal voice...she had never done this so she began to sign. We quickly picked up on the signs and asked to boys to 'speak' the name of each sign. They hadn't heard their voices...maybe ever. Everyone in the room heard, "mama, papa, water etc..." The look of surprise on the boy's faces was priceless. I will never forget the tears of joy in mama's eyes. Hopefully, they will return next year so we can follow up with training and new supplies. A heartfelt blessing goes out to everyone who helped make this possible. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart for your generosity in helping me get to Honduras this year. I will never forget it. Sherry Hall, Speech/Language Pathologist, Hearing Team, Mission 2009 09.14.2009 Trujillo Water Project Sometime ago it was recognized that the local water supply for the villages surrounding Trujillo was contaminated with bacteria and other impurities harmful to the health of the local population, especially the children. Thanks to a Rotary Foundation grant, a chlorine tablet feeder was purchased for a water tank located in the mountains over the village of Aqua Amarilla. This tank supplies water to seven villages. For the past few years efforts have been made by our mission team working with local laborers to make this chlorinator operational. This year the necessary parts were obtained and brought to Trujillo and the system assembled. A local supplier for the needed chlorine tablets was located and an initial supply of tablets was obtained. Meetings were held with local health department officials and the operator of the water tank to ensure ongoing monitoring of the system. The initial test of the system was partially successful. The on-the- spot repair could not be made since the construction team was unable to run down to the local Home Depot to buy needed materials. Subsequently, repairs to make the system operational will be implemented this fall. These continued efforts by our mission's construction team and Rotary International will have a profound effect on the health of thousands of villagers supplied by this water project. James Badami 09.07.2009 A Message from the Honduras Director In 1996, when our mission founders first investigated the possibility of a parish mission to Honduras, they were moved by the profound poverty of the people of Trujillo and the surrounding villages. These beautiful people continue to remind us of the gospels and beatitudes that call all of us to help those in need. You who contribute to our mission effort and answer this call are true missionaries, for without your support our mission would not exist. Each year our mission grows in both its scope and its impact on the people. Unfortunately, as the mission grows and the economy changes, the cost of our efforts increases. Our appeal goal this year is once again $75,000. This amount allows us to budget for our medical, surgical, educational, evangelical, and construction expenses for the coming year. Our budget covers all the basic expenses such as operating costs, supplies, shipping two containers, maintaining our schools and churches, and purchasing medications, our largest line item. However, our budget does not allow us to do larger projects such as building and renovating schools and churches. These projects have always relied on special donations earmarked for a specific purpose. Renovations to the school in Los Leones, a 2009 project, was almost entirely funded by donations specified for that purpose. Some examples of 'special projects' for 2010 include: portable dental equipment to enable us to offer restorative dentistry (estimated cost - $10,000) purchase 10 to 15 sewing machines over the next 3 years so that sewing classes use the same machine to facilitate repair and replacement parts. (estimated cost - $3500) continue renovations to the school in Los Leones (estimated cost - $6,500) These and other projects are not funded by our appeal goal and rely on donations to special projects to exist. I feel privileged to lead this mission effort for Christ the King Parish. I am continually amazed and touched by your generosity and by the sacrifices of the 95 missionaries who travel so far to serve the poorest of the poor. The need is great and my prayer is that our mission continues to do God’s work in Honduras. God bless you and your families. 09.07.2009 Satellite Mission - March 20 to 28 Article "In 2010, for the first time, we will be sending two mission groups to Honduras. The March Mission, held during Spring Break, will be our first 'Satellite Mission'. The 'Satellite Mission' is a unique new concept that will focus on education, evangelization and construction. This mission will be limited to 20 to 24 missionaries who will stay at Casa Alamania, a small hotel located on the beach in Trujillo. The March missionary team will be composed of: physicians, surgeons, and nurses who want to teach and work with local medical professionals teachers and teens for the school team construction workers an evangelization team consisting of a priest, team leader, and teens who held leadership roles with our CYM. This mission will not provide medical care to the villages, however we will provide follow-up to our chronic patients at the local clinics. Missionaries will be selected based on their experience and skills related to the needs of the mission. We will continue to have our June mission as usual. The Satellite Mission trip will be less expensive than the summer mission. It is possible to participate in both the March and June mission. "

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