Mr. Clapp's Response

For me, the Honduras experience brought back memories of my childhood in Uruguay. I was 9 years of age when my parents moved there to work with a mission agency. Several things soon began to impact me and brought back memories of experiences I had while growing up; the acceptance of hopelessness in their eyes and the search for understanding in our differences. You see it in their eyes, their countenance tells a story without words; the story of a lifetime of struggle to survive, little hope for the future, numbness to the conditions that surround them. It seems a condition that all too often has a tragic ending. Girls who end up staying home to work instead of going to school and then end up on the streets to survive, boys quit school to work to help support the family, children less than 12 years old that work in limestone quarries in their bare feet. I struggled with my own emotions when a child asked questions about whether we would come back while hugging you tightly and not wanting to let go and the letter of a girl that asked us for help to go back to school because her family could not afford to buy her the school uniform or books.

And yet, I am struck by their simple and humble way that they approach their lives; a humble acceptance. It is a true testimony to me when I consider my own life. All too often, I take for granted what I have and I am disappointed in how discontent I can be even though I am rich compared to them. It has renewed my commitment to be grateful and to continue to share the love of God through our service to those who are less fortunate. I am truly blessed.

I know the family we built the house for will be forever grateful for the time and resources spent on their behalf. For us it is but a drop in the bucket of what life has gifted us. May God be with them!

I am also very proud of the work done by the young men and women from our school. I saw them work very hard and long in very hot weather without complaining. They took only very necessary breaks and went back to work without anyone telling them. I know some had some difficulty in adjusting to the culture and food but all in all you guys did a great job!!!!!!!!!