Nely, Roger, and Hannah outside Casa Guadalupe before the Pan De Vida Retreat

Brother Mateo with the Missionaries of Charity in the kitchen of the Convent before the Transitus Celebration

Community building in the Mountains of Comayagua...... and a water fight!!!!!!

The past few months have definitely been a marathon of work and changes, but things remain relatively the same in Honduras. With Honduras winning a spot to compete in the World Cup next summer in South Africa, it would be an understatement to say that this has been a momentous occasion of excitement, exhilaration, and elation. Honduras has been nobly trudging through a very dark and difficult time within its history, and such a win was not only a miracle, but a very inspiring and enlightening way to take the focus off of what political or personal agendas people might have, equalizing and unifying a shattered community.

This unity has ironically been transposed onto the community, which recently received four new additions from the United States. Over the past 2 months, we have all experienced a Pan De Vida retreat, the Transitus of Saint Francis, and most importantly community building.

This recent Pan De Vida took place at Casa Guadalupe during a very ominous and gray week in Honduras. Mel Zelaya had returned to the country earlier that week, and everyone was put under strict curfews due to the unstable political conditions. Whether or not the Pan de Vida retreat would even take place was a very touchy situation since the country had been under a "toque de queda," or a nationwide curfew.

Despite all of the chaos, God valiantly triumphed and the retreat occurred without a problem. A little over 100 adolescent boys and girls filed into Casa Guadalupe with anticipation and a certain level of anxiety not knowing what really would occur during the weekend. For many, this was their first encounter with Eucharistic Adoration and Eucharistic Healing. Even though the world might have seemed fractured and there might not be that much hope, our Lord shined through filling our sorrows with His grace and love. Seeing so many conversions and changed young children of God was truly inspiring.

Regardless of what the world might say while reflecting on the situations within Honduras, one aspect of society shines brighter than them all...... HOPE. Honduras may have entered a very difficult time within its history, but the people remain faithful, and with an armament of faith are willing to weather the battle forbearingly.