Mission work in Honduras: Sacred space

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Today we dedicated the Chapel at SBV. Our team got there early because we wanted to hang the Honduras Building Mission banner, designed and made by Jan Kramer, and we had dress clothes to give to the teenage girls. (Confessional moment – another reason I wanted to get there early was so I could be sure to get “my seat” – same relative seat as my seat at St. David’s! First row, aisle seat, Gospel side.) The other teams and many Hondurans started arriving. Wheeler was delighted that Raymond, the artisan who made the windows and doors, was there. His work is magnificent and it was a thrill that he could be part of the celebration. The children started wandering in, picking which lap they wanted to sit on or who they wanted to sit next to. I got Joel and Kennet! Marilyn had Jimy who fell asleep on her lap. What a dear sight that was. The service was delayed a bit because someone ate the bread Suzy had set aside for communion! Suzy had stored the bread in the pulpit the day before figuring it was safe… I guess a delicious looking loaf of bread was too much temptation to resist! Finally, more bread arrived and we were ready to start. Yonibel, in an acolyte robe, was ready to process carrying the cross. He was followed by a crowd of children and then 4 Episcopal priests. 3 were from the US plus Elvia, a Honduran priest. Suzy, Mari, Astrid, Reina led the singing. The most moving hymn was signing Amazing Grace in Spanish. We sang most of them in Spanish then in English. It was really cool to sing their hymns – praise songs along with them. A highlight was the “drama” the older children wrote and performed. They had created “Hell” in one corner and “Heaven” in another. Yonibel and Elias were angels guarding the entrance to heaven! One by one, someone “died” and arrived at the gates of Heaven to face judgment. Sadly, several of them were tossed by a very serious Yonibel into the eternal flames. A couple of souls were gently led to Heaven by a serene Elias. (serene and Elias is an odd juxtaposition of words!) After the drama, Mari explained each vignette to us. It was fascinating to get an insight into both their theology and their perspectives. One pretty rotten character was saved because at the moment before death he asked for forgiveness. His partner in crime didn’t and was escorted away by Yonibel… (and when I say escorted I mean hurled into the pit!) One of the sorry characters was a televangelist! (I think it was Julio.) This “televangelist” was stunned that he was welcomed into heaven with a brass band because, after all, he was a famous preacher on TV! But, replied “God” from behind the pulpit, “What about your family? You ignored your family and only cared about your fame.” Yonibel went to work again. Then Reina summarized the drama for us. This poised, beautiful 17 yr old girl who suffered unspeakable abuse and hardship before coming to LAMB hit us all between the eyes as she said, “Whether you go to heaven or hell is entirely under your control.” Then she paused and looked into our souls and asked, “Which will you choose?” Silence as her words and insight sunk in.

After the drama we had communion. That was so special to share Eucharist with Americans from several states, Hondurans, and the children of SBV in such a beautiful and sacred space. A final hymn and then the procession out. “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!” Thanks be to God!

Lunch was served on the portico attached to the chapel. The cooks from the Children’s Home catered the lunch. It was delicious! They really went all out. After lunch, we took a tour of SBV for the new folks and then back in the vans for a short tour of downtown Tegucigalpa.

Tomorrow begins the hard work… Several ladies are going to Flor to do projects with the CAP Senoras. The rest of us will be building a fence around the septic system. Very glamorous work!

Hasta manana!

Katharyn, Paty, Astrid