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GRANDNIECE LEIGH IS OFF TO HONDURAS 6/5/2010 5:19:42 AM
I know nothing about the country of Honduras; I don’t even know anyone who is either from there or has ever visited its shores. All I know is that it’s someplace in Central America, its capital city is Tegucigalpa (pronounced Tuh-goosa´-gulpa,) the people speak Spanish, it is a neighbor to Guatemala, and it has an archbishop who came within a rosary bead of being voted the new pope. Not much, but more than I know about El Salvador.
I have a sort of ‘quasi’ daughter-in-law (she’s the sister of one of my sons-in-law) who is in the Peace Corp, stationed in Guatemala, and she is my only C.A. contact. Also, there’s a fellow named Adrian, an occasional jack-of-all-trades, who works around the house; he is a native Guatemalan, but I don’t see him that often.
Anyway, I mention Honduras because I have a bona fide grandniece named Leigh who is going there with her church this summer to do missionary work. It is an honorable thing grandniece Leigh is doing, and I’m glad she sent me an e-mail telling me all about it. She is the daughter of my brother’s daughter, and this is what she wrote:
“I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel to Honduras this summer. In 2004, a dream became reality when the Hope Center was established. It is run by John and Tarah Carrette who serve as ‘Mommy’ and ‘Daddy’ to many orphans who receive the unconditional love, education, and support that they so badly need.
“The Graduates and Professionals (GAP) group at my church is sending a 12-member team of ‘20-somethings’ from July 7 - 14 to work at the Hope Center and to assist the resident missionaries conduct a Vacation Bible School for the children and spend one-on-one time with them. This will be my first trip abroad, and I am very excited.
“Since graduating from college five years ago, I have become quite active in my church. We have a wonderful young adult ministry that continues to grow and impact the community. I am so thrilled to have the chance to serve God through this trip.”
I have to admit I do not know Leigh very well—-in fact, I can’t recall seeing her since she was a small child. I remember her flaming red hair and jolly disposition, but it was many, many years ago that her dad Keith and I sailed with my brother Jack on Lake Ontario.
Through no vault of theirs, I have pretty much lost touch with my side of the family in Western New York, aside from occasional e-mails and phone calls. Unlike my wife’s people, they did not follow us to Georgia, and my kith and kin are now scattered from California to Kentucky, and Arizona to Florida, as well as on the frozen tundra of New York.
That is not to say I am not proud of them or their accomplishments, which have been myriad. To enumerate them here would take inordinate space (and test the staying power of my readers)—not to mention cause embarrassment to some and anger to others (should I accidentally omit someone)—so, better I focus on the most deserving, such as grandniece Leigh.
Frankly, I think everyone who reads my scribbling should step up to the plate and make their approval of Leigh’s intentions known. Here’s how:
· Pray for us. We will be posting specific prayer requests on our website and you can also read more about the Hope Center and the missionaries.
· Financial support. We need to raise $1300 per person. If you feel moved to donate, please send a check (in any amount) made out to Browncroft Community Church with “GAP Honduras Trip” in the memo space. Send to the address listed below or give online by clicking the link on our website. If you plan to support me financially, a gift in the next few weeks would be greatly appreciated!
“Address personal check is: BCC c/o Anita Houser, 2530 Browncroft Blvd., Rochester, NY 14625”
The thought occurs that if a mere 20% of my Blog readers sent in just $5, Leigh would easily have her ‘per person’ stipend. What are you waiting for? It’s Tax Deductible!
It isn’t often I get the chance to assist a family member accomplish something of intrinsic value, but when I do I am prone to go all in, like I could be holding a high straight flush. This is one of those rare times. The last was in 1973. I drew a pat hand of 4 two’s in a game of 7-card stud. If I had invested the proceeds, I could have bought Honduras.
