back to the Comayagua

Good evening from Honduras.  It looks like it's starting to warm up for many of you.  I was following all the snow storms, looked like a mess. We have had sunny days in the 80's & 90's here in Juticalpa, the department of transportation has had no concerns about the budget for road salt. 

About 6 years ago, May of 2008, I went on my first mission trip to Honduras with a group from my church in Brentwood, TN.  At the time I remember wondering how in the world I was going to take a week off work to participate in a mission trip, it seemed like a crazy idea.  We flew into the capital city of Tegucigalpa and drove an hour northwest to a town called Comayagua.  It was an amazing experience, one that led me to where I am today.  I continued going on mission trips with my church the following 5 years but we never returned to Comayagua.  I had always wanted to go back for a visit and this month I got that chance.  Carina and I, along with some of our friends had the opportunity to visit the waterfalls at Lake Yojoa as well as spend a day in Comayagua.  It was interesting to go back and see some of the places that I had first visited as well as show Carina where my Honduran adventure began.


Here are a couple pictures of the city of Comayagua.  It was actually the capital of Honduras until 1880. 

Carina and I in front of the Cathedral and in the center of the town park. 

Before arriving in Comayagua we visited the waterfalls at Lake Yojoa. 

Here we are a few steps away from the area where we started to navigate behind the actual waterfall, as well as a picture of us standing in the waterfall.  

 



Here is one of the rocks we had to climb before we could get behind the waterfall. 

The security guard at our office, Jose Luis, and his wife, Johana, recently had the baptism for their daughter, Samantha Nicole.  Carina and I were asked to be the Godparents.  Here is a picture of us at the Baptism last Sunday. 

Here's Samantha eating her baptism candle during Mass and a photo of her and Carina outside the church.   

As I have mentioned before many people here in Honduras don't have cars which means getting to the market to by groceries and household items isn't easy.   So it's very common for vendors to walk the streets selling items like brooms, tortillas, soap, vegetables, water, cell phone chargers and even T.V. remote controls.  These guys will strap items to their back, carry large bags, even balance boxes full of material on their heads.  I hear them outside my house almost every day trying to sell their goods.  You can hear them shouting "water, water, you want water"  or "brooms, brooms, I have brooms".  It is a convenient way to buy, just step outside your door and grab what you need, it's our version of Amazon Prime.  Here meet the water sales representative for our neighborhood. 

  


Carlos and Sindy's house is looking great.  Here is a picture of the shower and toilet room that has been completed.  If you remember from my first description of their original house, they had no bathroom.   

They have also moved their kitchen appliances and television out of their bedrooms and into a the new kitchen/living room area. Carlos bought a table and chairs so him and Sindy would have a place to study and eat.  This room has 3 large windows and 2 doors which helps create a nice breeze.  

 



Here is the covered patio where they spend most of their time during these hot months when it's just too warm to be inside.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child that attends the schools I'm volunteering with please e-mail me at michael.freesmeier@gmail.com or visit the Olancho Aid website at www.olanchoaid.org  We have many poor and special needs students that needs sponsors so they can attend school here in Juticalpa, Honduras.  

the wedding & the construction project

Happy New Year from Honduras & congrats to all the Seminole Fans, what a game!!

The wedding was beautiful.  We had a small civil wedding and reception at Carina's parents house a few days prior to the wedding and then a wedding Mass and large reception at the Catholic Church on November 30th. Here in Honduras you must have a civil wedding, and then if you choose you can get married in the church as well.  I have included some pictures of both of the weddings below.

My parents arrived a week prior to the wedding, it was great to have their help and credit card.  A few friends and my Aunt & Uncle arrived the Wednesday before the wedding, as planned, however my siblings and 4 other friends got stuck in the islands on the North Coast of Honduras, the weather was horrible and the planes could not depart.  That added a little stress to the wedding weekend, but thankfully after much frustration and time in the airport they all arrived safely by Thursday evening.  It was great to have everyone here.

Juticalpa, Honduras is not the easiest place to travel to so Carina and I were very grateful to those who made the journey.  We know that many of you were with us in thought and prayer and we thank you for that as well.

My brother served as my best man and my sister was Carina's maid of honor.

With our parents, my siblings, Carina's nephews & Padre Ricardo. 

From the left; my Aunt Fifi & Uncle Bob (from D.C.), my brother (Andrew) & sister (Elizabeth), my parents, Carina & I, Josh & Katie (Nashville), Tim & Krista (Tampa), and Suz & Mike (NYC)

Carina received a lot of compliments on her dress, her Aunt Juanita actually sewed it by hand, it was beautiful.

It's not easy to find large coolers here in Juticalpa so I wasn't sure what to do about keeping beer cold for the reception.  If you ever run into that problem, know that a horse troth will work just as well.  Carina's dad made this troth and a smaller one for the champagne.

Here are some pictures of the civil wedding that took place on the back patio at Carina's house.  We had a live Marimba Band, plenty of food, drinks, and dancing.  The area where the service took place was later transitioned into a dining area, and then a dance floor.  Carina's mother and aunts served a traditional Honduran plate, carne asada, chismol (pico de gallo), refried beans, & tortillas.  Carina's Aunt Suyapa from Chicago added a little North American flare by preparing some amazing BBQ ribs.

My long time friend Tim Kleman served as my witness at the civil wedding.  One of Carina's best friends, Lissy Canales served as her witness.  

The Marimba Band

Josh and Katie loading up at the buffet. 

Here's a picture of Carina's nephew (Anthony) making his 3rd trip to the chocolate fountain. Carina's sisters sent us the fountain and thanks to my mom & aunt it worked without creating a huge mess.  

My parents, Carina and I the week prior to the wedding at a church in Jutiquili, Honduras. 

My dad organized a 5K run/walk for the North Americans, I believe it turned into a 3K.  I did not get to attend because I was being a good groom and running errands with Carina.  I was at the bank when I saw three of my friends run through the plaza in these neon green shirts, needless to say they got a lot of strange looks.

As for the construction at Carlos and Cindy's house, the roof was finished last week and I believe Carlos has some friends that are willing to pour the concrete floors this week or next.  In the picture below you can see the addition.  The white and blue wall to the left are the original 2 bedrooms and the area in the middle with the 2 windows will be their living room and kitchen area.  The area to the right will be an outdoor patio that will include a small room for a toilet, a small room for a shower, and in between the two rooms will be a large sink or what we call pila (water storage container).  

Here is a better view of what will be the patio, shower room, room for a toilet, and water storage in between.  

Here are a couple pictures from last month before the roof was completed. 

The living room / kitchen area. 

For anyone who has been involved in a construction project you know that the original estimate is just that...the original and an estimate, so is the case with this project.  I have given Carlos $1,700 of the $2,600 that has been raised.  He has kept track of every dime that has been spent and aside from the concrete floors that need to be poured and windows that need to be purchased we are almost finished building what we had originally discussed.  Fortunately Carlos has found many friends and family members that have been able to help him with the labor.  I'm just waiting for the final materials to be purchased to see if there will be enough money to help another family, stay tuned. Thanks for everyone who has contributed to the project, you all have been a great blessing to Carlos and Cindy.

The Construction Has Begun

Good Morning from Honduras.  I just wanted to give a quick update in regards to the construction project for Carlos and Cindy. As I mentioned in my last post it will take about $1,400 to add a living room, kitchen, and bathroom onto the little building where they live.  I'm excited to tell you that we have raised $2,400 for the project.

Big thanks to all of you who have contributed, so many friends from Cardinal Health, Tennessee, Florida, Mattoon, and Family members made contributions, I'm very grateful.

I spoke with Carlos a few days after I posted the story and told him to get started, as we had already received $600, he was so excited and grateful for the support.  He's excited about the additional space and he's even more excited about the fact that he's providing for his sister.

Some of the materials have been purchased and the work has begun.  Here are some pictures.

Bags of concrete. 

Rebar

Digging the footers for the foundation.

More photos to come. 


As for the surplus of money I will keep you posted.  I have a friend who needs a bathroom, his family is currently using what looks like a tent, and Carina and I are discussing other families that need help.


Sincerely,

Michael, Carlos, & Cindy










 

Can you send me $10 for Carlos & Cindy?

In my May post I wrote about Yeltsin, the scholarship student at one of our high schools that suffers from KTS.  If you remember he was not attending school because his arm was so heavy he was not able to sit upright in a chair.  At the time we were waiting to hear from Healing The Children and Boston Children's Hospital to see if they would accept the case.

Well I have some great news to share, Boston Children's Hospital accepted the case and in September Yeltsin flew to Boston in order to have his arm amputated.  He has been living with a host family and many have donated their time to ensure Yeltsin makes it to his medical appointments and rehabilitation.  He did have to return to the hospital after his initial surgery because there were issues with the wound healing correctly, however I have been told he is in good spirits.  

Yeltsin landed in Boston as a New York Yankees fan but quickly realized that Boston was no place for a Yankees fan.   The former Bishop of Juticalpa, Honduras, Boston native, & Red Sox fan Maurus Muldoon has been one of the key contributors to Yeltsin's adventure.  Bishop Muldoon told me he received a late night phone call a few weeks from the hospital, it was Yelstin, just wanting to congratulate the Bishop on the Red Sox victory.  Big thanks to Healing The Children, the staff at Boston Children's Hospital, and all the volunteers who have made this possible.

Before, Yeltsin with his father in Honduras. 

After, Yeltsin with his new Red Sox shirt & having dinner with some friends in Boston.

A surprise visit from the New England Revolution Soccer Team & Bishop Muldoon

Thankfully Chicago Children's Hospital didn't accept the surgery.....I would have hated for Yeltsin to spend his life as a Cub fan, life is tough enough.  Here's a picture of my parents and their long time friends, Don & Carol Portugal at a Cardinals playoff game a few weekends ago. GO Redbirds!!!

Here in Honduras, Futbol is all the buzz!  Hondurans like to see Honduras win and Mexico lose. Here is a picture of Carina and I watching the Honduras / Jamaica game at her friends house a couple weekends ago.

I'm living in a different home this year. Last year I lived with the other volunteers but with the wedding in November I went ahead and found a house to rent so I wouldn't have to move once we got married. The house is great, however I don't have running water. Some neighborhoods in Juticalpa have constant running water while others do not. The city turns on the water in my neighborhood about twice a week, and that is when everyone fills up their water storage tanks (pilas). 

So, how does life work without running water? Well for one you buy a plastic container and put it next to your sink so you have water for dishes and cooking. I bathe outside next to the pila, kind of like a bucket bath, and I make sure I always have plenty of purified drinking water.

My outdoor shower.

Drinking water.

I hung a hammock recently, I will get a lot of use out of this. Most homes here don't have yards but some have outdoor covered living areas like this, either in front of our behind the house.

Our friend Laura got married earlier this month, here are a couple pictures from her wedding.

Our wedding plans our coming along. We have the Priest, the church & Guillermo (our wedding planner), I guess the rest will fall into place. Carina is in the capital city of Tegucigalpa today with her aunt shopping for the material for her dress. Her aunt will make the dress. Here is a picture of us sampling the food for the reception & cake shopping. The owner of the bakery was taking a nap (on the floor of the bakery) when we stopped by, guess she wasn't quite done with her siesta because she didn't get up, she just rolled over and started talking cake.

Now for Carlos (age 23) and his sister Cindy (age 14). 

My friend Carlos called me a few weeks ago and asked if we could talk. I have known Carlos and his sister Cindy since I started dating Carina, Carlos is a teacher at one of the schools where I volunteer and Carina's parents have "adopted" Cindy. She goes to Carina's house after school and on the weekends, she will help Carina's mother around the house, cooks, and joins the family for meals. It has been a great way for Cindy to earn money, it gives her a place to go, and she has been the beneficiary of several of Carina's old dresses, shoes, and jewelry. 

Meet Carlos (in his white uniform) & his cousin. 

Meet Cindy -

About 10 years ago, Cindy and Carlos' mother passed away. Their father was in the picture while their mother was alive but once she passed he found another wife and has since moved to another town where he has a new family, leaving Carlos to raise Cindy. Carlos has served as big brother & "father". Thanks to some women in community (like Carina's mother), Cindy does have female role models, but of course nobody can replace your own mom. 

I was well aware of their story because Carina and I had discussed their situation in the past. The thing that Carlos brought to my attention during our conversation was their living situation. Carlos and Cindy don't have a house, they live in a small building (about 8 X 20 ft). Inside the building are 2 rooms where they each have a bed, however there is no place to study, to read, to cook, go to the bathroom, or to relax. A 23-year-old man and 14-year-old girl basically living on top of each other. They do have a water tank outside where they can take a bucket bath but I'm not sure what they do for a toilet. I didn't want to ask, because I was afraid I would embarrass Carlos, I'm assuming they go outside or use a neighbors toilet.

Building where they live. 

Cindy's bed & their table for eating. 

Carlos' bed and their refrigerator.

A corner for the stove and cooking area.

Carlos approached me to see if I knew anybody who could pay for the materials to add a room onto their "house", this extra room would serve as a living room and kitchen, as you can see from the photos they currently keep their refrigerator, stove, and table next to their beds. After visiting the home and seeing how small the building was, I asked Carlos to send me the cost of the building materials for a living room, small kitchen, and bathroom. Carlos, his cousin, and their friends will do the construction themselves, they just need the money to buy the materials. 

Carlos e-mailed me the cost of the materials for a living room, kitchen and bathroom. For $1,400 he can buy enough sand, concrete mix, block, steel, wood, nails, and screws to construct these additional rooms. Can you help? 


If I could get everyone who reads my blog to send me $30, $20, or even just $10 we could help Carlos buy these materials. Materials are not expensive here in Honduras. If all you are able to donate is $5, then please send $5, Carlos needs it. Every $5 will help as he buys blocks or bags of concrete. If you can help (and I hope you can), please use the PayPal link below or write a check to Michael Freesmeier and mail it to the address below, my sister can deposit checks into my account.  

Click Here to pay via PayPal

Or

Mail Check To -
Elizabeth Freesmeier
7244 Althorp Way
Nashville, TN 37211


I don't believe it's possible to help everybody, first a person has to decide that they want to help themselves. If one hand is giving & the other hand is only receiving then we aren't really helping people. This is not the case with Carlos and Cindy, they are certainly the kind of people that are willing to help themselves. Carlos and Cindy both work, both attend school, and both have a great attitude about the life God has given them. 

I don't know Carlos' exact salary but I'm confident that as a teacher at the private school where he works he makes about $325 a month. That gives you an idea of why it's so difficult to save for things like construction materials.

I will send updates in the next couple of weeks in regards to the money that has been raised and what we still need. I will also send pictures as they purchase materials and start construction. I'm counting on you.... THANKS!!