Art for Humanity

Today’s event is on!!!! We are here as are many others. The neat thing is we are not in the sales or show area. We are actually set up in the winery. That is, in the working part of the winery where they process the grapes and with the giant size vats, etc. For more info.

Almost all who volunteer with us for a few months take the time to backpack around Honduras. Ashley, pictured below is the most recent. She just got back on campus today after three weeks of backpacking throughout much of Honduras.

Backpacking is the best way to get in touch with the local culture and really experience what Honduras is like. In doing so, one comes to realize that all the bad press Honduras receives regarding violence has almost no implication to those visiting Honduras. Most people traveling throughout the country would never recognize the Honduras they see with the Honduran in the news.

These are used to represent the old year and can be found decorating everything from front porches of homes to bridges on major highways. They are put up the last few days of the year and are burnt at midnight as the new year arrives.

What a way to prepare lesson plans. Brandon and Mary are spending their first 3 months of marriage teaching with us in Honduras. As an English teacher, she has focused on grammar. Brandon is teaching logic, problem solving and public presentation. With them being from Alabama, Glen enjoys not being the only one with a southern accent. Together they are teaching the west coast volunteers correct pronunciation.

This photo illustrates that winter coats are very much appreciated in Honduras. This time a year, many are asking for them….especially on campus. Anything with a hood is especially appreciated.

Your donated coat will be greatly appreciated by those in need.

Sarah and Ira and two children, Olivia and Sicily moved to Honduras in July.  They’ve long had a passion to serve others that are less fortunate than themselves.  Before coming to Honduras they traveled to Rwanda to minister to street kids through futbol and basketball programs, but now their hearts are with the people of Honduras.  Ira received his degree in Industrial Engineering and had been working at a hi-tech company since then.  With a focus on community development and cultural anthropology, Sarah graduated with a degree in International Studies.  She has enjoyed teaching English to resettled refugees in the US and working among African and Latino students in schools in their community in the States.  Ira and Sarah delight in their two little girls and serve with great excitement and dedication at the Leadership Center. In December, Ira will assume the role as Director of The Leadership Center.  Another photo and story of Ira & Family.

Ira and his family are some of the long term volunteers on campus at the Leadership Center. Another volunteer very generously donated a motorcycle allowing Ira to not only have mobility for his family, pictured below, but also transport students and volunteer from campus to the main road 9 miles away. In a car, that 9 mile takes an hour and a half and is brutal for the car. On the moto, it is about 20 min and a MUCH more comfortable ride as well as a fraction of the gas. Today he used it to transport a student to the doctor.

While volunteering with us in Honduras, Carol Frey saw the need for a water storage tank so the campus could have a more reliable water supply.  Being a person of action, she went home and immediately began telling friends of the need. They responded generously. Last week, installation of the tank was complete and it is now in operation. This tank is not only an asset for the students and volunteers but to many in the community. A big thanks to Carol and friends!!!!!

Tom, Theresa, Patty and Kristyn just finished serving a week on campus doing all sorts of things… from helping on the farm to coaching and mentoring students. This brief video has some of their reflections.

St Marks Aug 2011

Laura spent two months with us doing a variety of things from farm work, to art to teaching.  She was greatly appreciated by all. Here is a brief video of her reflections on her last day on campus.