A first timer's reflections of mission trip to assist the needy and impoverished in San Pedro Sula, Honduras

1. Sparrow Missions –
Team “Wall Street”
San Pedro Sula, Honduras
March 8-15, 2013
Eyes Wide Open

2. 
Team Wall Street visited one of the two
villages, comprised of dilapidated shacks,
four times during the week. We were
stunned by the abject poverty, but equally
overwhelmed by the kindness and heart
of the warm souls that lived there.
Los Bordos

3. More than 6,000
families live in two
separate villages that
lie on the borders of
San Pedro Sula,
connected by a
collection of streams
and creaks.
Dirt floors, open
sewage and little
opportunity live here
also.
Main Street

4. Minor was my tour
guide down to his
Bordos’ “river”. The
only shoes he wears
are on the soccer
pitch, held for game
days by Sparrow
Missions. Any other
shoes he has been
given are sold for
food. Because of his
toughness, Minor is
being actively
recruited by local
gangs. It will be
difficult to keep him
with his family.
Little Big Man, Minor

5. The Bordos are built
on a collection of
streams that become
multi-use facilities for
water, bathing,
clothes washing,
house hold sanitation
and bodily excretion.
In between the
shacks are steep
paths to the river.
Take Me to the River

6. Minor and friends
proudly show me the
river. My heart is in
my throat watching
these babies hop from
rock to rock amongst
broken glass and fecal
matter.
Minor is a monster on
the soccer field.
Taking on boys of all
sizes and usually
winning.
Life on the River

7. Less than a quarter of
a mile from the
Bordos, a luxury
residential tower has
been constructed.
I ponder what the
children of the Bordos
think about as they
look up at its white
magnificence. I fear
from the look in their
eyes they believe it is
a castle they will
never reach.
In the Shadow of Opulence

8. Mercedes and the
ladies from the
Bordos sewing clinic,
proudly show some of
their wares, that they
sell to visitors or at
the local market.
Sparrow Missions built
the school/ prayer
house in the
background, which
has become a center
for learning, prayer
and hope.
But Hope Springs

9. While my mom,
Virginia Lugo, tells
people what to do, I
help paint what will
be the kitchen behind
the school room.
My painting skill and
neatness leave
something to be
desired, as I fear
many children of the
Bordos will be
speckled with green
oil based paint for
weeks to come!
Very “Un” Skilled Labor

10. Melissa Reed and I with
some of the children in
front of the now closed
“pulperia” or small
store.
On the last day we
distributed candy. Our
friend Minor came late.
Chad Charles had some
chicken and rice left
from lunch, which he
gladly gave to Minor.
We assumed tough guy
Minor would horde it,
and destroy anyone
who dared approach.
Instead he lined all the
small children up and
shared a little bit of
chicken with each.
Tough Kids, Big Hearts

11. The folks from
Sparrow Missions
have truly done God’s
work.
The sewing program
is flourishing; the
soccer program is
giving the boys a
reason not to join
gangs; the school/
prayer room has
created a community
focal point; and the
kitchen will soon be
helping with nutrition.
But there is so much
more to do.
We Are All Responsible

12. Bordos Soccer –
Sparrow Missions Futbol Club

13. Sparrow Missions
director, Justin Ross
(deftly spinning the
ball), and Sparrow local
coordinator, coach,
translator, missionary,
and general inspiration,
Cristian Josue Lopez,
have done a
phenomenal job in
organizing the rag tag
boys of the Bordos into
a team.
Many of these boys
only foot wear will be
the cleats (aka tacos)
that Sparrow holds for
game days. Today they
wear their opponents
practice uniforms since
they don’t have their
own.
Game Day!

14. Despite not having
soccer balls readily
available and very
little practice time,
Bordos soccer is
impressive. The boys
are skilled. They
exhibit discipline in
manning their
positions (most of the
time) and their goalie
is an agile wall. But
most of all these kids
are tough. Tough as
nails.
Futbol Rules!

15. Spurred on by the
inspirational words of
missionary and
Kentucky soccer
legend, Bo Cracraft,
the boys rallied from
a 1-0 deficit to win 21 in the closing
minutes of the match.
Bo’s pregame words
regarding family and
brotherhood were
prophetic, because
they truly won as a
family.
Victory!

16. Team Wall Street was
fortunate to be there
while Coach Cristian
(left) and Bo
negotiated with Paco
from Paco’s Tacos
(cleats) for the team’s
new uniforms.
Three days later we
were the first
recipients of the
actual jerseys worn
by the superstar boys
of the Bordos.
Contact me to get
yours today!
Authentic Sparrow Missions FC Jersey,
as worn by the Boys of the Bordos

17. 
El Cielo can be translated into the word
Heaven. Of all the places Team Wall
Street visited, this senior citizens home
had the best conditions. While far below
the standards we would expect in the US,
the facility was well run, clean, with a
truly caring staff. Meeting the residents
of the El Cielo was truly heavenly
El Cielo

18. Apparently Mr. Carlos
Arroyo Martinez was a
radio announcer
during his working
days, because he
greeted us with his
booming announcer
voice.
“Bienvenidos Sparrow Missions!!”

19. This woman’s
daughter sold her
house out from under
her, and has not
visited her since.
Unfortunately that
story was replicated
many times over
here.
El Cielo was
particularly emotional
for my mom, as these
women reminded her
of my dearly departed
grandmother, and
great aunts in the
Dominican Republic.
Forgotten, But Not Gone

20. Honestly, I think I had
more fun than anyone
else. We ran around
giving each senior
mid morning snacks.
Each senior would
proudly tell you their
full names in clear
voices.
Back off, Sonny!

21. Maria Gonzalez Castro
was my favorite.
Standing 4 feet tall,
we decided to have
our own private
meringue party, with
music generated only
from our mouths.
She let go of her
walker and spun
around in a circle
while I did the best
meringue I could. The
video is something to
behold.
Dancing Queen

22. Unfortunately our
time at El Cielo was
short. We were
needed more urgently
in other areas of the
city. However, the
visit was a vivid
reminder that time
spent is often the
most valuable gift you
can give a senior.
We would be pleased
if all the facilities
were as well run as El
Cielo in San Pedro
Sula.
Overflowing Love…

23. Manos Unidas – “Hands United”
Homeless Outreach Center

24. Manos Unidas (Hands
United) feeds the poor
and homeless in the
most dangerous area in
San Pedro Sula. Run
by a Terry and Shari
Sorah, a surly couple
from Michigan, who
were called by God,
Manos services the
community every
Monday and Thursday.
Kentucky’s own Ryan
Jackson and I painting
the kitchen (left). We
will not discuss the
gallon of paint I
exploded across the
main room. (The clean
up team did a great job
bailing me out, as the
floor and ceilings were
never cleaner!)
Paint Party Sunday

25. I am holding baby
Sara, while Shari and
Terry have some
lunch before an
afternoon of cleaning
and feeding nearly 90
homeless men,
women and children.
Oh, baby Sara is the
fifth child of Blanca, a
former prostitute and
drug addict who is
dying of cancer. Shari
has been caring for
Sara since she was
born, 3 weeks ago.
Shari is not surly
when it comes to
Sara.
Calm Before the Storm

26. Gabby and team
prepare coffee, juice
and lunch for the
guests. For many of
the guests this will be
their only meal of the
day.
Manos is run without
any government
assistance, on a shoe
string budget. Terry
and Shari sold their
home in Michigan and
now live in San Pedro
full time. Most of
their life savings has
been poured into their
service.
Rice is On! Check out the Paint Job!

27. Terry opens the gates,
Blanca and family are
some of the first ones
in. The blurry figure
in the sun dress is
Blanca, with 2 of her
brood in the corner.
I could only find this
very eerie picture of
Blanca, blurred and
fading. Hopefully
with the help of Terry
and Shari, God will
“un- blur” Blanca,
and she will be able
to care for all her
children.
Please Don’t Fade Away.

28. My job was the “merch”
shop. As guests were
signed in I would check
their belongings in for
safe-keeping. Weapons
and drugs went into
special metal boxes. I
then gave each person
a vitamin, a piece of
soap, a razor,
toothbrush, a dollop of
shampoo on their head,
and sent them to the
outside showers.
Apparently I was
moving too quickly, as
Terry told me to slow it
up, chit chat a little,
and keep the line in
better order. After
Terry’s “pep” talk I
calmed down a little,
and began to enjoy
myself.
Too Fast Tony!

29. Honduran brothers with
Italian names! Who
could love that more
than me? What I didn’t
love was my new friend
Mario’s lip, most likely
the result of being
burnt too often on a
crack pipe.
Despite my smile this
was our toughest day.
Ninety five degrees in a
homeless shelter brings
smells and feelings that
are indescribable. My
shirt is soaked through.
But more than the
heat, these are scary
people, who might kill
and rob you as easily
as hug you. Maybe this
is why Terry and Shari
must be tough.
God’s Children –
Geovanny, Mario and Tony

30. While consensus was
that this was our
toughest day, the
team is still smiling at
day’s end. Melissa
Reed, Tiffany Heartley
and Chad Charles
with some of the real
children of Manos
Unidas.
The next day, Chad
woke up with food
poisoning, and I had a
sore throat and cold,
while the women in
our group became
stronger…typical.
Day Ends at Manos Unidas –
God Bless Terry and Shari Sorah

31. Minesterio Vida –“Life Ministry”

32. Minesterio Vida is a
self-sustained home
for men trying to
rehabilitate from
drugs and alcohol.
These men have very
hard stories. The
recidivism rates are
usually 3 out of 4
returning back to the
streets. For the men
that can last, a
second chance is at
hand.
Giving A Second Chance

33. My mom noticed this
man, Carlos,
withdrawn from the
service, looking very
ill and approached to
see if he was okay.
He was seeing ghosts
and demons, crying
and in pain, from
drug withdrawal.
Seeing Ghosts and Demons

34. Four days later, Carlos
looks like a new man.
He said he originally
thought my mom was
a ghost of his dead
mom, and that
demons were around
him. He told me he
thought of my mom’s
kindness constantly,
and said he would
pray for me everyday.
I pray for Carlos
everyday.
Proud of you, Mom.
Carlos Stands Tall

35. Its not pretty, but its
home. The men work
together to care for
each other. They
survive on donations
and care of groups
like Sparrow.
Sparrow’s woodshop
project has helped
teach the men a skill
that they can
monetize once they
are back on their feet.
Taking Care of One Another

36. Juan Carlos (middle) was
one of my searchers at
the merch shop at Manos.
As these men rehabilitate
they give back. They
become leaders and
examples.
On our last day in
Honduras, we delivered
all of our clothes to the
men. After our service
the men formed a tight
circle around our group,
and began to pray aloud.
When the prayers
stopped, we all opened
our eyes to see each one
of us crying. We all felt
the power of prayer that
day. It’s a feeling I want
again and again.
Thank you Minesterio
Vida
Earth Moving, Heaven Shaking

37. Team Wall Street visited this government run
home for teenaged girls three times during the
week. These children have been brutalized in
every conceivable way. Some of the hardest
stories we encountered were within these walls.
 Sparrow Missions has done miraculous work,
bringing their sewing clinic here on a regular
basis and progressing on a large scale project to
bring clean, fresh water to every building on the
campus. Currently, the slow trickle of water
means girls shower on alternate days, starting at
4 am and cannot flush toilets.

Las Casitas – “The Little Houses”

38. Las Casitas was built
to house 50 girls…
There were over 80
residents while we
were there.
In San Pedro Sula if a
girl is abused by a
family member, the
mother may expel the
daughter to keep the
bread winner at
home. In a city with
40% unemployment
prostitution is the
only option for some,
and rape is a way of
life.
Sweet Faces of Las Casitas

39. The young lady on the
right is mentally
challenged and is 5
months pregnant as a
result of a rape.
Although she didn’t
speak she was one of
the sweetest souls at
Las Casitas, just
wanting hugs from
every body in the
group.
Innocent Victims

40. Glenda (middle) is the
last girl allowed to
keep a child that was
born on premises with
her at Las Casitas.
Glenda’s daughter,
Nicole, is now 4 years
old. Most newborns
are sent to the facility
you will see in the
next section, an
orphanage called
Nueva Esperanza.
By all accounts
Glenda is a good
mother, but she
sometimes exhibits
aggressive and violent
behavior towards
others.
Babies Having Babies

41. Some of these girls
have difficulty relating
to anyone,
particularly men,
because of the abuse
they have suffered.
But deep down they
are just little girls.
Most of the girls just
wanted us to take
“glamour” photos with
our phones. We are
having the pictures
printed and sent as a
surprise.
Kentucky Legend, Bo Cracraft, Sharing
Some Photos of his Family.

42. Nueva Esperanza – “New Hope”

43. Nueva Esperanza is
an orphanage for
children, spanning 2
days to 14 years old.
The 3 times we were
there, little Miguel,
followed me around
yelling Tio (Uncle)
incessantly, trying to
pick my pockets every
now and then. The
men spent most of
the time with the
older children, while
the women could not
be pried from the
nursery.
Miguelito, “Tio! Tio! Tio!”

44. I never learned this
young boys name.
He is severely
handicapped, but
managed to climb me
like a jungle gym,
sitting on my
shoulders. He is
aggressive, but
obviously mistreated.
Some of the boys
locked him in a room.
After we took him
out, he stuck to my
shirt the rest of the
visit.
The Face of Pain

45. With very limited staff
and resources its
actually remarkable
that the facility and
children are as clean
as they are.
Nuevo Esperanza
shares a wall with a
prison. Guard towers,
look on to their
playground.
But hope and joy are
in all of these kids.
Through God’s mercy
hopefully they will all
have a chance.
Trying Their Best

46. Honduran Public Hospital

47. Only the poorest of
the poor, go to the
public hospital.
This little angel was
having breathing
issues but had not
been seen by a doctor
after four hours.
Breathe Sweetie, Breathe.

48. This little one followed
me out of the ward
room until Momma
came and brought her
back. I gave her a
pack of cookies, but
she couldn’t open
them with her hand
bandaged. Yet she
wouldn’t relinquish
them to anybody for
help.
Her Eyes Cut Through Me

49. This little package of
personality was in the
cancer ward. When I
first saw Winslett, she
had the mask on and
a rag on her head. I
asked if I could take a
picture and she ripped
it off, and struck a
pose!
Winslett, Honduras’ Next Top Model

50. Wandering down a corridor
alone I stumbled into a smile
that will stay with me
forever. A smile so big I only
realized her left leg was
amputated after I entered
her room. I was truly at a
loss. I asked her mother if
we could pray together. I
didn’t really know what I was
doing or saying, but it felt so
right. We went back the next
day, but the doctors were
working on her when we
arrived. She was crying in
pain, as the poked and
prodded her stitches. I went
closer to the window to let
her know I had come back.
Through her tears she looked
up at me, and forced the
brightest smile she could. In
the midst of her agony, all
she wanted was to ease my
pain and sadness.
Marjorie, You Will Inspire Me Every
Day. I hope I can be as Strong as You.

51. 


Thank you Bo Cracraft. I am forever indebted to
you for introducing me to Honduras and Sparrow
Missions.
Thank you Justin and Ashley Ross, Ryan Jackson,
Cristian Lopez and the whole Sparrow Missions
Team. Regardless of creed, religion or
denomination, you are doing God’s work.
Thanks Melissa Reed, Tiffany Heartley, Chad
Charles and Virginia Lugo (Mom) aka Team Wall
Street. We shared an amazing life, changing
experience. I couldn’t imagine it happening with
anyone else but all of you.
Just The Beginning…