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As the schools let out for spring break and the throngs of motorists clogged the highways headed for the joys of the warm beaches of Florida another group of young people from Michigan winged their way to the tropic heat of Honduras, not to vacation but to long days of toil. Twelve students from Battle Creek Academy along with four adult chaperones spent their time in service to others at Santa Barbara , Honduras. The students soon joined by a doctor from Mexico referred to lovingly by the children as Doctor Sarah ministered to the children of this impoverished nation of seven and a half million where even old shoes donated to them were greeted as a prize. The line of children waiting to see the doctor soon grew at a great rate upon the children learning that upon seeing the doctor that they would receive a beany baby and a sucker. One young girl searched until she was able to find an old piece of plastic so that she might have a blanket for her beanie baby that she carried with her wherever she went.

The BCA students stayed at the orphanage that fifty children called home. During their stay they rose at 5 am so that they could be at the high school by seven to help conduct the week of prayer for these students and then follow it up also at the elementary and middle schools. This was soon followed by backbreaking work in helping to build the second story at the orphanage that meant carrying about 44 thousand pounds of cement blocks and another 50 thousand pounds of mortar to the second story up a rickety wooden plank that frequently had to be swept to avoid mishaps. The air temperature by then was in the nineties which meant considerably hotter while working in the direct sun. All this by young people coming from the frigid Michigan winter.

Meals were eaten at the orphanage where the BCA students soon dispersed throughout the room so that all of the children would have the attention of these young missionaries. It is not surprising that friendships were soon built. The children would even help out the BCA students by "helping" them by eating some of the unfamiliar food that the students were at first a little reticent about. Hunger brought on by long days and hard work soon solved this problem.

All was not work as time was had for visiting Mayan ruins and even for playing soccer with the orphans who soon turned the tide by showing the BCA students how the game is played.

It is unclear who received the most benefit as tears soon flowed from the children upon the young missionaries headed for home. One of the BCA students even admitted to not being able to hold back the tears himself. All of the students pledged to return the following year. How is it that God can put such joy in our hearts when we unselfishly work for Him? Along with the effort by these young people, who have established that there is indeed hope for this new generation, many others have participated by their donations and behind the scenes work to make this trip possible. Is this Gods’ beacon of light in this world of darkness?

Before leaving for home, Pastor Tenold spoke with a young lady who told him that "you make serving God very attractive and because of your witness I have chosen to dedicate my life to Christ and serving Him". 
Amen!
            
Setting blocks                                                                     A great view
                                         
               
 Making Friends                                                                                            A heavy load




                                                                                                      
                                                                                                        
To read a first hand account of the experiences of these young people click the link below.  
Read Gabriella's very moving article.                                                                                                                 

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