Sometimes it’s only your presence that’s important - Steve Rafferty's Journey.

I improved my reading skills when I was young by reading selections from the Readers Digest Condensed Books.  Two books that had a lasting effect were A Ship Called Hope by William B. Walsh and Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl.  The first told the story of a refitted military hospital ship that provided humanitarian medical aid to various countries around the world, particularly Latin America.  The second recapped an epic adventure of floating across the Pacific on a balsa wood raft from Ecuador to Polynesia to prove the viability of a migration route.   After reading both books, I wanted to do something similar but had no concrete plans how to do that.  Decades later, I found my solution in St Anthony of Padua’s Medical/Dental Mission to Honduras.

I walked into the informational meeting for the 2018 Mission Trip uncertain that I brought enough knowledge or skill to be useful.   After listening to a summary of how the Mission was organized, I told the presenter that I probably was only  60% to 70% qualified for any specific job.  I’d worked as an EMT in college, but hadn’t refreshed those skills since.  I knew enough Spanish to order food and beer, but couldn’t carry a conversation.  I can drive with a manual transmission, but I’ve never driven a four wheel drive vehicle in off-road conditions.  I wanted to go on Mission but only if I was productively useful.  My test was whether my presence on mission was more beneficial than donating the equivalent money to the mission.  They told me confidently that they would provide training for any job I volunteered for.

So after two missions, where am I?  I’ve passed the Registered Dental Assistant test for certification in Texas, so I enhance the productivity of the dentists on Mission.  I’ve trained in ultrasound cleaning of teeth.  I’m not certified in Texas to clean teeth but Honduras doesn’t require it so I have improved the oral health of several dozen folks in Honduras.  My granddaughter, my training guinea pig, says I did a decent job on her teeth.   My Spanish is a bit more polished thanks to internet learning apps.  I feel competently useful on Mission in Honduras.  The Mission Team can definitely take a new missionary and train them to be useful.

The Honduras Mission provides the opportunity to fulfill my childhood goal of helping others in an adventuresome location.  Granted, traveling across Honduras isn’t crossing the open Pacific on a raft, but traveling six hours on two lane blacktops with numerous tumelos (“speed bumps”) isn’t a Sunday drive in the country.  There’s plenty of adventure on the trip!

The personal takeaways are significant as well.   When you are on mission, the demands of the work and the challenges of local conditions often obscure the positive impacts we make.  On reflection afterwards, I am impressed with the resourcefulness and dedication of the team to accomplish our goals.  I have memories of small victories in our dental clinic.  The restored glow of a young mother no longer afraid to smile and expose her teeth.  The humor of an older gentleman who exclaimed that women might look at him again after I had cleaned his heavily stained teeth.  The giggles and excitement of a class of kids as we applied fluoride treatment to their teeth.

But despite the emphasis on treatment, my favorite memory doesn’t involve that.  At the close of one day while waiting for the trucks to return to base, I sat on the stairs to the school and folded an origami flapping bird for two young girls about six years old.  They seemed enthralled with the process and were silently attentive.  When I finished the bird, I flapped its wings and offered it to the girls.  One girl reached for it, but went past the bird and touched the noticeable hair on my knuckles and asked, “Que es esto”?  When I told her “pelo”, they both laughed loudly and ran off. 

God works in mysterious ways sometimes.  I can’t always know what or why, but I can know we have an impact.  Sometimes it’s only your presence & not what you’re doing that’s important.

~ Bendiciones Steve

A LEGACY OF SMILES

Steve Rafferty joined our mission in 2018 & quickly became an intergal team member despite not knowing exactly where he could fit in! Steve has graciously stepped up to lead the dental charge as we get ready for our return in June. We are ever so blessed to be able to share in Steve’s enthusiasm & knowledge! Get ready for those “tumelos” Steve!

Now What? Thriving After Returning Home from Mission.

After your first mission trip, you may have asked yourself, “Is this really it?” Do I just go back to my regular life now?

It is certainly hard to transition from a time of deep community & faith, limited distractions like internet, emails or Netflix, daily devotion & worship, not to mention the challenges of serving our remote villages atop a mountain. Reverting to “real life” can often times feel daunting or meaningless.

A truth that we can hold on to is that our time serving is real life. Each experience we had, each way we saw God move is just as real as our careers, deadlines, & our family & friends back home. We can also be sure that the same God we felt so close to up on the mountain is the same God that we meet in our homes & our sanctuaries back here in Texas!

It is very clear that in the period during COVID when we could not travel to Honduras, the villages have not been able to maintain a large portion of what the Mission has done for them over the years in terms of building & utilities maintenance. Medical & dental care is non-existent & education is lacking. They are so ready & eager for us to return. The children lit up when they saw us. It was such a joyous experience to share with them our intent to return in June 2023!

“Lord, it is good that we are here.”

— Matthew 17:4

Short-term Mission Transformation

Approximately 20 percent of all US-based international mission work each year is done by short-term volunteers just like our Honduras mission, according to an analysis by sociologist of religion Robert Wuthnow. That translates to 1.6 million US church members annually going on international mission trips and doing work valued at $1.1 billion (not counting preparation time & travel days).

When you think of mission trips in this way, then you get a big picture view of the incredible loss that must be felt by those who are no longer being served as well as missionaries who are forced to remain at home.

As with so many other aspects of life, missions were deeply impacted by the coronavirus pandemic & the subsequent lockdowns & restrictions on social gatherings. Everything, including short-term missions, has forever changed. However, despite mission travel reshaping drastically, it has become a good thing.

It has given our Honduras mission core team time to breathe & reconsider how the process can be transformed & improved upon plus how our financial support can make the greatest impact.

Mission Safety is Paramount

The Mission Core team’s main concern is always the safety of our missionaries, & we analyze that in the greatest detail - the new inherent risks, & what can we do to continue to maintain your safety. We are constantly consulting with risk management, our medical team leaders, local Honduran experts & others for guidance.

We believe that God will bless our work in new ways post-pandemic, as we see new efforts that have been thoroughly undergirded in prayer, & as we engage with new partners like Deacon Rick Vogel to collaborate with us in the days ahead. We also expect there will be a gratitude for freedom to operate in a more normal fashion that will make post-pandemic mission work even more satisfying than pre-pandemic work when we faced few obstacles.

The Core Team certainly understands your frustrations as we set multiple travel dates, plan and then must postpone the last 2-years. Know this to be true…. we will return to Honduras soon!

Deacon Rick joins the Honduras Mission!

Hallelujah, the Honduras Mission Trip is back on (or at least we hope)!

We are all busy planning for what supplies are needed, who is doing what, how are things being done to serve our friends. These are all very important & worthwhile. Serving those in need is a fundamental responsibility for all Christians and, we at St. Anthony’s do it so well!

We should never neglect these responsibilities. As missionaries, we should put our whole heart into these activities. Coupling these activities with our own personal spirituality is what makes us standout from other service organizations. Bringing the love of Jesus with a helping hand is the call of all Christians.

During this busy preparation period for the mission trip let     us not neglect our own spiritual life. Are you praying for our friends each day? I do not mean a simple prayer of 10 seconds. But quality time spent in prayer for your friends. Be conscientious & steadfast in these prayers over the next few months.

As Advent approaches, the great time of Anticipation, let us lift up in prayer our friends & all the preparations which are needed.  Let us embrace God’s love & share it with his friends as we lift our own spiritual life in prayer.

Blessings,

Deacon Rick

Honduras Sacraments Team

Our Mission has definitely hit a period of adjustment after COVID, the departure of Deacon Mike, Father Tom & Father Kingsley; leaving some may refer to as a spiritual void in our leadership team. Deacon Rick Vogel has graciously accepted the challenge to unite our Mission for 2022. Please join us in welcoming him as we prep for traveling to Honduras in June!

It’s time to Celebrate our First High School Graduates!

Our Honduras Mission is so very excited to announce that the first two High School students that we support are graduating this month! We plan on continuing the focus on education as we look forward to the future!

BRAVO!!!! OSMAN ARIEL MENDEZ & JOEL VELASQUEZ from El Mirador as they take the next steps leading them to a promising future! This is such a joyous & proud moment of celebration for their families & friends as well as our mission team.

Osman & Joel – you have worked so hard to achieve your goals & now it is time for the both of you to chase your dreams! We wish you much success & happiness. Nothing is impossible, anything is possible when you believe in yourself!

Meet Osman…

Over break, Osman helped his mother create a home garden with beans & radish. He used techniques he learned through is agriculture studies at EVS.

Osman is very excited to graduate & complete his first internship. "Tengo ganas de hacer las cosas bien."

Meet JOEL…

Joel is the oldest of his family with 4 brothers & 2 sisters. He enjoys listening to music (when he is not studying of course!).

Joel is looking forward to graduating & being a mentor for his younger siblings!

Mission Focus: Education

Like a tree, poverty has many roots. But among the many causes of global poverty, one factor is distinctive above all others: EDUCATION. Not every person without an education is living in extreme poverty, however most of those living in extreme poverty do lack a basic education. Families that fall below the poverty line will also be more likely to keep their children out of school, which means that their children will also have a greater chance of living in poverty.

Education is often referred to as the great equalizer: It can open the door to the right jobs, resources, & skills that a family needs to not just survive but thrive. This was the focus of Deacon Mike Mims when our mission first began as well as the foundation that our entire education strategy was built upon to impact the communities that we serve. Access to high-quality primary education & supporting child well-being is a globally recognized solution to the cycle of poverty that we have witnessed first-hand in Honduras. This is, in part, because it also addresses many of the other issues that can keep communities vulnerable.

Discover Fall Honduran Holidays

In the US, we are quite familiar with our holidays as we prep for Halloween & Thanksgiving however how much do we truly know about the celebrations that take place in Honduras in the fall season? Public holidays in Honduras are centered on Christianity and the commemoration of events in their history.

Here is a list of upcoming festivities for September & October along with some details to help us stay in-sync with the people and the communities that we serve.

Sep 10th – Children’s Day (Día del Niño)

The Kiddos may still go to school on this very special day, but not necessarily for the classes. They celebrate alongside their teachers with music, dance, candy & games. It’s a day when parents honor & congratulate their children plus share gifts!

Sep 15th – Independence Day (Día de la Independencia)

Just like our own 4t of July, this day commemorates the independence of the Central American provinces from Spanish rule in 1821. Every city & village celebrates with parades, princesses, marching drummers & folk dancers. This year marks the bicentennial!

Sep 17th – Teacher’s Day (Día del Maestro)

Students prepare special activities & greeting cards for their teachers to express their gratitude. This holiday was established in honor of one of the greatest educators in Honduras, Father José Trinidad Reyes y Sevilla.

Oct 3rd – Morazán’s Day (Natalicio del General Morazán)

A day to honor José Francisco Morazán Quesada, a Central American politician (President of the Federal Republic of Central America). He is from Honduras & is recognized as a visionary & advocate for social reform.

Oct 12th – Columbus Day (Día de la Raza)

The date of Columbus' arrival in the Americas is celebrated in Honduras as the Discovery of America Day. It’s a way to honor not Columbus the man, but rather all the people & cultural influences that came after him that exist today. Día de la Raza (or The Day of the Race) is a special moment for countries that were once conquered by Spanish explorers to recognize their indigenous people, traditions & cultural heritage.

Oct 21st – Army Day (Día de las Fuerzas Armadas)

Honduran Armed Forces Day is a national holiday widely celebrated across the country. Most of the festive activities are carried out in the capital city of Tegucigalpa. They include a military parade & solemn official ceremony.

It’s time to Celebrate!

Both the Taco Sale in May & the recent St Anthony’s festivities shed light on the importance of our missionaries coming together. The overall vibe & energy of our group is contagious…. but in a positive, impactful way! Our missionaries inspire & empower each other however we still need to be mindful of everyone’s safety. That is precisely why the core team decided to postpone our Reunion Celebration.

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY is coming up in October on the 24th; the perfect setting for everyone to see each other once again. Hopefully we can do so under safe COVID protocols. The theme of this year’s World Mission Day, “We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard” (At 4:20), is an invitation to each of us to “take charge” and to make known what we carry in our hearts. We will share more details on this event later this month!

A Pharmacist's Perspective on Missions - Cathy Neill

I had been intrigued about mission trips for years but didn’t think I had the right skills & had never heard of a Catholic medical mission trip.  I am a pharmacist, not a doctor, nurse, or dentist.  One day a 19-year-old customer was picking up a prescription for malaria prevention who was going to Africa to do mission work through her church.  Next time I saw her father at the pharmacy we discussed her trip.  He informed me about the church’s annual medical mission trip to Mexico & that they would love to have a pharmacist so my daughter & I went. It was a broadening experience going with the other medical professionals & support crew to multiple sites in rural Mexico, with no electricity, & limited drinkable water, working with medicines labeled in Spanish, not to mention communicating through a translator. I came home with a much greater appreciation of basic necessities that we all tend to take for granted. I went with this church again to Mexico and Kentucky.

Fast forward to Deacon Mike Mims’ call from the pulpit for people to go with him to Honduras in 2014.  Wow, now I could go with MY church on mission… & I did!  We had conference calls with missionaries from Little Rock, AK that went to Trujillo, made educated guesses about the medical, educational, religious & social needs, taped up the STAOP gym floor to simulate the physical lay-out of the chapel/clinic, plus practiced hymns & prayers in Spanish.  We went, saw a lot of patients, accomplished a ton & made it home safely.

After Deacon Mike Mims unexpected death, several of us met to see if we would/should/could go again.   Although some agreed to take on a portion of the organizing duties, I was not initially one of them, but kept showing up for the meetings. I have returned to Honduras each year till COVID cancelled our 2020 trip. 

I am on Mission year-round going to meetings, talking about what we do, recruiting missionaries, collecting donations, plus ordering medicines & medical supplies. I have met so many wonderful people (saints) here, on the archdiocese & state level, as well as in Honduras from my involvement with these mission trips.

~ Bendiciones, Cathy

Honduras Medical Team

The Medical Team has a hidden gem & her name is Cathy Neill. An ever-present leader from the start, mostly staying behind the scenes supporting our doctors & nurses, Cathy brings her pharmaceutical expertise to those who are in dire need. Cathy serves as secretary of the Archdiocese Mission Council & as treasurer of the Texas Mission Council annual conference.

Honduran Medicine & Health Care

Think about what it must be like for the communities that we serve when a family member’s health takes a turn for the worse. We are ever so grateful to have such wonderful doctors, pharmacists, dentists & nurses go on mission with us to make a difference!

Sickness or an accident is a nightmare for people in the countryside & the urban poor. It may take hours to get a patient to a hospital by traveling over long dirt roads that often lack public transportation. Doctors may be unable to do much for a patient if the patient's family cannot afford to buy medicine. If the patient is an adult, the household may have to struggle to make a living until he or she recovers. 

8 Important Mission Trip Reminders

Whether you are a mission rookie or a seasoned veteran, it’s important to be mindful that service is a lifestyle, not an event.

1. Be FAT: Faithful, Available & Teachable: Be willing & eager to serve. Step outside your comfort zone & be willing to meet a variety of needs.

2. Be Proactive: If you see something that needs to be done, be the first to act. Don’t just stand on the sidelines awaiting instructions.

3. Focus on the Tasks at-hand: Get involved with every aspect of your team’s projects. Avoid the temptation to just watch the action.

4. Follow the Leader: If you receive specific guidelines, follow them carefully. Show respect to the mission’s organization & the people you are serving by adhering to instructions, even if you don’t understand the reasoning behind them.

5. Reach Out: Listen to the people you are serving. Tell them that you will pray for them & keep a prayer journal. Talk to Jesus about what you’re experiencing & feeling during the trip & let him challenge & grow your faith.

6. Love your Neighbors as Yourself: You’ll be ministering to (& with) a variety of people who are different from you. Some might challenge you or even make you uncomfortable. No matter what happens, be a servant & treat everyone with respect.

7. Maintain Perspective: The people you serve won’t always seem thankful for your help. Although this can sting, remember that Jesus changes people’s hearts.

8. Prepare to get Tired: As the trip begins, you’ll feel full of energy & excitement. Expect that to wane as the week goes on. Even when you are worn-out, remember that you are there to serve. Stay the course!

A Chance Airport Encounter - Carmen McCain's Journey

I first came to know about the Honduras Mission while I was returning from a trip to Honduras after a brief visit with my parents. I was born and raised in San Pedro Sula and I usually go back home twice a year to visit my family.

I was at the airport and I saw a group of missionaries all decked out in Neon Yellow T-shirts. As I sat in the waiting area ready to board, I struck a brief conversation with one of the gentlemen on mission. I asked him where he was from and what church parish he belonged to. To my surprise he said “St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in the Woodlands.” I told him I had joined the parish a few months earlier and that I was interested in getting more involved at church.

To me, this immediately sparked my desire to join. This mission felt very personal to me because my parish was helping my people; my fellow Hondurans whom the great majority live in truly impoverished conditions, lacking the most basic necessities like running water, electricity, safe and clean housing, basic education, healthcare, etc. I could go on for hours…but at that moment I felt that even when I was away from home, I could do something to help from my home in Texas.

As I waited to board, I also watched Deacon Mike Mims interact with his group. He seemed so joyful and passionate and I could truly see in him the satisfaction of a job well done. He was a power to be reckoned with. I knew Deacon Mike from his homilies at church on Sundays and as a member of the SALT band. I just loved his spirit and his teachings. I just knew that this was a group I wanted to belong to. He was a true inspiration to so many and I wanted to be a part of this. Sadly, this would be Deacon Mike’s last mission trip. I was devastated at the news of his passing. As saddened as I was, I knew this was not the end of his vision. Something happened inside of me that I wanted to help continue that vision that this servant of God had set forth. He had touched so many lives and even after passing he was touching mine!! Even to this day, I thank him because without even knowing him personally, he touched my heart and he ignited my desire to serve on this Mission.

I must admit, I have not gone on any of the mission trips yet. My parents are older and sick. I usually go home twice a year to care for them and spend time with them. I use all my vacation time solely to visit them. I figure, when they pass, I can go. But there are many ways that I have been able to help.

As a home team member, I coordinate a team of volunteers to help with getting the mission trip packed and ready to go. Usually these are the missionaries themselves. I prepare all the lanyards, and luggage tags for the missionaries. I help coordinate the orders and delivery of T-shirts for all those joining the mission. I facilitate rides to and from the airport on departure and return days. I also serve as the emergency contact here in the US so, in case something happens, there is someone at home to help.

The Home Team is composed of other fellow missionaries that might not be able to go on mission during the current year, but they want to help in any way possible. They serve as volunteer packers, sorters, drivers, etc. It takes a great deal of help and coordination to get a mission like ours off the ground. I have been a member of the core team for 4 years and a volunteer for 2 years. It has been a privilege to work alongside such wonderful and inspiring Core members in this capacity to help bring the love and light of Christ to my fellow Hondurans. I am eternally grateful to this Mission, to this wonderful parish community and the leadership of our Pastor, Father Tom and the rest of the clergy who continue to share their love and support to my beloved Honduras. May God continue to bless our Mission and our Parish in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

~ Bendiciones Carmen

Honduras Mission Home Team

The Home Team is composed of other fellow missionaries that might not be able to go on mission during the current year, but are searching for ways to help. It takes an enormous amount of organization and time to prep for our mission. Carmen McCain has been leading the charge as a member of the core team for 4 years.

A Special Video Message For Those We Serve In Honduras

Since our Mission for 2020 was postponed, we wanted to send a message to the villages in Honduras.

St Anthony of Padua is taking our mission this year on a “virtual” road trip!

Due to COVID our travel to Honduras was postponed for 2020, however we still continued to serve from afar and wanted to make sure that our brothers & sisters down south hear did not feel in any way abandoned.

A wonderful presentation was created including personal messages from missionaries that was sent directly to Honduras....with some help from Fr Gildo for a special "red carpet" viewing at each village.

"What the Lord requires of you: only to do justice, and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God." — Micah 6:8