10 Days to Go

My main accomplishment today was helping Andrés and my cousin, Jenny, with their passport application process. They both have all of the paperwork taken care of now (in order to go with me next year - EXCITING!!!), but need passport photos and have to take them in to the post office to have all the documents verified before sending them in. I'll take Andrés tomorrow morning to take care of all of that.

I received word from the 2nd hotel about their rates - which are MUCH better. They will charge $17/night and will send their hotel taxi for me at the airport. They assured me that the vehicle will have their hotel logo on it and the driver will also be wearing a polo shirt with the hotel logo on it...all safety precautions since I will be arriving after dark. I've emailed them back to see what the next step is to confirm the reservations.

I heard from Dr. Reynolds today. He is the man who is in charge of sending larger quantities of donations down to Orphanage Emmanuel. He mentioned that the next shipment would be going out on August 15th, so if there is anything that I cannot fit in my suitcases - I should get it to him before I leave.

Speaking of things that I cannot pack in my suitcases. You all have been wonderful!!! My aunt Linda called today to say that the response she's received from St. Elizabeth Hospital and other area businesses has been overwhelming! She currenly has NINE boxes full of items. My mom, who works up at New London Family Medical Center, has had a wonderful response as well from a coworker, which will greatly help in me getting all of these items that don't fit into my suitcases down to Dr. Reynolds. I had never expected monetary help - just items that were "extras" around the house, but with the overwhelming response of donations for the children - that will help so much in sending these items all the more quickly. THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!!! I will be sure to take pictures of the many boxes of donations before I leave & post them to this BLOG for all to see.

So, now on to how I picked this orphanage to serve at...

As I mentioned in the initial letter, I had found this orphanage online back in 2005-2006 when I started to search more seriously. I had been searching in Guatemala, due to their extreme poverty...but also decided to search in Honduras as well. At the time, it was solely because we sponsor a child in Honduras named Eduardo through Compassion International (http://www.compassion.com/), and I thought it might give us a chance to go visit him at some point. At that time, I knew nothing of the poverty level of Honduras. As of today, I found the following link: http://www.aneki.com/poorest_central_america.html which lists Honduras as the POOREST country in Central America as of July 23, 2008.

Anyway, after searching online for "christian orphanage guatemala", I found an orphanage in Guatemala that looked like a place that could really use an extra set of hands. I sent an email towards the end of the school year to both orphanages at the same time letting them know of my desire to form this annual relationship and help as much as I possibly could.

When I sent this email, my inital thought was...What if BOTH orphanages are really in need of help? How will I know WHERE to go??? At that point, I was confused. Should I have emailed both orphanages at the same time? Each country had their own advantages:

• Guatemala - airfare that was significantly less expensive than Honduras, the stories posted by the orphanage director were heart-breaking...babies being left on the streets just after their births because parents could not care for them. This lady had a true heart for taking ALL children in. The orphanage was just starting to get on its feet and had just purchased land to build a larger facility.
• Honduras - a Christian orphanage that had over 400 children, and having the chance to visit Eduardo.

I talked to Annette at church that Sunday and asked her to help me in prayer for God's guidance in helping me determine where I was to go. I received responses from BOTH orphanages that week, and although both welcomed my help with open arms...Orphanage Emmanuel had a solid Christian foundation, whereas the orphanage in Guatemala was of another religion - NOT Christian (not sure how they popped up on the internet with the word Christian in my search).

God had answered my prayers and my emails with Katja (the volunteer coordinator in Honduras) and Becky (my U.S. volunteer contact) began. I've been working diligently ever since to make sure that I will have safe travels and keep the costs down to a minimum. So far, with round-trip airline travel, 2 hotels for overnight stays (Atlanta & San Pedro Sula), and a taxi ride from the San Pedro Sula airport to the hotel, I am at just a hair under $500 - which is INCREDIBLE!

God is Good!!!

Plans in Motion...

Good evening to all,

Today was quite busy for me. I began this morning by emailing 2 hotels in San Pedro Sula, Honduras about their availabilities. One just replied with an email - and although for most American standards, their rate may seem really good...it is quite a bit more than what would be charged of most Honduran hotels, so I'll most likely wait for a reponse from the other hotel.

I also washed all of the clothing I'd be taking to Honduras and put them into one of my suitcases...just to have them there so that I can focus on other things between now and next weekend. The great thing is most of the clothing was linen or very light cotton, so when I weighed my suitcase, it only came to 20 pounds. I'm allowed 50 pounds/suitcase and my carry-on can be 50 pounds as well, for a total of 150 pounds! I'll still have to pack my "toiletries" as many people call them - and then reweigh the suitcase, but I think I'll have around 100+ pounds that I'll be able to use strictly for donations!

This morning I also took the 4 kids up to the Waupaca County Courthouse. I want to get all of Andrés' paperwork ready to apply for a passport before I leave, so that he'll have it for next year. Bob had mentioned that he'd also like to go next year and his passport expires this December, so we'll most likely be filling out both applications at the same time.

I'm still in the process of working on a "look" for this blog, so bear with me if you see color or template changes as you check in from time to time. I hope that you enjoy the slideshow of the Orphanage Emmanuel pictures taken in June of this year by the lady who is my U.S. contact to the orphanage. Underneath this slideshow is another of pictures from San Pedro Sula as well as cities along the way to Orphanage Emmanuel.

Tomorrow I will blog about how the decision came to serve at this orphanage. Until then, have a great night!

Initial Plans to Honduras

Hello to all.

After much research (Bob would tell you "too much research"), I have some of the initial plans in place. I just want to make sure I'm getting the best rates, yet still will be safe in my travels.

I purchased my flight tickets on priceline.com by putting a bid in. I ended up getting the tickets for just slightly over $400. Considering full price at that time was $687, and they are currently around $820...I think I got an awesome deal. The down-side??? I have to be on 3 planes rather than two and I'll have to have an overnight stay on the way down & back. But I don't mind riding in planes, so I guess that's okay. I'll just have to be sure to have lots of gum.

Here's my Flight Itinerary:

Departing Flight Information - Saturday, August 2, 2008 (Arrives Sunday, August 3, 2008)

• Delta from Chicago/Midway Departs: 3:00 P.M. - Arrives Atlanta, GA: 5:55 P.M.
• Delta from Atlanta Departs: 10:00 A.M. - Arrives San Salvador: 11:47 A.M.
• TACA from San Salvador Departs: 7:25 P.M. - Arrives San Pedro Sula, Honduras: 8:20 P.M.

Returning Flight Information - Saturday, August 16, 2008 (Arrives Sunday, August 17, 2008)

• TACA from San Pedro Sula Departs: 5:45 P.M. - Arrives San Salvador: 6:35 P.M.
• Delta from San Salvador Departs: 12:47 P.M. - Arrives Atlanta, GA: 6:37 P.M.
• Delta from Atlanta Departs: 9:25 P.M. - Arrives Chicago/Midway: 10:24 P.M.

Yesterday I made a reservation for the Days Inn in Atlanta (remember, I'm trying to keep this trip as inexpensive as possible). I looked on priceline.com and then went to the Days Inn website, and found that it was cheaper to contact them directly. I had never reserved a hotel before from priceline.com, only airline tickets - since I've always placed a bid. But I didn't feel comfortable "naming my price" and then not getting the free shuttle service from the airport to the hotel (I've seen on many reviews that it's much better to get an airport with a shuttle service than to pay a little less...only to pay $25/one-way for a taxi). They have a continental breakfast - so that'll help save some money too! I also saw that the Days Inn I'll be staying at has internet access and computer use in the lobby for their guests, so I should be able to post yet while in Atlanta.

I talked to Patti (our old babysitter) over the weekend and she said she has family that lives in San Salvador, so perhaps they'll be able to help me find a reasonable and safe place to stay during my overnight stay there on the way back. Her mother and mother-in-law have sent up such beautiful things for our children over the past few years. I'm hoping to be able to meet them either during my 7 hour delay on the way down, or on the way back (or both!).

My next adventure will be setting up some place to stay in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. I will have to spend the night there before taking a bus to Tegucigalpa (the capital). I will keep you posted as I get make those details.

Introduction Letter to this Blog

Hello family & friends,

This blog is to keep you posted on my travels to Honduras beginning summer of 2008.

I had sent out the following letter letting you know about my reasoning for this upcoming trip:

In January of 1994 while on a study abroad trip to Mexico (required by the state of Wisconsin to become a teacher of a foreign language), I visited an orphanage. Although orphanages had existed in the United States, it was before my time and I only had movies like “Annie” to relate to them. This was first-hand experience for me of children who were either abandoned or who had lost their parents and had no other relatives to take them in. This was also the first moment in which I felt a need to help.

Serving in an orphanage has been something that has been on my mind constantly since this first experience, but I haven’t had the opportunity or the means to do it until now. Back in 2005-2006, I began searching for orphanages online. Because of my abilities in Spanish, I stayed partial to those orphanages in Spanish-speaking countries because I believed that’s where I could be most effective in my service.

I have been feeling that God has been putting this vision of service onto my heart more and more over the past few years, so because of this I had set summer of 2007 as the date to begin my summers abroad. As all of you know...last summer I was pregnant with Kaylyn. That put yet another halt to going.

I had told Bob of my desire to serve when we first met back in 2001 and had mentioned it here & there ever since. But that tugging I’d been feeling at my heart has been getting stronger each year, so this spring I spoke to my husband once again (for the first time since 2006). I was a little nervous because that would mean Bob would be staying back with all 4 kids this summer…but to my surprise, my wonderful husband said “go”…that now is the time.

I know our children are loved completely, not only by my husband and me but also by our close family and friends. I know that they will be well cared for, even if I travel to an orphanage to serve other children. I believe that ALL children should feel that they are loved and wanted, which is why I want to give of myself to those children who have been abandoned by their families. Eventually when they are old enough, I plan to bring our children with me to serve along-side of me.

Okay, so with all of that said, let me share the details:

I have been in communication with a Christian orphanage in Honduras called Orphanage Emmanuel. Their website is: http://www.orphanageemmanuel.com/ if you’d like to check them out.

I will most likely be going from August 2nd – 16th this year…the dates have been scheduled into their calendar; I just have to wait for confirmation & then get the plane tickets.

My goal is to take 2 suitcases and a carry-on (I still have to check with the airlines for restrictions)…and ONLY come back w/ my carry-on. So I would like to take some much needed supplies down there. After speaking with their U.S. contact, she mentioned they are really in need of stuff that is“consumable”…meaning:

• toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap, shampoo, wet wipes, deodorants, and socks & underwear (in all sizes).
• She also mentioned some outside games such as jacks, marbles, jump ropes, etc.

I would love to take as much as I possibly can fit in those 2 suitcases.

If any of you have “an extra or two” of any of the above lying around in your house & would like to send it my way to take with me (if you happen to see me, whether visiting or at church or you just happen to be in our neighborhood) – that’d be great! PLEASE – DON’T GO OUT & BUY ANYTHING!!! I don’t want to put anyone out, and hopefully w/ all of the people I’m sending this too, the suitcases will fill up w/ just an item here & there.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me or call. Hope you are all enjoying your summer!

LoriAnn Harmon