Photo by Douglas from Pan American Health Services - The Mission Creek group was joined by several others across the US from North Carolina to Nebraska to Dallas and Oregon on their spring trip to Honduras. They did not make their yearly trip to Peru due
When the COVID-19 lockdown happened last year, it threw a monkey wrench in Mission Creek Christian School's plans for their annual missionary trip to Peru. After a series of rescheduling and cancellations, the school finally went on their trip ... to Honduras.
"We did not go to our usual destination in Iquitos, Peru this year and we didn't do an international mission in 2020 due to COVID-19," Mission Creek Christion School Principal Mary Nell said. "We have missed an international mission only one other year since 2006. The border was closed in Peru at the time we could go so we went to Honduras instead."
On May 3, 2021 the school made its way to Honduras. They partnered with Pan American Health Services whose goal is to rehabilitate starving children.
After obtaining translators, the team started visiting local communities. The group witnessed families living in extreme poverty that is not commonly seen in the United States.
They passed out literature and several hundred bibles to locals they connected with in small towns and rural communities. Many of the people they visited could not read due to failing eyesight. So the Mission Creek group passed out reading glasses, which helped many of the locals to be able to read again. Essential oils and diet supplements were passed out as well.
Even though the group hadn't planned on addressing the need for food like they do in Peru, they discovered that hunger was an issue in Honduras as well.
Mission Creek provided 1,650 lbs. of beans and rice that was passed out to 165 families in need. They also passed out 3,500 packs of heirloom seeds for families to grow and help provide food for their families.
"For international travel we had a covid test 72 hours before arriving in Honduras and 72 hours before returning to Washington," said Mary Nell. "We also quarantined a full two weeks after our return. We social distanced and masked while we were there. We followed the recommendations from the Pacific County Health Department when we returned and throughout the year which included a health protocol recording with temperature checks, conscientious and thorough hand washing among other protocol requirements."
What is next for the Mission Creek group? They are planning on attending a convention in Orlando, Florida on August 3.
"The convention in Orlando is a Christ-centered group of people who are interested in service to others who have 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in the area of education, health, and wellness as well as humanitarian outreach endeavors," she said. "For domestic travel we mask and social-distance as well. All regulations that are precautionary measures in the airports and at the convention will be followed."
"I think it's important for the community to know we have been particularly safe and conscientious while traveling in order to stay healthy and keep our community safe as well," she concluded.
Mission Creek is a christian school set on 40 acres of coastal forestland near South Bend. For more information on the school go online to www.missioncreekchristianschool.com or call 360-875-6052.