We recently visited Kenna at the Finca for a week. We were welcomed with open arms and experienced a week of much joy, beauty and love!
Our venture started from La Ceiba (after a ferry ride from Roatan) where we were picked up for a 6 hour ride (half in the dark) to the Finca. Our driver had spent 10 years working/living at the Finca and had so much love for the children and the mission of the Finca. We arrived in time to go to bed and we were amongst the lucky ones who got to go to church in Trujillo in one of the 2 working cars the next morning. On the ride back from mass, I realized how much the children appreciate the beauty they are surrounded by when one of the boys pointed out the view of the ocean on our way down the hill from Trujillo.
We spent the entire week in the kindergarten class which was perfect for us given that we don’t speak a lick of Spanish and five year olds are very forgiving. It was such a joy to see the smile on their faces each morning and receive hugs/high fives. They arrived with their hair nicely arranged and clean shirts tucked and they left three hours later with their hair tasseled and shirts untucked and covered with stains. Every morning they miraculously returned again with spotless uniforms! This was especially impressive knowing their families hand wash the same uniform every day! The Kindergartners were all excited to learn and were a joy to be with.
The large number of kids that come to school every day from the surrounding area, not just those that live at Finca, was truly impressive - their energy and laughter echo across the Finca all day. We witnessed a few of them in kindergarten learn to write their name on their own! Learning in progress!
After our helping out all morning in class, we were able to go for a walk on the beach with Kenna! We also spent quality time every day with Finca Tías, missionaries, and children who generously hosted us for lunch and dinners throughout our stay. We observed the tías exude love and instill self responsibility and structured discipline in their homes!
We especially enjoyed the soccer games on the Finca’s green grass field with the kids! Especially fun was the competitive games both Thursday and Friday afternoon! We felt a reminder of home when we got to participate in weekly movie night with Kenna, Nate and Natalie on Friday night.
Angie’s favorite moment was watching the girls in casa 6 protect their baby brother from the crazy chickens that wander around the Finca.
The wind kicked up mid-day every day, making for a perfect temp - even got to spend some time in the hammock in the afternoon after raking reading a book while recovering from keeping up with the busy days at the Finca.
We felt God’s love throughout the Finca during their prayers before meals, morning chapel prayer services, Thursday evening adoration, stations of the cross, and the sister’s presence and love! We hardly noticed the bugs amongst all the fun, the humidity and the Honduran sun everyday - no sunburns!
Everyone at the Finca exudes so much positive energy and love to all the kids, all the time. To everyone at the Finca, Thank You for hosting us.
And Thank You to all of you out there that give your donations to make the Finca the special place that it is!
After being on the Farm for just one short week, we know firsthand God is present and changing lives for the better every day.
- Ken and Angie Sandblast
What a great summary of your time at the Finca! Similarly, my wife and I got to visit our missionary daughter a couple ofyears ago.
Likewise, we spoke no Spanish and also helped her with her kinder class. What a riot.
It's exactly like you portrayed; the kids all look like a million bucks showing up excited and joyful. The entire Finca community and the larger community were nothing but welcoming and we could not help but love it all.
I recommend to do many youth to discern the call to be a missionary or religious. What a blessing the finds has been to our family. God is good all the time!