Day 4: (07.10.10)

Today before we would start working, we got to Skype with a friend of the Cruz’s who was running for Armonia in England. She told us about the race and what that could do for Armonia.

Next we headed to the pyramids, which gave more of a history of Mexico, Oaxaca, and all of the many different tribes that make up the indigenous indians of Mexico.




When we came back we had some lunch, then got the last of the World Cup, then back to work.
Some of the bunk beds we made…

We got to visit the neighbors behind us again, this time bring a beach ball with us. They sure had a blast with it.






Also some kids came over later and we played with bubbles and jump roped…


During dinner a random huge lizard came around and Caleb and Tyler were able to catch the lizard, but accidentally broke the tail…

After every meal two of us help out with the dishes, and tonight was Daniel and Trey’s turn. Here’s proof that they know how to wash dishes…

Then late night soccer and cards, then off to bed for church in the morning.

Day 3: (07.09.10)

Today our morning started out with Trey and his notorious playlist of random, songs that are already annoying and will be even more annoying by the end of the trip, songs for us to wake up to every morning, around 6am. Followed by wake up call was our morning exercises (special thanks to Emily, who kept messing up during the jumping jacks, making us have to do more jumping jacks and push-ups), then devotional. Breakfast served, then Saul talked a bit of his testimony of the beginning of his childhood up to his teenage years, and why he felt he was called to minister to the poor. We learned that our Christian responsibilities were to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel to others. And that doesn’t mean just talking about it to others, but to show others by living that our in your own life.

After our bible study it was back to working on the chicken coop, with others cutting wood for the chicken coop and for making more bunk beds. And there were also others making more concrete for the fencing around the property.








Making fence posts for around the property…



Chicken coop…



Hanging our during lunch time…




Tyler playing “Sally, Sally, Sally”…



And playing soccer with the AIMS students…



All of these projects continued throughout the day. Later in the evening, a couple of mission group kids saw kids playing outside on both sides of the property, and wanted to meet them and play them, and also give them bracelets, which they just loved. Our students enjoyed talking with the neighbors and getting to know them, as well as playing with the children.

Neighbors in front of our house…



She gave us some pomegranate that she had growing on a tree.



Giving bracelets…



The neighboring behind us…





Some goodbye thing Daniel and one of the girls were doing…



After dinner we had our worship time, and had a special treat. Sergio, for those who don’t know, was given a clarinet from a couple from Christ Community, and was accepted to the International School of Music at the University of Mexico. He had his clarinet ready for us to listen to him play.



Though he was fantastic back two years ago before he started his studies at the university, he was even more amazing tonight. After hearing him play, some of the Armonia students shared how they arrived at Armonia, and how Armonia has affected their lives, which was powerful to listen to.



Then Saul gave news that we would go to see the pyramids tomorrow morning, and said that he was invited to speak at church on Sunday on the other side of Oaxaca, and that we would probably stay there to watch the World Cup with them. Then on Monday he said we will travel to visit a town that a couple of the AIMS students are from, and actually stay the night with a student’s family.

Oh, and check out the beetles here in Mexico!!

Day 2: First day of Work (07.08.10)

Today since we were up so late getting to Armonia, the group was allowed to sleep in a little later, around 8ish. Our group spent the morning getting to know the AIMS students, playing soccer with them, seeing the building that some of us helped lay the foundation for, and just taking in our surroundings. We also started sorting donations for Armonia that we brought in our luggage.

After lunch we finally started to work. Saul (director of Armonia) talked about ways that he could save money, and one of those ways is by building a chicken coop. He said this will also be helpful for the AIMS students to leave how to raise chickens.

So we began to get on that right away, with some making concrete for the steel bars, others digging out the “bad” dirt to make room for the “good” dirt for the chickens to walk on. We were just about to quit for the day when the two dump trucks full of the “good” dirt arrived. We saw that the rain was coming, and wanted to get as much done as possible, for we knew once it got wet and compacted, it would be really hard to shovel and work with. Up to this point there were several different groups doing all sorts of different things. But now all the AIMS students along with our mission group all worked together to get as much done before it started pouring. It was a great site to see.

After dinner we had worship time with the AIMS students. And we were able to sing some songs that they knew as well, with them singing in Spanish, and us in English. It was amazing. The majority of us stayed up with the AIMS students, playing knock out, trying to teach the AIMS students how to play Ninja Tag (they thought it was too weird…), playing cards, making bracelets, and just hanging out together. We probably would have stayed up really late if it wasn’t for the neighbors next door complaining of the noise. But we all had fun.
Pray requests: That God continues to show us how we can show more love and kindness to others.
(This is how we felt after the first day...)

Day 1: Travel (07/07/10)

The day started out with the students arriving to at Ed’s house for group picture, which of course led to a pyramid/cheerleading pose…

Then headed off to Miami for our flight. We made it there and after checking in we had about 2 hours to spare. So we did what we usually do to pass the time…

Eat food…

… and play cards…

Then hopped on the airplane taking us from Miami to Mexico City, where we would jumped on another airplane taking us to Oaxaca. At first we thought we were going to barely make the flight, but the plane ended up having a 1 hour delay, which made us get to the house we were staying in at about 2 o’clock in the morning. Even though it was late Saul and a couple of the students met us gladly at the gate to help us with our luggage. And when we arrived at the house we were staying at, all (approx 40ish) students met us at the house, with food ready. We ate and were ready to crash, up again at 8am.

Packing Party (07/06/2010)

Though our trip officially starts on the 7th of July, I believe that part of the trip actually started on our packing party day, the day before we officially left for Mexico. Because of new rules where the bags had to be 20 pounds lighter and only allowed to bring one bag instead of two, we decided to pack less for the trip itself. Then we were able to fill the rest of our bags with supplies, so we wouldn’t have to pay for many extra bags. Thanks to the students packing lighter and with the help of other adults, we were able to make it where we only had 23 bags going, which means only an extra seven bags went with only supplies.





Check out our awesome weighing-bags skills…











Though we had a commission for the students on Sunday morning, some believe that they wanted to do more, so some adults came over and prayed for the students, and even had Gary of the phone!!
The students got their mission trip shirts and headed home for rest for the travel the next day.

HNB is a 501(c)(3)!!

After many months of paperwork, waiting, and some more waiting, HNB finally got the news they have been waiting to hear. HNB is officially a 501(c)(3), which means that we are officially a non profit! We are so thankful for this news, for having the non profit status helps us with grants and such so we can continue to give back to the community.
Along with just being able to be able to apply for more grants, we now have the option of online giving!
People can now donate online by using the donate button (see at the bottom), and it's just as simple as in putting in a credit/debit card or bank account (or even easier if you already have a pay pal account.)
We appreciate everything that you all have done to help support HNB, and we hope that you continue to support HNB as more amazing things come.

You're able to donate by clicking the donate button below:

Meet the Thrift Store Staff

If you want to know what it takes to run a thrift store: you are looking at them! (minus the guy): These ladies are our HNB Thrift Jewels, for they make it happen, day in and day out with little pay and never ending work! Pictured from left to Right: Trey, April, Kristy, Molly and Linda.

We wouldn't get very far without our volunteers, so we are thankful for them as well. And so if you are looking for a place to serve, look no farther.