Saying Goodbye - Hearts Transformed

Nuff said.

It is a family affair, mission work.

This story focuses on the Kovach and Basile family and their children but that is only part of the story.

What you will not read is about two brothers and both of them brining their best friend along on this mission trip.

How they bonded and their friendship grew and became stronger.

You will also not read about a young lady who came back to her native country. The strength she showed us all.

How these 11 individual became a family and have a better understanding of themselves and others.

Click here to read the story.

Matt Ippel in the News

I.S.'s Most Traveled Volunteer Reflects on his Feelings About the Garbage Dump Community of Ocotillo, Honduras.

I have been with Matt on two different rips, my first was to Haiti with Matt and 4 other men in July of 2010. I was also with Matt on his trip in 2011 in August.

I can say it has been a pleasure getting to know Matt and see him grow into a very strong leader.

My hope is that I can be on other trips with Matt in the future.

For some reason my last two birthdays Matt has celebrated them with me while we were on the mission trips.

Read what Matt has written by just clicking on this link.

Ashlynne Basile in the news

Service Trip Volunteer to Become I.S.'s First Speech Ambassador.

One of the members from our group Ashlynne Basile is spreading the word about International Samaritan and how the trip has changed her.

Way to go Ashlynne.

To Read This wonderful story, just click on this link.

Videos and more pictures of the trip coming soon

I have some more pictures. Anohter member of the team has sent photos to post. I will get them up ASAP.

It is interesting to see the trip from a different view point. Again, many of the pictures were taken by the children.

I also have found out I can post my videos.

I will get them up in a few days.

I have a few more thoughts that I will post and than news about the nursery project.

Thank you all for reading my blog and I will need your support very soon so keep checking for new updtes.

One week later

I have been home one week now and I ask myself have I changed any.
Yes, but in what ways?

I have really started to think how I can help the people where I live right now in my own area.

Then will I go back next year to Honduras or on a different mission trip? Also how can I help the people I just left in Honduras while I am here in the Michigan?

Volunteering here in my own area is something I now have to start, it is time, and I know that. In the past I have wanted to start doing something but for whatever reason I have not. I have worked in our community garden when I can and that is great.

Here is the link to the garden blog.


I do know this by the end of the year I will be involved in some type of work.

My girl friend Maryjo wants to get involved in community work so together we will find a project.

Will I go back or go on a different mission trip. I have been to Haiti (2010) and now Honduras(2011). I want to go back to Honduras, one will be money and the other reason will be getting the time off and if any trips are still open.

I do know this I will go with International Samaritan because how they co-ordinate things on the mission trip, safety, food, guide, security. They partner with the government and the local people and the work they do is sustainable. They make a difference and they work to keep it that way and ongoing.

Here is the link to their web page. International Samaritan

How can I still help the people from where I am right now? Steven Basile and myself when we saw the damage to the nursery we both felt this has to be fixed. So we are working on putting a project together. I hope to have news on that in the next week or so.

I am trying to be more patient, this is hard for me but I am trying. I also know that I try to control things when I do not need to and that I have to keep working on. I saw this in me while I was in Honduras. This will take time but I will keep trying.

I also saw lots of happiness in the people and the children of Honduras in the forms of smiles and enjoying the simple things life gives them.

I learned I am out of shape and have started to work out. That is good for the long run. I lost 8 pounds and I want to keep it off.

So have I changed yes, all for the good I feel. Some of the change will take time and I will keep at it.

The people of Honduras have changed me. I am thankful for that.

I have found three quotes I want to share with you that help sum up my feelings about this trip and where I am at in my life right now.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” Oprah Winfrey

“When you choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present..we experience heaven on earth.”Sarah Ban Breathnatch

“Knowing that the best things in life aren’t things.” Unknown

The people and sights from a different view

Another member of our team has shared their photos with me.
It is very interesting, each member of the team has taken pictures and in some ways they are all different.
We all took similar shots but maybe from a different angle. I know in seeing the pictures of the “ dump” my memory of the smell is right in front of me as I view the pictures.
Also the pictures of the children, in the nursery are just great.
Smiles, smiles, smiles, how happy the children always seem to be.