“If you want to learn something, teach it!” goes the saying.

So it is, that Hannah, 17, Ruth 15, and Micah, 13, Lehenbauer went from being homeschool students in Kathleen, Georgia, to becoming English teachers for two weeks at an orphanage in La Paz, Honduras during January.

The Lehenbauers are the youngest three of seven children of John and Renee Lehenbauer, and are members of Christ Lutheran Church in Perry. Renee, had visited Children of Love orphanage during Easter 2009 to share the story of Christ’s Resurrection. This time, Renee returned with Hannah, Ruth and Micah, to teach English, at a time when the local children were on break from their public school.

The Lehenbauers flew out of Atlanta into San Pedro Sula in Honduras on Saturday, January 16. Their round trip flight cost approximately $350. From there, a friend of the orphanage provided transportation for the three hour trip to La Paz, along narrow roads, and mountainous terrain.

La Paz itself, is a small town of several thousand people. The Children of Love orphanage, which sits at the edge of town, provides care for approximately 20 children, ages 5 to 17. The orphanage was started by Doris Patalano, a native Honduran who now lives in Orlando. Doris returned to her country to assist children, in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch. Hurricane Mitch was a catastrophic 1998 storm which churned over Honduras for several days, during which time most of the country received 75 inches of rain. More than 10,000 died, and numerous children were left without homes or family due to the severe flooding.

The goal of Children of Love is to provide care for children in a quality Christian home environment. The children are encouraged to learn as much as possible, so that they might become future leaders in their community and nation. Each is encouraged to attend college. “Above all, we want these children to know that Jesus loves them and forgives them,” shared Renee Lehenbauer. “You can see what a difference the Gospel makes in their lives. The children do not have much when it comes to possessions or even family. But these children are some of the happiest and most contented children you will ever meet. That may be the greatest lesson of this trip for all of us.”

Hannah, Ruth and Micah prepared English lessons with the help of their mom, and also crammed to learn as much Spanish as possible before their arrival. They taught English, using games such as Twister to teach colors, used the game of Candyland to teach counting, and used simple songs in English to teach phrases and parts of the body. Worksheets and coloring sheets were used in the teaching of Bible lessons, and there was plenty of practicing English by conversation.

How was it to teach and communicate with children who spoke a different language? Thirteenyear- old Micah responded, “Surprisingly, it wasn’t too difficult to communicate. Very quickly, we learned to use some commonly used Spanish words and phrases. And the children at the orphanage learned some English words and phrases. When that didn’t work, it was just like one really long game of charades or Guesstures in order to communicate.”

In some ways, life for children is similar around the world. “It didn’t take us long to figure out that their game of ‘Pato, Pato, Ganso’ was our game of ‘Duck, Duck, Goose,’” shared Ruth. Games of “tag” or jump rope were equally enjoyed in La Paz, as they might be by children in Georgia.

When asked what they did each day, Hannah shared, “Wake up time is at 6 a.m. each morning. This is followed by an hour of chores, where the children of the orphanage have assigned tasks, such as watering plants, picking fruit, cleaning, and yard work. At 7 a.m., a bell would ring and everyone would gather to sing our meal song, ‘Damos Gracias,’ which translates ‘We give thanks’ (to God). After that, breakfast is served, followed by additional chores. Then there are morning and afternoon classes. The day wraps up, much like it starts. A bell rings at 9 p.m. That means it is time for the children to gather for closing songs. The children lead the prayers at the end of the day.”

And what were your meals like? Ruth shares, “The food was simple but delicious. A couple of women who work at the orphanage make homemade corn tortillas each day. These are served with beans and rice, at almost every meal. There was plenty of fresh fruit, and we learned to like their delicious fried plantains. Some chicken and pork were served. But there was not as much meat, as we might eat in our country.” “My favorite was their cheese quesadillas,” added Micah.

The Lehenbauer children worked along with the children of the orphanage, picking bananas, oranges, and mandarins in the farm fields. They also helped shell coffee beans which were picked from orphanage land. Coffee and fruits are sold to help fund the work of the orphanage.

What were some of the most enjoyable things that you did while in La Paz? Hannah shares, “On Saturday we invited all the children around the area to join us for a one day Bible School. About 50 children attended. Ten children walked for 7 miles on foot in order to join us.”

At this gathering, the children of Honduras received numerous “blessings” from the kind and generous people of Houston County. “We were able to give each of the children a toothbrush and toothpaste from local dentists in Houston County. Academy Sports provided several soccer balls and other play equipment for the children at the orphanage. The members of our Christ Lutheran, and the people of Perry and Warner Robins were super generous in giving us items to bring to the orphanage. And we had the opportunity to do some things that the children had never done, such as fly some kites that had been donated by a member of our congregation, and pass out coloring books and pencils to the children,” shared Ruth.

And the members of Christ Lutheran were also able to participate in this mission trip. Via Skype, the congregations’ Bible Study groups were able to talk with the Lehenbauers while in Honduras, and even get a tour of the orphanage via their laptop computer with built-in web cam. Members of Christ Lutheran in Perry, are planning a trip to La Paz later this year, to help make repairs to the buildings and grounds.

Would you like to return again? “I would go back again in a heartbeat,” said Hannah. “Even though we were only there for a couple of weeks, it feels as if these children are part of our family. It was difficult to say goodbye. But that is one of the blessings of being a Christian. We never really say goodbye to other Christians. We’ll either see them again here, or in heaven.”