February Coffee News

-Honduran Orphanage benefits from VFC fundraiser

After spending 11 months with us, Guillermo's parents returned to Honduras on February 1. Just in time it seems. As the temperatures plunged below -15 here in Minnesota, they were back in Comayagua soaking up the heat. Guillermo's sister Alma and her husband (and coffee farmer) Alonzo came in mid January for a fun two week visit, so they took the opportunity to return to Honduras with them.

Velasquez Family Coffee raises funds for Honduran orphanage
The day before our family left for Honduras, one of our coffee customers, Jane Flannigan left for her second Honduran trip. She was gracious enough to find time to write a note about her experience before she left:

"My name is Jane Flannigan and I'm packing for my second trip to Honduras. Last August my church, Most Holy Trinity in St. Louis Park, sponsored a mission trip to a Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos orphanage near Teguicigalpa. Rancho Santa Fe is home to 600 children and it was obvious that these children were well taken care of. Our group of 20 felt like part of the family and we had a fabulous time playing with the kids. We had planned to build chicken coops but that job was bumped so we could help unpack and organize a container car of medical supplies for a new surgery center that will be opening soon. I also worked in the kitchen one day and helped make 800 tamales. The ranch has many beautiful flowers and the mountains could be seen off in the distance.

One of our side trips was to our sister church, San Max Kolbe. Four Friars serve the needs of a parish community of 250,000. Many of these people are very, very poor. The friars served us a wonderful lunch of fish and chicken and gave us a tour of the San Max property which sits high on a hill overlooking Teguicigalpa. We saw many citrus trees and lush gardens full of beautiful blossoms. Our church has been sending funds to San Max for ten years. It was very exciting to see their new church that we helped build through our funding.

After returning home in August I was fortunate enough to be introduced to Velasquez Family coffee. Our church now sells the coffee to promote Fair Trade and as a fundraiser for the next mission trip to Honduras. The first time I picked up a coffee order I had the pleasure of meeting Maximo and Natalia who were visiting from Honduras. I have become quite fond of Maximo's French Roast and I'm even bringing a bag with me when I go to Honduras so we can enjoy every morning.

In a few days I am returning to Rancho Santa Fe with two friends. We are looking forward to seeing all the kids, visiting San Max Kolbe and having another adventure in Honduras." --- Jane Flannigan

We're quite pleased that our coffee can be used to raise funds for this great Honduran project!