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<Why It Matters> - Artist Misty Day Talking about Her Humanitarian Visit to Honduras and How Painted Rocks Made the Difference 40
Today I am happy to share with you an exclusive interview with artist Misty Day from Ohio, USA! Recently Misty Day had the amazing opportunity of travelling to Central America on a humanitarian mission she would never forget. How her marvelous artistic skills and beautiful rocks fitted in the event is for you to find out next.
Warm regards and days with hope and inspiration,
Christine Onward
Could you begin by telling us what was "Mission Honduras" about, how long did it last, and what was its main purpose?
There is a wonderful charity called One Child Matters that helps people sponsor children all over the world. These children live in economically challenged areas and sponsorship grants them free medical care, meals, education, and much more. This 7 day trip to Honduras was organized by One Child Matters so that people who sponsor children, can actually go meet them. I have been sponsoring a little girl, Daniela, in Honduras for almost two years now and I was thrilled with the idea of meeting her and her family!
Mission Honduras: Misty Day and Daniela meeting for the first time
Could you tell us a few words about the places you visited in Honduras. What were the most impressive things you saw?
Since this trip was geared towards working with the sponsored children and their families, we spent most of our time in the capital city, Tegucigalpa.
Photo by Misty Day: Glorious view over Tegucigalpa
Except for Tegucigalpa, we didn’t travel to many additional places. We did visit several families and the beauty of their neighborhoods was really inspiring to an artist like myself. The last day we were there, we saw a couple of cathedrals and a very creative arts display in the center of the capital. I took so many pictures while I was there because the colors and textures were amazing!
Photos by Misty Day: Sightseeing in beautiful Tegucigalpa
What were your main concerns and expectations before embarking on this journey? Did the Honduras experience end up being as you had imagined it to be?
I have traveled a lot, but this was my first Mission trip to Central America. I was worried about the dangers of the area and the possibility of getting sick while there. We were strictly advised to stay with our guides at all times and to NEVER drink the water. There was one evening when protesters set up blockades all over the city and we were trapped on our bus for over 3 hours! Despite that, I still have only wonderful memories of my trip and can’t wait to go back.
Rock by Misty Day painted in the Amante style offered to the Pastor of the Tegucigalpa centre
How did your wonderfully painted rocks fit into this event? Did you take any rocks with you? Also please tell us about the rock painting classes you had there!
Well, I only started painting rocks about a year ago and that was about the same time I had decided to go on this trip. It had never occurred to me that the rocks could be a great way to raise the money, but a co-worker asked if he could have one of my rocks if he donated to my trip. I’m glad he asked because I started posting my rocks on Facebook and requests flooded in!
Collage of some of the most amazing rocks painted by Misty Day | Facebook | Instagram |
Selling my rocks helped me pay for the entire trip. And as the trip got closer I decided I would paint a special name rock for each child. When one of the trip organizers found out how much money I had raised and about the rocks I was taking as gifts, they asked if I would be interested in teaching a rock painting class while I was there. She thought that could be a fun activity and possible a creative money making skill for the people there.
Misty Day during her rock painting classes in Tegucigalpa
I know it's difficult to decide, but could you describe what were the most amazing moments you experienced in Honduras? Were there any people who impressed you the most? Was there a moment you felt you would never forget?
That is a difficult question indeed because each day was amazing in its own way. One moment that stands out was shortly after my second rock painting class. One of the mothers came up to me and she was so excited to show me the rocks she had painted. They were so good! This was the first time in her life that she had been given the opportunity to paint and she told me (through an interpreter) that she was going to keep painting and hopefully earn money for her family. I still tear up thinking about that moment because my simple hobby of rock painting brought her joy and could possibly help her earn an income in the future.
One of Misty Day's students committed to continuing to develop her newly-learned painting skills
Among all the lessons you learnt during this journey, is there one that you would like to share with us?
When people asked me about my trip, I’ve been telling them it gave me two important things: purpose and perspective. I’ve always enjoyed painting on rocks and teaching classes, but seeing how art could impact on the lives of these people has made me determined to continue in this mission. Leslie, the directory of the center told me that it was so difficult to bring art to their area because no one had any extra money or time for those kinds of things. She cried as she thanked me for bringing art and the story of Kindness Rocks to their community. And due to the large donation of a local art gallery, I was able to tell her that all the supplies we used for the class were being left for them and their community so they can paint whenever they liked! 
Photo by Misty Day: fantastic rocks painted during classes held in Tegucigalpa
It’s also very humbling to give a child a simple thing like a rock with their name on it and watch them begin to cry. It reminds you of how little so many people have and how important it is to make everyone feel special.
I’ll never take my life for granted after this trip and I wake up every morning knowing how truly blessed I am.
