We parked at the school today which was at the top of the mountain. Ned told the story of Zaccheus to the school children. As he told the story Marcia translated for him while Kameran, Hayden, Brandon, and Jaclyn acted out the story. (Guess who was Zaccheus...Kameran! Brandon was the tree...lol He's about 6'5.) From there we split into different groups than yesterday. Kameran, Hayden, Mark, Connie, Valerie, Edgardo, and Steve went in one direction while Ned, Audrey, Marcia, Jaclyn, Brandon, and I went in another. As soon as we started down the hill I knew this was no ordinary walk! There was a very worn path winding straight down the mountain. As we walked some of the men from the village walked with us. At all times we had one or two leading the way and one or two walking behind us. It didn't matter how slow we walked, they always kept someone behind our group. I felt very safe there. The men told Marcia that they were out of water. They were having a difficult time getting any from the few springs that weren't dried up yet. They are working with other villages to try to get water brought to them. They have to have at least five villages to go together to make this happen. They pointed to a mountain far away and told us they had to walk four days to that mountain to participate in a study to even be considered for the water project. They don't know yet if they were going to be accepted. Through all of this the villagers are very gracious, very appreciative, and very willing to give us whatever they had.
The first house we went to was surrounded by every fruit tree imaginable. It's hard to see the fruit in abundance and yet know their children don't have enough good water to drink. If the conditions hadn't been so heartbreaking that would have been a paradise to live in. The fruit trees on all sides provided much shade and breeze. Each house was almost secluded from the others because the trees were so thick. I told the lady who lived there that this was what I imagined the Garden of Eden to look like. Of course Marcia translated for me. As we made our way to the different homes the situation was always the same...pray for rain, pray they get clean drinking water, pray for health and good crops. Some wanted prayer for their marriages. When we prayed and Marcia translated there were times when the entire household joined in. Honduran and English voices were raised in one accord asking the One True God of the Universe for the same things. I know that many of these people I will never see again this side of Heaven, but I believe the instant we see them again in Paradise there will be an immediate recognition. How awesome it will be to no longer need an interpreter when we praise our Heavenly Father again! We will all speak and understand the same language...the language of believers.
I think one of the most beautiful things to see is when I get to be with one of my daughters during this time. As they stand there, surrounded by people they don't know, in a foreign country, hearing an unknown language, in sometimes not so pleasant conditions, they think nothing of it. Many times the people want to hug you and pat your face as you leave. Sometimes the smells can be very overwhelming, but I have never seen either of them (nor any of the other youth that have gone with us) act appalled by what they might see, touch, or smell. They show Christ's love to these people no matter what the circumstances. I'm so grateful God has given us the opportunity to take them with us on these trips.
I am grateful, also to a church family who prays us all the way here and home. There were times today when I truly did not know how we were going to make it back up the mountain. We went so far down and sometimes through the jungle that I knew only the prayers of those back home were getting to our Heavenly Father. He is always faithful to hear those prayers, so please keep them coming! My knees are still working!
In Christ,
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