Wednesday in Honduras---Ned

Day 3 in Copan Ruinas Honduras. The drive today was longer than usual as the village, Porvenir Uno, was near the Guatemalan border. This was a much different village than the previous two. It was once the poorest Chorti village but a water project was started and now the health of the Chorti has improved as well as the village itself. Provenir did not have the same agricultural means as the previous two villages and many of the men worked far from home so that they could buy what they need to survive. Some of the stories today were very heartbreaking. One mother saw her husband murdered but because he was Chorti there was no investigation into the murder. There were many other families that had experienced loss as well and just as it is in America there was much sorrow and loneliness. One thing I observed was that the village was much more wasteful with water and conserved less than those without. Guess what, just like America. We went through areas that were more dense in jungle than previously and much more remote. Edgardo, our Chorti guide and help in interpretation, found cardamon seeds - they tasted like bitter licorice. We also were offered some fruit, they called passion fruit. It looked like a giant kiwi fruit, had the consistency of avocado, and tasted somewhat like sweet potato. We prayed in many homes and at the top of the mountain a very elderly lady lived alone with only the help of what appeared to be a young teenager. She said her family had all moved far away and she had never been to the bottom of the mountain. She was very sad that no one came to visit but was astounded that we would fly in an airplane from the states, climb the mountain, and sit to visit with her because no one come to Porvenir. Sharing Christ with her and praying with her was one of the highlights of the day. I was reminded how important time was, how precious it truly is. God is truly at work in the hearts of His people and there are so many who desire to know more about Christ. As we left the village we stopped and prayed with a group of men working. I was tired and ready to go and honestly got out to pray and go. We began to pray and you could just sense God working, and afterwards Valerie pointed out that one of the elders was crying. It is always humbling to realize just how important and powerful prayer truly is! I am looking forward to our last trip out in the early morning to spend time with this loving, incredible, people group known as the Chorti here in Honduras!