This past week in Honduras was an experience I won’t ever forget. So thanks for all the prayers. Being one of the only ones who hasn’t made the trip before I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew great things would happen. From getting to experience the crazy driving and riding in the back of the trucks, to witnessing the baptism of 12 Chorti villagers every bit was incredible. Throughout the week we visited four different villages and we got to share the word of Jesus with them and plant seeds in many hearts. It was kind of funny, everyday when we would go to a different village the children would start out shy but as soon as we started playing games it was like a switch was flipped and they became different people. It was pretty crazy the people in the villages had so little but were still so happy and giving. While we were on a prayer walk in one of the villages some of us got the opportunity to learn how to make tortillas from a lady with a smile on her face and then gave us some of them. On the last day after we got to see results of previous planted seeds with the baptisms, which was worth the trip alone, we took the people of Miramundo back to their village. Miramundo which means view of the world truly was that. I don’t think I could put into words how amazing the view from their village was. God definitely had fun making Honduras. I’m so thankful I was able to go on this trip with team, it was a true blessing to worship with the people of Honduras. And I’ve got to say thank you to Steve, Audrey, all the translators, Edguardo, and Yadira for all that they did and continue to do each day.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Honduras-- Aaron
To start things off, this has been an absolutely incredible week in Honduras. This has been my second trip to Honduras and it has been just as humbling as the first. During our time there we visited 4 villages where we told bible stories, shared testimonies, played with the kids, and loved and prayed over the Chorti people. It was a blessing to get to interact and share with the children and adults alike in ways that only God could have prepared for us. In the last village we visited, Chonco, we were also able to go on a prayer walk through the village and it always amazes me at how gracious and grateful the people are to us complete strangers. After we prayed over the village leader's home and family he told us how appreciative he was of the work that we were doing and it was a humbling experience to see how the Lord was working there. The pinnacle of the week was probably getting to see 12 people from the village of Miramundo get baptized in the river on Saturday. It was an awesome experience getting to see these people give their life over to Christ and to see the fruit of some of the seeds that have been planted over the past years. God is truly working in Honduras and in the Chorti people and it has been an amazing experience getting to see this firsthand. I thank you all for all of the prayers that were sent our way throughout the week and ask that you just continue to pray for these people and for other mission teams that will be in Honduras.
Aaron Thompson
Aaron Thompson
Honduras from Dexter
Honduras was a great trip because of how much I was able to see God work. Going to the villages and getting to speak to the kids was the best part. They were very shy at first, so we started with a bible story with some acting in it. They really started laughing when we attempted to act. I think that's one aspect God worked with me on a lot-- getting outside my comfort zone and looking silly. I think doing funny looking things like acting out Jonah and the Whale made the kids laugh and be more comfortable with us. They really seemed to enjoy the stories like Jonah and the Whale and Zacchaeus, and that seemed to get their attention the most. It was cool to see the light in their eyes and smiles on their faces. Honestly I'm not sure who was blessed more by the other's presence-- me or the Chorti. I'm so thankful to God for allowing me to go on this trip, and Him willing I'll be back again to glorify him.
Honduras - Garrison
It's hard to know where to begin after an incredible week in Copan Ruinas, Honduras. We went to 4 villages (Brisas de San Juan, Bonete, Gobiato, and Chonco) during the week. For each village, we told a Bible story, shared testimonies, shared more on becoming a Christian, and played games with the kids. Although each village was different and we never knew exactly how each day would go, everything always worked out only by the power of God. I had personally been to the first 2 villages before but not the last 2. It is always amazing to me just how gracious and joyful the people are. They exemplify I Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Brisas de San Juan and Bonete were very similar in that we met at the school and the kids were less shy. The kids in Bonete even sang us a song in the Chorti language. Gobiato was a little different. Their teacher had passed away just a few days before so the school was not available. Please be in prayer for that village as they mourn the loss of their teacher and search for a new one. We met at their soccer field, had a time of talking and then got to play soccer with the men of the village. Even though we learned we are not very good soccer players, it was a blast to have a good time enjoying life with the men of the village. The last day we went to the village of Chonco and we met at their school. The teachers at this school are a little older and very good. The kids were pretty shy at first but began to open up when we made God's eyes with them. They really enjoyed this. On Saturday, we got to witness something absolutely incredible. Luke 15:7 says, "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." I can only imagine the party in heaven when 12 of the people from the village of Miramundo accepted Christ as their Savior! That Saturday, we were blessed and privileged to witness these 12 be baptized in the river by Edgardo. Oh how joyful it was to be able to witness this incredible event. I can't stop smiling when I replay the images in my mind of each person being dipped into the water dying to their old self and then raised out of the water portraying them being washed free from their sins. I can't say enough about it. Later that afternoon, we took them back to their village Miramundo which means "see the world." This means it is at the top of a mountain and was quite a long and bumpy ride but well worth it. They were an incredible group of people. Every time I go to Honduras, the time goes by way to fast and I feel we are leaving as soon as we get there. God is working with the Chorti right now and it is incredible to see. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers this week. Our God is good!!
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Honduras 2013---Sarah
I am so thankful I have had the chance to come back to Honduras. It has been five years since I first came to this wonderful country. I have missed it here!
Five years ago, while attending South Plains College and interning at First Baptist Church of Seminole, I was a business major. I remember hiking to a small village in the mountains of Honduras named Las Brisas. While there, I saw a kindergarten classroom made from sticks with a dirt floor. The students had desks and seats made by resting a board across a few posts. A piece of tin rested above for a roof. This was like no classroom I had ever seen. At the time, their teacher was not allowed to teach (for political reasons) within the school. Seeing the situation in Las Brisas made my heart hurt. It was within the walls of the tiny classroom that I decided to change my major from business to education. I wanted to teach. As soon as I returned to the United States, I wasted no time in making my change and I continued praying for the school in Honduras.
The first place we visited this week was a small village in the mountains of Honduras named Las Brisas! As soon as I saw the tiny classroom, I could not believe I was actually getting to return to the same place that changed my entire career path! For five years, I have prayed for this school. When I walked into the tiny room, I saw desks that they received two weeks ago, half of the room is taken up by stacks of bricks that are going to be used to build a brand new kindergarten, and best of all, students sitting in the desks. Prayers that I have sent up for that school have been answered! If I had left for Seminole that evening, my trip would have been worth it!
Since my Monday was such a success, the rest of my week was going to be icing on the cake! I have met so many wonderful people, our translators have been fantastic and I have been shown so much kindness by people that do not even know me. Today, the Lord allowed me to witness something that I will never forget. Twelve people were baptized in the river. They are twelve people that I cannot communicate with other than smiles, handshakes and hugs, but they are people that I will see again because they are now my family. We share the God that loves, heals, protects, provides and saves!
If you are not yet a believer in the God that I get to serve, then I pray that you will! If you are a believer, then you need to know that you have brothers and sisters in other parts of the world. Pray for our brothers and sisters! If you have not yet been to Honduras, I urge you to come. You will not regret the blessings that you will receive, they are far greater than the blessings you can give. It is life changing. We are called to GO and SHARE... Matthew 28:19-20.
Sarah Thompson
Honduras 2013- Jaclyn
This week has gone by entirely too fast! It's been a wonderful experience getting to go into the villages and just love on all the children, while at the same time we shared about God's love for them. For the first time ever I got to witness not just one, but twelve baptisms this morning! That in itself was truly incredible. Not only can I feel God's presence, but I can see His beauty all around me: in the mountains, the children, and in the villages. It is a very humbling experience, and if it weren't for dragging a stubborn little girl onto an airplane 3 years ago, my life would've never been transformed the way it is now. God works in mysterious ways. This trip has been amazing, and words cannot describe how much I will miss it here. Until next time, adios Copán!
Hello from Honduras!- Kendyl:)
This week as been a very moving in my life. I would like to thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers that you have sent our way. I am thankful that we were able to go into the villages that we did to plant the seed. One of my favorite things about this week would being able to witness twelve baptisms this morning. I hope that those people will continue to share God's word to everyone they come in contact with. I would just like to thank you again for the thoughts and prayers!
Kendyl:)
Kendyl:)
Hola from Honduras!!- Bailey
What an amazing week this has been, from just loving on the sweet kids to seeing the baptisms today!! One of my favorite things is always when the kids see us they just smile, there is nothing better than seeing the smile on the little kids' faces, I just want to stick them in my suitcase.... they are so cute! Today we got to see 12 new brothers and sisters in Christ get baptized in a river not that far from Copan. It is exciting to know that there are people here like Edgardo that love to share God's word to other people! Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers!
Love y'all,
Bailey Waller
Love y'all,
Bailey Waller
Hola from Honduras-Kameran
Well, I am pretty much at a loss for words for how many blessings we have received this week. Jase says this a lot, and I completely agree, that every time he comes here, he doesn't know who leaves being more blessed, us or them. Being here with these precious people is such an amazing experience. The way they open up their schools, homes, and villages to complete strangers amazes me. They are so giving, even though they don't have much. The most amazing thing that happened this week, though, happened today. I have been coming here since before my junior year in high school and have never witnessed anyone accept Christ or be baptized because we always leave and other people come in to sow the seed that was planted. We had the privilege of watching 12 people get baptized today!!! 12!!! It was the most heart warming thing I have ever experienced being able to see what the Lord has done through us and the other teams that have come here. I can't wait to come back and begin planting more seeds! Please be in prayer for the Chorti people as they are able to ponder over what they have heard throughout the past week, and that they seek God's presence in their hearts. Thank you all for the prayers that have been sent our way as well. See y'all soon!
In Him,
Kameran
In Him,
Kameran
Twelve Baptisms in Honduras
I have been blessed to experience many, many sweet times in this beautiful country of Honduras but today is the sweetest ever!! The song, "There's a sweet, sweet spirit in this place" was in my mind the entire time I was watching the baptisms.
Twelve people (and their families) from the village of Miramundo met Steve and Jase this morning so they could drive them down. Two mission teams (one from Parkwood Baptist in North Carolina and our team from FBC Seminole) drove to the river to meet them.
We circled up by the edge of the river and the Chorti sang a song. Jase spoke about the importance of baptism and the obedience of following Christ. Jeff, pastor at Parkwood, led us in prayer. We all took off our shoes and waded into the river.
Jeff and Steve gave some directions to Edgardo about how to baptize someone. Edgardo has only been a part of a few baptisms; one being his own.
Then, we witnessed Edgardo baptize 12 people. I stood in a Honduran river barefoot, videoing the baptism with tears streaming down my face. This day has been prayed for for YEARS!!! And, it is just a beginning. Many, many thanks to Billy & Mary Collins and Steve & Audrey Long for their willingness to serve and be God's hands and feet in this country with the Chorti people.
I can't even find the words to describe how amazing today has been........I know that there was sure a celebration in heaven today!!!
Please continue to pray for the Chorti people that more and more leaders will rise up for Christ! Pray, pray, pray for Edgardo as their missionary in Honduras!
We took many pictures and videos of the baptisms and will post some. We are also sending everything to Parkwood and one of their pastors is going to put them all together into a video to share with both churches.
It is so easy for us to take for granted our churches and our church families............we should be humbled to be a part of such a strong group of believers! Pray how you can be God's hands and feet.....in your home, at work, at school, in Seminole, in Texas, in the USA, and around the world. We are ALL called to follow the great commission.
Blessings,
Tami
Twelve people (and their families) from the village of Miramundo met Steve and Jase this morning so they could drive them down. Two mission teams (one from Parkwood Baptist in North Carolina and our team from FBC Seminole) drove to the river to meet them.
We circled up by the edge of the river and the Chorti sang a song. Jase spoke about the importance of baptism and the obedience of following Christ. Jeff, pastor at Parkwood, led us in prayer. We all took off our shoes and waded into the river.
Jeff and Steve gave some directions to Edgardo about how to baptize someone. Edgardo has only been a part of a few baptisms; one being his own.
Then, we witnessed Edgardo baptize 12 people. I stood in a Honduran river barefoot, videoing the baptism with tears streaming down my face. This day has been prayed for for YEARS!!! And, it is just a beginning. Many, many thanks to Billy & Mary Collins and Steve & Audrey Long for their willingness to serve and be God's hands and feet in this country with the Chorti people.
I can't even find the words to describe how amazing today has been........I know that there was sure a celebration in heaven today!!!
Please continue to pray for the Chorti people that more and more leaders will rise up for Christ! Pray, pray, pray for Edgardo as their missionary in Honduras!
We took many pictures and videos of the baptisms and will post some. We are also sending everything to Parkwood and one of their pastors is going to put them all together into a video to share with both churches.
It is so easy for us to take for granted our churches and our church families............we should be humbled to be a part of such a strong group of believers! Pray how you can be God's hands and feet.....in your home, at work, at school, in Seminole, in Texas, in the USA, and around the world. We are ALL called to follow the great commission.
Blessings,
Tami
Friday, July 26, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Thursday at Gobiado
We had a wonderful day in the village of Gobiado. The roads were the muddiest that we have been on this week. Thank you for praying for our travel each day and please continue to do so. Edgardo's truck got stuck and we went into the village with 2 of the trucks.
We learned some sad news this morning about the village before we left the mission house. The teacher at Gobiado passed away this past Friday. A new teacher has not been assigned to the village yet and the school was locked. We moved our activities to the soccer field and started with a small number of children but more and more people joined us as the morning went on.
Jaclyn told the story of Jonah and the Whale and the story of Fishers of Men. Aaron, Kameran and Edgardo all gave their testimonies. A sweet lady from the village who has a home near the soccer field offered her home so the children would have a place to color.
After the coloring, the guys all played soccer and the girls helped the women and children with some crafts.
Before we left, Jase thanked everyone for letting us spend the day with them and we prayed for them. This village holds a weekly bible study led by one of the men in the village.
Prayer Requests for Gobiado:
1. The village will have a new teacher soon.
2. The family of the teacher who passed away.
3. During the last rain, the village lost their connectors and valves for their water system. Please pray that these can be replaced soon.
This evening, Yadira cooked a Honduran meal for us at the mission house. It was absolutely delicious!!!! Yadira is the hostess of the mission house and ministers to all whom enter this home. Yadira is in the process of applying for a Visa so she can visit the United States. She has an appointment on September 4 at 8:00 am. Please pray that this process goes smoothly and that she is granted a Visa.
Blessings!
We learned some sad news this morning about the village before we left the mission house. The teacher at Gobiado passed away this past Friday. A new teacher has not been assigned to the village yet and the school was locked. We moved our activities to the soccer field and started with a small number of children but more and more people joined us as the morning went on.
Jaclyn told the story of Jonah and the Whale and the story of Fishers of Men. Aaron, Kameran and Edgardo all gave their testimonies. A sweet lady from the village who has a home near the soccer field offered her home so the children would have a place to color.
After the coloring, the guys all played soccer and the girls helped the women and children with some crafts.
Before we left, Jase thanked everyone for letting us spend the day with them and we prayed for them. This village holds a weekly bible study led by one of the men in the village.
Prayer Requests for Gobiado:
1. The village will have a new teacher soon.
2. The family of the teacher who passed away.
3. During the last rain, the village lost their connectors and valves for their water system. Please pray that these can be replaced soon.
This evening, Yadira cooked a Honduran meal for us at the mission house. It was absolutely delicious!!!! Yadira is the hostess of the mission house and ministers to all whom enter this home. Yadira is in the process of applying for a Visa so she can visit the United States. She has an appointment on September 4 at 8:00 am. Please pray that this process goes smoothly and that she is granted a Visa.
Blessings!
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Las Brisas de San Juan
Thank you to all of you who have been praying for us. Our travel here was safe and uneventful....just the way we like it! Once we arrived in Copan yesterday, we unloaded and got settled into the hotel and went to Jim's for dinner. We had a short orientation at the mission house and went back to the hotel for some much needed rest.
We arrived at the mission house this morning by 7 am. Kameran led us in a devotional from Jeremiah about our call this week and our purpose in Honduras. We were blessed by a delicious breakfast made by Yadira.
We drove for at least an hour to the village of Las Brisas de San Juan. I have been in this village before but it was 5 years ago and at that time there was not a road all the way up into the village; we had to walk in. There are 2 schools........ a kindergarten building and an elementary building. I will let Sarah Thompson tell her story about last time she was here and what she was called to do when she was in the kindergarten building. It brought tears to my eyes today as she reminded me.
The team told the Bible story "Fishers of Men" and explained what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Jase narrated the story and the team acted out the story.............the girls were the fish swimming around the school! Garrison and Edgardo both gave their testimonies to the children. The team also told the Bible story of David and Goliath. Sarah narrated the story; a small boy in the school was David; Jordan, Aaron, and Garrison were David's brothers and guess who was Goliath.........Jase.
The children then colored pictures of the bible stories and played games. Their smiles and laughter are the most precious of sights and sounds.
Many adults arrived and gathered. Jase, Edgardo and their leader all spoke to them. Their leader attends a bible study led by Edgardo twice a month. Please pray for this village that they will be able to build a new kindergarten building and that more men will step up to be bible study leaders.
Tomorrow, we will go to the village of Bonete.
We arrived at the mission house this morning by 7 am. Kameran led us in a devotional from Jeremiah about our call this week and our purpose in Honduras. We were blessed by a delicious breakfast made by Yadira.
We drove for at least an hour to the village of Las Brisas de San Juan. I have been in this village before but it was 5 years ago and at that time there was not a road all the way up into the village; we had to walk in. There are 2 schools........ a kindergarten building and an elementary building. I will let Sarah Thompson tell her story about last time she was here and what she was called to do when she was in the kindergarten building. It brought tears to my eyes today as she reminded me.
The team told the Bible story "Fishers of Men" and explained what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Jase narrated the story and the team acted out the story.............the girls were the fish swimming around the school! Garrison and Edgardo both gave their testimonies to the children. The team also told the Bible story of David and Goliath. Sarah narrated the story; a small boy in the school was David; Jordan, Aaron, and Garrison were David's brothers and guess who was Goliath.........Jase.
The children then colored pictures of the bible stories and played games. Their smiles and laughter are the most precious of sights and sounds.
Many adults arrived and gathered. Jase, Edgardo and their leader all spoke to them. Their leader attends a bible study led by Edgardo twice a month. Please pray for this village that they will be able to build a new kindergarten building and that more men will step up to be bible study leaders.
Tomorrow, we will go to the village of Bonete.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Wednesday---Trisha
What an amazing day! After a wonderful breakfast (zip lock omelets) we ALL sat around the living room talking to Edgardo. Mark again answered questions for him. Steve has been trying to get Edgardo to take a few days off. Neither he nor Yadira have done that. I finally asked Steve if Edgardo understood that when he took vacation days he would still be paid. Steve explained that to him, and hopefully he will take a few days now. He looks tired and a little stressed. From my take on things here in Honduras I think there is an urgency about him to reach all of the Chorti villages (96) at once. I tried to explain to him a couple of things that I felt God laid on my heart to say:
1) Even Jesus withdrew to rest and spend time alone with God, and
2) Jesus did not go EVERYWHERE...He taught His Disciples and sent them to some places that He did not go. Edgardo is currently having Bible Study with leaders from 8 villages. 5 of those take the lessons back to their villages, and Edgardo is going with the other 3 to their villages to do some more indepth studying. He's doing a great job, but he is only one man.
I pray he will heed those words. Mark and I have grown to love Edgardo as a Hermano de Corazon (Brother in Christ), and we want to support him as best we can. The best support we can give him is prayer, and we are going to continue giving him plenty of that.
After we met with Edgardo we went to the Day Care in Copan de Ruinas. This was a very different visit than yesterday. The only similarity was the heat. This building was very well kept. There were several rooms, and plenty of workers to help with the children. These children were clean and well cared for. It was evident they were loved and nurtured. The director, Emily, is from the US and has been in Honduras for a few years. She is a young girl with lots of energy and a vision for these children. As I laughed, loved, and played with these children I couldn't help but compare them to the ones I had seen at the orphanage the day before. While it was much more pleasant to be sitting among the children at the Day Care, my heart longed to be at the orphanage loving on those children who had no home to go to at the end of the day...no mother...no father...no family. Emily told us the orphanage was notorious for taking what people had given them and the children only got about half of it. The dilemma is this...Do we not give them anything, and the children have nothing? Or do we give them something, knowing the children will only receive about half of what should be coming to them? I'm no math expert, but half is always better than nothing! God has given me a burden for these children. Now I wait patiently and see what He wants me to do with it.
Yadira prepared a wonderful lunch of baledas, a flour tortillla stuffed with beans and cheese, folded in half, and grilled. It was wonderful. They are much like our quesadillas, only these were homemade tortillas from a lady down the street.
After lunch Edgardo wanted to take some of the flip flops left by the Arkansas team to a village called Las Medias Dos. (I guess there are two.) As we were driving there Connie and I were talking about how this trip was not as stressful on us physically. We had a lot of emotional things going on at the orphanage, the Daycare, visiting with Edgardo, and taking the guitar to the village the day before, but not physically. I even made the statement that God knew I was not in the physical shape to do much walking this trip. I'm sure as I uttered those words He was letting out a little chuckle. As we wound our way through jungle (in the pickup) and drove along a walking trail I was so thankful Edgardo was getting us as close as he could to the villagers. My first clue that things were not about to go according to MY plan was when the pickup stopped in the middle of a field. All I could see on either side was coffee plants and jungle! Edgardo said we would have to walk the rest of the way in. Uh oh!! We walked a couple of hundred yards downhill and came to a house. Yay! Not too bad. Edgardo stopped at the fence to talk to the man, but he made no move to go inside. Uh oh again! Finally Edgardo headed straight down the mountain and wound his way through coffee plants and jungle. The whole way Connie and I were laughing (I think hysterically by this time). We knew if we were walking down it, we had to walk back up it!
When we got to the house we were panting and sweating, and I'm sure no decent deodorant company would want me as their spokesperson! As we entered the small house (hut) many villagers gathered inside with us. It was hot, humid, and cramped, but no one seemed to notice...not even me. One lady hugged us, and though no English was spoken, I could tell she was grateful we came. Edgardo bent to put flip flops on a little naked boy. I hope no one is offended that I took pictures of him, but I wanted you to see his stomach. It was protruding while the rest of his body was thin. He had parasites all in his stomach and intestines. Steve said someone would eventually bring parasite medication to him, but until then he would have them. He said a medical team had been to that village about a year ago, but the need was there again. There were several children with parasites like that in this village, but because he was naked his stomach really protruded. There are 96 villages and not enough people to help. There was a baby in the village that had a terrible cough. They told us she had pneumonia and we believe she probably also had asthma. Yet her momma had her wrapped in a blanket. She had been given medicine by someone, but didn't know how to use it. Edgardo explained it to her, and Connie gave her some ways to help relieve the baby's breathing problems. I pray she understood and the baby will be okay.
The climb back up nearly did me in. I must say my knees worked great, thanks to the Prayer Warriors back home! The rest of my body was in shut down mode, though. I can't remember sweating that much in my life, and the muscles in my legs and behind tried to lock down on me. But we made it! Connie and I laughed all the way back to the mission house...once we could breathe again.
In Christ!
Trisha
1) Even Jesus withdrew to rest and spend time alone with God, and
2) Jesus did not go EVERYWHERE...He taught His Disciples and sent them to some places that He did not go. Edgardo is currently having Bible Study with leaders from 8 villages. 5 of those take the lessons back to their villages, and Edgardo is going with the other 3 to their villages to do some more indepth studying. He's doing a great job, but he is only one man.
I pray he will heed those words. Mark and I have grown to love Edgardo as a Hermano de Corazon (Brother in Christ), and we want to support him as best we can. The best support we can give him is prayer, and we are going to continue giving him plenty of that.
After we met with Edgardo we went to the Day Care in Copan de Ruinas. This was a very different visit than yesterday. The only similarity was the heat. This building was very well kept. There were several rooms, and plenty of workers to help with the children. These children were clean and well cared for. It was evident they were loved and nurtured. The director, Emily, is from the US and has been in Honduras for a few years. She is a young girl with lots of energy and a vision for these children. As I laughed, loved, and played with these children I couldn't help but compare them to the ones I had seen at the orphanage the day before. While it was much more pleasant to be sitting among the children at the Day Care, my heart longed to be at the orphanage loving on those children who had no home to go to at the end of the day...no mother...no father...no family. Emily told us the orphanage was notorious for taking what people had given them and the children only got about half of it. The dilemma is this...Do we not give them anything, and the children have nothing? Or do we give them something, knowing the children will only receive about half of what should be coming to them? I'm no math expert, but half is always better than nothing! God has given me a burden for these children. Now I wait patiently and see what He wants me to do with it.
Yadira prepared a wonderful lunch of baledas, a flour tortillla stuffed with beans and cheese, folded in half, and grilled. It was wonderful. They are much like our quesadillas, only these were homemade tortillas from a lady down the street.
After lunch Edgardo wanted to take some of the flip flops left by the Arkansas team to a village called Las Medias Dos. (I guess there are two.) As we were driving there Connie and I were talking about how this trip was not as stressful on us physically. We had a lot of emotional things going on at the orphanage, the Daycare, visiting with Edgardo, and taking the guitar to the village the day before, but not physically. I even made the statement that God knew I was not in the physical shape to do much walking this trip. I'm sure as I uttered those words He was letting out a little chuckle. As we wound our way through jungle (in the pickup) and drove along a walking trail I was so thankful Edgardo was getting us as close as he could to the villagers. My first clue that things were not about to go according to MY plan was when the pickup stopped in the middle of a field. All I could see on either side was coffee plants and jungle! Edgardo said we would have to walk the rest of the way in. Uh oh!! We walked a couple of hundred yards downhill and came to a house. Yay! Not too bad. Edgardo stopped at the fence to talk to the man, but he made no move to go inside. Uh oh again! Finally Edgardo headed straight down the mountain and wound his way through coffee plants and jungle. The whole way Connie and I were laughing (I think hysterically by this time). We knew if we were walking down it, we had to walk back up it!
When we got to the house we were panting and sweating, and I'm sure no decent deodorant company would want me as their spokesperson! As we entered the small house (hut) many villagers gathered inside with us. It was hot, humid, and cramped, but no one seemed to notice...not even me. One lady hugged us, and though no English was spoken, I could tell she was grateful we came. Edgardo bent to put flip flops on a little naked boy. I hope no one is offended that I took pictures of him, but I wanted you to see his stomach. It was protruding while the rest of his body was thin. He had parasites all in his stomach and intestines. Steve said someone would eventually bring parasite medication to him, but until then he would have them. He said a medical team had been to that village about a year ago, but the need was there again. There were several children with parasites like that in this village, but because he was naked his stomach really protruded. There are 96 villages and not enough people to help. There was a baby in the village that had a terrible cough. They told us she had pneumonia and we believe she probably also had asthma. Yet her momma had her wrapped in a blanket. She had been given medicine by someone, but didn't know how to use it. Edgardo explained it to her, and Connie gave her some ways to help relieve the baby's breathing problems. I pray she understood and the baby will be okay.
The climb back up nearly did me in. I must say my knees worked great, thanks to the Prayer Warriors back home! The rest of my body was in shut down mode, though. I can't remember sweating that much in my life, and the muscles in my legs and behind tried to lock down on me. But we made it! Connie and I laughed all the way back to the mission house...once we could breathe again.
In Christ!
Trisha
Wednesday---Connie
I was a bit slow in waking today. I didn't sleep as well as usual. Part of it was my "normal" tummy malady, yet I feel strongly that God is trying to show me His way to serve the Chorti.
Yadira had the preparations for the "Ziploc Omelettes" for us in addition to the fresh fruit, homemade biscuits, and pineapple jelly.
After breakfast we all sat down with Edgardo to allow him to ask questions and express to us his concerns. This was a very informative session. His concerns are many and he seems to be overwhelmed. We tried to explain that he needs to take one day each week for himself to study, relax, and spend time alone with God. I pray that Edgardo will learn Your ways, Father. He is so eager to learn and wants to learn Your Truth.
We walked to the day care in town. The name is Casita Copan, Hogar de Ninos. This is a community organization dedicated to providing quality care for orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children in Copan Ruinas, Honduras. The children were beautiful and very loving.
We came back to the mission house for lunch. Delicious as always.
We then began our trek to the village, Los Medias Dos. Edgardo wanted us to go there to take some flip flops to this village that the group from Arkansas brought. To get to this village requires a very steep climb on a slippery self made path. This was quite a challenge for an out of shape flat lander as myself. Trish and I had a conversation on the drive up the mountain. We had discussed that this trip had not been too hard physically. Suffice it to say that God changed that thought process quickly! The hike up and back was extremely difficult. Yet, our Father walked with us and we made it.
This village is in dire need of many things as all of the villages. Edgardo has been training one of the older men to be a Bible study leader. The first thing he said was to thank us for helping and praying for them. He said they had been praying for us. There was an 11 month old baby that had been sick with pneumonia and was not getting any better. They had medication for the baby, but the mother did not know how to administer it properly. Edgardo explained to her the directions on the medication. I, in my limited medical knowledge, tried to explain some things she could do to ease this precious baby's pain. I pray that God used my words in some way to help her.
Mark gave a Bible lesson on marriage and family. The people seemed to be receptive. Mark did an excellent job, as did Samuel, the translator. The leader was given the Bible excerpts that Mark used.
We ended the time with these Chorti praying for their needs. They were quite concerned about the sick baby. Their other prayer requests were for a guitar and a place to have church. The hut they are using now belongs to a man that is in prison and he will be out soon.
Once again, I was blessed by the Chorti. They are so grateful and their needs are so simple. God, I ask You to remind me again and again to be more than grateful to You for all the blessings You place in my life in abundance.
Yadira had the preparations for the "Ziploc Omelettes" for us in addition to the fresh fruit, homemade biscuits, and pineapple jelly.
After breakfast we all sat down with Edgardo to allow him to ask questions and express to us his concerns. This was a very informative session. His concerns are many and he seems to be overwhelmed. We tried to explain that he needs to take one day each week for himself to study, relax, and spend time alone with God. I pray that Edgardo will learn Your ways, Father. He is so eager to learn and wants to learn Your Truth.
We walked to the day care in town. The name is Casita Copan, Hogar de Ninos. This is a community organization dedicated to providing quality care for orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children in Copan Ruinas, Honduras. The children were beautiful and very loving.
We came back to the mission house for lunch. Delicious as always.
We then began our trek to the village, Los Medias Dos. Edgardo wanted us to go there to take some flip flops to this village that the group from Arkansas brought. To get to this village requires a very steep climb on a slippery self made path. This was quite a challenge for an out of shape flat lander as myself. Trish and I had a conversation on the drive up the mountain. We had discussed that this trip had not been too hard physically. Suffice it to say that God changed that thought process quickly! The hike up and back was extremely difficult. Yet, our Father walked with us and we made it.
This village is in dire need of many things as all of the villages. Edgardo has been training one of the older men to be a Bible study leader. The first thing he said was to thank us for helping and praying for them. He said they had been praying for us. There was an 11 month old baby that had been sick with pneumonia and was not getting any better. They had medication for the baby, but the mother did not know how to administer it properly. Edgardo explained to her the directions on the medication. I, in my limited medical knowledge, tried to explain some things she could do to ease this precious baby's pain. I pray that God used my words in some way to help her.
Mark gave a Bible lesson on marriage and family. The people seemed to be receptive. Mark did an excellent job, as did Samuel, the translator. The leader was given the Bible excerpts that Mark used.
We ended the time with these Chorti praying for their needs. They were quite concerned about the sick baby. Their other prayer requests were for a guitar and a place to have church. The hut they are using now belongs to a man that is in prison and he will be out soon.
Once again, I was blessed by the Chorti. They are so grateful and their needs are so simple. God, I ask You to remind me again and again to be more than grateful to You for all the blessings You place in my life in abundance.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Connie---Tuesday
I awoke to the sounds of a bird's singing that I've never heard before after a restful night's sleep. Thank You, Lord for the opportunity to have another day to serve you.
Trish and I were in the kitchen trying to help Yadira. She told us to get out, she is "El Jefa" (boss) in the kitchen.
My prayers for today are:
The 19 firemen in Arizona and their families
The situation in Cairo and the safety of my family I have there.
Keg and his life.
Todd and Carol.
Mark as he works with Edgardo
God, show me Your way today.
Thank You, Lord, for the tasty breakfast and the fellowship.
The first funny of the day: Trish couldn't figure out what the little tiny things were on the inside of her coffee cup. Well, the tiny spots were ants! We couldn't convince her they would be good for her digestion, so she had fresh blackberry juice. Yum!
Today, we plan to take the guitar to the village in the mountains. Also, we will be taking the shoes and clothing to the orphanage and possibly to a village.
We just returned from the orphanage. I have always found it difficult to understand this concept. Yes, I know there are various reasons for the necessity of such institutions in the United States and all over the world. Yet, seeing the orphanage places an ache in my heart. I know there are many couples that want children and can't have them. I feel helpless in these situations. I can hold them and love them while I am there. Yet, who is going to hold them and love them when I leave? Oh, another "group" will come along for a brief time and leave as we do. The only solace I can find is I know that "Jesus Loves The Little Children".
The rest of the day was a time to reflect.
Father, show me Your ways.
Connie
Trish and I were in the kitchen trying to help Yadira. She told us to get out, she is "El Jefa" (boss) in the kitchen.
My prayers for today are:
The 19 firemen in Arizona and their families
The situation in Cairo and the safety of my family I have there.
Keg and his life.
Todd and Carol.
Mark as he works with Edgardo
God, show me Your way today.
Thank You, Lord, for the tasty breakfast and the fellowship.
The first funny of the day: Trish couldn't figure out what the little tiny things were on the inside of her coffee cup. Well, the tiny spots were ants! We couldn't convince her they would be good for her digestion, so she had fresh blackberry juice. Yum!
Today, we plan to take the guitar to the village in the mountains. Also, we will be taking the shoes and clothing to the orphanage and possibly to a village.
We just returned from the orphanage. I have always found it difficult to understand this concept. Yes, I know there are various reasons for the necessity of such institutions in the United States and all over the world. Yet, seeing the orphanage places an ache in my heart. I know there are many couples that want children and can't have them. I feel helpless in these situations. I can hold them and love them while I am there. Yet, who is going to hold them and love them when I leave? Oh, another "group" will come along for a brief time and leave as we do. The only solace I can find is I know that "Jesus Loves The Little Children".
The rest of the day was a time to reflect.
Father, show me Your ways.
Connie
Monday From Connie
This beautiful morning in Copan began with a scrumptious breakfast at the mission house. Starting my morning with my friends in Christ is the greatest way to start the day.
We sorted through some footwear that the group from Arkansas brought. We will distribute them to the villages and the orphanage. A funny thing happened at the very beginning of this project. I have searched "half" of Texas for a plain pair of dark purple flip flops to no avail. What did I see in the first bag of shoes? Yes, you guessed it...dark purple flip flops! You may ask, "How can you find a lesson from God in a pair of flip flops?" God did show me something.
I think of myself as frugal in many ways including buying cheap flip flops. As I see the poverty here in Honduras being "frugal" takes on a brand new meaning. Within the poverty here being frugal is a sort of way of life. Yet, the people don't even have enough to be frugal.
I now ask God to remind me of the abundance that He provides to me. I need to learn too that God has overly provided for me.
I ponder about how I can help here. I ask God to reveal to me what He wants me to do.
Mark Beaty worked with Edgardo on subjects he is wanting to know about the Word of God. He is so hungry for His Word.
Another reminder to me...Am I still hungry for God's Word? Have I taken it for granted? God, give me the desire to read and look into Your Word more to see more and more of You.
I ask for rest tonight for all of us. Prepare us for what You have in store for us tomorrow.
Connie
PS I did NOT take the purple flip flops intended for the Hondurans :)
We sorted through some footwear that the group from Arkansas brought. We will distribute them to the villages and the orphanage. A funny thing happened at the very beginning of this project. I have searched "half" of Texas for a plain pair of dark purple flip flops to no avail. What did I see in the first bag of shoes? Yes, you guessed it...dark purple flip flops! You may ask, "How can you find a lesson from God in a pair of flip flops?" God did show me something.
I think of myself as frugal in many ways including buying cheap flip flops. As I see the poverty here in Honduras being "frugal" takes on a brand new meaning. Within the poverty here being frugal is a sort of way of life. Yet, the people don't even have enough to be frugal.
I now ask God to remind me of the abundance that He provides to me. I need to learn too that God has overly provided for me.
I ponder about how I can help here. I ask God to reveal to me what He wants me to do.
Mark Beaty worked with Edgardo on subjects he is wanting to know about the Word of God. He is so hungry for His Word.
Another reminder to me...Am I still hungry for God's Word? Have I taken it for granted? God, give me the desire to read and look into Your Word more to see more and more of You.
I ask for rest tonight for all of us. Prepare us for what You have in store for us tomorrow.
Connie
PS I did NOT take the purple flip flops intended for the Hondurans :)
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Today was a whirlwind of emotions! We started out much like we did Monday with Mark, Edgardo, Steve, and Samuel (translator) at the table. Edgardo had done his "homework" well and had lots of questions for Mark. Mark again did a great job answering him. After they finished we got in the pickup and drove to the orphanage in the town of Copan. Samuel had arranged for us to meet the children at the orphanage and deliver some clothes and shoes. These children will probably live there until they are 18, and then they will have to leave. It is unclear where they will go...most will take to the streets unless they can find someone who will give them a job. These are precious children who love physical contact. I think that amazed me the most was when we walked in with three suitcases full of clothes and shoes the children did not crowd around to see what we brought. They barely even glanced at the suitcases. As soon as we walked in they all sat down on the steps, but when we went where they were the youngest ones wanted to be held. That was NOT a problem for Connie or me either one! While we held and loved on the children Mark spoke to one of the men there. The director, Daisy, broke her leg and was at home. She couldn't be there.
Before we got to the orphanage, Samuel told us the smells were going to be really bad. He was not kidding. The smells were overwhelming when we first walked in, but it seemed as if God just took that away from us almost immediately. He let us smell it just long enough to understand the condition these children are living in, but not enough that we couldn't do what we were called to do. These children needed human contact and love, and that's what we gave them. God never ceases to amaze me with the way He takes care of our every need as He is allowing us to see a glimpse of an entirely different world for these children. My heart grieves for what these children have already endured and will continue to endure. I pray that God will send Honduran couples to love these children as their own.
After we left the orphanage we went back to the Mission House for lunch. Yadira fixed a dish with noodles, chicken, and veggies. There was fresh fruit and blackberry juice as well. Yum! Connie and I have asked how we can help her several times, but she finally told us she was El Jeffe (the boss) of the kitchen! She is a precious lady that loves Jesus and loves to serve others.
After lunch Edgardo wanted to take the guitar we brought to one of the Chorti villages in the mountains. Heath Haynes travelled to Honduras with Brother Ned a couple of months ago and was led to send them a guitar. At the village we were able to park right beside the house we would meet in...(No walking up mountains!!) When Edgardo brought the guitar in I thought the men were going to cry. They were so proud to get it. One of the men tuned it and began playing. He played and he and Edgardo sang. (I posted a video of it on my Facebook page.) Then he played some more and all the people sang. The only contribution we gringoes could make was to clap as they sang! :) It was a beautiful sound to hear them singing praises to God. After Mark and Edgardo spoke to them they sang some more. Then they wanted us to sing. Samuel knew one song in English ("Open The Eyes Of My Heart, Lord") on the guitar so he played and sang with us. He then sang the same song in Spanish so they could hear what we were singing.
Before we left they wanted us all to pray together. They have many prayer needs. One of the village leaders wanted us to pray for his wife who has an ulcer. I'm not sure where she was at the time. Their focus was praying for us since we came so far to see them, but they also wanted to pray for Heath for being so generous in giving them a guitar. As I sat in that tiny, house with packed-dirt for a floor, with chickens and dogs running through the open doorways, with nursing babies and toddlers running back and forth to their parents, I truly felt God was speaking to me personally. These people have so little, and all of their focus is on learning more about Christ, and praying for us! Wow! What an humbling experience.
On the way back down the mountain I traded places with Steve. I told him I would ride standing up in the back with Mark. He reminded me it looked like it would rain again and I told him I had my rain poncho. He offered me his sturdier poncho but I refused. I had one of my own and it would be fine. LOL!!!! As we got to the main road the rain really began coming down hard. My poncho was flapping behind me because we were moving at a pretty good pace. The next thing I know I start feeling water all down my back. I'm thinking my poncho must have gotten twisted. I soon found out it had begun shredding! By the time we got back to the Mission House I was soaked and the poncho was a thing of the past. There is a picture posted that shows me with my shredded poncho. I'm sure my girls are happy since they never really liked that thing in the first place. Lol!
It rained all afternoon and into the evening. It eased up long enough for us to walk to Jim's for supper. When we got back to the Mission House it started again and rained off and on all night.
Blessings to you all!
Trisha
Before we got to the orphanage, Samuel told us the smells were going to be really bad. He was not kidding. The smells were overwhelming when we first walked in, but it seemed as if God just took that away from us almost immediately. He let us smell it just long enough to understand the condition these children are living in, but not enough that we couldn't do what we were called to do. These children needed human contact and love, and that's what we gave them. God never ceases to amaze me with the way He takes care of our every need as He is allowing us to see a glimpse of an entirely different world for these children. My heart grieves for what these children have already endured and will continue to endure. I pray that God will send Honduran couples to love these children as their own.
After we left the orphanage we went back to the Mission House for lunch. Yadira fixed a dish with noodles, chicken, and veggies. There was fresh fruit and blackberry juice as well. Yum! Connie and I have asked how we can help her several times, but she finally told us she was El Jeffe (the boss) of the kitchen! She is a precious lady that loves Jesus and loves to serve others.
After lunch Edgardo wanted to take the guitar we brought to one of the Chorti villages in the mountains. Heath Haynes travelled to Honduras with Brother Ned a couple of months ago and was led to send them a guitar. At the village we were able to park right beside the house we would meet in...(No walking up mountains!!) When Edgardo brought the guitar in I thought the men were going to cry. They were so proud to get it. One of the men tuned it and began playing. He played and he and Edgardo sang. (I posted a video of it on my Facebook page.) Then he played some more and all the people sang. The only contribution we gringoes could make was to clap as they sang! :) It was a beautiful sound to hear them singing praises to God. After Mark and Edgardo spoke to them they sang some more. Then they wanted us to sing. Samuel knew one song in English ("Open The Eyes Of My Heart, Lord") on the guitar so he played and sang with us. He then sang the same song in Spanish so they could hear what we were singing.
Before we left they wanted us all to pray together. They have many prayer needs. One of the village leaders wanted us to pray for his wife who has an ulcer. I'm not sure where she was at the time. Their focus was praying for us since we came so far to see them, but they also wanted to pray for Heath for being so generous in giving them a guitar. As I sat in that tiny, house with packed-dirt for a floor, with chickens and dogs running through the open doorways, with nursing babies and toddlers running back and forth to their parents, I truly felt God was speaking to me personally. These people have so little, and all of their focus is on learning more about Christ, and praying for us! Wow! What an humbling experience.
On the way back down the mountain I traded places with Steve. I told him I would ride standing up in the back with Mark. He reminded me it looked like it would rain again and I told him I had my rain poncho. He offered me his sturdier poncho but I refused. I had one of my own and it would be fine. LOL!!!! As we got to the main road the rain really began coming down hard. My poncho was flapping behind me because we were moving at a pretty good pace. The next thing I know I start feeling water all down my back. I'm thinking my poncho must have gotten twisted. I soon found out it had begun shredding! By the time we got back to the Mission House I was soaked and the poncho was a thing of the past. There is a picture posted that shows me with my shredded poncho. I'm sure my girls are happy since they never really liked that thing in the first place. Lol!
It rained all afternoon and into the evening. It eased up long enough for us to walk to Jim's for supper. When we got back to the Mission House it started again and rained off and on all night.
Blessings to you all!
Trisha
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Sunday and Monday---Trisha---June 30 and July 1
I can't believe it's already Tuesday! When we arrived Saturday we went to the hotel, then met Steve and part of the group from Arkansas for supper. The Arkansas was finishing up their week, so we didn't get to spend much time with them, but it was enough to feel like we had known the for quite a while. Honduras seems to bring people together to make strangers become friends and friends become family.
Sunday we all went to church at Otuta. It is always a blessing to worship here, but I was a little nervous to do that this time. I have always had, Aine, Valerie, or Arely interpreting in my ear during the sermon. God always breaks down those barriers when we give it to Him! I had my Spanish/English Bible, so I thought I would at least be able to follow along IF I could find the passage. Not only was I able to follow along with the Scriptures, I could also understand a FEW of the words he was saying. There was a young Honduran sitting beside me who helped me find the verses. She seemed to be very amazed, though, when I marked the passage in my Bible, put the date, and Brother Elias' name. She pointed and showed all her friends. When the service was over I had her write her name in my journal...Leticia Jacqueli Montofar.
I was also afraid this would be a sad trip because it is the first time I've been to Honduras since Arely Gonzalez passed away. I have such great memories of my trip here with Arely, and I was concerned I would be overwhelmed with sadness. Rather than this being a sad time, I can only think of the happy times we had. Thank You, Lord, for reminding me Arely is in Heaven praising you with people from every nation who have professed their faith in You.
We went back to the Mission House after church and had lunch. The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing. Jenni played her guitar and she and Mikala sang. It was beautiful! They even let the "old" people sing with them. After dinner we said goodbye to them since they were leaving at 5:00 the next morning and we were NOT going to be awake at that time.
Monday we moved our luggage to the Mission House. Since the Arkansas team was gone we would stay there the rest of the time. After a great breakfast we usually load up and go to villages. This is not how we would be doing things this trip. (Being in Honduras is all about being flexible.) There were only three of us this time, and the team on the ground here in Honduras had a hard week previously, so it was decided that we would do things differently this trip. Mark spent most of Monday studying the Scriptures with Edgardo and trying to answer any questions he might have. They sat at the kitchen table in the Mission House, opened their Bibles, and began visiting. (With the help of an interpreter, Samuel). Mark answered Edgardo's questions as best he could, and the ones he wasn't sure about he promised to get answers for him. It was a joy watching and listening to them talk back and forth. Mark even gave him homework for the next day. :) We relaxed then walked through the rain to eat supper at Jim's Pizza.
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