Jase's Blog

Howdy Seminole Friends and Family

Today was our first day of food distribution and as a team, even though we have hear from Steve and Audrey, Edgardo, Obando and Marcia, we really had no idea what to expect. It had rained the night before until 1:30 - 2:00 am so we were not sure how far we would be able to get into the first village. Our goal for the day was to bring food to three villages and the weather and mud were looking like it was going to make that difficult. Let me share with you the process that is taking place to make this all happen.

Our team has separated into two teams. Team one, Mason, Garrison, Edgardo, Obando and Steve are working along side three fellas from Parkwood Baptist Church in North Carolina, Jeff, Ferral and John. They are taking care of the filling of bags, with corn and beans, loading the required amount on the pickups and bringing the loads to the village. I have been giving Garrison and Mason a hard time because every time they come in or leave a village they are riding in the back of the pickup, however they along with the NC guys are working hard to make sure we have the food where it needs to be and the correct amount.

Team two, Kenzie, Jenna, Britney, Kimberly, Bailey, Micah, Marta, Audrey, Marcia, Dunia and I are going into the villages to begin registering families. Before food distribution begins within each village, the leader of that village meets with each family to determine the quantity of food each family would receive which is based upon family size. Edgardo and Obando collected those numbers and that is what we are working off of. Team two has a other responsibilities as well. While Micah, Marcia, and Audrey are registering families, the remainder of the team is working with the children playing games telling stories and loving on them.

Once everyone is registered and the food arrives the adults line up and wait on their name to be called. Once their name is called they have a huge process of getting the food to their homes. So far we have not been able to get inside the villages due to rain and mud so each family is carrying their food approximately half mile to a mile with bags that can range in weight from 10 lbs to 150 lbs. That is the how it works and we are ready to move into our second day of distribution. Continue to pray for the families and the teams that will be involved in this distribution. By the way, if you would like to be a part of a team please let me know. Thanks you for all that you are doing while our teams have been here. Seminole your teams have done a great job sharing the love of Christ with the Chorti people.

In His Grip,

Jase

Garrison blog

Tomorrow morning we will be starting the food distribution. We will be taking food to people in 3 villages that have next to nothing, especially when it comes to food. Out of 70 villages, we have received lists from 27 villages, totaling 1007 families and 5260 people. This is already almost 1000 more people than the last food distribution, which took place in 2007. In 2007, it required just over $62,000. We are going to need even more financial support this time, considering there are more people starving and a longer period of time to do the food distribution. It's expected we will have to continue this food distribution through September.

Micah--Sunday

Hola! The weekend has flown by and we have had time to relax and see some of the sites around Copan. This morning we went to church in a small village named Otuta. Including our group of 14 there was a total of 45 people in attendance. Pastor Elias preached out of the 12th chapter of 1st Corinthians (Unity and Diversity in the Body.) Mason sang a few songs and the Chorti were amused and seemed interested in the American we he played the guitar. He did a good job although the guitar wasn't in the best condition. Jase talked a little as I did my best to translate. This afternoon we went to the bird park and saw many native birds to Honduras. Each of us held 3 Macaws and it was pretty funny! The girls were a little apprehensive at first but we all got pictures for everyone back home. We are ready to get started with the food distribution! Some of us are going to the villages to register families for food while the other part of us are going to load the trucks with the bags of corn and beans. Our goal is to get to 3 villages by the end of the day! Pray that we meet our goal and have strength to finish the week!

Mason's Video Blog

Hey there! Mason here. Today was our first full day in Honduras. We spend the morning at the ruins and then Micah, Garrison, Jase, and I went and helped pour corn (maize) and beans (frijoles) into sacks to be distributed for the Chorti people. I will be blogging via video today and continue throughout the week. Enjoy!

Team 1 is headed home; Team 2 in Honduras

Team 1 is in the air right now flying back to the states. Take time to read their blogs. God used them in some incredible ways and He also changed their lives forever through this experience.

Team 2 flew out of Midland this morning at 5:30 and has already landed in San Pedro Sula. Please pray for these team members.

Brittany Farmer

Jenna Johnson

Bailey Waller

Kenzie Perryman

Mason Caviness

Garrison Jones

Kimberly Clay

Micah Clay

Jase Waller

They will be in Honduras until next Friday and they will be a part of the food distribution team.

Due to the need for food distribution, FBC Seminole now has a 3rd team traveling to Honduras July 16th-22nd. Cary Moring, Valerie Jackson, and Cheryl Greenfield will be joining others from another church to help with food distribution.

Continue to pray for the safety and health of all. Pray that God works out every detail so every Chorti family who needs food receives it. Most importantly, pray that the Chorti see God's love through all.

Whitney Warren- July 8, 2011

Our time here has come to an end. It's kind of surreal that we will be back in the states soon, when not 24 hours ago we were investing our time, effort, faith and tears into the lives of the Chorti people, as they inched their way into the hearts of ours. What a breaking and humbling experience it is to enter the lives of people groups who find things like small sources of water or pieces of fruit with sugar sprinkled on it as a luxury when our expectations are taken directly to not water consumption but temperature preference and not rationing sugar to a pinch but using sugar by the cup. The seemingly minute things of America are instantly taken for granted when exposed to the sad reality of what it means to truly be in need. Yet when I looked upon the faces of these Chorti men and women, children and adults, when I felt the love and thanksgiving of their hearts, I felt like I was the one missing something, not them. We taught them stories of the Bible and the truth of Jesus Christ, but they taught me faith that can move mountains and a genuine surrender to the God who overflows with grace and mercy. I can only pray that my newly acquired perspective doesn't diminish but enhances with time, that my gaze is constantly on the eyes of the Lord and my body to His service.

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." -Luke 9:23

-Whitney

Todd Warren - July 7th

Well our week has come to an end, and it's kind of a weird feeling heading back to America. So many things here in Honduras have been eye-opening... Poverty, sickness, hopelessness, starvation- yet in the midst of it all, joy. It's tough to head back knowing that all of these things are so prevalent here. It's been a great week of teaching, playing with kids and lifting homes up in prayer. Physically and emotionally draining at times, but amazing to see the hope in Jesus Christ all over the world. There is still so much to be done here, and as the body of Christ it is our responsibility to be used in bringing the hope of the Gospel. How beautiful it is to see the saving grace of Jesus Christ all over the world.

-Todd Warren