Caleb---July 3, 2011

I thought I would blog about what I've seen and experienced here so far. When we were driving to Copan, we saw many houses along the way built out of tin and homemade bricks. It made me grateful to have a house with running water and electricity, but it also made me very sad to see those people living in those houses. I am also very sad that many of the villagers have to bathe and wash their clothes in the river, where they also dump their trash. This morning we went to church in Otuta. While on our way, we got stuck on the road. We also saw some people on the road walking, and we picked them up and they road with us into their village along the way. One of the ladies was an 85 year old woman. She asked Arely when we would be bringing food. That made me feel bad because we can have food anytime we want back home, and many of these people are happy to have one meal a day. I am very happy that I have Hayden here with me. He has been here before and has showed me how to be safe and not get sick. He also showed me alot of things along the way that I would have missed if I were by myself. He also showed me where to buy a machete :) Please remember to pray for the Chorti people and us.

Amber---The Need

I do not think I am going to be able to express in words the feelings that are stirring inside me. I am in awe of how breathtakingly beautiful it is here. At the same time I can’t keep from tearing up from seeing so much poverty. I have been fretting over what color tile I should buy to remodel our guest bathroom when on our way here from San Pedro Sula we saw homes put together like a scrap quilts using rusted tin, unwanted tarps and cardboard boxes. It broke my heart to see all the small kids walking along the road dirty and most likely hungry. There is so much need here. I am anxious to see what the Lord is going to do. I am loving being here with my 11 year old and his best friend. Watching them realize how blessed they are and seeing them understand that being a Christian does not just mean going to church on Sunday. It is about going when you are called to where you are called, to be used as a vessel. I am praying that the word “mission” will come to life and not just be a word they hear in church. All of us here want to be used mightily in whatever way God sees fit to further the Kingdom and His plans. I loved going to the ruins today. I learned sooo much. I have a much better understanding how arrogance and greed (the words our guide used not mine) of a few men could build a kingdom and ultimately put generation after generation of people in bondage…. I pray that through us Jesus will be able to break through the stronghold the enemy has over these people. I am pumped! We have not even technically started to work yet and God is already moving!

Trisha---July 2

Today we went to the Mayan Ruins. There the team got a very clear picture of the beliefs that are so ingrained into the Chorti people. It is amazing to see the architecture these people were able to create with primitive tools...and much of it is still standing! The scenery is breathtaking! I often wonder if the people who lived in the midst of this were able to actually appreciate the beauty of their surroundings, or were they so busy trying to survive that they missed God's handiwork? Please pray as we go into the villages this week that we will be able to show them Christ's love and that they will be open and receptive to hearing the Gospel. We would ask that you continue to pray for their food situation as well. Our team has had a day of rest today (after the ruins), and we will go to church in one of the villages tomorrow. We will not really get into the villages to until Monday. On Monday, please make it a point to pray for safety, health, and boldness as we venture out. This is an awesome team made up of many different personalities, but I believe God has placed each of us here for a purpose, and our purposes will all work together for His Glory. I can already feel a bonding with the team, and I look forward in the days to come as God draws us even closer. We covet your prayers, and we thank God for each of you.

Trish

PS...Please pray that our knees hold up! Some of us "oldies" (okay, just me) really need those prayers.

On our Way to the Ruins

Good Morning.

We all had a good nights rest with a quiet rain blessing our sleep. I wish so much I could send some back home. We will see about bottling some up while we are here. We are heading to the ruins here in Copan this morning. A visit to the ruins for first timers gives a very clear picture of the heritage and history of the Chorti people. For generations upon generations they have been taught to worship many gods and worship them. It makes it difficult to bring the gospel into some of these villages where this mindset and religion still has a strong hold on the beliefs of the people. The ruins are an amazing sight - to see amazing structures built by hand so many years ago. Please pray that these images will sink into our minds and that we will be conscious of the history as we try to minister to the needs of these sweet people.

Sean

Trisha---Friday Evening

We are here! It is amazing to see the lush greenery and to know that just beyond those mountains there are people starving. My heart breaks for them. I think this is going to be a much different trip than what we have done in the past. We ask for your continued prayers for these people, for the team that is here, for the missionaries that live here, and for the Hondurans who help us in so many ways. They are truly our brothers and sisters in Christ, and have made their way into our hearts.

We don't know what we are doing yet this week, but as Audry always says...the motto of Honduras is "flexibility, Flexibility, FLEXIBILITY!!" God has it all worked out. We just need to wait on Him to show us what He wants. I don't think He's going to show it all at once. He will give us just how much information we need, and it is up to us to trust Him to provide everything in His time. Pray that as we meet the Chorti's physical hunger they will realize their Spiritual hunger as well. Pray they will be open to receiving the Bread of Life.

The beauty of this country is hard to describe, and pictures don't do it justice, but we will try. We will post pictures tomorrow. Tonight we are visiting with Steve and Audry and heading back to the hotel to get some much needed rest.

We love you guys, and we will make sure your children post very soon. We know you want to hear from them. :)

In Christ,

Trisha

We Made It!

Greetings from Copan Ruinas.

After a few hours of travel, we safely arrived here in Copan this afternoon at 5 after a driving to Fort Worth yesterday, flying to Miami and then to San Pedro Sula this morning. We had a 3 hour bus ride to get us here but the trip was great. We have a great group with us who have been very flexible and full of joy already. There have been many chances to be grumpy or let the tiredness of travel get the better of you, but they have taken everything in stride as we made our way to where God has sent us for the next week. We will have an opportunity to go to a few new villages next week before we begin food distribution. This looks to be a week of hard work but I know it will be some of the most rewarding we have ever experienced. Please continue to pray for the health of our group, and the boldness to share the message of Christ with the Chorti people. We will do the best to keep you updated as the week goes on.

In His Service,

Sean

On the Road.........

Part of the first Honduras team departed from the church at 1:30 PM. Whitney and Jase at the same time were flying from Florida (youth camp) to Dallas to meet up with the team. Todd Warren and Claire Goodman will also meet up with them in Dallas.

The team will fly out of DFW tomorrow morning at 5:45 AM. Please pray from them as they travel. Continue to pray for the Food Distribution effort for the Chorti. Pray that the funds will come in quickly and the effort can begin this week. We know that God can work out every tiny detail.