Team 130 Memorial Baptist Church Greenville NC

On November 30 Memorial Baptist Church arrived to finish out our 2011 year with North Carolina Baptist Men's ministry in Honduras. We say thank you for coming in December when this becomes a busy time of year for most of us. Thank you for responding to God's call to come and serve HIM through the beautiful people of El Carrizo which is in the outskirts of Choluteca. The first day the team drove down a dirt and rocky road about four miles to one of the most beautiful areas God has ever created. Their job location was off the beaten path of El Carrizo. The family of Mercedes was the last home in this eight home village. Her adobe home was nestled under several huge trees which provided shade the entire week for the team. In December the temperture drops about twenty degrees which was quiet comfortable for the North Americans who came expecting extremely warm weather. On the other hand the Hondurans were chilly from the drop in temperture. They were wearing sweaters and socks with their flip flops.

The team began building relationships as soon as their feet hit the dirt. Ed, team leader and Bonnie, his wife, were greeted with a huge hug from Pastor G who remembered them from last year in April. This is always so amazing how the people of Honduras remember us after a period of time has lasped. The team introduced themselves as well as the people of the village. We all gathered and held hands as we prayed for the week ahead and all God had in store for each of us. Each person found where they could work and serve as the morning progressed. Once all the corners were put in place and the mortar was mixed up for the laying of the first block the team gather around placing their hands on Mercedes and each other until everyone was connected and then Keith prayed over the first block and the Mercedes' family and the people there to assist in building her a home. By the end of the first day there was five courses up and running and relationships building. There was quiet a few Hondurans there to participate in the building of Mercedes' home. Some had received homes before from North Carolina Baptist Men and others eagerly and patiently awaiting for one day they too will have a block home where they will not get wet during the rainy season.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." John 13:34

Ladies Your Husbands Can Cook and Clean

As the week progressed each team member took turns cooking breakfast. Thank you guys for such awesome meals and good old homemade bisquits from my friend Barry. The team also came together each evening to help Bonnie and Beth with preparations for VBS. It was special to see the guys cutting and preparing the crafts for the children daily. It definitely takes team work and you guys had team work 100%.

"Well done good and faithful servants." Matthew 25:21

Vacation Bible School Under a Tree

Bonnie and Beth had Vaction Bible School each afternoon after lunch under one of the trees. They would recruite some of the men to participate in the skits they did daily. Blaine portrayed Jesus in the Storm one day. John also portrayed Peter who caught enough fish to feed many people. The women as well as the children participated in the Vacation Bible School time. One mother, Alexia, who helped build her aunt's home would stop long enough to go and do a craft for her two year old daughter, Anna, and hear the bible story. As they worked on their craft each day their was Christmas carols being played for the children in Espanol of course. It was so amazing how God's love can radiate wherever you serve HIM. The beauty of Christ surrounded that area throughout the entire week. Thank you God for your provision.

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

Many watched on as the home went up

Each day many were there helping with the progression of the home. Pableno Senior showed up everyday with his blue shirt and pants and white rain boots on. He watched the men and women working and he was proud his daughter was receiving her home. Many did extra to make the home look appealing to the eye. They worked on the joints to smooth them out and to make this house more a home than just a house. While some of the North Americans worked on the block home they discovered Pableno Senior was rebuilding his adobe home which washed away during the heavy rains in late October and early November. Several of the men went over to assist him in digging holes for the cornerstones to place the logs in. God is so good all the time. Pableno Senior was proud his daughter was getting a home for her and her family. He shared with the team, his days were numbered and all he needed was his little adobe home to finish out his days here on this earth. Thank you Pableno Senior for teaching us all on how to put others before yourself. Especially during this Christmas season.

"So the people asked him saying,"He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none and he who has food , let him do likewise." Luke 3:10-11

Church Service with Pastor Pableno

On Sunday the team decided to go to Pastor Pableno's church which met under a porch of a nearby preschool. This is a new church planted with about fifty people and children. The children met for Sunday School under a nearby tree. Keith led by the Holy Spirit shared his testimony with the congregation. Thank you Keith for sharing from your heart. We sang Honduran Christian hymns. As we worshiped that day several of the people also shared their testimonies. I also observed how many of the people did not have bibles. I want to say thank you to all North Americans who bring bibles to share with the folks of Honduras. These people will definitely be benefiting from your generosity.

As we worship in our fine churches this little church is worshiping as well. God is wherever you come together to worship HIM. Where will you worship Christ this Christmas season?

"Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." Ephesians 2:20-22

Going Beyond Construction on Home

As the week was coming to an end some of the team members were able to go and check out the rest of the village. Some where able continue helping Pableno Senior on his home and others went to a nearby farm to visit the farm animals and milk a few cows. Also in this village is a well which is about 40 feet deep and all dug out by hand by Aldopho a neighbor of Mercedes. He shares the well with the 8 families in his village. The team asked him does he charge his neighbors for the use of his well. Of course not they are my meighbors. The Lord gave this well to me and in turn I am sharing with others. Another lesson learned by our Honduran family and friends. Unbelievable generosity flows from these people who truly have more than we do. They have the true JOY of Christmas everyday. Once again how will you share this kind of JOY this Christmas season.

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to ME shall never hunger, and he who believes in ME shall never thirst." John 6:35

Home Dedication/Christmas Nativity

On the last day with the project on the home we dedicated the home with Ed sharing a few words and giving Mercedes a bible, the key and a wooden cross which was made by one of Memorials' church members. After the prayer was shared over the home the team provided a very special presentation of THE LIVE NATIVITY. How breathtaking this setting was as the story of our Lord and Savior's birth was betrayed by Egla, our translator who shared the story from heart. How beautiful are the hands and feet of God. There was one extra special angel in the nativity named Omar. He added a little something special to the entire story of Jesus' birth. Come let us adore HIM, CHRIST OUR LORD.

Luke 2:1-20

Thank you Ed, Bonnie, Beth, Barry, John, Mike, Keith, Blaine and Edward for providing a very special Christmas treat to our friends in Honduras. May God bless each of you this Christmas season.

Eye Clinic from Mooresville/Troutman/Davidson

On November 21, The Eye Clinic from the Mooresville area was suppose to arrive. As we were preparing to leave our home Mark Abernathy calls us to inform us the team missed their flight from Atlanta to Tegus due to weather conditions. So we called it a day and prayed for them to arrive safely with us on the 22nd which they did. They came with new folks who had never come before and were ready to give some Honduran people physcial eyesight as well as spiritual eyesight. They get their training from an organization called "Eye Doc in a Box". This is an amazing ministry which we had down here earlier this year. This group has no eye doctors with them or anyone who works with an eye doctor. This is a ministry they have chosen to do and has done for several years out of the love for Jesus. Their first stop was Colonia Unidas, Pastor Amado's congregation stepped forward and assisted the team for two days orchestrating a very organized and productive eye clinic. One of the stories of the day, an older lady got up that morning preparing to go to the eye clinic and was praying to the Lord, "I pray I will get eyesight today." Oh what we so take for granted. If we can see or go down the street to get our eyes examined once a year. All this dear lady wanted was hope this team could give her eyesight. And God provided this lady with new eye glasses and now she has her sight back. The second day, I believe,Ken shared that the team left a suitcase at the mission house with eyeglasses and other items needed for the day. As the day progressed God provided them with all they needed. They even had a gentleman come in who had a work related injury that morning. Phil was assisting this gentleman with his glasses. Phil walks over to the boxes of eye glasses and comes across one pair of safety glasses. This was the only pair of safety glasses in the entire inventory. That was an amazing God moment for Phil. This was their first stop on their journey of providing eyesight to many people this week. Thank you God for eyes to see.

"As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son Of David, have mercy on us!" The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David have mercy on us!" Jesus stopped and called to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight." Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him." Matthew 20:29-34

Hands and Feet of Jesus

During the week as well as providing physical and spiritual eyesight the team broke off and did other projects as well. The team had a friend named Pastor Israel who put in stoves for two families. Ken, Nat, Jack, Bob, Chad and Steve painted some Sunday School classrooms and built two families bathrooms(pilla and shower). This group shared one night during devotions how to be flexible, full hearted and joyful without complaining. God showed this through this team the entire week. They were worked diligently at whatever task was placed before them. Thank you eye clinic for showing joy in all you did this week.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure children of God. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me." Philippians 2:14a,18

Preparation for Thanksgiving breakfast and dinner

We at North Carolina Baptist Men of Honduras and the Eye Clinic want to wish you all a HappyThanksgiving. God blessed us abundantly with a wonderful breakfast prepared by Jack, Steve and Pastor Israel. After the eye clinic we came home to a delicious Thanksgiving dinner which consist of chicken, dressing, string beans, peas and corn, cranberry sauce, flan and a special dessert the Hondurans share around Christmas time. Thank you to Egla, Nancy, Meida, Rosa and Amy who prepared the Thanksgiving dinner. God is good all the time.

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness,

come before him with joyful songs

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever,

his faithfullness continues through all generations."

Psalm 100

Eye Clinic at Colonia Manuel Valladares

Our next stop was at a special community called Colonia Manuel Valladares. We were able to spend two days with these wondrful people. During the eye clinic the patients got examined, got their eye glasses or whatever they may need and then they drop by the last station called the salvation station. Several team members this week led many people to Christ and had several rededications. They used the evaga cube and even a soccer ball with all the many colors of the salvation story on it. God uses many tools through us to reach others to Jesus Christ. Thank you Amy, Ann, Chad, Josh and Steve for sharing the gospel with the people of Honduras. Also at this community there was a lady getting her eyes examined by Josh and Nancy. The more she was refracted and the clearer her eyes became the more excited she got. Finally when they found the right strength she shouted I can see!!!! Josh said that was definitely his God moment for the day. Phil had a man he and Meida were working with who needed bi-focals. The team did not have bi-focals with them. Phil wears bi-focals. Phil said he heard a very small voice say "Why did you come here today?" Phil took off his own eye glasses and gave them to this gentleman. This was a humbling time for all of us.

"They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked ,"Do you see anything?" He looked up and said "I see people; they look like trees walking around ." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. "

Mark 8:22-25

Two amazing worship services

During the week we were able to worship on Thanksgiving night with Colonia Unidas. Phil playing the trumpet and Jack playing the guitar to the beautiful music of Amazing Grace. Steve got up and shared his personal testimony. Several members of the church sang solos. But the most heart wrenching one was Christian who months ago would not get up there and sing. On Thanksgiving night he got up there and worshipped the Lord from the bottom of his precious heart. The churches start the children very young in leadership roles of the church. We were all so proud of you Christian. Thanks to Mike who preached this evening.

On Sunday we were able to worship with a baptist church in Cedeno. Josh, translated by Meida, shared his personal testimony. Later in the service Phil playing the trumpet and Egla singing along with Phil, the hymn Victory in Jesus. Pastor Chad did the sermon on we may be the only bible people see. Pastor Chad shared how the Honduran people shared all they had, beans and rice with their neighbors who helped this past week on the construction. Do we give all we have to others? Does Jesus get our best or what is left over?

"Whatever you do , work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

Colossians 3:23

Eye Clinic at Cedeno

As their week was coming to an end the team did one last clinic in Cedeno after worshiping with them. During the entire week each team member worked in different stations. They all got enough experience to be able to lead one themselves. I thank Ken and Amy for such awesome leadership in allowing them to all get a taste of the different stages this week. Steve was able to lead in the salvation station. We closed the doors at 3:30 in order to finish the people in there by four. Well somehow a gentleman got the door open came in and someone gave him a pair of sunglasses. All the stations were closed except the salvation station. Well he went over to the salvation station and sat back to listen to plan of salvation. This gentleman accepted Christ on this Sunday afternoon by being persistant enough to get the door open. There was 734 patients seen in four and a half days and 43 salvations. 43 new brothers and sisters in Christ. There was around 20 rededications of faith. Thank you so much Eye clinic for coming and giving physical and spiritual healing to so many people. To God be the glory for all things.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5: 14-16

First Pastor Wives' Retreat of Choluteca

On Nov 11 six Pastor Wives, Egla, our amazing translator and I got together in a local resturant to share in fellowship of games, songs, lunch, and God's Word. As with most times when you are trying to do God's will, Satan is really close by to tear you down. My dear precious husband, Mike, Egla and I headed to the restuarant around 8:45 a few minutes before the ladies were to arrive to set up our room. There was no one in the restaurant but a security guard and he had no idea what we were talking about. I thought to myself, I have 6 ladies coming in about fifteen minutes and I have no where for them to meet. (And the bible study was on joy in all circumstances). We asked them to please call the restaurant manager because we were in their books for this day. It never happened so we found another restaurant to accomadate us and off we went. Mike stood outside the restaurant who did not steal my joy that day directing the ladies to the new location. We started out with a game called the Name Tag Game. The ladies wrote their name on a name tag put in it a hat and then pulled out a different name tag and wore it during the morning. If you said the lady's real name you gave her your name tag. The lady with the most name tags at the end of the morning won a door prize. Well needless to say I lost out in the very beginning when I asked Egla was she ready to start with the ice breaker game. There was a gift bag with lotion and perfume that got passed around after each question was asked. Whoever had the answer got the bag and when we got to the last question the lady with the bag was the winner. We sang some traditional Honduran hymns. I opened with prayer then followed with the sharing of my personal testimony. Through laughter and tears I shared with the ladies I have been through trials and tribulations just like them. But with the strength I receive from God through his Son, Jesus Christ, I like them can overcome any obstacles which pass our way. Before starting the study I said a huge thank you to all the people who made this possible. I taught a group of ladies bible study in my home for fifteen years. I shared with them my dream of leading a Pastor Wives' Retreat one day. They help provide the gifts, the games and whatever else I needed. There were others who also donated items to make this day happen. Thank you to all of you who made this day a very special one for my new sisters in Christ. My Honduran sisters were very blessed that day. Several weeks before I handed out the bible study on JOY. I asked the ladies to come prepare to share and discuss the study. They each came ready to share in God's word. We shared and discussed the Joy found in John 15 and in the life of Elijah when the famine came. And the beautiful story of Ruth and Naomi. There is so much pleasure in sharing God's word especially the topic of Joy. We all came to the conclusion at the end of the day the only JOY you can truly have is found in Jesus Christ. Without Jesus Christ and a personal realtionship with Him there is never true joy. There maybe happiness but that is not anything compared to the joy found in Jesus Christ. The world cannot provide you with joy. Stuff will not do it. It may for a short time. But when you have that most intimate relationship with Jesus you will find all the JOY you need in his presence. "If you have lost your joy, it's right where you left it - in HIS PRESENCE."

"You have made know to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

Kenansville Baptist Construction Team

On November 7 Kenansville Baptist Church arrived at the airport around two o'clock. They had several new faces on the team this year who were excited and ready to head through the mountains of Honudras down south to build a home. Little did they know they would be building more than a home. God works that way. He uses us where we never dream we can be used, when we are willing and the big word down here is flexible. We got up the next morning and was on the road by 7:30 to a sweet village called El Carrizo. God is good all the time. Fransico, brother of Pedro ( the homeowner) and friends already had the blocks inside the foundation. So the team busied themselves setting the corners for the home and mixing the mortar for the first block. Ernesto and Honudran friends worked hard mixing the mortar for the first block. We gathered Pedro and his quiet and humble wife, Orfilia and children to lay the first block. Mario, one of the team members from Kenansville prayed an inspiring prayer to our God and Savior for the family and their future home. Once prayer was completed everyone scattered and off to do what God had called us all to do that week, build a home. Orfilia went straight to her kitchen and cooked with the other ladies beans and rice for the Hondruas workers. There was a quick lesson in laying block called block 101 for all new team members taught by Pedro's niece, Alexia. This team work deligently each day as a team along side the Hondurans. It was such a beautiful sight seeing so much activity taking place around that piece of property. After the first day they were right on schedule with five courses completed and setting for the next day of work. On the second day work continued exactly like on the first day. Team worked hard on getting their task done. But during all this time they found the time to build relationships with the people of El Carrizo.

"See I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. I will make sure the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line." Isaiah 28:16-17

Sharing Christ in Many Ways

The team spent each day at the job site working, eating their lunch and having loads of fun with the people of this community. There was serveral activities taking place throughout the day. There was about eight ladies who hauled the water for the mortar from a nearby well. This was their job the entire week. Jose takes the time to share and talk about Jesus with Alexia. There was on lookers who enjoyed watching the progression of the courses going up daily. While the team and their volunteers were busily at work, others were enjoying the children with jump ropes and a huge game of futbol. One afternoon they all got serious with futbol and took it to the futbol field. Pastor Pedro shared the story of salvation with the children under a nearby tree before the game began. Mario, Dan, Dave, and Connie along with Mike, Jose, Egla and Orfilio proceeded to play futbol with the children and well the rest is history. Good try guys but those kids are really good. Amy you were an excellent side line coach though. Maybe next time. The children throughly enjoyed playing with the adults and praise the Lord no adults got hurt. After each day of work and fun the group gathered together to share God moments and a devotional. Some thoughts shared from Matthew why worry today has enough worries of its on. Is your cup half full or half empty? "God does not call the equipped he equipps the called." Thank you Kenansville for sharing God's word each night.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:6-9

This week Kenansville Baptist put into practice what God had taught them. God is good all the time.

Construction continues......

The last couple of days the team continued laying blocks and mixing mortart side by side as a team. They worked very hard together and God was smiling down on them as they were providing a precious family a home where there are no leaks and a door which will lock for their safety. God is so good all the time. We even had a nearby pastor come by to assist the team. Everyone down here comes together to help each other out. Pastor G was in seminary the last three days so he had one of his disciples to come out and assist the team to the final day. The last day of construction was putting on the roof and pouring the floor. Mike and I pull up with the roofing materials and there is two maybe three piles of mortar being made for the floor. They worked very hard to get the job done in time for a home dedication that afternoon.

"But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31