Women's Bible Conference 2012

 

November 15, 2012 God blesses us once again with another Bible Study for the women of Choluteca, Honduras.  We renamed it this year from Pastor Wives Retreat to Women's Bible Conference.  We added two new ladies who are not pastor's wives but play a huge role in the ministry of North Carolina Baptist Men and Women of Honduras, Rosa and Naomi, Orfilio's wife.  There were nine of us total.  Egla did the translating for the two hour bible study on Peace in Jesus.  The first week of November I passed out the bible studies to the women and asked them to study and answer the questions in their study.  We also did not meet in a public restaurant this year.  We met at Pastor Pedro's church in La Ere Blanca, Choluteca, Honduras.  We asked him earlier in October could nine ladies meet to have a bible study.  He was delighted to open up God's house for this event.  Mike, Egla and I arrived at the church with Pastor Pedro awaiting us.  He had put two tables together with ten chairs and the tables were covered with white tablecloths.  His thoughtfulness continued as he shared he place the tables under the fans and near the windows for fresh air.  With tears in my eyes I was overwhelmed with gratitude of the thoughtfulness placed in preparing the room for the bible study.  His huge smile lightened my spirit.  I was so nervous about doing this with these lovely ladies as Pastor Pedro was nervous about having everything just right.  We both laughed and continue to work together to get the rest of the room ready for the ladies arrival.  Once all the ladies arrived we opened with prayer and Egla and Rosa lead us in a song  "Joy joy joy, peace peace peace down in my heart".  We played a game where you whisper something in a person's ear and it goes all the way around till gets back to the person who said it.  This ice breaker had us all laughing because I said to Egla," Mike and I have been in Honduras for three years as of December 28."  It got back to me as Praise the Lord. As we continued laughing we were all relaxing and getting ready to began our study on peace.  I asked a question in the beginning "What is peace and where do you find it?"  Rosa immediately answered Jesus Christ.  Rosa open up the floor for others to comment and this continued for two hours.  There was a time of personal sharing on how during hardships we can still find peace in Jesus.  I learned so much that day from these lovely ladies.  After we completed the study I provided lunch for the ladies.  We had hamburgers, pasta salad and fruit salad with a cookie.  Ice tea and water was served as well.  Thank you Mike for assisting me in the preparations of the luncheon.  While I was finishing up the bible study my wonderful husband and best friend was setting out the food on the table.  We enjoyed lunch and talked about our families and how to apply peace in our lives.  Also one of the pastor's wives said she will host the next bible study at their church.  Thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for peace that transcends all our understanding..  I was able to give each lady a gift bag with a 365 day devotional, a mug with Peace in espanol "Paz", crotchet crosses, lotions, notepads, chap sticks, body soap and Evagi-cubes to help them when they are sharing the gospel with others.  Thank you to my God first and thank you to everyone who helped make this day an eventful and one where God was glorified.

 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  John 14:27  

First Baptist Church Southern Pines Renewal of Friendships and New Friendships

 

It is so awesome to see old friends reunite and bring in new friends to start another chain of friendships.  This is Southern Pines third trip to Honduras and each year they continue to make new friends.  They brought three new friends along this year.  We would like to welcome Ed, Maurice and Penny to this years family.  God is so good to bring new folks into Mike and my life through all the teams who come to Honduras.  We have such a large family from all over the world. When the Hondurans say they will pray for their friends from North America they are truly sincere in their words.  Thank you North American brothers and sisters for always praying for us here in Honduras.  We love you guys!!!

 

"A friend loves at all times."  Proverbs 17:17

The first day of being a blessing

 

Every job site is different.  This particular location did not have water on the property.  The future homeowner, Saul, paid to have water brought in and loaded the four barrels the first two days.  Afterwards a friend from church allowed the team to go to his home and load up the four barrels with water.  We were very blessed for Porphilio who allowed us to use water from his home.  Our team watched as the corner post were set up in preparation for the laying of the first block.  Once this was done the team taught their new friends how to lay block and the rest is history.  They were able to lay  five courses by the end of the first day.  This was becoming a very beautiful home for a very lovely couple,  Saul and Gabby.  Thank you my brothers and sisters for your hard work and dedication to complete this home at this time and place according to God's plan for all of us.

 

"Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone. In HIM the whole building is joined together and rises to become a Holy Temple in the Lord. And in HIM you too are being built together to become a dewelling in which God lives by his Spirit."  Ephesians 2:20-22

Saul and Gabby praying over their first block

 

This is almost like a fairy tale story.  Saul and Gabby have been sweethearts for seven years.  They were high school sweethearts.  Saul is a teller at a local bank, goes to school on Saturday to further his education and is a Sunday School teacher for the children of his church and leads the praise band in his church.  Gabby is going to beauty school and supports Saul in all he does.  This was a very special day for Saul and Gabby to dedicate the first block and the beginning of many years in their new home..  Please pray as they prepare to be married on December 1, 2012.  Mike and I are very blessed to be able to be apart of this special day.

 

"And the two will become one flesh so they are no longer two but one flesh.  Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

Mark 10:8-9 

Many beautiful faces serving the Lord

 

God put so many different folks from different backgrounds together this week to serve HIM.  It is amazing how awesome our God is to put together just who HE wants and the time HE wants it to happen.  They worked as one in Christ and did not ever let the language barrier become a hindrance.  How beautiful is God's masterpiece when we are submissive to HIS calling.  Thank you to so many more folks than the ones above for making this such an awesome and amazing week.  God is good all the time.

 

"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave or free, nor is there male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." 

 

Galatians 3: 28

Many different hats

 

This team was full of many talented leaders and people wanting to learn all they could.  Where do I began.  Let's start with the BLUE HAT.  This young man's name was George.  He worked amazingly hard all week taking care of his team and their construction of the home. As well as many other jobs he was responsible for each and every day.  Thank you George for a job well done.  Thank you Joy for keeping George straight and leading your team in many areas.  Your willingness to keep them safe and hydrated was a blessing to all of them.  Thank you for organizing the onsies and blankets to help out the hospital.  It takes so much to get a team here and you did an outstanding job.  And there is my friend Penny.  She came with enthusiasm and excitement to learn all she could about the ladies of Honduras.  She was able to help Francisca in the makings of tortillas for lunch one day.  She found out quickly what hard work this was and Francisca did this every day for the Honduran workers on the job site.  Francisca's patience with all of us ladies in her kitchen was a God moment.  She had so much work do to this day and she took the time to allow Penny to learn a little about a day in a Honduran lady's kitchen. 

 

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

 

Colossians 3:23-24

Other activites besides building a home

 

Each week presents many different activities other than building a home. One day Joy made Mike a banana pudding just because she wanted to.  Thank you Joy for spoiling my husband that evening.  One day Mike spoiled all the workers with two delicious watermelons on one of their afternoon breaks.  On the fourth day, George, Karen, Joy and Penny along side Orfilio and his daughter Lizzy, as translators, headed up to the church and within five hours were able to give some hope to many who could not see to read their bibles or even thread a needle.  The oldest patient was 89 years old.  But the most amazing story was the very first patient who was the same age as George.  George gave her the needle and thread and ask her to thread the needle while wearing a pair of readers he provided for her.  It took her about a minute and she had the needle threaded.  Everyone applauded her and praised the Lord for her seeing to thread the needle.  How beautiful is our God to provide this ministry this week for one hundred folks. We were able to worship one evening in church with Saul and his church family.  Thank you Maurice and Franz for sharing your testimony and your love for your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Thank you for challenging all of us if we did not know Jesus Christ do not let this day pass without receiving Jesus into our lives.

 

 

"For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have eternal life."

 

John 3:16

All good things have to come to an end

 

On the last day Orfilio wore his First Baptist Church of Southern Pines t-shirt to the job site.  I am not sure Orfilio knew what his shirt said but God knew. Ed and Larry worked diligently providing the materials for the completion of the floor.  While Orfilio and Maurice carried Pastor Carlos, Franz and Penny the roof materials.  What a blessing to see the final touches go up on this absolutely gorgeous and perfectly made home in the name of Jesus Christ.  Job well done my brothers and sisters in Christ from North Carolina and Choluteca, Honduras.  You perservered until every last detail was completed.  We all gathered around the home of Saul and Gabby to present the home dedication.  Joy presented the lovely couple with their family bible and key to their new home.  At this time we laid hands on the home and the team shared in a prayer over the home. Saul was encouraged by family and friends to kiss his future bride.  Saul's mother was generous to provide cake for everyone present.  Thank you to all who shared in this special day.

Be on the look out for the blog on Saul and Gabby's wedding in December.

 

"Bless this house oh Lord we pray make it safe by night and day.

Bless these walls so firm and stout

Keeping want and trouble out.

 

Bless the roof and chimney tall.

Let thy peace lay over all.

Bless this door that it may prove,

Ever open to joy and love.

 

Bless these windows shining bright

Letting in God's heavenly light

Bless the hearth a blazing there

With smoke ascending like a prayer.

 

Bless the people here within

Keep them pure and free from sin

Bless us all that we may be

Fit oh Lord to dwell with Thee

Bless us all that one day we may dwell

Oh Lord we pray.

 

As we enter the Thanksgiving season, let's be mindful of all we have. 

Thank you God, Amen 

First Baptist Hamlet Medical Team

 

On October 10 God blesses us with our other Hamlet church family, First Baptist.   We are so grateful for medical teams to come to Honduras to give these folks special medical treatment.  This is our second medical team this year.  The evening they arrived they all jumped right in to get their meds organized and ready to go.  After they finished organizing their meds they had Jose's wife's chicken tacos and devotional.  Candi had the first devotional on working together as a team.  We broke up into small groups and did an activity which require two people to come up with their favorite bible story and then drawing it together with each of your hands holding the pencil.  She shared no matter what happens this week we need to work together as a team.  The first morning the team headed to their first location El Tamboro, Choluteca, Honduras.  They entered a community center where the clinic was to be held.  This community does not have "baptist church building" per say.  The people are the church.  They meet outdoors under three extremely beautiful and grander mango trees.  The team started the process of setting up and applying their devotional from the night before, working as a team.  Within an hour and half they were up and running.  Early on Nick saw a young man with a broke arm which had been broken for two weeks.  He was loosing feeling in his fingers at this point.  Nick and Nicole proceeded to treat the young man and put his arm back in place and put a caste on him.  Everyone was able to sign his caste once they were finished.  Ava and Candi were able to treat a lady with extreme velcourse veins.  They could not get the stockings so they improvised and used ace bandages to wrap the ladies leg.  There is one thing we can say about medical teams they know how to do their best with what materials they have to work with.  We were so blessed this week to have Dr. Marvin and Dr. Jillda, a married couple with a two month old daughter assisting us.  Their knowledge of the Honduran medicines and their compassion made it for an awesome week of medical treatment for their people.  Stacy and Derek worked extremely hard at this location treaching the patients which included taking temperatures and blood pressures.  Thank you to Orfilio and Hector our translators who assisted them.  Thank you Maida, Egla and Dr Jillda who were translators for the doctors and the pharmacy.  Eddie, Diana and Betty Lynn worked very hard in the pharmacy keeping the prescriptions filled.  Reggie, team leader worked very hard keeping the patients moving along in the waiting room.  What a undertaking when you have to use sign language and a big smile to communicate.  Thank you Reggie for awesome crowd control.  Also that week Nick, Nicole, Derek and Maida made home visits to the elderly folks in the village.  There was one patient who was over 100 years old.  Nick shared how this person had the sweetest spirit and was appreciative of them coming to make a home visit.  The total patients seen in this community which was the first three days was 635.  But the most important number was the 18 salvations during the medical clinic in El Taboro.

Thank you team for doing such an awesome job working as God's medical team.

 

"The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades, you call forth songs of JOY."  Psalm 65:8

 

Jesus and the little children

 

This was a week for the little ones.  The night before Eddie's devotional was on the little ones. Little did we know we would see so many babies this week. God blessed the team with a set of twins.  Babies who were healthy and some who were not so healthy.  We are so blessed when God gives us the miracle of life.  There was one young lady there, fifteen years old with a two month old baby who Dr. Marvin stated was literraly starving to death.  The mother did not know how to feed the baby and found out later did not want to feed her baby.  Her mother was helping her with this little one and Dr. Marvin and Dr. Jillda made a home visit the next day to talk to the family on how important it is to take care and feed this baby.  It tore my heart out to see this baby literally starving to death.  Please never take for granted the most precious gift of all besides your salvation and that is the birth of a baby.  They are our gifts from God.  We need to always love them and treasure our time with them while they are with us here on earth.  There was one baby who definitely was not starving.  She was a butterball.  Derek tried to take her temperture and she was not having any of it.  So the grandmother instinct kicked in and I went over to help the mother while she was having the other three children checked in.  While home in September Allyson, our daughter, taught me how to swoosh my grandson, Landon.  Well I tried this on this little butterball.  I was amazed how swooshing works even in espanol.  Well the next day, Nicole had a screaming baby so she was able to swoosh this little one as well.  Swooshing is a natural technique which makes the little ones think they are back in the womb where it is nice and safe.  Thank you God for allowing all these little ones to cross our path in the medical clinics.

 

"People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.  He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.  And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them."

 

Mark 10:13-16

First Baptist Hamlet shared in two worship services

 

The medical team was able this week to worship with two different churches.   In both services Derek shared his testimony and the plan of salvation.  The team got up and sang one song in espanol which Egla taught them that week.  Job well done group!!!  Candi took the children across the street on Sunday and did Sunday School with about 20 children.  She shared the story of Samson.  Thank you Candi for preparing something on short notice for the children.  God is good all the time.

 

"Perfect are those who draw near to worship"  Hebrews 10: 1b

There is more to a medical team than medicine

 

During the first clinic the members of the mother and sister church held a time of sharing the gospel with the patients who were waiting to check in to the medical clinic.  They were given the plan of salvation track and they were given the details of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  During this time and place 18 people came to Christ. This is why medical teams come to Honduras.  The people need physical help but they need Jesus Christ more.  The medical team uses the medicine as their tool to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.   Fellowship with one another and the Hondurans is a big part of a medical team.  The pharmacy was pulling in help as needed to prepare medicines for the patients.  Everyone plugged in to make this week a success.  Reggie had one very important job at the second location, San Juan El Corpus, he kept the dogs out of the church.  Reggie finally had to get the broom after one of the dogs who repeatedly came back.  The dog came in one door and Reggie moved it out the other door for the dog to do the same thing continuously that particular morning.  We finally found out the dog's owner was being seen and so when the owner was completed with her examination she and her dog went home.  Reggie's dog control slowed down after the lady left.  Thanks Reggie for a job well done.  There was a time when one of the pills needed to be broken in half and Derek was willing to work hard to get this task completed.  Egla used the water jug to mix up some medicine for the pharmacy.  Every single job this week was a vital tool of making this medical team successful.

 

"For God so loved the world that he gave HIS only begotten SON that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish but will have everlasting life."  John 3:16

 

 

The Pharmacy busy at work to get prepared for the second location

 

On the third day the team packed up and said good-bye El Tamboro.  They got back to the mission house and ate dinner.  After dinner Eddie and team got busy going over their meds for the next two days.  They evaluated the medicine they had to see what they could use for the next two days.  The team realized they had to be careful with their supply for the next two days because of their location up in the mountains of El Corpus.  They all pulled together and bagged up the new medicines purchased that day to get them through their last two days.  These folks came prepared to give the people of Honduras their very best.  Thank you Eddie for managing such a sufficient pharmacy.  God provided more than they needed to complete their work in Honduras.  God is good all the time.

 

"My God supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ."

Philippians 4:19

El Corpus

 

Day four started early for this medical team.  They had to travel one hour and a half up into a mountain called El Corpus.  They left the mission house at six in the morning as the God's most beautiful sunrised appeared over the peaks of the mountains.  We were traveling along with our carven of the truck, the kia and the land roover.  We were not quiet to the road to go up into the mountains when ahead was all traffic at a stand still.  Mike, Jose and Egla to check to what the problem was.  There was group of people protesting about someone who got ran over on this road two days earlier.  We encouraged the North Americans to stay inside the vehicles until we could figure out what to do next.  One of the men in the streets gave us directions on a different road to get up to El Corpus.  This road took us to Las Cabasas.  We were hoping and praying to make a left at the school and not to go straight.  Well as we all probably know by now we had to go straight which took us through two rivers  before getting to the road to El Corpus.  This was another twenty minutes added to our one hour and a half travel time.  But God is once again good all the time.  We actually had a blast going through the two rives and then to start our climb up into the mountain of El Corpus was even more adventouros.  It was not uncommon for us to come up on a yellow school bus trying to get through this dirt path as well as us.  But once we got to the little church nestled into the mountain side of El Corpus we were taken back by the beauty of God's creation all around us.  Actually the ride up there other than the opportunities was breathtaking.  God's beauty was all around us.  The team got set up and started up another medical clinic with more beautiful and precioius Honduran people.  Since we were late because of the protest there was people lined up waiting to be seen by a doctor.  Before starting up we introduced each other and Pastor Miguel thanked the team for coming up to El Corpus.  Pastor Miguel said this was there first medical team to come there since 2001.  Once he said this I felt tears well up inside of me.  These people had walked ten miles or more to get to this two day clinic.  Amazing how these people walked such a long ways and then to trust a complete stranger with their lives in hopes of getting some help with their medical problems.  In this area there was found alot of ears stopped up to the point the people could not hear.  Nick and Nichol worked for two days just on cleaning out ears.  One man was so happy to hear again.  He was 74 years old.  Someone jokingly told him he may not want to hear again because then he will hear his wife and all she has to say.  All he did was laugh and praised the Lord.  Around ten the first morning the local school shut down and broke 96 children to get their parasyte medicine.  Egla shared a bible story with them and Mike and Derek gave out the pills.  Afterwards they went back off to school.  One lady came through check in who was battling some anxiety issues.  She asked Stacy to pray with her.  Stacy stopped checking in patients and took the time to pray with this lady.  What a testimony for Jesus Christ.  Betty Lynn shared during God moments how she looked over from Pharmacy to see Dr. Marvin with a small child in his lap comforting and treating him.  Dr Marvin was such a gentle giant.  He was such a humble and godly man.  We were so blessed to have him and his lovely wife, Dr. Jillda that week.  I looked outside the church this first afternoon and Derek and Jose was standing there talking.  Well unless you know espanol there is not but so much talking you can do with our brother Jose.  So I walked out there to see what they could be talking about in such depth.  Well Derek had found his very own translator, Pedro.  This very kind and well mannered young man had been raised by a missionary couple and he could speak very good English.  Derek had made a friend that day which will last him a life time.  I am glad I took the time to go out and speak to Pedro.  On the very last day we all gathered outside the church to reflect on the week and every single member of the church and our team gathered together sharing their gratitude for the two days spent together.  It was a touching time as we all held hands and reflected on God's blessings those two days. 

Thank you First Baptist Hamlet for taking your time to come to Honduras and treating 946 people.  All God's people said AMEN!!!!!  Maida shared in a devotion one evening and she shared out of 1John 4:7-10

"Dear Friends,

Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 

Families from different backgrounds but ONE GOD

 

There is was alot of families serving the Lord together this week.  We had Ava and Candi, Reggie and Diana, Dr. Marvin and Dr. Jillda and Pastor David and his lovely family.  There is something very special about Pastor David and his family.  His family lives up in the mountains El Corpus.  They traveled over one hour to get to the medical clinic.  His wife and his son both suffer with asthma.  Folks we are so blessed to be able to go down the street to our local doctor and get all the help we need when we need it.  Once again it is our pleasure to serve along side of families who come together as one to serve our Lord and Savior.  What amazing times spent together away from the pressures of home to just be together and baste in the presence of God.  This is a week which no one can take away from each of you.  There will be days when Honduras will cross your mind and you all are so blessed to have a love one to share this moment with and reflect back on all the amazing things God did through each of you this week.  God bless our families. 

 

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in HIS Holy mountain."

Psalm 48:1

 

The Greene Men

 

Where to I began.  God once again blessed Mike with having more family come to Honduras.  Two years ago his mother, Nana, came with our daugther, Allyson.  Mike and I have prayed for more family to come and work beside us in Honduras.  I especially was praying for our nephew Nick to come and share his medical skills one day.  Well, patiently I waited for this pray to be answered.  Mike's older brother, Eddie and his son, Nick, came with this medical team.  What a blessing it was to stand back and watch the three of them interact together with themselves and the people of Hondruas.  Alot of the folks got confused once they met Eddie and Nick thinking is this Mike.  It became a joke several times.  Pastor G made a special trip to the first medical clinic so he could meet Mike's brother and nephew.  Mike and I have been visiting a 93 year old lady named Miranda who might weigh 50 pounds and has not got any family accept her church family who take excellent care of her.  Ms. Miranda has a very bad spot on her leg and she would not allow anyone to touch.  Mike took Nick up to her house the first morning and introduced Nick to her.  She looked at him very hard trying to figure this grande greengong out.  Mike explained to her this was his nephew Nick.  Well this changed the whole picture.  Ms. Miranda was so happy to meet Nick and allowed Nick to work on her leg and work on her leg actually two different times.  Nick went by the last day to check  on her leg and to say good-bye to Ms. Miranda.  Ms. Miranda looked up at Nick with tears in her eyes saying she did not want him to leave.  How beautiful are the hands and feet of Jesus.  Mike as well as myself were in awe of Nick's gifts and his compassion he had for the people.  He was a gentle giant who all people came to love.  I found Mike several times assisting his big brother in the pharmacy.  I asked him was he qualified to be working in the pharmacy.  He said he worked in Pharmacuetals for 26 years. This qualified him to be able to help mix up the medicines. Mike and Eddie enjoyed their time together just being together.  It was such a joy to see family come here and work beside us and see all God is doing in Honduras.  Thank you Eddie and Nick for making this week very special for Mike and me.

 

"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

John 14:13

 

 

 

Beginnings of an Amazing Week

 

On October 1 one of two teams from Hamlet North Carolina arrived to Honduras ready to go to work for the Lord.  They came spiritually and physically prepared for the task ahead of them this week.  Thoughts were shared during God moments and devotion on the second night of how they were looking forward to how God will use them this week.  Darryl's devotion on the second evening was appropriate for the week.  Out of John 20:30-31 it reads that we may have life in HIS NAME.    We need to be sold out for Christ.  Second Baptist came to Honduras sold out for Christ.  It showed in the work they did on Marclovia and Santiago Rodriguez home.  They built this home as if they were building a home for themselves.  The pride each team member took in their work was inspiring and amazing.  One of the team members said isn't this what we are suppose to do.  They came to Choluteca, Honduras to the community of Colonia Williams and gave God their very best.  Benny Billingsley prayed over the first block on the first morning and from their God was in control of what was God filled week.  One morning the team sang "When the Roll Was Called Up Yonder"  to the Hondurans led by Freddie Jenkins and his lovely wife Anna Lee.  Second Baptist of Hamlet was truly the hands and feet of Jesus Christ this week.  Thank you once again for serving the Lord to your fullest abilities.

 

"Take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all HIS ways, to keep HIS commandments, to hold fast to HIM and to serve HIM with all your heart and with all your soul."

Joshua 22:5 

 

Happy 50th Birthday Benny

 

On their second day in Honduras the team celebrated Benny's 50th birthday.  Actually Benny was a true servant on his birthday by helping prepare breakfast for his team along side Chuck Edmunds and Mike Grant.  But once we got to the job site and before the work began on the first day the word had spread to the Hondurans it was Benny's birthday.  The Hondurans sang to Benny and Santiago along with the rest of the Hondurans proceeded to give him birthday hugs. Later that evening the team surprised Benny with a birthday cake and his first Honduran birthday cake which is eggs on the head.  Mike for the first time could not actually put the egg and flour on Benny's head.  I cannot do this to an old friend who came with such kind words towards the ministry.  So Mike put the egg in a sandwich bag and blessed Benn semi Honduran style.  Also during the week Pastor Chris celebrated yet another birthday in Honduras.  In church on Sunday they called on the people with birthdays to come forward so the church could sing.  Benny celebrated his birthday  with Levy from Nicho's family down at the end of the path.  They all got the Honduran hugs for their birthdays.  What a way to celebrate your 50th birthday, serving the Lord with fellow believers in Christ.  Long ago God knew the plan He had for Benny's 50th birthday and what a wonderful plan our God had.

 

"For you created my inmost being,

you knit me in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made inn the secret place;

when I was woven together in the depts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;

All the days ordained for me was written in your book

before one of them came to be."

Psalms 139: 13-16

Pila and Bano

 

The team was also able to build the family a pila and bano for their home.  There was not any place for Maclovia and Santiago to bath or do their cleaning.  Pastor Carlos and Nicho, a neighbor who received a home earlier in the year were in charge of the construction of the pila and bano.   Nicho wanted to return his gratitude to his God and the North Americans by assisting in the construction of the pila.  Nicho accepted Christ the week is home was built.  This is why we do what we do here in Honduras is to bring the lost to Jesus Christ.  Jason Moore and Daryl Wrape, two pastors as well, assisted in the construction of the pila. Exactly like the construction of the home the four men worked diligently building one of the most beautiful pilas and banos we have ever seen.  How good is our God!!!!!  Nicho was blessed to work beside three pastors and seeing how God uses all of us to build HIS kingdom here on earth.  Thank you gentlemen for adding yet one more work of beauty to the construction site that week.

 

"His Master replied, 'Well done good and faithful servants!"

Matthew 25:21a

Christian Fellowship

 

As well as putting alot of effort into the building of the home they took time for each other and the Hondurans.  They spent alot of time in prayer as a team and sharing God's word wherever they could, even on the sandwich bags,  good job Anna Lee.  One of the highlights this week was our team leader, Trent Strickland and the ladies of the house.  Trent was much taller than everyone but even more taller than Maclavia.  The children as always were a big hit this week.  Each and every day the children heard from other children the North Americans were in town.  It was a pleasure to see the children getting alot of love especially from a bunch of men.  Thank you especially to O. W. who truly enjoys the children.  Actually all the men, Steve, Chuck, Benny, Daryl, Jason, Freddie, Bill, Chris, Mike and our lovely ladies and good sports Anna Lee and Meredith all enjoyed playing daily with the children.  It was more than building a house with these folks.  They balanced out their week beautifully between construction and Christian fellowship.

 

"But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another."

 

1 John 1:7a

Anna Lee wore many hats

 

Anna Lee a dear and sweet sister in Christ who has a servant's heart came to Honduras.  She shared one night she did not know why she was called by God to come with a construction team full of men.  What and how would God use me?  Anna Lee was obedient to her calling to Honduras and found she had many gifts and talents God could use here in Honduras.  Anna Lee prepared the sandwiches along with Bill and Meredith.  But she added a little touch to each bag she prepared.  She applied a scripture verse for the day for each person.  So at lunch they had God's word before them.  The bread of life and the bread with peanut butter and jelly or meat and cheese.  Thank you for your extra effort.  Remember Anna Lee is with eleven men who did not bring their wives along.  So each and every day she kept these guys hydrated with water and gatorade.  This was no easy task.  Anna Lee prepared VBS for the week alongside her husband Freddie who assisted her.  Anna Lee wore many hats this week and she was a huge asset to her team.  In saying all of this, ladies out there reading this today anyone male or female can come to Honduras and serve the Lord  There is a job for everyone.  Thank you Anna Lee for following God's calling to come and serve HIM.

 

"The greatest among you will be your servant.  For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted." 

Matthew 23: 11-12

Families serving in Honduras

 

We had two special families here this week.  Bill and Meredith Reinbott and Freddie and Anna Lee Jenkins.  You never saw one without the other.  Both families worked closely together with each other this week.  It was amazing to watch Bill and Meredith side by side helping each other out on the construction of the home.  Freddie and Anna Lee were always side by side.  It was obvious in watching this lovely couple they do so much together in the name of Jesus.  As the year draws near an end, I encourage families to invest in an international mission trip, whether it be in Honduras or somewhere else.  The time spent together serving the Lord is priceless.  It will be memories which will last you a life time.  Thank your Bill and Meredith and Freddie and Anna Lee for coming here to serve our God in Honduras.

 

"As for me and my house we will serve the Lord."

Joshua 24:15

The Dedication, SS for the children and Serving others

 

 

The last day was full with many activities.  The team decided to do the home dedication on Sunday morning at 8:30 before heading to church.  Pastor Chris along with the help of our translator, Egla lead the dedication and presented the family with a bible and the lock and key to their home.  Daryl shared words of gratitude for allowing the team to come serve beside them this week and making a house now a home.  Santiago thanked everyone for their hard work and a great week of fellowship in  the name of Jesus.  The team and Hondurans gathered around the home as they laid their hands upon the home that God built through the hands and feet of faithful servants.  Pastor Chris prayed a prayer of dedication to the home.  After the dedication the team and Hondurans walked up the road to the Sunday School service.  As I stood back and watch them walking two of Santiago's family members was walking and had the bible given.  They were looking through in amazement of God's Word.  Do we take God's word for granted?  Is is as beautiful to us as it was to those two ladies that day?  Please always look for the beauty in God's Word.  His Word is our hope, joy, peace, comfort and strength in our every day walk. During this week there were two young men led to Christ and one rededications.  There were also many children who came to Christ this week in VBS.  His word is mighty to save.

 

"Lord you will establish peace for us, for YOU have also dones all our works in us. "

Isaiah 26:12

"And he said,' O man greatly beloved, fear not!! Peace be to you; be strong, yes be strong!' So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said,"Let my Lord speak, for you have strengthened me."

Daniel 10:19

 

Mike's childhood best friend came to Honduras

 

Words will not describe Mike's excitement when we receive the roster and saw his childhood best friend, Benny Billingsly was coming to Honduras to work beside him.  Mike and Benny were friends since they were around five years old.  They grew up as neighbors and were inseparable as children until they became teen-agers.  Benny shared one night this blonde came along and took Mike's heart away and he said the rest is history.  But God took those years together as children and teenagers and prepared Mike and Benny for the biggest adventure of their lives:  working for the Lord in Honduras.  Now folks this is not as easy as it sounds.  Benny loves home and has never been out of the country or too far from Hamlet.  Benny was definitely out of his comfort zone.  How beautiful it was this week watch Benny allow God to use him in so many ways.  He was flexible and he was willing to try whatever it took to get the job done.  It was not hard to get pictures of Mike and Benny together.  They were able to spend some good quality time together serving others.  The day of the dedication a little girl fell down and began to cry.  Benny walked over to  pick her up and she laid her head on Benny's shoulder and receive the gentle comfort of a godly man.  Thank you Benny for giving Mike awesome memories which will definitely outweigh the ones from long ago.  The ones long ago were building you two for the ones the week of  Oct 1-9, 2012.  We pray you and Mike will have many more together.  Love you brother.

 

"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

Galatians 3:25

Pastor Chris wears many hats too!

 

Pastor Chris Hawks is truly the hands and feet of Jesus.  There is not one not even one he cannot relate to.  It does not matter the age or the gender Pastor Chris allows the Holy Spirit to use him wherever he is needed.  The entire week I observed him with the children and then he would be talking with the Honduran pastors with the help of  Egla.  There was one time he and the Honduran pastors were discussing theology of the bible.  He expressed how he would love to be able to speak their language where he could really set down and discuss all things with them.  Pastor G and Pastor Chris connected even with the language barrier because they were united with a common bond, Jesus Christ.  This did not deter their time of sharing.  The shortest member of the team, Pastor Chris was the one up the highest on the house laying blocks and putting on the roof.  It is so beautiful to see pastors come here and get dirty in the name of Jesus.  Thank you for setting such an awesome example for Second Baptist Church of Hamlet.

 

"He must become greater, I must become less."

John 3:30

Sullivan Baptist Church Medical Team

 

On September 19, 2012 we had our first of three medical teams arrive this year.  This team comes from a sister state, Tennessee.  This amazing team came out of Sullivan Baptist Church.  It was a joy and a pleasure to serve beside our brothers and sisters from Tennessee.  They came organized and prepared to see 200 patients a day.  There was two doctors and one Honduran doctor four nurses and others who felt lead to help this medical team.  They were unified from the very beginning.  Their first stop was  Piedra de Agua.  This Baptist Church was nestled upon a hill surrounded by mountains.  The team got set up and started seeing their first patients around 8:30.  The Hondurans would come check in and wait to be seen.  There would be around twenty five awaiting to see a doctor.  Before they saw the doctors the doctors took turns sharing  the plan of salvation with each group.  The team rotated between the pharmacy and check in so everyone got a chance to do something different throughout the week.  After seeing the doctors they went outside and around the church to the back door to the pharmacy.  This procedure really helped keep down crowd control.  Pastor G headed up both locations.  Pastor G set up a tarp outside the door of the pharmacy so those waiting could stay in the shaded area.  The team treated each patient as if they were the only patient there.  They spent as much time needed with each and every Honduran person.  It was a beautiful sight to stand back and observe how each day was orchestrated. 

 

As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news."  Romans 10:15b 

 

Medical Tools

 

The Sullivan Baptist Medical team brought many different tools to run their medical clinic.  The most important tool of all was God's word.  Each and everyday the plan of salvation was shared with the people.  As the doctor was seeing individual patients for their physical needs they were accessing their spiritual needs.  One day Dr. David who is bilingual shared the plan of salvation with a patient and lead this man to Christ.  It is so amazing how when we allow God to use us we can do anything.  Thank you Dr. David for getting out of your comfort zone and speaking Espanol and bringing another brother into the kingdom.   While the team was here to meet physical needs their sole purpose the entire week was the spiritual sickness of each and every lost soul in these communities.  During the week there was eighteen salvations and many re dedications.  The people came from miles to see these doctors to get some ray of hope in their lives.  They were as young as 7 days old up to 91 years old.  One day Mike and I were leaving the first location and saw people who had been walking for about five miles to get to the medical clinic.  One lady came to the clinic who knew Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.  She asked the team to pray for her many lost family members.  If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today I pray this day you will seek someone and find out about our Lord who can not only heal us physically but spiritually as well.

 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

Our Honduran Helpers

 

Medical teams are no different than any other teams who come to Honduras.  Without our awesome team of Hondurans we could not run this ministry.  We had four translators, Egla, Maide, De and Maryuri, Jose the bus driver, the ladies of the church who cooked and help registered the patients and our Honduran doctor, Antonio Espinol.  The Hondurans and North Americans worked well all week to get the task done.  There was laughter and tears shared by all of them.  These team of people had never worked together before and God orchestrated an amazing team to do HIS amazing work the five days they were together.  Thank you our Honduran brothers and sisters for helping us make this happen. 

 

"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body- whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."  I Corthinthians 12:12-14