Oakdale Baptist Team 108

On March 21st Oakdale Baptist Church out of Rocky Mount NC made a return visit to Le Gero Blanco. Back in August they came as an evangelism team and saw the need for Pastor Pedro a home. They went back home and shared with their church family the needs of Le Gero Blanco, Choluteca, Honduras. They raised their money and here they are again in Le Gero Blanco building Pastor Pedro and Maria and their six children a home. Before arriving we need to say thank you to Mt Olive Baptist Church from King, NC for delivering the tools, scaffoling, etc to the job site. Pastor Pedro lives down a narrow rocky road then across a river which is dry now because of the dry season. But Pastor Pedro had dug out a road going up the embankment to his home on the top of the hill. The bus was unable to go up to the house. It stayed parked at the top of the main road. The team walked down the road across the dried up river and up the embankment to the construction sight each day. Also before the team arrived Pastor Pedro spent days carrying the blocks and building materials up to the construction sight. By the time the team arrived on the 21st Pastor Pedro was near exhaustion but still had a glorious smile on his face. Once again Pastor Pedro is one of the most humble men we have ever met. We found out prior to the team arriving Maria, Pastor Pedro's wife had lost her father to an auto accident. We hoped getting a new home would lift her spirits. She also had a big smile on her face each and every day. Oakdale had never built a home before. It did not take them long to figure out where they all needed to be and to get the job done. After setting the four corners we laid and prayed over the first block. By the end of the first day Oakdale had proudly gotten their five courses completed. To God be the glory!!!! This team came in not knowing how to build a home but came willing to learn and allow God to use them in many ways that week.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

Phillippians 4:13

Construction - "Mas Bloque Porfavor"

As the week progressed the team's walls became a home. The mortar pile was down in front of the old home. So there became a game played by the people on the house. In order to get the mortar they counted to three and then shouted "mescala por favor" in order for the guys mixing it to hear them. They had way to much fun serving the Lord up on that hill. Everyone truly worked very hard and gave their best. Caroline and Taylor got to be experts on making the seams. They took alot of pride in their work and it showed throughout the week. There was a spot for everyone. The mortar guys were rapidly mixing the mortar because the entire team was on this project working as hard as they could. God blessed them with some beautiful mango trees down the hill for shade. They would retreat to the mango trees as their Honduran brothers would and realized it was not such a bad idea. We learn alot from our brothers and sisters here in Honduras. They do allow time to rest and take a siesta in the morning and in the afternoon. The North Americans enjoyed their time of relaxation and building relationships as well as a home with some old friends. It was nice to be see old friendships come together again and serve the Lord as this team from Oakdale and this community from Le Gero Blanco.

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 13:35

Pastor Pedro

This is one special pastor. He works very hard for the church and does an awesome job raising a Christian home and family. He is a proud father of four girls and two boys. The oldest being around 13 years old and the baby is 5 months old. His wife is his stronghold and his right hand. One day as we arrived to work on the house. The last day actually Pastor Pedro was not there. He had been called by a church member who had a sick family member. So he went to be with the family and to pray with them before coming to finish his home. We also found out that week he has planted another church about 15 minutes down the road. There are no Christians living in this community and he has about 18 members working together to build up this church. He preaches at the new church on Saturday and also preaches at the existing church on Thursday night as well as other activities in the existing church. While we were speaking one day he asked for an evanglelism team in the future. We asked how about the end of April. That is how awesome God works out all details of everyday. Mike and I had been praying for just the right spot to take a team coming in April and Pastor Pedro answered our prayer. Pastor Pedro shared he had been praying for a home for fourteen years. How faithful was his prayers and how sometimes God's timing in not always our timing. God knew and ordained this week for Oakdale Baptist to be at Pastor Pedro's home and to be able to answer a prayer of fourteen years. His entire family was there assisting in some way or other. They all worked very well as a family which was humbling to us all. Thank you God for family and for our extended family in Christ Jesus. Thank you for the ulitmate Christian example of Pastor Pedro and the life he lives.

"Trust in HIM at all times, you people, pour out your heart before HIM; GOD is a refuge for us."

Psalm 62:8

Fellowship at Mission Casa

After each day of hard work on the home Oakdale came back to the mission house to work on different projects, such as the hygiene kits they brought for the community. Also they enjoyed sitting around singing hymns accompanied by Buie on the guitar and harmonica and as well as Pastor Nate playing the guitar. Daniel and James led us in several beautiful times of praising the Lord in songs. This was a very musically talented team and they enjoyed time in the evening sharing and singing. We enjoyed time of fellowship playing board games. There was much laughter and competition during these times. Growing spiritually and building relationships within your church family while on a mission trip is an amazing gift from God. The evening devotionals were rewarding as well. The time we shared in God's word and sharing God moments from each day was abundantly rewarding for all of us. Thank you Oakdale for an awesome time of fellowship among each other.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another

in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Colossians 3:16

Worship

During worship service on Thursday evening Matt blesses us all with "Mary Did You Know". It did not matter about the language barrier when you are singing to glorify Christ Jesus. Thank you for a beautiful job Matt. Buie challenged us all with his testimony of how well we know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior or are we just doing work for him. Buie knew all about God but did not know him personally. Out of Matthew 7:21 not everyone who says I know HIM will enter the Kingdom of God. How well do you know God and his precious Son, Jesus. Thank you Buie. After such an eye opening testimony the team got up there and sang "I'll Fly Away". Pastor Nat followed Buie's lead and ask the question "What is my life?" How well do we know our life? You fall in love and you have a family but what should come first in your life? Jesus Christ should be what we all live for. If I do belong to Jesus Christ life does not matter. We all need to live our lives for eternity. We all need to love what God loves, Think what God thinks, Care what God cares about and have eternity on our minds. What a very challenging evening for all who

attended. As you are reading this I hope you know your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ intimately. I pray this for all today. Jesus is the true joy and peace in our lives.

"Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say,"If it is the Lord's will we will live and do this or that."

James 4:14-15

Home Construction Continues - Mas Mescila Porfavor

The team continues with the completion of the home. Everyone pitches in and works diligently to give Pastor Pedro and his family their home. Mas mescila por favor was a very famous phrase on that last day of construction. The Hondurans along with Jose mixing mortar as hard as they could to keep up with the completion of the floor. The North Americans learned very quickly how heavy the mortar is and respected our Honduran brothers who do this for a living on a daily basis in the 100 degree weather. Thank you Britt, Tim, James, Daniel, Thomas, Pastor Nat, Buie, Kaye, Taylor, Kelly and Carolina who never stopped until their project was completed. The home on the hill was an answered to prayer of fourteen years. Thank you Pastor G for being such an awesome teacher of your students from Rocky Mount, NC. To God be the glory!!!!!!!

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. this is MY commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

John 15:11-12

Building Relationships

Each day the team had the awesome priviledge to fellowship under three beautiful mango trees. They learned Spanish and taught English to one another. They learned about each others families and any prayer concerns each may have. The only difference between the North Americans and the Hondurans is the language. They have family issues and worries just like us. It was nice to be able to lift one another up in prayer and support by taking the time to talk with the grateful help of Heidi and Meidi. We are so blessed with amazing translator. Sometimes Thomas would talk with the Hondurans without a translator and surprisingly the conversation came out okay. There was so many beautiful memories made under those mango trees that week. The team came back to build a home but God blessed them with renewed friendships and some new friends as well. These friendships are precious in many many ways. Thank you God for our brothers and sisters of Honduras.

"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to do this, that you may inherit a blessing."

I Peter 3:8-9

Home Dedication

The last day of construction came very quickly as the team arrived to finish the home for Pastor Pedro and his family. After the completion of the home they broke for lunch to share together one last time some good ole fellowship. The time came to dedicate the home. Kaye, the team leader, shared with tears welling up in her eyes what an honor and priviledge it was to serve beside her brothers and sisters in Christ. All the hard work and the sweat and tears had produced a lovely home. She presented the family with a placque of Joshua 24:15 and the date of the dedication. What a mighty God we serve to bring us all to this day at this time and with these beautiful people, both Hondruans and North American came together as one this week to glorify God's plan. Kaye open the floor for others to share their heart felt thoughts. Some of the team members shared how rewarding it was to come to bless and ended up being blessed. Finally Pastor Pedro shared his feelings of the week. Tears rolling down his cheeks as he shared how he had prayed for fourteen years for his family could have a home where they would be dry in the rainy season and could lock their doors at night and feel safe. How he was faithful in serving God all those years knowing one day God would provide this physical need. The key was handed over to him and he opened up the door and walked in and looked back at all of us with a big smile on his face. Slowly his family followed him into their new home. I will never forget one of the children crying excessively without stopping the entire time. Buie decided to pull out the guitar and the harmonica and we all sang "I'll Fly Away". What a perfect way to end a perfect week serving the Lord in La Gero Blanco, Choluteca, Honduras.

"But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

Futbol

Each day after lunch there was a serious game of futbol under the mango trees. All ages got out there and challenged each other. It was a joy to watch the children playing with the North American adults and a few Honduran adults. Sadly to say the children whipped up on them pretty bad. But all was good in the neighborhood. There was alot of laughter and fun had by all. And some very tired bodies at the end of the day. God is good all the time.

"He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Tom and Kaye

Once again it is a beautiful sight to see couples come together as one in service to our Lord. Thomas and Kaye made their second trip down here in seven months. It was a joy to watch them work together not always side by side but together. They are a strong team within themselves. Their strength in the Lord magnified out to others. It is great for the people in Honduras to see a couple working together joyfully for the cause of Jesus Christ. Thank you Thomas and Kaye for setting the example for all couples to put Christ first in your marriage.

"He who finds a good wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord."

Proverbs 18:22

Taylor and Dad

Taylor, is so blessed to be able to spend eight days in Honduras working beside her Daddy, Tim. Everywhere you looked they were side by side building the house, playing with the children or just chilling together. It was a very special time to have them here with us serving the Lord. They made a good team and made memories they will carry a life time. Thank you Taylor and Tim for coming here and making a difference in many lives just by your example of loving each other. God bless your family and what you will continue to do in the name of Jesus.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

Pastor Nate

Thank you Pastor Nate for coming along side your church family to serve the Lord. There was not a job Pastor Nate would not try. He was always willing to do whatever he could to get the job done. He was bilingual as well. This worked well for he was able to talk to Pastor Pedro and Pastor G and share stories of their ministries. Pastors building relationships with other pastors is a plus for any team. He worked diligently on his sermons, not one but he prepared two sermons that week. He also said Pastor Pedro challenged him and encouraged him in his ministry. We are so blessed to be able to share and learn from each other when there are two different cultures but the same GOD we serve. Pastor Nate challenged all to go and make disciples of all nations and not stop in Honduras. Be on fire for missions wherever you are.

He said to them,"It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jersusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 1:7-8

Mt Olive Baptist Church Construction Team

Several months ago Mike and I went out to Pastor Carlos' village to check on a couple of solicitations. One of them being Karen and Willie. At the time we were not aware of who it was just a name on the paper. Once we arrived at Karen's home we realized we knew this precious little family. Karen is a Sunday School teacher for the children and helps lead the music in church. Karen always puts others before herself. She is an amazing mother to Willie. You can see very clearly because Willie is a mature young man who helped work on his home the entire week. Mt Olive arrived early the first morning with Karen anxiously yet calmly awaiting for the team. She had a smile upon her face. As each team member slowly unloaded and worked their way toward the foundation her smile became radiant. We gathered around in a circle and she immediately gave God the glory and ask if we could please pray for the day ahead. Once everyone introduced themselves we opened the day in prayer and started unloading the supplies off the Kia. The process of a few helping set the corners and level the string for the blocks makes some of us anxious but eagerly ready to get to work. We asked Karen and Willie to put their hands on the first block as Pastor Carl prayed. We all joined together as one during the prayer. Once the prayer was completed the team was up and running finding their particular job for the week. Many of the team members tried to mix mortar, lay blocks and fill in the joints. They all worked together as a team and build relationships with Willie, Fernando and an older gentleman who could out work them all. Thank you to Heidi and Maida who helped lay blocks as well as translated. Randy, team leader, encouraged his team members to try different jobs during the week. They all got an opportunity to do many different tasks. Thank you Mt Olive for allowing an outsider to join you. They welcomed our new friend, Mark, with open arms. God is so good all the time. Thank you all for working so hard in the name of Jesus Christ.

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to ALL, especially to those who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:2, 10

Vacation Bible School

After three days of work on the fourth day the team did a VBS in the afternoon with around 80 children present. They did a skit of Paul and Silas in prison. The children were included in the skit when the earthquake hit and open up the prison. The children were the sound of the earthquake. After the skit and invitation to accept Jesus they broke up into small groups to make a craft. They sang songs and were able to go outside afterwards and play futbol. I believe once again the Honduran children won. Good try Mt Olive!!! Thank you for sharing the love of Jesus through VBS with the children.

Please enjoy reading the scripture shared during the skit in Acts 16:16-40.

In God's word Paul and Silas were put in prison because they were proclaiming Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They were sharing the good news. How far would we go for Jesus in our day to day journey? Are we like Paul and Silas? They were thrown in prison and sang hymns of praise unto the Lord. What a big lesson for all of us to praise the Lord in all circumstances. To God be the glory in ALL times.

Bible study and preparing bags for hospital

Each evening we had a time of sharing and devotions. Bradly did a visual one evening on Jesus, the body and feet. If you take the body away you cannot do anything and if you take the feet away you cannot do anything. But if you have the body and the feet and take Jesus away you still cannot do anything. We cannot function daily without the guidance and the power of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Wow, how many times a day do I try to take care of the day ahead without starting out my day in the Word and prayer. We only set ourselves up for failure. Thank you Heavenly Father for your WORD.

"Abide in ME and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in ME. I am the vine, you are the brances. He who abides in ME and I in him, bears much fruit; for without ME you can do nothing. If you abide in ME, and MY words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."

John 15:4, 5, 7

Also one evening the team helped Mike and me put together the bags for the hospital. They had brought some blankets, onsies and diapers/pins. We took what they had and added to what we had collected made enough to deliver to the hospital the next day. Thank you to all of you who bring these items for the babies of the hospital.

Jesus said to them, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none, and he who has food, let him do likewise." Luke 3:11

Continuing with the construction of home

As the week progressed Mt Olive was building Karen and Willie's home. Building the home is a tool we use to build relationships with the people of Honduras which will last a life time. By the third day Mike and I go out to check on the team to see how they are progressing. We pull up to laughter and good ole fellowship. They are all on first name basis. This is what it is all about. Pastor G learned Michelle's name real quick because she said he called her name quiet often to help him with a project. Randy and Kevin mixed mortrar with the men a couple of days and build a lasting relationship with Fernando. Bradly was always willing to do whatever needed to be done. He entertained the children with his chicken dance. Pastor Carl worked on one of the walls with Willie one day and this will be a memory for Willie he will never forget. Willie was blessed working by some godly men this week for you see Willie does not have a father. How blessed was Willie to be able to help build his home for his mother. Of course Jose enjoyed having Steven back to work with again. Each year as teams return to serve, God is blessing them with many heartwarming memories they will treasure forever. Whitney and Camie worked as well filling the joints which is a job within itself. But these young ladies did it with a joy in their hearts. Thanks ladies, job well done. Joel and Mark our new friends, caught on real quick on how to build a home. They were willing to do whatever it took to get the job done. Joel thank you for all the heart felt laughter you provided during the week. Yes laughter is the best medicine on a hot day in Choluteca. Jeb and Mark thank you for getting on the roof with our Pastor Carlos to put the finishing touches on the house. Mt Olive Baptist thank you for allowing God to use each of you and your many gifts in a mighty way this week.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34,35

"For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37

On the fourth day Mt Olive extended their energies to help out the next team coming in. They delivered the tools and equipment to the next job site. The next job site is down a narrow rocky path just large enough for the Kia to go down. The path then crosses over a dried up river and up an embankment the Hondurans had dug out so the vehicles can travel to the property of the next project. Thank you guys for going the extra mile for your brothers and sisters.

"For nothing is impossible with GOD." Luke 1:37

North Americans serving their Honduran brothers and sisters

This team was located near the beach. After they completed the home they went to the beach for a seafood plate and the Hondurans had a seafood soup. It was a time of celebration for all. The North Americans took it an extra step and served the Honduran people their meal. The looks on the younger guys faces as they were served would have melted your heart. We observe here how the Hondurans always are doing and doing for us. But this day we served them. God is good all the time.

"I was hungry and you gave ME food: I was thirsty and you gave ME drink; I was a stranger and you took ME in; I was naked and you clothed ME; I was sick and you visited ME; I was in prison and you came to ME. Then the righteous will answer Him saying,"Lord when did we see YOU hungry and feed YOU, or thirsty and give YOU drink? When did we see YOU a stranger and take YOU in, or naked and cloth you? Or when did we see YOU sick, or in prison, and come to YOU? And the KING will answer and say to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did to one of these My brethren, you did it to ME." Matthew 25:35-40

Karen and Willie's home dedication

After lunch we gathered back at Karen and Willie's new home. We had put the lock on the front door of the home. Willie was trying to get it to open and did not understand why his home which he help built was locked where he could not enter. Pastor Randy did an amazing job sharing the gospel during the home dedication. I would like to share the outline he used.

A Dedicated Home

Deuteronomy 6:4-6

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These comandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts."

Home of Happiness

Home of Harmony

Home of Healing

Home of Hope

The Commission

Deuteronomy 6:7-9

"Impress them on our children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when youn walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

Home of Teaching

Home of Talking

Home of Thinking

Home of Telling

The Challenge

"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Jsohua 24:15

Families serving together in Honduras

We love when families come together to serve the Lord. We were blessed this week with a father/daughter and a mother/daughter team. Both families worked side by side all week building a home and playing with the chldren. Thank you Randy and Whitney and Michelle and Cami for enjoying such a special week with each other and building memories which will last a life time.

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

By Whitney and Camie coming with their parents on a mission trip can plant so many seeds for their future. I encourage all families to go on a mission trip together

Worship Service in Cedeno

On Sunday our last day with Karen and Willie we were able to worship with them. Jeb gave his testimony and shared how he was blessed to be able to serve the Lord along side other fellow Christians. Karen lead in music. The team sang four hymns on the road trip to the church as well as in the church that morning. It was such a joy to hear Christian hymns as we traveled to church that day. Thank you Whitney for the gift of the flute. Pastor Carl shared from God's word about Zacchaeus who was a tax collector with lots of money but did not have Jesus. We can have so much stuff but still have emptiness in our lives. If you do not know Jesus Christ today as your personal Lord and Savior please find someone and meet this amazing Jesus who can set you free and give you eternal life.

Luke 19:1-10

Be like Zacchaeus and look for Jesus and invite him into your life today.

Welcome Summit College Group Evangilism Team

Once again Summit College group chose to spend their spring break sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of Choluteca, Honduras. They had one special guest again this year, our dear friend, Marty Carty. It is amazing how God puts teams together and how HE allows them to work no matter what the age difference. God is an amazing God. They came in pumped and ready to go and share the gospel. Not once during the week did these young people get on the internet to check emails or facebook. They were totally in Honduras. This was during the ACC tournament and they never once discussed it during their time in Honduras. As you can see in the pictures of above they were continuously in God's Word preparing their hearts and minds for how God was to use each of them this week. They were truly focused on what God had them here to do share the gospel. The first day they went out some came back to the mission house searching in God's Word for more information to help them clearly proclaim the gospel. They were sincere in making sure each individual heard the gospel clearly and for them to understand this was either life or death. Without Christ there will be eternal death.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5

Many ways to prepare and go evangilising

As we arrived in El Tamboro in our air conditioned vehicles the Honduran church members arrived on the back of a dump trunk after an hour drive. These people are planting a church in this area which will be the first Christan church. The church is only a month old. There is not a pastor as of yet but Pastor David got this evangelism team to come and work with his church members to get this church established. Each day the team got up and headed out to El Tamboro to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. They started each day gathering with their groups to have a devotional and prayer before starting their journey. They walked down huge rock and boulder paths sprinkled with cow patties and dodging or I should say getting out of the way of the crossing cattle. They manuvered around many creeks as they went door to door. For some of our young people this was their first experience with leading a lost soul to Jesus Christ. God used each of them in many ways this week. They allowed the Holy Spirit to use them and work through them in many situations this week. This team was building the foundation of the church this week which was not a building but the people. Our bus driver, Jose, shared one night we are planting the seeds and God will send the rain.

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."Romans 5:8