Jacksonville Baptist Church Team Two arrives to Amapala

First Baptist Church of Jacksonville Team Two arrived one day after Team One headed home.  There was only one day break between the two projects.  Thank you to our Honduran staff who went back to the island with Team two to continue the construction of the church on Amapala.  Thank you goes to Orfilio, Jose, Pastor G, Pastor Carlos, Egla and Maida.  Orfilio, Pastor G and Pastor Carlos met us at the island with fresh linens and more food for the week along with some more building materials.  The team eagerly assisted  unloading the truck  to place the items on to a boat to head across for the next five days of serving the Lord through the construction of the church.  Thank you all who came to continue God's work on the island of Amapala.  This will be the first Protestant church on the island.

"Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before his presence with singing."

Psalm 100:2

Many tasks to keep the work flowing

Day one of the continuan of the laying of 2000 blocks and many buckets of mortar.  It takes 2000 blocks to build a church, 200 bags of cement, 115 pieces of rebar, 4 trusses, 50 pieces of channel, 38 pieces of roofing materials, 10 loads of sand, multiple tanks of water delivered everyday and 21 willling servants of Christ who came together to make this building become a temple of God. There was alot of blood sweat and tears poured into this week and the former to brings us here today.  I praise my Lord for all the efforts put into this job which is really not a job but an honor to be able to do. With God all things are possible.  Last week the hardware store seemingly tried to keep this project from continuing and they saw the perserverence of the last team and this team.  They realized God was bigger than them.  There is not anything out there which God cannot do and will do for his people.  To God be the glory for all things this week.

"Jesus looked at them and said,'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"

Matthew 19:26

Process of the construction of the church continues

The walls continued rising higher and higher.  Pastor G decided to put up fifteen courses on the church.  Of course everyone wonder why but did not question the master of construction.  We always learn to do as the Hondurans because we are here to assist them in their projects.  They young people who came with the team, Ashley, Sam, Schifra, Jordan and Ryan worked diligently all week laying blocks climbing scaffolding and mixing mortar.  They all worked long days along with Steve, team leader, Randy and Katrina to try to complete the task they came here to accomplish.  But sometimes our way is not always God's way.  They got all the block work completed and columns poured and the floor was leveled out for the completion of the floor at another time.  Pastor G, Pastor Carlos and men from their church will go back out next week and complete the roof of the church.  This is how good our God works providing our Honduran staff with work next week.  God is good all the time. Thank you Jacksonville First Baptist for your commitment to this task.  Job well done good and faithful servants.

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

Matthew 25:23a

Two families serving the Lord

Once again God has blessed Honduras with two more families coming down to serve side by side.  Thank you Katrina and Schifra for coming down to work for the Lord.  This is not these two ladies first trip here together.  They enjoy working together as Mom and daughter.  It was a blessing to see them on the scaffolding together and working as a team.

Randy came back in 2004.  He shared then how he could not wait to bring his sons, Ryan and Jordan to Honduras.  This past week was an answer to Randy's prayers.  They also worked as a team, father and sons.  They dove right in there and did whatever it took to get the job done. 

These two families made memories which they will talk about years to come.  Thank you so much for taking time away from your families back home to come to Honduras to serve our Lord.

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

Woship Dedication and the Washing of the Disciples Feet

The team enjoyed the worship service on Sunday and numerous nights of devotionals.  The last night team leader, Steve had the devotional.  The evening was washing the feet of the workers, Honduran and North Americans feet.  The scripture out of John 13:1-7 was read and then Steve proceeded to wash each team members feet.  This is such a humbling act of service.  Egla one of the team members shared how breathtaking this was to have her feet washed.  The last night of devotional, Randy shared another breathtaking ceremony.  We were all sitting in the living room of our home waiting to have devotional and he asked each of us to come to the kitchen. With puzzled looks we all entered the door of the kitchen to see sitting on the bar a plate of broken bread and a glass of grape juice.  We partake of the Lord's Supper. Katrina read Luke 22: 14-30.  It was special for Mike and I because we had not been able to be with the team this week.  Finally we were apart of the team. Randy shared how we should do this more often with our families in our homes.  This act of worship is cleansing for the spirit and the mind. Jesus gave his life which was broken and He shed HIS blood on the cross for me and for you for all our sins.  If you do not know this Jesus today who died for your sins I pray you will accept HIM as your Lord and Savior.  Without Jesus we are nothing.  He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  In order to partake of the Lord's Supper you have to confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord and Savior and allow HIM into your life.  This is the most important decision you will ever make.  Do not let today go by and not know this Jesus who died for the sins of all who believe.

"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 in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depts of the earth.  your eyes say my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your bookd before one of them came to be."  Psalm 139:13-16

"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."  John 17:3

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."  Romans 3:23

"By  the trespass of the one man, death reigned through the one man."  Romans 5:17

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." 

Romans 6:23

"I am the way the truth and the life. NO one comes to the Father accept through me."  John 14:6

"If you declare with your mouth, 'JESUS IS LORD', and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."  Romans 10:9-10

"Yet to ALL who did receive HIM, to those who believed in HIS NAME, HE gave the right to become children of GOD."  John 1:12

Would you like to accep Jesus as  your Savior TODAY?

Please say this prayer:

Dear God,

I know that my sin has seperated me from you.  Thank you that Jesus Christ died in my place.  I ask Jesus to forgive me my sin and to come into my life. Please begin to direct my life.  Thank you for giving me eternal life.  In Jesus'name, AMEN. 

First Baptist Jacksonville Team #1 Arrives at Amapala

On August 1st First Baptist Jacksonville Team #1 arrived on the gorgeous island of Amapala.  They arrived with four new team members who were eager to do whatever God had in store for them this week.  This team consists of people from three different states, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida.  When they met in the Atlanta airport coming down they did not know each other.  By the end of the week they were a family in Christ Jesus.  They worked very hard to load the boat with all the supplies for the week.  This included their cots, their food and their building materials.  Along with the Hondurans assistance on the dock, our staff and the North Americans everything was loaded and ready to adventure across the bay to one of the most breathtaking creations of our God.  This island is absolutely beautiful with the mountains all around the bay, the inviting beaches all around the island along with the cobblestone streets where you can walk and enjoy the culture of this beautiful country called Honduras.  Let's begin our work for the Lord!!!!

"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For in HIM all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things have been  created through HIM and for HIM." He is before all things and in him all things hold together."

Colossians 1: 15-17

Construction of First Protestant Church on Amapala Island

On day one the team journeyed out towards the job site on foot.  They arrived with a bit of a challenge.  Only some of the materials had been delivered.  By 9 some more materials arrived and the team was ready to get started on a week of hard labor.  They found the afternoons were cooler than their morings.  But this team perservered in the morning and the afternoons.  They worked on laying blocks on the four walls and worked diligently on the floor trying to get it leveled for the concrete floor.  In the center of this structure stood a gorgeous lemon tree which they picked each day for a later treat of lemonade made by Egla and Nick.  The team leader, Ray, worked hard to encourage each one of his team members as they worked at the formation of what would soon be a house of God.  This team was amazing as they were strangers on August 1st and now they have become one in the unity of Christ to accomplish a task of many blocks and much mortar.  Thank you Ray, Joey, Rhonda, Myrah, Bailey, Nick and Duncan for allowing God to form this team at this place and at this time.  God's timing is always perfect when we allow HIM to use us for HIS kingdom.  To God be the glory for all your sweat and hard labor this week.

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of  the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through HIM."

Colossians 3:17

Enjoying The Culture of Honduras

This quaint little island home was their home away from home for six days.  They were so blessed with Maida who cooked all their meals for them except lunch.  Maida got up at four each morning to prepare their hot brew of Honduran coffee.  The aroma soon woke up several of our friends who were sleeping outside the window of the kitchen in their hammocks. They enjoyed delicious cuisine of shrimp and rice one evening, pancakes with honey one morning and several mornings of refried beans, homemade tortillas and eggs for breakfast.  There was two special birthdays during their stay on the island, Ray the team leader and Orfilio one of our staff members.  So they had Smurf  birthday cake and a Honduran tradition of egg and flour on the tops of their heads.  The team came together and handmade both gentlemen a birthday card.  Their was other excitement as well that week, a scorpion shows up for a visit on the job site and the team could not keep Nick out of the coconut trees. 

"That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ."

1 John 1:3  

Church Service, VBS, nightly Devotions and Dedication

This week was a very special time during the devotionals.  Pastor G, Pastor Carlos and  Orfilio were apart of the evening "God moments" and bible reading.  Pastor G was in awe we did this each evening with each and every team.  Some of their God moments this week were small team large tasks,  language barrier did not stop inviting others to church on Sunday afternoon, God allowed some down time during the week when waiting for more materials, allowed the team to refresh from the scourching heat, three states come together as one and enjoying the Honduran culture. 

The Sunday afternoon worship service consists of 20 adults under the trees next to the construction site. Pastor G preached about being one in the Lord and working together as a church family.  Duncan shared his testimony. Egla, Bailey Myrah and Nick had VBS with about thirty children who enjoyed coloring a picture, making a cross necklace, singing "Jesus Loves Me" in English and Spanish and a bible story.

On the last day the team dedicated their portion of the church, which was ten courses , partial floor filled in and several columes put in.  The lemon tree is still waiting to be cut down.  Maybe this will take place on the second team from Jacksonville First Baptist.  Please stay tune for the continuation of the construction of the church.

"For where two or three are gathered in MY name, I am there in the midst of them."

Matthew 18:20

Christian Fellowship

New Hope Baptist Church young adults and adults arrived on Monday, July 23rd.  There was alot of new people on the team this year.  We were so happy to have our church family here serving beside us this week.  They brought another long time friend, Ken, who use to be on Mike's teams when we came down as a team.  It was truly like a family reunion.  The team accepted Ken right away and relationships started building and growing on day one.  They started the evening off with a devotional after a delicious dinner of chicken tacos.  Pastor Brian had each young person prepare a devotional for the week and their testimony.  They did not know if and when they were asked to do their testimony.  They all had an evening to share their devotional.  It is awesome to see young people sharing God's word and having a group discussion.  They also were assigned job duties and some got to work the first evening preparing their sandwiches for the next day.  Thank you Sheri and Rachel for a job well done.  Ron was promoted to making the Gatorade and water coolers with Brennan.  Praise the Lord, Ron's foot problem was gone or almost gone by day two.  God is good all the time. Brian, Scott and Cameron prepared the breakfast each morning.  We had Honduran cuisine several mornings and they through a couple days of cereal.  Thank you to the kitchen crew who cleaned up each day, Mary, Maryste, and Madison.  Brendan and Logan were in charge of loading up the truck with equipment and tools each day.  It is amazing how all the young people pitched in and got their jobs done on a daily basis.  So parents who are reading this be very proud of your young adults.  I thought they all were heading off to college but there was a few still in high school.  Before I go any further we truly missed Barbara and Kaitlyn who do to health problems could not join the team this year.  We love you ladies.

"That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ."

1John 1:3

Day 1 New Hope Baptist, Raleigh, NC

Day one on the job site is always unique and special for each team.  The team prepared each day in prayer before leaving the mission house.  On the first day of each new team, our construction team leader, Pastor G, arrives to pray with the team.  This particular day he rode in and turned around and rode back out right by his home on they way to Cedeno.  This is a dedicated man of God who always puts God first.  Thank you Pastor G for your dedication to North Carolina Baptist Men. 

Upon arriving to the job site the family introduced themselves and each team member introduced themselves with  awkard smiles which only last an hour or so.  First things first, Pastor G said we had to get dirt out of the floor of the house.  The team members and Hondurans grabbed shovels and took turns shoveling out the excess dirt.  Afterwards the block had to be put inside the foundation.  While this was going on Pastor G, Pastor Hector and Pastor Carlos along with a couple of North Americans were putting the four corners in place.  Actually this process went rather quickly.  Quicker than the team realizced.  They diligently worked until Pastor G was satisfied with their accomplishments.  God is good all the time.

"He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases their strength."

Isaiah 40:29

Bloque 101

After the four corners were completed we gathered Mrs. Virgina and her family around the first block while we all connected by touching each other and praying over her home.

With the many new team members this year, we had a lesson in Bloque 101.  Egla, Pastor G, Pastor Carlos and Pastor Hector worked with the young people in training them the Honduran way of laying the block.  By lunch time the fourth course was up all the way around.  These young people worked very hard.  Scott and Ron were in charge of cutting the blocks.  Ron was able to put his Spanish in to practice when Pastor G asked for a particular measurement in Espanol.  Good job Ron.  We are proud of how you have improved with your Espanol.  As the morning progressed the team connected into smaller groups working as a team.  It was interesting to watch how this was carried out for the duration of the week.  They each found their niche in their small group and worked hard to accomplish their task.  Pastor Brian asked if they could go play with the children after the fifth course in the afternoon.  Of course building relationships is more important than building the home.  The home will get built.  If you miss the chance to bond with these beautiful children you may never get the chance again.  Thank you young people and adults for taking time for the little ones. 

"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 

Siesta Time for Some

As the block were getting laid there were some taking time to endulge into the Hondruan culture.  Siesta time came early for a few of our friends.  Mrs. Virginia made a pot of coffee and shared with some of our team members and this continued throughout the rest of the week.  Mrs. Virginia stood with a proud smile on her face as she was able to share with the team from her kitchen.  This was the beginning of some lifetime friendships. We will never forget the love which was shared on this job site this week.  Thankful for the love poured out in so many different ways New Hope Baptist family.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteous, for they shalled by filled."

Matthew 5:6   

Different Activities

As the week progressed there was more than just laying block going on.  All the sand which came out of the house was quickly disappearing into mezcla.  One morning a dump trunk arrived on the job site to dump more sand for mixing the mezcla.  This gave our friend, Jose a chance to take a break and observed the many different activities taking place.  Ken found time to play marbles with a couple of the boys and Scott took a paint brush and discovered a new way to smooth out the seams.  Mrs. Virginia was cleaning off tables for the Hondruan workers.  She served delicious meals to the workers daily while the North Americans enjoyed their delicious pbj's and meat and cheese sandwiches.  Pastor Brian struggled with this on a daily basis.  The first day she served the workers some fried fish and fried bananas.  This was kind of hard to watch but if you will keep reading the blog God provides Pastor Brian with something very special later in the week. God is good all the time.

"If we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance."

Romans 8:25

Rachel learns how to make tortillas

On about the second or third day there was a small break where a few of them did not have anything to do.  Claudia, Virginia's daughter was over in the kitchen making tortillas.  Rachel was sitting with Mike and I talking and Mike suggested for her to go over and watch and learn how to make them. Rachel was determined to get this right.  Claudia,  patiently worked with Rachel to show her exactly how it was done.  Rachel listened intently and followed Claudia's lead and off she went making tortillas for the morning snack for the workers.  There was a couple of friends who came over to observe and did a taste test to make sure Rachel did a good job.  Rachel enjoyed learning and working beside Claudia and the ladies in the kitchen.  Well done good and faithful servant.

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and HE shall give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

Building relationships

Back at the house in the evenings these young people never ran out of energy.  Actually the older folks did not either. This team brought down beanie babies and onsies for the hospital and spent one evening putting the bags together.  Others learned how to wash their clothes on the pila at the mission house.  Way to go Brendan.  It was awesome seeing God's word read in the morning before breakfast and prayer and in the evening independently.  Also they got to experience coconut water fresh off the tree.  The Hondurans are gracious to share what they have with us.  Laughter and tears were shared throughout the week as well.

"For where two or three are gathered together in MY name, I am there in the midst of them."

Matthew 18:20 

Construction continues

As the week progresses the walls progress upwards as well.The floor starts going in and the roof starts going up.  It is all coming to an end soon.  Mrs. Virginia stands on the outside looking in as the floor is being poured.  I always enjoy this picture of the new homeowners anxiously awaiting for this day to come.  While some were finishing up the floor and the roof there were others keeping the many children busy away from the job site.  This area was close and as always there are many children around watching and wanting to help.  Thank you once Pastor G, Pastor Hector and Pastor Carlos for your patience in teaching us how to build this home.

"For with God nothing will be impossible."

Luke 1:37

Pray for our children

God blesses us everywhere with children.  Where there is a breathe there is children.  God blessed us this week with some very dedicated and amazing young people who came to serve God.  They left their comfort zones and engulfed the culture of this beautiful country, Honduras.  They loved the children endlessly.   There has been alot of young folks down here this summer and this prayer goes to all of you who have come this year and are still to come.  We thank you for giving of yourselves and for truly loving the children and the people of Honduras.  We want this legacy to continue for years to come and it will take you continiuing to come to make this a reality.  The children of Honduras love when you come and play with them whether it is futbol or do a VBS with them or sing with them.  Their excitement and enjoyment each and every time is breath-taking.  We all have needs no matter what the country or what the language.  But remember what Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto me for theirs is the Kingdom of God."  Please pray for our young people who go back to school soon and some who are heading off to college to meet new challenges.  And always remember these beautiful children of Honduras.  To God be the glory for all children.

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

Proverbs 22:6

"Now it came to pass in those days that HE went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."

Luke 6:12

Dedication of Home and Servant's Heart

Time has come to dedicate Mrs. Virginia's home.  The team presented her with a bible and a key and pots and pans.  After the dedication each team member placed their hands on the home and Maryste prayed the prayer of dedication in espanol.  Beautiful job Maryste.  Afterwards Claudia, Virgina's daughter thanked the team for all they did this week to provide her mother and brothers a home where they will never be wet again.  They will be able to safely lock their doors at night and feel secure.  As Claudia shared Mrs. Virginia along with many of us shed tears of joy and praise to God for this time and this place. After the service the team received hugs and thank yous from everyone.  But in the back of the house was one of Virginia's sons reading the bible his mother received.  Pastor Hector went over to him and shared the plan of salvation with him.  Please pray, Fernando receives Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior soon.  This is more important than any block which was laid this week. Fernando's salvation.

 A few days before Pastor Carlos asked if the team would like a seafood plate on Saturday after the dedication.  Well there was a quick yes.  Pastor Brian was finally getting some fish and fried bananas.  We took a different twist to this day.  The Honduran ladies and men were busily fixing up the sanctuary with tables and chairs for the North Americans but the North Americans has something else in mind for the Hondurans.  The team served each Honduran their lunch first before serving themselves. This is always a very special time when we can serve our brothers and sisters of Honduras in this fashion.  Once each worker from the job site and the ladies who cooked all week were served the team eagerly sat down on the side lines to a beautiful plate of fried fish and some even had fried shrimp.

"So the people asked him, saying,"What shall we do then?" He answered and said to them, "He who two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise."

Luke 3:10-11

Worship Services

Upon arriving Pastor Brian informed his team to prepared at a moment's notice to share their testimony.  We were blessed to go to worship twice this week.  All of the young people were able to share their testimony with each church family.  One of our team members enjoys playing the drums or whatever instrument he can get his hands on.  Mike and I arrived to worship after the team to find Brendan on the stage playing the drums.  Wow, and beautiful this was.  But what was most impressive was after the worship service he spoke to our brother Saul and humbly asked him how could he improve on the drums.  He told Saul he always likes to know wherever he goes what he can do to improve his skills.  I happen to walk by when hearing the conversation.  Tears came to my eyes as I was humbled as well.  Saul was honored for Brendan to respect his talents and to learn from him.

All the testimonies were well prepared and prayerfully thought through.  Topics from how we should pray to how we should view God for who HE is and not what we do for  HIM.  Challenges  young people face daily and not truly having a personal relationship with Jesus were more topics shared in the testimonies.  Thank you for sharing from your hearts and from God's word. Interestingly Pastor Brian preached on patience and not doing things our way but God's way from Isaiah 40:28-31.

Soar like an eagle with Jesus.  Without God's strength we will grow weary. 

"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

Jump Ropes

During Sunday School the teams were able to provide each child with a jump rope.  As they came running back in the church to recite their bible verses one little boy went running up to his mother with such excitment in his voice and said Mommy look what I got, its a jump rope.  Each child came back into the church with the same excitement as this one little man.  Thank you New Hope Baptist for providing joy for each of the children in Cedeno. 

It was also a joy to hear our young people sing Sancutary for the congregation during the worship.  God is so good all the time.  Dios es bueno todo es tiempo.  Todo es tiempo Dios es bueno.

"Beautiful are the feet who bring the good news."

Romans 10:11-15

Madison's 16th Birthday

As Madison shared her testimony on Sunday morning she shared she was celebrating her 16th birthday in Honduras.  Once she completed her testimony, Pastor Hector asked Madison to stay there with him and the church family sang Happy Birthday and the tradition in Honduran churches on birthdays is to go up and hug the person.  So the congregation slowly starting making their way up to Madison and suddenly she was surrounded by hugs.  After church we headed back to the mission house to continue celebrating with a cake. 

Feliz Cumpleanos Madison.