Tom Beam Spends Valentine's Day and our 32nd Wedding Anniversary with us.

 

We were blessed with Tom Beam arriving on February 13 to head down south to assess some projects for Deep Impact this year.  His focus was on checking different villages who were in need of pillas.  He was able to see many different pillas and how they are built.  He enjoyed a time of fellowship with many Hondurans and a parakeet as well.   He was here only a short time but we thoroughly enjoyed his visit.  On the way back to Tegus, our anniversary, we were invited to Brother Jose's home for a Honduran breakfast.  Thank you to Jose and his lovely family for their Honduran hospitality.  What a beautiful way to spend our 32nd wedding anniversary!

First Baptist Church Raleigh Team #2

 

First Baptist Church of Raleigh NC has been bringing two teams to serve in Honduras since 1999.  The second team has always been a team of men.  They come prepared to build homes and relationships each year with the beautiful people of Honduras.  God has truly blessed this team with some hard working men each year.  They come loaded with energy to build an 800 block home with a roof, two doors and two windows.  This year God placed the gentlemen in a quaint little town called Oracuna, Choluteca, Hondruas.  As they made their way each day they were surrounded by the beauty of mountains all around them.  They embraced God's creation each morning as they journeyed up to Oracuna.  As they entered the small town there were trees lining the way with yellow lamp posts along the road.  What an awesome way to start five days of work in the name of Jesus.  The family consisted of Martha and her son, Issac and his wife and baby.  Martha and family had been living with another family for quiet some time.  Thanks to God first and First Baptist Raleigh, Martha now has a place called home where she can lock the door each night and stay safe.  The lock and key plays a big part in the completion of a home.  The home is safe dry haven but the lock and key complete the safety of the home.  It is such a blessing to provide a home somewhere a person can call home and not worry where they may have to go next to live.  God is good all the time.

The team worshiped with Martha and her church family on Sunday.  Rick, a new team member who is bilingual worked diligently all week on his sermon on Sunday so he could do it in Spanish.  Rick did an amazing job sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He shared how the North Americans always come back to the country of Honduras each year because Jesus calls us to do so.  We are all called to be HIS disciples to share the good news through building homes, churches, evangelising and medical teams.  This are tools used to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Most importantly the Honduran people are such a blessing to the North Americans.  Rick shared how they appreciate the kindness and genuine love of Christ the Honduran people show us and their beautiful spirit which radiates from them.  Most importantly we all share the love of Jesus Christ.  Rick shared from God's word in Matthew 28:19,"Therefore go make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."  Rick also shared we can all be missionaries.  We do not have to go to another country to be a missionary.  We can be missionaries in our community.  In Mark 3:35 Jesus says,"Whoever does God's will is my brother, my sister and my mother.  For every soul that is saved, the angels in Heaven sing.  Can you imagine a choir of millions in Heaven when one soul comes to Christ?  God wants us all to be a part of HIS Kingdom.

If you do not know Jesus Christ today and have read Rick's words above, please prayerfully consider where you are going to spend eternity. 

"What eye did not see and ear did not hear

and what no human mind has conceived,

the things God has prepared for those who love him."

I Corinthians 2:9

On the last day the team dedicated Martha's home with a few words from the team, a lock and key for her home and prayer of dedication.  Martha overwhelmed with gratitude and tears shared for quiet some time how God had answered her pray and gave her a place called home.  Tom, one of the teams members shared one evening during God moments how he could not comprehend not having a home and how he was blessed to be able to provide one for Martha.  There are so many beautiful people here in Honduras who call a dumpster their home, a make shift stick house their home, cardboard house a home, or black plastic their home and yet you see the love of Jesus Christ on their beautiful faces.  They live their lives daily out of true faith in Jesus.  I am humbled daily by the way these people live their lives grateful for what they have whether alot or very little.

Coming together to bless the start of a new home

 

First Baptist Church of Raleigh arrived for their 12 year to Honduras.  The team total has been to Honduras 33 times.  How good is our God to provide this group of people numerous opportunities to come and serve HIM and bring hope and security for numerous families.  The family they are working with this week is Berta Canada Rivera and her family.  Their home is located in Las Providencia, Choluteca.  Her son Mario was a huge blessing to the house becoming a home and Berta's brother and a brother in Christ from the church.  Pastor Andres helped as well.  It is  beautiful to see a church family come together to help each other. Pastor G and several of the team members prepared the four cornerstones and others mixed the mescla in preparation of laying the first block. Once the mescla was completed Berta gingerly placed the first block in its proper place as  Kristen, prayed over it with Egla translated for the Hondurans.  The team always started each of their five days in prayer to give all the glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

 

Haven't you read this passage of scripture, " The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, the Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes."

Mark 12:10 

THe Brown Brothers come to Honduras

 

God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  Steve Brown had the privilege to work beside his brother Joel Brown for five years in Honduras.  What a blessing.  But God gave Steve a double blessing this year, his son Phillip came on board and dove in like he had also been coming for the last five years.  God bless each one of these young men this week.  It was a joy to watch them laugh, joke and share the gospel of Jesus Christ through the construction of this home.  Phillip shared during God moments one evening he came with fear of the unknown but God took his fear and allowed Phillip to practice and put his faith to work while serving in Honduras.   How awesome it is to experience God exercising His faith in  a young person's life and for him to acknowledge it. Steve shared one evening he did not know what a disciple was until he came to Honduras. Joel shared one night how every job on a mission trip is important.  We work together as a team to get it done.  In this case he got to work with his brother and his nephew.  These young men will be sharing this week for a long time to come and laugh and cry over the beautiful memories they have developed.

 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to HIS purpose."

Romans 8:28    

The Ellis Family Comes to Honduras to Serve

 

Dennis Ellis and his daughter Kristen has been coming to Honduras I believe for the last seven years together.  But this year they both got a special treat, Kevin, Dennis son and Kristen's brother came on board.  Kevin is a young man with a quiet spirit but the willingness to learn and do the labor he was called here to do.  Dennis would share a responsibility and explain to Kevin how it is done and Kevin went with it and became a team member quickly.  Kristen shared how amazing and beautiful it is to get to work beside her baby brother who is now a young man.   Seven years ago when she started coming down here she never dreamed this day would come where she would be working beside her baby brother.  How beautiful are the hands and feet of God.  God is so good all the time.  Thank you Ellis family for coming together and making memories no one will ever take from you.  This has been a joyful  week watching you together and working for the kingdom of God. 

 

"Now you are the body of Christ, each of you is a part of it." 

I Corinthians 12:27

 

It takes the power of prayer through the Holy Spirit, a team of 7 to 12 people,  the  Honduran family, the Honduras church family, 800 blocks, many piles of mescala, Pastor G, Jose, Orfilio and Egla and five days to build a home in Choluteca, Honduras.  Wow how awesome is our God who can put together this equation and come up with such a lovely home for a precious family.  I stand back each time and watch the many people doing so many different jobs all speaking different languages and some how in God's miraculous way in five extremely heat scorching days this is what appears.  It does not matter your background or your experience God can use you if you are willing to step out in faith, walk away from your comfort zone and give of your time, energy and money.  I hope those of you who are reading this today if you have never been on an international mission trip this will encourage you to reach out and follow where God leads you.  It is an extraordinary journey which no price can be placed on it.  Only you will walk away much closer to your Heavenly Father and your life will never been the same.  Amen and amen!!!

 

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:19-20

It takes a whole village to make a home

 

As the week progressed each person found their place on the job site.  The team worked as a team diligently and earnestly to complete the task they came to do.  They never let any task easy or difficult stop the progression of this home.  It was extremely hot most days with no shade on the foundation of the home.  I am also proud to say we have a new tool we use to smooth out the joints on the home which enables the homes beauty to shine, it is called "Rachel" tool.  Thank you to Rachel and Kristen, oh yes Joel as well, who worked endlessly on every joint on this house.  This team treated their project as if they were building this home for themselves.  They all took such pride in their work.  I appreciate you all so much for making this house a home for Berta, Mario and their family.  You should be so proud of what God allowed each of you to do 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

 

 

What a God filled twenty four hours!!

 

We arrived on the job site to complete the home.  While the construction was taking place, Egla, Rachel and Kristen had the children over on the side of the home having a bible story about Jesus and the children.  At the completion of the home, Steve Brown leads the team in a dedication of washing the family's feet in honor of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Pastor Andres shared later he did not feel worthy enough to have his feet washed.  Are any of us worthy enough?  After the washing of the feet we prayed over the home.  Each team member, family members and friends gathered around the home placing their hands upon the home and Dennis prayed a prayer of dedication.  Dennis then presented Berta with the key to her new home.  Berta and Mario unlocked their new home and as Berta and Mario were entering their home Mario turned around and said thank you in English.  How humbling this moment was for all of us.  This is a fourteen year old who was grateful to finally have a place he could call home.  A home where he can lock the door and be safe, a home where he will never get wet again during the rainy season.  God has answered a five year old prayer for this family.  They have waited five years for this day.   Thank you God for sending these people at this time to build this precious family a home.  To God be the glory.

After this amazing day we head to church in the evening to worship with six other churches.  We were asked if one of our team members would preach this evening.  Steve was willing to share God's word.  What we thought was going to be a small worship service was such an understatement.  We arrived to the church with vehicles lined up and down the road.  There was a huge stage for the band outside on the grounds of the church with over 100 chairs lined up in a row.  We were all taken back.  As we were having a family reunion with three of the churches we were able to meet more brothers and sisters in Christ from the other churches.  We sat under the stars with the most amazing breeze blowing and praised the Lord.  While sitting there several of us experienced a falling star.  One of the Honduran lady's shared how beautiful is God's creation.  This evening was such an example of God's grace and mercy as we all shared in one accord praising the Lord in songs and worship.  What a spirit-filled day we had.  Thank you Lord for allowing us to truly worship you all day long.

We get up on Sunday morning to go worship with Berta and her church family.  Once again the team had a reunion with some old friends from seven years ago.  The team sang a song in espanol while the congregation joined to sing with them.  Egla kept the team up front to introduce the chicken dance to them.  Afterwards the children went to Sunday School while Steve brought a message out of Acts 8.  Thank you God once again for allowing us to praise and worship you in song and dance!!!

What an amazing way to end a special week in Honduras, non-stop worship services.  Thank you Dennis, Kristen, Kevin, Mike, Joel, Steve, Phillip and Rachel for answering the call to come to Honduras and serve the Lord in such an amazing way.

 

"It is written, "Worship the Lord your God and serve HIM only."

Luke 4:8

Feliz Cumpleanos Kristen

 

  Kristen was brought up before the church and sang to by all of us.  The tradition in the Honduran churches for the members to go up and give the birthday girl or boy a big hug.  Each person in the church eagerly went up and Kristen got so many hugs this morning by all who were present.  I am glad Kristen, you were able to celebrate your birthday here in Honduras.  What a precious way to spend your birthday!!!!!  God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

 

"God created my inmost being,

you knit me together 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 depths of the earth.

Your eyes was my unformed body;

all the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be."

Psalm 139:13-16