Rachel sends school supplies to Honduras

 

Thank you nine year old Rachel who was led by God to collect school supplies for the children of Honduras.  She has had a heart for Honduras since the first time Gregg, team leader from Floyd's Creek shared his story of Honduras.  We had the privilege to speak at Floyd's Creek in December of 2012.  I did the children's sermon while Mike shared our love for Honduras.  After worship Rachel came through the line to speak to Mike and me.  She asked me what could she do for the children of Honduras.  I remember speaking with her so well as if it was yesterday.  The excitement and enthusiasm which radiated from this nine year old young lady was contagious.  Her emotions did my heart good and had me missing our friends in Honduras on the front steps of Floyd's Creek that blistery winter morning.  I shared with Rachel how school starts in February and ends in November.  School supplies would be an awesome project for her and give her plenty of time to collect her school supplies before the team came in July.  Rachel went to Pastor Robert and shared with him how she had made a collection container for the school supplies.  Pastor Robert announced in church one Sunday and the collecting began.  Rachel was able to collect and put together 52 school supply bags for the children in Choluteca, Honduras.  One evening she and her friends organized an assembly line and put the supplies into a quart size bag.  The school supplies have been delivered to a nearby community for the children to finish out their school year.  Thank you once again Rachel for your heart for missions and especially for the children of Honduras.  God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

 

Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto me and do not hinder them , for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14



TEAM 118 From Floyd's Creek Returns for their 9th year

 

We want to welcome back our friends from "Small Town Friendly", Forest City NC.  There love for the people and the country of Honduras is extremely contagious.  They all come with exuberance and excitement beyond any imagination.  We thank them for coming this week to build a home for Donato and his lovely and humble wife Nimia Rodriguez.  We had the privilege of meeting Donato last year when we assessed his property along side Pastor David from Monjaras.  Donato was renting an adobe apartment for $15.00 a month and was without work.  Donato was struggling to make ends meet.  Pastor David shared with us he was very dedicated to his family and to his church family as well.  So we prayed just for the right team to build his home.  God led us to Team 118, Floyd' Creek Baptist Church.  What a good match this was.  Since we last saw Donato the husband father of two young men, Osman and Ennor, he was able to get work in a sugar cane factory.  So Osman was there to greet the team on the first day and shared how blessed his father and mother were to get this home and how humbled he felt to be a part of this.  He thanked the team and shared now he would not have to worry about this parents when he and his brother moved on and started their own lives.  Donato has done an awesome job raising his sons.  It was very obvious in how Osman shared from his heart.  The most heart wrenching part was when on site coordinator Mike Greene shared the team will be building them a pilla and bano as well.  Osman facial expression was priceless. This was a little extra and an awesome surprise for the family.  As the morning progressed the team became ready to pray over the first block.  The prayer for a new home soon became a reality.  God is good all the time.  Thank you God for answering this family's prayer by sending Team 118 to Monjaras on this week and at this time.

 

"You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to so that you might go and bear fruit, fruit that will last and so whatever you ask in my Name it will be given to you."

John 15:16

 

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses, in Jerusalem,  and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 1:8

Team Work On Its Way

 

Once the team got the first morning going there was no holding them back.  Pastor Robert spent the entire week mixing his mescla.  He quickly recalled the recipe for making it.  Everyone found their spot and 800 blocks started going up.  There was several new faces this year and we want to welcome Jennifer, Miles, Gina, Jesse, Evan and Cody.  They quickly adjusted to their surroundings and learned how to lay block and mix mescla with Pastor Robert.  There was an assembly line for carrying buckets of mescla to the boards.  I enjoyed sitting back on the first watching the progress of this house mold itself into a lovely home.  This team took extra pride in the seams on the home which gave it an extra touch.  They also took care of each other.  Some of  the men would take the shovel from their Pastor and share it is time for a siesta.  This team is one big family who truly love each other.  They have been coming to Honduras for nine years now and it has been beautiful to see them continue to bring new friends to share in their love for Choluteca, Honduras.  We love you "Small Town Friendly".  Thank you for your commitment to keep coming back and answering God's call to serve Him in this wonderful country called Honduras. 

The team shared one evening what a blessing it was to come back and the people here can call them by name and say to them we pray for you all.  Bubba was not able to come last year and Pastor David called him by name from two years ago.  Pastor David only met him briefly at another job site.  Bubba shared how humbling this was to be cared for this much.  Out on the job site one day while mixing the mescla Pastor Robert with the help of  Egla, one of our translators, was able to tell a bible story from Luke 7 called "Jesus Anointed by the Sinful Woman".  Miles said he was in awe as everyone mixing the mescla stopped to listen to every word Pastor Robert was sharing.  Let's pray a seed was planted this day around the pile of mescla and these young men who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will come to know him and live out their lives for HIM.  This team did more than build a house.  One day they all chimed in and started singing ''Celebrate Jesus, Celebrate" in Espanol.  Cody was amazed how everyone shared in singing and continuing in the building of the home.  They took the time to praise Jesus for their day in song and fellowship.  Evan could speak some Espanol and met a man named Antonio walking down the road.  He stopped at the fence to watch the North Americans and Hondurans busy at work.  Evan asked him later in their conversation did he know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  Antonio was very honest and said no.  This was burden on Evan's heart, one he could not speak the language well enough to share with him and two Egla was busy with VBS.  So we all prayed for Antonio as well and we hope Evan planted a seed and Antonio will remember the North American who tried his best to talk with him about Jesus Christ.  There was a young man named Roger helping mix the mescla who needs to know this awesome Lord and Savior Jesus.  As you read this please add this young men to your prayer list and pray they too will come to know Jesus Christ and His wonderful "free" gift of eternal life.  Construction teams come to build homes but they also come to share the gospel of Jesus Christ whether through a bible story or singing a hymn.  Thank you God for the willingness of each one of these people to get out there and share the greatest gift of all:  YOUR SON.

 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish but have every lasting life."

John 3:16

 

Then he said to them, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."

Luke 9:23

Nimia's Pilla

 

The surprise of the pilla and bano was like Christmas time for the family.  Last year we visited this empty lot with grass knee deep and branches scattered everywhere I could only imagine what the property was going to look like on the first day.  Six months ago there was nothing on the property but the debris.  The family built  a latrine at the back so the team could go to the bathroom and a hut shelter with shade for them to retreat to for their siesta time.  The family was pleasantly surprised to find out the team was going to place a pilla right next to the hut shelter.  This process took Bubba, Gregg, Michael, Anna, Boyce, Pastor David, Cody and Orfilio and I am sure others to produce the look of gratitude on Nimina's face.  This picture I captured of her looking inside of the pilla was not the first time she walked over to look at her pilla.  I imagine she was envisioning how she will be able to wash her family's clothes and dishes.  She will now have a place to bathe each day.  All the things of everyday life we take for granted.  God has blessed her with more than she had prayed for.  This is how awesome our God is if we only trust and have the faith in His mighty power.

 

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."

Ephesians 3:20

Three different families who came to serve

 

Paw Paw has been coming for many years to Honduras.  Last year he shared with me how he hoped he could bring his grandson, Cody.  Cody finally turned 16 and was able to come.  These two young men have a very speical relationship together.  They both took care of each other.  We are grateful Paw Paw's dream finally became a reality.  Bubba was blessed this year to bring his lovely bride, Jennifer.  Jennifer and Bubba left home three little ones with Grandpa and Grandma to experience what God had for each of them.  It was precious to see these two work hand in hand doing God's work.  This threesome has been coming 6 years together.  Team leader, Gregg Burgess has been blessed to bring Anna and Patti for the last four years together.  Taylor Burgess we missed you this year and look forward to seeing you back here next year.  What a blessing it is when we contiously have families come here to serve the Lord together.  Thank you all for coming and giving back what God has so graciously given you.

"For me and my house we will serve the Lord."

Joshua 2

More than building a house

 

During the day of a construction team yes the house is going up as well as relationships developing.  The ladies on the team enjoyed a five year old, Energia, who could speak a little English.  She was able to sing Jesus Loves Me in English, Espanol and sign as well.  Boyce enjoys telling jokes with the team.  He wanted to share one of his jokes with Energia.  After Boyce was finished Energia said "Thank you, Boyce"  in English.  The girls enjoyed the hut shelter as a place of community with the Hondurans.  The team put together one evening over 100 bags of hygiene kits.  These hygiene kits are a good witnessing tool to be able to share about physical cleansing and there is a spiritual track to share how you can have a spiritual cleansing as well.   Jessie was taught by Egla how to do her laundry on the pilla.  This group enjoyed the cultural experiences of Honduras. 

The girls came prepared to do VBS with about a 100 children.  God had different plans for them.  There group of children got up to 20 one day.  Ashely shared one evening even though the numbers were down she enjoyed the one on one with the children.  When there is more sometimes it is hard to communicate and get to know the children.  Ashely was grateful for her small group for VBS.  Patti shared as well how God showed her it is not the numbers that matter but the quality of time you can spend with the children.  They shared a bible story daily along with music and a craft across the street from the job site in some one's home.  They were grateful for this person giving up their home for three days for VBS.  Each day a church member named Jose brought the children to VBS on his taxi.  One day he arrived with 12 children.  The rest came from the neighborhood.  Thank you God for teaching us it is not about the numbers but about your love and who you our way to share your story. Also a big thank you to Catherine, Patti, Anna, Ashely, Jennifer, Gina and Jessie who provided these little darlings with a special three days of bible stories, songs and crafts.  What a blessing you were to the children.

On Sunday they did have about 75 children for SS.  While they were having SS, Pastor Robert elaborated on the bible story at the job site, Luke 7:36, "Jesus Anointed by the Sinful Woman".

Question for you, "How do we look at others who may live a life not pleasing in our society's view of living?"  "How would Jesus see them through HIS eyes?"  I am grateful for Jesus who came to this earth to save a wretched sinner like me.  Before I came to know Christ I was lost in a world of sinful ways.  Someone came along and saw this mess I allowed my life to become and shared Jesus Christ with me.  I am grateful for this person who did not judge my lifestyle but showed me a new life and a new beginning which I could only receive from accepting Jesus Christ.  Thank you Pastor Robert for sharing the story of the prostitute who find Jesus and got at his feet with her tears and washed his dirty dusty feet and then wiped away her tears with her hair.  At this time she took her perfume and poured it over his feet.  Now the religious men of this time, the Pharisees saw this and said who is this prophet who would allow a sinful woman to enter here and then to wash his feet. 

Then Jesus turned toward the woman and then the Pharisee, Simon,"Do you see this woman? I came into your house.  You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You did not give me a kiss, but this woman , from the time I entered , has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.  Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, as her great love has shown.  But whoever has been forgiven little loves little." Then Jesus said to her,  "Your sins have been forgiven." the other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you, go in peace."

Luke 7:44-50

 

How do we view others?  Do we view others through our  eyes on through the eyes of Jesus? This is good food for thought.  Thank you Pastor Robert for reminding us all we are all sinners saved by grace. 

All good things must come to an end

 

On the last day the man of the house Donito was able to help.   He was blessed with a job in a sugar cane factory as a security guard and was unable to be there all week.  He asked his non-Christian boss if he could have one day off to be at his home for the dedication.  His boss was gracious enough and gave him three days off to get his home set up and ready to move into.  The Word of God was being shared at the sugar cane factory to a boss who does not know the Lord.  A seed was planted this day!!!

The fifth and last day of the construction teams is always such a bitter sweet time.  The roof starts going up and the floor starts going down.  Pastor Robert worked all week on mixing his mescla and he continued to trudge on along for the floor as well.  He shared he was tired but it was a good tired for the Lord first and then for the family.    They gathered around the home for the dedication. Pastor Robert shared two scriptures one out of Psalm 127, "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain."  And the other scripture reference was from Joshua 24:15, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord."Team leader, Gregg asked Bubba and his wife, Jennifer to present the Donito and his wife, Nimia with the bible..  Bubba shared when you received something new you always get a manual of instructions.  Well, what better instructional book than God's Holy Word.  Bubba shared this was very special trip for him this time because he was able to share it with his wife.  Tears flowed as everyone was overwhelmed with gratitude and God's grace this day.  Thank you Bubba and Jennifer for sharing God's word with this beautiful couple.  Michael was asked to give the family the keys to their new home.  Michael shared what a privilege it was to work beside of everyone this week and how this set of keys is here for the future of this home.  "Welcome Home" Rodgriuez family. 

Pastor Robert then ask Orfilio to play from his cell phone a song they had all sang riding out to the job site that morning.  The song was called Ten Thousand Reasons.  The North American team and Orfilio sang it in English to the family.  After the song they laid hands on the home and dedicated the home to the Lord.  We begin the week with a prayer over the first block and we seal the home on the last day with prayer and praise to God.  Thank you Team 118 for coming and being the hands and feet of Jesus.  God is good all the time.  All the time God is good!!!!

 

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor is in vain."

Psalm 127

 

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

Joshua 24:15

Salemburg Baptist Church serves in San Pedro Su, Choluteca

 

 

God blessed us once again as Carol Adams shared with a perfect fit.  Salemburg Baptist Church team and Ms. Berta, her son Orlin, daughter Carol and younger son, Daniel.  The chemistry was of the Hondurans and North Americans was priceless.  The team arrived promptly at 7:45 with the smiles of Berta and family eagerly awaiting these strangers but soon to be new found friends.  God blessed us that morning first hand with a devotional shared by one the team's younger members, 19 year old Harrison.  After the devotional we prayed and worked towards placing the corner posts.  Once the four corner posts were in place and the first batch of mescla which was mixed by Orlin, Ken, Ray, Jose, Billy, Douglas, Harrison and Jim the prayer over the first block was shared by Pastor John.  This was a very emotional time for all involved.  Ms. Berta is a widow of four years.  She lost her husband due to a work related accident.  God truly blessed Ms. Berta on July 2 when Salemburg Baptist committed to God to serve through NCBM in San Pedro Su,Choluteca, Honduras.  Berta shared she had prayed for four years for God to give her a more secure home in which to raise her three children.  God answered her prayer this week. 

 

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?'

And I said, 'Here am I, send me!'"

Isaiah 6:8

God's provision during the construction

 

During the beginning of the first morning the team had very few Hondurans there to assist.  As the morning progressed the team and I am safe in saying the entire to at some point and time was mixing mescla for the laying of the blocks.  Mike and I finally said we need to get some more help.  So we called another church pastor and ask could he send someone to help with mixing mescla.  Thank you my God for Reubun and Ezekial who gave of their time to help other brothers and sisters in Christ.  This was just one of the provisions.  The first couple of days God provided an overcast sky with a breeze blowing.  Yes,  the team was truly blessed with a cool breeze in July in Choluteca, Honduras.  Actually one day I was at the mission house working and a severe thunderstorm sat down on the mission house for well over an hour.  I prayed to God the team was safe and not getting soaked.  This was the first day of the construction.  They loaded up the tools and team members and headed out of San Pedro Su when the bottom fell out.  Team leader, John Adams shared how the dark clouds were all around the job site but never once came over them.  This is God's provision once again.  It was a beautiful sight watching the entire family, Berta and children working diligently on their new home.  Seven year old Daniel was busy helping whoever he could, laying blocks and filling in the joints.  Orlin was busy helping keep the mescla going and laying blocks as well.  Berta was working wherever she could as well as cooking the Honduran workers their lunch.  She came out each day providing coffee for the workers with a huge smile of gratitude on her face.  We are currently in the rainy season and up until this week Berta and her family have been getting wet in their former home.  As of this week they have a safe and dry place to call home.  The second day God spared the team once again from the rain.  But God decided on the third day they needed a little cooling off.  The team receive a much needed but early bath.  Berta's sister was gracious and allowed them to come inside her home until they could leave. On the fourth day Pastor G noticed there was a problem with their shower and the plumbing.  So while the team was putting the roof on and the floor in Pastor G and Orlin repaired the shower plumbing.  Also Daniel saw Mike cleaning off the front door of his new home.  He joined Mike with a sponge and water and wiped the mescla off of the door.  Pastor G finished the shower and started a walkway from the back door to the shower and put a front step up as well.  Pastor John worked diligently on smoothing out the mescla on the front step.  He worked several minutes on getting it just right.  God bless Pastor G he came up with some scraps which had been swept from the floor and poured it on top of Pastor John's masterpiece.  Pastor G shared in his broken English, "I am sorry, John."  God is good all the time even in a front step.  All we could do was smile and thank John for his Christ-like attitude.  Pastor John gave him a big smile.  The home was finished in most of our eyes, but Pastor G was finalizing everything so it would be just right for our friend, Berta.  He wanted her to have a walk way to her bathroom and a front door step to her home.  With the help of the team members these final touches were completed.  Thank you all for going the extra mile in making this house a home.

 

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours."

Mark 11:24

 

"Sing To God, sing in praise of his name,

extol him who rides on the clouds

rejoice before him - his name is the LORD.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of the widows,

is God in his holy dwelling.

Psalm 68:4-5

Preparation, planning, participating and playing for the children

 

 

The team came down well prepared for the children and the number they anticipated arriving for VBS.   Each evening the entire team worked hard at the dining room table to get prepared for their day of VBS.  There was three story titles this week.  The first one was "God makes everything".  They each got to make a flower.  While this was going on they had some children outside doing the Hokie Pokie and Duck Duck Goose Goose and then another group was coloring a picture related to their bible story.  The second day was entitled "Accept and Believe".  They all got to make a necklace on Accepting and Believing in Christ. On the last day they shared the story of "The Good Samaritan".The most amazing time was at the job site on the last day.  Some of the ladies were not helping with the roof and the floor but were doing a job just as important, playing with the children.  They pulled out bubbles and jump ropes and Daniel pulled out his marbles.  Throughout the whole week the team members played marbles with Daniel, Harold, Jefferson and many more.  They actually got out their CD player  and played music while doing the limbo, of course the Chicken Dance and the Hokie Pokie.  Enjoying from afar the completion of the home and on the side lines the ladies making precious memories with the children from the neighborhood was a huge God moment on this day.  At one point Ms. Berta stopped long enough to blow bubbles and do the Hokie Pokie.  Oh wow, she got to have fun and laugh with the ladies of the team and the children of her neighborhood.  Ms. Berta was an amazing mother to her children in how she was raising them.  They all three were a blessing to be with and to work beside. 

 

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Ephesians 2:10

Dedication and worship service

 

All good times must come to an end.  As Pastor G finalized all the small details the team and family gathered around the home Berta had prayed for.  Lynda shared how before coming here and the first night sitting around thinking about what building this home would be like.  Her thought was reflected to Ms. Berta and her anticipation and anxiousness of God answering her prayer.  Lynda reflected how awesome it must be to know in five days you will have a place you can call home.  A place where you can raise your children safely with a lock and key.  So this day finally arrived and it was an extremely emotional time for all involved.  God truly blessed this corner of the world these last five days with hard work and a huge sense of community.  Pastor John spoke from the book of Psalms  127 referring to how a house is built.  Unless the Lord builds the home the builders labor is in vain.  We laid hands on the home and prayed for this home to be an example of Jesus Christ and lead others to HIM.

On Sunday we worshipped with Berta's church family.  Lynda and Ken shared their testimonies.  Pastor John shared out Jeremiah 1:5-10 and Jeremiah 18:1-6.  His sermon topic was how important we are to God, yet we are sinners saved only by grace.  Why does God not throw us away?  Why does he care and love for someone who is nothing but filthy rags?  Because HE loves us no matter how dirty or sinful we are.  What reassure to know no matter how bad we are we are forgiven and loved by a mighty God.  There were several people who rededicated their lives that day some accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. 

 

"Unless the Lord builds the house,

the builders lavor in vain."

Psalm 127:1 

Welcome to Honduras the Adams family and the Sessoms family

 

God blessed us with two very special families this week.  Welcome John, Carol and Katy Adams who returned for their second trip.  They brought some friends, Lynda and Sarah Sessoms.  God blessed each family this week as the worked side by side serving the Lord.  It does my heart good to see families come and not just come but working together as a family serving the Lord.  As you can tell by the pictures above it was not hard to get pictures of the two families working side by side.  Thank you God once again for sending families here to make life long memories.  I encourage anyone reading this today if you are considering doing a family mission trip it will be time well invested in God's kingdom work.

 

"Children are a heritage from the Lord,

offspring a reward from HIM."

Psalm 127:3

 

"Start a child off in the way they should go,

and even when they are old they will not turn from it."

Proverbs 22:6

Let the little children come unto me

 

As always God blessed Salemburg with some real cuties.  Thank you Salemburg for loving these babies and sharing Jesus Christ with them.

 

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14

Penelope Baptist Church of Hickory Serves in Las Cabasas, Choluteca, Honduras

 

On June 12 the Lord lead Pastor Nicholas Wilson and his flock from Penelope Baptist Church on a mission trip to Honduras.  How blessed we were to have such a willing and caring group of folks come through God's ministry North Carolina Baptist Men and Women.  Their journey began as they traveled down a long dirt road surrounded by rolling mountain sides.  Once they arrived they walked a distance to get to their construction site, Denis and Rita's home.  The Hondurans was anxiously awaiting for their North American brothers and sister arrival.  This community is surrounded by numerous trees where the team found rest and shade on a daily basis.  The home takes five days to build with 800 blocks surrounding the four walls.  The team came in with anxious thoughts of how we are going to get this job done.  They shared how it could be overwhelming but how God gives us the strength, courage and direction to get HIS work done.  When we come in the name of Jesus the Holy Spirit can perform whatever God wants out of us.  They not only built a home in five days but built relationships and memories which will last a life time.  They were willing to get out of their comfort zone and adventure out to a new place which became home for Penelope Baptist for 8 days because they were willing to accept the calling which Christ called them to do.  God calls us all to do HIS will.  I pray we all are listening to what God has called each of us to do in our lives and we are listening and doing HIS WILL.  The team left behind their families, friends and loved ones for 8 days to serve Christ but count it all JOY for all God showed them through their Honduran brothers and sisters.. 

 

"And now, my brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.  Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able and even beyond their ability.  Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service  to the saints.  And they did not do as we expected, but have themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love to us see that you also excel in this grace of giving." 

 

2 Corinthians 8:1-8

Sharing God's Love

 

There may be two languages but we are one body in Christ.  Penelope was blessed to have Mark Abernathy from North Carolina Baptist Men and Women down to work beside them for a few days.  Mark worked along side long time friend Orfilio.  Orfilio has been with North Carolina Baptist Men for more than 15 years.  We are also blessed to have Pastor G and Pastor Carlos working along side the team as they formed up the structure of the home.  Before laying the first block we pray by the family placing their hands on the first block and everyone joins by touching someone around them so we are all unified in prayer to our Heavenly Father.  After work the team would take the time to walk around the community with the children.  They were able to see where some of the children lived and they got to see their favorite swimming hole.  It has been years since I have heard the term "our favorite swimming hole".  The children of Honduras truly enjoy being outside and being children when they can.  They saw a father and son who had recently returned from hunting food for their meals.  The father and son had killed an armadillo and 2 iguanas.  The father and son had killed them with a very strong sling shot.  God blessed the team this day when they walk away from the construction site to show their love for the children and to see how they live on a daily basis.   In this particular villages the homes are not side by side.  The team walked quiet a ways to see where they lived and the river they swim or bath in daily.  Thank you Penelope for taking this time to show God's love through a simple walk through the community.  How good is our God even during an afternoon stroll.

 

"A new command I give to you, Love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another."

John 13:34

Mark brings his daughter, Ashley to Honduras

Earlier in the blog I shared how the team was blessed with our boss and friend, Mark Abernathy helping this week.  We were also blessed with Mark's lovely and giving daughter, Ashley.  They were able to work side by side on helping with the completion of Denis and Rita's home.  Thank you Abernathy family for coming and sharing in the blessings the Hondurans provide for us on a daily basis.  God bless you both!!!

 

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

Joshua 24:15



Worship and VBS under the Mango Trees

 

 

The team was amazingly blessed to worship under those gorgeous mango trees.  The people came down different paths from all over Las Cabasas to arrive for worship and VBS.  They walked miles to come and worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Pastor Nicholas, Mark, Denis, Ms. Alyda and Pam shared their testimony and God's word.  This group was worshiping the same God we were worshiping in North Carolina and at the same time.  God can take any place at anytime to share HIS Good News.  We do not have to have pews, hymn books with a church choir and stain glass windows to serve God.  God will take us just as we are and use us to glorify HIS NAME.

The children were able to enjoy crafts and songs during VBS.  They sat on the ground to do their activities the team provided for them each day.  Pastor Nicholas and team learned how to do the "Chicken Dance".  It is always beautiful to see and hear the children sign and sing "Jesus Loves Me".  You would not know these children were not North American children singing. They sang it so beautifully in English as well Spanish.  First they sang in Spanish, English and then they signed it.  God is present in the voice of these children and all children.  Their sweet angelical voices can display a calmness only God provides.  Thank you God for the provision of church under the mango trees.  A beautiful place of worship.

 

"But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling.  To that place you must go there bring your tithes and special gifts what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. There in the presence of the Lord your God you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to because the Lord God has blessed you."

Deuteronomy 12: 5-7

The Grande Finale

 

As the team arrived on the last day, the Honduran ladies of Las Cabasas were killing about three large chickens.  The team slowly came to the reality these beautiful examples of Jesus Christ were killing all they had to fix a pot of chicken soup for the team on their last day.  The team came and gave of their time and monies to build this home.  The Hondurans gave all they had to say thank you to the North Americans.  Who gave the most here?

During the home dedication Pastor Nicholas gave the family a bible and a key to their new home.  God blessed the first block and we prayed and blessed the other 799 blocks on the last day.  The North Americans and Hondurans laid their hand on the home as they gave the Lord all glory for the completion of Denis and Rita's home.  We are so blessed to served such a mighty God. 

After the home dedication there was a huge play off of futbol, Hondurans vs North Americans.  Guess who won.  You got it the Hondurans.  1-0.  But the same day of this huge futbol game there was another game being played in the USA.  Hondurans vs USA.  Sorry Honduras the North Americans beat you that time and once again the score was 1-0.  So I suppose on this day both teams won one game each.  How awesome is our God even in a futbol score.  Thank you God for sending Penelope Baptist Church to Honduras at this time and this place.  To you be the praise honor and glory.  All God's people said AMEN!!!!

 

"As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.  He also saw a poor widow put in two very small coins. "Truly I tell you", he said, this poor widow  has put in more than all the others. All these people gave  their  gifts our of their wealth but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

Luke 21:1-4