Coats Baptist Church Construction/Evangelism Team

 

Coats Baptist Church drove about fifteen minutes through town to come upon one of the sweetest families you could ever meet.  They worked in Choluteca, Choluteca, Honduras.  Due to complications with papers for property this family has waited four years for this home.  Enma, her three children Elsy, 18 years old, Dany, 15 years old and Elmer 10 years old finally got their prayers answered.  The team arrived to a very tight fit location.  This team was flexible from the beginning to the end.  We arrived to be greeted by two large mountains of sand.  We walked over the top of the mountains of sand to get to Enma and children.  After passing over the top of the sand their stood Enma and Elsy with huge smiles on their faces and Elsy was prepared with a great big hug of gratitude.  The whole week was similar to this first greeting.  This family showed such love and compassion for others.  It was very contagious.  After the formalities of greeting each other, introducing each other and praying for the day ahead, the team and other Honduran helpers started unloading the Kia and carrying everything in over the mountains of sand.  Elmer grabbed the tool box and off he went helping unload the kia.  These children were so excited to be getting a new home where they are safe at night and dry during the rainy season.  I caught a glimpse of Elmer on top of the 600 plus blocks looking over all the different activities going on his property.  I imagine he was envisioning how his new home would look in five days.  What a heart warming moment this was as he stood back and took it all in.  The four cornerstones were going in and the sand was being sifted by several team members.  Jimmy, Laura,  and Katie helped Jose get the sand sifted for the mixing of the mescla.  Jimmy G. and his wife, Anita got busy cutting the 60 blocks for the day ahead and some for the next day.  Chris and Elmer helped carry the blocks to their location as team leader Mark, Mike and Jay helped Pastor G and Orfilio with the cornerstones.  This team became united very quickly and got this home up and going.  Their was two different church families coming together here.  There was only three folks who had been to Honduras in the last three years.  So this team came together new and about an hour into the project was one big happy hard working family.  Thank you Coats Baptist and Rawls Baptist for coming together as one in Christ to serve our Lord and Savior.

 

"And over all of these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Colossians 3:14

Praying over the first block

 

Our brother Jimmy Newkirk prayed over their first block as our translator Meida shared in English.  Elmer stood there as the first block was going over the rebar with a huge smile wrapping around his handsome young face.  Enma, Elsy and Elmer placed their hands on the block as all around touched them and each other so we could all become one in God's family.  Thank you our God for providing this Honduran family and the North American team on this day at this time in your plans here on earth.  You God are awesome, mighty and powerful in all YOU do for us.  Thank you for the provisions you provided through the prayers on this block.  The symbol is one we use each and every time we build a home.  Lord this is your home first and we want to recognize that when we give the first block back to you.  We are so blessed to be called children of God.  And all God's people said AMEN!!!!!!

 

"Come see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind."

Psalm 68:5

 

"For the LORD is the great GOD, the great King above all gods."

Psalm 95:3

 

"Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain."

Psalm 48:1

Got Milk?

 

Mike and I was coming down the rocky dirt road to Enma's house one day and ahead I saw a crowd of women.  I shared with Mike I wonder what this is all about.  As we got closer to the crowd there was a North American standing there with his bible in hand and all I could do was smile.  It was our very own Jimmy Newkirk and his side kick Meidi our translator.  There is a little more to this story than just this day.  The day before Jimmy and Meida headed down to this same location to share the gospel with these ladies who were eagerly awaiting for their 8 oz bag of milk.  Several times a week the milk truck makes a run through the community and the ladies hang out chatting while waiting for the milk truck arrival.  First visit Jimmy made he got no response.  He asked if he could share first of all and they said yes.  But no one was listening to Jimmy and Meidi as they shared the gospel.  Jimmy was sadden by the response not for himself so much as for their non complacent attitude toward Christ.  These ladies were more concern about receiving their milk than listening to the most important message of their lives. Jimmy came back to the mission house that evening sharing this story. 

So when Mike and I arrived the next day and saw Jimmy and Meidi on the street corner sharing the gospel and had a captive audience all we could do was smile and give God all the praise and honor.  One of the ladies did apologize for how rude they were the day before, but said all we wanted was our milk sir and go home.  But this time God's message was well received.   How impressive Jimmy was not knocked down by the first visit of denial.  He persevered and tried again the next day.  How persistent are we at sharing the gospel with others?  This is the most important story we can give others who are going to spend eternity in Hell if they do not receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Who around you today does not know Jesus as their Savior?  I pray we all can be more like Jimmy and bring the lost to Christ.  This week Jimmy was used by God to bring 4 people to Christ and had several re dedications.  To God be the glory. 

 

"Therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you in the churches of God for your perseverances and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions you will endure."

2 Thessalonians 1:4

Worship and share times

 

During the week the team journaled and spent alot of time in the Word.  This week gave the team members a chance to spend more time with the Lord without all the everyday activities back home.  This was a time of renewal and revival for each of them.  Isn't that what mission trips are for?  To bring us closer to our Lord through service and some be still and listen time.  We were blessed Sunday morning by a message from brother Jimmy out of Isaiah 6:1-6.  His message was to the point but so profound.  God is love, just merciful, holy and pure.  We are all but filthy rags and yet God gives us is grace and mercy if only we would receive it.  God chose to purify Isaiah and his uncleanliness with a burning coal by applying it to his lips.  He chose his lips to cleanse so he could use him to serve him.  Just like Isaiah we can be purified to serve God.  Ask God today for forgiveness and how does he want to use you to bring others into the kingdom of God.  We can be God's instruments in our actions.  Just like on the street corner buying milk where can we share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  What is your street corner?  Go and share the good news of Jesus Christ.  He is alive.  Let's act like he is!!!  Tell everyone Jesus is your Lord and Savior.

 

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

Job well done

 

The team pushed very hard to complete the task God sent them to do.  They took great pride in their project and the seams on the house exemplified this.  Each block was laid with tender loving care and as if it was their own home they were building. On day four, the team ran out of water at the end of the day.  They prayed for God to provide their needs for day five. Thank you God for your provisions.  God gives us all we need.  On the last day most of the guys mixed mortar and laid the floor while Jay helped Mike with the roof.  Anita, Laura and Katie spend many hours scrubbing the doors and windows to get all the grime off.  At the end of day five this team and the help of several Hondruans, Orfilio, Jose, and Pastor G could say well done good and faithful servants. 

"Well done good and faithful servants."

Matthew 25:21

Home Dedication

 

Jimmy lead the family in their home dedication. During the week our dear sweet Enma became sick so Jimmy was very gracious and shared a brief home dedication but left Enma, Elsy, Dany and Elmer with profound thoughts of a Christian home.  Katie gave Enma a plaque for her home quoting 2 Chronicles 6:20 and Anita gave each family member their very own bibles.  Elmer being a new Christian opened up his bible immediately looking through it with amazement of what he will learn by reading this special and the most inspiring book ever written.  We ended the day with Mark giving  the keys and laying of the hands on the home in prayer.  During the first morning we prayed over the first block and on the last day we gave it all back to God again.  Because everything we have is God's to start with.   Thank you Coats Baptist Church and Rawls Baptist Church for coming and blessing this family with their home.  God is so good all the time. 

 

"May your eyes be open both day and night towards this temple, this place where you said you would put your Name there. May you hear the prayers your servants pray toward  this place."

 

2 Chronicles 6:20

 

Honduran Children

 

Brother Jose loves the children and they love him.  During the week the team was able to break off and play soccer with the boys.  The ladies on the team got their grandma fixes for the week.  Jimmy was able to lead 10 year old Elmer to Christ this week.  So Elmer got a new home this week and gets to spend eternity one day in Heaven with Jimmy and the rest of his brothers and sisters in Christ.  The children are our future.  We need to invest in our future.  Cherish and treasure these little ones for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Teams come down to build homes, etc but their most treasured memories are these beautiful children with those deep dark brown eyes which are full of love and compassion.  Thank you God for the gift of children.

 

"Behold, children are a gift from the Lord."

Psalm 127:3 

Two special families

 

Welcome to Honduras four time repeaters Jimmy and his lovely wife Laura.  Laura comes to build a house full force ahead while her gentle spirited husband comes full force to share the gospel of Jesus.  They both share Jesus but use their different gifts God has given them to do so.  They make an amazing team as they come with the love Jesus Christ first and then their strong love of these people of Honduras.  They have generous hearts which radiates wherever they go not materially but through kind words and lots of hugs no matter who or where you come from.  Laura will find a hug for whoever needs it.  Thank you Jimmy and Laura for sharing God's love with everyone you meet. 

 

 

 

Welcome to the Grimes family, first timers to Honduras.  Jimmy and his lovely wife, Anita came down and brought their son,  Jay.  This family got in their and worked hard and did whatever task needed to get done. They worked beautifully as a family as well.  It does our hearts good to see families come and bring the love of Jesus through all they say and do.  They like everyone else fell in love with the Honduran people.  Anita is a grandmother and enjoyed loving on those little girls and boys who came around the job site.  Jimmy and Jay worked hard on whatever needed to get done.  I was impressed with Jimmy and Anita tagged teaming the block saw.  It was all a family effort with these three.  What a godly example of a Christian home by the fruit they beared this week.  Thank you three for sharing of your time and talents with the people of Honduras.

 

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

Joshua 24:15

 

 

Mt Olive Baptist Church preparing for the laying of the first block

 

Mt. Olive Baptist Church from King, North Carolina came down with with seven adults and six teenagers who were anxious to get started on Rosalba, widow with three sons, Brandon, Franklin and Fredickson's new home.  They joined together to meet at that time Rosalba's sister and one of her friends.  Rosalba is blessed to have a job working as a cook at a nearby military base.  She works twenty four hours and is off twenty four hours.  So on the first day of the construction she was not there and the boys were at their grandmother's house.  So the team introduced themselves and our Honduran staff and prayed for the day ahead.  There is one small detail I would like to share with you all reading this today.  Rosalba worked and paid for her own foundation.  We praise God for this because a lot of the homes we build, the families do not have jobs.  So praise God for Rosalba's job and new home.

The first night of devotions Pastor Randy shared Psalm 121 and how we can count on each other for help.  But our true help comes from the Lord.  We need to always put God first in our day.  Thank you God for sending Mt Olive to help out this very special family get a home.

 

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains -

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

 

He will not let your foot slip -

he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

 

The Lord watches over you -

the Lord is your shade at your right hand:

the sun will not harm you by day ,

nor the moon by night.

 

The Lord will keep you from all harm -

he will watch over your life:

the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore."

 

Psalm 121

Franklin and Frederickson show up for the first block

 

As the mortar was being mixed and blocks being cut we were getting closer to laying the first block.  We were going to ask her sister to represent Rosalba's family as we prayed over the first block.  Suddenly two cute little men show up with huge grins on their faces.  Franklin and Frederickson appeared in time to pray over their first block of their home.  Tears formed in all of us as these two little ones took the block and placed in down on the foundation with the help of Pastor G.  The team, Honduran staff, friends and family gathered around the boys as a prayer of dedication was shared over the first block.  Thank you God for your perfect timing in all the details of every day.

 

"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it.  But each one should build with care."

I Corinthians 3:10

Let the construction begin

 

The team started working the 800 blocks designed to build a home.  Pastor Ramon Vargas was there to lend a helping hand.  He spoke English which allowed a couple of the young people, Whitney and Nathaniel who speak some Spanish to practice with Pastor Ramon.  Nathaniel was able to communicate with the ladies of other house, Rosalba's sister and mother.  As the first day progressed Chris, a new comer to Honduras was cutting the block for the team.  He shared how he connected quickly with Pastor G and was able to know what he wanted before he even asked for it.  God is so good all the time.While building the house the team was forming and building multiple relationships with the family and community.  Someone shared one even family is sometimes more than blood.  This community came out to help their friend get a home.  Another new friend to Honduras, Caleb, made a basketball goal out of a tire for Franklin and Frederickson.  Franklin spent more time helping build his home than playing. Franklin is eight years old and is mature beyond his years.  We called him the little man of the house.  Marion shared how back home we get too busy with "stuff" and cannot reach out to those around us.  Our neighbors next door or anyone who needs a helping hand.  Marion observed how the Hondurans look after each other even if they are not blood kin.  They do not have "stuff" to keep them from loving each other and reaching out to help a friend in need. Joel show the joy of Christ in the family each and every day as the walls continue to go up.  Todd did more than build relationships with the people or even building the house.  Todd evangelised with those around him.  Todd was able to reach out to a young lady named Maria, 17 years old with two children.  With the assistance of Meida, who is more than a translator, but a mother with teen-ages of her own, showed compassion with Maria as she translated for Todd.  We prayed all week for Maria to accept Christ as her Lord and Savior.  Everyone pitched in to continue their required task for each day. God blessed them with a little rain as well to keep them cooled down a couple of afternoon.  On the last day Nathanial and Mr. Mike got up on the upper part of the house to place the pieces of roofing.  Underneath them was Matt, Joel and Todd putting down the floor.  Pastor G and one of the helpers, Noa rotated out with them to get the floor finished.  Michelle, wife of Todd, and Marion were busy cleaning the windows and doors for this new home getting all the mortar off.  This team took huge pride in their work.  Michelle, Marion, Dabney, Whitney, Cami and Mya all worked hard on the seams of the house to make it picture perfect.  One interesting insight of this team was team leader, Pastor Randy, wanted his team to try to do every job on the project.  So all the teenagers and adults mixed mortar, laid block, mixed more mortar and continue laying more blocks. They sifted sand and carried the mortar to each station.  They all had an amazing experience in learning how to build this home.  Thank you team for a job well done.  To God be the glory!!!!

 

"On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher", he asked, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"

"What is written in the Law?" Jesus replied. " How do you read it?"

He answered, "Love your Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind. and  'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied.  "Do this and you will live."

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Jesus said, " A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a  Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was: and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine.  Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.  The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, ' and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?"

The expert in the law replied, " The one who had mercy on him."

Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

 

Luke 10:25-37

VBS grew and grew

 

There was three days of VBS.  The first day they had it at the sister's house in the yard.  As the morning progressed with construction the children started gathering for VBS.  During their lunch break there came an afternoon shower. The team was a little concerned about their outside day of VBS.  As the time grew near for VBS the rain subsided and the group's first day of VBS topped out at 99 children.  They asked Pastor Ramon could they move the VBS to the church.  The church was a mile or so down the road from the construction site.  The last two days was at the church.  They enjoyed times of singing, crafts, bible stories, futbol and jump rope.   Thank you so much for giving the children of Colonia Williams some fun in the name of Jesus. 

 

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

Luke 18:16

Home dedication for Rosalba and family

 

Pastor Randy along with translator Meida led a beautiful dedication service.  The dedication came from Deuteronomy 6:4-9.  After the dedication we placed our hands on the house as Pastor G prayed over the finished home.  Pastor Randy presented her with the key to her home as she and the boys entered their home with tears of joy.  Inside the  home the team continued the dedication by sharing a bible with each young man who helped work on the home.  Christian, another young man Nathanial reached out to received his bible and immediately started reading it.  Interesting point here is Christian is not a Christian.  He is a devout Catholic. Please pray as Nathanial by giving him this bible will plant the seed and one day it will produce the fruit of eternal life.  Each team member gave one of the men or boys a bible and Franklin stood next to his mother with tears running down his cheeks.  Rosalba shared the day of the dedication Franklin was telling everyone he saw about his new home.  He was so proud to call these 800 blocks his home.  God is good all the time.  All the time God is good.

 

"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 commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you 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 door frames of your houses and on your gates."

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

 

Deuteronomy 6:4-6

The Command

Home of Happiness

Home of Harmony

Home of Healing

Home of Hope

 

Deuteronomy 6:7-9

The Commission

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."

Joshua 24:15

 

 

Worship on Sunday

 

There was standing room only in the church of Colonia Williams.  Pastor Ramon opened the service welcoming all the people, Hondurans and North Americans.  Joel and Matthew helped by reading passages of scripture before Pastor Todd brought the message  Pastor Todd shared from God's word how we are all called to shared God's love with our communities we live in.  We need to be the light in a dark and dying world.  The group sang several songs but sang, "Open the eyes to my heart, Lord" in Spanish.  One gentleman standing next to me outside asked when are they going to sing in Spanish.  I shared with him to just listen and about that time the team started singing in Spanish and the congregation joined in with them.  After the service Pastor Todd introduced me to our new sister in Christ, Maria.  I shared earlier how we had prayed all week for Maria to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.  Prayers were answered.  Please pray along with us Maria will look to Christ for her future of raising her two children without a father.  God is our strength and stronghold in all situations.  There is nothing to big for our GOD.  Thank you Mt Olive Baptist Church for sharing the love of Christ with this beautiful community of people.

 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

 

Welcome three beautiful families sharing Christ

Our first family is Pastor Todd, lovely wife Michelle, two daughters Cami and Mya.  This is Pastor Todd and Mya's first but not last visit to Honduras.  Pastor Todd shared how he would listen to Michelle about this beautiful place and people called Honduras.  But he honestly shared words cannot describe how amazing this country and people are.  You have to see it for yourself.  Thank you Cecil family for coming and sharing Jesus Christ with our beautiful brothers and sister of Honduras.

 

 

Our next family is an amazing father/son team.  Welcome Chris and his son Caleb.  God truly blessed us this week with our two gentle giants.  They were always willing to help and do whatever it took to get the job done.  They were strong physically but also strong in the Lord.  You gentlemen brought joy and delight to our mission team this week.  See you next time Spainhour family. 

 

 

 

Pastor Randy and Whitney have made several trips to Honduras.  But this year they brought yet another blessing from their family, Dabney.  We want to thank the three of you for bringing joy to the children and for providing strong leadership for your team members.  It was beautiful watching the three of you sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the team as well as with the Hondurans.  We thank the Storz family for coming once again and sharing God's love with others.

 

 

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and
 praise of God." Philippians 1:9-11