Honduras Receives Hundreds of Baby Bags

 

 

In October of 2010 we started an additional ministry in Choluteca, Honduras.  We went to the hospital to deliver some medical supplies.  Mike and I had been coming to Honduras for over ten years and had not ever been to the local hospital.  The hospital according to our housekeeper, Rosita, needed items for the newborn babies at Choluteca hospital. 

If a team was coming and asked what we needed I would give them some options.  One was items for the newborns who were born in the hospital.  A lot of these little ones would go home wrapped in newspaper if their families could not afford an onsie or blanket. 

We started up in November and gave the hospital one hundred bags for the babies.  There is over two hundred babies born a month at this particular hospital.  So I committed to one hundred a month and went out on faith God would provide.  It was touch and go the first six months or so.  Now I have so many teams who automatically bring the baby bags each year they come back to serve here in Honduras.

In the picture above are three ladies who took this project on as their own personal mission.  I would like to introduce to you Martha, Theda and Patricia.  Not pictured here but help Patricia a lot are Carole and Ginger, not me, another Ginger.  These ladies go to yard sales, thrift stores, estate sales and any where they think they might find the items that go in the gallon bag.

The items they collect are beanie babies, onsies, blankets, cloth diapers with two pins and a spiritual track in Spanish. 

It has become a part of their weekly activities.  Their week is not complete unless they have found some of these items.  Well their ministry has started growing beyond what I can handle on this end.  They are making hundreds of bags just between them. 

One interesting note here, only one of these ladies has ever been to Honduras.  What an amazing testimony.  Four of these ladies may never seen the hospital their baby bags go to.  But they are not doing it for self gratification but for the glory of the Lord.  God laid on their hearts several years ago the need here in Choluteca, Honduras and they are being obedient to their calling.

Thank you ladies for making this additional ministry flourish and now we are able to deliver sometimes up to two hundred baby bags a month.

 

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

Matthew 19:14

 

"For you created my inmost being,

you knit me in my mother's womb.

I praise you beacause I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place,

where I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw 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

 

 

Baby Bag Party

 

While we were home for Christmas break Martha and Theda had collected enough items for well over two hundred bags.  I asked them to come to my home and we would put them together.  We had so much fun that afternoon in the middle of the living room floor.  There was laughter and there was excitement about how much they had collected.  Theda shared she has become addicted to collecting the items.  Any time she is out and about she will stop to see if a particular thrift store has any of the items needed for the baby bags.  During all the snow North Carolina had allowed Theda to make blankets and diapers while she was snowed in at home.  Martha goes twice a week to one location to check their stock to see if they have any of the items. 

Patricia, Carole and Ginger go to local yard sales and their church family assist them as well. Patricia shared during Christmas with me how she loves to get up on Saturday morning and hit the yard sales to hopefully find the items for the baby bags.  One interesting part to Patricia's story is Carole and Ginger have not ever met.  So you have five ladies serving the same Lord with the same calling to collect baby bags for the local hospital in Choluteca, Honduras. 

Martha was at an estate sell one day looking for beanie babies.  She met a lady who was coming on a mission trip to Choluteca, Honduras the next week.  It is a very small world we live in.  Sometimes when the different places find out where the baby items are going the merchants or yard sales will donate the items.  But a lot of the time the ladies are wheeling and dealing to get their best buy for their monies.  They all spend so much time going and collecting these items each week.  It is humbling for me to know the love which is going into each bag for these babies.  The ladies pray over the baby bags as they put them together.  Praying for the families as well as the newborn who will be receiving these baby bags. 

There is not enough words to say thank you for all you all have done for this additional ministry here in Choluteca, Honduras.  I started out with one hundred bags a month and thanks to you ladies I can sometimes take up to two hundred or at least one hundred fifty a month. 

 

The master replied, "Well done good and faithful servant!"

Matthew 25:23

 

 

 

Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine

 

North Carolina Baptist Men would like to introduce to everyone our first medical student team.  Campbell University has begun a medical school on their campus.  This group of young people is their first team to go international.  We were honored and privileged to work beside them for five days.  We did not know what to expect as we all prepared on this side and the NC side to get them ready to come assist in medical care for the people of Honduras and for them to learn how the people are cared for here in Honduras.  I would like to introduce to you, Liza, Dominique, Sara, Victor, Irina, Shaina, Moe, and  Leslie.  They were instructed by Dr. John, Dr. Brian, Dr. Charlotte, Dr. Francine, Dawn, Rebecca and Col. Bill. 

Now let's begin the journey of our first medical "student" team.  A team I must say who was flexible, eager to learn, focused and all were team players.  There was not a task at hand they did not or would not attempt.  They were learning how to take care of physical needs. They grew spiritually this week as well.  These young people took their spring break and served God in mighty ways. 

 

"For I am the Lord your God

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you."

Isaiah 41:13 

Welcome to Colonia Williams

 

Campbell Medical Staff and Students arrived at their first location bright and early on Monday morning to a precious community called Colonia Williams.  Pastor Ramon Vargas greeted us with a huge smile of gratitude for providing his people a medical clinic.  We all gathered inside the church to introduce ourselves and to pray with the community.  God also blessed us this week with five awesome translators, thank you to Maida, Kora, Kelly, Gino and Efraine.  Also God blessed us with our Dr. Brenda who is the Honduran doctor.  This group of people, North Americans and Hondurans had never worked as a team before.  The North Americans knew of each other but did not know each other personally.  I sat back and watched as the morning unfolded into the most amazing medical clinic which only God could have provided.  Each person allowed God to use them in mighty ways even as they were setting up their stations.  They discussed and discussed some more.  They all worked hard as team players to get their first morning up and running.  The Hondurans started arriving and waiting patiently to have a chance to see a doctor.  The community provided tables and chairs which came from their different homes. After an hour of preparation the team was ready to see their very first patient.  God is good all the time.

 

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed."

Proverbs 16:3 

Bill and his pharmacy crew

 

While they were sitting up their different stations everyone pitched in to help Bill set up the pharmacy.  They all worked diligently to make their day of dispersing medicines run smoothly.  Dominique worked the first day with Bill.  Someone shared how Dominique was giving each child a sticker who came through the pharmacy.  At the end of the day when everyone was pushing themselves to get the job done, Dominique was still giving out stickers to each child as if they were the first patient of the day.  Dominique shared how appreciative each patient was of the medical care they received.  The pharmacy filled over 500 prescriptions the first day.  Job well done Dominique and Bill.

 

The Lord replied, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Exodus 33:14

 

 

One last word of encouragement

 

Dr. Brian shared a few words of encouragement and last minute instructions before they all separated to their different stations.  Each student rotated out daily to a different station to get the experience of each doctor and the pharmacy.  This was a week of learning as well as providing health care.  Dr. Brian encouraged each of his students as they were all there learning for the first time together.  This was an amazing week as each day introduced new and exciting learning experiences for all of us.

 

"The Lord is my light and my salvation,

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life,

of whom shall I be afraid."

Psalm 27:1 

Our first patient

 

Our First Patient

 

 

 

As Dawn and Kora check in the first patient the medical team is still sharing last minute thoughts with Dr. Brenda.  They wanted to make sure everything was just right for their patients.  Dr. Charlotte and her translator for the week Gino enjoyed working together getting their work station prepared with the help of Leslie, medical student.  They had lots of fun serving the Lord together.  Gino was such a willing servant, more than a translator.  He was there to do whatever Dr. Charlotte needed.  Dr. John was coaching Shaina on medical techniques before their first patient arrived.  This team took their medical responsibilities to a whole new level of commitment.  They wanted to give the people of Colonia Williams their best.

 

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people."

Ephesians 6:7

 

 

Dr. Charlotte caring for the elderly

 

Rebecca's job was to deliver each patient to the doctors.  Dr. Charlotte's first patient of the day was an elderly lady of 75 years and maybe 50 pounds.  It took Rebecca a while to get her to Dr. Charlotte's location.  She was a frail little lady with a sweet spirit.  As I observed Dr. Charlotte's bed side manner with her tears formed in my eyes.  Dr. Charlotte treated her as is if she was the only patient she had for the day.  She treated her with tender loving care as she touched her frail body.  The 75 year old had good bone structure and some strength in her legs.  Her mobility was fine.  Dr. Charlotte showed this lady Jesus and how she is special in His eyes. What a beautiful act of compassion shown to this little lady. Thank you Dr. Charlotte for showing me Jesus on this bright and beautiful morning in Colonia Williams, Choluteca, Honduras. "

 

"But I will restore you to health

and heal your wounds."

Jeremiah 30:17

Dr. Brian and Dr. John share a room

 

As the morning progressed Rebecca continued bringing patients to each room.  They saw a lot of mal nutrition and body aches and pains.  Dr. Brian was able to take a broken table and lay a lady on it and pop a rib back in place.  On the end of the first day they saw 87 patients and on Wednesday they were able to see 132 patients. Please realize they were having teaching moments as well as seeing the patients.  On the first day they did several complete physicals to give the students some experience in several areas of medicine.  They took the resources before them and provided excellent health care to each and every person who came through the medical clinic. 

Some of the God moments for this community were the women's hands were working hands.

Liza asked one lady what she did for a living and the woman smiled and said, " I cook, clean the house, collect firewood for cooking and whatever else needs to be done for my family."  Liza said she said this with such pride.  Do we take pride in our everyday routine of living?  Do we praise the Lord for the opportunity to cook and clean our homes?  Do  whatever it takes to help our family as needed and do it with such joy?  Sara shared how simple is a joyful way of life.  The children are really children here.  They enjoy playing outside and getting dirty playing soccer.  The children enjoy life to the fullest.  Leslie shared how she enjoyed watching them play together.  One of the students shared how we connected very quickly with the Honduran people.  The Honduran people are full of love for others and put others before themselves.  Our first medical clinic was a huge success and we all walked away with so much more than we went there with.  We were far more blessed than the 219 patients we saw this week. Thank you Campbell Medical School for a job well done.

"Well done good and faithful servant."

Matthew 25:23

Assessing the first clinic

 

The team returns to the mission house to get ready for clinic number two.  They sat around the dining room table discussing the pros and cons of their first experience.  These students were so intense and focused on their task at hand.  Their maturity level was evident in their commitment to the purpose of this mission trip.  This was not a vacation for these folks.  This was not their typical spring break. This was a huge learning experience and they took advantage of every single minute of it.  The entire week was like this.  Even down to making their lunches on a daily basis.  Dr. Francine could not get through with supper and she was ready to get her task done.  Dr. Francine and Dr. Charlotte made over 40 sandwiches every night with a smile on their faces.  Dr. Francine had a very special technique of applying the jelly to the bread.  I always learn something new here in Honduras.  Thank you ladies for providing a nutritious and delicious lunch daily for your team.

 

"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me, even at night my heart instructs me.  I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

Psalm 16:7-8

Campbell Univesity Medical Team Second Location

 

The team arrives after about a forty five minute journey to a quaint little village called Aqua Agna.  It is nestled up above the village, Las Cabasas.  This community has no electricity or running water.  The team used their flexibility skills and trudged along in sitting up their medical clinic.  They discussed what they were blessed with and used it to glorify God.  The translators once again did more than translate.  They helped carry and do whatever was needed to get this clinic up and running.  After about thirty minutes or so they were ready to get blessed once again. Dr. Charlotte shared a devotional out of Isaiah for their hump day earlier that morning.

 

"Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and His understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the week.

Even youth grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles,

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not grow faint."

Isaiah 40:28-31

 

 

Pharmacy at Aqua Agna

 

This set up was entirely different from their first location.  Bill goes to assess the facility for the pharmacy.  It is an adobe building with a window on the front to disperse the medicines.  As they were sitting up the room was rather dark from lack of sunshine.  This area had a lot of trees which provided some shade and a breeze once in a while.  But there was very little light.  So the commissioner of the village, Hector provided a generator which then provided light for the pharmacy.  Hector came up later with a floor fan for the team to use.  This community gave beyond any of our expectations.  There was a shelf laying out against another building.  Bill ask could he use it.  They cleaned it up and brought the shelf to Bill to store his medicines on.  The pharmacy was ready to provide their services. 

 

"Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find. knock and the door will be open to you."

Matthew 7:7 

Patients come a long way on foot

 

The title of this blog is Patients come a long way on foot.  This young man walked a long way with his infected foot.  He is 20 years old and works in the melon fields I believe.  This accident happened a month ago.  He got cut on one of the tractors.  He did not go to the hospital because he could not afford the cost. Dr.  Brian immediately decided to let Dr. Brenda care for this young man.  Dr. Brenda learned he had not had any medical care for his cut.  The foot was swollen and looked infected.  Dr. Brenda graciously cleaned the wound.  She decided there was not a need to stitch it because it was healing from the inside out.  The students came over to observe Dr. Brenda's procedures and to learn how the Hondurans care for their patients.  Dr. Brenda did an outstanding job providing all she could for this young man.  Victor experienced a patient who they seem to think had cancer.  She possibly has had it for many years.  There was very little medical care they could do for this lady.  But Victor asked her could they pray with her.  She was very gracious and said yes.  Sometimes when nothing else works prayer always works.  God is bigger than all the medicines man provides.  The team saw a total of 220 patients the three days they served Aqua Agna.  Three of their patients were house calls.  They learned quiet a bit from each other and the beautiful people of Honduras during their five day visit.   One day on their lunch break Moe, Bill and Irina went on a field trip with one of the men in the community. He took them to his favorite spot, his special spot.  Bill shared how beautiful the country of Honduras was from this location.  How this gentleman took the time to share with them his special place and they were all forever blessed by this experience. 

 

"He brought me out into a spacious place, he rescued me because he delighted in me."

Psalm 18:19 

 

 

 

 

Our Gentle Giant

 

Dr. Brian was every one's God moment on the second day of the clinic.  He and Irina had two children who came in with din gee.  The little girl was much worse than the little boy. They were both siblings.  She was running a high fever and was as limp as a dish rag.  Dr. Brian consulted Dr. Brenda and she said to get her immediately to the hospital.  So Dr. Brian carried this little one to the Kia and placed her in the back sit ever so gently as Jose took her and her family to the local hospital.  Unlike this particular patient Dr. Brian had a dear friend of ours, David, age 4 who was not so gentle.  David obviously has had a bad experience with a doctor sometime in his life.  He kicked and scream the entire time Dr. Brian and Dominique was caring for him.  Dr. Brian jokingly asked Dominique was she still interested in going in to Pediatrics.  She said with a huge smile ,"Of  course." Thank you God for sending this medical team at this time and place to hopefully save this little girl's life.  This family could not afford a bus to get her to the hospital.  This team provided a lot more than health care to these people, They provided them hope.  The team  did not know coming in what or who God would put before them.  But they did know this, they were serving a mighty God who is awesome and bigger than anything imaginable.  Words or pictures cannot describe the week we all just experienced.  Thank you Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine for coming here and entrusting us with your staff and students.  We were truly blessed.

 

"The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

I Peter 3:4b 

Sometimes medicine is not enough

 

Three or four days into their trip some were having bodily functions not functioning.  So Mike and I suggested coconut water.  Little did we know everyone was going to love their coconut water.  They had a coconut water party!!!!!  By the way the next day everyone was feeling much better!!!!  Sometimes good ole home remedies work too!!

 

We love you Campbell University Medical Staff and Students.

 

"We always thank God for all of you, and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Mt Olive Baptist Church Gets Blessed By Tomosa and Family

 

Welcome back Mt Olive Baptist Church.  This is Pastor Randy's fifth time serving beside us and this team's fourth time returning with just as much excitement as they did the first time they came to Honduras.  Pastor Montoya was Tomosa's family pastor.  He shared his gratitude for the North Americans sacrificially giving of their time away from jobs and families to come serve in this community called Santa Luicia.  Quickly the group of eight men learned they would be the ones blessed beyond any pictures or words could describe.  As Pastor Randy introduced his team, Tomosa listened and smiled.  When it became her turn to share, tears starting pouring down her cheeks with humbleness for this day.  She had been praying for many years for this day to come when God would give her a home.  A home where she can lock her door at night and during the rainy season her home will remain dry.  There was not many dry eyes during this time of introductions.  God is good all the time and all the time God is good.  Thank you Mt Olive team for answering God's calling to come and serve HIM in Honduras.

 

"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

 

 

 

 

Laying the Four Cornerstones

 

Each home built starts out with the four cornerstones going in and measured precisely so the home will be constructed to perfection.  Pastor G does this job as a way of setting the tone for the week.  The cornerstone has to be strong and able to hold up the 800 blocks which go all around them. They have to be level as well.  The cornerstone is positively critical for the rest of the foundation to be square and true .  The team worked around the cornerstones to make these 800 blocks into a secure strong home.

Just like the home this team built and how hard they worked on the four cornerstones, Jesus Christ is our foundation, our cornerstone in our Christian life.  Without Jesus Christ as our cornerstone our foundation is not secure and true.  Without Jesus we will crumble and fall.  How firm is your foundation?  Is Jesus Christ at the center of your life?  Is He your square and true cornerstone?  Do you rely on HIM for your daily walk.  Please today build your life around the cornerstone who is Jesus Christ.

 

"For in scripture it says,"

'See, I lay a stone in Zion,

a chosen and precious cornerstone,

and the one who trust in HIM,

will never be put to shame.''

1 Peter 2:6

 

 

 

 

 

Prayers on the first block

 

Team member, Kevin shared in the prayer of the first block.  The family gathered around the block as the team members and others who came to help reached out and connected with the family by touch.  This prayer was profoundly done in sharing how this home will be the home where others will see Jesus as they come and go.  This home will radiate throughout the lost world it sits on as a beacon for Jesus Christ.  Ms. Tomosa's home will let others know there is hope for all who believe.  All God's people said AMEN.

 

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

The Home Got Built

 

Thank you all for coming and putting this home in Tomosa's life.  Thank you Pastor Randy for orchestrating the team.  We want to welcome two new gentlemen to this team, Robert and James, who pitched in and learned all they needed to help complete the project.  Welcome back Kevin, Steven, Bradly, Jeb, and Joel.  These guys worked beside some new friends, Ezekiel and Reuben.  Thank you Orfilio and Jose who always give us their very best.  Pastor Amado found us once again and gave us a day of his labor on his day off of his work.  We see Jesus in all these men as they worked side by side all week on making this house a home.  The family member who was most impressive was 16 year old Jose who Ms. Tomosa took in off the street and his raising him as her own.  His work ethic was amazing as he worked beside the men.  He was proud of his home and it showed throughout the entire week.  Mike shared with Jeb on the night before the last day how this home can look beautiful in its construction but the roof will decide whether she stays dry or not.  Jeb looked at Mike and smiled and said let's do it.  Mike and Jeb worked side by side and gave Ms. Tomosa a roof where now she will never be wet again.  This group gave their all this week physically and spiritually as they shared the gospel of Jesus Christ through actions and words as well.  Ms. Tomosa and Jose are the only ones in this family who are Christians.  So God used the team this week to share the gospel in actions and deeds.  Thank you guys for your perseverance through prayer and sharing the word of God to Ms. Tomosa's family.

 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in HIM will not perish but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

 

 

The lady who gave all she had

 

On the fourth day of construction word had gotten out Ms. Tomosa had killed some of her chickens to make a big pot of chicken soup.  Also during the week I stood back on the first day to watch one of her son-in-laws coming and going on his bike with pieces of tables and many chairs.  Ms. Tomosa from day one had two tables with chairs she had borrowed for the team to enjoy their lunch on daily.  She placed her finest tablecloths upon the tables and washed them down after each person would finish their meals.  But on this day it was not sandwiches for the boys it was chicken soup.  She had taken her own chickens from her yard and prepared a feast for all who were helping build her home.  Ms. Tomosa fed at least 20 plus people on the fourth day.  Jeb shared how she smiled with joy as they sat and ate her soup. 

 

"And he looked and saw the rich putting in the treasury, and He also saw a certain poor widow putting in her two mites.  So he said, "Truly  I say to you this poor widow who put in more than all; for all of these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had."

Luke 21:1-4

A Great Son-in-Law

 

I would like to introduce Wilma.  He is married to Ms. Tomosa's daughter, Glenda.  They have a little girl who they both adore.  Wilma is a very awesome husband and daddy.  He is the one who put the foundation in for Ms. Tomosa.  We went to check on the foundation a couple of weeks before the team arriving and it was a beautiful sight.  It was level and just the right size.  He worked all week on his mother-in-law's home along side the North Americans.  He did all he could daily to help out.  There was not a job to big or to little for Wilma. The children in the neighbor got excited to see him arrive daily to the job site.    I noticed in church on Sunday he was well like by all in the church.  He was walking around greeting all the people in the church. He is liked by all he met. At church on Sunday Pastor Montoya had Wilma and Glenda come down with their little girl to have her dedicated to the church.  This was a beautiful and surprising event.  At the end of the day all this about  Wilma is awesome but there is just one thing missing, Jesus Christ.

 

"But concerning on that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Mark 13:32

 

 

 

 

 

Best Friends for Twenty Years

 

Last year Rosa, our housekeeper and first class cook in the kitchen came to Mike and I to share about a friend who desperately needed a home.  One afternoon we rode with Rosa to her friend's home.  This friend, Ms. Tomosa lives down the street from Rosa.  As we arrived we saw the urgency of this lady having a home.  Rosa assisted us in talking with Ms. Tomosa and looking over your proof of property.  Mike and I left sharing how she needs a home really soon.  Especially before the rainy season comes next year.  We prayed about it and found a group who we through Christ would fit with this family. 

Rosa and Tomosa have been friends for twenty years.  They attend church together and spend a lot of time serving the Lord together.  This was Rosa's first time to a home dedication.  We asked Pastor Randy could Rosa have a part in the home dedication.  Pastor Randy shared most definitely.  Rosa was so honored to be a part of her long time friend's special day.  Thank you Rosa for coming to us and trusting us with this opportunity of providing this special lady with her home. 

 

"A friend loves at all times."

Proverbs 17:17

 

Home dedication

 

Pastor Randy along with translator Meida led a beautiful dedication service.  The dedication came from Deuteronomy 6:4-9. During the dedication Pastor Amado came over to take Glenda's baby so she could enjoy the service.  Pastor Amado is our gentle giant who loves serving his Lord.  After the dedication we placed our hands on the house as Rosa prayed over the finished home.  Joel presented her with the key to her home as she and Jose entered their home with tears of joy. 

 

"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 

 

 

 

Meet Ms. Tomosa, the Tortilla lady

 

For those of you who have been coming for the last three years and on the first night enjoyed the traditional beans, rice, plantains and tortillas well this is the young lady who has been preparing your tortillas.  Rosa can no longer make the tortillas for us due to medical reasons so she asked one day could her friend make them and we can pay her.  The first day of the construction people kept coming and going to Ms. Tomosa's kitchen and leaving with a bag of something.  So Mike wondered over to see what was going on in the kitchen.  For years Ms. Tomosa has been preparing and selling tortillas to the locals in her community and us as well.  We did not know this lady who so desperately needed a home was the same lady who has been making our tortillas for our first meal of the week.  As the week progressed Maida, our translator asked her how many tortillas she makes a day. She shared with a proud smile on her face over 3,000.00. She sells them for L1.00 for three.  You can do the math. She and her daughters work very hard everyday to provide for their family  During the week Bradly observed her feeding the local children tortillas without charging them anything.  Ms. Tomosa is a true servant of God.  She gives out to others beyond what she has.  Thank you Ms. Tomosa for showing us true genuine Christianity this week through your actions and your words.  We are blessed to have gotten to meet and know you this week.

 

Proverbs 31:10-31

Woman of Noble Character is our Ms. Tomosa

Mt Olive had a reunion on the property

 

On Saturday afternoon after the completion of Ms. Tomosa's home the men headed out to visit the property.  They were greeted by our Pastor Carlos who they worked with two years ago on a home in Pastor Carlos' community.  Pastor Carlos remember how when Pastor Randy was here in October Joel was the only one who came and he remembered the rest of them.  Kevin felt humbled on how he remember each of them by name. " Jeb got to meet the electrician and found the only difference in what they each did was their language.  The men climbed to top of one of the rocks on the property and enjoyed the beauty of God's creation.  How Great

 is our God.  How Great is our God.

 

 

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=coPD8amHKO4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worshiping in Santa Luica

 

 

We arrived around 8:45 with a grand greeting from Pastor Montoya.  He has a contagious smile and laughter loved by all.  As people were coming in I was watching for Rosa, Carlos, Philipa and Brenda.  This is also Rosa's family's church home.  It was joy to worship with Rosa and watch her lead the congregation in worship.  It was rather funny, she came up to several of the North American men and said good morning but they did not recognize her without her little do rag on her head.  Rosa sang and lead the music as well.  Then Brenda came to lead some and sing several songs with the congregation.  Carlos, alas Carlito, plays the drums for the church.  Pastor Randy brought the sermon out of Luke 15, sharing about The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and The Lost Son.  He shared the importance we all are to God especially if we are lost.  God wants all of us to come to know him as their Lord and Savior.  Tomorrow may be too late.  We do not need to put off the most important decision of our lives, salvation, eternal life with our Lord and Savior.  He died for each of us and we are like the one sheep.  He wants all of us found.  He wants all people all over the world to know HIM as their Lord and Savior.  Please do not delay or put off today if you are reading this and you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Tomorrow may be too late.  We never know what hour Jesus will return.  Be ready come and be ready for HIS return to take us home.

 

Luke 15

Please read and take heed of God's message for those who are lost.  If you know someone who is lost please share Jesus with them today.  This is the greatest gift you could give them.

Introducing the Blow Hard Band

 

Joel shared a devotional one night about the story of Jonah and the Whale.  He shared how several years ago Pastor Randy had invited him to come to Honduras.  Joel gave Pastor Randy every reason why he couldn't.  He shared how he was running from what God wanted him to truly do go to Honduras.  He was delivering mail at the post office one afternoon and the mail carrier asked Joel would he like an application for a passport.  Joel thought where in the world did this come from.  He had not mentioned to this person about a passport.  Oh yea, Joel thought, God was offering him a chance to go to Honduras for HIM.  Joel took the passport application and filled it out and the rest is history.  By finally being obedient to God's calling Joel has been to Honduras I believe four times.  He has fallen in love with the people but especially the children.  Joel shared in his devotional that night how when you do not follow God's will and be obedient it can affect others as well as yourself.  Others will suffer in us not being obedient just like Jonah's story when he ran from God and ended up in the belly of the whale.

On the fifth day we were all out there trying to get the floor in and the roof up. I looked over at the porch of the popurra to see Joel with Jordan, Christian, Daniel and Samuel  making some instruments out of plastic drink bottles.  Oh it gets better, then the boys started blowing them out in the street.  As this continues Joel takes it one step further by picking up a stick off  the ground and starts directing the band of four boys music.  Laughter filled the job site and all around the neighborhood.  Then Wilma comes down the road in his white truck with the boys on the back playing their instruments Mr. Joel had made them.  They looked like a float in a Christmas parade.  I have not laughed this hard in a very long time.  But if Joel had not been obedient to God several years ago these little boys would have been affected by Joel's disobedience.  Thank you Joel for being obedient to God and sharing Jesus with these four little fellows of Saint Lucia.

 

Please read the book of Jonah and be like our friend Joel who decided not to run but be obedient to the calling of God.