North Carolina Dental Team

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The eight team dental arrived in Tegus after traveling since 2:00 AM that morning.  But they were anxious to see the progress on the property.  Last year when they arrived the small building with the L-shaped porch was the only structure on the 36 acres we call Mt. Horeb.   Mike took the team on a tour of the multi-purpose building and the North American dorms.  It was a delightful time getting to share what God had done in the NCBM ministry in Honduras for the year 2014.  Welcome to Honduras Dental Team.

The dental team has been coming to Honduras for ten years or more.  We are very blessed to have their gifts and talents here to help the people who are in need of dental care.  Thank you for coming once again to serve beside here in Choluteca, Honduras.

 

encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

I Thessalonians 2:12

Worshiping with the communtiy

 

The team arrived for worship on Sunday morning around 8:45.  They were anxious to get their week in Colonia Williams started.  Upon arrival the congregation was praying for the worship service.  The North Americans stood outside in reverent prayer as the Hondurans prayed for the worship service and the week ahead.  As the other church members arrived the North Americans greeted and found a seat for worship.  Pastor Ramon Vargas welcomed everyone to church and they all sang hymns of praise for the Lord.  There was scripture read out of Psalm by Sister Ginger.  Brother Mike shared a sermon out of Mark 2 about the man who sought to find Jesus.  Thank God for four friends who led him right to the healing power of Jesus Christ.  All God's people said amen.  Pastor Ramon shared a few closing words and ask would someone like to close us in prayer.  Sister Alice, team member, got up and prayed in Spanish and English for the close of the service.

 

Happy Birthday Horace and two amigos

 

During every Honduran worship services the folks are asked who has a birthday today?

Well one of the dentist, Horace, has a birthday on Thursday. As it would have it there were two little fellows with birthdays this week as well.  The congregation sang "Feliz Cumpleamos" to all three gentlemen.  Pastor Ramon asked brother Mike to come and pray for the three gentlemen. Birthdays are huge for the people of Honduras.  Our lives are a gift from God which we never should take for granted and not honor this precious gift of life.

 

14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

15My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place,

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

16Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

17How precious to me are your thoughts,#

:17Or How amazing are your thoughts concerning me

God!

How vast is the sum of them!

18Were I to count them,

they would outnumber the grains of sand—

when I awake, I am still with you.

Psalm 139:14-18

 

Special patient for Horace

 

There was one special patient who hopped in the sit before all the other patients were seen.  He jumped out as quick as he jumped in when he was told he needed a root canal.  Oh well Jefe, you better get it fixed.

 

 

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Isaiah  41:10

Praying before clinic

 

Before the first patient was seen the team gathered in the dental room and Pastor Ramon prayed for the day ahead.  He prayed for the steady hands of the dentists.  For the calming of the patients.  He prayed for those who are lost and need Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Each day the team gathered together to start their day in prayer and the dentist prayed over each patient before repairing their dental needs.

 

pray continually,
I Thessalonians 5:17

History of Pastor Ramon Vargas and church family

 

Pastor Ramon Vargas shared with the congregation their Baptist Church is six years old.  Six years ago Pastor Ramon, the lovely lady of eighty years walking away from church for home and another gentleman started the church.  Like a lot of North American churches the church started in some one's home.  I am assuming the eighty year old lady's home.  From there they agreed to go to the local school and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the children.  Once this started the children started attending the church in the lady's home.  Several other adults started coming as well.  The church started growing and they knew they needed to start praying for some property to build their church on.  As you can see from the picture they have a beautiful church building with more than a beautiful building.  We worshiped with one hundred and twenty plus people and children on Sunday morning.  This church congregation had the most men of any church we have attended in a while.  The church loves their pastor but more importantly the pastor loves his flock.  As we were leaving worship I saw Ramon put his arm around a young man who was not in church with us and I felt like he was encouraging to please come to church.  Pastor Ramon puts a lot of time and energy into his flock.  He is a godly example of Jesus and his flock.  Thank you Pastor Ramon for seeing the need to start this church in Colonia Williams six years ago.  Please note that Pastor Ramon lives no where near this community.  This is a huge sacrifice on his part to be there for these people.  Colonia Williams is very blessed to have Pastor Ramon and his lovely wife, Margareta nourishing them.

 

Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve.

I Peter 5:2

 

Our Three Translators

 

Mrs. Alice has been coming with David and Susan for as long as I can remember.  Each year David ask me can Mrs. Alice do her "Mom's in Prayer" with the ladies.  Of course is always my answer.  Mrs. Alice comes prepared to do lessons from her "Moms in Prayer" materials.  She is a mighty prayer warrior for the dental team.  Mrs. Alice has lead through the power of the Holy Spirit two people to Christ this week. 

Maida is so much more than a translator for NCBM.  The dental team shared how Maida picked right up where she left off last year and remembered all she needed to know to translate and help assisting the dental team.  We are blessed to have her employed with the ministry.

Santos was our angel for the week and my God moments.  We had employed another translator but he was not able to come.  So at the last minute Maida called Santos to see if he could help.  He was at the church ready to go to work within the hour.  God so blesses this ministry each and every day with numerous blessings such as Santos.  Susan shared during God moments one evening how she was observing Santos assisting John and they had a very anxious patient.  Santos took the elderly lady by the hand and encouraged her it would be okay.  He ask her to stay calm and to try to relax.  Santos may be 19 or 20 years old.  He was impressively an encourage at such a young age.  Thank you all three translators for a job well done.

 

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2:4

Perfect place for Dental Clinic

 

After worship the team sit up their dental clinic in the Sunday School classrooms.  It was a perfect set up for the dental clinic.  The team unloaded the kia and began playing out where everything would end up.  They have done this many times so this was not a prolonged process.  They got everything in place and ready for Monday morning.  Pastor Ramon was most helpful in whatever the dental teams needs were.  They needed block Pastor Ramon found them blocks.  They needed tables Pastor Ramon found them tables.  It was truly amazing how all this got put together in less than two hours. Two years ago David decided to have dental chairs made for the dental clinic. As this week was drawing near we realized that Pastor Ramon Vargas was the gentleman who made the dental chairs.  This made Pastor Ramon feel so proud the dental chairs he made two years ago showed up at his church to provide dental needs for his people.  Well done and awesome team work had by all involved.  Well done good and faithful servants.

 

For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building.
I Corinthians 3:9

 

 

Ten Years of Dental Team

 

David and Susan have been a team for ten years.  They have brought teams down to Honduras to provide the top of the line dental care.  They do more than pull teeth.  David brings dentist who are willing to cleaning, root canals and repair where needed.  They come together and work hard beside one another and this time they all were in one room together.   We would like to welcome back John and our new friend Horace who is his first time to Honduras.  Thank you Dawnna who assisted John.  Susan assisted Horace and David.  On the second day, new team members Karen and Joann switched off assisting Horace.  Thank you to our Honduran dentist Issa who did an amazing job working with each dentist. 

Horace saved two different teen age boys front teeth.  He restored them to like new. 

John's light on the first day started to fade and Horace and David came over to help provide light for his patient.  Joann shared during God moments one evening how it touched her heart to hear John praying with a patient as Maida translated.  What a humbling experience. John was struggling with a wisdom tooth not wanting to come out.  He began praying to God to orchestrate his instrument where it needed to be so this wisdom tooth would come out.  To God be the glory when the wisdom tooth came out perfectly without any problems.

David shared how it was a blessing to be here serving once again in this beautiful country. David and Susan had a lady jump in the chair and look at them said, "I first want to hear about Jesus and then get my teeth cleaned."  So David got Ms. Alice to come over and speak to her in Spanish and the lady accepted Christ and then got her teeth cleaned. 

 

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

I Peter 4:10

 

The boys come to get dental care

 

One day we asked David could we bring the employees from the property to get dental care.  He said of course.  Well, Mike told him he was bringing three and there ended up being eight.  The guys piled on back of the truck and off we go to the dental clinic.  David shared you said three and I am counting eight men here.  Mike said yeah the numbers kind of grew a little.  Praise God all were treated as well as the other 50 patients that day.  The dental team treated around 224 patients during their four day visit to Colonia Williams.  They did 86 cleanings, 180 restorations and 199 extractions.  BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT NUMBER OF ALL IS 9 SALVATIONS!!!!! All God's people said AMEN!!!!

 

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

Serving Jesus with Trinty Baptist Church Virgina

 

Our Virginia friends had quiet a challenge once arriving to the job site.  This team came in ready to serve the Lord however HE saw fit.  There was actually nothing that was a challenge to them.  They first of all had to park the bus at the top of the hill in some one's front yard.  They were most gracious in letting us use their yard all week.  The Kia worked its way down the narrow rocky path to a river bed.  We were in rainy season the week before and the water was still flowing steadily through the river bed.  The Kia stopped on this side of the river bed.  They walked through the rive to climb up an embankment to the most beautiful spot this side of heaven.  We welcome our Virginia team to the home of Carmen Martinez.

 

"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
Jeremiah 32:27

 

 

Meet our dear sister Carmen

 

The team arrived at the top of the embankment to find a dear sweet 78 year old Honduran lady named Carmen Maradiaga.  She is a widow with 11 children, 36 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.  I had the privilege of meeting her latest great grand daughter about a month ago, not knowing this little one was Carmen's great granddaughter.  It is a small world after all.  Carmen asked if she would like to say anything before we started introducing the team and Honduras brothers and sisters.  Carmen thanked God first and foremost for much answered prayer.  The existing home is 90 years old and is definitely a home when it rained Carmen got wet.  She thanked God for this blessing from God and the North Americans. She began sharing about how God has blessed her with wonderful children.  She shared how they are all different in many ways but she loved them all equally.  It was very obvious family means so much to our new friend Carmen.  God blessed us with her genuine love for family and friends.  Thank you Carmen to the beginning of a wonderful week serving the Lord by providing you a new house which will quickly become a home.

 

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:2

 

Greeting and meeting

 

After Carmen shared we all introduced ourselves and thanked the Hondurans for welcoming us in a very special way.  We are blessed to be apart of such a warm and receiving community of people.  The team immediately felt the love of Jesus throughout the entire area on top of that mountain cove.  After introductions Pastor Pedro prayed for the week ahead and gave our Lord and Savior total praise and honor for this time and place of events.  Hearing a Honduran pray is a very humbling and spiritual experience.  We always feel like we have entered a revival service.  Thank you God for allowing us to serve you here in Honduras.

 

 

May He give you the desires of your heart

and all your plans succeed.

Psalm 20:4

 

Preparing and planning for the first block

 

The team was greatly blessed with a numerous amount of Hondurans of all ages to get the job done.  First they headed back to the Kia to unload the supplies.  Each person did their part to get everything needed for the construction up the hill.  After getting the materials in place, they proceeded to move the blocks inside of the house to have easy access once the courses started going up.  Others were sifting and mixing the sand in order to get the first batch of mescal ready for the first block.  There was activity going on everywhere on this mountain cove. 

The first night of God moments we had several team members share how they almost missed this blessing by listening to Satan give them all the reasons why they should not come.  Our long time friend, Connie shared how this time of the year was not good for her because she has an apple orchard every year.  Well this year her apple trees did not produce fruit.  God confirmed with Connie it was okay to go to Honduras to serve HIM in a mighty way.  This a very clear sign from God where he wanted Connie to be this week at this time.  We have three new team members Mike, Darryl and Butch.  Mike thanked the team for including the three new comers who some of the team did not know very well.  Mike said they made them feel like part of the family from the beginning. "We are a team" in Christ.  God sent a lot of different gifts to Honduras but the team found so many more precious gifts once they arrived on this little mountain cove.  How beautiful it is when we follow God's will for our life and do not let the hinders of our daily lives get in the way.  We miss so many blessings by not listening to that small sweet voice.  Have you gotten out of your box lately and got radical with God by serving HIM in a way you would never had imagined.  I challenge you if you are reading this today what has God challenged you with and are you going to be obedient in following is calling. 

 

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

Five Men Pray Over First Block

 

This was a first time a team ever had five godly men pray over the first block.  As we prepared to gather around Steve, team leader asked our three new friends if they wanted to pray over Carmen's first block.  Mike, Butch and Darryl immediately said yes.  Then they all said well why don't all the men pray over the first block. Steve and return member Joe all said it would be a honor and a privilege to pray over the cornerstone of Christ.  This was an amazing time of lifting Christ up in pray and the foundation of this home to be one where Christ is the cornerstone of everything which takes place.  This home will lift up others in this mountain cove as Jesus love radiates from the four walls.  What an amazing time of worshipping God in prayer and praise.

 

Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.
Ephesians 2:20

The Courses Go Up

 

As the courses go up the team immediately become one family with the Hondurans.  They noticed right away how this community had a strong since of friends and family.  The entire community came together to help Carmen receive her house which was already becoming a home.  There was no division between the two cultures.  They worked side by side in the name of Jesus.  Always giving God all the praise and glory for this week and this project.  We use the tool of building a home to help others but in return we are the ones so much more blessed.  Thank you to our Honduran brothers and sisters for showing and sharing with us what the true since of family and community are all about. 

During our God moments the first evening, team leader, Steve, shared how ten complete strangers walked down a narrow path, across a river and up a cliff to come upon a community full of love and support for one another. They all pitched in to bring the sand up to the job site once it arrived aging from a toddler who put some in a cup and took it up the hill to the project to an 80 year old lady who carried the sand upon her head at least 20 different times. One of the team members, Connie, tried to get the 80 year old lady to stop and drink some water.  She said not yet.  She wanted to help finish getting the sand to the top of the hill for the project.  On Friday there was 200 more blocks delivered up at the main road which means they had to be delivered down the narrow path through the river and up the cliff to the job site.  The team and Hondurans had just finished their lunch with the truck arrived.  Before lunch the team had used all the blocks they had.  So God's timing was perfect.  They spent the rest of the day carrying the 200 blocks to the job site. Once again all ages participated in carrying the blocks where they needed to go.  It was a team effort the entire week.  Thank you God for exhibiting your strength in the hard work which took place this week.  Thank you team for stepping up to the plate with not one complaint  of your job location.  Actually heard someone say this week they felt like it was a little piece of heaven each day they traveled the terrain up the hill to Carmen's village.

 

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:2

 

Singing and sharing God's love

 

Each evening the team gathered in the dining hall for some amazing God moments and devotionals.  After those special moments were shared Joe would pull out the guitar and the group shared in their favorite hymns.  I know the folks walking by the mission house would recognize the tunes of all these hymns if since the words were not familiar.  God uses us in many ways when we do not even expect it.  The mission house has been just that a mission house for 33 plus years.  The people who live in this area here God's love flow from those windows every week and if they hear God's word in song they are accountable to knowing HIM personally.  I pray for all who hear God's word coming by the mission house will know GOD or accept HIM as their Lord and Savior.  This is why this house sets on the corner of this street in Honduras to bring the lost to Christ.

 

The team got blessed several days at lunch with a nice hot meal.  The people gave up their own chickens to provide one of the meals for the team.  The team was humbled by such generosity provided to strangers.  The Hondurans opened up their homes and took care of the physical needs of the team in a very special way.  Their generosity was most appreciated by all and most delicious.

 

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Psalm 96:1

 

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
Acts 2:46

 

 

VBS Singing Hymns and Worhsip Service

 

 

 

Amy and Leigh Ann did VBS one day and the rest of the ladies joined them on the last day.  Jonah and the whale was shared with the 40 plus boys and girls who came to church in their Sunday best.  They came with eagerness to learn all they could about Jesus.  Amy shared the story while our translator Maida assisted her.  On the second day they did a craft project which required paint on the hands.  Thank you Connie, Paula and Sandra for coming along to help with the craft.  They would place those precious little hands on some paint and place them around an angel.  God's little hands work so hard on a daily basis.  Those little hands which was allowed to be a child for a moment help carry sticks to cook with, bring in water if needed and help to do the chores around their homes.  The little hands of Honduras know what hard work is and appreciate what they have on a daily basis. These children are taught life skills from watching their parents work so hard each and every day.  They go out into their yard and pick limons off the tree so mama can make some juice for the day.  They carried mescal for the team this past week to help the work flow smoothly.  All week these children who got to put their small hands around an angel where angels themselves.  Thank you boys and girls of Honduras in teaching us what good work ethics truly are all about.

Everyday during lunch, team members Joe and Paula along with the Hondurans  pulled out the guitar singing hymns of praise to the Lord.  Amazing Grace and I'll Fly Away is just a couple of many hymns they sang under the gigantic mango trees.  One day Pastor Carlos shared a small devotion which turned out to be an amazing sermon on "If the bible says it do it". Wow this is humbling.  Mike team member shared how we put too much of the worldly thoughts into God's word.  It is plan and simple.  Just read it and live it out daily which is what Mike said he saw while in Honduras.  God's word being lived out in each person on that job site.  They shared all they had with us and more.  Their generosity was humbling but also a huge blessing and lesson to learn for each team member.  Butch shared God's word is in every language and it never changes.  God is the great I am.

 

 

On Sunday morning we gathered to worship God as one big family.  There was several specials provided by Hondurans as well as the team.  The team gathered and sang I'll Fly Away and Amazing Grace.  As the team was singing Amazing Grace, Pastor Pedro sang along with them in English.  He learned this song three years ago from another North American brother.  Pastor Pedro stilled remember the song and his brother in Christ who shared this three years ago.  God is good.

Darryl shared his testimony on how to be a child of God. Darryl shared how God gave him another chance once he dedicated his life to the Lord and provided him with a lovely wife who was there along the way with him.  His most precious bible verses in the bible are Psalm 100:1-3.  He shared with his brothers and sisters of Honduras we all are pulled by so much in this world , the temptations of the world, trials we go through  but one thing is concrete and that is the love our Lord has for us.  God will never break His promises for us .  We are his children through the precious blood of Jesus.  He shared James 1:12 on how we can stand under trial because of the promise of our Lord and Savior.

Joe shared his testimony as well.  He shared how growing up as a child he went to church each Sunday with his grandmother just like the children of the church in Honduras.  At the age of seven he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  But growing older strayed away from God's teaching but God also forgave him one day when he rededicated his life to the Lord.  Joe's favorite bible verse which his grandmother shared with him quiet often is Matthew 6:25 "Do Not Worry".  Joe shared how Sandra, team member and his mother in law reached out to him when he was struggling with life.  She shared a bible verse which she put on  a card for Joe to keep, Proverbs 3:5-6.  Sandra took the time to reach out to Joe and share the love of Jesus with him.  And years later they both are here in Honduras sharing this same love with their Honduran brothers and sisters.  How precious to see a son-in-law and his mother-in-law sharing the gospel of Jesus with others in Honduras. 

The team coming in shared how they wanted to hear a Honduran pastor preach.  Well Pastor Pedro was honored to shared God's word.  So the team and church family set back while Pastor Pedro shared the story about Nicodemus out of John 3. He shared how Nicodemus went to see Jesus and find out what he needed to do to have a personal relationship with him.  Jesus said you have to be born again.  Nicodemus did not understand why he had to die and be born again.  Jesus shared you have to die to self and become like Jesus.  Nicodemus had to give up the ways of the world and not feel God's word with his mind but with all his heart.  God opens our hearts our minds and our whole being through the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is nothing we can do for ourselves it can only come through Jesus Christ redemptive blood.  Do I get an AMEN!!!!?  Pastor Pedro brought God's word in a mighty way on this Sunday  Thank you God for delivering us a message in a different language but the same GOD!!!

 

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12

 

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands,

worship the Lord with gladness,

come before HIM with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God,

It is He who made us and we are His.

We are His people, the sheep of His pastures."

Psalm 100:1-3

 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Proverbs 3:5-6

 

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Matthew 6:25

 

Enjoy reading about Nicodemus in John 3

 

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--
John 1:12

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17

 

 

 

House completed but work to be done

The team finished the house which quickly became a home for Carmen.  But the team came with more to do than build a house.  They came wanting to share the love of Jesus with the community of El Jero Blanco.  Amy was already doing what she loves best playing hopscotch with the children and other fun games.  But after the roof got up and Pastor Carlos was happy with the front door steps to Carmen's home Pastor Pedro and the North Americans took off down the cliff through the river and up the narrow path to do a "Prayer Walk" through the community.  They came across five different families in their "Prayer Walk".  They had five re dedications in from the five families.  Pastor Pedro was pleased to have done this with the North Americans.  These are folks who promised God and Pastor Pedro they would come to church or come back to church. They were able to pray for some personal needs with the different families.  The team finished their "Prayer Walk" to head back to the project to have lunch and the home dedication. 
Team leader, Steve, shared from God's word on how Carmen will be like King Solomon who took care of his family.  Her home will be a blessing to all you enter it and will see the love of Jesus shining from within.  Carmen has many children as I shared earlier in the blog.  She has lived her whole life on this mountain cove along with some of her children.  She had several of her children there for the home dedication and several spoke of their sincere gratitude for each who made this possible. They gave God the glory for the life of their mother and her example to them.  Carmen's example as a godly mother, brother Steve shared branches out into her children and grandchildren as well.  After Steve shared Darryl presented Carmen with her bible and Butch presented her with the keys to her new home.  Before opening up the door to her home the team and the Hondurans gathered around the home and the five women on the team, Connie, Amy, Sandra, Paula and Leigh Ann each said a prayer of dedication to Carmen's new home.  The men of the team prayed over the first block and the ladies of the team prayed over the finished product, a home. After this was complete Carmen tried to unlock her home.  She looked up at her brother Steve and wondered why will it not unlock.  Someone had locked it from the inside as well.  The look she gave Steve was please fix this problem I want to see my new home.  This was a priceless moment watching look up to brother Steve with trusting eyes and knew he would fix this problem.
Carmen enters her new home and stands in the door way and shouts to the mountain tops "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord".  Then Carmen started sharing from the bottom of her heart and sharing with all her children if you do not have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior please do not let another day go by without receiving the most precious gift of all, Jesus Christ.  We have never seen a family member share Jesus to her family as this little lady did on this day.  Carmen shared on the first day how much her children met to her but they mean so much more to Jesus and she wants them to share in the joy she has in Jesus as well.  Jesus loves us all so much.  It is our choice rather to receive HIM into our lives.  Without Jesus our life means nothing according to our 78 year old friend Carmen and all God's people said AMEN!!!!!


Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.
Psalm 127:3


The Three Amigos

 

We would like to welcome new to this team this year, Butch, Mike and Darryl.  They come from the same church family but were new to this group of folks. They shared how they knew of these folks on the team but now after 8 days with them they became a family in God.  Mike thanked the team the first night for welcoming the three of them as part of the team.  Actually I did not know they were not all one big happy family.  They all blended beautifully together the whole week. The three amigos brought a lot of  hard work ethics to the team and were team players all week.  

Butch shared how he was touched by Carmen's words of prayer for the North American team. 

Mike shared how he felt received quickly by the Hondurans as well as the North American team.

Darryl sharing how as the last day was coming to an end he was sad to have to leave this little piece of heaven. How God had truly blessed each of these guys this week and how they all said yes to come to serve God in this beautiful country we call Honduras.  They were all asked to pray over the first block the first day and they reflected back on that day and how quickly their week had flown by but not their memories God gave them this week.

 

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.

John 15:13

Joe and Sandra

 

 

What an unique combination.  This is a mother-in-law and son-in-law team who have come together to Honduras for numerous years.  This year was quiet unique though. They left at home a four month old daughter and granddaughter.  God knew their heart and blessed them to return together while leaving behind for a few days a precious little gift from him.  Joe has a diet problem but comes to Honduras anyway and always seems to do just fine.  I use Joe as a role model, if you are willing to come and answer God's calling to serve 8 days in Honduras God will protect and watch over you.  That is HIS promise for us daily.  Joe uses preventive measures to be careful with his diet.  Thank you to a friend Connie who cooks for him while in Honduras. 

Sandra and Joe worked so well together as a team for God.  They set such an example for all families who serve the Lord.  They come together as one and reap such benefits from God and develop such memories which no one can take from them.  We always enjoy seeing Sandra and Joe always finding each other on the job site or in the mission house working side by side.  What an awesome team!!!!

 

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

Joshua 24:15

A Big Day at Mt. Horeb

 

Back in July Choluteca, Honduras had a huge drought during their rainy season.  The beans and corn crops were basically lost due to no rain.  So praise God as August came upon this dry area of Honduras God's provision of rain came pouring down.  Thank you God!!!!  So they replanted their crops of beans and corn.  The men who work on Mt. Horeb have been given permission to plant corm fields wherever they would like.  So there is probably six or seven different crops of corn planted all over the property.  Pastor Carlos shared they wanted to cook some tamales on Tuesday.  We said sure the team wanted to see the progress of Mt. Horeb and they would be there that afternoon.  So when Mike and I arrived there first there was a bunch of folks going here and there and everywhere.  They were busy cutting their corn off the stalks and Pastor Carlos' family came to get their corn.  I wondered why Pastor Carlos' crop was so huge.  He has 9 other brothers and sisters plus his lovely mother and his own family to make provisions in the corn.  It was a huge day for all involved.  They were all thankful to God for his provision of the corn.  Pastor Carlos' wife and children came out to help make the tamales and to carry home their corn for later use.  The team arrived in all of the activity going on around them.  They wondered who all the people were and what was going on.  I shared this is a big day for these folks.  They are harvesting their corn which they almost did not have.  The team gathered around the kitchen and partake of the tamales as well.  We all enjoyed some good old Christian fellowship and breaking of tamales.

 

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

Matthew 6:31
 

Ten Men Come Flexible to Serve the Lord

 

North Carolina Baptist Men would like to welcome ten men from five different churches out of Williamston, North Carolina.  This is their first time to Choluteca, Honduras.  Their first day started out walking with tools in hand and water and Gator Ade coolers down a road covered in boulders and water from the numerous rain showers we have been receiving.  There was no compliments from these gentlemen.  They each grabbed what they could and headed toward a small piece of heaven.  We all arrived at Luis and Daisyi's home at the edge of the mountainous countryside.  God's beauty was all around us.  They gathered to introduce themselves to each other before praying for the week ahead.  Pastor Carlos shared a pray of gratitude for the North Americans coming to build a much needed home for a very humble family. 

Each day the team of North Americans and Hondurans walked down this rocky make shift road where mainly cattle traveled and the local people.  They had the same schedule daily as the herdsman and his cattle he was herding to pasture.  The locals would say good morning on a daily basis.   Thank you gentlemen for taking on this task in the name of Jesus Christ. 

 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17

Putting up the four corners

 

 

 

In building a home there is four metal poles put into each corner to use as a guide for the string line for the team members to lay the course of 800 blocks.  The team followed the lead of Pastor Carlos as he started the preparations of laying the blocks.  There is a Honduran art in building a home and these guys learned about it first hand this week. They did it with a willing spirit to give God all the glory.  Job well done gentlemen. 
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh--  Philippians 3:3

Our Honduran Friends

 

Without the help of the Hondurans this job would not have happened per one of the gentlemen one evening during God moments.  They gave the Hondurans all the praise of keeping them in mescal all week.  Luis worked alongside Jose and others mixing mescal tirelessly as the ten men laid the 800 blocks.  Thank you to a near by herdsman who offered his two oxen to carry the heavy materials up to the job site daily.  Fail to share with you the not one of the vehicles could make it up the path.  The first morning Luis was working preparing the area for mescal.  He cleaned away the debris from the area to have clean for the mescal to be prepared.  Maida took very good care of all the Hondurans hydration each day with a smile on her face.  God blessed these North Americans with some heartfelt Hondurans by their side this week.

 

But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:17

Praying for this godly home

 

As the morning progressed the team was prepared to lay their first block.  Tony, the team leader, prayed over the block as we all gathered around Luis, Daiysi and baby Jonathan.  Luis had a glow about him the entire week once the project got started.  Daiysi was a bit shy but so grateful for all the hard work placed on her receiving a home.  Two years ago we visited Daiysi when baby Jonathan was only 12 days old.  At that time she and her family desperately needed a home to stay dry and safe on a daily basis.  We always asked a question to the family once we assess the need.  "Do you have papers" was my question.  Her answer was "NO".  This is so hard to tell a family they cannot have a home until they have proof of property.  It took this family two years to get the proper papers to receive this home.  This was a process they had worked hard for and finally saw the results coming near.  Thank you God for this team coming at this time for this beautiful family.  Luis works in the fish company and provides all he can for his family.  Now he has a home he can take care of them and not worry about them while he is away at work.

God is good all the time.

 

For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
Ephesians 5:23

The Progression of the Home

The team started out working hard to get their five courses up before the rain came the first day.  Rob shared during the God moments how God blessed them by letting them done before the rain came.  But as they walked back down the boulderous tyranne their feet and everything about them got drenched. But this did not deter them from going back the next day to continue the job God had called them to do build a home for Luis and Daisyi their home.

 

Daisyi looks on as the guys work on the walls.  Each day she stood back and watch the hard work these guys were putting into her home.  During the introduction the first day Daisyi thanked God for what was happening in her life this week.  She humbly praised God daily for this blessing of a home.  Team leader, Tony with help from Leslie, Brandon and Larry put the roof on the house.  Down below Rob, Brent, Victor, Roger, Freddie and Ben were getting the floor in place.  These guys worked diligently to get their job completed.  They were blessed by doing this for such a special family. Leslie took his turn mixing mescal once the roof got up.  These guys never stopped serving.  They worked extremely hard in the name of Jesus.

 

As all this was not enough they put some steps at their front door.  The step up into the house was a steep one so Roger with help from Larry, Brandon, Brent and Freddie got the steps in place before the home dedication.

 

 

Yet they still did one more thing. They built the family a bano for bathing.  They went over to it to add a couple of more blocks on top and to make a step out for them after bathing to keep the bano from getting dirty from the ground.  These guys were endless as they continuously served God in many ways.

 

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.
I Corinthians 12:4

More than bulding a home

 

These ten gentlemen came down willing to do other things as well as building a house.  Ladies who are married to these guys have some very talented and willing helpers.  Leslie and Brent made the team sandwiches daily.  Team leader, Tony, Roger and Brandon prepared breakfast.  Victor and Larry prepared the Gator Ade and water daily.  They also took the time to be in God's word studying and reflecting on God's many blessings in life.  They enjoyed good ole fellowship with one another as well.  It was a joy to hear them laughing and joking with each other.  It is beautiful to see godly men joining together in good ole Christian fellowship.  These guys made an awesome team!!!!!

 

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:10

There are alot of family here

 

This team brought several families together this week to serve the Lord.  Larry, came along with his son Brandon, his son-in-law, Rob and his nephew, Leslie.  Also Brent and Roger are cousins.  Well there is one set of twins as you can see in the above photo.  The two gentlemen dressed in lime green shirts are want to be twin brothers, Rob and Brent.  Larry shared with me one afternoon being here with his boys was his biggest god moment of the week.  It is a very special blessing to be able to serve beside your godly family in Honduras.  We are always so blessed when this occurs.  Thank you God for allowing these guys with memories that will last them a life time.  To God be the glory.

 

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

Joshua 24:15

Worship Service

 

We gathered together for worship on Sunday morning.  For those of you who follow the blog we were blessed with one of our guys who work on the property.  Many of you have been praying for our friend Alexis to come to know Christ.  We were excited to see him make the first step coming to church.  He received a home back in February and did not come to church during the construction of his own home.  God is answering our prayers.  He is in church and brought his own bible.  AMEN!!!!

The other gentlemen is Luis who our bus driver, Jose, shared he was going to rededicate his life to Christ.  Praise God for both of these gentlemen being in church on this Lord's Day.

The worship service began singing familiar hymns.  The children got up and recited bible verses for the congregation. They did not recite one verse but some were a whole chapter.  One of the young ladies of the church family got up and recited the church's mission statement.  Tony got up and thank the church for allowing them to come to worship with them and welcoming them into their beautiful community.  Mike preached from God's word out of Mark 2:1-12 about the man being lowered through the roof to see Jesus.  He wanted Jesus to heal his body from the physical and spiritual pain he was caring.  His friends cared enough about him to carry him on top of the roof of the building which was crowded full of folks listening to Jesus preach the good news.  Mike shared would we go to search lengths to share Jesus with someone who is lost.  We all need Jesus.  Who in your life today is lost, a neighbor, a co-worker, a family member, is there anyone you know today who needs Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Like the four gentlemen who took the time for their friend take the time to share Jesus with a lost friend. 

 

Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.

Mark 2:4

 

 

Afternoon on the property

 

The team of ten men spent one afternoon on the property helping with some odd jobs which needed to be done on the North American Dorms.  This group of men came with a lot of different gifts and talents.  We were able to be blessed by their abilities to do many different jobs on the dorms.  Brent helped Edwin weld the beams together.  It took the entire team of men to carry the beams down to be put in place for the roof to go up.  Roger worked hard putting electrical boxes in the dorm building.  There was many more jobs going on this day as they all worked hard for a common goal: serving Jesus.  Thank you gentlemen for a job well done.  All God's people said AMEN!!!!!

 

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
Romans 12:6