Going Back to Cedeno

 

After ten or more years First Baptist Raleigh returns to Cedeno to build this beautiful and amazing family a home.  They have waited for many years for this special day.  I would like to introduce to you the husband and father, not pictured because he has a job and works in the local shrimp company,  Rafael, his wife and mother, Emilia and their two  precious daughters, Sirly and Stacy.  This is a praise Rafael has a job and was working the entire week up until the last couple of days of the project.  Emilia, girls and her mother was there watching as those 800 blocks became their home.  We gathered together after introduction to lift this project up to the Lord and joined hands with our brothers and sisters of Honduras to build this family their home.  All God's people said AMEN.

 

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
Matthew 18:20

A Beautiful Project Site

 

God provided the team with a lovely location to serve HIM during their week.  Emilia kept the lot cleaned and watered down daily to keep the area cool.  She lined up her plastic chairs under the mango trees for them to have a place of rest during the work day.  They enjoyed their daily lunches under the mango trees and one day Emilia blessed them with a fish plate, with chismo and fried banana chips.  This team was blessed beyond any expectations of hospitality this week.  New team member, Jim, shared how he had never experienced some genuine kindness and they were strangers coming in and left as one big family.  Suzanne another new team member shared in God moments one evening how she felt the immediate love from Emilia and her mother and of course the church.  Suzanne shared love because we first were loved.  Thank you God for all your provisions this week, your beautiful mango trees, your breathtaking breeze which always came when needed and the amazing fellowship only you could provide through your Son, Jesus.  What a true blessing to be in the family of believers and doing the kingdom work here in Cedeno this week.

Joel, team member, shared his devotional one evening, "Who Do You Say I Am?"  Joel proceeds to share the many answers from the disciples.  Jesus shared with them to baste in MY glory and when there are great privileges there are great sacrifices.  We must die to self.  Die to anything which keeps us from being totally HIS.  We must be willing and we must make it personal.  This week are we ready to give God our all and to sacrifice for HIM and make it personal.

 

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?"
Mark 8:27

 

 

There Are Many Jobs But Little Help

 

This week was different for this team.  They are used to having a lot of Honduran help on their job sites.  Praise God for work for the Hondurans.  The men were out in the melon fields working and providing while they can for their families.  Melon season is seasonal and this was their season to be working the fields.  I shared with veteran team member, Dennis, the first morning, "Have you noticed there is not a lot of Honduran men on the job site?"  He shared with me he definitely noticed this.  But I was grateful these guys were on this project because they have the man power to get the job completed with their limited resources.  Jose jumped in and taught them how to mix the mortar and the job got done.  New team member, Jim, learned the hardest job the first part of his first morning.  Job well done good and faithful servants.

 

Team leader, Steve, does the same job every year.  He takes his block cutting job very seriously.  He scopes out the perimeter of the property to see where he wants to set up shop for the week.  His assistant Budd, is right there to assist him with what needs to get the job done.  Thank you Steve for taking on an incredibley challenging task.  Steve makes sure every block is measured to the cm.  He gets demands from everywhere for special orders and he praises the Lord all at the same time.  Steve does his job with a cheerful heart and spirit.

 

While all the above is going on the four corners are being put into place.  Pastor Carlos, Keith and Tom worked together to get each corner level to perfection.  Pastor Carlos worked patiently with our two friends and they got it ready to start laying the blocks.  This process takes time so the 800 blocks will go right in place as they are being laid. 

 

This is a job which goes unnoticed but it is as well important for the process of building a home here in Honduras.  The foundation and boards for the mortar have to be dampened so the mortar can lay properly on them as the blocks go up.  Every job on this project is important because it is the kingdom work we are doing. Thank you everyone for working so hard to get the project ready to pray over the first block. 

 

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
Matthew 20:1

Praying God's Blessings

 

We gathered around the first block and laid hands upon Emilia, Sirly and Stacy and began our week of worship with the Lord.  Keith lead the prayer as Meida translated for the North American team members.  Keith lifted up the week ahead and gave God all the praise and honor for this blessing of being here at this place and time to serve HIM. 

 

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
Ephesians 6:18

Our Humble Servants

 

God has blessed North Carolina Baptist Men with some amazing godly staff.  This ministry could not function without their hard work and endless dedication.  Suzanne shared one day how she felt at ease knowing Jose and Meida were close by.  Others shared how humble Pastor Carlos is as he goes about his job serving the Lord through construction.  We worked in Pastor Carlos' home town this week and became aware of how he was loved and admired by his neighbors and friends.  Rosa has been working in this mission house for 35 years.  She cooks some amazing Honduran dishes, she cleans the house daily and she creates joy to whoever she meets.  Words cannot describe our Jose who goes beyond his call of duty and does it all for his Savior.  He is an inspiration to all who he comes in contact with.  He always makes sure whoever he mixes mortar with they know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  He takes great care in driving the teams wherever they need to go.  Their safety is up most importance to him.  Last but not least is our sweet servant Meida.  She definitely goes way beyond the title of translator.  We could not get all we get done without her willingness to go beyond her call of duty.  Our staff worked well together and teams noticed this immediately and share how blessed they are to have these people working beside them.  Thank each of you for making this ministry a blessing to be a part of.

 

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
Matthew 25:21

Suzanne's Joy

 

Our new team member and retired school teacher Suzanne did not know where she would be able to connect this week.  She came in a little concern but got out of her comfort zone and said YES to God's calling to go and serve in Honduras.  She found out her first day she had made the right decision.  She brought Mickey Mouse coloring pages for the children to do and she provided hula hoops and soccer balls as well.  She found out quickly how precious these little ones are.  Her first day there was 20 children who came around the green table to color with her.  The next day more came and it continued throughout the week.  Suzanne had found her connection for the week, the children. 

 

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19:14

Brothers in Christ and Family

 

These three gentlemen have been friends and brothers a very long time.  They love Honduras and they enjoy sharing their numerous memories they have made together in Honduras.  Their laughter and love for each other is evident they are one in the Lord.  Their commitment to Honduras is contagious by all who come in their paths.  They worked well together and know what to do for one another as the week progresses.  They take good care of each other and truly act like brothers in Christ and set such a godly example for everyone.  Thank you Joel, Steve and Mike for all you do for the kingdom work here in Honduras.

 

Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.
Hebrews 2:11

The Children

 

This group loves the children.  The construction project is the side bar compared to their love and fondness of these cuties.  Each day the same ones come around the job site and stand back and watched the team work.  They greeted them daily as they arrived in the Kia and bus so they could all get their hugs.  The North Americans looked forward to this moment as well as the Honduran children.  Thank you God for giving us the precious gift of children.

 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

Budds Long Time Friends

 

Three years ago God reunited Mike and Budd together through Budd's first mission trip to Honduras.  Mike and Budd worked together for many years back in North Carolina.  Budd always knew Mike went yearly to serve the Lord in Honduras by talking about it with while they worked together.  God has a way of bringing us around two fold.  Who would of thought Mike and Budd would have completed their third year together in Honduras.

It gets even better.  Budd brings an old school roommate down to Honduras this year.  We welcome Jim who brought so much to the team this year.  Jim's smile was contagious. Jim is an artist and brought some of his gifts to the children.  One day he broke away from the construction to join Suzanne with the children.  He drew cartoon characters of each child.  What a gift and a blessing Jim brought to the children of Honduras.  Thank you for sharing your gift of art this week.  He and Budd sharing and laughing together each day sharing the pictures the other one had taken during the week.  Budd thank you for bringing old friends together to further the kingdom work here in Honduras.

 

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
John 15:15

Different Week

 

This week we shared in fellowship and daily prayers for the Honduran ministry which represents North Carolina Baptist Men.  The Lord was shared through the prayers, conversations and plenty of hard work these folks displayed.  We are grateful for your continued support of seventeen years coming to Honduras.   Bob came his first time in 1999 when Hurricane Mitch took out most of the country. Since that time Bob's love for this country has expanded to so many other folks getting the privilege to come here and serve with some amazing and godly folks.

This team was the last team of the year 2016 to stay at the mission house.  So on the last day all the materials from the week was loaded on the Kia getting ready to go to Mt. Horeb, the NCBM ministry campus.  Thank you gentlemen for being flexible this week and helping with all the fine details to getting us closer to the move in date. To God be the glory!!!

 

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:13

The Final Touches

 

Thank you Keith and Tom for working beside Pastor Carlos on the most important job of all, the roof.  Every block can be laid perfectly and there can be the smoothest floor ever made but if the roof does not go up without a hole there will be a problem when the rainy season arrives.  I have to say these two gentlemen gave God their best and make this home ready for occupancy.  Once again job well done First Baptist Church of Raleigh.

 

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace.
Acts 20:24

The Home Dedication

 

Team leader, Steve, for the last several years has started a new tradition for First Baptist Raleigh team.  They gather the family and workers together and share in gratitude the teams honor and privilege it was to work beside each of them this week.  Steve allows each team member to share their thoughts and then lastly allows the family to share. 

Steve proceeds to have the family and workers to sit down in front of the completed home.  He shares about the story out of  John 13, where Jesus washes the disciples feet.  Team member, Mike, has added another tradition to this event, he provides a towel with a picture of Jesus washing the disciples feet.  This towel is given to each person who has their feet washed by the North American team.  This is a humbly time and you can feel the presence of the Lord in this place in Cedeno.  The special one was Suzanne washing the grandmother's feet who she had befriended this week.  What a blessing this was for both ladies.  As they completed this ceremony they gathered around the home and sealed it with a prayer given by Budd.  At the end of the service Jim presented Rafael and Emilia with a drawing his daughter did for the family as a gift.  This was a beautiful ending to a beautiful service.

 

 

Worship Service

 

The worship service started with the singing of a familiar hymn, "The King is Coming".  The pastor got up and shared how grateful the community was to have the team come and build Rafael and his family a home.  He also shared how we worship with the same hymns but just a different language.  Ginger read from Psalm 133 along side of a Honduran brother who read it in Spanish. 

The North Americans got up there and did an amazing job of singing "Sanctuary", "Jesus Loves the Little Children" and "Hallelujah".  The team had the congregation joined them in "Hallelujah" as they all sang this one together.

Tom got up and sang "Amazing Grace" in English and Spanish.  The offering was taken up while the children got up to sing a song.  Afterwards the children went and had Sunday School under the trees behind the church.

Team leader, Steve presented the message coming from the books of Psalm 103:8-22 and Romans 5:6-8.  Steve starts out by sharing he is a sinner saved by grace.  I speak as one of you today.  We worship the same God who restores us and lifts us up.  We will worship the God who always lifts us up.  Jesus died for the ungodly.  As we worship today there are other out in Cedeno, Choluteca, Honduras, and the United States who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We have a mission field all around us here and back home.  Jesus died for us so we could know HIM and share HIM with others who do not know HIM. What separates us from people who do not know Jesus is not that we are better than them or more righteous than them we know the true joy.  So we as Christians need to go out and share this true joy with others. We need to be different so others will ask where does this joy come from in our lives.  We need to be ready to share where our joy comes from.  We should know spontaneously where our joy comes from.  When I get to heaven I will not need Meida to translate for me because it will be the language of love.  To love others is to see them through God's eyes.  We all need to pray daily for our sins.  We need to surrender to HIS love, embrace HIS love, acknowledge HIS love and accept HIS love.  Today if you are reading this and do not know this joy our brother, Steve, is referring to I pray you will ask for the greatest gift of all in this  life, Jesus Christ.  Jesus died for you and me, all sinners, on a brutal vertical painful cross.  He loved us so much He gave HIS life for you and me.  It is your choice today to live out eternity with our Father in Heaven or the eternal fire of Hell.  I pray you will choose Jesus and live out the true joy here on earth and one day for all eternity in Heaven. 

 

Psalm 103

 

1Praise the Lord, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2Praise the Lord, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

3who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

4who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

5who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6The Lord works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

7He made known his ways to Moses,

his deeds to the people of Israel:

8The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

9He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

12as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

14for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

15The life of mortals is like grass,

they flourish like a flower of the field;

16the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.

17But from everlasting to everlasting

the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children’s children—

18with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

19The Lord has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

20Praise the Lord, you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding,

who obey his word.

21Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,

you his servants who do his will.

22Praise the Lord, all his works

everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

 

Romans 5:6-8

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

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