Our First Morning on Mt. Horeb

 

There first breakfast on Mt. Horeb was a typical Honduran breakfast.  One of their many Honduran meals of the week.  Eggs, refried beans crema, cotelittas and tortillas.  They enjoyed learning about the culture of Honduras.  Everyone pitched in throughout the week to help with the meals.  We are truly enjoying the multi-purpose building.  Thanks be to God for this provision for Mt. Horeb Baptist Mission Campus.

 

The water crew got there water coolers ready for another day.  They headed down the hill from the multi-purpose building with a good rhythm heading for the Kia to load them onto the back of the Kia.  Mike stops them and says not yet please put them on the porch.  Well there was two or three porches around them and they ask which one.  I suppose you had  to be there.  They guys had figured out how to get those four coolers down the hill in a timely fashion with such great strides in their steps and Mike put a halt to their very planned out and well orchestrated task.  Great job guys.  I suppose you had to be here to truly get the joy of this moment.

 

Every morning the girls bring their lunches and job bad down the hill with such joy.  They took pride in their morning assignments as well they loaded up the VBS materials on to the Kia while they guys daily loaded their materials onto the Kia. 

 

After all the morning chores have been completed team leader, Pastor Dudley shouts, "Let's circle up to pray for our day."  Everyone gathers in front of the North American Dorm to lift up their day in prayer.  To their left is the Prayer Rock representing how powerful prayer is in our daily lives.  Each morning the team departs in the bus and Kia to serve the Lord knowing the Lord is there with them.  Always put prayer in the fore front of your day and all day.  Without prayer we cannot do anything, without God's guidance we cannot do anything. 

 

Welcome Roseboro Baptist and Friends

 

Our friend, Dudley and co-team leader, has come several years to Honduras with another team.  Last year he asked could he bring his church to Honduras.  He shared how several of his church family had shown an interest in this ministry Dudley called Honduras.  Dudley is also a pastor and came with his church pastor, Hampton who is co-team leader along side of Dudley.  They went on a national mission trip to West Virginia last year along side of friends, Darrell, Steve, Sherman, Amanda and Telfair.  While in West Virginia these folks decided to form a team to come to Honduras.  These folks and the rest of their team come from First Baptist Church of Roseboro, Pleasant Memory Baptist Church, Lillington Baptist Church, Pine Valley Baptist Church and Tar Heel Baptist Church.  After returning from West Virginia they started praying and planning for Honduras.  Team member Sandy shared how she had been praying for an opportunity to go on an international mission trip and she heard Roseboro Baptist was putting a team together to come to Honduras.  She said please sign me up.  After returning from West Virginia Telfair said I am in.  "I want to go to Honduras", shared Telfair. Pastor Hampton's daughter, Andie, is a school teacher so Pastor Dudley ask if we could find a date around Andie's spring break. God is so good and there was a spot for this team.  This is the best one yet.  Not so good story but a happy ending.  Pastor Dudley's life time friend, Steve, had to cancel four days prior to the trip due to a family emergency.  Pastor Dudley starting asking around to fill Steve's spot.  Dana, team member from Pleasant Valley Baptist shared how he knew a young lady who had a passport and shots, all the documentation to be able to go on an international trip.  So Dana asked our lady, Heather, if she wanted to go to Honduras.  She asked work and they said yes.  Heather prepared for her first mission trip in three days coming into the team only knowing Dana but now has a whole new family.  God is good all the time and all the time God is good. So I would like to introduce to you a new team who came in not knowing what to expect but are leaving here blessed beyond anything they could have imagined.

 

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 28:19-20

A Place Called Cedeno

 

The team traveled about forty five minutes down through some beautiful country side rolling in mountains on both sides of the roads.  They turned right to go a dirt road and turn left at the third dirt road to what would be a life changing experience.  They piled out of the Kia and bus to be greeted by huge beautiful smiles of the Salgodo family.  Juana, mother and grandmother to Darlyn, age 17, Carlito, age 10, Angie age 21 and her daughter, Juanita age 2 1/2 was grateful to God for sending her new found brothers and sisters in Christ from North Carolina to her community of Cedeno to help her make 800 blocks, 52 bags of cement, two doors and two windows become her home.  She was overwhelmed with gratitude and joy to God first and then to God for sending this team.  After introductions Pastor Hampton opened with prayer before starting their day.

 

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28

The Cornerstone

 

Each week each team places the four corners of the home around the base.  These corners after to be exactly level.  There can be no room for error.  Pastor Carlos gets the poles set in place and screws them together with an attachment.  Then he gets his plumb line which is a clear pipe filled with water which is how he levels the corners together.  This prepares the house for a level base for the blocks which are placed around each corner to connect them into a house. It takes each corner to be level and secure for the house to stand firm and strong. 

Just like with Jesus, He is our Cornerstone.  He stands firm and strong next to God our Father in Heaven awaiting for our believers to come home one day.  Jesus is our security into Heaven.  He is our firm foundation where everything is complete in His Presence.  Jesus is perfect just as the four corners are completed to perfection in order for his house to become a home.  We can become whole in Christ when He becomes our Cornerstone.  He is our Way, Truth and Life through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are blessed as Christians, as believers in Christ to have is secure foundation in our Lord and Savior.  There is not any works which help us obtain this security this free gift.  We only have to say yes to a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior and receive power through the Holy Spirit to sustain life's daily journey.  This week the team relied on the Holy Spirit for their strength as they worked in extreme circumstances which they were not accustom to.  They glorified God through it all. HE gave them all the strength and energy they needed each day to complete their cornerstones which then led to laying the blocks for this home for the Sagado family.

 

 

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
Ephesians 2:20

 

Sifting Sand and More

 

The team stood back and learned quickly how to sift the sand, make the volcano and end up with mortar for the blocks to go into place.  Everyone literally tried this at least once this week on this team.  They took the challenge and never looked back.  Andie and Amanda spent the day making the mixture without stopping except for short breaks.  Other team members would come up to give them a break, Andie would stop maybe five minutes and be right back with the shovel in her hand making and mixing mortar.  Andie shared how it did her heart good to allow those guys who never stopped to be able to stand straight up for a while and rest their backs.

 

As the mortar is being mixed their is so much other activities going on.  Amanda also speaks Spanish so she was drumming up conversation with her new friends.  The men took their turn at mixing the mud and do not forget the women in the kitchen as well.  Heather and Andie on the first day were stopping to take in the culture God had just placed them in and in awe of the beauty of this country.

Andie shared about the Parable of  the Pharisees and Tax Collectors.  There was three adjectives describing the Pharisees: condescending, contrite and conceded.  The tax collector on the other hand was a broken humble man who was reverent, repentive and reconciled.  We are all one in Christ.  Praise God we did not listen to the Pharisees and not come to Honduras.  Because we were obedient and are reverent to God's calling and even though we are human we are repentive of our sins daily and God has reconciled us through his Son, Jesus, that is how we can be here.  We were humbled by God's request of coming here and our obedience to his calling gave us numerous blessings

 

The Ladies in the Kitchen

 

After all the unloading took place, team member Sandy asked could they go and watch the ladies in the kitchen.  I said, "By all means, they would love for you to come visit their kitchen."  So off these girls went and wow the rest is amazing what all happen inside this kitchen this week.  Meida explained to the ladies they were preparing to make fish soup for lunch for the Honduran workers.  By lunch time, Juana and sisters of the church were feeding the multitudes.  There was about five or six North Americans who tried some as well.  As the week progressed the team ate with them about everyday.  There was chicken and rice and a fried fish plate had by many of the team members.  The most beautiful story which took place in the kitchen this week was when Sandy made the tortillas for the entire day.  Sandy is our first North American lady who has ever done this.  She made enough for breakfast and their lunch that day.  Later in the week others joined Sandy in making tortillas.  Andie got her chance to make some along with Amanda and Heather.  The Honduran ladies shared with Andie her tortillas were just right for Juanita, our two year old.  Thank you for trying Andie.  The sweetest part of all this, is these ladies were there on the first day maybe an hour or so and as I was busy taking pictures of the project starting up all I could hear was laughter and joy coming out from the kitchen and it continued throughout their entire week.  The ladies shared with our translator, Meida, Sandy was a blessing to them to want to learn how to cook like they cook and be apart of their culture.  Amanda was sharing with them back home we make biscuits like you make tortillas everyday.  The ladies, North American and Honduran alike have so many similarities just done a little differently.  This was my God moment on the first day.

 

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
John 6:51

 

Contiously Pray

 

After the cornerstones had been put up and the first batch of mortar mixed we gathered the family around one of the cornerstones to lay their hands on their first block of their new home.  Pastor Tom led the prayer over the first block as Meida translated for her Honduran people.  Little Juanita did not want to do this at first but finally found her a spot where she placed her tiny fingers.  At this time all this North Americans were strangers to her but they was only short lived.  By lunch time they were all family in Christ.

 

Pray continually,
1 Thessalonians 5:17

 

Our Block Saw Crew

 

We had the privilege of getting to know these two gentlemen this week.  They brought laughter and joy to cutting their blocks to order each day.  They worked along side of others who pinched to help as well.  Heather and Andie helped knock out the loose nuggets of blocks and made a pile for them to use later in the week.  Sherman and Steve we could not have done it without you two this week.  God knew when he ordained your team you guys were going to bless many folks this week.  You did it with such joy.  This is a hot and smoky job but not once did either of these young men ever complained about the task God had given them.  They had the perfect location to be able to watch the activity on the project from afar but yet they were still close at hand.  Sherman shared how he was inspired by Juana's excitement over her new home and how humbling it was to watch throw her arms up to the heavens thanking God for this new home.  Steve was humbled by how they accepted us immediately feeding us, giving us the right hand of fellowship and loving us from the beginning.  Yes we were building them a home with a lot of there help Sherman shared but we were North American strangers and they took us in as family.  By the second day we were all family working for the same Lord for the same cause, Juana's home.  Pastor Dudley's devotional one evening touched on this.  We came to Honduras to be a servant and rightly we did, but we have been so blessed by them. Juana's brother, Sobrino, asked Pastor Dudley did he know Jesus of Nazareth.  Are we that bold in asking a stranger or anyone for that matter if they know the Jesus of Nazareth?  Thank you Sorbino and family for showing us Jesus this week.

 

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:28

 

 

Let the Work Begin

 

Pastor Dudley was the only one who had been to Honduras.  But his team members went right to work helping unload the truck.  We were blessed this week as well to have Mike and Ginger's boss, Mark and his son Aaron along.  Aaron got right in there helping wherever needed.  His youthfulness came in handy for this team on the first day.  They started by unloading the Kia placing all the tools and materials where they needed to go.  As they were doing this the family was bringing their church pews from their church to the construction sight so the North Americans and Hondurans would have a place to sit throughout the day.  Everyone started a train of blocks going to be cut.  This team came in with the right heart and attitude for the job God sent them to do.  There was unity on this team from day one.  There is five different churches here and they became one family of believers, I believe before they arrived in Honduras.  Pastor Dudley and Pastor Hampton, co-team leaders prepared them spiritually and culturally for their new adventure this week.  Yes it was very hot this week.  Several days it got up into the three digits, highest being 107 degrees a couple of days.  The team was not use to this weather but knew when to stop, take a break and take care of one another. This team was big enough to allow for water breaks without every skipping a beat.  This was one well greased machine this week.  All God's people shouted AMEN!!!!

 

 

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,
so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed."

Romans 15:1-9

Building God's Kingdom

 

 

 

 

As the walls go up God is at work building His kingdom here on earth.  The North Americans and Hondurans strangers to each other for only a short time work side by side to help their sister, Juana, get her home.  Everyone put their all into this project.   But they also took time to enjoy their new friends as well.  They were not task driven like they may be back home.  They truly enjoyed learning how to work like their new Honduran friends.  They enjoyed sitting around on their water break laughing and learning about each other.  God was definitely in this place this week.  Yes the blocks went up but so were relationships.  Relationships were built which my new North American family will take back home with them and treasure for a very long time.  Thank you all for making this a very memorable week.

 

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

Thank you Kay

 

Kay was assigned water specialists.  She took her job seriously.  On the first day the ladies were over watching tortillas being made, me included.  We had been there a while and I thought the guys needed their water.  I looked over at the water coolers and Kay was on it. She left the kitchen and went to refuel our Honduran brothers and her team members.  That was one of my God moments that day.  Kay took her job seriously and her team members stayed hydrated the entire week.  Job well done Kay!!!!

 

but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
John 4:14

A Lesson in Making Tortillas

 

This was the first morning on the job site.  They had learned earlier how to make fish soup.  Well that was not enough for these North American girls.  They wanted to learn how to make tortillas.  They went through the entire process from beginning to end.  As I shared in another blog, Sandy made the tortillas for the day near the end of the week.  Each day Sandy along with Amanda, Andie and Heather continue learning the process of tortilla making.  But Sandy stuck with it all week and ended up buying her own tortilla press along with Amanda to take back home to make for their families.  Sandy shared how she wanted her family to see how the Hondurans truly live.  How they get up each day, collect their fire wood, get their clay stove hot ready to start cooking the tortillas for the day.  Sandy said it was such a pleasure to be apart of these sweet ladies daily activities.  Thank you all North American ladies for making our sisters in Honduras feel extra special. 

 

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

Two Opportunites

As the first morning progressed they were eagerly awaiting for some more sand to be delivered.  Pastor Carlos made several phone calls from his friend.  Finally he arrives with enough sand for the rest of the week.  He drops off in the entrance to the job site.  No problem, the folks walked around it and continue cutting block, delivering the block and laying the block. 

Now out on the street while the dump truck was coming down the road a car got stalled.  Well I am telling you these ladies not only make tortillas but they can move a car as well.  Amanda and Sandy got behind the car and helped their Honduran neighbor get it moved out of the way.  Mike took his jumper cables and got him started up again.  Sadly though the next day he was out in his front yard working on the car again.  But on the first day the ladies showed the love of Jesus which at that time was a stranger. 

 

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

Fellowship and Food

 

The front porch of the multi-purpose building has been a place for lots of conversations on love for Jesus, God moments, encouraging one another, working on VBS activities, or just watching the sun come up while sipping a hot cup of coffee.   We got blessed on Sunday morning with a nice hot breakfast cooked by some of the men.  Heather went out to ring the dinner bell for her teammates.  This has been a beautiful place of refuge each day to come together and break bread and share in good old fashion fellowship.  The team has learned from their Honduran brothers and sisters to enjoy conversation and each other which sometimes back home we do not have time for.  Thank you God for teaching us such a special blessing this week, take time for each other and breaking bread together.

 

Our Children

 

This team is no different from any other.  They immediately fell in love with those big brown eyes.  Carlito and Juanita stole their hearts this week.  Carlito is a ten year old young man who takes on any challenge put before him.  He mixed the mescal, he pushed the wheel barrow and he can sing in the church like you have never heard.  The team all agreed he puts his all whole in what he does and gives it his best.  One day our friend will be a strong leader, either in his family for his mother or in his local church family.  Carlito does all he does with such pride and respect for his God.  We could all learn from Carlito.  Our little Juanita was our social butterfly this week. She entertain all she got around.  She brought them laughter and a few tears as her genuineness brought out this all of us.  During the worship service she went to each individual person and welcomed them with her big smile and hugs.  Then we had a long time friend Jose show up one day to check out the situation.  He would visit each day after school or before school.  But on the last day, the day of dedication, Jose came dressed up on his bike and observe the dedication from the dirt road as he sat on his bike.  These children and so many more touched our lives this week and will always have a place in our hearts.

 

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

Pulperia Mt. Horeb

 

Each day the team returned after a very hot three digit day to a nice cold Coke, Fresco, Banana, Uva(grape), Orange Fanta or Coke lite.  After supper they made their way back down to the pulperia for their desserts, ice cream sandwiches, nutty butty's, strawberry frozen treat or Steve's famous vanilla ice cream with a swirl of strawberry circling is plastic cup.  By the end of the week I knew every one's order,  On the last evening Dylan came back for the last bag of BBQ chips but someone had beat him to them.  This was an enjoyable time had by the team members each evening to be able to relax and fill the porch of the pulperia with lots of laughter.  They enjoyed continuing to reflect on their day with the Sandago family.  Thank you friends for continuing to make this pulperia a pleasure to run and operate.  You have been a blessing for Mike and I this week.

 

 

 

One of my most treasured God moments was one afternoon Mike and Pastor Carlos went to pick up a table and four chairs a gentleman in Pavana made out of the wood from the ministry campus.  After cleaning it up I went back to work inside the Pulperia de Mt. Horeb and Gift Shop.  I heard some laughter and heavy discussions going on around the table.  It continued for quiet some time so I worked my way out to the porch to see what all the commotion was about.  Andie had found my checker set I have had down here for seven years.  This is the first time the checker game has been brought out and used.  When Mike and I was dreaming about the plans for the ministry campus, one of my dreams was to see a group of folks sitting out on the porch of the pulperia drinking their sodas and eating their ice cream and playing checkers.  God answered my heart's desire yesterday on the porch as they were playing an intense game of checkers.  There was championship games for two nights on the porch and at the end of last evening, Mrs. Sandy became the champion, but I want to say congratulations to Steve and Dylan because they came in right behind Mrs. Sandy.  Thank you God and you all for making my dreams of this pulperia become a reality. 

 

 

A song of ascents. Of David. How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!
Psalm 133:1

 

not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25

Our Block Masons Up High

 

These folks worked up high on probably one of the hottest days in Honduras this week.  The temperature got up to 105 on this day I believe.  As you can see the team did it with smiles and a grateful heart.  They were willing to sacrifice the enduring temperatures to get Juana's house up all the way to block 800.  They took great care of each other during this very warm day.  They can proudly say they completed their tenth course on this very warm day.  In the evening they had hearts full from their experience that day.  How God provides the means if we only allow him to do it.  They did not survive this day but with God's help they were able to sustain the heat and accomplished what God called them to Honduras to do, build Juana' home,

 

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 28:7

Walking for Health

 

On the way to church Sunday we found out the President of Honduras was somewhere in Cedeno promoting walking for your health.  They had miles of walkers and water trucks providing water for their walkers on Sunday morning.  This is beautiful to see our Honduran families getting healthy and taking better care of themselves.  This was an awesome site as we traveled to church on Sunday morning.

 

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?
1 Corinthians 3:16

Worhship On Sunday

 

As the team prepared nightly after God moments to sing in church on Sunday morning, it was obvious their practices led by Kay was a blessing to all.  Pastor Carlos shared on the job site on Monday morning how everyone was talking about the beautiful service on Sunday especially the specials song by the North American choir.  The team was able to sing "God Is So Good" in Spanish  and "He Touched Me".  Then we were doubly blessed when Carlito got up to sing a solo.  Sherman and Steve shared how amazed they were he knew every word to such a long song.  He did not need the words to sing this song.  He knew from memory.  He had this song in his heart.  The children learn each Sunday a bible verse and a song during their Sunday School hour.  As Heather was sharing her testimony she quoted scripture out of her bible and Jose was sitting next to me and as Meida read it Jose was reciting the verse from memory.  This children get God's Word engraved in their hearts at a early age.

Heather got up to give her testimony first.  Her first words were,  "God is so good". This is one of my favorite sayings so I knew I was going to blessed by Heather's words this bright and beautiful morning in Cedeno,Choluteca, Honduras. This has been a whirlwind of a trip Heather starts out sharing.  What amazed Heather is how God wants us to be a part of His plan.  He wants us to go.  I have to say folks Heather breaks all records for prep time for coming to Honduras.  Dana, team member, called her on Thursday to see if she wanted to come and she was on the plane Tuesday morning coming to Honduras. After arriving in Honduras it did not hit me until Wednesday sometime I was in Honduras on a mission trip.  Heather shared how she is in constant awe of the beauty of this country, the flowers, the flowing mountains, the trees and the different melon and sugar cane fields.  You all have a gorgeous country. God's creation here makes me smile.  But what makes me smile more is the beauty of your children.  Your children make me smile with their laughter.  I have been sharpened by these little ones I have worked with this week.  All because I said yes to God.  God open a door for me this week I will forever treasure.  Thank you for allowing me to be here.

Dana was up next as he shared first in Spanish "Dios es Buenos".  He was practicing before church started with Meida to make sure he said it correctly.  Dana, you did a great job. Dana shared he began his trip to Honduras as a child.  God started preparing his life and his heart for missions a long time ago. He accepted Christ in 1960, as one of the children said, "oh" sitting behind me.  When we accept Christ in our hearts He gives us the means to love our neighbors.  Our neighbors are all people we come in contact with. This team I am with this week are my brothers and sisters and neighbors in Christ.  Out of Joshua 1 it says "to be strong and courageous in the Lord."  God has blessed me to be able to use my hands to serve Him and I am grateful for this gift and for being here to serve with you this week.

Andie shared I do not have a hard life testimony but a lifelong testimony growing up in a Christian home where my parents had me in church every time the doors open, just as you do with your families each week.  My father is a preacher and just because my father is a preacher does not mean I have his religion.  Our spiritual walk is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Our parents cannot give us our spiritual journey, only our acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and a daily walk with him. No matter where I go Jesus is always with me.  When I moved out of my home Jesus Christ went with me.  Andie shared Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."

After Andie's testimony the children did a special called "Noah's Song".

Pastor Tom got up to share from God's word out of John 3.  He thanked everyone for having us this week.  Pastor Tom's sermon was on the "Resurrection".   John 3 may not seem like the book of the bible to be getting this story from but bear with me and I will take you there through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Does resurrection really matter?  Last Sunday was Easter Sunday.  There was over one billion people all over the world celebrating Jesus' resurrection. How this resurrection which happened over 2,000 years ago still be so important to so many people?  Eighty four percent of  people believe Jesus arose on the third day.

It is up to us to let the world know that Jesus is not dead but is alive.  On his journey here before ascending into heaven, Jesus cooked for people, he ate with people and he worshiped with people.  Jesus is who he says he is.  He is not just a good teacher but He is so much more.  He is our Lord and Savior. You must be born again Nicodemous, Jesus shared.  , " I am the resurrection and the life", Jesus shared with Martha, sister of Lazarus. Jesus can bring the dead back to life.  As it is with us, in Ephesians 1:' You have been made alive while we were dead but in Christ we were made alive."

John 3:36 "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." Not anyone had the power to keep Jesus in the grave.  Jesus had the power to raise himself up and he has the power to raise us up with him at the appointed time, if we believe in HIM. Jesus does what he says he does.   All God's plan was fulfilled,  The people went to the tomb and found it empty.  When God says something he does it.  HE ROSE AGAIN, HE HAS THE POWER AND HE KEEPS HIS WORD TO ALL OF US WHO BELIEVE.

No matter what our past may be, it is forgiven.  Present problems are manageable.  My future is secure.  Only way to prepare for the future is to know Jesus.  God has a plan and we are secure in HIS plan.  All who call on HIM will be saved.

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Our Typcial Honduran Sunday Lunch

 

God has blessed Choluteca, Honduras with a new restaurant which we got to enjoy after church on Sunday.  There is this huge room surrounded by windows and air condition.  We could had ate outside but it was a little warm for us on Sunday.  The restaurant has beautifully made wood table and chairs for our dining pleasure.  The entire menu is typical Honduran meals.  The team enjoyed their time out for lunch and good fellowship together.  We are grateful for this new opportunity to enjoy an afternoon in a nice restaurant which provides great meals.

 

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15

Our Last Day's Journey

 

This was the last morning our new friends would adventure out to Cedeno where they have been blessed beyond any of their imaginations.  They have come in with open hearts, strong backs for hard work and a vision for Jesus Christ.  They pray up each morning and give their day to Jesus Christ and allow Him to use them and on this last day Jesus did so many beautiful things through each and every one of the new friends from North Carolina.  We love you guys!!!!  Thanks for all you have done this week.

 

"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 25:23

Crabs Anyone

 

One day as work goes on as usual this was a daily routine for this young man.  His job is selling crabs to his neighbors by means of his bicycle.  Juana's sister went out there to make her purchase.  They use these creatures in their seafood soup.  They were alive and well as she made her purchase. Just another beautiful blessing of Honduras.  Crabs on wheels.  How convenient for the folks to walk out on their street and purchase part of their daily meal.  I love Honduras.  Life is so awesome here.

 

"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.
Matthew 13:27

 

The Last Day of Many Memories

 

The family fixed one last meal for their new Christian family, Honduran spaghetti.  They all celebrated and broke bread together one last time before the home dedication.  Also their was still mescal to be mixed as Andie and Amanda continued working very hard. The team waited patiently on Pastor Carlos as he put the last minute touches onto the floor of this home.  All the boys wanted their picture made together as they lined up on the wall of their finished product, Juana's home. They really became one big family this week. 

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"
Luke 4:8

 

Repairing the Well

 

Pastor Carlos on the fourth day starting putting a concrete top on the well.  Sherman and Steve pitched in to help with this project.  During God moments one evening Sherman and Steve shared how Angie got down inside the well and started filling in the joints of the blocks which were placed in their earlier that day.  Once coming out of the well Angie was soaked to the bone but was coming out with a huge smile on her face.  She helped repair her family's mean of getting water daily.

 

but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
John 4:14

The Puzzle is Complete

 

All week Dana and a few helpers were working on two other projects as well as the house.  The biggest project was the steps going up to the out house.  Dana shared one evening during God moments it was liking working a puzzle.  There is a piece for every space.  They literally took their left over block pieces and some bigger pieces of block to make the steps going up into the out house.  Angie was right there the entire time doing her part to make this happen. Juana and Pastor Dudley came back to check on the progression on the last day as they spent most of the later part of the morning into the afternoon finishing up their puzzle.  This was a puzzle put together with lots of love. Thank you gentlemen for going the extra mile and giving them an easier means of getting to their out house.

 

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

Philippians 4:19

Bubbles

 

Kay brought out her bubbles one last time for the children to enjoy on the job site.  I always love when our teams bring bubbles. Bubbles are such a treat for our sweet little brown eye beauties.  They find so much entertainment in watching the bubbles go up into the air and disappear.  Thank you Kay for taking the time to spend with these children one more time.  They appreciate you all more than you will ever know.  God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

 

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
Acts 20:35

A Heartfelt Home Dedication

 

Team leader and pastor, Dudley led the most heartfelt home dedication.  This dedication was perfect for this family and team.  How he orchasterated the whole event would bring tears to many who were participating.  First of all he shared out of John 13 how we are to love one another and how he had since a lot of love for one another during the project of Juana and family's home.  Every one worked together and completed what God had called us all to do.  Pastor Dudley asked Pastor Hampton to share some scriptures out of Matthew 7:24.  Angie looked up every scripture reference they used during the home dedication and her brother Dudley followed along as it was read.

 

First of all he gave out the bibles to each family member starting with Juanita.  He asked Sandy if she would give the honors to her little friend Juanita.  Juanita became shy all of sudden but Sandy knew just how to handle her and told her how much she loved her and have enjoyed getting to know her this week.  Meida helped out by showing Juanita her new bible.  Once she saw the bible she settled down as Sandy shared with her she wanted to grow up reading God's word and learning all she could about his Son, Jesus.

 

Next Pastor Dudley asked Andie if she would present her friend, Carlito with his new bible.  Andie shared with him what an example to us all with how he worked hard, played hard and was always doing his best at whatever crossed his path.  One day you will be a leader shared Andie.  Someone who will take the initative and do the right thing whether be in his home, school, church or community.  We are all proud to be able to work with you this week and get to know such an amazing young man.  After he received his bible he enjoyed looking through it as the dedication continued.

 

Heather was asked to give Angie her new bible.  Heather said I am not much on words but I do know how blessed we are all to know you and work with you this week.  We hope God blesses you as you read HisWord and grow in His Word.  Later that evening during God moments it was said how Angie needed a new bible because the one she had was very worn,  Praise the Lord, she reads her bible. Do you read your bible daily and is it getting worn?  If not pick it up and get it worn and learn about how great our God and His Son is.

 

Last gift was to Dudley from Pastor Dudley.  I never knew a Dudley until I met Pastor Dudley, our gentle giant.  God has made two Dudley's, one Honduran and on North American.  They did not get to see Dudley, the son much during the week because he was the main bread winner for the family.  But once he got off of working at the beach catching fish he came home and helped work on his new home.  He was a gentle spirit just as our Pastor Dudley is and both gentlemen have a sincere smile which radiates their face.  How appropriate for Pastor Dudley to be the one to provide his brother in Christ with a new bible. 

 

After the bible presentation we gathered around the home to dedicate to our Lord and Savior.  Everyone placed their hands upon the home and Pastor Carlos led the home dedication prayer.  Pastor Carlos use to be Juana's pastor a few years back.  So how appropriate for Pastor Dudley to ask Pastor Carlos to prayer over her new home.  After the prayers were complete I turned around and their was our sweet little Juanita with her friends around her looking at her new bible.  What a blessing children are and they are our gifts from God.

 

Lastly, Pastor Dudley presented Juana with the key to her home.  But before opening the door Sherman had a gift for Juana and family from the team.  The team presented her with a wooden cross with carved out Jesus es Amor.  Jesus is love.  Sherman and Juana along with Carlito went inside the home to find just the right spot to hang her new gift.  Juana helped hammer the nail into the concrete as they all three picked and placed the cross on the wall.  Sherman choked back a tear as he watched his friend, Juana, wipe a tear from her cheek.  She thanked God first and then thanked Sherman and the team for everything they had done for this week.

What a beautiful home dedication and beautiful week God provided for all of us because we were obedient and went and served.

 

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24