Our Journey to La Criba with New Hope Baptist Church

Our church family, New Hope Baptist Church returned for another year of serving our Lord along side of us and our Honduran staff.  Their road trip was not a long one praise the Lord.  It was a rocky one once we got off the main road to head to La Criba where they came upon some very excited children. Aille the six year daughter was jumping up and down and clapping as we climbed the hill to get to the lot where her new home was going to be built.  Mike shared this was probably her very first Christmas ever.  She was finally getting a home where she will not get wet and will be safe at night while sleeping.  What a joy it was to see the excitement from the lives of these children.  This was probably the first time we ever had a greeting as humbling as was with little Aille.  Thank you God for allowing children to show us Your Grace and Mercy through their lives.

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love.
2 John 1:3

Ron's God Moment

Team leader, Ron, arrived a very happy man.  The night before he said I pray those blocks are in the center of the foundation.  The morning of leaving for the project Ron shared how I sure hope those blocks are in the center of the foundation.  Ron arrives just simply beside himself.  God's provision of the blocks inside the foundation was an answer to Ron's several request of please let those blocks be inside of the foundation.  God takes care of all our needs if we only let HIM know what they are.  I said our needs not our wants.  This was huge need for team leader, Ron and he was forever grateful to God for listening to his prayer concern.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
1 John 5:14

Walter, Delsie and Children

We would love for you to meet the sweetest family from Arcola Oyuela, La Criba, San Lorento Valle.  Walter has a lovely wife named Delsie and they together have five beautiful children.  Their oldest is named Walter, Jr. age 12, Orlin age 11, Dani, age 8, Jason age 3 and their only little lady is named Aille age 6.  Every single one of these little ones have the most kind and gentle spirit well except for little Jason who was always into something or talking non-stop.  You could be anywhere on the property, says Lizzy, and you could hear Jason over all the rest.  They were proud of their new home they were finally getting after many years.  This is a community we did not get to go to often because it was so far out.  Now we are Mt. Horeb God has given us opportunities to go further out into many directions.  Thank you God for sending us to this precious family this week. 

Introduction of New Friends

God blessed us as we gathered for the introductions and the one of may prayers to be prayed this week.  The circle was quiet large because of Walter and his many family members.  We brought along a lot of Honduran help along with the North Americans who were so eager and ready to meet the family they have been praying so earnestly for and now they got to meet their new friends. Walter proudly introduced his wife, Delsie and their children.  Team leader Ron allowed the team to introduce themselves as Mike introduced the extra Honduran help God provided this week.  This team was very blessed with a lot of Honduran help.  God is so good.

Mike's Block Crew

Mike hired out a few good North Americans to help get the special blocks cut while other stuff was going on around them.  Ron, Gordon, Ken, Lizzy Ken and Betty Lynn kept Mike very busy.  They laid out the blocks in rows of three so Mike could quickly get the blocks cut.  Betty Lynn came behind him knocking out the center nubs from the cutting.  Gordon, Ron, Ken  and Lizzy moved the blocks to another location ready to be laid as needed.  They continued this process until all the blocks were cut. Gordon came on board after Mike and I left to continue the special orders as needed for the home.  It takes a lot of different jobs to get these 800 blocks and 52 bags of cement into a home.  This is just one of many jobs the team worked at diligently this week.  During this process alone there is at least four jobs to do to bring a block to the size it needs to be and ready to be placed on the foundation of this home.

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
2 Corinthians 5:1

Christ is the Cornerstone

Pastor Carlos, Alex, Cristobal and Moses got to work setting the cornerstones for this home.  There was only one problem it was not level and there was not enough room on one of the walls to lay the blocks.  This was a first time opportunity for Pastor Carlos and Mike.  But they put their heads together and off they went correcting a small error in putting down the foundation.  Walter got out there with them to correct the mistake as well.  He worked hard to get it just like Pastor Carlos wanted with joy on his face. As the mistake became history very quickly the four corners became one.  This was corrected so quickly with a lot of hard work from the Hondurans we are so blessed to have had this week helping us make this house a home.

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

Hard Work Mixing Mescal

The job site was such a tight fit they had to move the mescal crew to the bottom of the hill.  The Honduran men, maybe six total, were bringing water from somewhere down the hill to the location of the mescal pile.  The cement came from Carla's home, the mother and grandmother of all these beautiful folks.  There was materials coming from all directions to get this mescal going and ready to lay the first block.  These gentlemen worked hard all week for their family and friend Walter.  Walter worked hard right beside them carrying the bags of cement down the hill and turn around carrying the buckets of mescal up the hill.  Amazing energy level these Honduran men have.  Walter wanted this home so desperately he would of done whatever it took to get the job done.  This is one of many task Walter performed this week.  The team shared how he went behind them and others smoothing out the joints on his new home.  He took great pride in this project which was quickly becoming a home.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:10

Praying Over the First Block

The family gathered around the first block towards their new home.  As I stood there watching all this come together above them was God's grandeur beauty of some very luscious green hillsides.  The family squatted down over their block with each hand placed on this block.  The team gathered around the block touching one another in praise unto the Lord.  Team member, Ken prayed the prayer over the first block, actually challenging the family through scripture to make this house God's house everyday.  As Ken concluded his prayer everyone shouted AMEN!!!

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people--

1 Timothy 2:1

Every Corner Had a Honduran

The first morning everyone had a Honduran working by their side at the very beginning or very close by.  We count Mike as a Honduran in these pictures just saying.  The Hondurans are so patient and understanding towards the North Americans who come here to serve their Lord and Savior.  Pastor Carlos is the most patient of all with us each and every week.  Pastor Carlos is an amazing teacher, humble and content in his work for the Lord.  He will tell you very quickly he serves the Lord first and then man.  It is so obvious in his mannerisms towards all he works beside.  Betty Lynn and Reba adventured out on their hon filling in the joints on the first row.  This was not these two ladies first rodeo.  They knew exactly what to do and did it well.  Mike and Ron were having a small problem on one of the corners because of the foundation was off a little but they persevered and got it fixed.  Moses worked beside Lizzy and on day two look at her and some come on Lizzy let's get to work.  Off Lizzy went to help Moses who is also a blessing to our ministry.  He has been with us since March 3 and does a phenomenal job.  Reba shares how she loves to hear him sing hymns as they ride to and from the project each day.  Reba gets to set in the front seat of the Land Cruser  and be so blessed by his gift of music.  Thank you to Alex and Cristobal who were work horses.  Alex was a quiet but steady worker shared Betty Lynn.  Lizzy had a hard time keeping up with Cristobal who worked quickly and efficiently and did a beautiful job as well.  We are so blessed to have committed helpers when needed to get God's work to completion.  Gordon, Ken and Ron were grateful for all the help God provided for them this week.  God is good all the time and all the time God is good

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Psalm 118:8

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6

"But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
Jeremiah 17:7

Such confidence we have through Christ before God.

2 Corinthians  3:4

Ron and Mike Solving the Problems

Mike and Ron, long time friends stood there discussing the week ahead.  First of all how everything will flow throughout the week.  The team was surrounded by God's beautiful creation.  Gordon made a comment of all the times he has been here he has never seen it so green and lush as it is this year.  Everyone worked so hard the first two days.  People come from all around to watch and work beside Walter and Denslie.  Lizzy shared how it is so beautiful to come here and witness the sense of community and how everyone helps out a neighbor or a friend.  Ron said we need to do more of this back home.  And Ken shared he agreed we need to be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever we go. 

Ken is a construction worker by trade so we appreciate you coming Ken and being flexible and building this home the Honduran way and not the North American way.  It has to be a hard task to do your trade a different way for five days.  God was good by working through you this week. 

Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

John 13:9

Fellowship and Food

Each day Betty Lynn and Lizzy, with the help of Reba one morning do to some unseen circumstances, got up at 5:30 to cook breakfast for their team.  They had scrambled eggs, bacon and toast each morning.  But one particular morning the team a true Honduran breakfast Pastor Brian.  Yes we had baleadas as and they were so delicious.  The porch of the multi-purpose building is a great place to drink your coffee and enjoying a lot of laughter and good conversation with friends.  This facility is such a blessing for this ministry.  There is so many beautiful moments shared here and Betty Lynn says it is like being closer to God sitting on the porch of the multi purpose building.  We can see all God's beauty all around us and feel close to Him while doing our quiet time each day.  It is a place of renewing of our spirit.  Ken shared it helps us get away from the fast pace back home. Ron concurred he always feel refreshed and closer to the Lord while here.  We are grateful to God He provides such a place for our North American families who come through.  Mike and I are blessed to get live this everyday.  I am forever grateful I said yes eight plus years ago.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Revelation 3:20 

Concrete

We now know where a lot of the concrete comes from that is repairing the roads from Choluteca to Tegus.  We road by the first morning to about fifty or more trucks parked one by one side by side in a huge empty lot waiting to get into the facility which makes the concrete mixture.  Each day they were lined up on the road waiting their turn to enter into the facility to load up and head back out to delivery the concrete to make the many miles of road which actually is going to be very nice once it gets completed.  There is a lot of folks involved in this process and praise God how many jobs this huge project is providing for the people from Tegus to Choluteca. 

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Matthew 21:22

We Have Guest

Our neighbor down the street ask if she could graze her cattle on our property.  We said of course you can.  The grass is so green and this will be some great food for our four legged friends.  Daily we here the moos going on over on the side lot of Mt. Horeb.  But the great news about her grazing her cows here she wanted to pay us for doing this.  Mike shared oh no this is not necessary but if you would like to let us have of these beauties we would graciously take one.  So we are now the proud owners of a cow and possibility her calf.  Now we have chickens, turkeys and cows.  Maybe one day we can get goats too.  Who knows what God has in store for Mt. Horeb.

The righteous care for the needs of their animals

Proverbs 12:10a

Building Relationships

The ladies gathered inside the remains of the first home to chat with the children.  One day Delsie went back behind the curtain and came out cleaned and dressed very neatly.  She shared she was going to work in the shrimp factory from 12 noon to 12 midnight.  There is a bus who comes by daily to pick up many of the people in this community.  Praise God for work.  We should never take this gift from God for granted.  Walter unfortunately does not have work.  But Delsie is providing for her five children and hubby which is a huge blessing.

As the ladies chatted the men worked hard, very hard.  They were getting the gables set for the tresses the next day.   The heat was extremely hot his day.  The team perservered to get their task for the day to completion. Moses was working on the ground with the North Americans making sure the cutting was done correctly for the special orders.  Pastor Carlos, Alex and Cristobal working hard up top placing the blocks right where they need to go.  Everyone worked as one even with the language barrier.

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Matthew 21:22

Final Touches

As Mike and Pastor Carlos completed the roof  team leader Ron said why don't we let Walter lay the last piece of tin on his new home.  The team started with the clean up of the tools and other materials that needed to go down to the Kia.  This was a quick morning of work but the job is now complete.  This is a beautiful home which was built out of the love of Jesus Christ.  Walter took great pride all week in making sure every seam or joint was smoothed out to perfection.  Walter took such great pride in the work of the house becoming his home.  Everyone should be so proud of their accomplishments this week.  Well done good and faithful servants

VBS

The children were told by Meida to gather around for some song, bible story and crafts.  Meida started singing with the children as they sang and clapped with such joy in their hearts.  As Meida continue for about fifteen minutes singing the children from around the houses came into this little piece of heaven here on earth.  After the singing we had about twenty beautiful little faces with big brown eyes looking up at us.  What a God moment.  But oh you have not yet heart the biggest God moment of all.  Betty Lynn brought cross necklaces to be made and a series of coloring pictures of the life of Jesus.  Ginger was ready to share the bible story with the children.  She asked them who is the little baby in the bible who became our Lord and Savior. They all shouted "Jesus". So Ginger continued talking about Jesus as he was a baby just like they were.  He was in his mommy's tummy just like you were.  Ginger asked them Jesus' parents name, Joseph and Mary was the answer immediately.  Well as Ginger continue going through the life of Jesus getting left at the temple as a boy, his first miracles and his death on the cross the children knew all of this and gave us details they could only have learned from the bible.  They basically helped Ginger tell the story of Jesus.  Ginger was so taken back and how beautiful it was Pastor Gorge's church family are teaching these children all about Jesus and they know it very well.  At the end of the story Ginger asked the children how many knew Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  There was about five hands who went up.  So I encouraged the others to please consider receiving the greatest gift of all Jesus and if you have any questions to please see Pastor Gorge or even Pastor Carlos.  This is the most precious gift you will ever receive.  At this time they all made their cross necklaces and got to color their pictures of the life of Jesus.  What a God moment this was for Ginger, Reba, Lizzy and Betty Lynn with this precious little ones.

Please meet my friend Alando who is a very special young man.  He was talking to me over by the trees at the street on his way to school.  Betty Lynn joined us but she sat on a rock.  Walter was in need of water so Betty Lynn got up to provide his physical thirst.  As she got up her cell phone fell out of her pants pocket.  She went off her merely way and I continued standing there.  Alando pointed to the ground and said Moure's cellular.  Woman's cell phone in English.  I looked down to see something blue covered in dirt.  It actually looked like trash laying there.  So I picked it up and wiped the dirt off to find out it was Betty Lynn's cell phone.  This child could have very easily had said nothing and walked away with Betty Lynn's cell phone but he was honest and sincere.  He then later came over to sit with me and chat in the remainder of the first house.  He is learning English at school and I shared with him and we taught each other some words.  His mother also works in the shrimp factory.  With his beautiful smile he headed off to school and I hope he knows what an awesome young man he is.  Above us is Donkey.  Donkey is the pet parakeet who hung out with everyone all week.  While sitting there with Donkey I got delivered iguana and rice for lunch and top off with a cold Pepsi.  God is so good.  I sat there and thought about all the love and compassion surrounding me on this little corner of the world.   

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

Worship Service

What an amazing day in the house of the Lord.  There was a young lady who led the entire worship service praising the Lord.  She got excited about her living Savior.  Her enthusiasm was breath taking.  If you were not excited about Jesus when you got there you better hope you were when you left.  The Holy Spirit was in this place today.  You looked over to her left and there is a young man on the drums playing along with the rest of the praise band.  Honduran churches start their young people out serving as soon as they can.  The pastors disciple the young people into leaders of the church.  As Mike was preparing is heart to preach I reached over and said can you beat that.  This young lady was on fire for Jesus.  Are you on fire for Jesus today?  Do you get excited about talking about him with others and making sure everyone knows this amazing man who died for our sins so we can have eternal life. 

Mike geared his sermon out Matthew 13:1-8 on the "Different Types of Soil".   He shared there are four types of soil, soil that is flat like a concrete floor and when you plant seeds they do not go anywhere or grow, there is rocky soil where you plant a seed and it grows but then it dies off, the third type of seed is planted in thorny soil where they get choked out and the best soil of all is good soil where nothing can keep it from growing if it is fed and watered properly.  What kind of soil are you today?  Look at the types of soil and look at your heart.  Do you hear God's word and do nothing about it? Do you hear God's Word and receive but down the road times get rough and you loose your relationship with Christ, are you living in the world and the world is consuming and choking you into its many traps or do you have a heart that is totally committed to living for Jesus through the good times and the bad times.  He shared with the children there will be times when wrong people enter our lives but you are very blessed to have such a strong church family supporting you here.  Come to church and stay off the streets.  Picked the friends who are strong in the Lord so you can grow strong in the Lord as well.  Life will not always be easy but with Jesus we can do all things.

After Mike's sermon the pastor called the team forward so they could be prayed over.  But before he prayed he shared with the congregation how these people came to help us with one of our own families who was in need.  They built them a home.  There is people all around the world and even in our own community who is worse off than we are.  We need to do as the North Americans have done this week go out and help others in need.  We need to be servants of God.  Team member Ron shared he did not need a translator as Pastor Gorge began to pray over them Sunday morning.  It was one of the most powerful prayers he shared he had ever heard.  Gordon was humbled by the words and gratitude of the people and especially the children in church that day.  Ken said he could not get over how he shared there was people worse off than them.  This brought tears to many of our eyes this bright and beautiful Sunday morning.  Thank you Pastor Gorge of reminding us as well there is always work to be done for the kingdom of God.

Gathering One Last Time

The team made their last road trip in the Kia and Land Cruzer to La Criba to finish the job God called them to do.  They arrived once again with that beautiful smile from daughter Aille.  The team brought up the needed to material to put the roof on the house.  Mike waited patiently while team took care of some last minute details with Meida.  We gathered while Ken offered  to pray up the rest of our journey with this precious community one more time.  Mike and Pastor Carlos prepared to climb up on one more home to make it complete with the roof.  Moses got instructions from Pastor Carlos which end is to go up first so there would not be any confusion.  The team followed the orders from Pastor Carlos and got ready to pass up the tin.  Betty Lynn continued doing what she does best sharing with the children in her limited Spanish. 

Lizzy's Lifetime Friend, Jason

All week Lizzy has talked about Jason and how he was always near by her.  Well today before the dedication I got to experience what Lizzy was talking about.  Lizzy's shadow Jason took himself and his chair following Lizzy wherever she went.  He wanted Lizzy to see his picture he had colored of Noah's Ark.  Jason was simply content just being near Lizzy.  He would sometimes chatter away and other times just being near Lizzy was good enough for Jason.  Thank you Lizzy for simply showing the love of Jesus to this young man by your smile, your kind words and your gentle spirit.  You see this children do not expect "stuff" from us they just want our smiles and hugs we pass along to them.  Thankful to God for leading us in the direction where these people do not expect hand outs just our love and friendship.  Thank you Lizzy for showing this to Jason this week.  What a beautiful example of Jesus Christ to this young one. 

We Had a Secret

Meida motioned me to come into Carla's kitchen for a minute.  Carla and daughter, Delsie were cooking up some balatas for breakfast.  Well Media shared with them this was my favorite Honduran breakfast.  They fixed me two balatas and they were so delicious.  We shared with Moses as he entered the kitchen.  We shared secret, secret and the children picked up on our little secret.  It actually became a big joke and we had fun thinking we were keeping the special breakfast a secret from everyone else.  Then here come Pastor Gorge as we stood there eating our balatas.  The children and I said, "It is a secret."  We had such a great time laughing and talking about our children and grandchildren.  I shared with Delsie I have a grandson the same age as Jason who loves to eat balatas too.  Jason ate three while is was standing there. 

Over Meida's shoulder "Donkey"  was listening and making his way to Meida.  All of a sudden "Donkey" jumped on Meida's shoulder and worked his way down her body to her hand.  Meida was petrified of "Donkey"  which had us all laughing.  This time with this lovely family was such a treat for me which I do not get very often.  I was able to go into someone's kitchen enjoy a delicious breakfast and some good laughter with some lovely ladies.  Thank you Meida for sharing this very precious secret with me.

A cheerful heart is good medicine

Proverbs 17:22

Precious Folks

God truly blessed everyone this week with some amazing hospitality.  The love these people showed all of us is something we all need to take back to North America.  This love is unique and definitely from our Lord.  This love is AGAPE.  Agape is an unconditional love which Ken shared one evening during his devotional.  The only way we can truly love like this is through the power of the Holy Spirit.  So today if you do not this love called AGAPE I urge you to find someone who is a believer in Jesus Christ who exemplifies the fruit of the Spirit in their daily lives and ask them how can I get this love in my life.

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.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.   John 3:16-17

An Amazing Dedication

We started the dedication with Ron, team leader, opening with an amazing introduction to the dedication service.  Please enjoy these precious words from the heart of this team leader.  "Why did we , Gordon, Lizzie, Betty Lynn, Reba, Ken and I come to Honduras to build a home?  Look around you, this is why.  We have grown to love you and we see love in your faces as well.  We see a new home, new relationships and new ways of showing how Jesus is working in our lives and your lives. Each of us North Americans is here today because we believe and are convinced that Jesus Christ called us to be here and sent us to show His love for you by helping build a home for this family, to build new friendships in this community and to build up His kingdom here on earth. Jesus first commanded us to love God with all our heart, souls and mind.  Then secondly to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.  This new home is a reflection of what Jesus can do when we love our neighbors and work together in His name. In Romans 10:12 it says that In Gods eyes there is no Greek or Jew.  So to take it further there is no difference between a North American and a Honduran in God's eyes.  The next verse 13 says something really important, "For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  I pray today that all of us will call upon the name of the Lord.  May God bless this home, this family, bless this neighborhood and bless this country.  No matter where we are or who we are we can have all that matters in life through Jesus Christ.  Please pray with me. Ron led them in a beautiful introduction prayer for a very amazing dedication service.

Next Betty Lynn stepped forward with a house warming gift to the family.  She had someone back home paint a prayer on canvas.  Betty Lynn shared she has one hanging in her home as well. She shared this prayer has blessed my home for over thirty years even to this day.  This week the building of this home for you all has been a wonderful blessing of its own.  The walls are strong and the doors will help keep storms out.  But it is with God's love that brought us here. Only He can be thanked for loving us all. As you make this your home, pray to Him with thankfulness.  Thank Him for your loving family that includes your new North American family.  Pray with you mother and father, and pray with your children.  He is our Protector and our Savior.  He loves us so.

Ken stepped forward.  Ken has ladies from his home church each year who send wash clothes to share with the Hondurans.  Ken presented the wash cloths to Delsie to use in her home.  He shared these wash cloths were made by hand with lots of love from women in North American.  Lizzy then stepped up to present the bible of dedication to the family. Lizzy opened by reading three bible verses to the family about God's Word.  The first one is Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.  The next bible verse Lizzie shared was John 17:14-19 John 17:14-19 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.^{[a] 16} They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them^[b] in the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for their sake I consecrate myself,^[c] that they also may be sanctified^[d] in truth.  The last verse was from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Lizzie then looked over at Walter and Delsie to say we wish to present you with this bible  so that you can study God's Word.  I offer you this challenge, spend time together in God's Word, read this bible with your children and learn together.  I pray your faith will grow because of it.  At this time we gathered around the home to say the prayer of dedication over the home.  Everyone there placed their hands upon this new beautiful home as Gordon spoke to the Lord in a mighty way.  His words were profound and were expressed with true humbleness.  He prayed individually for Delsie and Walter and the children.  He prayed this house would become a home where Jesus resides daily.  Gordon allowed the Holy Spirit to speak through him as he praised the Lord for this week.

Reba stepped forward to present the family with the key.  As you open this door to your home remember the door to Jesus Christ is always open for you.  Delsie can Walter I want to share some scripture with you to dedicate the keys of your new home.  Reba read out of Revelation 3:20

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.  Another one she shared was Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  At this time Reba presented the keys to Walter who in turned said please give them to Delsie.  Delsie and her family went to unlock the door to their new home as they all entered in with excitement and contentment. 

This was a beautiful ending to an amazing week serving our Lord and Savoir with our church family and friends.  Thank you God also for all the North Americans who showed and shared Jesus with Walter this week as well.  Today I heard Walter rededicated his life to Christ.  So like Meida said the angels are dancing in Heaven today because of one more person who now has Jesus.  Thank you all for sharing Jesus with Walter and his family this week.  God is good all the time and all the time God is good.  AMEN

Welcome Back First Baptist Church Southern PInes College Team

We are so blessed each year for the return of these amazing college students who come from all over the state to return back to Southern Pines to join together for their international mission trip to Honduras.  Pastor Brian and team leader does an amazing job helping prepare these young people for this trip even though they are all over the place throughout the school year.  He assigns them all job duty one of which is to get up each morning at five o'clock and cook breakfast for their team members.  Barry, team member is in charge of breakfast as two different young people join him each morning for bacon, eggs, grits, toasts and pancakes.  Yes these young people were cooking pancakes one morning.

The rest of the team have their responsibilities as well.  There are two or three making sandwiches, two or three making the Gatorade and two who help load up the Kia daily.  Each young person was prompt and on time for their job duty each and every morning.  They switched out their duties daily so everyone got a chance at each responsibility.  We did not once have to remind someone of their responsibility or wait for them to assist any way.  They were prepared to serve the Lord wherever they were needed.

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

Ephesians 6:7

Coming Together

Each day I enjoyed watching them climb the hill to the multi-purpose building for breakfast or dinner.  They came prepared each morning and evening with their bible for their devotions.  The fellowship of the young people about their day was refreshing to know one day this is the future of this ministry. They will one day come back with their enthusiasm with adult teams and possibly be a team leader like Pastor Brian Barry and Karen.  They bring a breathe of fresh air and excitement to the ministry campus.  We are forever grateful for their enthusiasm, their energy level and their excitement for serving Jesus Christ with us at Mt. Horeb. 

Father and Daughter Serving Side by Side

God blessed us another time this year with these two special folks.  Brian and his lovely daughter Rachel came down ready to serve their Lord.  They cooked breakfast together and they discussed the block cutting strategies.  They enjoyed the children the most of all.  I sat there one afternoon for about an hour and watched Brian color with Nizzie and Angenlina.  Nizzie ended up copying Brian's picture to the letter.  Nizzie wanted to make sure she did it exactly like Mr. Brian.  This went on for a very long time and many coloring pages later.  Thank you Brian for being my God moment this day.  There was so much love under those mango trees this week.  God built a home but built beautiful relationships amongst the North American and the Hondurans. 

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Joshua 24:15b

Brother and Sister Team

Caleb came last year to go back home and talk about his amazing and life changing experience to his sister, Morgan.  They were together and they were not together this week. They both brought different gifts to the table.  They actually love playing with the children every day.  They each made time to work and to play and blended it all very well.  Morgan and Caleb did amazing jobs sharing in their individual devotionals.  I will share this later in the blog.  It is a special time when siblings come together to serve their Lord.  They can return home and reflect together on all their God moments and help each other out when they start missing the beautiful place called Honduras. Thank you two for coming together making memories which no one can ever take away from you.

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Joshua 24:15b

The Pathway to Our Little Piece of Heaven

Each day the team walked down a narrow path to the bottom which in rainy season becomes a stream.  They went through the dry stream up a hill to the neighborhood of Elmer and Marlen.  As they traveled daily to their project they were reminded of how Pastor Pedro and the young men of the church carried 800 blocks, 52 bags of cement, bags of sand, rebar, the roofing materials and many more items to build this family's home.  At the top of this narrow path is our little piece of Heaven. God provided huge mango trees for shade and a cool place to sit during breaks and lunch.  There was nestled up there about six or seven home.  Two homes we have built over the last five years.  This is a very special community and we brought along a very special group of young people eager to serve along side of this community.

   We gathered up in a huge circle to make our introductions.  Pastor Brian introduced himself and his team of young people.  The team was blessed to have Barry and Karen as their adult chaperones.  Pastor Brian turned it over to Elmer as Elmer introduced his entire family.  His wife, Marlen and their four sons, Elmer Jr., Alex, Oliver and Esteven.  Pastor Pedro and his son, Hydal were there as well for the introductions.  Someone Elmer forgot to introduce was his lovely mother, Carmen.  On the last day at the home dedication he apologized to Carmen forgetting her on the first day.  She graciously smiled and said you are forgiven.  Elmer for the next fifteen minutes praise God and the team for coming to build his home.  He shared how he was content and grateful for yet another day of life. Are we grateful each morning for a new day which only God can provide. He was humbled over the his dream was becoming a reality.   He shared how he had prayed for many years for this day and knew one day God would answer his prayers.  Pastor Pedro led us into our third prayer of the day.   This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24.

Preparing Daily to Serve the Lord

Each morning these young people had job responsibilities which consisted of making lunches, making Gatorade and loading the truck.  They all rotated out daily with a new job duty.  It was done with a cheerful and grateful heart.  Pastor Brian did a great job coordinating this schedule for them this week.  All they needed to do is check the schedule to see what their responsibilities were and the day they had devotions.  This was a well greased group of young people. They came from all over the state and other states as well.  Probably had not seen each other since Christmas break and picked right up where they needed to do get all their responsibilities taken care of.

The day started very early and they gathered up each morning at 7:00 am to pray up their day.  Pastor Brian, Barry and Karen taking care of last minute concerns each and every day.  By this time of the morning they would have prayed twice, once for breakfast and the second time for the day ahead, for travels to and from the job site, for their health and protection on the project and for God to receive all the honor and glory.

Let's Unload

There was not one minute of hesitation once Pastor Pedro said Amen.  Everyone went about getting the materials up the hill from the river bed.  We were more blessed than the Hondurans where it was a closer climb for us and all the many items it takes to help make this house a home.  I turned around to see the ladies carrying the doors up the hill, thanks Rachel, Lauren and Taylor.  Way to go Anna, Marissa, Andrew, Chris, Sam, Caleb, Morgan, Payton and Kendall for jumping up to the plate and using your God given abilities and energy to help this process run smoother.  Mike and I knew this was the project for this group of young people.  They are energetic and enthusiasm all rolled into one.  They are not afraid of hard work.  We were blessed to have each on this week with such eager hearts to serve their Lord.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Romans 12:11

Where is the Coffee

Well everyone saw Mike, Karen, Barry and Pastor Brian drinking the coffee.  All I could here is I want some, I want some.  So Marie shared her coffee with every one who so desired a sip of this delicious coffee.  There was just one problem here Pastor Brian, Chris, Same and Andrew were suppose to be cutting special blocks for the back right corner because it was not level.  Pastor Carlos was asking where the blocks were.  Pastor Brian blamed Mike for this huge problem of falling down on his job as he joyfully drank his coffee.  There was little remorse at this time.  Pastor Brian did get Chris busy measuring the blocks so once he finished his coffee he could get back to "work" doing his job of cutting special order blocks.  Pastor Carlos smiled and simply shook his head with a huge smile.  We as well as the Hondurans enjoy it when our teams dive into the culture especially their delicious cuisine.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Acts 2:42