Welcome Back Hopewell Baptist Church

As always Hopewell Baptist Church always brings an enthusiastic and willing team to Monte de Horeb Ministries to serve their Lord and Savior.  This was a lot of old friends returning and bringing along some new friends whom we came to love very quickly.  They all had job duties throughout the week.  The Price family, Cameron, his wife Aubrey and Joshua their brother, helped Pastor Larry prepare breakfast each morning and ready to serve it by 6:15.  The good old fashion grits and scramble eggs along with tortillas Ingrid makes for them daily with fresh pineapple or watermelon to top off their hearty hot delicious breakfast.  Our new team members Hannah, Jessica and Madison got up each morning to make sandwiches for their lunch which most of the time they never ate because of the cuisine being served at the job site daily.  Conor, Joshua, Jansen and Cameron made the water coolers daily and loaded the Kia truck with the help of Pastor Larry and Mr. Alan.  Everyone pitched in to keep the kitchen cleaned after each meal.  This team also got up extra early to make sure they spent time quietly in the presence of their Lord reading the Word, journaling and praying before the start of their day.  Mrs. Donna shared with me what a honor it was to come serve along side these young people and see them eager to serve others in the name of Jesus.  Our future is looking mighty promising if their is more young people out there as excited about serving Jesus as these.

 

Warm Introduction to Medardo and Family in La Ero Blanca

This is the most unique project we have ever experienced.  Twelve years ago Mike and I joined a ministry here and one of our jobs is assessing families to bless them with a home.  This particular family twelve years ago did not have papers for their property.  This is a recommendation in order to receive a home.  As time passed sometimes we would run into one of  the family members at church or all of them and ask them if they had their papers yet for their land so we could build them a home.  At the time we met them twelve years ago the three sons were Anderson, age 11, Merlyn, age 9 and Yelson, age 7.  Twelve years later as we stand in front of Magdalena's mother's home introducing the team and meeting Magdalena and Yelson now age 19. I was taken back how a big lesson was learned by this family and Mike and I, never give up God will provide.  As Pastor Larry shared in his opening greetings to the family, "Our timing is not always God's timing and God's timing is always on time."  God knew twelve years ago Hopewell Baptist Church would be building this home at this time. Since then the oldest son, Anderson has gotten married and moved out but he still came and helped his family get their home.  Medardo, husband and father, could not be there for the introductions because praise God he has work.  All the men of this family have work.  Yelson was there the first day to help get the project started while his brother Merlyn and father Medardo were working.  Meida later told me all the men were taking turns taking off of work, so one of them would always be on the project. On the first day Magadalena got some great news from Merlyn, who was going for a job interview in a shrimp company near by.  He called her while we were there working to tell her he went to the interview and he was hired that day and put to work.   She was so proud of her son but also was concerned there would not be enough Honduran help for the North American team.  God provided all we needed each and every day and the men of the home were able to work to provide income for the family.  Neighborhood men, actually young men, came out daily to help.  A neighbor, Christian, came each day to help the family get their new home.  Christian's family got a home earlier this year so he knows the joy it is to receive a new home where you are safe and dry from the weather.  God's provision and timing is always such a blessing to receive here in Honduras.

 

Working Together in Unity

After praying up the week ahead led by Pastor Larry everyone dispersed to find out what needed to be done in order for this house to become a home.  Meida stopped shortly to ask and answer any questions from Sister Magdalena.  The teams was unloading the Kia and carrying 600 blocks down, yes down into the foundation.  This beautiful property was nestled in the bottom of an embankment surrounded by beautiful shade trees which kept the team cool all morning and into the afternoon.  This was a time of hard work and little chatter amongst the North Americans and Hondurans.  Everyone was busy trying to get to the point of laying the first block.  But the beauty of this first hour everyone jumped in and worked hard to get to where they could start laying the first block. Pastor Larry had shared to the family and the team most importantly we all want to provide a home but building lasting relationships with the family and those who showed up to help is so much more important.  But as the day and week progresses everyone becomes acquainted with each other and break bread together everyday at lunch.

The newer team members learn quickly the joy and generosity which surrounds this neighborhood they are working in this week.  

 

The House Got Built

Joshua was assigned block cutting for the week.  As he was instructed by Mr. Mike to get this job done in the correct manner.  As if Joshua didn't already know how to do this task.  But Joshua was very respectful of his "elder" and followed his directions.  Joshua had a deadline each day to have all his blocks cut for the family's home.  He worked hard and his assistant ending up being Meida who brought him more blocks and knocked out the nubs for Joshua so he would not have to do that extra work.  His main focus was cutting the block and this is what he did.  Another young person who brings light to our world which sometimes can be a little gloomy.  Thank you son for a job well done

Oh my there was so many young men mixing the mescal this week and it was also a job well done.  This is an understatement to say this is easy work.  This is hard back breaking labor which not one of these gentlemen once complained about.  Cameron, Jansen, Conor, Mr. Alan, Joshua and different Hondurans daily helped make each block into a home with their mescal mixture.

Larry took the time to teach the ladies how to lay block for the first time.  They ended up filling in the joints for the gentlemen who were laying the blocks.  This team worked so well together as they all did what needed to get done.

Blocks being laid and rows going up the first two days.  What a beautiful site.  The team each day was right on schedule and sometimes Pastor Carlos had to tell them to slow down.  They all worked so hard to help Medardo and family get their home after waiting for twelve long years.  Their dream is no becoming a reality. Their many prayers finally being answered and what beautiful home it is becoming.  Thank you Hopewell Baptist Church for answering such a calling as this.  Hannah shared in her devotional one even how if it wasn't for the water and the shade on the project it might would have been more difficult because of the hotness of Honduras.  But in her devotional she referred to the Living Water the woman found which sustained her life which was Jesus Christ.  One day she shared O'Nil had mescal waiting for them when they arrived.  What a huge gift from God.  As we felt inadequate and as we have possibly this week going out and building a home when some of us have not ever laid a block but when we allow God to use us we can do anything.  God can use our bad to make something beautiful and good like this home for Medardo and his beautiful family.  Do not ever doubt yourselves when you are at the center of God's will.  He will use us all in a mighty way!!!!!

 

Families Serving Together

I am definitely sure of two people who are very proud of the Prices right here.  Cameron and his wife Aubrey of  two years as returned for their second trip to serve together in Honduras.  Joshua who we are all so glad returned after many years away came with his big brother and sister in law.  The trio came with a package of gifts and talents which brought production and lots of help for their team.  They were the willing ones to get up early with Pastor Larry and cooked their team a hearty breakfast.  It warmed my heart to see siblings come together to serve our Lord as each of these young people did.

This lovely couple whom I have already mentioned earlier came and served endlessly for their Lord and Savior.  Cameron was asked to pray over the first block and God spoke boldly through this young man.  Aubrey work to make sure her team had fresh fruit with their breakfast each morning and this young lady can cook up some delicious pancakes, almost Honduran pancakes. Yum Yum!!!!  Cameron shared an amazing devotional one evening about finding God's peace in the midst of what life throws us. You used several scripture references on peace but the one which stood out was from John 14:27 "Peace I give to you my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you."  Cameron shared how he used to have addictions in his life such as sports and his work.  Now his focus is living is life for Jesus and where He will lead Cameron in his walk with his Lord and Savior.  What an amazing testimony from a young man to lead his marriage and one day a family to put Christ first and everything else will come together according to God's plan.  Thank you both for returning and working hard for Jesus.

Welcome Jasen and Jessica to Monte de Horeb Ministries for their first time. They have been married one year and decided to start their marriage out by going on an international mission trip.  This is such a beautiful way to start out your marriage by putting our Lord and Savior first.   What a joy it has been to work beside these two.  They did not work together because while Jansen was making mud but got promoted to block laying by Pastor Carlos Jessica was filling in the joints.  Jessica had devotional the first evening and what a humbling devotional she shared.  The two songs she picked to be sung at the beginning and the end were "Goodness of God" and Into Dust".  Jessica's scripture reference was found in Luke 9:23-27.   The just of this beautiful scripture is "less of me and more of Jesus."  Why should we give up the world, was a question Jessica asked the team.  Because Jesus is all we need she shared, amen y amen.  In verse 25 she shared when you accept Jesus Christ as you Lord and Savior you may have to give up some things, maybe even things you would do on a daily basis if it does not align with God's plan for your life.  The treasures of this world will not please you but the treasures of eternal life is where you find the most joy in your life.  She asked on last question, "What are you putting before God?"  What a profound statement and devotional coming from a young lady of 25.  

Monte de Horeb wants to welcome back Alan and Donna our seasoned couple who has gone on several trips to Honduras working beside Monte de Horeb Ministries.  They bring so much knowledge to the table for all these young people they worked beside this week.  Donna's sweet and humble spirit was an inspiration to me this week.  Along side of her compassion of caring of the well being of others.  She was flexible with not having VBS this year but enjoyed her mini VBS under the shade trees of the property. She also enjoyed working on the construction end of it as it reminded her of the work her grandfather use to do.  Thank you Donna for being so understanding and flexible this year. Alan was a good leader for the young men working beside him.  He enjoyed learning more about how Monte de Horeb does ministry.  Mike and Alan chatted along about the loss of Mike's best friend a few weeks ago.  Alan was a good friend to Mike this week.  He was a good listener and an encourager to Mike.  Thank you Alan for this. He was a great sport when Alexa beat him in cornhole.  And her smile when she beat him was priceless.  Alan and Donna love serving the Lord wherever He sends them.  Donna said she would rather go on a mission trip than go on a vacation somewhere. Alan and Donna both said what a honor  to come along so many young people eager to serve and worship the Lord this past week.  This is our future they shared and what a strong Christian future it is.  

  

 

Our Ladies

This team brought some beautiful young ladies inside and out.  Jessica, Donna, Aubrey, Hannah and Madison got to meet our Meida this week.  They enjoyed sitting around talking with Meida when the work got harder to do.  Pastor Larry came over one time while I was there visiting  asking them to gather rocks to fill in the fifth course.  They were all so eager to help Pastor Larry with anything needed.  They learned how to lay blocks and fill joints and did alot of that this week.  They also got to do some fun stuff as well.  This year was very different for the team where they did not get to do VBS at the local church.  They were very flexible and made the best of the situation.  They found a frisbee in the dorm room and took it out to the job site to play after lunch.  These girls started building relationships with whoever was around.  One afternoon they brought out coloring pages and had a mini VBS and told the story of Daniel and the Lion's Den.  It doesn't take a hundred children to make VBS fun it only takes a few and these ladies had a ball coloring with the children and getting to know them which would not have happened if they would have had one hundred children.  God you are so good to allow this God moment to take place for this group of ladies. Amen y amen.

 

Mini VBS and So Much More

Hannah, Madison, Jessica, Aubrey, Donna and Meida continue enjoying the children who showed up from around the neighborhood of the family.  Pastor Larry had an opportunity to share the gospel with Christian and Angel.  Once he had shared he ask Meida to call Pastor Carlos over to make sure they understood about sin in your life and how the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins.  Pastor Carlos came over and asked them again and they understood and Pastor Carlos prayed over their lives which was transformed under those trees into a new life.  Praise God Hallelujah and this is why we are in Honduras to share the gospel with everyone who has an ear to hear and a heart to receive.  The home construction and VBS is only a tool to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Pastor Larry

Monte de Horeb Ministries is grateful for Pastor Larry's return to serve alongside of Pastor Carlos and Meida this week.  Pandemic slowed us all down but he was so excited to be back and getting up on the scaffolding working along side Pastor Carlos.  He also leads his team very well and they are always well prepared upon entering Honduras.  They know what is expected of them and they all willingly serve along beside their pastor and their team leader.  I told Pastor Larry on about the third or fourth day this is a very well greased machine so to speak.  They all jump in and do what needs to be done and this is due to preplanning prior to coming and meeting with the team so they know what to expect while in Honduras.  He gave a quick lesson on Block 101 for the new team members and a couple of the old ones as well.  One evening the young people on the team went up on the rock with Lassie to watch the sunset.  Pastor Larry took this time to sit down on the steps of the multi purpose building and enjoy for himself a very beautiful sunset.  Thank you Pastor Larry for a job well done.

 

Feliz Cumpleanos Conor

Happy Birthday Conor!!!!  What a special treat for you to celebrate your brother in Honduras.  God is good!  You are growing into a godly young man who loves his Lord and Savior.  I pray you can celebrate many more birthdays serving our Lord wherever He leads.

 

Cornhole

This was a very intense week of cornhole.  Each evening after dinner we gathered around the boards to see what would unfold.  There was one evening when I did not have my camera to capture the best game of the week.  Cameron and Aubrey vs Jansen and Jessica.  Actually I cannot put into words how entertaining this particular game was.  I have never saw Conor, Joshua or Mike laugh so hard.  Let's just say Aubrey won five times in one game.  But the best part of the week was how Jansen never gave up.  He kept playing against Mike and Cameron with whoever would play with him and never once won a game. But the beauty of this was his beautiful smile and attitude as he walked away defeated.  You see here Jansen was the winner simply because of his positive attitude in loosing.  Let's just say as I finish out this part of the story Mike and Cameron were undefeated the entire week.  One eye half brain did a good job against all those young people.  This was such a fun week laughing and joking over a simple game called cornhole.

 

Bittersweet Day

The final touches going up by Jansen and Joshua.  Pastor Carlos and Mike got a day off today.  Thank you gentlemen for completing the home of twelve long years of waiting for Medardo and Magdalena.  How precious it was when we got there only to find Medardo so emotional in was in tears and walked away to the kitchen area to get recomposed for this very special day.  Then he came out and help the North American men feed the tin up to the young men on the roof.  Job well done.

Jessica saw the need to clean their front door which was covered in mud.  Jessica, Aubrey and Donna got rags started cleaning up the doors and windows.  Aubrey mentioned she could not reach the top of her door as along came Larry who was just the right height to get the job done.  This entire week has been about how can we serve these beautiful people and this entire team did a phenomenal job doing this for Medardo and Magdalena.

 

Two Rededications

This was an end to a beautiful week.  We gathered Medardo, Magdalema and Yelson in front of their home to bless this home in the name of Jesus.  Pastor Larry led the dedication by opening up with prayer first and foremost.  He led into our this home was built on a firm foundation with the cornerstones placed in each corner.  As the week progressed the walls went up and the doors and windows and finally the roof was put into place.  This home was made from the love of Jesus Christ by the team and all the Hondurans who came along beside the team this week to make this house into a home, a home you both have prayed for a very long time.  Also Pastor Larry presented the Bible and the lock and key.  He shared how as a family the Bible is your firm foundation and the lock and key are your protection from the evil that lurks around us daily.  God's  protection is in this home.  Before praying over the home Pastor Larry asked the family if they had any words to share.  This is when this home dedication took a huge turn.  Medardo ask Pastor Carlos to pray over his rededication to Jesus Christ.  Medardo shared how he had not been in church for quiet some time and now he was ready to serve the Lord alongside Magdalema and family.  At this time he song a song for the team called "I leave the Past Behind".   Amen y amen.  At this time Pastor Carlos came up to the home and ask was there any one else who wanted to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Today is the day of salvation.  Here is the altar, is it calling you, shares Pastor Carlos.  Isamel came forward to rededicate his life as well. Wow, what a home dedication this was for all of us.  This is why we come to Honduras from North America for moments such as these.  Pastor Larry prayed over the home and Medardo opened the front door to his home and they invited everyone in for a visit.  Magdalema went inside her new home and burst into tears.  Pastor Larry said what an emotional day this was for her.  Medardo rededicated his life to the Lord and the Lord gave her a home she had been waiting for twelve years.  Mike and I stayed outside the home for various reasons but the beauty of the music coming from inside this home warmed our hearts.  God is so good and this team was obedient and came down to serve their Lord in such a mighty way this week.  Monte de Horeb Ministries says thank you Hopewell Baptist Church for your commitment and obedience to our Lord and Savior.  All God's people said AMEN!!!!