Sometimes medicine is not enough

 

Three or four days into their trip some were having bodily functions not functioning.  So Mike and I suggested coconut water.  Little did we know everyone was going to love their coconut water.  They had a coconut water party!!!!!  By the way the next day everyone was feeling much better!!!!  Sometimes good ole home remedies work too!!

 

We love you Campbell University Medical Staff and Students.

 

"We always thank God for all of you, and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Mt Olive Baptist Church Gets Blessed By Tomosa and Family

 

Welcome back Mt Olive Baptist Church.  This is Pastor Randy's fifth time serving beside us and this team's fourth time returning with just as much excitement as they did the first time they came to Honduras.  Pastor Montoya was Tomosa's family pastor.  He shared his gratitude for the North Americans sacrificially giving of their time away from jobs and families to come serve in this community called Santa Luicia.  Quickly the group of eight men learned they would be the ones blessed beyond any pictures or words could describe.  As Pastor Randy introduced his team, Tomosa listened and smiled.  When it became her turn to share, tears starting pouring down her cheeks with humbleness for this day.  She had been praying for many years for this day to come when God would give her a home.  A home where she can lock her door at night and during the rainy season her home will remain dry.  There was not many dry eyes during this time of introductions.  God is good all the time and all the time God is good.  Thank you Mt Olive team for answering God's calling to come and serve HIM in Honduras.

 

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Ephesians 2:10

 

 

 

 

Laying the Four Cornerstones

 

Each home built starts out with the four cornerstones going in and measured precisely so the home will be constructed to perfection.  Pastor G does this job as a way of setting the tone for the week.  The cornerstone has to be strong and able to hold up the 800 blocks which go all around them. They have to be level as well.  The cornerstone is positively critical for the rest of the foundation to be square and true .  The team worked around the cornerstones to make these 800 blocks into a secure strong home.

Just like the home this team built and how hard they worked on the four cornerstones, Jesus Christ is our foundation, our cornerstone in our Christian life.  Without Jesus Christ as our cornerstone our foundation is not secure and true.  Without Jesus we will crumble and fall.  How firm is your foundation?  Is Jesus Christ at the center of your life?  Is He your square and true cornerstone?  Do you rely on HIM for your daily walk.  Please today build your life around the cornerstone who is Jesus Christ.

 

"For in scripture it says,"

'See, I lay a stone in Zion,

a chosen and precious cornerstone,

and the one who trust in HIM,

will never be put to shame.''

1 Peter 2:6

 

 

 

 

 

Prayers on the first block

 

Team member, Kevin shared in the prayer of the first block.  The family gathered around the block as the team members and others who came to help reached out and connected with the family by touch.  This prayer was profoundly done in sharing how this home will be the home where others will see Jesus as they come and go.  This home will radiate throughout the lost world it sits on as a beacon for Jesus Christ.  Ms. Tomosa's home will let others know there is hope for all who believe.  All God's people said AMEN.

 

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

The Home Got Built

 

Thank you all for coming and putting this home in Tomosa's life.  Thank you Pastor Randy for orchestrating the team.  We want to welcome two new gentlemen to this team, Robert and James, who pitched in and learned all they needed to help complete the project.  Welcome back Kevin, Steven, Bradly, Jeb, and Joel.  These guys worked beside some new friends, Ezekiel and Reuben.  Thank you Orfilio and Jose who always give us their very best.  Pastor Amado found us once again and gave us a day of his labor on his day off of his work.  We see Jesus in all these men as they worked side by side all week on making this house a home.  The family member who was most impressive was 16 year old Jose who Ms. Tomosa took in off the street and his raising him as her own.  His work ethic was amazing as he worked beside the men.  He was proud of his home and it showed throughout the entire week.  Mike shared with Jeb on the night before the last day how this home can look beautiful in its construction but the roof will decide whether she stays dry or not.  Jeb looked at Mike and smiled and said let's do it.  Mike and Jeb worked side by side and gave Ms. Tomosa a roof where now she will never be wet again.  This group gave their all this week physically and spiritually as they shared the gospel of Jesus Christ through actions and words as well.  Ms. Tomosa and Jose are the only ones in this family who are Christians.  So God used the team this week to share the gospel in actions and deeds.  Thank you guys for your perseverance through prayer and sharing the word of God to Ms. Tomosa's family.

 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in HIM will not perish but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

 

 

The lady who gave all she had

 

On the fourth day of construction word had gotten out Ms. Tomosa had killed some of her chickens to make a big pot of chicken soup.  Also during the week I stood back on the first day to watch one of her son-in-laws coming and going on his bike with pieces of tables and many chairs.  Ms. Tomosa from day one had two tables with chairs she had borrowed for the team to enjoy their lunch on daily.  She placed her finest tablecloths upon the tables and washed them down after each person would finish their meals.  But on this day it was not sandwiches for the boys it was chicken soup.  She had taken her own chickens from her yard and prepared a feast for all who were helping build her home.  Ms. Tomosa fed at least 20 plus people on the fourth day.  Jeb shared how she smiled with joy as they sat and ate her soup. 

 

"And he looked and saw the rich putting in the treasury, and He also saw a certain poor widow putting in her two mites.  So he said, "Truly  I say to you this poor widow who put in more than all; for all of these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had."

Luke 21:1-4

A Great Son-in-Law

 

I would like to introduce Wilma.  He is married to Ms. Tomosa's daughter, Glenda.  They have a little girl who they both adore.  Wilma is a very awesome husband and daddy.  He is the one who put the foundation in for Ms. Tomosa.  We went to check on the foundation a couple of weeks before the team arriving and it was a beautiful sight.  It was level and just the right size.  He worked all week on his mother-in-law's home along side the North Americans.  He did all he could daily to help out.  There was not a job to big or to little for Wilma. The children in the neighbor got excited to see him arrive daily to the job site.    I noticed in church on Sunday he was well like by all in the church.  He was walking around greeting all the people in the church. He is liked by all he met. At church on Sunday Pastor Montoya had Wilma and Glenda come down with their little girl to have her dedicated to the church.  This was a beautiful and surprising event.  At the end of the day all this about  Wilma is awesome but there is just one thing missing, Jesus Christ.

 

"But concerning on that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Mark 13:32

 

 

 

 

 

Best Friends for Twenty Years

 

Last year Rosa, our housekeeper and first class cook in the kitchen came to Mike and I to share about a friend who desperately needed a home.  One afternoon we rode with Rosa to her friend's home.  This friend, Ms. Tomosa lives down the street from Rosa.  As we arrived we saw the urgency of this lady having a home.  Rosa assisted us in talking with Ms. Tomosa and looking over your proof of property.  Mike and I left sharing how she needs a home really soon.  Especially before the rainy season comes next year.  We prayed about it and found a group who we through Christ would fit with this family. 

Rosa and Tomosa have been friends for twenty years.  They attend church together and spend a lot of time serving the Lord together.  This was Rosa's first time to a home dedication.  We asked Pastor Randy could Rosa have a part in the home dedication.  Pastor Randy shared most definitely.  Rosa was so honored to be a part of her long time friend's special day.  Thank you Rosa for coming to us and trusting us with this opportunity of providing this special lady with her home. 

 

"A friend loves at all times."

Proverbs 17:17

 

Home dedication

 

Pastor Randy along with translator Meida led a beautiful dedication service.  The dedication came from Deuteronomy 6:4-9. During the dedication Pastor Amado came over to take Glenda's baby so she could enjoy the service.  Pastor Amado is our gentle giant who loves serving his Lord.  After the dedication we placed our hands on the house as Rosa prayed over the finished home.  Joel presented her with the key to her home as she and Jose entered their home with tears of joy. 

 

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates."

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

 

Deuteronomy 6:4-6

The Command

Home of Happiness

Home of Harmony

Home of Healing

Home of Hope

 

Deuteronomy 6:7-9

The Commission

Home of Teaching

Home of Talking

Home of Thinking

Home of Telling

 

The Challenge

"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Joshua 24:15 

 

 

 

Meet Ms. Tomosa, the Tortilla lady

 

For those of you who have been coming for the last three years and on the first night enjoyed the traditional beans, rice, plantains and tortillas well this is the young lady who has been preparing your tortillas.  Rosa can no longer make the tortillas for us due to medical reasons so she asked one day could her friend make them and we can pay her.  The first day of the construction people kept coming and going to Ms. Tomosa's kitchen and leaving with a bag of something.  So Mike wondered over to see what was going on in the kitchen.  For years Ms. Tomosa has been preparing and selling tortillas to the locals in her community and us as well.  We did not know this lady who so desperately needed a home was the same lady who has been making our tortillas for our first meal of the week.  As the week progressed Maida, our translator asked her how many tortillas she makes a day. She shared with a proud smile on her face over 3,000.00. She sells them for L1.00 for three.  You can do the math. She and her daughters work very hard everyday to provide for their family  During the week Bradly observed her feeding the local children tortillas without charging them anything.  Ms. Tomosa is a true servant of God.  She gives out to others beyond what she has.  Thank you Ms. Tomosa for showing us true genuine Christianity this week through your actions and your words.  We are blessed to have gotten to meet and know you this week.

 

Proverbs 31:10-31

Woman of Noble Character is our Ms. Tomosa

Mt Olive had a reunion on the property

 

On Saturday afternoon after the completion of Ms. Tomosa's home the men headed out to visit the property.  They were greeted by our Pastor Carlos who they worked with two years ago on a home in Pastor Carlos' community.  Pastor Carlos remember how when Pastor Randy was here in October Joel was the only one who came and he remembered the rest of them.  Kevin felt humbled on how he remember each of them by name. " Jeb got to meet the electrician and found the only difference in what they each did was their language.  The men climbed to top of one of the rocks on the property and enjoyed the beauty of God's creation.  How Great

 is our God.  How Great is our God.

 

 

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=coPD8amHKO4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worshiping in Santa Luica

 

 

We arrived around 8:45 with a grand greeting from Pastor Montoya.  He has a contagious smile and laughter loved by all.  As people were coming in I was watching for Rosa, Carlos, Philipa and Brenda.  This is also Rosa's family's church home.  It was joy to worship with Rosa and watch her lead the congregation in worship.  It was rather funny, she came up to several of the North American men and said good morning but they did not recognize her without her little do rag on her head.  Rosa sang and lead the music as well.  Then Brenda came to lead some and sing several songs with the congregation.  Carlos, alas Carlito, plays the drums for the church.  Pastor Randy brought the sermon out of Luke 15, sharing about The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and The Lost Son.  He shared the importance we all are to God especially if we are lost.  God wants all of us to come to know him as their Lord and Savior.  Tomorrow may be too late.  We do not need to put off the most important decision of our lives, salvation, eternal life with our Lord and Savior.  He died for each of us and we are like the one sheep.  He wants all of us found.  He wants all people all over the world to know HIM as their Lord and Savior.  Please do not delay or put off today if you are reading this and you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Tomorrow may be too late.  We never know what hour Jesus will return.  Be ready come and be ready for HIS return to take us home.

 

Luke 15

Please read and take heed of God's message for those who are lost.  If you know someone who is lost please share Jesus with them today.  This is the greatest gift you could give them.

Introducing the Blow Hard Band

 

Joel shared a devotional one night about the story of Jonah and the Whale.  He shared how several years ago Pastor Randy had invited him to come to Honduras.  Joel gave Pastor Randy every reason why he couldn't.  He shared how he was running from what God wanted him to truly do go to Honduras.  He was delivering mail at the post office one afternoon and the mail carrier asked Joel would he like an application for a passport.  Joel thought where in the world did this come from.  He had not mentioned to this person about a passport.  Oh yea, Joel thought, God was offering him a chance to go to Honduras for HIM.  Joel took the passport application and filled it out and the rest is history.  By finally being obedient to God's calling Joel has been to Honduras I believe four times.  He has fallen in love with the people but especially the children.  Joel shared in his devotional that night how when you do not follow God's will and be obedient it can affect others as well as yourself.  Others will suffer in us not being obedient just like Jonah's story when he ran from God and ended up in the belly of the whale.

On the fifth day we were all out there trying to get the floor in and the roof up. I looked over at the porch of the popurra to see Joel with Jordan, Christian, Daniel and Samuel  making some instruments out of plastic drink bottles.  Oh it gets better, then the boys started blowing them out in the street.  As this continues Joel takes it one step further by picking up a stick off  the ground and starts directing the band of four boys music.  Laughter filled the job site and all around the neighborhood.  Then Wilma comes down the road in his white truck with the boys on the back playing their instruments Mr. Joel had made them.  They looked like a float in a Christmas parade.  I have not laughed this hard in a very long time.  But if Joel had not been obedient to God several years ago these little boys would have been affected by Joel's disobedience.  Thank you Joel for being obedient to God and sharing Jesus with these four little fellows of Saint Lucia.

 

Please read the book of Jonah and be like our friend Joel who decided not to run but be obedient to the calling of God.