Parkwood Baptist Church Came to Serve Wherever Needed

On October 15 a system came into Honduras and stayed right on top of Choluteca area. The area started flooding, the rivers started swelling and the roads started covering in water. The rain would not let up. We got Hamlet Second Baptist home before the storm became worse. But we had another team prepared to come in the next couple of days. We kept praying for the rain to seize but it would continue to pour into the town of Choluteca and surrounding areas. As time came nearer for the team to make a decision we encouraged them and told them there was no way they would probably be building a home. The team had decided if there sole purpose was to come and support Mike and I in prayer they would be there for us. We explained they would have to be super flexible because we did not know what the days ahead would hold for all of us. There is only one way from Tegus to Choluteca and the news was showing several areas were the roads had washed out. We communicated with folks in Choluteca about the road situations. We had received word Pastor G's community, home and church was under four feet of water. Pastor Pedro in LaJero Blanco and areas near the beach were under water also. Mike and I just wanted to get to Choluteca to check on our families who were suffering. The team waited for our call on what to do. We had an awesome devotion that night from Hebrews 1 and shared and prayed about the days ahead. We sang hymns while Allison played her flute and was lead by Brandi's beautiful voice. At one time Martha got away from her housework and sang with Brandi and Allison. This team made the very best of their most unusual situation. Sometimes God does not want us to do what we plan to do. His will not ours.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with MY EYE."

Psalm 32:8

Being Flexible and Receiving Blessings

The day Parkwood arrived we had contacted Pastor Benjamin of El Tablon out of Tegus to see if we could bring the team to do VBS. He was more than gracious and allowed us to bring them over the next afternoon. At this time we did not know how long it would be until we could travel to Choluteca. The team got their VBS materials ready and off we went to an afternoon of one blessing after another. Hidden among this team was alot of talent. Renee played the piano and her husband, Richard played the drums. John got out of his box and joined in with the Praise and Worship with the church. Brandi and Allison added their gifts and we had us a Praise Band like no other. Chuck took the Evangi Cube and shared the plan of salvation with the children. One young man accepted Christ that day because of everyone being flexible and follow God's will. John, Tiffany, Richard, Brandi, Allison, Alan, Chuck, Christy, Renee and Hannah all help make salvation braclets and sing alot of songs with those beautiful children. Thank you Pastor Benjamin for also being so flexible and allowing us to come and worship in your church.

"Trust in the Lord with all your hearts, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Going South to check out the Flooding

We got back from VBS and check the news on tv to see what was going on down south from us. There was a entire road washed away. I thought there is now way we can get down there. We had just about accepted the fact we were staying put yet another day. Jose offered to make a trial run down to the spot where the road had washed away and we also get a phone call from a friend down there who said they had dug out the mountain and they were allowing one lane of traffic to get through the wash out. So we pray first and then packed up the Kia and Land Rover. The team piled into the two vechiles and off we went. We got through the wash out with no problem. Just a slow ride because it was still raining and the pot holes had multiplied since our last trip there. Prasie God we made it safely to the mission house and ask the team once again to please be flexible while we go and access what was going on down at Pastor G's and surrounding areas. They got settled in by praying and waiting patiently not knowing what might lie ahead.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which suprasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Team Prepares Food Bags for Flood Victims

Mike, Orfilio, Egla and I assessed the damages. Families were living up on the main road for about ten miles. The Red Cross was bringing plates of beans and rice once a day. They were cold and wet. Yes it was cold because of the many days of rain and no sunshine. Water was standing everywhere and was sitting on the very edge of the main road. Pastor G's church was under water as well as every home on that front row. What use to be melon fields was a full blown pond. Sugar cane was washed away. They claim they may be able to save some of them. An entire cementary was washed up and destroyed. Picture of Mike, Pastor G and Orfilio is a road that ran for miles overflowing with running waters. We hurried back into town to try to find beans and rice to buy and bag up for delivery the next day. God is so good all the time. We found a place that sold beans, rice, flour, sugar, salt and coffee and the bags to put them in. So we purchased 2000 pounds of beans rice, etc and off to get an anxious team busy bagging up the groceries. Well little did we know they were professional assembly line folks as well. They do a massive chicken dinner at their church twice a year selling 1000 plates. So they got busy and had the 650 bags done in no time at all. We did the math and one bag of food cost $6.88 to feed a family of four or five for one week. Jose was busy supervising the process and kept the team busy as Mike and I, Orfilio, Egla and team leader Alan went back out to Pastor G's community with 20 mattresses and blankets for the children to sleep on that evening and evenings to come. When we arrived Pastor G's face ripped my heart out. He had not had sleep for ten straight days accept for maybe a couple of hours a day. He looked at Mike and me and pointed to his family, his people, to his church and started crying. He was exhausted and overwhelmed and blessed all at the same time. His famous phrase was "NO PROBLEM". Even in the worst of situations Pastor G still has the strongest faith in God of anyone I know. He reminds me of Job in the bible.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

Misplaced families from flooding receive food

After several hours of bagging up the beans and being inside the mission house wanting to get out and get busy, off went what once was the construction team which now is the distribution team of Parkwood Baptist Church. We had ask Pastor G did we need to get police out there to help with crowd control. Once again he said,"No problem". So we trusted him and got ready to start the distribution to 350 families. We started out with a prayer with the church members and others who were standing around waiting. Pastor G had brought in his disciples from the church to help with crowd control and the calling of each family name. Unbelievable what took place on that road that day. Pastor G only had to get up and ugly a couple of times. Then the crowd settled down and eagerly awaited for their name to be called. My prayer was we would have enough bags of grocery for each family represented. God is good all the time. We even had enough to go to another area and give out 50 more bags of groceries. The next day they were able to go to three other locations and finish delivering the food to others in need. Total of 650 bags of groceries were given out in two days by ten people willing to be flexible. The beauty of the respect Pastor G's community had for him was amazing. How his disciples who were also flooded stepped forward and worked and help the team give out the food to their family and friends of Santa Cruz. God is good all the time. After the end of the first distribution the team broke for lunch. Pastor G's disciple, Jose G's and his wife opened their home up to us to have lunch. Her home was also flooded and she was in the process of cleaning it out. Their home was built earlier this year by the college group from Southern Pines. Their water line was not as high as we are building the homes foundation higher up now. But my point is how many of us would open our home to a bunch of strangers to eat when we are in the process of cleaning up from a massive flooding. Once again I have learned what is true hospitality. We all sit and enjoyed our lunch while Jose G's wife stood there with a beautiful smile on her face. It had been 10 -12 days of absolute rain and so the children and a few adults enjoyed some good ole futbul outside under God's beautiful blue skies.

"Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."

Colossians 3:23-24

John and Tiffany's 5th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

Pastor Alan had everyone bowed their heads and pray as he read from Gensis about husband and wife. No one knew what he was doing but Mike and I. When he got to a part where he use husband and wife, he switched out the names John and Tiffany. Egla said that was not in the bible. Happy 5th Anniversary John and Tiffany. What an awesome gift from God to serve him on a mission trip to Honduras. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

"And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one." Genesis 2:18, 24

Second Baptist Church of Hamlet Construction/VBS

October 5 arrived along with a team from Mike's hometown, Hamlet, NC. There was many new faces on this team along with a couple of people from Hamlet First Baptist. We journeyed through the mountains of Honduras to Choluteca where the mission house is located. It has been raining every evening for days and days. I believe we rode in some rain as we traveled through the mountains. There are numerous pot holes due to the rain which made the ride even more exciting. Along the way we came across some young children and young adults filling in the pot holes. We have a special fund set aside to give to our volunteer DOT's of Honduras. Without them filling in the holes the ride would be so much more interesting. We arrived at the mission house unpacked and did the orientation and ate Jose's wife's delicious chicken tacos. The team was anxious to get to the job site and start the task they came here to do build a home for Fransico and his family. They were up bright and early (NC time) to head out. We gathered together once upon arrival to introduce ourselves and pray with the people who had gathered to help. The village we were working at was El Carrizo. After the corners were set and mortart in place the team and the family gathered to pray over the first block. Each person layed their hand on someone else and we were unified in the Spirit of God. Everyone found their place and started learning how to lay block, mix mortar and build relationships which is the most important part of the mission trip. "Not laggin in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Romans 12:11

Working together as One

As I shared in the first blog this team came to build a house but most importantly came to build relationships. After the second day they found a local soccer field and off they went to play and get beat by the children of Honduras. Good job North Americans for trying to keep up with those experienced futbol players. Someone asked don't you all get bored doing the same thing every week. Well, folks it is never the same any day much less every week. We had a huge opportunity this week and God got us through it. Rosa 's knee gave out on her coming to work the first morning and was rushed to the clinic. Long story short, she was out of work for four days. So Mike and I go to check on her and she was horizontal with an ice pack and getting shots each day in her knee. She layed their with a smile on her face through the pain and apologizing for not being able to come to work. Mike said no problem, just take care of yourself. So Mike asked her the recipes for beans and rice, enchailadas, etc. So for the next four days Mike and Mrs. Claire cooked our dinners. Of course they were not as good as Rosa's but God provided us with a hot meal each night. We were all glad when Rosa returned to work. We appreciate each and every one of our employees. Without them and the grace and mercy of God we would not have a ministry here in Honduras. "Jesus said to them,"I am the bread of life. He who comes to ME shall never hunger, and he who believes in ME shall never thirst." John 6:35 One evening we went to worship with Pastor Pedro in Lajera Blanco where the Hamlet team was last year. Pastor Jason preached and Egla was asked by the church to sing. The hangings in the last set of pictures was given by Oakdale Baptist from Rocky Mount in August. They truly treasure all we do and give them. I looked up and saw them I thought I have seen them before and I realized where they came from. God is good all the time.

Happy 40th Birthday Pastor Chris

Pastor Chris celebrated his birthday all day long. We sang to him that morning, the people of El Carrizo sang to him. We went to Pastor Pedro's church that night and the entire church sang to him. The tradition in Hondruas churches is to have the birthday person at the front of the church and each member comes by and hugs the birthday person. Pastor Chris assumed it was all over when we got back for our devotion and God moments. We were all sitting around eagerly awaiting the Honduran birthday party. In one of the pictures you can see our dear sweet Jose sitting behind Pastor Chris and Heather. Inside his shirt pocket was not one but two eggs. Jose quietly gets up and gently places the two eggs on top of Pastor Chris' head and we proceeded to sing Happy Birthday. We told Pastor Chris no more surprises and he said he wanted to celebrate his next birthday in Honduras and I believe he will according to the schedule. God bless you Pastor Chris.

Construction team working together even in the rain

The Hamlet team worked diligently on Fransico's home in the blistering heat. During the day the sun beat down on them. They welcomed the shade and cold water. We woke up on the last day of construction to what became a huge system that sat on Choluteca for 12 days. It was pouring down rain and tempertures had dropped alot for Choluteca. The team arrived on the job site hoping to put the roof on and the floor in. They arrived to the house full of water. Pastor Chris quoted later how everyone was saying we cannot do this in the rain. How are we going to finish the house with this rain pouring down on us. They looked inside the house and it was full of water. Pastor G very gingerly quoted:"Praise the rain because great victories are only received through great sacrifices." Well that was all it took the men got busy. They literally carried buckets of water out of the house while there were men working on the roof. The women and children watched from inside the church and prayed for no injuries. Pastor G cut his hand on the roofing materials and the ladies bandaged him right up. No problem he said and went right back on the roof to finish the job he came to do. The team worked diligently until the job was done. God is good all the time!!

"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My WORD be that goes forth from MY MOUTH: It shall not return to ME void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

Isaiah 55:10-11

While the men and Betty Lynn continued to work on the construction, Heather, Francis and Claire prepared and taught Vacation Bible School. One day Claire shared the story of Noah and the Ark. The children were called to be the two animals in the story. Two by two they walked up on the stage to play their part. We claim Claire was the one who brought the flood water from her telling of the bible story Noah and the Ark. One afternoon they were given a cross to keep in their pocket as a reminder of what Jesus died and did for each of us who are Christians. Heather worked very hard to get the VBS put together for the children of El Carrizo and it was a huge success. On Sunday morning Francis gave her personal testimony and sang for the congreation. Pastor Chris then led the service preaching on Christ is our only way to Heaven. During worship the children went to Sunday School and returned at the end of the service to share what they had learned in Sunday School. The children of Honduras know their bible verses. It is always refreshing to see them recite them. What was most impressive is the number of teenagers who were reciting their bible verses. They are the future of our churches.

Jesus said to them,"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 9:14-16

Building more than a home

Hamlet took time to play and enjoy the children of El Carrizo. They found out very quickly how precious they are. There became alot of entertaining with the wheel barrell and some jump ropes. Go girls!!!! There was also a chance for families on the team to bond together. Betty Lynn was blessed to be able to work beside her son Cameron that week. Cameron lives in Utah so this was a double blessing for him and his mom. Jose never misses a chance to share the gospel with the children. Fransico is an awesome uncle to his nieces and nephews who live alone without their parents. Thank you Fransico for being there for them. Fransico is a deacon in his church and a very godly man. We are grateful to be able to work with him and his family this week. Fransico Jr worked diligently beside his father as well. At the end of 6th grade the government will no longer pay for education so this past week Fransico Jr learned a new trade, missing mortar and laying blocks. Hopefully he will have a future there one day. He is 14 years old and is one hard working young man with a beautiful smile. What a blessing this week to work with such beautiful people.

Dedication of the Home

Once the home was finished the team and the family made their way into the church to dedicate the home. The rain was still pouring down on El Carrizo. They presented the family with a lock and key and a bible for the family. Fransico Jr was so in awe of the accomplishment of his new home tears streamed down his face throughout the entire dedication. Team members joined in as we were all grateful for "Praising the rain because great victories are only received through great sacrifices. Thank you Trent, Pastor Chris, O W, Mark, Steve, Alan, Cameron and Jason for hanging in there and accomplishing what God sent you to do: build a home and lots of lasting relationships.

"Behold, I am the LORD, the GOD of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?"

Jeremiah 32:27

Pastor Chris and his wife Heather

It does our hearts good when a pastor and his wife come on a mission trip. Thank you Pastor Chris and Heather for serving the Lord here in Honduras. You are a good team.

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

Joshua 24:15

Purchasing Pigs

NC Baptist Men are now in the business of purchasing pigs. We collected four that day and have three more to pick up later. This helps the family to be independent. The money used to buy the pigs will provide food for the family and clothes for the children. God is good all the time. Thank you God for allowing us to help our Honduran brothers and sisters become independent.

Forest City Baptist Church comes to Amapayla

On September 15 Forst Lake Baptist Church arrived in Tegus. Today was a special day in Honduras. It was their Independance Day. We handled things a little bit different on this day. This is a big celebration for the people of Honduras. This group came here to evangelize on an island called Amapala which is about an hour from Choluteca. Mike and I had made prior accomodations for the team to stay on the island for their week. They were going to work with an awesome pastor named Ever Vilchez. Pastor Vilchez asked us not to come to the island on Independence Day because of the business of the celebration. So the team went to down to Choluteca to get their orientation, chicken tacos and a good night's rest. While waiting to leave the team sang hymns in English and Spanish. They never let a moment go by they were not reading or study about God and his word. They were preparing for the week ahead. Bobby Edney had a "God moment" the morning we were to head out to Amapala. He was having his quiet time early that morning and he happen to look up and there were two more men having their quiet time, along with Mike praying quietly. All you could here were the birds chirping outside the window. Bobby shared that he felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in that place at that time. He said it made his hairs stand up on his arms. God could not have said, "I am with you " any clearer if He had said it verbally. What a mighty God we serve....What a SAVIOR!!! The team was to head out about 9:30 so they got busy loading the kia with cots, boxes and coolers of food, let's just say they took all they needed for a week on the island of Ampayla. Mike and I had a different experience with this group that we had ever had before. The house they were staying only had two bedrooms and one bathroom. So we were not with them during their week here accept one day we paid a visit and had lunch with them. The team arrived at the island and loaded the Kia and themselves on two ferries and off they went across the water to the most beautiful island God has ever created. Looking on both sides of the water were the most grande and lovely mountains you could ever ask for. God's creation is sometimes all we need . So Mike and I said our good-byes and told them we would see them in a few days. When they arrived they got settled in and some of the team members put cots in the living room for bedtime. They made a make shift shower since there was only one bathroom. Most of the men took their showers outside when there was water. There water supply was limited. Oh did I share they did not have air conditioning as well that week. This group truly sacrificed the comforts of home to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. To God be the glory. Rosa Famosa did not go to the island with them. They hired a local lady to do their cooking and to do their laundry. This was a true blessing for this lady for it provided extra income for her that week. This group had been to Ampayla in 2005 and help start a church there. They went back this year to share the gospel to the city where this is the only Baptist church. The church is presently meeting outside on the property of the church. Please pray one day they will get a church building. Even though we all know the people are the church. After settling in they met with Pastor Vilchez to plan out their week. Their days were full of awesome opportunities of serving the Lord. They broke up into three groups and did door to door evangalizing and then had a revival at 4:00 every afternoon. Pastor Jose Epinal, one of the team members held a marriage conference Monday - Wednesday in the local church. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings were special because the team were allowed to go to two local schools and speak to the children about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the evening they would have their devotionals and "God moments". During those two days 155 children accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The total salvations for the week were 178 people who are now brothers and sisters in Christ. To God be the glory. What a Savior we serve. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that who so ever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ

We enjoyed our three staff members being "tourists" that week. They even named one of the beaches after Egla. The beach of Egla. Each morning Egla and several of the team members made their way down to the beach to see the sunrise and have their quiet times with God. Egla thought she had found a hidden secret but soon several of the team members joined her "Beach". Orfilio was there to protect and guard the home daily. Thank you Orifio for being an awesome body guard. Jose learned the island very quickly as he took the team on the Kia wherever they needed to go. As I shared earlier the team stayed very busy with door to door and Marriage conference. The day Mike and I headed to the island we arrived on the island and Jose with a huge smile eagerly awaiting our arrival. We got into the Kia and the bottom fell out. God is good all the time. He took us through some beauftiful roads to the school where two teams were sharing the story of Mary and Martha and how they both served the Lord in different ways. Even in the pouring rain the gospel of Jesus Christ was being shared in a public school gymn area. Mike and I left to go find Pastor Espinal and the Marriage Conference. We sat in on the conference and observed serveral couples or individuals soaking up the word of God. As it was approaching lunch time the VBS teams arrived at the local church as the conference was coming to an end. The rain had come to an end as well. So we walked to a local restaurant to eat shrimp and fried fish. The restaurant was sitting on a corner near the dock for the ferries which were coming and going. The view from our table was breath taking. God's creation was all around us. The mountains surrounded the body of water. The short time Mike and I were with the team they never ceased an opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with someone. The team shared some God moments with me to share since I was not with them daily. There was one which really stood out to several of them. The first day on the island Pastor Jose witnessed to a man. Jose asked the man did he want to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The man said no thank you. So Pastor Jose told him he would pray he would not sleep until he accepted Jesus Christ. The last day on the island Pastor Jose saw this man and ask him was he ready to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The man said yes he had not been able to sleep since they had their discussion on the first day. Praise the Lord for one more brother in Christ who will see eternity one day. Pastor Jose gave him a bible and ask him to read it daily. What a challenge for all of us to stand bold in our witness for Christ. "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8 As Christians we need to pray and bring the lost to Jesus. Who works beside you today who does not know this Jesus we talk about. This Jesus who died a brutal death on the cross and arose again on the third day for you and me. If you are reading this today and you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior please receive the greatest gift on earth: ETERNAL LIFE ONLY FOUND BY ACCEPTING JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR.