VBS Three Days and Worship on Sunday Under the Mango Tree

 

The local church is named New Hope Church and was established officially in November of 2013.  The people of El Porvenir did not have a church building or a pastor until November.  In November a team built a home for Ingrid and Tiodoro's family.  At this time they were not Christians but gave their new home to the Lord for the families to have a place to worship.  As of this week the community is still worshiping in Tiodoro's and Ingrid's home.  They meet three times a week in the evening for worship and Sunday School on Sunday for the children. The congregation has actively 35 plus adults and numerous children, maybe 60 children.  While the team was here they went down the path from the "church" and took a left to have their VBS and Sunday School under this huge mango tree.  This tree produced lots of shade and a breeze for the entire week.  The pastor of New Hope Church is Aureille, one of Pastor G's disciples.  He rides his motorcycle about two hours one way to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people.  He got up on Sunday morning to open the service with a story about a piece of gum.  He asked Maida would she like his gum.  He shared this was a free gift from him and he wanted her to have his gift.  She does not have to do anything to earn just receive it.  Aurielle then shared with the congregation how they can also have a free gift with no strings attached.   Just receive this gift with faith. This free gift is Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  He shared we do not have to do anything to earn this free gift please receive it with faith. God will provide all our needs.  Wow, how humbling this message was for me and I hope my fellow brothers and sisters.  Each person listened intently as Aureille shared his message under the mango tree this Sunday morning.  Somewhere this day you all hopefully were worshiping God in your local churches.  We all served the same God but in many different ways.  God only wants us to have faith in Him to deliver His message to a lost and dying world.  Please today worship God in whatever way you see fit but please worship HIM.  He deserves worship, honor and praise.

Three days Dianna, Betty Lynn, Carol and Lauren with the assistance of our Maida did VBS.  One day Dianna did the story of Jesus making fishers of men.  This was so appropriate for this community.  The men fish with nets when they are able to fish.  Dianna's visual of the fishing net with the fish inside of it caught the eye of every child and adult attending.  Lauren shared the bible story of Jesus and the Children on Sunday morning.  Pastor Trey was prepared to do a sermon if needed.  This is where the word flexibility comes an action word.  There were over 60 children and maybe 35 adults.  So the worship service turned into a Sunday School lesson on Jesus and the Children.  After the story crayons and pictures were given to everyone. I mean everyone colored a picture.  It was beautiful watching the different families gathered together coloring, laughing and enjoying being together as a family without working.  They were relaxed and having good old fashion Sunday afternoon fun.  Remember those days sitting on the front porch after church enjoying being with family and sipping on a glass of ice tea.  This is what I visualized that Sunday morning watching the Honduran families enjoying the pleasures of life.  They were not worrying about anything but coloring their pictures and having fun.  After they finished coloring, Pastor Trey asked permission to teach the children a couple of games.  Well our old time favorite "Duck Duck Goose" after much explaining and demonstrating became a well loved game.  But then Pastor Trey introduces the "Bottle Game".  All this game requires is an item, which ours was a empty 2 liter coke bottle and children.  The rest is history full of laughter had by all.  I have never seen the Hondurans laugh as hard and long as I did this Sunday under the mango trees.  This is memories they will talk about for years to come.  The children have learned a new game they can play which only requires an empty 2 liter coke bottle or whatever else might be laying around.  Thank you Reggie, Dianna, Betty Lynn, Pastor Trey, William, Mack, Lauren, Rex and Carol for making worship with the Hondurans a time to remember.

 

"He will fill you mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy."

Job 8:21