Almost There

Hopewell Baptist Church returns to serve beside their Honduran brothers and sisters in Christ.  We came upon rain pretty much over half of the travel time from the airport.   We carefully made our way through the mountains as I prayed without ceasing for our travel safety.   As I saw the Solar sign in the distance I knew we were almost home.  Well I thought we were almost home.  As we made the turn in to Pavana we had a quick and sudden stop as the river on the road to Mt. Horeb Ministry Camp had swelled and there was no passing through.  We saw several folks try to do this but to no prevail failed at their efforts.  People were crossing the swelled river up to their waste if not a little higher.  We sat and waiting an hour and a half for the water to subside and go down low enough for us to cross.  But Pastor Carlos came to the rescue with the Land Cruizer to take the North Americans to the ministry campus.  Mike and I stayed behind to wait for the water to go down so the bus could get across.  The Choluteca River has swollen from all the rain where the blue rock was completely covered.  Through all of this God's work still continued through the muddy and slimy roads of Tapitoca where the team begins their project.

the river crossings seized,

Jeremiah 51:32a

Sharing in Food and Fellowship

Each morning the older gentlemen on the team rose very early to cook a hearty breakfast for their fellow team members.  Every morning there was bacon and eggs with grits or pancakes.  Each morning Martha, our long time staff member would join them helping them clean up their breakfast dishes and cut up their fruit of the day.  In the evenings we would gather together for another meal followed by some amazing times in God's Word with some praise and worship as well.  This week was a week full of great food, fellowship and praising the Lord in so many different ways.  Whether it was from preparing breakfast together, eating together, cleaning up together or simply reading God's inspired Word which was done each and every evening by someone on the team. 

In one of our devotions Rodd shared we were chosen this week to serve Him and to follow the rules laid out before us.  This will be North Carolina Baptist on Mission's first time in Tapitoca and we will be their first impression for Christ.  This is a very prominent devout Catholic community with a lot of rituals.  As servants of Christ we need to show them true love of Jesus by how we present ourselves daily.  Rodd spoke out of Colossians 3:14 about having perfect unity here and when we go back home.

Heading Up to Tapitoca

We headed out the ministry campus and went up to the right passing by all of Rudy, Wuilmer and Ardriane's corn planted on the ministry campus.  We were able to see the huge Prayer Rock each and every morning and afternoon as we made our way up a long rocky, bumpy slippery somewhat of a road.  Actually there was some parts we question if it was a road or not.  The bus was not used during this project because of the rough terrain the team traveled daily.  On the last evening during Taylor's devotional I will miss our friends in Tapitoca but not their road.  Everyone chuckled as they all agreed it was a rather rough ride on a daily basis.  The ladies rode in the back of the Land Cruiser as  Pastor Larry trudged up the mountains with Jose following closely behind him. What a beautiful ride they all experienced after getting beyond the bumps.  God's creation was all around them with numerous rolling mountains and one little peak of a mountain they soon come to know about, Los Uvas.  This is the mountain Pastor Carlos goes to at least two to three times a week to shepherd his flock. All in all this team had an amazing journey daily taking in all of God's glory and beauty.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16

Worth The Ride

After about a thirty minute ride up the mountain God placed Hopewell Baptist in the arms of some amazing folks who did not know Jesus Christ.  I would like to introduce to you Virgilia mother and grandmother to all of these beautiful children.  Her daughter Ana has a beautiful daughter named Anai age five and a little boy named Anderson who was two years old.  Virgilia's other children were Edwin age thirteen, Juan Raul, age 16 who got to attend school in Choluteca one day a week to get his degree and Darquin age 24.  All of these people live in a home which had fell in about six months ago and they rebuilt it with some wood instead of the adobe.  Virgilia came to the gates of the ministry campus on two different occasions asking for help for her family.  Finally Pastor Carlos went up to Tapitoca to investigate the living conditions of Virgilia and her family.  He came back sharing she desperately needs a new home.  So God placed on our hearts who to send up to this little piece of heaven called Tapitoca, Hopewell Baptist.  The group knew going in there was not a church to worship in and this was a wide open mission field of folks who needed to hear about Jesus.  Was it worth the bumpy ride daily oh YES it was because throughout this journey this week some amazing stories unfold in the lives of the North Americans and the Hondurans.

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Mark 16:15

Building Up Walls

After a time of prayer and introductions the team along beside of very few Honduran men started working.  Since there was not a church family all Virgilia had to help was a nearby neighbor and her sons.  But all is good.  This year Rodd brought some reinforcements on his team.  Last year he left saying he was going to pray for more folks to come and enjoy this beautiful country called Honduras with him.  Well his team almost doubled from last year.  Everyone came excited to work alongside of Rodd and fellow team members.  I would love to welcome on board Alan and wife Donna, Brandon, Hunter and Taylor.  These folks worked hard from day one.  Well it would not be a mission trip in Honduras for Hopewell unless they hauled blocks into the foundation.  This year they were blessed to have them closer to the foundation and off they started with their assembly line going as other tasks were taking off.  Pastor Carlos set the four corners with the help of Pastor Larry, Hunter and Brandon.  This team came geared up for work for the Lord in actions and in words.  What an amazing start to an amazing week, team work had by all!!!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
Colossians 3:23

Continue Build up the Walls

Work continued as Jose taught the young men of Tapitoca how to mix mescal.  This was one of our many opportunities of the week.  Praise God these boys learned quickly and Jose was a great teacher.  Also he taught the North American gentlemen the same trade.  Julie got in there and sifted her sand just like she did last year. Julie enjoys this job and this week she helped Jose out a lot by wanting to do this task.  Everyone worked had on keeping the mescal going with the awesome helped of all who touched a shovel.

Mike gave a quick lesson on how to lay blocks and fill in the joints.  Once this lesson was taught the team was ready to build Virgilia's home.  The walls started going up block by block.  By the end of the first day with working in the rain the five courses were complete.  Pastor Brian shared during devotions that evening I wonder what kind of first impression we gave these people as we continued to work out in the rain.  We are hard workers for Christ. Hopefully they saw our determination to get God's work done even when the weather did not permit us to do so.  The young man who was their neighbor watched from his front door as they North Americans kept on keeping on until the fifth course was complete.

perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:4

Prayers for the First Block

Prior to praying over the first block Mike shared with Pastor Larry the desire need of this family needing to know who Jesus Christ truly is.  So Pastor Larry did just that.  He shared this home will become four walls with mortar in between each block.  This first block you just laid in this corner is called the cornerstone.  Jesus Christ is our Cornerstone for all who believe in HIM.  He will make this home a home where HIS love will be shared to all who enter it if you believe in HIM as your Lord and Savior.  In order to have Jesus Christ as the Cornerstone of this home you have to believe in HIM.  Pastor Larry did such an amazing job sharing the love of Jesus with this family who some may have never heard these words before.  So as our new team member Taylor, age 21 prayed over the first block I truly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in this place.  What a captive audience around the first block and nearby neighbors who heard God's Word for the first time.  What an amazing start to an amazing week.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:32

Continued Building Up the Walls

This team continued all week working with all they had.  They even went the extra mile which I am truly not surprised and build her a front stoop for the entrance of her home.  They were amazed at how quickly the walls went up and how the house began looking like a home.  The five new friends were in awe of how beautifully this all came together.  The sand sifters and mixers improved each and every day.  Taylor even shared how he was taught some Spanish while working along side of Darquin, Juan and Edwin.  He shared there is a language barrier but there is not a language barrier when you are working in the name of the Lord.  God can break down any barriers.  We serve an awesome God who can perform God moments when we do not even expect them.  One of the team members shared how they thought God moments was kind of silly until they realized you can find God in anything you are doing. God is in control of all of things if we would only give HIM the credit.  God taught these folks some great stuff this week through mixing mortar to laying blocks as their instruments of instructions.  The beautiful part of this is they allowed God to teach them unsearchable and unbelievable things because they let go and let God lead their week.

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Psalm 143:10

Breaking Down Barriers to Build Up Relationships

As this week progressed the team witnessed the walls going up on the house but the walls coming down from the family and new friends in building relationships.  Each day the barriers kept chiseling away and there was more smiles and laughter each and every day.  Donna shared how on the second day she brought out her bubbles and immediately made some new friends.  Bubbles are a very special treat here in Honduras.  This was especially the case in Tapitoca where very little North American influence had entered this area.  The earth ball brought on a lot of fun had by all.  The children became more and more trusting of these new people who definitely looked differently from them and spoke very differently from them.  The different barriers slowly started coming down as each day progressed.  They started earning the trust of these folks who came to build them a home but also wanted to build a relationship with each and every one of them. 

But all this relationship building and trust building is great but the most important relationship in our lives is the one we have with Jesus Christ.  If you are reading this today and you know about Jesus or know of HIM but do not have a personal relationship with HIM I encourage you today to find someone and find out about this man who died a brutal death for you and me so we could have eternal life one day with HIM.  If you do not have this relationship with Jesus Christ I pray today is your day to receive the greatest gift of all, the greatest relationship of all, JESUS!!!!

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

John 17:3

Three Godly Couples

Welcome back our dear friends Rodd and Rita.  This time we did not get their precious son Josh but we got their precious nephew, Hunter.  We enjoyed watching this family work side by side this week serving their Lord diligently.  What a blessing they are to have them in our lives.  Rita was excited to get back and see how her "gift shop" was doing.  She was quiet impressed with the outcome of all our hard work back in February.  Mike was grateful to have Rodd with all his head knowledge on so many different topics to help improve the up keep of the ministry campus.  We had Hunter to the mix and we got us some hard working folks here.  God is good. Thank you God for this family who loves to come and serve YOU in Honduras.

We are excited to introduce this lovely couple to you today, Alan and Donna.  They had been on numerous mission trips and decided to come visit us here in Honduras.  There was not anything these two would not attempt to do or try to accomplish.  They worked hard together and as well separately.  Donna came prepared to do an amazing two day VBS for the children of Tapitoca.  She was a child magnet the entire week.  The children gravitated to her and her heart warming smile.  Alan was eager to learn how to do it the Honduran way and was impressed  with the outcome of it.  He learned early on how the contentment of his friends here in Honduras are with their daily lives.  He shared how he would love to take this contentment back home with him. He shared in his devotional about how the woman at the well was thirsty for water, and how we have been thirsty all week for water.  The lady at the well had to recognize the need for Jesus.  The living water of Jesus Christ is the only water which will quench our thirst.  Alan shared we have a job to do this week, give out the "Living Water" to our lost friends.  Thank you both  for coming to serve the Lord in Honduras

What a mission minded couple.  Welcome back Pastor Larry and his lovely bride, Sandy.  They are a team of servant hearts and willing spirits.  They radiate their energies throughout their team as they serve side by side for their Lord.  Pastor Larry shared  all week this is not about us at all but about our Lord and Savior.  Pastor Larry was always fixing the ice for the cups at supper and pouring each and every person their drink of choice, whether it was Jamaica tea, lemonade or water.  Pastor Larry was there each and every night.  Sandy was ready to do whatever it took to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  She wore many hats throughout the entire week.  She assisted in VBS, she worked the nursery in church on Sunday(another story later on in blog) and she led the first Women's Bible Study in Tapitoca.  She was flexible in all her endeavors and they always took time for each other throughout the week.  They enjoyed numerous sunsets together with the team and separately.  They enjoy serving the Lord together and it radiates throughout the rest of the team.  Thank you both for all you did to make this week successful for the team.

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

Joshua 24:15

Julie Makes Tortillas

Julie came down ready to live. learn and love this culture of Honduras.  She ask if she could watch Senovia make tortillas.  Well before I could turn around Julie was making the tortillas with Senovia.  Julie got her hands damp from the bowl of water and off she went.  The first one went on the hot griddle rather well but as she continued the process Ms. Julie got better and much better.  Julie helped make the tortillas for lunch that day.  Senovia was kind and patient with Julie.  They made a beautiful team on this bright and cheerful morning.  Thank you Julie for going the extra mile and learning a little about the life of a lady in Honduras.  Senoiva gets up each morning comes to work and the first thing she does is makes the tortillas fresh for the day.  This is another extra perk from Mt. Horeb Ministry Campus. 

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

I Love These Boys

Rodd, return team member shared last year he was bringing some back up for this year.  He was having more than seven team members on this team.  Well God is good and answered Rodd's prayer.  Rodd got triple blessed with his prayer requests.  We would like to welcome, Brandon, Hunter and Taylor to our Hopewell Baptist Mission Team.  Rodd was contiously telling these three gentlemen all week how much he loved them.  These "boys" worked hard all the time.  They never stopped.  Pastor Carlos mentioned them several times after they left on how hard they could work.  The most amazing part of all of this was all three of them will say we did it for the Lord.  It was a joy to serve with their God and this team.  They never complained and was ready to do whatever needed to get the job done.  Brandon and Hunter have never been on an international mission trip and they were in awe of this experience and opportunity.  Brandon also learned early on about contentment in these beautiful people and how they live out their daily lives.  Hunter is appreciative of God's blessing for allowing him to come here and serve.  Taylor shared in his devotional near the end of the week how we are God's  bond servants.  We need to spread the grace of God through to the family and neighbors of Tapitoca.  God's grace is all we need and these boys showed God's grace throughout their entire week.

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:15

Pastor Brian

Pastor Brian brings delight, laughter and some mischievousness with him to Honduras.  But he is also a good listener and an encourager.  He loves the Lord and loves to share Jesus with others.  As you can tell he loves to sit and simply chat among friends.  This is a gift from God to be able to take the time to be still and be in HIS PRESENCE.  By doing this he is a good listener and a good friend to all his paths cross.  Thank you Pastor Brian for your gift of encouragement and love for others just as Jesus would do.

if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;
if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Romans 7-8

Hunter and Wilmer

On the first day Hunter made a life time friend, Wilmer.  Wilmer was not the pet pig because this just does not happen in Honduras.  But I believe by the end of the week, Wilmer did not realize he was a pig.  He had become the pet pig and Hunter contributed a lot to this change in Wilmer's life.  Wherever you saw Hunter Wilmer was close by.  There is one small detail about Wilmer we think he might have been blind and he also had a bad back leg.  So Wilmer could smell his friend Hunter coming and greeted him by laying down and waiting to be rubbed on the belly or on the neck.  This is a first for us in Honduras.  This was very special time for these two new friends each and every day.  Hopefully Wilmer will stay the pet pig for many more years.

God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:25

What Next?

The team was getting close to being done with their "normal" work load for the day.  They actually could not do anything else on their project until the next day.  Team member Rodd says what else could we do today brother Mike.  Well Virgilia needs a pilla and there was enough material left over to get it started for her. So they ask Virgilia would she like a pilla and where does she want it to go.  She was truly taken back by the gesture not knowing this would happen on this day.  She looked at her new home from the front door gazing at a dry and safe place for her family to call home in the near future.  Now God is providing her with a pilla so she can wash her clothes and dishes and take baths themselves daily.  She was a little overwhelmed to say the least.

So off she went to clean out the area with a majetta of where the pilla was going to be constructed.  The men of the team started digging out the foundation preparing it for construction on the next day. Everyone was working hard and it took them about an hour and a half to get this foundation prepared for construction on the following day.

Others started cleaning up to go home but then realized there was more work to be done.  So they started mixing more mescal and hauling it to the foundation to set up the form for the next day.  They worked diligently with the leadership of Rodd supervising their efforts.  There was never a question of what is going on here but let's get this job done.  Let's get Virgilia's family a place where they can bathe, do dishes and wash their laundry.

But it could not have been complete without the help of all the women and children.  Even little Anderson was carrying the rocks needed to help form the foundation securely.  I mean everyone was helping even our little lost friend who had been there everyday supervising from a far.  He may know a lot about life but he does not know a whole lot about the most important concept in the world, Jesus Christ.  He shared with team member Rita one day he does not need Jesus because he has led a good life and has never made any mistakes.  Wow, what a misconception.  First of all we are ALL SINNERS not one is worthy of eternal life and two Jesus is the only way into heaven.  There is some many folks out there who think if they are good people this will get them into heaven, NOT.

If you do not have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today as you are reading this please do not let this day pass by without you receiving HIM.  Tomorrow may not come and it will be too late.  In Rita's devotional one evening she shared our week was planned out for us before we were even born.  God knew each of us would be here serving HIM together.  This week God has placed us in a lost community who some may have never heard the gospel.  So I challenge each of us to pray the prayer for someone out on the project this week who needs Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  A nice home is great but without Jesus it is just a house.

Ladies Cook Breakfast

The men had worked so hard on the pilla on Saturday team member, Donna shared sitting around the project why don't we ladies cook breakfast for our men on Sunday.  So that evening during devotionals the ladies shared how they were cooking for the men and they could sleep in on Sunday morning.  Well the men did not cook and they did not sleep in later.  They were up there chewing the fat as they would say and enjoying a fresh pot of coffee while the ladies treated them special.  I believe Rodd found his way into the kitchen to tell them how to cook grits at one point and the ladies quickly escorted him out of the kitchen.  Thank you ladies for doing an awesome job preparing breakfast for you team. 

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
Matthew 25:23

Grateful

North Carolina Baptist on Missions are blessed to have two men who work so well together day in and day out.  God is evident in each of their lives.  Their work ethics and mannerisms together are of God.  They know what the other is thinking before the other one says anything.  Now understand these two men are Mike, North American and Pastor Carlos, Honduran.  So there is a language barrier but then again there is not a language barrier.  God has ordained these two to serve Him together here on Mt. Horeb.  They are the most respectful to one another and their peers.  The Mt. Horeb Ministry Campus is blessed to have these two men in charge of God's Kingdom work.

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

VBS

Donna prepared an awesome first time VBS for themselves and the children of Tapitoca.  The ladies noticed immediately how well behaved and respectful the sixty plus children where to complete strangers.  Meida gathered them together to sing songs as the ladies got the many different stations set up for an afternoon of fun and learning about Jesus.  First of all their was a craft for the particular bible story of the day, also a coloring sheet to do and face painting.  All this was taking place inside one classroom.  These children were amazing how awesome and precious they were during this inside time while some of their friends where outside with the bubble machine, the parachute and jump ropes and Frisbees.  They rotated out every twenty minutes to go to their next station.  This was a well thought out VBS and the ladies reaped the benefits of Donna's hard work.  Mike and I had so much fun helping with face painting but we heard on the next day and last day of our visit to Tapitoca Brandon and Hunter did a much better job face painting.  The guys came down on the last day to enjoy some of this fun the ladies shared about the night before during their God moments.  Thank you thank you Hopewell for such a beautiful first impression of what a North American  Christian is.  We are grateful.  Job very well done.

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 Under the Trees of Virgilia's Home

The team arrived and set up the pews for worship which consisted of the work boards and plastic chairs provided by family and friends.  The most precious item of all was when Edwin brought Pastor Larry the pulpit which was his family's best wooden table from out of there home.  Wow this was a humbling moment and my God moment for this day.  Julie was church greeter along with others as slowly people started showing up for their first time experience, a worship service.  There had never been a Christian worship service in this area until this Sunday morning.  God spared the rain long enough for us to gather and share the gospel.  God also gave out a breeze as needed throughout the morning.

People continued to come to worship the Lord.  We had all ages and God sent one man to church this day.  One man came to hear about this man called Jesus.  Pastor Larry was cleaning out an area in his office or closet not quiet sure where and came across a case of Spanish bibles.  So he brought them along not knowing if they would be of any use.  Every person this morning was blessed by one of those bibles Pastor Larry found one day while cleaning up his work area.  There was also another problem Virgilia could not see to read.  Several folks shared their eye glasses with to no prevail.  But finally Alan walked over and ask her to try his and they were perfect.   She could read God's word perfectly at that point.  Each team member helped the people look up the scripture Pastor Larry was sharing on this bright and beautiful Sunday morning.  These people were hungry for the Word of the Lord.  As Pastor Larry preached on what is a Christian they were continuously reading the Word.  They could not be enough of it.  It was heart wrenching to see this for the first time.  People who had not seen a bible before much less heard about "What Is a Christian".  How many of us have bibles in our homes we never open up to read and are hungry to read it continuously .  This was a very humbling experience for all of us that morning.

All church services has to have a nursery.  This is another moment in church where my eyes watered up a little bit.  Julie and Sandy saw the need to give a couple of mothers a break so they could hear the sermon and read the word.  What servant hearts these ladies exhibited for the Lord.  Then along came Alan and he assisted in the nursery as well.  Everyone played a huge part in what was about to happen in Tapitoca.

Pastor Larry gave the invitation to anyone wanted to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Well Virgilia spoke up and said we all do.  Pastor Larry gingerly answered her and shared this was an individual choice not a group choice.  Each person has to want to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Virgilia could not decide this for the entire group.    So Pastor Larry shared a little more and ask if anyone wanted to accept Christ to close their eyes and pray this prayer.  So that day under the trees of Virgilia's home six people came to Christ.  Six people will be spending eternity in heaven with Jesus Christ and God His Father.  All God's people shouted amen.

After the service we encouraged everyone to come back the next day for another sermon at lunch conducted by Pastor Carlos.  On this day four more came to Christ.  So God led ten people to the Lord in Tapitoca.  This is how the early church started with just a few people meeting in a home.  While I know somewhat how they early Christians must have felt that day when the first church got started.  These people in Tapitoca have a long road ahead of them because most the people up in Tapitoca are profound Catholics.  Please pray as Pastor Carlos ministers to this new flock of believers and more will come to know Jesus Christ.

and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Acts 11:26

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
Ephesians 2:8

 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

1 Peter 4:16

Women's Conference

On the last morning of our work day with these beautiful people Sandy had prepared a morning just for the ladies of the community.  We did not know how many ladies would show up or how it was all going to play out. But God already knew how He was going to orchestrate the morning.  The roof was all that was left to go up so Sandy had decided to have the conference over at the driveway in the shade and away from the project.  The morning progressed and wheels started turning.  Her sweet husband Pastor Larry said, "Why don't you have inside the house once the roof goes up?"  That is just what she did.  Pastor Larry started setting blocks and boards up for sitting.  Edwin once again brought out the pulpit for Mrs. Sandy to use for her display table.  The other men on the team saw them in their working hard and they joined in to get a table made up for the ladies to work off of while during their craft.  A lot of love went into the first organized women's conference in Tapitoca. Slowly women came from different paths of the neighborhood.  One lady named Rosa and her daughter whose name is also Rosa walked one mile to come to this women's conference, bible study as most of us would call it.  They came in their Sunday best ready to learn about Jesus.  They all received a bible as well.  We began to joke about the bibles multiplying each day.  At the end of the week there was still a few left. 

As the ladies settled in Meida introduced the North American ladies to the Honduran ladies.  They opened up with prayer led by Sandy.  They started the morning off by team member Rita sharing how to use the bible.  How to be able to find the scripture in the bible by the books, then the chapter and then the verse.  Rita was very precise and detailed with these explanations.  These ladies had never own or seen a bible to our knowledge.  They eagerly listened and learn about this new book placed in their hands.  They did an activity led by Sand where you tied a rope to two of you and you use one hand to untie each other.  This was a great ice breaker for the ladies who giggled as they worked hard to get each other untied.  Rita and her partner were struggling but with the great amount of team member they were successful.

Sandy borrowed some fruit from Mike for her display.  She was told to be sure and take good care of that fruit.  The papaya was donated to the family at the end of the bible study.  Any way Sandy ask to describe what does this piece of fruit to for us?  How is it effective in our lives?  She asked them to describe to her what it is and if it is good or not?  This took a while for the ladies to openly share with Sandy but they finally opened up with their thoughts.  They shared how it was great to the taste, awesome medicine for sickness and many more thoughts of how this fruit was important for their daily lives.  Just like this fruit Jesus is more important for us in our daily lives.  Without Jesus there is not a life worth living.  Jesus is the fruit of the spirit.  Jesus is love, joy, peace, forbearance, gentleness and self-control.

Sandy led the ladies in a craft of a fruit of the spirit bracelet.  There were numerous beads threaded through a wire and each colored bead represented one of the fruit of the spirits.  Sandy gave explicit details about each fruit.  What an amazing time these ladies had while learning about Jesus.  Thank you Sandy, Rita, Julie and Donna the childcare provider for an amazing first women's conference in Tapitoca.  Virgilia was very proud to allow us to use her new home to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with her neighbors.

Important Job

Donna saw the need to keep her team members and new friends hydrated.  This is thankless gift from God.  Water keeps us going during these hot days.  Team members forget to stop to do this for themselves.  Every team needs a Donna to keep them hydrated.  Thank you Donna for taking good care of all your friends this week.  Everyone stayed healthy and worked hard.  God is good.

       but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

John 4:14

Home Dedication

As the team said good bye to Meida and welcomed Alex to help finish out their last day the team continued doing what God had called them to do, serve Him.  They gathered around the home as Pastor Brian prepared to dedicate this home unto our Lord and Savior.  Virgilia, Ana, Anai, Edwin and Juan gathered around their dream come true, an answered prayer as Pastor Brian shared from God's word.  He referenced Deuteronomy 10:12-14.  We came here five days ago not knowing any of you and now we are family, brothers and sisters in Christ.  Prior to praying over the first block, Pastor Larry shared about Jesus Christ  being our chief cornerstone and without Him this home would not be completed.  As the week progressed slowly each of you at some time during this week received Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He has now become the chief cornerstone of this home.  This home will be one of safe haven for each of you and God will use this home to protect you from the elements.  You are to make this house a home where others will see Jesus daily in each of your lives.  Your home will be open to be able to share the love Jesus with others as we have come and shared the love of Jesus with each of you. 

After he shared he offered others to share.  Each family member was presented a bible with their names on the inside of them.  They gathered around the house as Pastor Brian prayed the last prayer with this precious family.  After the prayer Virgilia was given the keys to her home and was able to walk in for the first time in her life to a dry dwelling.  Thank you Hopewell Baptist Church for coming prepared to do whatever God had in store for each of you.  Thank you for being flexible and eager to share the gospel.  Thank you God for 10 more folks as our brothers and sisters in your dear precious Son Jesus.

And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.
Deuteronomy 10:12-14

Enjoying God's Creation

One evening right before dinner the team slowly made their way up to the multi purpose building.  Each one looked back to the most amazing sunset created by our Father.  Each one slowly found a sit on the steps and watched the sun as it slowly left us for yet another day.  Once it got to the level of the horizon it was gone.  It vanished quickly but left the most beautiful color combinations only God could create.  How can anyone say there is not a Father who loves and cares for us and paints us such beautiful sunsets as the ones we get to observe in Honduras.  These folks stopped to reflect over their day and to baste in the presence of their heavenly Father's masterpiece.  It blessed my heart to see each of them taking the time to be still and be in the presence of their Lord.  Thank you God for all you give to us on a daily basis.