The Washing of the Disciples Feet

One evening Mark shared the devotional. He pulled from John 13:1-19.  Before Floyds Creek came down to Honduras Pastor Robert met with the team to prepare, finalize and pray for their trip.  Well he added a special little touch to their gathering.  Pastor Robert washed each one of the team members feet.  But at that time no one washed his feet.  So Mark chose the devotional out of John 13 and shared how Jesus washed his disciples feet.  Later in his devotional he shared about how Pastor Robert had done this to each of them but he did not get his washed.  Each team member that night individually went and bowed down at the basin and washed Pastor Roberts feet and prayed for him.  While others were waiting their turn they prayed.  It was a touching moment in our week which once again brought this team more unified as a team.  Thank you Pastor Robert for the leadership you provide your church family. 

John 13:1-19

Roof Completion and Dedication

The completion of the project was coming to an end.  The last of the tin was going up.  The ladies of the church along with some of the North Americans were washing the floor of the sanctuary.  The team members were placing all the furniture back inside the church. There was a couple of ladies washing down the door of the church after all items were placed inside.  They were taking such pride in their church home.  I was wondering where Egla was located during all this.  I look down at the futbol field and she was sharing a bible story with a group of the children.  They were nesteled under the shade of several trees.  Everything was coming to a close and the entire week there was not a drop of rain during this rainy season.  Pastor G, Pastor Carlos, Pastor Amado and Orfilio were putting on the final touches of the front porch roof of the church with the generator running vigorously.  At that point it was time for the dedication, so the pastors and Orfilio put their final touches to a halt and Robert began the commencement of the dedication of the roof.  As he started to speak there came a rain shower.  God is good all the time.  For the first time the roof was not leaking and the inside of the church was dry.  Robert was able to finish the dedication and the pastors and Orfilio were able to put the final touches on the front porch.  Our God is an amazing and awesome God.  He reigns from Heaven above.  Our God is an awesome God.  To HIM be the glory for this entire week of service to HIM and His Kingdom.

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us."

Romans 12:4-6

Before/After

God's house.

Meet the Costillo Family

On July 3rd Salemburg Baptist Church traveled to a village called Colonia Wiliams in Choluteca, Honduras.  Upon arriving they were introduced to the most precious family, the Costillos.  The Costillo family consist of Benito, father and Irma, mother, following six beautiful and amazing children.  Their ages ranged from 13 years old down to two years old.  Salemburg realized right away what an amazing week they were getting ready to have.  The lives of the Costillos were going to be transformed in a matter of fives.  They literally went to nothing to having a home with a door and lock and place to stay dry during the rainy season.  Benito received his most important home this week, eternity.  Benito accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior during the process of building his home.  This is why teams come and go to Honduras to bring the lost to Jesus Christ.  Thank you God for allowing Salemburg to add one more brother in Christ to their family.

"I love those who love ME, and those who seek ME diligently will find me."

Proverbs 8:17

Team 117 Salemburg Baptist Church

Salemburg arrived getting immediately to work removing the remains of the old home.  There were poles from inside the former needing to be removed.  Several of the team members took care while other team members helped Pastor G set up the four corners.  Jose, our bus driver, and Benito started the process of mixing the mortar.  I am fairly certain while Jose and Benito were working side by side, our brother Jose was asking him  about his relationship with Jesus Christ.  Jose uses his opportunities when assisting with the mortar to evangelise with the men of the communties.  There was  probably were the first seed was planted towoards Benito to life in Christ.  The team worked under some gorgeous and huge trees covered in a fruit called hickaro.  God blessed them truly with at least one half of their day working in shade.  The ladies next door helped prepare food for the Honduran workers and Mike the entire week.  We were blessed to have Pastor Carlos as well helping with the construction of the home.  As the week progressed you could witness the excitement and amazement of the children as they watched each block becoming a home.  This was a first time trip for several of the team members from Salemburg.  But the newness wore off quickly as each team member found their place in making the 800 blocks a home.  They were diligently side by side and did whatever it took to get their job done.  During their lunch break they spent time playing with the children and talking to nearby neighbors who came curious of what was taking place in their neighborhood.  God worked many miracles on this property.  God is good all the time.

So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Acts 16:31

Costillo Children

The children were around the job site the duration of the week watching their home go up. The older children worked along side their father to help with whatever task was at hand.  Everyday for lunch they set up a table for the Honduran workers. The two youngest children were extremely shy and unsure of these strangers who came to their home and began interaction with them.  As the week progressed they soon learned they could trust and love the North Americans.  They quickly made new friends which will last a life time for the children as well as the North Americans.  This is how good our Father in Heaven works.  He uses us and the Hondurans in so many different ways to bring each other together as one. One afternoon after finishing up their day the children took everyone to the river and the children enjoyed swimming and laughing as their new friends sat back and watched with joy in their hearts.

"Let the little children come unto me and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." 

Matthew 19:14

VBS

On the last two work days some of the team members broke off and went to the children to provide Vacation Bible School for over a 100 children.  They learned the famous "Chicken Dance" and did crafts and learned about their Savior Jesus.  The children were amazing and a joy to serve as always.  We really enjoy when teams come and share the gospel with the children and prepare activities for them to enjoy.  Most of the children here in Honduras do not get this chance unless a team comes and shares their gifts and talents with these precious children.  A Sunday morning for the children consist of a bible story, memorizing a bible verse from their story and singing songs.  So when the North Americans take their time to prepare a craft or activity for them even if it is only coloring a picture the children as all so grateful.

"That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing HIM, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Colossians 1:10

Home dedication

The home was completed on Saturday afternoon.  But the home dedication was delayed until Sunday morning before church so those who worked could attend.  The church members sang hymns during the home dedication and the Pastor John shared a few words and challenged the family to create this into a home for the Lord.  They laying of hands upon the home was done as Pastor John prayed over this new home created in the name of Jesus.  The Costillos family was presented with their lock and key and a family bible.  The team presented the Costillo family a photo taken in front of their former home and Pastor John discussed how we put away our old and become new in Christ.  This picture will remind them they are all new in Christ and Christ Jesus gave them this godly home to raise their family.

"As for me and my family we will serve the Lord."

Joshua 24:15

New Home

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME.  ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD.

DIOS ES BUENO TODO ES TIEMPO.  TODO ES TIEMPO DIOS ES BUENO.

Eastern Association builds a home in El Carrizo

On May 30 the Eastern Association of Baptist Men arrived in Tegus ready to serve the Lord.   They were ready to do whatever God had in store for them this week.  There was alot of  positive and energetic attitudes coming into Honduras.  We arrived at the mission house in Choluteca late that afternoon.  The team enjoyed a dinner prepared by Jose's wife, chicken tacos.  Jose's chicken tacos have become a big hit among most of the teams coming through the mission house.  The next morning Mario's wife, Flora, got up and prepared a delicious breakfast and everyone else went about their duties of making the lunches, preparing the Gatorade and loading the truck with the proper tools for the day.  Pastor G arrived and was greeted by Mario with a big hug and excitement of serving beside each other again.  Mario came down in November and fell in love with Honduras and wanted his wife to come and experience what he had experienced in November.  The Honduran people have a way about them which just wins your heart and soul.  Their humbleness and genuine love for others is contagious for those who come through the mission house of Choluteca. 

We arrived on the job site early that morning.  Mario introduced each team member as the family introduced themselves to the North Americans.  We said a prayer before starting the project ahead.  Everyone jumped into the job finding where they could fit and do their best. Mario prayed over the first block for the family and off they went. The new members were given a lesson in block 101 and learned quickly how to lay the block.  By ten that morning the walls of the house were going up.    The team worked diligently on the home for Omar and his family of 10.  The team was blessed with a lot of help.  The community of El Carrizo came out in full force to help get this house to become a home.  The ladies carried the water from about one quarter a mile away to help with the mixing of the mortar.  One time during the week Norma and Flora were sifting the sand to help with the mixing of the mortar.  Tammy and Sharon were faithful in giving out the water to the Honduran workers each day.  One day I came up on the job site to see Sharon walking around the property by herself.  I walked up to ask her was everything okay.  She said, "Oh yes, I was doing a prayer walk around the job site."  How powerful this moment was for me.  Sharon and Tammy were massive prayer warriors this week. All the guys worked diligently on each wall but also found time for the children. Michael, Julie and Norma really enjoyed playing and talking with the children.  Every time I saw Julie she was enjoying one of the little ones.  Michael shared one day how the people here in Honduras just simply LOVE.     Mario, Flor, Norma, Sharon, Tammy, and Richard were found playing futbol with the children.  God blessed them with two beautiful areas with trees for shade for their breaks each day. Thank you Earl, Paul, Gerald, Richard and Tammy, David and Sharon, Mario and Flor, Norma, Julie,  and Michael for making this house a home.  God is good all the time. 

Delicious meals in mission house

As I shared earlier Flor got up each morning to fix this team an amazing breakfast of plantains, eggs, re fried beans, toast and bacon.   Flor would get up at 5 in the morning and cook breakfast with the most beautiful smile upon her face.  She said she loves serving the Lord.  Julie, Tammy and Sharon were fixing the sandwiches while Flor was working in the kitchen.  Then all the guys would fall in line to enjoy a delicious breakfast.  These guys were spoiled this week.  Norma got in there a couple of mornings at 5 with her Aunt Flor to cook.  Norma, age 16, is an amazing cook .  Thank you ladies for keeping the men well fed during your week in Choluteca.  Of course in the evenings they all enjoyed meals prepared by our one and only Rosa Famosa.  Rosa always comes in the next morning checking the refrigerator to see how much was eaten.  She was worries her food in not good.  Well this particular week there was never any left overs.  Rosa was well pleased and went about her day cleaning and singing her hymns.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength."  Phillippians 4:13

Sharing the Gospel

During the week there was more than building a home going on.  There was several conversations around the dining table about God's word. Our God moments were amazing in the evening.  One day Richard was able to share the gospel with one of the children of this beautiful community.  In sharing the gospel this young man accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.  Back in February we built a fellow neighbor a home, German.  Richard talked with him and shared the gospel once again with German, as was done in February.  German needs lots of prayers so one day Jesus Christ will be his Lord and Savior.  Richard shared with him he was an awesome leader of his home as well as a father but he needs to have His Heavenly Father to lead and guide all he does as the head of the house.  There is so many folks out there who will not give up self to have eternal life.  Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life with our Heavenly Father.  I pray today if you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, today you will rededicate your life to HIM or accept HIM as your Lord and Savior.

"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

Famlies

We have been so blessed this year with couples and families coming to serve the Lord in Choluteca.  This week I want to say thank you to Pastor Richard and Tammy, David and Sharon, and Mario and Flor and their  niece Norma.  These families worked side by side throughout the week building a home for a precious family and in turn built  a more godly foundation in their own families.  God is so proud when families serve HIM on mission trips.  We are so grateful they took time away from their families to come to Choluteca to help other families.  This is a beautiful role model of how families should serve the Lord.  God is so good all the time.  Thank you Eastern Association for coming here and doing a mighty work in the name of Jesus Christ.

"Go into all the world and preached the good news to all creations."  Mark 16:15