Agua de coco Anyone?

 

This team enjoyed every minute of the Honduran culture.  While Mike and I were out running errands we stopped at a roadside fruit stand and bought the team coconuts.  As you can see from the pictures they truly enjoyed their treat.  Our Honduran amigos ate the meat from the coconut as well!!!  Jose was gracious to cut the hole in the top of the coconut and they enjoyed a good time of fellowship and fruit in the breezeway of the mission house.  It is awesome to see people of different cultural backgrounds building relationships while sipping coco water.  Thank you my God for providing us with coconuts and conversation in two different languages.  This is how awesome our God is.

 

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of the his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In HIM the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.  And in HIM you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."

Ephesians 2: 19-22

Indian Cuisine

 

This team was our first diverse group.  There was several North Americans, one young lady from India and a couple from the Philippines.  Well, the entire group Hondurans included wanted, Debby, the Indian lady, to prepare a dish from her native country of India.  We gave Rosa the evening off and Debby, Steve and his lovely wife Victoria and Marchele, who wanted to learn how to cook Indian food ,prepared the most delicious Indian cuisine.  Rosa was curious so we saved her a plate to eat the next day. It took Debby and team about one hour and a half to prepare the meal.  It took the group about fifteen minutes to enjoy their delicacy that evening.   Debby, thank you for preparing all those scrumptious dishes. 

 

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

Acts 2:42

Second location, Manuel Valladayes

 

On the third evening of their work here, Dr Jillda, whose husband could not join us because of a family emergency, decided she needed to be with her husband and family.  We all prayed for her and told her this was where she needed to be.  Dr. Jillda got up early on the fourth day to head home to her family.  She worked so hard this week knowing and wanting to be with her family.  Well done good and faithful servant.  So this put us down to two doctors on their last two days.  This team once again perservered and got God's work done.  They were able to see numerous patients in their two days in Manuel Valladayes.  Once again this church was ready and prepared to serve along side the North Americans.  Their set up was the tradtional setting where they were all in the sanctuary together.  God was still able to get HIS work done in a timely fashion.  There was a lot more people coming here than the other location with only two doctors.  God is good all the time.  He gave the doctors the energy they needed to perform their duties.  Dr. Marchele showed such compassion toward her patients as she gingerly and gently spoke with them concerning their medical needs.  Dr. Brenda prescribed the medicines we had on hand for the patients but would take the time to show them home remedies to do once their medicines ran out they would receive from the farmicia.  Dr. Brenda like Dr. Marchele took her time with each patient and gave them the help they needed.  Neither doctor let the fact they were shy one doctor change the way they treated each and every patient which came across their paths on those last two days.  Dr Jillda you were truly missed but God gave Dr. Marchele and Dr. Brenda all they needed to continue the work YOU sent them to do.  To God be the glory for an awesome job!!!!

 

"I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy becacuse of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 1:3-6 

Sharing the gospel in many ways

 

Wherever you saw children you saw Nikki.  Nikki would gather the children like the Pied Piper.  At both churches Nikki and Jon, her translator, would share bible stories with the children.  They would send them out to get their friends and bring them back to the church for bible stories.  They gathered in the sancutuary while the medical team was busy at work.  This was amazing to watch as it all came together. Vickie another North American team member said this brought back memories of her childhood where she came to Christ at a Bible Club. There was ten children who came to Christ this week.  Thank you Nikki and Jon for taking the time to love these beautiful children and helping them to know they are special in God's eyes.  While Nikki would be helping Vickie check in patients, Jon would share the gospel with the adults who were waiting to be seen by the doctors.  Jon's spanish helped him to spend more time talking to the people and sharing his faith and relationship with Jesus Christ.  So many opportunites arised this week because of a group from Maryland who answered God's calling to come to Honduras and provide  the needs for the people physcially but most of all their spiritual needs. Thank you Maryland for answering the call to come and serve.  Thank you Steve for coming forward and saying Yes Lord I will lead a team to Honduras. 

 

Jesus said, "Let the little children come tome, and do not hnder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14

 

Unique worship service

 

Covenant Church team each prepared their personal testimonies before arriving in Honduras.  They really did not know each other well until they started preparing their testimonies.  Jon proofed each one and wrote them out in Spanish for Egla, our translator.  So with that said he was able to catergize each testimony according to the individual stories to be shared.  Some were similar and some were not.  They started with Steve who was raised in a Christian home and did all the right things. His story became more about pleasing others than it was about pleasing God.  Steve shared,"When Jesus died on the cross, He took care of all the consequences of my sins.  Salvation was a gift and I did not have to do anything to earn it."  Now Steve doesn't have to worry about doing all the right things and to please others.  All Steve needs to do now is be faithful to him.  Now all Steve does is do what God calls him to do and one of those things was to become a nurse.  Thank you Steve for becoming a nurse and leading this group this week.

Debby, our Indian friend is a Christian and also grew up in a Christian family.  But like Steve she did all the right things by being in church and looking really good on the outside.  While Debby was in nursing school, she attended her uncle's church and four years later accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.  Even then Debby struggled in her walk with the Lord.  She shares she was headstrong and stubborn. (aren't we all)  But she quickly learned she could not do it without the power and strength from the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ who died for her and us..  She shared, "He has shown me that He is the only way, the truth and the life." Her last quote was, "God is good all the time."

Vicki was also raised in a Christian home and went to a Christian school.  It was when she was 11 years old she heard at a Good News Bible Club, that she only needed to believe in God and His Son Jesus, but that she needed to receive Jesus into her life as her Saviour.  She received Jesus into her life that day at the Good News Bible Club.  Vicki shared life has its challenges at times, but she ask Jesus everyday to make her strong and help her to do the things that He has for her to do.  She thanks God for all the many blessings in her life.

Victoria grew up in the Philippines.  She lived on her grandmother's property in one of her homes.  She lived with her mother father and siblings. Her grandmother was very controlling of her family.  Victoria became very religious because her grandmother had them in mass every Sunday.  They would go to all the special activities at church and we did all the required prayers.  She found out at the age of 8 what being a Christian really meant.  An American missionary and local pastors were teaching VBS at a nearby school.  Her and her siblings escaped their grandmother's watchful eye and attended the VBS.  Victoria's parents saw the change in their children and soon started going to a bible study.  The bible study became a church and Victoria's entire family started going to church  and became active members.  Sadly they had to leave their home and her grandmother because her grandmother did not approve of their decision of Christianity.  They ended up living with two other families.  In moving her family lost her grandmother's blessings.  Today Victoria is still learning to trust God more.  And she still learns daily how much God loves her for sending his Son for her and our sins.  WE all need God's grace. Jesus died for all of us.

Marchele's testimony started out by sharing Romans 8:28 "We know ALL THINGS work together for GOOD for those who love the Lord, who are called according to his purpose."  This verse is Marchele's life story and her comfort.  When growing up she did not go to church.  She sometimes went with her brother.  They would walk to a church near their home. She started going every Sunday with a neighbor.  She learned to love God more.  She learned to pray for every little thing.  She prayed God would give her a godly man one day.  As a teengager she wanted to have fun and did not worry too much about the consequences.  But one October a series of events showed her how she needed God.  Her father was diagnosed with a brain tumor and the very next morning after receiving her father's news Marchele and her mother were in a serious car accident.  Her mother was critical and Marchele was critical as well.  But the worst part was she almost lost her parents.  This brought Marchele back to the cross.  She prayed for forgiveness and instantly she knew God forgave her. Remember she prayed for a godly man well she got him.  But due to the car accident they were unable to get pregnant.  During those times of wanting a baby she would turn to the stories in the bible of Rebecca, Rachel, Hannah and Elizabeth. Marchele wanted the faith these women had.  That Christmas Eve they got the good news they were going to have not one but two baby girls.  God is good all the time.  God never promised life would be easy once we become Christians.  But he promised to be with us through everything we go through, rather good or bad.

 

Nikki also was raised in a Christian home with Christian parents.  She never remembers a time when she did not know God or love Him.  She felt like God gave her a deep love for him as a gift.  Nikki was given the verse Psalm 22: 1-5 from God when she was a child.  She has reflected over those words hundreds of times over her life.  They have always brought her hope and peace.  God has gotten Nikki through some rough times in her life just like everyone else.  But Nikki turned to God's Word to see her through.  Nikki wants to share what God has done for her life with others.  Coming to Honduras was such a great blessing for Nikki as she shared her gift of God's deep love for her with others.  Thank you Nikki for your willingness to share God's love with others.

Our last testimony was Jon, who was raised Roman Catholic.  He sought meaning in his life through success and acceptance.  He was an excellent student and try to please everyone.  He had many accomplishments in life.  He had a hard time making friends, especially when he went off to college.  He meant one young man named Gerald who was his friend.  He felt Gerald had something special about him but Jon could not figure out at the time what.  One night Gerald mentioned he was going bowling and would Jon like to go.  He told Jon he was going bowling with some Christian friends and to a worship service as well.  They sang a song:

"Beloved, let us love one another

For love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God

He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love!!!"

Through these words God taught Jon things about him that he never understood before.  He was amazed!!  God is love!!! Also, He enables us to truly love one another. After God revealed this to Jon he prayed to HIm and asked forgiveness for all his sins and he asked HIM to take control his life. Jon is thankful for Gerald taking him bowling that night and to share the gospel with him. 

I am thankful for each and everyone of these testimonies.  We all have a story and they are all different just like the ones above.  We all can relate to at least one of these stories.  I challenge myself and you today, do we truly have a personl relatonship with Jesus Christ where HE has complete control of our lives and we go to HIM with every detail of our lives.  Do we read the bible daily to seek HIS guidance in our daily walk with HIM.  This was our last team of 2012.  For many reasons I did not do this blog until today January 4, 2013.  But God knew this was the beginning of a new year.  I want to challenge us all who read this to give Jesus Christ our total being.  Give HIM complete control of every detail of our lives and let's read the bible this year daily.  I will begin reading the bible through for the third time this year.  This is sad to say I have only read it through three times in my life time.  Do not make this mistake. I challenge you read God's word through this 2013 year and get to know our God who created us all and who wants a personal realtionship with each of us.  He desires to be with us.  Desire to be with HIM. 

 

Women's Bible Conference 2012

 

November 15, 2012 God blesses us once again with another Bible Study for the women of Choluteca, Honduras.  We renamed it this year from Pastor Wives Retreat to Women's Bible Conference.  We added two new ladies who are not pastor's wives but play a huge role in the ministry of North Carolina Baptist Men and Women of Honduras, Rosa and Naomi, Orfilio's wife.  There were nine of us total.  Egla did the translating for the two hour bible study on Peace in Jesus.  The first week of November I passed out the bible studies to the women and asked them to study and answer the questions in their study.  We also did not meet in a public restaurant this year.  We met at Pastor Pedro's church in La Ere Blanca, Choluteca, Honduras.  We asked him earlier in October could nine ladies meet to have a bible study.  He was delighted to open up God's house for this event.  Mike, Egla and I arrived at the church with Pastor Pedro awaiting us.  He had put two tables together with ten chairs and the tables were covered with white tablecloths.  His thoughtfulness continued as he shared he place the tables under the fans and near the windows for fresh air.  With tears in my eyes I was overwhelmed with gratitude of the thoughtfulness placed in preparing the room for the bible study.  His huge smile lightened my spirit.  I was so nervous about doing this with these lovely ladies as Pastor Pedro was nervous about having everything just right.  We both laughed and continue to work together to get the rest of the room ready for the ladies arrival.  Once all the ladies arrived we opened with prayer and Egla and Rosa lead us in a song  "Joy joy joy, peace peace peace down in my heart".  We played a game where you whisper something in a person's ear and it goes all the way around till gets back to the person who said it.  This ice breaker had us all laughing because I said to Egla," Mike and I have been in Honduras for three years as of December 28."  It got back to me as Praise the Lord. As we continued laughing we were all relaxing and getting ready to began our study on peace.  I asked a question in the beginning "What is peace and where do you find it?"  Rosa immediately answered Jesus Christ.  Rosa open up the floor for others to comment and this continued for two hours.  There was a time of personal sharing on how during hardships we can still find peace in Jesus.  I learned so much that day from these lovely ladies.  After we completed the study I provided lunch for the ladies.  We had hamburgers, pasta salad and fruit salad with a cookie.  Ice tea and water was served as well.  Thank you Mike for assisting me in the preparations of the luncheon.  While I was finishing up the bible study my wonderful husband and best friend was setting out the food on the table.  We enjoyed lunch and talked about our families and how to apply peace in our lives.  Also one of the pastor's wives said she will host the next bible study at their church.  Thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for peace that transcends all our understanding..  I was able to give each lady a gift bag with a 365 day devotional, a mug with Peace in espanol "Paz", crotchet crosses, lotions, notepads, chap sticks, body soap and Evagi-cubes to help them when they are sharing the gospel with others.  Thank you to my God first and thank you to everyone who helped make this day an eventful and one where God was glorified.

 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  John 14:27  

First Baptist Church Southern Pines Renewal of Friendships and New Friendships

 

It is so awesome to see old friends reunite and bring in new friends to start another chain of friendships.  This is Southern Pines third trip to Honduras and each year they continue to make new friends.  They brought three new friends along this year.  We would like to welcome Ed, Maurice and Penny to this years family.  God is so good to bring new folks into Mike and my life through all the teams who come to Honduras.  We have such a large family from all over the world. When the Hondurans say they will pray for their friends from North America they are truly sincere in their words.  Thank you North American brothers and sisters for always praying for us here in Honduras.  We love you guys!!!

 

"A friend loves at all times."  Proverbs 17:17

The first day of being a blessing

 

Every job site is different.  This particular location did not have water on the property.  The future homeowner, Saul, paid to have water brought in and loaded the four barrels the first two days.  Afterwards a friend from church allowed the team to go to his home and load up the four barrels with water.  We were very blessed for Porphilio who allowed us to use water from his home.  Our team watched as the corner post were set up in preparation for the laying of the first block.  Once this was done the team taught their new friends how to lay block and the rest is history.  They were able to lay  five courses by the end of the first day.  This was becoming a very beautiful home for a very lovely couple,  Saul and Gabby.  Thank you my brothers and sisters for your hard work and dedication to complete this home at this time and place according to God's plan for all of us.

 

"Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone. In HIM the whole building is joined together and rises to become a Holy Temple in the Lord. And in HIM you too are being built together to become a dewelling in which God lives by his Spirit."  Ephesians 2:20-22

Saul and Gabby praying over their first block

 

This is almost like a fairy tale story.  Saul and Gabby have been sweethearts for seven years.  They were high school sweethearts.  Saul is a teller at a local bank, goes to school on Saturday to further his education and is a Sunday School teacher for the children of his church and leads the praise band in his church.  Gabby is going to beauty school and supports Saul in all he does.  This was a very special day for Saul and Gabby to dedicate the first block and the beginning of many years in their new home..  Please pray as they prepare to be married on December 1, 2012.  Mike and I are very blessed to be able to be apart of this special day.

 

"And the two will become one flesh so they are no longer two but one flesh.  Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

Mark 10:8-9 

Many beautiful faces serving the Lord

 

God put so many different folks from different backgrounds together this week to serve HIM.  It is amazing how awesome our God is to put together just who HE wants and the time HE wants it to happen.  They worked as one in Christ and did not ever let the language barrier become a hindrance.  How beautiful is God's masterpiece when we are submissive to HIS calling.  Thank you to so many more folks than the ones above for making this such an awesome and amazing week.  God is good all the time.

 

"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave or free, nor is there male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." 

 

Galatians 3: 28

Many different hats

 

This team was full of many talented leaders and people wanting to learn all they could.  Where do I began.  Let's start with the BLUE HAT.  This young man's name was George.  He worked amazingly hard all week taking care of his team and their construction of the home. As well as many other jobs he was responsible for each and every day.  Thank you George for a job well done.  Thank you Joy for keeping George straight and leading your team in many areas.  Your willingness to keep them safe and hydrated was a blessing to all of them.  Thank you for organizing the onsies and blankets to help out the hospital.  It takes so much to get a team here and you did an outstanding job.  And there is my friend Penny.  She came with enthusiasm and excitement to learn all she could about the ladies of Honduras.  She was able to help Francisca in the makings of tortillas for lunch one day.  She found out quickly what hard work this was and Francisca did this every day for the Honduran workers on the job site.  Francisca's patience with all of us ladies in her kitchen was a God moment.  She had so much work do to this day and she took the time to allow Penny to learn a little about a day in a Honduran lady's kitchen. 

 

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

 

Colossians 3:23-24

Other activites besides building a home

 

Each week presents many different activities other than building a home. One day Joy made Mike a banana pudding just because she wanted to.  Thank you Joy for spoiling my husband that evening.  One day Mike spoiled all the workers with two delicious watermelons on one of their afternoon breaks.  On the fourth day, George, Karen, Joy and Penny along side Orfilio and his daughter Lizzy, as translators, headed up to the church and within five hours were able to give some hope to many who could not see to read their bibles or even thread a needle.  The oldest patient was 89 years old.  But the most amazing story was the very first patient who was the same age as George.  George gave her the needle and thread and ask her to thread the needle while wearing a pair of readers he provided for her.  It took her about a minute and she had the needle threaded.  Everyone applauded her and praised the Lord for her seeing to thread the needle.  How beautiful is our God to provide this ministry this week for one hundred folks. We were able to worship one evening in church with Saul and his church family.  Thank you Maurice and Franz for sharing your testimony and your love for your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Thank you for challenging all of us if we did not know Jesus Christ do not let this day pass without receiving Jesus into our lives.

 

 

"For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have eternal life."

 

John 3:16

All good things have to come to an end

 

On the last day Orfilio wore his First Baptist Church of Southern Pines t-shirt to the job site.  I am not sure Orfilio knew what his shirt said but God knew. Ed and Larry worked diligently providing the materials for the completion of the floor.  While Orfilio and Maurice carried Pastor Carlos, Franz and Penny the roof materials.  What a blessing to see the final touches go up on this absolutely gorgeous and perfectly made home in the name of Jesus Christ.  Job well done my brothers and sisters in Christ from North Carolina and Choluteca, Honduras.  You perservered until every last detail was completed.  We all gathered around the home of Saul and Gabby to present the home dedication.  Joy presented the lovely couple with their family bible and key to their new home.  At this time we laid hands on the home and the team shared in a prayer over the home. Saul was encouraged by family and friends to kiss his future bride.  Saul's mother was generous to provide cake for everyone present.  Thank you to all who shared in this special day.

Be on the look out for the blog on Saul and Gabby's wedding in December.

 

"Bless this house oh Lord we pray make it safe by night and day.

Bless these walls so firm and stout

Keeping want and trouble out.

 

Bless the roof and chimney tall.

Let thy peace lay over all.

Bless this door that it may prove,

Ever open to joy and love.

 

Bless these windows shining bright

Letting in God's heavenly light

Bless the hearth a blazing there

With smoke ascending like a prayer.

 

Bless the people here within

Keep them pure and free from sin

Bless us all that we may be

Fit oh Lord to dwell with Thee

Bless us all that one day we may dwell

Oh Lord we pray.

 

As we enter the Thanksgiving season, let's be mindful of all we have. 

Thank you God, Amen