Chilling

 

These two took time out to take a break while putting up the roof.  Mr. Mike was sharing some of his techniques with Josh on how he does things.  Josh respectively listened and learned while sitting up under the tree drinking his water and appreciating the time of rest.  Well done good and faithful servants.

 

"Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him."

Psalm 62:5

The Three Ladies and Jose and Pastor Brian

 

 

I was wanting to get a picture of the three work horses, Julie, Sandy and Rita.  But for some strange reason Pastor Brian and Jose thought the picture would not be complete without a man on each end.  These ladies worked hard all week along side all the men folk.  There was not a job they did not attempt and succeed in doing.  Pastor Carlos was blessed with this small team in numbers but mighty powerful in their dedication to complete what God had call them to do, assist God in building Marie's home.  Thank you ladies for all your hard work.

 

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,"

Ephesians 6:7

Team Work

 

The team worked together to mix the materials for the floor.  Julie sifted the rocks with the children as Maida, Alejandra,  Jose, Sandy, Rita and Rodd mixed the mescal. After Josh got through with the roof he jumped down to help mix the mescal.  This was all about team work.

 

 

 

As the roof was going up the floor was going down.  Pastor Larry, Pastor Brian worked along side of  Pastor Carlos in getting the floor put down.  This was a beautiful sight seeing three pastor working side by side to complete the floor.  This was hard work but they all said at the end of the day what an awesome tired they were.  Rita's devotional one evening explained the kind of work which came from this group.  Julie shared how she observed how everyone watched out for one another and worked hard beside of one another.

 

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."

Philippians 2:1-4

The Work Continues

 

The team did not stop with the floor and roof on the last day.  Pastor Larry swept around the house to get the ground cleared from debris.  He proceeded to pick up rocks and place them around the house edge of the home.  As Pastor Larry was placing rocks, Miguel got the wheel barrow and went to load it up with the huge boulders from the job site.  He pushed the wheel barrow up the hill to the home and Pastor Larry and team starting unloading the boulders and placing them around the home.  Rodd who has some experience with grading land started digging out from the home to make a channel for the rain to run down and go out into the road.  Josh, his son, and Pastor Larry assisted him in this endeavor.  While this was going on Sandy, Pastor Brian and Cyndi was cleaning the front door.  They also picked up the debris around the house and disposed of it.  The family joined in cleaning up their yard before the home dedication.  The team from Hopewell built this home to glorify God and built it as if it was their very own home. 

 

"A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain."

Psalm 127:1

The Dedication

 

Pastor Brian with the help of Maida led the dedication of the home for Marie and her family.  Pastor Brian pulled from the scripture of Deutoronmy 10:12-14  and shared how this home will be a safe haven for them and how God will be their protection.  They will make this home a bless where others will see Christ as the cornerstone of the home.  He encouraged them and anyone around if they did not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior this was a time for an open invitation to receive Jesus Christ, the greatest gift of all.  The home was given to them by God and now they need to in return give back to God with their lives.  After Pastor Brian shared Alejandra was asked by Rita the day before if he would sing at the dedication.  So before he sang "How Great Thou Art" he also challenged the couple if they did not know Jesus would they like to receive HIM as their Lord and Savior.  Marie said she would like to rededicate her life to the Lord and Augustine received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  This led into the hymn "How Great Thou Art".

 

After Alejandra finished singing he gathered around the family to pray a prayer of acceptance of Jesus Christ into their lives.  Pastor Brian continued the dedication with anyone who had words to share.  Actually Marie and Augustine were the only ones who could share words at this time.  As I looked around there was not too many dry eyes who could share.  Everyone was full of joy and sadness as this was the ending of a beautiful week with some truly joyful and humble people.  Marie thanked God first and then thanked the team for answering the calling to come and help her and her family receive a home.  At the time Pastor Brian gave Marie a family bible, gave David a devotional book and gave Cnydi and Diego a child's bible.  Diego was in awe of his new bible and did not want to let it go.  Marie was wanting to take it so he would not get it dirty.  Diego was too busy looking through the pages at the pictures of Jesus.  At this time Pastor Brian gave her the keys to her home but before opening up the door to her home Pastor Brian prayed over the home and gave it all to God. 

A lot of beautiful things took place this week but the most important of all was we now have another brother in Christ, Augustine.  The home was the tool used to bring the lost to Christ.   Praise God for this blessing.  All the hard work, the sweat, the sore muscles and all the opportunities in between was worth it all to have someone come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.  All God's people said AMEN!!!!!!

 

"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

 

 

Two Families Coming To Serve

 

We would love to introduce our new found friends and brothers and sister in Christ, Rodd, Rita and their son Josh.  They brought so many different gifts and talents to their team this week.  They all three worked endlessly to help build this home.  Rita shared evangelism with the children as well as with Augustine who on the day of dedication received Christ as his Lord and Savior.  Rita planted the seed and Alejandra and Pastor Brian watered it and harvested it.  Rodd was not afraid of any thing you placed in front of him.  He gave it his all each and every day.  The evening he shared his devotional brought everyone into tears of humbleness as he shared from Job 41:10-11, "Everything under heaven belongs to ME." Rodd shared the 600 blocks which had to go inside the home God provided the energy we needed to get the job done. This was not of any doing of ourselves.  It was all God's.  Rodd shared we do the things we do because the power of the Holy Spirit overflows in us.  Rodd felt the Holy Spirit one day on the job site when Pastor Carlos prayed in Spanish and when the song in church was song, "When The Role is Called Up Yonder".  We did not know the language but he shared how he felt the power of the Holy Spirit. He was mostly humbled when his son, Josh, prayed over the first block and what an eternal difference this made to everyone. Their son, Josh not only prayed over the first block but he worked right along everyone else this week building this family's home.  Josh is sixteen years old but fit right in to us old folks.  On the last evening together Josh shared he did not want this to end.   Honduras was blessed to have been apart of this family  this week.  Thank you for giving of your time and talents to come here and work beside of North Carolina Baptist Men in Honduras.

 

We would like to introduce to you another precious family who came to Honduras to serve beside of us.  Welcome Pastor Larry and his lovely wife Sandy.  They came with many gifts as well.  Pastor Larry jumped in there wherever he was needed.  He would go the extra mile to make everything look beautiful.  He worked beside Sandy a lot and did not work beside her a lot as well.  They both served the Lord wherever they saw the need.  Sandy saw the need several times to take time away from the construction to reach out to the children.  She felt the Holy Spirit  move her away from the construction and build relationships with the children.  I feel also helped David become more joyful as the week progressed.  Pastor Larry and Sandy worked hard near the end to make sure the floor got down as well.  They saw the need to clean up around the premises and they somehow got everyone involved as a part of the clean-up crew.  Pastor Larry taught the family the importance of caring for what has been given to them.  He took the time when he could have stopped and said we are done.  The roof is on and the floor is down but he continued treating this home as if it was his own.  These two make an amazing team and brought so many different gifts to the their Hopewell team. 

 

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

Joshua 24:15

Pastor Brian is Blessed

 

 

 

 

 

One evening Pastor Brian decided to wash his pants on the pilla.  I was with him observing his technique.  At the time I did not him well enough to correct his errors.  But never fear Julie came by and said let me help you get the water out of his pants.  Julie got right to work and helped him wring out the water so he could proceed to hang them out to dry. 

 

Before the dedication service Pastor Brian was sharing with Maida the reference in the bible.  He said I would read it to you but I can't.  Maida looked from her bible and ask why not?  He said it is in Spanish.  Maida giggled and said, "It is also in English Pastor Brian."  So you had to be there to appreciate the laughter which formed from these two.  Pastor Brian then read it to Maida as she followed along in Spanish.

 

 

 

The Beautfiul Smiles of Children

 

This week was one full of blessings from the children, small and large alike.  There was never a time when there was not a smile glowing off of one of those precious faces.  This along with the Holy Spirit's strength pouring through this team was a week of blessing after blessing after blessing.  Thank you to all these faces for making this week awesome in every way!!!!  We love you!!!!

 

"Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him."

Psalm 127:3

 

 

Evangelism Team from Forest City Baptist

 

Praise the Lord, Bobby, team leader, Pastor Wayne, Harry, Darren, Pastor Jose and wife Marie returned to serve with us again.  This time they brought a couple of new faces,  We would love to welcome Richard, Pastor Wayne's son and my dear sweet cousin, Lee to Honduras.  This is their first time on a mission trip to Honduras and we are excited to have them join Bobby and the evangelism team this week.  They came filled with excitement of what the Lord was going to do this week and they were already give HIM the praises and honor HE so rightly deserves.  This humble group came well equipped and prayed up for what the Lord had planned out for them.  Wherever HE leads me we will go they shared.  It was such a great way to start out our fall with these sweet folks from Forest City Baptist Church which is a membership of around fifty people who pray, love and support missions here in Honduras.  Thank you church family for sending such an amazing group of disciples to represent Jesus first then your church body.

 

Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, "Amen!" Praise the LORD.
Psalm 106:48

Welcome Back Forest City Baptist Church

 

We are grateful to have return team leader Bobby and his church family.  As time came for this team we prayed over where to put them to share God's word.  God revealed a little piece of heaven here on earth up in a mountain called Las Uvas, "The Grapes". This mountainous rural village is where our Pastor Carlos goes three times a week to preach shepherd his flock.  God provided a very special group of people to come along side Pastor Carlos and his church as they went door to door throughout the hills, valleys and to the top of Las Uvas in five days.  God blessed them as well as the Honduran people.  This was a sweet sweet journey over the five to six days up in those mountains.  Temperature was also much cooler as well.  Do not misunderstand me it still got hot but not as bad as down in Choluteca.

 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8

Las Uvas Evangelism Team

 

 

 

Each day in the Land Rover and KIA the team traveled at least an hour to get this beautiful village up in the mountains of Honduras.  As you can see in the picture above there is a  peak at the top of this mountain which you can see from Choluteca.   The team arrived and we headed down south to Choluteca as we were entering the city of Choluteca Mike shared with the group with us to look out their window at that tiny peak and then he said this is where you will be serving the Lord this week.  Bobby, Harry, Darren and Lee all looked like oh my goodness.  This seemed a long ways away.  They were exactly right.  Each day the team broke up in three groups with "young" people, Pastor Carlos and a few older ladies from the church to go out with each group.  There was a lot of  "young" people who played a huge part in the leadership of this little mountain church.  This church was build over 50 years ago by an IMB missionary and it has remained a Baptist church all these years.  Each day they went in different directions sharing the gospel with the lost, born again Christian and Mormons.  There was quiet a few Mormons living up in those hills.

Each night we shared in God moments as the team reflected back on their day. 

 

Pastor Wayne shared how he simply enjoyed the beauty of the country of Honduras as he rode in the KIA daily  The mountains are absolutely breath taking as they were surrounded by the mountains all week.  Pastor Wayne shared how the Hondurans opened up their homes to you, wiped off their plastic chairs and made you feel right at home.  His team had visited with a lady named Judy who later came to Jose's bible conference.  Pastor Wayne shared how it was worth it all to see her come to church.

 

Bobby shared during his devotional one evening about the amazing things in this world .  But he shared I wonder what amazes Jesus.  In Luke 7: 9 Jesus was amazed at the great faith the people had.  Jesus was also amazed at their lack of faith in Mark 6:6.  Bobby encouraged his team to let their faith grow in Honduras this week.  The fourth day Bobby and Harry climbed to the top of the mountain with Maida to share the gospel.  There was actually families living up there.  Pastor Carlos was with them.  Bobby shared how Pastor Carlos wanted everyone to hear the good news of Jesus.  It did not matter where they lived.  The couple above accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.  If these folks had not traveled to the edge of the tip of that mountain that day two people would not have received Christ.  Bobby asked Maida to go back up there again to see someone else they had missed.  So off they go this sweet lady already knew the Lord as her Savior.  But she shared how she had prayed God would send someone to visit with her.  Thank you Maida for trudging back up the mountain with Bobby Harry and Pastor Carlos to visit a very sweet elderly lady who had lived there her whole life.  Bobby shared how Maida never blinked an eye once he asked her to climb back up that mountain, all she said was, "I am a Warrior for Christ."  Amen Maida.  You all were Warriors this week.  They covered a lot of trails some very narrow to reach out to a lost and dying world.

 

Lee was truly overwhelmed with the gratitude from each and every person she met.  She shared how they genuinely received her with hugs and embraced her as if they had known her their whole lives.  God has a reason for Lee coming to Honduras other than serving beside her cousin, me.  God introduced her to a lady named Deidra and her husband Oscar.  Deidra and Lee had many similarities in their lives.  Lee shared how she was estranged from a family member back home and she also has a neurological disease.  Deidra shared with tears in her eyes she has not got a relationship with her family members and both her and Oscar have an incurable disease.  Deidra and Oscar have a teen age son who they are concerned about his future.  Lee shared her testimony with Deidra and Oscar.  While there Deidra  and Oscar rededicated their  life to Christ. After they got through Darren and Pastor Carlos went on outside while Lee stayed behind to talk longer with Deidra and prayed with Deidra and the future of their family.  Deidra thanked God for Lee coming to her home that day.  Lee shared later she knew why she came to Honduras, so God could introduce her to Deidra.  Lee shared she will pray daily for this family God placed in her life in Honduras.  They both agreed they may never see each other again but they will be reunited in Heaven.  Deidra and Oscar were in church on Sunday morning.  Pastor Carlos shared he will disciple Oscar so he could help with the church's responsibilities. 

 

Darren was in awe of the young people and their knowledge of God's word.  They went out daily with Darren and Lee to share the gospel.  They knew their scripture from memory.  They would be reading scripture to a family and the young people were saying it along with the person reading.  The young people were eager to help do whatever it took to bring the lost to Christ.  Darren's devotion on sin being like leprosy was right on.  The priests job was to go out and check on the people with leprosy.  Just like with us we went out to check out and find the lost people full of sin in their lives.  We like the priest prayed with many people who rededicated their lives to Christ or received HIM as their Savior.  We as sinners can be cleansed by the blood of Christ if we would only say yes to the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ.  Darren shared about the Woman at the Well as he and Lee were speaking with a lady who said she would not get to heaven because she was living with a man.  Pastor Carlos asked her was she putting this man before Jesus Christ.  She said yes.  Darren shared a very amazing quote concerning this lady, "Are you willing to be willingly to be changed?"  Something to think about.  How many of us put others or situations you are in before Christ.  Christ is pushed to the side and is not welcome into your home.  Like this woman who said yes she is putting a mere man, a human being, who will sooner or later disappoint her, before her heavenly Father, who sent his Son and shed HIS blood for you and me.  We do this everyday some way some how.  Please pray for Jesus Christ to be first in your life today. This is the most important decision you will make.

 

Richard shared how he was impressed with the people receiving a bunch of North Americans, complete strangers into their homes.  Back home people would not even come to the door  Richard shared how he observed Jose's boldness in sharing the gospel.  He was there to talk about Jesus if they were not interested he would dust the dirt off his shoes and continue on to the next home. Richard's devotional on the last day was most convicting.  How we should have it right with God  and with others before we shared the gospel with others.  We have to rely on God in all details of our lives and let God have complete control.  These were wise words from such a young man.  Thank you Richard for not stopping and preserving the day you sprang your ankle.  You would not let this stop you from sharing the gospel and God truly blessed you by a quick recovery.  Well done good and faithful servant.

 

Harry and his long time friend and brother-in-law, Bobby spent five days encouraging, inviting and sharing the gospel with Las Uvas.  What did Harry's heart good was going out everyday visiting people who may or may not have heard of Jesus.  Harry had a close encounter with some Mormons one day.  God blessed Harry that day.  Harry shared how he was blessed after going to so many different places during the week and to come to church on Sunday to see those people in worship.  His prayer is these folks will continue to reach out to the church as their family and to help grow the gospel in Las Uvas.  Harry's devotional was phenomenal.  The scripture was out of Matthew 4:8-11, "The Temptations on Jesus by Satan".  Our world is full of idolatry.  Jesus is our greatest gift and so many times we put HIM up on a shelf.  We put our television shows, our Internet games, sports, our families, our children and yes even our grandchildren before Jesus.  We do not have time to spend intimate time with Jesus.  There is too much stuff getting in our way. Sometimes our busyness at church robs us of our time with Christ.  Harry with tears shared how he has a routine daily of coming home eating supper and watching the news.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with this but this is time Harry shared he could spend with the Lord.  How much quality time does the Lord receive from each of us?  Thank you Harry for such a profound and convicting devotion we all needed to hear.

 

Jose and Marie went out separately to serve and reach the people.  They both along with Maida translated for the North Americans.  Jose was bold in his words about Jesus  and was able to lead many to Christ.  He led two teenagers to Christ along with Marie's assistance. This was after they were through for the day and had an opportunity and took full advantage of it.  Jose led bible conferences for the adults of the church daily as well while VBS was taking place.  Marie led her team and shared the gospel with many ladies who needed to be encouraged in the Word.  Thank you both for the willingness of coming and sharing with your people in Central America.

 

 

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 28:19

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preparing for Day One

 

We arrived at the mission house and ate our delicious chicken tacos and got straight to work.  They pulled out their needed tools and instruments for the five days ahead.  The most important tool of all is to be covered in prayer.  They came with 100 bibles, evangi-cubes, spiritual tracks and good walking shoes.  These folks were getting ready to go on an interesting journey in the mountains of Honduras out of Choluteca.  They came well-equipped for the days ahead. 

 

 

equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  Hebrews 13:21

to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.  Ephesians 4:12

Lee's Morning Devotion

 

 

Bobby asked our first timer to Honduras, Cousin Lee, to do our morning devotions.  Each morning the team received a card with a word on it and on the back side of the card was scripture relating to the card.  Not sure these will be in the correct order that Cousin Lee did each day but I feel it is important to share them with you.  These are words which should be apart of our daily lives not only when you go on a mission trip.

 

Sacrifice - "For God so loved the world that he gave HIS only begotten SON, that whoever believes in HIM should not perish but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

 

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

Philippians 2:4

Lee shared how she already felt a part of this family of believers.  She observed how they looked out for each other on the flight down to Honduras.  This is how we should be towards all our brothers and sisters, look out for their best interests.

 

Reveal - "Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to HIS holy and apostles and prophets."

Ephesians 3:5

 

"And to make all see hwat is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ."

Ephesians 3:9

 

Lee shared how God has revealed to each of us HIS plan for us to be here this week.  This is not an accident we are all here together at this appointed time.  This time has been ordained by God for the better of HIS kingdom.

 

Hope - "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, He is the ONE who goes with you.  He will not leave you or forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6

 

"The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I hope in HIM."

Lamentations 3:24

 

"For with God, nothing will be impossible."

Luke 1:37

 

Lee shared this was all new to her.  She has shared the gospel back home but in a different country and a different language was a new experience for her.  She challenged her team members to fear not but to trust totally in God for all their opportunities along the way this week.

 

Serve -  "As each one has received a gift, minster it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold of grace."

1 Peter 4:16

 

"Just as the Son of Man did not come to the world to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Matthew 20:28

 

Endure - "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

1 Corinthians 13:7

 

"For you have need of endurance so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise."

Hebrews 10:36

 

This week we have endured numerous inclines some Lee shared only God could have got her to climb up as high as she did.  God is our hope and when you are in the will of God you can endure all things. 

 

Eternity - "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Romans 10:13

 

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 6:23

 

"Most assuredly I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in HIM who sent ME has everlasting life."

John 5:24

 

This week a lot of folks heard the good news of Jesus Christ.  If they did not receive the greatest gift of all they will become accountable on the day of judgment.  If you are reading this today and do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior I pray you will not let this day pass and not ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.  All God's people say, "AMEN"!!!!!