Hydration Specialist

Diane and Jan immediately took on the role of hydration specialists.  They took turns taking the water and Gatorade to the men on the projects every thirty minutes.  This was a huge help for they guys.  They did not have to stop unless they needed to because the ladies took their job seriously.  It is a humble task to allow others to serve you.  This was a task the men allowed these lovely ladies do to for them each and every day.  This job brought back many memories for me when Mike and I brought teams down just like this one.  I was the hydration specialist for all of Mike's teams.  This is a most important job which should never be taken lightly.  If you get dehydrated your week is pretty much shot.  You miss out on so many blessings when this happens.  In our years here we have not seem many folks get dehydrated.  Praise God because we take this job position very seriously.

Job well done ladies.

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

Pulperia de Mt. Horeb

This was one afternoon that got home before the sun was setting.  They got their soda and joined Mike in talking about their day.  One of the many Honduran traditions is to set back and reflect on your day.  Where did you see God at work.  Sometimes it happens at the Pulperia before they reflect at devotions.  But it is always nice to hear God at work in the lives of so many North Americans.  We share so many times about how blessed we are to be here serving along side our Honduran friends and family.  They teach us so much about true joy in being a Christian.  It is not about stuff but about relationships with each other.  This week I feel this team built relationships with one another as well as with the Honduran family they assisted in building a home.  Todd shared the morning after a huge rain storm,"I wonder how the family fared last night during the storm."  They got wet but thanks to God first and our North American team their days of damp beds and hammocks are going to be short lived.  In about five days they can sleep dry and safe each night.  To God be the Glory!!!

not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:4

Happy Birthday Diane

Diane shared how she cold not have picked a better to place to have her birthday than on her very first mission trip.  Diane we are so grateful you choose Mt. Horeb, Pavana, Choluteca, Honduras to celebrate.  The cake of choice for birthday's is Tres Leche.  Everyone agreed it was quiet tasteful.  Diane got sang to for the third time today after supper.  There is another Honduran tradition we like to share with the birthday which is cracked eggs over the head.  Mike is always gracious enough to use a zip lock bag to  protect the hair.  Diane took the pan and went to sit on the front porch of the multi purpose building to enjoy every last bite.  Diane made a visit to the gift shop to buy herself a birthday present, well lets say several birthday presents.  Happy Birthday Diane and God bless.

Multi Purpose Building

This facility has been a blessing from God.  We gather there first thing in the morning for breakfast and end our day their for supper and devotionals.  It does my heart good to see teams pull out the corn hole game and challenge one another in a good ole fashion game of corn hole.  We gather together for a delicious hot meal prepared by Senovia and Martha.  But the best part of all is at 5:52 pm watching the sunset.  Our day comes to an end by the beauty of God's creation.  The great fellowship along side of God's beauty well it does not get any better than this.  Mike and I get to do this on a weekly basis and we never grow tired of what God is doing through this ministry here in Honduras.  We gather to share God's Word and to reflect on what we saw God do each day.  It is like having worship everyday.  Mt. Horeb is a great place to come and reconnect with the Lord and in some cases find a relationship with the Lord.  Whatever comes out of a person's week in Honduras I pray God gets all the glory.  Because without God our Father we could not be enjoying such splendor.  We could not grow in our relationship without HIM and HIS Word.  At the end of the day God is the only one we need.

Let the Work Begin

The team went to work laying the 860 blocks they committed to.  They all worked very hard each and every day.  This team was small but mighty powerful.  Mike worked beside Bryan teaching him how to lay the block the Honduran way. Diane got some good lessons from team leader Mark who has been several times in the past.  Dexter came back knowing exactly what needed to get done.   We are grateful to Todd for humbling himself to work along side the Hondurans and doing it their way and not the North American way.  It takes a humble person to switch gears and do it entirely differently from how you are custom.  Thank you Todd for working so well beside Pastor Carlos and being a team player.  Pastor Carlos is a humble man and a great teacher.  He is a patient teacher and shows us all godliness on a daily basis.  Week after week Pastor Carlos works with many different people some who know nothing about construction and some who know a lot about construction but he always keeps is even tone throughout the week and exemplifies what God truly is.  We are blessed with such an amazing construction team leader in Pastor Carlos.

Father and Son Majetta Business

Mike and I were leaving the first morning hearing a banging sound in rythym.  We get to the top of the hill and the sound gets much louder, clang, clang, clang and clanging some more.  There it was a make shift black smith shop made out of palm leaves and sticks.  There working diligently was a father and his son.  They were making majettas. Well I proceed to ask this gentleman do you sell these to others.  He said I can if I need to.  So I purchased five to be picked up at the end of the week.  I plan on selling them in the gift shop.  Another way to help others feed their family.  My goal for the gift shop is to sell as much as I can from folks we have actually met and learn a little about them and their family.  This was my God moment on the first day of the project. 

Firstfruits

Rudy comes up one afternoon with a huge stalk of bananas off of one of the trees at Mt. Horeb.  We all got so excited to see our first fruits of the season.  Rudy gave them to Mike and the next morning Diane fried them up for breakfast.  Rudy was quiet impressed with how delicious Diane had cooked up the bananas.  Well this is not the only banana treat at Mt. Horeb.  Brian was enjoying a chocolate banana made by our very own staff members, Martha and Wuilmer.  We are so blessed to have such committed staff members always going the extra mile to make everyone's experience a memory which will last a life time.  Thanks to our staff for all their extra work to make this a special place to come and serve the Lord.

But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
1 Corinthians 15:23

Gathering One Last Time

The team gathered inside of Juan and Ava's new home while Moses our driver prayed up the morning.  Moses has been a great addition to our Honduran staff and we thank God for him.  Mike and Pastor Carlos climbed up the ladder to put the roof on.  Dexter and Todd handed the materials up as needed and God once again provided another family with a beautiful home.  It is nestled in a cove off the side of a mountain.  The view from their home is God's love for all of us.  What a blessing it was to see this house become a home in five short days.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15

Honduras Culture

This week was a week full of many blessings.  Diane and Jan enjoyed Ava's kitchen and helping her make tortillas several days.  Ava made me some clay pots where you can serve the all famous bean dip.  She gave them to me with a huge smile on her face.  I in turn gave them to the two sweet ladies who took the time this week to enjoy the Honduran culture.  Diane ask if she cook tortillas for breakfast on Sunday morning.  Outside as we arrived was Marlon and his father, Juan hard at work making majetas to sell to the locals.  The beauty which surrounded this new home was breathtaking.  Ava was so excited she slept the fourth night in her new home without a roof.  The view of the flaming fire tree is what she saw from her hammock.  What a special time for Ava to be able to sleep in her new home before the roof was put on.  She was very excited about this new home.  She shared she had prayed a very long time for this new home but knew in God's timing this day would come.  What a humbling experience.

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

First Visit To El Tablado Baptist Church

God sent us on a new journey this week.  This team was the first team to go and serve the Lord in El Tablado and their beautiful church family.  Pastor Raul and his lovely wife Gloria were most king and welcoming to group of North Americans.  We traveled about two miles from the project site up this road which was literally almost vertical.  But to God be the glory for Moses who does a phenomenal job driving the vehicles.  We arrive to this church to be greeted by Gloria and her daughter.  They welcomed us and did what they could to help us get set up for two days of VBS.  We are forever grateful to God for sending us to this new area where we can go and again working beside Pastor Raul and his wife Gloria.  Their work for the Lord was shown with passion and praise to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  What a beautiful example for all of us.  They love their church home and their church family.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Romans 12:11 

VBS Was Fun

The team of four Jan, Diane, Brian and Mark arrived early to get started on their balloon animasl.  The children started arriving curious of what was going on the left corner of the sanctuary.   These North Americans were doing something interesting with balloons.  Jan shared with them in her Spanish she taught herself before coming to Honduras she was making bumble bees and butterflies. The children joined in on the fun.  During VBS you would hear pop and then another pop.  But for every pop you heard Jan was making a replacement for the one which got popped.  She did this with joy in her heart and a smile on her face.  Jesus raditated for this young lady as she led her very first VBS.  Jan you did an amazing job and I know God is so proud of you and your willingness to get out of your comfort zone and do something for the first time and in another language.  Well done good and faithful servant.

As the balloon animals were being created over in the left corner, Gloria and her daughter were singing Christian music in English.  The next thing I knew Jan joins in with them singing "Shout to the Lord"  as I sat there and cried alligator tears.  This song always makes me think of my girls growing up singing this to the top of their lungs.  Happy Mother's Day to me.  What a beautiful God moment  how I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in this place while they were singing this beautiful song in our native language, English.  Gloria took the time to learn this song and to sing it for us.  But the most beautiful part was when Jan walked over while still making balloon animals and started singing with her.  Thank you God for times such as these.

Meida opened the VBS with a prayer and led them in some bible songs, Jesus Loves Me, Father Abraham and Praise the Lord.  The children were most respectful to their new found friends.  They knew the songs but learned how to sing Jesus Loves Me in Sign language.  They already knew in English.  After the singing they all sat still as Jan brought the bible story with enthusiasm and excitement.  She shared the story of God creating the animals.  She shared how much God loves us and the animals He makes.  She asked them to name some of the animals God made in Honduras and then Jan shared about some of the animals God made in the United States.  All of them were created by God. How amazing how many different animals is apart of God's creation.

They broke up into different stations one being face painting.  Diane, Ginger and Moses enjoyed painting crosses and hearts on the faces of these little darlings.  I got blessed to paint a heart on a little girl names Stephanie which is also my daughter's name.  So I hear a special song and now meet a Stephanie all within a hour of each other.  As I painted their faces I lifted them up in prayer to the Lord.  My prayers were all would come to know Christ if they did not already know HIM.

There was coloring pages of different animals God created.  Brian and Mark took some boys outside to play soccer and football.  As time was drawing near to depart and go back to Ava's home Meida gathered all the children together and got them quiet which a huge task to undertake.  They were holding animal balloons and painted faces.  So there was a little excitement in the air.  But Meida always does her job very well.  She brought  them back into a quiet mode while Mark got before them to share the story of Jesus love for them.  Mark prayed for them as our time came to a close.  The team gave each child a sticker and a big smile as they exited the church building. j As they were leaving some of these sweeties said thank you in English as they headed home.  Thank you God for an amazing VBS.

Genesis 1:25-26

The Home Dedication

The VBS crew headed back to Juan and Ava's home to finalize their day in El Tablado.  We gathered around Juan's work area as team leader Mark, asked Mike to open with prayer.  At this time Mark had a few words of thank you for allowing the team help make this house a home.  Mark at that time turned in over to the team members to share some words.  The first night Jan had devotions and she asked each team member to share their favorite bible verse with her.  During the week she worked diligently on putting this into Spanish.  Jan gave each team member their bible verse to present to the family.  So as each team shared their gratitude of being there they handed over their bible verse to Juan.  Diane's humble words of gratitude to be apart of this special time in their lives.  How she hopes God will use their home to share and serve in their community the joy they have for Jesus.  Brian shared he was humbled by being able to work beside each of them this week and make this house a home.  Dexter was also humbled by the chance to come to Honduras and get to meet such a lovely and caring family as Juan, Ava, Marlon, Brittney and her mother Dilica Aidee.  Todd shared how he hoped every time they walked through the door of their home they will think of this team.  Mark at that time presented the family with their bible.  Mark asked Pastor Raul to pray over the home.  Each person gathered around the home and laid their hands upon the home as Pastor Raul dedicated this home to the Lord.  Mark presented the family with their key as they opened up the door to enter to what was going to be a place they will call home and they will never get wet again during rainy season and will be safely locked in each evening for a good nights rest.  Thank you God first of all is what Ava shared and then to the team for making her dream come true. Juan shared his gratitude as well as Marlon.  We are proud to say once again God you provided this beautiful family with a beautiful home.

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

2 Corinthians 5:1

Worship with New Friends

This team was very flexible and was willing to go worship closer to the campus because of the road construction.  We chose to go to La Ero Blanco to worship with Pastor Pedro and his church family. We arrived with Pastor Pedro's precious smile as he was arriving to the church the same time we did.  Let me share a  little about this godly man.  He has been helping a fellow church member haul is block, cement and all the building materials for his new home God has allowed us to build next week.  He was probably exhausted because of where he and many neighbors hauled the materials.  It was down a narrow path and then up another path to get to the project sight.  Yet he opened his church home to us to day for worship. 

We started with the reading from Psalm 103:1.  There was greetings by a member of the church and an opening prayer.  The music was led by Pastor Pedro's oldest daughter, Stephanie.  We sang Victory in Jesus, and several praise hymns.  One of the teenage boys and Pedro's mother collected the offering. We were then blessed by the North American team who sang "Spirit of the Living God" in English and Spanish.  It was absolutely beautifully done.  After they completed singing Jan got up and sang a solo in Spanish.  The congregation was well pleased with these new found friends.  They took the time to learn these songs in Spanish and did an amazing job.  Jan led her team in learning these hymns.  Jan actually has self taught her self how to speak Spanish before coming down here to serve our Lord.

At this time Pastor Dexter got to share the gospel out of Matthew 14:13-21.  He started by sharing the disciples had a dilemma.  They were hungry and ready to eat after a long day.  But there was thousands of folks following them.  The disciples told Jesus do you want us to send them on their way so we can find us something to eat.  Jesus said "NO", "I want you to feed them".  Well the disciples were wanting the easy way out and send them on their way.  They did not want to be bothered.  They were thinking of only themselves.  Pastor Dexter shared how our thinking is way too small and we depend on ourselves and what we want to do or what we have on hand.  The disciples told Jesus how are we going to feed all these people, there are over 10,000 people and we only have two fish and five loafs of bread.  Jesus took what they had and produced enough food and had more left overs, 12 baskets full to be excite.  We want to tell God how we want to do things and He is suppose to listen to us.  When we rely on our own resources we never have enough and we run out very quickly.  God's resources never run out.  He supplies an over abundance for all our needs.  If we choose to use our own resources we do not have to rely on faith, we are not challenged and we do not get uncomfortable.  Pastor Dexter shared several examples from God's word on how the people of the bible relied on God's power to lead their way, Moses, Noah and Job just to name a few.  If these folks back them relied on God for all their needs then  who are we to say we do not need God's help. If we are believers in Christ HE is all we need on a daily basis to face whatever is put before us.  Why are we so timid to share this power and grace with others?  Are we afraid we might look bad in front of our friends?  Is the why we do not share this gift with others?  God is not limited on His power or even His thoughts.  He is always there for us in any situation.  We have to be willing to be obedient to His calling for our lives and follow Him and allow His almighty power, the Holy Spirit to dwell inside of us and go feed the 5,000 plus people who need to hear about Jesus Christ.  If you are reading this today and you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, He is not the center of your life and the power of above all power in your life, I pray you will receive or rededicate your life to Jesus.  Jesus is all we need to live a full and joyful life.