Antioch Baptist Church, Evangelism Team

On April 9 I was awaiting my flight back to Honduras in the Atlanta airport.  I knew I would be meeting up with the upcoming team from Monroe, North Carolina.  I was sitting there reading a book when twelve people arrived at the gate and they were all busy talking.  I watched from afar wondering if this was our next team.  Yes it was.  What a blessing to get to arrive in Honduras with this group of folks from Antioch Baptist Church.  It was their first time to Honduras.  We arrived safely and got our luggage and was greeted by Mike, Jose, our bus driver, Egla, Maida, Belksie and Heidi, our translators. I was very excited to be back to Honduras along with Antioch.  Off we head to Choluteca.  We arrived and got settled in and the team was full of energy and motivation to plan for the next day ahead.  They had their orientation and a devotional.  Then they dispursed into their small groups with the individual translators to work out the details for their first day on the mission field.  Mike and I excused ourselves.  Suddenly I heard hymns being sung in the dining hall.  Belksie, one of our translators was sharing some traditional hymns sung by adults and childrenn of Honduras.  The team wanted to include their translators into all the details of the week.  The translators feedback helped them tremendously on how they would carry out their week.  The next morning we arrived in Cedeno at Pastor Carlos' church.  They were there awaiting our arrival.  Pastor Carlos had several of his church members there to assist during the week ahead.  We provided cookies and juice for the first day of greeting and getting to know each other.  Pastor Joey, from Antioch and Pastor Carlos introduced their team members and then they dispursed into four groups.  They received their cookies and juice and went to different corners of the church to share and have a devotional and prayer time before hitting the dusty dirt roads of Cedeno.  The group did not go door to door as normally planned.  Pastor Carlos had a different game plan.  He had already shared with his folks where to take the team members.  There were many families who had been to church but did not come anymore for many reasons.  People who needed encouragement and to hear the word of God.  Pastor Carlos had done his homework and knew where to send the team members according to specific needs.  Pastor Joey told Pastor Carlos that first day: "We are here to help you, please show us what you want us to do for your community and church family."

"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowd, he had compassion on them,  because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.   Then he said to the disciples, The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."  Matthew 9:35-37

VBS

While out evangelising in the morning the different teams would invite the children to VBS that afternoon.  Each day their numbers would double.  They finally ended up with about 160 children by the last day.  Each day a different team member would do a bible story. Loren shared her favorite story from the bible about Esther.  That particular day the children got to make a crown to wear home.  While the story was being told in one SS room the craft was being done in another room and futbol was another group on the back side of the church.  Other bible stories shared that week were Zacchaeus, Feeding the 5000, The Lost Sheep and The Good Samaritan.  The group of children kept increasing to they finally kept the group in the sanctuary for the bible story and then went to different rooms for the craft and a coloring sheet.  One afternoon they added face painting to their agenda.  I have never seen so many excited children and adults who got their face painted with either a cross or a heart.  We had to recruite Orfilo, our groundsman to help out with the face painting.  There was five people face painting at one time.  Thank you Steve and Garry for the crowd control on this particular project.  The team participated in the singing each day and learned many Honduran children songs to take back with them to Monroe.  Watch out Monroe, NC.  Fun is ahead!!!! Thank you once again for four amazing translators who went beyond their call of duty.  Each lady has a special gift and they used it to the fullest this week. To God be all the glory for all things!!! God does not called the equipped HE equipps the called.

"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!"  Psalm 133:1

VBS Church #2

Pastor Carlos after three days in Cedeno took the team about fifteen minutes down the road heading back to Choluteca to a town called Monajares.  Pastor Carlos has planted this church and wanted evangelising and VBS there as well.  So the group went two days to this community and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As well as sharing the spiritual food they shared some physical food as well.  The team brought down over 100 hygiene kits which they gave out to each family they visited.  They had also made some Bunnies out of wash clothes with a plastic egg in the center of the bunny.  Inside the egg was a cross which they shared the meaning of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. On the second day of VBS the numbers rose to 160 again.  It was a Saturday and school was out.  But the team put their thoughts together and broke into their four different stations and went on as planned.  Thank you Antioch for providing Jesus to two different communties.  You are a blessing from God.

"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:16

Fellowship Time

During the week the team ate lunch with their fellow brothers and sisters of Honduras.  They ate their sandwiches, etc while the Hondurans had their meal.  They were together.  They got to know each other and fellowship together on a daily basis.  At the mission house the translators cooked balayas for the team one morning for breakfast.  There were many different ways to prepare your plate once you got started.  They enjoyed eggs, re fried beans, bacon and of course fresh pineapple.  God blessed the team with some amazing God moments during this week.  At this time I would like to share just a few of their God Moments: Tammy shared how one man was bitter about the death of his son and how we all have the same problems in the states it is just a different language.  Son was a member of a gang and was at the wrong place at the wrong time.  Pastor Joey found a man who was sinless (NOT).  Pastor Joey shared the gospel with this gentleman and left his home and later led a family of six to Jesus Christ. Father with four sons came to Christ. Pastor Joey was able to stand back while his son Hayden and Loren led three people to Christ.  What a joy to be able to witness this with your child.!!! Martin sharing his testimony for the first time in front of a group of people and it was beautifully done Martin. God used you in a mighty way this week.  Nellie sharing she learned so much from going out with Pastor Joey about sharing the gospel.  Nellie is old enough to be Pastor Joey's mother.  How humbling to hear those words from Nellie.  We are never to old to learn more about what God can do in our lives.  Garry and Tammy's group ended up in one home with an audience of twenty five hearing the plan of salvation.  Actually I believed that happen more than once to them.  Dana and Becky sharing and bringing people to Jesus Christ by using the evang cube. Becky shared how evident it was God speaking through her every word. Dana said one family opened up their bibles they had received and started reading it immediately.  Hungry for the Word and someone provided them God's word that day.  How awesome is our God.  Sonya led a lady named Sonya to the Lord.  I believe she will never forget this lady's name.  Sonya also shared her testimony to the Honduran congregation not once but twice this week.  Sonya was trying to think of a scripture one time during a home visit and God led her right to the one she was thinking of , Rev 3:20.  JoAnn shared how it was amazing to be here and to share the gospel with the lost and to see so many who did not have a bible.  Some of the families served coke to them and she wondered if we would be as receptive to a bunch of strangers coming knocking on our doors.  Steve was able to give a man a bible who could not afford to purchase a bible.  He was able to lead a man to Christ and he shared what a joy it is when others come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  How we take our salvation for granted and we need to be out there sharing our faith in Jesus Christ.   The team shared how they were in awe with one of the church members, former drug and alcoholic addict, Fernando, who shared the plan of salvation with his half brother who did not accept but the seed was planted.  How amazing and brave it was of Fernando to go to family members when he has such a shady past and share his new life in Jesus Christ.  Family members are sometimes the hardest ones to share Jesus with because they know all about us.  Thank God we have a forgiving God who has forgotten our past and is molding us into being like his Son, Jesus on a daily basis.   

"For God so loved the world that HE gave his only begotten SON, that whoever believes in HIM should not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16

Martin and Nellie

  Martin and Nellie have been serving the Lord through N. C. Baptist Men for many years.   But this was our first time to serve beside them in Honduras.  Their testimony as a couple was absolutely breath taking.  They were always side by side no matter where we were.  Each day Pastor Joey rotated out the team where one day Martin and Nellie were not togther.  This was the only time this week they were not side by side.  We all learned so much this week by their godly example of how letting God use a couple to serve the Lord can bring such glory to HIS kingdom.  It was also  a good example for the Hondurans to see a couple working together serving the Lord.  Thank you Martin and Nellie for sharing your love for our Lord and Savior with others here in Honduras.

"As for me and my house we will serve the Lord."  Joshua 24:15

Families Serving Together

We had two more families on this mission trip as well.  Pastor Joey and his teen-age son, Hayden and Garry and Tammy.  It was beautiful to see families coming on mission trips sharing the gospel with others.  Garry said he now understands what Tammy shared from her mission trip last year.  He has now experienced along beside her the beauty of international mission work.  Pastor Joey and Hayden developed memories that will last each of them a life time.  Thank you Hayden for giving up your spring break to come along side your dad and share Jesus with the people of  Honduras.  God is good all the time!!!!

"As for me and my house we will serve the Lord."  Joshua 24:15

Train up a child in the way he should go,

And when he is old he will not depart from it.   Proverbs 22:6

Children of Honduras

We always enjoy the children of Honduras.  Even when they wipe the facepaint off and come back as if they had not had their face painted.  Right Steve?  Steve had several children come back through the line and he said "I recognize this little fellow."  They are some clever ones.  But one thing I can say for them everyone of them know their bible verses by heart.  They know God's word.  They enjoy playing with one another outside if it is a somewhat organized game of futbol or climbing to the very top of a mango tree.  They enjoy being children when they are not working around their homes collecting water or sticks for the cooking of their meals.  They are able to go to school half a day until the sixth grade.  At this time the government does not provide them an education.  At this time their family has to pay for the rest of their education.  Always a smile on their face and eager to help us in any way are the children of Honduras.  They have the true heart of a child of God.

"Jesus said to them: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like  a little child will never enter it."  And Jesus took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them."  Mark 10:13-16

Worship Services

Antioch Baptist Church was able to worship twice once at Pastor Amado's church in Colonia Unidas and in Cedeno on Sunday morning.  We arrived for worship on Sunday morning around 8:45 for the 9:00 service.  The church was filling up quickly.  The other sister church brought in a bus load from their church.  Pastor Carlos started the service by welcoming his sister church and Antioch Baptist Church.  It was overwhelming the number of people and children who came out to worship in a church with no electricity that day.  Yes there was no ceiling fans running just a gentle breeze coming from the open air windows.  The final count that day was 250 adults and children in church.  There was around 160 children and the rest were adults.  When the children were dismissed to go to Sunday School they came back several times to take pews for the children.  The team prepared Sunday School this morning as well.  Praise God from who all blesses flowed.  There was enough materials for all to have a Sunday School lesson.  Pastor Joey preached on Getting out of Your Boat.  Leave your comfort zone and answer the call to follow Christ.  He used the example of some of the men in the congregation being fishermen and how Jesus called ordinary men, fishermen, to leave their professions and FOLLOW ME.  Jesus took ordinary men and did extraordinary things in their life to further the kingdom of God.  Jesus is our Master Fisherman.  He took the message to work places to homes not just in the synagogues.  This week Antioch took the message of Jesus Christ to Honduras.  They left their comfort zones, left their church and went to the ends of the earth to share the Good News that JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE.  Thirty nine people accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior this week and there were many re dedications of faith.  Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today?  Have you gotten out of the boat and followed Jesus to proclaim His wondrous story?  If not please find someone today and give your life to Jesus and live out your life for eternity not earthy treasures.

Getting Out of the Boat

Luke 5:1-15

Oakdale Baptist Team 108

On March 21st Oakdale Baptist Church out of Rocky Mount NC made a return visit to Le Gero Blanco. Back in August they came as an evangelism team and saw the need for Pastor Pedro a home. They went back home and shared with their church family the needs of Le Gero Blanco, Choluteca, Honduras. They raised their money and here they are again in Le Gero Blanco building Pastor Pedro and Maria and their six children a home. Before arriving we need to say thank you to Mt Olive Baptist Church from King, NC for delivering the tools, scaffoling, etc to the job site. Pastor Pedro lives down a narrow rocky road then across a river which is dry now because of the dry season. But Pastor Pedro had dug out a road going up the embankment to his home on the top of the hill. The bus was unable to go up to the house. It stayed parked at the top of the main road. The team walked down the road across the dried up river and up the embankment to the construction sight each day. Also before the team arrived Pastor Pedro spent days carrying the blocks and building materials up to the construction sight. By the time the team arrived on the 21st Pastor Pedro was near exhaustion but still had a glorious smile on his face. Once again Pastor Pedro is one of the most humble men we have ever met. We found out prior to the team arriving Maria, Pastor Pedro's wife had lost her father to an auto accident. We hoped getting a new home would lift her spirits. She also had a big smile on her face each and every day. Oakdale had never built a home before. It did not take them long to figure out where they all needed to be and to get the job done. After setting the four corners we laid and prayed over the first block. By the end of the first day Oakdale had proudly gotten their five courses completed. To God be the glory!!!! This team came in not knowing how to build a home but came willing to learn and allow God to use them in many ways that week.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

Phillippians 4:13

Construction - "Mas Bloque Porfavor"

As the week progressed the team's walls became a home. The mortar pile was down in front of the old home. So there became a game played by the people on the house. In order to get the mortar they counted to three and then shouted "mescala por favor" in order for the guys mixing it to hear them. They had way to much fun serving the Lord up on that hill. Everyone truly worked very hard and gave their best. Caroline and Taylor got to be experts on making the seams. They took alot of pride in their work and it showed throughout the week. There was a spot for everyone. The mortar guys were rapidly mixing the mortar because the entire team was on this project working as hard as they could. God blessed them with some beautiful mango trees down the hill for shade. They would retreat to the mango trees as their Honduran brothers would and realized it was not such a bad idea. We learn alot from our brothers and sisters here in Honduras. They do allow time to rest and take a siesta in the morning and in the afternoon. The North Americans enjoyed their time of relaxation and building relationships as well as a home with some old friends. It was nice to be see old friendships come together again and serve the Lord as this team from Oakdale and this community from Le Gero Blanco.

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 13:35

Pastor Pedro

This is one special pastor. He works very hard for the church and does an awesome job raising a Christian home and family. He is a proud father of four girls and two boys. The oldest being around 13 years old and the baby is 5 months old. His wife is his stronghold and his right hand. One day as we arrived to work on the house. The last day actually Pastor Pedro was not there. He had been called by a church member who had a sick family member. So he went to be with the family and to pray with them before coming to finish his home. We also found out that week he has planted another church about 15 minutes down the road. There are no Christians living in this community and he has about 18 members working together to build up this church. He preaches at the new church on Saturday and also preaches at the existing church on Thursday night as well as other activities in the existing church. While we were speaking one day he asked for an evanglelism team in the future. We asked how about the end of April. That is how awesome God works out all details of everyday. Mike and I had been praying for just the right spot to take a team coming in April and Pastor Pedro answered our prayer. Pastor Pedro shared he had been praying for a home for fourteen years. How faithful was his prayers and how sometimes God's timing in not always our timing. God knew and ordained this week for Oakdale Baptist to be at Pastor Pedro's home and to be able to answer a prayer of fourteen years. His entire family was there assisting in some way or other. They all worked very well as a family which was humbling to us all. Thank you God for family and for our extended family in Christ Jesus. Thank you for the ulitmate Christian example of Pastor Pedro and the life he lives.

"Trust in HIM at all times, you people, pour out your heart before HIM; GOD is a refuge for us."

Psalm 62:8

Fellowship at Mission Casa

After each day of hard work on the home Oakdale came back to the mission house to work on different projects, such as the hygiene kits they brought for the community. Also they enjoyed sitting around singing hymns accompanied by Buie on the guitar and harmonica and as well as Pastor Nate playing the guitar. Daniel and James led us in several beautiful times of praising the Lord in songs. This was a very musically talented team and they enjoyed time in the evening sharing and singing. We enjoyed time of fellowship playing board games. There was much laughter and competition during these times. Growing spiritually and building relationships within your church family while on a mission trip is an amazing gift from God. The evening devotionals were rewarding as well. The time we shared in God's word and sharing God moments from each day was abundantly rewarding for all of us. Thank you Oakdale for an awesome time of fellowship among each other.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another

in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Colossians 3:16

Worship

During worship service on Thursday evening Matt blesses us all with "Mary Did You Know". It did not matter about the language barrier when you are singing to glorify Christ Jesus. Thank you for a beautiful job Matt. Buie challenged us all with his testimony of how well we know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior or are we just doing work for him. Buie knew all about God but did not know him personally. Out of Matthew 7:21 not everyone who says I know HIM will enter the Kingdom of God. How well do you know God and his precious Son, Jesus. Thank you Buie. After such an eye opening testimony the team got up there and sang "I'll Fly Away". Pastor Nat followed Buie's lead and ask the question "What is my life?" How well do we know our life? You fall in love and you have a family but what should come first in your life? Jesus Christ should be what we all live for. If I do belong to Jesus Christ life does not matter. We all need to live our lives for eternity. We all need to love what God loves, Think what God thinks, Care what God cares about and have eternity on our minds. What a very challenging evening for all who

attended. As you are reading this I hope you know your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ intimately. I pray this for all today. Jesus is the true joy and peace in our lives.

"Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say,"If it is the Lord's will we will live and do this or that."

James 4:14-15