On Our Way to Las Uvas

 

Each day Jose, bus driver and Darren, KIA driver, met their own challenges on their one hour journey up the winding dirt roads heading up to Las Uvas.  It took the team an hour one way to get there.  One day God's angels was all around the bus as Jose was getting ready to make a turn and a moped was coming his way and kept a huge truck from t-boning the bus Jose was driving.  God is good and we never take a day of driving safely and soundly for granted in Honduras.  Thank you God or always providing your hedge of protection around all of us serving YOU in Honduras

 

 

The team arrived daily at the church to gather up in a circle and pray for their day ahead.  The young people of the church went out door to door with the North American teams.  Pastor Carlos and Pastor Jose were discussing an opportunity of doing a bible conference with the adults of the church in the afternoons during VBS.  The team brought many opportunities for these sweet folks to receive during their visit in Las Uvas.

 

The North Americans and Hondurans broke up into groups of three each day. A typical evangelism team has three North Americans, two Honduran church members and a translator.  While some are sharing the gospel there may be two folks outside praying for the family members hearing the Good News.  They headed out each day with tennis shoes, evagi cubes, spiritual tracks and bibles in hand ready for whatever God placed in their path.  They were prayed up and fired up for Jesus Christ. 

 

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
2 Corinthians 9:13

Pastor Carlos

 

We at NCBM have been truly blessed to have Pastor Carlos working for his ministry.  As well as working for NCBM as the overseer of Mt. Horeb and leads the construction teams which come through NCBM he is the pastor of this beautiful community of Las Uvas.  On his motorcycle he travels to the tip of this mountain three times a week to share the gospel to this community.  His travel time is around 45 minutes one way.  As the t-shirt says he works on commission, THE GREAT COMMISSION.  This community loves and adores this man who sacrifices his time from his family who live about an hour from Mt. Horeb and more than this from Las Uvas.  He does not receive a salary for his pastoral position, but does it purely out of his love for his Lord and Savior.  He is the most humble man I know and gives his all to his Lord and Savior.  As well as preaches and teaches up in the mountains he has a bible study with the staff which stay at Mt. Horeb.  He exemplifies what a godly man should be with his daily life.  Everyone who meets him is humbled and blessed because of it.  Thank you Pastor Carlos who is a quiet spirit but a loudness for Christ without speaking a word.  We are blessed!!!!!

 

 

Church Members Hard at Work

 

As I shared earlier the young people were at this church each morning to do whatever God needed for them to do.  One gentleman named Ricardo was a huge assess to his church family.  He lead the worship service on Sunday as a disciple for Christ.  Pastor Carlos shepherds his flock with great care.  The church was clean and ready for us upon arrival.  The four ladies went right to work daily stuffing the wood into the clay stoves to cook the meals for the Hondurans, Jose and Marie each day.  The groups came in at lunch with a hot meal awaiting them.  There was a lot of blessings up on the tip of this mountain.   The North Americans got the pleasure and honor of meeting them and learning from them this week.  Thank you church family for a job well done in the name of Jesus.

 

 

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matthew 25:21

Traveling the Paths of Las Uvas

 

During their week the evangelism team covered over 100 homes up in those hills of Las Uvas.  Pastor Carlos did not miss his opportunity to go to everyone in this mountain with the good news of Jesus Christ.  The last day I believe Bobby and Harry headed to the top of this mountain with Pastor Carlos and Maida to visit two families.  One lady rededicated her life to the Lord while her husband was not quiet so easy to receive the sweetest gift of a life time.  After much prayer this man, Rudy, one of our employees on Mt. Horeb accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  Another lady at the other side of the tip of this mountain shared how she had prayed for someone to come visit her.  She did not know it would be two North Americans and a pastor coming to bring her good news. She knew Christ as her Savior and thanked God for her welcomed guests.  Harry shared how refreshing it was to visit with a sister in Christ and simply share their stories of their walk with the Lord.  She already had a bible which was very worn from being used.  So they chatted and started back down to the other side towards the community.  God blessed Bobby and Harry that day and Maida had to make the trip with them not once but twice and Bobby said Maida will you be okay going up and down this mountain again.  Maida shared with the two gentleman," I am a Warrior for Christ Mr. Bobby."  So off they went and they were so glad they did.  Harry was asked by a family one day to please come back tomorrow because their son was working.  Both parents had just received Christ and wanted their son to hear this great news about Jesus Christ.  Amen and the next day their son became a believer in Christ as well.  During this five day evangelism trip 83 people came to Christ and 42 people rededicated their lives to Christ.

Please pray for those people who heard it and did not receive it. They need Jesus too!!!!  There was some people up in those mountains who had never heard of Adam and Eve. They need Jesus too.  There was some folks who were Mormons who need Jesus.  Praise the Lord  there was some devout Catholics who found Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior this week.  Thank you God for all you did this week to spread the good news of your Son Jesus Christ to a special little piece of heaven here on this earth.  All God's people said AMEN!!!!

 

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:14

 

VBS in a Suitcase

 

 

 

Darren was in charge of VBS this week and what an amazing job he did.  The simplicity of his VBS was exactly what these children needed.  The children in Las Uvas have not been exposed to a lot of North Americans and Darren's technique was a God send.  Everything he needed came inside a suitcase.  Each day he averaged around 75 to 100 children.  His theme each day was about an animal which God had created.  Each day there was an animal, an activity, a memory verse and a bible story.  Each day they came into the church to recite their memory verse and play an activity relating to their memory verse.  Of course they started each day singing songs while waiting for everyone to arrive.

 

On Tuesday the animal was the elephant  because of its big ears.  The bible verse for the day was Proverbs 19:20, Hear council and receive instruction that thou mayest be wise." 

 

Wednesday the animal was the giraffe because it has a twenty five pound heart. The memory verse for this day was Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart." We had a physical  check up with our own blood pressure and heart rate.  We then had a spiritual check up on our own heart.  A healthy heart equals love and trust.  The story of Adam and Eve.  Eve was deceived by Satan and did not trust..  Adam had knowledge but did not have the correct love.

 

Thursday the animal was the hippopotamus because of his big mouth.  The memory verse for this day was Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." When then took a spiritual check up with our heart with our mouth.  Matthew 15:18 says "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man."

 

Friday's animal was the monkey because he works with his hands.  The memory verse for this day was Proverbs 16:3 "Commit they works unto the Lord."  The story was from Romans 6:6-11.  We looked at the ant and how they prepare their food for the winter.  We too should eat and prepare our food, (God's Word) for winter or in the hard times.

 

Saturday the animal was the cheetah.  The memory verse was Proverbs 12:20 " He that walks with wise men shall be wise."  The cheetah is very fast and we should be quick to flee evil.  The story is the end of Solomon's life where he allowed worldly influences (his many wives) to corrupt him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

But at the end of VBS on Saturday Bobby shared with the children about eternal life by using a paper airplane.  The children sat back and watched Bobby make his paper airplane.  He asked the boys and girls would this airplane get them into heaven.  They all shared NO!!!!  Then he cut the wings off the plane and opened up the airplane and it displayed a cross.  Bobby asked the children could the cross get them into heaven.  They shared YES!!!!   Jesus is our only way to heaven.  He paid the price on the cross, he shed his blood for us, sinners who do not deserve such a gift of sacrifice.  God sacrificed HIS only SON for me and you. When you lay out the wings which was cut off of the paper airplane it spells HELL.  You definitely do not want to go to HELL.  At that time they shared the plan of salvation by demonstrating the colors on a salvation bracelet each child received.  At the end of VBS 23 children accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.

 

"For God so loved the world that He gave HIS only begotten SON that whosever believes in HIM will not perish but have ever lasting life."

John 3:16

 

Pastor Jose's Bible Conference

 

Pastor Jose and wife Marie led a five day bible conference on leadership in the church.  They had a packed house daily of mainly young people.  Each person listened attentively as he shared from God's word on how to be a faithful leader in the church.  This was definitely words of encouragement for this church family but I honestly was impressed with their leadership skills already in place.  Pastor Carlos has spend a lot of time with his flock teaching them and preparing them to be disciples.  Thank you Pastor Jose for your word of wisdom and advice from God's Word.  To God be the glory for this little extra treat this week.

 

He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Exodus 18:25

These Beautiful Faces

 

God blessed us all once again with some sweet little angels up in Las Uvas.  They came daily to VBS to hear the good news and learned more about Jesus.  Mike shared how in church service on Sunday they knew the songs and also their bible verses.  These little ones learn God's Word at an early age from memory.  They are such a great example for all us to learn from.

 

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19:14

Pastor Wayne's Walking Cane

 

 

After the first day Mike asked Pastor Wayne would he like to use our walking cane which was donated by a gentleman from North Carolina last year.  Pastor Wayne said oh yes, what an honor to use such a beautiful piece of wood.  This cane is not any normal cane.  The gentleman carved John 3:16 and other verses from the top to the bottom.  Pictures of Jesus are also carved into the wood.  He made this cane in memory of his daughter and wanted us to be able to use it as needed for the ministry in Honduras.  Pastor Wayne was our first brother who got the opportunity to use this precious gift from a dear man who loves the Lord.

 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

Worship and Good Bye

 

During the week we discovered three of our folks have musical gifts.  Richard, Darren and Lee can sing to the mountain tops literally.  Beautifully trained voices which they use as a tool for serving the Lord.  They practiced all week in preparation for Sunday morning.  They learned "Shout to the Lord" in Spanish and sang in English "Father How I Adore You".  Pastor Jose preached out of Psalm 99 and John 17:11 along with Isaiah 57:15.  Pastor Jose had everyone present that morning who received Christ or rededicated their lives to Christ to come to the front of the church as he prayed over them.  At the end of the service Maida read the words for the Benediction Prayer prior to Richard singing to the congregation. Richard shared this was only appropriate  for the week God had just given all of us.  Bobby, team leader, shared his thank you for allowing the team to come here this week and share the love of Jesus Christ with the community.

 

Two Families Evangelized Together

 

Welcome back Pastor Jose and Marie.  They have made numerous trips to Honduras going door to door sharing their love for Jesus Christ.  Jose never meets a stranger and before they are through talking Jose will know whether or not they know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Marie is the little submissive bride who takes very good care of her hubby.  As well Marie goes and shares her love for Jesus Christ with others.  We appreciate all the hard work these two put into serving their Lord and Savior.  Well done good and faithful servants.

 

 

Welcome back Pastor Wayne who is the pastor of Forest City Baptist Church.  This year he was extremely blessed to bring along his son, Richard.  At the airport while loading up the Kia I asked Wayne who Richard was to him.  They carried the same last name.  Pastor Wayne shared with a great big grin, "That's my boy."  What a blessing it was for Richard to share this week with his father.  I was blessed to ride to worship service with Richard on Sunday morning.  He was sharing with Mike Lee and I if he could only be half the godly man his father was he would be grateful.  Richard shared how  he was blessed to be raised in a Christian home with godly parents as his role model.  He never knew any different but church is where you are suppose to go on Sunday and any other time the Lord needs you there.  He has watched his father serve others all his life.  Lee made a great observation how Wayne always served others above himself.  Thank you two gentlemen for coming to Honduras to help bring the lost to Christ.  Well done good and faithful servants.

 

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

Joshua 24:15

 

First Visit From a Part of My Extended Family

 

God blessed me about a year ago by re-uniting me with my cousin Lee from my mother's side of my family.  Lee and I have not seen each other in forty years.  Social media re-united us and I am grateful it is good for something positive.  Once Lee and I reconnected a lot of "stuff" had happen to both of us during those forty years. We had a lot of catching up to do but there was one thing one we both learned right away that we had in common and that was our love for Jesus Christ.  We were not only cousins by birth but sisters by the blood of Christ.  Mike and I were able to be home during the NCBM Conference in Winston Salem and Lee drove from her home up in Forest City to see my for the first time in forty years.  She patiently spent the day with Mike and I as we worked hard for Jesus and Honduras at the conference.  She shared how she would love to come experience Honduras with Mike and I sometime.  Long story much shorter we stay connected after the conference via phone calls and social media.  She shared I seriously want to come to Honduras and share and learn more about what you and Mike are doing.  God hooked her up with Bobby's team and come to find out they only live thirty minutes from one another.  We live in a very small world. So Lee comes to Honduras and works beside Mike and I this week and has already committed and shows the desire to come again next year.  I want to thank God for sending Lee my way because she is the only family member outside of my children and son-in-law who are interested in what we are doing in Honduras.  Lee was my "God Moment" the entire time she was here.  We shared, we cried and we laughed all at the same time about how awesome our God is for bringing us back together and to Honduras no less.  The picture above with the Hondurans is one of cousins, all are cousins like Lee and me working for the Lord in Las Uvas this week.  How sweet it is to share with family about the greatest gift in life, Jesus Christ.  Do not take it for granted when you have family who sit around and share about Jesus and his wonders because not all families do this.  But now I have a cousin who is more than family she is my sister in Christ who we can talk endlessly about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. THANK YOU GOD FOR THIS TIME IN MY LIFE WITH MY DEAR SWEET COUSIN AND SISTER, LEE. I LOVE YOU LEE!!!!!

 

 

 

Maryland Medical Team Returns

 

Welcome back to our family from Ellicott City, Maryland.  They have made their third trip to do a medical team here in Choluteca, Honduras.  They came well equipped filling up the back end of the Kia.  We traveled through the mountains that afternoon with joy in our hearts once again we are serving the Lord together as a family.  They arrived and engulfed their chicken tacos, Jose, our bus driver's wife so graciously makes for us each week.  After supper they got right into going through their luggage of medicines and they always bring us either baby bags or hygiene kits.  This year they brought the ministry hygiene kits and we needed just what they brought to go along with some others brought in July.  We were able to give two schools hygiene kits thanks to the generosity of The Church of Covenant Park of Ellicott City, Maryland.  God is so good all the time and all the time God is good.  They were very well organized and did not have to do too much re-grouping of medicines.  As Debby, nurse for the team and Steve, team leader and nurse for the team sorted and organized the medicines the rest of the team was busy assisting in whatever way they could.  This team was unified throughout the whole week.  Some of these folks had never helped with a  medical team before and learned very quickly what needed to be done to get the job done. They were ready for the week ahead. We are grateful for each of you who came to serve these beautiful people of Honduras.  

 

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household,

Ephesians 2:19

Welcoming and Unloading

 

The team arrived at El Gerro Blanco, where our sweet and dear friend, Pastor Pedro is waiting for our arrival.  His congregation greeted us with open arms filled with hugs and kind words.  They had the church cleaned and ready to go for whatever the team needed.  Before getting started team leader, Steve did an amazing and humbling job of introducing the medical team  Pastor Pedro's brother, Martin, introduced himself and allowed each volunteer from the church to introduce themselves and each and every one of them gave God the praise and glory for this week of  HIS provision of a medical brigade.  We opened up with prayer by brother Martin and we all dispersed to get the clinic ready to be opened by 9:00 am.

 

Everyone pitched in to unload the Kia, even our Honduran doctor,  Dr. Winston was out there unloading the trunks of medicines.  Our translator, Ronny, was out there working hard too for the ministry ahead.  We are grateful for our Honduran staff who is willing to do whatever needs to be done. 

 For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building.

I Corinthians 3:9