Roof Goes Up

Thank you Pastor Carlos, Mike, Craig, Pastor Bryan, Tino,  Omar, and Wuilmer for helping get the final touches on this home.  These gentlemen worked diligently together as a team. Praise God there was not any block cutting to be done this day, just passing up the tin to Mike and Pastor Carlos.  This group of men worked beautifully together with laughter and joy for the next hour.  This house is now becoming a home which will bless this family for many more years to come.  I asked Omar how long had he lived here in his adobe home, he said 15 years he had lived on this beautiful spacious and tree covered property surrounded with rolling mountains.  Now this home will be a place where they will sleep dry at night and they will be able to lock their door for their own protection.  Actually they live in a very safe and secure little place called Porvenir Las Cabasas, Choluteca, Honduras. This is where you find joy, contentment with daily routines, family and neighbors who do take care of each other, especially after this week.

Dos Especial Amigos

Chandler and Antony were inseparable the entire week.  I told the group of young people the first night there is one of the children who is very clingy.  When Mike and I went to assess for this project, Antony helped Mike's hand the entire time.  Chandler got blessed this week to be Antony's special amigo.  I am sure Chandler was more blessed by far than Antony.  Chandler you will always have a huge place in Antony's heart for a very long time.  Thank your Chandler for taking the time you did to build such an amazing bond with this little fellow. Honestly I would be willing to guess your hugs was the most hugs he has ever had in his life.  You are a blessing Chandler.  

One Very Speical Dedication

Thank you Pastor Bryan for bringing a heartwarming home dedication.  Omar's pastor came to be apart of the dedication service and shared some words and prayed over the family and the North American team.  Also Omar and Waleska shared some words.  She shared how she wanted a new dress for Mother's Day to Omar and he said back to her in about a week you are getting something far greater than a new dress, you are getting a new home.  What a powerful statement folks.  This home was the gift from God they had prayed for probably 15 years and they truly did not think it would have happened. Pastor Bryan gifted the family with the Bible and the key to their home.  As the team gathered around and Pastor Bryan said let us pray every hand touched a block as Caleb, one of the college students starting praising God for such an amazing week and how we were used to glorify HIM through the construction of this home.  Caleb prayed for this home to be the center of the Lord's will and live it out daily representing the love of Jesus Christ.  We all found out in God moments this evening how Caleb wanted to do the closing prayer on the home last year but chicken out.  He told Pastor Bryan he was willing to do the prayer this year.  Caleb was willing and very able to present the prayer of dedication to the Lord for his new friends.  

Omar started one more time to say a few words but their was eight words he shared that only Mike and I understood at the time and that was "I am sorry if I have hurt anyone."  Later in the evening we shared with the team how we were not sure when we committed to build this family a home there would be any help because of a problem which occurred in the community over a year ago.  Omar was at the center of this and he never once helped his neighbors build their home over the years because this is who is was.  But God placed on Mike and my heart this family needs a home too.  God forgives so we all need to forgive and honor this family with a home.  Well the first day we did not have any help, well sort of Wuilmer, he was truly struggling this first day to be there to help this man who had not been kind to his community.  But Meida shared with Wuilmer what would Jesus do, "He would forgive Omar and help him."  Wuilmer was there daily helping his neighbor get a home.  Each day slowly more men would come and help their neighbor get a home. On this last day the entire community came out to help celebrate this family getting their home.  We all celebrated together and at chicken soup as is the tradition for this community.  The neighbors kill a chicken and prepare a pot of chicken soup as a celebration and thank you to the North Americans.  God is still in the business of healing the broken relationships because we saw this happen this week.  Mike and I are grateful to God first and for this team who worked so hard to build this home with a servant heart attitude.  They had no idea there was a conflict in the community though they all thought it odd the first couple of days there was not a lot of Honduran help.  I feel this was to show our young men they too could do the mixing of the mescal without a whole lot of help. We are so proud of how this entire week turned out and to God we give all the praise and honor. AMEN

Chicken Soup

As I just shared the family had prepared a pot of chicken soup for those who helped built their home.  Neighbors shared a chicken and Daxari said there were five or six chickens in the pot of soup.  Five or six families sacrificed a chicken which provides them daily eggs for eating for this very special day for Omar and his family.  Waleska and another lady we did not know cooked the soup all by themselves.  Waleska shared the soup with the entire community who turned out for this event.  Ladies who she had not been friends with for a while and now there was laughter and joy amongst those oversized mango trees in Porvenir.  It was a celebration of a home but it was more of a celebration of healing of relationships than anything else at that moment.  Thank you First Baptist Church College Group for setting the example of teamwork in a community which needed to see what the hands and feet of Jesus truly look like.  Mike and I are so grateful for healing for a community who is so special to our hearts.  

Sjimply Beautiful

You can see why we love this community.  They are beyond loving and caring for others.  They carry a beautiful smile and the best hugs you could ever ask for.  These ladies came out one by one to sit with me under those mango trees while waiting for the home dedication.  I sat there looking out over the field beside Omar's property the grandeur of God's beauty.  I believe those cows came by while I was sitting there as always.  I was able to talk to them the best I could and it was nice to just sit with them quietly and simply being together.  This was the community I remembered a year ago.  Each lady sitting there had received a home in this community.  We build one a year and Omar was probably the last one, we think there may be one more out there.  Everyone will have their own home and they also have a beautiful church this team's adult group help build a few years back.  God has blessed us as North Americans to meet each smile you see and the hugs simply take it over the top.

We were all blessed by each smile, hug and compassion displayed by these people we call family and friends.

Welcome Our Newest Member to Mt. Horeb

During the rebuilding of relationships there was something else God was working on at Mt. Horeb.  Rudy shared one day Carolina may have her baby in the next week.  Okay that would be awesome.  The team, especially Taylor and a few more wanted her to have while they were here.  They got an answered prayer quickly.  I would love to welcome you to our newest member, Star, who is a little male colt.  We enjoyed one evening while having devotions on the North American dorm porch watching him learn how to run for the first time.  Pastor Bryan put his sermon on hold until we all  got reeled back in.  What a huge God moment watching this little one learning to run and learning to nurse from his mother.  God's creation is simply amazing and a gift from God.  Thankful to God for a healthy delivery which by the way Carolina did all by herself.  Fernando took the colt to the bodega where she could be under shelter.  But Carolina birthed that little man right on into this world by herself.  

Two Corn Hole Games At One Time

This is the first time in the history of corn hole we had two games going.  Everyone who played against Craig and Alexa lost as good sports.  These two rocked it and was four for four wins.  On the other corn hole was Sarah and Marrisa, and Rudy and Fernando.  We finally figured out their score was a continuous one, like 65 to 40.  Rudy and Fernando took out my North American friends and they lost like champions in my eyes.  Great sportsmanship girls.  We had the most fun on that porch that evening and it will be memories which will last a long time for all of us.  Pastor Carlos and Pastor Bryan played a few games as well. Over the top awesome.  We are grateful for this corn hole game and how many folks are blessed because of its presence.

Families Serving Together

We had three sets of families serving together this week.  We had two returned brother and sister team, Caleb and Morgan.  They have been here together twice and what a gift from God to serve together.  We had another brother and sister team, welcome to Honduras Mallory and Chandler.  They worked hard and took great care of each other at the camp and on the job site.  Mallory was one of my God moments one evening when I saw how she took great care of her best friend Erin.  Mallory was quiet with a gentle and sweet spirit.  Chandler loved on Antony and had a love for God's creation which I thought was so special.  Grateful you two came together and made memories which will last you a life time.  Lastly a return friend of three years, Payton who brought her Dad, Craig.  What a team and a blessing from God to get to serve as father and daughter in a place where this is so rare.  It was a beautiful testimony to all to see father and daughter teams come to Honduras.  Thank you Payton for bringing your dad along.  He was joy to get to know and work beside for Jesus.

Special Man and Leader

These words cannot express how grateful we are to have you bring such an amazing group of young people Pastor Bryan.  Your leadership is evident in how these young people treat and act towards you.  They have the utmost respect for you as a pastor and as their friend.  You are a leader by example.  You are a man full of knowledge but mostly full of love for your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Each day you exemplify this in your words and your actions to everyone.  We are grateful to call you our friend and fellow brother in Christ.  Job well done good and faithful servant.

First Baptist Southern Pines College Team 2018

First Baptist Southern Pines should be so proud of the young people who attend church with each of you.  They did an amazing job physically but they also all took it to a different level spiritually.  Each morning we had a morning devotion after breakfast and we had one in the evening during our God moments.

Payton started us off with Matthew 28:16-20 sending out the disciples and yes there was twelve young disciples who came to Honduras this year to serve their Lord..  Payton challenged her friends and said "What is your mission here this week?"

Sarah did Monday evening John 13 where Jesus washed his disciples feet. Sarah shared how Jesus sacrificed His life for us.  Jesus loves unconditional as we should go out and love others unconditionally as well.

Tuesday morning Morgan shared out of Matthew 9:35-38 how Jesus went out to the towns and villages sharing the gospel. We as well are going out to the village called Porvenir to share the gospel by helping this family meet a physical need and in turn share the gospel with them by.  We are to continue these acts once we return to our homes.  Live everyday as the hands and feet of Jesus.

Marrisa shared the evening devotional on Tuesday with Matthew 14:23-33.  She shared three points from this scripture: 1. Jesus alone on the mountain.  The boat was beaten down, just like our lives are sometimes beaten down.  But there is hope for us. 2.  Jesus told Peter to "Come".  Peter walked on water to get to Jesus but he wavered even while on his mountain top experience.  Jesus immediately reached out and took Peter's hand.  Jesus does not leave us to drown. 3.  Get out of the boat.  We need to be bold as Jesus was, step out of the boat.  This week I challenge us all to be bold and get out of the boat, step out.

Wednesday morning Sam shared my favorite bible verse Philippians 4:12-13.  "I can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives me strength."  Sam shared how this is hump day and we all have worked hard and pushed hard.  We cannot do this without our strength in Jesus Christ.  He is our only provision for physical and spiritual strength.

Wednesday evening Mallory shared out of John 6:27.  We are here working hard, very hard in the hot environment we are not use to at all.  If I can just lay one more block Lord.  Why are we here this week? Mallory asked, "Why are we here?"  We are here for the eternal work of God through His Word. We are here to build relationships with God and others.  There is something more important this week than building a house, building the eternal things, which is found in Jesus Christ..  We need to honor the gospel and be servants daily of the Word.

Andrew did Thursday morning devotional.  Philippians 1:19.  It was a letter from Paul saying Paul wanted to be with Jesus but knew his work here was not over.  So to gain is Christ and Paul needed to stay on earth a little longer to bear the fruit he was called to bear.  So to live is Christ and we as believers need to live as is Christ.

Erin had Thursday evening devotion.  She read out of Jeremiah 29:11.  In my life I rely on this verse.  What would Saul's life hold?  What does our life hold?  What does the Hondurans' lives hold? God already knows the plans He has for all of us, we simply need to be able to hear Him through our quiet time or while we are out and about, listen to Him all day, not just certain times of the day.  We need him all day.

Caleb had Friday morning devotions.  He read out of Ephesians 2:8-10.  We physically did the work.  But our God is the vessel.  Sometimes we let pride get in the way.  God can do this work with or without us.  We simply need to submit to His will and let God lead us instead of us doing it without His strength.  God prepared this entire week out for us to work for Him, not for ourselves.

Kendall did the devotion Friday evening.  She read out of John 21:1-14.  We can have God moments in North Carolina as well in Honduras.  He speaks to us in many different ways.  We need to wait on Him.  We need to listen to Him for His sweet sweet voice to speak to us.

Saturday morning Chandler shared from Colossians 1.  He shared we have come down here and completed a home out of faith in Jesus Christ.  We did this not of our own but of the strength found only in Christ Jesus.  We need to continue to exercise our faith in Christ Jesus as we go back home and serve others there.

On Saturday evening Taylor tied up the weekly devotional for her team with Romans 12:1-2. Mike, Pastor Bryan and I looked at each other and simply smiled.  This was how Mike was going to close out our evening with this same scripture. Taylor shared how it is easy here to be a Christian now we need to go back home transformed and new to share our boldness we had here with others.  It is so easy to go back home and get right back into the daily routines of life and where do we put Jesus in our busyness of life.  Let's all go  back with renewed minds and transformed hearts in the name of Jesus.  

If you are reading this today and doubt our young people.  Here are twelve disciples who can give us all hope in our future.  These young people where a gift from God for Mike and I this week.  Yes it does a take a whole village to raise godly children.  So thank you to the entire village who raised up these twelve in such a way to glorify God this past week in Honduras.  

God is so good and all the time God is so good.

We love you all so much.

Welcome Chatham Community Church

We would like to welcome back team leader Mark and his awesome team of men who came beside Mark to serve our Lord at Mt. Horeb.  It was an all male team with two new friends on board this year, welcome Terry and Tim, welcome back Brian, Dexter, Hunter and Pastor John.  This team of men came in ready to serve the Lord physically and spiritually as well. Each morning team leader Mark shared a bible verse for the day. The first morning Mark took one of the bible verses hanging in the dorm to share.  Funny thing I teased him about taking the bible verses right off the wall and this was the verse he had chosen for the first morning.  

Many Jobs Means Team Effort

This was a small team full of energy and willingness to serve.  Each gentleman pitched in wherever needed to get the job completed each day.  Thank you Brian for cooking breakfast each morning while in Honduras.  You always did this with a smile and willing heart.  Thank you everyone for going where needed each day to get ready to head out to the project.  Each morning sandwiches had to be made led by Mark and Pastor John.  Terry and Tim helped load the truck daily along with Pastor John after making his sandwiches. Special thank you to Hunter and Dexter who helped clean up supper dishes. It was a blessing to see this team work in unity in the name of Christ.  This was how the entire week unfolded, an awesome example of teamwork.  All God's people shouted AMEN.

Thank you God for Rodolfo and Solina

These words cannot ever describe the beauty and splendor of Jesus Christ which raditates from these two new brother and sister in Christ.  I would have the honor and privilidege of introducing Rodolfo, age 78 and his lovely bride Solina, age 60 who have been happily married for 12 years.  It is almost like they are still on their honeymoon.  They glow when they are together as if they just exchanged their wedding vows.  Their very presence was humbling and so precious on many levels.  We all learned so much from each of them this past week as I will share later in the blog.  Our lives are forever changed by their presence for the five days we were with them.  

Solina has lived on this property for forty years and Rodolfo from what we could gather from conversation has lived his entire life in Pavana.  We are not sure how this lovely couple got together but we are forever grateful they did.  They will never know what a blessing their lives played on all of us.