Martes

I am not the same person I was three years ago. This is not a new discovery. I have known that I am different, but as I experience life in Honduras, I realize how much I have changed. 

Sometimes I miss the old me. I miss the me that believed the world was perfect. There was care free innocent boy that spent his summers in the country hiding in fields of gravel mountains. There was the boy that turned flips in piles of leaves. He collected boxes with aspirations of building an airplane and gliding from the balcony outside of his bedroom.

Now, he is gone. He has grown up and has responsibilities. He gets jaded, heart broken and sad about the realities of life. The world is harsh and hard to accept. There have been dreams that have been crushed, pointless suffering, heart break and hardship.

I have not lost all esperanza (hope), but emotions change like the days. I am still growing, still experiencing and still deciding. I don't know what I will be like in the end (if there is an end). I hope that I am able to look back as an old man and say I had life well lived.

Today I worked with Luis and a team of thirteen others. We built a house for a family of six. I was apprehensive because of stories I had heard about Luis. I got the feeling our personalities would clash. I as pleasantly surprised a how well I worked with him. In fact, the entire group liked working with him. According to Marc, Luis loved working with us as well. We finished the house in five hours. I doubt that is a record, but I know we all enjoyed the work.

The father was very grateful and the mother wept the minute she crossed the threshold. Frank gave the grandfather, Allen (partially paralyzed due to stroke), his hat because he had been admiring it so much. This was a good day of work.

"So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase."- 1 Corinthians 3:7

Lunes

Today we started building a church. It will consist of a split level sanctuary and a two room satellite classroom building. The building will be completed tomorrow.

I was happy to take on a leadership role on this trip. I worked with Lydia and Brooks to construct one of the walls. Then I worked with Myra, Jack. Hannah, Palmer, Jason 'Diego' and Mason on the floors. My construction knowledge has certainly increased. My skills are improving, but I have a great deal more confidence.

It has been  great to see everyone working well together. The group from Tennessee is full of great workers. Every has had a great attitude. I am looking forward to all of the work we do this week. I really don't know what I am most excited about.

I am not sure if you caught how cool today's project has been. I will repeat.

WE STARTED BUILDING A CHURCH!

"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."- 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

Domingo

All of our flights departed on time and landed early. The individuals on the American Airlines flight experienced at 40 minute delay. When we finally got together, we were off and running.

Melissa picked us up from the airport. I remember she was sick on our visit last year. I have since

learned that she was pregnant. Everyone is excited to meet the baby. We went to the mall and I had lunch from Coco Baleada. It was like Freebirds on steroids... but good.

Lochners

When we arrived at the our new accommodations, we were all pleased at how nice the construction is. Some of us were even further pleasantly surprised when the Lockners arrived from Tenessee. Kyle, Diann and Lydia are so nice and fun. I am happy they are here and look forward to getting to know the rest of their group.

"The Lord bless the, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon the, and be gracious unto thee:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon the, and give thee peace."- Numbers 6:24-26

Best laid plans...

We are off! However, we have not started as we intended. Each year we have a funny story where someone almost gets left behind. Mission trips at Skillman seem to develop a common theme.

This year someone got left. Joel (our pulpit minister) was in Turkey prior to our Honduras trip. While at the airport in Turkey, the employees at check-in lost his passport. He is unable to travel with us. That brought our team of 19 down to 18. Another member opted to stay behind as well for personal reasons. In short, we are a group of 17, with Josue and Kristin leading the charge. I am not worried, I think we are in God hands.

I am grateful to everyone that was instrumental in the trip this year. A special thanks to Skillman Church and an anonymous donor for topping off my sponsorship when I had almost lost hope. I also want to thank Elaine for being so great to me, taking time after her long shift to bring me to the church and see me off.

Please continue to pray for our group.

(I am blogging from a new app on my phone, so I may have to format when I get back. Also, I will be writing everyday, but post will be made whenever I can get a WiFi connection.)

Oraciones Especiales

This week has been a rough one.  I only ask for two prayers and then I will let you go:

1.  My best friend Camilla has had serious issues with her pregnancy.  The doctor prescribed bed rest.  Right now we hope it is just until June, but it could be for the duration of the pregnancy.  That sounds easy, except she is due in September.  She can't go ANYWHERE.  Please pray that things are well and she in countinually surrounded by people who love her and can take her mind off of the situation.  Baby Chloe Website

2.  I only have a month left to get funds meet payments for Honduras.  I am a little less than $1000 short and have no idea where the funds can come from.  In addition, I have no leads for getting a donation for a play surface at the boys home.  If you know of a company willing to donate please let me know. Hope for Honduras 2013 Letter.

I apologize for filling this post with 'worries,' but that is where my mind is right now.
Thanks again for your continued prayers.

"And whatsoever we ask , we receive of him, because we keephis commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."- 1 John 3:22

Honduras III

The time for preparation is upon us once again.  I've had a very late start this year, but I am less stressed about this year's trip to Honduras.  We have a great group going and it is very growing and evolving.  I am providing a link to the letter describing events this year:  Hope for Honduras 2013 Letter.

I have also summarized the major activities at the end of this post.  I hope you will consider becoming or remaining involved in this trip in the following ways:
1.  Prayer is always first.  Pray for those going to Honduras, those already working in Honduras and those who will be receiving assistance.
2.  Supply Donations are always needed.  If you see an activity that you would like to support with a physical donation, please contact me.  Any and everything will be accepted and given to the people we work with.  In the past, we have given shoes, clothes, medical supplies, bubbles, coloring books, soccer balls, silly string, super balls, balloons (they LOVE balloons and balloon animals)... the list goes on and on.
3.  Monetary Donations are still needed.  Please consider supporting me financially for the journey.  All funds are 100% tax deductible.  Details on this can also be found in the letter.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and keeping up with the work that we do.

"But Jesus looked at them and said to them, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"- Matthew 19:26



2013 Activity Summary

VBS: Last year, this activity was highly successful and extremely fun.  The entire event is conducted in Spanish.  It included crafts, skits, puppet shows, snacks and fun.  We made new friends and provided an opening for children to learn a few action packed Bible stories. 
 
Boys’ Home Project:  If you visit my Boys’ Home (30.06.12) post, you will read of an earth shattering experience. We hope to spruce up the living conditions by providing mattresses, paint and athletic surfacing on their existing concrete soccer courtyard.
 
Build a church/ Repair a church: A local missionary from South America visits the mountains to preach to individuals in tents and temporary structures.  We are going to pool our energy, resources and various talents to build a two-story church to support this work.  Also, the same minister’s home church suffers from heaving in the foundation.  We intend to repair the foundation and provide a new floor. Both projects are going to be quite interesting.




City Dump:  People live in the city dump.  They collect scraps and re-sell/recycle them and/or build shelters and beds.  We will provide food for them.  We will also worship with them.  I must say that this is one of the most beautiful services I have attended in my life.  In the midst of the dump, you can see people that have a sincere love for God and the blessing he has given them.

Getting it done...

Today, our crew was split because we were finishing up our tasks.  Though there were frustrations, we worked through and got the job done.  I was very happy to see how our group remained supportive of each other as we worked through.  It has been a glorious time.

I noticed a stark between our trip to Joplin and our trips to Honduras.  In Honduras we worked from sun up until sun down.  We were surrounded by the community and the people we were working with.  At night, we ate food that was cooked and lived like the people lived.

Things in Joplin are NOT the same.  We worked, took breaks, joked (a lot) and had a lot of downtime.  Tonight, we had custard and hung out.  We ate at Red Robin and Waffle House.  It was very different.

The two trips can not be considered in the realm of similar, yet both had the same purpose.  We were doing work for God's people in need.  People who (for this period in life) would be considered the least of these.  It took me a long time to reconcile my feelings about the work in Joplin because it didn't seem as much like work.  But, when I was told how the lady reacted upon seeing her home, it brought me back to that familiar place of warm joy.  I am once again happy to be the hands, feet and heart of my Lord and Saviour.


"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 15:58