Today was our last day of brigade and our last day of ministry here in Honduras. We went to the same church that we went to yesterday in the city. Medical/Dental worked almost non-stop today. The doctors and dentists saw many people who received good care. Children's evangelism was busy today, especially the last group, which consisted of over 40 kids! They had a lot of hair to wash. As we left the brigade site and made our way home, we were filled with satisfaction that we did the Lord's work and realization that our job here is done. Each night this week we have met as a group, but tonight, each of us spoke of how God has worked in us, how he has changed us, what he has taught us. For some of us, we have been convicted about spending more time with our Father each day and giving him the time he deserves. For others, God has showed us our need for fellowship with other believers and being more involved in His church. However, one thing we have all come to see is how much we have all grown to love each other here on this team and how important we are to each other. Thank you to all of you at home praying for us. You must have been faithful in your prayers because this team is bonded to each other through this trip to Honduras for the rest of our lives and into eternity.
We serve a BIG God, a loving God, a faithful God. We could go on and on about all the ways God has shown up this week and shown us these things. Here are some numbers that will show you just how great our God is. 236 people got their teeth cleaned, pulled, or cavities filled at Dental this week. Our doctors cared for 938 patients. Children's evangelism served 421 children. Out of all the people adult evangelism saw, 51 Hondurans decided to follow Jesus, 13 decided to rededicate their lives to Christ, and 31 seeds were planted. We ministered to and encouraged 361 Christians. We completed 2 concrete floors. Overall, we had the privilege of serving 1,595 Honduran men, women, and children and 1 great and mighty God.
Tomorrow, we are getting on a plane and going back to the life we left last Saturday. We are sad to say goodbye to Honduras, but we are excited to go back to the States and use what God has been teaching us here. When we get back, it may seem as if nothing back home has changed. We will still have to go to work, feed the dog, pay the bills, but we know that our hearts are forever changed. Loved ones, we hope that you will see with your own eyes how we are different and that God has truly transformed us so that we are a little more like Jesus. God has begun his good work in us and it will continue even as we go home (Philippians 1:6). As we leave this place, we take what we have learned with us. However, our work is not done. What we have done here, we must continue back at home. As Paul states in Acts 20:24, "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." May we finish the good race. May we keep our eyes on the prize. May we focus our hearts and minds on Jesus. May we live with eternity in mind.
Prayer Requests:
Pray for safe travels back to the States
Pray for those who decided to let Christ come into their lives and reign in their hearts that they would grow in their faith and that the Holy Spirit will fill their lives
Pray for the Christians here in Honduras that will live lives pleasing to God and that would be encouraged in their faith
Pray for those who decided not to give their lives to Christ; pray that someday that seed will be harvested
Pray for WGO and its staff that God will continue to bless them and provide for them
Pray that we would not lose sight of what God has taught us here in Honduras; pray that this change in us would not be fickle but life-lasting
Tomorrow, It's only a day away: We head back to the US tomorrow and are leaving for the airport at 6 am!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Day 6: A new place
Today was spent at a new church; in fact, it was the church we were at on Sunday for church. This church is more urban than the one we were at in the beginning of the week, so it was a bit more dangerous, especially after sun down. However, we were well protected, by the walls of the church and by our mighty and powerful God. There was more medical and dental clinic, children and adult evangelism, and pharmacy clinic. However, there was no concrete this time. The Hondurans continue to be a joy and a blessing to us. The joy they have in the midst of their poverty and pain is humbling, and it has given us all a lesson in being thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." This is easy to do when we have plenty and have all of our needs met, but when we hunger, when we want, when we don't get our own way, for most of us, thankfulness is the first thing to go out the window. However, most Hondurans have less than we could ever imagine, and their gratefulness has shown in their eyes to all of us.
Being in a new location for brigade reminds me of the team. This trip has changed all of us, in big ways and small. As we have experienced this week, our hearts and minds have been transformed. God has truly worked in us and through in greater and better ways than we could ever wrap our minds around. Though we may look the same, except for a little redder or fatter, when we return to the US, we will be different on the inside. God has remodeled us so that we are a new place. God has made us new creations as 2 Corinthians 5:17 says. The old has gone. The new is here.
Prayer Requests:
Pray that we remain sensitive to the nudgings of the Holy Spirit and that we are obedient to God's voice
Continue to pray for us as we minister to the Hondurans that God will work through us and use us for the glory of his Kingdom
Pray for continued health of our team and that the team will feel energized for the remainder of our time here
Pray for (Dr.) Sam and Craig as they go to a medical school tomorrow that God will use them in unexpected ways
Pray for continued safety of the team
Pray for Saturday
Coming Attractions: Tomorrow we are going to the same church as today for brigade, which is our last ministry day here :(
Being in a new location for brigade reminds me of the team. This trip has changed all of us, in big ways and small. As we have experienced this week, our hearts and minds have been transformed. God has truly worked in us and through in greater and better ways than we could ever wrap our minds around. Though we may look the same, except for a little redder or fatter, when we return to the US, we will be different on the inside. God has remodeled us so that we are a new place. God has made us new creations as 2 Corinthians 5:17 says. The old has gone. The new is here.
Prayer Requests:
Pray that we remain sensitive to the nudgings of the Holy Spirit and that we are obedient to God's voice
Continue to pray for us as we minister to the Hondurans that God will work through us and use us for the glory of his Kingdom
Pray for continued health of our team and that the team will feel energized for the remainder of our time here
Pray for (Dr.) Sam and Craig as they go to a medical school tomorrow that God will use them in unexpected ways
Pray for continued safety of the team
Pray for Saturday
Coming Attractions: Tomorrow we are going to the same church as today for brigade, which is our last ministry day here :(
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Day 5: I raise my Ebenezer
Today we travelled up the mountain to Rancho Ebenezer. For those of you who don't know this, an ebenezer is a memorial to God saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us" (1 Samuel 7:12). The Ranch is so inspiring. It is a foster care network where families who take in children off the street live. They take in Honduran children and teach them love, responsibility, and about God. There is a school there that both the Honduran children and missionary kids attend. We took a tour and saw the school, the carpentry shop, and the coffee and blackberries that they grow themselves and sell. We played soccer, or futbol as it is called here, with the kids and though we didn't break the curse and win, we tied the game. It was such a fun day! The doctors saw some sick families and were able to care for them.
The Rancho Ebenezer brings to mind the song, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." In the song there is a line that goes, "Here I raise my Ebenezer," and all along this trip we have been raising our memorials to God, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us," and it is so true. God has truly been with us all throughout our time in Honduras, and he will continue to be with us as we finish this mission and go back to the States. Yesterday, the blog was about the Holy Spirit and how we know God is with us because he has given us his Spirit. Many of the team members are not feeling well right now as they are being hit with GI problems and head colds. We are truly being poured out as living sacrifices like Philippians 2:17, "But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you." We rejoice that we get to be used by God and led by the Holy Spirit. God is truly doing great things. As we feel a little under the weather, we remember Psalm 73:26, "My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever." God has helped us and provided for us thus far, so here we raise our Ebenezer.
Prayer Requests:
Pray for the health of our team that everyone would be healed. Our God is the God who heals, so we know that is will happen
Pray for Saturday
Pray for brigade tomorrow and Friday that we will be led by the Spirit and be sensitive to Him
Pray for Rich and Craig that they will continue to lead us wisely and fearlessly
Pray for WGO that God will continue to provide and praise him for this organization and what God is doing in Honduras through them
Pray without ceasing. As we tell the Hondurans that come through evangelism, there is nothing God likes more than hearing from his beloved children
A sneak peak at tomorrow: We are going to brigade in an urban area of Tegucigulpa
The Rancho Ebenezer brings to mind the song, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." In the song there is a line that goes, "Here I raise my Ebenezer," and all along this trip we have been raising our memorials to God, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us," and it is so true. God has truly been with us all throughout our time in Honduras, and he will continue to be with us as we finish this mission and go back to the States. Yesterday, the blog was about the Holy Spirit and how we know God is with us because he has given us his Spirit. Many of the team members are not feeling well right now as they are being hit with GI problems and head colds. We are truly being poured out as living sacrifices like Philippians 2:17, "But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you." We rejoice that we get to be used by God and led by the Holy Spirit. God is truly doing great things. As we feel a little under the weather, we remember Psalm 73:26, "My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever." God has helped us and provided for us thus far, so here we raise our Ebenezer.
Prayer Requests:
Pray for the health of our team that everyone would be healed. Our God is the God who heals, so we know that is will happen
Pray for Saturday
Pray for brigade tomorrow and Friday that we will be led by the Spirit and be sensitive to Him
Pray for Rich and Craig that they will continue to lead us wisely and fearlessly
Pray for WGO that God will continue to provide and praise him for this organization and what God is doing in Honduras through them
Pray without ceasing. As we tell the Hondurans that come through evangelism, there is nothing God likes more than hearing from his beloved children
A sneak peak at tomorrow: We are going to brigade in an urban area of Tegucigulpa
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Day 4: Spirit led
Today was another day in Brigade at the same church we were at yesterday. Everyone was placed in a different area except for the physicians. They still saw patients in the medical clinic. We saw many patients once again today. Over 100! It was a very busy day. The concrete team finished Olga's kitchen floor, making a dirt floor into a concrete floor. The transformation was amazing, not only in Olga's house, but in our hearts as well! The children are always a blessing, and they are so sweet but active! If anyone on the team was asked, many would say that the children were one of their favorite parts of the day, and not only in children's ministry. Even waiting in line for the medical, the children were such a blessing. This entire week has been amazing so far.
This week has been all about depending on the Spirit, and it is a vital aspect of our day here in Honduras. Today, Craig read in 1 John 3:24 about the Spirit living in us. God gave us the Spirit, which is how we know he lives in us. He has given us his power through the Holy Spirit, and we need it. Without God and without his Spirit, we wouldn't be able to do what we need to do. We wouldn't be able to get up in the morning without the power of the Holy Spirit. He gives us the words to speak because we don't have the words without him. 1 John 4:4 says, "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." We meditate on these words; we depend on these words, especially during evangelism. If it was just us, the people we minister to would get nothing from it. However, we have a big God, and he is bigger than anything we could ever imagine.
Prayer Requests:
Continue to pray for afore mentioned prayer requests
Continue to pray for our team's health and unity
Pray for Saturday
Pray that we continue to be a light to the Hondurans
Pray that we would be a blessing to the staff here at WGO and to the families/children at the Ebenezer Ranch
Tomorrow: We are going to the Ebenezer Ranch to play with the children
This week has been all about depending on the Spirit, and it is a vital aspect of our day here in Honduras. Today, Craig read in 1 John 3:24 about the Spirit living in us. God gave us the Spirit, which is how we know he lives in us. He has given us his power through the Holy Spirit, and we need it. Without God and without his Spirit, we wouldn't be able to do what we need to do. We wouldn't be able to get up in the morning without the power of the Holy Spirit. He gives us the words to speak because we don't have the words without him. 1 John 4:4 says, "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." We meditate on these words; we depend on these words, especially during evangelism. If it was just us, the people we minister to would get nothing from it. However, we have a big God, and he is bigger than anything we could ever imagine.
Prayer Requests:
Continue to pray for afore mentioned prayer requests
Continue to pray for our team's health and unity
Pray for Saturday
Pray that we continue to be a light to the Hondurans
Pray that we would be a blessing to the staff here at WGO and to the families/children at the Ebenezer Ranch
Tomorrow: We are going to the Ebenezer Ranch to play with the children
Monday, May 23, 2011
Day 3: You are now entering your mission field
Today was the first day of brigade, and what a day it was! Leaving the compound at 7 am, we travelled an hour and a half and picked up the interpretators on the way. When we first arrived, we were greeted with a long line of over 100 Hondurans, baking in the hot sun. After setting up, we got to work right away in children's evangelism, medical, dental, pharmacy, and adult evangelism.
Part of the group washed and shampooed every child's hair. The children were divided into 2 groups, ones with lice and ones without lice. The children are full of energy and so much excitement. We couldn't communicate with words, but they understand hugs and smiles, love and compassion, passion and excitement. We shared Jesus with them through a bracelet with beads representing sin, Jesus' blood, purity, etc.
Medical/Dental/Pharmacy saw a lot of patients. The physicians on the team saw many people and gave much medical advice to their patients. They were in a very small space for the number of patients. Their patients were mostly women with their numerous children. Although, the doctors were limited in the kind of medical care they could give, they could not get over the resilience of the Hondurans and how well-behaved their children are.
In dental, the team experienced tooth extractions, cavities, and cleanings. Many of the children would come and play with some of the girls on the team, which the team just loved.
The pharmacy runs like a well-oiled machine. The pharmacist, Rachel, is very organized and very efficient. While their was a lot of down-time, there is great fellowship amongst those at the pharmacy. Also, the team members in pharmacy got to experience the entire process from afar. Many of the team members commented on how cool it was to see the change in the Hondurans as they went from Medical/Dental to Pharmacy and finally to Evangelism. The entire process is a testimony to the Word of God and to God's love.
Evangelism involved 4 team members, and each had a translator. The translators are amazing, but if they read this, they would say, "God is amazing!" The translators are such men and women of faith. Their faith in God was such an encouragement to the team members evangelizing. They really helped us stay focused on Scripture and relying on the Holy Spirit. Many of the Hondurans we saw are Christians, and it was so encouraging to pray with them and over their lives and their families' lives that God would continue to reign over their lives. We also got the opportunity to pray with some Hondurans who had never made the decision to follow Christ, and what a change we saw in their eyes after they prayed that prayer! God is truly great and merciful. His love for us is so overwhelming.
Today, a church in Honduras was our mission field. The place we went today is a place many Hondurans wouldn't want to go to. We were reminded today of how Jesus literally went to the people he ministered to when no one else would go. He met with prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers, and the demon-possessed in their towns, at their houses, on their territory. He was always in his mission field everywhere he went. In the same way, we have the opportunity to meet with the Hondurans in their village, at their church, on their soil. We get to be Jesus to the Hondurans. What a blessed opportunity! However, everywhere we go, everyday of our lives, we are in our mission field - not only while we are in Honduras.
Prayer Requests:
Continue praying for the requests mentioned before
Pray for the doctors/dentists that God will help them do their best with the limited resources available
Pray for physical healing for the Hondurans who visit the healthcare professionals
Pray for the Hondurans who meet with evangelism team. Pray that God will speak to their hearts
Pray for the annointing of the Holy Spirit on the evangelism team and on the entire team, because we all have the job of evangelism
Tomorrow: 2nd day of Brigade at the same church as today.
Part of the group washed and shampooed every child's hair. The children were divided into 2 groups, ones with lice and ones without lice. The children are full of energy and so much excitement. We couldn't communicate with words, but they understand hugs and smiles, love and compassion, passion and excitement. We shared Jesus with them through a bracelet with beads representing sin, Jesus' blood, purity, etc.
Medical/Dental/Pharmacy saw a lot of patients. The physicians on the team saw many people and gave much medical advice to their patients. They were in a very small space for the number of patients. Their patients were mostly women with their numerous children. Although, the doctors were limited in the kind of medical care they could give, they could not get over the resilience of the Hondurans and how well-behaved their children are.
In dental, the team experienced tooth extractions, cavities, and cleanings. Many of the children would come and play with some of the girls on the team, which the team just loved.
The pharmacy runs like a well-oiled machine. The pharmacist, Rachel, is very organized and very efficient. While their was a lot of down-time, there is great fellowship amongst those at the pharmacy. Also, the team members in pharmacy got to experience the entire process from afar. Many of the team members commented on how cool it was to see the change in the Hondurans as they went from Medical/Dental to Pharmacy and finally to Evangelism. The entire process is a testimony to the Word of God and to God's love.
Evangelism involved 4 team members, and each had a translator. The translators are amazing, but if they read this, they would say, "God is amazing!" The translators are such men and women of faith. Their faith in God was such an encouragement to the team members evangelizing. They really helped us stay focused on Scripture and relying on the Holy Spirit. Many of the Hondurans we saw are Christians, and it was so encouraging to pray with them and over their lives and their families' lives that God would continue to reign over their lives. We also got the opportunity to pray with some Hondurans who had never made the decision to follow Christ, and what a change we saw in their eyes after they prayed that prayer! God is truly great and merciful. His love for us is so overwhelming.
Today, a church in Honduras was our mission field. The place we went today is a place many Hondurans wouldn't want to go to. We were reminded today of how Jesus literally went to the people he ministered to when no one else would go. He met with prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers, and the demon-possessed in their towns, at their houses, on their territory. He was always in his mission field everywhere he went. In the same way, we have the opportunity to meet with the Hondurans in their village, at their church, on their soil. We get to be Jesus to the Hondurans. What a blessed opportunity! However, everywhere we go, everyday of our lives, we are in our mission field - not only while we are in Honduras.
Prayer Requests:
Continue praying for the requests mentioned before
Pray for the doctors/dentists that God will help them do their best with the limited resources available
Pray for physical healing for the Hondurans who visit the healthcare professionals
Pray for the Hondurans who meet with evangelism team. Pray that God will speak to their hearts
Pray for the annointing of the Holy Spirit on the evangelism team and on the entire team, because we all have the job of evangelism
Tomorrow: 2nd day of Brigade at the same church as today.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Day 2: We are the Church
Today we souvenir shopping in a place called "Valley of Angels." It was a very interesting area with many things to do and see, including a mime. Some of the women on our trip were even encouraged to get up and dance with the mimes. Needless to say, they declined. In addition, we attended a service at a church in Tegucigulpa, and what a blessing it was to us! The Hondurans worship with such passion and verve for God. A dance team of younger girls put on a show for us, dancing to music and worshiping God with everything. It's always funny to look at the "Gringos", as the Hondurans and Rich likes to call us, and see how much they keep to themselves when they worship. Our cultures are so different, yet it is amazing that we are united through Christ, the head of the body. We worship the same God, and we are all part of the body of Christ. That illustration speaks to me, especially as a medical professional. Not one part of the human body is unimportant, even the appendix! To God, he sees all of us as equally vital, equally loved, equally unique.
Speaking of love, yesterday I wrote how we hope to bring God's love to the Hondurans and show them that love through our actions and words. Today, I was further reminded of God's love. There is a song that goes, "How deep the Father's love for us. How vast beyond all measure that He would give his only Son to make a wretch his treasure." It's difficult to imagine a father or a mother giving up the their child's life for anyone let alone a sinful, wretched world, yet God chose to send his beloved son for us so that we could be called His sons and daughters. We cannot fully comprehend that love, but we can rest assured in it. We can have peace and hope and self-worth because of it. God's love is a game-changer. It can turn the alcoholic into a devoted father, the drug addict into a advocate for people in a similar situation, it can turn an atheist into martyr for the Gospel. As I said yesterday, it is our hope that the Hondurans experience God's love for themselves, but we also hope that you and, as well as ourselves experience it. Nothing we could every do, say, or think could make God love us less or more. For Paul writes in Romans 8:38-39, "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Have peace in these words. You are free in God's love through his Son.
Pray Requests:
Pray for our 1st Brigade tomorrow
Pray that we show Jesus to the Hondurans as we treat them medically and as we interact with them
Pray for continued good health and safety
Pray for continued team unity - let there be no dissention among followers of Christ
Pray for the staff here at GWO that God would fill them with wisdom and grace; pray that God will bless them
Pray for Rich and Craig, our fearless leaders that God will lead them to lead us
Pray for Olga, a mother of 10 who we are putting in a concrete floor for her, that God will touch her life and the lives of her children
Tomorrow: 1st day of Brigade!!
Speaking of love, yesterday I wrote how we hope to bring God's love to the Hondurans and show them that love through our actions and words. Today, I was further reminded of God's love. There is a song that goes, "How deep the Father's love for us. How vast beyond all measure that He would give his only Son to make a wretch his treasure." It's difficult to imagine a father or a mother giving up the their child's life for anyone let alone a sinful, wretched world, yet God chose to send his beloved son for us so that we could be called His sons and daughters. We cannot fully comprehend that love, but we can rest assured in it. We can have peace and hope and self-worth because of it. God's love is a game-changer. It can turn the alcoholic into a devoted father, the drug addict into a advocate for people in a similar situation, it can turn an atheist into martyr for the Gospel. As I said yesterday, it is our hope that the Hondurans experience God's love for themselves, but we also hope that you and, as well as ourselves experience it. Nothing we could every do, say, or think could make God love us less or more. For Paul writes in Romans 8:38-39, "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Have peace in these words. You are free in God's love through his Son.
Pray Requests:
Pray for our 1st Brigade tomorrow
Pray that we show Jesus to the Hondurans as we treat them medically and as we interact with them
Pray for continued good health and safety
Pray for continued team unity - let there be no dissention among followers of Christ
Pray for the staff here at GWO that God would fill them with wisdom and grace; pray that God will bless them
Pray for Rich and Craig, our fearless leaders that God will lead them to lead us
Pray for Olga, a mother of 10 who we are putting in a concrete floor for her, that God will touch her life and the lives of her children
Tomorrow: 1st day of Brigade!!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Day 1: We have arrived
Hola! The entire team arrived safely in Tegucigulpa today. Some arrived this morning, some landed this afternoon, but we were all struck by how beautiful Honduras is. The city is built into the mountainside. At night, the scene is breathtaking from above. Dinner was delicious at a restaurant that open to the night air. The bus ride up the mountains to the WGO headquarters was interesting to say the least. After experiencing the roads here, we won't be complaining about the roads in the US any time soon. We give a lot of credit to our bus driver b/c he drove with finesse and experience up the winding, bumpy roads.
At 4800 feet above sea level, our camp has a great view of the city below, and it is a good reminder of why we are here. As we gaze at the city below, we can't help but think of the citizens below, going about their daily lives. John, one of the administrators at WGO, mentioned that ~50% of the Hondurans are unemployed, which greatly affects their self-esteem negatively. Their lack of work makes them feel worthless, but in God's eyes, they are worth more than any precious jewels, silver, or gold. We hope that God will convey His love for the Hondurans through us. John writes in 1 John 3:16, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." It is our desire to live this out. Jesus showed us what love is by dying on the cross for everyone, so he gives us the task to love others. Of course, we need the Holy Spirit to fulfill this task, and so it is our desire to lay down our lives, our time, our comfort, our money, our everything in order to show the Hondurans that we love them and, more importantly, God loves them. There is a saying, "Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words." We hope to preach the Good News through our actions so that those who see us know who sends us and know that God's love for them is deeeper than the ocean, wider than any valley, and higher than Mount Everest.
Prayer Requests:
Pray that God's love shines through us bright enough to light up the darkness here in Honduras
Pray that our team remains healthy and safe
Pray that each of us grows closer to our wonderful Maker and also realizes how deep his love is for us
Pray that we are united as a team
Pray that we are a blessing to the team here at WGO
Pray that God works through us and in us to reach the Hondurans
Pray that God takes away any fears that we might have. Our God is bigger than any fears and worries.
Coming up tomorrow: We are going to church and then to Valley of Angels for some souvenir shopping!
At 4800 feet above sea level, our camp has a great view of the city below, and it is a good reminder of why we are here. As we gaze at the city below, we can't help but think of the citizens below, going about their daily lives. John, one of the administrators at WGO, mentioned that ~50% of the Hondurans are unemployed, which greatly affects their self-esteem negatively. Their lack of work makes them feel worthless, but in God's eyes, they are worth more than any precious jewels, silver, or gold. We hope that God will convey His love for the Hondurans through us. John writes in 1 John 3:16, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." It is our desire to live this out. Jesus showed us what love is by dying on the cross for everyone, so he gives us the task to love others. Of course, we need the Holy Spirit to fulfill this task, and so it is our desire to lay down our lives, our time, our comfort, our money, our everything in order to show the Hondurans that we love them and, more importantly, God loves them. There is a saying, "Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words." We hope to preach the Good News through our actions so that those who see us know who sends us and know that God's love for them is deeeper than the ocean, wider than any valley, and higher than Mount Everest.
Prayer Requests:
Pray that God's love shines through us bright enough to light up the darkness here in Honduras
Pray that our team remains healthy and safe
Pray that each of us grows closer to our wonderful Maker and also realizes how deep his love is for us
Pray that we are united as a team
Pray that we are a blessing to the team here at WGO
Pray that God works through us and in us to reach the Hondurans
Pray that God takes away any fears that we might have. Our God is bigger than any fears and worries.
Coming up tomorrow: We are going to church and then to Valley of Angels for some souvenir shopping!
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