Pictures from Honduras

DELAYED

Please keep our team in prayers as they have been delayed in Miami for what looks like a day.  Thanks for your prayers and support!

LAST DAY (viernes)

Today was our final full day in Honduras.
We left at 7am and headed in the van to Valley of Angels to shop and have lunch. Our drive was exciting as all drive in Honduras seem to be – it amazes me how close all the cars get to each other – and the way pedestrians run across the road in front of cars!  I had to stop watching after awhile.  We have been so thankful to have Edwin as our driver – we have learned to trust and appreciate him (even when it’s a bit scary!)
When we arrived Marcy took us to a huge store to start looking for souvenirs.  After about 2 hours of shopping we went to lunch – Marcy ordered lunch for us – we all had cheese papusas.  We were able to watch as the woman pressed out the flour tortillas for each of them before she began cooking. We were given banana peppers and cole slaw to go with our lunch but warned by Jenn to eat at our own risk - since we couldn’t be sure how they were cleaned and with a long day of traveling ahead we had to decide if we wanted to risk getting sick – most of us chose to skip the toppings.

 We had a short time to shop and barter after lunch before heading out again.  I won’t share too much about our purchases so I don’t spoil any surprises!

 Our next stop was a waterfall for a swim.  We had to stop at Walmart quickly on our way – well it was supposed to be a quick stop but as we have learned – nothing is quick in Honduras.  By the time we finally got on the road it started to get cloudy and it looked like rain. We figured it was our only chance to go for a swim so we decided to go no matter what. We had a short hike in the rain (hiking seems to bring rain on for our team) and soon arrived at the waterfall. It was too slippery to go all the way down to the bottom of the waterfall but we were still able to get in the very murky water.  Quite a few were feeling adventurous and went on a rope swing or jumped off of the rocks into the water below. It was so much fun – even in the rain.

 Tonight we had an authentic Honduran dinner of beans, rice, pico, beef and corn tortillas – so good – I could eat like that every day!  We ended our evening with some time praying for Kristi and Edwin.  We then had some de-briefing about our return trip to the US tomorrow.  We were then able to pray for Marcy, Kjell and their kids.

Now we’re all packed up and ready to leave here at 5:30am tomorrow morning.  Hard to believe our time in Honduras is almost done – what an amazing week!  Please pray for our return flights to be safe and on time tomorrow.  Looking forward to sleeping in our own beds and throwing our toilet paper in the toilet!

Mike, Sam, Aubrey – I love you so much and can’t wait to see you on Sunday!!  I might have a couple of surprises for you…see you soon!

Jillian

Honduras Blog Thursday

Thursday, Thursday, Thursday……this trip is flying by.  Today we had breakfast together at Casa Santiago…..we have had some really good food here and that has been great.  Then we headed over to the bodegia where we met Robyn Roubaex.  The group split up for that part of the day.  Some of us went to paint and put desks together at the house we have been working at.  Other people in the group went to El Espinio to do the kids club and to hand out food and clothes.  I was in the group that went to the house to paint and put desks together.  Those of us that went to the house were able to work well together and get a system going to get things done.  We met the group that went to El Espinio for lunch at La Factoria.  Part of team went back to the house to get some more work done and others went back to Casa Santiago to get things organized.  The group that went back to the house painted and put some of the desks together.  We all met up at Casa ninos…..those kids are adorable and they are always excited to see us.  It was great.  Some of us were able to take a “taxi” ride today and it was fun.  The taxis here are not like the taxis we have in the states, they are tiny here and are similar to golf carts.  We were able to drop off some items that we had brought with us off at a missionary house today.  They appreciated it.  Thanks to all of you that donated.  On the way back to Casa Santiago, we stopped to get some ice cream.  We had dinner at Casa Santiago.  Dinner and ice cream were both good.  We then had devotions ad prayer, which were fabulous.  We also talked about our plans for tomorrow which will be a good day.  Don’t forget to be checking your emails everyone – just as a reminder.  ☺  Talk to you all soon.Kelly

PS Hi to my family ☺

MIDWAY ON MIERCOLES (Wednesday)

It's hard to believe that we have hit the midway point of our trip. On one hand, it feels like we just arrived, but on the other, we feel settled in and at home in our new surroundings. We're becoming familiar with the walk through the town of Zambrano that we frequent as we travel between Casa Santiago (the retreat house) and the Casa de Ninos (children's home), the Factoria (snack bar), the Door of Hope Rehabilitation Center, and the school. We are also building relationships with the staff, residents and children- many of us have favorites who we look forward to chatting with and giving hugs.

Today began at the Rehab Center in the upstairs classroom. We knew the women from our previous time with the them, but this was our first interaction with the men. The Lord wove together a beautiful morning of encouragement and exhortation, including sharing from Chloe, Jillian, Jenn, Charlotte, Pastor Abi, AJ, Kjell, and Marcy. We had times of interactive sharing and praying together with the residents and believe there were breakthroughs in receiving grace, determining to follow Jesus, requesting and giving forgiveness, and trusting God.

We split up in the afternoon: AJ and a handful worked at the school on desks and painting; Marcy took some ladies to fill bags for food distribution tomorrow; and the kids ran to their favorite place - playing with the sweet children at the Casa de Ninos.

After dinner, Marcy led us in devotions and then we had a prayer time focused on receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The atmosphere was sweet and genuine, and God showed up in a real way, meeting each of us as needed. He is cleansing, empowering and renewing us!

Some of our goals (to be tossed in the midst of our ministry opportunities) are to ride something (I am hoping for a cow, but a mule will do), take a taxi (mini-cars), pick and eat a mango off a tree (or buy one from a lady on the street), play in the waterfall, and haggle at the market place. We are enjoying our time together and taking in all the experience has to offer. We love each other, we love our missionary family, and we love the people of Honduras!

Oh, and we love you, too!!!!!
-Pastor Abi

PRAY FOR JUEVES (THURSDAY)
* Kids Club, Food & Clothing Distribution en El Espino (a village about 30 minutes from here)
* Completion of School Desks
* Continuation of Painting
* Physical Strength and Relief from Aches of our Tuesday mountain adventure
* Continued Unity and Love between Team (it's been awesome!)

ADVENTURE IN HONDURAS – Tuesday’s Wrap Up

Yesterday, on Tuesday, we went to two village schools.  The first one was in Las Botijas and the second one was in El Palangue. 23 of us drove in a Dodge Ram pickup truck to the first school.  It was an hour and a half drive in the pickup truck to the first school.   We played Ultimate Frisbee with the kids and also members of the team did Chinese and regular jump rope with kids and painted faces.

The most exciting part was hiking as a team to the second remote village.  After we did the mountainous 2 hour hike (think going up the unpaved auto road at Mt. Washington, adding mudslides, bull and horse poop, rocks and rain) and kids camp it was time to head out. 

We were running late already and needed to hike out as cars could not make it in before dark.  So we walked and had torrential downpours with lightning and thunderstorms for 75% of the hike back.  Our team was all totally drenched by the end and still needed to make it home in the back of the truck. 

On our trip home from the back of the truck I felt a thud and on this remote dirt slope in the dark we became stuck.   After much praying and working as a team we figured out a plan to get unstuck.  One of the locals had a flashlight who was the only person who walked by and we were about a foot into the mud.  Finally after much uncertainty and many people unsure what the outlook was going to be like for the rest of the night we made it out. 

As a team we worked amazingly together and now that we are through this, it will be by far the most memorable day of the trip for us. 

-Kyle (aka Tio MiKyle)

PS Melissa, I love you and Alexis and Aiden

PRAY FOR MARTES (TUESDAY)

*No travel sickness as we make the 1-2 hour truck ride to Las Botijas

*No rain as we will be in the back of the truck along with our supplies

*Many kids to come out to the Kids' Clubs

*Strength as we hike for 1 1/2 hours to the next Kids' Club in Palenque

LUNES (MONDAY)

Our morning began with a great time of devotion. Kyle led us by reading from Romans 1, encouraging us to share the gospel. Our discussion time was thought provoking and encouraging. We are bonding as a team, relying on the power and strength of Jesus. Today the women spent the morning with the teen moms, while the kids cared for the teen moms' children, and the men finished sanding and priming the schoolhouse. AJ spent the day in the capital city of Tegucigulpa shopping for desk supplies. In the afternoon the kids on the team joined the men at the schoolhouse while the women ministered to the ladies at the rehabilitation center. The day was full and fruitful and we ended with a birthday celebration for Rebeka (the missionaries' daughter, who turned 10 yesterday) and Charlotte (who turns 17 manana). Having a birthday cake was a special treat brought back from AJ's trip to the big city. Following Honduran tradition, Charlotte happily took an egg smashed over the head. She is a joy! We are attempting an early bedtime tonight in anticipation of the long truck ride and hike to two remote villages tomorrow.

-Pastor Abi

TIME WITH THE TEEN MOMS

We were honored to go and minister to the teen moms and staff while our girls played with the children at the children's house. We had done kidz club the day before, so we knew what to expect  The house was full of joy and their mothers were more than beautiful, they are God's precious daughters. I was honored to speak with Eve, my precious daughter. It is a privilege to pour out our hearts and let them minister to others. We were able to share a story from our Life! pages on what it looks like to be lost, found, and whole in our motherhood. The best blessing was being able to pray with the mothers and being able to pull out of them what Jesus has planted in their hearts already and to have them verbalize it for themselves.  They each love their children so very much. I join them in their mothers' cry for a life of freedom and peace for their children; for a new day in Jesus to be created for their lives.  I believe today was just that. It is a new day filled with hope, love, and light for these mothers who want to mother their children in a way that honors God. I am forever grateful to Jesus for the freedom He has brought me and the new day He has created for my family.

I know He has this for these precious women as well!

Love,

Kathi

ps.Tom, Tyler, Luke and Violet: Eve and l love you and miss you very much. See you soon!

pss. Jayna and Elli: your mom says hi =)

It's Sunday!

OASIS DE AMOR

The rain poured as we loaded into the bus to drive to the church this morning. Anticipation was in the air, as this would be our first time really rubbing shoulders with the precious people of Honduras. The building was very open and although simply constructed of tin, wood and cement, it was decorated with beautiful plants, flowers and materials - very fitting for a church called "Oasis de Amor," an oasis of love! Pastora Glenda was welcoming and vibrant and she and the other leaders expressed their open hearts and arms to us. The people were warm, inviting and eager to hear the message on being found and made whole by Jesus. The team told me afterwards that many Hondurans were taking notes while I preached with the interpreter, eager to grow and learn. The response time at the end of the message was beautiful! The team prayed over people as they expressed through a physical sign the area in which they needed a touch from God (spirit, emotions, mind, body, possessions). The power of God was strong, the people were open to His Spirit, and we witnessed many encounters with Jesus.

CASA DE NINOS

This afternoon we returned to the children's home that we had toured yesterday, this time ready to serve and love the kids. At first glance, the children seemed like ordinary kids - playing and interacting as we we ran games, painted faces, and held contests. Yet behind their sweet brown eyes, each has a story:

*A young teen boy who came to the casa because his mother had been stabbed by a gang. At 5 years old, he threw himself in front of his little sister to be stabbed repeatedly in her place.

*A fifteen year old with a 3 yr. old nino, the result of being raped by her sister's husband.

*A boy who came to the casa in witness protection because he was a witness to a priest raping a boy.

And dozens of others whose situations placed them at high risk and in great need of a safe place to be loved and to heal.

The miracle is that each child will not be defined by his or her trauma. They have received love, healing, the truth of the Word, and practical skills for life.The kids were eager to hug, play, talk, laugh, and learn with us. Jenn's illustrated gospel message was clearly received, and we trust they were encouraged through our fun with them. We can't wait to show you the pictures so you can see the visible restoration that comes through Jesus!

ORA PARA NOSOTROS EN LUNES (Pray for us on Monday)

*Kelly, Kathi, Eve - sharing testimonies with teen moms and babies

*Kristin - giving a message to the ladies in rehabilitation, the staff, and the teen moms

*AJ - mapping out plans and purchasing supplies to build desks for the school

*The rest of the team: serving, painting, loving, helping as needed

con el amor de Dios

Pastora Abi :)

1st Full Day

Hi everyone!  Today was our 1st full day in Honduras.  After breakfast we went on a tour of Jimmy Hughes Ministries.  We saw the rehab center and the children's home.  The home was so filled with color and joy. The kids who are at the home are all there because of extreme circumstances.  We met a beautiful set of twins who were found a year ago in a pig sty eating with the pigs. It's amazing that they survived and amazingly are happy and thriving!  We also met a 13 year old mom and her 3 month old baby ...this sweet little girl is now learning to be a mom.  After that we went to the new school house where we sanded and cleaned. After lunch we split up. Half of our group went back to the school where they finished sanding and cleaning. The school is now ready to be primed on Monday! We are so excited to be part of this process.  The other half of us went to sort out all the supplies we brought with us. We now are eating a late dinner - although in Honduras they don't really understand late!  Have a great night and a special hello and I love you to my hubby, Sam and Aubrey - I love you sooooo much! 

-Jillian.