The Unexpected Encounter: I Am Ready

Nine hours later and we had finally reached our destination. We had turned into a dirt road and drove on it for about twenty minutes. Finally we reached the river boat that waited for us by the river. We streamed over to the island of La Fi Fi under one of the most beautiful night skies we had ever seen. The team did not know what to expect but as we walked through the village towards our settlement we noticed a village made up of bamboo walls and palm leaf roofs. The people welcomed us with an amazing crab soup and rice. In a matter of seconds we had been completely emerged in the lifestyle.

The following morning we were awakened at four thirty to go cast the nets at sea for fish. The experience was unreal but there was still more to come. We were completely isolated from civilization. We came to this island expecting to give and serve yet we we received the much more in return. We came into the village to provide medical help, install outdoor stoves in three of the houses, and most importantly to love and share Gods love and gospel. This was our plan yet God had already been working on His plan way before we even set foot in Honduras. 

Installing outdoor stoves

The plan was to remain in this village from Thursday to Sunday but when Saturday arrived we were offered the opportunity and welcomed to stay until Tuesday. The team was not sure about whether to stay or leave. We did not want to alter the schedule or affect the plan but little did we know that God had a greater plan. 

Three houses down the village there was a women who was debating the same thing. She was supposed to leave on Sunday yet finally decided to stay until Tuesday. After much prayer, our team felt that there was more to be done and decided to stay.

The next morning, once again awakened to go cast the nets, one half of our team started the day by working on one of the stoves while the other half had a plan to visit homes. We wanted to visit the twenty houses but God had another plan. Around two thirty in the afternoon we stumbled upon one of the houses and watched as people gathered to listen or maybe just be polite. We talked about the island, their lifestyle, hurricane Mitch which had completely destroyed the island, but there was one topic yet to be mentioned. Little by little many stood up and left. All but two remained, the man of the house and a lady in the corner of my eye who sat quiet, yet listening. The man walked away and there we were, us and this women, Delkis. 

 
We began to speak with her and at first she was non responsive and very quiet. We asked her what church was like at the village and she said that she did not know since she was not from the island but that there was only a Catholic church. We continued to talk with Delkis and met her daughters. We found out that she was supposed to leave that morning but decided to leave Tuesday instead, the same day we decided to leave. God had a greater plan. 

One of the team members shared her testimony. Something she had said sparked an interest in Delkis because not much later, Delkis began to talk and share her story. One of the most harsh pasts I have heard. A past full of rejection from her parents since she was young, abandonment, abuse, locked up for seven years as a hostage, and simple lonesomeness as she went on through life. As the conversation continued we asked Delkis why she thought we were there and she responded: "Because I cannot continue to run away from God.” 

The conversation continued for three hours. More stories about her past came up yet more examples about how the Almighty God had taken care of her and had not forsaken her. By the end of the conversation she said the three words ignite a celebration in heaven: “I am ready.” Delkis had been laughing and smiling during the last hour of the conversation, something she said she had never done. We knew God was working in her. On that Sunday night around six thirty, Delkis accepted Christ into her life and decided to walk in the path of light. We continued to visit Delkis until Tuesday and even took her with us and took her to her next destination hours away.  

We might not know where Delkis finds herself now but we do know that she is no longer alone. She walks with an Almighty God that will not forsake her. As it says in Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Delkis will be confronted with her past and now more than ever be troubled by the evil one but she now walks with angel armies. We had a plan yet He had a greater one- a plan that led to this unexpected encounter of strangers who met in a small island in Honduras and then continued on their journey.

• Pray for the team now that we continue on our journey and have parted from La Fi Fi. 
• Pray for Delkis and her daughters as she continues to walk in the path of life. Pray that God may fill her and encourage her.  
• Pray for the teams safety and health and that God will give us peace in our decisions.  
• Pray that we will continue to be unified and work together for His glory.

Journey Continues

One month down and one more to go. It is hard to imagine that it has already been about a month since we arrived here in Honduras. It seems as if we have been here for so much more yet at the same time it seems as if it was yesterday that we arrived. 

Today we returned from our third trip to our villages. We will be heading to the northern part of the country for some time to spend time with the coastal locals. We hope to present the gospel and God's love to these people some of which have never heard it before. Some of these places are quite remote so pray that God will guide us and open up doors so we may minister in His name and love. 

The village experiences were once again very fruitful but exhausting. One can tell that the team is drained and needs strength that can only be provided by rest, which there is not much time to do so, and Gods power. Pray that we will continue to trust Him and that He may provide strength for the group. 

In the village we have already grown accustomed to their life style and are building strong relationships with the people. It is also quite encouraging to return to these homes and hear news about how the medical supply or help provided have worked out great and given positive results. Some households lack basic medical necessities and thanks to God we have been able to provide many of these necessities. 

It is always good to walk back into the village and see familiar faces with smiles on their faces and know that we are more then welcomed. Pray that doors will continue to open for opportunities not only to love on others but to teach and spread the gospel. 

In Christ,

Honduras Healthcare Team

A boy with a purpose

Through the course of life we encounter thousands of people. We may not even be able to recall all of those we meet but one can be assured of one thing, we will always remember those that impacted our life. It could be our parents, school mates, teachers or even a twenty-three month old child. This last was definitely the case for me. 

In the past week we welcomed another group of Americans who came to visit villages &  provide a helping hand on the construction of a church building meant for activities and children's Bible school. This building was started by the local church, but as any other construction, funds were needed. Little did the church know that all the way back in North Carolina God was about to use a small boy to make a change and a difference. Within this group was the grandmother of this young boy called Eli. On Sunday night I had the honor to translate this women's testimony. 

A little over a year ago this family encountered what is probably one of the most difficult trials a family could ever face. On Easter week of last year the family decided to take a family vacation to the mountains of North Carolina. It was a normal family vacation with laughter & outdoor fun. Little did they know that just around the corner their lives would be changed forever. Eli had some minor cold symptoms, nothing too major. The family decided to leave the mountains and take Eli to the hospital. It was nothing severe, but being a twenty-three month old child they wanted to make sure that everything was fine. Once at the hospital the family anxiously awaited the results. The grandmother told me that she peeked through the hospital doors only to find a group of doctors conducting CPR on Eli. She knew something was wrong. She overheard the doctor saying "...ten more minutes and we will have to call it...".  I could not even imagine the sensation of watching this doctor walk out of the hospital doors with his head down.  

"I held him for about two hours after the news was given," the grandmother told me. Eli was a healthy young child. He had never had any serious health issues and all of the sudden he was gone. The autopsy confirmed that a normal cold bacteria had targeted the boy's  pacemaker and an area of Eli's lungs. One cannot even explain or comprehend the pain that this family was going through. 

The grandmother went on to talk about how two months later she and her daughter, Eli's mother, came to Honduras on their first mission trip. During one of their toughest trials in life they found themselves living out God's command of going out into the nations to spread His word. During their time here they still struggled with hurt, but they knew God had a greater purpose with this trial. They had decided to trust God and His will. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

The mother and grandmother saw all the children in need and recalled how they had always instilled in Eli to love God and show him about Jesus and they wanted the same for these Honduran children. When they returned home they spoke to the church and agreed that they would fund the construction of this building for the Honduran church. A church building that will allow children to have a meeting place and learn about God's love & grace. The grandmother & mother wanted all these kids to have the opportunity to learn about Jesus and be raised with a place to gather. It amazes me how God can transform a tragedy into a blessing when we truly trust and follow His will. 

A few of us from the team had the opportunity to help with the building construction some weeks earlier and little did we know the story behind the reason for this building and its purpose. Now that we grasp the story behind it we can truly appreciate and be blessed by the example of this family's faith. Many of us go through trials and blame Jesus and become angry yet this family, although hurt, decided to exalt God and use their trial for His glory.

This story also makes me picture Jesus' story and how real and meaningful John 3:16 is. A verse that most of us have memorized when we were young and is full of truth and genuine love. "For God so love the world that he gave his one and only son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." I cannot even imagine what God felt as He saw through heaven's doors into earth and watched His son be put to death so that all human kind would be cleansed from their sins and gain eternal life if they placed their faith in Him. 

Knowing that we serve such a loving and generous God encourages us, the team, to keep on going... spreading the best news one could ever hear. We are here for a reason and know that God will continue to strengthen us. We also pray that God will continue to encourage those that we encounter even after we leave. Pray that God will continue the ripple effect. Also have Eli's family in prayer and that God may continue to encourage and strengthen them.

In Christ, 

Honduras Healthcare Team    

Medical Reach

Its been a long week full of new experiences and most of all God's helping hand. During the past week a medical team from Alabama came down to meet with us.
Together with this team we were able to reach six remote villages and provide medical need as well as love on them as God has called us to do. These villages lack access to a medical center and most go months maybe years without ever receiving any medical treatment.

We encountered over hundreds of people in need and thankfully God allowed us to provide this help and spread His word. We were able to assist with an eye clinic to provide eye glasses, medical assistant and prescription for those who needed health medications or treatment, and dental care. Thanks to God's helping hand each village was able to be taken care of with the time given.

The team worked efficiently and was constantly on the move. While the medical clinic was taking place some of the group members also did some drama performances to illustrate God's love for His people. This was also a blessing to the villagers. The feeling of seeing a mans face light up when he wore his glasses for the first time or to see a mothers smile as her kids were taken care of was priceless but to witness God's unfailing love on these people and His helping hand along with us as we provided this medical assistance is simply a matter that cannot be explained.  

Besides the medical assistance that took place we were also able to unite with a team that was providing Bible stories and a hotdog stand for the village. The teamwork worked out perfectly. After the clinic closed we were able to spend time with the kids and families. We played games and even had a water balloon slingshot.

The Alabama team has now left and has left us in charge to continue to provide medical assistance. We are recharging our energy to split up into two teams and head out to our designated villages for the week. Pray that God will open up doors for us to share His word and love. Also pray for our health and safe keeping. Have the villagers in prayer so that God may continue to strengthen them as they continue or begin to step in His path. 

Within the Village

Waking up in a friend's home near your house can be strange. Waking up in a random Honduran family's home, however, is just plain disorienting. Sometimes I wake up in Honduras, forgetting where I am and what I'm doing here. It takes a few minutes to get re-adjusted, but then I get to relive the fact that I'm carrying out my dream: traveling across the globe with friends, sleeping on random dirty floors, and spreading the life-saving gospel to all who will listen. I woke up this morning very disoriented, but then I remembered. I remembered the elderly lady who prayed to accept Christ after years of her family trying to convert her. I remembered all the children running out of the school and tackling our team, asking us why we were here and getting to tell them about the love of Jesus. I remembered conquering the mountain on which this village rests and looking out into the distance to see God's glory revealed. I remembered the abuela, or grandmother, that was sick on day one and healed by day three. I remembered, and I relished the fact. I am full of joy. We are where we need to be.

Pray that God will continue to shine his power and that His glory may be seen during our time here and even after we leave. He is moving and it leaves us speechless to see His glory shine through these villages. We share the good news that once more another name has been added to the book of life. Martina, 87 years old, decided to make the most important decision of her life, she took Christ as her Lord and Savior. She now walks in God's path and perfect plan. Please continue to pray for continual blessing upon these villages and the people who live in them. 

Martina, 87

    

At the village school

Through the village roads

With much love,

Honduras Healthcare team 

The Silence of Night

Greetings from Honduras. The team has made it safe and sound and finds itself well. We are stationary at a clinic that is still under construction.  We have been able to accommodate ourselves and finally call it home. The place was a cluttered warehouse when we arrived and with time given we have been able to reorganize and help remodel it. There is still a lot to do and with time it will get done. It is somewhat of a culture shock but at the same time humbuling and admirable to see these people rejoice and be glad regardless of their stuggles and conflicts. Soon a group of doctors will arrive and we will be heading to some remote villages to spread the gospel and supply some medical needs. Pray that God may glorify Himself and that others may be blessed. 

The Silence of Night

As the sun settles and night takes its course, silence decides to join.  Every night, every sound seems to increase its volume and lights seem to intensify their glow. In front of the clinic there is a road where trucks and cars roam at all times. Their swoosh sound echoes and the silence is interrupted for that time given. The lights from cars that come from a distance seem to overcome the vast darkness all around. Any flickering of a flashlight or any word spoken breaks the silence and gives life to the surroundings. 

It feels as if this should be the case in our constant daily life. We find ourselves in a world where darkness wants to overcome and silence wants to mute the sound of true life. This should not be the case. We cannot be the sun who settles and moves on to the next occasion. We cannot allow darkness to prevail. We must break that silence as the sound of a truck or spoken word at night does. We do so by being in scripture and proclaiming God's unfailing love for us. We must feed our bodies with spiritual food and God's word. We must be bold and fight the "good battle" as Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." We live in a time where we are free to spread the good news. Paul was constantly persecuted and put in prison for doing so, but in our time when we are free to do such things... why do we decide to halt? Why would that even cross our mind? We can't be selfish with the blessing of knowing our Lord and Savior. This good news must be spread so that all may find joy in it. We must break the silence of night. 

In Christ,

Honduras Team

Evening Song

Every morning I will sing Your song

Every evening I will praise You, oh God

The lamb who was slain, took a masacare of hate

All for the ones who cursed His precious name

Let my unworthy life be a sacrifice to Thee

In life or death You hold the victory

                            

                 -Written by Marissa

Meet the Honduras Healthcare Team

  Sixteen countries, four cities, fifty two days, and one hundred and seventy seven ordinary students with just one mission: To bring glory to God's kingdom.
   Out of all these students nine of them will be going on the Healthcare mission trip to Honduras. These students will be traveling across medical clinics and various villages throughout the country. 

   We, the team, take this task of spreading the gospel and His unfailing love as a command from God. We are called to reach every nation for His glory. This team has been preparing for a long time and is sure that God will move through this nation. As Psalms 100:5 says: "For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Pray that God will guide us and that it my all be for His glory. Thank you for all your continual prayers. 

Top row left to right: Alex, David, Nate

Bottom row left to right: Levi, Marissa, Hope, Danielle, Debra, Jared   

Meet the Team

Nate: (Team leader) I am a student at Anderson University, SC with dreams of going to medical school and serving my Lord overseas as a doctor. I grew up in Venezuela and Mexico with parents serving as cross-cultural workers. I have spent more of my life overseas than in the USA which has developed in me a true love for other cultures throughout the world. Family, sports, medicine, reading, hiking, and traveling are some of my greatest passions. My goal this summer is to be obedient to the one who saved me and to teach others about Him so that they can advance His Kingdom in Honduras

Alex: (Team Leader) I am twenty one years old. I was born in Augusta, GA, but was raised in Colombia, SC. Go Gamecocks! I am majoring in History and English at Anderson University, and plan to continue on into seminar. The Lord saved me later in my life and since then have been called to a full time in ministry. It is an honor, a blessing, and privilege to serve the Lord in this capacity. Oh and I enjoy: Mountain biking, camping, sports, hunting and growing beards.

Jared: (Media Coordinator) I was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I'm the youngest of five siblings and enjoy to spend time with the family. I enjoy photography, playing guitar and love outdoor activities. I attend Anderson University. I'm majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry. I plan  to go into med school and do general surgery. Hopefully God will then set me on the field to work as a medical missionary. Pray for strength for the team and that we may follow God's will. 

Debra: Hello everyone! I am twenty years old, and from Fort Payne, AL. I'm currently a nursing major at University of Mobile. I could not be more excited to be going to Honduras. God has blessed me with this opportunity and I cannot wait to love on the Honduran people. Over the past few years God has directed me to medical missions. I do not know the road that lies ahead but I do know that I will be on the mission field somewhere, using my nursing skills to glorify His name! 

Danielle: I an the oldest of five siblings and enjoy outdoor activities. I am a Kinesiology major at Anderson University. God willing I will go into graduate school to become a Physicians assistant. I eventually want to use this on the mission field. I am not simply called into the mission field. I am commanded. I wish to better learn about the mission field. The team dynamic is has worked amazingly and pray that it may continue this way. Also pray that our team may be the most effective during the time down in Honduras. 

Hope: (Team Leader) I am a Junior pre-med student at Anderson University, SC. I am one of the leaders for this trip and will be returning to this nation for the 4th time. I am pursuing an undergraduate in Biology and will then go to fulfill my calling as a career missionary doctor.  

Marissa: A year ago, I was determined to live this summer in the most selfish and ungodly way possible. But ever since August of 2012, I have never been more content in my life than to be living completely in love with an incredible and perfect God. I am eighteen years old. I am from Anderson, SC. By God's grace I plan to attend Bob Jones University in the fall in order to study premed. Thank you for all your prayers. 

Levi: I'm from Greenville, SC and attend Clemson University. I have two sisters and one brother. I will be going to do nothing more than love and share God's word. My favorite verse is Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." I want to take this message to all the people I encounter, so that more can know of God's great love and mercy.

David: I have been raised in a loving and supportive Christ-centered home. I'm from Simpsonville, SC. My dad serves as a pastor in this town. I attend Anderson University. I am currently studying Biology to go into pharmacy school. I ask that you would join us in praying for our faithfulness to uphold to our responsibility to share the gospel in every given opportunity. That we might effectively claim territory for God's kingdom.