Thursday, July 13, 2017

Day 7 - 2017

Mark 16:15 He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 

Our time here in Honduras has come to an end. This was the 7th such trip for me, and one of the most productive that I can remember. We tried to show God's love to the Honduran people each day that we were here. Our group saw over 900 patients in medical clinics and distributed much needed medicines. The ladies also taught VBS at each clinic. The construction team built two houses, did some minor remodeling to one of the houses we built last year, and built benches for the church in Valle de Angeles. As a whole, our group assembled and gave away over 300 food bags. But most importantly, we got to witness, and be a part of 7 baptisms. This is the ultimate purpose of the Honduran (and all) Misson. We are so thankful that our actions here were able to help our brothers and sisters here make the decision to join our Christian family. 

Before leaving you with a few pictures from our last day, I'll encourage you once again - please get involved with the Honduran (or a similar Mission). The need is so great, and you will never meet a more loving or appreciative people. There are many, many ways in which people of all ages and abilities can help. And I'll promise you once again the rewards you will receive from this effort will far outweigh any costs. Thank you for reading and please contact Joe Cummins IV, Ricky Pierce, or myself (Chris Barnes) if you'd like more information about the work in Honduras. 
















Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Day 6 - 2017

Mark 12:30-31  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. The is no commandment greater than these. 

Today was a light day for both our medical and our construction teams. The medical clinic was at Carlos' sons' school in Tegucigalpa. 



The construction team's only task was to finish up the second house. Much to our surprise, the homeowners had wired it themselves after we left yesterday. So all we had to do was to add a few pieces of trim around the windows and door. 




The rest of the day was spent sightseeing at the Picatcho (statue of Jesus overlooking the city) and eating a wonderful group meal with our Honduran brothers and sisters. 



It's hard to believe that our time here is about to end. This week is something that many of us look forward to all year long. It was truly a life changing experience for me when I came for my first time in 2010. We would love for you to join us next year!




 


Monday, July 10, 2017

Day 5 - 2017

Deuteronomy 15:10-11 You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land. 

Today was an extremely long, busy day. Once again, the medical team had people waiting for them when they arrived to set up for the medical clinic. This clinic was at the church building in Cantarranas. 

The construction team was able to build an entire house in one day. In this location, we were able to build on an existing concrete pad, so that saved us quite a bit of time. 





And my favorite part of the day was being able to pray with the homeowner in her new house. After the prayer, she seemed a bit overwhelmed that a group of total strangers, far from home, had blessed her with such a gift. One look at her face would tell you what a worthy mission this is. Please ask how you can get involved. There are so many ways to support and be a part of the work in Honduras, even if you can't travel here. 



1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 







Day 4 - 2017

Psalm 100:2-3 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

Day 4 is always a highlight is the week. We look forward all year to being able to worship with our Honduran brothers and sisters. For years, we have talked about streaming the service from Honduras so that our church family at Wasington Street could be a part of it as well. This year, we were finally able to make it happen. What an awesome experience it was to be able to sing songs and worship together although we were 1500 miles apart!


It was also a day of rejoicing as we had 3 more baptisms. More confirmation, in my opinion, of the importance of the work that is being done here in Honduras. 




Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit











Saturday, July 8, 2017

Day 3 - 2017

Mathew 25: 35-40 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me.

Today our group returned to Villa de San Francisco. As usual, there was a line of people eagerly awaiting our medical team when we arrived.The chance to see a Doctor, and even more, the chance to receive medication is a true blessing to these people. 

The construction team returned to finish the house that we started yesterday. The North Americans finished up the roof, Windows, door, and some misc. trim while our Honduran workers made quick work of mixing the concrete. 

But the most exciting event of the day was the baptism of a new sister. The lady that we built a house for in Villa de San Francisco last year (which is next door to the house we built this year) asked to be baptized this afternoon. 


This gives confirmation to everything we do in Honduras. I have often heard it said that it is hard for someone to make a decision about eternity when they have no food. It is hard for them to hear the message when they have no roof over their head. Providing for their physical needs while showing the love of Christ allows for the opportunity to provide for their spiritual needs as well. It has been a good day. 





Friday, July 7, 2017

Day 2 - 2017

Hebrews 3:4  For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 

Day 2 is traditionally the start of our first house and also our first medical clinic. Today was no different. The medical clinic was hosted in a school in Predregal. This was just a short distance from our build site in Villa de San Francisco. I understand that it was a very busy clinic with people lined up long before the Doctors even arrived. 
The build site was right next to the house we built in Villa de San Francisco last year. The lot was relatively flat and in good condition so we were able to get right to work. 
By the end of the day, we were able to get 4 walls up and had a pretty good start on the roof. 

1 John 3:17-18 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 

This is the verse that inspired the name of this blog. For me, it is the essence of the Honduras Mission. The need is so great here. You can look in any direction and feel your heart breaking for those in need. We can't help everyone, but for those we are able to help, we try to make a real difference in their lives. For this family, their world is going to change tomorrow when they receive a house - a home - a place of shelter and of comfort- a gift of significance that most of us cannot fathom - a gift only possible through God's love. 




Thursday, July 6, 2017

Day 1 - 2017

Looking back at these blog posts over the last few years, you'll notice many similarities. While every trip brings it's own new experiences and blessings, we tend to do the same type of activities on the same days year after year. So this year, rather than post yet another repeat of previous years' blogs, I'm going to try to focus more on why we do what we do, and the people that we are blessed to encounter along the way. 

Isaiah 58:10 If you give some of your own food to those who are hungry and to satisfy those who are humble, then your light will rise in the dark, and your darkness will become as bright as the noonday sun. 

There are many verses instructing us to feed the hungry and to serve the poor. As Christians we are to help people in need. This is part of serving Christ as we serve one another. Giving food to the hungry is a big part of what we do in Honduras each year.  The day we arrive is always food bag day. You have probably heard me say that each food bag is designed to feed an average family for a week.  We will distribute 300 + of these bags this year. Each bag also contains basic toiletries and a Spanish New Teatament. 

This is a great aspect of the Honduras ministry that anyone can get involved with. Maybe traveling to Central America to bag rice & beans isn't your thing, but you can collect and donate toiletries. Maybe bagging and carrying 300 bags in the Honduran heat sounds like a little too much work, but you can donate Spanish bibles. Maybe you are scared of flying, but you can donate money to buy food. The opportunities are countless and I can promise the rewards received from giving are multiplied tenfold.