Serving the World this summer in Honduras...

Over the mountain and through the woods

2011-06-29T23:34:00.001-07:00

I've discovered a new rule. No matter where you are in Honduras, the place you want to go is going to be an hour and a half away. Today was a day of visitation. Prisons, hospitals, and orphanages now carry our fingerprints and mark our hearts.

Many of us road towards the young men's and women's prison not knowing what to expect. The closest we'd been to a prison was the distance marked between our televisions and couches. As the bus pulled up to a large stone wall and iron gate three men in their mid twenties glanced up at us. Their bullet proof vests and machine guns set a somber mood that deepened when one of the guards slammed a bullet filled clip home in his rifle. We walked along a concrete path past small block rooms filled with young men grasping black metal bars. They hooted or stared silently as we passed. Lush green grass bordered stone refusing to be imprisoned and growing wildly from the fertile ground. A man in a christian shirt led us into a classroom the size of a one car garage and motioned for us to sit in pastel colored lawn chairs. I sat beside a young man named Carlos. He slowly sipped soda from a plastic cup. Beads of water slid down the sides. His handshake was warm and firm as he told me he was sixteen.

Seven young men made their way into the room with us and one after the other began to share their stories. Addicts, gang members, and the sons of drug dealers began to paint pictures of pain and hardship culminating in a prison sentence and then, a rescue. They boldly shared how Jesus had become their salvation. Carlos took a seat in the center of the back wall and began to speak. "I am serving a six month sentence. My crimes were committed while pursuing a life of drugs and acceptance from friends I now realize weren't friends at all. Since I have been in this place, none of my so called friends have visited me. You came from a very long distance to see me and I know you love me. I prayed for God to send someone to share the gospel with me and was amazed when someone showed up almost as soon as the amen ceased to resonate from my lips. I thought Christians were crazy. I liked marijuana. I stole from poor people living in a poor country. Drugs led me to do illicit things and that is why I am here. It took all of those hardships for Christ to reach me. This is a violent place and sometimes bad things happen here" I chuckled at the understatement. We were only allowed to be with the seven young men because a gang had attempted to murder another inmate in previous days. We were well aware that it was a dangerous place. He continued to speak. "I'm only here for a little while but, if going back home means I will lose Christ, I wish to stay. I was right. Christians are crazy. I am crazy." Tears spilled across the rims of my eyelids at the depth of his faith. The stories continued. Each carried power and challenged us to be bold. It was then that we knew we weren't at the prison to encourage, but to be encouraged.

There are schools throughout Tegucigalpa. Children walk around in navy blue slacks, white short sleeved button up shirts, and constantly yell as they run around. The children of the deaf school are different. They wear bright yellow shirts and rarely make a sound. We began handing out fruit juice, cookies, and toys with bright lights or colors to the students. Their director introduced us to some of the older students who quickly signed out their names. She is in stage four cancer but radiates joy and enthusiasm for her students. The room came alive. Hands wiggled furiously as the children sang "God's not dead" with their hands. Armed with a light up yoyo I walked up to a child and placed it in his hand. He wound it up and was delighted to see it flash as it spun. After a couple of throws the string knotted. I motioned for him to give the toy to me. I drug my thumbnail down the string and the yoyo spun quickly while he nodded that he understood what I was doing. I bent the string at its center and let the yoyo run down it like a tight rope artist and then dropped it and jerked it up so that it would wind completely. His eyes went wide.

That was the extent of our interaction. I've never felt more helpless as a communicator. Even as a teenager coming to this country, I had a small working vocabulary. Here I was mute.

God led me to think about the people in our group acting as translators, helping us to pray and communicate. I thought about his call for us to be ambassadors. In order to fill that role we must learn the language of the community we are in. How foolish it is for us to expect them to learn ours. That's like asking a child, deaf from birth, to speak English perfectly. Its not possible. What good is a translator without a message to translate? Am I effectively hearing God as he leads me to communicate with his children? I left feeling challenged to listen more closely and eager share God's love more fully with the next group we would see at the hospital.

I'll not steal all the good stories and let some others tell you about those in the hospital and the blind school. It's late and we have a big day in store for us at the dump tomorrow.

Paul Bennett

3 houses in one day... sort of

2011-06-28T21:50:00.000-07:00

Today was an exhausting and slightly frustrating day for all of us as we set out to build 3 houses in a community on the opposite side of Tegucigalpa from where we are staying. This community was on the edge of a rain forest which we experienced as our day drew to a close. We were able to build 2 of the houses, while the other wasn't quite finished as the rains came and cut us a little bit short of our goal. The house that didn't get completed was stalled by some muddy ground that wouldn't allow them to set their posts. Because of that they were forced to move the house to another site nearby stalling the building process and not allowing the group that was building there to complete it. Not to worry though, because another mission group will be heading out there tomorrow to complete it.

It's amazing to me the beauty that surrounds us as we build these houses in such poor communities. I heard someone discussing around the house that I was helping build, how much someone in the United States would pay for a view like the one we were getting to see as we built. Here is a picture I took from the roof of the house.

The beauty of God's creation was definitely all around us, not just in nature, but also in the people that live in the communities we work in. It is truly a blessing to be here and to experience this. We are all tired tonight from working so hard the last couple of days, but we thank God for all of the soreness, blisters, sunburns and heavy eyes, because these are all a part of serving others. For all of us this is a shaping experience where God is molding us by putting us in uncomfortable places and forcing us to learn and experience Him through serving and loving the "least of these". God is good.

Tomorrow we will be visiting two prisons as well as a def school and a children's hospital. It will be a rest from the physical labor, but it promises to be an emotionally exhausting day. Please pray for us that we will be a light to people who are in dark places and that, through Jesus, we can bring hope.

Love and miss all of you

Matt Warren

Another Great Day

2011-06-27T21:52:00.000-07:00

She wakes up as her mother walks out the door of her 13x10 home and begins cooking food for her four siblings. From the early morning hours until 6 in the evening she will change diapers, wash clothes, tend to wounds, and wipe tears. At six, as the last rays of sunlight sweep across the mountain, she swings a backpack over her shoulder and walks down dirt trails to a school that allows her to attend from 6 to 9. Her mother isn't there on Sunday as she gets the children ready for church and brings them to the building. Her name is Cynthia. She is nine years old.

Her's is one of many touching stories in the mountain community of Mona Loa. We spent the day climbing steep cliffs and handing out bags of food. Running out of bags is our biggest fear. While we walk from home to home hand in hand with the children who are so glad to see us, others are running a clinic, and crews are working hard to make sure two new families have a shelter to call their own.

As the day comes to an end we are exhausted, poured out. Children carry gifts from gringos and, we hope, permanent memories of the love Christ. At devo, we exchange gifts and laughter while pulling random items from a sock. Top honors go to a fancy lighter and clay figurines.

It is a good day in Honduras

Tyler White

2011-06-27T21:20:00.000-07:00

My first trip to Honduras has been everything I thought it would be so far. The plane ride and landing wasn't as terrible as it was made out to be on the discovery channel. My first hike to deliver food on a mountain was a great experience. I even delivered a bag of food to a man that happened to speak english.

Today I was apart of building my first home in Honduras and it was the best experience I have had since we have been here, but I know there is still a lot more to come. I look forward to the rest of the week and serving God even more.

Sunday

2011-06-26T21:31:00.000-07:00

When honduran christians sing praise to the Lord they are unshackled. No one worries about their breath, getting the notes right, or whether their belt is the same hue as their shoes. Their praise is pure joy.

As Matt Warren led the congregation in praise today, we sat intermingled with the congregation. Ramona translated the words of the minister as he shed tears over the fact that today was his last day with the congregation at Los Pinos. He thanked his flock over and over again. So long that some of us learned spanish.

Rain followed us to the valley of angels as Edna challenged our group to buy one item of 50 limperas ($2.50). We're going to have a gift exchange full of obscure gifts. The cement block stores are filled with hand made bracelets, mahogony jewelry boxes, oil paintings, and hammocks. Mariachi players surrounded Jaden Mock singing birthday serenades. He remained stoic.

A two hour drive saw us back to Julio's (our home) just in time to fill out plates with buttery potatoes and a tasty seasoned meat dish. Bellies full, we jumped onto the bus and went to play soccer. Tyler White attempted a bicycle kick that was pretty good for a gringo. Some of our less controlled kicks sent our ball sailing into a river. I thought we'd lost it forever until some Honduran teens crossed it and found it for us. Ar we headed home the bus smelt as if an arm pit had taken flight and was hovering beneath our nostrils. Showers are on the menu!

Sunday

2011-06-26T06:53:00.000-07:00

There are strange birds here. Their music floats through our room in the morning and tapping the center of our foreheads. There is no snooze button. What a beautiful torturous way to wake up.

Today we are worshiping at the church Columbus helped establish and then to an artisan center called valley of angels. gotta run

Emily Chaffin's day

2011-06-25T18:05:00.000-07:00

I knew God would have lessons to teach me here, I just had no idea it would be so soon. We landed in this wonderful country, and the lesson began. My selfishness becomes more apparent with every second I am in this fantastic place.

After arriving in Tegucigalpa, we boarded a TORCH bus. As we boarded a man came and took some bags to the back of the bus. He was so dirty and apparently injured his hand somehow. As he was leaving he asked several people for one dollar. Several people gave him some money. I just sat there motionless. For some reason I was scared. Eventually he got off but I haven't forgotten that moment yet. Who am I to be afraid here? How selfish can I be to be unwilling to give this man some money? Too selfish to act, I did not feed the hungry. What a blessing it is to know that others did what I was unwilling to do. However, I have a new opportunity to serve the Lord today through God's grace and mercy. Thanking the Lord today for a well deserved slap in face. I am selfish. That changes today.

Day 2

2011-06-25T06:37:00.001-07:00

The sound of singing brought us out of our bunks this morning. It wasn't the beautiful melodic type of singing that draws cute furry woodland creatures to the window sill. These songs were the involuntary type ripped from one's soul as glacier cold water cascades down the human body. I smiled as I heard the singing because I had taken the first shower of the morning and had nothing left to do but listen with twisted glee as others tried to do the impossible. Shower without getting wet.

Today is going to be a great day.

Half of us head to an open air market as the rest begin sorting mounds of stuffed animals, pencils, toys, and the rest of the items you so thoughtfully supplied us. We are filling large black garbage bags with food. Families from el funez won't have to wonder where their next meal will come from this week.

Day 1 Dilemma In The Camp

2011-06-25T06:31:00.000-07:00

After a fabulous day overall, singing and devo, we discover there will be no water available for showering. Attitudes go down hill very quick :(

Did we forget to let our light shine?

How often do the people of Honduras go to bed dirty?

Day 2 begins with prayers for a shower, be careful, God can bring the rain.

37 hours

2011-06-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

37 hours is a long time to be without sleep so forgive us if we don't make sense tonight. After a few minutes of zero gravity air flight, suspenseful searching for lost luggage, and off roading in a yellow school bus, We are all settled in with no missing luggage in a lush green compound. The rain's pitter patter on the tin roof over our heads carries us into peace. Everyone is sharing their goals for the week and counting on God to deliver. Spirits are high even as eyelids are not. We love you and thank you for the support that you've given us. You are a part of that and as such you are serving here with us.

Wanna hear what we'll be doing tomorrow? We get up around 6am and put together food packages to carry on our backs into a nearby village. some of us will travel to a local farmers market and haggle for the best priced fruits and vegetables we can find. The women of Mi Esperanza (My Hope) will also receive our best as we load buckets and become a part of all they seek to accomplish.

Love and prayers

the TORCH team

travelling on...

2010-06-28T06:10:00.000-07:00

What a trip! Today we hop on a plane and reunite with our families. I think we are ready, mostly. A couple of our teens wish for another week, I think. But not this time. We came with 18 and we leave with 18. One unnamed Elder gave me this warning: 'if something happens to my daughter, you might as well not come back.' Not too hard to figure out who that is!

Unfortunately we have had some sickness. Some sort of virus that hits with a vengeance, leaves one aching and sleeping for hours. Roughly 33% of us had fun with this pestilence!

There is a really neat story that needs to be told. We had about 2400$ left in our work fund and decided to use it in a unique way. We asked the 7 teens among us to think and pray about what they thought would be the best use of it. Interestingly enough, all 7 came up with something different; they chose to support a need that had touched them while here. Here is a list of what they chose to support.
Matthew sponsored an 8 year old girl at Casa named Cindy.
Logan sponsored an 8 year old boy at Casa named Jose.
Emily Evans gave her money to buy school supplies for kids in a very poor neighborhood.
Emily Chaffin chose to help a worker at Casa and her baby who recently lost her husband in a hit and run accident.
Andrew chose to support the feeding work at the dump.
Cassie gave her money to the Mi Esperanza program for women.
Janae bought diapers for the babies in the Neonatal unit in the poor hospital in Teguc.

Isn't that so cool? It shows how God works in different and unique ways among all of us. All of these young people deserve our respect and appreciation for the way they have given themselves to the work while here.

Well...there are many more stories to tell and plenty of time to tell them. Thanks for your prayers and support. We'll see some of you tonight and the rest of you in a few days.

Grace and Peace,
Billy

Seeing Jesus

2010-06-27T21:28:00.000-07:00

We (Marc and I) and you (Columbus Church of Christ), in the last 13 years have done a lot of life together. A lot of life. Giving and receiving on both ends. The good. The bad. The ugly. The beautiful. The unthinkable. We have shared births, baptisms, weddings, graduations. We have shared illnesses, surgeries and deaths. We have traveled together to Honduras and California. To Sonquest and Winterfest. And other places as well. We have shared hot Krispy Kremes and Chik-Fil-A. Mi Toro, Pepper's and Proffit's Porch. We have eaten in your homes and you in ours.

We have dried each others tears and held hands in prayer. We have worked together and laughed together. Built and sold bird houses together. You have counseled us and our children. The list would be endless if I chose to recall all the things we have shared.

You began the journey with us to Honduras in 1981. You prayed for us and asked the hard questions as we decided to make this our full time work. You love us and pray for us and encourage us. You make being on a foreign field much easier. We could not ask for better partners.

Every night in devo we are asked where we saw Jesus today. I see Jesus in every single one of you every single time I am privileged to be with you.

Thank you to the eighteen people that just spent another great week in Honduras. Thanks to you that raised the money to send them and thanks to you who prayed for the success of this week. Your prayers were answered.

I pray that you continue to let others see Jesus in you.

I love y'all.

Terri Tindall

End of the Week.

2010-06-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

I'm so sad to say that this week is coming to a close. It's been so amazing and such a life-changer for me. The first couple of days were kind of rocky for me, because I didn't know what to expect really even though I'd been here before, but the days to follow that were some of the best memories I'll ever have...from the fun van rides to building to spending time with kids in the hospital. Wednesday was probably my favorite though, we went to Casa de Esperanza and I bonded with an awesome 8 year old kid named Jose and we had a blast, I taught him to say rock on in english and we jumped on the trampoline. He's me as an eight year old. And tomorrow I get to tell him face to face that we're going to be brothers, because I'm sponsoring him. So I'm very excited for that. Even though I'm not ready to leave some of the awesome people I've met, I am very ready to see my mom, Ally, and Cale. Thanks for all the prayers, they've all helped tremendously and I'm so ready to see everyone.

Thanks,
Logan.

Saturday

2010-06-26T06:28:00.000-07:00

Wow...can't believe it's Saturday already. It started raining last night and never let up. Not sure if the two houses we were going to build are going to get built today. Yesterday was a neat day, however. We went to the market (picture the farmers market in Columbus and multiply that by about 250). We divided up into several groups and bought carrots, cabbages, onions, potashtes (not potatoes), oranges, cucumbers, mangoes, chayotes (yes, that's spelled right) and added rice and beans. We took all of that, divided it up into individual bags and took them to a community near the dump and distributed them. Each bag was given with the words, 'en el nombre de Jesus',
which means 'in the name of Jesus'.

Imagine wondering where the days food was going to come from and praying that God would provide and seeing a bunch of gringos walking up the mountain with bags of food. And then they come to your house. There were many smiles! We also gave away lots of clothes out of the back of pickup trucks. The entire community showed up to benefit from the organizational genius that is Edna Cole.

Last night Earl Arndt shared an awesome devotional. We were moved to tears and most had their feet washed by various members of the group as we talked about Jesus showing "the extent of his love" (see John 13). Very moving.

A special thanks to the people who gave us financial blessings to allow us to enjoy this experience. Thanks to our anonymous donor of 6,000$. I believe much good has been done.

To our families, we miss and love you.

Grace and Peace,
Billy

Rainbows and mountaintops

2010-06-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

Nuevo Oriental (New Orient) Is a mountain we've visited several times over the years that have come to this country. There have been many improvements on the mountain. Some of the homes that were previously constructed of would are now built of cement. It's a good feeling to see life improving. I love building homes for people. To finish the day knowing that a family will be sleeping under a roof who hadn't had one the day before brings a real sense of accomplishment. There are so many people who have desperate needs that every gift and blessing feels like a tiny drop into a dry ocean. But when you build a home there is a fountain of blessing. As the family entered their new home tears spilled across their cheeks. They wouldn't spend another night as a family of three full sized people cramped inside an abandoned compact car. God is good.

Probably the most difficult part of the trip for me has been a clothing drive. We piled clothing in heaps on tables and waited. multitudes of people gathered around the building we were nestled in. Brown faces with bright eyes peered through a window betraying their excitement about what was to come. All I felt was anxiety. I knew we wouldn't have enough. I knew they'd get one article of clothing that wouldn't fit. I knew I wouldn't wear half of the things they'd be given. I knew, as one of the few spanish speakers, I'd be one of the ones having to tell them we didn't have any clothes for their babies. It was hard and it hurt, but families went home with clothes and God is good.

With raw emotion and dissatisfaction barely beneath the surface we road to a mountain top whose centerpiece was a cross consructed of junk car parts. As I stood before the cross staring at a vast canvas of greens and blues, the knots began to loosen in my stomach. Several of us started to lift our voices to the creator. "The poor you will always have with you." A cylinder of rain obscured a section of the country. The very place, in fact, that our mission house rested. Sunlight continued to blanket us. Low laying clouds wrapped themselves around us and, very slowly, an inch at a time. A rainbow began to materialize before us. The bluest cloud I've ever seen floated on the horizon. We watched the multicolored band stretch into the heavens. It was just what I needed. God is good.

amazing week in honduras!

2010-06-24T20:56:00.001-07:00

This week has been absolutely amazing, I am so excited to be here. We only have a few days left but im prepared to put my all into it.

The dump was the most unbelievable and unforgettable place i have visited in all my life. The smell was horrible, and i felt so hopeless and confused. I didnt know what i could do to even help, it made me miserable. I cant imagine in my worst dreams having to dig through 4 or 5 feet of garbage that had the worst stench for just a couple of dollars. It wasnt a very pleasant place to be. It was very uncomfortable.

The hospital escuela was very emotional but it made me feel good to see the smiles of the little kids we sat with, and played with. Their faces seemed to brighten up just as we would walk in the room. It was a great experience, I got alot out of it. I asked every child i talked to, como estas? (how are you) and EVERY kid said bien!. which means good. Im glad we could make their day by just talking to them and spending time with them and maybe giving them a toy or two.

Casa de esperanza is a childrens home located on one of the mountains we've been working on. This place in fact has been my favorite so far. The first day we went I didnt really do much, I talked to a few kids and thats it. Yesterday we went for a second time, and it was amazing. I met this little girl named Cindy and she is 8 years old. She pretty much dragged me around everywhere. I made a very good connection with her, She reminds me of my little sister Ally, who i miss VERY much. I get sad when i think about Cindy because we're leaving in a few days and i probably wont see her for another year or two. On a brighter note she wanted to take several pictures of me and her, so i'll be able to keep one at home! And when we print them off im going to send them to her via mail. These kids have stolen my heart, and i can honestly say, they will be the hardest part about leaving. Im so excited because we get to go back one more time before we leave! yay!

Once again, This week has been a real life changer for me and several other amigos on this trip. I plan to come back whenever we can. And i STRONGLY encourage everyone to attend the next trip taken to honduras, it will give you a new look on life. I miss my mom and ally so much, but if you can leave your family for 8 days then you should, without a doubt come along on the next trip. Well its getting pretty late and I gotta be up by 7;15, ugh! so i hope everyone back home is having a good week, and not missing me too much;) haha just kidding. see yall soon!

Matthew Ferguson

Surrounded By the Beauty of God's Creation

2010-06-24T20:05:00.001-07:00

This is Matt saying "Hola from Honduras!" God's beauty has truly surrounded us here in Honduras, both in the mountains that surround this place and the people that we have encountered that live here. The last two days for me have truly been the best. When we got into Tegucigalpa I think I had overprepared myself for what I would see to the point that my heart was a little hardened. But as the last few days have passed, God has really broken me down and really allowed me to see with a humble heart all the suffering and poverty that seems to be everywhere here. Yesterday was my second visit to "The Dump" and I was completely overwhelmed. There were 5 times as many people there compared to Monday. Never in my life have I encountered such physically filthy people. On Monday I honestly was afraid to touch them, but yesterday I felt compelled to make physical contact with them by shaking their hands touching them as we prayed over them. I felt like I needed to know how dirty they were and to empathize with them in someway. I felt helpless as I watched hundreds of people stand in line for what, for many, could be their only real meal for the next few days. We ran out of water before everyone got some, I couldn't communicate with them other than a few Spanish phrases and I knew that in an hour or so I would be leaving them. Regardless I saw Jesus in those people, because I thought back to what Jesus said about serving him by serving the least of his people, and those people were about as least of these as you can get. The truck that we were in actually splashed through the mud in "The Dump" which meant we carried it with us when we left and smelled it while in traffic for 2+ hours, and I was glad because it was a constant reminder of the people who suffer every day to make a few bucks, and that is an experience I never want to forget.

Today we built a house for a family that had been living in a car and to see the tears in the mother's eyes after we finished really reminded us of the good work that we came here to do. That we didn't come here for ourselves but to serve those that are in need, and have no one else to help them. I also made a new friend named Guardo, a ten year old boy who lived in the community in which we built a house and fed and clothed people. I gave Guardo a gift and he was so grateful and he clung to me the rest of our time there, helping me learn some Spanish, asking me about my family, and showing me where his house was. We were also able to play soccer with about 5 kids who were all really good. We played on what was basically a gravel field on the edge of a cliff surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains you'll ever see. The gravel doesn't feel too well, as I experienced, when I bit the dust and rolled about 3 times while playing soccer.

This evening we were able to go up a mountain to see a cross made out of scrap metal and see one of the most amazing views I have ever seen. In one scene we saw sunshine, rain, and a gigantic cloud that was about to engulf us. And as we were leaving we saw two awesome rainbows forming in the middle of all of it. Those are things you just don't see back in Mississippi.

My Spanish has gotten slightly better while here, from no Spanish at all to terrible Spanish, which is better than nothing at all. I can at least ask a few questions and understand about a tenth of what they say back to me, but I've learned that people understand when you are loving them by serving them and that's better than anything you can say to them in their own language. I've also gotten to serve alongside some Honduran people who I can say are now my friends. This has been an amazing week and while I would stay a few more weeks if I could, I can't wait to get back home and share this experience with my friends and family.

Love all of you and I'll see ya when I get back.

Matt

Es o es que yo dije

2010-06-24T18:08:00.000-07:00

Hello all. We have had an awesome week. No way on God's earth I can explain in a simple blog paragraph all the things we have experienced here. There are no words to describe the joy felt when you see a single mother with her children stepping into their new home. We have built 3 already. We dedicated one to Ray Wood & another to Loyd & Sara Yates. I'm sorry I wasn't at the other so I'm not sure who it was built in honor of.
I will say only two things about "the dump". First of all, all capacity to complain about ANYTHING goes to zero when you see the place. Secondly I felt as close to God leading worship there than I have felt anyplace I can remember.
Miss all my girls. Can't wait to see everyone & make a feeble attempt to convey to everyone the experience. Love and Grace.- Bruce

Finally Here!

2010-06-24T15:31:00.000-07:00

After three years of cancelled trips, I could not have been more excited to finally get back to my home away from home. God is doing so many wonderful things through us. The children are just as wonderful as I remember. I have made so many new and wonderful friends. Overall, it has been just an amazing experience. Casa de Esperanza has been my favorite part so far, but I know that God has so much more work left to do through us individually and as a group. This year's trip has been a happier one than past ones. I have had the privilege to see how the hospital has improved. On yesterday's trip to Hospital Escuela, I had the opportunity to view the new neonatal unit. It was very hard to see the pain, but it was so great to see how the facility has improved since my last visit. There is nowhere else I would rather be right now! I hope that everyone at home is doing well; I miss you terribly.

All my love,
Emily Chaffin

my experience

2010-06-23T20:22:00.000-07:00

:)

For my first time coming to Honduras, there was only a number of things I could prepare myself for. After watching the video about the dump previously, I had been warned about the terrible smell and the people competing against the buzzards for food. But arriving at the Dump was an experience and a feeling I'll never forget. I have never felt so helpless in my life; I don't speak Spanish, and even if I did, what could I possibly say to these people that would make a difference? I was very hesistant to communicate, smile, or even make eye contact with them. It was hard seeing kids my age and younger looking through piles and piles of garbage for any sort of food and clothing. Back at home, if I want something, I just drive up to the store and get what I want, but here, people search and gather items all day that are possibly worth something. I felt so many emotions at one time; sad, for the people there, guilty, simply because we're the ones with a home and a bed to sleep in, and grateful, for the things I've been given that I take for granted. The Dump is a place I'll never forget.

But on a brighter note.....:)

Today we went to the childrens' hospital, so we were all excited to be with little kids. It was amazing seeing how happy the kids got when we walked into the room holding bags of toys, coloring books, and crayons. I can honestly say that I've never seen a kid with a broken leg hop so fast just to get a stuffed animal :) . Although seeing children with cancer and going through chemo was really tough for me, it was great knowing that we made their day better just by sitting down and coloring with them. :)

So even though I'm far away from home and I miss everybody, I'm having an amazing time, and I'm 100% positive everyone else is too :) .

Adios,
Emily Evans :)

The Aroma of Christ

2010-06-23T17:55:00.000-07:00

In the last three days of my life I have been so amazed at God's work. Not particulary the physical work (although He built two homes for families that had no place to live before and He handed out food for around 600 people in two different trips to the city dump and He touched the lives of many children in the hospital today.) But His work in the life of a boy that was given a trip to honduras two saturdays ago has been tremendous. His work in my life has been so hardcore that I can do nothing but submit. The passion He has put in my life for the work that is done here and the work that is done at home in Alabama has been renewed with a Passion that I have never felt before. Last year I had the opportunity to come to Honduras and work and it was awesome. But this year is different. In these three days here I have been in this beautiful country my eyes have been opened as wide as they have ever been. This is what I want to do. I want to serve in this way I want to serve in Missons whether it's in Northport, AL or Honduras or wherever God sends me and I believe with all my heart that God is calling me to it. So I guess all there is left to do is submit. Fully!! It's time to stop fighting God and submit to his will in my life and I can honestly say that I have never felt more sure and have not been happier about anything else in my life!

cole medders

Wednesday

2010-06-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

Well...another day in Honduras! We awoke this morning after a great night of sleep to Julio's place (where we sleep and eat) to clouds at our elevation...have you ever experienced that? We were literally wrapped in a cloud! Except some of us didn't realize it...they thought it was raining. However, it wasn't raining. We were encompassed by a cloud at ground elevation (probably 3500 feet above sea level). It reminded me of being wrapped in God's love. Sometimes you don't realize it and sometimes you mistake it for something else, but it's always there!

We split up this morning. Paul, Janae, Matthew, Logan, Edna, Cassie, Emily, Emily, Andrew, Amy, Luis and Sady (our driver) went to the local hospital for the very poor. I will let some of them blog about their experiences.

Billy, Bruce, Matt, Leslie, Don, Cole, Mark, and Earl went to feed people at the dump again today. Today was different in that their were probably 500 people there sorting thru the acres of garbage.
We met one couple who labored every day scavenging for plastic. They collect it in a big garbage bag and sell it at the end of the day for 200 limpiras. This is a little less than 10$ american. And every day they repeat the process. Do the math. That's 50$ a week. 200$ a month. 2400$ a year. For a family of 3. Bruce shared a devotional with us last night that really made us think. The gist of it was how God uses the weak and the things that are not to confound and confuse the things of the world that are strong and wise in their own estimation (see 1 Corinthians). The statement was 'how sad it was that God has to bring us to the most wretched place we have ever seen to show us how content we should be...' thanks to Bruce for those good words. Matthew, Logan and Andrew have all shared great thoughts in devotionals so far.

Moms, Dads, sorry about this, but their are several teens who don't want to leave...

We miss you all. Keep the prayers going up.

grace and peace,
Billy

From Edna

2010-06-23T06:57:00.000-07:00

I saw Jesus in Billy on Tuesday afternoon. He continued working to complete the house even when he was exausted. A sacrifice of energy and a dedication of love.

Tuesday

2010-06-23T06:23:00.000-07:00

One of the more fulfilling experiences in Honduras is being able to build a home for a family that didn't have one before. We loaded into our vehicles and rode into Santa Ana. The roads swiftly transitioned from smooth to disrepair tossing around us like unpopped kernels in popcorn popper. The drivers expertly navigate holes and trenches bringing the vehicles across terain that I would have thought only an off road vehicle could cross. The population in Santa Ana is sparse. The crowds of people do not gather around us as we work like they do in other areas. We pulled up to one of the two building sites and halved our group. Others went to a second site. With the exception of our chainsaw all of our tools are powered by the people using them. Long steel bars are used to break rock. Our girls relentlessly drive posthole diggers into the dirt. Dark sky threatened rain that never came. Everyone is excited to be a part of blessing the families.
Of the two houses we built, one was in memory of Ray Wood. The house was given to a woman who'd lost her husband and had two children. The second house was for a woman who worked as a nurse in a clinic attached to Marc's children's home. By the time we were finished several of us were unable to release our hammers. Our fingers curled on their own balling up into unintentioned fists. A short heavyset woman stood outside watching us build with bright eyes. None of us were aware that the house we were building was for her. As we gathered to pray and invited her into our circle she began to speak to us telling us how blessed she felt and and that heaven had opened for her. She hugged us all tightly. We cherished the moment.
The ride home was a gallery of bright smiles and sore bodies. Many of us experienced firsts. First house. First time with a chainsaw. First hug from a Honduran woman. First time feeling so badly felt so good.
We rested at our compound and had a wonderful bowl of soup and spaghetti and then loaded into vehicles to have devotional at the Jesus statue. The drivers were Marc, Billy, and myself. We knew it was going to be a wild ride.

From your friends

2010-06-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

In a whirlwind of activity, taking the time to reflect and write out one's experiences can be difficult. Some of our group have taken the time to do so and here are their experiences.

Don Cole:

THE DUMP

The most profound poverty I've ever seen. I would estimate about 300 or

The closer we came to the dump the deeper the silence grew in our vehicles. We had seen a video detailing the conditions and none of us were sure we'd be able to handle what awaited us over the next hill. Many over our group wrapped bandanas around their faces to filter out a smell so pungent it could be felt as it entered our lungs. There was no covering available, however, to place over our hearts. As we exited our vehicles we were given bags of water to hand out to the droves of people tirelessly digging through the wast to find enough plastic bottles, 100 pounds, to earn five dollars worth of Honduran money. The rule was that water must be placed into the hands of the people. Not thrown, but physically given, so we had to trudge through mire that bubbled and squished as it held fast to our shoes. I thought of how Jesus had washed the feet of his followers and knew that if that was the way he had called me to serve, I would have failed miserably. Lines of men, women, and children formed behind a pickup truck staring at silver cylinders filled with rice and beans. They patiently waited for their meal while many of us were eager to leave. The dump affected us all differently. None could deny that, too live in conditions like these, competing with buzzards and cows, one would have to be desparate.
After the dump we drove into the city for lunch. Hoards of people gathered around any tv they could find so they could watch Honduras play against Spain in world cup competition. Crowds poured out into the streets stopping traffic. It was then we discovered that many of the garbage trucks were off for the day to see the game and that what we had seen was a more sanatized version of life at the dump.
Some of our group noticed a woman with four children perched on a wall watching us and decided to give the children money. Afterwards they followed us into a courtyard with restaurants. We were able to buy them some food. I was overwhelmed when the woman behind the counter filled two to go plates with rice and noodles so completely that they could barely be closed. The contrast between affluence and destitution was vividly displayed in the courtyard. I have often felt angry that people could ignore others in such great need until I begin to wonder how many in my culture I have done the same too. THe difference. This time I was here to help. The planks never leave our eyes easily.

Day Two - Monday

2010-06-21T20:18:00.000-07:00

John 10:10 says, 'The thief comes only to kill and steal and destroy, but I have come that they may have life and that they might have it more abundantly.' There is no doubt that Jesus 'saw' the works of Satan and that many in his day not only did not see it, but refused to believe that they were more closely aligned with Satan's work than they were with God's work. Being able to see that clearly, Jesus never left any room for doubt as to his actions, speech and attitude either while rescuing the hurting or dealing with those who were confused as to what the work of God really was. A good example of this is when Jesus healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath. He never hesitated and even got angry because of the 'stubbornness of their hearts' (Mark 3:5). He was 'on the offensive' in his work to 'destroy the work of the devil'. John records that it was the reason he came (1 John 3:8).

The dump today was without a doubt the most disgusting place I have ever been. Scary, nasty, sickening. I cannot fathom that people have no option but to live and work and exist in a place like that. We arrived in a couple of vans and a truck, ready for whatever... and whatever happened. Hungry people were fed, clean water was delivered, and 18 believers were humbled.
Humbled and saddened that children are forced to live like none of us will ever have to live.

I wish you could have seen the young ones on this trip: Cassie, Janae, Emily C., Emily E., Andrew, Matthew, Logan...they all stepped up to the plate and joined Jesus in his work of bringing the gift of life in a simple meal of water, beans and tortillas. In a sense, they were participating in 'destroying the work of the devil' with none other than Jesus himself.

Thanks to all who made it possible for this group to come and remember that you also are 'participating' in this work through your donations, support and on-going prayers. All are safe. All are well. All are thankful for God's blessings. Pray for those today for whom Satan is continuing to trample... men, women and children who exist in unimaginable poverty and injustice and yet were created in the image of God. Church, be proud of your young Christians!

Grace and Peace,
Billy

Day One - Sunday

2010-06-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

What a Day! There is not much value in sleep deprivation. 40 plus hours without sleep is nasty any way you look at it. However, God gave us safe travel and there is much value in that. We arrived in Tegucigalpa around 11:30, spent 1 1/2 hours gettting through customs, finding luggage, and set off to eat at a local KFC-like chicken joint called Camperos. It was fine! After 2 hours, we loaded up and drove the 30 kilometers outside of Tegucigalpa to our Marriott. Ha Ha! JK. Actually, this is one neat place. Though not a Marriott, the mattresses are great, the food tasty and the temperature incredible. As I drink the rich Honduran coffee this morning, it is probably 60 degress... nice!

So, back to yesterday and how we finished off the day. Rather than crash at Julio's (our Marriott), we loaded back up and headed down to Tegucigalpa and out the other side to a cool little town called Santa Lucia. Santa Lucia boasts the oldest church in Central or South America to my knowledge. Built in 1532, it hosts the local Catholic church in the town and is an amazing work of architecture. Still in use, it has the original beams, structure, etc... Many of the frescoes and some of the artwork have been there for hundreds of years. Those in charge there allowed us to come in and sing and wow, the acoustics were pretty amazing. The thought of people singing praises to God for over 500 years in the same building is an humbling one.

I didn't mention that half our group got stopped and hassled by the local POLICIA because they didn't have their passports on them. The reason they didn't have their passports on them is because the POLICIA recommends that mission groups NOT carry their passports on them due to the risk of having thems stolen. Go figure. Apparently, he didn't get the memo. Nobody was detained except for the Ferguson twins because of the their rebellious attitude. JK.

A great day, a tiring day, a safe day, a day where God was present and recognizable in the natural beauty of Honduras. Many thanks to HIM. He was also present in our communion service, which was very unique. How many people have taken the Lord's Supper on a sidewalk outside a church building? The smell of diesel, the sounds of children playing nearby, and the honk of taxi horns were all a part of the experience. I wasn't really excited about the location, but I did reflect on the value of it. Here is what hit me on that sidewalk amidst all of the distraction: the kingdom is EVERYWHERE.

We tend to think that the kingdom resides in our comfortable church buildings where the temperature has to be 71 degrees and if it's not, we spend time and effort complaining in order to get the situation remedied. We tend to think the kingdom resides in a designated time slot... We don't tend to think much about the kingdom coming to a sidewalk where all around, life is happening. The kingdom is everywhere.

And where it's not, we are supposed to take it. In just a little while, 18 brave, yet cautious, excited, yet a little nervous people will go to one of the darkest places in the city, if not in all of Honduras and feed beans, rice and tortillas to men, women, and children who literally live, work, and eat in a dump. Pray for us. Pray for them. Most of all pray that in some small way, the kingdom comes to some you don't have a whole lot of opportunity to experience it. More to come...

Countdown

2010-06-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

Countdown...two more days till 18 brothers and sisters from the Columbus Church of Christ take off on an awesome mission trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Please pray for us and follow our progress... Here are their names: Earl Arndt, Paul Bennett, Emily Chaffin, Don and Edna Cole, Amy Crownover, Emily Evans, Logan Ferguson, Matthew Ferguson, Billy Ferguson, Andrew Hardin, Bruce Johnson, Cassie Mock, Janae Mock, Ramona Pound, Leslie and Matt Warren, and Cole Medders. Please pray for each by name, every day! God Bless.