Our first day in Honduras did not feel much like a mission trip as far as the work, but we have more than made up for the light first day in Tegucigalpa with all the work, heat and sun. The mission trip has been a learning experience for me as I work to help organize the daily schedules and communicate with everyone on the team. Our team of translators has been amazing examples of service and dedication, coming along side us in the work, sweating as much, and even working as hard. It’s been a great encouragement to everyone. By the way, it has been real cool to see our three Evergreen teen’s being a great example in words and deeds through their hard work and tenderness towards the childen. I have yet to hear one single complaint from Alex, Jacob or Brianne — They are truly living out I Timothy 4:12.
Tonight, Dave, Tom, Kristen & I were invited to join Pastor Geovani and his wife (from the Iglesia Gran Comision in Choluteca) for dinner with his wife, daughter and another staff member. We enjoyed a nice evening getting to know them and learning more about the AMAZING things God is doing among the people here in Choluteca and Ciudad Nueva. As I was listening to Geovani share tonight, I thought about the Scripture that says God chooses the poor to humble the right; the weak to humble the strong. It is amazing what God is doing through this small church - just about the same as Evergreen as far as attendance. Their compassion for the hurting, their passion for the lost and their commitment to hard, hard work is so challenging!
I wish each one of you could be here to experience it. Despite the intense heat, the stifling humidity, the burning sun, the mud and grime, the hard work, and the saddening poverty, it is all very much worth the joy and the encouragement of being a part of God’s work here.
It seems we are about 60 or 75 percent done with assembling the playground set, and Dave, Russ, and Paul have been putting a lot of back-breaking work on the small property where it will be installed for the children to play. Because of recent rainstorms, the building of a security fence in the playground area was delayed, so Dave, Russ, and Julio (transalator) have been working with the mason to finish the preparations to set up the playground. Today, we split up into several teams. Kristen and Shannon helped the nutrition clinic staff member prepare meal/food portions to give to the moms. A few others in the team went into the community to visit some homes and encourage the families. I’ve been helping with the playground set, planning schedules, and helping with the translations wherever I’m needed.
Josue Sierra
Honduran Team Member
p.s. Shannon added some more pictures to the Picasa account [http://picasaweb.google.com/emailslc/Honduras?authkey=E39Ota5PrL4], so make sure to check that out again today. Here are just a few:
