Today began, after some much needed rest, as we gathered around the outside courtyard for our morning devotional. Today´s devotional, led by Harvey, began with two questions, ¨What are you hoping to get out of this week?" and "What are you most anxious, fearful, or nervous about?" After some reflection time, the message centered around Psalm 25:1-2, "To you, O Lord, I lift my soul; in you I trust, O my God." We have prepared but perhaps not like we thought. Many of us are anxious about the unknown that will come this week even though we know that good will come from it...the unknown brings with it some fear. However, we should put our trust in the Lord. This was the message that sent us to breakfast around the corner. While at breakfast, the owner come to welcome us to Honduras and wish us well on our journey.
From there, we walked down a few blocks to the Zion Methodist Church. This is a church our group has helped in the past with building, painting, and money; and for some, like Byron, the first church ever attended here in Honduras. This was an English speaking church which was a surprise to many of us, but welcomed. We walked in and the singing began and these church goers where there to praise the Lord. There was much singing throughout the service. In fact, during the Testimonial time each person who stoood to give her testimony also sang and we joined in with gusto. The thing that was so amazing was the feeling that the people here truly do love the Lord and they are not scared to share that with anyone. It was a huge blessing to be a part of this beautiful service.
After church, we were on our own for lunch and a bit of sightseeing. A few members of our group walked to the coast to see the beauty of the ocean. Others of us, did a bit of sightseeing closer to the hotel and then found food inside out of the heat. Then it was time to head out and visit where we would be working the rest of the week. We met up with our pastor friend, Carlos, who took us to the new church that his congregation is building a bit outside of La Ceiba. It was great to see how happy he was to see everyone and share what he hopes will be a new marvelous moment for the people here. We then traveled over to the village of Nuevo de Julio to visit the school, the construction site, and see some of the homes that our groups have helped build over the years. And then, we ventured over to El Pino to see the church grounds, the medical clinic, and other areas groups before us helped to build and create. Again, one of the great things about this mission trip is that this is where St. Mark people have been coming for years. So it´s amazing to see how all of the hard work of previous groups has paid off and helped make the lives of people better.
After some dinner back in La Ceiba, it was time to head back to El Pino for our second church service of the day. In similar fashion, El Pino is a methodist church with a more contemporary feel...well, it was a contemporary service. But again, the people in El Pino were there to worship and praise the God above who has blessed them. It was humbling to be in their presence. Two things I found to be most interesting. First, both churches used the lectionary and had the exact same scriptures for their service. In fact, Beth said that it was the same scriptures that our church back in Atlanta was preaching on today as well. Secondly, after they had the first offering, they had a ´birthday´offering where people who had a birthday would put into the plate the same amount of money as their age and then we sang Happy Birthday. It was such a great experience.
In addition, we were able to meet up with our three scholarship recipients to see how they are doing. Joseph is doing well and has a job at a local hospital as a nurse. Elder completed his colegio and has been accepted to nursing school which begins on Friday. Emilio has two beautiful children and is in the middle of his schooling to become a teacher.
As I reflect on all that has occurred today, I am taken back to a scripture that one of the ladies at the Zion church spoke about. "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8) It can´t get any easier than that. Just love one another. I feel like that is the message that will take us continually through out journey this week.
Till next time, trusting in the Lord and living without fear in Honduras.....
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