Finishing and Saying Goodbye

Today's guest bloggers are Brad and Jen Byers. Many of you know Jen as our former Children's Minister. She retired from that position when Brad took a new job on the K-9 department of the Sheriff's Office and his hours changed. This is Jen's second trip here and Brad's first. Both of them were energetic, hard working, and pure joy. They let the love and light of Christ shine! This is Day 4 of work through their eyes.

Jen, in-country leader Martha Espinoza, and Brad

Our day started with a group picture at the cross with our team shirts, tired smiles and a beautiful mountain background.  On the way to the village for the last time I read our bible verse on the back of our team shirts, Matthew 5:16.This made me reflect on why we are here.  I truly believe that as a team we Glorified God.  St. Andrews and St. Mary’s accomplished so much. Each team member has a special gift and shared with the people of El Mico. Not only did we build latrines, floors, wash basins, eco stoves and mudding we built relationships.  

Our team today was Gene, Sara, Brad and Me.  We started at Martir's home to finish pouring a concrete floor on his front porch.  We were so relieved to see a small porch with a little pile of sand.  We worked quickly and were ready to move on to help another team and family.  After walking all the way across the village we were happy to see that they were also close to being done.  We visited with this family and Sara really enjoyed playing with one little girl that was extremely shy. After several blown bubbles she opened up with a big smile and popped a bubble.  The man at the last home was able to speak a little english.  He enjoyed sharing pictures of his family and friends.  I really feel that we made a connection with the people in the village and earned their trust.

 

Our work was done in the village so we headed toward the school house but on the way we stopped to visit the homes and families of projects that were completed.  All the families were grateful and proud of their homes.  We made it back to the school house and prepared for the fiesta. 

Many of the villagers arrived at the school house wearing their sunday’s best. They are very respectful and proud people. The fiesta started out with all the people of El Mico singing beautiful songs in spanish and the Honduras national anthem. We then sang our national anthem. After singing everyone prayed the Lord’s Prayer together at the same time. They said it in spanish while we said it in english, it was awesome. The pastor’s wife represented the village and gave every team member a gift of a carved piece of cypress wood shaped as fish saying Jesus. For a short time everyone was able to have some fun and fellowship together while eating watermelon. As we said “Adios Amigos” it was very obvious that it became a sad time because it was time to leave. But knowing that the village of El Mico are believers in Jesus and will be blessed was comforting as we left the village. 

Our team devotional time after dinner will be based on the theme “Eternal Life” and one of our verses being Matthew 28: 19-20.This seems to be appropriate timing as today is our last day in El Mico. 

Jen and I want to thank you for all of your prayers. We know that you are with us in spirit. Your prayer letters give us motivation and strength to fulfill the mission to glorify God and spread the love of Jesus.