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| Miran (in blue), Linda (in center) and Jen dancing at the concert |
Last night the Honduran security guards who work for the sending organization Honduras Outreach, Inc. (HOI) put on a fabulous concert for the four mission groups staying in the compound. We danced and sang and Tyler White became part of the band playing the “cajon” like he was born to do so! The guards had guns on their hips but musical instruments in their hands.
After many days of travel, hard labor, fun and fellowship we are finally ready to leave. All tasks were completed in the village thanks to great team work among ourselves and the villagers. It’s up at 5am, luggage on the bus at 6am, breakfast at 6:15 and gathering of all employees and missionaries at the cross 7am. We sang songs together and then the pastors and HOI president shared inspiring messages encouraging us to carry on with God’s work as maturing Christians. We thanked each employee as they greeted each one of us.
On to Tegucigalpa! It was a bumpy and dusty six hour ride much of the way, but knowing our destination was getting closer to home made it easier to take.
After many days of travel, hard labor, fun and fellowship we are finally ready to leave. All tasks were completed in the village thanks to great team work among ourselves and the villagers. It’s up at 5am, luggage on the bus at 6am, breakfast at 6:15 and gathering of all employees and missionaries at the cross 7am. We sang songs together and then the pastors and HOI president shared inspiring messages encouraging us to carry on with God’s work as maturing Christians. We thanked each employee as they greeted each one of us.
On to Tegucigalpa! It was a bumpy and dusty six hour ride much of the way, but knowing our destination was getting closer to home made it easier to take.
About midway we stopped at the Mennonite Bakery for lunch and shopping from local vendors. The couple who owned the bakery came here over 40 years ago with their family from Indiana and was there to greet us. A few hours more and we arrived at the fabulous Honduras Mayan Hotel. What a treat!!! Flushing toilets, big beds, hot shower, swimming pools, internet, and even a beauty salon. Oh my!!!!!
At 6:30 we met for dinner in the hotel and had a celebration of Christina Fullerton’s birthday. Jayne Dowdy had the tables decorated for the occasion and birthday cake was shared by all. Following dinner we ascended to the top floor over looking a spectacular night time view. We gathered around for our final time of sharing and reflection. Gifts were exchanged from group to leaders and leaders to group. We truly appreciate all the work it took to keep us all safe and productive.
Our Honduran leader, Martha Espinoza, translated a letter written by a person in our village of El Mico. They were very grateful and thankful for our willingness to share our blessings with them. They wished us a safe trip back home. They wrote about our hard work and all we had accomplished in God’s name. They thanked us many times and sent us on our way praying for safety and health. We were all very moved to be so appreciated and were reminded once again why we had come here, to be God’s hands and serve.
Lastly, Pastor John led us in a time of affirmation as each of us was blessed individually with the hearing from our peers what gifts they saw in us and how we contributed to the mission as a whole. What an uplifting and humbling experience it was!! Pastor John stated we were indeed the “Light of Christ in the world" and “well done" for what we had achieved and learned on this journey.
The youth were amazing on this expedition!! Mature beyond their years, open to God’s direction and showing Christ like love for each other and the Honduran people. Parents and church could not have been prouder of them as they shared God’s love to the village through hard work and joyous play.
We had the perfect group for what we needed to accomplish. God has a way of bringing us where we are needed and where we need to be. It was a trip we will never forget. As always, we received more that we gave and that too is God’s way of keeping our hearts open and wanting to keep giving of ourselves.
Mirian and Linda
At 6:30 we met for dinner in the hotel and had a celebration of Christina Fullerton’s birthday. Jayne Dowdy had the tables decorated for the occasion and birthday cake was shared by all. Following dinner we ascended to the top floor over looking a spectacular night time view. We gathered around for our final time of sharing and reflection. Gifts were exchanged from group to leaders and leaders to group. We truly appreciate all the work it took to keep us all safe and productive.
Our Honduran leader, Martha Espinoza, translated a letter written by a person in our village of El Mico. They were very grateful and thankful for our willingness to share our blessings with them. They wished us a safe trip back home. They wrote about our hard work and all we had accomplished in God’s name. They thanked us many times and sent us on our way praying for safety and health. We were all very moved to be so appreciated and were reminded once again why we had come here, to be God’s hands and serve.
Lastly, Pastor John led us in a time of affirmation as each of us was blessed individually with the hearing from our peers what gifts they saw in us and how we contributed to the mission as a whole. What an uplifting and humbling experience it was!! Pastor John stated we were indeed the “Light of Christ in the world" and “well done" for what we had achieved and learned on this journey.
The youth were amazing on this expedition!! Mature beyond their years, open to God’s direction and showing Christ like love for each other and the Honduran people. Parents and church could not have been prouder of them as they shared God’s love to the village through hard work and joyous play.
We had the perfect group for what we needed to accomplish. God has a way of bringing us where we are needed and where we need to be. It was a trip we will never forget. As always, we received more that we gave and that too is God’s way of keeping our hearts open and wanting to keep giving of ourselves.
Mirian and Linda
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