Well its been a few days since we got back and I am constantly thinking about those we met in Honduras. I really pray that each year we will have more people go on mission trips from elevate. It will change your life.... It will open your eyes , soften your heart, and encourage you to serve God in all you do. It's been the best medicine for my soul.
I want to share a little about our team. It was on my heart this morning:
John- our fearless leader. He always encouraged us to be ourselves and was always making us laugh.
Julie- a beautiful quietness about her. It was always obvious on the outside how happy she was on the inside to be in Honduras.
Tom- such a Godly man and hard worker. I loved seeing the young men from Gran Commission church working alongside him on the home. He is a great reflection of Gods love.
Betty- "nurse Betty" always concerned for the health of our team and the families we met. No one was worried about being sick because we knew nurse Betty would take good care of us. She has a heart of gold.
Lynette-an inspiration to watch evangelize. The love of Christ would just shine through her onto the people of Honduras. I was blessed to partner with her on several days as we went out into the community evangelizing. A great role model.
Jeff- a pillar of strength. He worked so hard(like the energizer bunny) and was always the first one to help others.
Cindy- "sandy " Cindy. always made us laugh. Her love for our interpreters was incredible. She was a "mom" to them.
Wendy- What a courageous young lady! Just recently gave her life to Christ and already went on a mission trip. Started out the week weeping for the families and left Honduras full of love for those same families.
Lauren- our mission team teacher. Always teaching the kids games. they loved her. Always holding onto them.
Rebekah- Always had kids hanging off her. it would never be just one, it was always 4 or 5. The kids swarmed to her. She could speak Spanish so they loved to talk with her.
Taylor- what a beautiful young lady with a heart as big as the sun. Leaped over her fear and evangelized like she had been doing it for years. Kept her eyes open for opportunities to love on people.
Dave- "guitar" Dave. I had the privilege of watching him share his testimony with a young man. No one could have touched this young mans heart like Dave did. Limped around all week with a boot on his foot because of a stress fracture and never once complained as we were walking on bumpy dirt roads. That never slowed him down. There was nothing left of his boot at the end of the week so that tells you how hard he worked.
Nick- a great "dad". shared stories about his kids and adopted the young ladies on our team. was a great role model, hard worker and always willing to share his faith
I pray that the next team heading out will have the wonderful experience we had. God was with us 24/7.
On each side of the river stood the tree of life. . . . And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. (Rev 22:2)
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
Life Altering Trip
This trip not only opened my eyes to the world as to how it is outside of the U.S. and my bubble here in Monroe, but it has made an impact on my life that I will never forget.
All week I made cement and hand mixed it for the house. Even through the heat and tiredness I absolutely loved every minute of it. The number on thing that I remember from this week was walking into the area where they treat the malnourished children and feeling completely alone in the room and feeling God calling me there. The children absolutely took my heart. I still hear them calling my name and can see them when I close my eyes. I saved a few things I typed each night so here they are I did not have a lot for every day but the main things that hit me.
Honduras Day 1.
Today we met at the church at 3am. All packed and ready to head off to the airport. I was excited to leave but it still hadn't hit me that I was about to be in a completely different country. We landed in Atlanta and then boarded our flight for Honduras. The landing into Tegucigalpa. Was a little rough but I was just excited to get off the plane and stand up. Once we went through customs and were allowed to enter the country we met the people who live here and are going to be with us the whole week. I was amazed when they took us to a mall to get lunch, it's at least 10 times bigger than our mall in Monroe and bigger than the one in Toledo. Seeing so many people in the food court was insane I soon knew that we were the minority and felt the eyes on me. It still hadn't hit me that we were actually here. We then loaded the bus and began our 3 hour bus ride ( that was much longer than that due to some issues with the bus ) I soon realized where they meant be flexible comes into play with this. Driving through the villages seeing the houses made out of tin and tarp honestly just made my jaw drop. People in the US complain if they don't have dishwashers or big closets when these people don't have windows and are living with garbage all over. I instantly became extremely grateful for my home and everything I have back home, when I don't even deserve half of the things I have and these families are living in conditions like this. The highlight of my day was at the pit stop we made to use the restroom but as you walk to the restroom you pretty much go through a restaurant and then a zoo. We got to walk around and they had so many different animals just in cages in the back of this restaurant it was the most bizarre thing I think I have ever seen. We even had a tractor ride pulling us on what looked like a ski lift chair for a ride around the zoo. My comment was "wow we could never do something like this in the US!" And quickly was followed by John saying "because in the US this would be illegal." The only thing I will need to get use to is that when people drive here there are really no rules so you have semi trucks flying past you while another semi is heading right towards them and us (this did freak me out every time it happened on our bus ride)
This country is so beautiful the mountains surround you with small shacks as homes with children running around with animals. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to be here its still surreal but I can't wait to meet the people in this town and begin to show the love of God to them.
DAY 2
Today was our first full day here. The heat is like nothing I have ever experienced before I was dripping in sweat and always wanting water. We went to the small town where the church has their land and has the nutrition building for the malnourished children. Hearing how bad some of these children are is heart breaking. It kills me to see these kids knowing they barley get any food and have to live in houses that are tin and tarp. They greeted you with hola and hugs, all of them gave you hugs and either put their arm around you or they grabbed onto your leg and a lot of times they would just want to hold your hand. I can't explain how precious these children are. One little girl pulled me by the hand to go play with her and push her on the swing while asking to see my camera and take pictures ( they love cameras! ) after we were at the church grounds for awhile we headed back to the mission house to have lunch after that we walked around the mission house property and bought some crafts that the people living here make, and also toured where they make their coffee. The highlight of my day came next, we went to the orphanage where they currently have 6 small children who lost their mother/father to HIV or AIDS. They were the most precious children I have ever been around. All they wanted to do was play so Taylor, Lauren and I all thought of games we could playwith them. We played tag, duck duck goose which we called ( no, no, si ) Since we didn't know how to say duck or goose and then freeze tag. To see them running and laughing like they were an hugging you melted my heart because even with them living in the situation that they are in they are so joyful. It puts so much into perspective for me and my life back home. There are children dying of malnutrition here and can't get the things they need and back home people get mad if they put pickles on a sandwich and we asked for none. These children don't even get meals. As some of the leaders were talking they were saying how they hope to have a doctor who can work there to help give medicine and diagnose the Children and I don't know why but I feel as though God is wanting me to do something about it. Almost as though I would like to try and get my RN degree and try to come here to give medical attention to these Children. I want to take them back to the US where they wouldn't have to worry about this and could get amazing medical attention there. I don't know what else God may say to me in these next days but hopefully it will make what I feel right now more clear. I am beyond grateful for what god has blessed me with back home and I feel shameful for not being so grateful before this. After the orphanage we came back to the mission home and unpacked all the things we brought to donate. We picked out clothes for the children in the orphanage to use and toys and anything else we could find. There was one of the older girls from there who came and we helped her pick out clothes and shows for herself and her brother. After that a rainbow appeared over the mission home it was the most beautiful things I've seen in awhile, just showing that God sees what we're doing and I hop he is pleased. My heart is breaking just laying here in bed thinking about all the children out here who don't even have a place to sleep tonight or are missing their parents it's honestly heart breaking. God has opened my eyes to so many things today that I never thought I would witness in my life and I know now why because he is calling me to do something about it.
DAY 6
today was our last day at the house and seeing the children. As I lay here my heart just keeps breaking thinking about all those children. Each of them have stolen my heart especially my little boy who lives with the family. I just want to bring him home with me. I just keep thinking about having to go home and absolutely nothing in me wants to go back. All i want to do is stay here. These people have changed my life and have given me the opportunity to follow what God had planned for me and now I can see the plan he has for me and can't wait to see how he continues to use me.
DAY 7
Today we went to the beach it was gorgeous, and it was great to spend one more day with Nelsy I am going to miss her so much!
All week I made cement and hand mixed it for the house. Even through the heat and tiredness I absolutely loved every minute of it. The number on thing that I remember from this week was walking into the area where they treat the malnourished children and feeling completely alone in the room and feeling God calling me there. The children absolutely took my heart. I still hear them calling my name and can see them when I close my eyes. I saved a few things I typed each night so here they are I did not have a lot for every day but the main things that hit me.
Honduras Day 1.
Today we met at the church at 3am. All packed and ready to head off to the airport. I was excited to leave but it still hadn't hit me that I was about to be in a completely different country. We landed in Atlanta and then boarded our flight for Honduras. The landing into Tegucigalpa. Was a little rough but I was just excited to get off the plane and stand up. Once we went through customs and were allowed to enter the country we met the people who live here and are going to be with us the whole week. I was amazed when they took us to a mall to get lunch, it's at least 10 times bigger than our mall in Monroe and bigger than the one in Toledo. Seeing so many people in the food court was insane I soon knew that we were the minority and felt the eyes on me. It still hadn't hit me that we were actually here. We then loaded the bus and began our 3 hour bus ride ( that was much longer than that due to some issues with the bus ) I soon realized where they meant be flexible comes into play with this. Driving through the villages seeing the houses made out of tin and tarp honestly just made my jaw drop. People in the US complain if they don't have dishwashers or big closets when these people don't have windows and are living with garbage all over. I instantly became extremely grateful for my home and everything I have back home, when I don't even deserve half of the things I have and these families are living in conditions like this. The highlight of my day was at the pit stop we made to use the restroom but as you walk to the restroom you pretty much go through a restaurant and then a zoo. We got to walk around and they had so many different animals just in cages in the back of this restaurant it was the most bizarre thing I think I have ever seen. We even had a tractor ride pulling us on what looked like a ski lift chair for a ride around the zoo. My comment was "wow we could never do something like this in the US!" And quickly was followed by John saying "because in the US this would be illegal." The only thing I will need to get use to is that when people drive here there are really no rules so you have semi trucks flying past you while another semi is heading right towards them and us (this did freak me out every time it happened on our bus ride)
This country is so beautiful the mountains surround you with small shacks as homes with children running around with animals. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to be here its still surreal but I can't wait to meet the people in this town and begin to show the love of God to them.
DAY 2
Today was our first full day here. The heat is like nothing I have ever experienced before I was dripping in sweat and always wanting water. We went to the small town where the church has their land and has the nutrition building for the malnourished children. Hearing how bad some of these children are is heart breaking. It kills me to see these kids knowing they barley get any food and have to live in houses that are tin and tarp. They greeted you with hola and hugs, all of them gave you hugs and either put their arm around you or they grabbed onto your leg and a lot of times they would just want to hold your hand. I can't explain how precious these children are. One little girl pulled me by the hand to go play with her and push her on the swing while asking to see my camera and take pictures ( they love cameras! ) after we were at the church grounds for awhile we headed back to the mission house to have lunch after that we walked around the mission house property and bought some crafts that the people living here make, and also toured where they make their coffee. The highlight of my day came next, we went to the orphanage where they currently have 6 small children who lost their mother/father to HIV or AIDS. They were the most precious children I have ever been around. All they wanted to do was play so Taylor, Lauren and I all thought of games we could playwith them. We played tag, duck duck goose which we called ( no, no, si ) Since we didn't know how to say duck or goose and then freeze tag. To see them running and laughing like they were an hugging you melted my heart because even with them living in the situation that they are in they are so joyful. It puts so much into perspective for me and my life back home. There are children dying of malnutrition here and can't get the things they need and back home people get mad if they put pickles on a sandwich and we asked for none. These children don't even get meals. As some of the leaders were talking they were saying how they hope to have a doctor who can work there to help give medicine and diagnose the Children and I don't know why but I feel as though God is wanting me to do something about it. Almost as though I would like to try and get my RN degree and try to come here to give medical attention to these Children. I want to take them back to the US where they wouldn't have to worry about this and could get amazing medical attention there. I don't know what else God may say to me in these next days but hopefully it will make what I feel right now more clear. I am beyond grateful for what god has blessed me with back home and I feel shameful for not being so grateful before this. After the orphanage we came back to the mission home and unpacked all the things we brought to donate. We picked out clothes for the children in the orphanage to use and toys and anything else we could find. There was one of the older girls from there who came and we helped her pick out clothes and shows for herself and her brother. After that a rainbow appeared over the mission home it was the most beautiful things I've seen in awhile, just showing that God sees what we're doing and I hop he is pleased. My heart is breaking just laying here in bed thinking about all the children out here who don't even have a place to sleep tonight or are missing their parents it's honestly heart breaking. God has opened my eyes to so many things today that I never thought I would witness in my life and I know now why because he is calling me to do something about it.
DAY 6
today was our last day at the house and seeing the children. As I lay here my heart just keeps breaking thinking about all those children. Each of them have stolen my heart especially my little boy who lives with the family. I just want to bring him home with me. I just keep thinking about having to go home and absolutely nothing in me wants to go back. All i want to do is stay here. These people have changed my life and have given me the opportunity to follow what God had planned for me and now I can see the plan he has for me and can't wait to see how he continues to use me.
DAY 7
Today we went to the beach it was gorgeous, and it was great to spend one more day with Nelsy I am going to miss her so much!
 |
| the children while evangelizing |
 | |
| Nelsy and I on the beach |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)