3rd day of work

I think it is amazing how God can minister to your heart without really knowing it is going on! Today we went into the community and evangelized. It was an awesome experience. My group talked with two families that were not sure of their salvation and what it really meant. By the time we left they were assured of their salvation. I got to pray for both families, which is what I really like. Something in me changed today but not sure what or how. I did not have that manifest presence encounter with God that I'm waiting for but he was certainly there. We will see what tomorrow brings, hopefully he will break my heart in a way I can never turn back!

2nd day of work

Day 4 found us in our second day of work on the house. Work was not as strenuous as yesterday but still hard none the less. The family we are building the house for can out work all of the team together. Alvaro is the father and he works mid nights as a security guard and works the hardest of anyone all day. It is an amazing work ethic that many workers in the our country need  more. There is a little girl in the family that is shy with me and for two days has avoided all my attempts to bond but I see her warming up to me. I am still waiting for that mind blowing, earth shattering encounter with the God of the universe. I certainly can not wait for it to transform me!

First day and God answered my first prayer. Forgot my sunglasses and poof Lynette Dowler brought a box full....praise God. I can already feel the emotions welling up in my soul just from watching presentation and hearing stories. God showed us the most complete and beautiful rainbow I have ever seen. You could see it from ground to ground. So it makes me wonder if it is a sign of more than the biblical promise? I think it is for me at least. I think he is saying to me: I am here to fulfill my purpose in you so hang on because this is what I have prepared in you since I opened the eyes of your heart! So to me I sit on the edge of the cliff God has led me. I feel him saying all you have to do is jump and I will shatter your life forever. Whatever you have that holds you back will be gone. God is great goodbye cliff!

The Mission Team in front of the church

Lauren and Lynette with children of Limon.

John 3:16 seemed to be our theme of the week; "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  
 







Going out into the community and spreading God's message was one highlight from the trip.  The people of Honduras were very welcoming and excited to receive the good news that we had brought to them.  Some families knew God and believed in him while others knew of God but did not believe that they would have everlasting life.  Most of the families were extremely moved when they began to understand that in order to receive the gift of everlasting life, they need not do good deeds, rather they must believe in Him.

Day 2 - I Broke

I was ready to come home on Day 2. I had witnessed to much. The poverty is something I have never seen before in my life. I felt useless. I realized how ignorant I was to the world around me. I never realized how wealthy we are in the states. I was ashamed of the house we were going to build. Because it's not what I consider "normal" home or  meet any living standards I had in my mind.  I realized my "normal" was gone. I may never know normal again. I felt disgust for what I was seeing. I felt disgust for my ignorance. I just felt disgust. Day 3 came... I spent some time with Renya, the woman we were building the house for. She took me into her current home. Dirt floors. Dogs. Babies crying. She explained to me that her roof leaks in many places, so when it rains her home floods and becomes muddy. As I looked around, I started to see things from her point. The house we were going to build her was definitely an upgrade. Dirt floors are very unhealthy and unsanitary. As she spoke and shared her excitement with me, I started to get excited for her and her new home. I asked Frank a lot of questions. For example, you see trash all over. So my question was, why can't they even pick up their trash?? Answer: they have no centralized trash system. There is no place to put the trash. Nobody is going to come, pick it up and take it to the dump. We assume things. One may assume they just don't care. They choose to live that way. But the more questions I asked, the more I understood. I met amazing people in Honduras. A part of my heart will always be there. At this point I'm not sure what I will take away from this journey. I know I need to educate myself. To become more aware. I will always be haunted by the living conditions I see. Our animals in the states live better. I also have some very special memories. I would love to share all my stories but it would take up too much room on the blog. There is so much beauty there that's it's a contradiction in itself. I was swimming in the ocean with some of the kids in our group. For a moment I was just happy. I forgot all I had seen. I was just blessed to be sharing this moment with this kids who have become like a family to me. But, that moment was short lived. I look at my pictures. I smile. I cry. We need to be grateful. The only difference between us and the people we ministered to, is we were born here in the states. And we also need to try and step up because in my heart, I know, nobody should ever have to live in the conditions I have seen. It's so much easier to say they "choose" to live that way. But, if you stop and ask questions you'll see the truth, it's not a choice. People invited us into their homes. They shared their lives with us. They will sweep the dirt floor and fetch you chairs to sit in. Here in the states we would have had doors slammed in our faces, let alone be so welcomed. I want you to know there was many good things about this mission. Wonderful people. But, I think it is more important that we look at the living conditions because in my mind, they are unacceptable. So we can just sit back and say that's how they choose to live or we can educate ourselves and see what we can do as a nation to help. "He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God" Proverbs 14:31.

  Today is Saturday.  The sun is not too bad today as we finish the home with Walls and paint.  16x20 is the size.  The community is coming out in forcé to help and watch and encourage.  There are many children around to - entertain us - or be entertained.   Each person on our team serves this misión in their own special way, and this is a Mighty time for each of us.  Taylor, Lauren, and Rebekkah, (no.s 4'5'6) are the 3 Musketeers!   Nick Jeff Dave Tom and John are our foundation here to keep us all going and the Project moving forward.  IF anyone deserves a trip to  Blue Water when we get home it´s the guys!   As for Julie Wendy Betty Kathy Cindy and I - we all are a team, in and among the rest.  The 14 of us are all learning and growing and seeking God in our own individual way.  We all are growing together as friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.  Evangelizing in the neighborhoods is a blessing that few take the time to do together back home.  And seeing the power of the Holy Spirit work with our team this week has been beautiful.  The week is ending so quickly but it is ALL GOOD!  

Sharing our faith with new friends

Lynette and a few friends from Limon

Mixing the concrete by hand

Working the concrete floor

We now have internet access at the mission house.  The team has been keeping their journal and you should start seeing posts over the next few days, or after they return home on Monday.  It has been a real good trip.  The team has a heart for both physical activity and sharing the Gospel.  The picture shown hear was at the beginning of the our second day on the job site (Wednesday) as we started to add the roof structure to the home.  Those of us returning to Honduras have rekindled old friendships and our first timers have all fallen in love with the people of Honduras.  I'm sure you will hear their stories in the coming days and weeks.  Thanks for you continued prayers we have felt your presence every day during our morning devotions and reading our mail from home

John and Julie Huie

It is our first oficial day on the misión field.  We are blessed by amazing people surrounding us and God has so much in store for us this week.  The children are beautiful and the work ahead is nothing compared to the blessings that abound.  We are ovewhemed in many ways.  So many have helped to support us and we are mightily thankful.  The surroundings are beautiful but also there are challenges here that must be overcome. We dont have wifi in our área so this may be a blog that is few and far between.    We have great flights and the people here are amazing and treat us so very very well.  Frank and Emily joined us last night for dinner which was terrific.  Of course the team is a delight to be with in every way.  We are breaking and building up already and we´ve only just begun.  John is a stong and holy man and great leader for us.  He has great patience and is steady and also has a great sense of humor.  We are knitted together as a team and are just ready ready ready for anything and everything.   Praise Him for all! 

yaaa, Im on the blog. Were at the airport an it is lighting an pouring rain.

Tick... Tock... The countdown has begun!!

My hopes and dreams for this mission trip.... Well, the dream part has happened, I am going on my first mission trip. My hopes.... I hope I can be God's hands and feet for the week. I love to serve. But, I have never been out of the country so I am a little nervous. I want to touch people. I want them to know they are loved. I want to make some connections. I want there to be people who will always remember me because I had the opportunity to touch them is some way. I want God to bless me with the right things to say so I will make a difference. I want to work with my hands building this family their new home. Can you image the fulfillment of handing them their key?? I think of the memories that will be made in that home. I want to be humbled. I want to put a smile on a child's face. Words are so powerful. You can say something and never know what an impact that had on someone. When I was young I hated my smile. I always covered it up with my hand. A group of us friends were sitting around and a young man pulled my hand down. He said I had a pretty smile. He never knew the impact his words had on me. I never covered it up again. That's what I want. I want my words to bring joy, pride, respect and so much more to the people we will be serving. I am afraid. Afraid to see poverty I never seen before. Afraid to be emotional. Afraid to make those connections and then have to leave.... But no matter what, we are doing God's work. We are his hands and feet. We WILL make a difference! I want to be remembered. Not because I think I'm special. Not because I think I'm all that. But because I did make a difference in someone's life. And, I'm also very excited to spend time with our group. We have such a great team. I have been blessed. This is something I would watch Joyce do on TV and I'd always think, kinda sad because it's something I'd never be able to do... And thanks to Elevate, my family, my church family and my friends, I am doing it!! I have been praying so long for our journey. And, I am calm. And I am not a calm person :-) But I think God has sent the Holy Spirit to me especially for this journey. I want the people we will be working with to know they are loved. Not forgotten. And that God loves them too. I am nervous bc I can't quote scripture. The bible is new to me. The church is new to me. But I do know about love, compassion, faith and respect. John is probably wishing right now he hadn't mentioned us posting our hopes and dreams for this mission bc I type like I talk, a lot :-) Lol. May God be with us all!!

Following tonight's Saturday evening service we packed our 2 trucks for the early morning departure.  Our team of 14 is very excited about all the awaits us in Honduras.  We will be building a home for a family of 9 that are currently living in a make shift house of tin, cardboard, and tarps with a dirt floor.  If anyone can't sleep tonight (we have to be at the church at 3:00 AM, so no one is getting much sleep) please take some time to share your hopes, fears, and dreams for this trip.  Regardless of what you are anticipating, God has so much more in store for you. . . . . . (add your comments to this entry)

All packed!

Well I just finished packing everything! (after rearranging everything at least ten times!) It didn't hit me until tonight when I sat and looked at everything packed and ready to go. I think I have probably been through every emotion today about going from being excited to being scared. I am can't wait to get to know everyone in our group better and create friendships with everyone. I can't believe how fast this all is happening it honestly seems like only a week ago when I heard about this mission trip and felt God tell me that this is what I needed to do, and now we leave in one day! I am excited to see what God has to show me and how my life is going to be affected because of this trip. I will see you all tomorrow night at church and as we load our bags to get ready for the airport!!

Sunday we leave!!

Well, it's finally here. Sunday we leave. I probably won't sleep much in the last few nights due to excitement and nerves :-) With Elevate we are always on mission in Monroe County so this will be my first mission out of the country. I have so many emotions right now. I look forward to letting God lead me and our team. I look forward to getting to know the people of the community in which we will be serving. The one thing I know for sure is this will be life changing in so many ways, I hope for our group and the people of the community. It takes you so far out of your comfort zone but that is needed to grow. And once I was told if something doesn't grow it's not healthy and I believe that. I am excited for all the supplies we have and also for the "goodies" I have for the children. We are making a gift bag for the family we will be building a house for and it has a lot of person hygiene items in it and other stuff. I pray that God will bless our team and our mission. I am a little scared because I am so new to church and the bible. I hope I can still bless the people even though I lack knowledge. I do know about respect, love and compassion so that should work in my favor. Plus I love serving others. I get so much joy from it. So, please keep our team in your prayers.

4 MORE DAYS!!

I can honestly say I never thought God would put me in this position to go on a missions trip. I have always loved the comfort of having people I'm familiar with around me and staying close to home inside my own bubble. Obviously God doesn't work that way! I thank God for instilling this in my heart to go to Honduras, even though I don't know what He has in store. I've been trying to do a "deep-clean" of myself before I go on this trip, trying not to carry any garbage with me! It has definitely put me in a better mindset to let go of my own desires and cling to His. Music has always been a huge part of my life and lately God has laid a song on my heart and it's my prayer as I leave on Sunday morning: "Where you go, I'll go. Where you stay, I'll stay. When you move, I'll move. If this life I lose, I will follow you." Cannot wait to see what God is going to do! 4 MORE DAYS!!!

getting excited and getting ready

Well, its Tuesday afternoon and we leave early Sunday morning. I have my malaria meds  and an antibiotic. I am nervous, scared, but most of all excited about going to a foreign land and doing the Lord's work. I keep thinking about the Apostle Paul and all of his missionary journeys. I think about how scared he must have been before he left on each journey. I also think though about the amount of faith that he had is our Lord Jesus Christ in whom he trusted his life to. Im sure Paul was scared but he knew the Father would carry out His will. I am trying to create the same mindset : "I have heard your call to go to Honduras, Father. I will serve you by serving the people of Honduras. I pray for a successful mission trip but most of all, I pray that your will and not my own be done!"

Inside a week

Thinking back to last years trip I can't help thinking about how it affected me. It was amazing and God really moved my spirit. As I was preparing for the trip I heard God speak to me clearly. He said if you do not hold back this year it will be mind, body, and soul altering. Made me think back to how I held back. Well he is right, when my emotions well up I alway try to maintain control. I can't always control but I do remember controlling my emotions on several occasions. So this year when I feel those emotions coming I am really going to try and let them happen and pray god will change my life for his purpose. So it is a warning that I may cry...lol.

All packed up and ready to go

Our team gathered together today and packed  14 suitcases with donations for our trip to Choluteca.  We have school supplies for the children of Limon, clothes for children from newborn to teenagers, multiple pairs of shoes, diapers and Spanish bibles  Everyone is so excited and can't wait to get up at 2:30 AM on Father's Day Sunday to head to the airport. 

My Prayer

I've been praying for God to rid me of my selfishness, my pride , and my ego as I journey to honduras. His Word tells us to "die daily" and I know i will need to be reminded of that. I want to let down my walls and soak up everything God wants to teach me.  I am praying for our team to experience Gods presence and serve the honduran people with the love of Christ.  I am looking forward to the friendships we will make. I went to garage sales today to collect items to take with us.
I was reminded how blessed we are with excess here in the united states. Thank you LORD.

8 DAYS....

In 8 days we leave for Honduras!! I can't believe it's so close. I am so excited! I KNOW this will be life changing. We have a great group going that I'm excited to share this experience with. I am looking forward to meeting new people and leaning their stories. I hope and pray that in some way I can touch people. Put a smile on their face. Let them know they are not forgotten and they are loved. 7 days of just serving God. That's just amazing. I still don't know where I am going to fit everything. I have collected so many items for the kids. I can't wait to pass them all out, that should put a smile on their face :-) The one thing I wish is I had more room. I'd do w/out extra clothing if I could but I'm not too sure the group would appreciate that. Lol. I have a lot of nervous energy. I have never left the county, except Canada but since we live in Michigan that really doesn't count. I am scared. Especially of the heat. And it's a far way from home to be honest. I don't want to get sick or sunburn bc I want to experience everything I can in the 7 days I'm there. I just keep praying. God is probably really tired of hearing about Honduras :-) He must be thinking "there must be something else this girl can pray for".. This probably is the most "grown up" thing I have ever done in my life. I know I will be forever changed by this experience and I hope the people I come in contact with will be too!!