Relationship
Our most recent trip to Honduras was filled with the usual – great food, wonderful fellowship, beautiful scenery and of coarse the 90% humidity coupled with the hot sun. I love that place.
This time we brought 13 people from Washington to minister in the public schools, an orphanage and a drug rehab facility. We delivered groceries to Lydia ( a true widow), and we also ministered at the Corozal Full Gospel Church, as well as conducted a women’s meeting at the church in Sambo Creek over a decade ago. We also were able to put the finishing touches on Casa de la Luz by planting over four-hundred plants as well as grinding, sanding and painting the fence that boarders the property. Much was accomplished for His kingdom!
Although I could say mission accomplished – God brought the heart of the matter of every outreach that we do into focus. It is something very simple yet very profound. “Relationships” – yes relationships. On this trip I was reminded by God that relationships are the eternal part of our lives that makes short term missions valuable. See this was my 11th trip to this particular area. Many of the faces were different but there were 3 faces that I saw that have been there from the beginning.
Israel, yes Israel was a little guy when we first visited him at the ” Feed the Children Orphanage” over a decade ago. His mom had just dropped him off 3 weeks prior to our arrival. Now, Israel is a grown boy about to finish high school and will soon be headed off to college. As the team went in on Monday to the orphanage I saw him from a distance and immediately recognized him. Although my heart broke that he had been there over 10 years – there was a glow about Israel that was undeniable. Israel was doing good – he had been well taken care of and was now ready to enter into society with hope. Hope that had been given to him by Abba Father though this wonderful and loving orphanage.
Then there is Edwin. Edwin played with my then 7 year old son Samuel while we were hauling bricks to build the church walls. Edwin was a small kid that was now standing tall and doing pretty good at the soccer outreach that we were hosting one day in Sambo Creek. As I approached Edwin he immediately recognized me. He said, ” Marcos” I said, ” Edwin”. We embraced. I have his picture in my office from when he was a little boy.
Last but not least – Mario. Mario use to bring us water on his shoulder from the river so we could mix concrete. He’s now 23. Great looking young man and serving Jesus. In fact, he is part of the leadership team of the church in Sambo Creek.
Even though not every person we come in contact with follows Christ, some do! And those who do wind up impacting many others for Christ.
I love knowing that I can still return to Honduras and see people’s lives that have been touched and changed forever. God is good – to Him be the glory forever !
Here are a few pictures from our trip – enjoy !
