Friday, August 1, 2014

THANK YOU 2914A WGO MISSION TEAM


I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of the members of this year's missions team for your part in helping make the week of July 19-26 a huge success for the Kingdom of God.

Each year that Mike Green and I bring a team to Tegucigalpa, we are richly blessed as we watch people from different parts of the country come together and serve for the glory of God.

We delight in seeing people grow in their love for Lord, mature in their walk with Christ and reach out with compassion to the men, women, and children of Honduras.

This year was no different. It was great meeting the new people on our teams and working side by side with you. It was encouraging to hear what God was teaching us throughout the week and to know that we were listening to Him as hard as it might have been from time to time.

As I bring to a close the final entry in this year's blog, my prayer is that as Christ has begun a good work in us, may we allow Him to continue to perfect it. Let the journey continue!

Thursday, July 24, 2014

HONDURAS 2014 BLOG MUSINGS PT 2


Here are a couple more blog entries from team members

This week has taught me that God really does show up in the perfect moments. One thing I’ve been struggling with recently is faith with out feeling. Growing up in the youth group, we go on so many retreats that almost make it impossible to not feel God and have a God-high when you come home, but recently I haven’t been feeling God. My biggest prayer leading up to this week was that God would use my past experiences to help share the gospel, that the right translator would be paired up with me, and that everyday I would be in the right spot and not let myself get in the way of God doing His thing. On Tuesday I decided to do evangelism and God answered my prayer. My translator Ricardo and I had a rare lull in the day when Mikayla brought over a young woman named Norma from medical who had expressed she was depressed and pondered suicide and I was like you’ve got to be kidding me. But it was perfect. Ricardo experienced something just three weeks ago that really helped this girl and she had been praying to God for a sign to hold on and even though I didn’t have a HALLELUIAH PRAISE JESUS moment, I thought yeah God is listening and my faith shouldn’t be based on feeling because feelings can be deceitful. P.s padres I miss the dogs the most. Sorry not sorry. Jk love you. And you too Scotia.
-Hannah

It’s been a difficult week… but a good week.  It’s difficult seeing poverty that is so grinding.  Homes literally built out of pallets, with tin roofs and dirt floors.  Water that is simply undrinkable.  Yet… God is at work here.  It has been 11 years since I was last here.  The Honduran people are still the most gracious people I have ever met.  Working in evangelism, I can say that far more people (most, actually) have heard the Good News of Jesus Christ than was the case 11 years ago.  And far more Hondurans have sincerely put their faith in Jesus as their Savior in the last 11 years.  I honestly believe that today, despite their material poverty, Honduras is a more Christian nation than my homeland.  God is truly at work here.

For those of you who have been praying for our team, “Thank you!”  We can feel your prayer support.  Keep those prayers coming!

Dios te bendiga!
- Jim

PHOTO "SHOT OF THE DAY"



Today's photo "shot of the day" goes to Albert and Matt who served in Evangelism on Thursday. Kudos to Albert as he shadowed Matt in Evangelism and then personally shared his faith in Jesus Christ and was used by God to lead three people to trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

PRAY FOR US

Tomorrow marks the final day of ministry at the second brigade site. The week is almost over and there will be many emotions among our team members. Pray that we finish strong and that many are impacted by the love of Christ. Pray that on this last day many come to faith in Jesus Christ for there is NOTHING more important than people coming to know Jesus.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

A DAY OF REST - SORT OF


Wednesday is an opportunity for the team to take a break and recharge in preparation for the final two days serving the people of Honduras at the next church site.

Most of the team spent the day visiting Picacho Park and Valle de Angeles. A giant statue of Jesus overlooks the city of Tegucigalpa from Picacho Park.

This time of year is quite beautiful with the many flowers that are in bloom. 

Enjoy some of the scenery of Picacho Park.







PHOTO "SHOT OF THE DAY"


Jesus is deserving of the Photo "Shot of the Day" every day since He is the reason we are down here and He is the one who makes every day worth living!!!!!

PRAYER REQUEST

  The next two days we will be at Iglesia de Dios de la Profecia, The Church of God of the Prophecy.
Pray that we finish strong.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014


HONDURAS 2014 BLOG MUSINGS

Below are some mid-week insights into what God is doing in the lives of the team. More musings will follow as they are written by team members.

First of all, shout out to my fellow camp counselors who said they were going to read this blog; the kids here actually listen to you the first time you ask them to do something!  Anyway, the first day I worked in children’s and got to talking with the translator who I’ve gotten to know the past few years of coming here.  She told me that the previous week she had been back to one of the church’s I was at two years ago and had the chance to talk to one of the women who I was able to evangelize to.  Although the day I talked to her, the women did not accept Christ, she did the follow day making sure to come find me in children’s so she could tell me the good news.  So when the children’s translator had been back to the church, the women told her she wanted me to know that her family is now involved in the church and that she leads a Sunday school class.  Sometimes I forget about the long term effects a short-term missions trip can have.  This situation is definitely a reminder that seeds actually do grow when planted. God’s good. Ps. Family, tell Caitlin I miss her most.
-Sarah Coleman

 
To my family and friends in CT, MA, UT and My favorite place in GOSHEN!
   What a blessing to serve the people of Honduras.  We are here to show the dear people of Honduras the love of Jesus Christ, through us so that they may have that hope!  I have worked in Evangelism and Optical for the past two days. The deep smiles and hugs you receive when someone can ‘read again’ because they have glasses to see – just fills your heart with joy.  When you pray for them about their needs  - and they cry because someone cared enough to ask – just touches your heart in a very special way.
   Psalm 27:4 “One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek; That I may dwell in the house of the Lord, All the days of my Life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in his temple.”  Worship this past Sunday at “Iglesia Rios De Aqua Viva was a beautiful experience of two different languages singing together and praying together in the same “Christian ” language – The Love of Jesus Christ. We felt the bond and when we came back these past two days for the medical mission at this same church – the bond grew far deeper.
   Love you all.   SueAnn    (Goshen – I Miss You!)


Hello from Honduras, CA and Tegucigalpa.  What a journey and its only Tuesday!  Monday I had the privilege to work with a team that served more than 150 people with gift of improved vision.  During the day I was hoping to have a clear opportunity to know God was present and while I prayed for the team and eyes closed there was a tap on my leg.  It was two young girls standing in front of me who wanting to give me a hug.  Really….me! Pretty cool and the start of HIS presence had begun.  Next I worked my way towards a mother who seemed distressed with a young child in her arms.  The child was very ill and I was overwhelmed with the need to pray for them.  Later I became aware the child would not likely live long.  I then continued my journey through the church and came along a young woman having dental work.  Her feet were moving as though in pain but as I looked at her face there was complete joy and pure.  I prayed and thanking HIM for his gift to her.  I was able to feel and see HIS presence, which was completely gratifying.  Tuesday Emma and our team worked to provide concrete floor, improving the living conditions of the home.  Great to see her work so hard, which I’ve never doubted but also have fun with her peers and the Honduran assistants.  On lighter note….I am now not only Uncle Marty to Sarah but Mikayla, Hannah, Jill, Rachel and Emma S.  Awesome.  Love to Debbie, Amanda and my entire family.  Marty

Monday and Tuesday at the ministry sight I was blessed to see our students mix cement by hand and pour concrete floors, love the Honduran children by serving in the children’s ministry, work in the Pharmacy, and help assist the dentist as she extracted 17 teeth before lunch. I am so blessed to see Steffen, Tanner, Albert, Chris, Emma and Jon in action serving Christ. They have excellent work ethic and the love of Christ shines right through them. God is working powerfully in and through them. Glory to God. Matt

Mom and dad,
I am alive. Now you can sleep.
I am so filled with joy. The country is so beautiful and God is teaching me more and more about our world and the people in it through incredible, and small, experiences.  I held a 20 day old baby and fell in love, I got to be a medical assistant and ask people to pee in a cup, I witnessed a miracle, I have tons of new friends, I evangelized to a Mormon, I played lots of card games, practiced my Boston accent…a lot, I shared the news to a woman that she was pregnant, I ate lasagna, I helped people see for the first time, and a baby ate my evangelism notes. And it’s only Tuesday. So far, this is amazing and I wish you were here with me to fall in love with Honduras too. I hope all is well.
Love, Miki 

PHOTO "SHOT OF THE DAY"


This picture earned photo "shot of the day" honors for reminding us that we are a team serving together to share Christ's love.

As our nurse, Sandy, cared for this little boy's head injury, Hannah comforted and encouraged him while our translator, Robert, communicated to the little guy and his mother all that Sandy was going to do. Each played a vital role in providing both medical and emotional care to this child.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Honduras 2014 - The First Day of the Medical Brigade at Rios de Agua Viva

We got off to a great start Monday morning and finished strong. Thanks you for your prayers!!!!

The following pictures and video clips will give you an idea of where we are serving and what the set up looks like at our first brigade.













PHOTO "SHOT OF THE DAY"


This photo of Bekah Neudahl and the young Honduran boy wins our photo "shot of the day."

Bekah has very poor eyesight, which requires her to wear glasses with a very powerful prescription. As she was packing for Honduras, she decided to bring an older pair of her glasses down with her.

Wouldn't you know it that God would use those glasses to provide sight to this 10 year old boy.


Sunday, July 20, 2014

A SUNDAY'S WORTH OF BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS


A SUNDAY'S WORTH OF BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Sunday is a critical day in our week because our experience of worship and our building of relationships are essential to creating an atmosphere of service for the rest of the week.

Take time to enjoy a short video montage of today's events.


WE LOOK REALLY GOOD ALL DRESSED UP



PHOTO "SHOT OF THE DAY"





Saturday, July 19, 2014



Here's the team on the bus ready to go up to the mission house. Apologies to the couple of people who are in the front of the bus who I couldn't squeeze into the picture.

For the first timers, the squeamish look on their faces was from the harrowing landing at Tegucigalpa airport. Little did they realize the bus ride up to the mission house would be equally harrowing.

SURVIVAL SPANISH FOR THE NOVICE



We were given a list of 27 essential phrases we should know if we are going to venture into a Latin American country and survive. For those of you who are thinking about joining us on next year's trip, you can get a head start on your Spanish skills.

Keep praying! God is going to do great things as we allow Him to get up close and personal in our lives.