This past month, I have been working with Heart of Christ ministries in La Ermita, Honduras. This little village is about an hour north of the capital, Tegucigalpa. The drive out to La Ermita is full of mountains and vibrant landscapes that show off the glory of the Creator’s artistry. Palm trees fill the spaces between the brown dusty streets and tall, lush green tree line that leads up to the mountains in the distance. Lively, bass beated music bumps from passing taxis, as well as from the pulperias (convenience store) that are selling various sweets and treats. Dirt roads and paths lead up to small mud and morder houses with brightly colored exteriors, while various farm animals waddle around in unfenced front yards.
Life is simple here. No deadlines. No hurriedness. This is one of the things that strikes me the most about doing life here. When we walk through the streets of the village, people conversing with one another turn around and shout “Aloha gringos!” as we pass. However, one of my favorite things to do is first thing in the morning is to walk out onto the 2nd story porch of the compound with my tiny cup of coffee, swing my feet over the edge and watch the street below come to life. Much like Zambia, life here starts early. People begin their commute to work or begin their daily chores. The toddlers in the children’s home are woken up. They paddle foot out of the house, hair all rummaged around, rubbing their sleepy eyes, and readying themselves for their morning milk and cereal. That’s when the sun starts to come up. At first it simply peaks over the mountaintop in the distance. Then suddenly it is stretching across the horizon, shining its light upon the mountains and village, and the compound comes even more to life. We World Race team, go about doing our various ministry projects whether its taking care of babies or toddlers, building on to the children’s home, or going out into the community to pray over the elderly and sick. Like I said life here is simple. And while the muddy streets dirty up our feet, the Lord is purifying our hearts through this first month. He has already begun stripping us down, so that we are bare before His throne in order that He may build us back up when it is time. Only time will how He intends to change us.
