For the last week my team and I have been living on a farm, the garden of Eden, in Honduras. The beauty of God and His presence consumes this place. The ministry here is a lot different then any other country. We usually show up at a location with a schedule or at least a plan presented to us. Not here. We arrived and our contact, Tony, tells us that he has no plans for us. That we were going to walk in the Spirits leading this month, not our own.
Tony and his wife have a heart for the street kids. He has spent years fighting for their life. Fighting not only for their lives on earth but for their eternal life. He is a father to the fatherless. Most are addicted to paint thinner and have had to survive on their own since a very young age. It is only mandatory to go to school to 6th grade, so most go that far and then they are on their own. It is common that these children live at home by themselves, so if their is no food in the house then they don’t eat. This is why most of them are addicted to paint thinner. It numbs them. They cant feel the hunger or the pain if they are high. Most addictions serve this purpose. How often our flesh runs to things that are not only a temporary fix but things that bring destruction to our body and spirits.
Cristofer, is sixteen and has been in Tony’s life for the past two years. He is addicted to paint thinner and would use it almost everyday. Key word: used. He has been living on the farm with us for one week now and has been clean every day. I am so proud of this boy. The day before we arrived to Honduras, Tony went to his house to pick him up because he had committed to Tony that he would come live on the farm, for a month, to break free from his addiction. When Tony arrived he found, Cristofer in the backyard buried under trash. As Tony threw off the trash he found a heartbreaking sight. Cristofer with a bloody nose, was completely high on paint thinner. It was in the middle of the afternoon so he had buried himself under the trash to keep out of the sunlight. Tony, being a father to the fatherless, brought him to safety. Cleaned him up and presented again the idea of coming to live on the farm. He loved on him but made it clear that it was his choice to come or stay. Cristofer said yes, that he did want to come and he committed to staying the entire month.
Here we are 8 days after Tony found Cristofer in the trash and he is still on the farm, by his choice. No only is he on the farm but he is doing so good. He is seeking to know God. He is running from his addictions towards the arms of Christ. For he knows that His Father God has better for him. Henry, just celebrated his eighteenth birthday with us(which was his first party he has ever had) also has an incredible story. He has been living with Tony and his wife for 3 months now. In the past he was daily on the streets assaulting strangers with a knife to get any money he could. That is who he was. The old is gold and the new is alive. Today he is a man of God that is hungry for more of His Savior. I had the privilege of taking part in Cristofer’s baptism on Sunday….along with 8 others!!!! PRAISE GOD!
Not one of these children’s parents showed up for their baptism. All their parents were aware and were even offered a ride to the farm. All gave their word and promised to be there but not one of them showed. My heart broke for these boys but it rejoiced with them as they walked towards Christ knowing HE truly is their Father. He is enough. That is exactly how it should be. He should be our first love.
The old is gone
He is a new creation
Henry right after he was baptized.
I wanted to share this video that was made by another team, so you could get a glimpse of where I will be for the month and an insight into the ministry that I have the honor of serving alongside.
