Besides squad time, we have done a couple other things since we got here. Saturday we went to Parque Naciones Unidas El Picacaho, a United Nations park. It is a park on a mountain with a huge statute of Jesus overlooking Tegucigalpa. At the park we made sandwiches for lunch. Some of the squad played soccer [futbol] and other games or just hung out and talked. Then there were some of my squad mates who decided to go on the zip line and pay for some of Tony’s boys and girls to go too. Tony stressed how much of a blessing it was for his kids to get to do that. I ended up video taping it for him.
After that time we all walked up the mountain a little farther to the statute of Jesus. He had his arms wide open to the city like he was going to embrace it. There was a beautiful maze-like garden with bridges and paths all through it. We took pictures in front of the city then spent some time in prayer. We prayed as a squad and as teams for the city and country, it’s people, and the work we [God] would be doing over the next 21 days. Later Tony mentioned that this was the first time he had brought a group there and was actually able to relax and have a good time because we took care of everything. That made me so happy.
On the way up there in the bus and on the way back I got to know Tony and his ministry a little better. It is amazing how Tony and his family completely rely on God unlike any other North Americans I have ever seen. They don’t necessarily have steady support for their family and ministry so they literally live day by day on the promises of God. Tony said there have been times when they only had a few dollars left and did not know how they would even pay for their next meal, but somehow God always provided. I truly love the fact that they do not have a concrete plan for finances, ministry, everything. It is a life of completely trusting God and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead them minute-by-minute. I want that. I want that freedom.
Wait a second – did I just say that. Am I not in a similar place regarding the World Race? How many times has my financial support not come in until the last minute or even past the deadline? It tries my nerves but I just said I wanted to live in that type of freedom. Is God training me for life as a missionary? Am I being reminded that I need to fully trust God in everything…?
On Sunday we had a pastor come and speak to us. Apparently church is at 4pm in Honduras. The message was titled, “Don’t Surrender” and the scripture was Joshua 1:9.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Notice these are commands: (1) be strong; (2) be courageous [fearless; trusting God]; (3) do not be frightened; (4) do not be dismayed.
Do not fade away; it’s going to be worth it all.
Afterward, two of Tony’s boys gave their testimonies. It was heart breaking to see where they came from, but awesome to see how far God has brought them. From the pits of the trash dump to a relationship with Him.
