Honduras was a month of community. I learned what community living is and I have to say it’s not the easiest. There were moments I loved and moments I wished there weren’t 49 other people around. There is always commotion, never a dull moment, always someone to talk to or someone who wants to talk to you.
I have been able to use my profession as a Certified Athletic Trainer on the race, which I never thought would happen. Being around 49 other people someone is bound to be hurt. Well that is what happened. I had about 7 patients this month, and many more I am sure but I wasn’t able to see them. There is only 1 of me. But it was so great how God has allowed me to use my athletic training skills to help my squad mates. I would evaluate them, diagnose them, and give them a rehabilitation plan as best as I could with the limited resources I have here out on the field in a rural country. I have started my own clinic World Race style. : )
A day in the ministry life in Honduras consisted of having a bus pick us up from where we were living at 7am and take us to Gracie’s house. Once we arrived at her house we broke up between doing construction, working at the house with the kids, or going into different villages to do a survey for a food program. At 3pm we would stop our ministry and have a cookie, coffee, and devotions with everyone. It was wonderful and a great way to close out the day.
We built a block wall all the way around the back of Gracie and Papi Lee’s house. They were so impressed at how fast we were able to get the block wall done. I am so glad we were able to finish it for them!
It was bittersweet saying goodbye to all the kids, Michelle and Milagros (the teen mom’s), Gracie, Papi Lee, the cooks, Lana and Carson (the interns), and the nannies. They are a great group of people at that house and they told us how much they love us and how much they appreciated the work we did. Michelle and Milagros spoke to us as a group and Gracie said this is something they have never done before. We hit the 500 mark of people from AIM (Adventures in Missions) who have been at their house, and Michelle and Milagros have never spoken up to the whole group at once before us. That is something special! God has done amazing things in their lives. He has given them hope and has showed them love through people like us!
I slept in a tent all month, and I must say, it wasn’t all that bad. It was nice having my own space, but this month I get a bed! We are in Nicaragua now. We have been staying in Granada with the whole squad for leadership development week. We have been able to explore a little, and have talks about how to be a better leader. On Thursday the team leaders, squad leaders, and logistics spent a day together at a lagoon about 30 minutes from Granada. It was a day of fun and rest and to enjoy God’s beautiful creation. We swam, jumped off a dock, kayaked, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and each other. God is a god of fun! He wants us to laugh. He wants us to do things that bring us joy and he wants to do them with us. He gives us passions and desires that we must pursue because they bring us closer to God.
When we got back from our day of fun, I spoke to the squad about the “Pursuit of Joy”. I talked about looking at the positive side of every situation and to not dwell on the negative because it will only bring you down and others around you. It will not help you accomplish anything if you are negative. Joy is an attribute of God. It is apart of who he is and he created us in the image of him. We have joy in ourselves we must tap into. Two ways I described finding joy are, first, give God permission to have your whole life. Trust him. Joy will come from the obedience of trusting God. Second, find what makes you happy; what brings a smile to your face; what gives you excitement. Mine is going to the beach! Seeing the ocean brings me great joy and brings me closer to God. As well as being adventurous and doing outside activities such as hiking, snowboarding, surfing, riding my bike on the boardwalk, stand up paddle boarding, pretty much anything active and outdoors… God and I love to go on adventures together. What brings you joy?
Now we are in Managua, Nicaragua working with a ministry called Breaking Chains. A man named Steven (from the states) and his wife Kenia (from Mexico) head up the ministry. We will be working to rescue and restore women who have been sexually exploited. Breaking Chains gives these women hope and teaches them about the freedom they have in Christ Jesus. They are also taught necessary skills to achieve independence and provided with education depending on their personal needs to enable them to live successful lives. We will be working Monday-Friday during the day at the house we will be living in and sometimes going out into the community.
Fun fact….Steven lived in Newport Beach, California for 15 years. And the ministry Breaking Chains started in San Diego and Steven said PLNU has worked with Breaking Chains. He said he loves going to San Diego! So cool! Small world!
When I was first informed of our ministry for this month, I had a small sense of worry, but that same night I took my worry to the Lord and he gave me peace. I sat in the grass and looked up at the bright stars and it made me feel so small. There are many layers of the stars and God created each of them uniquely. As I was sitting, I felt the wind and as I did I heard the Lord say to me, “I am with you.” God is with me ALWAYS. His presence is like the wind. You can’t see it, but you can feel it. It is all around you. He wants us to feel his presence. All you have to do is be still and ask him what he has to say to you. He has so much to say, but he is going to wait to say it until you are quiet and still and are listening for him.
Each month is different from the last and I am looking forward to the great things God has for me in this month. I know they will be bigger and greater than the last!
Thank you for your prayers and continued support!
