This blog is a quick recap of some of the big moments from last month in Honduras. Here are some of my favorite memories (in no particular order) of this amazing place!
- Living at Zion’s Gate: getting shot in the back with nerf guns by the family’s youngest boy, Anderson, daily hugs from Johnny and Wilder, sitting on top of the prayer wall overlooking the mountains, hearing the laughter of the school kids dressed in their uniforms playing on the property after school each day, the fruit truck driving by selling mangos, coconuts, and mini-bananas, “family time”/bible study/worship at Tony and Nidia’s house, seeing the city’s lights at night, playing soccer with the boys, home-made pupusas
- Community Day:
playing bingo with local kids, watching and cheering at a soccer game between the locals and Americans, watching a horsemanship competition, bestowing the prize ribbon, talking to community members 
3. “Takin’ it to the Streets”: making bright signs that offer prayer and encouragement, throwing candies into cars that barely slow down as they drive by, praying with strangers, dancing like we’re crazy, waving to smiling faces in cars and the backs of trucks, horn honks from cars, motorcycles, and truck drivers - Ministry at La Kennedy: forming relationships with people I would have been afraid to approach two months ago, hearing the stories of trial and hardship and becoming aware of such great needs, being invited into homes made out of tin and loose boards, teaching English words to eager learners, making a group of teens and children stop and take turns because they were so eager to show off their ability to count to 10 and say the alphabet in English to me, serving a spaghetti lunch, bright red and blue hair dye, washing an entire community’s hair with a bucket and bowl, painting nails, tree sticker wars with the kids, coloring books, sharing clothes, a new sense of compassion.
Photo taken by Brittney Dietzman
- Visiting local churches: worshiping in English at CCI, meeting missionaries working around the country, learning new worship songs, waving flags in worship at Ruth’s church, hearing a first-hand testimony of physical healing of a squad-mates’ hand, being refilled and recharged in preparation for a new month of ministry
6.Gracie’s: befriending 3 beautiful young women who have a new hope in them, playing with Moises, Alejandro, and Diego, 3 incredibly energetic and bold toddler boys, feeding Yvonnia and Erica in their helplessness, seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter at our silliness, coffee hour and bible studies with Gracie, praying for Ben and hearing about the miracle of his release from being kidnapped, singing with Milagro, writing notes of encouragement, caring for 3 adorable babies, eating a grilled cheese AND a peanut butter and jelly sandwich during one meal, running through the rain to fill buckets with bathing water, washing dishes using only a headlamp for light, sleeping in a bed!
This has been an amazing month. Zion’s Gate and all its ministries are beautiful examples of what Christian community is and how the ministry of the Church can be carried out in a very tangible way. I am sad to leave! But Lord willing…maybe I’ll be back some day 🙂
Next stop: Nicaragua! More to come. Take care dear friends.
