I know it's been a while since my last post. But the internet is so hard to catch in this country! Even now, I typing as fast as I can so I can give you at least some sort of update.
Pastor Salinas and his wife.
My team is still working with Pastor Salinas and his church. We're getting to know his family more deeply than we ever thought we would. Almost to the point where I feel like our main purpose in Honduras was to learn about this family who has taken us in as their own. They live so selflessly, and so generously. The Salinas' are showing us what a family built in Christ is all about. Their story got even more amazing after finding out about the son, Henry. Henry was once part of the biggest gang in Honduras. He was almost killed 3 times in gang shootings.
Henry loves his Real Madrid!
To honor his privacy, I'll spare any more of the details (I don't know if he wants us telling his whole story yet). But, he was eventually able to get out of the gang. And now the fear that once haunted his life is gone. He still walks the streets with the same swagger, like an immortal, like no one can mess with him. But I think it's because he's more healed than he's ever been. And the name of Jesus means more to him than just a story book character now. He said his dad never stopped praying for him. That's why he decided to leave… because, there was someone who wasn't willing to give up on him. And because his dad fought for him more than the gang did.
We were playing soccer one day at a local field in Teguc. We took a break from playing. Honduran teens were all around us. Some coming to play, some conducting "business", others… who knows… I turned to Henry and asked, "are there any gang members here?" "As a matter of fact, there are 8," he replied. And 2 of them knew exactly who he was! Can you imagine the courage?! He once told me a story about one gang member fleeing to Mexico after leaving the gang. And was eventually killed there for his betrayal. And here was Henry, staring his former collegues in the face! "Are we safe?" I asked. Jokingly, he says, "don't worry, I have friends with guns. Besides, gangs or not, Hondurans respect Americans."
Henry's a great kid and he's become a very influential friend to the team.
Thanks to everyone for being patient with me and my blog posts! I really miss everyone: All my family, friends, and even rocking out on Sunday mornings at Corinth! And thank you for everyone's comments on my blog! I really enjoy hearing yalls thoughts. Special blessings go out to Corinth and my prayer group at Promise B! Love you guys! Please keep it going for me! You'll never know how much it keeps me going to know yall are praying for me back home!
I'd love to tell yall more, but until then, I've been trying to keep up with taking pictures for yall… so enjoy the pics!
On our day off this past Saturday, we went to one of the hospitals to pray and worship outside for a mom who has 3 kids living at Tony's house. Thought she might have stomach cancer. 4 hours later, she walked out the doors of the hospital. It ended up being some bad stomach bacteria or something!
Paul talking to Josue outside the hospital.
Santa Lucia.
