Hola Amigos!
Currently sitting here in Honduras-two and a half weeks in-and already learning and experiencing so much. As I type this, here is my view:
It’s safe to say that Honduras is beautiful. We are surrounded by lush green mountains, trees with bright orange flowers, horses walking through the village streets, and a sweet simplicity that comes from rural living. Each morning I wake up to the sounds of the roosters crowing and the babies stirring as the sun comes up. Each new day has felt like a breath of fresh air as I open my door, take in the beauty surrounding me, climb in my hammock, and spend time with Jesus. It’s pretty dang sweet to say that this is the life I get to live this year. I get to live in the simplicity and freedom that Jesus designed for us- all over the world. PUMPED.
Our ministry this month is two hours outside of the capital city-Tegucigalpa-in a tiny village. The ministry is called Heart of Christ and our ministry hosts are an American couple that have been living and serving in Honduras for 11 years.
When we pulled up to the gate of our ministry, I had no idea what to expect. Our ministry and location had changed the day before our squad flew to Honduras, so we were just living the flexible life, ya know? We walked through the gate, sat in the home of our hosts and listened to them explain what their ministry is about and what they are doing to serve Jesus here in Honduras.
This ministry is SO COOL. Their aim is to rescue and restore women and children who have been victims of violence, rape, and exploitation. Holla. My first thought was one of pure excitement at the opportunity to dive into a ministry that is fighting for justice, and fighting hard. The stories that we have heard, the pictures we have seen, the people we have met-all have broken our hearts, caused righteous anger to arise, and tears of sadness to fall. The reality in Honduras is that most women have their first child by age 15 and many are abused. Gangs thrive. Incest is common. Daily life is a fight.
But then- thankfully with Jesus there is always a “but then”- there are people fighting for justice for these women and children. Currently at the mission there are 4 toddlers, 5 pre-school/kindergarteners, one 7 year old, two young girls with cerebral palsy, one mom, and then the staff who teaches the kids and works with them. Let me share some of their stories. (forewarning: these stories are graphic and tough to swallow, but I believe it is important for us to know the reality, so we can stand in the gap for those who have no voice and do not experience justice for the evil that they have been through.)
Meet Alejandro
Alejandro’s mother was raped repeatedly by her father. Her father would rape her at machete point so she wouldn’t scream or run. She was rescued and had Alejandro when she was 14 years old. She had Alejandro here, but then abandoned him by running away with a man she met in the village.
Meet Carolina
Carolina was rescued from a terribly abusive home. Carolina was found at one year old, tied up on the dirt floor, having been burned, beaten, and raped by her family. This mark on her wrist is from where she sucked her wrist to self-soothe while she was tied up. She couldn’t reach her thumb. Praise God, her stepfather who caused all this evil is in prison.
Meet Dulce
Dulce was rescued just before her death. Dulce was born on the side of a mountain and left there to die. With placenta still attached, crying for hours, people finally heard her wails. She was rescued just in time. Two days later her mother was arrested.
Meet Cristofer
Cristofer’s mom was in a relationship with a drug dealer. She was on drugs during her pregnancy with Cristofer, which is why he is so small for his age. His mom ran away from her boyfriend needing help as a pregnant mother. She had Cristofer at the mission, but then ran away.
Meet Katarine
Katarine and her mom are both here at the mission. Michelle, Katarine’s mother, was previously living as a servant of her home. Her older brother murdered her father when she was 6 years old. From then on, Michelle’s mother’s boyfriends would rape her and force her to work in the fields. Michelle became pregnant with Katarine at 11 years old, having Katarine at 12. Michelle was rescued and has been living at the mission with her daughter, Katarine, ever since.
Whew. Typing out these stories weighs so heavily on my heart. All of the kids here have a story and a past. However, from spending time with these sweet babies, I don’t see their past. I see the promising future that they will have because they have been rescued. Here at the mission, these kids are embraced with the love that Jesus has for every single one of us. They are educated. They are fed. They are taught what it means to live into their identity as son or daughter of God. It is such a beautiful thing to see that their past does not and will not define them. They will have powerful testimonies one day that will bring the hope of Jesus to this nation. So, to get to have a small part in that process is so humbling. To be able to play with these children, teach them, love them, and to be loved BACK by them is one of the best things there is in this life. Every time I look into their eyes, I see redemption. I see hope.
The Holy Spirit overflows in this place and you can feel the healing that is taking place here. I have seen that my compassionate Father stops for the one. He cares about every. single. one. So while there is still so much evil here, I will choose to celebrate the lives that have been redeemed and the stories that have been rewritten. I will pray for this nation. I will pray for more people to stand in gap for the voiceless. I will continue to love people like Jesus does.
I don’t know what the rest of this year on the Race will hold, but I do know that being here, serving here, and learning here is exactly where I am supposed to be. So thank you to those of y’all who have helped get me here. Thank you for reading this. Thank you for praying.
His kingdom come. His will be done.
Love, Court
P.S. Here are some prayer requests for all you prayer warriors out there:
-This past week, Honduras has experienced monsoon rains that have caused mudslides and flooding. Many homes have been damaged. Our team is going into the village tomorrow to lay concrete over the mud floors in some of the villagers’ homes. So prayers for the rains to chill out and for the people we will encounter: that the Holy Spirit would move. Here is a picture of one of the homes we will lay concrete floors in:
-Health for our team
-To finish strong as we have one week of ministry left in Honduras before we head to Guatemala on Nov. 3rd.
