It's hard to believe that it's only been a little over a week since we arrived in Honduras. Alumni racers weren't joking when they said every day seems like a week when you're on the race. After a night's sleep in the DC airport, we had a fairly short and easy travel day to arrive here last Friday. Our whole squad is together this month and we are staying at a property called Zion's Gate Ministry. It is so big and beautiful and filled with joyful people. Our guide, Tony had everything already set up and ready to go for us. We are so spoiled here! We set up our tents in an open area indoors and have a real bathroom and showers. Tony moved here about 6 years ago from Utah and met his wife. Together, they discovered their calling to take care and change the lives of boys who grew up in the streets/dumps. So they purchased this place, completely remodeled everything from the ground up, and now are discipling 7 boys. There is no gate to keep the boys here, and anyone is welcomed to come and go as they please – but they don't leave. This is their new home and Tony has become their father. They have such pure hearts and are filled with happiness and gratitude. While Tony has a whole calendar of events for us planned this month, our main ministry is to play with the boys and girl here; showing them God's love.
We were blessed to have the opportunity to rest the first three days of our arrival. During those days, our squad had some bonding time and each took turns telling our testimonies and how we got to be the person we are today. I learned many things about myself those two nights. First, that I am a feeler. Hearing the stories of my fellow squad mates and the terrible things they have gone through drained me immensely. I had to physically sit down at one point because my heart hurt so much for them. Second thing I learned about myself is that I am SO blessed. My past struggles are nothing in comparison and my family is beyond amazing. But out of the pain and thankfulness, I realized my desire to heal. I want The Lord to use me to help the hurting, to give me the comforting words to say, and to be His peace and calmness. I know these abilities will come in due time by getting to know Him more and more every day.
Our ministry last week was to dig and build a tilapia farm so that the fish and proceeds may go to orphans. Day one, my team and I were definitely on the struggle bus. Pushing boulders through the mud (and cow poo) was not our cup of tea but we thankfully found a way to laugh through the disgusting-ness of it all. It also didn't hurt that we were working way up in the mountains at one of the most beautiful places in all Honduras, Vallejo de Angeles. My teammate Jordan said it best to sum up the atmosphere of the whole week, "There was a moment, when I was knee deep in poo, moving a 1,500 pound boulder, that I stopped and looked around me. I thought to myself, there is no where I would rather be, than here with team G.P.S. and on the world race."
And I couldn't agree more.
I am so happy here. I feel at home; not in the way that I feel God calling me back here permanently, but at home. I feel as if I have a constant blanket of peace over my shoulders. My heart is full of joy and while we are in the murder capital of the world, I have not felt at harm once and do not carry a spirit of fear.
Thank you everyone for your prayers, I am blessed to know you all.
