And that’s how I came to be in Honduras right now. To many people, the decision to be in Honduras right now may seem like a rash decision. Especially given the fact that I made that decision about 3 weeks before I came. And maybe it was a bit of a rash decision. That would be nothing new for my ‘fly by the seat of my pants’ personality. But somehow, there is something more.
Let me take you back in time over three weeks ago. A journal entry could go something like this:
Life is good. I am still looking for another job and a place to live. I love jumping from place to place and living with friends and family, but I still need something more permanent. I had a great job opportunity/ living situation in Toronto that seemed like such a God given gift, especially seeing how important people in my life where encouraging me to do it. But now, it all fell through. It seems like every door is closing in my face. So my question is… If doors here are closing, what door is opening?
And so it began, or should I say continued. I knew when I was in Honduras back in May that I needed to come back here at some point. To do what? I wasn’t exactly sure. I just knew somehow that I wanted to come back to the small Garifuna village, Sambo Creek that I had only spent two hours at. In my humanness I decided that coming back in February would be the best option for me, so I could afford the trip and spend 3 months here before I would require a Visa.
But God had other plans for me. I have learned a long time ago that God generally speaks to me though open and closed doors. So when the doors around home started closing in my face, I started pushing on the door to Honduras. The door opened and other doors started opening that pointed me in this direction.
My plan in coming back to Sambo Creek was to see what my vision and passion for this place is and see if there could be a long term vision for me here. I mean I want to work with kids’ right!?! But I can do that literally anywhere! I feel like the Lord is calling me to go back to school next year and I would like a little more direction on how that will look.
Along with coming back to Sambo, the Lord also gave me an amazing opportunity to spend a couple weeks with Gracie and Papi Lee at Heart of Christ in Talanga. I know this will be an encouraging and inspiring time for me, but also a great opportunity to learn from amazing people who already have a great vision and organization.
So I arrived in Sambo Creek 17 days ago, and what exactly have I been doing? The first week I was here I was devoted to helping a local organization Les Heullas de Esperanza (Fingerprints of Hope). We visited different schools and shared a bible lesson with the kids. I love that we can do this so freely here and it is vital to be able to reach kids at a young age so they can hear about Jesus. We also go to a Drug Rehab Centre on Thursdays to share the word and host a bible study with the local boys and a kids club at the place I am staying.
So I was becoming a little frustrated in the fact that I still have not found my purpose here and instead of having a clearer vision I feel like a little squirrel darting all over the place trying to keep his nuts together! There are so many opportunities, but what can I do about it? And then… I met Vicky. Tuesday found us going into a small village to yet another school- pretty much the last place I expected to find English speakers. But It didn’t take me long to pick out the English voice enthusiastically leading the kids in an energetic ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’. After the lesson I met Vicky and her friends who are visiting from the States. While going into so many schools I have been thinking about how cool it would be to offer an English class for the kids as well as sharing the gospel, and this is what Vicky does. She also took us to her beautiful place where she hosts kids’ club and youth group. I am excited to spend more time helping her teach English next week and learn from her. This divine appointment was just the thing I needed to encourage me and give me a fresh passion.
So… that is the latest from Honduras. I am looking forward to see how the Lord directs from here.
