Made it!
Tegucigalpa, Honduras has been invaded by the O Squad. After a sleep in the Washington Dulles airport and being serenaded by 80's music, we boarded a plane at 6:00 AM to start the travel day. A layover in Miami and one heck of a landing in Tegucigalpa… Picture this – the world shortest runway, mountains and houses in your face and the pilot letting you know not to be alarmed but there will be heavy breaking upon landing…yup, it happened.
Once outside the airport we were welcomed by the last thing I would expect. Dominoes, Chili's (Canada doesn't even have a Chili's…), Burger King, Wendy's, Applebees, Sherwin Williams (for my Designer friends…). North America invades more than I thought. But more importantly we were met by the lovely Tony and his boys from Zion's Gate where we are staying for our time here. Tony and Nidia are the founders and dream weavers of Zion's Gate just outside Tegucigalpa. The land that we are staying on used to be the sin city of area. It was once a place were anyone could come and do whatever they want. It was called Cotton Club, and what happened at Cotton Club, stayed at Cotton Club – that is until the owner found the sweet saving love of Jesus and abandoned the land and build.
Enter Tony.
Tony had come to Honduras on a missions trip over 5 years ago. He then returned shortly after by request of a local pastor for 6 months. After 3 month he knew Honduras was God's calling in his life. He went back to America, sold his things, packed up and headed to start the new chapter of his life here. He and his wife (who he met in Honduras) set up camp at the abandoned Cotton Club land and transformed it to Zion's Gate. Here Tony ministers to boys from the street of all ages. He takes them in, clothes them, feeds them, gives them an education and has such a deep love for them that I have never seen before. They also have a another family member who was a past World Racer that fell in love with the people and ministry here. Her name is Cassie and she moved here a year ago and when she moved she brought the funds raised to build a dormitory for girls. Amazing!
Upon arrival here we were introduced to everyone, fed an amazing meal of homemade papusas and set up camp aka tenting it for the next three weeks. We are blessed to have real life toilets, but don't worry I will keep you posted on when a squatie potie makes it's way into my life. Tony arranged with the local police to have around the clock officers to guard and look out for us. Tony spoke with the government authorities to arrange this set up to encourage North Americans and locals together that it is a safe place to be. The following day we went to a park that has a bigger than life Jesus (but clearly not AS big as Jesus…) and had the opportunity to pray for the city. On Sunday a Spanish-esk service at Zion's Gate where two of the boys shared there testimony, time of worship and a local pastor preached.
We jumped into ministry on Tuesday and because we are all together, each team were given a rotating schedule. My team has been working at Zion's Gate on the girls dormitory moving and excavating the front of the house from all the dirt and rocks (heavy on the rocks) when the foundation was dug. We then would sort through the rocks and move the big ones to an area of the property where we built a rock wall. Can I say that I have never seen so many rocks in my life?! Just when you think you have cleared enough rocks away….It's a skittles commercial. The more you touch, the more they multiply. BUT we succeeded in clearing out the front of the dormitory. Hoe-ing hills, slinging rocks, getting things done. Not only do I have more respect for the the trades people I have merely just hired to to this kind of work, but I have a new respect for the Amish…bobcats anyone? Seriously.
I even stared dreaming about rocks. My team and I were driving a convoy down a random road an BAM rocks keeps poppin up out of the ground. Stay tuned for next week when my team and I will be doing some more digging for a fish farm in knee high mud/poop mixture. I can only imagine what dreams lie ahead…
Praise – safe travels, team/squad unity & back still in one piece. Prayer – that God will continue to keep us safe & healthy, joyful team spirit throughout next week, not letting the language barrier be an issue and boldness to step out.
Random other Honduras tidbits:
-sunsets are beautiful
-windy days make my tent fly away
-fruits and vegetables are sold via drive by trucks with megaphones
-I get feed better here than at home
-.50 cents for two tacos anyone?
-I raise your tacos with a $3 whole cooked chicken
-hospital visits are $7 (just to be clear, none on record for me)
-squirrels = dogs here
-new homes are $25,000
-showers are served cold
-I still love doing laundry, even by hand
Until next time!
