It’s been almost three months since I left home…the days are long, but the time is FLYING!
This month my team and another team (Comeback Kids) are serving in the Valle de Angeles, Honduras. We are staying in the home of our ministry hosts (an amazing 26 year old married couple) and have been blessed with hot showers and a cozy living room. I can’t even put into words how much the Lord has spoiled us this month. Spending the holidays in a house with 14 of the greatest friends I’ve ever had has made being away from the States for the holidays completely worth it.
Our home this month
Valle De Angeles, Honduras
Here’s the whole gang!
Our ministry hosts, David and Scarlett, are the founders of Hope at Hand. Typically, their ministry is in the local schools with discipleship and a feeding program. However, its summer vacation here in Honduras so ministry for us has looked completely different.
We’ve been serving at an orphanage for people with disabilities. Many of the residents have autism, down syndrome, schizophrenia, or other cognitive delays. The majority of them were abandoned, neglected, or rejected by their own families. Some have lived at this home since birth, others were found in abandoned homes or even on the street. The stories I’ve heard this month are heartbreaking….gut wrenching. But God doesn’t forget the forgotten and each one of these beautiful souls has been given a new chance to experience the life they deserve.
To paint a visual picture, this gated compound has around 12 little homes that house about 10 residents. Each home has two “tias” who take care of the residents and treat them as their own. The tias are some of the most patient, loving caregivers I’ve ever met. They do an incredible job of cooking, cleaning, bathing, and planning fun activities. On this compound there is a kitchen, basketball court, soccer field, garden, arts and craft room, and activities hall. The whole orphanage is surrounded by pine forests; it really is a beautiful place!
We’ve all grown to love these residents as our friends. They are all unique and have brought so much joy, laughter, and love to our lives this month.
We call him “koala” because he gives the best hugs!
Meet Edwin. You’ll never see him without a smile on his face!
This is “muneco” which means doll in Spanish. He loves to sing to us every morning!
This is Moises. He’s such a sweetheart, unless you stop working in the garden, then he means business!
This is Nino. He is obsessed with drinking our water bottles and eating everything in sight! He loves to dance when we worship and works super hard with us in the garden.
Ada pretty much runs the place. She is equal parts sassy and lovable! I’m going to miss her dearly.
Christmas Party!
My team and I have spent dozens of hours socializing with the residents and working on the compound. Here are a few examples of things we’ve done:
-Cleared a row of 20 foot banana trees with machetes
-Helped level a garden with a pickaxe and rake
-Cut and cleared tons of brush
-Christmas caroling
-Latin dance party with residents
-Picked a truck full of oranges in the mountains
-Made homemade piñatas
-Learned how to make plantain chips
-Played soccer and basketball with the residents
-Held a Christmas party (piñatas, games, songs, skits, dinner)
-Peeled and squeezed over 200 Honduran lemons
-Made breakfast for a house church
-Cleaned and organized homes
-Received countless hugs and sometimes unwanted kisses (ha ha)
Everyday looks so different here in Honduras. We never know what were doing that day until it’s happening. The only consistent thing we’ve had is the presence of God, which has been extremely evident this whole month (And beans and rice)!
Here are a few things God has been teaching me this month:
1. God doesn’t forget the forgotten. I’ve had to hold back tears several times this month. The people at the orphanage are by far the sweetest souls I’ve ever encountered. They know how to show unconditional love. They laugh more often than not. The higher functioning residents help feed and take care of the lower functioning ones. The enemy has tried to sneak in and say “How can a loving God abandon His children? Why would He allow them to experience such pain?” The Spirit is quick to remind me God has not forgotten a single resident at this home. They have all been created in His image with a purpose. They have experienced His joy, His peace, and His presence in many ways. God has sent angels to care for them, and I believe has promised everlasting life to them. Jesus died to save them, and even though life on this earth can suck, it’s only temporary.
2. Remember the Gospel. On long days, when I worry about keeping momentum for 8 more months, I’ve heard the Holy Spirit say “Remember the Gospel.” It seems ironic, since I’m ultimately here to preach the Gospel that He would be telling me to remember it. When Jesus hung on the Cross, He could have easily called upon Angels to come rescue Him. To those who loved Him and watched Him be brutally murdered, that probably made more sense. I’m sure they thought “God, why are you allowing this to happen?!” Sometimes we ask ourselves the same question, “God, why did you allow these residents to experience such loss? Surely it would be better if you (fill in the blank)!” But God’s sovereignty and plan surpasses all understanding. It may not make sense to us at the time, but we just have to trust and know that all things work for the good of those who love Him. When I face trials, or see gut retching tragedy I remember the gospel and know He is in control.
Again, I want to express my gratitude to all of those who have supported me. I have less than $1,000 to raise until I’m fully funded. Raising almost $17,000 seemed like an impossible task, but thankfully God’s love isn’t contingent on what we believe in it. He loves to provide for His children, even when we hesitate, and second guess His abilities. I have grown leaps and bounds in my faith in the past three months. It’s difficult for me to put into words how grateful I am for this opportunity; even more difficult to do it without crying! God is so good you guys. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has supported me financially, prayed for me, wrote me letters/messages, and sent thoughts my way! God has used every single one of you to bring Kingdom to earth! WOOT! All the glory to Him!
