October 27, 2016
I have done a not so good job on blogging these 2 months but I hope you enjoy my updates from here on out! Love you all!
I didn’t know what to expect when going on the race. Even though I read tons of blogs and talked to many different people, nothing could have prepared me for Honduras.
It’s funny how you go someplace with the intention of changing it, but you are the one getting changed in the process. I can’t say that I’ve spent hours on end playing with kids every day, teaching, or building things. I have hot water, great food, phone service, amazing scenery, and even a washer and dryer. It’s phenomenal. There’s the occasional blackout for a few minutes or hours and the water pressure goes down sometimes, but overall it’s extremely amazing.
Aside from the amenities and view, the ministry I’ve been a part of this month is phenomenal. They remind me of the people that Corey Russell talks about in his sermon jam album “Ask of Me”. He says that there are people who you don’t know their faces and you don’t know their names, but Heaven shakes when they speak. That’s David and Scarleth. You won’t find them via google and they aren’t a MASSIVE name here in Honduras, but let me tell you something about these people: Heaven hears them.
I’ve titled this blog post “Becoming Honduran” because of David and Scarleth. They haven’t treated me like “just another racer” knowing that I’ll only be here temporarily for about a month. They’ve treated me like family. Encouraging me with stories of how God came through and just the faithfulness of the Father. Just the other week I was able to see God just provide like crazy for them. They’ve invited me around their family and have confirmed much in me that I don’t even think they have realized. From teaching me to make tortillas to just being a Godly example, they have been nothing short of amazing.
Becoming Honduran isn’t about knowing the culture or speaking Spanish fluently. It’s learning about becoming community. It’s learning about becoming family. It’s learning about becoming love. Becoming Honduran has taught me that I can’t save the world. It’s taught me that sometimes the best thing to do is sit there and just laugh. It’s taught me that the race isn’t about working your butt off for 11 months so you go home exhausted and never wanting to do missions again. It’s taught me to slow down and soak in. It’s taught me that I’m imperfect but there is a Perfect God dwelling inside me.
I feel like this year I’m going to be meeting extended family all over the world. From Honduras to China I’m super excited to see what God does. I’m excited to learn from them and love on them in the process. I’m excited to change.
Thank you all for your prayers and support! God has definitely shown off this month in the most beautiful way. From getting baptized to laughing with children and making new foods, He’s just been so sweet! I have 10 days left here in Honduras and though I’ll be sad to leave, I’m joyous in knowing that I have family here to return to someday.
I’ve attached some pictures from this month!
1) my baptism at the waterfall
2) the kids at the first school
3) my extended family at the carnival in the valley
