This past weekend we had the opportunity to go to Roatan Island off the coast of Honduras. All of the people going chipped in extra money so that we could take Tony and some of his boys from Zion's Gate Ministries. It was their first time on a boat and some of their first times on a beach. As we sailed back to the mainland on the ferry I asked all the boys about their weekend. I asked for their top three things that they liked most about the weekend and why. Here are their responses:
Rony
1) My favorite was riding the ferry across to Roatan. It was my first time on a boat. It was my favorite because it is very exciting to ride on a boat.
2) Number two was the beach. It was my first time on a beach. I liked it because it is very pretty and a lot of fun.
3) I also liked the park and hanging out with the monkeys. It was very exciting to see the monkeys and it was really funny because Tony got bitten on the ear and attacked by the monkeys.
Herman
1) Snuba diving was my favorite because I have never done it. The picture with Tony was the best part of it.
2) The water trampoline was my second favorite. Jumping and doing flips was really fun. Then when we jumped onto the blob and shot people into the air, it was so fun!
3) Sharing my testimony and reflection on Psalms 71:20-21. Because it is an opportunity for me to share so that everyone participate in helping me. These words were important to me because it shares my past but also my future.
Cristopher
1) Fire dancer was my favorite especially the part about with the hula hooping girl. The music and the night, just the whole experience was my favorite.
2) The rope swing was number two. I was the only Honduran to do it and it was very dangerous.
3) Snuba diving was my third favorite because it was my first time. The fish were the best to see under the water, especially the bigger ones.
Walter
1) The Aqua Glide in the ocean was my favorite because I like riding down with friends. I was fearful at first to go down but I don't have anymore fear.
2) The second was the boat. I liked it very much. I had a lot of fear and trembling before I got on the boat but I don't anymore. I liked the waves, they were so fun.
3) I like playing with the group at the beach because I liked talking to everyone and it was my first time at the ocean. I loved to eat on the beach and swimming.
Ariel
1) The first thing was the experience on the boat. The big waves were way fun! It was my first time on a boat.
2) The park was my second. The monkeys were awesome, one bit my ear!
3) The fire dancers in the night were my third favorite. The guy was the best, when he was using the bull whip was my favorite.
Thinking back on the weekend it was amazing to see the boy's faces as they saw each new thing. Just to watch their faces as we embarked on a new experience. Just a couple of guys who have changed radically over the past months that have started to realize that "everything is possible with God." Tony's phrase that is often used here at Zion's Gate. Everything is possible with God and coming back from that beautiful place makes me wonder how anyone could ever question that. We took five boys from Los Pinos, the poorest colony in Honduras, and they got to snuba dive, snorkel, play on a beach and hang out with a bunch of North Americans. I'm not trying to brag, I am trying to say when you follow God he is going to provide for you in more ways than you could ever imagine.
One thing that Tony said that really stuck with me was, "What's cool is that they want me to do everything with them. When I was eighteen I didn't want anyone old to be with me."
It's something that really speaks to the character of the ministry that is happening here in Honduras. These boys who used to be living on the streets and behind dumpsters are radically changing and seeking after the Lord. What people are saying impossible and impractical, Zion's gate is making a reality.
Pray for these boys, pray for Roatan to be a life-altering experience for them. Pray for their hearts. Pray for courage to be different. Pray for example. Pray knowing that anything is possible with God. Anything.
