While in Honduras, month four of the race, I had ‘MAN’istry month. A month where all the guys on our squad do life together. We worship together, eat together, and best of all, we minister together. This was a month that was one for the books. We were given the opportunity to listen to what God might have for us and discover our own ministry. For me, I was called to minister to the homeless of La Cieba.
I wasn’t sure what this looked like exactly but I knew this was what I needed to do. I worked alongside a couple of other guys from my squad, Cody and Brad, who also felt called to minister to the homeless of La Cieba. As a way to begin this ministry and seeking out what The Lord had for us, we decided to go down to the town center and pray for people.
Following Brad and Cody, I observed people asking for food or money to buy food on every street corner. As I continued to see person after person, God reminded me that He saw each of these individuals as His sons and daughters. I had packed two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch that day. I felt compelled to give both sandwiches out and give it to one of the guys we ran into. When I gave him the sandwiches, his eyes lit up with thankfulness and surprise that I even looked his way. Then it clicked in my big head. These people were longing for more than actual food. What they were really longing for was to just be noticed and loved.
Coming home that night I was on fire to do more and to serve more. I talked to one of my squad leaders and asked him what else I could do. He simply said, “Josh if you want to go and feed the homeless then do it.” We went to the store that next day and got enough food to make 10 ham and cheese sandwiches. Along with the sandwiches we included crackers, a banana, and a bag of water. Lastly, I included one of my favorite bible verses, Joshua 1:9, in Spanish.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong
And courageous. Do not be afraid; do not
Be discouraged for the Lord your God will
Be with you wherever you go.
That day we went and gave out the lunches and prayed over each individual. As we were doing this, we ran into our friends on the corner near the church in the center of town.
We greeted each other and I asked them if they had had lunch. They said no so we took out the lunches we had made for them. Here I was giving to the homeless but I couldn’t help but notice that these people were no different than the people I encounter on a day to day basis. Seeing these guys made me feel like I was just dropping by someone’s house to catch up. The only difference, their house just happened to be on the side of the road. When I sat down to have a conversation with them, people began to look, stare, give me thumbs up, etc. It was almost like everyone was thinking, “What is this gringo doing sitting and talking with these guys?” It amazed me that there was so much attention brought to the situation when I, a gringo, was sitting there talking to these guys compared to the lack of attention these guys received when they were just asking for food or money.
While I was sitting there talking to these guys, a news reporter stopped and asked what we were doing…so we told them!
What we were doing ended up on the Honduran evening news
And so was our friend.
Just a few hours prior, this man was looked over by numerous people. Now, he was being interviewed for the Honduran evening news talking about how he was just having lunch with some friends.
Matthew 25: 35-40 says, “For I was hungry and you have me something to eat, I was thirsty and you have me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick and in prison and go to visit you? The king will reply “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Everyone is the same in this world. Yes, we have been through different circumstances but when it comes down to it, we are all sons and daughters of the King and that is all that really matters. When we have been blessed by The Lord, I believe that we are called to bless others and in turn, show others God’s love. Love can be demonstrated in many forms. Today, love was shown with a brown paper bag and a good conversation.
Oh yeah…the first thing I bought for the World Race was also the first thing I gave away…my Chacos. This brother of mine needed them way more than I did. You who supported me and continue supporting me are literally helping me clothe the naked. I can’t thank you enough!
