Well folks, I’ve made it to month 4!! We are in La Ermita, Honduras at an organization called Heart of Christ! The holidays are a lot harder than expected, but being here with this ministry has made this Christmas season amazing so far.
Heart of Christ is a ministry that encompasses three different areas: spiritual (they disciple and train leaders living in the area), mercy (providing food, clothes, medicine, education, Christmas gifts, and disaster aid), and Victims & Children (rescue women, children, elderly and disabled from violence). They provide a place of refuge for victims where they can live safely. They also have a specialized children’s home that provides great care for children who are otherwise abandoned. http://heartofchristhonduras.org
While the stories of the victims and children are heartbreaking and sad, these women and children are amazing and have such hearts for God. I have truly enjoyed getting to know them this past week and am looking forward to spending this holiday season with them.
Which brings me to my main goal of this blog: to discuss Christmas. Recently, we had a devotion with our ministry host, Gracie. We were discussing the holidays and talking about the meaning of Christmas. She asked us the same thing she asks the children at events at Christmas time. She asked, “What would you do if I told you we were going to throw you a big party for your birthday, with lots of food and presents, tons of decorations, family and friends?”. She waits for them to respond (most with an excited “yes!”). And then she asks, “But what if I told you you were not invited to the party?”.
She then goes on to say that this is exactly what we do to Jesus on Christmas, and its so true. Every year, we have the food and presents, we celebrate the holidays, but what are we really celebrating? How many people actually sit down and think about what we are celebrating? The day deserves a big celebration because it was the day our Savior was born! But I think we need to sit back and think about how we are doing it. Are we celebrating the way He would want us to?
All over the world, there are millions of people who will have no presents on Christmas. Most of those millions won’t even have a meal that day. In Honduras, 60% of the population lives at or below the national poverty line. So many people have no hope. They live in extreme conditions without knowing the true meaning of Christmas. This ministry helps to provide a little hope in a place that is so hopeless. This year, Heart of Christ will hand out over 4,000 small gifts to children in different areas of Honduras. This may be the only gift they receive, but to them it is enough. They are happy with the simple toy or pencil and pieces of candy they get. Would you be able to say the same thing?
This holiday season, I challenge myself and you to really think about what the day means. It isn’t just a day that we give and receive gifts and eat lots of good food. It’s a day to celebrate the reason we are all here and able to celebrate. It’s Jesus’ birthday! I hope you enjoy the holiday season and know I’m sending love from Honduras.
As always, please continue to pray for my team, my squad, and anyone who isn’t able to be with their families throughout this holiday season! Your continuous love and support keeps us going.
Xoxo,
Kaitlin
