While
in Honduras with B Squad we partnered with a guy named Tony Deien. Tony goes into one of the most dangerous
neighborhoods in Honduras and builds relationships with street kids to rescue
them from that lifestyle and show them Jesus.
Tony
would share stories with us about each kids history. Many times these stories led me to tears. This blog captures it well: Dear Seth Barnes
When
God told me to take care of 100 orphans, there were two places in the world I
immediately thought of: Cambodia and
Honduras. In Cambodia, we taught
English to a group of 50-60 kids. They
captured my heart. They are sweet and
brilliant and fun and absolutely souled out to Jesus. In Honduras, there was Sandra and Nicole and Fernando and Ariel
and many of the other kids who captured my heart. They have rough histories, but bright futures!
So
the other night God began to show me that Honduras was the next step. He gave me a vision of going there for two
months, to see which of the street kids He highlights on my heart to get taken
care of. While I was excited, I was
also apprehensive. I wanted to move in
a different direction. I wanted to go
somewhere, secure a job, and get some financial stability.
As
I prayed about it, God reminded me of a few stories:
1)
The story of Joshua and Caleb and the 12 spies. God told me that I’m no ‘grasshopper’, and
that I could either retreat, or go forward and take the land!
2)
The story of the Israelites about to cross the Jordan river. They had to step in the water BEFORE the
waters rolled back. God told me that if
I jump, He would jump too!
3)
God once again impressed upon my heart, as He has over the past
couple years, “I want you to work for me.”
Even
with all that God was speaking, the risks still seemed too big. I needed more faith to make this decision,
and so He sent Jess Gasperin to give my faith a kick start!
Long
story short, Jess was on serve team with me for Y Squad’s Project Searchlight,
and she is absolutely on fire for God.
If you need a boost in faith, simply ask her to share some stories from
the past year of her life. They will
inspire you, challenge you, and humble you.
As I was praying through this decision to hop a plane for Honduras, Jess
encouraged me and challenged me to simply follow God’s voice. God sent Jess to help me rise to faith!
The
other day I took the leap of faith God was calling me to, and simply offered my
“Yes” to God. Yes I will go to Honduras
for those two months, even though I have no idea how.
Within
24 hours, God brought $700 cash my way.
Since then He has continued to pour out favor, blessings, and
provision. I am going to Honduras this
August and September to kick start the dream God gave me of taking care of 100
orphans!
My hope is to fly out August 6th. I am close to having the support I’ll need for the flight and the first month down there.
Jess,
I can honestly say that if God didn’t send you my way in this time, I wouldn’t have
had the faith to offer God my ‘Yes’.
Thanks for your support, encouragement, and advocacy! To everyone from Y Squad who also blessed
me, Thank You!
I
am beyond excited to get to Honduras, and start partnering with Tony in
bringing the Kingdom of God to these street kids! I am looking forward to long term relationships that will glorify
Jesus!
If you would like to hear
more about this mission or support me, email me at [email protected]
