Teams “Divine Collision” and “Transformed” are together this month in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. We’re staying with an American man from Utah named Tony and his Honduran wife Nidia at their beautiful farmland in a sector called “El Orno” (The Oven). I’m not sure why it’s called The Oven because the weather is absolutely terrific, not too hot and not too cold. Tony and Nidia use “la finca” (the farm) as a Christian retreat center, but also to provide a safe haven for young teenagers living in “Los Pinos,” the most dangerous colony in Tegucigalpa due to its high murder rate and out of control drug and alcohol use. It’s about 15 minutes away from El Orno. Tony has lived in Honduras for five years. His third year he began going into Los Pinos. Every day for six months he drove through Los Pinos with his window rolled down to get people used to seeing his face. He never got out of his car for those six months. In the past three years, however, he has made relationships with several of the teenagers. Like Henry, who has been living with Tony and Nidia on the farm since February. He does some work around the farm and attends classes at night. He is turning 18 this Friday and will be baptized in the presence of almost 80 people – a church group of 50 from Honduras and the two World Race teams.
Christopher, 16 years old, is another miracle on the way. He’s been battling addiction to paint thinner (used in many third world countries to numb hunger pains). Tony has been in his life for two years, and I know in my Spirit that he is one of the biggest reasons why God brought us here this month. Christopher is staying at the farm for an entire month, away from his past influences. Tony doesn’t know what will happen after that, though he and Nidia are considering having him move in with them, like Henry. He has two younger brothers, Carlos and Fernando, who Tony is taking under his wing as well. He is also building trust with a 16 year old named Carlitos, who told Tony he is tired of the lifestyle in Los Pinos. While these boys are on the farm, he gives them some work to do, but the priority here is giving them a place where they can be free from Los Pinos. They come here to be with one another, relax, and mature in a territory governed by a spirit of freedom. As one girl on my squad told me, they can come here to be kids because the adults act like adults.
It’s incredible to observe the relationship Tony has with these boys, namely Christopher. Tony is very direct and his favorite question is “so what’s your plan?” He tells Christopher and the other boys constantly, “Estoy aqui.” In English, “I am here.” He’s letting Christopher make the decision himself to say yes and follow him in trust as his guardian. It has taken Christopher two years and 17 relapses with paint thinner to reach this point. Tony’s teaching me that change cannot be forced upon them, but that true change only happens in these boys when the decision is theirs. This is indeed the Father’s love working through Tony, and I know in my Spirit 100% that this is the month where everthing changes for Christopher. In the first few days he has shown incredible progress. I am BLESSED to witness the first seeds of redemption in this son of God.
Christopher, 16 years old, is another miracle on the way. He’s been battling addiction to paint thinner (used in many third world countries to numb hunger pains). Tony has been in his life for two years, and I know in my Spirit that he is one of the biggest reasons why God brought us here this month. Christopher is staying at the farm for an entire month, away from his past influences. Tony doesn’t know what will happen after that, though he and Nidia are considering having him move in with them, like Henry. He has two younger brothers, Carlos and Fernando, who Tony is taking under his wing as well. He is also building trust with a 16 year old named Carlitos, who told Tony he is tired of the lifestyle in Los Pinos. While these boys are on the farm, he gives them some work to do, but the priority here is giving them a place where they can be free from Los Pinos. They come here to be with one another, relax, and mature in a territory governed by a spirit of freedom. As one girl on my squad told me, they can come here to be kids because the adults act like adults.
It’s incredible to observe the relationship Tony has with these boys, namely Christopher. Tony is very direct and his favorite question is “so what’s your plan?” He tells Christopher and the other boys constantly, “Estoy aqui.” In English, “I am here.” He’s letting Christopher make the decision himself to say yes and follow him in trust as his guardian. It has taken Christopher two years and 17 relapses with paint thinner to reach this point. Tony’s teaching me that change cannot be forced upon them, but that true change only happens in these boys when the decision is theirs. This is indeed the Father’s love working through Tony, and I know in my Spirit 100% that this is the month where everthing changes for Christopher. In the first few days he has shown incredible progress. I am BLESSED to witness the first seeds of redemption in this son of God.
The word “ministry” is being thrown out the window this month. Instead of devoting certain hours of the day to specific deeds, we get to come alongside Tony and his wife and actually live the gospel as they assume the role of mother and father for these boys. Living the gospel is challenging, but as long as we’re keeping our eyes locked on Christ and filling ourselves with his love, it is incredibly freeing – not getting caught up in words, but showing love simply, directly, and with confidence. Henry and Christopher are living proof that with patient love and a whole lot of prayer, anything is possible.
