Well, after a great start yesterday we began this day the same way we begin every day by having someone from the team lead a devotion time. Today (Monday) Nolvia led the devotion and reminded us all about the importance of “praying through” things instead of just tossing up random prayers about our circumstances. It was encouraging and challenging at the same time. After devotion time we gathered our things to head to the place that I had been “Anxiously Awaiting.” You may remember me blogging about Homes of Hope, which is a girls’ orphanage, last September. My wife was not able to join me on the Mission Trip last year but she and my daughter Jada are with me this time! After sharing some pictures of the girls at the orphanage last September with my wife we began dialogues about adopting 1 or 2 of them. Unfortunately, the two girls we were praying to adopt became ineligible for adoption. God had answered our prayers, but it wasn’t the answer we wanted. So, here we are in Honduras together and heading over to Homes of Hope! A new addition to the home was Ingrid. She came straight to me and held her arms out for me to pick her up. She was, and still is, suffering severe malnutrition. After I help her for awhile I shared this bundle of joy with my wife Nicole (Pictured below in the middle). Pastor Robert and his wife do a phenomenal job at nursing these children back to proper health when they are placed in the home.
I was so blessed by how the team just jumped right in and began interacting with the girls, many of whom were here last year when I visited the home. It was so great to see Maria Claudia, Dilcia, Julissa, Lizzy, Iris, and little Gabriella who is now 8 months old (She was just a week old when I came last time).
Our visit to Homes of Hope was short and we were on to the next stop. We headed over to the hospital to visit the children’s wing. For several reasons, I did not take pictures there and asked the team to refrain from taking pictures at the hospital as well. This hospital is nothing like the hospitals in the U.S. by any stretch of the imagination. There is no air conditioning which creates very unsanitary conditions, especially in this Honduran heat. The doctors perform surgeries regularly without proper sterilization procedures which leads to LOTS of post-op infections. We saw many children ranging from infants to 8 years old that had various sicknesses and diseases. The team, while emotionally overcome, did great at praying with the children and their parents.
After lunch we headed to a school that I visited last time I was in Honduras. Some of the team taught values & ethics in a 6th grade class (Yes, they allow Christians to come in and teach here). Other team members shared the gospel of Jesus using color coded balloons that they shaped into various things. The 3rd group of team members (which included me) had the honor of sharing the Gospel with students by using a multi-colored soccer ball…followed by a rigorous soccer game. I think I should mention that since my luggage went missing when we arrived at the airport I did not have athletic shoes. So….I played in my flip-flops. Needless to say, it was a disaster waiting to happen. BUT…We had a blast though and the kids apparently did as well.
Our last stop for the day was at the school that is run by Doris and her husband. If you remember from my last trip, Doris was our cook at the mission house who started an accredited school for those who cannot afford school in Comayagua (Yes, all schools cost money here). The school allows children to attend for only the cost of books (About $50 a year). Unfortunately, the roof is desperately in need of repair and will cost about $6,000 to replace properly. Nevertheless, Doris is committed to providing education for all who want it but can’t afford it. Nicole and I are honored to call her friend.
Today was a full day and we look forward to tomorrow. But for now…We REST! Adios Amigos!
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