Saturday, June 21, 2014

Gravity


June 20th

It’s hard to believe our week in Honduras has almost come to an end. It's impossible to sum up our experience this week with words and pictures but with strokes of thought, I will paint a picture as best as I know how.

Awaking this morning, most of us were feeling the exhaustion of the week like we hadn't yet and in need of a second wind to carry us through our last work day. With a cup of coffee in some of our hands, we had our devotion and, once again, another bright and flavorful breakfast cooked by three lovely and kind Honduran women. 

Upon finishing breakfast, we loaded the bus and headed to Santos Chinchilla bilingual school to present "Jesus Is King" to thirty bright eyed and curious children. The students and teachers are so warm and welcoming to us gringos and gringas. There are many things I have observed about the children here, one thing in particular, is how patient and well behaved they are... at least the mass majority.

We said our goodbyes and headed back to Tranquilidad to complete our last day of planting trees. Completing the day with fifty-seven trees was incredible to see. When you are down in the dirt and planting one by one, you don't realize the amount of work taking place - or so says the one blogging today- but it is something to step back and look at what one team did together. I imagine what this grove will look like when the trees are tall, bearing fruit, and one day feeding many children. Tranquilidad means tranquility and God has given Sam and Roxanne a land truly fitting for the word. Sitting on a hill, the land is surrounded by the breathtaking rolling mountain view and the lush tropical plant life of beautiful Honduras. Standing in the middle of the grove, I asked Sam if he had to pinch himself. Sam paused for a moment and said with a slight smile, "all the time." The team worked hard and accomplished a lot but there is still so much work to be done.

Afterwards, part of team showered and part of the team forfeited the shower to travel downtown and watch the football game, I won't tell who is who other than I was in the shower group so I am unable to blog about the happenings there but I can tell Sam is quite the party planner. Sam and Roxanne planned a dinner party with the mission team, Tranquilidad workers and their families. Driving back from downtown, Sam spotted a mariachi band walking on the side and hired them to play for us. Not to mention he had ordered flan for the night. They couldn't have planned a better way to seal the envelope of our week. Live music, great food, flan and the company of the families of the men working day after day to bring Sam and Roxanne's divine dream to life.

Gravity is the first word I thought of when attempting to sum up this week with a single word. It's as if there is a horizontal pull realigning us spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Being an American is a wonderful thing but it can be harsh in it's own way. The hustle of life, the drive to succeed no matter who you can trample to get there, and the constant comparison of what others have and what we don't. It's too easy to fall into the trap of no matter how much we have, more is never enough and the need we have for our wants haunt us throughout our life. Through all the brokenness and poverty there is so much beauty here. Smiling faces, a strong sense of community, a vibrant culture, and a land more beautiful than I can describe. So many verses flood my mind. It's a reminder to be content with what we have and where we are in life. But more than that, we have not been created to build our kingdom on earth. Though God desires to bless His children and desires that we would experience the joy of life, no where in scripture does God give us the option to live for Him and for ourselves. This will mean something different for everyone.



Thursday, June 19, 2014

A look into the past...

June 19
  
     The team was able to experience a wonderful treat today; a trip to the Copán Mayan Ruins. Copán is home to the second largest ball court in the Mayan territory. The tour winds through the city, including sights such as temples, statues, and sacrificial altars. Our tour guide was very knowledgable and was able to answer any questions that were presented. Copán gave us the incredible opportunity to look into the history of Honduras.  
     The area also hosts a large number of the native Macaw birds, which are equally amazing to look at. We learned that Macaws mate for life which reminded us of God's design for marriage.


A Glimpse of Joy Admist the Poverty

June 18th

We began our day with a precious time of devotion and another "magnifico" breakfast.  Then we went to TQ and successfully planted the remaining trees which had been purchased (#30). We have learned how to mix poop and then scoop it into the hole in prep for the new trees.  We are grateful that God has sent rain to help them grow and look forward to the fruit each one will bear.

After lunch, we presented a gift of beans and rice to the community near Tranquilidad. Our home church has taught us to look for opportunities to reach "every man, woman and child" within our own community.  Here it was a blessing for us to see the smiles when the families received such a small gift and words of love in the name of Jesus.

Directly from there, we visited the Tejeras feeding program which is sponsored by Honduras Agape Foundation.  This program feeds 75+ children four times a week.  We were all moved by the beautiful faces of these impoverished children so eager for their meal...possibly the only one of the day.  We were able to help serve them the meal but are grateful to those whom God has moved to sponsor it.

A Day Bursting with Song

June 17th

We awoke this morning to the sweet sounds of birds just outside our windows. It began a day of song in Honduras. Our first activity of the day (after a spectacular breakfast by Gloria and Sandra) began at the El Povenier kindergarten, where Sra. Umanzor has been training up tiny Honduran ninos and ninas for over 20 years in the way of Christ. The joy of serving 80+ kindergarten children concluded in song when one of her classes proudly serenaded the North Americans with a jubilant kindergarten rendition of the Honduran National Anthem. 

A drive up to Buenos Aires gave us a true panoramic view of the Quimistan Valley, home to thousands of beautiful Honduran people...and now home of Tranquilidad Foundation (TQ). The cool temperatures at 3,000 feet gave us a brief reprieve before our second leg of tree planting. Tough work but so rewarding to know that TQ will have a orchard full of banana, plantain, mango, papaya, lime, fig and orange trees to sustain the children and families that will be calling Tranquilidad home. 

The afternoon thunderstorm exploded in bullets of rain that was a prayer answered (both for the trees AND the workers!). Soaked but happy, we headed down to our compound, ready for a fabulous dinner and out for a night in Quimistan to support TQ's construction manager, Stanley, singing in Quimistan's annual "Festival of Popular Song". We cheered, sang to Brown Eyed Girl (our own Jennifer Edwards entered the contest), and immersed ourselves in the joyful lives of the Honduran people.

Lucky for us, our wonderful missionary sponsors, Roxanne and Sam Turnipseed, and TQ's dedicated translator (and devoted friend), Daniel, created a beautiful day of song for our team. But what is most beautiful is the song of salvation through Jesus Christ which reigns above all.

Top: Sra. Umansor's kindergarten class wearing their crowns...the princes and princesses of King Jesus
Middle photos (left to right): The beauty of Honduras; Charles "Butch" Spalding and granddaughter, Dora,bonding on a mission trip to serve Christ; George Dewhirst, the team veteran, serving on his 17th mission trip to Quimistan.
Bottom: Our new little friends showing honor to their country and love to their North American visitors

Monday, June 16, 2014

Baby Coconuts and More

     June 16

     After a fantastic breakfast of pancakes and mangoes, the team split with some heading to Tranquilidad and some going to another kindergarten. At the kindergarten we presented the same message about Jesus being our King. The team loved the chance of being able to communicate with the kids.



     A couple of observations were made at the kindergarten. The toys really caught our attention. There were many dirty second-hand stuffed animals and small plastic toys. Also, many of the kids wore Toms shoes. This was awesome to see, because for every pair you buy, one is donated. It is an amazing thing to watch the money put toward the shoes actually make a difference.

      Look at these adorable faces!

     Gloria, our cook, delivered tostadas (fried tortillas spread with beans and sprinkled with cheese) for the children's snack.
     Meanwhile, the team at Tranquilidad created a drip irrigation system for the garden.

     The teams joined again, and began the task of planting coconut trees in the orchard. The holes were pre-dug by a backhoe which made our job easier. Working together like that can really bring people closer. We sweated a bunch, but had a blast, and ended up finishing more than we expected.

    
     Crazy nut trees sprouting in the Honduran soil! 

Sunday, June 15, 2014

The Lord's Day ( and the one before:)

Saturday, June 14

Our drive to Quimistan opened our eyes to all that God has created here and its lush beauty. But also to the sad reality of extreme poverty as many people live along the highway in 'homes' made of cardboard, tin, blocks and anything else they can shape together to provide shelter.

We are amazed at the accommodations and loveliness of the Thomsen's home.  We so appreciate their hospitality and regret we will not be able to meet them as they have gone to the US for a family wedding.

We were introduced to our support staff:  Gloria, the great cook; Sandra, the hospitality lady; and their helper, Dania; Daniel, our translator; and Mario, our driver and we are grateful for the many ways they are making us comfortable and well fed!


Sunday, June 15

After our morning devotion & delicioso breakfast, we headed over to Manantial del Rey to participate in the Children's Church Service. There were about 50+ children in attendance plus a couple stray dogs :o) We divided up into 2 separate age-groups with the younger children learning about "King Jesus" and getting to make their very own crowns adorned with precious jewels while the older children learned about the biblical perspective of purity.

Following our visit to Manantial del Rey we visited Agape Promises Program, a scholarship program, that is supported through Honduras Agape Foundation. After presenting the same lessons, we enjoyed lunch and fellowship with the children and headed over to a local restaurant to watch the Honduran Soccer Team play in the World Cup. The outcome wasn't what we hoped for -- there were many disappointed Honduran children after that loss to France -- but the fellowship was priceless. Many special relationships were formed.

After our "very short" afternoon siesta we attended a local worship service at Las Cosecha. We were surprisingly honored and recognized in such a special way! Several children came onto the stage holding signs that thanked us for our service to their community. The church also blessed us by providing us with a translator which enabled us to participate fully in the worship.
Buenos noches!



What happy heirs to the Throne of Grace!


The Princes and Princesses in Christ! 


Tuesday, May 27, 2014

First Mission Team Prep

We are excited to be preparing for our first mission team who will arrive on June 14th.  Part of this prep involves setting up a blog spot for family and friends to follow their activities.