On each side of the river stood the tree of life. . . . And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. (Rev 22:2)
Monday, June 30, 2014
Serve the server
Some of the group had the opportunity to serve the mission house by planting a small field of trees. It is a great feeling to be able to serve the people and place that serves you during your stay! God can do so much in your heart with such a simple act.
Youth in Honduras
Last night we went to chuch, to experience there Youth Group.I was so inpressed . The topic was Sex. The auditorium was full of young people. The Youth paster had there full attention. It was Fun an Amazing. They are very blessed here. Love how the bus went to different areas to pick up the kids. Im so thankful to have been apart of this wonderful work of God.
Respect is Universal
On our second full day, the group got split up at the start of the day. Some stayed at the mission house to plant trees while the rest of us volunteered to go back out to the costruction site. While in a short time we were able to get a lot more accomplished, it was our meeting with Margarito that really defined the morning.
While working with more stone (Yay Stone!!! Lol), Levi called us over to meet one of the neighbors that have been helped by the church. While Margarito stood there vulnerable to the judgment of strangers, Levi explained Margarito's path. In order to earn a living, Margarito gets on his bike each day and rides it for four hours one way so that he can fish. When done, he rides the 4 hours back home.
Margarito is an alcoholic. By the grace of God, he is trying to recover from that addiction. He has quit the drinking, but the demons of his past are hard to escape from. His drinking friends still come around and he has to send them on his way. Sometimes, they make trouble for Margarito, because they don't like his change. Levi explained that one day a lot of guys came to make trouble in a big way and Margarito handled it without resorting to his machete. Apparently Margarito is very skilled with the machete and could have easily killed them all right there without much work, but he restrained. Putting aside the shock of such a story, the pride of restraining oneself from machete violence, we just saw Margarito standing there trying to be a good man of God in the way he knew how but exposed to us. Levi explained further how this transformation has been difficult for him and he continues to get challenges and trials that want to interrupt his path.
Now I am not an evangelist. I haven't done such things before, and I have never been on a mission trip before now. But this man, Margarito, well you could see the weight of struggle in his eyes and posture as he stood there. I felt compelled to share some words of encourgement and share a scripture that had helped me through such times. I told Margarito that by changing his life and staying strong on a good path that he is showing others in his community a way. He is even showing those old drinking buddies that transformation is possible and one day his example may help one of them, God willing. I had to run back to the truck to get my bible so I could share this verse, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation."(Romans 5:3, 4 NLT)
Levi then shared with us all the verse he has Margarito look to when the devil is knocking at his door. "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen."(1 Peter 5:6-11 NLT)
After that, I led a prayer for strength over Levi. Then it was back to work. Later, Margarito's wife came by and showed us some of the shrimp Margarito caught and offered to fix us up some. I don't know if it was the moment, the freshness of the catch, the way his wife prepared the shrimp, or all of that, but it was the best shrimp I ever tasted.
Between Margarito and his wife, the lesson of the day was that respect and smiles are universal and go a long way. For us foreigners to come there and hear and respect his path on life, well.. I could tell that it meant a lot.
God Bless,
Aaron Mason
While working with more stone (Yay Stone!!! Lol), Levi called us over to meet one of the neighbors that have been helped by the church. While Margarito stood there vulnerable to the judgment of strangers, Levi explained Margarito's path. In order to earn a living, Margarito gets on his bike each day and rides it for four hours one way so that he can fish. When done, he rides the 4 hours back home.
Margarito is an alcoholic. By the grace of God, he is trying to recover from that addiction. He has quit the drinking, but the demons of his past are hard to escape from. His drinking friends still come around and he has to send them on his way. Sometimes, they make trouble for Margarito, because they don't like his change. Levi explained that one day a lot of guys came to make trouble in a big way and Margarito handled it without resorting to his machete. Apparently Margarito is very skilled with the machete and could have easily killed them all right there without much work, but he restrained. Putting aside the shock of such a story, the pride of restraining oneself from machete violence, we just saw Margarito standing there trying to be a good man of God in the way he knew how but exposed to us. Levi explained further how this transformation has been difficult for him and he continues to get challenges and trials that want to interrupt his path.
Now I am not an evangelist. I haven't done such things before, and I have never been on a mission trip before now. But this man, Margarito, well you could see the weight of struggle in his eyes and posture as he stood there. I felt compelled to share some words of encourgement and share a scripture that had helped me through such times. I told Margarito that by changing his life and staying strong on a good path that he is showing others in his community a way. He is even showing those old drinking buddies that transformation is possible and one day his example may help one of them, God willing. I had to run back to the truck to get my bible so I could share this verse, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation."(Romans 5:3, 4 NLT)
Levi then shared with us all the verse he has Margarito look to when the devil is knocking at his door. "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen."(1 Peter 5:6-11 NLT)
After that, I led a prayer for strength over Levi. Then it was back to work. Later, Margarito's wife came by and showed us some of the shrimp Margarito caught and offered to fix us up some. I don't know if it was the moment, the freshness of the catch, the way his wife prepared the shrimp, or all of that, but it was the best shrimp I ever tasted.
Between Margarito and his wife, the lesson of the day was that respect and smiles are universal and go a long way. For us foreigners to come there and hear and respect his path on life, well.. I could tell that it meant a lot.
God Bless,
Aaron Mason
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Building a Forest in Casa Hogar Vida
To day we separate in groups. One group went to build. My group stayed an planted trees. It is called the forest of Elevate. It will be wonderful to come back an see this beautiful plantations of trees. Then the children from the orphanage came to pick out clothes. Girls came first, they picked Tops an dress an shoes. They were very happy with there selections. Then the boys came. Wow they were great shoppers. The oldest Jorge was the great at helping his brothers pick out clothes. The twins were so excited with there tennis shoes. The joy in there faces was beyond words. John will be posting a video of this. Hope you enjoy it as much as we have. I am so thankful for this day.
Orphans of Casa Hogar Vida Shopping for clothing
The children of Casa Hogar Vida orphanage were so excited to come to the mission house this morning and
go "shopping" from all of the items we brought with us. I don't know
who enjoyed the event more, the girls or the boys. These two boys in
particular with so excited to get new tennis shoes.
Although I have only been here two days, it really has been the most amazing experience of my life. I love all of the happiness that comes from the people. Watching them you really realize they are pure happiness and just so thankful for everything. Today, the orphanage kids came and picked out clothes to have. Like they were "shopping". It's interesting to watch and so rewarding. It made my heart happy to watch the kids come, pick out what they like, and say gracias as they leave. Working with the kids really makes me wish my Spanish was better, ha ha, but it has definitely had an impact on me so far.
Yesterday we had our first day of helping to build the house. It was so crazy to see what they lived in: a house built of tarp and twigs. Surprisingly it was so sturdy though! The family consists of 3 people, a mother and her two sons. All of them were there to help and worked very hard.
We also went to church. The message was very good and it really made a good point. Are you a fan or are you committed to God.
Being here is amazing.You feel so calm with everything you do. Almost like you just feel as your just going with the flow, if that makes sense. God is changing my heart and I am always reminded I can do all things through him. He is awesome!
Yesterday we had our first day of helping to build the house. It was so crazy to see what they lived in: a house built of tarp and twigs. Surprisingly it was so sturdy though! The family consists of 3 people, a mother and her two sons. All of them were there to help and worked very hard.
We also went to church. The message was very good and it really made a good point. Are you a fan or are you committed to God.
Being here is amazing.You feel so calm with everything you do. Almost like you just feel as your just going with the flow, if that makes sense. God is changing my heart and I am always reminded I can do all things through him. He is awesome!
Day 1 in Field
God showed me today how only he can take a handful or two of people and in short order accomplish his will. To me, I saw just a bunch of ants all seeming to have their own talents and agenda. All with the desire to serve God and people of His will. Only God can take all that talent and desire and focus it to accomplish a lot in a short period. We moved supplies to site, emptied the old house, tore it down, and moved rocks. We did it all with the joy of God's heart. We did this in just a couple hours! God continues to amaze!
Eggs and Ham
Our first full day on the mission trip ended with us dressing up and getting on a bus to go to the church here. The service is a contemporary one much like Elevate Church back home. To me, it was an amazing thing to see and experience in a world so different than what has been my life's experience up to this point.
Pastor Geovany gave a great sermon, and through Frank's interpretation over our headsets, or at least through the ones that worked, I got to experience it like a sermon back home. He told the story of the chicken and the pig. Both wanted to provide breakfast. The chicken helped by providing the eggs. The pig gave the ham. The chicken was involved while the pig, for obvious reasons, was committed.
Then he talked about the call from God and how he is calling out to you (with urgency) to be committed. God doesn't want "fans". He wants "disciples." How are you being a disciple of Christ? And how are you committed in your faith? Although I don't think he gave the verse John 12:24, he certainly mentioned it's elements about dying to oneself like a kernel of wheat that falls to the ground. It's death is necessary for a bountiful harvest. I just smiled. There are certain God moments, and this was one of two that were back-to-back. I had posted a picture on Facebook earlier in the day of the house we were replacing, and with it I wrote the following, "This is the house that we demolished today... The old house had to die to self to make way for God to breath new life into this family and community. Tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. (John 12:24 NLT)". I had done a mini-devotional surrounding this verse after seeing Santos's face, the woman whose house was being torn down to be built anew.
During our demolishing work, there was no smile on Santos's face. Even though she was getting a new house, a much better one, her world was still getting turned upside down and there is a certain kind of rub in that. There has to be a death for new growth. All I wanted to do was to tell her that I recognized her stress and reassure her that there is a better day ahead, that this stress of displacing her possessions and destroying the home she knew and along with it the memories is good for her and to point her to Romans 5, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." (Romans 5:3-5 NLT)
At the end of Geovany's sermon, he offered up an analogy about being committed or involved. He said, "Christians are like wheelbarrows. They are no good unless pushed." That was another moment. One of the days highlights was loading up rocks into a wheelbarrow and moving them. On each return trip. The small children of this neighborhood jumped in the wheelbarrows and Tony and I "raced" back to get more rock. It was another one of those God moments in a sermon that jump out at you and speaks a special message seemingly intended just for you even though it was a packed congregation.
I thought back about my hometown, in which I have been born and raised and which I love. But, our town is what I would consider a typical Midwest town that is non-diverse and sort of goes about its day in ignorance of the real world swirling about it. It is a town ripe with churches, but it seems to me that it is also a place that is too complacent. There are a lot of wheelbarrows that are stagnant in God's call to mission. Many are satisfied with being involved but too few are committed. The workers are few but the harvest is plenty.
I am already coming away from this mission trip with the firm belief that every Christian should at some point early in their faith go on a foreign mission. To see Faith in action, the hands and feet of Christ, at work in a culture, economy, and environment very different than your own... To see the God's love be universal, it does enrich your own faith and heighten your understanding.
Today we visited two orphanage houses next door to the mission house. The kids were full of love and life. They wanted to play with us and be loved. Several of the women mission team members gave the kids temporary tattoos. We let the kids take pictures with our phones. Tony and I played a little soccer with a couple of the boys. You would never know unless told that some of these children lost their parent(s) to AIDS or were sexually and physically abused. Just as God's love is universal, so is the sin in this world.
We also got to see and learn about the cinder blocks and coffee this holistic community produces. The Great Works being done here is truly a hand up and not just a hand out. I could go on and on, but the simple story is seeing The hands and feet of Christ in action on a place foreign to your own is a true glimpse of the ham instead of the chicken. These people are committed in Christ, and it is a beautiful thing to see.
Glory to God in the Highest!
Aaron N. Mason
Pastor Geovany gave a great sermon, and through Frank's interpretation over our headsets, or at least through the ones that worked, I got to experience it like a sermon back home. He told the story of the chicken and the pig. Both wanted to provide breakfast. The chicken helped by providing the eggs. The pig gave the ham. The chicken was involved while the pig, for obvious reasons, was committed.
Then he talked about the call from God and how he is calling out to you (with urgency) to be committed. God doesn't want "fans". He wants "disciples." How are you being a disciple of Christ? And how are you committed in your faith? Although I don't think he gave the verse John 12:24, he certainly mentioned it's elements about dying to oneself like a kernel of wheat that falls to the ground. It's death is necessary for a bountiful harvest. I just smiled. There are certain God moments, and this was one of two that were back-to-back. I had posted a picture on Facebook earlier in the day of the house we were replacing, and with it I wrote the following, "This is the house that we demolished today... The old house had to die to self to make way for God to breath new life into this family and community. Tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. (John 12:24 NLT)". I had done a mini-devotional surrounding this verse after seeing Santos's face, the woman whose house was being torn down to be built anew.
During our demolishing work, there was no smile on Santos's face. Even though she was getting a new house, a much better one, her world was still getting turned upside down and there is a certain kind of rub in that. There has to be a death for new growth. All I wanted to do was to tell her that I recognized her stress and reassure her that there is a better day ahead, that this stress of displacing her possessions and destroying the home she knew and along with it the memories is good for her and to point her to Romans 5, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." (Romans 5:3-5 NLT)
At the end of Geovany's sermon, he offered up an analogy about being committed or involved. He said, "Christians are like wheelbarrows. They are no good unless pushed." That was another moment. One of the days highlights was loading up rocks into a wheelbarrow and moving them. On each return trip. The small children of this neighborhood jumped in the wheelbarrows and Tony and I "raced" back to get more rock. It was another one of those God moments in a sermon that jump out at you and speaks a special message seemingly intended just for you even though it was a packed congregation.
I am already coming away from this mission trip with the firm belief that every Christian should at some point early in their faith go on a foreign mission. To see Faith in action, the hands and feet of Christ, at work in a culture, economy, and environment very different than your own... To see the God's love be universal, it does enrich your own faith and heighten your understanding.
Today we visited two orphanage houses next door to the mission house. The kids were full of love and life. They wanted to play with us and be loved. Several of the women mission team members gave the kids temporary tattoos. We let the kids take pictures with our phones. Tony and I played a little soccer with a couple of the boys. You would never know unless told that some of these children lost their parent(s) to AIDS or were sexually and physically abused. Just as God's love is universal, so is the sin in this world.
We also got to see and learn about the cinder blocks and coffee this holistic community produces. The Great Works being done here is truly a hand up and not just a hand out. I could go on and on, but the simple story is seeing The hands and feet of Christ in action on a place foreign to your own is a true glimpse of the ham instead of the chicken. These people are committed in Christ, and it is a beautiful thing to see.
Glory to God in the Highest!
Aaron N. Mason
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Gods speaking
Last night, before I have lifted a finger to do workforce the Lord, he spoke to me. I was reading some online devotionals and one was Psalms 25:3 "Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed." This might not be a revelation for some but wow it spoke to me. He said to me when you do things in my name I will never bring you shame. Your sinful nature is the only thing that brings you shame, even when doing things in My name but forget I am the source behind! So to me this goes to EVERYTHING you do: work or play. Can't wait till I actually do something or am immersed in the mission to see what god reveals.
Being served as we serve.
June 28, 2014 - Our first morning at the mission house
My first thoughts that come to mind this first morning at the mission house is to a lingering feeling of embarassment. Our group from Elevate came here with hearts and minds set on serving others, but from the airport doors all the way to us retiring to sleep last night, the people here in Honduras that are associated with the mission were extremely hospitable. So hospitable that, at times, it had the feeling of coming to a resort rather than being sacrificial.
Each of us, I think, have found our own awkward moments of where our servant hearts had to reconcile with the hospitality of our hosts. Something a simple as loading and unloading our luggage on the bus turned into an inner struggle of what to do with oneself. At the airport, it felt like we had to convince the gentlemen helping us that it was ok for us to help load up the bus. By the time we got to the mission house, we figured out the roles a little better and wound up letting them unload our bus for us. Still, some of us wrestled with the roles. At one point, one of the mission team members gestured/offered to take away one of the host's dinner plate when he was done. A small gesture really, but the look of inner-debate on the host's face was priceless. A role reversal. Something I think we will be wrestling with this whole mission.
I know this overwhelming hospitality has to be, at least in part, because of the gratitude these people have for the mission of the church. The ones we met the first night here were ones involved in the mission too, so their hearts and purpose are already there, but it doesn't take a very perceptive person to see some reasons why. All one had to do is look out the bus window on the drive here to see why. It was a lesson in living conditions of other countries. What people back home would have had torn down as unsuitable for even a shed, were actually homes and businesses of the Honduran people.
If you're following the blog while we are down here, please keep us in your prayers that we may find a place to do great things with our time here. But in any case, please keep the greater mission and these wonderful people of Honduras in your prayers no matter when you read this.
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God Bless!
Aaron N. Mason
My first thoughts that come to mind this first morning at the mission house is to a lingering feeling of embarassment. Our group from Elevate came here with hearts and minds set on serving others, but from the airport doors all the way to us retiring to sleep last night, the people here in Honduras that are associated with the mission were extremely hospitable. So hospitable that, at times, it had the feeling of coming to a resort rather than being sacrificial.
Each of us, I think, have found our own awkward moments of where our servant hearts had to reconcile with the hospitality of our hosts. Something a simple as loading and unloading our luggage on the bus turned into an inner struggle of what to do with oneself. At the airport, it felt like we had to convince the gentlemen helping us that it was ok for us to help load up the bus. By the time we got to the mission house, we figured out the roles a little better and wound up letting them unload our bus for us. Still, some of us wrestled with the roles. At one point, one of the mission team members gestured/offered to take away one of the host's dinner plate when he was done. A small gesture really, but the look of inner-debate on the host's face was priceless. A role reversal. Something I think we will be wrestling with this whole mission.
I know this overwhelming hospitality has to be, at least in part, because of the gratitude these people have for the mission of the church. The ones we met the first night here were ones involved in the mission too, so their hearts and purpose are already there, but it doesn't take a very perceptive person to see some reasons why. All one had to do is look out the bus window on the drive here to see why. It was a lesson in living conditions of other countries. What people back home would have had torn down as unsuitable for even a shed, were actually homes and businesses of the Honduran people.
If you're following the blog while we are down here, please keep us in your prayers that we may find a place to do great things with our time here. But in any case, please keep the greater mission and these wonderful people of Honduras in your prayers no matter when you read this.
God Bless!
Aaron N. Mason
Friday, June 27, 2014
Here
Well we made it to Honduras safe and sound. As always God was faithful! Flights and transportation were smooth...really flawless. Praise God, looking forward to his movement and manifest presence!
Arrived Safely in Honduras
It has been a long day of travel, but at 5:00 pm local time the team pulled in to Choluteca. The yellow school bus that normally meets us at the airport, did not make the trip this year due to some mechanical issue. So we were picked up in an air conditioned rental bus that made the 3 hour bus ride a little more comfortable. I said a little, because the 2 lane curving road through the mountains that can go from a 2 lane to a 3 lane road (pass slower trucks with on-coming traffic shifting to the shoulder) still makes the ride a little breath taking.
We are about 30 minutes from boarding our flight out of Detroit to Tegucigalpa, Honduras with a layover in Atlanta. This is pretty much the first chance I've had I sit down in about a week. Life can get very busy just before a mission, and boy did it get busy. I had an impromptu driving trip to Southwest Missouri and back for a funeral. This led to getting about 4 hours of sleep the last two nights. Still, I am high on hope and excitement for what God has in store for our mission team. A tall cup of Airport Starbucks Coffee doesn't hurt any either.
If you get the chance, google "Tegucigalpa airport landing" and play the YouTube videos. Apparently, it is one of the most dangerous airports in the world at which to land. I spent part of my sleepless night last night playing the videos over and over. The view is stunning, but so is the shortness of the runway.
Exciting!!!!
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Loaded up the Truck. . . . Next Stop Honduras
John
Ready to go!
Tomorrow at this time I will be on a plane to Choluteca Honduras waiting with anticipation to see what God has planned for our mission team. I pray that God will protect our team and allow us to step out of our comfort zones so that we can experience everything God has to offer.
Below is part of my devotion this morning and I know that it is so true.
"Jesus himself is our hero. He said once, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). If the omnipotent Lord finds fulfillment in doing things that bring benefit to other people, maybe that’s a clue how I will find satisfaction in my life. Isn’t that just like Jesus’ way--that I will find joy in giving joy? That I will get by giving?" -"Joy in Serving" Time of Grace Devotional
My prayer is to overcome fears, find joy in all I do and know that God will be by my side.
-Julie
Below is part of my devotion this morning and I know that it is so true.
"Jesus himself is our hero. He said once, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). If the omnipotent Lord finds fulfillment in doing things that bring benefit to other people, maybe that’s a clue how I will find satisfaction in my life. Isn’t that just like Jesus’ way--that I will find joy in giving joy? That I will get by giving?" -"Joy in Serving" Time of Grace Devotional
My prayer is to overcome fears, find joy in all I do and know that God will be by my side.
-Julie
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