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!
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