Honduras 2011 :: I Will Never Be the Same Again.
Posted by admin on Nov 21, 2011 in Life, Web Stuff | Comments Off
This past week, Lauren and I were able to get away for a week and join a medical mission team with WGO in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. I left the USA excited but not knowing what to expect from the week. We got there tuesday at 1:00 and joined the team at the Brigade site. Immediately I was overcome with a feeling of anxiety simply because the number of people. We drove up in a very poor community and the lines were long. Just to give you a picture of their economy- the unemployment rate is 60%. That makes our 9% not so bad huh?
The Honduran people were so welcoming, especially when they saw a lot of Americans in scrubs. The process was simple. The people came in family by family and had the option to see a 1.) Doctor 2.) Eye Care Specialist 3.)Dentist. When they finished seeing the medical people, they came in a room and many of us that aren’t medically inclined were there to share the Gospel with them. I spent a day and a half evangelizing with the honduran people. I have to give props to Flor, my amazing translator. I heard so many stories of families losing members by gang violence. One young man had lost his father and brother to gangs in the recent months. Many of the others believed that they were eternally secure because of works (they went to church, tried to live right, etc.) But the most amazing memory I took with me was one young lady I had the privilege of sharing Christ with. I began talking to her and asking about family and was getting to know her. As I asked her about spiritual things, I found out quickly that she had NEVER heard the name of Jesus Christ. I was speechless. I have never met anyone who hasn’t heard about Christ. That moment changed my life quickly. I told her about Jesus and what He did for her and what He offers. She quickly told me that she wanted to know this Christ who offers life. I can honestly say that from the beginning, I wasn’t fearful to share my faith with these people, but I walked away more passionate about the gospel than ever before- seeing the power it had in a such a dark place, stricken with poverty and lack of Jesus.
One other cool thing we got to do was help make concrete slabs for families homes. Most of these families floors are dirt, rock, or anything they can use to cover. It was so great to help them and leave knowing they had solid ground to live on. I helped on the team with 3 guys on the first half of Friday. We finished the floor and was able to share the gospel with the man in his house. He got on his knees and prayed and told us of his past and He received Christ that morning.
It’s easy after these moments in life to evaluate where you are spiritually and what really matters in our day to day. One thing for me – I’m so weak in evangelism here in North America. I’m praying for boldness and a new set of eyes. I’m also walking into Thanksgiving this year with quite a different heart. I’m so thankful because God has blessed me with where I live and all that I have. He’s been good to us and we want to be generous givers back to Him. This past week we were blessed to see 117 people come to the Lord in faith and be saved. In Honduras that is a big thing, because community comes natural for many. When one is affected, many will be affected. I’m praying that God will take those people who were changed and will continue to change Honduras forever. Pray that with us!
