100lbs of Love



 
I have to start this blog entry by saying thank you, thank you....THANK YOU!!  I am so overwhelmed by the support I have received for this trip!

Last weekend, I began sorting through the items that have been donated...flip flops, t-shirts, children's clothes, school supplies, ball caps, & someone even made soap to send.  As I packed each item I thanked the Lord for the ones who gave the items. I said to one lady 'you are one step closer to Honduras, you have made an investment.'   I can't even begin to tell you how appreciative the people are for your gifts. They are thankful for every little thing that is given. 

For me, am I thankful for your gifts and financial support but I am so very grateful for your prayers.  I have had people email me and message me and tell me that they are praying for me. That is such a comfort for me to know that you are all going with me through your thoughts and prayers. 

I do not take this opportunity for granted. I know that it is a great privilege to go. I am privileged to be able to be a messenger of hope and to remind those who are desperate that they are not alone.  

 

As I zipped up the black duffle I said 'that is 50lbs of love'. Together I am taking 100lbs and it is worth more than that to those who receive it!!

 

Team one left for Honduras this past Friday.  Part of the team will return next week while 4 of them will remain with us.  Please pray for these folks this week as they are painting, loving and playing.  Pray for their health and safety.

 

Please pray for our team as we wrap up our preparations.  We have our 'packing party' on Wednesday and then our next meeting will be bright and early at the Asheville Airport Friday morning.  Please pray that our hearts will be focused on what we have ahead of us. 

 

 

I give thanks to my God for every remembrances of you.

Philippians 1:3 



 

 

Flying on a plane

 

I have pictures placed around my house of different people from Honduras. Just like you have of your family members, sweet memories etc.   Recently I put the picture below of sweet Elvia on my phone as the desktop.  (she is in the pink top) 

 

Curran, my 4 year old grandson, saw her picture and said "Hey Grammy!  That is the girl you fly in the airplane to see".  I was taken back.  He and I hadn't talked about Honduras lately....but he remembered that Elvia is special to me and that I fly on an airplane to go see her.  Not just her...but many others who have captured my heart over the years.  Many I don't even know their names.  God gave them a place in my heart that I can't seem to shake.  Whether I go and play on the playground with the little kids or hold a ladder while someone pants I am going to serve these wonderful people in Taulabe' Honduras.   I can't wait to fly on the plane to see my friends. 

 

31 days...it is drawing close. 

 

Final preparations are being made.  Meetings to wrap up details, items collected to take, and a lot of prayers are being said. 

 

Thank you to all of you that have supported us with your financial gifts, items and prayers.

 

  Please don't stop.  Please pray for us as we finish the preparations. 

 

Things tend to get crazy as the time approaches..things happen..sicknesses may occur you name it. 

 

  I especially ask that you help us focus on what we are going to do, who we are going to serve...not so much on the details. 

 

 

Moving, Loving, Repeat

Yesterday's message at church was entitled "The Leading of  God".  The questions were asked How, Where and Why does God lead us in life.  I have asked myself these things so many times over the years.  Where is God taking me?  What does he want me to do with my life, etc. 

 

Although the message was a general 'Life Message' it really spoke to me concerning my upcoming trip and the ministry in Taulabe' Honduras. 

 

Brian said that the majority of us are not called to serve overseas as missionaries but we are called to love others.  Even though I travel to Honduras I have never seen myself as a missionary.  I see myself as a fellow believer loving other's and showing them that they are not alone.  I am always amazed how he uses me and I am honored and blessed that he does.  

 

As Brian spoke I especially thought of the team that I will be a part of .  The passage used on Sunday was Acts 16:1-19  Talking about how Paul, Timothy and others went to different cities spreading the gospel....   THEY WENT...and...They went together.   At our last meeting we talked about team work and serving together as a team.  I am looking forward to serving with this amazing group.  As always teams are all different.  Most of the members are teenagers and there are a few adults sprinkled among the bunch.  We all have different gifts and talents and God will use us all separately but I also know he will use us together.  There will be times we are tired, hot and maybe even homesick.  I anticipate there will be times of great joy and moments of accomplishment and whether we experience these times individually we will also be there together.  Helping each other through this great adventure and many new experiences. 

 

I really liked this quote from the message "God always leads us beyond what is comfortable as he propels us to love the needy In word and deed" 

 

Please pray for us as we continue to prepare for this journey.  We each have our own fears and anxieties.  However I ask that you pray for us this week as a team as we prepare to go TOGETHER.  

 

 Moving Loving Repeat

Baseball Caps, Flip Flops, and Shampoo

If my calculations are correct we will be departing for Honduras in 54 days!  I am sooo excited!! 
Our next team meeting is this coming Sunday.  I am really looking forward to seeing the team since I was unable to be at the last meeting.

I am starting to make lists of things to take, things to do and even little gifts I can take to my friends there. 

 Earlier this week I was thinking about my friend Alonso, who is one of the guards on the property. He has joined me for coffee during the mornings as I sit and watch the earth awaken.  For him, his shift is ending and he is ready to go home. We muddle through a conversation that is broken English and Spanish...but some how we get our point across.  He always has a ball cap on. So I thought I could take him a ball cap.  Then the thought came to me "why not collect gently used/new baseball caps and take them to be distributed to the men".  Many of the men work out in the hot sun doing manual labor, working in the coffee groves or just walking from place to place. 

I don't know about you but we have an abundant amount of baseball caps around our house.  Ones that you have collected from vacations, free ones from events, or those that may be your favorite sports team.  So while you are doing your spring cleaning if you come across any baseball caps that are  just taking up space, I will gladly take them off your hands. 

It is always surprising what God puts on my heart to take.  One year I had a bag full of old buttons I took.  That same Christmas one of the ladies at the Hogar received a sawing machine for Christmas, she was tickled to have them!  One year we used safety glasses for an art project and I took extra, the men that do the yard work were using a weed eater without protection...we had plenty to spare! 
So if you have any of these items or God lays something on your heart to donate, please contact me.  I would love to be your delivery person!

Also other items that we will take are:

• Shampoo
• Lotion
• Deodorant
• Tooth Paste/Brushes
• Feminine Products
• Flip Flops, all sizes
• Hair Bows
• Children's Gummy Vitamins
• Children's cough and fever medicine
• School Supplies

Thank you for your prayers and support as we are preparing for this adventure in July.  God has great things in store for us, he always does!

Baskets and Bows

Things are coming along with the trip preparation.  This coming Sunday is the next fund raiser for the trip.   As long as I can remember the youth group at Grace has had a silent auction for Mother's Day gift baskets. 

I have bid on the baskets in the past but this year I am actually creating them to help the youth raise money for their trip. 

In March I started thinking about ideas, themes, who to ask to donate products for them etc.  One night I was laying in bed and my brain would not shut off.  I had to get up and write the ideas down.  Some of them were: gardening, color themes, coffee, Buzzy Bee, art, and the list goes on.  I finally decided on three and I have to say they have turned out pretty good. Not because I have put them together but because people have donated their resources and talents to make them happen.

 

'Home Grown'  is a basket full of locally grown products ranging from a bushel of apples from Justus Orchards in Edneyville, 2 dozen eggs from a lady that I work with that raises chickens, a bouquet of sunflowers from a friend who grows fields of them, a rose bush of your choice from a couple at Grace who grow amazing beautiful flowers and trees,  NC honey, and gifts cards from my favorite BB Barnes nursery, and a box of home grown goodness from my friend Maggie's homestead. 

God is working through this entire process even in the fund raising.  He is opening doors for us to share about what God is doing in Honduras and He is working our own hearts.

Pancakes and Burritos

Today was another step in fundraising and team building.   This was the second Sunday that the youth group cooked and sold breakfast as part of their fund raising.  I was asked to be a Kitchen Supervisor for this event.  My automatic response was "I'm not really your kitchen person" but Greg didn't miss a beat and sent me the list of things to do.  I admit I was a little nervous and unsure what I was getting in to. 

 I arrived at 9:45 for the 2nd shift.  Myself and another supervisor, Rebecca, started assembling burritos with the ingredients that 1st shift had already prepared.  

A few minutes later the youth filed in and went to work. There was really no "supervision" needed.  They all took their places..some at the grill cooking pancakes, some started cracking eggs, and others joined the burrito assembly line.  There were people collecting money and filling orders from the large warmer that was set up in the cafe'.  It was a well oiled machine. 

As I was helping fill the burritos, Emily the expert burrito roller, looked at me and sweetly asked, is that a special order? I looked down and laughed "Well NO!!"....I had forgotten the tortilla shell and had placed the eggs directly on the tin foil!!!  She was so gracious to me and replied "It's OK, just laugh it off.  That's what we do!"  

Pancake flippers, Caroline and Samantha

Sweet Emily

As I watched the girls continue to assemble the burritos I mentioned to them that while we are there, we will get to learn how to actually make tortillas!!  I am already thinking ahead to how much they will love the hogar and the girls that live there.  

Dylan and Caleb

Just observing the team work together today, listening to their laughter, and even receiving their hugs, I was reminded how blessed I am to be a part of what God is doing. I am eager to see what he has in store for us...each step of the way.

Pancake tester, Mikey

Relationships

When I was asked why I wanted to return to Honduras the first thing that came to mind was to see the girls in the Hogar de Nina (home for girls).   When I went to Honduras for the first time I remember saying in my prayer letter that one of the things we will be doing is hugging little girls.  Indeed, that is what we did....and that is what we do. But the beautiful thing is that the hugs are mutual.   

I am not just eager to go to see the girls but to see those that I have come to love over the years.
In 2008 I didn't know anyone there but as I return now I am going home.  I am going to visit family. 

Tina

Tina, who is the cook at the hogar welcomes you with open arms.  She feeds us and makes sure we have what we need.  We cut up and carry on like families would in any kitchen when the gang is there to visit. 

Louis, is a long time friend and member of Fuente de Vida church.  He is there to welcome us at the airport and drive us home in the school bus.  He loads and unloads our luggage and is available during our stay if we need him.  He reminds me of a favorite Uncle you would see at your next family reunion.       

Louis and a porter loading the bus

Lizzeth, my sister and friend.  When I returned home from Honduras the first time Lizzeth was my connection to the world I left behind.  In 2008 there wasn't a connection via Facebook or internet on campus but I would email her and she would respond at the local cyber cafe'.  In 2009 we were bunk mates when she came to stay with us at the mission house.  We have had many conversations and we have prayed for each other over the years. 

Carmen, is a teacher at the school and has become a precious friend to me.  She and her husband have a sweet little girl and a new baby who was born the end of last year.  I am eager to hold the new little one that I have seen so many photos of. 

Pastor Yaboni, Glendis, Senovia, Johana, Paola, Sister Reyna, Wilmar, Gasbar, Adon, Olga, Christina, Andre', the children in the school yard, Gladis....and my list can go on. 

Gladis and Ricardo

They are all people I have gotten to know and I am so thankful that I can build relationships in the small town of Taulabe'.  Not so that the people there know me but so that I can show them that they are loved by a wonderful heavenly Father who sees them in the midst of their struggles and their hard times.   I am honored that I can be His arms and give hugs to little girls that may be missing their families or a teenage girl that may be heart broken.  I can remind them that they are not alone.  I am honored that they call me sister and friend.  Even though we may not speak the same verbal language we speak the same heart language.

A lap full of love



Louis' daughter and granddaughter

Adon and Pastor Milton

Surprise

 

Surprise!!

I'm Going Back to Honduras

 

 

Ok so it may not be a surprise to some of you but it was a total surprise to me.  I had marked Honduras off my calendar for 2017.  With me only having two weeks vacation a year he hubby and I had discussed taking a longer vacation together this year, instead of our normal jaunt to the beach.  Well after some unexpected expenses at the beginning of this year:  new car for me, heat pump, and recently  removal of trees that were looming over the house, we decided that an extended vacation would need to wait. 

 

I still wasn't thinking Honduras until mid January when rumblings of a youth trip started to circulate.  My antennas went up like I was trying to tune in an old radio signal.  The tug at my heart strings were being pulled.  I was really missing the girls of the hogar and my friends in Taulabe'.  I stumbled on my old prayer letters from years past and pictures kept popping up on my Facebook news feed from previous years.  I needed to go...but could I go?  How?  The wheels started to move in to motion, talking to Pastor Jim, asking for time off, emailing Greg: Grace Youth Minister...would it all come together??? 

 

It appears the answer is YES!!!  YES!!! 

 

I attended my first trip meeting this past Sunday.  The meeting was held in the youth room upstairs at Grace Community Church.  I have been attending Grace for 17 years and I have never gone upstairs to the youth room.  I couldn't think of a better reason to go than for this meeting.  Brief introductions were made around the circle all who were either youth group members or youth leaders, then there is me.  I am so honored that they will let me crash their party.  There will be 13 youth and 7 adults. possibly more, on this trip....the perfect size!  I already know several of the team members and I am eager to know the rest. 

 

This is going to be a special trip.  I am so excited to be able to share with these young folks the place I call my second home, introduce them to the people and the culture, but most of all I am looking forward to them seeing for themselves what God is doing there! 

 

 

We will be leaving July 14 and return home July 21st.  Please stay tuned to updates.  July may seem like a long time away but if time goes as fast as the first half of the year has gone it will be here soon.

 
 
 

 

 

Passion Returns

Dear Friends and Family,

I have not been as good about keeping my blog up to date as I  have on previous trips.  Busyness of life? Maybe apathy?  Maybe both.   Apathy is one of the things that I am weary of as my trip soon approaches I have been wondering when would the excitement come?  You know that feel, kinda like the anticipation of an approaching vacation, Christmas or even a birthday.   I was starting to be concerned that the passion that I have for Honduras had faded and I had become complacent after 6 previous trips.  I didn't want this to be 'just another trip to Honduras.'  I was starting to wonder if I had maybe signed up to go but wasn't supposed to go.  But the excitement and passion has slowly returned.  God recently tapped me on the heart and reminded me why I  fell in  love with the people and the wonderful country of Honduras.  

That reminder came in the form of recent notification that 9 new little girls have arrived at the hogar.  Bringing the total number back up to 25.  The new ninas rage in ages from 11-2;  I am guessing there are some sisters in  the mix.   They are beautiful little girls who have been rescued from poverty, abuse and neglect.  That small voice said to me "they were rescued just like you...remember how Jesus rescued you?"  Although we were both in need of rescue, I have no idea what some of these little ones have lived through.  I have never gone to bed hungry, I have never felt the sting of a hot cigarette against my skin, or sat in a dirty diaper with bugs crawling on me.  It is a sad picture but it is a reality.  They all have hurts and scars--inside and out but they now have a home where they can be loved, fed, provided medical care and an education.   It is because of these girls and others like them that I fell in love.  I am excited to return and share the love that I have been so freely given.

I am excited to return so that I can meet the new ninas and be reunited with others that I have loved on before.   I am VERY excited to see what God has in store for us. 

 
I just left our third and final team meeting prior to our departure on July 11th.   Our team is very diverse.  I am one of the oldest members, there is a family of 5 going, a mom and daughter, several teenagers, an Aunt and her niece and we are converging from several locations two from PA, one from FL  there is a team member already there, and the rest from here.

Along with the excitement comes anxieties, what if I don't get along with everyone (there are 24 of us ), what if I loose my passport?, I still don't have all my finances..(close but not 100%) What if it is too hot and I get sick again?  What if....what if.....what if.....???   I ask that you offer those things up in prayer, on my behalf.  I  am trusting the Lord, and I know it will all be ok...but there is always the BUT!  

If you would like to participate in my adventure the best thing you can do is pray but if you would like to participate in other ways we are collecting the following items to take with us.   You can contact me at 243-7856 or deezy214@yahoo.com & I will be glad to pick up your donations.

Cloth diapers and pins
Chewable Vitamins
Children Cough & Cold Meds & Children Tylenol
Girls Sandals (all sizes ages 18-2)   
Toiletries: shampoo, soap, toothpaste & brushes, deodorant, feminine products
Art  Supplies: pencils, markers, finger paint, water colors, glue sticks, manual pencil sharpeners, construction paper, color tissue, colored pencils, child scissors
Soccer Balls

Thank you in advance
Much Love
Dee

Giggles, Paint, & Prayers

 WELL.....since my last blog I received the time off for my trip to Honduras  WhoooHoooo!!!   I have attended my first pre-trip meeting, written my prayer letter and am in the process of mailing it out...and the most exciting part of my preparation came unexpected.....

Last Monday I was honored to attend the Honduras of Life board meeting where Pastor Yobani Alas was the guest for the evening. (he was in the US for three weeks visiting churches etc.)  As some of you may know Yobani is the pastor of the Fuente' de Vida ministry in Taulabe' Honduras...this is the ministry that Honduras Fountain of Life partners with.   When I first arrived in Honduras in 2008 he was the first person I met.  I had mentioned in a previous blog that he asked me then if I spoke Spanish...I sheepishly replied no but with his normal exuberance he proclaimed "We  will teach you"!  I still can't speak Spanish!! LOL  Anway,  Since that first meeting I have come to admire this Godly man who for 25 years has served the people in the mountains of Central Honduras...he has continued to listen to God and when at his darkest times he never gave up his faith.  During the meeting he recanted many stories of how God has used him and the ministry and how he never lets an opportunity pass without sharing the love of Christ in either word or deed.  He has helped to plant 60 mountain churches, open a home for the elderly and widows, continues to be head over the Hogar de' Ninas that is home to girls that are abused, malnourished and come from terrible backgrounds, and the Fuente de Vida school.   He spoke of starting a work and eat program, similar to Lord's Acres here.  Where people would help to work the gardens, in exchange for fresh vegetables

 "Feed a man a meal and he will be satisfied for a day, feed a man's soul and he will be satisfied for life".  That is one of his mottoes and one that Honduras Fountain of Life follows.  We can go in and buy food, build buildings and hand out things of material nature (HFOL does help when necessary)  but they have chosen to build relationships with the community and the ministry in Taulabe that has stretched over 10 years. 

People often ask me what I do when I go and I have to answer with a chuckle "I play"...  :-)   I play with the kids in the playground of the school where 350 students attend the Fuente de Vida school and another 300 attend the Compassion International School.  They love to laugh at the goofy American who can't speak Spanish & who calls them monkeys but also trust them to use my camera as they take pictures of themselves and of me.  I sit on the porch of the Hogar de Nina and color, or just sit and rock with a little one in my lap, or become the arms that catch  a giggling girl when they jump from the edge of the pool.  (we usually take the girls of the Hogar swimming while we are there)  I hate to wash dishes at home but I could wash dishes all day beside my sweet friend Elvia.  All of this while reminding them they are loved and not while I am there but when I come home to the US.   

On previous trips I have helped to sort the mercy closet that is home to shelves and shelves of clothes that are available to those in need; paint the hogar and school; host a women's retreat for the teachers of the school and workers of the church; assisted in medical clinics and taken photos, handing them out from an instant printer....whatever is needed to be done.  

We often go with a "plan"....and it is often tweaked or changed, depending on what is needed when we arrive but this year it is my hope to have "Art Day" for the kids at the school.   When I came up with the idea I imagined finger painting with the Kindergarten but it has blossomed to possibly spending time with each grade.   We have not settled on a project yet but we are searching Pinterest and other sources for ideas.  

Please pray for me and the team of 20 others as we prepare for our journey in July.  Pray God will give  us direction on where to go with the Art Day idea....or lead us in other directions where the need might be.  Whatever it is..we are there to serve as Christ came to serve us. 

Stay tuned!!!   

It's the little things

I have often said that it is the little things in life that make a difference. Earlier this week I found that to once again  be true.

 I still have not gotten the "ok" for my time off in July.  I found myself a bit discouraged and wondering if maybe it isn't the time for me to go. I even questioned if I really wanted to go. 

The enemy is so good at spreading lies and bringing us down and that is exactly what happened!

Later that same day I was checking out patients when one of the Spanish  interpreters approached the desk to assist a family.  I saw the mom and older sister but what I didn't see, but heard, is what made the difference.  There were younger children in front of the counter laughing, giggling and speaking in Spanish.  The little boy was requesting a sticker for a "nino." Their giggles took me immediately to the front porch of the hogar.  Of course I want to go!!!  Who was I kidding?  My heart is longing to hear the laughter there.  It is longing to hear the school children on the playground beg to have their picture taken and fight over who will use my camera & then hysterically laugh when they see themselves on the screen. Yes! Yes! Yes! I want to go!  

It is indeed the little things that matter, that make a difference.  The laughter of a child is undeniably one of those things.   

I New Adventure is Blooming

Since I traveled to Honduras for the first time, I have learned that when I leave,  I never know when I will return again.  It is always God's timing and when it all comes together I know then that it is the time to return.   

As some of you may recall,  my last trip was February of 2013.  I went with a group of ladies to minister to the ladies of Fuente de Vida Ministry in Taulabe.  This year the same type of trip was organized and many of the same ladies that I went with last year returned again. However, due to starting a new job in November, I was not able to go with them.  It was hard to stay behind and watch my friends return without me but I was with them in heart.  

So now,  just like the spring flowers are starting to bloom, so is the idea of me returning to Honduras.  I have sent in a request to be off July 11-18; I am waiting for the official approval.  It is hard for me to not become excited prematurely but I know in my heart that it is the right time for me to go.  I also know prayer is an accentual part of the trip; from the beginning to the end it is with the prayers of many friends and family that I go.   

Please begin now praying with me:

1) That I will be permitted the time off
2) That God will start, even now, to prepare my heart
3)  Pray for the team as it starts to form that God will bring 
     us together to serve our friends in Taulabe.

I have a feeling this is going to be an amazing adventure!
     

He is EVERYWHERE!!!

February 1, 2013 

God was EVERYWHERE today!!!

The  moment my feet hit the floor this morning I felt at peace.  All the anxieties and worries that I had felt over the last couple of weeks had disappeared. 

We arrived at the Asheville Airport at 5:45 and began unloading our crates and luggage.  Jeff hauled all my stuff to the Delta counter where Kelly was already waiting.  We said our goodbyes (which are always hard) and he rushed out to move the car and head off to work.  I stood in line filled with excitement and a bit sad from our parting.  I few moments later Debbi arrives and behind her are her sweet hubby Michael AND my hubby!!! It was just what my heart needed a second goodbye!  

As our troops started to arrive one by one and the crates and luggage began piling up there was a man waiting  behind us, we offered for him to go around but he was happy to wait.  It turns out that he had been visiting Camp Kanuga in Hendersonville and he himself ran a camp in Washington.  It was a pleasure to talk to him as we were processing our things.   

One by one we weighed our trunks holding our breath that they were the required 50lbs.  God's hands were on the scales and our weigh in was successful.  We had planned to have to pay $45 each for our second checked baggage.  The night before Jim found out that because he is 'special' he can check in with up to 8 guest and they do not have to pay the fee!!!  What an exciting savings!!!  Kelly was flying stand-by and got THE LAST seat on the flight to Atlanta...another whoot whoot for God!!

One of my little fears that I had was that I was going to have to try and lift my luggage up to the overhead compartment.  By the time we boarded our plane in Atlanta there was no more room in the overhead compartment....cha ching....I left it at the door for it to be loaded under the plane!!!   

I just felt like God was carrying me through every phase of the journey thus far the peace that I woke up with continued to follow me through the morning.  As I walked down  the aisle searching for my seat I heard someone call out my name...as I searched to find the source I expected to find one of my team members who had boarded earlier but to my surprise there sat Jim & Julie Nelms!!!  Jim and I had worked together at State Farm over 10 years ago.  Jim is who introduced me to Grace Community church and he and Julie now serve on one of the islands off the coast of Honduras.  I was so excited!!!  I could not believe that they were there!!!  My heart was already happy but it almost exploded!  Thank you Lord for such a wonderful gift.  

 Big Sigh.....EXHALE....GRIN....Smile....Awesome God!!!!

(L-R) Mary Dean Beland, Me, Jim Nelms, Jlulie, their son & Pastor Jim

He Speaks in Honduras, the beginning

In January 2008, my first trip to Honduras, Pastor Jim asked our team if anyone would like to give their testimony at the service that night.  As is very normal for me I immediately replied NO WAY....there is no way in the world that I am going to stand on the stage of a church and look into a sea of faces and expose my heart.  

That day we traveled up into the mountains to serve in a medical clinic people came from miles around...walking....just to see a doctor.  We took photos of people and printed them right on the spot (via a printer hooked to the cigarette lighter in the truck)  Some of those people had never had a photo of themselves and were so happy to have that 4 x 6 photo.  We played games with the kids, painted little girls finger nails and just had an amazing time.  There was joy all over that mountain side.  

The whole time we were there in the back of my mind I kept hearing the Lord tell me to give my testimony.  To which I would once again reply with I can't.  Finally by the time we came down off the mountain I submitted & agreed but only if He would give me the words to say. 

It was the first time that I had ever shared my testimony publicly and honestly I am not sure what I said but I know that the Lord gave me the words that night.  I looked out into a see of faces and in the midst of the brown eyes and dark hair I saw smiles from light colored skin, friends that truly knew me and knew my heart.   That trip was the beginning of a journey for me.  I realized on that trip how much God  loved me despite my failures and short comings. Have I believed it every day since then? No way....there have been times when I have totally forgotten it all together but as time has gone on He gently reminds me that He will never leave me nor forsake me....that He is for me ....and that He gave it all.  

Call this a teaser but that is where it started 5 years ago....that brings us to 2013 and what He taught me this time...FEAR....I learned that I am a very fearful person but  he proved to me over and over again on my  journey that the fear does not come from him ....that He is in control.    Stay tuned to hear how my fear was proven wrong and where God was on my journey.

 

The home  for girls lit up at night

Like most people, I look forward to Fridays...the end of the work week and the start of the weekend. 

However,   the work week ends for me tomorrow & instead of Friday marking the end it is the beginning of my great adventure!

I am excited, nervous, apprehensive, anxious, and did I mention excited?

It has been such a wonderful blessing to watch God build this team of ladies.  What started as myself and Debbi has now grown to a team of 6 ladies & Pastor Jim.  We all have different gifts, talents, fears & insecurities but isn't that what makes a great team? 

As I have mentioned before our idea is go and refresh, encourage & lift up the teachers of  Compassion International. Funte de Vida school, and the ladies of the Fuente de Vida hogar las ninas. (Home for girls)  But I know God has something much bigger planned....bigger than we could even imagine and that is what I am looking forward to the most...sitting back and letting God be God.

Please pray for us as be meet tomorrow to pack the footlockers & duffel bags that will carry the items we will be taking.  God has blessed us with 40 Bibles and devotional books, we will also take hygiene products donated by many folks in the area....clothes and items needed to care for the girls at the home. Please pray that exactly what needs to go will fit!  Also pray for good health & safety for our entire team.  And finally...last and most definitely not least that we will be open to the Holy Spirits leading.  That we wouldn't be so wrapped up in our own agendas that we miss what he has planted for us. 

Thank you so much! I look forward to sharing with you when I return on the 8th.

She's bringing sea shells....

I feel like a different person from the one who posted the blog entry last weekend.  I am revived, refreshed and ready to fly!  This week I received encouraging notes & counsel from friends;  they were definitely messages from above.  Don't ever think that God doesn't use you because you never know what a kind world, encouragement or even a smile will do to make a difference in someone's heart.

Our 'team' met again last night to review our plan.  It was so exciting to see how pieces of the plan are starting to fit together.  Although we have a 'plan' we were reminded to be flexible.  (Big SMILE inserted here) you never know what will happen, that is part of the great adventure.

Today I was able to mark several things off my list.  My task is to get the journals that we will give the ladies (they will also receive a bible and devotional book

I believe I mentioned in my previous post that we are going to be making boxes with mosaics on the top.  We will be using broken plates, marbles, and I am going to be taking sea shells.

I have bags and bags of shells that I have collected over the years.  Today I was going through them selecting ones to take to Honduras.  One of the bags was marked "Beach Trip 2004" .  If you had told me 9 years ago that I was picking up shells to take to the Central Mountains of Honduras I would have not believed it.  Indeed His ways are not ours. 

 

 

On Your Mark....Get Ready.....

Broken

 

Tonight our whole team met for the first time.  What started out as a team of two has grown to 6 ladies and Pastor Jim. 

As I was getting ready for church this morning I was thinking to myself 'how are we going to minister to these ladies, none of us speak Spanish.'   I have written about the language barrier previously in my blog...it seems to always work out...but this time it is different.  We really needed to be able to talk to share our message.  When I arrived at church sweet Mary Beth came up to me and said "did you hear? I'm going with you on the trip"....Whoo hoooo....Oh BTW she is fluent in Spanish!  

As we set around the table brainstorming this evening we mentioned to Pastor Jim that we would like to take some devotionals & did he know of a source where we can get them discount? Well, not only did he know someone he had just been talking to someone a few days ago that would like to help Honduras Fountain of Life in just that way!  Not only can we take the devotionals we are taking Bibles! God at work ahead of us :-)

We sat reading scripture, talking about how we can refresh the ladies that work so hard serving others there?  The idea of brokenness  became our theme.  How we are all broken? The crafts we are planning, the verses we started to compile all pointed to our brokenness and how He loves us despite that.  We talked about sharing our testimonies with the ladies during the second session...my heart began to race....and the lies in my head began to over shadow the conversation around the table.  How can I share my testimony?  How can I even consider this? What was I thinking? I can go and wash their feet....I can hug them....I can share that way but give my testimony??  Share my heart?  THIS REALLY A BAD IDEA!!!!    

I drove home quiet....radio off....replaying all those things in my head.  I can't.....! What if? I CAN'T....WHAT IF?   By the time I got home I was in tears.   Thankfully when I arrived home Poppy needed to go outside and I could calm down.  Then I heard that little voice again and I heard ...."You are right ....you can't but I can"  I came in and wrote in my journal:

WHAT IF?
I CAN'T.....

BUT HE CAN.

I am still a little apprehensive and unsure but I am reminded that I am not the one in control.  He is and shows me that time and time again.  Please pray that I will remember that....not just at this moment but all the moments to come.