Report on the Mission Trip - Eeyore goes to Honduras

And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Everyday in Honduras I read this. Everyday I was touched. I still don't know the full significance of why God had me in this daily, but I suspect it will continue to grow in it.

So first of all, the flights. I did take my ativan, and the flight from Little Rock to Houston was not as smooth as others I've been on, but after that it was great. I will say that my luck on being randomed was in play, first in LR, not too bad, they ran a thing over my hands to see if I had been handling any explosives. When we left Honduras my backpack was searched. They had seen my insulin needles and the guy thought he could have them (I didn't mind, most of them were dirty). So, to save face he took my tape I use at work. Oh well.

Some things I'll deal with generally. The food was fabulous, we ate all but one meal fixed by Honduran cooks at the mission house. They were great. Spoke no English, which we heard later has been a complaint that they should learn (another example of how we as Americans tend to think the world revolves around us). With my sad Spanish I was able to communicate fine with them on my days to clean. :) Sunday we were taken to a nice restaurant "El Patio" where we were served steak and chicken. I don't know how they cooked it, but it was some of the best of both I've ever had. I didn't suffer for lack of food.

There was a lot of prayer lifted up for me, guys, God was so faithful. I just can't tell you how much this trip meant for me. I know we did some good for the Hondurans, but the change was in me.

Sunday we went to a church that we were going to serve in for two days later in the week. First of all, the bus had trouble getting there every time we went. Sunday it got stuck and we had to walk down a hill to go to church. This was a charismatic church, not sure what kind. One thing that threw me was there were no crosses, but there was a menorah and they blew a shofar. The people were sweet. A youth minister with us shared that day and the people seemed to enjoy it. We held a lot of babies and a lot of hugs were given.

Each of the churches that we served in were in some of the worst areas of the city. There were shootings at night and some of the people we saw were gang affiliated. I never felt in danger, but I heard some of the women speaking later that they did.

In trying to tell you what God did, the thing I go back to is the poverty. I'm just stunned. I'll try to post pictures to this site so you can see the one house I went to. And let me share this: I've always had issues about feeling my house isn't good enough (no matter whether it was in my current home or in mobile homes) and thinking that people would look down on me or blah blah blah.... but I have a palace compared to what I saw. But even at that, I was welcomed into this home as if I was a princess! And she hid nothing from me. The home was one room, with spaces between the boards where you could put your hands through. There were tarps up to keep some of the rain out. And there were a few pictures scattered on the wall. The floor was dirt. This particular woman had some sons that were building her a new home, with adobe walls and we were making a concrete floor for her. She had prayed 20 years for this (had been a widow for 30). One interesting thing about her that was shared as we left the church that day.... the church had been taking a special offering and she had money for the week that she was going to give, but something happened and she couldn't give it, so she went home and got all of her money - all that she had been able to save, and brought it to the church for the offering. But before she could give it they called out the names of those that we were going to do the floors for: and it was her! She told the Lord, see, I have your offering, but you have blessed me before I could even give it! Her joy in what she had makes me re-evaluate my life and what I have.

There were many things that God did... 65 people said a prayer of repentance, 1200+ saw medical doctors, 500+ each in dental and for eyeglasses. 160+ saw a chiropractor. There was laughter and there were tears. There was washing of hair to remove lice (and only one person brought some home with them). The hair washing of the children was very touching. They loved it, and you can't touch people without some connection. I reached a point where I was praying over them as I was doing it, so that bonds there would be broken. Maybe a blessing on their life.

But for me, God also met me there. I expected to be very afraid of the plane and the bus rides, but God really gave me peace. I can't describe how special that was.

Before I left for Honduras I was also very frustrated in my job at the hospital. Something really set me off, and I let it be known that I would be happy to work somewhere else. Within days I got a call that a cardiologist was looking for a nurse. God clearly told me I was not to make any decisions until I came back. Fine, I'll wait. On Tuesday when I was doing the children's ministry, there was this one point where I was just watching them, not touching, nothing. Just watching. And I so clearly hear the voice of the Lord telling me to send the children to Him, how much he loves the children, and that my place was to minister to the children.

This trip was wonderful, and I thank everyone who sent me, who prayed for me, and who put up with my whining about the bathrooms. Whether or not I ever go back there, or to any other place, I know that I am a missionary where I work. I'm becoming bolder about sharing the Lord with those in need, and praying for the ones I touch. Most of the time no one knows, but He who sent me does.

One other thing (although there are many), I saw brothers and sisters in Honduras that I know I may never see again, but those interpreters for World Gospel Outreach are on fire for God! They witness strongly, they know the word, and they are excited! It was such a pleasure to work along side them. They propped us little white people up and let us witness, but they were so moving in the Holy Spirit. The WGO staff we met were so humble, so easy to be with. They really gave us a taste of what they do, but they were so gracious in everything. If you ever need a group to work alongside, I highly commend them to you.