Medical and Construction Trip Promotion from Gran Comision Choluteca

Trip Slide Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e30qw5kmaf8&t=9s

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's grace.

Hey! Remember that one time when we were flying and a condor got sucked into our engine and we had to make an emergency landing and got stuck in Honduras for hours at a random airport in San Pedro Sula?! 

Life is full of surprises! Some blessings are more obvious than others. Our current situation for example: stuck in a random airport waiting on a new airplane to come get us and take us to Atlanta where we will have missed our connecting flight to Detroit. Not an ideal situation of course, but after experiencing the traumatic death of a giant condor - which could have potentially foreshadowed our own fate - we are grateful to be safe on the ground. 

Emergency situations definitely put things into perspective wherever you are in your spiritual walk. You can say that you trust God with your life and that you want His will to be done no matter what, but when you are in a potentially dangerous situation, it shows what is at the core of your heart. I think everyone's instinct is to pray. It seems like even non-Christians resort to this oftentimes when they are truly afraid. I believe this is because we are wired to have that emotional connection with God. 

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11

"So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them." Genesis 1:27

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." Psalm 139:13-14a 

Sometimes situations arise that teach us patience (like our 9.5 hour bus ride yesterday haha), some teach us maturity, some humility, but all are there as an opportunity to act out our faith to others. As Christians, we should have full, unshakable confidence in where we are going when we die. This is why our team - as well as the other mission team on the plane with us, our flight attendants and even our pilots - were able to stay calm. We spoke with one flight attendant in particular as we were waiting at the airport. She said she was nervous at first but she sat down for a moment and prayed that God would take away her nerves, and He granted her that. She said she felt all the nerves and fear leave her body and a peace come over her and comfort her which allowed her to do a remarkable job under that pressure. As we were leaving Paula thanked the pilot and he responded something like "It wasn't me, it was my Savior that kept us safe." Wow. How amazing that God would give us a crew like that. 

I was also blessed to meet a missionary who works for Orphan Outreach. He was explaining their organization and the work they are doing here in Honduras as well as all around the world. I was so blessed not only by everything they are doing, but in general just the wisdom and love for God that this man has is inspiring. He speaks with a kind, gentle spirit and an intense passion that is contagious. 

God never ceases to amaze me. In the midst of the good, the bad and the inconvenient He is present. He shows up and He makes His presence known to me in so many different ways. Sometimes it's while a child clings to me in a poor community in Honduras. Sometimes it's while I'm worshipping and singing while driving. Sometimes it's while I'm sitting on an airport floor talking to someone who has devoted their entire life to helping orphans feel the love of Jesus. 

I thank God that despite the many times I ignore him or the times I fail to succeed because I'm trying to do things on my own, He is faithful and He pursues me. He sends me blessings and comforts me though I deserve none of it. He is filled with grace and he extends it to me. I'm forever grateful. Anyone who doesn't understand why I go on mission trips has not fully embraced His grace. Once you get a taste of that, there's no turning back. I want every single person to experience the grace and love and peace that I have through Jesus. 

"Still" - Fresh Life Worship

Philippians 2:3-8

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!"

Pass the Compassion Please!

James 2:14-17

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead."

Well that's a bold statement. Initially I think when people read that, one thought that may initially come to mind is: I thought it was by faith we are saved, not works? This is a valid question. A lot of...ok most...times with the Bible you have to read before and after the verses you are studying to keep it in context. This verse in no way claims that your works earn your salvation. The point of this verse is to emphasize the importance of acting on your faith. 

Going on a mission trip is often looked at as a bold, selfless act. Trading a comfortable, relaxing vacation to go to a community in such obvious need and spend your time working and helping and building relationships. It is emotionally and physically taxing, I won't deny that. But isn't this the point? God showed us the utmost mercy and grace. The verses prior (James 2:12-13) say: "Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." 

Mercy is defined by Webster as "compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm." The Bible says this triumphs over judgement. How amazing is that?! If God shows compassion to us, how could we not show that same compassion to others? I don't know about you but I know I'm not worthy of the love, compassion and grace given to me and I want people to experience the freedom and pure joy that comes with all of that. 

Proverbs 23:6-7 says: " Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. 'Eat and drink,' he says to you, but his heart is not with you." Other translations say: "As he thinks within himself, so he is." I feel like this is such an important concept, especially for our culture back at home. Serving and acting out our faith through actions reveals what is in our hearts - and that is the point. For some, serving comes in the form of a mission trip to a third world country, yes...but it goes beyond that. These 9 days out of my year are very important but I have 356 other days to make a difference, to live my life as a light reflecting Gods love and the message of the Gospel. 

God knows your heart. He knows all your motives, fears, hopes and dreams. He knows when you need comfort and when you need humility. He has called us all to a purpose greater than the job or social class we hold on this earth. Greater than the material possessions He has blessed us with. Greater than the denomination of a church. He has called us to a purpose greater than ourselves. 

Mark 8:34-36 "Then He called the crowd to Him along with his disciples and said: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the Gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?'" 

Think of the ways God has shown you mercy and forgiveness in your life. Have you shown that level of compassion to others? Pick the most difficult person in your life. Show them the same compassion God has shown you. The first time...or two...or three...it may be extremely difficult, but do it. Do it with a heavenly mindset. Pray for the strength. Once you start living and thinking this way, it will become a part of you. You will show this love and compassion to others because of the goodness stored up in your heart, not based on whether they deserve it or not. Isn't that how God is with us? 

Humility > Comfort

Humility > Comfort

Real talk: back at home I feel like I have a tendency to be lazy. To miss opportunities easily. To make excuses to not participate in things. This isn't something I'm proud of. In fact, it's something I've really been working on the last year. Going on my first mission trip last year was the first thing in my adult life that I did at will to take me out of my comfort zone. It made a huge difference in my life. It's one thing to see these conditions on TV or in a video at church and it's another to be here and witness it first hand. It is very humbling. I know I'm blessed at home, but being here magnifies it ten fold. Last year the opportunity came right after my divorce and so the months prior had been a whirlwind of emotions, difficult decisions, along with countless blessings and the kind of wisdom you can only acquire by going through the storm. But I've learned that when I hear the voice of God I have to act instantaneously. If I wait at all I will start second guessing things...my abilities in particular. 

With God there are no coincidences. That tug on your heart is there for a reason. Sometimes the Holy Spirit puts things on our hearts that don't quite make sense at the time, but there is always a purpose. God wants to use us as vessels for his love. If we don't act when he calls us to, we will never get that particular opportunity back - it may be too late. I know that I don't want to have any regrets in my life about sharing the message of the Gospel. 

Yesterday (Thursday- Las Brisas) we had a woman whose husband was on his death bed. She was talking to Nick asking if there was any way we could help him if she explained his symptoms. From what I understand he had recently been discharged from the hospital. As she was speaking with Nick, family came to inform her that her husband had literally just passed on. Within a short amount of time, a truck drove by our station carrying a coffin. A lot of us didn't know what was going on and didn't see it so we continued on about our business. 

I don't think things get any more real than that. Here is a woman so desperate to get help for her husband that she left his bedside in hope that there was some chance we could help, only to find out he took his last breath as she was gone. We can say things all day long about appreciating life because you never know what can happen...but do we truly live like that? If we are 100% honest do we live in such a way that we would be ready to leave this earth tomorrow? Today? This very moment? Have you said everything you want to say? Have you lived with an eternal mindset instead of an earthly one? How many people have come to know Jesus or know Him better through you? Have you put the needs of others before your own?  These are difficult questions to be honest about. 

Today I pray for the woman who lost her husband. I pray strength and peace. I pray that she leans into God's love instead of blaming Him. For us, I pray that we do not hesitate in our decisions. When we feel the Spirit tugging on our hearts I pray we follow it boldly. I pray we have no regrets and we do not let laziness or insecurity slow us down or keep us from God's calling. 

Romans 13:11-14

"And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh."

Heavenly View

"You Amaze Us" -Celebration Worship

Today (Wednesday) was another full day. We were in the buildings right across the field from the mission house so it was nice to have a 3 minute walk as opposed to a bus ride. 

It was a very hot afternoon! With the heat index I believe it reached 106? I am not complaining, but I'm not sure I could live in such a climate all year! I guess this is yet another example of God wanting us to be pushed outside our comfort zones. 

Tonight after dinner, Rhonda and I went up to the roof to take pictures of the gorgeous sunset. All sunsets are beautiful but the view from up there was breathtaking. The pink and orange clouds settling over the lush mountains...I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to be here again. God clearly led me back to Honduras this year. I want to feel about all my big life decisions the way I felt about this one. I felt 100% positive that this is where God wanted me and it was something I needed to do. 

I think my issue with this is asking for help and clarity from God. I tend to pray for others or pray thanks to God, leaving out my own requests. I hate feeling ungrateful and that's what praying for my own needs feels like. But I know this is unbiblical. The Bible tells us that Jesus is standing at the door, knocking, waiting for us to answer. He wants to bless us and he wants to use us. Serving can often be the most difficult command to follow, but it certainly comes with the most blessings. 

Being here and seeing the conditions not only physical but also emotional/spiritual, I just want everyone to know that the sufferings of this world are temporary. Their physical conditions are far more difficult than anything I will ever encounter at home, but it brings me to Colossians 3:2-3 "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." 

Not everyone has to be a missionary traveling to a third world country to do this. The great commission is to go out into all the world and spread the gospel to all people - this includes at home in our own communities and places like Honduras. 

My prayer is that we can touch lives everywhere we go and spread the hope of the Gospel. 

Clinic - Limon

Limon is a community established by Samaritians purse after Hurricane Mitch 1998.  The comunity has grown to over 10,000 from the original 700 family homes.  The Great Commision Church found many cases of malnutrition in the children of the community due to single family homes without a male to support the family and due to lack of education.  In response the church established a nutrition center and day care operation for children.  Our team opened the medical clinic to the families with children being served by the center, and the staff of the facility on Monday afternoon.  The response was somewhat overwhelming, as you might imagine.  Our plan to have multiple stations staffed by our team and translators including  Registration, Triage, Evangelism, Doctor Consultation, Eye Glass distribution, and pharmacy worked great.  Crowd control, especially managing the children, was a challenge that we will work to improve on today.  The clinic opened at 2:00 and when we finished with the last patient at 6:20pm we had seen 77 patients.