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. 

Day 3 in Limon

Yesterday we went to Limon. We toured around the facilities in the morning, ate lunch, then went back for half a days work. We set up shop in the nutrition center. This was built by the church to help - and save lives of - children suffering from severe malnutrition. Some of the stories are heartbreaking, some encouraging, but all are motivational. The workers there have basically committed their whole lives to these children. They saw a need, asked God what they needed to do, and most importantly: they did it. 

They explained how a majority of the children come from single family homes, abusive situations, or some were even abandoned. Then this morning, in my nice air conditioned room, I opened mail from my family. For some reason I teared up right away. Even without coming here, I am extremely grateful for my family. I was blessed to grow up in a home where both parents were not only there, they loved us unconditionally, brought us up in the love of Christ and set amazing examples for my sister and I. I can't imagine what the parents go through here. We of course think first of the children and their needs and that is so important...but this morning the parents were on my mind. I can't imagine being a parent and loving your child the way my parents love me and not being able to feed, care for or clothe them properly. 

At the end of the day we are all children of God. Some accept it, some don't. But we, as born-again Christians, are commanded to be the hands and feet of Christ on this earth. We are called to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, care for the sick and love everyone the way God loves us. His grace was extended to us, and we are to pay that forward.

This morning I pray peace on those parents and grandparents who are taking care of these children in the best way that they can. I pray opportunities arise (like getting help from our team) and I pray wisdom and peace on them. 

Blessings!

Em

“Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

Isaiah 58:7-11 

Day Two: Practice Makes Perfect

Day Two: Practice Makes Perfect

Today was technically day two but after the craziness that was yesterday, it felt like our first official day here.  Today we relaxed a little and prepared all our supplies for the week. One station was working on crafts for kids that will be waiting while their parents are being treated, another station was counting and bagging medication, etc. We did make a run to Maxi Dispensa (similar to Dollar General or Ollie's). I am eternally grateful because I stocked up on caffeine! We came back, ate dinner and did a run-through of how all the stations are going to work together. I'm already really enjoying the dynamic of this group. Everyone brings something unique and awesome to the table. I know God is going to use our group for great things this week. 

Going through the motions and anticipating scenarios was helpful. I suppose it's kind of like living your life as a Christian. Our day-to-day life is like practice. Living out our faith not only acts as an example of Jesus Christ and his love but also prepares us for those defining moments in life. I'm sure that there will be times this week where things run perfectly and other times where nothing goes as we expected! But the same is true for life. So many factors affect our lives; choices made by others, weather, the economy, our own insecurities...plans can change in the blink of an eye. Scriptures tell us that our God is a God of order, but it also tells us that He brings good out of every situation even when we think things are out of control. 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 

The more you practice love, grace, peace, humility and all other attributes we should display as Christians, the easier and more natural it becomes. When something happens that changes your course, you will automatically yell "Plot twist!" and keep going! This is what I pray for our team tomorrow. I pray we remember to focus on the people we are serving and never see them as a number. We are here to help them physically, yes, but more importantly we are here to shine a light on these communities and show them God's love by serving them just as Christ served. Things may not - ok probably will not - go as planned, but that's ok! God moves when and where He needs to. We are vessels of his message. I pray we allow Him to use us however He has planned. 

Buenas noches! 

Em 

Our long day of Travel - July 15

Going on a mission trip always starts with preparation, both  physical and spiritual, and is then followed transporting the team to the field. Getting to the mission field is an important development step for the team as our departure and separation from our daily lives and routines needs a clear starting point. Depending on your trip, this can be a short drive to another part of town, or a more difficult journey.  In our case, we awoke around 2:00 AM on Saturday morning to catch our 6:00 AM flight out of Detroit  The team arrived on time, with luggage, passports, and dressed in our travel t-shirts.  With a quick stop in Atlanta for breakfast we boarded our second airplane for the 3 1/2 hour flight to Honduras.  Landing in Tegucigalpa, we connected with Frank and Emily, part of the team we work with in Honduras, along with our bus driver and 2 of our interpreters (Paulina and Natalia)  for the ride to Choluteca.  The normal 3 hour white knuckle ride thru the narrow 2 lane mountain pass leading to Choluteca, required 7 hours this year due to multiple stops where the road was narrowed to 1 lane while the other lane was being completely rebuilt. 
due to construction.

We arrived at the Gran Comision church, 19 hours after we stepped out of bed, just in time for the Saturday evening service.  The message was about living out our radical faith so others can see how our trust in the lord has made us different from what the world believes is important.  A powerful message challenging all of us as we prepare for a week of service and love in His name.

And We're Off!

Song: You Make Me Brave - Bethel Music 

(Flight from Detroit to Atlanta)

And we're off! 

Clouds amaze me - even from the ground. Being up here next to and above them I'm in even more awe. It reminds you how small we really are in the grand scheme of the world. 

It's amazing to think that nothing comes to us before passing through God. I'm sure it's difficult for some to accept that. Life is full of trials and hard times. Sometimes consequences of our own actions, sometimes the actions of others. In either of those senses, the fact that God allowed me to experience all the things I have gives me a sense of strength. He believes in me even when I don't believe in myself. The Bible says He never gives us more than He knows we can handle. Nowhere does it say what we can handle with ease! 

When you lift weights, the more weight you add the more trauma/stress you put on your muscles. They actually begin to tear. Once the trauma is over, they begin to repair by using amino acids/protein to fill the tears, thus growing bigger and stronger. The next time you use the same weight, the muscles are better prepared and it's easier. 

Faith is similar in many ways. God pushes you out of your comfort zone and sometimes allows pain/trauma to occur to help you grow. Once we are broken, His Word and love fill those wounds and heal us. We end up stronger and more prepared than before. He also gives us something special: a heavenly outlook on life. When you see things from God's perspective, you recognize the need for the hard times and you can appreciate them. 

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, 'My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Returing to Choluteca

This will be my eighth trip to Choluteca Honduras.  I look forward to renewing relationships with our friends we have made over the years.  This trip will be our first medical mission in Honduras.  Our team of 12  includes 3 doctors, several nurses, and the rest of us that will support the team in meeting the medical needs of between 300 and 400 people.  We have packed over 150 lbs. of medicine, and a total of 500 lbs. of supplies for the trip.  More importantly, we will have the change to share our story of salvation and pray with and for each person we have the opportunity to serve during the week.

John Huie
ElevateGO Team Leader

It's hard to believe it's been an entire year since we were in Honduras! When I think about going back in three short days my heart and mind race. Last year was my first mission trip. Needless to say, I believe Honduras will always have a part of my heart. We are told to try not to anticipate what will happen or to have expectations. We need to go with an open heart and mind and let God move through us in whatever ways He has planned.

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9

With that being said, I can't help but let my mind wander. I cannot wait to see the mountains, the children all running around playing, and the beauty in the simplicity of the culture there. I remember being worried last year that the poverty would be difficult to see. While I of course empathize with some of the conditions (lack of clean water and nutrition for example), the people have a peace and joy about them. We hear all the time that money and possessions can't buy you happiness and we know it's true; but this is visible proof.

Please pray for our team and the church in Honduras that will be graciously providing for us on our journey. We are going to serve, but I know we will be blessed beyond measure.

Three more days!!!

Blessings,
Emily

  Hear Emily's story at       https://youtu.be/VckLJbh7HxU