Monday 7.23.12

Today was my last day in Honduras. I am sad to leave all of these wonderful people, but truly excited for the things God is leading me towards in the future. We spent today working with a local farmer, Pablo in La Muralla. He has been interested in the SALT method for years, but is just getting to the point where he is able to do it! This was so exciting to learn from him as an example of a farmer who sees the benefits of the SALT method compared to the traditional slash and burn. Poblo is doing barriers with an organization called INGA (which is the name of the trees he will plant for the living barriers) starting tomorrow. I was a little bummed that we have to leave tomorrow and won’t be able to help him get started but today we were able to help a little in bringing the trees up a VERY steep slope where he will be planting them. This is a picture of us with 2 of his daughters. I continue to be astounded by what these farmers are capable of and their drive for survival among some of the toughest conditions. I pray that this work ethic would continue to be valued for generations in Honduras.

After working all day, we spent dinner together as a family at the beach. While using large leaves for plates and eating chicken, the community sent Yui and I off with words of affirmation sharing things they have learned from us and joys we have brought to this community. I will continue to cherish their words on my travels home tomorrow. Please pray for all of them and that God’s presence would continue to be made known to them as they continue to give so much of themselves to the local community through agricultural development and discipleship. 

Sunday 7.22.12

Today I participated in my last discipleship group. It was great to get to worship with this group once more and hear their hearts as they seek to be true members of the kingdom of God. We spent some time talking through the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing God and how Christ revealed himself by coming to earth. The incarnation brings such a real message to these people. The fact that Christ would give up his high position in heaven to come and serve the poor here on earth and surrender himself to death on a cross shows true love that’s hard to walk away from. Today I want to bring recognition and celebrate Christ’s incantational ministry to the world.

This is a picture of our normal time we spent around the table. Larry and Allison emphasize that meals are a time for discipleship and intentionality in relationships. Many life giving conversations have happened at this table.

After group, the young people, Yui and I went on a little hike to a small waterfall up the road! I love having fun with these people and living life with them and I will miss them very much. 

Better picture of the waterfall!

Saturday 7.21.12

Today we all went to La Ceiba for a day camp with Luis’ church. Here is a picture of all of the young people I’ve been talking about! Me, Yui, Karla, Luis, Jeremiahs, and Jessica. 

Its been so great getting to know their hearts and growing together in Christ. I have loved being a part of the discipleship group and today just continued to affirm the loving community God has brought here. The girls played in a soccer tournament and won 2nd! There was swimming, bible study, and a worship concert at night. Over 300 youth came out from various churches! The youth groups here don’t have many events, usually only one or two day events a year. I am so thankful that we got to experience one of these events and learn more about the Honduran churches need for youth groups and regulated meetings. It continue to affirm the power of the work the discipleship group is doing in the lives of these young people. You could tell the difference in our group from other groups due to the intentional discipleship we have been receiving through Larry and Allison. I love that these young people have truly sought out Christian community even though it is unusual for their church culture. The youth in Honduras are hungry for community and I am thankful that Larry and Allison see this need and have sought out to these young people to teach them a lifestyle of Christian community. Praise God! 

Here is a picture of the worship concert and sermon at the end of the day! Worshiping bilingually brings me so much pure joy in the Lord!

Friday 7.20.12

Today was our last day in town, so we went to town to get a few groceries and spent a little time searching for souvenirs. I like to buy locally when I travel and help the communities that I visit so mostly I’m trying to invest in what Larry has going on here. When we got back, it was time to go up to Instituto El Rey for the cultural event they had today! All of the schools do a performance and eat typical food to celebrate Limpira, a native indian who sacrificed his life seeking peace for Honduras. It was really cool to be a part of this at IER and I learned a lot about Honduran history and culture. These kids spent so much time on their outfits and studying their history to be prepared for the pop quiz questions they’d need to answer, it was a lot of fun to see them be so successful and to learn from them. At dinner we debriefed with a little more in depth history lesson while eating Japanese food. 

These guys were the winners!

Thursday 7.19.12

I felt a little sick in the morning from the fast yesterday, but I am feeling much better now! I didn’t drink enough liquids yesterday and my body was full of toxins this morning. After a little rest and slowly getting my stomach back to normal, Yui and I went to Jessica’s house to learn how to make Pan de Coco (coconut bread) and sweet bread. I have been craving some bread and this truly hit the spot! It was so great to spend more time with Jessica and her mom in her house. I love being able to truly experience Honduran culture through my new friends. After baking in the wood stove, learning all about here mom’s garden of fruit trees in the backyard, and sharing in some coffee and bread, we headed back to campus for dinner. Though the day started off a little rough, it was a great day and I’m loving all of the experience I am getting to learn more about the culture here! 

Bread! 

Wednesday 7.18.12

Today we fasted. Larry and Allison take one day a month to fast and seek direction for the community and invite the young people to join. I fasted some with my small group this year, but never have I fasted for a whole day. It was a really great day of solitude in community. We took most of the day for solitude, prayer and meditation and spent meal times sharing what God has been teaching us and praying together. It was so great to have a day to spend alone processing what God has been teaching me. I truly enjoyed it and would like to implement a similar pattern in my life. Fasting is healthy for cleaning out the body and today has been so good for my spirit to be at rest and seek direction. 

Tuesday 7.17.12

This morning, Yui and I road to El Naranjo to visit the orphan’s house. Julia (one of the twins) was sick with the chicken pox :( We spent some time talking to her and the other kids then Yui and I went to talk to Pastor Derrick who is leading some new developments in La Cuenca. He is working on bringing a feeding center to the area that will basically teach skills like proper hand washing and nutrition to families in the area. Though I have some reservations about their initial strategies, I think they will be successful in the long run. Pastor Derrick has worked with inner city families in the states and really has a heart for people. I know that the spirit will continue to guide him and his family as they work here. 

 In the afternoon we went to La Muralla to see the SALT technique in action on Larry’s corn. Its so great to see an example of this really working! I loved being able to visit La Muralla, but I was a little sad that we haven’t been able to work there since me being here. With Allison and baby Anna, the projects in La Muralla have been put on hold. I’m thankful for Larry taking me up there to see his corn field though. 

Just doing some learning...