Honduras: Day 1 and 2

I’ve been blessed with many opportunities to travel to several different countries in my life so far, but this time it was going to be quite a different experience. I found myself on a plane heading to Honduras for my first mission trip, eager yet nervous, not knowing what to anticipate. Our team prepared for many weeks to get to this point. We met to rehearse songs, mimes, and to prepare our plans for the work we would be doing. We covered everything we could but with Him in control, you never know what is going to happen. In the week and a half before leaving, I seemed to go through a whirl-wind of emotions from arising situations that overwhelmed me. I double and triple checked my material packing list, but it wasn’t as easy to put a check mark next to my heart and mind being all in order.


After an early morning getting to the airport, we board the plane and I eagerly try to learn as much Spanish as I can from a team member on our fairly short flight to the international airport in San Pedro Sulu. The pilot welcomes us to Honduras as my heart starts to beat rapidly and my mind goes racing 100 miles an hour. We had our first dose of reality in the airport going through the customs and immigration lines, followed by making it safely onto our bus that would take us to La Ceiba. The thought that ran through my mind was “we are definitely not in Kansas anymore.”

We were graciously welcomed by our new friends that would be with us for the week and we started our journey to La Ceiba. Almost instantly, I bubbled with excitement and peace came over me. The scenery, the quietness, the wind blowing through my hair came together as I met with my Father on what would be just the start of an incredible journey. I was comforted by the hospitality of the local pastors we would be working with and the site of an air conditioner in our hotel room. I quickly fell peacefully asleep meditating on 1 Timothy 2:1-6:

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peacefully and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity - the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave the world at just the right time.

It was our first full day in Honduras, and we traveled to a small town called La Masica. Upon arrival, we step into the church we will be working with for the day and take a deep breath. The building is made up of 4 concrete walls with many openings that serve as windows with lace coverings as curtains. There are simple wooden pews painted teal and many overhead fans that help to cut through the heat and humidity. We are welcomed by a warmth of hospitality from the leaders of the church and then make our way to a local park.

We are greeted by many young children that are eager to see us. We set up under a large gazebo and begin to sing Spanish children’s songs, do a puppet show, mimes, share the Gospel, and watch as many children accept Christ for the first time. I am filled with joy interacting and playing games with these children and even though we speak different languages, love shows through much brighter.

The town is abuzz with talk about the World Cup because Honduras is playing today. We travel to a local diner for an authentic Honduras lunch while proudly watching the game. As afternoon approaches, we are back at the park with even more children this time. Many have returned and brought friends along with them. This time they are even more eager to sing along with all our songs and hang on everything we say and do. They crowd around our bus as we leave for some we will not see again.


Evening service at the church for me was an experience that cannot be put completely into words. Two different cultures coming together to worship and share God’s word was a humbling and exhilarating experience. I was reminded that this life is not about what He can do for us, but who we should become to glorify Him. I have begun to see the first glimpses of God changing my heart.