Honduras: Day 3 and 4

It is definitely the rainy season in Honduras. We are on our way to the Lily of the Valley Church in La Ceiba on our bus and the rain and humidity are intense. I am not sure how I am going to get through the day because I already feel sick to my stomach. As much as I want to blame it on the weather, I am a little nervous of what our day will bring.


We arrive at the church and are met by members of the church and many children. It is a simple but beautifully decorated building with a small stage and several small rooms for the children. More children join us and we begin singing songs and playing games with them. The joy on their faces lights up my heart and I begin to start feeling better. The morning continues as we do a program for them full of mimes, stories, music, and crafts.

It was so cute to watch the young children decorate crosses made out of Popsicle sticks. Many of them end up taking the sticks apart and just coloring all over. They didn’t care about the craft; they were excited that we came to spend time with them. It reminded me that it is not about the “end product” but it is truly about the journey. As we go through life, we are continually growing in Christ and it is the journey that He takes us on as we follow Him every day that really matters.



After having lunch at the nicest Pizza Hut I have ever been in (and I’m really serious) and watching the US play in the World Cup, we set up for the afternoon at a park in downtown La Ceiba. Several of us walk around the park handing out tickets to people and telling them we will be giving out free prizes where the music is playing. At first, many are taken aback that we would actually give away anything free, but many join us to see what all is going on.


It is truly powerful to see people stand up and give their lives over to Christ. The mimes are my favorite part because the music and imagery truly transcend all language barriers.

Today Cassie, Tata, and I get to visit with the church in La Masica for Sunday services. The children are so happy and excited to see us back and I am completely filled with joy walking into the church. It is so nice to see many familiar faces and even a few new ones. As we begin service they read from Psalm 121.

I look up to the mountains- does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

As I listen to this verse, standing in a little church with no air conditioning, in the middle of summer, in a country struggling with violence, drugs, and severe poverty, God places on my heart that He is always watching and protecting me. I have no reason to fear anything no matter where I am.

Later in the service we take the kids for a Bible lesson, songs, games, and crafts. Every now and then I find myself just watching them as they sing as loud as they can and as they memorize a Bible verse. Words cannot describe the passion and love they share. We begin to take pictures with them and they absolutely love to see themselves on our cameras. They are fascinated by it and enjoy taking over hundred pictures of all of us.

We enjoy an authentic Honduran lunch at an outside restaurant with Pastor Roger and then head out to make home visits with families in the community. We visited many people coming from many different backgrounds and situations and invited them to our evening service. One older woman we sat with had severe foot problems which made it very hard for her to walk. She talked with us about her struggles and her children that are living in America. God really used us to talk with her because she made it to church that night.


The worship leaders in the church are two young Godly men that have a real passion for people and it is truly contagious. They lead us in several Spanish songs. Without even knowing the words they were saying, I knew exactly what God was teaching me because His presence was all around me. My heart was completely consumed by everything He is and I was reminded that love is our universal language. I have never felt so close to Him and was overtaken by an amazing peace and security.


Before the night was over, Tata sang a rap tune for the congregation and I was able to speak through an interpreter with the pastors’ daughter, Ester. She is a beautiful young lady inside and out with a heart for God. It is her dream to be able to learn English, visit England and meet a princess. I told her my dad is from England and that I have visited the country twice. We were so thrilled to be able to share this connection with each other and just began to cry.

This was by far the hardest day, physically and mentally. However, God used it and we had the most incredible experience with the people of La Masica. Leaving that night, we knew we would probably never see them again here on earth, but we knew that one day we will see them all in heaven.