Honduras 2014 – Day 2

Parachutes, puzzles and playgrounds—oh my! These three words encompass our second day here in Honduras. We started strong at Nueva Esperanza. The place has really lived up to its name these past two days—there is a certain new hope here.

Our entire team. 26 from Northway, 7 from Honduras. 33 Strong.

Sara with her friend in God.

Nick and Siani

Sami, Nile, and Serena and Siani say good-bye.

Justin spends time with his buddy on the swings

Josh and Gabrielle having fun under the parachute.

 

Working alongside my teammates, I saw an abundance of love and peace- two things God has poured out there this past year. It’s an incredible testament to God’s faithfulness. He’s answered endless prayers, and the change in this orphanage is tangible. The physical conditions have greatly improved.  The number of children in the orphanage has greatly decreased and the workers are joyful.  We can physically see and feel the difference among the kids. We also got to work with another from an organization called Sparrow Missions. It was such a privilege teaming up with other people with the same goal as us.

Jeanette and Juan Carlos (Poncho the Puppet), 2 of our translators share the gospel

 

The day began with the Gospel presentation using a “wordless book” .The kids were extremely responsive to the message and to all of us. They laughed and giggled nonstop. Sarah Weigand was able to make a connection with a little boy as they were making  bracelets. She explained that they were friendship bracelets, and the boy responded, “Yes, friends in God.” It was touching to see that boy make the connection that Sarah was there as a friend from God.

Our team was able to make bulk donations of necessities for Nueva Esperanza.

 

 Today we had a group of students pray over the workers of the orphanage. The prayers were something the workers desperately needed. It was an honor getting to lift that place back up to God, knowing that He is going to continue to go on working there. There is no “good enough” in God’s world—He will continue to change Nueva for the better, despite the government or any circumstances that might say otherwise

A powerful moment of prayer.

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Las Brisas is most definitely a crowd favorite. To put it into words is quite a task. The best way, I’ve found, is in the word CHAOS. That’s all that ensues when we get there. And one of the best things is being there is that yes, we are there as a team. But we never stop to talk to each other or gossip with friends. Our team completely puts themselves aside and engages full on with the kids. Erika Hannath mentioned yesterday that she noticed how much the kids just crave love.

Erika lovin’ on these kids.

And so being there, we feel so special and so wonderful when they openly receive what love we give them. Their responses of joy and elation to our small acts of love push us to give everything we possibly can to them.

Keith and Josh Gailey never take a break,

Missi building a mural.

Beauty.

 

Though we don’t have many physical things to give, we give them our energy, our time, our tickles and hugs and smiles. And what we give, we get in return twofold. Though we are there to change their lives, they are radically changing ours.

 

God is most definitely doing work this week. With how incredible the centers have been, I am nothing but expectant for these next days to come. God is going to use us to plant seeds as well as water ones already sown. And He is also working in us individually. Through our personal and team devotional time, God is changing and molding our hearts to become more of who He wants us to be.