Monday July 21, 2008

Monday July 21, 2008
Today roosters and donkeys again awakened us. All were ready for a big day at SI. Most of us walked the dirt and broken asphalt street thru downtown SI to the church. We recognized several adults from the church service and many of the children as they made their way to school. The locals were polite retuning Ola (hello) and Buenas Dias (good day). Many were sweeping the dirt yards, feeding chickens or just watching the Greengos walk thru their town. We saw street vendors selling water, fruit and firewood. The firewood vendor drove 2 oxen with a prehistoric wagon piled high with sticks and branches. Many men had either the basic open machete or an ornate styled sheath. The machete is truly the Honduran tool of choice, from chopping wood, digging, or cutting grass it is very popular.
We arrived at the church to a breakfast of eggs, sausage, refried beans, and watermelon. Chip provided an excellent devotion from Luke 11:1-13. We were challenged to let God take control as we served him today thru soap making, woodturning, sewing, and a prayer walk and bible school at the village of Urrutia. Part of the team left for Urrutia at 9:30. They walked thru the village in groups of three knocking on doors and asking if the resident needed prayer for any concern in their life or family. They were able to lead 3 to Christ with these efforts including giving out prayer bracelets and baby clothes. Sarah, Pat, and Melissa taught 5 ladies to sew from 10 until 4. Several made aprons and Melissa made an apron with Eny a young lady from the church. Carol Crow taught 5 women to make citronella soap and lavender lotion bars. Somehow in our rush to leave for SI, we forgot to pack the coconut oil. Coconut oil solidifies and creates lather for the soap. While Carol was distraught over the missing oil, she trusted God and prayed for his power and provision with another recipe. She detailed her normal recipe and prayed over the conversions and substitution. After we finished the first batch, she exclaimed that this was the best mix she had ever made. Normally a new recipe will take 3 tries to perfect at her shop in Wilmington, but this one was beautiful on the first try. We were all praying for this event and God’s hand was evident. The ladies of SI watched 1 more batch, they took detailed notes, and finally made a third batch all by themselves. They were so proud of their accomplishment and the opportunity to learn another skill / craft that will benefit their families and community. Dale, Doug and Kent kept the woodturning teaching several men how to prepare and turn spindles, dowels, and bowls. Uriel and Henry the young Church Administrator attended most of the day.
The excitement and activity level began to grow as many of the children began arriving after school. Again soccer was the attraction with boys and girls of all ages getting in on a game. Davis, Alex and Nelson played in game after game with the children and youth. Kent, Suzanne, and Cole even blocked and kicked with the kids.
Just before dinner Melissa and I had a chance to visit 2 special families. These families are participating in the FOM “Helping Hands”. This ministry provides a no interest loan to church members who have shown dedication to the church and an entrepreneurial effort to improve their lives. We first met with Yanery Medina. Yanery had been at the soap making earlier, she had borrowed money to start a beauty shop in here home. Alex explained that Yanery has been the most successful and has paid the funds back almost immediately with her increase in business. Several loans have been made and repaid, including an addition to her home set aside for the beauty shop and store. Yanery plans to make and sell SI soap and lotion in her shop.
Next we met Nilvia at her home. We had previously met and fellowshipped with Nilvia at the church. I believe she is there every time it is open. Nilvia was saved about 3 months ago along with her 2 daughters, Sandy (16) and Paola (14). They all 3 prayed to receive Christ at a Friday night service. Nilvia has borrowed money to finance her food service. It is doing well and growing. Nilvia earns about $16 per day selling snacks and meals to school children, people waiting at a clinic and her neighbors. Nilvia takes a bus to Tegucigalpa twice a week (2 hr.s one way) to buy up to 250 lb.s of meat, fruit, and supplies to sell at her shop just outside her home and on the streets of SI. Her transportation is an old wheelbarrow with a fruit peeler attached. Alex told us that Nilvia is such a hard worker along with her daughters. She attended the sewing class and made an apron especially for her work. It broke our hearts to hear how others in the community laugh at how Nilvia and the girls work so hard. The Lord will reward her for her dedication, faith and hard work.
Nilvia’s husband Danilo accepted Christ on Friday 7/18 before we arrived. Danilo said he had seen a difference in Nilvia and the girls and that Christ had radically changed his family. He has been amazed at how the church has reached out to them and by the way the Lord is blessing his family. Danilo had been a hard drinker (as many fathers and husbands in Honduras). After his salvation, he no longer drinks. Alex shared how before Danilo’s conversion, the family was in serious trouble. They are now happy and excited about serving the Lord. Nilvia needs a new refrigerator for her expanding business ($800 in Honduras). They are praying and we prayed for them that the Lord would provide. We could see evidence of improvements to their homesite, a new “pila de lavare” (outside toilet, shower, clothes wash and water storage basin) had just been built. Please pray for Nilvia and Danilo as they grow and trust in the Lord.
For dinner we had a special Honduran dish of rice and chicken to celebrate Chip’s 36 th birthday. We also had a special cake made in his honor.
After dinner we watched the kid’s Karate demonstration. Sam and his assistant Ariana (a young SI girl that took karate last year) led the children and youth from the church in the karate exercises. Each boy or girl broke a piece of wood with their hand or foot. Afterwards each received a medal to encourage participation and obedience. We wrapped up our evening at SI with a short video on “Christ as King”. Alex, Chris, and Donna shared how thankful they were for us coming to fellowship with their church members. The ministry that FOM has provided and the love we share with the families of San Ignacio will strengthen the community and his church families in their love for Christ.
I would like to thank all of you in the US for supporting our mission and praying for us each day as we share the love of Jesus to our friends and fellow Christians in Honduras!!!