SUNDAY JULY 20, 2008

Sunday July 20
No alarm clock needed!!!
While accommodations are basic, most got a good night’s rest. We were awakened by God’s master design, a crowing rooster. I think the rooster may need to synchronize his watch. The San Ignacio team was ready to get to church and see the children and meet the families. We were welcomed to fresh pressed pineapple juice and pancakes. Following breakfast, Chip led us in a devotion from Acts 2:1-4 and 42-47. Today we will worship with our Honduran brothers and sisters in Christ-a community of believers.
We sang familiar praise and worship songs. The words were sporadic due to Spanish but the tune and chorus praised the Lord. Pastor Alex welcomed the church family and visitors from FOM. The Reverend Tim Snyder from Mt. Olive brought God’s word as he spoke from Acts 4 regarding Christians sharing their blessings. The church was full and several indicated decisions for commitment and dedication.
Following the service, children and families attended Sunday School while our mission team visited the the “Mission Base Camp”. This beautiful facility is being constructed about 1 1/2 miles from the church at the entrance to SI. The home away from home for Donna and Chris Keeter and Alex and Delmy Godoy will also serve as the new guest house in SI. This will be a welcome site for the next teams ministering in SI as we can eat and sleep in the same facility together. The Keeter and Godoy families are very excited about the new facilities and opportunities that God will bring for the Church and families of SI.
Sunday afternoon was filled with woodworking for several interested men, sewing for the ladies and a carnival for over 150 children. Uriel, a husband and father from the church was in the Woodshop every time it was open learning more and more about wood, turning techniques, and tool sharpening. Melissa, Sarah, and Pat helped the ladies of SI cut and sew hand bags as the first project.
The carnival was so exciting. Kids from all around the town came to play games. The FOM team provided fun games such as ring toss, bean bag throw, face painting, tug-a-war, and sack racing. Tug-a-war turned from a challenge between kids to kids and adults and then to a large jump rope contest. Our church kids had a blast and the community came out to see all the fun and excitement. We wrapped up with of course Soccer and refreshments.
Just before dinner, we had a chance to meet and get to know the FOM sponsor children. These are boys and girls and young men and women that have demonstrated commitment and dedication to Christ, the Church, and their schoolwork. These young people will be the next leaders of the San Ignacio community. As a sponsored child, families in the US provide funds, gifts, and encouragement for these young developing Christians. These boys and girls were so polite and kind. I could see how the Lord has been working in them. I saw my own son changing as well. I was so excited to see Davis interact with the Honduran youth and try so hard to translate our questions and their answers. He has a new appreciation for Spanish and has been learning new words and phrases each day. He was able to develop a special relationship with Nelson, a 20 year old Honduran interpreter from the Comunion Church in Tegucigalpa. Nelson attends Dallas Baptist University in Dallas, Tx. He also has become good friends with Jesse Pena, Pastor Cesar’s son. Needless to say all of the boys and some girls have developed a special friendship and communication lingo on the soccer court.
After an excellent Honduran dish of Enchiladas, it began to rain, and it rained hard. We could barely hear for the rain pelting the tin roofs. Finally we closed the day with a special time of praise and worship from the SI youth praise team and band. The young people are very talented in both music and song. Nelson shared some of the legacy and history of the Elliott family, former missionaries to Honduras and Iraq.
While 17 of us traveled to San Ignacio, our other team members stayed in Tegucigalpa. On Saturday they visited and assisted with the Feeding Center at Comunion Church. The children presented a skit complete with “kid-made” paper costumes. The skit depicted a King focused on material things and how unimportant they became. On Sunday, our Ladies were able to attend the Comunion Church services. After lunch they visited with shut-in members of the Church and special needs men and women who had requested prayer and a visit from Pastor Cesar. Fabian a disabled man had been visited last year by the FOM team. Tim Snyder and other team members had left Fabian a cassette tape series and a tape player. Fabian who had been crippled by a stroke had come to know the Lord via his wife, the church ministry, and the tapes. Fabian has become severely crippled and drawn, but thru this entire ordeal has come to know Jesus and indicated a desire to be baptized as part of his commitment to our Lord. Our Tegucigalpa team led the Bible School at Comunion Church on Sunday afternoon.
Another great day in Central America! All are safe and sound. Please continue to pray for the people of Honduras as we meet them and share God’s love.