Honduran Reflections

So I’m ready to write about my time in Honduras.  It always takes me a while to process what I’m thinking and feeling.  So…

My time there was not magical.  It was not an emotional, i’m-helping-the-least-of-these, high.  I did get to see their ministry in the poor community outside of La Ceiba.  I got to participate in the Kids’ Club, Medical Clinic and English class.  I got to see the properties they’ve bought and hear their visions for the future.  But most of all, it was a picture into the daily lives of a missionary family.  It was going to the post office, grocery shopping, cooking and hanging out with other missionaries in town.  It was candid conversations with Mike and Erin about the ins and outs of living and ministering in a foreign country.  I got to meet and hang out with the other family, the McCanns as well.  It was exactly what I wanted and needed to see.

When I arrived home, I prayed.  A lot.  I have felt the Lord nudging me towards Honduras.  I am not certain that Honduras is where I’ll be a year from now, but I am confident about taking the first steps.  Now those of you who really know me will know what a huge deal this is.  This means I will not be in Peru.  The fact that my heart is even open to that is evidence of the Lord’s hand in this.

The first step is an Interview and Orientation week at the MTW office in Atlanta.  This takes place June 14th, which means I will have to give up my plans to spend the summer with the boys in Peru.  I know, you’re gasping right now.  (I’ll still go to see them, but just not for the whole summer)  It’s pretty unbelievable that I didn’t hesitate in giving that up.  The Lord has confirmed this first step in many ways.

So please pray for me as I discern the Lord’s will for me.  I am excited to see what the future holds!

Places and Faces:

The property in downtown La Ceiba that will eventually be a school, a dorm facility for visiting teams and a drop-in center for street children. (this is my heart!) Oh, and the horse is not part of the package.

Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins. Right around the corner!

This is where I'll go when I get the urge to take a swim in some poopy, contaminated water. It's also where I'll take all unsuspecting gringo visitors.

Does he look angry to you?

Oneida.

George, who is receiving scholarship money to go to school.

Love that crooked smile.

See ya!

I’m off to Honduras for the week.  I know what you’re thinking, “There she goes again.”  But I just can’t help myself.  They’re calling me…

A little bit of background—

I went to a mission conference with Mission to the World back in November. I met a man, Mike Pettengill, who is the leader of the ministry in La Ceiba, Honduras.  He lives down there with his wife Erin and their daughter Madison. They are serving alongside Sean and Lindsey McCann and are expecting two more couples and some single folks in the next year.

Long-term missions is something that is always in the back of my mind.  If you’ve read my blog at all, you know about my heart for my precious boys in Peru.  However, the option for being there long-term is not there.  So, as of late I have been thinking maybe I need to branch out a bit and see some ministries in other places.

You may call this trip to Honduras a vision trip.  I’ll be visiting and encouraging this missionary family as well as seeing what their daily lives look like as they serve in a poor community outside of La Ceiba, Honduras.  Oh, and here’s the best part: God provided the funds for them to buy a plot of land that they are drawing up plans to build on.  It will serve as a school, a dorm for mission groups and….[insert drum roll]……a drop-in center for street children!  My heart!

I have no idea what the Lord has for me.  By no means do I feel a certain or sure calling to serve long-term on the mission field.  But my heart yearns enough for  it that it’s worth exploring with a bit more fervor.

Here’s a summary of the work done in La Ceiba in 2009.

And here’s a video of the property in downtown La Ceiba that will eventually be a school, dorm and a drop in center for street children.