Greetings from Sunny Tegucigalpa

The past few days have been an exericise in flexibility, which is one of the foundational rules of mission trips.  We travelled back to Tegucigalpa Sunday night because of the torrential rains from Tropical Storm Agatha.  After church on Sunday, we rode across the bridge into town.  This is the river which flows from Tegucigalpa and flooded during Hurricane Mitch.  The river was up more than half way to the top of the bridge at that point.

The rains continued throughout the afternoon.  About 4:30, Ophelio, a Honduran Baptist Men employee, came to the house to tell us that the river was expected to come over the banks before midnight.  After prayer and assessment, we decided the best plan was to evacuate to higher ground.  By 5:30, we had moved everything up off the floor to the highest closests and headed out of town.

After we stopped for the night, we heard from Ophelio that the water had come out of the banks and into the park, a block away from the house.  Water never came up to the house, but there was a lot of flooding.
Monday morning, we drove the remaining distance to the mission house in Tegucigapla.  The rain was continuing, and we knew that the water could rise.  In addition, the roads to the village would be impassable.  We were glad to be safe, but had heavy hearts that we did not have the chance to say "Good Bye".

Monday, God provided a much needed sabbatical rest for the group.  By mid day, the rain ceased and we were able to walk about, rest and relax.  Our evening devotion reminded us that alough our plans for our mission had changed, God still had plans for us.

This morning, Tuesday, we had a team meeting and learned that we will be returning home on Wednesday, a day early.  Mike and Ginger need to return to Choluteca to set up the house again for the next group.  Our leaving early will allow them the time they need to prepare.  We had the opportunity to visit a village called "Valley of the Angels".  We had lunch at a typical Honduran restaurant which was absolutely delicious!

This mission has been an exciting, challenging, joyful, sad and triumphant life changing experience.  For many of the team members, this has been their first mission experience.  I have a strong suspicion that God is just beginning to utilize the talents and gifts assembled this week.  We cherish your continued prayers as we travel and seek God's plans for us next.


Grace & Peace,
Brian

Worshipping in the Rain

This morning, after a Skype conversation with New Hope’s Celebration Worship, we loaded up and headed out to the village. It had rained all night and continued throughout the morning. Worship was incredible. The children of the village sang a song in English that our VBS team had taught them. Our team sang a song in Spanish that our translators taught us. Jon, Jerry & Barbara shared their testimonies. Richard preached a great sermon. It was a special service to worship one God in two languages. Our translator, Kathia, laughed and said we were practicing for Heaven - one God speaking one language, Spanish.


After worship, we went to Pizza Hut for lunch and to the grocery store. We all loaded up on our favorite foods from the week. We really stuck out in the crowd.

Through it all, the rain continued. Late in the afternoon, it was decided that we should travel back to higher ground. About 6:30, we were on the road. We travelled 2 hours back up the mountain and spent the night at a Baptist school. This morning (Monday), we drove in to Tegucigalpa and back to the mission house.

Everyone is doing well. We are sad that the rain means that we could not finish the house or say "good bye", but there was no way our vehicles could make it to the work site. God is still in control. As the plans change, pray that we may continue to be flexible and in tune with God’s plans for us.

Grace & Peace,
Brian

Is That the Sun Shinning?

Saturday has been an awesome day! When we awoke this morning, there was a strange orange thing in the sky. We were so excited at breakfast to have a sunny day. After loading the truck, it began to sprinkle. That’s ok, we made the best of it. Driving in the village, almost every street corner was filled with children waving and running toward the church. The VBS team led 85 children in Bible stories, crafts and songs. Ginger prayed with one child today who accepted Christ as Savior!

The construction team has been cranking out the blocks. In the midst of hit and miss downpours, we finished the final full course of blocks to complete the walls! By the end of the day, the gable wall was almost complete on one side. On Monday, we should be able to finish the gables and begin on the roof! What a sight to see! I can’t wait to post the picture of their former mud and stick house beside the picture of what it looks like now. It’s hard to believe that in 2 ½ days and lots of rain, we have put up the walls to a new house.

The house is amazing to see, however, the real heart of the trip is the relationships that are being built. The Honduran brickmasons could build the house a lot faster than our team of amateurs, but the relationships between the Hondurans and our team is incredible. This is a beautiful picture of what heaven will be like.

After dinner tonight, we surprised Jerry and Ray with birthday cake! Today is Jerry’s birthday and Ray celebrated his birthday last week. Later, we will have devotions and go out to Wendy’s for a Frosty.

Tomorrow morning, we are looking forward to going back out to the village and worshipping with our new friends. Richard will be preaching and we all will be singing. A few “volunteers” will be sharing their testimonies as well.

Grace & Peace,
Brian

Friday Evening

Wow, what an awesome day! We awoke to more rain. Mike, Richard and Ron rode out to the village to see if the roads were passable. They returned having been able to get there and we loaded the truck with all the tools and headed out. We prayed that God may hold back the rain long enough to allow us to build this house for the Ponce family. The rain ceased and we started laying block.

Throughout the day, it was cloudy with a light breeze. Ginger kept assuring us that this was not normal weather – usually much, much hotter! The sun even popped out of the clouds several times! Barbara was a great block deliverer. Sandy climbed up on the scaffolding was started slinging mortar. Yesterday, we were trying to feel our way through. Today, we hit our groove. By 5:00, we had completed 8 courses of blocks and installed both doors and windows. It was pretty humbling to realize that, tonight, the Ponce family has 4 solid walls in their home for the first time. For the past 4 weeks, they have been living in one of the Sunday School classrooms. We have 4 more courses to go and then we will begin on the roof.

While construction continued, the VBS team held their first day of camp. They had 65 kids today. Yesterday, they had only 15 kids show up to sing songs. Tomorrow, they are planning on 100! After VBS, the kids remained at the church, sang songs and played football (soccer). It was great to hear the songs and squeals of the children. Nancy, Kira and Amanda were great football players! Nancy made friends with the family across the street and got to ride on a cart pulled by their horse.

Sometime about 3:00, the strangest thing happened. Waterballons mysteriously appeared. Without warning, all of them happened to fly towards Richard. What a sight to see. Unfortunately, not all of the balloons burst. Some just bounced off of him and around the site. (I think we entertained the Hondurans). I don’t know why Richard thinks I was behind it all. (I was able to video it)

On the ride back to the mission house this afternoon, it began to rain again. God is good! 

Thank you for your prayers.  We are very grateful to know of your love and support.  Keep us in your prayers.  We will be returning in the morning to continue VBS and Construction.

Peace,
Brian

Friday Morning News Headline...

Animals seen in Choluteca walking in pairs toward a big boat outisde of town.  :)

What a great night we had.  This morning Arnold and Ray treated us to pancakes and bacon! 

We may have to swim out to the worksite, but thats OK.  We plan to have VBS inside the church today.  God knew is was going to rain a long time before we knew we were coming.  Our prayer is that we will be faithful and flexible to allow God to use us for God's purpose!

Thank you for your prayers and comments left on the blog.  We will post more this evening.

Grace & Peace,
Brian

Thursday's Forecast - Rain

Good Thursday afternoon from Choluteca! Everyone today is full of energy and excitement. It is the rainy season here and hasn’t stopped raining since yesterday afternoon.

Everyone enjoyed a good night’s sleep last night. Our internal clock however is still set to Raleigh time so showers began about 4:30 this morning. Ray and Arnold cooked a delicious homemade breakfast for the team. We had fresh pineapple & papaya, strong coffee and the best milk and cereal you can imagine!

We loaded up the truck in the rain and drove out to the worksite at 7:30. We met the Ponce family. Dad, Cecilio and Mom, Vilma, have 5 children (Blanca-18, Banesa-14, Marlen-12, Keilin-7 & Genesis-2). They used to live in a stick and mud house. That house has been torn down and a new foundation has been poured on the same site. Mike drove into town and purchased a tarp. We covered the foundation in hopes to have a bit of dry space. After some assessment, our brick mason told us to begin. El Pastor, also known as Richard, led us in a prayer of blessing on the first concrete block. Barbara laid the first block and construction began. We laid 2 courses of block before stopping about 1:30. Hopefully, the rain will cease and allow the mortar to dry so we can continue on in the morning.

While some were “playing in the rain & mud”, another group walked down to the church and worked with the children. It was a productive day.

As you pray for us, include prayers for our translators, Carlos and Kathia. We are so thankful for them and their wonderful sweet spirit.  Everyone is in very good spirits and so thankful to be called of God and sent out from New Hope as missionaries in Honduras. 

Tonight, Rosa cooked rice and beans with fried plantains.  Yummy! 

Grace & Peace,

Brian

We Made it to Choluteca

Today has been a great day! God brought us safely to Choluteca, Honduras! We arrived in Tegucigalpa right on time. All of our luggage arrived too! After a brief trip to the mission house, we had a wonderful lunch. Ginger made pasta salad, sandwiches, and fresh papaya & pineapple. YUM!


After lunch, we loaded up on 3 vehicles and drove 2.5 hours to Choluteca. (I am so excited- I got to drive one of the trucks!) The drive was beautiful. Two lane winding roads took us through the mountains and down to Choluteca. Imagine a 2 lane road with 4 lanes travelling – it was great.

As I type, the team is unpacking their gear. The mission house here is a wonderful retreat. Everyone is so excited to be here! Please continue to pray for us. Specifically¸ please pray for:
- Safety to, from and on the construction site
- Good rest tonight and every night
- Each mission team member to be aware of God’s purpose for their participation
- For our families back home
- Mike & Ginger – we have invaded Choluteca :)
- For the weather to cooperate with God’s plans for the mission

We would like to say a huge “Thank You” to all the Sunday School classes, individuals, businesses, golfers and others who gave so unselfishly of their financial resources to fund the mission trip. Already, God is blessing your investment. Thank you to everyone praying for us!

Peace,
Brian

Half Way There

Good Morning!  We've arrived in Houston just fine.  Meeting at RDU came early this morning (4:15am).  Everyone is excited about the mission experience.  We will arrive in Tegucigalpa at 11:07 (Honduras time - 1:07 Raleigh time).  After a brief rest, we will drive to Choluteca where we will be ministering and working.  As you pray for us, we are praying for you.  Thank you for your suppport and encouragement.  Check back throughout the week and follow us online.  I will be posting each evening, hopefully with some pictures.

Peace,

Brian

Getting Ready

Only a few more days remain before our mission trip to Honduras.  Be sure to check back often to follow the team updates!