Wednesday in Honduras

Today was our "off day" here in Honduras. It is a day off from the brigades, and a chance to relax and regroup before beginning the next brigade on Thursday. Our team had the choice of visiting Rancho Ebenezer or shopping/site seeing in the Valle de Angelos and visiting the Picacho. Anthony, Matt, Laura, and Sharie had lots of fun shopping and site seeing.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team traveled down the mountain, across town, and back up the mountain to Rancho Ebenezer. After traveling through the city, we stopped at a Super 7 gas station where they had an Expresso Americano  (the Honduran equivalent to Starbucks)! The view was gorgeous as we traveled up the mountain. We finally arrived at the ranch after traveling up a very narrow, bumpy, dirt road!! Rancho Ebenezer is a ranch sponsored by WGOkids, where abandoned or abused children from the city are raised in a environment filled with God's love. At the ranch they attend bilingual school, live in family style homes, and are raised with a Christian foundation. The ranch supports itself by growing and harvesting amazing coffee, the tilapia ponds, huge black berry Fields, and large gardens. Following a tour of the ranch and lunch, we traveled a short distance to a small field where we hosted a fun fair for the ranch kids and the local neighborhood kids! The kids enjoyed playing the games, getting balloon animals, and all the small prizes!

More Tuesday Pics

Tuesday in Honduras

Today we headed back down the mountain at 7:15am to the same church in Suyapa. The lines were long when we pulled up to our brigade site, but as usual the people were patiently waiting for us. Trusting in the Lord was the theme of the day after Joyce's wonderful devotion this morning. We put our trust in Him every day as we leave our comfortable mission house and get on the bus headed for Tegucigalpa, you would understand if you have ever taken this ride into the city!

Today we saw many people and over 100 people accepted Jesus! Our leader Denys and I had an opportunity to feed some very skinny, hungry dogs in the neighborhood. Chelsey and Chrissie had their first day working in evangelism and it proved to be very successful.   Matt and Anthony did an excellent job pouring a concrete floor in a house for a mother with 6 children, ranging in age from 9mos to 12yrs old, whose husband, unfortunately left them. Many of us took a trip to see the floor along with a police escort. Such an awesome day of giving and receiving, reminding us that the Lord has blessed all of us with his grace.

More Monday Pics

Good morning Jesus. We're glad you're here!

The very poor Colonia  of Suyapa.

Pastor Angel and Debbie

Monday in Suyapa

Monday in Suyapa began at the mission house with a sunrise and devotions before breakfast.  Over the river and through the city we made our way up and down treacherous hills to a church in one of the roughest and poorest areas in Tegucigalpa, Suyapa. Anthony danced for the first time in 5 years.  He said the children brought it out in him.  Lori had a great first day in children's ministry.  It's her favorite area so far. Many instances of Honduran lip pointing were witnessed today.  If you don't know what that is ask one of us when you see us.  The bathrooms were very interesting... All the way up in the top of the church.We saw 282 in Medical and 241 in Optical.Many people accepted Jesus today in Evangelism.Chrissy and Chelsea said they had a great day helping in pharmacy.Our luggage/supplies made it to Honduras today, but they are 5 hours away in San Pedro Sula.  We will get them tomorrow sometime.Our personal bags made it to the mission house today!  Yay!

Sunday

Buenos días!

(Enjoying our first morning on the back balcony - with mugs full of Honduran coffee of course!)

Today was our first full day in Honduras. We started with team devotions where we heard a great reflection from Sarah on God's grace. After breakfast we headed to church.

"Evangelical Church - Prince of Peace" (my rough translation)

It turns out it was the same church several team members had served at 2 years previously, bringing back many memories and familiar faces. The service was such an awesome experience as we got to worship the Lord with our Honduran brothers and sisters. There was lots of singing, a dance presentation from 3 of the youth, a message from Pastor Hector, and singing and praising from the (many) children. Here are some pictures to give you an idea of what we saw :) 

The theme of the church for 2017 is "Año de la Victoria" - Year of Victory. It was very evident from interacting with the congregation that they truly believe our victory is in Christ - such a blessing and testament of faith! 

Tons of kids!!

We'll be back at that church for our Thurs/Fri brigade. 

After church we headed to Plaze de España, where we had a spectacular view of the city. 

Next, we went to a restaurant in  downtown Tegucigalpa called "Asado's." Denys, our WGO guide said the one rule is we have to "eat everything." "No problem," we thought, as we were all hungry by that time - but when the plates came out we had our match made. 

(Yes, I'm going to be "that" person and include food pictures ;)

Chicken, steak, pork and Horchata!

Needless to say, we left a few pounds heavier than we arrived. While we were waiting on the bus to leave the restaurant, Gary and Don were close to making a good deal with someone selling what we thought were jugs of colorful drinks, turns out it was floor cleaner and they kindly withdrew their offer 😂

Now it was time for some work to prepare for our brigades. When we got back to the mission house we loaned a cargo truck with our supplies and sorted medicine into individual dose bags. 

 We have just finished dinner and are heading to Evangelism Training. Please include our first brigade in your prayers! Buenos noches!

-Sharie