Grow With Us - FBCW

It’s hard to believe that this week is coming to an end. Christ has put himself on display in ways that will forever bring memories of awe. Hearts awakened to the truth of the gospel, tears of joy knowing that grace is real, smiles of children at gifts of love, bright eyes of wonder when disciples reach out to image bearers of God, and friendships based on faith alone that will never be fully realized until heaven.

This morning we took a tour of the bible college on top of the mountain. Such a joy to be with these servants.

Then we journeyed into San Pedro to a market for some cultural exposure and single handedly stimulating the pure vanilla extract industry by depleting the available reserves.

This evening we put on a feast for the Faith Home kids. Hundreds of pizza slices filled bellies, a river of soda pop flowed down every throat, and a sugar high was had by all. It was a small glimpse of the feast around the table of saints were we will all tell stories of Christ’s work in and through us for eternity.

The gospel was portrait through our team in a beautiful picture of how scripture defines a deacon.

diakonos is a servant, and often a table-servant, or waiter.

This evening food, drink, and grace was served by a group of disciples filled with affection for Christ and his children.

In the morning we will begin out trek home, praying that Jesus will use us in the boredom of travel.

Mike

Today was our final day of church distributions. Our first was at El Banano, a community next to a Chiquita banana plantation.

The second was at La Pimienta. This church has moved in the community since last year and is in the middle of constructing their new building. It was the hottest location of the trip, but still an amazing time of watching Christ shine in the eyes of his children.

We awoke dragging a bit as a team, but that quickly passes. A well oiled machine we are….. (that should be read out loud in the voice of Yoda). Today found us at two churches we went to last year. Both have seen some great changes in their meeting places, standing out in the community as places of hope.

At Emmanuel, the team worshipped with a community that last year felt hostile to our presence. This trip, God awakened 7 hearts to the glory of his name right before our eyes. Words can’t express the awe of watching tears of Repentence and Joy flow down a grandmother’s face as her eyes are opened. I love when Jesus puts himself on display like that, knowing it was all Him and not a bit of those 7’s or our effort.

After serving over 30 families at Villa Italia, the team took a walk through the town, and of course picked up some local flavor:)

Tomorrow is our last two church distributions. The week is coming to a close rapidly, so pray for our energy, our ability to serve well, and for lives to be changed by Christ’s gift of grace.

Mike

Wow…. What a day! Honestly, my tank is running on empty, so tonight’s post is void of pithiness but inspired by Hope in Christ!!

Loading up the trailer & bus after breakfast is job #1

Our first stop of the day.

Stop #2 = La Sabana

Finishing up the night was the entire team worshiping with the kids of Faith. Cody preached, the kids did an activity, and then the hugs commenced:)

Pray for us to rest well and then serve well in the morning,

I’m going to sleep:)

Mike

Like anything else in ministry and life in general, you must learn to roll with the punches and adapt. Today we began our journey to the first church, via a stop for gas. It is common to see guard/sniper towers at gas stations to prevent pump and dash crimes from occurring. Not a big deal really, just a bit unnerving at first sight.

Soon after topping off, the bus made a loud hissing sound and billowed thick black smoke from the exhaust. Upon inspection, and Cody’s Power Team inspired mechanic wizardry, the bus was repaired……… Ok, Jeff Howell came up with a hose clamp outa nowhere, and we were on our way.

Our first stop was Emmanuel Church, which is located in a squatters community, with often primitive dwellings even by Honduran standards. The Gospel was proclaimed, 6 lives were changed for eternity, and God was lifted high.
Afterwards, we began to pour blessing & relief on some precious image bearers of God.

After lunch, we headed just down the road from Faith Home to the community of El Barro. After a short hike there, we got back into our rhythm of setting up and supporting the amazing Kingdom Work being done by the church planters.

It’s hard to describe the Roller Coater of emotions that flow through each member of the team. The living conditions may be a shock, but the joy of smiling children leads to laughter. The heat of cramped space is stifling, but the wind of hope in Christ, in the church is refreshing. Weary muscles from lifting and organizing, but a desire to serve all who seek a touch from the hands & feet of our Lord.

I was reminded of a quote from the “Prince of Preachers” today, as I watched old and new friends on this team shine the glory of God.

We serve Christ out of affection because of what he’s done & is doing for his children. On the cross he proved his love for us and then promises to actively prune us in our sanctification.

As we move in obedience to the great commission at each outreach location in Honduras, the Gospel is proclaimed to those who have never heard. In turn, we are slowly being transformed from one degree of glory to the next.

Mike