Financial Provision: One of the huge praises from the trip was even before we left just seeing how God has provided money for the team again this year. I will be honest that there were times I really was asking myself, "Where is this money going to come from?" Our fundraisers were bringing in an average of $30 or $40 a day, which then had to be divided among 4 people. And each participant needed about $900. Things seemed to be desperate... just the kind of circumstance that allows God's providence to shine! He provided enough money for us, and even more, allowing our ($40 USD/person) visas to be covered through the general fund rather than individually. We left for the trip already greatly strengthened in our faith at seeing God's hand at work.
Safety on the trip. Although we had many changes in our flight plans, God brought us safety to where we needed to be and sleep was all that really suffered. We didn't miss any of our ministry activities. Also, other than being really tired most of the week, no one got sick as far as I know! Praise God! We are still taking our nasty malaria pills as a precaution.
Wonderful relationships with the Honduran believers that we met. Our team especially had an incredible pastor and wife who were sold out to the Lord. They were also among the most humble and loving people I have met in my whole life. It was a blessing to serve alongside them and challenging to be served by the very people we supposedly came to serve! It was also so beautiful to live with Honduran believers and to be able to share life with them for a week.
Team unity Our team really bonded, both among the 30 and especially among the 10. We joked that we were the "reject" group, since the other teams were formed before ours... but really we know that God chose us all by hand, guided us sovereignly to go on the trip and then flourished our friendships while there. Please pray that the relationships formed on the trip will continue.
God's Leading God spoke to many people on the trip, confirming gifts and callings. For many it was their first missions trip and it was thrilling for me to be able to witness their reactions to what God was doing and to observe as their vision of the worldwide church expanded. The people that I had come to serve were now serving alongside me! What an honor to be able to see God's work coming full circle and to be able to be just a small part of that!
Ministry Throughout the week we were able to participate in a lot of ministry projects in the community of La Ceiba called Bella Oriente. The pastor lives there and our presence was able to strengthen both his witness and connections in the community as well as to strengthen the church that he pastors and present to them the challenge of the great commission. Please pray that although we weren't able to be there for a long time that there will be lasting fruit as a result of the time that we spent there.
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If you have read through both my update e-mail and this blog post then I will assume that you are actually interested in my trip and I will welcome any further questions you have personally. :-) Just e-mail me!
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