C.H. Cobb's Blog, page 24
August 20, 2012
Honduras, Friday: A Day at the Beach
NOTE: This is my final Honduras update. Saturday was a travel day, returning to the States, and I won't bother to record it.
Friday was our final full day in Honduras. We got an early start to visit one of the beaches. It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive.
At one point we had to cross a rickety bridge (they called it "the old bridge"), because the new bridge had been destroyed in the 2009 earthquake, and had not yet been rebuilt.
Here's what's left of the new bridge.
The Beach resort we went to was nearly deserted. It was wonderful. What a great way to unwind from a pressure-filled schedule. The water was bath-tube warm, and beautiful.
Here's John Schmidt, getting a well-needed rest.
Pam and Pastor Raul's wife (who is named Doris!).
Pam and Alysia . . .
Chris and Doris . . .
Robb and Sherry . . .
And Carlos and Lori . . .
Friday was our final full day in Honduras. We got an early start to visit one of the beaches. It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive.
At one point we had to cross a rickety bridge (they called it "the old bridge"), because the new bridge had been destroyed in the 2009 earthquake, and had not yet been rebuilt.
Here's what's left of the new bridge.
The Beach resort we went to was nearly deserted. It was wonderful. What a great way to unwind from a pressure-filled schedule. The water was bath-tube warm, and beautiful.
Here's John Schmidt, getting a well-needed rest.
Pam and Pastor Raul's wife (who is named Doris!).
Pam and Alysia . . .
Chris and Doris . . .
Robb and Sherry . . .
And Carlos and Lori . . .
Honduras, Thursday Night
Thursday night the Hondurans of Betania threw a big "thank you" party to celebrate the week of ministry. Some of the women and guys dressed in traditional garb.
One of the things that the Hondurans wanted to be sure that we knew, was that Honduras beat Spain in soccer at the Olympics. Everyone who was wearing a Honduran soccer shirt (BFCers and locals) were asked to stand in the front.
Each member of our team was honored with a gift, a small momento of our time with them.
I was presented with a plaque to bring home to BFC, expressing Betania's and El Socorro's gratitude. It will have a favored spot, either in our auditorium or on the mission wall.
From the left you see Pastor Montoya's wife, Lori, Carlos himself, their married daughter Kimberly, and Mark and Beth Thompson.
Many of our ladies wanted a picture with this lovely young Honduran, clothed in traditional garb. She patiently took on all comers.
Jackie is in her element. This snapshot portrays the wonderful attitude she and our other team members had all week long..
Mark's family was incredible, serving in every way imaginable!
Carlos laughed when we stood for this shot. Said it was an inverted Oreo cookie: white on the outside instead of the middle! What a godly couple, with a godly family!
The evening ended with a wonderful and generous meal. The food was delicious, and the fellowship was great. We'll not soon forget how graciously treated we were by this wonderful church family!
One of the things that the Hondurans wanted to be sure that we knew, was that Honduras beat Spain in soccer at the Olympics. Everyone who was wearing a Honduran soccer shirt (BFCers and locals) were asked to stand in the front.
Each member of our team was honored with a gift, a small momento of our time with them.
I was presented with a plaque to bring home to BFC, expressing Betania's and El Socorro's gratitude. It will have a favored spot, either in our auditorium or on the mission wall.
From the left you see Pastor Montoya's wife, Lori, Carlos himself, their married daughter Kimberly, and Mark and Beth Thompson.
Many of our ladies wanted a picture with this lovely young Honduran, clothed in traditional garb. She patiently took on all comers.
Jackie is in her element. This snapshot portrays the wonderful attitude she and our other team members had all week long..
Mark's family was incredible, serving in every way imaginable!
Carlos laughed when we stood for this shot. Said it was an inverted Oreo cookie: white on the outside instead of the middle! What a godly couple, with a godly family!
The evening ended with a wonderful and generous meal. The food was delicious, and the fellowship was great. We'll not soon forget how graciously treated we were by this wonderful church family!
Honduras, Thursday, Day 6
It was the last day of planned and structured ministry. The busy schedule was beginning to wear us thin. We also needed to shift some people back to the construction team to finish the floor at El Socorro.
We were all a little weary, but we also had the routine mastered. At the first school we had difficulty holding the student's attention.
One of our world-class puppeteers looks over the audience
One of our world-class stage hands . . .
Doris gives some last minute coaching about the height of the puppets above the stage.
Mark has the speaking duties this morning. I'm running the camera.
At least, most of the time I'm running the camera. Occasionally I wind up on camera.
This is the story of Zaccheus (Spanish: Zaccheo). The puppet with his mouth open is Zaccheus.
Precious people, wonderful faces . . .
The last school of the day may have been our best of the whole trip. The students were well-disciplined and attentive, and even the teachers seemed engaged.
Goodbye, until next time . . .
After returning to MEDA for lunch, we were driven over to Betania for the final VBS day. A torrential downpour required that we make adjustments to the schedule, but the Hondurans seemed to take it in stride and it was a great afternoon. This is the end of their rainy season, and it rained at least a little nearly every day (and some days, a lot more than a little!).
When we arrived at the church, the children were eagerly waiting for us.
The coming rainstorm . . .
This little guy has in his hand the craft of the day (one of Gideon's torches). We also gave out trumpets (kazoos). From then on, the VBS sounded like a giant bumblebee nest, with the thrumming of all the kazoos.
Think about the amount of work required to hold a VBS in your church. Then think about about planning one that you are holding 1800 miles away. All the little parts of a craft for all the children must fly with you, travelling in carefully packed, bulging suitcases. All the glue, scissors, crayons, etc. Thank you to all the BFC team, many who did not travel with us, who cut out shapes, organized, planned, purchased supplies, etc. Your labor made our ministry a success.
This is Ingrid, one of our teen interpreters. She is a delightfully pleasant young lady, and extremely helpful. I am so impressed by the spiritual quality of their teens. It is clear that they love Christ. Ingrid is just one example of many.
We were all a little weary, but we also had the routine mastered. At the first school we had difficulty holding the student's attention.
One of our world-class puppeteers looks over the audience
One of our world-class stage hands . . .
Doris gives some last minute coaching about the height of the puppets above the stage.
Mark has the speaking duties this morning. I'm running the camera.
At least, most of the time I'm running the camera. Occasionally I wind up on camera.
This is the story of Zaccheus (Spanish: Zaccheo). The puppet with his mouth open is Zaccheus.
Precious people, wonderful faces . . .
The last school of the day may have been our best of the whole trip. The students were well-disciplined and attentive, and even the teachers seemed engaged.
Goodbye, until next time . . .
After returning to MEDA for lunch, we were driven over to Betania for the final VBS day. A torrential downpour required that we make adjustments to the schedule, but the Hondurans seemed to take it in stride and it was a great afternoon. This is the end of their rainy season, and it rained at least a little nearly every day (and some days, a lot more than a little!).
When we arrived at the church, the children were eagerly waiting for us.
The coming rainstorm . . .
This little guy has in his hand the craft of the day (one of Gideon's torches). We also gave out trumpets (kazoos). From then on, the VBS sounded like a giant bumblebee nest, with the thrumming of all the kazoos.
Think about the amount of work required to hold a VBS in your church. Then think about about planning one that you are holding 1800 miles away. All the little parts of a craft for all the children must fly with you, travelling in carefully packed, bulging suitcases. All the glue, scissors, crayons, etc. Thank you to all the BFC team, many who did not travel with us, who cut out shapes, organized, planned, purchased supplies, etc. Your labor made our ministry a success.
This is Ingrid, one of our teen interpreters. She is a delightfully pleasant young lady, and extremely helpful. I am so impressed by the spiritual quality of their teens. It is clear that they love Christ. Ingrid is just one example of many.
August 19, 2012
Honduras: More Wednesday Pictures
I could not move on from this day without adding more pictures. It was a great day of ministry and holds some special memories.
Here are the stars of the show:
And here are their personal assistants:
On the left is Jonathan Montoya. He played the guitar and translated. On the right is his sister Kimberly, who is married to Pastor Edwin. Fifth from the right is Danielle: her father is a pastor in Miami who frequently teaches at MEDA.
Dave Megginness did a wonderful job designing and creating this puppet stage.
Here are a few scenes from backstage
Here is Mark giving the introduction to the Zaccheus story
The kids are doing handmotions to the songs:
So many precious faces
Here are the stars of the show:
And here are their personal assistants:
On the left is Jonathan Montoya. He played the guitar and translated. On the right is his sister Kimberly, who is married to Pastor Edwin. Fifth from the right is Danielle: her father is a pastor in Miami who frequently teaches at MEDA.Dave Megginness did a wonderful job designing and creating this puppet stage.
Here are a few scenes from backstage
Here is Mark giving the introduction to the Zaccheus story
The kids are doing handmotions to the songs:
So many precious faces
August 16, 2012
Honduras Construction Team Report
This is a work in progress. I'm talking both about the report, and the work at the El Socorro Church. I'll be adding pictures to this post, and also will try to get some description from the guys. So keep checking back on this post over the next couple of days while it is supplemented and refined.
Many thanks to John Schmidt, who supplied these pictures.
The project begins.
First day crew, getting acquainted.
The supplies are here.
Raulito, Ferdinand, and helper sifting sand for the mortar
Preparing to mix the mortar. Might as well do it on the floor, it's going to get tiled anyway.
Wish we had a cement mixer! Oh, wait . . . we do! Thanks, John.
Making sure the first course goes down right.
This is going to be a big job.
The first course goes down. Need a lot of mortar to level it.
The first cross-course goes down.
MUCH, MUCH, MORE TO COME ON THIS POST! CHECK BACK AGAIN TOMORROW!
Many thanks to John Schmidt, who supplied these pictures.
The project begins.
First day crew, getting acquainted.
The supplies are here.
Raulito, Ferdinand, and helper sifting sand for the mortar
Preparing to mix the mortar. Might as well do it on the floor, it's going to get tiled anyway.
Wish we had a cement mixer! Oh, wait . . . we do! Thanks, John.
Making sure the first course goes down right.
This is going to be a big job.
The first course goes down. Need a lot of mortar to level it.
The first cross-course goes down.
MUCH, MUCH, MORE TO COME ON THIS POST! CHECK BACK AGAIN TOMORROW!
Honduras, Wednesday Night
[I will be adding pictures to this entry as time permits. Just wanted to post it as soon as possible]
Last night there was a special youth service at Betania. Wow! What a service! Trying to convey it through a blog is kind of like trying to portray the Grand Canyon on a 3x5 card with one crayon.
We had canvassed the neighborhood on Monday afternoon, witnessing and passing out invitations to attend. Consequently there was a good attendance with some new faces in the crowd, according to Pastor Edwin.
We started with music; the Honduran praise team, composed largely of teens, are amazing musicians. The music was wonderful, and set an atmosphere of worship and praise.
Then I gave a brief (really!) testimony of how I came to know Christ at age 18.
Two handbell numbers followed (we are leaving the bell sets with Betania). They loved it! Our handbell group is led by Lisa Mehaffie.
Then Nathan Beatty gave his testimony, as only Nathan can. Full of dry humor and spiritual power, Nathan traced how he'd gone from hating God because of an event in his youth, through alcohol and drugs, to being captured by Christ several years ago. The Spirit was speaking to hearts through his words.
There was more singing, and then our Christ's Hands performance group went to the platform and performed a Spanish version of God of Wonders Beyond our Galaxy. For those not familiar, this is a group that performs in a totally darkened auditorium, with black clothing, white gloves and black lights. The result is that all you can see is their hands. They creatively interpret each song with what can best be described as choreography using the hands alone. It is so graceful, so powerful. Our group is led by one of our college students, Tiffany Thompson.
The Hondurans were electrified (so was I - does not matter how many times I have seen it done, it never fails to leave an impact). They roared with appreciation as various words (Dios, santos, etc) were spelled out or scenes portrayed in connection with the lyrics of the song. We are leaving the black lights and other materials with Betania.
Then Robb preached the best message I have heard from the book of Ecclesiastes, using only the first two and the last two verses of the book. He used a metaphor of two gifts: one very large, elaborately and beautifully wrapped, and the other a small one wrapped in simple brown paper. Most would choose the large gift. But when opened, it is empty. The small, plain one, when opened, has eternal life. Robb related the difference to what the Preacher in Ecclesiastes tried as he searched for meaning and significance: wealth, pleasure, wisdom, work, all promise much, but their promises are empty ones. Only serving Christ brings enduring satisfaction and meaning, and eternal life comes through Christ alone.
If I can get my hands on a recording of the message, it is going up on the BFC web site.
You simply had to be there. What a time of praise and worship! What a time of joy!
Last night there was a special youth service at Betania. Wow! What a service! Trying to convey it through a blog is kind of like trying to portray the Grand Canyon on a 3x5 card with one crayon.
We had canvassed the neighborhood on Monday afternoon, witnessing and passing out invitations to attend. Consequently there was a good attendance with some new faces in the crowd, according to Pastor Edwin.
We started with music; the Honduran praise team, composed largely of teens, are amazing musicians. The music was wonderful, and set an atmosphere of worship and praise.
Then I gave a brief (really!) testimony of how I came to know Christ at age 18.
Two handbell numbers followed (we are leaving the bell sets with Betania). They loved it! Our handbell group is led by Lisa Mehaffie.
Then Nathan Beatty gave his testimony, as only Nathan can. Full of dry humor and spiritual power, Nathan traced how he'd gone from hating God because of an event in his youth, through alcohol and drugs, to being captured by Christ several years ago. The Spirit was speaking to hearts through his words.
There was more singing, and then our Christ's Hands performance group went to the platform and performed a Spanish version of God of Wonders Beyond our Galaxy. For those not familiar, this is a group that performs in a totally darkened auditorium, with black clothing, white gloves and black lights. The result is that all you can see is their hands. They creatively interpret each song with what can best be described as choreography using the hands alone. It is so graceful, so powerful. Our group is led by one of our college students, Tiffany Thompson.
The Hondurans were electrified (so was I - does not matter how many times I have seen it done, it never fails to leave an impact). They roared with appreciation as various words (Dios, santos, etc) were spelled out or scenes portrayed in connection with the lyrics of the song. We are leaving the black lights and other materials with Betania.
Then Robb preached the best message I have heard from the book of Ecclesiastes, using only the first two and the last two verses of the book. He used a metaphor of two gifts: one very large, elaborately and beautifully wrapped, and the other a small one wrapped in simple brown paper. Most would choose the large gift. But when opened, it is empty. The small, plain one, when opened, has eternal life. Robb related the difference to what the Preacher in Ecclesiastes tried as he searched for meaning and significance: wealth, pleasure, wisdom, work, all promise much, but their promises are empty ones. Only serving Christ brings enduring satisfaction and meaning, and eternal life comes through Christ alone.
If I can get my hands on a recording of the message, it is going up on the BFC web site.
You simply had to be there. What a time of praise and worship! What a time of joy!
August 15, 2012
Honduras, Day 3-5 pictures
These are not necessarily in strict order, but here's a day in the life of the Children's Ministry section of the BFC Missions Team. I am going to try to grab some pictures of the construction team tomorrow: they are working hard at the El Socorro church, doing a beautiful job putting tile on a rough concrete floor. Because I have not visited that site since Saturday night, I have no pictures of my own to show you. That team is John Schmidt, Nathan Beatty, Ken Kensinger, Ben Crane, Elijah Thompson, Dave Megginness, and Mark Thompson. The first four have worked there every day, the last three have alternated, working sometimes with construction, sometimes with the Children's Team.
One of the Schools we performed at was within sight of Betania (warning - I am inconsistent: sometimes I spell the church "Bethany" (Anglais) and sometimes I spell it "Betania" (Espanol)). This picture was taken from the Betania church.
Looking back across the small valley, you can see Betania. This picture was taken from the school above.
We are about to begin the performance.
Pastor Edwin gets the crowd rowdy before John Montoya really gets them rowdy with some lively songs on his guitar.
Time to take everything down, and move to the next school
Getting setup for a performance at another school. Like many of the schools, this one has an enclosed and covered courtyard in the center of the school.
Some happy faces
Now it's time for the afternoon VBS at Betania. First, opening exercises . . .
Then craft time . . .
Now it's time for handbells . . .
And games . . .
Doris snuck into the clinic and got some candid shots of Pastor Robb hard at work, and Pam and Alysia, who were apparently the ones really doing the work . . .
The day's ministry over, we pile into our bus, and the missionaries and their kids into their car. We all stopped at an ice cream store on the way home, which might explain these happy faces. Though I don't have a picture of it, Dr. Robb was grinning too . . .
The evening wraps up with a group devotion led by Robb. Tomorrow, we do it all over again. Hopefully, that includes the ice-cream part . . .
One of the Schools we performed at was within sight of Betania (warning - I am inconsistent: sometimes I spell the church "Bethany" (Anglais) and sometimes I spell it "Betania" (Espanol)). This picture was taken from the Betania church.
Looking back across the small valley, you can see Betania. This picture was taken from the school above.
We are about to begin the performance.
Pastor Edwin gets the crowd rowdy before John Montoya really gets them rowdy with some lively songs on his guitar.
Time to take everything down, and move to the next school
Getting setup for a performance at another school. Like many of the schools, this one has an enclosed and covered courtyard in the center of the school.
Some happy faces
Now it's time for the afternoon VBS at Betania. First, opening exercises . . .
Then craft time . . .
Now it's time for handbells . . .
And games . . .
Doris snuck into the clinic and got some candid shots of Pastor Robb hard at work, and Pam and Alysia, who were apparently the ones really doing the work . . .
The day's ministry over, we pile into our bus, and the missionaries and their kids into their car. We all stopped at an ice cream store on the way home, which might explain these happy faces. Though I don't have a picture of it, Dr. Robb was grinning too . . .
The evening wraps up with a group devotion led by Robb. Tomorrow, we do it all over again. Hopefully, that includes the ice-cream part . . .
Day 3-5 pictures
These are not necessarily in strict order, but here's a day in the life of the Children's Ministry section of the BFC Missions Team. I am going to try to grab some pictures of the construction team tomorrow: they are working hard at the El Socorro church, doing a beautiful job putting tile on a rough concrete floor. Because I have not visited that site since Saturday night, I have no pictures of my own to show you. That team is John Schmidt, Nathan Beatty, Ken Kensinger, Ben Crane, Elijah Thompson, Dave Megginness, and Mark Thompson. The first four have worked there every day, the last three have alternated, working sometimes with construction, sometimes with the Children's Team.
One of the Schools we performed at was within sight of Betania (warning - I am inconsistent: sometimes I spell the church "Bethany" (Anglais) and sometimes I spell it "Betania" (Espanol)). This picture was taken from the Betania church.
Looking back across the small valley, you can see Betania. This picture was taken from the school above.
We are about to begin the performance.
Pastor Edwin gets the crowd rowdy before John Montoya really gets them rowdy with some lively songs on his guitar.
Time to take everything down, and move to the next school
Getting setup for a performance at another school. Like many of the schools, this one has an enclosed and covered courtyard in the center of the school.
Some happy faces
Now it's time for the afternoon VBS at Betania. First, opening exercises . . .
Then craft time . . .
Now it's time for handbells . . .
And games . . .
Doris snuck into the clinic and got some candid shots of Pastor Robb hard at work, and Pam and Alysia, who were apparently the ones really doing the work . . .
The day's ministry over, we pile into our bus, and the missionaries and their kids into their car. We all stopped at an ice cream store on the way home, which might explain these happy faces. Though I don't have a picture of it, Dr. Robb was grinning too . . .
The evening wraps up with a group devotion led by Robb. Tomorrow, we do it all over again. Hopefully, that includes the ice-cream part . . .
One of the Schools we performed at was within sight of Betania (warning - I am inconsistent: sometimes I spell the church "Bethany" (Anglais) and sometimes I spell it "Betania" (Espanol)). This picture was taken from the Betania church.
Looking back across the small valley, you can see Betania. This picture was taken from the school above.
We are about to begin the performance.
Pastor Edwin gets the crowd rowdy before John Montoya really gets them rowdy with some lively songs on his guitar.
Time to take everything down, and move to the next school
Getting setup for a performance at another school. Like many of the schools, this one has an enclosed and covered courtyard in the center of the school.
Some happy faces
Now it's time for the afternoon VBS at Betania. First, opening exercises . . .
Then craft time . . .
Now it's time for handbells . . .
And games . . .
Doris snuck into the clinic and got some candid shots of Pastor Robb hard at work, and Pam and Alysia, who were apparently the ones really doing the work . . .
The day's ministry over, we pile into our bus, and the missionaries and their kids into their car. We all stopped at an ice cream store on the way home, which might explain these happy faces. Though I don't have a picture of it, Dr. Robb was grinning too . . .
The evening wraps up with a group devotion led by Robb. Tomorrow, we do it all over again. Hopefully, that includes the ice-cream part . . .
Honduras, Day 3-5
I had hoped to report daily, but the schedule has not allowed it. Today's update has no pictures (time issue), I'll try to post some tonight, including pix from the construction crew.
We have three teams serving Christ here in Honduras. Our construction guys are doing a great job laying a tile floor at the El Socorro church. Our medical team is serving at the clinic at Betania. Pam is really excited to be using her medical training.
We also have the puppet/ministry team, and that is what most of my reporting is about (because that's the team I'm on and am familiar with).
Monday morning we went to several schools in the area and presented our program.
Our program begins with some fun singing of children's songs lead by a young man (John, one of Carlos Montoya's sons) on a guitar. He does a great job and the kids love it. Next the puppets present the story of Zacheus, and I give a brief gospel message. Then Lisa Mehaffie leads us in two handbell numbers. And last of all we hand out candy to the kids.
This has been the pattern for all our school presentations. We have been privileged to go into both private Christian schools and public schools.
Monday afternoon we went out canvassing the neighborhood around Betania, inviting people to a special youth service (which happens tonight), and sharing the gospel. Robb, Mark and I were each on different teams, sharing the gospel with folks. Mark had the opportunity to share with seven men at one time, and they listened attentively to the gospel. We are seeing very little of the hostility often seen in America when evangelizing.
Tuesday morning we presented at two schools in the morning, and then the VBS began Tuesday afternoon. The planning and preparation put in by our team has been perfect. We always have what we need when we need it, and the preparation is really paying off. At the public school on Tuesday morning we ran into a man that has his own television show. He interviewed several of us, and filmed our presentation. I think it runs on Sunday morning. We will provide an internet link so that you can watch it in the states, if you wish.
Tuesday evening, Beth, Grace, and Jessica held a teacher training workshop at Betania, attended by over 40 teachers, including teachers from the public schools. It was received very enthusiastically.
The rest of us had the evening off, and we played volley ball with the staff and friends of MEDA until it was too dark to see, and then set up lights and played some more. It was a beautiful evening, a very light, misting drizzle, with heat lightning flashing periodically.
Robb produced a devotional workbook centered on missions, provided each of us with our own, and has been leading us in devotions every night. It's been a very blessed time.
Today we will be back in the schools in the morning, VBS in the afternoon, and the youth service at Betania tonight.
Got to run. More to be posted tonight. Pray for us, we have several down with illness (Marina and Kathleen). God has been working in an amazing way.
We have three teams serving Christ here in Honduras. Our construction guys are doing a great job laying a tile floor at the El Socorro church. Our medical team is serving at the clinic at Betania. Pam is really excited to be using her medical training.
We also have the puppet/ministry team, and that is what most of my reporting is about (because that's the team I'm on and am familiar with).
Monday morning we went to several schools in the area and presented our program.
Our program begins with some fun singing of children's songs lead by a young man (John, one of Carlos Montoya's sons) on a guitar. He does a great job and the kids love it. Next the puppets present the story of Zacheus, and I give a brief gospel message. Then Lisa Mehaffie leads us in two handbell numbers. And last of all we hand out candy to the kids.
This has been the pattern for all our school presentations. We have been privileged to go into both private Christian schools and public schools.
Monday afternoon we went out canvassing the neighborhood around Betania, inviting people to a special youth service (which happens tonight), and sharing the gospel. Robb, Mark and I were each on different teams, sharing the gospel with folks. Mark had the opportunity to share with seven men at one time, and they listened attentively to the gospel. We are seeing very little of the hostility often seen in America when evangelizing.
Tuesday morning we presented at two schools in the morning, and then the VBS began Tuesday afternoon. The planning and preparation put in by our team has been perfect. We always have what we need when we need it, and the preparation is really paying off. At the public school on Tuesday morning we ran into a man that has his own television show. He interviewed several of us, and filmed our presentation. I think it runs on Sunday morning. We will provide an internet link so that you can watch it in the states, if you wish.
Tuesday evening, Beth, Grace, and Jessica held a teacher training workshop at Betania, attended by over 40 teachers, including teachers from the public schools. It was received very enthusiastically.
The rest of us had the evening off, and we played volley ball with the staff and friends of MEDA until it was too dark to see, and then set up lights and played some more. It was a beautiful evening, a very light, misting drizzle, with heat lightning flashing periodically.
Robb produced a devotional workbook centered on missions, provided each of us with our own, and has been leading us in devotions every night. It's been a very blessed time.
Today we will be back in the schools in the morning, VBS in the afternoon, and the youth service at Betania tonight.
Got to run. More to be posted tonight. Pray for us, we have several down with illness (Marina and Kathleen). God has been working in an amazing way.
August 13, 2012
Honduras, Day 2
Saturday night we enjoyed the worship service at El Socorro, a church plant of Bethany Baptist. What a blessing worshiping our God with these vibrant believers! Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me!
Sunday was beautiful.
We had the joy of worshiping with the brothers and sisters at Bethany Baptist Church in Siguatepeque.
The music was glorious.
Mark preached in the morning, on the topic of evangelism from John 4.
Sunday afternoon was our time for souvenir shopping. A friend of the church has a shop in town, and gave us special deals!
Sunday evening we returned to Bethany Baptist for the main worship service.
We had some very special special music! These little girls stood up and sang their hearts out. It was beautiful.
The teens also had a special. The spiritual hunger of these believers is humbling.
In the evening, I spoke from Genesis 1-3, a simple message dealing with the goodness of God, the deep corruption of sin, and how Jesus is God’s solution to sin.
Pastor Robb leads us in team devotions every evening. The devotions are oriented towards the primacy of missions for the believer and the church. Each of us on the team has been given a devotional notebook for the week, with Scripture passages and study questions. It's been great.
Honduras is beautiful; a mere camera does it no justice. The flowering plants here are remarkable for their brilliant color and their form. The diversity of God's creation amazes me, whether you are talking plants, people, or cultures. What a richness in what God has created! More tomorrow, Lord willing.
Sunday was beautiful.
We had the joy of worshiping with the brothers and sisters at Bethany Baptist Church in Siguatepeque. 
The music was glorious.
Mark preached in the morning, on the topic of evangelism from John 4. 
Sunday afternoon was our time for souvenir shopping. A friend of the church has a shop in town, and gave us special deals!
Sunday evening we returned to Bethany Baptist for the main worship service.
We had some very special special music! These little girls stood up and sang their hearts out. It was beautiful.
The teens also had a special. The spiritual hunger of these believers is humbling.
In the evening, I spoke from Genesis 1-3, a simple message dealing with the goodness of God, the deep corruption of sin, and how Jesus is God’s solution to sin.
Pastor Robb leads us in team devotions every evening. The devotions are oriented towards the primacy of missions for the believer and the church. Each of us on the team has been given a devotional notebook for the week, with Scripture passages and study questions. It's been great.
Honduras is beautiful; a mere camera does it no justice. The flowering plants here are remarkable for their brilliant color and their form. The diversity of God's creation amazes me, whether you are talking plants, people, or cultures. What a richness in what God has created! More tomorrow, Lord willing.
