This will be my last entry on behalf of FBC of FO and our mission trip to Honduras. This morning felt different and I know that is because I am different. I have been changed by the people I have met and the experiences I have shared here with you. I am looking forward to coming home but I will definitely miss this place and the people in Siguatepeque. I saw God’s work first hand and how important He is to a lot of the people here.
Before the church dedication even began Thursday night a young woman and her two toddlers were kneeling at the altar praying. While we were at the airport I talked to Roberto to get from him the main theme of his sermon – the next two paragraphs will summarize that sermon for you.
His sermon was a touching tribute to the Hondurans and to the love our heavenly Father has for us and them. He thanked them for allowing us into their beautiful country and for welcoming us with open arms. Though we came to work and serve them, it was us who received the blessing. He spoke of Moses who told his people not to be afraid and sit still because the Lord will battle for them. Several months ago we were told that we would need to raise over $100,000 to finance this trip. That seemed like an insurmountable obstacle but we put the petition at God’s throne and knew that He would provide. He provided all the funds and then some which allowed Dr. Gates to purchase some much needed medical and dental equipment.
No religion, institution or organization can open the gates to heaven. Only because of Jesus’ death and resurrection can you enter into heaven. He is the only one who can open the door and all we need to do is put our trust in Him. He is worthy of our love and adoration. The verse for all of the children at VBS this week was John 14:6 and if the kids repeated the verse they would get a little sticker on their card. They were so proud when they got that sticker. Reading your bible was another important point he discussed. That is how things grow like a plant grows with water. If you didn’t eat for 30 days you would die and it is even worse to die a spiritual death. Through abundance and the word you will grow. The last point was the Good Samaritan. It is great to be saved and know the word but you have to give it some practicality. That’s why we’re here. We’re not here because we are obligated but we have laid our life down before Christ and we are here out of love – the same love Christ showed for us. The other reason we are here is because of the dream of a doctor to come and minister to the people. He didn’t want to do it alone – he did it with his brothers and sisters in Christ and it has been amazing. The prayer at the end was how it has been a privilege and honor to be here with the Honduran people and it is very humbling to be used as God’s hands and feet. He told them about our theme for this trip from Isaiah 52:7-8.
We left the hotel in two waves – I was on the second wave. We got to the airport around 10:30am and there was no waiting to check in. We got through checking in our luggage and then had to go to a separate line to pay our exit fees. That is a strange concept. What if we didn’t pay – would they keep us? Apparently we pay exit fees in the U.S. but they just lump it all into the cost of the ticket. Since I was on the second bus several people from that group went upstairs where there were several souvenir shops from which they bought gifts and trinkets to bring home. Once the shopping was completed there were two checkpoints just 10 feet from each other. Then we headed over toward the gate and had to wait in yet a third line for the last checkpoint. The security here is very thorough. They patted us down, went through our carry on and even checked our shoes. Once that last checkpoint was done, you went into the sitting area in front of the gate. There were another couple of shops near the gate but once you were in the waiting area you couldn’t leave. So some people were asking other s in the group to buy last minute gifts of coffee and water before boarding they went through the final checkpoint and boarded the plane.
Here are some other things that might be of interest to you that I have failed to mention during this week’s blog. The exchange rate of Limpiras to Dollars is 18.99 to $1. Siguatepeque, the place where Cerro de Luz is located, is a small village compared to the large city of Tegucigalpa which has over 1.8 million people. It is also the center of the Americas. If you are traveling in Honduras, everything is an hour and a half away (Honduras time) :0) The countryside is very hilly and mountainous. The main exports are coffee and bananas. The interpreters we had said chocolate is very expensive so if you ever come and want to make friends quickly – bring lots of chocolate! Don’t count on having an actual toilet if you go up into the country – it may just be a hole. Remember to bring lots of toilet paper but don’t expect to be able to flush it!!! Stay away from lime green snakes – they are very poisonous. If you see a brown hairy spider a little bigger than a silver dollar in your shower don’t worry – it is harmless.
When we arrived in Houston we had to go through customs. Most of us had to use the restroom and as we walked our all I heard was hurray for toilets that flush!! Toilet paper!! And warm water with soap and paper towels to dry your hands!!! Oh the little things we gringos take for granted.
I want to thank those of you who have sent word to me, through family members on this trip, about how much you are enjoying the blog. I hope you got a good idea of what each team did. Since I was on construction I gave you a lot more detail in that area than the other two. I know there are dozens of other stories that I never heard about from VBS and the Medical crew so I encourage my team mates from those areas to share your stories on the blog as well when you get home.
I wish and pray for you reading this that you will someday get to participate in a mission trip. It is true that it does change your life forever. I also want to thank the women from the Tabitha group at church for the fabric crosses they made for everyone on the trip – what a wonderful surprise it was to receive those and the note cards that came with them on Valentine’s Day!! Also, we love our pillow cases that Jean Rindal made for us – what a blessing and a wonderful reminder of your love from home. Thank you to all of our friends and family for your prayers and support. And last, but certainly not least, I want to thank Dr. Bob and Beverly Gates for all of the hundreds of hours that they dedicated to making this mission trip go from an idea to a reality. Oh and also for the use of Dr. Gates’ laptop which I used every night to send the blog from. We started this trip as strangers but are leaving as a family. I love each and every one of you my Christian brothers and sisters and will carry the memories of this trip close to my heart for a very long time.
God Bless you all!!!! Aprill Edwards