Snapshots from Honduras

Hey friends, I'm back from Honduras! So how did it go? What did I do? Well, let me start with my team, then I'll tell you how we invested our two weeks together.

The team (except Linda and Sharon) + Jonathan

The churches of Weiser, Idaho have sent teams to Honduras bi-annually for the last ten years. Some of our team had been on previous trips, but it was the first time for many of us. Twelve are from Idaho, two from Minnesota, one from South Dakota, and one all the way from Connecticut (plus two Honduran translators). Despite our varying ages and geographical origins, we quickly became a family.

Dirt road near Mogotes, Honduras

For three days, the team provided medical and dental aid to villages in the department of Yoro, doing gospel-centered songs, skits, and crafts with the children. I spent most of that time helping the dentist, Louisa.

Kids' ministry in Morazan

Medical consultation in Marales

Louisa and me in Marales

 Back in Tegucigalpa, we got involved in many activities at our home-base, Koinonia Baptist Church and Primary School.

Sitting in on classes

Recess

Youth group friends: Fernanda, Nicole, and Rebekah

 Between painting the church and being invited into people's homes for lunch, we also had the chance to get involved with some local ministries.

Casita Kennedy Orphanage

Youth fundraiser at Burger King

Herb sharing his testimony at the dump

Face-painting at AFE school

Experiencing Honduran hospitality

It's hard to summarize all that the Lord did in those two weeks. Even within our team, growth was visible. I wish there were words to describe these wonderful people whom I've come to love so dearly.

Nani visiting me in Dental

Aimee, Jonathan, and Suzeth

Holding a cherub in Morazan

Kyle with some kids in Marales

Erienne and me in 'Pharmacy'

 Thanks for reading and for walking beside me on this journey. If you have any questions, shoot me a message sometime. I'd love to hear from you!
*Click here to see more pictures! (I didn't actually bring my camera, so many thanks to my teammates for providing the photos.)

Making Friends in Marseille

Where to start? How to begin? What to say? Is it even possible to describe ten days of cross-cultural ministry within a few short paragraphs? Thank the Lord for pictures.

The first two days were spent at university campuses, engaging strangers in conversation. This was a particularly stretching experience for the introverts on the team (which were most of us), but the Lord demonstrated His faithfulness by using each of us when we least expected it.

There were several opportunities to meet our new friends for coffee. I think everyone on the team has someone with whom they plan to keep in contact.

Friday night, our host family had a barbecue and invited all their neighbors. Linguistically and socially, this was the most difficult night for me. I'm not very skilled in the art of conversation in English, and most of the guests only spoke strongly-accented French. Thankfully over half our team spoke French, so others were able speak when I couldn't.

Saturday afternoon, I had my first un-aided conversation with a local in French, inviting her to join us for an event at a nearby billiards club. Unfortunately she couldn't come, but someone else did. Casper, a vagabond from Poland, was one of only three guests. The message of the gospel hit him hard, and the Holy Spirit was definitely stirring in his heart. He was so overwhelmed that he left before the end, but he heard the majority of it.

This is the little church we attended in Enco de Botte, one of the outer neighborhoods of Marseille. Afterward, the pastor showed us his bible distribution warehouse and shared about his ministry.

Sunday night we had an "American Party." Many people in Marseille, especially young adults, love the chance to meet Americans and practice their English. This event was one of the highlights for most of us. We met a lot of interesting people from around the world: Vietnam, Gabon, Algeria, Morocco, Uganda, Belgium, France (of course), and even a few fellow Americans.

 

In the midst of all the hub-bub, we managed to see a great deal of this vast city and became quite accustomed to the public transportation system. We also got to attend our hosts' student bible study and help them paint their house. Despite the diversity represented on our team, we really felt like family.

Thanks for all your prayers. I had almost zero problems with the food or jetlag, and we saw the Lord working in many hearts and were encouraged to meet several local believers. It was such a rich experience, and I wish I could share every last detail about the things we saw and people we met. But alas, my whole heart could never fit onto a single blog. Check out more pictures on my Flickr account. I look forward to the next update in six weeks, when I can tell you about a completely different adventure in Honduras.

Manna from Heaven

"And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat."
Exodus 16:14-15

When you live on donations, there's no telling what your next meal will be. (Of course, when you live in a castle, anything is possible.) My second weekend in Pennsylvania, I was surprised to acquire an eggplant (Random right? Read more here). The next week brought cacao-dusted goji berries. Apples, pears, and pomegranates have been a regular blessing. Then something weird happened.

"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Psalm 8:4

It was Tuesday morning, and I couldn't stop thinking about cornbread. This was a hankering like no other, and I had no way to satisfy it. Imagine my shock at supper when line four of the menu read, "Cornbread." WHAT?! Lord, I don't understand. Why do you love me so much? I didn't even pray for this!

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread...." Matthew 6:7-11

He didn't stop there. The very next week, I began to think (quite heavily) about fish tacos. The only place I've ever had a fish taco was over 1,000 miles away.... Oh well, next time I'm in Texas, I'll be sure to get one... That evening, the kitchen served none other than FISH TACOS! My friends eyed me suspiciously as I began to laugh in the middle of the serving line, but I didn't mind.

I've been witnessing the Lord's provision for years, but this morning was the last straw. Yesterday something in me thought, zucchini, but only for a moment. Sure enough, there was zucchini - along with cucumber, bell peppers, and garlic (all of which I had craved at some point in the past week)! 

"Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" Matthew 7:9-11

What does an all-powerful, all-knowing God do for fun? Look around you, then look in the mirror. He's doing something miraculous (and loving every minute of it). Sometimes there's work to be done, and sometimes (I think) He does things just because He can.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." Ephesians 4:20-21

A Different Kind of Ministry

"Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." -James 4:13-14

Well, life is full of surprising twists as we all know, and mine is no exception. After a long battle with the Lord, I have officially withdrawn from the Global Internship program and will not be going to Kenya this Fall. Instead, the plan is to head to Fort Washington, PA (about 30 minutes north of Philadelphia) to provide childcare for friends who are missionaries with WEC (Worldwide Evangelization for Christ).

Michael and Amanda were at BCOM during my freshman year before going to India. From August 26th to December 10th, they will be working with WEC to prepare for further ministry in Asia. While they are in classes/meetings, I get to hang out with Micaiah and Sam:

Although logistics still need worked out, there is a great deal of peace about this decision and this opportunity. I'm still waiting for final approval from WEC, so may the Lord's will be done! I still hope to make it to Africa someday, but all in God's timing.

Please continue to pray for Kenya and for the interns as they build relationships with the locals. If you have any questions or would like to receive updates of the work in Kenya (via my classmates), feel free to ask. I'll do my best to be informative!

King's Banquet 2010

Last Thanksgiving, Bethany College of Missions partnered with other Christian organizations from the Twin Cities area to host the King's Banquet for the poor and homeless of Minneapolis. It's happening again on June 25th, so I felt compelled to share from my perspective what happened in November.

I'll admit that I was apprehensive (due to a few negative experiences), but a friend in leadership convinced me to see it through and trust God to work. When the day started, some of us hit the streets with a few last-minute invitations. Back at Club 3 Degrees, we finished setting up tables and gathered for worship and prayer. Finally, the doors opened.

I was a table-host, which meant sitting, eating, and talking with guests for the duration of the evening. Five minutes after my three guests were seated, one wandered off and never returned. Another took off right after the main course. That left me with Norman. The old man told me a bit of his story: where he came from and where he was now. Our waiter sat with us for a while, and we prayed for him. My friend Anthony walked by, and Norman asked if the guys at the door were going to give him back his hat. Without a second though, Anthony plucked the beanie from his own head and pulled it down around Norman's noggin.

After the message, I ask Norman if he would allow me to wash his feet. He protests, insisting that I wouldn't want to touch his feet and that I would probably run away once I saw them. In my gentlest voice, I assure him that nothing about his feet could possibly scare me and kneel down to untie his boots.

The socks came off, revealing dark skin turned white with dryness. He asks if the water is cold. I test it and inform him that it is actually a little warm. Once the pitcher has been emptied over his feet, I pour some oil into my hand and rub as much as I can into his weathered skin. Sliding the basin to one side, I dress his feet in new socks, then replace and re-lace his boots. Meanwhile, TrinityWorks director Steve Uggen begins to ask Norman questions about his life and his relationship with the Lord. A few minutes later, several people are around Norman and praying for him (See 5:24 of the video). As the people disburse, Norman also stands, says he doesn't want to miss his bus, and thanks me for not running away. Then he disappears into the sea of people.

The first moment I can, I rush to the loft to find my friend (the one who convinced me to come) and give him a big hug. He smiles, because he knows that the Lord had answered our prayers for the evening.

*There are a lot more testimonies of what God did at the King's Banquet on YouTube. If you would like to get involved in the next one, click here.

Crossing Cultures at Bethany

This afternoon, I was sipping tea from Central Asia on a woven mat from Kenya with two ladies who had recently returned from Global Internship. Music from who-knows-what-country played softly in the background as we discussed the interesting (and functional) shape of the tea glasses. While we nibbled some homemade Baklava, I thought to myself how strange this sort of thing is.... except at Bethany. Here it's quite normal to find people, food, customs, and artifacts from every corner of the globe.

The past few days were no exception as Bethany hosted delegates from around the world for a triennial missions conference. I had the opportunity to meet and speak with a few of them, including a pastor from Kenya. We exchanged friendly greetings (IN SWAHILI!) and talked about the work going on in the country I will soon call home. He was a kind man, and I am excited to know that my team will be working with him during our internship.

Another gentleman, a teacher of Islamic studies, met with a few of us one evening. For four and a half hours, we listened to his amazing life story about salvation, education, teaching, and missions that spanned three continents. He shared with us about his struggles and God's victories. Most of all, he showed us his heart and how God can use weak and naïve people to accomplish His extraordinary purpose.

This week has encouraged me so much! The Lord orchestrated several moments that were just what I needed to lift my spirits. I'm as excited as ever about life and the Lord's plan for me, and can't wait to see what He does next!

A Change in the Line-up!

Kenya Team 2011 proudly announces our newest members:

Holly (Pennsylvania) is real. When you look at Holly, you see her in all her beautiful authenticity. She is committed to excellence both at work and in her personal life. Her laugh is like a ray of sunshine and is a constant reminder of God's faithfulness. Holly worked in Admissions and cleaning last year and is now the secretary at Bethany Press.

Jay (Minnesota) is unpredictable - except for his smile. One moment, he will be singing or dancing, and the next will find him interceding over a brother. He meets people at the heart level, ready to do what he can to help. Jay works in the Bethany Kitchen and in the Admissions office.

Rebbecca (South Carolina) is a seeker. She earnestly desires to understand the things of God and to share that with others. She is not afraid to ask questions on her search for truth. Her zealous love stirs the spirit and spreads to all those who come in contact with her. Becca worked in the Admissions office.

Kayla has been led in a different direction. She is now planning to serve in Thailand for her internship. She's confident that this is the Lord's will, and we rejoice with her as she follows the path on which He has placed her.

Andria is also planning to work in Thailand now. This is where her heart has been all along, and we are thrilled to see that door open for her.