Saturday, January 28

We have arrived in Honduras! It has been a long day of traveling, with our day starting before 3am, but we are all excited to be on this journey here together. Unfortunately people planning on coming were unable to make it due to a loved ones health and one passport mishap. We are saddend they couldn't join but wish them well back home. I fortunately was able to fill one of these spots, with the decision only being made Wednesday evening, I have been an emotional wreck. Never in my life have I been so excited, nervous, sad and rushed as I have felt the last few days. But more importantly I am honored to be here. In just the few hours I have had with the rest of the group, I feel so welcome and needed. I am excited to see what the next week will bring - not only now but how I am sure it will change my life and hopefully impact as many here as possible medically and spiritually.

Lindsey Keller

Sunday, January 29

Sunday began with rain showers but by late morning the Honduran sun broke through the clouds. We worshipped with our brothers and sisters at the church we will be working at on Thursday and Friday for the medical and spiritual bridgade. The church members were filled with love and praise for the Lord. After church, the team enjoyed an authentic Honduran meal at El Patio then shopping at the Valley of The Angels. As usual, cigars and machettes were popular purchases, especially among the men. After a delicious meal back at the mission house, we met to prepare for our first brigade discussing cultural differences and evangelism. We are praying for a good night's sleep and strength to face what tomorrow brings.

Martha and Elliot Best

Monday, January 30

Today we had our first day at the brigade site and our first concrete floor. We visited "Mighty God Church" in La Soto, which is a community that was devastated as it was washed down the mountain during Hurricane Mitch. Many houses and people were swept into and down the river. The area has been slowly building back with shacks here and there. The people were welcoming and appreciative. As in other years, we helped many with their physical needs, and we shared the Gospel of Christ with many of them. What a blessing it is to know that we sowed many "seeds." Matt, Carol, and I (Bill) placed a concrete floor in a house, more of a room, 9 x 10, for a 24 year old brother of a family of eight. This was quite a learning experience for pouring concrete. The only pouring part was when we poured it out of a bucket after mixing it on the ground and carrying it up the hill to a "shack". Thank the Lord Matt was there to carry those buckets or Carol and I would have had a terrible time. Two Hondurans helped as well. These people living in shacks are the poorest of the poor. It is absolutely indescribable. Please pray for these poor people.

A special message to Morgan and her mom and dad from PePaw and Mimi, and to James and Kelsey and their mom and dad from grandpa and grandma:

We love you all.

Bill and Shirley Gillihan

Tuesday, January 31

In Children's Ministry today we saw many kids but few stick out in particular. Some love on you, give you hugs, sit with you and follow you around for hours. Others have walls put up that you barely get a smile out of. Those are the ones we really pray for and worry about - the quiet ones. I think each one of us had one child that we tried to reach out to, some of us had multiple.

In Evangelism we hear some stories of family's lifes that are very sure of their faith, while others just aren't sure. We pray for strengthening their faith and families.

The greatest impact on me was the family for whom we poured the concrete floor, that came up to me today because we already had a relationship with them. The girl came up and gave me a huge hug and called me by my name. The children of that family were so excited to see us. You would have thought we gave them the best toy on earth. They were just happy to see us and show us love.

In the afternoon I was touched by how some of the young ladies would not open up and yet we prayed for them and you could see in their eyes that we made an impression on them. Even though the people are poor in material things, they usually ask us to pray for others.

At the end when we were saying our goodbyes, they just wanted one more hug. A hug is always right.

Carol and Beth Small

Wednesday, February 1

Beauty - I have been struck by the beauty of Honduras. From our first bus drive out to the mission house, the mountains in the valley are breathtaking. Each morning as we have our coffee (which is also grown by WGO) we watch the sun rise over the mountains forcing the fog to dissipate revealing Tequcigalpa in the valley below. The city is filled with colors, each house a different red, yellow, green or purple.

I have been struck by the beauty of Honduras. The people that we meet greet us with a smile and a hug. I can see the thankfulness in their eyes even before they say gracias. The people are hard working and proud, they have a love for their country and fellow man that has inspired my devotion to our beloved country and people. The children are beautiful, they laugh and play with anything and everything they can get their hands on.

I have been struck by the beauty of Honduras. For in the midst of tragedy, in the midst of poverty and pain Christ is at work. His spirit-filled Word goes out and does what Jesus has promised it would do. It reveals that we are all sinners, we are all lost, we are all in need and all have a Savior who has forgiven all of our sins.

I have been struck by the beauty of Honduras.

Pastor John Shank

Thursday, February 2

I've never been out of the country until this week. I had some idea of what to expect because my mom and sister, Katie, had tried to prepare me.

They used words and pictures, but no number of words and no number of pictures could prepare me for what I've seen. "It is a very poor country," they told me. They were right. But the statement does not do the poverty justice. You have to see it with your eyes. "The people are very kind," they assured me. But that statement does not do the graciousness justice. You have to feel it with your heart. The combination of those two characteristics doesn't quite mesh, especially for a middle-class American like me.

At home we often gauge our happiness based on material things that can be bought with money or achieved through our ambition. This way of thinking will always leave us disappointed. However, there is one characteristic the Hondurans and I share - we are sinners. It was great to see how many of the people here have already receieved the gift of salvation through their faith in Jesus. However, many times while speaking to the people at the brigades about their faith (or lack thereof), they express feelings of dispair, as if they were sure that their sins were just too great for God to seriously be interested in any kind of personal relationship with them.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, we have been able to share the very Good News through his Word. Now we have one more thing in common with some of these people we have seen this week -- the assurance of eternity with our heavenly Father through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Thanks be to God!

Joey Rathert:

Friday, February 3

To our grandchildren -- present and future:

Grandma and I are writing the website and Facebook update today. We are heading home tomorrow morning and feel the desire to share our faith with you. We also want to share some of the things we learned this week while working in Honduras.

First we want you to know how much support we received from fellow team members, Pastor John and Pastor Mark, and the World Gospel Outreach staff as we have all missed you. After hearing from your mom tonight about the loss of your Grandma Moses, we now know why you did not get to come. God has a purpose, and we pray for the Moses family.

Secondarily, as we have worked here with these people to share the Gospel with the Honduran people, it became clear that we need to share that same belief with all of you. That message is that Christ died for you and us. That through that sacrifice, our sin and yours are always forgiven. Through belief in that very message, each of you is free to grow, to live your lifes in faith, and then, in return to share that same message with others. Of all the things that we could talk to you about, that is the most precious!

Another insight from this week was a realization that so many of the Honduran people are very very poor in material things. They are kind, gentle with spirit and so quick to share a smile and a hug. Simple kindness, gentleness of spirit, smiles and hugs are things to practice and share with others. We have realized this week that the Honduran people and the North American people are very much alike. They love their children and grandchildren and wish for them health and happiness.

We were reminded that sometimes turning off the cell phone, texting, the ipod, the ipad, the internet and the Direct TV can be a good thing. That reading a chapter in the Bible, reading a book, sitting on the porch talking to friends, or playing a game together is a good way to rekindle relationships with others.

Finally, we want you to know that you are loved by both us and God. You are precious gifts and are cherished. We are so very proud of you and are anxious to watch as God unfolds your lives before you.

Love, Grandma & Grandpa Darr

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Saturday, February 4

The whole team! We bonded in a way that no one else can understand unless having been there to experience it themselves.

Hannah Schlemer

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