This post by Jenn

While we have been here in Honduras we have been having daily devotions in the morning. This morning our study was on service. As we went out today with the thoughts and scriptures of service on our hearts, I was looking around to see how I could serve and what I could contribute to the community and team. In the afternoon we went out into the local community in small groups to share the gospel, invite people to our upcoming service event, share food and pray for them. My group was led by a few local women, and we had a few team members in the group as well. To put it short, we were all serving outside of our comfort zone. Way out of our comfort zone. Our local ladies stepped into this time of service fully trusting in God’s lead. They fearlessly led us to several homes and began sharing God’s love. They served us by leading, taking us around and boldly making the first moves. Those of us from the team stepped out to share the gospel in Spanish when we felt rusty, to pray out loud for families when we struggle to pray like that at home, and to dive into the local culture when we felt like fish out of water. These people on our team were serving by saying yes to the uncomfortable to bless someone else. It is something that will stay with me- to be witness to this team, a mix of local women of the church and our visiting team serving together in humble ways to bless the small part of the world and to touch lives in this neighborhood. Galatians 5:13 says to serve humbly in love. What a beautiful picture this was for me to see this verse being lived out. Our days here are full of moments like these, seeing God put feet to His Word through His people. I’m beyond blessed to be a part of these experiences.

This post by Casey

Today we had plenty to experience. I also went out into the neighborhood to several homes to share gifts of fruit and about God’s gift, his Son from John 3:16.  I was invited into a few homes and saw simple living but always welcomed generously and offered a place to sit.  I gave the story of my faith to one family with the help of a translator.  Which as I spoke wondered what the story of my easy life and faith can bring to them.  (I’ve been blessed to grow up in a home where we always attended church and I’ve faced few challenges compared to most in my faith).  But this is the story that God has given me and I trust it is God’s story and for his glory.

I have  gained a new nick name, “Oso” which means bear. The men and the boys say that I am as big as a bear at 6’2” compared to them. Futbol is the language the boys speak.  I have played more soccer in the past two days than I have in all my life.  Beside the church is the Honduran equivalent of “The Sandlot” but the game is soccer.  The goals are the flip flop sandals of a couple players and nobody but us wears shoes on the gritty sand flat of the hilltop by the church.  It is totally normal that a soccer ball crashes off the tin roof of the neighbors or there is a trash fire 15 ft from one of the goals, but for the boys I’ve gotten to know this is IT. This is living for them.