God is Moving – An Update from the Honduras Mission Trip with Teams 7 & 8 CBM National Interns
Our team recently had the opportunity to go to La Paz, Honduras and serve with The Filling Station. We spoke in 3 local schools, able to not only have fun singing songs and playing games with the kids but to present the gospel as well! We also had the chance to run a day camp at the feeding center for 3 days, have a youth night for the youth of the area, a community movie night where we showed “I Can Only Imagine,” and helped open the feeding center one night to feed the community. We praise the Lord for the opportunity to share the love of Christ with all those we met.
Jacquelyn Davis, National Intern Coordinator
It is amazing to me to watch as God speaks to each of His children in the way they will hear. He constantly pursues us and desires to shape us in the image of His Son. The mission trip once again shows me His great masterpiece. When I sit back and scratch my head because I don’t understand how all the pieces fit together, I can be assured that my Savior knows. He is orchestrating and moving amongst us, even when I don’t understand exactly what is going on. He does this in the lives of the interns—each one walking with Him and learning from Him, sometimes in ways I don’t even realize! He reveals Himself to them and I praise Him for that. I see this, also, in the lives of those in Honduras. We don’t always get to see the fruit of our labors for Him on a mission trip. Sometimes we don’t know what people understand when we share the gospel; sometimes we aren’t sure where they stand spiritually. But we know that God is working. We know that He puts all the pieces together and uses His Word to stir the hearts of many. All we can do is be faithful to speak truth and pray that He continues to pursue, draw people to Him and to shape them into His image. He is the great puzzle-solver.
Ryan Everritt, Team 8
This was my first time going overseas and flying on an airplane. It was a lot of fun. And seeing a new place was quite neat, there in Honduras. The people do things differently than we do. While I was there, I got to teach God’s creation, which went quite well. I was also involved in helping in different ways and areas throughout the week. This was a great experience in many ways and I’ve enjoyed it.
Emileah Hawkins, Team 8
I had the amazing opportunity to go to La Paz, Honduras this August. While I was there I met many people and experienced many things that will have a lasting affect on me. I was able to teach a Sunday school lesson to the kids that we had been ministering to all week. I told them the story of David and Goliath. I learned more preparing for that lesson than I was able to share with the kids. I gained a new perspective on the story while I was researching. I have always heard the story portraying David as a small, helpless boy. Also, the “big idea” was always that God will help you fight or fight your enemies for you, no matter how big. But I don’t think that is what the story is about. I think it shows God’s character, wisdom, and plan for our lives, more than we give it credit for.
First off, Goliath was not David’s enemy, he was God’s enemy (1 Samuel 17:36). Goliath was challenging God’s army. David was just bringing things to his brothers and heard Goliath’s challenge. People tried to talk David out of accepting the challenge but he was insistent because he had four things. The first is experience. David was not a small, weak boy. In 1 Samuel 17:34-36, it says that lions and bears had taken sheep and David went after them and killed them. He had fought mighty beasts before and he knew this would be just like before. The second thing David had was the right weapon. King Saul tried to give him armor and a sword but David refused to use them. He knew how to use a sling and he was good at it. At the time a sling was a popular weapon and it was used in battles often. David knew that to win he need to use the weapons he was familiar with. The third thing was tactic or wisdom. David knew that Goliath relied on his strength to win and all his weapons were close combat. So David kept his distance. He knew he could hit Goliath from a distance with the sling. The last thing that David had was faith. He knew God would be with him, no matter the outcome. He also knew that God had prepared him for that moment.
I question if I have the same perspective as David. I am trying to identify these four things in my life. I know that God has placed things and circumstances in my life to help me grow. I also wonder what I am being prepared for. When it comes to weapons, the first thing that comes to mind is the Bible. Am I well trained in God’s Word? What else do I have that I can use to fight? I have people and resources in my life that I can trust and ask for help. Do I know how to use these things? I have a tendency to not ask for help or not know who to ask. I don’t want others involved, but I am learning to be more open. God has recently placed people in my life that have been amazing and uplifting Christian friends. I also look at my faith. Where do I place it? I know that answer should be God but that is not always true. I am working toward trusting God in all things. I have made improvements, but not in my own power. God has been working in my life and helping me grow. I spent this summer at New Life Camp and I am so thankful for the time there. I have seen so much change in my life over this summer. I met amazing people there and God helped me have a better understanding of what I want to do in the future. I look forward to the rest of this year as I finish the internship. I know that God will continue to work in me.
Rhiannon Grace, Team 7
We just got back from a missions trip to Honduras and, during the trip, each of the interns had a different job that they were in charge of and worked on. The job that I was in charge of was the memory verse: 2 Peter 1:3. We went through the verse at least once per day with campers and I went through it many times more by myself. I have never had a time where one verse sticks out to me so much. Everything that we did led back to it!
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue”
Not only was I trying to memorize the verse in English, but I was also memorizing it in Spanish! To memorize something in another language just adds more understanding because, when you memorize something in English, there is a chance that you will take the words for granted, that you know them and just say it without much understanding. However, to also take the same passage and have to not only say the words but to make sure that they are correct, looking at pronunciation and at what each word means in the other language, gives more depth to it. There is also the factor that I had to teach the meaning to everyone else in words that not only a child could understand but, also, that would translate easily.
Then, if God did not hit the nail of understanding in any more from just me trying to memorize it in two languages and explain it, every lesson that was taught revolved around this passage. The first lesson was on creation and focused on God’s divine power, “according as his divine power,” the same power He used to create all heaven and earth. He gives us everything we need for life and godliness. The next lesson was on the gospel story, “through the knowledge of him.” The knowledge of Him is the knowledge that He is our Savior, that He lived for us, that He died for us, and that He rose again on the third day. The last lesson was on the fruits of the Spirit, some of the resources God has given us for godliness, along with His Scriptures. And, as for life, He gives us His breath and a heartbeat.
There were many other things that pointed to the verse but those were some of the bigger things. I am so happy that the Lord has given me so many things to help my understanding.
Kalaya Beyer, Team 7
This was my third time being in this beautiful, sometimes overlooked country. Every time it looks like I’m not going back, I get the news that I will find myself there, yet again. This trip, however, was the best one yet. I will always love working with kids. I had the great job of doing games with them. We played a hilarious game of Duck, Duck, Goose with a sponge and lots of water, and futból (soccer) indoors that involved me playing too rough. Sharing little things with the people there, like photos of myself, to the bigger things like the Gospel made my heart soar with joy. I will never forget La Paz and El Filtro. I hope to return there soon.
Adam Lowry, Team 8
I had a spectacular time in Honduras and with the task that was given to me. My task was to come up with some games for the little niños (kids) and they had lots of fun. The games we played were Drip, Drip, Drop (which is like Duck, Duck, Goose but with water), water balloon toss, hit the deck, soccer, and Jerusalem and Jericho. God showed me joy and contentment through the kids, because these children had practically nothing and yet they were still happy. Now that I know how blessed I am, I should be able to show as much joy as the children in Honduras did.
Rebecca Colson, Team 7
It doesn’t matter where in the world you go: kids are still kids. Whether they’re from Honduras or the US, they like to climb, jump, talk about their pets, eat way too much candy and leave the wrappers on the ground. They may speak different languages and eat different foods but they really aren’t that different. They all need God. Throughout my time in this internship I’ve been feeling a desire to settle down. I’ve wanted God to point to one spot on the map and say “There. That’s where I want you to live and serve.” I’ve found myself fighting jealousy when friends who’ve finished college have talked about how they’ve gotten apartments, started serving at their new local church, and started connecting with their community. I’ve wanted God to give me a love for one place so that I could do ministry in that one place. But, every place I’ve gone, God’s given me a love for the people there. North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Honduras—vastly different communities, vastly different people, but all so beautiful and so in need of the Gospel. Our amazing God is at work everywhere. Maybe I’ll never get to “settle down” and “plug into” a community. Maybe God will send me somewhere I never imagined, somewhere far outside my comfort zone. Wherever it is, I have realized the simple truth that God can give me a love for whatever place and people He sends me to. It’s not about the people I love, it’s about the God who loves us.
Kira Frank, Team 7
Before this trip everyone was telling me that my perspective on life would be changed drastically. They said it would just hit me. I mean, the people there had a different way of life and they spoke a different language, but nothing mind-blowing seemed to “hit” me at first. However, halfway through the week I recognized how blessed I was for having grown up in a Christian home. Yet how often I take it for granted. I also realized how incredibly unthankful I can be for all that I have. I’ve been convicted to be giving more. It has been such a blessing to see how God works in just a short amount of time. Ephesians 3:20, “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,”
Matthew Mashburn, Team 7
God works everywhere—always. Before humanity knew God, He was working. Then He created us and chose to start working through us. It’s amazing to see God choose to work through His people to accomplish His will. In Honduras no exception was made. God worked to advance His kingdom through His followers. He chose to reach out to children through His children. While most of us were far from home, tired, and occasionally confused, God was still working. Like I said, God works everywhere—always.
How can God use you and your talents to further His kingdom?
Find out more about how the internship can train and equip you!!
MORE INFORMATION
Views: 499
Got something to say?