Remember to not listen to the rumors. It can be difficult to live with 29 other people on the side of a mountain, but getting second hand information from others who have already visited an area may cause the anxiety going in worse, and not better. This was the general consensus coming into Month 2 in Comayagua, Honduras. With a week of ministry already complete, it’s been a fantastic whirlwind of emotions, learning opportunities, and new sights.
For the next three weeks we will be perched on the side of a mountain, tenting and building alongside Catracho Missions led by Pastor Paul, and his wife, Tania. A couple, not unaccustomed to hardship, have shared with us this opportunity, and space, to build a church, that they hope will bring community, leading to lives changed, through the gospel. Our squad has been part of many projects, including: steep hillside crop picking, bench/chair construction, concrete brick making, railing construction, mural preparation, sewing lessons, among others.
I have been able to witness how the Lord is pushing us beyond what we thought possible physically and spiritually. Carrying 2×4’s a mile through the mountain is no joke, but it’s also a great time of conversation, reliance, and rest with the Lord. This was a task on the second day of ministry, and coming on the tail of some miscommunication, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, bringing back to mind a lesson of loads vs. burdens. As someone who desires to care well for others, it can be difficult to find the boundaries of caring without carrying too much. A wise leader of mine shared this lesson with me, that the Lord had presented to her through recent experience, in which He helped her see that every person has their own loads to carry, unlike burdens in which we at times may be able to bear with them.
Through this flashback, I was able to see that there are things each of us are loaded down with: past hurts, physical injuries, and current frustrations. These are things that others cannot carry or change for us. Praying for patience and understanding, my heart was at peace. I believe this is just another step toward living out our squad verses found in Philippians 2:1-11:
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Community may elicit times of vexation and hurt, but I have been blessed to experience more so the encouragement, through prayer and intentionality, of my squad mates. Our diversity is a small, but beautiful picture of the body of Christ. Together, we work as distinct parts, with our various experiences, talents, giftings, and passions, collaborating to complete work, to further the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Please be praying for:
Squad / Team
- Unity
- Growing deeper together / vulnerability
- Health
- Protection from spiritual attack
Personal
- Continuing to pursue giftings/roles that have been revealed (i.e. mother, leader, prophet, intercessor, singing)
- Readiness for the Lord to reveal past hurts to go through the healing process
- Intimacy with the Lord
- Encouragement of the body
- Boldness in sharing the gospel
Community
- Breaking boundaries to being able to hear and accept the gospel
- Cultural acceptance of women reading the bible
- Wholeness / healing in families
- Participation in sewing class — opportunity for women to create skill for income and hear truth
- Participation in soccer school — opportunity to train up young men
- Catracho Missions — blessed by the Lord to be hands and feet of Jesus to change lives; provision for physical and spiritual needs
- Rebuilding of over 100 homes post hurricane last year
Continue to be inspired by your endurance tenacity and strength. God is amazing at using the simplicity of carrying 2x4s to teach, learn, grow and yes place you on a mile trek to be sure you’re listening to the still small voice. Love my precious one!
I can’t wait to see your reward when you return.
The revelation of past hurts always goes back further than you thought.
Praying for you and all the team as you follow Christ throughout your journey. These will be times that you will never forget what others around the world have to deal wit, poverty, sickness, etc. however you may have already seen those with little have such big FAITH!
I love this, Samantha. Your humility, your spiritual sight and perspective, and your intentionality in living out what the Lord is revealing to you—are all so admirable. But what I love the most is your love for the Lord and His Kingdom. We’re continuing to pray for you on that mountain!
I’m so encouraged by this update, Samantha. What a gift that mountain is to all of you! It’s definitely an uncomfortable month, but I’m so proud of the way you’re alert to all the ways God is growing you in the day-to-day. Thanks for leading in humility and patience.
Samantha,
I am so blessed to hear how you are meeting incredible challenges with the power of God. I continue to pray for you, that God would fulfill all the desires of your heart, that He would strengthen you with His love and that you would be comforted as you get to know him so much more deeply.