people are the purpose

One night I awoke in my tent, restless. The Lord was likely waking me to pray, but not knowing exactly what to do I thought, “What a great time to write a blog while I’m feeling inspired.” An hour or so later, I was pretty confident with the completed work that I had written, highlighting what life in a tent, on the mountainside in Honduras, looked like. Only, that’s not what I’m going to share with you. You may ask, as I originally did, why the Lord would allow me to spend time writing an entire blog that no one else will likely ever see.

 

The answer: it’s not about the details of the day. It’s all about the people.

 

As I write, I smile, remembering:

the unlikely relationships built;

shy women opening up to their neighbors;

a pastor speaking hard truth that convicted and empowered;

sweet, teary-eyed moments of Honduran sisters in song;

physical labor that brought me to breaking;

continuous smiles from my powerful kitchen mommas;

morning prayers that united a small tribe of intercessors;

the joy shared by a group of adults whacking a pinata; 

lying sick on a hotel bathroom floor, but feeling deep closeness with the Lord.

 

Honduras was an experience like no other. As usual, I know that I received more than I gave. What I received was a greater understanding of…

…true joy from the women who cooked and cared for us;

…the suffering of Christ prophesied in Psalm 22;

…the fullness of laughter when a bat sweeps through the church unwelcome;

…the power of prayer and intercession;

…the possibility of complete healing through the hands of believers;

…the gifts of literacy and the freedom to read the bible in my own language;

…the purpose of the body of Christ;

…the ability of God to perform miracles before our eyes;

…the true meaning of compassion (to suffer with someone);

…the value that the Lord has for me;

…the relationships built deeper than words.

 

So much more that I could say, but I would like to share a personal journal entry I wrote as we celebrated our last Sunday in the church on the mountain:

“As one of the leaders spoke of the many people living on the mountain, who came out of their houses when the land fell [because of the hurricane], it reminded me of all the falling and sliding we did yesterday — scooting on out butts down the mountain. Even when we are low, the Lord uses our loss and weakness for His strength.

I was blind yesterday to the glory of God, the beauty of our striving, and how it is but a small portion of the striving in the community…how the Lord has allowed this striving for His people to come in; share the kingdom of God; and provide work, community, the Word; that lives may be changed for the glory of God.

My heart swells for these people and their hearts:

The projects they have begun, giving people hope and work.

The garden — filled with vegetables.

The church that has been built.

The food preparation for our team that has brought work.

This brings me back to my first Sunday at Mercy Hill, when they spoke of how the Lord had grown them in 5 years and celebrated, but also share the more. This time, I was moved even more by the Holy Spirit, as I heard testimony of how a man of God came and shared vision. The Lord causing all things, and people, to be brought together. 

To those who I did not share language, striving, or culture…to these I have more love, connection, and joy because we share the same passion and purpose: to glorify God and share His joy with others. The Spirit of God speaks deeper than any shared language, culture, or experience. Praise be to God! Thank you for moving me to tears because of the joy in witnessing my kitchen ladies praise you with their tongue and their voices!”

[Colossians 3:12-17]

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

My friend, Belen, intern with our ministry partner: Catracho Missions 🙂

Painting on the side of new community center by some of my talented squad mates!

Some of my kitchen mommas: Marisa, Myra (the twins), Valentina, and Carmen!

View of the mountainside from the community center porch.

My friend, Cynthia, intern with Catracho Missions 🙂