Category: Honduras
Broken
In the first post about Honduras I wrote briefly how I was a changed man, but I did not explain why. It is hard to put into words what I experienced, which is the reason for so many posts with pictures and no writing. So, I am going to attempt to put into words how God changed me on this trip.
I wrote in my journal a few times while I was in Honduras, these are those entries.
April 21, 2010-Wednesday
Today we drove 2 hours to Monte Verde. This was some of the bumpiest travel I have ever experienced. While we were here we began to mix concrete for the church floor and the Texans would finish this project, as were to hike to a remote village called Agua Caliente. I enjoyed playing soccer with the kids and began to build relationships with the kids there. The first kid I met was Phillipie and I will never forget him. I have never let myself experience God in this way. My heart is broken for these kids. I have all the luxuries at home and there are people here that do not have running water all hours of the day because the city turns the water off.
April 23, 2010-Friday
Today I learned so much about myself learning from the Hondurans. We built a small staircase and we carried 400 pound rocks from the woods. We went to the soccer field to play soccer and socialize.
I am learning to slow down and enjoy what is happening around me and not to be selfish with my time. If an opportunity comes about to talk to someone or help someone despite how busy I am, I will do so.
I am adding this story here cause it is relevant to this topic. On the hike back from Agua Caliente, I decided I was going to slow down and take in everything around me instead of focusing just on the hike. Jeremy and I came across some kids playing in a field. He gave me some play money and Jeremy said, “Now you have something to remind you to pray for this kid.” I thought this would be a perfect time to stop what we were doing and pray for this kid and his family. So we did just that, it was amazing.
This is the play money that the kid gave me.
Youth Service Journal Entry
I was broken today by the Holy Spirit. At the youth service I felt the Holy Spirit in my heart. My initial reaction is to suppress that feeling because I know that I will be vulnerable in front of people. Amazing things happen when you just let go. Alejandro and Patrick had asked if anyone wanted to share anything and they both looked at me and I just knew I had to go up. As soon as I got up there to talk… I was emotional. I cried and cried some more. I was speechless. I was wrecked and broken by God. But God does not leave us that way. He began to put my heart back together and took out what I have been struggling with: lustful thoughts was a major one, playing too much video games, and not being happy with the way I am. I now have freedom from these things. They do not have control over me anymore.
I was reading an article in Relevant Magazine and it spoke to me. It is about getting your hands dirty, sacrifice and getting back to a simple life.
“Many are even moving away from lifestyle comforts and are instead embracing intentional simplicity-not because minimalism is cool, but because it’s coming from a faith compulsion.”
“Comfort is about us. If little by little we intentionally embrace sacrifice, it makes us think less about ourselves in every area. And if we’re thinking less about ourselves, we’re more tuned in to God’s voice in our lives.”
Here is a link to the article –> The End of Easy, Breezy Faith.
In the van, on the way to the mission house, I listened to the song Broken, by Lifehouse. The song described exactly what I felt during this trip. Here is a slideshow I made with that song.
Honduras 2010 Slideshow from Andrew Hughes on Vimeo.
I hope I can carry the Honduran mindset with me wherever I go and continue to learn more about living a simple life.
Beautiful Scenery
That mountain sticking out of the clouds is the highest point in Honduras. It takes two days to hike to the top of it. I will making that hike at some point in my life.
The beach, which is where we relaxed on the last day of the trip
The sunrise
We were told we going to spending night on the beach (I was actually looking forward to this). After sleeping on concrete all week sleeping on the sand seemed amazing. We were told that the sand fleas would attack us and we needed to make sure our possessions were secure. I spent idle time devising a plan to make sure I was safe. Perimeter of deet around my sleeping bag… check. Dig a hole to place my backpack… check. Turns out it was a joke that is played on all first timers. We really got to stay in rooms at a beach resort.
Beautiful People
One of my favorite pictures from the trip.
Working all day in the heat everyone looked forward to jumping in 50 degree water to bathe. It took our breathe away but it was awesome at the same time.
She did not want her picture taken. She would hide behind that tree but I finally succeeded.
We played soccer everyday at 3… or should I say we we got pummeled by the Hondurans. Immediately following we would have church on the soccer field.
For some reason the kids loved to collect our garbage.
The kids were fascinated with Ryan’s tattoos.
Playing some music for the kids before church.
The little girls loved to have their fingernails painted.
Agua Caliente
The trek to Agua Caliente was hard mentally and physically. We ran into many obstacles along the way, which included a hornets nest. The hornets numbered in the thousands and we were unable to cross. Three people were stung and we doubled back to the road to proceed on a 5 to 6 hour hike. The hardest part for me was not knowing mentally what I was in for. People can tell you how hard this hike or trip is going to be but there is no way of preparing mentally for that until I experienced it for myself.
I was thankful for being able to go on this trip with one of my best friends. Josh fell victim to the angry hornets and was stung above his left eye.
Despite being stung by the hornet it did not stop him from pumping some iron Honduran style!!
We built these steps along one of the main paths to make it easier for them to walk when the rainy season hits. We pulled two 400 pound rocks out of the jungle for the steps.
The beginning of the bathrooms and shower.
Progress!
Hanging with the kids and building relationships was a big part of getting the most from this trip.
The kids made toys made from pens that would shoot these pellets. He is making ammo from the plant reed in his hand.
One of Ryan’s passions is cooking. Even in the jungle we ate like kings (and queens).
The kids loved to have their picture taken.
Having impromptu worship was great and it is one of the things that I miss the most. Being surrounded by 20 people all week was awesome. Coming back and not having those people around is hard to get used too.
Monte Verde
Our next location was a place called Monte Verde. The Cincinnati team stayed here for a day to work and then the next morning we headed out to Agua Caliente. While we were here in Monte Verde we began to mix concrete for the church floor and the Texas team would stay behind to finish the church.
The toilet. The plumbing here is very sensitive. No flushing of toilet paper is allowed.
Biker Bob
This was the first kid I met. I love this kid. We played soccer… or should I say he played soccer and I just tried to keep up. At one point he and his little friends ganged up on me and attacked me with the soccer ball. They do not have soccer balls like we do. They were hard plastic and they hurt bad when they kicked them at your face… but it was still tons of fun.
I can not wait to go back and see this little guy.
Darrell and his wife Charity recently got married and this trip to Honduras was their honeymoon.
They loved the soccer balls we brought them.
Charity
Your a good man Charlie Brown!
The church
Krista
The first concrete slab. We buried Bible verses under the floor. Later that week a good number of people were saved!
The way concrete is mixed in Honduras.
The Adventure Begins…
It has taken me awhile to process the Honduras trip and get to the point where I am able to write about it. I am having a hard time finding the words to describe my experience. I will say that I am changed man in many different areas of my life. God showed up in a big way and I met many beautiful people on this trip that I will remember for the rest of my life. This adventure in Honduras was a defining moment in my life. I never thought this would change me the way it did (more on this later).
A souvenir shop in the airport in Honduras.
Another view of the airport
This is in the van on the way to the mission.
An earthquake hit and caused this bridge to break in two.
We stopped for bananas on the way to the mission… Bananas along with coffee are a major crop in Honduras.
Coffee tree at the mission base.
This is a house that was just outside the mission base.
All these pics were taken before and at the mission base. Tomorrow I will be posting about our time in Monte Verde.
Final Preparations
Its hard to pack for trip where your really not sure what is the best items to take. That is my day for today+homework and hopefully I will have narrowed it down so I am not carrying too much in my pack.
A couple of days ago I posted Ryan’s talk about his time in Kenya. I realize that 45 minutes is a long time and some of you may not have listened for that reason. I do recommend to take the time to do so but if you do not have the time here is a 11 minute section of the talk about Eliud. Its an amazing story and I want you to hear it.
Eliud from Andrew Hughes on Vimeo.
