How Great is our God

My trip to Choluteca was absolutely great! I had the best time and God was present in powerful ways.

The group was made up of 9 people, some from Ohio (not Indiana as I said before) and some from Arizona.

As we traveled South, it got significantly hotter. We stopped at a rest area and took photos.

They weren't moving today, but you could sit in these chairs
and get a ride around the park

Spider Monkeys 

We arrived and went directly to the first church. It was actually the second church in that area built by members of this group.

It was so pretty! I didn't get a photos because I was busy translating. It was perched on top of a mountain with pretty stonework and flowers. Many beautiful details. The Pastor preaches 3 times/week, plus has a home group. One of the places he preaches is the fourth church that has sprouted from the original church. He walks an hour each way to get there. It is currently under construction. The third church is also very far away and hard to reach by car. We didn't get to see the third or fourth church this visit.

We enjoyed a plate of fruit and cold water while checking out the view from the front patio of the church during the afternoon. The Pastor and his wife told us stories about the church. He also told us that Japan and China are trying to increase tourism in Southern Honduras, so they are turning the road in front of their house into a four lane highway. This means that all of the houses and businesses along the road will be torn down.

The Pastor sent us to rest in the hotel, then invited us back for dinner.

Little did we know there would be no rest. As we tried to check in, a parade passed. The rest of the team was waiting on the bus, but the police shooed the bus away, so they missed the parade. The parade consisted of a band in the back of a pick up truck, followed by the most beautiful horses with that special gait that seems like they are dancing. They were amazing. Some appeared to be choking on their bits. I think they aren't used to having a bit in their mouths normally. I think there were about 40 horses.

They were beautiful creatures, but I got no photos because I thought I was just checking us into the hotel, so once again I didn't bring my camera. What a shame! I've never seen horses like that in real life before - and so many!

We had time to set down our suitcases, pull our clothes for church, and leave again. The group members couldn't believe how many people packed onto the bus with us as we headed back up to the church. It was a full load, but typical for Honduras.

When we got there, the pastor's wife had styrofoam boxes for each of us, and we sat down to a delicious dinner of beef, onions, beans, fried plantains and a salad. She also made homemade pineapple juice which was a big hit. When we finished everyone was waiting in the church.

That night I translated for the first time in front of a church. Although I had been talking to the Pastor all afternoon, I didn't notice at the time he was difficult to understand. There were a couple of things he said that I couldn't translate. But the rest of the service was great. We sang for over an hour, each of the three churches sang songs for the rest of the church. Sometimes we all sang together. It was so fun!

Me trying to understand the Pastor

The first song was a welcome song in Spanish that I had never heard before. The people welcomed us with so much excitement and joy, it was overwhelming. I wished the rest of the team could stand in front and see the smiles on the faces of the people who were singing to welcome them. The presence of the Holy Spirit was powerful, bringing all of God's children together to sing as one in adoration.

My friend's husband preached that night. I did a good job translating for him. People were moved and enjoyed the service, despite the heat and the fact that they were so packed, some were flowing out the doors onto the patio.

Overflowing church

Everyone left really happy, looking forward to gathering together again the next morning at the other church.

I was exhausted and expected to fall right asleep. It was really noisy outside because of the fair, and little kids kept banging on our hotel room doors, then laughing and running away. My roommate and I stayed up really late, talking and talking. It was all good stuff. It's so neat when I (at 45 years old) can connect with an 18 year old and have good conversations that are meaningful to both of us. Numerous times we said, "Okay it's time to sleep now." Then another thought would pop into our heads and we'd be talking again before we knew it.

The next morning I didn't want to get out of bed. The little sleep I did get was filled with bad dreams. (I think the enemy uses my dreams as an easy way to get into my head and affect my day. I need to pray about that!) We showered and left the hotel to find the bus had a flat tire. Our bus driver pumped it up with air and we were able to pick everyone up and get back to the church. There was a used tire shop right where he had to park the bus, so that worked out perfectly. I love seeing God in those details!

It was much hotter the second day. I was literally dripping with sweat as I translated.

Once again there was lots of great music. This time I had an easier time understanding the same Pastor I had struggled with the night before. There were (I think?) 40 kids outside in smaller groups doing crafts. The service was about God giving us a job to do, and that we have a choice of how we respond to Him.

Baskets for the offering

Praising God

Another full church

Finally understanding each other

Goodbyes

After the service I translated so that Pastor Doug could talk to all of the people he has known and served over 16 years. It is so cool for them to be able to communicate with him, and vice versa. They have built very special relationships that triumph over the barrier of languages.

We had one more beef dinner, and got back onto the bus.

It doesn't sound as fun and exciting as it was. The details the God worked out for us, and the presence of the Holy Spirit are so hard to explain here in words.

I came home feeling wonderful. The team told me over and over how much they appreciated my help. They even gave me gifts. But my favorite gift, honestly, was time with them. I love sharing Honduras with people from the US. Being able to show them things I love, and experience new things with them is a gift beyond measure.

The first night the Pastor chose to close with How Great Thou Art, in Spanish. I stood in front of the whole church with tears in my eyes thinking about how great He is! First I was overwhelmed by the fact that He chose me to go to Honduras. Then He has given me friendships with these people from North America who think of me two years later and invite me to travel with them. Isn't that cool? And now, He has united us all, Hondurans and North Americans, as ONE in such a beautiful place. It was powerful and overwhelming to think about. How Great is Our God.