Our day started with an early breakfast and a devotion from Pastor Kathy. She challenged us to think about what we are going to do with everything we have learned this week and how we will carry it back home. Spiritually, everyone was still doing well, but the physical stress of the hot, strenuous workdays and ministry opportunities was beginning to take its toll.

After breakfast, we loaded the bus and headed to Pastor Arqui’s church. We had the opportunity to experience a full Honduran worship service filled with singing, dancing, and praise. Pastor Arqui shared a powerful message about being patient with God’s timing, being ready for His return, and not allowing ourselves to become spiritually asleep. The service was inspiring, and you could feel everyone’s spirit being renewed.

At the end of the service, our group lined up at the front of the church so members of the congregation could come by and give us hugs. It was a special moment that showed just how close we have grown to our Honduran family.

After church, members of the congregation prepared lunch for us. They served one of our favorites—baleadas—and Forest managed to eat nine of them!

Then the hard work began. We helped improve the church grounds by shoveling and hauling landscaping stone to fill in the parking areas and the space near the restaurant. With the sun beating down as we shoveled and pushed wheelbarrows full of stone, it almost felt like we were the Israelites in Exodus!

Stephanie was an absolute machine. She refused to slow down and kept hauling wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of stone, no matter how hot it became or how tired everyone was getting. We’re not sure where she found the energy, but she definitely set the pace for the rest of us!

We ended the night with dinner and had the chance to talk about the highs of the day and the trip so far. It is easy to see that God had a plan in bringing this team together this year. We may have started the week as new friends, but we are quickly realizing that we are truly brothers and sisters in Christ.