By Stephanie & Jason Hicks

This morning we were given an opportunity to sleep in a little with breakfast at 8:30 and we were joined by Keren, one of the interpreters who’s been with World Compassion Network for a few years. During our morning devotional we were challenged by Pastor Kathy to keep our eyes open to where we saw God today. After breakfast, Pastor Arqui picked us up and took us to the village where Pastor Nelson’s church is located. Upon arrival, we were greeted with radiant love that is apparent throughout the villagers.

The task for the day was to carry stones to the interior and exteriors of the dugout footers and to mix mud (concrete).  The heat index today was around 110 degrees; it did feel slightly cooler than yesterday.  The Hondurans had gotten an early start and had one of the footer walls started by the time we arrived.  They had a small mountain of stones consisting of various sizes and shapes. We were asked to dig through the pile and grab “medium” sized ones that weighed 5-15lbs.  We then formed a human conveyor belt and quickly placed the stones where they were needed.  When it was time to mix the concrete; their process consisted of a 55 gallon barrel of water, a small mountain of gravel, 5 shovels, and the bags of concrete we had carried off the bus the day before and lots of manual labor!  

After mixing it all up with the shovels, we filled 5-gallon pails with the finished product and carried them to where they were needed. On paper this may seem like an easy task - shoveling gravel into a pail, carrying it, and then dumping it 5’ away - but the heat added an extra layer of difficulty. We tried to keep up with the Honduran men shoveling and filling pails and failed miserably. The Vineyard crew jumped in and tackled it with great teamwork.  

A few of us also had an opportunity to see the inside of Pastor Nelson’s church, along with his 3 daughters.  With the help of one of our interpreters, we got to ask him about the unwavering faith of the villagers which is something you truly need to witness to understand. He told us the story of how this church was completed in 32 days; it was his vision and the construction started with women from the village digging the footers. Other villagers mocked them saying the church would never be completed. Their church now meets Sunday and Wednesday evenings with an attendance of anywhere from 6-50+ people. Some of those same people, who once mocked them, now attend church there. 

While walking back to the work site, we asked Pastor Nelson where we could find mangoes and get some coconuts to rehydrate with. He grabbed a stick, turned to the tree next to us and knocked some mangoes down for us to try. They were amazing! Towards the end of our workday another villager brought us a bundle of coconuts and a machete. He effortlessly chopped off the tops of several so we could enjoy the healing water that was hidden inside and let a few of us try to mimic his use of the machete. With our medical crew on standby, a few of us managed to do it and no fingers were lost!! 

Once our project of the day was completed, we had to say our goodbyes to these villagers. Our group has felt so much love from our Hondurans brothers and sisters in Christ despite the language barrier.  Their faith and the miracles God does, because of that faith, is evident everywhere. The love and presence of God is so evident here in Honduras!!

I’d like to challenge everyone reading this to consider going on a mission trip. 

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me…” – Matthew 25:34-36

Open your hearts to the opportunity and ask Jesus if he wants you to go.  It doesn’t matter how young or old you are or your physical abilities, God WILL provide!!

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