“God bless you.”
Three simple words that we Americans
use so casually, and in such varied circumstances — for health, general reflection
and even in simple greeting — that it has become a trite phrase.
After a week-long mission’s trip to
Honduras I, along with my Grace Church team members, have developed a new outlook
on the meaning of the term.
First, some background about my personal
involvement — prior to the week of July 2, I had expressed no intention of attending
the trip; my mother and sister had been planning their participation for about
two months, a decision which I supported, but my current status as
a recent college grad had not left me in the best financial state,
specifically to afford an estimated $2,500 missions trip.
Unexpectedly, I found out Wednesday of
that week that one of the attendees had cancelled and his pre-paid ticket was
still available for a mere $100. Fortunately, several elements fortuitously came together at the last minute to afford me this unique
opportunity, the first of many blessings I received on the trip.
Our group of 13 departed on
Saturday, July 7 from Newark Airport at 9:15 a.m. and flew four
and a half hours to arrive in San Pedro Sula, the second largest city in
Honduras. This being our church’s first international missions
trip, we were all relieved that our traveling went smoothly, besides a few
slight hiccups (including lost baggage, one of our members having to undergone
additional security screening due to his knee replacements and the San Pedro
Sula airport experiencing a power outage while we were going through customs).
It was at the airport that we were introduced to our host, Victor Almendarez, the missionary sponsored by our church’s Missions Board for the past 10 years. Victor, who has been involved with spreading the gospel for 17 years, oversees 30 churches in the country. Speaking to us through a translator, he served as our guide for the week (as well as a gracious soundboard for us to try our broken Spanish).
 |
| Meeting Victor (Back row, 2nd from right). |
Victor is a remarkable man — he is truly passionate for evangelism; the spiritual fervor he evokes in his sermons was inspiring, and his compassion and dedication to his flock were unparalleled.
From the airport we drove two and a half hours to the city of El Manguito, Copan to the hotel where we spent most of our week.
That initial ride through the country provided our group with the first big eye-opener: witnessing the stark contrast between the Honduran countryside (roaming mountains, endless sugar cane fields, beautiful foliage) and the impoverishment of its people — families crammed into dilapidated, windowless dirt shacks; children wading through sewage water, collecting plastic bottles to salvage for money; malnourished stray dogs roaming the streets, etc.
Most of us younger team members, having
attended numerous mission's trips in the United States with our youth group, thought
we had previously experienced poverty firsthand. However, the dissimilarities
in the standards of living between our two countries were truly shocking. As
one of my friends said, “Seeing the difference between [the concepts of] ‘poor’
and ‘destitute’ is remarkable.”
We settled
into our hotel, the Sula Inn, on Saturday night without a hitch. The area consisted
of an enclosed two-story pavilion, connected to a restaurant and small courtyard.
The hotel proved to be a unique experience for our American sensibilities, as none
of the rooms had hot water and we had to brush our teeth using bottled water,
as it wasn’t safe to drink from the tap. We also had some unexpected house
guests (lizards and the occasional cockroach). Nevertheless, we all were
reasonably comfortable and felt extremely blessed in comparison to the
conditions of the surrounding area.
 |
| Our residence for the week |
On Sunday we attended a
church service hosted by one of Victor’s congregations. Located about 15 minutes
away from the hotel, we also wanted to see the building project some of us
would be working on during the week.
 |
| The location of the church site, at the top of the hill. |
The environment we were introduced to
was one of thankfulness and anticipation. We were greeted by a group of about
20-30 children, as well as several adult members. That day’s service was held
in the courtyard of a house, and contained the barest of materials — plastic
chairs wooden benches, one microphone and a podium. However, the lack of
amenities did not dampen the spirits of the people — everyone was so excited to
see their “amigos de los Estados Unidos” (friends from the United States).
 |
| Los ninos! |
Everyone in our missions group was touched
by how passionate our Honduran brothers and sisters were in their worship; even
without instruments, they joyously sang their praises to God unashamedly, and their
genuine love for Christ was evident.
Following the service, we were shown
the church construction site, which was located just behind the house, up a
steep rocky incline. At this point, the church was in its basic stage — just a
dirt floor, along with four five-foot-high walls in about a 30x60 foot space.
The intent was to get the walls up to 12 feet, along with laying the cement floor
and setting up the roof before the end of the week.
 |
| The great beginning... |
I’d like to think that the foundation
of the church site represented the burgeoning hope for the congregation, both
for the help we would provide them in the construction and for the spiritual
nurturing we were bringing for their children, and their anticipation was
palpable.
From Monday to Thursday, all the
members of our team worked tirelessly in two locations.
The majority of my week was spent at
the church site with most of the male members of my group. Our primary job was
transporting the raw materials for the construction, around 2,000 cinderblocks,
and two five-foot-high piles of sand, up to the construction site. We also
helped the builders mix cement, and constructed a wire frame from the outer
wall of the structure.
 |
| Brick by brick. |
This work was absolutely grueling; hauling
45-50 pounds of material up a 200 foot incline for six hours a day was quite a physical
challenge.
The ladies also worked diligently,
hosting a Vacation Bible School down the road from the work site from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. each day. They lead a group of about 70
local children in a variety of games and activities related to the week’s
topic, “Putting on the Armor of God.” Highlights from their efforts included
having 35 kids accept Jesus, as well as distributing a new pair of shoes to
each child.
Both of our teams were extremely tired by the end of the week, but the fruits of our labor were well worth the sacrifice, as we gathered with the community in a bonfire celebration and developed wonderful relationships with the children and their families.
 |
| Bonfire celebration |
Friday was our relaxation day — we drove three hours southeast to Gracias, Limpira, to see Victor’s home and meet the rest of his family, as well as get lunch and do some souvenir shopping. My favorite part of this day was in the afternoon, when we went to “Baleneario Aguas Termales,” some volcanic hot springs in the mountains. There were five different pools of water, each heated by an underground fissure, basically offering a natural Jacuzzi. After four days of intense labor, was such a relaxing and cathartic experience!
 |
| Ahhhh.... |
At the end of the day on Friday, we returned to the construction site to see the completed building. As we said our goodbyes, it was so touching to see how nearly every child came up to us ask, “cuando se le devolverá?” (When are you coming back?)
 |
| Dedicating the finished building. |
As I reflect on my time in Honduras, I
think back to all the benefits the trip has provided me.
First, I have gained a the new outlook
on life — seeing the comparison between Honduras and the United States has highlighted
for me the selfish, complacent attitude we in America frequently hold over the
mundane aspects of life. Residing in a country with such a high standard of
living, we have been spoiled, an attitude about which this trip has lead me to
feel convicted.
Second, I have been reminded of the
idea of Christian fellowship. The most memorable moment of the week for me
occurred on Tuesday, when nearly everyone from the congregation, including
elderly people in their 70s, to young children no older than seven, helping us
carry sand up the hill, and did so happily. Witnessing this collaborative effort
made me remember how essential it is for us all to be more involved with both
our churches and community — together we can accomplish greatness.
Finally, I have experienced a renewing
of my faith. I thought to myself during the week, “If the people of Honduras
can be grateful with so little, how can I not be content?” I have decided to attempt
to be filled with the joy of the Lord at all times, regardless of my
circumstances.
 |
| Our wonderful team! |
My trip to
Honduras was a life-changing experience, and I am grateful to have been able to
work with fellow members of Grace Church helping those in need. As I look to
the future, I am considering, based on the recommendation of Victor’s son
Issac, returning to a Spanish speaking country to teach English.
After all, aren't we Christians called to use our gifts to help others?
In the words of our Honduran brothers
and sisters:
“Dios le bendiga!” (God bless you!)
