Honduras 2013

Me and Brittany with our sponsor child, Yefry (Jefry)

Thanks to everyone for your prayers over our Honduras mission trip last week. This was my fifth year visiting Orphanage Emmanuel, and Brittany's seventh. God has blessed us both with great favor among the staff and a strong friendship with the kids! Emmanuel is well established in the country and the staff are often overwhelmed with raising nearly 500 kids on a daily basis. Lots of money pours in from American churches and contacts, but both the staff and kids are in continual need of encouragement —and we were able to provide that!

Little boys getting ready for the new zip line.

John and Armando

During the week we traveled down, the kids were out of school for their winter break so that allowed for some great time spent together. Between our Snowbird staff and families, our group brought 74 people down this year! This large number gave us the opportunity to build the first two zip-lines on their property! We were able to provide countless first-time experiences for the kids and solidify their trust in relationships at the same time. 

My week was spent primarily hanging out with Yefry, our sponsor child, and helping him cut and erect fence posts around the outside of their property for the cows they raise. There is no better tool for building friendships with guys than doing manual labor in the hot sun — especially when my Spanish still needs work! The week proved to be a huge step forward in our relationship with Yefry, and I was able to talk with him even more about Christ and push him towards the Gospel. I do not think he is a follower of Christ yet, but I asked his older cousin, who is also at Emmanuel, to keep speaking truth into his life at every chance. Angel is going to spend more time teaching him about the Bible and I am excited to hear more about their progress! 

Tegucigalpa, Honduras (On the way to Emmanuel)

Wednesday afternoon, I was able to teach a Bible study to the teenage boys from Colossians 3:1-11 and used Paul's analogy of new and old clothes to explain the difference between people who have been raised with Christ (new man) and those who are still enslaved to sin (old man). I pray that the boys who have known me for several years felt the urgency of my words, and will be driven to go back and study through the passage on their own.

Brittany spent each morning working with some of the older girls in one of the kitchens. She's been able to continually build a solid relationship with them for the past several years. She spent most afternoons visiting some of the girls who work with the babies and toddlers (most of whom are mommies themselves). She also was able to teach those girls on Wednesday afternoon about living for glory of the God in all things, even when circumstances and outcomes are not what we hope for. All of the children at Emmanuel loved to rub Brittany's baby belly. It was clear they don't see pregnant women that often. They were so curious!  

It was an eventful trip that kept us very busy and tired, but it is such a blessing to build on those same relationships every year. We are thankful for those of you who were able to financially support us. Our time at Emmanuel is so important to us and the children, and we're grateful for your encouragement, prayers and support for the glory of the Father.

Orphanage Emmanuel, Guiamaca, Honduras