Honduras is different than Guatemala. Ministry is a lot more manual labor. We are currently living out of our tents, and most of our time is spent outside. I am getting real comfortable with bugs being all over me, ok just kidding still not used to it.
So the main thing we are doing right now is building a church from scratch. We spend most of our days either climbing up the mountain and bringing back big rocks for the barrier, going into the forest to chop down trees or walking a mile to chop down bamboo and carry it back for the church. Our ministry host is fairly new and one of the things needed to be recognized as a legit ministry is to have a church. So what do you do when you don’t have one, you build one on the side of the mountain.
Today (5/19) I was working on the foundation (a second time) with a group of girls and we were building a barrier to hold back the dirt so we can level it out and start putting post (bamboo) in. We had to redo it because it was not sturdy enough the first time. Spending time outside 24/7… you have a lot of time to think and one of the things that came to mind today was, what are we building our foundation on?
I think a lot about my life before the Lord saved me and what I was building my foundation on. I’d say it was sinking sand. My identity was rooted in volleyball, work, relationships, approval of others, selfish desires…everything but the solid rock foundation (Christ). I put my hope and trust in worldly things/people that are here one day, gone the next. I think about the parable Jesus told on the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 7:24 basically Jesus draws a dividing line between himself and any other foundation for life. The evidence of whether one is truly a believer is whether one does the words of Jesus, which is rejection of salvation by works, a call for repentance and trust in Gods grace to save through merciful provision. What are we building our life on? Is it your family? Your job? Your sport? I’ve tried the route without Jesus. It’s a dead end every time. Building our life on the solid rock is so much better. It’s hard, it’s not easy. It’s takes time, there’s a lot of bumps and bruises along the way. Maybe swinging a machete a few times or climbing up a mountain just to pick up pine needles in the woods… A ton of refinement, renewing, breaking and rebuilding, but the reward…eternity spent with God ! Is your foundation for your life built on Christ or something else?
I love reading these updates. God is using you in a big way. So proud of you for following Him. Love and miss you.
Love this!! Working with your hands (and whole body!!!) has a way of providing plenty of time to think, reflect, and gain insight! I am so proud of all the work His squad is doing!! But even more so, thankful for the life lessons you are choosing to grow in!
Love the Be still moments of being outside with lots of time to think. Love where He has you!! It’s a beautiful display of how He never gives up on us!!