Last night (Saturday) we had the privilege of seeing one of the former children from the Limon Orphanage.  His name is Hector and he’s not so little anymore.  Though he was a preteen when our team first saw him in the very rough condition that was the old Limon orphanage – tonight we met Hector, the medical student.  Hector is now 22 years old and living with a host family in La Ceiba while he studies to be a hospital lab technician.  He is doing so well and it blessed our team to see one who came from so little survive and flourish!  God is so good.

Today, like most Sundays in Honduras during our ten day mission trips are travel days.  We moved 44 team members, 8 translators, tons of medical supplies, and a trailor full of luggage and equipments across the country from La Ceiba to Limon.  We went from a larger city to a very remote fishing village down the coast.  The trip took nearly the entire day.  The travel experience to Limon typically includes a few planned stops including a fruit stand, lunch at a Wendy’s restaurant and then a gas station just before getting on the long bumpy dirt road to Limon.

Today was a bit longer than usual.  At our first stop where we typically just pick up fruit, we picked up a child too.  Within a few minutes of arriving in Taccoa, Alex Pettigrew  noticed a boy walking by.  Alex immediately realized it was one of the boys from the Orphanage in Limon.  Alex and others went to speak to him and found out that it was Julio.  Julio was a special little 13 year old young man that a previous team member, Colin Raynor took such good care of during the last two trips.  

After we spent time along the side of the road speaking to him and contacting the orphanage, it appeared as if he was back on the streets because he had gotten into some serious trouble at the orphanage and was sent to live with family in a nearby town.  We aren’t totally sure what happened, but we are sure that it was no coincidence that we saw him today.  Of all the places he could have been at that very moment that we passed through town, our paths crossed.  God ordained that moment.  I’d love to say that everything worked out great and that he boarded the vans and went to Limon with us, but that’s not the case.  However, we did take him to lunch with us, buy him some clean clothes and put him on a bus with money for the trip to go back to the town where his family lives.  We pray for him and hope that he is ok tonight.  We are grateful for the goodness and mercy of Jesus.  The Lord coordinated that moment in time this Sunday to bless that little 13 year old boy.  Jesus used that moment to remind him that he is loved by us, his family and by God.  Because of that moment he’s off the street tonight.   God used that moment to teach us to keep our eyes open to what He is doing.  Had Alex not been looking and taking in what was around him, or had he been focused on something else…this whole encounter may never have occurred.  May we always be looking for where the Lord is at work and join Him there.

Today the cross was passed from Johnny Hobson to Dr. Ernie Connor.

Oh, Fresca how we love you.  How we love your refreshing fruit flavor.  When it’s hot in Honduras and the days are long, we smile when we see you sitting in the back of gas station coolers.  When we go to dinner and the waiter say, “Fresca for you?”  We say, “si senor!”

Our mission teams love the Fresca!  It’s become the soda of choice for our teams for years.  And this year, we’re even buying it by the liter!  It’s the simple joys that bring smiles to tired servants of the Lord!  Thank you Jesus for Fresca.  

And Omerea, we are drinking it all and thinking of you.  But honestly, by the time we return on July 30, there will be, “No Fresca for you!”  But your waiter does says, hello!

Oh…and yes, that is a new Walmart in Honduras!  Nothing says missions like Dr. Connor chugging Fresca in the parking lot of an armed and gated Walmart.

Guest Blog by: Dr. Garrett Barton, Suzette Watson & Nancy Gatewood
GARRETT…

Today our team’s very first patient was waiting in the back room, a young teenage girl currently in labor.  Aside from the pregnant mother were multiple patients with procedural needs.  Lastly, there was a young boy with both legs malformed from birth and a large-sized pressure ulcer.  One thing I take from the vast medical experience is how fortunate we are.  Most of the issues we deal with on a day-to-day basis do not include a single problem these people face.  When was the last time I did not have clean water for drinking, eating or cooking? Thoughts like shelter or education also never cross our minds.  In experiences like our trip to Honduras, God shows us His grace and mercy.  His Love does much for humanity without us even realizing His works.
SUZETTE…

The weather forecast called for 100% chance of rain, but that was not God’s plan. The Children’s Ministry Team enjoyed a beautiful, sunny day with the children of Bel Aire.  The Bible Story Group shared the message of God’s love and promise of eternal life through skits and songs.  They also gave the children bracelets that shared the plan of salvation.  The Craft Team painted faces and took photographs of the children which were framed–a priceless treasure for the mothers who most likely have few or no photos of their sweet faces.  The Recreation Team came prepared with soccer balls and goals, and the kids loved it!  After lunch, the teams gave out scripture dolls to remind the children of God’s love for them.  It was a day full of smiles, high-fives, hugs, and laughter. Language certainly was no barrier for God’s love!
NANCY…

Today all 44 members of our mission team plus our translators loaded up and headed to Bel Aire for the day. Marci and I worked the optical station – along with our translator Harriet Kelly. Finding the right glasses for people who need them is a challenge – especially when they can’t read and we don’t have eye charts like we do at home! We have John 3:16 written in different size font and the different sizes correspond to different strengths of reading glasses! However the neat thing about optical is asking people if they can see Jesus with their hearts! Three men and one woman accepted Christ today. The last man kept saying he was good and could get to heaven because he was good. Brad Kempson was standing nearby and heard him! Brad joined the conversation and shared his testimony with the man who then accepted Christ!!!!

**Today the Tuareg Cross was passed from Marci Gatewood to Johnny Hobson.