Nathan Neighbors
Follower of Christ, Husband, Father, & Youth Pastor
Guest Blog written by: Lea Gardner, Paul Frazier & Rachel Freeman
Lea…
I have been listening to the stories of the Honduras Team members for many years, I had often thought about going but quickly talked myself out of it. It wasn’t until the Youth Group started going that I knew that I would follow through with it. Camryn had been saying that she wanted to go and I wasn’t sure I wanted her to go without me. I am still struggling with letting go and realizing that she is growing up whether I like it or not.
I know that we have only been here a couple of days and some of you back home probably will not understand that this experience is already life changing. I know that many people may look at the Honduras Team and not fully understand what is done in the 10-11 days that we are here. (or ALL the preparation that is done before hand!) But let me assure you God is at work here in a mighty BIG way!!!
Today started out with our morning devotion and we had special guests via Skype. Nancy and Marci Gatewood (and Sophie), this was so emotional because they are such a vital part of this team. It was great to have them worship with us and still be a part of our day, because they worked so hard towards this trip.
After we had our devotional time, we spilt into teams and went to our designated work places today. The Youth went to do construction on the future Church – Word of Faith. The Medical Team went to do a medical clinic in a dump. I prayed before we got there because I personally had NO idea of what I was about to encounter, and those that truly know me know that I cry at the drop of a hat. As soon as we arrived there were people everywhere. The sights of these people and their surroundings were heartbreaking. We set up the clinic so we could start seeing patients. The first family that I was helping triage was a mother that was 19 that already had 3 children. The oldest was 7 then 5 and 1. The baby was not breathing very well. She has asthma, and well me being the mom of an asthmatic and a Respiratory Therapist knew exactly what she needed. As I was going to go and ask to give her a breathing treatment the electricity went out. So I had to improvise and make her a spacer out of a mask and tubing. Once we got her settled down and breathing better we were able to check out her older brother. His name is Oscar and let me tell you he had my heart as soon as he smiled. He had broken his arm by jumping on the bed and was there to get his cast off. We got his cast off and Dean was able to reset his elbow and put him in a splint. They feed these children at the dump and some of our youth came to help feed these children today. I walked over just to see the youth for a minute and was completely taken aback when I saw these babies eating. It was heartbreaking to see them eating in a Dump, and out of a bowl with no utensils. Then I saw my little friend Oscar, he was eating his rice and sharing it with a dog that was merely skin and bones. He looked up at me with the biggest grin. It was clear in that moment I knew that Jesus sent that little boy in today so he could show me how blessed I am. The Medical Clinic was an eye opening experience for me that I am grateful to have had today.
After leaving the clinic we went to the dedication of the Word of Faith Church that is led by Pastor David and Pastora Harriett. This was such a wonderful service to see our youth lead for them. I sat there and watched as language barriers didn’t matter because we are serving the same God, and we were praising Him together. I was so proud to watch my daughter, along with the others from the EBC Praise Band lead their worship in Spanish. We all left a piece of us with them by putting our names on a rock and putting into their foundation that they are building. I thought of EBC as we are preparing to build too. Two Churches separated by many many miles but the LOVE for the same GOD! Today was truly an awesome day!!
Please continue to pray for our team. We have SO much work left to do! GOD truly is at work here.
Paul…
We have the best construction crew ever! Today a crew of 20 (14 of which were 2 women an 12 girls) hauled 5 gal bucket after 5 gal bucket of concrete to pour a foundation on a new church hear in Honduras. The sun blazing down, dirt and mud on their faces, not a single one uttered a complaint. At any given point they were singing as they worked. I’ve worked allot of crews on many projects and I’d take these young ones anyday. Be proud Ebenezer, with these… our future and continued work for Christ is secure.
Rachel…
I have never seen so much love and joy in somebody’s eyes. Today the youth on our trip helped to start laying the foundation for the “Word of Faith” church. Our day consisted of bucket tossing, pouring cement, and eating a delicious meal cooked by some of the ladies in the church. We got to spend more time with these people at the church tonight during the dedication service. It filled my heart with joy to see God breaking the language barrier during the service tonight. I cannot even describe how awesome it felt to be worshiping along side these people who I thought were so different from me. In many ways they are different. There lifestyle is different, there living conditions are different, and our clothes are different. However, tonight I realized how similar our hearts are. The people at the “Word of Faith” church are on FIRE for Christ. They love Jesus just as much as we do, and it was so cool to be able to worship along side these passionate believers.
Mrs. Anita passed the cross to Turner Arnold today during the morning devotion time
Guest Blog written by: Jessica Brown
i sit listening to the waves crash to the shore. if heard from another shore, perhaps they could lull me into a false sense of togetherness.
security.
but the truth is we have lives of vast extravagance.
because just beyond the place we are now is mass poverty.
little jobs.
less income.
poorly constructed homes.
people bathing and washing all in the same water that pours out into the
same ocean that crashes to the shore.
i’ve seen nothing like it.
and i will never forget.
there are girls sold to men for their pleasure.
and people without access to basic medical care.
there are animals whose ribs we can count.
and a craving to feast on the only Bread that gives life.
my heart is broken.
not because i pity those that i see.
but because they are a reflection of the same One who created us all.
the One who called us to this place is the same One who breaks our hearts
for that which breaks His.
to open our eyes to the things not of this world and move us to a place of
self-denial.
‘rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is maker of them all.’
proverbs 22:2
and the One who creates us all is beckoning us into relationship with Him.
His relentless pursuit of us calls us to action.
because once we see everyone as image-bearers of Christ, then we are moved
to love as He loves us.
the crashing waves on the shores of La Ceiba this morning are as rhythmic
and peaceful and sure as the One who has called us to love.
rich and poor.
young and old.
sick and healthy.
lost and found.
brothers and sisters.
they are to us who know the love that covers us all.
He who called us is faithful.
to Him be all the glory.
Guest Blog written by: Ethan Pettigrew
In the most impactful decision in the history of man, the sneaky snake, Satan, tricked Adam and Eve in to introducing sin into this world. And now, all because of their initial mistake, we are forced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year (366 in a leap year) to decide whether we will give into the temptations that sin provides. Proverbs 9 gives a description of this decision in a passage titled Wisdom versus Foolishness in my Bible.
Starting in verse 1, the writer begins by describing wisdom. He personifies wisdom in the form of a woman that is very self-sufficient. She brings people in to her home that need wisdom in order to help them. Wisdom gives them all very good and useful advice. She tells them that if they call out a wise man on his wrongdoings then he will thank them. If they point out the wrongdoings of a man that doesn’t care about his actions, however, he will hate them.
Then in verse 13, foolishness is described and it too is personified as a woman. This woman is buckwild and not smart at all. Like Wisdom, she invites people lacking in wisdom to her home. Folly’s advice, however, is awful. She tells them that the best food is food that has been stolen.
Folly is obviously symbolic of sin. She does not work hard and knows nothing. All those who heed her advice end up in hell.
This leaves Wisdom to symbolize godliness. She is a great worker and is very knowledgeable. The advice that she gives to her guests is beneficial.
It is apparent that we should try to be like Wisdom constantly. This task, however is not one that we can achieve. Like we’ll read in Romans, we have all sinned and therefore fall short of God’s glory. We’ve all sinned and we’re all going to continue to sin. As humans we sin so often that you’ve probably sinned since you began reading, I know I have in the time it’s taken me to write this.
This fact of life doesn’t mean we should just stop trying to not sin though. In fact, it means the exact opposite. We still have to constantly strive to be like Jesus Christ. And along our journey we need to be ready and willing to help those who need it. The tricky part about that, though, is those who need our help won’t necessarily be searching for us. Like Wisdom we might have to initiate the search for people who need Jesus and that’s alright. If we are truly following after Him we will have him on our side ready to assist us like I’ve already pointed out numerous times this summer.
Nathan Neighbors 