Mission: Honduras – Day 5

Everyday that we are in Honduras the good news is shared that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son and that whoever believes on him will have ever lasting life.

There are Bible classes for the little children.The local preacher, Tomas, and his wife, Rosario, with the help of one of the young ladies in the church, gather under the shade of some pines trees on top of a hill beside the clinic with some children.  While the parents of the children are seeing the doctors, these children are learning songs about Jesus, God and other people in the Bible.

Meanwhile, under the shade of a makeshift awning, a young preacher student from Baxter Institute in Honduras is teaching the gospel to the interested adults.

Felipe Esquivel, another Honduran preacher that I have known for many years, also daily shares a message with the adults.  (It’s not clear if the dog is truly interested in the messages, or if he’s simply hoping to find a loose morsel of food.)

Gathering on Sunday morning to worship with brothers and sisters in Christ, none of whom can speak your language, is an amazing experience.  It’s surprising how little the language barrier is noticed, for it is the looks on people’s faces – the love in their eyes, the tears of joy, the genuine smiles – that touch your heart and let you experience what true fellowship is like.  Over and over in their prayers they thank God for the blessings they are receiving from us, not realizing that it is we Americans who are receiving the blessings.

The most thrilling part of the campaign is when someone makes the decision to give their life to God and have their sins washed away through baptism.  Thus far three people have made this decision.

Here is our group walking to a pond where the baptisms will take place.  No walk is easy in La Cienega because of the terrain, but this is a walk that is filled with joy and without complaint.

This young man makes the good confession that Jesus is the son of God and that he gladly gives his life to serving the God who loves him.

As he arises from the watery grave of baptism, he is a brand new creature, without sin because the blood of Christ has removed all his past sins.  Everyone lined around the pond breaks into spontaneous songs of celebration!

God’s word is powerful, alive and working in Honduras.

Please continue to pray for all of us as we have two more days before we return home.  Pray that more hearts will be touched by the story of Amazing Grace.