In James 1 it talks about facing trials and tribulations with the hope of the Lord. We always ask and wonder why bad things are happening to us, but we never stop to think that the bad things happen so that the good can happen. God works through all bad situations for His glory and honor which is the purpose of life. While in Honduras we were building this house at lightening speed and after the first day there were rain clouds. We prayed for God to hold off the rain so we could do His work and finish this house, and he answered for 2 days the rain was held off even though the clouds were still in the sky. We also found out on the third day that it rained just across town but not on our work sight. God is amazing. On the last work day it did infact rain, and we were all so disappointed because we knew with that last day we could complete the house, but God had other plans. We went and painted two rooms for a woman who fosters and adopts children that have been neglected, and hearing her story was amazing. She literally cried when we came and helped her, and she just felt so much love from all of us that she didnt get regularly from the community. We left the next day but got word that the house had been completed that day. God knew what He was doing and He worked through that rainy day to bring glory to Him and show love to a woman who needed it most.
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12
I could go on and on about the whole book of James, but just read it for yourself. I feel like I got so much closer to God on that trip. I had no contact with the outside world (no phone or internet) and I absolutely LOVED it. I also wore basically no make up all week and didnt brush my hair all week either.. haha. One of the main guys of Manos Chicas was a man named Brian and he said something on the first day that really struck me. He said that so often we cant hear God and we dont know why, but being in America is why. We are constantly bombarded with media and we dont even realize it. I feel like I have such a hard time hearing God, and I completely agree some blame is the world we live in. But being in Trujillo where all you had was the sound of the breeze and you could just sit on the porch and look at all of God's glory through the beautiful scenery that surrounded us, was amazing. I felt God was there so much and I felt so much more connected with Him. Needless to say I miss Honduras so very much and I fully intend on returning again.
and now that I have finished rambling, I will show some PICTURES! my favorite part :D
the mountains.. beautiful
our precious house we stayed in for the week.
Manos Chicas!
The beach in Trujillo
more beach in Trujillo
living starfish we found!
the group on the first day arriving in Trujillo
locals descaling a fish they just caught
Work day 1: digging trenches for the foundation
Work day 2: laying bricks with cement
Day 2 afternoon: Bible study with children
my boyfriends :p
boyfriends..again
precious precious Ana
last day
amber and me
canopy tour! so much fun
waterfall at the hot springs..that I climbed
the group at the hot springs
my new obsession: hammocks
beautiful sunset on the beach in La Ceiba
parrot hablars en epsanol
goodbye Honduras :'(
I want to back right now! We are having a group reunion tomorrow night.. thank goodness. I miss my group and all the simplicity of life so much.. but life must go on. God has me here for a reason and I must push through. I was already having a rough time being back with school and other stupid things going on in my life, but this verse gives me hope: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. It says,
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal"
well I think this has been the longest blog to date.. so if you made it through, congratulations :]
OH ps. (as if this wasnt long enough..) today I got and email from my future landlady informing us which duplex would be ours for sure! I officially have my first street address apart from my parents! SO EXCITED! and here is a picture of MY HOUSE!! :D
Front
Back
yayyy!! :D
