Honduras Reflections

Teresa - Two weeks after returning from Honduras, my thoughts immediately go to the kids at the Children’s Home! They are such wonderful kids and seem so happy there. It really feels like a family atmosphere and it’s obvious how much each child is cared for and loved. I know their happiness is due to the people who work there and care for them. The adults who work there also seem happy and content. Although they don’t have all the comforts many of us in the U.S. do, they appreciate what they do have and really seem to enjoy life.


I also think of the children who come for the feeding program each weekday. That leads to thoughts of the surrounding community around the Children’s Home. Many people live in real poverty. The Children’s Home has been good for the entire surrounding area because of less crime around there since it was built, the feeding program, offering medical care when teams come to the home, etc.


Overall, I think how Dago, his wife and a handful of people followed what the Lord asked of them in building the Children’s Home and trusted God to provide. Then more people answered God’s call to give to the Children’s Home to provide the money and necessary resources to build it and sustain it. Over the years, the people working at and giving to the Home, have greatly influenced children for the better who have gotten to live there and who have benefited from its other programs and even it’s mere presence in their community.


When we answer God’s call, God will use us, and the resources He’s entrusted to us to His Glory. It doesn’t even matter whether we think it will make a difference or whether we think it’s big enough contribution, God can and will use it as He wants and He can do anything with a little or with a lot! Remember the story about the 5 loaves and 2 fish that Jesus used to feed the multitudes (Matthew 14:13-21).


For me personally, I learned that’s why I am to answer any call God gives me. He knows what He is doing and will use me for His glory if I am obedient. I really didn’t know why I was supposed to go on this mission trip or if I would be of much use, largely due to physical limitations. However, God used me and also showed me that I am capable of much more than I thought when I rely on Him. I knew He was asking me to go to Honduras and the call was followed by confirmation by others in the church that this would be the best mission trip for me.


I encourage everyone to listen to God’s still small voice, or sometimes His rather loud calling! Obey what He asks in faith and believe He will provide. You will learn to lean on and trust Him more. This is how we learn more about the magnificent character of God. We get to grow closer to Him and he wants to be our friend! What an incredible privilege!!!



Wendy - When we made it to Honduras I really didn't know what to expect. I found a different part of the world so much different then mine. We count on water to be there whenever we turn on the sink, or electricity to always be on. If any of this goes wrong we are not happy. In Honduras it is a part of life. You make do with what you have and not complain.


I saw God there at the children's home in many ways, the way they sang there songs, read from the bible, the love in there faces for him. I knew I could not understand what they said most of the time, but you could see god and feel God there. God has provided for them in many ways. This children's home is a blessing for the children there and for the kids that come to play or eat there. The adults that help there are amazing! They have 23 kids and more to take care of and always has a smile on there face when doing it. I know if I had that many kids to take care of everyday I would not have a smile on my face. I really liked how life there was laid back and not in a rush. We are in such a rush here that is why we are so stressed.


I know God picked us to go there to see how they live and worship him and to see what an amazing place that is. Also to make good friends. We worked great together on the painting. We also did good when we had to paint all over again when the paint didn't go so well. I feel God was telling us we are moving too fast and need to take more time on this project do not be in such a hurry. I remember Kevin saying some people like to go on mission trips and some will support them. I know this mission trip was good for me. I plan on doing more even if they are here or out of the country. I hope to take my children on some when they get older. I have told my children all about the children's home and how they live. My middle child had so many questions, so I answered them and he still has more. He wants to know it all.


When I did get back the first question my husband asked me was would you do it again? I said right away, yes.


So I will be not in such a hurry and take the time to breath and look at all the blessings I have . God has blessed me in many ways with my family, health and all the people around me . I have learned so much there and from everyone I went with on the trip.

Deb - A team of 8 people adventured from Prairie Ridge on the 2^nd mission trip to the Children’s Home in Honduras. We left Saturday excited how God would use us. Andrew and Keren Terry were already there, so the 6 of us from Ankeny began our trip together. Suzanne, our group leader, had gone the year before and the rest of were going for the first time. We didn’t know how quickly God was going to pull us together as a team as our flight in Chicago was canceled from mechanical problems and we needed to figure how to get to Miami to make our connecting flight to Honduras. Two on cell phones and running to the gate with the counter to rebook, we pulled together and added an extra flight through St. Louis to make our connecting flight. We all found a way to laugh and just trust God in this predicament.

We arrived Sat. night with the whole Honduras Soccer team. That was exciting and we joked the media was actually there for our arrival. As we realized our luggage didn’t make it, we didn’t let that discourage us. The difficult part was that they don’t deliver your luggage the next day when it arrives. Pastor Alex had to go back Sunday afternoon and did not return until Sunday evening. Never a complaint, his wife and the other gal on staff lead the Sunday evening service since their husbands had to drive an hour and half each way to retrieve our luggage. These women had helped with Sunday morning Sunday school, prepared 3 meals that day and lead the entire services. Their contentment and joy and trusting Lord humbled us all. Did I mention they cook all their food and it’s over an outdoor wood burning stove? And wash all their clothes by hand?

The children were so delightful and we all fell in love them all and found ways to communicate even without a lot of Spanish. They love to play and laugh. We enjoyed teaching them Skip Bo, Candy Land, Shoots and Ladders and Twister. They loved the games and even when the power went out and we played in candle light - it didn’t faze them.

We painted every morning for around 4 hours. We painted the main building of 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, kitchen and large gathering room. We found oil paint did not blend well and took 4 days 3 coats to get it to finally look good. It was worth the extra work and gave the place a fresh new look. Our work seemed insignificant compared to how hard these families work to take care of the facility, children, and run a feeding program 5 days a week for 30 local children. They are always singing praise to the Lord and content in where the Lord has put them. We were in awe of their incredible commitment and faith in the Lord.

Every day around 3 pm over 50-70 kids showed up to play on the playground and to engage in soccer games. Pastor Alex and Manuel would organize the boys into groups and play 10 minute games. Most of these boys ages 16- 7 didn’t even have shoes. They played in everything from heat to a major rain storm.

God has taken one man’s dream and through his faithfulness not only given 23 wonderful children a family but continues to reach out to the poor villages around them. I know the Lord is not done with this ministry and I pray Prairie Ridge is not done supporting such an important mission. “Ephesians: For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.”