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day 3 in Honduras "I got peeed on!"

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Day 3 in Honduras. Today Chrissy gave her testimony it was really good. But very hard. Today we started out going the a river village called the silver bridge. This is one of the poorest villages in this community. They have tin huts for houses and dirt floors. The last few days it has rained hard and the river is up. This is where they bath and  wash clothes. But also the water makes lots of mud in the huts this is not good living conditions at all.
We did our distribution out side we were praying that it would not rain. We prepped for like 45 people and ended up having over 6o families. I cannot tell you of the extreme poverty in this place.
A funny story. Something happened that never happened to me before. I was watching our drama and I was at the back of the crowd when I felt like something was wrong. I looked down and there was a dog standing there using me for his tree. He was going right on my leg a yelled at it and shoed it away. I count believe it.
Well besides that I waited until we had the line in order to start making balloons for the kids but until that point I was lost. Everyone had a job to do. I tried to help Chrissy but I don’t know enough about women’s clothes. Once I was able to start I had to go down the road away from the distribution so not to distract the kids in line. The first kids we amazed at having the balloons. On boy came up and asked for a perro a dog. So I made him a dog once I gave it to him his eyes lit up and had the biggest smile you could imagine and he said thank you and took of running he was jumping and running as fast as he could with the balloon held up as high as he could. He ran telling everyone he could about his dog.
This never gets old or stops breaking my heart. You want to give all you can but that’s not enough. I hope and pray that they understand the message of love and hope we bring to them about Christ. He is there only hope! They have no plan b. they don’t have back-ups to fall on just each other and they all are in the same situation.
The afternoon was hard because of the energy level of the team we all were worn out but as soon as we got off the bus it was like God super charged us to go on further than we though we could. There were tons of kids at this site. It started to rain when we started our program then when we were wrapping it up it dye off  and quit all together. It was like God said Ok that’s enough my children need to work now. It was a very good day!
More pics on facebook if your not a friend of mine and want to see the pics request me. Please keep praying!

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Day 2 or 3 whose counting? Honduras 2010

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Okay it’s Monday night we have had our first distributions today. As I have mentioned we went back to the church that I preached at last night for this mornings distribution. on the way to the site we were caught in traffic because of a body found along the road some one had been shot to death. This was not a great way to start the day but God has everything under control. We arrived and I was on the look out for Alex the little boy I had encountered 3 yrs ago. But I did not see him. We had great worship we put on a puppet show and had a skit. Today Phil Miller was up for testimony. He did a great Job of encouraging the people to life out their faith so that the kids that surrounded them could see Christ and come to have a relationship with Him. We handed out 57 boxes in 45 Min most of the time Tori and I were outside I was making balloon animals and Tori was painting nails of little girls. Everyone else worked in the distribution. Half way through it poured down rain Tori and I were in the start of it but avoided the heavy down pour. When it let up we went back out to continue balloons and  nails. I had so many kids around me pressing in and wanting a balloon or something.
After lunch we were told we had more time to play with the kids. I was very hot and incredibly tired I thought perhaps I would take a break and stay in the church and rest. Every piece of clothing was drenched from sweat and rain so sitting sill was good. Just then Chrissy came to me and said the kids want me to do balloons it was raining again so I sat on the steps in the bus and made animals and swords and what ever else I could think of.  I looked out the window of the bus and saw a boy the size I would think Alex would be. So as he came by I asked his name and his name was Alex but he didn’t remember me he acted like he did but didn’t want to say that he did in front of his friends. I am sure in my heart that it was him. So I pray that what ever has happened to him that God would draw him closer.
The next place we went to we had been there last year one of the boys came to me right away asking me to make balloons for them. I hadn’t even gotten my bag out. He  remembered me from last year. Then I came to fine more of the kids also remembered me form last year this was really cool. Well that’s it for now we have an early start so please say a prayer for us. New pics are on face book from the past days!

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Honduras Mission Trip 2010 day 1 or 2 perhaps 3 I’m not sure?

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Okay so today is day two for our official trip. It’s Sunday. We arrived in Honduras about 12:05 and got through customs no problems at all we were greeted by our translator Obi at the gate and were able to go to the hotel. I was also so very surprised to be greeted by my amigo Johnny. Some of you have prayed for him this past year when he came into contact with 15000-volt wire and was electrocuted and close to death. I was so very good to see him walk over with a big smile and say “Hunter a so good to see you finally!” We were loaded the bus and saw our old friend Won driving the bus. They made a special trip just for us.
When we were loaded up it was close to 2Am. Chrissy and I talked to Johnny al the way the hotel when we got here we unloaded and found out there was no room but that didn’t matter to us we were just happy to be at the hotel. About 2:30 the guy from the front desk came out and said we had rooms what a blessing!  We all grabbed luggage and headed for the rooms Chrissy and I divided the kids up and had two beds available so we asked Johnny if they were staying to take the other group to the airport or going home for the few hours that they had left. They said they needed to stay and get the group off and to the airport. So we had them crash in our room with us but we needed to get them up in time to see the other team to the airport. 2 hours went by and up again saw the other team it was good to see Mary and Dennis and Ellie and Morgan. They said they had a great week! The bus lest and Johnny was still there so I told him to crash in our room until he needed to get up.
One thing you need to understand is that Johnny speaks, as much English as I speak of Spanish and that is very little. Trying to make sure I had alarms set was a trip! But we did it!
Saturday we got Johnny off and sorted our bags and took it easy. Right before lunch a man who needed surgery on his knee and had terrible back pain came to us for prayer. His name was Jose he wanted Jesus to heal him. He believed if we prayed he would be healed. He also shared that he walked a few miles to get here and that his family has only had rice to eat for the last 30 days. We prayed with him and gave him some food for his family. He was so grateful and seemed to be feeling better.
We ate lunch and got ready to go get the rest of our team from the airport. When they arrive one of the girls was having a problem with her passport to make a long story short she ended up having a custodian guard of the counter escort her to the hotel and she would have to leave the county in the morning. We prayed and prayed for Gods favor but it didn’t look good. The rest of the team lost their luggage and had only what the brought. What a day!
Sunday we got up went to have breakfast with Johnny and his family and hear his testimony at the end of breakfast we finally got word that something happed with the passport with the officials and lawyers and Sammy got to stay! Praise God! We then had do intros and learn a program for the distributions go to the airport and get everyone’s luggage then go to church. Did I mention I had to preach at church here? I preached on Dut 6:4-10 the church was so crowded that people we in the doors and window listening. We had one woman make a decision and planted lots of seeds. The coolest thing for me was that this church I had gone to three years ago and when I was there I had a little boy want me to go home with him and stay after saying couldn’t do that he asked when would be back? I said I don’t know he then said if you listen to God you will be back! I looked for Alex but didn’t see him. But I listened to God and I came back perhaps I will see him tomorrow when we do a distribution there. Pics will be coming soon. Keep watching till then thank you for the prayers!

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Day 6 in Honduras

Day 6 has been very hard. Today we made a trip to the mountains this was just amazing. We loaded all the boxes and giveaways into 4×4 trucks and piles everyone in to the other trucks and up the mountain we went. The ride up was bumpy to say the least the rain had cut huge ruts in the road. As we traveled up the steep inclines the view was spectacular. We tried not to look over the side of the road because it was a huge drop. When we reached the distribution we were almost to the top. We got out of the trucks and started to mingle with the people they were so friendly and happy to have us there. The distribution was at a small two-room school. The kids couldn’t wait to get out to us. When they did we were mobbed. As I was handing out the bracelets I had I looked over at Chrissy and the kids were all around her with their hands out for the little toys and jewelry she had. The kids don’t get things like this so this it a huge deal. After we had our service and unloaded the trucks I went outside the gate to do balloons. I’m so glad I learned the word for line up! They lined up and waited patiently for their balloons. Ben brought out the evengiball and they had Obi one of the translators come out so I could tell the gospel message to people who were not in for the service. There were to boys about 13 who made commitments. I gave the ball to Ben and they were off to play soccer as I went back to making animals. When everything was over I was called into the fenced area for lunch. It is so very hard to eat a sandwich when people who you know have not eaten or have little food in their homes are pressed against a locked fence watching you eat. Chrissy and I couldn’t do it. I found Chrissy over by the fence talking to a lady who didn’t get a food box. Just as I was going to call to her she got Angelica then she went to Denny. She ran over to the packed up suitcases and emptied one with a small amount of clothes. I asked what she was doing? She said I’m giving this away to someone who needs it. Some of the group didn’t understand what she was doing. They were a bit short with her because of empting a suitcase. They had already sorted and had ready to go back to the warehouse they didn’t realize the God moment that was happening. She took the empty suitcase and handed it over the fence to the woman she had been talking with while everyone else was eating. The woman’s face lit up with a huge smile Marney said wait I need a picture this was my son’s suitcase. I think she was happy to give it away. After that Chrissy tried to fix her small mess by neatly folding the close and placing them in a suitcase that had similar clothes in it. Only to be told that was the wrong one to put them in and there was nothing to use now. Someone found a box and said here. I’m so amazed Chrissy kept her composure very well though she was extremely upset that people missed what took place. I took her to a privet place and we talked as we sat. We were greeted by Susanna who was beautiful we talked and held her until it was time to move on.
Next our family went on a home visit we were the last group to go out. The home we had was the furthest up the mountain it was very small just a bit bigger then one of our shed in out yard. Three people lived here. They were very poor they had absolutely nothing. They had come to the church for a while but stopped. They were not Christians. We had a hard time communicating with them Chrissy knows some Spanish but not enough. The same was with Griffin who was sent to translate. They did their best. Chrissy and Tori ended up giving their shoes to the family. A lot happened so I will write more later but for now I have to go.
My pain seems to have gone thank you for your prayers! God is so good!

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Day 5 is gone but it was great!

Day 5 this day has been by far the best day! Today we had 3 distributions this alone is not normal. But we went to the warehouse and I was determined to find a ball pump I have been looking for one for days. We have not been able to give soccer balls at all. So I went in and found a box of toys and it just happened to be one that Si recognized. He was excited he said “Dad this on is one I packed!” he looked at me with as much excitement as I felt because he knew there was a pump in the box. We dug down deep and I pulled out a pump. Praise God! We both knew we could use the evangiballs these have the wordless gospel message on them. After big smiles we were off to load the bus.
At the first stop Mary gave her testimony. It was very good the people were listing so intently. After we unloaded the bus I had Estella one of the translators come help as I called the kids over to explain the story of the ball. We had two kids come forward and made a commitment. This was cool.
We ate lunch by a stream and met a family that lived there. Won Ramón our bus driver shared his testimony. That was just incredible not matter how many times you hear it. We continued on to the next place. I had a big surprise here when they introduced the person to give their testimony. It was Chrissy. She said she would never ever do this. She got up and shared the best story from her life I don’t know that there was a dry eye in the place. She talked about our Niece when she passed and her brother Ryan. She shared that there is hope and prayers are not all ways answered in the way we want but in the way that is best for us and sometimes it hurt but someday that will be gone. This is defiantly in the top 10 highlights of my life! After that I had angelica help me with the ball all the kids we had there made commitments for the Lord. Angelica wanted me to do this for the service I had given a testimony before and didn’t want to take someone else’s opportunity. I said perhaps tomorrow. Before we lest the Hondurans had a prayer circle and they prayed for Chrissy and Ryan.
When we got to the last place it was a small. I was still on the bus looking for batteries for the camera. When I heard everyone call to me and say you come tell the story. Ahhh I was afraid I was taking someone’s place. But it all turned out Good. I used the ball and told the gospel message. It was amazing how God can use you. The people were just so interested in the story of Adam and Eve and God sending Jesus. Today was a great day.
Please pray for me I pulled a mussel in my rib area earlier this week and today after so strong Honduran hugs I am in much pain. I will not whine or complain just believe God will heal me or ease it so I can finish strong for Him.

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Day 4 in Honduras 09

Tonight I can honesty say I have reached the point of beyond tired. It was a great day but it was hot! I heard 110° who really knows though. I just know it was Hot! We handed out over 100 food boxes. I know that I did at least that many balloons and Clark did too. Today was a very special day for Chrissy and I, we were able to get to know Clark and Mary Kay a lot better while on the bus ride it was great to share with someone with a like beliefs and who is in ministry too. About a year ago Clark took on a new Job for WCN and has been walking in faith that God would provide all his needs. He raises all his support for his position. Clark is in charge of the disaster relief. He and Mary Kay are a big encouragement to what God can do if you commit yourself totally to Him. I’m thankful for them and their friendship!
The first distribution went like clock work. After we were all packed up we ate lunch at the church. We had extra time for some of the kids to play with them and talk. Chrissy was amazing! I look out in the yard and there she was playing tag with 10 kids running around. Yes in the heat. She also led the kids in two rousing games of in the water out of the water. The kids loved it and her. I just love watching as she scurried around to find prizes for the winner of the game. It was also neat to see her compassion for the kids. They would want to take something home to a brother or sister she wouldn’t let them leave until she found something.
Tori painted little girls nails as they jabbered in Spanish to her. She was so cute. Si and Jonah have made so many friends too. There are doing so good. Jonah was asked if he would come back by a little boy. I think he is struggling with how to answer these type questions, as do I.
The high light was at the second stop I was trying to keep up with an ever-growing line of kids wanting balloons. I was getting so tired I was ready call it quits. But we were only half way done with handing out the boxes. That is when this lady came up next me and pulled my balloon pump out of my bag. This is no big surprise this happens all the time then she started going through my bag, which is over my shoulder. I had a balloon in my hands and wasn’t able to do anything but I felt like God was saying just relax so I did. She pulled out a balloon and stared to figure out how to pump it up. I have people try to get their own balloons all the time because they’re impatient. So she blew the balloon up and handed it to me and as I was twisting it she reaches in my bag and gets another balloon out and blows it up and watches for me to tell her when it was full enough. She looked at me and wanted to help by inflating the balloons as I made the various things for the kids. I was so humbled! I was able to continue until our time was up. I thanked her a number of time but she was so happy to help! It was an incredible moment.
I can’t wait for tomorrow for God to teach me more.

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Day three God is just amazing!

All right day three is coming to an end. Today was the first day of distributions we stared by going to the warehouse this was a new location. Things were a mess! But the team pulled together and did their best to make sure we had what we needed. This seemed to be a bit of a challenge but it all worked out in the end we had 100 boxes to hand out 40+ in the morning and 50+ in the afternoon. Our villages that we went to were about 1 hour away. But because of the bad roads it took longer or so it seemed. When we arrived the people were already there and waiting for the service to start. Clark gave his testimony it was very good and the love of Christ was shared as well as the God’s plan of salvation. At the end of the service the people were told to welcome us and to do it quickly! At that moment were we rushed by open arms of Hondurans giving blessings and hugs. The love and joy in their eyes was amazing. I guess I will never get use to how they can have so much whit so little. I looked over my shoulder to see Chrissy and she looked at me with tears welling up in her eyes and starting to stream down her cheeks. She said you didn’t tell me this would happen. She looked at Ben and said it again. She was so touched but the love the appreciation that she was overwhelmed. I know that she was thinking that she never ever had been greeted with such open arms and accepted like this back home. She now knew what I had experienced last year. I could do nothing but praise God for his love.
I would have to say this was my highlight of the day. The Kids were great I had tons of fun and with balloons and stickers but nothing compared to God love being poured on us. the afternoon was just as awesome as the morning Janet gave a great testimony! Chrissy and I got to go down the road to use the bono so we had had the opportunity to be in a home /market. It was not big at all. The mosquitoes are bad there so they have nets covering their beds. With all the standing water around to flush the toilet it was easy to see why they had that problem.
We did have another surprise on the way back home some boys had found a Boa Constrictor and were holding up by the road. We stop for the photo opt. It was dead but Si got off the bus and had to touch it. He was ecstatic!
I can’t believe how God just uses you and blesses you when you come to him with no reservations. Just willing to go. I’m reminded of Isaiah in chapter 6 when God asks who should I send? And he replied send me I will go. When we go for God he has a habit of showing up to do amazing things!

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Day 2 in Honuras

Boy am I tired it’s a good feeling though. Today the team went to church in El Progresso we were some of the first to arrive. But it didn’t take long for the room to fill. The service was great the songs that were sung were a lot of ones we do back home. Just in Spanish. Right away I felt like I was in the presents of God. I felt whisked to place that I missed and had be longing for. Its not that I don’t worship or spend time with God this is an indescribable feeling; that only when you stand in Gods presence do you understand. The sermon was great it was about crucifying the old man or your old ways after you have come to Christ. The service was very conservative but very relative. One of the neatest thing that happened was when the pastor asked all the youth and kids to come forward for prayer. We were praying for them to be bold and strong in their faith and resist temptation to return to the old ways before repentance. After the kids were up front the congregation was ask to come up and pray over them. In the middle, as we were being lead in prayer by the pastor. It was like God showed up the mic’s went dead the fans stopped all electric noise was gone just the sound of prayer was heard for the kids. it took about 5 minuets for someone one to flip something. But in that short time it was amazing to hear the passion, love, and the hope in the voices of the congregation for their kids. It was incredible!
After lunch we toured the orphanage and nutrition center here we saw before and after pictures of children who came through the center. Some were just mind blowing. The sad part is that I know that in our country we take better care of our pets than some of the babies I saw today. This is the result of not sharing Christ and the blessing God has entrusted us with. To whom much is given much is required.
I watch as my Silas spoon-fed one of the babies one of their meals it was very moving. I watched my wife do the same and the joy that appeared on her face was priceless! There is much work to be done here but it’s not anything that can be done with out God. We are so very blessed. God is so good I do hope my family can handle the responsibility of our blessing. Got to go God is going to do great things tomorrow in our first distributions

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Here we go off to Honduras

It doesn’t seem possible last year at this time I was still in the air traveling here. I wondered what God would have in store for Ben and I. Little did I think that I would be back in Honduras let alone bringing my entire family. When I told Rick K that if I came back it would be with everyone I had just hoped that God would allow me to be so blessed. Chrissy and I Prayed and asked for Gods leading as with all my ideas that I get. I felt everyone we told thought we were crazy! Not to mention depending on God for the finances of this trip. God has knocked down every barrier that has came our way. So praise God he is good!
On our way out to the air port is started to rain no big deal but as our trip continued the storm got progressively worse. It was truly a spectacular display of lightning! The rain was hard the visibility was little to non but Rick kept going it seemed like every few seconds we would hit a puddle of water making a big bang. Hail was falling a few times trough the night it seemed that something want to discourage us from making it on time. We left at 11:30 PM we needed to be in Indianapolis at 4:15AM. We hoped to sleep but that was not going to be easy for some of as. We made it to the airport around 4 am with time to spare. We met up with the other and handed in our passports when Dennis discovered his missing. It was at home we called Rick who had already left to come back and get him. We worked out all the details so he could make it to Honduras a day late. No big deal. W
We arrived in Honduras only to find out we lost a suitcase we waited for a long time to get the paper work everyone was out waiting on us. we got through only to discover our suitcase and Denny’s Missing. So we had to go back in and Praise god he Found it with in Minuets. We were off!
I will leave you with this. Later we found out the Rick was growing very tired and needed a rest from driving so Denis took over. Dennis was the only one who had a bus license be sides Rick. Rick I don’t believe would have rested. Everything happens for a reason cant wait for tomorrow!

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Off to the DR

Okay, well I didn’t expect to be the team leader for this trip when Josh asked if I would go on the youth mission trip. He needed another male on the trip over 18 and asked if I would go. Well with not much hesitation I said sure. That was about 6 months ago. After that all was good great even the kids raised amazing amounts of money for the trip and all was good that was until last night. Last night Josh went to the hospital. He found out he had some issues that would require further treatment. This was bad news because he would not be able to lead the trip to the Dominican. So the final call came this morning the day before we leave I was to take the team and lead them. So here we go on a new adventure God never stops amazing me! He has brought everything together. Theres more to the story that will be shared at a later date. For now were off on a mission trip to take the Gospel to people who don’t have a relationship with Jesus! Please Pray for me and our team and Josh too.
Watch for daily updates when I can.