A Quick Update!

Hey there! I just finished my first week in Honduras and wanted to fill you in on what has been happening.

Cerro de la Cruz, overlooking Antigua.

Our last week in Guatemala was spent in a beautiful city called, Antigua. It was a debrief week, which means our whole squad came together to process what had happened the past month. Although the week is meant to be a time of relaxation, God was still working in mighty ways, and I was able to be a part of a lot of ministry in the city.

Playing basketball with some local teenagers in Antigua.

As I walked around the city to shop or get food, I tried to stay open to the voice of the Holy Spirit. He led me to many people on the streets. I was able to get to know them, pray for them, and bless a few of them with some money. 

 

Jocelyn was one of these friends. I saw her in Antigua’s main plaza and knew that God wanted me to pray for her to be healed. She was rolling around in a wheel chair selling handmade bracelets. At the time, I was late to a meeting with my squad coach, Keith, so I hoped that I would be able to come back and find her later. When I found Keith, I asked if he would go with me to look for Jocelyn and pray for her before we went to lunch. Of course, he was excited to join. Keith and I walked around the plaza and eventually found Jocelyn. We sat down with her and talked for a bit. We found out that her parents had passed away when she was a child, and that 8 years ago she had lost the use of her legs through an accident where she fell down some stairs. We also found out that she was full of the joy of the Holy Spirit. She had a strong faith in Jesus, and was beaming with joy to get to talk to us. Keith and I prayed for her legs, then she told us her back was hurting a lot too, so we prayed again. After our prayer, she said that her back felt much better! I believe that God placed us there to encourage her and remind her that she is not alone. Later in the week, I was walking through the plaza again to go get a haircut. I saw Jocelyn again and I sat down next to her to talk. We talked for a long time, and she told me how much she has been struggling financially. She counts on selling her handmade bracelets for her income, and with the lack of tourists due to the pandemic, she has not had very much profit. She said that she currently did not have money to pay for the gas for her to cook at home. I told her that I would come back and find her again after my haircut, and that I could possibly help her out with some money. I was planning on giving her the change from my haircut, but the barber I went to did not accept walk-ins. I felt like God put it on my heart to just give her all the cash I had for the haircut instead, so I went back and was able to bless her with that money. I bought one of her bracelets with the letter J on it as a reminder for me to pray for her every time I see it. I am so thankful that I got to make a new friend in Jocelyn. I think I encouraged her, but she definitely encouraged me with her joy, smile, and great faith.

 

Jocelyn and I in the central plaza in Antigua.

Another cool moment came when I was walking around the city with my squad leader Hannah. We had just been talking about being obedient to the Spirit’s nudges when she stopped and said that God wanted us to go talk to a woman sitting on the sidewalk. We walked over and introduced ourselves to her. Her name was Ana, and she was selling wafers for communion to people headed to mass at the various Catholic churches throughout Antigua. She had also been struggling financially throughout the pandemic, but she was just bubbling with joy and had a beautiful smile. She began talking our ears off. I think she was thrilled to have someone to talk to. We talked to her about her faith and found out that she was Catholic. She seemed to have a strong faith and trust in the Lord. She introduced us to her son Angel, who also began talking our ear off. They were such a sweet family and we enjoyed talking to them. As we were about to leave, Hannah asked how we could pray for them. They mentioned that they were struggling to stay afloat financially, and Ana mentioned that she was having a lot of pain in her teeth. Hannah and I laid hands on them and prayed with our limited Spanish vocabulary, but trusted that God would move nonetheless. After our prayer, Ana said her teeth felt completely better! I believe God used us in that moment to encourage them and remind them of his love and power. Also, I felt led to give them a bit of money that I had on me, which they appreciated so much. I was able to stop by and talk with them again before the end of the week too. I am so thankful for their friendship. Again, I think they encouraged me as much as I encouraged them.

 

Ana and her son Angel. Sorry, I know it’s not the greatest picture, but I hope it gives you a face to a name!

I could share many more stories from my week in Antigua, but I at least wanted to fill you in on some highlights. Please be praying for more miracles and ministry in Honduras! We are staying on a pretty remote mountain outside of Comayagua City, with some pastors named, Paul and Tania. Their ministry is called Catracho Missions, and they are currently planting a church on the mountain to reach the farmers that live in the surrounding areas. So far, we have been a part of the construction of the church. While we have not had many chances for relational ministry with the locals yet, on Saturday we are meeting with the community leaders and have a chance to share the Gospel with them. Additionally, next week we hope to be able to host a VBS for the children who live close by. Pray that God would use these ministries to leave long term impacts in the community. Also, a big goal for Paul and Tania is to train up young disciples to go and make more disciples. Therefore, they have a team of young people who are serving with us on the mountain. I have been trying to take advantage of the opportunities I have to get to know them and encourage them. God has given me a special connection with one of them named Pedro. He is 18 years old, and told me that he is struggling to find what to do with his life. I told him that I would him that I would be praying for him, so it would be awesome if you would pray for him too. Specifically, pray that God would give me words of encouragement for him that would help him see his gifts and calling.

 

Thank you for all your support! I will try to get some pictures from Honduras for the next post!