Team #2 of First Baptist Church Raleigh

Welcome back Team #two from First Baptist of Raleigh. They came in eagerly awaiting to go to their new location in San Lorenzo. They got up early on the first morning and got all their jobs done and was on the road by seven o'clock for their journey ahead with the most amazing and humble family around, the Flores. Once they got off the main road they rode and rode and rode and rode down this bumpy, boulder infected dusty narrow road to the top of the most beautiful spot God has created. The Flores' home or what was left of it after the foundation went in sets in a setting surrounded by mountains. Real close to heaven that week guys. But because of this beautiful mountain top view the bus could not make it all the way up to the job location. So those who rode in the bus were blessed to walk up the boulder infected road along beside the cows each morning. Once they got to the top they were greeted to the truck loaded down with 800 blocks to build the home. We are not sure why they were not delivered when we told them but this was God's way of teaching us when in Honduras to as the Hondurans do. So the team met the family and discuss the game plan for the day and prayed with the family. Pastor Gorge led us in prayer. The blocks were finally completely off the truck and down the hill it went and the team was ready to get started on the job they had come to do, build the Flores a home.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Getting the first day started

The team proceeded to unload the tools for their job ahead. There has not been many North Ameicans in this area in a while so there was alot of on lookers watching the progression of the day begin. Everyone found their spot and took to work. Several of the men assisted Pastor G and Orfilio with the setting of the corners of the home. Jose was busily mixing mortar with some of the locals in the village. Mrs. Flores stood back and watched as what she had been waiting on for serveral years was finally coming true. Her many years of faithful prayers of waiting for this home was finally happening. In the beginning everyone cannot actually "work" on the house but they can build relationships with the family while waiting for what they can do to help. Building relationships with the people of Honduras and seeking out their relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important part of this ministry. Sometimes not all folks in the family are believers. This is a perfect opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and in turn bless them with a home. There were alot of folks that week on the job site who did not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and I hope seeds were planted so they will come to know the Jesus who can save them and give them eternal life.

Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves ME, he will keep MY WORD; and MY FATHER will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him." John 14:23

Praying over first block and let the work begin

After the four corners were set and the mortar was mixed the first block for the family was ready for prayer. We gathered the Flores family around the block and we surrounded them and laid hands on them as Charles prayed God's blessings on this home. This family will represent Jesus Christ in their community and their home will be a place where others will see Jesus. Then the work began. The team members got started and all took a lesson in Block laying 101 with Pastor G. Off they went in different directions of the house to start their first course. John was in charge of block cutting. Brantley and Jerry found a corner and quickly learned how to lay blocks. Bob also a new team member caught on how to lay blocks. Charles a new member to Honduras took off and running with the block laying. Royce, Mark and Greg quickly remembered the technique for laying blocks. God is good all the time. These guys worked so hard the entire week for the Flores family. The team had four new members at the airport but by lunch time on the first day they were no longer considered new members. What amazing teamwork took place this week.

"And whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance for you serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24

Worship services

This team chose not to worship with the community where they were working but went visiting two other churches. Royce was able to plan the drums in one of the worship services on a Friday night. Pastor Amado shared the scripture and preached on Romans 12:1-2. We always enjoy visiting Colonia Unidas and praising and worshipping with them. Also on Sunday they worshipped in El Carrizo and Jeremy, John and Greg shared some words of encouragement to the people and children on doing their best in school and work.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

Preparing gift bags for workers and other duties of the week

I truly enjoyed watching these guys work diligently on making 18 gift bags for the workers and family. I asked them to please make them as equal as possible. Each person recieved a bible, shirts, hat, hygiene kits and other items. These guys worked for over an hour to get everything just right. John is always the supervisor of the distrubtion. Thank you John for coordinating these efforts and providing the people with some amazing gifts.

"He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the ones in need." Proverbs 22:9

Two brothers on missions together

It is always a blessing when family comes down and do mission work together. We welcome Brantley and Jerry who worked beside each other all week serving the Lord. It is a very small world we live in because I attend church at home with their mother and step-father. The hygiene kit they are holding could have been one their mother made and sent down with us while we were home during Christmas. They were always eager to help in any way to get the jobs done. Thank you guys for coming here to serve together.

"But for me and my house we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

Welcome Back First Baptist Church of Raleigh Team 103

Welcome back First Baptist Church of Raleigh. This excitable team arrived on January 31 ready and willing to go to work to build Reyanldo and family a home where they will never be exposed to the elements again. Off we went down the roads of Honduras towards the south to Choluteca. Arrived safely and settled to arise early on February 1. The team got up made their sandwiches, fixed their gatorade and water, washed their dishes and loaded the kia. While all this was going on Pastor G arrived to reunite with his former construction team. Hugs were shared by all. Before departing we gathered in a circle to pray for the day ahead and what all the Lord anticapated for this team. The team went off to load up in the van and the kia. Unfortunately the friends in the kia had a slight opportunity which actually happened several more times before the problem was corrected. They got to push the kia off and they went all the way around the next block before it started. There is always a special opportunity to arrive each and every day we serve the Lord. No matter where we are located. It is all in how we look at the opportunity. That first morning our cup was only half full. In the words of Pastor G "NO PROBLEM". So off to the job site. They traveled down a dusty dirt road about forty minutes before arriving at one of the sweetest villages God has ever created, El Carrizo. Reynaldo was eagerly awaiting the North American group at the gate of the church. He opened the gate so the three vechicles could pull in to the job location. We gathered together with Reynaldo's family and introduced ourselves and shared a prayer with them before disbursing to get the four corners set and string lined up for the first course to be layed. The beginning of an amazing week in El Carrizo.

"Now therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself is the cornerstone , in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." Ephesians 2:19-22