Today the team headed to Pulhapanzak, about 90 minutes away from El Progresso, where there is a gorgeous waterfall, zipline adventures and opportunity for our team to connect in a different way with our Honduran interpreters and friends. It’s a cultural experience for us and a day off for them. 

I used to struggle a little bit taking a day off the work we do on a mission trip… I remember telling Josh Grill, the mission director for World Compassion Network, that I would try it one time and we would see (that was our first trip, five years ago). What I have learned is that a day of reflection and fun is, in fact, helpful. It gives our team an opportunity to enjoy each other and our partners here, to laugh and “adventure” together (I say that as I screamed down the zipline over the waterfall and my team was there to meet me on the other side), and to have some special conversations that might not otherwise happen. And the gift that the day is to our Honduran friends who work so hard every day is also worth it. 

And… we offer up the opportunity for folks who have been spiritually impacted on the trip to get baptized. Six of our 13 team members decided to do so. God has moved in all of us but for Derek, Dave, Myrika, Kevin, Starla and Stephanie, there is something even more. A newfound public commitment to say yes, Jesus, from this moment forward, I’m recommitting to follow you wholeheartedly. None of their decisions were made lightly and it was pure joy for Lee and I to baptize them this afternoon in this Honduran river.  

This has been a great trip. I was very excited to be a part of leading a team with a few experienced folks, and then quite a number of people who have never been on a mission trip before. Seeing this culture, this experience, through their new eyes motivates me (as the pastor of missions) to do what I do. They get a little (or sometimes a lot) uncomfortable and God comes in and uses that to mold and shape them into deeper, more dependent followers of Him. They try things they never thought they would and realize that with the encouragement of others and the strength of God, yes, they CAN do that. They become deep friends with people they likely might have never stepped to talk to in the atrium of the Vineyard Church. Our team varied in age from 21 to 74! What a beautiful thing to see, young people and older people encouraging each other, challenging each other, and cheering one another on. 

I came here too, because after five years of mission trips to this small community, we have completed with our Honduran partners and World Compassion Network, the houses for all the “tortilla ladies”. That village now also has a kitchen for them to work from and make a living for their families. They have running water. It’s exciting to see what we hoped for, planned for, said yes for, come together and be completed. (Plus more!). Thank you Lord. And we trust you for the next step.

Pray for us as we get on a plane tomorrow and head home. Tired, worn out, but with hearts full of love.