Faith

 

Every trip our team makes, we have a verse we stand on, mediated on to prepare our hearts for whatever God has in store for us. This year is Hebrews 11:1; "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Walking by faith is hard, because you do not see faith, the promises that God has for us. But you just know and trust they are there. That is faith. You don't see it, but know it's there. And it is a good feeling knowing that God is on your side. That he is with you every step of the way in life. 

This verse is true to our mission. We have to have faith that God will use us. They he will give us courage to speak the words to say, strength to do the work, and willingness to keep going. Sometimes that can be hard, not just in everydaylife, but even in Honduras. It is so easy to get caught up in whatever you are doing and not slow down to hear what God has to say and what he wants you do. So you want an example, well, my whole life is an example!

One example is on one of my trips, I got so caught up in the medical clinics, in all the "legalities" of running the clinics, I didn't think to slow down and just look at the people I was serving. I was caught up on all the work that I lost sight of why we were there...to help people and tell them of Jesus love. One way that God is able to get my attention is when the little kids and babies come to the clinics. They are so precious and the mommas welcome us to hold and love on them. It is very special to me to do that because my kids are adults now. And to hold a little one, well, that is special. 

Another example is that when I go back, I see people that I have built relationships with. I enjoy seeing them and talking with them to build onto that friendship that we have made. I am looking forward to this trip because I have not been in the LaCampa area in a few years. And thank goodness for social media. Because I am able to keep up with them when we are not together. One special lady I am looking forward to seeing again is our friend that runs her pottery business out of her home. She opens her home, makes us coffee and we just sit and visit. (and I may or may not buy some pottery!). This is how you show God's love, just be there. Have faith (that you do not see) that God will use you. Because he will!

So my word to you all, keep the faith, even when you don't see it, because it is there, and God is with you. He will guide you, give you the words you need and strength to move forward. He is always with us.

Blessings to all,

Where are you?

 

Have you ever thought, what in the world am I doing here? Well I do, a lot! Think about where you are and why you are there/here, where-ever. 

You are not there by accident. That place...That store...That job...That mission. It isn't an accident. You are right where God has planted you, you may just not see it yet. 

Next question...Are YOU willing to be used by God? I know, It's scary. It is very intimidating to follow God, and not know how things will turn out. You may hear God tell you to go somewhere and think, why? You may be thinking- This is silly. 

Example...I had someone tell me that they felt God direct him to a different way home and he stopped at a gas station to fill up. He went in to pay, (yes this was before there was pay at the pump!) and there was a girl who was needing to get milk and diapers for her baby and didn't have enough money. He listened, felt that nudge, and helped that girl get those things she needed. If he didn't go that way home, he would have never stopped and she would have not been on the receiving end of grace and love. 

It's the small things, that show God's love, that add up to the bigger things. 

If you are feeling this, ask God, "would you create an opportunity for me in this place?" Ask him to give you the courage to use those opportunities, for his glory. 

You ask, how do you know what to do?  Make time for the quiet moments. The world is loud, so loud. God comes in the whispers, the wind. So when he says, "Be still" he means it. Quiet your mind, your heart and just.....listen. You will learn to discern the voice of God. 

1 Thessalonians 2:8; "So we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."

Psalm 46:10; "Be still, and know that I am God"  

Love to all,

Meeting one...getting started

We had our first team meeting this morning to review our plans for this summer in Honduras!! We got to see who was all on the team and we have 23 total! I am getting excited about all the wonderful things we will be doing. July will be here soon. 

Planning and preparation is underway for the children and women's ministries both weeks. We will soon be cutting out the activities for the children's ministries to take with us. We will have to make some new costumes for our play we do for the bible story.  Our story is the healing of the Centurion's servant. Children's ministry is always fun. Coloring, putting on plays, songs! 

I am going the second week of the team's mission trip. I will be assisting with the 3 medical clinics. I am happy to get back into helping with the clinics. It has been a long time. I feel a little nervous about being on the clinic team since it has been a while. But I have the knowledge to care for people, it is just getting there and doing it! I am so glad that God can use me in this way. This will be my 8th trip to Honduras, and 5 of those have been with medical clinics.  I was going through my storage box with my mission essentials and sorting through it all. I have "mission clothes" that I have stored up that I wear just on these trips. Skirts, scrubs, t-shirts. I think I need to renew some of them. They are looking a little worn. My clinic medical equipment is still working. And I still know how to use my trusty stethoscope. Hubs is having me practice on him taking BP checks!

Please, Keep praying for our team as we prepare our hearts, minds and spirit for the trip. Pray for our families too that help support us state side. 

Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant; Luke 7:1-10

7 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a servant[a] who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion[b] heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

Blessing to all,

Getting prepared for Honduras 2026

 

I have been working on preparing my heart, my mind for our trip this summer. It has been a few years since I have been there, and I have to say.. I miss it. I miss being there. I miss being able to be a part of something so much bigger than me. I think I got a little burned out on trying to manage the medical clinics, that I lost sight of what we were doing. I was concentrating on what had to be done and not on what we were doing.

So now that I have taken a step back, I can see what our true purpose is. To help others. Their spirit, mind and body. I am getting excited about going back into the medical clinics. I am not sure what to expect, but I am being flexible. I will be there to do whatever job is handed to me. I know God can use me in whatever he leads me to. 

And I am sure God will place me right where he wants me to be. And I know it will probably be something that is definitely out of my comfort zone, that will challenge me and will definitely scare me!

So as I prepare my heart, mind and spirit, I am preparing my inner anxiety to anticipate something big and to train myself to give it to God. 

Isaiah 41:10 ESV; "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Blessing to all, 

I have an answer...

 

I am sorry to keep you all waiting to see what my answer is regarding going back to Honduras in 2026. I have prayed a lot, and have looked internally at why I want to go, what I can do and is it what God wants, not me. After much thought, and talking it out with the hubs, I SAID YES, I AM GOING!

It helps so much that I have so much support from my hubs. So you ask, what helped me decide? Well, glad you asked. It was like God was talking right to me. Everything from the songs I heard on the radio to my daily devotions, seemed to point me in the direction to serving others. But it was like my personal prayers were getting answered, right there in front of me. I was kinda shocked, but not sure why. Because God will speak to you in ways only you understand, ways he can get through to you.

One devotion was about being fully committed. Not halfway committed, not when it is convenient for you or when you feel like it. Full commitment is a direction. "It means you have set your heart fully toward God and you're pursuing Him with all you have."

Then I got the email, the email with the application. Just before this, I was leaning toward not going. I was talking myself out of it. A lot of things came to mind....time (I am getting ready to move to a new house and my parents are moving in with us), money (it will take all my mission money I have saved, I was thinking I could do 2 send relief tours with it), and then there is traveling internationally. But that application, reading it, put a spark in my heart. A spark that couldn't be ignored. So I mustered up the courage to talk to the hubs, and with his support and blessing, I sent it in.

What will I be doing? I signed up to be a nurse! haha, yes I am a nurse, but it has been a few years since I have worked with the medical clinics. The last time was in 2023, and I kinda of miss it. So I am going back. And I am so excited to see what work we will be doing. Our trip is in July 2026. It will be for one week in LaCampa Honduras.

God can use anyone, no matter what our past is like. God is using me to do something great in my life and he can do the same for you. Now it is time for me to brush up on my Spanish. I have 7 months!

1 Kings 8:61; "And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”

Blessings to you all, 

Should I stay or should I go?

 That is the question I am asking myself....should I stay or should I go? You see, now is the time for me to decide if I am going back to Honduras this July. I am torn. I want to go, but I want to start something new with missions in the states, close to home.

You see, our team does some great things in Honduras. I want to do those great things here in the US too. 

I just don't know what to do! I have so many great memories of God leading me in Honduras through so many different ministries. I have helped with the medical team, the children's ministry and prayed over people on our prayer walks. It is so rewarding to see and feel God working through me. To have people I have met one year, then go back and see them again, in church, happy and trusting in God. All because our team listened to that voice of God and went when he said GO.

I hear ya God. I want to make sure I am going for the right reasons, to be the light of Jesus, to be the hands and feet of God. I don't want to go just because I love going, I love the people there, and want to see them again, like a family reunion. I need to go because God has more plans for me to be part of the team.

You see my dilemma? My brain is crazy! But you know what I am going to do? I am going to pray. Pray that God will lead me and guide me in my decision. I know he has plans for me, no matter where I am.

Jeremiah 29:11; ""For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"

Blessing to all, 

Mission at home

(faces blocked for safety)

Today I had the honor to join and volunteer with the Women on Mission group! These ladies represent 2 Baptist churches in our area and work hard with gifts God has given them, to be able to sew!

Me and the amazing 5 ladies of this group packed 354 pkgs of washable, reusable sanitary pads and underwear along with 31 pillow case dresses. Each package had 4 pads and 3 underwear for the Samaritan purse shoeboxes. All of these (except the underwear, of course) were hand sewn by these ladies!

I am thrilled to be invited to be a part of their group today and be a blessing on the kids that will receive these gifts in their shoeboxes. Total completed by these ladies are 6,262 reusable pads for Africa &  Honduras mission teams, Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child.  Not everyone is able or can go on mission trips, but these ladies lead by example to show us, and me, that you do not have to go somewhere. Your mission is your gift God gave you and how you use it, will be your mission. 

What a blessing today was for me! And the fellowship with these ladies is something that I am glad I didn't miss out on. The small things you do, will be a blessing for others, whether directly or indirectly.

Acts 1:8; "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 13:47; "For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

Romans 10: 13-14; for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? "

Blessings to you all,