Home Is Where The Heart Is

I flew back to West Virginia last Saturday. There are government issues going on in Honduras. If you've watched the news long enough to hear about Michael Jackson, right after that is when they talk about Honduras. Honduras is a small country, obviously not important. Sarcasm? Yes. And when the media does talk about Honduras, it amazes me how they twist the story. Honestly amazing. Do your research, but keep in mind Mel Zelaya is a twisted, awful man. I do pray God can somehow get ahold of that man's heart and change his ways... open his eyes to the ways he has hurt the people he was put in charge of helping.

There are so many feelings I have right now. I long to be back in Honduras wrestling with Francisco, playing baseball and hugging Antonio, watching Alvin and the Chipmunks in Spanish with Mario, beating Marvin and Yovani at Mario Kart, playing Tripley with Gina and Chachi, having devotionals under the Jesus Statue, holding a child's hand just because they want someone to love on them. I can't begin to tell you how much this hurts. And to know that all I can do is sit in my safe, warm house in America and pray that somehow this all is resolved peacefully. I hate that I have the option to fly to a safe country while others aren't lucky enough to have that choice. Why me? I'm frustrated. I have guilt. So many emotions. And my way of handling all these feelings is to plan something for every minute of every day so I don't think about it. And that is going to bite me in the tail by the end of the summer.

As you say your prayers throughout the day, remember those of us who had to leave the country where our hearts still long to be. Pray for the world leaders, that their eyes might be open to see what the people of Honduras need. Pray that this mess will be worked out peacefully. Most importantly, pray for the Hondurans. Pray that God will put a shield around them and protect them.

Tomorrow I'm off to counsel at Camp Manatawny in Pennsylvania until next Saturday. Then, I'm going straight from camp to New Jersey to meet the youth group for a mission trip for another week. Oh, and then the 19th, I have my church camp. Like I said.. keeping myself busy. Please pray that God will use me in mighty ways on these trips, and that God will move mountains.

God Is Fighting For Us

The group has come and gone. Time flies by.. Our team this year was amazing. I don't know what else I can say about them. They made our jobs much easier and I am grateful to no end. If you want to see what we did this week, please visit our blog. Jill and EJ did a great job keeping our friends and family back home informed.

One quick story that shows how much the group did impact these people. Los Pinos is a little village in Honduras that is very poor, but has a pretty strong church. We went to church there the Sunday the group was here, did home repairs, and built two houses. We, also, had people from the village come to the Jesus Statue with us Tuesday night and have dinner and worship with us. Our group loved on those people and kids like none other. Two girls from Los Pinos told a few of our group members that they would come to the airport Saturday to see us off. Now, kids say the darnest things, you know, so we kind of brushed it off. Low and behold, Saturday, maybe a minute after we pulled up, the girls and some other kids came over to hug us and help the team carry their luggage. They had taken a bus to the airport to see us! It was crazy, really. They stayed and watched the team walk through security and cried their little eyes out. They were so upset to see them go. After the group was gone and all of us were done with our tears, they stayed until the remainder of us left. Ebony and Josalin asked me when I was leaving, and they told me they would come see me leave, too. And now, I would not be surprised in the least if they came. God connects His people in amazing ways.. I don't think our team, or those kids will ever forget each other.

Now that the team is gone, I've been doing work with Sam, Jen, and David. It has been a blessing to work with them. They give their all for these people. Please keep their ministry in your prayers.

Anyway, I'm here until July 15th. I'll update again soon and let you know what we've been up to.

School's Out for the Summer!

The last day of school was yesterday. We went to breakfast, and then to city park until noon. It was disgusting and wet, so some of us just played some games under a shelter. It was fun though. So, basically, I'm a senior now. How crazy is that?? I've been waiting to be a senior for many years, as most children do. ;)

Now is where the fun and excitement really begins! Donna and I are now trying to tie up all the loose ends and get everything prepared for our departure to Honduras early next Saturday morning. I can't believe it's already that time! This week, I'll basically be spending most of my time getting packed for Honduras. I'll be staying for an extra four and a half weeks after the group leaves. Yep, I get to be with my best friend from June 6th until June 15th. That's exciting :) I'm really excited about what God has in store for the Grand Central team, and also for the group that will be staying at Sam, Jen and David's house afterward. Heather and Amy Stewart, two longtime family who we go to church camp with, will be joining us for the last two weeks I'm there. It'll be awesome to share in their experiences for the first time.

Please keep all of us in your prayers. Pray that God will work through the team to be His hands and feet, and share the life changing story of what His Son did for all of us. And pray for Donna and me, that we will lead well and do everything God wants us to. Also, keep the people who are full time missionaries in Honduras, who do for a living what our group does for a week.

This will probably be it from me until after the Grand Central team leaves.
If you want to read what our group is doing, click the first link on the side "GC Honduras Mission Team". Leave comments if you want :)

I hope everyone enjoys their first few weeks of summer!

Much love. God bless.

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Life Is Crazy

Life is hectic and busy, and well, crazy. It always is. Today I slept basically all day after being up all night from taking JT and Sam to Columbus to leave for Honduras. Boo.

So what's new?

Well, last Tuesday, I found a baby bird that had just fallen out of his nest. It was on our dog chain and we were taking care of Leah's dog, that's from Satan, while she and Cory were on vacation. I knew Bear would eat it if she saw it. So, JT and I took care of him. I named him Stanley after Stanley on The Office. Anyway.. he seemed to be doing very well.. I got up at three in the morning to feed him. Friday, he stopped eating and chirping. And he chirped a lot.. I went to school and heard Stanley chirping wherever I went. Stanley passed on Friday night. It was a little sad, but I expected it to happen. Rest in Peace Stubborn Stanley. You will be missed.

Last Saturday was our school's banquet. That's right, we do banquet instead of prom. We can't have any dancing, you know. That leads to other naughty things. ;) I went with Jake from church. We had a fun time. And we looked pretty nice, if I do say so myself. That was a fun night.. and the weeks before that night were stressful, but it turned out nicely. But thank you Jesus it's over with!

Mom was offered two jobs last week. One job was in Charleston, so she'd have to drive five days a week and the other was at WVU-P. Mom took the WVU-P position. I'm happy for her! I'm praying she enjoys it :)

Sam was in town for three weeks and just left this morning to go home. We had a lot of fun together. She's a great sister and friend, and I love her to death! And in three more weeks, the team will be leaving for Honduras. And guess who is staying for four and a half weeks after the team leaves? This girl. I am thrilled! I'm so excited to see how God will work through us while we are there. He always goes over and beyond what anyone expects.

I think that's it.. These next few weeks will be filled with getting ready for the Honduras trip and finishing school in two weeks. And then I'm a Senior. Crazy!

Slide Fail

Our school is in the middle of putting together a new jungle gym for the younger kids. I thought this slide was interesting. Note, they tried to make the landing a little better by putting what else but a picnic table under it. That'll help break the fall, I'm sure.

Enjoy.

Corner

I've been a huge fan of the NOOMA films for a few years now. I think Rob Bell is brilliant. The newest video, "Corner", discusses God's unfair grace. Anyway, I love it. Watch it here


Also, This is Compassion International's press release on "Corner".