Hola from Honduras! Thanks for visiting the blog!
When the Lord began to speak to me about this trip, I knew that I wanted to do two things: I wanted to serve Him in a way that was far beyond my comfort zone, and I wanted to meet the child I sponsor through Compassion International. I won’t get into the details, but the Lord orchestrated this trip so beautifully for me – so much that I have been able to do both things at once. We have been ministering and serving the people here in Honduras for the last several days, but today was a break from all that. I got to meet my Jessica today and she is an absolute sweetheart!
We were all very excited this morning as we boarded the bus to Wonderland – an awesome water park here in San Pedro Sula. Our buses were chock full of gifts for the kids – I could barely fit into my seat with mine. When we drove up to the entrance to the park, there were all of our kids. What a beautiful sight.
In the crowd I couldn’t really see Jessica. It had been while since I had received a picture of her and I knew she was growing like a weed. I didn’t recognize her for the longest time – we had already filed into the park and we were waiting for our tour leader to give us instructions for the day. Then I saw her – it shouldn’t have been so hard to find her because she had made a huge card for me with my name in glitter on the front. I mean, this thing was big – a full sheet of tagboard! I saw that and I fell apart. Others in my group, knowing that I was a vocalist, joked about how I seemed to have fans follow me around and I have to confess that was a neat thought. It turns out that I do have a pretty awesome fan in Jessica. She knocked my socks off with her bear hug greeting!
I was also blessed to meet Jessica’s mother, Dora, and a representative from the Compassion project Jessica attends by the name of Naomi. Dora is generally a quiet person, but she was so warm to me and so grateful to me for sponsoring her daughter. And Naomi, she just radiated her love for the Lord in everything she did. I also think she was thrilled to be at the water park. She was the one I had to pull out of the water when it was time to leave.
It was a great day – our translator was wonderful and we were able to communicate very well throughout the day. Jessica and I spent a lot of time teaching each other words in our respective languages, we taught each other a couple of songs, and we played in the water constantly. I also have to tell you, those big, huge slides in water parks? Yeah, we did them – and that is WAY out of my comfort zone! God answers prayer, and I prayed for our safety a lot!
At the end of the visit, I had a chance to pray with Jessica and her group. Powerful stuff. I asked them about their physical needs and they seemed to be okay there. (Thank you, Compassion!) Their biggest need was actually the biggest one I think you can possibly have. Jessica, her mom and her three siblings all know the Lord. They are all active in their church, they attend every service they can and their relationships with Jesus are strong. Jessica’s father on the other hand is not a Christian. I only saw Dora really cry hard once and that was when she talked about her husband. We’ve heard so much on this trip that the one chronic problem socially in this country is the absence of the father in the family structure. Jessica has her father and he is active in the family, but there is a spiritual absence in this family that I would love to see filled. We prayed for Jessica’s papa today. We prayed for his salvation, that his heart would be opened to the love of the Lord and that he would become the man of God he needs to be. I firmly believe that’s a prayer that God will answer, and I wait in expectation for the news of his salvation.
I’ve been telling a lot of people here that I’m not just learning Spanish here, but I’m also learning some international languages – things that cross over borders and are shared among nations. They are music, worship, laughter and love – all things that translate so perfectly. Oh – and if you ask Jessica and me, chocolate chip ice cream does, too. Nothing beats a good chocolate chip ice cream cone.
We travel on tomorrow to another Compassion International project here in Honduras. Tomorrow will also be a special day as we are going to be working alongside families near our projects as they go about the activities of their day. Thanks so much for your many prayers. Now I’m off to go get some aloe vera for the sunburn on my back. Ouch!
Blessings to you!
Beth Crosby
http://www.kinshipradio.org/
P.S. In case you haven’t figured it out, that’s me and Jessica in the photo. Isn’t she a cutie?
When the Lord began to speak to me about this trip, I knew that I wanted to do two things: I wanted to serve Him in a way that was far beyond my comfort zone, and I wanted to meet the child I sponsor through Compassion International. I won’t get into the details, but the Lord orchestrated this trip so beautifully for me – so much that I have been able to do both things at once. We have been ministering and serving the people here in Honduras for the last several days, but today was a break from all that. I got to meet my Jessica today and she is an absolute sweetheart!
We were all very excited this morning as we boarded the bus to Wonderland – an awesome water park here in San Pedro Sula. Our buses were chock full of gifts for the kids – I could barely fit into my seat with mine. When we drove up to the entrance to the park, there were all of our kids. What a beautiful sight.
In the crowd I couldn’t really see Jessica. It had been while since I had received a picture of her and I knew she was growing like a weed. I didn’t recognize her for the longest time – we had already filed into the park and we were waiting for our tour leader to give us instructions for the day. Then I saw her – it shouldn’t have been so hard to find her because she had made a huge card for me with my name in glitter on the front. I mean, this thing was big – a full sheet of tagboard! I saw that and I fell apart. Others in my group, knowing that I was a vocalist, joked about how I seemed to have fans follow me around and I have to confess that was a neat thought. It turns out that I do have a pretty awesome fan in Jessica. She knocked my socks off with her bear hug greeting!
I was also blessed to meet Jessica’s mother, Dora, and a representative from the Compassion project Jessica attends by the name of Naomi. Dora is generally a quiet person, but she was so warm to me and so grateful to me for sponsoring her daughter. And Naomi, she just radiated her love for the Lord in everything she did. I also think she was thrilled to be at the water park. She was the one I had to pull out of the water when it was time to leave.
It was a great day – our translator was wonderful and we were able to communicate very well throughout the day. Jessica and I spent a lot of time teaching each other words in our respective languages, we taught each other a couple of songs, and we played in the water constantly. I also have to tell you, those big, huge slides in water parks? Yeah, we did them – and that is WAY out of my comfort zone! God answers prayer, and I prayed for our safety a lot!
At the end of the visit, I had a chance to pray with Jessica and her group. Powerful stuff. I asked them about their physical needs and they seemed to be okay there. (Thank you, Compassion!) Their biggest need was actually the biggest one I think you can possibly have. Jessica, her mom and her three siblings all know the Lord. They are all active in their church, they attend every service they can and their relationships with Jesus are strong. Jessica’s father on the other hand is not a Christian. I only saw Dora really cry hard once and that was when she talked about her husband. We’ve heard so much on this trip that the one chronic problem socially in this country is the absence of the father in the family structure. Jessica has her father and he is active in the family, but there is a spiritual absence in this family that I would love to see filled. We prayed for Jessica’s papa today. We prayed for his salvation, that his heart would be opened to the love of the Lord and that he would become the man of God he needs to be. I firmly believe that’s a prayer that God will answer, and I wait in expectation for the news of his salvation.
I’ve been telling a lot of people here that I’m not just learning Spanish here, but I’m also learning some international languages – things that cross over borders and are shared among nations. They are music, worship, laughter and love – all things that translate so perfectly. Oh – and if you ask Jessica and me, chocolate chip ice cream does, too. Nothing beats a good chocolate chip ice cream cone.
We travel on tomorrow to another Compassion International project here in Honduras. Tomorrow will also be a special day as we are going to be working alongside families near our projects as they go about the activities of their day. Thanks so much for your many prayers. Now I’m off to go get some aloe vera for the sunburn on my back. Ouch!
Blessings to you!
Beth Crosby
http://www.kinshipradio.org/
P.S. In case you haven’t figured it out, that’s me and Jessica in the photo. Isn’t she a cutie?
oh my what a blessing to hear and see . yes music and laughter are a universal language espiaclly when it is covered in the Lord or so i believe . I have always believed the joy of the Lord is our strength and music and laughter and love are things that bring joy and cross all barriers in such amazing ways . please tell me you have pictures of you on the water slide lol ? hugs and blessings and as always many prayers your way for a continued covering in His blessings for this trip !!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a blessing to have a universal language of love, laughter, music & etc!! She IS A CUTIE!! Hugs & prayers continue over you! I also hope that you got a picture of you on the water slide. LOL. Hugs!!
ReplyDeleteWe were so excited when we heard Scott on KJIA share you were leaving on a Compassion trip to Honduras! We only know you from our side of the radio and Okoboji conference but feel like we know your heart. I am so glad you have been seeking God to stretch you outside of your comfort zone, as it is fun to read He has been doing. He is so capable and desirous of keeping our hearts safe. We look forward to hearing more of your trip when you return; perhaps you will post a schedule of where you will share of your experiences. It must be great to meet a compassion son or daughter. We have sponsored them since 1989. What a great organization with which to work. Many blessings to you and the rest of the Compassion team, and Jessica & her family.
ReplyDeleteHi! Sorry, I don't have any slide pictures. At least not yet - someone might have snapped a couple and I don't know it yet. And Paul, thank you so much for being Compassion sponsors. It is such a blessing, and it meets such a need. I'm praying about doing an event somewhere to share my experiences in Honduras when I return. Any ideas, anyone?
ReplyDelete