Let's start with last night. Did you know that cockroaches can be nearly the size of cats? Neither did I, but to hear our girls explain it, that is the case! (don't worry - that was the only one we saw). After everyone was finally settling in and I was just laying down, I heard blood curdling (spelling?) screams from the girls room. I shot up and quickly made my way downstairs to see who had lost a limb (I thought that there might have been some large animal in their room)... one of our girls saw a Geco on the wall in the shower - she screamed - the girls in the showers on either side of her screamed because they didn't know why the first one screamed... mass choas broke out... all was fine in moments.
Today was sinply incredible! It almost brings tears to my eyes to think of how amazing our students are! Each and every one of them has taken each task and idea with the greatest of ease and the best attitude! Did I mention that it is incredibly hot here? (The weather channel was dead wrong - the heat and humidity are nothing like at home!)
After our morning devotion (Is. 1:4-20) our students loved on kids in the community of "Sambo Creek." It was amazing to watch these students play soccer and Simon Says, construct "wordless book bracelets," make "stain-glass" crosses, sing "Father Abraham" in "espanol" and generally just love on kids! I can't say enough about how amazing your students are!
After lunch, several students spent the afternoon playing soccer and other games with some students from the school where we are staying while some other students worked tirelessly at building the first couple of "protoype" bunkbeds that we will be working on tomorrow.
Chris Weaver and I (without Chris and his wife, we would probably have come home already!) are now sitting at Pizza Hut posting this and will head back in moments to work through some time of reflection and worship with students, then it's off to bed... fans a blazin!
Keep praying!
Jeremy
31 comments:
Well the first person I thought of when I saw "cockroaches" and "screaming" was Ali [James]. I hope she is alive and well and can come home and tell me of her adventures with foreign bugs, I am getting bored with her encounters of American bugs.
I hope you all are having a blast there. God is truly going to work some 'magic' down there through all of you. You guys are doing some pretty amazing things, just in case no one has told you already. have fun. Love you Ali.
Bri
P.S. I am really jealous that I am not there so bring back some awesome stories.
Great pictures!
Please tell Zach that just in the last 24 hrs 6 family members have called or emailed to see if he arrived safely.
A prayer for all of you:
Heavenly Father we ask your blessings on this team of students and leaders. We pray that you will not let them miss one moment you have planned for them. We ask that your will encourage their hearts as the week goes on and time flies by. Plant amazing memories in their hearts and stir in them a desire to know you more. In Jesus name, Amen.
Joni Rosebrock
Glad to hear your first day was not without adventure! Laughter is definitely a healing balm. The pictures were awesome -- Joel we had no problem recognizing you! Yes, you are missed. Take care and spread His love!
HAHAHAHA! That cockroach sounds like the one we encountered in New Orleans in Ally's bed! I can not wait to hear more about what God is doing down there! Have a great time! Thanks for the pictures!
Shelby T
I just wanted to say how proud I am of all of you for sacrificing your "free" time before school starts. I am always so honored to tell people that my church's youth are on missions, doing what God has told us to do. All of you are AMAZING!! THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING SO GIVING!!
As I was doing my homework, I was thinking about all of you.
God put Matthew 5:6 on my heart for you:
“Blessed, fortunate, happy and spiritually prosperous…are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, uprightness and right standing with God, for they shall be completely satisfied” (Matthew 5:6 AMP).
This is the one prayer I have for you. That you are drawn closer to God through this experience, and you are completely satisfied. When you focus on one thing, that becomes part of you, you think about it all the time and can't wait to spend time with it.
Don't forget to be sold out :) When you are in God's will, he will pour out on you like you have never seen.
Father God,
I pray for this team, that you pour out your Holy Spirit on them, fullfill them in all areas of their lives. I ask for a hedge of protection around the whole team, and I thank you for their mighty guardian angels that are with them daily. I thank you for the favor you have poured out on this trip and ask for continued favor, blessings, and protection as they come and go. I pray your will is done Lord, and I give you the praise, honor, glory and thanks.
In your holy name I pray,
amen
BE BLESSED TEAM AS ALL OF YOU ARE A BLESSING TO OUR CHURCH!
Hey guys,
Well we finally made it back from the big "motor city" It feels like we have been gone for weeks. Sleeping in the back of the van...let's just say...well, maybe we'll leave it at that!!!
Danae - Dailyn is missing you. She said it was hard to realize that when she came home, you wouldn't be there. I hope you are having an incredible time. We love you!
My prayer has always been that our hearts break for those who are less fortunate than we are. May God open every door and window (and not just for the cool breeze) to your hearts and minds to see what His purpose and plan for each of you will be during these next few days and the days to follow when you return home.
Leave the girls alone...I'd scream too! Especially if it was a centipede...just ask Emily...
We are praying for your safety and that God will use you greatly to spread his Word.
Danny your grandma finally got on the blog and was reading. I don't think that she has figured out out to post a comment yet. I am glad to here that things are going okay, excpet for the cockroaches. I am so glad that these kids are getting to experience somthing that will change their lives forever and how God is going to work through them during this. WE miss you Danny and least Bob and I do, don't know about Cindy yet.
Take care and have fun.
While the weather forecast for Bryan today is Sunny and 78 degrees, some (like me) would trade places with you in an instant. Because being in the midst of God's work as His hands and feet, and in His will is comforting beyond words and comparison.
Emily C. .....was that actually a picture of you helping to build a bunk bed???? You go girl!!
Your Dad and I are praying for you and the team daily that all will just take in every minute you are there and be used in whatever way God would see fit. Blessings to all!!
We love you sweetie :)
Dad & Mom
I'm praying for the team as they are reaching out to those who may not no Jesus! Praying for continued safety not only while you are there but also upon your return. God Bless You for all that you are doing!
The Plassmann's (Dylan Krupp's aunt,uncle and cousins)
The pictures were great!
Just wondering how the group did taking the malaria pills? Catie, did you do ok? I know you hated it at home!
Praying for you all as you spread the love of Jesus and give them a hope that will endure for all time!
Oh, cockroaches. How much fun I could have with those. Of course, since they will likely survive nuclear attacks/winters, perhaps we should be friendly to them. Then when the time comes perhaps they'll teach us their secrets to survival. So, we felt pretty bad for you here in Bryan, so--in waking memory of you all and the pain you're going through--we decided to turn off the air conditioning and suffer along with you. It's been awful, but we do it for you! Thinking of you all, and missing the little Tyler kid. It's less fun at work without him. Oh, and Tyler, you little EbonyBelle is irritated with me. I did everything you showed me, but it hates me because it knows I am not you! Cuddle up to the cockroaches!
Brandon
I'm so excited for you all. I can't wait until the next update.
The pictures are fabulous!!
Hopefully the cockroaches are the only "cat sized" bug you see.
Connor the house is so quite without you there. Not that you are a noisy person but the house does seem quite empty. Have a wonderful time with the kids. Use that servants heart that God has given to you!!
Love Mom
Jacob - don't even think about smuggling one of those cockroaches home in your luggage just to see your mom's reaction!
I am so excited to read about your daily adventures and can't wait to hear all your stories when you get home.
Im soo proud of you! I can't wait to see what else God has in store for all of you this week.
You have all been constantly on my mind and wishing I was there with you. We've been praying that God will continue to open doors as you minister to the children and praying for your safe return. It is so exciting to see all the pictures and hear your news. Keep those pictures coming. Scott we miss you. The house isn't the same without you here. Dad's doing fine. Love you - Mom
Hey Jacob - Elli wouldn't be scared of those roaches would she? She'd make pets out of them! It sounds like you've already had quite an experience and I can't wait to see what the rest of the week holds.
So Jeremy - how many kids did they actually get to love on? You get us all riled up about the number of kids and then don't tell us how many came! HELLO - I need some info!
Jeremy, this blog is such a blessing...probably more so for the people here at home still! I'm sure it's not easy to find the time and facilities to do this and we appreciate it!
I am sitting here reading the past two blogs and tears are running down my face. We serve an amazing God! And I was so jealous when I read 200 kids! We children's ministries people thrive on such stuff! Those are the instances when you finally stop relying on your planning, supplies, and volunteers and have no choice but to totally rely on God. And that's when life changing experiences happen.
Anyway, we are storming the gates of heaven for all of you. Jesse even started crying after his prayer because 10 days is a long time for the youth group to be gone. Grayden and Tristan...didn't know he cared so much about you, huh?!
Alexis,
now don't go and get bitten by one of those cockroaches while your gone, someone told me that those are worse than spider bites. i hope your having fun in Honduras. oh, and by the way ... your clothes fit great! i love you
Court (:
Brittany, it was nice to see a picture of your smiling face. Hope you are having fun.
Keep on loving on those little children, and God will work through you.
Love you honey. I am very proud of you.
Mom
fans a blazin!
.
loved the pictures...and the blood curdling screaming ..Geco..girls & mass chaos(hard to believe)...so fun & so real. The prayers are real too.
Dude (That would be you, Jeremy) - What happened at VBS with the 200 anticipated kids?
Leaders,may I just say how very cool you are? I mean, not literally, of course, in the Honduran climate, but as in "Thanks For Giving Up Your Time And Energy And Finances And SANITY To Accompany These Kids To Honduras Kind Of Cool."
Man, I thought it was stressful just to take SIX kids to the CHIEF. God bless ya!
This is a shout out to Jeremey, and all the kids who are there probably dripping with sweat. I just wanted to let everyone know that I think you are an amazing group. I went on many youth work trips when I was young (one with Jeremey to Texas and there were big cockroaches there too!) and each of them have a special place in my heart, have affected my life, and brought me closer to God.
Now that I have kids of my own, it is very encouraging to see that there are teenagers out there who still want to help, who still love and serve the Lord and are making a difference in many ways. Thanks.
I do want you to do one thing though, not only focus on loving and serving the people that are there, but allow your own heart to be opened up too. Take in those moments of peace that you will get while you lay in your bed not being able to sleep because it is so hot, and just thank God for all that you have, and the things you may take for granted each day. Take the time to just pour out your heart and lay your burdens before him. He will lift you up, forgive you, love you, and at the same time...He will let His light shine through YOU in all that you do!
Just a little tidbit from Wikipedia about geckos: Many species will, in defense, expel a foul-smelling material and feces onto their aggressors...
So you might want to be nice to them, too.
Even though I'm not related by blood to anyone on the trip, I remain a Sister in Christ, and will continue to pray for you all. Isn't God awesome?!?!?
Stacey, everyone at work says hi. We shared a laugh this morning about the geckos and cockroaches!
Hey Everyone!
Well its nice to know you all made it there safe! But I do have to say, I wish I was there!! I hope everyone is having a good time!
Nae, Wow I NEVER thought I would say this but, I miss you SOOOOO MUCH!! No, I am not getting sick, I realy do miss you!! I hope you are having a GREAT time!
Ally, I hope you don't have any "Flying Bugs" in your bed this year! I do have to say, That was REALY FUNNY!!
Have A Great Day/Trip,
<33's dailyndobrae
Grammy said...
Emily C - just looked at the pictures. You building a bunk bed????!!!! I can see you decorating one, but building one . . . but I know with God's help you built a beautiful bunk bed!!! Remember - "Whatsoever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord."
I can't wait to see more pics and hear what happening today!!!!
Love you bunches and bunches!!!!
Grammy :)
Hey.
Its nice to know that you all made it safely. and i hope your having a fun time.
Taylor R.- I Miss You. and i hope your having fun in the lovely heat.=)lol.
and
Brittany W.- I miss you too. hope your having fun!
I pray for you!
Yanks swept the Twins...if anyone cares....
Love, Mom
hey connor,
i miss you a lot and like mom said the house is a lot quiter but i cant wait till u get back!
i hope you have a lot of fun!
love you,
your favorite sister kailyn
Dylan,
Hope all is well, we miss you and so does Sam, he is "meowing" all over the house. How was the malaria pill? did it make you dizzy?
Rachel S. I met your mom today in the salon that I work at and she told me to tell you HELLO!!! She couldn't send a message thru the blog, so she asked me if I would do it for her!!!
Many Blessings!!
Connor,
Hope you are having a great time!!!
I sure am looking forward to you getting back home.
Finally got to see a picture of you on the blog. Was starting to think Jeremy lost you. Ha.
We'll see you Thursday.
Mike
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