Shared by Julie Gulley, Lifeline’s Mission Trip Coordinator
Last fall, I was blessed to be part of a women’s team who served the Living Hope Christian Church in Tegucigalpa*, Honduras. The church had prayed for two years that the Lord would send a team to visit them. In fact, Pastor Eduardo started to cry when thanking our group for coming; to say the church was overjoyed is an understatement!
Our goal was to spend time encouraging the women and children, but little did we know how God would move and bless everyone!
Simply serving…
On the first day, we held a VBS for the children with the theme “Jesus is My Superhero.” The team gave the children capes designed from t-shirts and the children decorated superhero masks. The kids were so happy and enthusiastic! Eduardo told us to plan for 40 children but more than twice as many children showed up! As only God can do, He stretched the crafts and goody bags in an amazing way! The smiles on the children’s faces will stay with me for a long time.
The next day we had a Bible study for the ladies of the church. I have never met more loving people! Each one of them hugged us tight as they came through the doors and their smiles lit up the room. A sweet joyful spirit filled the air as the women arrived. We had planned for 25 women but we had to keep adding tables and chairs as over 60 women came! The women created a craft and Maya, Pastor Antonio’s wife from Ocotillo Christian Church (Honduras), taught a beautiful lesson on how we are the aroma of Christ; a sweet fragrance to the Lord. After celebrating communion together, we shared a wonderful potluck meal.
It’s not our plans, but His…
We had planned to head back to San Pedro Sula the next morning, but the Lord had other plans! Our bus broke down, so while it was being repaired, we went on house visits. Pastor Eduardo and members of the church evangelize in their community by going out and knocking on doors. If someone is willing to hear God’s Word, then they start meeting with that family weekly. Once they have four or five families, they then organize them into small groups.
How enlightening it was to sit in their homes and learn about life in Tegucigalpa! Life is hard and they face many struggles but their faith is very strong and their dependence on Jesus for their daily needs is palpable. Our faith was strengthened and we were encouraged to trust more fully in our Heavenly Father for all of our needs.
The future of the church
The church has a vision for growth and outreach, and the fields in Tegucigalpa are definitely ripe for harvest!
Above the church building is an unfinished second floor and their prayer is to create classrooms that can be used for Sunday School classes, a bilingual Christian school and also dorms to house mission teams! Gangs and drugs are prevalent in the city and a Christian school would create a safe haven for raising up the next generation of leaders.
There is an unfinished, open-air third floor/roof on the building. The church has the vision to build a soccer/recreation field on the roof to provide a safe place for kids to have fun and experience God’s love from the church leaders.
They also have an active prison ministry for men and women.
Your next step?
Our time together was too short. Although our trip may be over, yours may just be beginning…
You are invited to go on a mission trip to serve alongside the Living Hope church, as they strive to reach out to their community. You could assist with construction, or you could be an encourager to the church/church leaders as they minister to their community.
Community outreach is woven into the fabric of the Living Hope church. They are eager to continue construction, yet they need additional support. They are looking for donors to catch their vision and to come alongside to be a ministry partner, as they reach out to their community.
Learn more: Begin your trip and catch their vision.
*Living Hope Christian Church came under Lifeline’s umbrella in 2013, and we are continuing to walk alongside the church and learn more about their ministry. Tegucigalpa is the capital of Honduras and sits in a valley surrounded by mountains. Over one million people live in the city; it is very crowded. We saw many American-style fast food restaurants right alongside rustic shacks selling local goods, and beautiful Spanish architecture buildings sitting next to a modern high rise!
