Sunday, September 16, 2012
Sunday, September 25, 2011
LAST DAY
The last day is always sad, leaving the kids behind.
We did what we came to do: finish the project helping run sewer line to the boys houses, preached, taught and loved lots of kids. Of course, with about 485 kids, we were outloved back. You feel like a rock star, walking along the 50 acres of developed campus and having your name called constantly, asking to have a picture taken with you, having a small mob of kids rushing you, wanting to touch you, talk to you, hug you.
We did what we came to do, but there is more to be done there, and leaving feels like unfinished business.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday by Chris...
Team Honduras is already growing a little sad, knowing that our week here is drawing to a close. We are going to miss these kids terribly. You cannot walk past any part of the campus while the children are out of school without being mobbed or hearing your name called dozens of times. It is truly a place where you are known and wanted every minute of the day.
Last night, we had the children who are sponsored by various team members in our team home for dinner of hearty chicken soup, cornbread and rice. For dessert, Neal Starling figured out how to make an ice cream machine work, and we had ice cream. One girl shared it was the second time in her life that she had tasted that treat.
Our physical project of laying a new sewer line for three boys houses is nearly complete and we should finish today.
Our days start early here, this morning at 6:15 today for “Big Circle” The kids gather in front of their homes every morning for small circle, where they stand in a circle, sing a few songs and have a devotional. Some of those have been given by team members. Friday is a day when all 485 kids gather in one large circle for a devotional. This morning, Linsey Wisdom will give giving the devotional from Luke.
Like all the team members, Linsey has stepped up to the many challenges here and allowed her gifts to blossom. This remarkable team has served these children and Hillside well, in ways that would make every church member proud.
--Christopher Quinn
Last night, we had the children who are sponsored by various team members in our team home for dinner of hearty chicken soup, cornbread and rice. For dessert, Neal Starling figured out how to make an ice cream machine work, and we had ice cream. One girl shared it was the second time in her life that she had tasted that treat.
Our physical project of laying a new sewer line for three boys houses is nearly complete and we should finish today.
Our days start early here, this morning at 6:15 today for “Big Circle” The kids gather in front of their homes every morning for small circle, where they stand in a circle, sing a few songs and have a devotional. Some of those have been given by team members. Friday is a day when all 485 kids gather in one large circle for a devotional. This morning, Linsey Wisdom will give giving the devotional from Luke.
Like all the team members, Linsey has stepped up to the many challenges here and allowed her gifts to blossom. This remarkable team has served these children and Hillside well, in ways that would make every church member proud.
--Christopher Quinn
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday...By Linsey
How majestic is our God, and what a testimony He has given us all in this place.
The children here attend church both on Sundays and Wednesdays (in addition to morning circle time daily and afternoon bible studies on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). On Sunday, we were so blessed to hear team-member Mark Holland's sermon on how much God loves us all. He spoke to the children telling them of belief in Christ as a bridge to life eternal.
On Wednesday, team member Greg Elder continued that message telling the children that they are not only loved by Christ, but that they are beautiful, regardless of the past, of what may have been said about them, or how they may see themselves. Christine Edwards, who has added so much to the trip with her music ministry, accompanied both sermons. But, on Wednesday, she had prepared an extra special message.
Collecting pictures throughout the week of children here at Emmanuel, Christine created a video to Mercy Me's song, "You are Beautiful."
What started as giggles across the congregation as children caught a glimpse of a well-recognized face or two soon turned to quiet tears as they read the lyrics in Spanish on the screen and began to receive the message. At the end of the video, Greg called anyone to the altar who was ready to profess their faith and receive Christ.
No one moved.
Christine had almost finished her song on the guitar in the still church when the first child stood up and approached the altar. And then another. And another.
Four girls led Cheri Orr by the hand to the altar and asked her to pray over them as they received Christ. These four were girls Cheri had ministered to both this year and last year when she came to Honduras, and here they were together, praying in a group and crying as they received their Savior. Likewise, one of our student team members, Ashby Kernea, was led by two girls to the altar. Ashby prayed in English while the Honduran minister translated her prayer over the girls.
By the end of the night, somewhere between 14 - 18 youth professed their faith, received Christ, and accepted their Lord and Savior.
Afterward, many other youth who had completed a class, like confirmation, were dunked in the baptismal pool as each received the sacrament.
Witnessing such a beautiful moment was powerful and emotionally exhausting for the entire group. Our bodies may be tired, but our spirits are renewed and remain strong as we head into another day.
Yours in Christ,
Linsey and team Honduras
The children here attend church both on Sundays and Wednesdays (in addition to morning circle time daily and afternoon bible studies on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). On Sunday, we were so blessed to hear team-member Mark Holland's sermon on how much God loves us all. He spoke to the children telling them of belief in Christ as a bridge to life eternal.
On Wednesday, team member Greg Elder continued that message telling the children that they are not only loved by Christ, but that they are beautiful, regardless of the past, of what may have been said about them, or how they may see themselves. Christine Edwards, who has added so much to the trip with her music ministry, accompanied both sermons. But, on Wednesday, she had prepared an extra special message.
Collecting pictures throughout the week of children here at Emmanuel, Christine created a video to Mercy Me's song, "You are Beautiful."
What started as giggles across the congregation as children caught a glimpse of a well-recognized face or two soon turned to quiet tears as they read the lyrics in Spanish on the screen and began to receive the message. At the end of the video, Greg called anyone to the altar who was ready to profess their faith and receive Christ.
No one moved.
Christine had almost finished her song on the guitar in the still church when the first child stood up and approached the altar. And then another. And another.
Four girls led Cheri Orr by the hand to the altar and asked her to pray over them as they received Christ. These four were girls Cheri had ministered to both this year and last year when she came to Honduras, and here they were together, praying in a group and crying as they received their Savior. Likewise, one of our student team members, Ashby Kernea, was led by two girls to the altar. Ashby prayed in English while the Honduran minister translated her prayer over the girls.
By the end of the night, somewhere between 14 - 18 youth professed their faith, received Christ, and accepted their Lord and Savior.
Afterward, many other youth who had completed a class, like confirmation, were dunked in the baptismal pool as each received the sacrament.
Witnessing such a beautiful moment was powerful and emotionally exhausting for the entire group. Our bodies may be tired, but our spirits are renewed and remain strong as we head into another day.
Yours in Christ,
Linsey and team Honduras
Wednesday, by Chris
And we are past the halfway point in Orphanage Emmanuel.
It was perhaps the most powerful day of all for the team, a day of dirt and water.
After another day in the trenches, laying a sewer line and another day working with the kids, Greg Elder preached for their Wednesday evening service.
The service began with team members handing out hundreds of cards prepared by Hillside members with a short message of love printed inside. Christine Edwards led the music and a short drama she had prepared with the medium girls, followed by Greg’s message: Beautiful.
It was a powerful affirmation for these “throw-away children” that they are special and loved, Christine and Mark Holland had prepared a short video of photos we had taken of childrens’ faces, played to Mercy Me’ song, “Beautful,” and Greg followed his message with a simple but effective call to come forward and accept God’s love and forgiveness, and more than half a dozen did. Other team members were there to pray with some of these children that we ourselves have grown to love.
It was also a night for baptisms, and Greg got his chance, with the help of founder David Martinez, to baptize nearly a dozen teenagers.
After the service, Bent and Katrina, two Danish workers who were running the halfway house in Tegucigalpa, helping Emmanuel graduates find jobs, had dinner with us and told of of their work here, including a scary robbery and home invasion. They are back here in Guaimaca after the home invasion in order to give them some time away and rethink the work of the halfway house.
The beautiful part of coming to Orphanage Emmanuel is the variety of work available. School work, helping with the little ones, digging and building....it’s truly a place where any member of Hillside could find a spot and share their skills. We are thankful for the opportunity to be here.
It was perhaps the most powerful day of all for the team, a day of dirt and water.
After another day in the trenches, laying a sewer line and another day working with the kids, Greg Elder preached for their Wednesday evening service.
The service began with team members handing out hundreds of cards prepared by Hillside members with a short message of love printed inside. Christine Edwards led the music and a short drama she had prepared with the medium girls, followed by Greg’s message: Beautiful.
It was a powerful affirmation for these “throw-away children” that they are special and loved, Christine and Mark Holland had prepared a short video of photos we had taken of childrens’ faces, played to Mercy Me’ song, “Beautful,” and Greg followed his message with a simple but effective call to come forward and accept God’s love and forgiveness, and more than half a dozen did. Other team members were there to pray with some of these children that we ourselves have grown to love.
It was also a night for baptisms, and Greg got his chance, with the help of founder David Martinez, to baptize nearly a dozen teenagers.
After the service, Bent and Katrina, two Danish workers who were running the halfway house in Tegucigalpa, helping Emmanuel graduates find jobs, had dinner with us and told of of their work here, including a scary robbery and home invasion. They are back here in Guaimaca after the home invasion in order to give them some time away and rethink the work of the halfway house.
The beautiful part of coming to Orphanage Emmanuel is the variety of work available. School work, helping with the little ones, digging and building....it’s truly a place where any member of Hillside could find a spot and share their skills. We are thankful for the opportunity to be here.
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