Honduras 2024

Every summer, more and more people seem to come to see our work in Honduras. This summer, we had another record-breaking number. There are always churches that book a week and then cannot come, and this summer, despite having over 100 guests, we had another 40 that canceled. Our schedule was so packed that we had seven weeks without a break.

Each week, as we escorted one group through the immigration and security checkpoint – fifty yards away, another group was picking up their bags and getting ready to start their week. This summer we were blessed with groups from Georgia (2), Florida (2), Indiana (1), Ohio (2), Tennessee (1), and Texas (3). Every group that came provided $10 food bags to give to needy families. Altogether, they purchased 2,609 food bags. Each bag weighed about 14 pounds, a total of 36,526 pounds of food given away in the Name of Jesus. Every group brought so many toys and school supplies that we may have put stores out of business. Many had animal balloons, and some entertained the children and adults with puppet shows. We also received 250 Spanish Bibles and cases of tracks and Gospels, much of which have already been given away. It was an incredible summer!

 Lighthouse Baptist in San Antonio demonstrated their extraordinary generosity by providing enough daily vitamins for our Touch a Life children to last at least a half-year. Their selfless act of kindness is not just a testament to the power of generosity; it is a beacon of hope for our mission. We are deeply grateful for their support and commitment to the health of our children. Their generosity has made a significant impact on our mission, and we are truly appreciative of their contribution.         

 Tabernacle Baptist in Orlando organized several impactful events, including one for the youth in our town. Over 300 teenagers attended a multi-hour event with lunch, drinks, snacks, games, and a gospel message. The event was not just successful but a resounding triumph, evident from the students’ smiles, energy, and positive attitudes. This event has significantly influenced our ability to evangelize this particular high school for the second year in a row. The success of these events gives us hope and inspiration for the future of our mission. We anticipate the impact of next year’s event, knowing it will be another step towards our mission’s success. They also brought games and equipment that they left for us. These will positively impact our youth outreach for years to come.

 Every church got to visit the Tolupan Indians, and before going, I always shared the story of how we found them. Since that day, we have evangelized the entire tribe living in the remote mountains. This year’s groups met the widow of the former Caseke (chief) (pronounced Kah-see-kay), who passed away a few years ago at the age of 114. (At the time, he had a seven-year-old son!)

I enjoy sharing the story of Alvaro, who still wears only the traditional clothes, who is now probably eighty-five years old. He was the “enforcer” for one of the past casekes and always carried a stick to beat any transgressors. When we first met, he said he would never see me again because the earth would open its mouth and swallow me. I assured him that if God wills it, I will return, and I have many times. Eventually, he accepted Christ.

This summer, I met his wife and four children. She doesn’t speak Spanish, and she was terrified of us. (She was raised to believe that all white people are Spanish conquistadors who are coming to kill, loot, and steal their children. They struggle to comprehend that was 500 years ago.) His wife speaks only their native language. Still, it was a blessing to provide his family with some food. They live high in the mountains and walk for many hours to get to the “town.” Knowing how much I love him, someone went up the mountain to tell him we were coming, and they all walked down to meet us.

While several groups got to visit one village, two visited two villages, and our final group, Bible Baptist, Fairfield, OH, was blessed to visit three! Final Frontiers has started four churches among the Tolupan in the past few years. Still, another church among them is now partnering with us. The pastor has asked us to open a feeding center for them. The ultimate plan is to open three centers in their three largest communities.

Let me break your heart. While the group was interacting with the village adults and children in one village, I was approached by a lady who asked for a feeding center. She told me they used to have a feeding program, but the funding had disappeared. Still, to get an idea for a budget, I asked what they fed the children, and I was told that they would get a small portion of rice once a week. “What about beans, meat, vegetables, and tortillas,” I asked. Amazingly, she looked at me and said, “We can’t afford tortillas. There is no meat or vegetables here, and beans would be a luxury.”  When she told me this, I had to walk away from the group to hide my tears.

The poorest of the poor in Central America survive on the carbs in their tortillas and protein-packed beans. Yet, these precious people cannot give even that to their children. Groups that come down for a week have no idea what impact they make, especially with the food bags they purchase and distribute. It lasts long beyond their time in Honduras and opens doors of ministry opportunities that have never been opened before.

Truthfully, we don’t host mission trips; we host Visionary Trips. Though we want our groups to minister while there, we mostly want them to get a vision for what we do, how we do it, and why. As a result, several churches are now preparing Christmas gifts for some of our larger ministries, giving each child a toy and each family a food bag. Can you imagine how that will bless these local churches?

It is a blessing to let Americans experience missionary life for a week. They are always so understanding when plans get canceled, floods wash away our intended path, and roads get so bogged down with mud that we sometimes have to walk the final half-mile instead of riding. They love visiting the homes of the poor, attending church services, feeding the kids, and playing with them – and drinking the home-grown, freshly roasted coffee. And I do, too.

Several weeks are already reserved for next summer, so contact me here to reserve your week. Procrastination will destroy your plans, so contact me soon.