Be Strong and Courageous - Seek GOD first. Tuesday June 22, 2021

 Tuesday June 22, 2021


There are so many stories to write about while on mission, it is hard to pick and chose which ones we share.  Often times on mission, there is one moment that leaves a significant imprint on my heart.  Today I had one of those moments.  Some of you may remember that there are 3 little boys our mission team has kind of taken under their wing a little bit. Mike, our team leader, first met them last year when he discovered they were homeless through the principal of the special needs school.  Nixon (7?) is the oldest and Jacel and Jafeth (5?) are the youngest (twins).  They were living under a box and it was when they were caught stealing food from the special needs school that the principal decided to try to help them.  During a meeting with the principal Mike asked who they were and they became part of our story and left an imprint in our hearts.  We have tried to help them find security and through the love and through the love and care of people here in Honduras, they were able to be reunited with a Grandma.  


We visited them today at their “home” to check in on them and see how they were doing.  We were overwhelmed when we arrived.  Their living situation is not good, or healthy and the family has many issues.  Poverty being their primary issue but they also have an uncle who is not long for this earth and is quietly dying in a hammock in their yard.  There are 3 families that live in two tiny shacks.  They have little or no food and the Grandma is clearly overwhelmed.  The boys have no shoes and they have infected cuts on their feet.  But yet they are typical boys, running around playing.  It was so hard to see so much pain and suffering and I struggle to know where to start with helping them.  We spent time talking and listening to the family and finding out their needs and we spent a lot of time in prayer.   


At our devotion earlier that day, John had asked us to think about what “Be strong and courageous” means to us in 2021.  This was something I spent a lot of time reflecting on during our visit and the one thing that kept coming to mind was the serenity prayer…..”God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference…..”.  It takes all my strength to keep it together when I find myself witnessing such pain and suffering.  My nature is to want to swoop in and “fix it”.   


The key sentence from this prayer is “the wisdom to know the difference”.  Yes, there are things I can do to help, I can bring hope, I can pray, I can provide food.  I can be strong and courageous.  But being strong and courageous also means recognizing things I cannot change and being okay with that.  It means being willing to do the things I can do to help, to get out of my comfort zone.  I need to learn when I can help and when I can’t and allow myself that freedom to give it to God.  Seek God first.  Through all suffering and pain I know God is present.  I feel it deeply when I am hear.   I pray for guidance and faith as my journey  continues down here in Honduras.  


We did take them food and some other things.  It brought joy to them.  Nixon ran through the yard yelling, “we have milk, we have milk!!”.  It was good to see the family smile.  It was a small token, and yes a bandaid.  But it is also hope.  We want the to know that there are people that care.  That is why we are here.  


It was a good day, but it was also a hard day.  I know there will be more days like this, but in all days good or bad, there are always blessings.  I’m happy to be here, I feel blessed to be part of this mission.  


Shelley B. 


The uncle is very sick and is unlikely to survive much longer

Walking up to the shelter they live under
Inside one of two shelters.  6 people live in this one together and share the beds in there 
Nixon, and his younger twin brothers, Jacel & Jafeth 

Praying for the uncle in the family. 
Grandma needed a little extra love today.  Her heart is breaking.  
Nixon, Jacel, Jafeth with their aunt and cousin

More from their living quarters

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