Day 4 ~ Worship

Our team worshipped this morning in Santa Ana, a beautiful tiny town with quiet streets and some very beautiful gardens. Our service was held in a small building with concrete floors, metal chairs, and puppies running in and out every few minutes. Definitely not the kind of church service we are used to, which made it all the sweeter. Worshiping beside these people was so cool. Matt Bortell led us in English worship songs. The Honduran children singing the name "JESUS" at the top of their lungs when we sang "Firm Foundation" was a highlight for many of us. Someone is obviously teaching his name in this place. There was a song leader for the Spanish speaking as well. We had a guy translate the lesson for us, a very good one on wisdom. At one point, we were all singing the same song, at the same time, in our own language, to the same God. Amazing.
After church we went to an orphanage called Casa de Esperanza, or House of Hope. The kids were so excited play with us. They had all been in worship service with us that morning. All of the little boys were given Matchbox cars, which they played with all day. The girls got stuffed animals and were really sweet in their sharing. For lunch, we had a pizza party with them. We even got to look around in their little shop, where several of us laid down some cash.
:-) Jen showed some of us that had never been there around. She explained a little about how things work here. WE heard a few of the childrens' stories and I can't really even express how much these kids need and deserve the love, attention, and support that they get here. We would love for you to take some time to look at their web site, www.cdehonduras.org.
We had a bit of down time this afternoon and many of us napped! YAY! Then we put those big bags of food to good use. We went to a very depressed neighborhood and passed these bags out to the families. I have posted a couple of pictures to TRY to convey the devastation here. They don't do it justice. In order to keep order, we walked to the bottom of the long hill that was crammed with homes. We started at the bottom and worked our way back to the top. We gave them food, a Bible, and told them "God Bless You". There was a little boy, very little, whose house we passed at the top. He ran through the crowd till he got to the base of the hill and was speaking desperately to Lacey. "My daddy has ulcers on the bottoms of his feet. He can't work, he can barely walk. Please can we have some food." We had passed his house. He thought he was forgotten. Too many are. Ugh. Bless his daddy, whom we met. Bless his heart for caring for his family. We're returning tomorrow because many saw us but we ran out of food. We'll spend time with them tomorrow, sitting on their door steps and holding their children.
Please keep us in your prayers. Tomorrow we will do one of two feedings at the dump. We are all having a wonderful time and LOVE spending so much time together in Jen's beautiful home. Love from Honduras to home!