where is Christ in your home?

Yesterday we were working at the home of the family we are serving. Last year we tore the families current home down before we started on their new home. This year there is enough room to allow the family to remain in their home until the new one is finished.
Their current home is built of discarded materials and wrapped in plastic. The front door looks like one am old farm house would have hosted. It is screen and has carved wood working as it's frame. About eye level, on the screen itself, are two hand prints made of white paint. Attached to the door on one of those hand prints is a picture of Christ.
As little as this family has the first thing they want you to see is that they serve our Lord and Savior. They are proud their home and what it represents regardless of its appearance.
It made me think about how far you have to walk into my house before you see a sign that my home is dedicated to our Lord and Savior.
How far do you have to walk into your own home before you show your dedication to your faith?
I have some decorating to do when I get home :0)

Day 2

Day 2~ After morning orientation, we viewed the property. We were able to see many updates from the years previous that we were here. Checked up on the trees that were planted, learned about how and where the bricks from the onsite brick "factory" are made and used. Each building on the property is made out of the bricks that are made onsite. Our villa for instance used 25,000 bricks, It's amazing!!! The coffee roaster was not roasting any beans this AM, but it still smelled amazing and as we learned about the process and the love and care that goes into the product, it certainly gave new appreciation for my morning brew at home. 

We then went over to the orphanages, there we met the children that we had learned about during orientation. We stayed and played games and tried to bless them the best and only way we could. We brought a few new card games, small toys, played jax, showed them our pictures, phones and taught them cart wheels and laughed...let's be honest, in reality they were really the ones blessing us. 

My heart was so moved and touched by their stories. My heart was again moved in a way that only God could. I'm more aware of previous struggles upon my heart, and in one second it all seemingly disappears. Have I ever known loss truly? Yes, just in a much different way. Have I ever been faced with rejection? No, I have been steered to Christ by Christ and he is the one who has spared me. Their smiling faces looking to interact and receive love is a true testimony to their hearts. Their hearts are not bitter and worn down. They are loved and in love with God, the comfort and the blessings This church and compound provide for the families that rely on it is miraculous. Again I am humbled by my expectations and I am encouraged to know in many ways that my belief of love and how it is shown in Christ's name heals completely. 

✌️💗🌻 Serena 

Will you give me a drink?

"Will you give me a drink?" (John 4:7)

On our first full day here in Honduras, the temperature is near the 100 degree Fahrenheit mark and I am in a constant state of thirst. It draws me to this scripture and how Jesus approached teaching a woman at Jacob's well and began to teach her to think outside the law and learn about God's grace. She was focused on water literally and the laws and customs society put in place. Jesus would have none of it and flipped this conversation around from asking her for literal water to teaching her about the Living Water that He offered. 

Man can put laws and rules in place, but it doesn't change God's order or grace. First of all in their world, Jews (Jesus) were not supposed to speak to Samaritans. She said, "How can you ask me for a drink?" (John 4:9). Also, men were not supposed to address women without their husbands present and Rabbis like Jesus had no business speaking to a woman with the questionable background like she had. 

Jesus took those customs and the very basic need of water and explained that when you take a drink of water, you are temporarily satisfied, but you are soon thirsty again.  Jesus explained that He offers the living water. Take the drink and you'll never be thirsty again. 

Whatever your background,whether as questionable as this woman's, or whatever your disadvantage or sin, there is Living water for anyone who would take a drink. Societies come and go. Situations change. Man's law and governments change. None of it changes God's Word and His Living water.  Focus on God and live where you find yourself and soon you'll be a well of His Living Water yourself. You'll be able to witness and spread the word. 

God Bless. 

Aaron Mason

The HOT Work in the summer sun begins.

 

We have already started framing the home, and before we pulled out the new hammers Nick brought the local hammer failed, broke in 2 pieces.  Not to be turned back on his mission, Tony grabbed a rock and completed the task.  We have hauled water, dug a latrine (8 foot hole in the sandy soil) in addition to working on the home.  Tonight we are going to experience the monthly youth (student) gathering and listen to Pastor Geovany's middle son, David, deliver his first message. 

Wounded

God really spoke to me today. He showed us the need that is in the world. He revealed to my heart that the wounds I have been unable to lay down from my childhood are significant to who I am. There was a BUT to his revelation! The BUT is this: PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE. Even though my wounds are real I have to put it in perspective. This is the perspective that God revealed, He has loved me through it all but it is time to see the wounds for what they were. He showed me little hearts that really have emotional and physical wounds. They have every reason to have anger and hatred in there hearts but God has stepped in to save and protect them, his love shines through them. So who am I to hold on to failure and hurt from a childhood of hurt and unfulfilled expectations. Gods perspective is that he can't move me to the next level until I see the wounds for what they have for been for me and lay them down at the foot of his throne. Out of today came the message "Son I have given you all you need to lay it down and be healed. I NEED you to do that so I can lift you up to the next level." God is great because he uses ALL things to accomplish his will. There is nothing that the devil can do that God is not working for the good of his children even before the devil does it.

Day 1

It is the end of the first day, and I cannot thank God enough for giving me all that I have. Hearing the orphans stories and putting them to their faces was amazing. It was a feeling I won't forget. It reminds me that every frustration or hurt I have ever been through is nothing compared to what these kids have gone through and most of them aren't even 10 yet. 

I remember why I had the drive to come back after my experience last year. I fell in love all over again. With the people, the scenery, everything. I almost feel like I never even left. Everything is pure happiness here and I adore it. God is so good. 

Being able to have both my parents here is awesome. I love being able to look at my mom and see her soak it all in. 

After reading a prayer partner letter this morning I'm taking her advice and soaking everything in. Looking at the people and remembering their smiles, or staring at how beautiful the mountains are.

I am forever grateful for the opportunity to come here because it truly has changed my life and I am so thankful for the people who have made this a reality for me. 

Thank you all again ❤️

Day 1 Travel

Day 1 was abound with blessings from the Lord. All our flights were smooth and timely. The bus trip from Tugucigalpa to Choluteca was as always interesting and filled with faith that the Lord will get you there. It is very tiring meeting at church at 330ish in the morning and starting the trip that lands you at a mission house in Choluteca Honduras. For some reason it took a lot out of me this year. God is faithful and I know will fill me back up to overflowing with his love and mercy. Can't wait to see what day 2 has in store.