Wednesday

This is Ebenezer, the huge Pentecostal church a half mile away from Faro de Luz. Many people we talk to say they attend this church, and you can see the church sticker on cars all around.

The Conovers, minus Joy, who was taking exams at school.

A view into Honduras

For all you interested in gas prices, this is what we are paying here. 92 lempiras for Super would be about $4.60. The exchange rate is roughly 20 lps to $1.

Car washing at its finest! This is the way to do it here, unless you want to pay $10 to $15 at a car wash.

Here is just a sample of the food I have been eating. This is "Gringa Especial," - a tortilla with ham, cheese, and chicken inside and served with cebollas (onions) and zanahorias (carrots) and pepper.

This is Mariela. We met a couple days ago to talk about baptism and security of salvation - all in Spanish!!! Story behind the picture: Aida Conover was with me (5 year old) and I gave her my camera to look at pictures and hopefully keep her busy while we talked. She ended up taking pictures of everyone and everything at the house. I am learning a lot about the culture and much about being a missionary to a Latin American country and adapting ministry to that culture. Pentecostalism is huge here, and although Roman Catholicism might be recorded as having the most percentage in the country, the Pentecostal churches are the most faithfully attended.

Saturday

Dando mi testimonio (Here I am giving my testimony IN SPANISH today at the Mother's Day celebration.)

Friday

Today started out with an exploration of the Centro de San Pedro Sula for some errands and cultural education for me. We saw a huge Pentecostal church and actually briefly went inside to see their pastor walking with his microphone and laying his hand an each person standing at the front - something about healing them. Mr. Conover said that this whole emotional experience is very accepted by Latin American people. But to see how they are misguided... it is sad. As Doctor Felipe said, I am here to serve, and part of that means using the musical talents God has given me. Today, that meant piano lessons. During my 8 weeks here, I get to teach Joy y Aida the very basics of beginning piano. We worked on the notes C,D, and E mainly, recognizing them on the piano and on the musical score. We'll see how this progresses as the time goes on! I think the biggest thing for me has been the people. They are so nice. I am so blessed with the chance to get to know these people and learn from them. Pastor Sam and his always having a church invitation and tract to hand out to whomever he talks to - today the post office worker and the people coming to the stopped cars' windows. And the my hostess, her husband says she can teach me how to witness in Spanish because she is good at that. Wow! How much are we in America so absorbed with our own lives and little take time to notice the people around us that need Christ. And to be known as someone who is a good witness. Meditate on that.

Wednesday pictures

A view of San Pedro Sula from the car. Yesterday was errand day - bank, un taller (garage to drop off the one car), wedding, and then prayer service in the evening. Also in the picture are Coke and Pepsi signs for the people of Calvary to enjoy. :) Here is Joy Conover practicing her violin for me.

Thursday

5/15/12 9:15 A.M. EST I’m getting ready to board my flight to SPS soon. The first flight was nice and smooth… and I talked almost the whole time with the guy next to me. He works with the hotel business, and I believe he is from Charleston, SC (at least he grew up there). He said his dad was Indian and became a Christian because of some missionaries there. He was going on about how there are more Christians there in India than here in the USA. And his mom is from Japan. I knew he was going to be friendly when I looked up and saw he was heading to the window seat next to me. (always a good feeling!) He was very polite too. He had a newspaper out, and I decided to get out my Bible to read. I read one chapter than closed it because they were getting ready to leave the gate, and I couldn’t concentrate. He noticed my Bible because he asked if I was heading out on a mission and asked if I was just reading or studying my Bible. I got to tell him about my internship, and we started talking about BJU and churches. He asked me several questions about different denominations and was very interested when I told him that my school was non-denominational because in Christ we can get along as long as we agree with the fundamental doctrines. We talked about what I believe, evolution, the beginning of denominations, my being Baptist, Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, the Crusades, and so much more. Here’s where I say a special thanks to Dr. Cook for Apologetics class this last semester. That and many of my classes last semester and what I learned in them really gave me the foundation and knowledge to be able to talk to him. Why is all that significant? Because a man whose family wants to start going to church, who doesn’t read His Bible, and is unsaved was asking ME about what I believe, what to look for in a denomination, and what the Bible teaches. And I couldn’t just email one of my professors at school or call up my Dad – I had to know what I believed and why. And the Bible says be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you of a reason of the hope that is in you. It really made me think of the importance of every day having a good relationship with God and being ready whenever to share about my God. I’m thankful for that chance to talk to that man, and I pray that God will use my conversation to work in his life and that someday He will know Christ personally. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5/16/12 11:47 A.M. Carlos was right. It is hot and humid here, but it is beautiful. I am going to love it here. The people are so nice, and I am so glad that I get to be here for 8 weeks for my internship. I am staying with Los Aguilera for the first two weeks. We had a great talk (half Spanish, half English) before they sent me to bed to rest up from my trip, and at breakfast this morning some more. Señora Aguilera asked if I preferred them speaking in English or Spanish; I said “los dos” (both) and that I want to learn Spanish. Doctor Felipe said they would help me learn Spanish. This morning started out with a trip to the bank for money exchanging and other errands. I got to see a protest on the streets of the city – we made it on the road right in front of them. And everywhere there are armed “vigilantes” or security guards. What I have learned so far culturally. Workers don’t have very good treatment. Mr. Conover was saying that they have a set time to go to work, but they can’t leave until their manager lets them go. So sometimes that means a 12-14 hour workday. Much different than in the USA!

5/15/12 - the journey begins...

I'm at the airport and getting ready to board for my first flight in a few moments!

Honduras!!

In just a few minutes I will be leaving home and beginning my journey
towards Honduras where I will be for my missions internship May 15
through July 10. After a year of planning, it's hard to believe that
the long-awaited day is finally here. My bags are mainly packed; I
have a few small errands left; and then I shall be off to spend the
night with relatives before flying out early in the morning.

I was heading back home last night after spending some last moments
with some good friends after church, and I was thinking about all the
goodbyes I had just said and the wonderful people of my home church
who are so supportive. But I was also thinking about this journey I am
embarking on. Going by myself on this internship is a big step for me;
I'm leaving my comfort zone big time. Yet I am at the same time
excited because I can't wait to see how God is going to grow me
through this.

I've been thinking a lot about one of Ron Hamilton's songs - "How Can
I Fear." The words are powerful.
"When I'm alone, and I face the unknown,
And I fear what the future may be;
I can depend on the strength of my Friend;
He walks along with me.

HOW CAN I FEAR? JESUS is near;
He ever watches over me!
Worries all cease;
He gives me peace.
How can I fear with Jesus?"

I'm going alone, and I'm facing a lot of unknowns. But in reality, I'm
not alone. Jesus is with me, so why should I fear anything? Wherever
this trip takes me, God's way is perfect. Though there will be
mountains and valleys, rain and shine, my Father makes no mistakes. He
has a perfect path for me, and as I follow Him, He will lead me down
that perfect path that is for my good and His glory.