A home is more than four squared walls with cutouts for windows and doors. A home is where lives are shared, bread is broken, and stories are told. Friends gather around tables and share in each others lives.
As our team ventured to Honduras, we went with the anticipation of building houses that would become homes for three families. Prior to the dedication of the houses these new first-time homeowners* lived in shelters. Structures made to keep out the elements and protect the families within as best they could.
Shelters, some houses even, are simply constructed and utilized for survival. Conversely, a home provides a sense of stability and pride.
The last day of our trip six sets of bunk beds were built, floors swept, and materials cleaned away. Then for the dedications of the houses.
Photo taken by James. Pictured here are Esperanza (top) and Rose (bottom).
May the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
~Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord put a little girl on my heart and in my path the very first day on the work site. She was shy, sullen, and quite. I later learned her name, Rose. She was accompanied by her older brother, Juno. He sat and watched me hammer for a while. I would look at him and say, “hammer,” then “nail,” trying to engage him. He then began helping us carry wood and such.
The next workday was Monday and again Rose was there; this time with her sister Esperanza and mother Maria. Still no smile. In fact, my heart was broken even more as Rose tripped over a rock and fell to the ground. No tears, no comfort from mom. She laid in the dirt until her mother helped her to her feet.
Emily had chosen a necklace and bracelets to give as gifts and these I had kept in my tool belt all day on Tuesday hoping to see Rose. These gifts, with a little game of peek-a-boo, brought on the long awaited smile.
When I learned that this sweet family were to be the recipients of a house I knew that what we were doing was making a difference. We had been given the gift of delivering God’s present to a few of His people.
I lift my eyes unto the hills; where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and earth.
~Psalm 120:1
Angelica was the mom of the second family receiving a home. She is a prayer warrior and said she most looks forward to making her house a house of prayer. Angelica worked in the trash dump and lived there for 22 years. She has many children, perhaps 7, one son died and one lives on the street. She is married and her husband works on the trash dump.
From left to right: Pastor Jeony of AFE, Angelica, Poker of Student Ministry Essentials, and Austin of Orphan Outreach.
Angelica remembers her life void of hope. She says she ate at the trash dump, slept there, and was violated at the dump. She was very depressed and would lie in her makeshift bed. One day a missionary from the U. S. came to her and told her to “stand up to live. Stand firm in the Lord Jesus.” That day she did and now three years later she is a woman marked by prayer. During the dedication she kept praying blessings over us, the workers, and our family.
Every good and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
~James 1:17
The third house went to a family of 10. All the family members work on the trash dump. Only the mom could come to the dedication as all other hands were needed in earning a living.
The dedications were emotion filled as each homeowner was prayed over blessed, and presented with gifts including a signed Bible from the team.
At dinner that night I saw what I had glimpsed at the dedications: we are all alike. We are a created and loved people. We all become hungry, dirty, and tired. We each struggle and stumble and fall short. We cry, we laugh, and we live. Around the dinner table on Thursday night, were not Hondurans and Americans, we were family.
Brian, Esperanza, and Juno from house 1.
Angelica, her daughter and I.
The family from house 3 along with my teammates Fisher, James, Pastor Jeony, and myself.
Angelica repeatedly told me of her appreciation and that she ate with us because she was happy. I told her that we are sisters in Christ Jesus and she smiled and said, “yes.” She said she prays for all the world.
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
~James 2:5
I want to follow my sister, Angelica’s, example and pray for all the world on a daily basis. Perhaps the four squared walls that we call home could become a house of prayer providing a window of opportunity for a world in need. In this way our temporary home impacts the eternal.
A special thank you to all the 30 members of our team from Calvary and to the local Hondurans who worked side-by-side with us to make this a reality.
*The homes are not owned by the parents, but are deeded to the youngest child upon graduation from AFE. Until such a time 50% of the house is deeded to AFE and 50% to the family.
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