Monday, June 27, 2016
Winging It
I am on my way home after another ten days in
Honduras. I have new friends whom two
weeks ago I had never met and we have connected well. I have been to remote parts of Honduras in
the LaMoskitia area of the Gracias a Dios Department. I have engaged with people of a culture and a
world far different from the one I live in.
I have watched my teammates interact with these people with a fervor
borne of a true and sincere desire to have a positive impact upon their
lives. I have watched other Hondurans
interact with people of their country in a desire to improve their lives by
bringing them the gift of clean water.
Personally I have engaged with people of a culture far different from
what I know and I find a strong desire to return at a date yet to be
determined.
I have experienced and admired the sincerity of my
Honduran teammates in their devotion to the God we both serve and I find it
inspiring. Their faith is strong and
solemn and joyful.
I have experienced dreams and opportunities which
challenge me to move on with my life. I
think I am still reeling from Muggy’s leaving some 16 months ago. Tomorrow would have been our 41st
wedding anniversary, but I will not celebrate as she’s not physically with me,
but I will remember. At some level
within me I am letting go and moving on.
I have talked with sages in my life during this trip
about the future. I have met a man who
has impacted my life more in a short period of time than anyone I have ever
met. I look at him at times and listen
to him always and I think I am seeing the personification of Jesus. He is warm and genuine and loving. He encourages, he helps, he mentors, he
teaches both in words and deeds.
I am
encouraged to hear that my new friends think I can lead a team to Honduras
sometime in the future; I think I will.
I have talked with them of more efforts at reaching out to the people of
Honduras to bring them a better quality of life. We spoke of dependency mentality. The Hondurans sometimes expect us to support
them, to continue to supply them with the things they need. We debate whether this is good. When I think of the extravagance of my world compared
to theirs I believe that this is what I am called to do and I will be obedient
to what God is asking me to do.
Ours was
a very ecumenical group. We encouraged
the diversity and we learned from each other; it was an amazing opportunity.
The proverbial bottom line for all of us was to help our fellow men and women
and I sincerely believe we did!
I am
humbled once again by the opportunities I am given to participate in these
adventures. I thank God for the new
friends I have, both from my team and in Honduras. I will be back!