My experience in Honduras (Reflection)

Despite an ENTIRE day of travel to the beautiful land of Honduras, I had an experience of a lifetime. It may seem crazy to hear me say that a third world country could be that amazing, but the people I/our team came in contact with were priceless. On this AH-MA-ZING trip to Honduras, God really showed me how to be a selfless person. 

**{{self•less [self-lis] adjective having little or no concern for oneself, especially with regard to fame, position, money, etc.; unselfish.}}**

          The people who live in Honduras are SO content and they don't find their hope & security in materialistic items ((the biggest homes, fanciest clothes, nicest cars, etc...)) they find *REAL* joy in Jesus Christ, not "artificial" joy in earthy items. I wish everybody could experience the trip I went on so God could change their hearts like He did mine. I guess going to a third world country was what it took for me to *wake up* and realize how grateful I am to live in America and have: 
1. Money.
2. Healthy food.
3. Air conditioning.
4. Water that's safe to drink 
5. Clean streets
6. Education
7. A substantial plumbing system to actually flush your toilet paper down the toilet, haha.
8. Easy access to everyday items (clothing stores/grocery stores/the necessities and what not)
AND MUCH, MUCH MORE.

         
         I’m not saying that I wasn't appreciative before, I just feel that this trip really presented me with an ENORMOUS illustration of what poverty looks like and that people don’t *need* materialistic items to make them joyful. There was a home (shack) some team members visited that was no bigger than 3-4 half bathrooms (to help you picture what it looks like) put together with a family of 10 living inside. The family was pleased, comfortable, appreciative, willing, and tolerant. That’s all they were used to, and material things wouldn't change their hearts.

*Highlight of my week* 

         I cannot tell you how gracious the little children are there. They want to build a relationship with you. They seek the attention and love. They will randomly come up to you and hug you, or luminously smile, and also give you candy. Even though there was a language barrier between English & Spanish, that really wasn’t an issue because when you’re in that very moment with a child, sometimes a genuine hug, bright smile, or a silly expression/gesture “speaks louder than words.” The kids there are understanding to the hindrance of the two languages and find a way to relay their thoughts and feelings. Even though there were many translators there to help us, sometimes I would act out what I wanted to say, and that worked occasionally. At times, the little kiddos would laugh at me if I was making ZERO sense with my Spanish speaking skills, but it humored them that I was trying…

Before going on this trip, I had asked the Lord in prayer for these things:

1. Pray that God would soften my heart and for me to reach other people’s needs besides my own.
2. Pray that God would open my eyes and heart and use me for His Glory. As well as push me outside my comfort zone.
3. Pray that I will come home a changed person, mentally & spiritually.
4. Lastly...pray for God's protection among the group and for many lives to be saved by the end of the week!
[every single one of these prayer requests were answered!]

          On the ride home from the airport, we were cruising down the highway, and I was replaying the scenery of Honduras in my mind and comparing it to America. I was looking out the window and started to tear up just looking around seeing huge department stores lined up, restaurants, hotels, etc. Whereas in Honduras, you see little shacks used as homes, litter everywhere, crops, cattle (cows, donkeys, and horses along with a few chickens and roosters) everywhere, rural roads, and HUGE mountains. God showed me that I can be satisfied and grateful with the simple things. I have grasped a better understanding that I don’t need worldly things to make me happy. Two weeks ago, I would have thought differently. I hope to go back to Honduras soon! People in America are freaking spoiled and don't realize how good they've got it! If I had it my way, I would have stayed MUCH longer in Honduras. I honestly didn’t want to come home. The love that was shared in the country of Honduras was precious. I can’t tell you how much I saw God’s light and love protruding out of the hearts of young children.

           I want to thank all of you all who financially supported me and who lifted me up in prayer. God answered every single one of my prayer requests, and I have never felt closer to Him than I have this past week on this mission’s trip. He truly changed my heart. Going on this trip, I had mingled expectations, and they were higher than I had imagined. I didn't know how God would use me, but gave me a heart for the needy.

~ Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” 

I love you all!
With love in Christ,
Morgan

Honduras Missions Trip 2o11: God, awkward tan lines & bug bites.

 {It was a gorgeous ride to Honduras}

 {Honduras; The Land of Beauty}

{Some Festival going on.}

{This bridge fell after an earthquake hit 3 months ago}

{A cute little house that sat on the mountain in the city of Balibrea}

*Picture taken in Balibrea

       

         *Picture taken in Balibrea

 *Picture taken in Balibrea

       

  *Picture taken in Balibrea

 *Picture taken in Balibrea

 {Studs. Some of the boys that attend the quaint church in Balibrea}

 *Picture taken in Balibrea

 *Picture taken in Balibrea

 {Adorable sisters.} *Picture taken in Balibrea

   *Picture taken in Balibrea

 *Picture taken in Balibrea

 *Picture taken in Balibrea

{Here is a picture of the EXTREMELY gorgeous view we had. We woke up looking out the window to this wonderful scenery at 6am.}

   {The boys at VBS (Vacation Bible School) In Balibrea.}

 {A girl from Balibrea attending VBS.} *Picture taken in Balibrea

 {A girl from Balibrea attending VBS.} *Picture taken in Balibrea

 {Ivis, attending VBS in Balibrea. This little boy has the biggest heart for  God & His light shines right through Ivis!} *Picture taken in Balibrea

   

 {Stud Muffin.}

 {VBS in Balibrea.}

{A little girl from Balibrea attending VBS} *Picture taken in Balibrea

 {A little girl from Balibrea attending VBS.}

 {The girls attending VBS in Balibrea.}

 {The boys attening VBS in Balibrea.}

 {This little one was SO cute, but feisty.} *Picture taken in Balibrea

 {A little boy from Balibrea attending VBS.}

 {Twin girls from Balibrea attending VBS.}

 {A little girl from Balibrea attending VBS.}

 {A little girl from Balibrea attending VBS.}

 {The field we played games on after VBS in Balibrea.}

 {LITTER. LITTER. LITTER. It's everywhere!}

 {Attending church on a Wednesday night in Balibrea visiting with the kids.}

     

         {Me, Popo, & Emily.}

  {He liked chewing on string...}

  {Ivis & I.}

       

  {Emily & Ivis.}

 {The little girls playing "Miss Marry Mack" in Spanish, of course...}

        

         {I love this.}

 {Leading worship at the little church in Balibrea.}

 {ew.}

 {LOOK HOW BIG THAT BUG IS? It looks like a grasshopper, but it flies & will spray you.}

 {A school in downtown Siguatepeque.}

 {Yes, the movie "Cars" is in Honduras, too. Along with Justin Bieber, Hannah Montana, & The Jonas Brothers.} *Picture taken in Siguatepeque

 {An Auto part shop in downtown Siguatepeque.}

     

    {Now, that's just awkward! Sir, stop picking your nose in public.} *Picture taken in Siguatepeque

  {Outfit check?!?!?} *Picture taken in Siguatepeque.

 {Dog on the roof} *Picture taken in Siguatepeque.

 {Queen Burger.} *Picture taken in Siguatepeque.

 {The streets of downtown Siguatepeque...} 

 {The streets of downtown Siguatepeque...} 

 {The streets of downtown Siguatepeque...} 

 {The streets of downtown Siguatepeque...} 

 {A little shop in Siguatepeque.}

 {Surveying in the streets of downtown Siguatepeque...} 

  {Surveying in the streets of downtown Siguatepeque...} 

         

  {A local from downtown Siguatepeque.}

     

      {Woah, try carrying that on top of your head

   *Picture taken in Siguatepeque

 {Litter in downtown Siguatepeque.}

 {A cute little boy that lives in Siguatepeque.}

 {We so gangsta--DECUES.} *Picture taken in Siguatepeque

 {Tim & Carol Prewitt, missionaries from Alabama, that partnered with us.}

 *Picture taken in Siguatepeque

  {Animals are not considered pets in Honduras.}

  *Picture taken in Siguatepeque

 {A Donkey just roaming around downtown Siguatepeque.}

       
       

    {Interesting flowers. Very pretty!} 

 *Picture taken in Siguatepeque

       

    {Check out that stop sign!} 

      *Picture taken in Siguatepeque

 {Celebracion Church.} *Picture taken in Siguatepeque

 {The festival at Celebracion Church on Friday!} 

 *Picture taken in Siguatepeque

 *Picture taken in Siguatepeque

 {We felt like a kid again! Face painting & bounce houses!} 

*Picture taken in Siguatepeque

            

 {Freak-o's!}

 {A bag massage circle!}

 {Me, Abraham, & Emily. Lookin' like Frenchmen!}

         

  {Cooling down by the fan!}

 {Lempiras, Honduran money!}

 {Another glorious view from our bedroom at 6am!}

{Some lake....it was really big! We hand picked the Tilapia at the restaurant that sat on this lake. It was delicious...The fish came out cooked with its head, fins, and everything still attached}

 {The crew that went to Honduras!}

 {The little white building in the background was the local church in Balibrea.}

 {Shaving Chiki's *HAIRY* arms...}

 {Popo LOVED his picture taken. Below are four out of TWENTY pictures of him...all the kids in Honduras wanted a picture taken of them, they LOVED the attention!}

 {Our room...very messy. It's evident that teenage girls stayed here...}