I've been back in Philly now for two weeks, taking care of my little nieces Aurora and Brielle and baby nephew Levi as my sister-in-law Jen is getting ready to have baby number four... any day now! August came three days ago, so we are eagerly awaiting this little one's arrival at anytime. Last night from across the room I saw Jen's belly moving around as the baby hiccuped, making her whole little body move inside. the concept of growing humans inside our bodies never ceases to amaze me... a full-sized baby right there inside of her. It seems so normal and then when I think about it, it doesn't seem like it should be possible.
As I spend these quieter days walking to the park with the kids, playing the backyard with chalk, swinging on the hammock, playing in the hose and buckets of water on hot days, watching Leap Frog and Curious George, changing diapers and washing clothes, making so many PB&J sandwiches, having dance parties to Taylor Swift's Trouble and Zac Brown Band's Jump Right In, picking up all the books and Legos before nap time, I am grateful for these days. They seem to last so long, but in reality they fly by, and I know I will miss them so much when I am back at the university. I literally love being with them so much that it never gets old. How blessed am I to do this as my job! My little nieces and nephs are really growing so quickly, and I want to appreciate each moment I have with them because who knows where time will take us! I seem to fit better in the baby world than the college-aged world anyway...but I love what I am studying and my I never take for granted my education!
During these quieter days, my mind always wanders back to my life in Honduras and the many adventures I have been privileged to experience.
The two weeks that I just spent there flew by as I adventured around San Pedro and beyond with my friends. The first night after an awesome time at the Musical Garage seeing my dearly missed friends, we jumped in the back of Mauri's pickup truck and as the rain began to fall on us as we drove through the streets, I couldn't take the smile off my face. To be in the land that I haven fallen in love with... never am I happier.
It was a great adventure to El Salv and Guatemala the first week, and a great second week in La Entrada de Copan, two hours outside the city, the beautiful location of Youth for Christ's camp.
These past few weeks it has dawned on me what a different Honduras I know than that of everyone else I know in the US. What they know of Honduras, especially San Pedro, "the most dangerous place on earth" and "the murder capital of the world." Yes, the drug gang violence is horrible. Just for one stat, 79% of the cocaine transported from South America to the US goes through San Pedro. It's a huge transport location for drugs, and the violence this causes is beyond my comprehension.
However, when I am there, I do not see the violence and danger. What I see are people passionate with hope for peace in their country. When I am there I feel the presence of God more than anywhere else, and I SEE Him working in the lives of those who love Him. I SEE Him changing lives as His love transforms them. I see hope like I don't see it anywhere else. I see Him in their faces.
A missionary friend of mine who has served in Honduras for 20+ years posted this PBS news report a couple days ago.. again, this what people in the US see, this is the Honduras that they know.
This video is graphic and VIEW DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
It's hopelessly depressing to see this and focus on the darkness. That night after I watched this, I couldn't sleep and I was just praying.. I felt a spiritual attack come upon me and sadness began to overwhelm me, a deep hopelessness. I began to pray against the presence of the darkness in my life and for restoration in Honduras. When I focus on the pain I don't see the hope. But when I think about the JOY of living there, I remember that this is not the Honduras that I know. Everywhere I turn, I see Jesus. At the hospital where I used to work, when I am at the Musical Garage, at International Christian Fellowship, at my young adult's group at International Ministry Nido de Aguiles, with Youth for Christ, everywhere I am a part of people with a true passion for the glory of Jesus. And when there is true passion for Jesus, nothing more is needed.
Every time I go back to visit, it's fun to see the new songs that my friends have added to their repertoire for the weekly Sesion de Alabanza (Worship Session). I was thrilled to see them add one of my favorites, Matt Redmond's We Are the Free. As I've mentioned before, I had the privilege of singing here with my friend Hector and the band when I while living there. It's always a joy to be back and see them faithful in worship, every single week. Going out and taking children and drug addicts off the streets and showing them a better way. This is the Honduras that I know.
We are the free, the freedom generation
Singing of mercy
You are the One who set us all in motion
Yours is the glory
There’s a fire in our hearts and it burns for You
It’s never gonna fade away
We are the free, and Yours is the glory
Up from the grave He rose again
Up from the grave He rose and we will
Rise up, rise up
Into the world that You so love
Into the world we go and we will
Rise up, rise up
We are the free, the freedom generation
Singing of mercy
You are the One who set us all in motion
Yours is the glory
Singing of mercy
You are the One who set us all in motion
Yours is the glory
