Time, Talent, and Treasure

I just finished reading an incredible book I recommend to everyone – The Hole in My Gospel by Richard Stearns. There is so much I can say about this book because it is simply amazing and challenging.

One of the main questions the book wrestles with is, “What does God expect of us?” What a great question. It forces us to come face to face with our God. It makes us read afresh his words in scripture. And most importantly, it allows us a chance to dream about what God has in store for our lives.

God has saved us. He has chosen us. What does he expect of us now? One thought is the idea that God wants our time, talents, and treasures. These are very real ways we can respond to God. We can give time to his kingdom work. We can invest our lives and families to make sure those around us know the truth and love of God. We can also invest our unique talents to serve alongside God. I believe there are things which only we can do through the unique calling, personality and gifts God has given us. Finally, we can give God from much he has given. Aside from tithing, which is basically giving 10 percent of our income back to God, we can also sacrifice and give offerings. We can give to support God’s kingdom.

Time, talents and treasures.

Dance Video

Here is the video I promised

In All Things God Works for the Good

Many times I have had the experience of chatting with my hair stylist and dentist about what I do only to encounter the response: “Honduras? I’ve never heard of that country before. Where is it located?”

When Rey and I first learned of the alleged coup d’état in Honduras, my dad quoted the verse to me: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). I was skeptical. Really Dad, good can come out of a coup d’ état in Honduras, in a region where such military takeovers have been connected with violent oppression, civil wars, and mass disappearances? How could God possibility use the corruption on both sides of the “democratic process” in Honduras to bring forth good?

Well, two weeks, “stuck in the United States,” have brought about very fruitful meetings and times of organizing for Project Transformation, and opportunities to meet with key players in the development process.

And, two weeks later, Honduras is on the minds and hearts of all America…perhaps even the world. What prayer support will grow out of this crisis for Honduras and its people? What new resources will be inspired by this great media attention, brought about by a tragic circumstance?

God can truly work good out of bad circumstances.

Exiles

Psalm 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.
Since last Sunday, the Diaz family has been in exile from their home in Honduras. President Zelaya was arrested and deposed as the leader by the supreme court and congress. The embassy has restricted travel unless it is life or death. At first it was only for a couple days. Then the restrictions kept getting longer. And longer. While we wait and wait.

It is not that we don’t like spending some quality time with family and friends. It is not knowing what is going to happen or when we are going back. We are in limbo. Most of our stuff is in Honduras. All of all work is in Honduras. Our calling is in Honduras. Not knowing when we will return has been difficult for us this last week.

Then yesterday, there was a showdown between military and 20,000 protestors. 2 or possibly more were killed and 30 injured as the heavy gunfire was used against the crowd. I don’t know what the best course of action is. I don’t know what will happen between the two sides. I don’t know when it will be safe to return. Thanks God Jeony and all of AFE are relatively safe. There have been no demonstrations or violence in that part of town.

I am praying for Honduras and I invite you all to pray with me. Please pray for peace. Pray for this situation to be resolved quickly. Pray for the students at AFE and their families. Pray for the families in the garbage dump. Pray that God’s will be done.

Psalm 137:4 How can we sing songs of the LORD while in a foreign land?

I can sing because I know God is in control. May his will be done.

Mother´s Day

Last year´s celebration for Mothers of the Garbage Dump was an amazing outreach event, difficult to top. However, with expanding numbers of participants, delightful additions to the program, and new gifts for the mothers, we may have just done it.

I believe word went around last year about what an incredible experience it was. This year we did not have to go up to the dump and encourage mothers to come. They came voluntarily, by the hundreds, on bus and on foot, some an hour early to get a good seat. 247 mothers showed up, not including the friends and children they brought with them. Some mothers cried with joy when they saw their children perform. They all heard the gospel message, many for the first time in their lives. It was a special day. The mothers had changed from their work clothes and dressed up the best they could. We took a picture of them, with beautiful trees swaying the wind behind them, and printed it out that day to adorn their humble homes with the only photograph they have.

The mothers of the Tegucigalpa Garbage Dump would like to thank Robert Beam, Orphan Outreach, and Washington Cathedral, who worked together to provide this beautiful experience for them.

Turn their Mourning into Dancing

This afternoon AFE had a dance contest. It was Pastor Jeony´s idea. The kids love to dance and are always looking for excuses to choreograph a “good-bye” dance for mission teams, or an interpretative dance for worship services. They formed their own groups…some called themselves “I can do all things through Christ,” others, “Rockers,” and they began to practice. They danced to Christian songs, some slow and worshipful, others with a Regaeton beat.
When the anticipated day finally arrived, everyone at AFE and friends from Linda Miller filled up the assembly room . Excitement permeated the air. Rey served as the host of the performance, and Vanessa, Fradner and I were the judges. The teachers each had a vested interest because most of them had helped choreograph a team, and they would stop at nothing to butter up the judges.

When the dancing began the whole event became a melodrama. Kids were holding up signs for their favorite performers, cheering and throwing confetti, booing at the judges, and getting up to dance spontaneously. The stakes were high. The grand prize was 1,000 Lempiras! (I´m not sure where the prize money came from, but I suspect Pastor Jeony´s pocket).
It came down to three groups or performers: five third graders, surprisingly talented for their age, the older boys of AFE (who were blessed with Jessy Ordonez as their choreographer), and some of the older girls, who had designed their own dance.

As each group danced, the teachers and leaders laughed with delight to see their shy students breaking out of their shells. I looked around the faces and saw pride glowing from the pastors, who remembered these young people when they were small children, and carried heavier burdens. Some of the dancers were the first to be rescued from the dump. Their faces were once set as stone, due to their work that no child should have to do. But now they were dancing, smiling and laughing. And then, wiping tears of joy from their eyes when they won. (Appropriately, it was “I Can Do All Things Through Christ” who won first place).
It was a day full of joy and fun. And I can´t wait until next year when I can also serve as a choreographer!

March for Non-Violence

The students at AFE are the future leaders of Honduras. This is our dream and mission – to take the children of the garbage dump and allow them to become what God intended: successful leaders of their country, standing as pillars of all that God is capable of doing.

One of the most exciting aspects of this ministry is the opportunity to see the students grow up right before your eyes, and to begin to become these “pillars.” This is especially true of our older students. They participate in a leadership class in a special afterschool program. As the final project for this class they had to practice leadership in a concrete way. By their own initiative, they decided to organize a march in the community against domestic violence and abuse.

On Sunday afternoon around fifty of AFE´s students walked around the Linda Miller community, united against violence. Other people from the community saw what they were doing and joined the march. It culminated in an informal town meeting as that addressed the issues involved with domestic violence. We are so proud of our students. During the meeting, the young people spoke eloquently against the violence many of them had seen firsthand. For one day, I was able to glimpse the potential of our emerging leaders at AFE: young people who had come from garbage yet will soon change the world.