
Why the blues? This trip was so confirming and obvious to us that the Lord went before us to prepare our travels, team and experiences that we didn't want to leave! We arrived in Honduras after an uneventful flight (just 12 short hours!) on Sept. 15th and was greeted by our team leader at the airport. After a 2 hour drive south into the heart of the mountains of Siguatepeque, Honduras, we arrived at the seminary campus we would stay at for most of the trip. We met our team and had some rest before dinner together that night.
The next day we spent the day with our team going into the downtown area to experience the Thursday market and to see some of the town. Hondurans are friendly people and always have a smile when talked to so it made it easier to approach the various fruit and vegetable booths. Siguatepeque is a relatively small city of around 70,000 (compared to our home city of Salem, OR) and is very mild in temperature ranging from the low 70s on the coolest days to the low 90s on the hottest days. The rainy season, which ends in October usually, keeps the country very green and lush. Pine trees are more common in the mountains than palm trees. All-in-all, it's a very beautiful, mountainous area.

The drive up the mountain road was rough, but made it to the top where this little adobe house looked over the valley below. The kids came running out when they saw us drive up and were really excited to see us. We went into their home and presented them with the mobile and ball. Their smiles are permanently on our hearts! Their mother was not home as she was working in town (about a 45 minute walk) making tortillas and would return in the afternoon. The oldest girl, probably 12 years old, acted as the mother and cared for her 5 younger siblings while their mom was away. It was a sad situation, but it was a joy for us to bring smiles to their faces. We then played soccer with them in the field nearby with their new ball and bought each of them a soda at the "pulpuria" (store) next to the field.

On Sunday, Sept. 19th, we went to our team leaders church in Sigutepeque. This church was very involved in missions, which is uncommon in Central America. This particular Sunday had a missions focus and one of our team members preached the message (in Spanish) on Acts 1:8. It was a great message of what we could understand.
About an hour after our divine appointment, our pastor friend from Tela arrived to tow us to town a half hour away. While our team leader went with a tow truck from Tela to San Pedro Sula, we were blessed with time on the beach as a family and our first experience of the Caribbean Sea. We then took a walk in the downtown Tela area looking at all the shops and experiencing Honduran beach culture (which is different than that of the mountainous region).
The next day, Sept. 14, we went to meet Hector and his family in La Ceiba, about an hour drive from Tela. Hector planted a church here and we went to encourage him and minister to those in his neighborhood and church (which is actually his home too). We walked down his street and went by all the homes greeting people as we walked. One woman invited us in to read from the Word and pray for her. Her father, who was in the next room, had just returned from the hospital having his leg amputated from gain green. He had drank too much and had inflicted wounds that caused the amputation (he is a diabetic). We and the others prayed over him and he chose to give his life to Christ! It is sad that for some they need to be on their back (literally) to see the Lord. In this case, the result was eternal rejoicing! After visiting and praying for a few other households we went to Hectors house for a wonderful meal of fried chicken, frijoles, scrambled eggs, goat cheese, corn tortillas and fried plantain for dessert (typical Honduran meal). That night we had a church service there at the house and a cute little Garifuna girl named Dariela befriended Corey (see photo).
On Wednesday, we went to visit Hospital Loma De Luz in Belfate, about an hour or so east of La Ceiba. Fellow missionaries Brad and Trish Ward from New Hope Evangelical in Bend, OR, and resident missionaries at the hospital, met us there to give us a tour as our hosts for the day. They showed us the grounds and also the children's home that was established here to care for abandoned children that were brought to the hospital by desperate mothers. Most of these abandoned children were left to die. They are now getting medical help and a Christ-centered education at the children's home.


The next day, Sept. 29th, we spent the day at the beach and exploring the town of Tela. Our future ministry here will eventually be on the north coast in either Tela or La Ceiba (or both) so we wanted to familiarize ourselves. That night we spent time as a team and had training from staff from the CAM home office. Afterward we spent the rest of the night playing strategy games :) We were so blessed by this trip as individuals and as a family. The Lord prepared our hearts and those that we ministered to. He moved and we followed. It was an incredible time and we are excited about what the future holds in Honduras for us. We really did not want to come home and felt like we fit so well, but we know the Lord has more to teach us and for others to be more involved in this ministry.
We would love to meet with anyone who wants to know more about our future ministry and what the Lord is doing in Honduras. Would you please pray about being a part of it? Contact us if you would like to know more (503-371-0053 or ckwells1@gmail.com). We'd love to host you for dinner or dessert or ?? Who knows, maybe you will be taking a trip to Honduras someday to minister along side us, short term, long term... who knows but the Lord?! We are asking for your prayers as we seek to be ready for whenever the Lord provides the funds for us to GO!
Blessings,
The Wells Family
We totally enjoyed reading about your trip and look forward to hearing more in person (lets get together!). So encouraging to hear how your call was further confirmed and how God used you in the brief time you were there. We're excited for the 4 of you!
ReplyDeleteThe Thiessens