Honduras Trip Report

Honduras Trip Report

Recently three ministers associated with Christian Challenge made a trip to Honduras to visit one of their missionaries there. Following is the report by Nathan Martin, associate pastor of Christian Challenge, to a group of prayer partners.

Team members were my father, Buddy Martin, who is pastor of Christian Challenge, Alan Stroud, pastor of Beech Grove Congregational Methodist about 75 miles west of here and myself. Alan is a former member of our church who accepted the pastorate at Beech Grove 5 years ago.

------MONDAY------
Alan had just finished preaching a revival in Mesquite, TX on Sunday and met us in Houston Monday morning for our flight down to Honduras. Bro. Buddy and I had driven over to Houston on Sunday and spent the night at my aunt's house. We met Alan in the airport as he flew in from Dallas. It was a wonderful trip down filled with good visiting and fellowship. We also met two other missions groups on the same flight- one from the Dallas area and another from further north - I'm sorry, but I can't remember which state - I think in the Great Lakes region.

Arriving in San Pedro Sula (the second largest city in Honduras) we were met by Adán Villanueva, the Honduran national we were visiting. He is in his late 60's and has been serving the Lord since his 20's. He was saved in the Assembly of God church and began preaching all over the country, travelling often on foot. He spoke English (because he was a school teacher) and came to the states a couple of times with the missionaries. He was also the Honduran Superintendent for the Assemblies. Due to some differences in ministry philosophy, he left the AG 32 years ago and began working on his own. Since then he has started over 60 churches in the more remote parts of Honduras. On some of our previous trips we had spoken at his pastors' conferences but this time we were to travel and visit the churches as a way of encouraging them.

One piece of Alan's luggage didn't make it to San Pedro Sula (SPS), (the one with his toiletries, underwear, etc. We weren't going to return to SPS until the following Sunday. We made the lost baggage claim, went by the airline office to confirm our return flight, and headed for the mountains.

Bro. Adán drives a 4 door Toyota 4x4 - the kind of vehicle not seen in the states. Alan and I rode in the back seat as we headed towards a village called Pinalejo. After 1 1/2 hours of cramped driving we arrived at the village and met the believers there. We had a wonderful service - Alan preached on the "Compassion of the Lord" from Luke 15 and I interpreted. At the end of the service we had several people come forward for prayer and we also prayed for the pastors of three churches that had gathered together for this service. We were refreshed by their willingness to instantly worship the Lord - no having to pump them up!

Every place we went we were served meals by the people - always simple but always delicious! We had fresh coffee, refried beans and hand-made tortillas with every meal and usually fried bananas as well. The main dish would vary from chicken to eggs to pork. Always delicious and well-prepared.

After the meal and the service we got back in the truck for another hour-plus of driving until we got to Bro. Adán's conference center called Engedi. It reminds you of the old-timey tabernacles - open air with hard wooden benches. He had done some building on it since the last time we were there and had added several rooms to accommodate the people who travel from distances to attend pastors conferences, youth conferences, ladies conferences, etc.

One of the neat things about Engedi this time was that it now has electricity. And miracle of miracles it also had two porcelain toilets!!! The last time we were there we used wooden outhouses and bathed in freezing cold mountain water. This time we actually had bathrooms that emptied into a septic tank, a sink and a shower head!!! Not only that, but the shower head was electric and if you weren't afraid of the water/electricity combination you could have a trickle of warm water for your morning shower!!! Bro. Adán had installed water tanks on the roof so we were never lacking in water!

Not only that but instead of sleeping on the floor or on the wooden benches as in times past, he actually had three iron springed cots with foam rubber on top!!! We were in heaven!!! Especially since our expectations were based on our memories of how it had been before. Compared to the states were were back in the 40's but because we had expected even worse, we felt blessed!

------TUESDAY------
Tuesday morning we got up and after breakfast headed for the western tip of Honduras. We took our sleeping gear as this would be the only night we slept away from Engedi. We also took one of the lady pastors who served as a cook for the entire trip everywhere we went. What a blessing! We remembered her from previous trips - that gold tooth gleaming in her beautiful smile - Sister Orfilia.

Because Alan and I had been crowded with just the two of us in the back seat, I volunteered to ride in the back of the truck so Sis. Orfilia could right in front and they'd be more comfortable. I thought I was making a sacrifice but it ended up being an incredibly comfortable ride as I sprawled out across the sleeping gear and slept for much of the 3 1/2 hour journey. Alan was jealous!

We traveled to the town of Sinuapa which is close to the Nicaragua/Guatemala border. The last time my father was in that village 8 years ago he could hear the canons going off at night as that area was a hotbed of activity for the Nicaraguan Contras and the Guatemalan rebels. However, peace had been established and people had almost forgotten about the wars.

That night Bro. Buddy preached and Bro. Adán interpreted. It was an awesome service. Again, several churches had joined together and the place was packed out! Different people lead singing and we even had a "special" as one brother sang along with a cassette trac - Karaoke in Honduras!!! <G> The message was on consecration and the altars filled with Christians responding to the call of God on their lives to make a fresh consecration to the Lord.

In fact, in most of the churches, if not all, the vast majority of attenders were Christian. We still had a couple of services where unbelievers stood around outside and listened as in years past but that was not the norm. Bro. Adán tells us that now that electricity has come to many of the villages where he has churches, many are staying away to watch television. Sound familiar?

------WEDNESDAY------
We spent the night in a small room next to the church, and again we had beds!!! PTL! It was very warm but we got a decent nights sleep. We woke up early the next morning and my face was quite swollen. On the trip the day before when I rode in the back of the truck I had gotten sunburned. I had noticed it that evening but the next morning the right side of my face was swollen and sore to the touch. It got worse during the day and the next morning (Thursday) my right eye was almost swollen shut. I had blisters on my face and it appeared I had second degree burns - I'm very fairskinned and burn easily. However, by Thursday it peaked and the swelling started going down. By Sunday the swelling and blisters were gone and most of the peeling was done as well. Now I just have a tan on 1/2 of my face!

Wednesday morning Alan was restless and wanted to go walking so he and I headed for downtown. We spent a couple of hours just watching people and tasting the food Later Bro. Buddy joined us as we watched the kids play soccer. The fellowship was wonderfully refreshing.

We left after lunch to return to Engedi but we stopped in the town of Cucuyagua for the evening service. I ministered there on "The Benefits of Your Assurance Policy" based on Psalm 103 and the people were blessed. Because I wasn't speaking through an interpreter I was able to better connect with the people. Again several came forward for prayer and the church was encouraged. We hopped back in the truck to head to Engedi and arrived very late, ready for a shower and the bed.

------THURSDAY------
Thursday morning broke bright and early with the roosters again waking up the sun - for some reason they start an hour or two before daylight. Honduran Rooster Time, I guess! <G>

Thursday was the easiest day on us yet, which was good because I needed the rest. My sunburn was giving me problems and it was nice to not have to travel or do much. We had service that night in the same village where we were staying, La Jigua. In fact, we were able to walk to church, just a few blocks away from where we were sleeping each night.

Alan preached on the awesomeness of God and I interpreted again. We had discussed his sermon ahead of time because he wanted to know if certain illustrations would work. For example, he talked about the number of stars in the Milky Way, the amount of information in a single cell of DNA and the speed of a quartz computer chip that can name every person in the world 2 times a second - and all these things were created by God!!! He's a pretty awesome God. I had to ask Bro. Adán to help me with some of the technical terms and apparently the people understood. They responded very well to the message and demonstrated a desire to further trust in the Lord in every aspect of their life. What a wonderful night - it was so great to see the light go on in their eyes and they understood the message and how they can trust their lives to an awesome God!

------FRIDAY------
Friday was almost as easy as Thursday. We went to the next village just down the road called Florida. It was only a 15 or 20 minute drive and many from the La Jigua church also traveled to the service.

It was October 31, Halloween - in Honduras they call it "Day of the Witches". Because of that I ministered from Psalm118:24 "This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.." Since this is God's day, it can't be the witch's day also - they didn't create the day, God did! Which witch created the sun? Which witch created the moon? Which witch created light? Which witch created the stars? They were all created by God! They belong to God! Psalm 24:1 says "The earth is the Lord's and all it contains, the people and they that dwell within." God is in control, not the witches! Some may say Satan is in control because Adam fell but Jesus died to reconcile all things unto Himself - "All authority has been given Me [Jesus] in heaven and on earth." (Mat 28:18)

Because many people in Latin America are very superstitious, this was a very appropriate message. Even Christians can get duped into being afraid on "the devil's day" or days when witches are showing their power. They may even resort to using talismans or other pagan rituals in an attempt to appease the evil spirits. So we encouraged them to stand strong, to recognize who was in charge, to acknowledge that their Father was king of it all and they didn't have to fear anyone! It was a wonderful service.

On the way home that night we passed by the local Catholic church which was having a mass. It was PACKED with many who were crawling on their knees to do penance or seek a special blessing that would keep them safe on this "dreadful" night. My heart wept as I saw them, downcast and without hope. The Catholic church in Latin America is much different from the one here in the states. It is full of superstition. The people are not taught the Love of God. I know this is a sweeping generalization that may not be true everywhere, but many of these folks have no idea that Jesus, the Son of God, loved them, died for them, arose for them, ascended for them and now desires to live in them and have a relationship with them. They go through the motions, because that's all they know. That's what's expected of them. How my heart aches for them.

------SATURDAY------
Saturday was truly a day of rest. Bro. Adán had not scheduled a service for us that night so we had the entire day free. We had all brought several books with us and had been using the time profitably to study and spend time with the Lord as with each other. During these times I read 3 or 4 books:

Shepherding the Church into the 21st Century, by Joseph Stowell
The Purpose Driven Church, by Rick Warren
David, A Man of Passion and Destiny, by Charles Swindoll
(I forgot the 4th one but I'm sure it was good too! <G>)

I enjoyed them all but the book by Rick Warren stirred my soul deeply. I shared it with Alan and he began reading it Friday or Saturday. During the day Saturday we would share with each other insights from the book, thoughts the Lord had dropped into our spirits, etc. Alan and I feel like the Lord may have something for us to do together in ministry. Both of us have a common heart and desire for ministry. Who knows where the Lord will take us but I think this book will play a large part in that, as will this trip and the time we had to read, fellowship and pray together.

------SUNDAY------
Sunday morning we got up early, packed and headed back towards SPS. On the way we stopped in the village of Macuelizo, where Sister Orfilia pastors. It was one of the best services of the week! The people worshipped freely and the presence of the Lord was very evident in that place. Bro. Alan ministered from the Sermon on the Mount (which he had recently memorized for a Spiritual Disciplines class he took at Wesley College) and the people again responded to the message with a heart of faith. At the close of the service they brought up all the children of the church who sang several songs for us that they had prepared. It was wonderful to see their bright eyes glisten with love for the Lord and excitement for the visitors who had come from so far away.

On this trip I don't think we saw any first time conversions. However, the believers were very much strengthened and, most of all, encouraged. To think that people from a foreign land would come visit them!!! The hugs and firm handshakes spoke their heart of gratitude.

We were also able to bless the churches financially. The average daily wage for a worker is 30 Lempiras, which when converted to dollars is $2.31 - PER DAY! So even the small gifts we gave at each church were incredible blessings to them. (Honduras continues to be plagued with the "Rich get richer and the poor get poorer" syndrome. We saw some gorgeous houses with swimming pools and satellite antennas next to cardboard shacks.)

One of the problems in Honduras is crime. Because of the low incomes and lack of jobs, many people resort to crime. The police have lost effectiveness and have told the people to arm themselves for their own defense. We had been sleeping with the windows and doors open to get a breeze at night but when the caretaker of the conference center found out, he sternly rebuked us and would not go back to his house until we closed and locked every door and window. Even Bro. Adán will not travel some roads unless there are two or three other vehicles going together. It is not uncommon to see personal bodyguards with Uzi's and bullet-proof vests. It is an unsafe country and our brothers and sisters need our prayers.

After the meal and a brief siesta we headed back to SPS. That night we had service in Bro. Adán's main church - the "mother" church to all the rest. Bro. Buddy ministered again with Bro. Adán interpreting. He again ministered on consecration but from a different angle and with different scriptures. The church in SPS is much more progressive than all the other churches. They use Maranatha style music and have drums, electric organ, bass guitar and lead guitar along with a worship team of about 8. They actually had AIR CONDITIONING in the building also!!!

The last time Bro. Buddy had been there (8 years ago) he preached over the coffin of a young man who had gotten AIDS from a blood transfusion. Many of his unsaved relatives had been present and some had given their lives to the Lord and were still serving Him after these years!

I remember several of the people from previous trips. When I first went down about 13 years ago I didn't speak Spanish. I had been back since I learned Spanish and it was wonderful to renew friendships with people I had met back then.

------MONDAY------
Sunday night we slept in an upstairs apartment at the church that had a bathroom with shower, hot water and an air conditioner. Bro. Buddy took a shower and went to bed without drying his hair. As a result of sleeping with the AC on (the first time in a week) he woke up with a chest cold but has since taken his healing.

After breakfast we went to the market to pick up some souvenirs. After haggling prices and getting good deals on a few things for our families we headed back to pack and then off to the airport. Bro. Adán had to travel to visit a family member who had recently been wounded in a machete fight so he left us at the airport a couple of hours early. Boarding the plane we found ourselves again with the other two groups who had gone down for a week. It was a pleasurable trip back. Customs were easy on us and didn't even open our luggage. Alan headed off for his flight to Dallas and we caught a shuttle to get our van and head home.

We stopped to call home to check on things and found out there had been some difficulties during our absence - the enemy had raised his ugly head, mostly on Friday - Halloween. My brother's mother-in-law had fallen and badly hurt herself. Our worship leader had lost his keys just before leaving for church and had to call to get someone else to cover for him at the very last minute. Our neighbor (also member of our church) called that her brother had gotten drunk, left the house with his two children, wrecked the car and that the 6 year old son picked up the 8 month old baby and flagged down help because he thought his daddy was dead. And the brother we had asked to preach for us on Sunday morning had to be taken to the hospital because of his gall bladder and ended up having to stay over the weekend, resulting in surgery on Monday. All this on Friday!!!

However, the Lord is still in charge. My brother-in-law ended up leading worship Friday night and everyone was really blessed by it. He had about 3 minutes notice but he did great. On Saturday the minister's wife called to let my mom know her husband was in the hospital and wouldn't be able to be with us. She prayed about it and called my brother to ask him if he would preach. My brother was the prodigal son - he had come back to the Lord several years ago after a few very rebellious years. But he had absolutely no interest in preaching. My dad had asked him awhile back to preach this particular Sunday but he didn't want to. He's a solid believer, a wonderful witness, but was afraid of the pulpit - he didn't want to preach, possibly because it might be expected of him as a preacher's kid.

Anyhow, mom called him to ask if he'd consider preaching. He said he'd pray about it. Andre's the kind of guy that if he says he'll pray about it, he does. An hour and a half later he called my mom back and asked, "What did the Lord tell you?" Mom said, "To call you." So he said he' preach.

Sunday morning came. After worship the classes were dismissed and then they had a couple of special songs - different order but André had told them he wouldn't preach very long. Our typical sermons run 45 minutes to an hour. When he stepped to the mic he said he had 5 pages of notes and hoped it would last 15 minutes! He was very nervous and was very honest about it.

He preached out of Matt 28:20 "I am with you always." He shared a comforting and challenging message about how the Lord never leaves us, is always with us, is always there for us. But that also means when we step outside of the Lord's will, into sin, He's still with us. What we're doing is asking the Lord to wait outside a minute while we get prideful, while we look at things we shouldn't look at, while we have attitudes we shouldn't have. In other words, the Lord doesn't leave us, we leave HIM!

It was a call to consecration. It only lasted about 12 minutes but it had a profound impact on the people. Many of them knew André when he left home, when he turned his back on the Lord, when he got into all kinds of trouble. They knew the heartache of my mom and dad. And they knew when he came back to the Lord it was for real. To hear this message from him, then one many had seen grow up, stirred their hearts. I'm still hearing good things about that message and the way André carried himself!

I think both our church and my brother were deeply, forever,affected by this weekend. Could it be God had this in mind when we left? We thought we were going to minister to the people in Honduras. God wanted to minister to us through the study and fellowship. And He also wanted to do a work in my brother's life. I don't know that he'll ever acknowledge the call to pulpit ministry, but there was another step of restoration that took place last weekend. And I believe your prayers played a large part in that!!! Thank you all so much! Those words seem shallow compared to the debt of gratitude I feel towards all of you. Thank you so much for being diligent and faithful to pray for us - people you don't even know. On behalf of the team, our church and the believers in Honduras I humbly say, thank you.

No More Walls!
Nathan

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