Day #8 12/01/20
Early this morning we got up to drive to the base for a workout and some breakfast before we went to the chapel service there. The airbase is right outside Comayagua which is only 20 km or so from the hospital, but because of the mountains it is usually at least 10º hotter. By 8am the sun was already ablaze which made for a difficult workout, but at least my body is used to the altitude now. It was hot, but I didn’t feel like I was sucking air through a straw. [Fun fact: you can usually still get a plastic straw at any resturant here] [Another fun fact: Honduras is not extrememly environmentally focused]. After the workout was all finished up we had breakfast in the DFAC (Dining Facility–apparently the military has to shorten everything to 5 letters or less). We got to sit with two Colonels which was pretty sweet. One was a family practitioner who had actually strarted out his career as a chemistry prof. Spending all this time at the base has me wondering if military med is something I might want to pursue. I’m not sure since spending even these three short weeks away from my family have been kinda challenging. Anyway, something to pray about I guess.
The Chapel service was run by Chaplain LP, and it was so small and intimate, I’m glad we had a chance to attend. The message was on the spiritual discipline of fasting. Honestly, here, I’m not sure what to write other than I am struggling with what I should do now. I understand the purpose of fasting, but don’t know how it would work while still training. I’ve never done it before, but I understand how it could really cause your heart to draw nearer to God and bring a focus to your prayer life. Honestly, if anyone has any wisdom on this, please reach out or leave a comment. It’s something I’ll be praying about, and I ask for prayer from you as well. One thing that I thought may deserve a fast is that God would use me effectively here to share the gospel. I don’t speak spanish well at all, so I’ve become frustrated and feel like I don’t deserve to be here. I feel as though my service with a smile and a loving heart isn’t enough to tell people that I’m on a missions trip. However, despite all the doubts, I know what is true. I know that this trip isn’t about me or anything that I think that I can accomplish. God is not confined to what I am capable of (thank goodness). All this thought brings me back to this verse that keeps finding me this past week: “God is ENOUGH to make all grace abound to you, so that having ALL sufficiency in ALL things at ALL times, you are ENOUGH in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8). That’s my mom’s version, but if you look at the reference it’s the same message. My mission this week is to continue praying this over every situation.
After chapel, we continued on to downtown Comayagua to see the chapel there which was built in 1100 by the Spaniards who occupied at the time. It was gorgeous on its own, but by far the most impressive part was the view from the top of the bell tower. It overlooked the entire city and its surrounding mountains. To see houses nestled into a mountainside is my favorite view (aside from the ocean) and I was not disappointed there.
As we left downtown headed back for Sigua, we had to stop for some traditional Honduran Baskin Robbins. I had some Rocky Roadito;) It’s really still just called Rocky Road though… The rest of the day was pretty laid back: got the chance to publish some blog posts, do some laundry, but most important– watch the Packers DOMINATE over the Seahawks (in Espanol).
As I wrap up for the night, I would like to ask for some specific prayer requests. First, in general, that opportunities would arise for the gospel to be shared whether it is verbally or through service. Also, the driver of the mobile clinic, Kolmar, has a beautiful young daughter named Emily who is not older than 9. On Friday she was tested for Tuberculosis and given nebulizer treatments, along with steroid injections. Please pray for her and for her family as they await the test results. Most importantly, pray that they would know Jesus as their savior, but then also that they would trust in His power to do anything. Finally, a praise for the Lord and a thank you for your prayer that has been answered for me: before departing for this trip, I was so worried that the people would only be upset with me and annoyed by me slowing them down and not understanding the language. I asked you all to pray with me that their hearts would be softened for me and that they would have patience with my mistakes. I can truthfully say that everyone I have met has been more patient, kind, and merciful than I could have imagined, and that is an answer to prayer. Thank you:)
ENOUGH. 