Blessings of December

December was great. We received from HHI about 9500 Magi boxes, we distributed them to all over the country of Honduras. It only took us about 10 days from the day we received the boxes to the day 99% were delivered from our warehouse. The only ones that were left were the boxes that we actually handed out ourselves when a crew from HHI arrived for a week with us. We were still about 1000 short.
God has amazing ways of opening doors down here. About 15 miles outside of Choluteca is a large 24 hour road block. This facility was built by US DEA to help combat drug traffic through Central America. The best highway through Honduras headed north to the US is this particular route. I have been stopped at this place too many times to count, I’ve had my truck searched numerous times, and a group of interns were detained here once. Needless to say, it’s always a bit nerve racking crossing through this check point. Until a while back. Our local director of operations for Mission Lazarus, Ronald Millon, met the head officer of this facility a while back and he mentioned that they’d be interested in us studying the Bible with them. So, on December 17, all of the officers and soldiers were called to attention, about 25 – 30, and I was blessed with the opportunity to share about a 25 minute Bible lesson with them. I used Romans 13:1 as the basis for my lesson “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” The class was well received and afterwards we were invited to join them in their cafeteria for breakfast. It truly was a very unique experience. Now when I go through the soldiers greet me with a “God Bless You!”
We have been in very remote mountains all month long. God has opened doors for to minister to the poorest of the poor. We were convicted to the heart when we sat to enjoy our Christmas Eve dinner after visiting with so many folks during the month. The burden that the time spent with our poor brothers and sisters convicted us but at the same time it was a true blessing, it made being away from family and friends during the Holidays well worth it. (The stomach is still recovering from never turning down a plate of food no matter how poor the family or house!)