Honduras: trip of a lifetime.

5/15/11 through 5/22/11

A week before.
The week before the trip could be described in one word: chaotic. In the mist of finals and preparing for Honduras, my mind was going crazy. Spiritually, I was to expect the unexpected and I am really glad He gave me that mindset. I am thankful that the Lord was there for me. He is everywhere and that is so reassuring. My friend's parents let us stay the night because they lived ten minutes away from the airport. I couldn't be more thankful for all that they did for us that week. Sweet, sweet people of Christ.
Flying.
I hate flying. Lets just get that out there. I got motion sickness and it was overall a long day. But, we finally made it to San Pedro Sula and drove to the mountains.
And it begins...
Being able to see God's creation first hand was breath-taking. It's like He placed His hand down on the Earth and placed mountains there. Seeing the high plains and all the dips were amazing. Being so close to the edge really tested my faith in God and I knew He was in control the whole time. Coming into the trip blinded and not having any expectations really helped me believe that God was in control the whole time. He orchestrated our trip and planned it from the very beginning. One of the discussions that we had was over the book of Acts and how the very first church ran. We talked about what it takes to follow and what Jesus wanted us to do after He had entered the kingdom of God. What would we do to obey him? How do we connect to the Spirit? How do we live fully for Christ? And, what does it take? As we sat in a really creepy pub house at nine o'clock at night, I just pictured myself as a disciple trying to figure out what to do right after Jesus had been crucified. It was convicting but at the same time challenging for me to demonstrate Christ to people around me back at home.
Seeing the way the people lived was incredible. Seeing the missionaries live their lives for Christ was inspirational and knowing that God is the center of their home was so humbling and amazing to me. I would go back in a heartbeat.
Below are some pictures I stole from my friends! :)

sunset.

salvation bracelets: explained in espanol.

testimony.

bubbles and happy children.

team.

life long friends. 

series of thoughts.

I found myself praying while I was supposed to be sleeping. I don't know whether or not I was actually asleep but after last night, I have realized how dependent I am on the Lord. Apart from Him, I wouldn't be able to function. Isn't that a scary thought. The Lord holds the world in His hands and He is in totally control. My heart desires for everyone in my life to know Christ. Every heartache, every detail would be His. I have gotten to the point where I am dependent on the Lord for every breath that I take. So, Christ is apart of me and I can't help but to share with everyone I come in contact with.
He is love.

expect the unexpected.

I am super excited for this summer. Like really super excited. God is showing me how merciful He is by planning my summer for me. Before, I had many plans I was trying to plan for myself and to be honest most of them ended up failing. The last place I would ever want to work is a fast food place. But, the Lord had better things in store for me. As I was praying and thinking about God and His will for my summer, He began to reveal to me that I need to be serving here and truly loving people and building relationships with other students. With that said, I was applying for several jobs and remembered that somebody at church owned a specific fast food restaurant. I messaged him immediately and he was the only one that got back to me about the possibility of working. Even though this is definitely not what I imagined for myself, God still provides.
Not only does He provide with earnings, He provides with people to love on. He knows who needs Him and who to use.
In awe of our marvelous King Jesus.

things i like part dos.

- people accepting Christ.
- $6 dresses.
- dressing up.
- talking to random people.
- laughing.
- sun.
- smiles.
- having lunch with you.

very short list to describe the upside of my weekend.

i'm really excited about tomorrow. just sayin. I love how God throws in curveballs.

have faith, trust God.

These last couple of weeks have been tough. There are certain things that I haven't been able to give up to the Lord because I felt in control. (FYI, I am never in control) I am not God. I don't have the ability to control anything and because of that it has been really difficult for me to trust Him. April was a really tough month for my sister, Lindsay. She is diagnosed with epilepsy and had several seizures. I was really worried and I kept thinking to myself and even declaring that if anything were to happen to her, I would come home immediately and take care of her. To be honest, I was terrified, worried and scared. Instead of coming to God about it, I took matters in my own hands. Reality hit. Number one, I was telling my friend everything I just described above and she immediately put me in check. I am not in control. I can't plan out my life and I can't be thinking ahead like that. I am so arrogant and impatient but the Lord is graceful and merciful. He put Ludz in my life for a reason and gave her the words to speak to me and tell me the truth.
Two,I was sitting there with my group members just talking and one of the group members mentioned that her sister had epilepsy, the second girl said "me too!" and then I said "me too!!" What are the odds that three people in the same class, same group are going through the exact same thing? All of us are the older siblings too. That is God at work and showing me that he is control. He is faithful and He loves me in a way that is so intimate in which He would put two other people in my class that are going through the same thing. THAT is amazing.
And lastly, I was on twitter this morning and came across David Platt's post about a little boy. I clicked on it and it was a blog dedicated to a little boy named  Sterling who is currently, at this very moment in surgery to get his brain tumor removed. Similar to Lindsay, he is experiences seizures even more severe than hers. Yet, he along with his family is putting all their faith in the Lord.
That is beautiful.
God is so merciful to His people, He answers your prayers and He loves you.

counting down the days.

I'll be out of the country in a few days and to be honest, I am really excited by really scared at the same time.
New scenery.
New people.
New surroundings.
New week.
I am giving all these feelings of anxieties up to the Lord.
I trust You with all my heart.