Ponder anew…
A couple of weeks back, in the thick of a new season of personal growth, Jennifer and I had the opportunity to retreat to Honduras. We had the week set aside, not to reminisce, but rather to pause. During these moments of slowing life down a bit, the Lord allowed our hearts to be filled with hopeful anticipation for the next chapter of our divine adventure. God graciously used some amazing people in some special places to encourage us. And God granted us rest, wide open spaces, and delights for all our senses that we might rejoice anew in His goodness.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!
Come, all who hear; now to his temple draw near,
join me in glad adoration.
We were greeted at the airport by Pastor Melvin and Carol, and we began catching up on life, family, and ministry. When I say catching up, our friendship is one where even if our messages are infrequent, we can always pickup right where we left out. The connection is just that deep. We feel their joys, and identify with their burdens. We celebrate their victories. And vice versa. Once in Tegucigalpa, we found a new dining spot and broke proverbial bread together
Carol y Jennifer out to lunch on the town in Tegucigalpa
Our week started out with a restful stay at Humuya Inn, one of favorite little hidden spots. After an all night red-eye, slumber began at 6PM and we successfully slept for 12 hours! We awaked to the sound of ripe mangos plummeting to the earth outside our hotel room, the sound of tropical birds, and the aroma of fresh brewed coffee.
Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning;
sheltering you under his wings, and so gently sustaining!
Have you not seen all that is needful has been
sent by his gracious ordaining?
On Saturday, we headed to the south to visit Luis, Nixon, and their families. We made the trek up to Tegucigalpita to see the ongoing work and heard of Nixon’s aspirations for after-school ministry to the local kids. It was fun to explore new playground from Kids’ Around the World that was installed last year. Nixon treated us to the first icy cold Coca-Cola of the week. Unless you’ve experienced the heat of El Renuevo, you have no idea how good a cold Coke can really taste.
After staying in Santa Ana for a night of rest, we drive back into the city on Sunday morning to join Iglesia El Camino de la Vida for worship of our King Jesus. I was invited to preach and shared of God as our Creador, Sustentador, y Salvador from Hebrews 1:1-13. Praise God that in these last days, He has chosen to reveal to us His Son Jesus Christ and to speak to us through Him.
Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
if with his love he befriends you.
Sunday night, we nearly destroyed the Defender traversing the road up to Casitas. In all our years of regular travel up that road, never have we seen it (or felt it) in a condition quite so abysmal. The trusty rig made it and got us to Finca Anatot. We settled in for three amazing days. Thunder, lighting, and rain each night made for amazing slumber. The mornings included the songs of roosters, the insolent greetings of the neighbor’s donkey, and a cacophony of singing things with wings. We enjoyed a whole new level of ‘farm to table’ dining. Our neighbor dropped off freshly lain cage-free (being ironic here) eggs and a homegrown papaya. Jennifer harvested a petite, but deliciously sweet pineapple that’s been growing in front of our house. Leisurely savoring of God’s eternal Word over a bowl of fresh tropical fruit as the fog banks clear was such a gift.
The days at Casitas permitted long slogs into the treacherous mountains on my bike, sudden afternoon deluges, and a “road trip” with Josué to explore hidden rincones of this beautiful country.
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him.
Let the Amen sound from his people again;
gladly forever adore him.
The week was rest. The week was recovery. The week was dreams of the future. No looking back. We look to the hills, for it is there that our help comes from.