By Emily Light

I must admit that when I came back I cried. I cried not just because we have so much but because I was sad to be back.

Before I went, in our schools chaplet, they announced I was giving up my March break to do missions. To me I didn’t give up my March break. There are no words to describe that trip. The trip was much more than the first one. I can’t believe all that happened.

Coming back some of my friends have said, “Why did you go you should have stayed here.” My answer is, “No, I shouldn’t have stayed. I would have missed way  too much.”

It sometimes feels like Honduras is home. * *

So many times since i have gotten back i have been asked the question “So how was your trip to Honduras?” and i have never quite been able to find the words to answer. A lot of people know that i did not want to go on this trip one bit, but now i can’t express my thanks enough to all the people that encouraged me to go and to my parents, for making me go and knowing what was best for me. I am extremely surprised at how much the trip impacted me. It usually takes a lot to make me cry, I am not usually a very emotional person, but i can honestly say that since we have returned, the smallest of things have me in tears. Even now, i am still processing the things i saw and experienced in Honduras, there is so much that i can talk about, but one thing in particular struck me the most – and that is how truly blessed I am. I have a bed, i have a car, i have heat, running water, food, clothes, etc, i have so much. And yet how can i complain about being hungry or cold? The phrases “I’m freezing” or “I’m starving” are used so loosely these days. When i was in Honduras i saw too many people, who were legitimately freezing, and starving, and you know what? Not once did i hear them complain. At one of the church services, they were praying for our group, and one of the things they said was something about making sure that we had all we needed. It’s unbelievable how gracious people are there, how happy and welcoming they are. When we went to go visit our Compassion child, Kevin, we were presenting him with our gifts that we had gotten for him. At the same moment, completely unexpected, he brought out two objects, and he said (through a translater) “these are for you.” How heart warming is that, here we are, suposed to be giving to him, and he comes out and gives us gifts. That really left my family speechless. There is so much i could say, but i just can’t find the right words just yet. I am now looking at everything through a whole new set of eyes, and my heart has definitely changed. I don’t think anyone will ever understand how much i needed that trip, and i am definitely up for round two!

I knew going into this trip that it wasn’t about the people we would meet, but instead it would be about US. While we longed for and prayed to impact this part of the world for HIM, it was much more about Him revealing things to us about us. The trip, the place, and especially the PEOPLE keep spinning through my mind. HONDURAS! A foreign place on a map before has now become a real place! The people who were names and some faces in pictures and on a web site have now become friends and family in Christ. The poverty was an intellectual fact before and now it has been shown in reality. The need was known to me before but now it has a face. And that face is beautiful! The eyes of the children, beautiful. The beauty in the faces of the new moms at the hosptial. The beauty of the new born infants at their side. Handsome in the faces of the at-risk boys in the center where they are waiting for the next phase of their lives to begin. They stand at a crossroads and I wonder which way they will choose. I saw the joy on the peoples faces. Joy that does not come from things and perfect circumstances, but the joy of the Lord is their strength. I am moved. I am convicted.

I cry as I think about the experiences we had. I cry when I think about the children without a home, without food. And I cry happy tears when I think of the small children who are being fed and taught at the daycare centers four days a week. I rejoice when I think about the churches that exist and the people who now call upon the name of the Lord because of Manos and because Alvin obeyed God and came to Honduras to reach the people for Him. I rejoice that there are so many who once were lost but now are found. And I want that for all of the people we met. I long for our sponsored child Kevin to know God through His Son Jesus. I long for God to reign in all the hearts of all the people in Honduras and everywhere.

I have a newly strengthened faith in God and who He is and what He is doing. But I wonder… NOW WHAT? How can I go on as if nothing has changed? Everything has changed. I’ve changed. What can I do now? What should I do now? What is the next step? God what do you want me to do now that You have shown me these circumstances, this poverty, this sadness, these beautiful people! These are the questions I am asking myself. Now what?

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…”  Ecc 9:10a

I’m a farm girl.  I was raised for a time of my life on my grandfather’s farm.  We had sheep and my grandfather was the shepherd.  I watched him care for the sheep, lead them to clean water and fresh pasture.  He would find a safe place for them at night and protect them from wild animals, treat them when they were sick and care for them as his children.  Those thoughts of watching my grandfather shepherd his sheep have returned to me these past few days.  Being on the trip to Honduras was an amazing experience in more ways than mere words can express.  Those who planned and implemented the trip (Ed, Sherri, Shelly) made it look effortless, which I know it wasn’t.  The group was shepherded and cared for in ways we didn’t even know we needed.  From our accomodations to our flights to our meals, they even watched over us to make sure we were well and had enough rest (as was possible).  All of this became apparent to me when Leah and I were left behind (lost passport!) in Newark, NJ on Sunday afternoon.  We no longer had shepherds to guide us, to look out for us and to take care of us.  Although I have since discovered that Wayne, Ed and Kathryn were still caring for us (shepherding us) and I’m sure many others were praying for us I could no longer see my shepherds.  Leah and I were alone.  And the weight of that hit me over and over again.  We were part of a group of 18 and now we are a group of 2!  And so we turned to the Great Shepherd.  The One who is watching over us when no one else is.  The One who never sleeps or slumbers.  The One who can change weather patterns so planes can fly.  The One who keeps those planes in the air so we can land safely.  The One who goes before, behind and with us all the way.  Believe me when I say that I prayed the entire trip, but the prayers became different when we were alone.  God showed Himself strong to me again and again.  I am ever grateful for my earthly shepherds, but I will never again look at my Heavenly Shepherd in the same way.  My faith has been tested.  It was found wanting (I broke down crying by day 3) and God grew my faith through this experience.  The bible says that trials bring patience, well I can say that this trial grew my faith in Him and my patience while I waited on Him.  Praise God that He Shepherds us at home and when we are far away from home.  Praise God for earthly shepherds and Praise God for the privilege of seeing Him answer prayer after prayer so that when the next trial comes we are able to keep our eyes fixed on Him and not on our circumstances.  “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not be in want.”  Psalm 23:1

So….finally….after 3-days (72-hours +) stuck in Newark, our lost travellers Tina and Leah are home safe and sound.

They left Newark this morning on a shuttle flight to Boston and then were flown from Boston to Halifax. They arrived home mid afternoon.  Needless to say, they are exhausted!

A special thanks to Ed and Kathryn for all their efforts to resolve documents issues and their travels (multiple times) to and from the Halifax airport!

Folks – the most amazing thing happened to us on our Compassion visit on Wednesday !

Some of you know that for almost 5 years we had a Compassion child, Joselin, and that I had visited her twice before. You also may be aware that this past year we were told Joselin was no longer in the Compassion program because she and her mom had to move away from the area. The day our family got that news was a very tough day indeed.

This trip however was in part to meet our new sponsor child Aylin. Aylin just turned 5 in February and attends grade 1. What a doll ! She was shy at first and very nervous. We talked about her family and the things she likes. She enjoys playing with dolls and art (Aylin’s mom is a proud mom and saves all of Aylin’s art projects).  What a great visit. We also got to meet Clare, Aylin’s mom and visited them both in their home. Aylin’s dad’s name is Eric, he is a furniture upholster. Aylin has an older sister who’s name is Shirley (my mom’s name). They live in a very quaint area, almost out of context for the dump region. Although still on the edge of the city’s main dump, there are fragrant trees all-round.

A funny thing happened while at the project. Emily tells me “Dad I think I saw Joselin and her brother!” I tell her that is impossible; Joselin had to move away from the area. “No dad it was her, go see !”

Imagine my surprise when I turned the corner and there she was – her big bright smile looking back at me. Tears of joy welled up in me.  “Christina come here, quick!!”  Joselin ran over to me and planted a big hug – she remembered me.

Through a translator we learned that Joselin’s family had moved back to the area and that she and her brother were back in the Compassion project. They had just returned.  Aylin shared lunch with Emily and Christina. I shared lunch with Joselin.

An answer to prayer, for sure. But here is another tidbit. When Alvin visited Lifebridge a year ago he took back to Honduras a gift package for Joselin. He never gave it to her. He still had it at his home and returned it to me when I arrived that Sunday. We took it to the project to give it away. We were able to give it to Joselin. An answer to prayer because we could now close that chapter in our collective lives.

A final note – a new chapter begins – we now have 2 sponsored children in project #268 (House of Diamonds) Aylin and Joselin !  We asked and Compassion agreed to allow us to sponsor Joselin on the spot (well almost – I have to complete the application online this week). Our family just grew!  Thank you Father for your provision and your timing. You certainly do know the plans you have for us.

By Ed Light

This is the second half of my Street story.

Our last stop for the evening is hard to describe because there is a lot going on around us. But the street is very wide (in Honduras terms that means it is a 6 lane street!) At the intersection I see a young man in the middle of a garbage pile. He sifts through the materials. Finds food, and has a meal. Behind him is another man – this time, adding to the pile. Apparently, this goes on all night.

Near the vans we are met by a group of youth. They want to impress us with their dance moves.

I want you to meet Alexis. Currently Alexis is living on the streets. Not sure how old he is, but I can tell you he has a 4 month old son. Alexis shares with me that he has an alcohol problem. He likes to dance, break dance, street dance. And he is pretty good too!  He is also the leader of his small posse. It is very evident that they look up to him. But he is hurting. He misses his son. He wants off the alcohol dependency. He wants to return to his old normal.

We prayed together, we cried together. He acknowledges the Lord, but he is too hard on himself to accept that he is accepted by God just the way he is. We all are. We sometimes forget that God made us and accepts us. He loves us even in our faults. I share with Alexis this amazing love. I try and encourage him.

We pray together. He accepts my small gift – a Spanish / English bible. I introduce him to Christina and Emily. He asks to have a picture taken with me. Is there a connection? I hope so! Did he hear the message? I REALLY hope so.

Never thought I would see myself in such a place, in such a situation. But God gave me the strength in the moment (and the words to share).

By Christina Light

Thursday began with a trip to the “slaughter house” (a.k.a. the hospital).  This particular one doesn’t have a great reputation for patient care.  The facilities are a far cry from what we have come to know and expect at home, although a vast improvement from what it used to be like, by all reports.  We were there to visit with the new moms and to deliver the mom and baby packs.  The women we met ranged from 14-45.  Sherry brought some hand cream so that we might massage the women’s hands.  Some enjoyed it and others, not so much.  One woman, Anna, had just had a cesarean section the day before and was in some pain.  It had been a difficult delivery, but the baby was all right, just not with her at the time.   Through the interpreter I offered to message her hands.  As I began messaging her hands I could feel the tension begin to leave her body.  She relaxed enough to close her eyes and within a few minutes, drifted off to sleep.  As she slept, I silently prayed over her.  I wondered, as she slept, would she only imagine us having been there.   How I wished I could have stayed to visit with her when she woke, to hear more of her story and to have been able to converse with her in her language.

When I was 18, I took my first solo vacation to the city of Toronto, to visit a friend studying there.  While she was in class during the day, I would wander the downtown area shopping and sightseeing.  I would leave early in the morning, stop by a local coffee shop for a pastry and a drink, and sit on a park bench outside the Eaton’s Centre waiting for things to open.  This one morning, after purchasing my breakfast, I headed for my favorite spot, but was stopped dead in my tracks by the sight before me.  A man was getting down from the top of the picnic table that had obviously been his bed the night before.  Young well-dressed professionals flocked to the table, brushed off the dust and debris left by the man and proceeded to eat their breakfast, seemingly unphased by the fact they were eating on someone’s bed.

Thursday evening we took to the streets with Alvin for some street ministry.  After supper we made dozens of sandwiches, consisting of hamburger buns, refried beans, sour cream and bologna, and armed with a bale of sweatshirts, packed up and headed for the streets.  It was at that first stop that I was immediately transported to that street corner in Toronto, only this time the person had a name.  I met an eleven-year-old boy named Gustavo, and as he interacted with Sarah, one of Manos’ workers and one of our interpreters, I learned some of his story.  He had been placed in a home for boys but had run away to the streets.  We were standing mere meters from his home; a worn mattress and a piece of cardboard in a dark alleyway.  He longed for a real home.  We would meet many others that night with similar stories.  We came.  We fed.  We clothed.  We listened.  We cried.  We prayed.  And how we wished we could do more.

Manos extends its’ hands in the hospitals and the streets, and many other places, day after day, week after week, month after month.  I was humbled.  It was a privilege to be permitted to draw near to the suffering and hardship faced by God’s children on a daily basis.  His word is truly a light onto their paths and through Manos, the lost are claiming victory over unspeakable atrocities and themselves reaching into the lives of others.  Amen.

Matthew 25:40

40 And the King will tell them, ‘I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

By Ed Light
Heading out to the streets of Teguc was NOT something high on my experience list. I had been told stories by old friends who have been on the streets of Teguc and had some “idea” as to what to expect.

Ya Right !

[Last Thursday night ]   After leaving the home site, excitement (if you want to call it that) began to build.

I could describe the trip from home to the streets  But, let me fast forward

We arrived at the first street stop (the corner of 1^st avenue and 7^th street in downtown Teguc). A tough place to be. Alvin gave strict instructions to our group “Make sure you are within one arm length of a team member. NO wandering off. Stay between the vans, do not go out into the main street. Stay in the alleyway.”

Prior to leaving home, we had prepared sandwiches to hand out and had a load of sweatshirts to also give away – it was cool in the evenings.

Order in chaos is very important.   Alvin instructed the children, as well as the men and women, to form a single line. We were told, “Take a cup, pour and hand out a drink of juice, then give the people a sandwich (Bologna, refried beans, and a type of sour cream spread). Please, do not deviate from this order.” (A hard thing to do when you know the people really NEED a meal).

Before leaving home Alvin also told us to “Watch their faces, so as to make sure no one comes back for seconds.” (there is never enough to go around)  After we handed out the food. Alvin instructed the group of about 35 street folks to again form a single line at the back of the van, where Sara (one of the Manos team members) handed out the sweatshirts.

The next we heard “We’re moving out folks!”. On to site 2.  The rules were the same, but the circle was tighter. This was a tougher site. More concerns.  Stepping out of the van, Wow ! If this was a scratch and sniff you would be overpowered by the glue smell. Young boys, between the ages of 5-11 coming up for their food, to see Alvin, Sara and Nati, a pop bottle in their hand or hanging from their mouth. Eyes glazed, staggering. They sniff/huff the glue to help them get past the hunger. They are higher than a kite! The smell is so strong, so strong. No judgment here, just compassion. Oh Lord use us to reach these young people. Site 2, our time draws to a close.

We stop by one more site before we reach the hardest place of all for me. We arrive at a street corner where the elderly sleep. Getting out of the van we walk around the corner. We see boxes on the ground, but wait ! There is a pair of boots under that box. Alvin encourages us to take pictures. We have been doing so along our route, so why not now. Alvin gently lifts the box cover. An older gentleman is asleep. Alvin awakens him and tells him we have food. We give him drink, and a sandwich. He can barely get up. We move to the next box. I stop for a moment. How can I take pictures of this ! This is wrong, I realize we are walking into someone’s home and without permission taking pictures ! Pictures! Sara and I talk for a moment. Is this alright? Alvin did say it was OK after all. And then it hits me – how can we demonstrate the conditions if we cannot show it. This story MUST be told, so that it might change! At the next box, two dogs lay on top of the box. When we try to feed the gentleman underneath the dogs lunge forward. They are protecting their home. But finally they allow us to feed him.

This night was hard!  Real Hard! (more to follow in another entry)

By Ed Light

Thought I would let all our Blog followers know:

For those not in the know!

Leah and Tina did not make it home yesterday with the rest of us. We had some document issues and they had to stay behind. We managed to get documents on last nights outgoing flight from Halifax, so that they would have them in Newark last night BUT United had some communications problems and welllllll they were unable to locate the material UNTIL late today.  After some persuasion at the airport today and some coaxing in Newark the United staff were finally able to find the documents in question and place them in Tina’s hand. I know this because the lovely United agent was all smiles as I looked over her shoulder this afternoon LOL.

Tina called me a little while ago to confirm that she and Leah will be on a  flight tomorrow afternoon (arriving at 4pm)

In closing off this post, I would like to also acknowledge several United personnel:  Colin, Anne, and Maria (who all helps us with our flight situation leaving Halifax); to Jeffery (in Newark) and Taylor, and Sene (here in Halifax) for their assistance in bringing Leah and Tina home.

Through this whole adventure, God has seen our team through several struggles, trials, situations, etc. He has heard our calls and provided in a great way. To Him all glory, honor and power.