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Weekly Update from the Senior Pastor
January 26, 2006 
Dear Family and Friends,
Over the past nine years I distinctly remember dozens of returning missionaries from Honduras (including my own three children multiple times) trying vainly to put their experience into words, trying to explain why—after bugs gnawed on them or diarrhea levels them—they couldn’t wait to go back! Not many used words like fun or relaxing, but rather words like life-impacting, meaningful and significant. Few of us realize how deep the hunger is inside us to be a part of something really significant—and how satisfying it is when we are.
I still wouldn’t call myself a Honduras veteran, but at least I’ve been to boot camp in the mission world. At the hardship level, ours was an easy journey. The weather was glorious, not hot and muggy; the two homes I stayed each had a shower (ice cold, but a shower), and a bed of sorts. The days were packed, but [for me only] not with responsibility—just meaningful activity in a spirit of prayer.
I took this journey with a humble, teachable spirit, a servant’s heart and to honor those who knew what they were doing. It was a joy to serve under, watch and learn from Roger and Bob, Annette Royster, Phil Catron, Woody and Judy Pangborn, Devin and Robby Watkins, Kathy Cuttitta and even our youngest, energetic leader Leila Baldo.
First, the big impressions: Honduras’ urban landscapes are junky and in flux between third to first world status—complete with a few Western franchise restaurants next to run-down, open-air 19th century shops. Lots and lots of trash. Absolutely no safety precautions such as we are used to. Outside the cities and towns there are beautiful landscapes marred by wretched poverty and piles of trash. There is a scarcity of paved roads filled with an abundance of crazy drivers in very old Toyota pick-ups. Everywhere I looked the real heroes were the wide circle of the Christian church serving with a passionate commitment to preserve and elevate human life amidst suffering and dulled sensitivity due to lives filled with pain and lack.
Actually, far more than San Pedro Sula or Santa Barbara, Copan is a lovely town at its old center. Spanish architecture dissected by cobblestone streets. The local church in Copan is healthy. The leadership is shared, prayerful and determined to make a difference at every level of people’s lives. We can build with them. The future of our relief work must be in starting micro-businesses. Our medical teams and construction teams will always be a gift working beside teams down there, but for long-term transformation we need to go beyond short-term or crisis intervention strategies -- which do help in the immediate circumstances -- to helping the poorest families learn skills and reach a basic necessity level of existence that allows for adequate shelter, hygiene, nutrition and hope—and link them to Jesus through our sister church. We have some good models to work with, even perhaps someday tackling an orphanage there.
If your application to go on one of the mission trips this summer has been accepted—make every effort to go! You will come back changed for the better. You will love and serve and be loved and valued; and you will see the face of Jesus in the eyes of children you help and in the voices of adults who sing praises to God in the midst of enormous challenges.
I am very grateful to be part of a congregation that has so embraced the last part of Acts 1:8. We are making a difference.
In the Lamb, Richard
PS – On a completely different note, the Sweetheart Dinner team wants you to know that your very last opportunity to make a reservation is this Sunday. Don’t let this opportunity get away!
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