When a Mission Trip Changes Your Life
Although God has not called me into the pastorate at this time, His call for me do to missions is so strong that I can only imagine what pastors go through and feel in their hearts as they pastor a church. In missions, my heart goes out to the people I meet. My most recent trip to Honduras was the best trip so far, and the worst. It was the best because I loved each and every moment of being there and ministering to everyone; it was the worst because my heart is still in Honduras.
When God began putting this trip together in July 2007, I knew in my spirit that it was going to be more of a life-changing experience than my previous trips to Ecuador. I was fortunate this time to be able to include my wife and two children, in addition to a fellow minister and his family and a friend of the family. Our desire was to make the most of whatever time we had in Honduras by ministering in every possible way.
On our first full day in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, we joined Angie McInvale, founder and operator of Hogar Esperanza (Hope House), a Church of God orphanage. We arrived mid-morning, spent time with Angie and assisted with work projects. After lunch, we briefly visited the community center for the deaf. When we returned to the orphanage, the children were home from school, and we began ministry time. We gave gifts to the orphanage, including recreational items and school supplies. We played ball, blew bubbles, and developed relationships with everyone. It was very touching to see our children, who cannot speak Spanish, interact with the children like they had been friends forever. Next, we spent time ministering through dance, skits and a word of hope. The children of the orphanage did not want us to leave. Several of the children prayed, thanking God for allowing us to come. They also prayed for us to have a safe journey and that God would allow us to come back.
The rest of our trip involved traveling to La Ceiba and into the jungle of Rio Viejo. We met with Dr. Martin and Wendy Williams and their children for a time a community and church ministry, work detail and relaxing. We hosted a women’s Bible study using “The Name, The Word, The Blood” by Joyce Meyer. This was a three-day meeting, and we were blessed to be able to take enough books to provide every lady present with a Christian book in Spanish. While the women were in Bible study, the men and teens traveled throughout the community and ministered. In the first village, El Pital, we passed out candy, balloons and balls to some of the residents. Then it was off to the soccer field for a game of South Carolina versus El Pital. It was amazing to see the animals, horses and pigs, cross the soccer field while the game was in progress. Naturally, El Pital won the game, but heaven won the souls.
Next, we traveled up the mountain to Uracco, a village literally at the end of the road. In this village, we met with a pastor’s wife whose son was in the hospital diagnosed with lymphoma. Her husband was at the hospital with him. They did not have enough money for the wife to go and the husband was not in the village to earn more money. We spent time encouraging the remaining family and prayed with them.
We then moved to a village called Toncontin. This village has a history of witchcraft, and we could feel a resistance upon entering. But we prayed and people began coming to see us. While we were in this village, 25 people gave their hearts to God. That night we had a church service and the Spirit of God fell and revived the church.
While based in Rio Viejo, we stayed at a house owned by Dr. Williams. It was great living among the people of the village. We heard roosters very early in the morning and were greeted by the cows and horses traveling in front of the house. To paint a picture of the area where we stayed, imagine free-range animals everywhere—dogs, chickens, pigs, horses and cows. Also keep in mind that the waste from these animals was in the roads and in the mud. Since modern sewers do not exist in the jungle, the homes also had wastewater exiting into the streets. Approximately 100 children lived in the village, and they hung out at our house. We spent time with them on the soccer field, around the community and even in their school to give them school supplies and talk to the classes. One night, we showed a Veggie Tales video in Spanish. The children and adults absolutely loved it. We had two additional church services and God moved in an awesome way.
When we left, my heart stayed behind. I had hoped that we would have time to go to the hospital to visit the sick boy, but we did not have that opportunity. After returning to the States, all I could think about was the people and places in Honduras. At the South Carolina camp meeting, one of the prayer requests given was to pray for Kevin Reyes, Pastor Reyes’ son who had lymphoma. I began to weep for him as I prayed. Later I received an e-mail stating that Kevin had passed away the first part of July. Although I never met him, my heart ached at his death. I prayed for the family and the community.
I never knew that taking mission trips would affect someone this way. But the one thing that keeps me going is that one day, when I am standing in heaven, the people who I have encountered on the mission trips will be in heaven thanking me for taking time to minister to them. This trip reinforced the need for compassion and love for others. As the song says, “Don’t tell them Jesus loves them until you are ready to love them too.”
We give God all the praise and glory for the results of this trip. And even though I know that missions will “mess me up,” I am eagerly looking forward to my next trip.
Rev. Greg Harris Missions Director Agape Worship Center Columbia, South Carolina
. . . . . © 2008 Church of God World Missions
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