Getting Involved

I've been trying to spend quality time all week with the younger 3 kids and take them to events they would really enjoy before taking off for Honduras. In a way, I thought "we'll have so much fun, that they'll get sick of being around me and will be able to do without me for a few weeks while I'm away." We had plans to go to Mosquito Hill in New London for the day, but rain came in and our plans were cancelled.

My high-school girlfriend came down with her son who is Andrés' age, and we just spent a few hours together talking while the boys played. It was relaxing and a way to catch up on some much needed time with an old friend. I often get so caught up in the day-to-day tasks that come with having 4 children, that I am too tired by the end of the night to even have a phone conversation with friends. I rarely realize how much time actually passes inbetween my visits with friends. It's always a special treat to be able to spend that time with them as well.

My last journal entry was titled "Coincidence" with an explanation of why...it's interesting how God can daily remind us of His purpose for us. We just need to listen to His gentle whispers.

Yesterday's devotion was entitled Getting Involved. These exerpts have been coming from the Our Daily Bread pamphlet series that is sitting on the welcome table at New Hope. This particular day's focus was on the story of the good Samaritan and going to those in need. Here was the 3rd paragraph that I read in its entirety:

"It's easy to find reasons not to get involved. Busyness, indifference, and fear often top the list. Yet as we seek to follow our Lord faithfully, we will become more aware of opportunities to show the kind of compassion He showed."

Towards the bottom is the following poem:

When we share another's burden,

We disply God's love and care,

Offering relief and comfort

When life seems too much to bear.

And the last phrase in bold:

True compassion puts love into action.

For our entire family, God is reaffirming daily that we're doing what He has nudged us to do.

Are YOU listening to God? What is He asking of you?

Coincidence?

Monday and Tuesday were BIG days for us here on 1844 Mary Lane. There have been a lot of "coincidences" happening with the Harmon family this week so far. Although I have not mentioned any of these "coincidences" on my blog, there is ONE friend who is dear to my heart who knows what I'm talking about. This morning was no different in terms of God (NOT coincidence) stepping in once again at the right time...

I remember Kim (a long-term volunteer down at Orphanage Emmanuel) reading the following passage to us last year as one of our devotions together:

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.

If it is serving, let him serve;

if it is teaching, let him teach;

if it is encouraging, let him encourage;

if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;

if it is leadership, let him govern diligently;

if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Romans 12:6-8

I mentioned our gifts on Monday in my blog, and here it is again...God putting His exact words onto my heart this morning as I am reading my One-Year Bible for July 29th. And now I share them with you...so, I ask once again...How are you using your gifts?

This morning I woke up early to send out an email to friends and family about my online journaling (this blog) as well as Andrés' blog. His website is http://emmanuelexperience.blogspot.com/ and he will share with you a (most likely) very different experience since it'll be from a teenager's point of view. Enjoy keeping up with both to paint a complete picture of our trip.

After sending out the mass email this morning, I found out that our flight times had been pushed up 9 hours due to the national curfew in Honduras. So instead of our flight out of Chicago departing at 6:20pm, Andrés and Jen will not be able to sleep in next Tuesday, because the flight heads out at 9:50am. We were planning on arriving into Honduras just after midnight, and spending about 4 hours at the airport before heading to the bus that would take us to Tegus. Since our new flight will arrive around 6pm to Honduras, I had to arrange for an overnight stay in San Pedro Sula before heading out Wednesday morning for Tegus.

This evening after my night class at FVTC, I came home to a very pleasant phone call from Blanca, one of the owners of the bed & breakfast we'll be staying at in San Pedro Sula. Her husband will be picking us up from the airport to take us to their place. She was SO nice, I can see how their establishment has received such great reviews regarding their hospitality!

After talking with Blanca, I decided that I'd better call the hotel in Tegus to confirm our reservations for Wednesday & Thursday next week. They were extremely pleasant as well. This hotel is connected to the bus line that will be transporting us from San Pedro Sula to the capital, so I asked about the news reports we've been hearing of road blocks between the major cities. He admitted that the bus line was affected in early July but assured me that the roadblocks have moved to the southern part of Honduras now and were no longer an issue.

I am getting more excited with each day, yet very much valuing the time I have left with Alina, Noah & Kaylyn (and of course, my wonderful husband Bob).

Thanks Steve!

I had forgotten to mention the most important part of my day yesterday...the message I had heard at New Hope! This came at just the right time for me - the week before we depart for Honduras. God's Word that has been in my head since I had first learned it back in grade school (and of course both Steve & De read it yesterday)...

"...For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Then the righteous will answer Him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?" The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:35-40

This is it! This is why I go. I mentioned in my presentation last year (and possibly in my blog last year as well) that everyone has their gifts from God. For some it is to give, for others - to serve, for others still - to preach/teach. God gave me the desire to serve and the ability to speak Spanish, which lead to my choice to go to Honduras. For those who are like me & have the desire to serve, pray to God where He can send you. He may send you out of the country, to a different state, to a different city...or to your neighbors next door...but don't put your gifts on the "back burner", use the gifts that God has given you for His glory today!

I loved the songs chosen for our service yesterday. The one that really touched my heart though was Tim Hughes' God of Justice. This song is now on my MP3 that I'm taking to Honduras with me to constantly remind me of why I'm there. The lyrics are posted below.


God of Justice, Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served

Jesus, You have called us
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give

We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go

Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go

To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God

You have shown us, what You require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give

Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord


If you haven't had the chance to listen to this or simply would like to take a peaceful moment to watch a video of this song which was attached to a 2008 missions trip to Calcutta, India; go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12TI-Nr21N0 .

Here's one more great link from Jars of Clay with their song Two Hands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0h2sUC6wPg .

Thought for the day: How will YOU use YOUR two hands???

Getting Ready for Orphanage Emmanuel 2009

It's been almost a year since I last made an entry in here...The purpose of this blog is solely to keep you updated on my experiences with Orphanage Emmanuel.

There has been a lot that's happened since last year, namely the fact that I will not be traveling alone this year. Andrés is coming with me as well as my cousin Jennifer! The other big news of Honduras is that on June 28th, the president of Honduras (Manuel Zelaya) was forced out of the country. The situation is rather long to put into one blog, but feel free to either ask me about it or research it. I have been getting updates from the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa regarding the situation in Honduras and will use these as well as the advice of the orphanage's volunteer coordinator to make an educated decision on our travels.

Another neat aspect to our trip is that Eduardo (Andrés' sponsored child through Compassion International) lives on the south side of Tegus (the capital) which is en route to the orphanage. We applied to visit him in early summer, but had seen on Compassion's website in early July that they had closed 75 locations around the capital due to the political situation and wanting to ensure the children's safety. We had surrendered to the fact that we would most likely not be able to visit Eduardo, but ended up getting an email a week ago saying that the visit would be okay. We were sent an itinerary as well. SO exciting!!!

The following are prayer requests from the Honduras Country Office about the children, family, church partners and staff in Honduras (as noted on the Compassion website):

• Please pray for the Lord to intervene in the midst of the recent political unrest. Pray that key leaders will seek the Lord for guidance and that our children will be protected from violence.
• Please pray for the Lord to sustain the health of the children, staff and families as the H1N1 virus has been found in Honduras. May He grant Compassion staff and government leaders insight and ability to help prevent the spread of this virus.
• Pray for children in Honduras that need additional care that their parents cannot give. Please pray their sponsors become a source of encouragement and support for them.
• Pray that Compassion's vocational training programs will instill pride and hope in each child.

I will be sending donations out on August 3rd (the day before we leave). We already have a full box of toys and school supplies! I am also looking for any medical supplies and also any gently used NHCS uniform short-sleeved tops, skirts or pants. It is rare to find Latinos wearing shorts, so even though it's hot down there...pants are used. If you have any of these last 2 items (medical supplies or uniforms), feel free to let me know before next Monday and I will make sure they get sent down as well.

Thanks so much for all of your support via encouraging words, prayers, donations, etc. I am once again really looking forward to this trip and cannot wait to share my newest experiences when I get back!