Time

Recently, I have been reading Ecclesiastes 3. For everything there is a season. There is a time for everything. A time to heal, plant, pluck, weep, laugh, cast away, gather; you name it there is a time for it. I wonder though if there is ever a time for distraction or if that is the one thing that can be used against us when we are working towards a higher purpose. Every day, I find myself contemplating whether what I do here is worth it. Whether the sacrifices I’ve made are enough or am I being pushed to see just what is really important to me in this life and in the hereafter. I was told that I shouldn’t give up things for the ministry... and in all honesty, that is the most confusing thing I’ve ever heard. This whole mission was to be where God called me to be. I sold everything and I committed whole heartedly to my purpose and yet, I find myself at this crossroad. Which direction is the pathway less traveled? Each turn seems to be a difficult path. In two months I will be heading back to the states and my path seems to be reaching the point of the unknown. I’m very secure that God has everything under control and I’m not worried nor do I think that He will abandon me be as I reach the turning point. I am ready for what ever is next. Please be praying for me as I continue on! It is time.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: Eccl. 3:1

Photos

They say pictures are worth 1000 words... well, I’m tired and I can’t really think well in English or in Spanish so let’s see if that holds true... Here are some picture of the past month! I have been so busy and it has been so great serving here in Honduras! I hope that these pictures capture just a little bit of the joy I’ve felt!We had three Baptisms this month!! Awesome right?? one of the ladies, whose name escapes me at the moment, has been opening her house and kitchen to teams for a long and and finally decided to take the step of faith! It was pretty exciting to see the whole process.
Yesi: one of my favorite girl from La Victoria. We have bonded over camera snatching and other fun festivities! Her smile shines through anything!

Cooking on an open fire in La Victoria... This is how we feed teams. If I ever need to know how to cook with out a stove, I’m set.

My English class! I’ve recently turned over the reigns and am now working with the teams on Tuesdays, but they were a GREAT class!!

Let Them Come

I have been muy occupado this month at Mision Caribe. We have started School Outeach, prepared for a team, prepared for the summer, hosted a team, painted and revamped the house to name a few things (not exaggerating). Life here doesn't ever stop. There is constant spiritual warfare happening in the lives of the people and even the staff. Somedays are harder than other but there are some days when I literally feel like a rockstar. Those are the days that keep me going.
I have started teaching English is two schools for about 20 minutes a class. I'm not sure if it is the break from the normal rutine or if they really want to learn English, but there is one class that I teach where my students litterally charge the door when I begin my accent into the classroom. It might be one of the best feelings to see 25 kids (give or take a few shy ones) tackle you. I have to get a firm stance and open my arms wide to make sure we all don't topple over. gaining their trust and their respect has opened a lot of doors. I am able to speak openly, or as open as my Spanish will allow, about being a Christian and the love to ask questions. They soak up everything you say and they just want to love and be loved. We have been learning "This is the Day" in ingles in each class room and they love it. It is a simple song and very repetative, but they love, love, love it. "Dis is da day" couldn't be any cuter than coming out of little Honduran bocas. I could gush ove these kids for at least five scrolls, but I'll spare you. For me, it's the message behind the song and the kids that sing it that is a great reminder.
This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
I'm going to remember this song and my kids as I continue to work here in Honduras. Let the children come to me so I can teach them everything I know about rejoicing in the day and being glad in the Lord that made everything. he is my rock and no matter what spiritual warfare I face I will try to remind my self that esta ES el dia that the Lord made, and I WILL rejoice and be glad in it. I challenge you to do the same in everything you do.

Fútbol

I’ve never been a fan of soccer. Sure, there were the Purple People Eaters of ’93 who wreaked havoc on the field and ended up with an undefeated season, but I’m not 100% sure how much of that I had to do with my excellent athleticism. I sat on the bench of the all boys and plus me team most of the time and when I did go in by some fluke, I came right back out after flaunting my ability flawlessly I’m sure. I was so amassing the coach never let me play because she didn’t want me to show up the other players, obviously.
I got to experience my first fútbol game Domingo. At first, it was totally the same as soccer and then it was totally different than soccer. Olympia vs Marathon marked the game before finals. Winner moves on. Let me set this up for you the best way I know how.
Horns, cervesas, Olympia shirts lining the stadium, drums, chants that never stopped, signs
The entire first half and the 3/4s of the last were calm and then:
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me set this up for you the best way I know how.
Pandemonium.
Deafening horns blew. Fireworks (in the seats where hundreds of people stood, not above the stadium) went off. Cervesas were thrown over the heads of everyone in the crowd drenching men women and children. Almost every man immediately lost his shirt and began to swing it over his head. Chants (mostly profanities). Police protecting players and refs from each other. Jumping, dancing, swearing, standing, sitting, yelling, running, climbing fences, and walls... and all because a plastic ball went into a net. Don’t get me wrong. The energy was awesome! It was like nothing i’ve felt before, how quickly it went from off to on. But they love a ball... going into a net...
So it got me thinking... What can I do to make sure that people get that excited about Jesus. I think when he comes we should celebrate in the same way (minus the words that caused my Spanish vocabulary to be extended). But why not celebrate?! What can I do to be an example. The Bible tells us to rejoice and be glad in Him. Shout to the Lord! let the earth and everything in in break forth! Sing songs of praise and thanksgiving.
The stark reality is though, if there were a stadium full of people singing and shouting because the Lord was coming we would be made fun of and ridiculed... But it’s ok to go crazy when a ball goes in a net.,, What twisted mind we have. So I’m going to do it anyways. WHOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO! JESUS IS COMING!!!!!!!! better than GOOALLL any day!


Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises. -Psalm 98:4

Xander Caleb!

Xander Caleb is here!!
We have been waiting for him for 9 whole months!! He came early so actually we have been waiting for 38 and a half weeks! he was around 7 lbs and slept all day yesterday! He was worn out! Mariela, one of the staff here at Mision Caribe, is doing fine and "resting" as much as she can!! I'm so excited to have this little bundle of joy in the world! But no, it doesn't make me have baby fever, just to clear the air. Enjoy!!

Mend, Refresh, Purify, Move, and Resuscitate

Water...
I’m not a scientist and I don’t know all the “smart words” for it, but this substance is amazing! From purely a spectators position I was blown away by the exquisiteness that is water this weekend on my trip to El Chapulin. What it can mend, refresh, purify, move, and resuscitate is mind boggling!
A pastor and his family had asked me to come on their vacation to his deceased mother’s casa; this being Holy Week, a week of spending time with family and resting. We arrived dust covered from the long road, if you want to call it a road; more like land with rocks sticking out of it that you can drive over or around. The first order of business was, of course, to get the pump running. A literal hole in the ground with a PVC pipe marking was jerry-rigged with an old school faucet head you would see on a Monopoly utilities playing card. After some kind of magic water began to pour and buckets were filled. We entered the house and began to “clean.” Now why the quotation marks you ask? The house was an adobe style 1 bed, no bath, wooden accents, outdoor kitchen with a hint of rustic charm... Translated to 80 year old, 1 room, dirt house that termites had made home sweet home in the wooden frame. It was a disaster area and I couldn’t figure out how we were going to “limpo” anything!
“Cleaning” is the operative word.
We shoveled the excess floor, packed it down and used the extra dirt, with water of course, to make mud. It wasn’t until I was elbow deep in Honduran soil until I realized we had made the house’s cement. We (yes, I too) began to spread the mud on the walls, over holes, between shelves and cracks, nooks and crannies; you name it, it got mud. They repaired a dirt stove out of more dirt! No need to call an electrician! Just slap some gooey stuff on top and smooth it out. It was a sight to see. We poured water on the kitchen counters (tree halves that had been put on wooden legs). Tan began to fade into a deep chocolate as the liquid ran over each top. Cricket the size of small mice (no, I’m not exaggerating for effect here) jumped, terrified to find new homes. I, embarrassingly enough, got caught multiple times taking in the scene around me and stood in awe at how little the house needed to take on a new life. The house transformed from shabby to Honduran chic with just a little bit of water and dirt.
That evening, after every animal in the kingdom introduced themselves to me, it began to rain... Pounding, hard, giant rain drops hit the clay roof which would make sleeping in a hammock easy. My mind began to wander away from the bats and yellow rat we were sharing our room with, to the majesty of rain. The beige and gray world I would go to sleep in would no longer exist in the morning. In its place would be multiple hues of green and lush exotic plant life, all changing because it got wet. The river, that was once dry, exploded and I could hear sounds of it running waterfalls somewhere in the distance all because water can move things. The crops in the field were drinking refreshments and coming back to life all because water resuscitates things. This whole weekend came to one giant conclusion.
We can do all of these things too, because we have the "living water" in our lives. He too can mend, refresh, purify, move, and resuscitate. Think about it...

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. -John 7:38
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. -John 4:10

Friends And Community

I've been in Honduras for 4 months now and let me tell you, it has been hard to find friends! I have the women I work with  of course, but at the end of the day, we are tired and they are sick of me I'm sure! And to quote Suamy "this is Honduras!" Walking anywhere around here by yourself is either going to get you hurt, kidnapped or taken. My father isn't a well scripted Liam Nissan, so that makes walking or going places by myself out of the question. Ergo, finding women around my age who can put up with my slapstick humor "no es facil". So, being the social outcast of Honduras began to take it's toll... I prayed for a friend and wouldn't you know it; He sent me 2!! 
Now I'm sure you all are thinking "what a retard." The only friend missionaries need is Jesus, but allow me to disagree for a little bit. Community is important! Having people you can share life with and grow that support system with is crucial to your Christian walk. The turmoil we are facing as a society (Natural disasters, crisis in the middle east, don't get me started on lybia) is begging us to come together as a community and help each other through it! We go to God first and when we've found Him and he has become enough, I'm a firm believer that He gives us other people to walk with on our Journey... Kind of cool really. 
So today I'm thankful. I'm thankful for my relationship with God and I'm thankful for my friends (new and old of course.) 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. -1 John 1:7

La Victoria VBS

Here is a video of our trip to La victoria... I know that you want to read what I have to say, but let's be honest... These kids are WAY cuter than I am :) Enjoy!!

Family... To Be Or Not To Be

Being away form your friends and family is hard. There are men that serve our country and those around the world on a daily basis, so they know the sacrifice it takes. There are others of us that are called to a different service which also takes giving up things and people that you love. I'm such a people person that it is really hard for me to be away from my family and friends. BUT (and it's a big one) I'm happy to announce that me being out of my comfort zone has allowed me to find joy in new relationships.

Family and community is a very important cultural experience here in Honduras. Everyone is in a mafia type relationship. No matter what happens, blood is thicker than water. No matter what happens, you always take up for your family, when your family gets together you be there, and events like weddings and birthdays become inexcusable if you miss the party. Everything is a big deal down here and honestly that is how is should be! I got a little glimpse of this on my birthday. A baby shower was planned on my birthday so, of course, I thought no problem. No birthday for me... (we will pretend I took it that well :) After accepting the fact that I would be working on my birthday, I was just going to let it pass by unnoticed. No ay problema!

When we got to the mission we unloaded the car worked for a while and got back into the car to go to lunch before the day really got under way. Turns out lunch was actually a surprise birthday party! I was so excited! But here is the thing that meant the most. The couple that hosted the party isn't really a family with means. The fact that they fed 15 people just so I could have a little celebration on my birthday kind of chokes me up a little. This couple has really taken me under their wing. To add a little cherry to the fantastic family sundae, Noe came up to me today and showed me his group of "family contacts" in his cell phone... "Bekah Woodall" is number 3! They have made me part of their family, just like everyone else here. It is so heart warming to be able to be a part of a plan that is bigger than your own world. When we stop to think about what family means to us and how we can expand our extended family, the possibilities are endless. We are all part of God's family and we can choose not to embrace it or begin to form relationships that will follow us the rest of our lives. Family is pretty awesome isn't it!

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Gun Shots Fired.

This week has been a culmination of the good, the bad, and the ugly. Oh, and the frickin' crazy! I've been struggling with finding my purpose here in Honduras, being reassured that I'm meant to be here, worrying about future plans, being reminded about the things I gave up at home, dealing with Honduras botox (I've had three allergic reactions to bug spray), and this entire busy, hectic week just ended with a bang. A literal pow.

A quick back ground: San Lorenzo is a small village in the South. It is a family community. Everyone is related to everyone (and i'm not being sarcastic) and there is trouble in River City with a capital T and it has nothing to do with pool! There was a recent murder in the family. One cousin killed another cousin and split the family apart. Everyone has taken a side and because of the situation and the poverty in San Lorenzo there is no place to escape the fight. Everyone is constantly on guard. Sisters and brother's don't speak to each other when they pass each other on the street and the poor mother is about to literally die of heart ache.

This evening at church where the family attends, tempers were flaring as they discussed a change in leadership. The family delima was brought into the church as both sides tried to make their elected person the one with the most responsibility and in a wave of fury, someone shot off his pistol. Talk about your family feud!

Here is the weirdest part...

I felt nothing.

I felt calm.

I felt collected.

My life didn't flash before my eyes.

I felt like it wasn't real.

There was some deranged hombre with a gun and I was ok with it?

I didn't feel like I was in danger, I just felt sorry for everyone there. Mothers were clutching their children and calling out for "la sangria de cristo." The matriarch of the family fainted. The men were trying to figure out who was going to confront this obviously unstable man with a gun and secure the situation and I just sat there with Fernando on my lap and began to tell him the creation story and Adam and Eve.

I tried to pray.

I wasn't sure what I was supposed to pray for because it was like I was out of my body; almost like I didn't really know what was going on because I wasn't really there.

By the time I got to the part in the story where Adam and Eve had Cain and Able it was all over. The gun was in safe hands and everyone had calmed down. Edgardo was singing outside of the church a praise song and others began to join him. The women of the church helped the mother to her feet and soon everyone piled in the truck and we were taking people home.

On the way home, my mind came back to my body.

I had no fear because God didn't allow me to have a spirit of fear (Timothy, you old man you!) I learned that verse when I was little and today, after hiding that word in my heart, I subconsciously used it.

I felt sorry for everyone because I love the people of Honduras. I was able to tell Fernando a story because I was powerful enough to be a distraction for him and I didn't go freaking out on everyone because my mind was sound enough and was trusting God enough to know whatever happens, He is allowing! It was a HUGE light bulb.

This weeks events were crazy and I'm exhausted, but I have found peace about not knowing my future and I have found peace about not knowing what my purpose is going to be here. I know I'm here and I know that I'm where I'm supposed to be. God has given me a sound mind and with that, I will make the best decisions I can and trust him for the rest... You'd think I would have mastered this by now!?! I'm learning slowly...

PS: I don't want to tell Him how to do His job or anything but, I have just a little shout out to the Man upstairs... Next life lesson, can we please do it without the gun? I'm just sayin'...

For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

When I Grow Up...

Everyone has a story that begins, "When I grow up I wanna be a..."  When I played as a child, I had a little bit of a different outlook on life.  When I grew up I wanted to be rich.  I didn't want to be a fireman, or an astronaut, or the next president (even though i knew i would have been an awesome president) I just wanted to have a lot of money so I could buy whatever I wanted.  Clothes, shoes, cars, purses, you name it, I wanted it.  Anything but my brother's and sister's hand-me-downs.  Blank Check was a favorite movie of mine. You know the one about the kid who forges a check from the bad guy who is dumb enough to give a 12 year old a blank check for running over his bike?  There is a great moral at the end of the story about how money can't buy you happiness, but I just looked over that and focused on all the toys he got to buy!  It was awesome and I wanted to be as rich as he was.  

Reality always kicks in after one of my fantasies about 10 years after the fact.  I am 25 now, living off of support from sponsors and trying my hand at believing God has everything in control.  He is bigger than I am and I am trusting that He has everything under control. I'm not living paycheck to paycheck, because if you have a paycheck you know it's coming.  I'm living literally one day at a time.  But for what?  I have been trying to find my purpose here in Honduras since I arrived.  What am I doing here?  Why can't I be at home making the big bucks at a design firm? 

Now don't get me wrong... I've been busy.  I have worked on vacation bible schools, started English classes with the staff and San Luis Church, built up the website, Sent out news letters, and done everyday tasks that the mission has asked of me.  I have been SUPER busy, but I'm not sure that any of those things are why I'm supposed to be here.  I guess I still want to be rich, but not monetarily... more like rich in the fact that I have a goal and a purpose here.  I'm useful here, and I would go ahead and say I've been helpful, but I need to know the bigger picture.

With my upcoming nuptials (did I mention I was getting MARRIED!?!), I'm finding it difficult to focus on the here and now.  Planning a wedding is hard work so they say... Try doing it from another country!  

I'm being distracted. 

So, this blog is for a prayer request.  

Pray that God can get my mind back on the task at hand.  For that matter, pray I will let him! I need to find my purpose here.  I need to figure out what I'm here for and what my role is.  Will it be to help with church plants, start a school, or figure out some kind of sponsorship program within the states? Am I being too impatient?  When Tyler and I come back, what will our purpose be?  Am I supposed to be figuring that out now?

Please pray for me today.  I'm feeling a bit unsettled...   

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. -James 1:6-8

My little "Mentee"

While I'm working in Honduras, I'm trying my very best to stay connected to the states.  I've gained a huge support system and really learned to appreciate the relationships I've made (and somehow kept) over the past 25 years.  Family and friends that have been close to me and still put up with me are the most important part of my life!  Communication is hard and sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget to maintain, or as in most cases, just don't find the time to maintain.  We are all guilty of it so don't be searching for specs in others eyes!

That being said, I would like to share a relationship with you that began a few months ago. When I first met Katie, she was kind of quite... weird looking back on that now, because she is the exact opposite "in real life"! As our relationship formed I was able to watch her personality blossom. She is one of the most outgoing and crazy girls I know! But where her personality is strongest is her love for people.  Katie is a little girl... She's about a size -14, and has the height to match it, but her heart was made for a 400 lb. grown man! God gave her a heart for missions and he gave her a heart for His own.  

This week, after some counseling, Katie decided to put her passion into action. Amor Es El Solo Linguaje is a foundation that she is starting to raise support for the people of Honduras. (Did I mention she is in high school? Amazing right?) This Non-Profit will donate school supplies and other necessities to underprivileged children in the roughest parts of Tegucigalpa. Working with Mision Caribe, she hopes to make an impact from the states until God places her full time somewhere.  This endeavor will help her build organization skills, communication skills, maintain relationships, and allow her to serve while still being able to finish her education. 

To me this story is inspiring. How many of us keep making excuses and don't make time to grow and maintain relationships? Did I mention she was 15?!?!

If you have any contacts for shipping, know any  other organizations that she could partner with, or want to donate to this cause, email me at bwoodall0@gmail.com. Never take the children around us for granted. 9 times out of 10 they are doing greater works that we are!

GOOD LUCK, KATIE!    

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. -Matthew 18:2-6 ESV

The old can be new

I've always had a fondness for your stereotypical mean old person. Wether it is a man whose scowl can wilt flowers or an elderly woman with a vocabulary that parallels with a sailor, I think it's hilarious. That may make me sound unkind so I'll explain. In La Granha near the medical center in Tegucigalpa there in a nursing home that caters to the less fortunate abuelos. They either have no family and can afford to pay for their stay or they have family member who can't (or won't) take care of them. Latrica is a toothless, half deaf, surly 78 year young woman with eyes so dialated you would think she was drugged... She might have been. My first visit consisted of her telling me I was going to take her upstairs to her room because our program gave her "pain in her head." After that I was hooked. Wether she wanted to or not she had just made a friend. I went back this time with a plan. Instead of helping her up I was just going to play the gringa card and pretend I didn't understand what she was saying. That way I could just sit tight beside her and she would have to listen to the devotional. Flawless plan. "No hablo español" works everytime.

At the door we were met by Rena, a retired professor at the university who we later learned had been "dropped off" by her son and forgotten. She told use about all of her world riches: her 3 houses, nice clothes and 20 thousand dollars she had in the bank. She seemed happy enough as I loosely translated her story to those around us. After we passed Rena I saw my target and grabbed the seat across from her. Our director invited her to come sit with everyone and sing and on cue she said "you all are crazy!" Soon the seat next to her opened up and I saw my opportunity. No sooner had I sat down she saw her opportunity to grab my arm and gesture up the stairs. I ignored her, got up and went to sing giving her the "not this time signal." I tried again and she made the same gesture as soon as I sat down only this time I was distracted and really did ignore her. From the top of the stairs Rena began her decent of fury. Suitcase in hand and her shrill vocal attack on the home sent literal chills down my back. She was leaving and no one was going to stop her. "I have three houses! I'm leaving this place. You can't stop me!" Our previous conversation had obviously made her livid about her current living situation, sparking some kind of rage that could be compared to a head shy horse with crazy eyes. As she exited the building I got that third tap on my arm and the gesture to go up the stairs. Not wanting to make another scene I thought "What the heck. Up we go!" Two birthdays later we made it to the top and found a nice comfortable place to rest.

Rena began her assent to the top of the stairs.

I froze.

"Where are my clothes?! You have them! What did you do with them?!"

As her flailing arms got closer to my money maker I St. Peter's image came to mind. I was really disappointed! I thought living in Honduras I would at least get killed in a car wreck or by a gang member or some crack king whose path I accidentally crossed. But no. It would be a 67 year old, 5'6", ticked off homeowner of three... Dang it.

I ducked and she corned me next to Latricia. There was that tap on my arm again only this time it was met with the most unexpected kind face. "Sit down and don't say anything. That woman is crazy!" it was like some stifled maternal memory surfaced as Latricia took my under her wing until Hurricane Rena went back into her room.

It was awesome! I had finally cracked her!

Then came that tap on the arm.

"You can leave now." Latricia was back to her cranky self and that single moment of normalcy faded as Rena's voice got further away.

I left her more confused and shaken than ever. Until I was reminded in Proverbs of the honor of what it would be to grow old. The wisdom I could gain from a woman like Latricia would be more than my 25 year old mind could handle. She is alone and hungry for Love and I think I'm just the person to introduce her to the ultimate love. I'm not going to give up on her. In fact my next approach will involve some patients and some pretty suave slippers as a peace offering/thanks for saving my life.

"The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair." -Proverbs 20:29

As my stay in Honduras progresses, I keep reflecting on graduation ceremonies. For the record I think they are a joke. The hats are terrible, the ceremonies are painfully long, and the gowns take away all individuality each student once had for 4 years. The worst part though is the speaker. "We did it!" "This isn't the end this is the beginning of a new chapter!" "Congratulations, you get to begin life now!" So annoying! They get you really excited for new life prospects when (and I'm ball-parking this based on my own friends) 70% of us just end up with an hourly paid job and little to no benefits. So, I say we strike the graduation ceremony from existence and celebrate another mile marker in life instead.
Why not celebrate the day you become a Christian or the day you start following him with your entire being? (Still with out the cap and gown... they are awful.) "It's be beginning of the end/beginning!" "Congratulations you get to begin a new life now!" The only difference is, that this ceremony should never end.
The group I traveled with went to La Victoria and watched the most epic sunrise. The scenery can't even be described, and a picture can't do it justice. I'm pretty sure a Crayola box melted in the sky and you could hear the "The Circle of Life" song by Elton John bouncing in the air as the sun broke the horizon... mainly because Tommy was humming it, but that's not the point. It was one of the most beautiful celebration of colors my eyes have captured. It brought me to Psalms 100.
As I sat surrounded by family, extended family, and friends that I consider to be family, I was beyond overwhelmed. In that moment, I felt God calling, I felt the heavens celebrating and eternal love that would endure forever. No matter what hard times where to come on the mission field and no matter what loneliness would try to overtake me, I knew that the Lord is God. I stayed on the mountain top for a while after everyone left and shouted to the Lord. The house below me thought I was a crazy gringa, but it didn't matter. (Since we all look the same, I'll just blame it on some one else when I go back.)
As a result of that morning, I'm a huge fan of celebrating God and entering his gates with thanksgiving for all he has created. Being reborn as a Christian has it's perks, eternal life, the best commencement speaker, the gowns are gold, and you get to wear crowns instead of caps. I've always seen myself in a tiara... Plus, the speaker made hand outs that are 600 pages, single spaced, and not boring at all.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. - Psalms 100

Putting My Faith/Pocketbook to the Test.

Over the last year God has placed a calling in my life to sell my all possessions and turn to His will for my life. With this submission, I’ve felt a strong tug to return to Tegucigalpa, Honduras on a more permanent basis. I have committed to going for a year! God has softened my heart to the people and the culture and given me a longing to interact and share His love with them as a staff member of Mision Caribe. Mision Caribe, as most of you know, is an incredible ministry that serves Honduras through evangelism, church planting, building houses, feeding programs, Bible Institutes, missionary training, and much more.

Our hopes are to partner with and help develop an elementary school this coming August. That’s where I come in. Along with teaching English to the staff, I’ll work with youth within the Churches as well as teach English and Computer classes. These educational resources are vital to the area, where education is only available to the very wealthy. Many of the poorer children who do not receive an education fall under the influence of local gangs in the city. Needless to say, my role within this ministry is one that is vital in seeing the kingdom of God move in Honduras.

I need your help! Please understand – this isn’t just an opportunity to write a check for a good cause. This is a chance to partner with God’s mission through your prayers and support. Wherever you live, you’ll be making an eternal impact on the lives of hundreds in the years to come. I’m budgeting $1,200 a month, which includes all of my food, housing, travel, and daily necessities. I’m trusting God to provide 12 people to give $100 a month, or 24 people to give $50. If this is not something you can commit to, a one time gift of $20, $50, $100, or even $500 God can use and multiply.
Checks can be sent at anytime during the year!

All checks can be made out to Caribbean Out- reach with a memo on the check to Bekah Woodall and sent to Caribbean Outreach/ Mision Caribe P.O. Box 308 Dodge City, KS 67801. All gifts made out to Mision Caribe are tax deductible.
If you are unable to give financially at this time, I totally understand. God has and will provide for my needs. Whether or not you give financially, I covet your prayers. I dare not go to Tegucigalpa without a team of prayer warriors behind me.
Over the past couple of years, God has radically transformed my life, and I am ready and willing to give my life back to Him through His mission in Honduras. I ask you to prayerfully consider joining with me through your prayers and financial support. I am humbled and honored to follow God through the help of each and every one of you. I look forward to relaying many in- credible stories of God’s work in Honduras! Pray for me in the months to come as I continue this awesome journey!

I screwed up.

I had a big reminder yesterday that I am still not the fantastic human, mission minded, super hero I'm striving to be. I got a little taste of what happens when you don't listen to God or you hesitate when He's saying "GO."

I was babysitting yesterday and while the kids were doing their homework, I happened upon an Andy Stanley book, Fields of Gold, or Golden Fields (I honestly can't remember.) It was about giving and taking the wealth that God gave you in the first place and using it to further His kingdom. No brainer right? You just take out all the "what if's" that you face in life and just know that God has got it under control. I left the house that night and headed straight to Walmart knowing that my money is God's money. I don't need to worry about anything and when He says give, it's already taken care of. I know when to listen and I always act when God tells me to... Wrong.

The very first opportunity I had to give, I hesitated... Big time. As I got to the register, I overheard a couple behind me arguing because they, "didn't bring any money." Some how wires got crossed and he thought she would bring money because his checking account was overdrawn. I just stared at them... Literally, I got caught.

Now, I'm broke. I don't have a bunch of money, but I have been blessed with few bills and not much responsibility during this time of transition. I had enough money to cover what was in their cart. I felt this tug at my heart and that still small voice that we always search for was SCREAMING at me... It wasn't still or small and I hesitated!! After staring at them for about a minute or so, I finally asked the cashier to add a gift card to my order and give it to the couple behind me. As I was making the transaction, the couple left their cart and headed for the door. The computer/Betty, the cashier, picked that time to crack under the pressure of a time crunch and fumbled the transaction! I stood there and watched as the couple walked out the door empty handed and Betty, with the delayed gift card, chase them down.

She didn't make it.

We stood outside and looked at every car drive by, but they had vanished into the night air. I asked Betty to keep the card and pass it on to the next person who might need it. I then walked to the Swagger Wagon and cried all the way home, because I knew that I messed up.

God really doesn't ask that much of us. Just total loyalty and obedience. I consider that to be a fair trade and here I am mucking it all up! I have to take this one as a life lesson. When God asks me next time to sacrifice, I'll do it! Hopefully, there will be none of this hesitation crap in my mind. I have a roof over my head, food in my belly and more things than most people in the world will have in their entire life. My whole life is being devoted to trusting God to provide for me! I'm moving to Honduras! I'm trusting God is going to provide the money for my missions. How can I expect to ask Him for money when I won't even give away what money He's given me?? Money troubles really are the Devil's playground and I'll have no part of it!! No more hesitations.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. -2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Youth in Action

This week has been an eye opener for me. (Not that every week hasn't been...) It has spanned from youth groups, to swagger wagons, to capitalism. Yes, I'm random. Yes, that's ok. We'll start with the youth group and end with the swagger wagon.

When I was in Honduras we had a group come from Eastridge in Georgia. It was a fantastic group and because there was sickness in the mission, I got to step in and help lead. I would put it up there with one of the best learning experiences I've had to date. I organized a large group , answered questions, witnessed baptisms, and really got to be a part of an experience that hopefully, they will remember for the rest of their life. I was able to share my story with members of the team and was encouraged even more to seek what God has for me. The path that I am pursuing today is because of the late night conversations I had that challenged me to seek what God really wants in my life.

During the next months, I will be traveling with Mision Caribe visiting churches and conventions, raising awareness to the fantastic ventures of the mission. All this will lead to my trip in December, and my stay in Tegucigalpa after that. Obviously that means working for an the "American Dream" is out of the question, so I've been trusting God is going to provide... Enter the youth of Northern Georgia. They took up a donation for me and allowed me to meet my goal to fund what I would need to cover my cost of living for those months.

I am completely humbled.

As of 1 year and a half ago, you probably wouldn't see me in a room with anyone under the age of 21. I couldn't stand to be around kids. The youth of today really used to get on my nerves. I saw kids in general as selfish, spoiled brats who needed to have technology taken away from them, because Christmas came on a daily basis to our capitalistic society. Seems a bit harsh, but we're being honest, right? That is what I thought.

I'm a firm believer that God has changed my heart on the subject, because I had nothing to do with it. He hid from me that I would be working with teenagers and spending time in an orphanage in Belarus that would have such a HUGE impact on me. He shielded the fact that my first trip to Honduras was through TEEN mission on purpose, because if I would have known that, I wouldn't have gone. I've befriended teens and mentored them through experiences of my life. I have this crazy desire/burden to love them because God loved them first! And now, I live with a 15 year old who loves science and math and spends a lot of time trying to teach me his thought process. The thing that brought tears to my eyes though was the generosity of teenagers, most of whom don't have jobs, or a steady income. It is because of them that I'm able to continue God's work... Irony anyone? It's quite laughable how God continues to demolish my prideful behavior. What a schmuck I was...

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. -1 Timothy 4:12

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY BLOG, BUT IT'S FUNNY... REALLY FUNNY.

And yes, the family I live with "rocks the SE not the SUV," so it makes it even more fantastic!

I'm Going Back!!

Talk about hard to breath!! As I sat down to eat my fantastic egg sandwich this evening, Irealized I have been back in the states for about a month now! I haven't smelled the roses and I'm pretty sure they are about to be out of season. I have moved, visited family, found odd jobs and tied up a lot of loose ends that needed to be clipped. It has been so hectic, but fabulous all at the same time.

I began studying Luke 9. the summation of the chapter is the true cost following Jesus and what that really means to us... "Coincidentally," I also started reading Radical, by David, Platt. Talk about mind blowing! The insight and the challenges that asks us to go through are so not what is normal. It has made me reevaluate my entire existence and ask myself the question if I really and truly am serving God or if I'm just playing the part really well. Let's face it, I could be a phenomenon on the stage.

In Luke, God started with a group of 5,000! You know how many he ended up with? 12... And look where we have ended up today. The number 1 best selling book of all time? The bible. Most influential person of all time? Jesus. Are you kidding me?!?! He spoke to mountains and they moved! He said, "Excuse me sea, you are in Moses' way, MOVE!... (that's not verbatim) and they did. It is absolutely fantastic to see what day in and day out such an awesome creator and guess what kids?! He chose me to continue the work that his first 12 started.

I have always, always, always fought the American dream of having a 9-5 and raking in the benefits of the world. I'm not knocking those people who do , but my mold has never been in that same form. Because that has always been beat into my head, I've never explored the other option.

Everything else.

I'm taking everything God says literally. I've sold everything I owned with the exception of some clothing; Lexington Police would have a hay day if I went around naked. I'm heading back to Honduras and I can't wait! We are taking a team down in December and when they leave, I'm staying! Trying to deal and get over my past and my struggles with living are dead and buried. I am a new woman on a new mission. Conquer the world... Or... Tegucigalpa. Which ever one comes first. :)

I am taking the promise of a hard life in exchange for eternal rewards. Let my cross be one of the millions promised a rich, abundant, eternal life. I figure it's the least I can do after all the hell I put him through.

Please be praying for me as I return to Tegucigalpa and for the members of my team... Most of them are my family so you know that'll be awesome!

Luke 9:57-62

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go.Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Sick

There are viruses in the US and then there are Honduran sicknesses that make you think Jesucrtisto is about to walk in the door and pull a modern day Elijah. It's like your insides are not going to stay that way no matter how hard you try to keep them from falling out. You just know that any second gravity is going to win! That's how I felt Monday. In my haze of fevers and-we'll say-turmoil in the bano, I knew I still had to prepare the four hour seminar I had volunteered myself for before we left that Thursday for Nicaragua! I was so stress! And in hind sight I'm so amazed to see how it all played out.

It's awesome to me how God works in my life. Each and every day is a new experience, usually one I'm not prepared for. I got the seminar finished and translated just in the nick of time, only to find out when I got there that I wouldn't be speaking! All that preparation for nothing! I was so frustrated!

I was still not up to par when we left, but I was NOT going to miss the trip. I walked into the Helma's house (the woman that was hosting us for the trip) and sat on my bed frame. There wasn't a mattress; only three blankets laying on wooden slats. I was starting to regret the trip.

Enter Miguel (pictured above). He might be the most adorable three year old I've met to date. His eyes and his mischievous smile melted my heart and prepared me for what was about to be the most interesting 4 days of my life.

When life's comforts are taken away it is really hard not to complain, But that night as I tossed and turned on my "bed," I realized that the people I was about to encounter live this way. It's not an inconvenience for them for four days; it's a life style. They pull their water from a well, they eat rice and undercooked beans, they wash everything by hand, they walk up mountains for miles daily, they sweat in the sun because air conditioning does not exist, they don't know what fast food is, they exist to survive and use every resource to do so. And they are joyful.

I have been so uncomfortable for six weeks, but I am still not ready to leave. I have been bitten, sick, sweaty, dirty, peed on, and broken my ear (which is weird even for me)!

All random, all worth it.

The work that I have done here and the lives that I have encountered have made me a better person. It is inspiring to see life come from struggle. It is an honor to be apart of it. I feel like I am the privileged one, not because I'm American, not because I have money (cause we all know that's not true), but because I have been welcomed into the homes and hearts of the Honduran people. There is no feeling like a sense of home, and for the last six weeks I have felt that. Going back to the states is going to be very hard. I get teary just thinking about my life there and how different it will be because of Honduras. I'm not sure what I will be doing or who I will encounter there, but I will continue the work I have been doing. So... keep coming back. This story isn't over. :)

God's Got This.

I finally headed back to San Lorenzo!!  

Trust me when I say, it was nothing like I expected. The team that I first came to Honduras with sent a suit case of toys with me to hand out to the children.  I was so excited to be the bearer of gifts to these kids.  It was going to be like Christmas in June and I got to be a santa like figure. Since I have gained such a love for these kids, I wanted everything to be perfect for them. I planned and organized and I made sure everything was going to be spectacular... Then God stepped in for one more of his little reminders; I don't make the plans. I thought that maybe he would at least consult me on this little venture of mine, but that was so not the case.

We we arrived, I realized while we were unpacking our van that the toys I had so perfectly packed where nowhere to be found.  In the crazy haze of a 40 person group split, they somehow made it to the city of La Victoria, 40 minutes south of our destination. 

I heart was broken.

I took my tamali and my glass of water and had a 10 minute pitty party over a rock in the corner of the church yard.  Some one forgot to mention that my tamali had a bad piece of chicken in it and the next 30 minutes of my life would be spent on the "throne" of San Lorenzo. To keep this PG, let's just say the "hover technique" can only be used for so long. The team went ahead and started visiting the houses of the people I love without me and I stayed back, sick. I was in a rut to say the least. The perfect day that I had planned was turing out to be an epic fail.  

Then Carlo showed up with his sweet little face and my day began to brighten.  I had kept a Magnadoodle for him in my personal bag, because I knew as soon as the bus pulled into the courtyard he would appear. He was my first ray of sunshine to what ended up being the day God planned for me.  

I had separated a small bag of toys to give to the school for their supplies that morning. It made it San Lorenzo. In this bag held 13 gifts.  We ended up having 13 children show up to the afternoon service so each child got a gift.  They rest of the toys will be delivered to the kids in September for Children's Day.  The town has never been able to afford real gifts to celebrate this holiday so the treat/surprise factor will be amazing for the parents of the children; 100 times more so than it would have been for me. I still got to pass out presents and I still got to have the joy of giving that God intends us to have.  The difference was, I was able to take myself out of the equation.  I gave gifts whole heartedly and got to love on the kids the way God intended me to.  

Sometimes, even with the best intentions, we still like to put ourself into the mix.  Being a Christian is a selfless act.  There can not be one moment that revolves around you.  When that happens, God's not glorified. We are, and that's just crazy thinking!! The day ended up being a perfect day and I had an amazing time in like I always do here. :)

For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. -Philippians 2:13 

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. -2 peter 1:5-7