Before Honduras during debrief in Atitlán, Guatemala:

(Me and Karen in front of the 40ft jump. I know, the angle makes it looks like a regular dock. I assure you, it is not. P.S. I jumped it once and spanked my rear end in the water. Karen here did it a whopping 9 times!!)

(Left to right: Ezra who is my twin, Jaydin, Ellie, Me, Skylar who is my team leader and Carter on top of a volcano hike at 7am on our final morning in Atitlán during debrief.)

(Me almost dead as we near the base of the mountain after our early morning hike. Fun fact: I am still sore from this hike!)

Now…

We arrived in Honduras on Saturday 21st in the mountain town of Comayagua. Up in the mountains, we get the firsthand opportunity to live life similarly to the locals, that is - limited.

These limitations on technology usage, food quality/quantity and other things has triggered my brain and heart to be able to empathize with the locals more than I have had the opportunity to before.

We are partnered with “Catracho Missions” as they are the ones feeding us and housing us. (We tent on their property and use their showers.) The Catracho Missions team are dedicated locals doing the Lords work. They are determined to share the Gospel by building relationships with each family in the community.

It is important to note that this relationship building is not a simple science in this community. There are many cultural norms, expectations and barriers to navigate.

For some context, many girls here could easily have a 4 year old and a 4 month old by the time they are 17.

I’ll allow you to do the math.

Truth be told, these girls are not being raped by outsiders, they are being violated by their dads, their uncles and even their grandfathers. Knowing this, reaching these families with the Gospel is not an easy process. It is a long, painful and delicate road to walk. We must not only talk to the women who are at home, but we have to ask about the man of the house. In doing so, we increase the opportunity of the man allowing us to come to his house again and of him allowing his wife and kids to attend our church. Essentially, it is the man who decides whether his family is able to be reached by the Gospel or discipled by the church. Additionally, the woman are not allowed to read the Bible or even show up to religious activities if her husband does not allow. Girls are also not encouraged to read their Bibles or participate in the church because they are seen as impure.

Our mission in this community is to provide new energy, display the love of Jesus in place of legalism and build connections that will lead to Gospel centered relationships with the community.

Our ministry looks like taking care of the chickens, goats, ducks, bunnies, horses and donkeys on the Catracho base. It also looks like constructing new buildings on base for future events for the community. It also looks like making numerous house visits to the families of the mountain town and inviting them to the base for events and church.

(Me, Ellie and Rissa on our way back from a house visit in the mountains. Ellie is one of the full time Catracho Missions workers.)

Please Pray for:

• My whole squad and I to be able to surrender our flesh and any physical preferences during this last month on mission together!

• My lower back to heal. (I tweaked/hurt the nerves of while doing some work on the Catracho missions base.)

• The hearts of each member of the families in this community to be softened and open to the word of the Lord.

Please Praise God for:

• The Catracho missions team and their fervor and energy to serve the Lord with all of their hearts.

• Giving me my squad to do life with for the upcoming 2ish months.

• The opportunity to use my Spanish skills in the community!

With Love, Lia.