The Mountain Tops

Honduras does have mountains, as we know from our long van rides. We've not only heard or read about them. We've seen them. They are beautiful backdrops to some not-so-beautiful sights in the foreground.

Last night's devotion focused on mountain top experiences. During that devotional time, the team shared some thoughts:

+ Seeing pictures and hearing stories about previous mission trips had been interesting. But the experience of being here is more than interesting. It's powerful. The term life-changing is sometimes used.

+ There were many and various "aha" moments during the week-- those moments that moved us or gave insight and meaning to our service at Ministerios Puerta Abierta.

+ The team's "newbies" now understand why the rest of us wanted to return again.

+ We accomplished more than we thought would be possible. Sharing the work together helped to keep us going. (Honduran helpers played a big role too.)

+ Team members, both new and returning, brought various talents that contributed to the accomplishments. There is no standard set of required skills to be on a mission trip to Open Door Ministries. God did His usual fine work bringing a diverse collection of people together.

+ God also supplied many "parachute packers" who supported and helped prepare the team for its landing here.

+ The mission staff does wonderful work with the children, who are happy and well-behaved.

+ We've discovered the children remember us over a year's time, as we remember them (and would like to take some back with us).

Yesterday morning, Matt climbed the scaffolding to the second story roof of the unfinished new casita. The rest of us, not having that particular climbing talent (or inclination!), watched as he took pictures from that high level. He's promised to share those with us. So this week, nearly ended, has been a top of mountain viewpoint for us, a place to stand and see things from a different, higher perspective. We expect it may give us a good backdrop as we return to our usual daily concerns. We'll try to share what we've seen.

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