Each of us comes to Honduras for variety of reasons, but all come because we are following. When Jesus called his first disciples he simply said to them, “Follow me.” He didn’t explain to them what they would be doing, where they would be going, how they were to live. Instead, when they inquired of such things, he responded, “Come and see.”
Those who come to Honduras for the first time come here not really knowing what to expect, and with some apprehension. Those of us who come back, come back expecting more of the same and are often surprised at how different each trip turns out to be. But that is the adventure followi ng Christ: stepping out in faith, pushing past our fears and insecurities, shedding our expectations, and opening our eyes, ears and hearts to the things our Lord will show us. But in every trip the constant is His guiding hand.
Yesterday, as we arrived at the job site for our second day, we fell into the rhythm of our work. It was predictably hot, dry, and dusty. But as often happens on the second day, the Hondurans we are working with began to open up to us, wary grins turned to full blown smiles, and the sound of the children’s laughter rose above the whine of the saw and the bustle of the work. Breaks became time for laughter and getting to know one another better. As we fell into the routine of our work, it was easy to forget that we are still following and being gently guided.
Last night, at devotion, as we reflected on our day and shared we discussed Pastor G, our work foreman. If you came to the work sight, you might not notice the short, wiry man working away on the wall. But if you focused closely on him, you would see him pause in his work, survey the joy , move quietly to someone’s side and with a smile point out a better way to do the job, a mistake that needs correction, or a different task that needs priority at that moment. You would realize that any time a problem or question arises he is the one whose name is called. You would see him work with the rookies, sizing them up, teaching, pointing them to where they are needed. You would see him, stopping a veteran with a gentle touch of the hand to say that it is time for a break, to stop and get water, to break for lunch, or to simply end the work day. And you would realize that on the work site he is the face of Jesus to us and he is our guiding hand.
