Tuesday night worship

First of all I want to apologize for the lack of pictures. Internet access is not the same in Honduras as it is in the U.S. and uploading pictures to the blog is a frustrating and time consuming activity that would test the patience of Job.

Last night we had the privilege of worshiping with the congregation of the Pena de Horeb church. It is not a large congregation. They probably average 50-60 people for a typical service. But do they know how to worship. For this congregation worship is not a spectator sport. They are not concerned about the quality of the instrumentalists - all the music is recorded. They don't care about how good the choir sounds because there is no choir and the vocal quality of the worship leader is inconsequential compared to the intensity of his worship. When these people worship it is a fully engaged, full-bodied expression of love, gratitude and devotion to their Creator and their Savior.

I am continually awed by the level of contentment I see among the believers of Honduras. As North Americans we would say that these people literally have nothing: no paved floors, no running water, and no propect of anything improving and yet their gratitude for EVERYTHING that God has blessed them with is overwhelming...not to mention humbling. It permeates every aspect of their worship-music, praying, proclamation and giving.

As we worshipped there was an obvious language barrier. There were only two songs during the service that had English words to them and one of the songs was "Alleluia." And yet, as we joined our hearts with theirs in the worship, adoration and glorification of Jesus Christ is was obvious that we were the body of Christ. Even though we spoke different languages we were brothers and sisters united by the redeeming death and resurrection of our Savior. It was a small glimpse of what worship in heaven will be like and it was a deeply emotional experience.

We were able to further share with them in worship as members of our group shared brief testimonies of what God was doing in their lives. Time after time we remarked at how we had intended to come to be a blessing to the Honduran people and in turn we have been blessed by them. As deeply moving as our trip here last October had been, I believe that the bonds of love that have united our two groups have become even more interwoven within our hearts and spirits. It is no longer "North Americans" and "Hondurans" as if we were two different denominations. We are followers of Christ. Brothers and sisters. One body.

Please continue to pray for us as we push hard these last two days to accomplish all that God has planned for us. We have worked hard and there is still more to do. We covet your prayers on behalf of our group and the Honduran people.


Soli Deo gloria,
Michael