Let me first start by saying that our trip to Honduras was hands-down the most incredible experience I have ever had. I have never been able to be a part of God’s blessing to others in that way. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my job and the way God works through Cho-Yeh. My phone calls and emails with moms sharing the way their children were impacted by Cho-Yeh is the reason I do what I do. But there is something so powerful in serving a place and a people outside of my comfort zone. I am not normally one to step too far outside of those comfort boundaries and heading to a third world country was definitely stretching it.

There is a quote from St. Francis of Assisi that we use around the office: “Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words.” I had no idea how much this quote would come to life for me on this trip! The language barrier was the thing that I was the most nervous about, but God is so incredible and proved rapidly that Christ’s love conquers all confines of the tongue.

We were blessed upon arrival to Honduras by multiple Heart to Honduras staff members and volunteers who were there to translate during our journey. I was so grateful for so many who could help us cross that cultural divide but they were 5 and we were 21. How was I going to be able to talk to the kids? Would they know why I was there? Would I be able to tell them who Jesus is in my life? Could I even play with them without words?

The first day of day camp put an end to those worries when I realized that some things needed no translation. Tickle…no words necessary. Hug…no words necessary. Throwing a ball or a Frisbee…no words necessary. Blowing bubbles…no words necessary. Smiles are universal and there was no shortage on the faces of the kids both in the village and at the orphanage! They realized that we were there because we loved them and wanted to share Christ’s love with them even when we couldn’t ask any more than their names and ages. And they loved us back for it!

I am often afraid to step outside of my comfort zone to share who Christ is in my life. I worry that my words won’t be right and that I will end up making a fool of myself and more importantly, God. What an incredible experience learning that actions can overcome any words! The way we show love to others speaks as much about who Christ is in our lives as any words can convey.

Ultimately, the translators were able to help us share why we had come to Honduras but I am confident that the kids had received our hearts long before those words were said.

Our trip to Honduras was centered around 2 main projects. The first was to build 2 homes for Honduran families in desperate need of shelter. The second was to put on 2 day camps: The first was held at the camp where our team was staying in Santa Elena and was for local children from the village. The second was at a well established orphanage in a small, neighboring town. We were able to put on 2 half-day camps for nearly 100 orphans that were living at this facility. This unique and eye—opening experience is what I want to tell you about. It was one that I will likely never forget.

Before arriving at the Pan American Health Service (PAHS) orphanage in Peña Blanca, we were briefed by Heart to Honduras’ staff on many of the things that we could expect to see. Ready to see some hurting children, our team stepped off the bus and watched as numerous well fed, ruddy faced children began to scuttle in our direction. I was shocked to see so many beautiful, healthy, smiling faces on these children who had tragic stories and literally no permanent family to take care of them and love them. It was so obvious that God had been at work here before we arrived.

Many of the kids came running up to us, beaming from ear to ear and motioning to be held or touched. Others were a little wary and watched cautiously from the playground where they had been, from behind trees, and from behind their protective orphan brothers and sisters. I’m sure they were all very curious to know what these large white people were doing here and what we had planned for them.

I watched happily as many of our staff made immediate beelines to the playground area and to the room where we had been told the infants were housed. Eventually, almost all the orphans were out playing and laughing with various members of our team. It was exciting to see them warm up so quickly to this crazy bunch of foreigners.

For a few of our counselors, the child they picked up would refuse to leave their arms for the rest of the afternoon. It was pretty clear that these children were looking for as much love and affection as they could possibly get. We were more than happy to help the orphanage in offering these things profusely! As many of us played with the children, the rest of our staff began the process of setting up for the day camp we were about to put on.

It didn’t take long for us to prepare and before we knew it camp was in full swing! Our day camp consisted of teaching the orphans camp energizers, putting on humorous skits, playing Gaga Ball, having A/O Showdown, eating yummy American snacks, reading God’s word, putting on a drama communicating the love of Christ and a facilitating a debrief in Spanish to explain it, and finally allowing the orphans to participate in a truncated version of Flex Time where they could try wrist rockets, arts and crafts, more Gaga Ball, 4-square, and field games. Needless to say, the kids had a blast!

One of the fun things about this orphanage is that they owned 3 small monkeys that were very people-friendly and loved to jump around in the trees, steal our snacks, crawl on our shoulders, and cause endless mischief. They were very entertaining.

Additionally, many of us also were blessed with the opportunity to meet the wife of the man who founded PAHS in 1959. Verlene Youngberg and her husband Dr. Stephen Youngberg moved to Honduras in 1960 and had been there ever since running this orphanage and taking care of children in need. In 2001 Verlene Youngberg was widowed, but that hasn’t stopped her from continuing her service to these lost and hurting children in Honduras. It was an honor to meet and talk with a fragile but very friendly Mrs. Youngberg and to hear some of her amazing story.

I’m a man and for whatever reason I don’t like to dwell on things that make my eyes water, but I’ll admit that my time at this orphanage was very moving. I am so blessed to have met and served these beautiful children and to have shaken the hands of the small number of workers who give so much to care for them. I hope you will join me in continuing to pray for the kids at PAHS and for the staff who serve there. Pray also that the message of the gospel will sink into the hearts of the children who heard it from us and who will hear it from other workers of the Kingdom!

                                                                                                                  My wife, Brynn, and her little friend for the day

Last week, I had the privilege of leading our first annual staff mission trip to Honduras!  On this tip, Camp Cho-Yeh partnered with a Heart to Honduras and brought 7 full time staff and 14 summer staff to Santa Elena, Honduras.  In planning the trip, our hope was to meet the physical needs of people while doing what we do best – loving kids with the love of Jesus Christ!   The trip went perfectly!  Undoubtedly, God was with us along every step of the way!

For the first four days, we spent our mornings building two homes for families in desperate need of a home.  Before our team arrived in Honduras, Heart to Honduras worked with a local church to identify and select two families who need a real blessing.  They helped the families secure a plot of land for their new home and then laid a concrete foundation for us to build upon.

Our team broke into two groups – each building for a different family.  Let me introduce you to the family I got to work with: The Canales Family!  Rueben and his wife have 10 children and lived in a tiny home that was made of broken bamboo, scrap wood, old tattered tarps, a rusty tin roof and dirt floors.  Walking up to their old home was truly a reality check – my heart broke immediately.  It leaked when it rained and wind swept right through it in a storm.  Needless to say, this home was not a place anyone would want to raise his or her children. 

When we arrived on Monday, it seemed like every child in the neighborhood came by to see what all the “gringos” were up to!  For the first two hours, many of the girls in our group were consumed with playing with the children.  Instantly, we had 15 new friends!   They didn’t speak a lick of English, and our high school Spanish class was nothing but a distant memory, but frankly, it didn’t matter.  A bond was formed instantly and these children they knew we loved them. 

As I looked around, the poverty these families lived in was heart breaking.  The children only had one set clothes and none of them were wearing shoes.  Seeing some cesspools of water in various spots, I was afraid to ask where they went to the bathroom.   On day two, I brought a bunch of shoes and clothes with me that my children no longer could fit into.  You should have seen the look on their 3 year old’s face when he tried on Buzz Light Year shoes that lit up when he walked.  Suddenly, I wished I brought down an entire closet worth of clothes and shoes!

While it was supposed to take us the full four days to complete the new home, we were able to finish it in two.  At the end of the second day, Rueben gave our group a tour of their old home.  I’ll never forget standing in their old outdoor kitchen embracing a grown man while he wept with joy.  What a blessing it was to see the way our service impacted that family physically, emotionally and spiritually. 

The reality is, the Canales is family is still living in desperate poverty.  They are still very poor.  They don’t have many clothes.  They have limited access to clean water and they have 12 mouths to feed on very little income.  But at the very least, they now have house that they can truly call a home.  

 1 John 3:17-18:  "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

We got word this morning from our Honduras folks.  All is well!

The Cho-Yeh staff has completed construction on two homes.  They were also able to paint the first home to help preserve the exterior.  The Canales family’s woman of the house chose blue for the outside and white for the trim.  A Dedication Ceremony was held this morning and the Canales family was very moved.  The Dedication Ceremony for the second home built will be held tonight.

Because things are ahead of schedule, the Cho-Yeh staff will start building a third home.  Yesterday a family from the United States donated the funds to build a house; however, there wasn’t anyone to build it.  Our guys will begin construction today and we’ll see how much they get done!

Yesterday, the Cho-Yeh staff held a day camp for 75 kids in Santa Elena.  These kiddos got to experience Rally, Good Book, energizers, skits, devotion, and Flex-time.  They especially enjoyed playing Gaga ball and wrist rockets!  And this afternoon Cho-Yeh will run a day camp for approximately 60 orphans in the village.

Everyone is safe and healthy.  Their words are “It is incredible to be a part of what God is doing!”  Please keep the remainder of this mission in your prayers.  Many people are being blessed.

Today, we heard from our Cho-Yeh staff in Honduras. They are enjoying the beautiful rugged mountains of Santa Elena. As planned, their mornings are spent building homes for two homeless families. The first is a family of 12 who live in a house made of bamboo and tarps and whatever scraps they can collect. Their new home was finished yesterday and today is being painted. The second family is a couple with two older kids. Their house should be finished tomorrow. The progress made so far has put our staff two days ahead of schedule.

Yesterday afternoon, the Cho-Yeh staff ran a day camp for kids in the village. Fifty kids showed up to participate, less than expected; however, many kids are working in the poppy fields and cannot join until their work is done.

This afternoon, the Cho-Yeh gang was headed to an orphanage where they will have an afternoon of camp with 150 kids! God is moving in this place and our staff is so blessed to be a part of it.

Well, our Cho-Yeh staff made it safely to Honduras!  Please keep them in your prayers and we will see what God has in store for this week.

Hard to believe, but our staff mission trip to Honduras is finally here!  On Sunday morning, 21 Cho-Yeh staff members will be headed to Santa Elena, Honduras for one week.   Knowing God’s heart for the poor, the widows and the orphans, we wanted to cast a vision for this trip to Honduras in which we meet the physical needs of the people but also tap into what we do best…”building relationships and impacting lives in a Christ-centered environment.”   So, while in Honduras, we’ll be partnering with a mission organization called Heart to Honduras.   Each morning, we’ll be building two homes for two different homeless families.    I’m incredibly excited to meet these families and work alongside them as we build them a safe, dry home.  Then, each afternoon we’ll be running a day camp in the village of Santa Elena and at a local orphanage called Pan American Health Center in Peña Blanca.  At each location, we anticipate having somewhere between 200-300 children come out for day camp!  Can’t you just envision our staff leading energizers and playing Safari with these kids? 

We’ve loaded up all our bags with just about every fun thing we can imagine- dodgeballs, A/O bracelets, wrist rockets, footballs, soccer balls, Frisbees, Arts & Crafts supplies, snacks, Spanish Bibles and some great costumes.  Unfortunately, we couldn’t fit the blob into any of our bags, so we have to leave that one behind!  Each day will be jam-packed with typical Cho-Yeh fun including Rally, Good Book, A/O Showdown & Flex-Time.   Most importantly, each and every one of these children will get to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ! 

It’s been fun to watch God move and lead as we plan this trip!  From the people He’s called to join us, to the planning and logistics, it’s clear that God is in it!  Financially, we’ve had to raise a grand total of $32,000 to make this trip happen… and God has blessed our efforts!  While we are still $3,000 short of raising enough money to cover our costs, I am confident that God will provide the remaining funds!

Throughout this week, I ask that you pray for God’s blessing on this trip!  Each day, please take some time and pray specifically for the safety of our staff, for the families and children we’ll be working with and that God will use us in great ways to build His Kingdom.  Check back throughout the week, as we’ll be using this blog to post updates about our trip!  

Adios!

Garret Larsen:  Summer Camp Director

Seen any fireballs blaze down from heaven recently?  Stand on any mountains watching 400 prophets dance around a dead bull?  I can’t say I have either.  Yet, I can’t help but wonder what it would have been like to stand on Mt. Carmel and watch the prophets of Baal dance around frantically, cutting themselves as they fruitlessly try to call down their God, while Elijah stood there, knowing that he served the one true God.

After dowsing the altar with water, it was Elijah’s turn to call down the Lord.  Elijah’s prayer was simple… “Let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.  Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”  (1 Kings 18: 36-37)  Then a huge fireball reigned down from heaven and consumed the altar.  When all the people saw this, they fell to the ground in worship of the Lord. 

The Israelites turned back to the Lord not because of sound logical arguments or the wise words of Elijah.  They responded to God because God showed up in a powerful way.   Elijah’s role was simply one of Epiclesis:  Praying that God make Himself known.

During staff training, we challenged our counselors to recognize that changing hearts for God, is not going to happen because of their ability to convince their campers to follow Jesus.  Lives won’t be changed because of their wise words or sound logic.  If we wanted campers to turn to the Lord, then our job was to be epicletes this summer.   We needed to get out of the way and pray that God would show up in this place in a real way.  “Answer us Lord, answer us, so these campers will know that you Lord, are God.”

Each morning at 7:00 am, our staff gathered together for 25 minutes to pray.  Throughout the summer, the focus of our prayers were that God show up… that God make himself known… that the Holy Spirit would fill this place.  Let me tell you, it was incredible to watch God show up in powerful ways.  Over and over again, God answered prayer in specific ways.  Homesick campers experienced the comforting presence of God.  Conflict in cabins seemed to disappear.  Hardened hearts were softened as campers experienced the love of Christ through their counselors.  Skeptical and cynical campers came into an authentic relationship with Jesus.

We may not have seen any fireballs reign down from heaven, but make no mistake, God made Himself known at Camp Cho-Yeh this summer.   Our programming, our activities, our Bible Studies, and our counselors are important parts of a great camp experience, but without the presence of the Holy Spirit, our attempt to change lives will be in vain.  As parents, I challenge you to be an epiclete in your household throughout this year.  Pray that God shows up and makes himself known in real ways.