Inaugural Day

We got to Honduras safely after a short plane ride and a long, bumpy and windy bus ride. Today was a very hot day as the sun is very intense in Honduras...I am looking forward to my sun tan! The team is doing great and I am having an awesome time with the girls getting to know them and spend time with them in addition to playing with them and sharing interest in the Lord.

Today was a full day. We got to go to the inaugural ceremonies for the girl's soccer league that they began here in Honduras since we were coming to help them. It was neat to talk to most of the girls and see history in the making for the town of Catacamas. Usually these girls aren't the ones getting the attention since soccer is more of a man's sport in this country...this is now changing! :) It was great to see the excitement on their faces and the dedication to playing the game.

After the opening ceremonies, we got to visit a substance abuse clinic and hear all about what the organization we are working with, Predisan, is doing to help these people in partnership with the clinic. As we were standing in the middle of the facility, we began to juggle the soccer ball. Immediately the boys ran to their rooms to grab their cleats and begin warming up as we were having a meeting...hahaha! We ended up playing a 7v7 match against them and we tied 1-1. It was a really fun time actually getting to play them and play with one another for the first time since we've been here.

Later in the day we got to visit a family who pastor the local church in a rural area on the outskirts of town that is more poor than where we are staying. The people were so precious and we got to see their families, their homes, their gardens and their lives. One of the ways Predisan is working with these families is by helping them build toilet facilities. Since Malaria is an epidemic in Honduras and the water is unsanitary to drink, Pedisan is helping to make the environment healthier for these people. They have a drinking facility that now provides for 30 people. Additionally, they are building toilets and encouraging sanitation by making it a point to remind people to use the bathroom facilities now instead of just going wherever they want...this will help the sanitation of the water, and the food for the families. We got to go see all the places they are building and it is really neat to see what they are doing and how much it is helping them. After the tour, we went to their church and had a beautiful time of Honduran worship followed by a Word that our pastor on the trip prepared to preach. It was such a nice time with the people...they have such beautiful hearts.

After the home visit, we headed off to the stadium facility to catch the end of a division 2 men's professional team, right before our game. We played some of the girls that we will be training during the week on the field. We ended up beating them 6-0 and had a really fun time with one another. The girls we played also had a great time...this is the first time that they are actually getting the attention in the sport of soccer, so it was huge that it drew a crowd for them, especially since the girl's league is just now starting. Although I didn't play as well as I would have liked to, I was proud of myself for reminding myself that it's okay...I just needed to cut myself a little slack and realize that I haven't played for 2 years and of course I'm going to be a little bit rusty. After the game I was a little bummed, but I gave myself 2 options: 1.) sulk and be miserable and beat myself up and not have any fun with my teammates, or 2.) drop it and move on and don't let it rob my joy and my time with my teammates. I am pleased to announce, I chose option #2! :) yay!!!

Because I chose the higher road, I ended up having a great time with my teammates at dinner when we went out to eat and there were 5 of us that had amazing conversations about Jesus, the Bible, life, Free Chapel church, Christine Caine, Lisa Bevere, and the list goes on...it is so amazing to just be doing life with these girls and learning about their lives, their families, and where they are in their walk with Jesus. It was also a great time of subtle ministry as one of the girls I was sitting with is not saved yet. Join with me to believe for her salvation and that God so reveals Himself to her that it is absolutely undeniable!

Tomorrow is a full day of training the girls...I'm off to bed now...

Prayer Requests:
1.) That Jesus' name would be made famous in Honduras
2.) Health and safety of everyone on the trip
3.) Doors to be open to minister within the team, and outside the team
4.) My feet (been causing me a lot of pain) and my nose (smashed it in the car door)
5.) For me to choose joy and not be so hard on myself
6.) For all of us to have FUN!!!!