Hello everyone,
This is going to be a quick post, mainly because it is 2:30am. We just got back to the Outer Banks. The good news is...we all made it back home safely. Praise God! The bad news is...our bags are still in Atlanta. Please pray that they find their way to us soon. But it is good to be home, and we will see you all at church in the morning.
Signing off,
The McKenneys (and Team Reunited)
Again, thank you so much for following our trip and praying for us along the way.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Last sleep
Tonight is our last sleep on Helene and we have had a good night. The worship service went really well. We played several songs with a few of the islanders and then opened the mic for anyone to offer a special song or testimony. Many of the island girls stood and sang. It was very encouraging to see their willingness to sing. Josh shared with the islanders the miracle that God has done for Nathan, Tricia, and Gwyneth. He encouraged them about the awesome God that we serve and shared the Gospel story. We finished the night with George jamming on the harmonica to "When the Saints Go Marching In." It was quite an experience.
Then we had a debriefing meeting with the full time staff here in Helene. We all shared a "God moment" that we experienced this week and how that will impact our lives when we return to the Outer Banks.
We are now off to cleaning and getting ready for leaving first thing in the morning. Again, please pray for safe travels home tomorrow. Thanks for following our journey. And to God be the glory!!!
Good Night,
Terry and Josh
P.S. Quote of the Day: Terry trying to take his fins off in the shore break saying "I feel like a mermaid."
Then we had a debriefing meeting with the full time staff here in Helene. We all shared a "God moment" that we experienced this week and how that will impact our lives when we return to the Outer Banks.
We are now off to cleaning and getting ready for leaving first thing in the morning. Again, please pray for safe travels home tomorrow. Thanks for following our journey. And to God be the glory!!!
Good Night,
Terry and Josh
P.S. Quote of the Day: Terry trying to take his fins off in the shore break saying "I feel like a mermaid."
WOW
There are no words to describe the day we've had It rained torrentially during the night. We all got up between 5:30 and 6:00AM to climb the mountain. Josh showed up at 6 to tell us that it was too muddy to go. He was met with stares and grumblings, and in the end most of us trudged through very steep jungle mountains to the top of the hill. There had been a cross put up at one point and we could see forever. It was beautiful. We came back in time for devotions at 7:30. We were very muddy (so much so that when Chris took off his shoes and socks, it looked like he still had them on) and somewhat scratched up, but otherwise intact.
After breakfast, everyone went in different directions. Bonnie, Emily, and Bethany took a boatload of 20 girls (from 1-6 grade aged) "down island" to get measured for uniforms. The were all dressed up for the trip, and everyone was excited. It was a little rough crossing over, but not too bad. After being measured, we went to a "shop" (a house with chips hung out on the lattice work) and brought snacks and drinks. We stopped by a "restaurant" to get a refried bean tortillas for the girls. While we sat there, in the rain, waiting for them to cook, the girls started singing songs. As they sang, in their Island lingo, "Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world", I was so moved. These girls are precious in Hs sight and I'm so excited that I got to witness His love in action through the Bensons.
While we were on our boating excursion, the others split up and some worked hard on finishing the fence around the playground while others went visiting to Rocky Point. It was good huff down the road, and once again they saw how poverty stricken the people in the community are, but how appreciative they are of the people from the mission. In the afternoon, we again split up and while some finished the fence, others went out to another part of the island. We all met on the north side and swam for a short time.
Many of our prayers were answered today. Everyone got everywhere safely. The rains held off and didn't interfere with our projects. We finished the fence (including a coat of DEISEL FUEL instead of paint). Even though the seas were rough, the girls had a good time on their trip. Thank you so much for lifting up our requests.
Right now it's 7;15PM. We're getting ready to have a praise and worship service. The bands are gearing up and I hear George warming up his harmonica. After that we'll have a 'debriefing' and then pack and clean up. Our plan is to leave here by 7:30 AM in the morning.
Hopefully, if all goes well, we'll be able to have some recreational activity in the morning. Some will go "snubaing" and others will ride a zip line above the forest. Cool huh? Some prayer requests:
* We'll be able to get out of here on time and have a safe crossing
* The plane trips will be without incident (we forgot to tell you that when the Miami group was landing, they aborted the landing at the last minute and went screaming back up into the air. It took 3 tries before successfully landing. I don't think we get that many tries on take off....
*That Claire and Ramon will have a safe trip up to meet us.
* That as we leave the Bensons and the other missionaries here will be encouraged and strengthened and the mission will continue to fulfill it's purpose
*Pray that as we return home it won't be 'business as usual' and that this trip will have lasting impact on all that came and that God will continue to give Nags Head Church the vision to reach people to discover new life in Christ.
Thank you for your faithfulness in checking up on us and praying for us. Hopefully, if all goes well, we'll see you Sunday!
Bonnie
After breakfast, everyone went in different directions. Bonnie, Emily, and Bethany took a boatload of 20 girls (from 1-6 grade aged) "down island" to get measured for uniforms. The were all dressed up for the trip, and everyone was excited. It was a little rough crossing over, but not too bad. After being measured, we went to a "shop" (a house with chips hung out on the lattice work) and brought snacks and drinks. We stopped by a "restaurant" to get a refried bean tortillas for the girls. While we sat there, in the rain, waiting for them to cook, the girls started singing songs. As they sang, in their Island lingo, "Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world", I was so moved. These girls are precious in Hs sight and I'm so excited that I got to witness His love in action through the Bensons.
While we were on our boating excursion, the others split up and some worked hard on finishing the fence around the playground while others went visiting to Rocky Point. It was good huff down the road, and once again they saw how poverty stricken the people in the community are, but how appreciative they are of the people from the mission. In the afternoon, we again split up and while some finished the fence, others went out to another part of the island. We all met on the north side and swam for a short time.
Many of our prayers were answered today. Everyone got everywhere safely. The rains held off and didn't interfere with our projects. We finished the fence (including a coat of DEISEL FUEL instead of paint). Even though the seas were rough, the girls had a good time on their trip. Thank you so much for lifting up our requests.
Right now it's 7;15PM. We're getting ready to have a praise and worship service. The bands are gearing up and I hear George warming up his harmonica. After that we'll have a 'debriefing' and then pack and clean up. Our plan is to leave here by 7:30 AM in the morning.
Hopefully, if all goes well, we'll be able to have some recreational activity in the morning. Some will go "snubaing" and others will ride a zip line above the forest. Cool huh? Some prayer requests:
* We'll be able to get out of here on time and have a safe crossing
* The plane trips will be without incident (we forgot to tell you that when the Miami group was landing, they aborted the landing at the last minute and went screaming back up into the air. It took 3 tries before successfully landing. I don't think we get that many tries on take off....
*That Claire and Ramon will have a safe trip up to meet us.
* That as we leave the Bensons and the other missionaries here will be encouraged and strengthened and the mission will continue to fulfill it's purpose
*Pray that as we return home it won't be 'business as usual' and that this trip will have lasting impact on all that came and that God will continue to give Nags Head Church the vision to reach people to discover new life in Christ.
Thank you for your faithfulness in checking up on us and praying for us. Hopefully, if all goes well, we'll see you Sunday!
Bonnie
Thursday, January 24, 2008
A few prayer requests.....
We have a few things we'd like to ask you to pray for tonight:
1) That the rain would hold off long enough for us to finish our fence project and do our visiting.
2) That we'll have a good turn out for Kids Club and there will be lots of opportunity to share Jesus' love with the children here
3) That Bethany, Bonnie, and Emily would have a safe trip "off island" with some of the school girls to get measured for uniforms
4) Linda is the cook here at the mission. Her son, Hardysito, is 4 years old and has been diagnosed with lymphoma. She has taken him to Tegucigalpa for a month of treatment. Olivia, a missionary from Roatan, has gone to try to help arrange medical care and transportation for them.
5) Pray for the church service that we will be hosting here at the mission tomorrow night for the islanders. There will be music and sharing.
5) That Barbara and Bonnie won't expire from exertion as we take a jungle hike up the mountain tomorrow morning at 6:15AM (we're taking a machete)
Everyone is doing well and we appreciate you praying for us. Tomorrow is a very full and important day. We appreciate your continued prayers.
Good night from the islands....Josh, Bonnie, and Barbara
1) That the rain would hold off long enough for us to finish our fence project and do our visiting.
2) That we'll have a good turn out for Kids Club and there will be lots of opportunity to share Jesus' love with the children here
3) That Bethany, Bonnie, and Emily would have a safe trip "off island" with some of the school girls to get measured for uniforms
4) Linda is the cook here at the mission. Her son, Hardysito, is 4 years old and has been diagnosed with lymphoma. She has taken him to Tegucigalpa for a month of treatment. Olivia, a missionary from Roatan, has gone to try to help arrange medical care and transportation for them.
5) Pray for the church service that we will be hosting here at the mission tomorrow night for the islanders. There will be music and sharing.
5) That Barbara and Bonnie won't expire from exertion as we take a jungle hike up the mountain tomorrow morning at 6:15AM (we're taking a machete)
Everyone is doing well and we appreciate you praying for us. Tomorrow is a very full and important day. We appreciate your continued prayers.
Good night from the islands....Josh, Bonnie, and Barbara
A Day of Sharing
As I write this, I'm wearing a bracelet made by one of the islanders who also is the mailman. He makes beautiful jewelry and he was selling at the Market Day hosted by Team Honduras. Our team had the opportunity to shop for handmade items. What a blessing to see their faces filled with appreciation as we enjoyed browsing amongst their handiwork! It was hard not to buy it all from all the vendors because they all have so many basic needs. The Market Day was just one of the many things we did today that enabled us to be in relationship with the islanders. We did medical visits, home visits, swam in the Caribbean with some young island boys and girls, and hosted a Kids Club session in one of the communities. Cathy tells me that she and Katie had the most personal interactions today at Kids Club since we've been here --she was even able to share Jesus with 3 girls using salvation bracelets. The weather cooperated and they were able to work together under a big tree in Mangrove Bight. AMEN!!
Because of the Market Day, we've had a little more down time than usual. It has given me time to process some of the amazing things that have happened this week. Although physically tired, I continue to be energized by the good things that have happened as a result of our visit. The Bensons have made such an impression on the islanders. They can truly see God through them and they love them. I'm not sure how the islanders manage without them when they are home on vacation. And I love to listen to Emily speak with a Caribbean accent!!
Love, Barbara
P.S. It was clear from our home visits today that the women on the island are expecting Josh and Bethany to give Miss Sheila a grandchild soon. They even offered up some advice for Josh and Bethany to help get things started. Imagine that!
Because of the Market Day, we've had a little more down time than usual. It has given me time to process some of the amazing things that have happened this week. Although physically tired, I continue to be energized by the good things that have happened as a result of our visit. The Bensons have made such an impression on the islanders. They can truly see God through them and they love them. I'm not sure how the islanders manage without them when they are home on vacation. And I love to listen to Emily speak with a Caribbean accent!!
Love, Barbara
P.S. It was clear from our home visits today that the women on the island are expecting Josh and Bethany to give Miss Sheila a grandchild soon. They even offered up some advice for Josh and Bethany to help get things started. Imagine that!
Thursday Morning
Katie and I led devotions this morning. We read some from Esther 4:11-17. It went pretty well. We talked about taking a stand and not backing down in the face of obstacles. After that we divided into groups with some doing construction and others doing visitation. The construction group seemed to get a lot done on the fence we've been building around the school grounds.
Emily, Bethany, Barbara, and I went on visitations to the east side of Helene. The east side was much more marshy and dirty than the west side. It had just rained so it was really muddy which made walking more interesting and difficult. Lunch time, gotta go.
Cathy
Emily, Bethany, Barbara, and I went on visitations to the east side of Helene. The east side was much more marshy and dirty than the west side. It had just rained so it was really muddy which made walking more interesting and difficult. Lunch time, gotta go.
Cathy
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Amen
Hello everyone,
We just got back from church, which was definitely a cultural experience. The speaker said "Amen" at the end of most sentences. It was testimony night, so everyone was encouraged to share a scripture, a song, or a word of testimony, if they felt led. The music was different than we are used to, but we enjoyed worshiping our God with them.
Please check out photos of our adventures at:
www.nhcmissions.com
Just click on Honduras Trip Photos at the top of the screen. You can also read more about the Bensons and the other missionaries our church supports at this site. Thanks!
We just got back from church, which was definitely a cultural experience. The speaker said "Amen" at the end of most sentences. It was testimony night, so everyone was encouraged to share a scripture, a song, or a word of testimony, if they felt led. The music was different than we are used to, but we enjoyed worshiping our God with them.
Please check out photos of our adventures at:
www.nhcmissions.com
Just click on Honduras Trip Photos at the top of the screen. You can also read more about the Bensons and the other missionaries our church supports at this site. Thanks!
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