After enjoying another delicious and hearty breakfast (I thought I was going to lose weight on this trip!), Derek presented a wonderful devotion from Isaiah 40 about the greatness of God as compared to creation. The team later arrived at the site, a bit more sore than the previous day but with great enthusiasm. While moving a bit slower but far more confidently, we built more of the walls of the clinic in the most gorgeous weather. Constant laughter amongst the team and the workers brought smiles to us all. More of us participated in the daily fútbol match just after lunch today. An afternoon rain cooled us all off.

The phrase “Cheque Leque” is used a lot in Honduras. The best I could understand is that it could be translated as “Okey Dokey” or “Right On!” Since this was my first day actually laying block, I asked the worker, Luís, if the work Sharon and I were doing was “Cheque Leque.” He pasued looking at the less than perfect line of blocks and said, “‘Cheque,’ but no ‘Leque.’” I was crushed but determined to get a better rating tomorrow.

That night, we enjoyed everyone sharing what the best thing that happened to them that day over dinner. To help keep smiles on our faces, Eric began his series of two or three impressions each night. The Cerrato children all enjoyed Donald Duck, Yogi Bear and the perennial favorite, Scooby Doo (with Shaggy, of course). Lisa, my wife, had left
a precious note in the shorts I wore that night. Alfredo and Douglas drove us to an internet café where we could all make inexpensive calls to home. I was only able to leave a voice message for my family. It’s only been a few days and I certainly miss them.

Our praise and worship, with Drew and Steve leading, was just as passionate and loud as the night before. Proclaiming these tremendous truths in song is quite powerful and glorifying to God . I shared that night about “Hope” and when true hope entered my life. I must admit I was nervous sharing my testimony in front of my father and everyone else, but the Spirit assured my heart. After singing once more, God urged me to affirm my dad. “So many people have trouble calling God as Father because their relationship with their earthly father has been so difficult,” I said. “But the Lord has blessed me with wonderful parents and especially an incredibly loving father that allows me to joyfully refer to God as ‘Father.’”

The air mattress over the cot was far more comfortable than just sleeping on the cot by itself. Sleep is so good.

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”