Last week 17 members of the Auburn Basketball team (coaches, managers, and players) joined men from all over the state of Alabama for a mission trip to Honduras (37 total). The ministry organization we went through was Forgotten Children Ministries. They have been taking teams to Honduras for 30 years.
While in Honduras we walked rice and beans into villages to feed the needy and shared God’s word. The place we first visited was called “the dump”, a place David Platt describes as the “Gates of Hell”. We stayed at the Grace Farm where we ministered to the orphaned girls and boys who live there. Highlights with the children were paintball with the boys, a fancy dinner out with the girls, singing and dancing during our bus rides and sharing testimonies with the kids. On the last day, two of the children accepted Jesus as Lord of their lives. More highlights included visiting a Honduran church where I had the honor of preaching, the team talks every evening as we shared experiences from the day, and our times of worship on top of the water tower which oversaw the entire 40-acre farm. Words cannot describe this life changing experience.
To God be the glory! Please see pictures below.
The night before we left for Honduras we had a fantastic preparation dinner in Birmingham provided by Auburn Community Church. The host house for the evening was former player, Carter Sobera's family. I challenged our mission team to fill their mind with praise worthy songs, thoughts and words. We provided two Christian playlists to help fill their minds with good words (Philippians 4:8). I then challenged our team to unpack one thing, not physically but spiritually. Each member pinned a sin issue or struggle on the cross they wanted to leave behind before departing on our trip.
We arrived at Monte Redondo after an early morning of travel just in time for Wednesday service at Iglesia Bautista church. I had the honor and privilege to provide the Word that evening. It was a great way to kick off the week and an incredible cultural experience.
Our team hit the ground running hanging out with the orphans. Featured here is Coach Chad Prewett, Coach Ian Borders, Drake Caldwell "Dylan's brother", Chaney Johnson, Blake Muschalek, Reed Trapp, Presley Patterson and managers Charlie Taylor and Sam Cunningham. Also featured, our new friend, David Dyer from Birmingham.
Every evening we had a incredible time of sharing experiences. Men were vulnerable, transparent and real. This was a special time because the men that joined us were simply incredible. These men love Jesus and had a monumental impact our team.
Below are pictures of villages in Honduras that the locals call, "the dump", a literal garbage dump, surrounded by villages. As mentioned above. David Platt describes this place as the "Gates of Hell".
Seen in these pictures are Ja'Heim "Turtle" Hudson and Reed Trapp. These two were amazing at relating and sharing their faith. They were both instrumental to our team ministering each day. Also seen in the picture above is Dan Lovell (wearing a brown backpack). He has been taking trips to Honduras for 20 years. He and his wife sponsor one of the orphans at the farm. He is a incredible man of God and is also an Auburn man! Our team of 37 delivered twelve 50Ib bags of clothing, hats, shoes, and hygiene products. Hundreds of bags of rice and beans, plus 50 Nuevo Testamentos (New Testaments) are in the hands of the people of Honduras.
We went downtown for lunch and to do some street evangelism. Pastor Stan Nowell who is the Forgotten Children Ministries' Founder gave a powerful word. Stan was obedient to God's call being inspired by Psalm 9:18 which reads, "The needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever."
We bought pizza for the locals as they listened to the teaching of God's word!
Food was absolutely fantastic. Each day for every meal, three locals ladies spent an entire day preparing our meals.
Seen here is CJ Williamson. He is the son of one of our Auburn Men's Basketball assistant coaches. This picture was taken right before his surprise 21st birthday party. We had three cakes and a piñata. We had a fiesta!
We took the boys at the orphanage paint balling. As you can see and hear in the video below, we had a blast. Below features Chaney Johnson "Rambo". Our guys were easy targets for the smaller Hondurans but we made it a battle. Afterwards we took the boys to the mall for dinner and they each got to pick out a jersey of their choice.
The bus rides were always a fiesta! Seen here Presley Patterson holding a little girl. She absolutely loved Presley, and also loved to sleep on the bus.
We spent some additional free time taking rice and beans to the villages around Grace Farm.
Featured in these pictures are Dylan & Drake Cardwell, a great friend Tommy Dazzio, Rigo (our translator), Ian Thomas (newly converted AU Basketball fan) and formally a bammer, and Dr. Greg Ledbetter.
The last night several from our team gave testimonies to encourage the orphan kids. Dylan Cardwell challenged the kids, the girls specifically. CJ Williamson gave a inspiring word, Charlie Taylor shared of personal experiences that shaped his faith. Manager Sam Cunningham spoke of his battle with cancer. He encouraged the kids explaining we can all overcome the challenges of life by trusting in Jesus. Michael Fagan, ACC worship leader, challenged each student to know Jesus. As I prayed over the night, two students made a personal decision to follow Jesus. (see video of Dylan)
Several mornings I would walk up to the water tower for some alone time with God. The last day ACC Formation Pastor and worship leader, Michael Fagan, and I planned a sunrise service. He sang beautifully, as you will hear in the video below, while I opened up God's word. What a sweet time spent with our Lord and an incredible way to close our time in Honduras.
Left] Featured below are Dylan Cardwell, coaches Ian Borders, Chad Prewett and Damon Davis (strength and conditioning coach). [Right} managers Charlie Taylor, Sam Cunningham and player Chaney Johnson.
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