I’m not sure what I was expecting upon my travels to Honduras. I’ve had this tugging on my heart, this yearning, to visit a third world country and serve on a missions trip. Not necessarily to change the world but to at least love on one person. I also wanted to quiet my soul and calm the whirlwind thoughts that so easily capture my mind in hopes of hearing a whisper from above.
In my travels, I was seeking him as I often struggle with my will versus his. My deepest desire is to make my Father proud and not neglect the eternal treasures he has gifted me with. I often feel that I’m battling with my own soul as I try to make sure that I’m spending my time in the right places… even if it’s just to rest and be still.
It’s taken me awhile to process my trip but as usual, once my fingers gently click on the keyboard in the early morning light, the holy spirit has his way of letting himself be known.
Ojojona
I’ve never traveled to a third world country so I honestly had no idea what to expect. Our destination was Rancho Oasis for Youth, a small ministry near Ojojona, Honduras. Ojojona is a small colonial town of about 10,000 people 20 miles south of the capital city, Tegucigalpa. This small white washed town was founded by the Spaniards in 1579, over 400 years ago. I found out pretty quickly that Ojojona is a quiet town that attracts mostly tourists from the larger cities throughout Honduras.
In contrast to how a large percentage of Americans live, Hondurans can be considered poor in regards to material wealth. Personally, I didn’t feel like I was in a third world country. Maybe it’s because of my travels to Spain over the years that I’m used to adapting to a different countries standards of living (which some Americans can struggle with). Also, Sevilla, Spain, much like Ojojona is an ancient city and a lot of its beauty lies in its ruins.
No I didn’t see a third world country, I saw people filled with the riches of joy and happiness… and, maybe that’s just it, I needed to understand that third world doesn’t mean unhappiness, desperation, or solitude.
To each Honduran I met, I first greeted them by letting them know how beautiful their country was and what a privilege it was to be there. This usually brought a smile upon their face as they would nod and agree that Honduras is the most beautiful place on this God given earth. To see their heart for their country reminded me of my own mami and her heart for her own.
During our stay in Honduras, Gabe and I were blessed to visit a local baptist church led by pastor Jose De La Paz.
This Baptist church is part of a network of 18 others in the countryside and once a month they all gather together for a large reunion.
As the sun slowly set and the sky turned to night, it was absolutely beautiful to see the community gather, each walking in from different directions of the mountain sides. For me, it was a blessing to hear worship take place in Spanish especially in seeing young children, teenagers, adults, and grandparents all joined together as one. Yes, it’s the Latina in me that craves family and seeing it displayed as the norm warmed my heart.
It was definitely a sight to see people bring in tithes of rice and beans, something that I’m sure will bless the pastor and his family. I have to admit, I was a little bit jealous that we were unable to stay until the end of the service as each family that attended brought in traditional Honduran food to be shared and eaten together as sisters and brothers in Christ. Visiting this church was definitely a highlight of my trip.
Throughout our stay, I was constantly reminded of how little it takes to be happy. We were able to help teach an English class at the local public school.
These children are filled with joy and to me seemed much more innocent than children in our inner cities of Des Moines. The lack of stuff… tv, video games, the internet keeps them playing games like tag, dolls, and soccer.
In playing a simple game of bingo, they were just happy to win. They didn’t need a prize.
On our stay we were so, so privileged to meet the humblest of people. People like Oscar.
He works hard for many hours each day and yet finds time to coach soccer to the boys in his community. A soccer team that Jon from Rancho Oasis organized.
Oscar lives in a very small home with, I believe, 2 children and one on the way and yet he’s content. He’s happy. He has God.
It was seeing the beauty in the meek and the humble that made me see Jesus in these people and in this town.
I can only imagine the days of old when Jesus walked the earth and everyone lived like many do in Honduras. They didn’t have material things, they had each other and that was enough. To Hondurans in Ojojona, it seemed to me that it didn’t matter how big their homes were, what they were made of, or what was in them, but instead who they would be gathering with and what meals they would be sharing with one another. It was beautiful and in that these people with so much less material wealth, to me, seem far richer than most people living in the States.
Please know that these people have their fair share of problems like anyone else in the world does. These are just my observations from speaking to some of the people in Ojojona. I’m very curious and would love to know what other places in Honduras are like. If you’ve been to other places, please share with my your own experiences in the comments below. It’s a beautiful country that I would love to see more of.
In seeing this love of community within the people of Ojojona, God spoke to me while I was there.
This is my sweet Katie pie.
A sweet 10 year old girl that is on fire for God. This little girl has ministered to me so many times throughout my life. She has a genuine, kind heart. She truly cares for people and I’ve seen it time and time again. During my time with her I was able to have her help me lead a bible study for some of the local girls at the ranch. In our time of studying together, God spoke to me and in his whisper I heard him tell me that I need to disciple our girls in our home church. I need to be more involved in their lives and make time for them. It was beautiful and a calling I am so excited to see through. (So if anyone reading this is from CCDM, keep me accountable!)
Katie had the fantastic idea to bring the rubber band bracelet fad from the U.S to Honduras. The kids LOVED it!
During my time I also had the privilege of being able to make a friend named Ilsey. Yup, God brought me someone to love on! Ilsey is a gifted teacher in the community and has a heart for children. What a blessing that was to make a new friend.
In writing this post, God showed me that he answered my prayers. He gave me someone to love on and in the stillness of listening to my Katie pie read Psalm 23 in Spanish, he gave me a calling to disciple my sweet girls at home.
I don’t want to forget that I was able to cook and hang out with Mare…
eat good food, and….
ride a pretty sweet taxi!
Honduras, gracias por mostrarme la belleza de su país! Que Dios los bendiga!
A lot of people have asked me if I would go on another short term missions trip. My answer is absolutely! My heart is now yearning to visit Africa or India. I’ll be praying about it for sure!
So, have you ever been on a missions trip? I’d love to hear in the comments below your experiences and what God has shown you on your travels abroad.
Krissa says
Thank you so much for sharing about your trip Diana! So much fun to hear about your experiences in Honduras and get to see all your wonderful pictures! Makes me long to take a trip to another country again. I spent 10 months in Thailand on a mission trip after college and I completely agree with your observations about these people who have so much less (materially) but are filled with so much more joy and contentedness. It definitely makes you think…and can be hard to come back to the States and see how backwards we have it here!
Diana Bauman says
It does make you think. I’d love to go on another trip someday. Thanks for stopping by, Krissa!
Karen says
Diana, you’ve brought tears to my eyes. I’ll write more later, but for now I just wanted you to know that. Boy, I miss my country!
Diana Bauman says
You have a beautiful country, Karen!
Jacqui says
Thank you for your story!!! It touched my heart.
Kelly @ The Nourishing Home says
Oh, I have tears in my eyes reading this and looking at your pictures, Diana. I am so happy for you to have had this experience and so encouraged by your amazing love for the Lord and joyfully surrendering to His will. Too much to write here, we’ll have to talk sometime soon. I just love Central America. My parents were missionaries there and spent much time in Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. I just loved what you said about perceptions of “poor” and “happiness.” If we have Christ, we are rich indeed! And what greater joy is there than to know and love the Lord!
Diana Bauman says
I didn’t know your parents were missionaries, Kelly?! That’s so cool! Yes, I’m so excited to get to chat with you at Allume this year! Love you!!
Anne says
Reading your experiences in Honduras brought tears to my eyes as I remember back on the trips that I have taken to Honduras on mission. Many, many life lessons were learned there for me but one thing that I will never, ever forget is the day that we had traveled well over an hour on a bus, then got to lake and boarded a boat and rode another 45 minutes across. We then got on pick up trucks and headed up the mountain to our destination. This was normal but the catcher was it was pouring down rain and the trek up the mountain was mud. You pray hard when you over the side and all you see is “down”. Eventually we had to get out of the pick ups and walk the rest of the way up the mountain to the village because it was too dangerous riding up in the mud. Raining hard, we’d take refuge under the banana trees for a few minutes. We were late to the village that day and did not get to spend much time with the people. (The purpose of our mission group was medical — nurses, doctors, and it was for deworming the kids.) We had to pack up early and get back across the lake before dark. Still raining, we made our way down….mud everywhere … steadily raining. Actually, thinking back, I am not sure the last time we had saw the sun. We made it to the bottom of the hill to the awaiting boats and there in the sky it was. God’s beautiful promise in rainbow form! Right then I thanked God for the day and for His promises. I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that he had been with us that day and he had lead us safely all the way and even if we didn’t get to see all the village people….I knew that he was pleased.
Diana Bauman says
Thanks for sharing your experience, Anne. What a blessing to hear!
Wayne Goranson says
Hey Diana!
Great reading your thoughts! It was a blessing for me to see you & Gabe move out of your comfort zone to come down and minister along side the Beards & me.
So I am going to keep you accountable to find at least one girl to hang out with and disciple. I know I am not your pastor any more but please know that I think discipleship is the most important thing the body of Christ can be a part of.
God bless you!
All my love in Christ,
Wayne
Diana Bauman says
It was great, Wayne. Thanks for keeping me accountable… and, you’ll always be my pastor!
Love you lots!!
Amy J. says
Hi Diana,
I loved reading about your trip. What a blessing. Reading about the joy the children have in the simple things reminds me of what childhood was like here before the invasion of electronics. I long for those days for my own kids. It’s time for some device free fun around our home. Thanks for the inspiration!
God bless you.
-Amy
Diana Bauman says
Right?! We got rid of our devices… most notably the wii-u! That thing was driving us crazy.
Steph@Been There Baked That says
I loved reading about your trip Diana, thanks so much for sharing! I pray that my husband and I will be able to go on a missions trip some day as well.
Diana Bauman says
You’ll definitely have to, Steph! It was a great experience 😀
Joan says
Diana,
It’s been so long since I’ve posted. Thank you for sharing your trip, and what is happening in your heart. The lessons about what kids have and what they really need instead of the wants, is so good for me to continue to teach at home. Playing together outside, not stuff. Building community, not isolation.
I teared up seeing you and Ilsey. That is my favorite picture.
Blessings,
Joan
Diana Bauman says
I’m so glad to hear from you, Joan! I know, it definitely convicted me as far as how I’m raising my kids. We did some purging on our return 😉 xoxo!!
Julie says
Diana, it blessed me to read your blog. I have enjoyed learning new things from your Humble Kitchen (I’m 65!), but your Honduras experience mirrors mine in Bolivia. Material things? Not many. Spiritual riches? In abundance!!! Praise God! Blessings on you as you step into His will for your life at home.
Diana Bauman says
Thanks for leaving a comment, Julie! It really was neat for me to see how happy these people could be with so little. It definitely blessed me!
Dena Norton says
What a great report – praise the Lord! It must have been such a joy to serve together as a family in this way!
When you see first-hand the joy and contentment in places like this, you realize just how poor WE really are! Thanks for the beautiful pictures that capture that paradox so well to inspire the rest of us to savor the simple things! 🙂
Jenny says
Enjoyed seeing your pictures and hearing about your trip! I lived in Honduras for five years and worked as a missionary. It was always a blessing to have folks like you all come through to help.