Another 30 or so miles brought us to the edge of Lake Yojoa, the largest natural lake in Honduras, and the home of over 400 species of birds.  At the northern edge of the lake, near the town of Peña Blanca, stands Cascada Pulhapanzak.  This 43 meter waterfall is an amazing sight to behold, but it is even more amazing to cross through!  Most of the team took the plunge…into the pool on the edge of the falls, into the pool in front of the falls, and into the cascade itself.  Crossing hand in hand in front of the crashing water, the team waded to a small cave which is hidden in the mist.  What an awe-inspiring and breathtaking experience this was for everyone. One team member, Shaun, happened to have his birthday today…it was an unforgettable way to celebrate turning 16!

We returned to Comayagua for our final meal together; and since it was a birthday, we did it in serious Honduran fashion…we started with hats and honking horns to surprise Shaun, and then proceeded with a candy-filled piñata.  Who says you’re not supposed to eat candy before dinner? We feasted on various Honduras specialties and then finished the meal with an amazing Tres Leches cake…outstanding.  By candlelight later in the evening, the team members shared their various moments of wonder from the previous week.  Many of the students have realized that they arrived in Honduras as very selfish individuals, but none of them want to leave here that way.  We have been priveleged to see and feel God working in us and through us this week.  We pray that the lessons, changes, and challenges that God has provided this week will continue to be incorprated into our daily lives back home.  

Everyday, I seemed to be more and more amazed by the majestic beauty surrounding me. Today, we arose to sunshine pouring through our windows which was a sweet feeling compared to the previous days of stormy weather. We immediately headed down the road for a breakfast then headed toward Page, Arizona. The drive, though tedious, was beautiful. We arrived in Page, had a quick bite to eat at Sonic, and headed to a tour bus. The tour bus shuttle us down to Glen Canyon where we got on a boat and headed down the Colorado River. The canyon size amazed me as we floated down the river and occasionally took my breath away. The sky by this time had grown dark creating a lighting that seemed a bit surreal. We all had a blast floating down the river, joking around and being silly, and arrived at an out cove where we all decided to jump in! It was FREEZING cold, about forty-eight degrees, but it was completely worth it! We headed back down the river and spent more time bonding and truly feeling as if we were family. Our river floating was about three hours of exquisite beauty ending with a technical entrance into the Grand Canyon. We took a long bus ride back to page, got back into our cars, and headed back to Sedona. On our way home we stopped at a Navajo restaurant where we got about thirteen pieces of flatbread which turned out to be WAY more then we could eat. We arrived back at our Living Water Retreat center at about 11:30 at night, took hot showers, and passed out in REAL beds. A simple shower and a cozy bed were two sights I had been longing to see, and that night I slept better then I have for months.

Although this day had some amazing stories, a few of my favorites include the Flute Master, and I Wanna Rock. If you know ANY of us, you know how ridiculously silly we can be. On our river floating adventure there was a few other boats on the river. One of the boats contained a man who we like to call the flute master. As epic as that may sound, it was not a title of honor. Our tour guide was telling us some stories when all of the sudden a beautiful flute began echoing through the canyon. We all went silent admiring the sound thinking it was something to be admired, but then Jerome, our guide, told us that a few months ago a Navajo man came down and played his flute. Apparently, the tour guide who was now playing was a wannabe. Jerome jokingly called him the flute master. Jerome described how this guy was a little big-headed and we all imagined how silly the flute master must have been. Then as we went down the river we passed one of the boats and Kelsey stared right at the boat and screamed “I WANNA ROCK!”. It echoed throughout the canyon and we looked back to see a tourist snapping a photo of us, and as you can imagine, we could not cease the laughter.

Through out this trip there has been a reoccurring theme of beauty and bonding. God reveals himself greatly through the storms, the sky, the canyons, and the desert. This day the beauty was truly evident leaving my heart yearning for another look at Gods masterpiece. As these moments of fun occurred, I could see the change that has occurred in all of our hearts. This trip has helped made us more vulnerable and therefore opening our eyes to things that we otherwise would have missed. This day has made me realize how blessed we all are for getting the chance to have a look at the fingerprints of God, and getting a moment together to laugh as a family after a long week of serving as one. We truly are the chosen ones, the blessed ones, and I am so thankful for the chance to see God work so powerfully in my close friends hearts.

Elsie wanted to share her perspective on our visit and the grandmother wanted to say some words as well. She spoke of us as family. During their sharing, many in the family began to cry. One by one, each person was compelled to share. Each person spoke volumes of thanks. Each person spoke of healing. When the stoic Johnny stood up to share, he emotionally spoke of the love for his wife who passed away 5 months ago.  How he missed her, how he would miss us, how much he appreciated the time. His wife, Betty, the matriarch of the family, had died 5 months ago. The entire family had been struggling with that loss for 5 months. In three days, many signs of healing had occurred.

I was struck by the emotional outpouring. A very large extended family had been hurting for 5 months. During our time there, they experienced significant healing. Family members said Johnny smiled more in the three days we were there than in 5 months. They had two days of significant rain, the first time in months. Their dry cisterns were filled to overflowing. God put together two diverse families, poured down healing rain on everyone, began a healing that wasn’t possible without him, and made a way for us to share His love in ways none of us thought possible.

At a starting 4:15 am, the team was woken by a loud and energetic singing Shawn. We were off to the house to partake in a traditional Navajo prayer that took place during dawn. Though the lack of sleep was apparent in everyone’s eyes, the excitement of being able to partake in a native ceremony could not be hidden. Standing on solid ground, looking out into what seemed to be forever, the sun peeked over the horizon line. Violent colors danced magnificently across the sky; a beautiful pattern of orange, blue, purple met the clouds, creating an infinite conversation about life, not heard, but understood by the heart. In that moment, God’s glory and majesty were more evident to me than ever before.

I spent the morning helping Darlene take care of her grandmother (who is 99). As I observed her compassionately care for her aging and hindered grandmother, I was overcome by very conflicting emotions. I live in a world were self-preservation is more important than another’s. In my home, it is every man for himself. My family is so very closed off and private. On only the second day of being on the reservation, I experienced more of a welcoming than I have in my own home.

Though I was saddened by the dysfunctionality of my own family, I was filled with hope and promise. Darlene and the Cody family taught me the importance of being loyal to those you love, even if they are difficult. At the end of the day, I was filled with the joyful thought of returning home and thanking my parents for all that they do. The Cody’s ability and willingness to be open and share their heart with us gave me a better understanding of my family’s relations and respect for all that my parents do.

Bright and early we all woke up to head off to the reservation. The drive was beautiful, through the desert highlands and Sedona. However, no drive could prepare us for the beauty, in so many forms, that we were about to encounter. Immediately after crossing into the reservation we were greeted by Elsie and Darlene, two members of the family we would be staying with. The thing that hit we almost instantly was how big the sky is here, like it could swallow you up. They took us to their uncle Johnny’s home where we were put right to work dismantling an old sheep corral. The work went quickly, even though it was hard, because the barriers between our team and the family vanished and we were laughing together the entire time. With all of the extra wood from the corral, we made two ridiculously big bonfires, which would be burning for the next three days. After our hard work we had dinner and were told some Navajo stories about creation and life. Herman, a member of the family and also a professor of Navajo language and tradition gave us an amazing introduction into the beliefs of the Navajo people.

What stands out most was the opportunity that I was given to help make the tortillas and flatbread for dinner. I was able to talk to the girls my age about life and food and life. Their stories and insights were refreshing and new, and they opened my eyes to was in which you can be self-sacrificing that I didn’t ever realize.

Not knowing what to expect, and honestly fearing a cold welcome I was blown away by the instant shower of kindness we were given. It humbles be that the people we are here to serve take so much effort to serve us and make us feel completely at home. It shows me that Christ-like love is severely lacking on my part, and if I could only have a fraction of the servant’s attitude they have I would be a far better witness to my faith.

We woke up early, and headed to the airport. After meeting up with Craig and the rest of the group, we caught our flight to Phoenix. It was an uneventful ride. We were all separated, everyone had middle seats in alternating rows. After about two hours, we touched down in Phoenix. The heat was incredible! After living in my 65º climate, it was like landing on the surface of the sun. We met up with the Wonder Voyage crew at Wendy’s where we grabbed a bite to eat, and drove off to Living water retreat center. There was an awesome pond for swimming, which most of us took advantage of. The retreat center also had awesome rocking chairs. After dinner, we had a meeting to discuss what we expected from the trip, and then off to bed.

The pond swimming was probably the most interesting thing of the day. Finally cooling off in a new place, after a long day of travel, was amazing. The water was a bit murky, but swimming had never felt so good. Arizona also has an incredible sky. There is this huge section that is usually obscured by the mountains where I live that you could see here. It was relaxing, and a really good way to start the trip.

I’m usually not that big on travel. My parents drag me off to places every year, but deep down, I’m a homebody. I have a feeling this trip will help me to push my boundaries a bit, and open me up to new things and experiences, maybe to give me more opportunities to serve God. Who knows what the trip will bring?

Our fearless team from Mt Ararat Baptist Church visited the least while serving the Missionaries of Charity, the religious order founded by blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.  Here in Comayagua, 6 sisters of the order run a hospice and care facility for old men, and a care facility for mothers and children infected with HIV.  When we arrived this morning, we anticipated working with both the children and old men, but the children had gone to the hospital in Tegucigalpa for checkups;  so we dived in and began to play and color with the ” abuelitos.”   The sisters were overjoyed as they watched the students work one on one with these men who rarely receive visitors.

In the group was a blind man; for him, coloring, playing checkers, and card games were virtually pointleess.  Enter Bree, who has a voice like an angel…who sang to this man for over an hour, while the rest of us watched in tearful amazement.  The man smiled a lot as he nodded his head and swayed to the music. What Bree added to this important verse was, ”Sing to those for whom words won’t work, and engage in a ministry of presence with them.”  Today, a teenage girl with an amazing love for the children of God…ministered to a lonely old man with the sounds of heaven, and made it clear to him the she was there for him and him alone. To God be the glory for her faithfulness and ingenuity.

That same night the team were surprised with two special treats. The first was a special behind-the-scenes tour of the cathedral bell-tower, flaunting the oldest clock in the Americas, but to make the surprise even more unique the town bell-ringer allowed the group to accompany him for his traditional call to Mass ringing. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and one that you can never forget.

Once that event was completed the team took one final journey that day to the local Franscian Friary. This particular order of the Catholic Church is based out of the Bronx and are known as the Grey Friars, and with the average age of the brothers being only around 28 it was not what the team expected to find. These men live in vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and are shining lights to the love and joy in Christ. Similar to the ringing of the bells for Mass these men of God issue in the call to repentance and service in Christ, and for the team it is similar to how they represented Christ to those children at Casa de Ayuda who could never hear the bells from the cathedral.