When our church announced that we were partnering with MOST Ministries and a congregation in Honduras to provide an eyeglass clinic, I had this strong feeling that I should go. I had never thought about going on a short-term mission trip and even though my wife did not have the same calling, she encouraged me to go. This was how my journey to Honduras began. I had no real sense of what lay ahead. The only expectation was that we would go to share the love of Jesus by helping people get eyeglasses.
Over the next few months, I worked through the pre-trip Bible study, reviewed information on Honduras, learned a little about the culture, and read about the US State Department travel warnings. The “old man” within me regularly brought up fears—what if you get really sick, what if you get robbed, what if you get kidnapped, what if … Satan attacks us in many ways especially through worldly fears. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5) helped me through these attacks.
We were scheduled in go last fall, however, just a few days before departure, a hurricane developed and was headed for Honduras. The first question that came to mind—What was God teaching us through this delay? Was Satan attacking again? Prayer brought us through this time and the trip was postponed until June. Putting preparation aside for the winter, I started reviewing materials again in the spring. The “what ifs” were not as strong but continued to attack. What if the government thinks we are trying to smuggle glasses into the country? Thanks be to God! Through the Holy Spirit the “new man” prevailed and when we finally made the trip, it was so smooth that the experienced short-term missionaries said that it was one of the best trips they had ever been on.
None of the fearful expectations materialized—God is in total control! As Paul tells us, “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). The expectation of
serving those needing eyeglasses was fulfilled with over 500 people being served. One of the greatest benefits of this trip was totally unexpected—connections with, and the encouragement of, our partner congregation in Honduras. Their model of serving the community was an inspiration. The reminder of our connection to saints around the world was uplifting. We worshiped together, we did our daily devotions together before opening the clinic, and we sang together—mainly one song in Spanish, but it was joyous.
So much of life is about relationships. Our relationship with Jesus is utmost. Our relationships with other members of the body can be hard work, but uplifting. Our relationships with those who have yet to know Christ can be the most challenging—especially when it is someone who wants to try on a ninth pair of glasses because they don’t like the way the other 8 look. Love must prevail, and all of this begins with prayer. Your prayers carry short term missionaries through their fears, their travel glitches, into new relationships across the world, and growth in ways we may never fully know or understand until we see Jesus face to face. May agape abound in all you do.
If Greg’s experience serving in Honduras inspired you, please check out MOST’s 2024 Mission Trip schedule to see where you can serve.
Photos courtesy of MOST Ministries
