By Joe Widick
As many trips as I have made to Honduras, I had never been there. I heard the men talk about it but never had I experienced it. The opportunity to visit first hand the work of Mission Lazarus was truly an inspirational time. I had seen pictures, heard reports but never had I stepped foot on 1200 plus acres that make up Mission Lazarus. Mission Lazarus gives hope to the hopeless. It helps the seemingly helpless. I could fill this column with the good works of Mission Lazarus. What I want to share with you is something that caught my attention and has made a lasting impression. Mission Lazarus operates a private school in San Marcos. This facility was given to Mission Lazarus by the Honduras government. This private school is for the needy of the region. Those children who can not afford to go to public school have an opportunity to go to this private school. The cost is 50 lemperas per month. That translates to a little over $2.50 per month. For this amount the children can come and receive 2 meals. They are exposed to having structure in the lives. They are able to come in contact with Christian men and ladies who have a positive impact on their lives. They get to run and play like normal children. They are given school clothes. There is hope!
What happens at the end of the day? What do they do? Where do they go? I know it is not to a nice home. It may be a one room house with a dirt floor, probably without electricity or running water. More than likely it is a single parent home with several brothers and sisters. For a moment though they have experienced something very special, and have been given an opportunity to grow.
Have you ever thought about unplugging “hope” from your life. You have no “hope” of a better life, no “hope” of advancing in your chosen career, no “hope” of seeing a better, brighter tomorrow. The feeling of being beaten down and not being able to get up. No “hope” for where your next meal will come from. No “hope” of one day being united with your Father in Heaven for all eternity. Paul told Titus; “…we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Mission Lazarus is about a lot of things. One thing however that stands out is that idea of “hope.” It seems that hope is what keeps each of us going forward.
By Joe Widick
I don’t know if I ever heard his name. But I was sure impressed with his determination to work. As I continue to reflect on lessons learned while I was in Honduras, I have to mention this boy. He came out of nowhere and set a standard of work that was unsurpassed by any of us. He was probably 10-12 years old. Job site number 1 was an adobe mud brick home for a family of nine. It was hot and dry and all the bricks were at the bottom of the hill and had to brought to the top of the hill where the new home was being built. Sounds simple enough. Carry a few bricks up the hill at a time and before long you will have all the bricks needed for the home. WRONG!! When I think of bricks, I think of the bricks we have here in the states. The bricks we were using in Honduras were 30 to 40 pounds apiece (just a guess—after carrying a few I thought they were 100 pounds apiece). One trip up the hill and I needed to rest and catch my breath. The boy in the yellow shirt had to have a “gringo” put a brick on his shoulder and then he would carry it up the hill, where another “gringo” would take the brick off his shoulder. He did this practically all day! When he wasn’t doing that he was carrying water in a bucket up the hill, or mixing the mud that was used in laying the bricks. He was in constant motion. While others rested, he kept working.
There is an interesting passage found in the book of Nehemiah. Under Nehemiah’s leadership, the people began to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Nehemiah records; “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.” (Nehemiah 4:6). Building a wall around Jerusalem was important. Building an adobe brick home in Namasegue was needed to help a family living under a tarpaulin. It is that phrase “a mind to work,” that stands out. I need to ask myself do I have a mind to work? Not just carrying bricks up a hill, but carrying on with the work of the Lord. Do I have a mind to share the good news with others. Do I have a mind to visit the hurting? Do I have a mind to…..? You know as well as I that the list goes on and on. It took a little boy in a yellow shirt and flip flops to help me see that I need to have the proper mindset. I know it was not easy for him to do what he did, but he did what was needed. I know the load he carried on his shoulders was difficult to bear, but he did it. I know he had to have grown tired, but he kept on one brick at a time.
By Joe Widick
Wednesday night I showed my class a picture of me holding a little two month old baby. The picture was taken while I was in Honduras. It was one of those moments that I will treasure. I was in the medical compound when I saw Kristen Stewart holding a little infant. I knew it was a moment to remember with a photo. As I moved closer to take the picture Kristen asked if I wanted to hold the baby. Who could turn down an opportunity like that! The little girl’s name was Genesis. I thought she was precious. Guess what she didn’t even cry while I was holding her. It has been a little over three weeks since I held her in my arms. I may never see her again. As I thought about that, I began to contemplate what her life has in store for her. What hardships will she face being brought up in a third world company? Will she experience much joy in life? Will she be healthy? Will her parents love her and care for her. Will she be in Sunday school classes learning about Jesus. Will she understand how much our savior loves her, so much that he would give his very life for her. Will she understand how important children were to Jesus? Remember Jesus said; “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” It seems from that statement that children have a very special place in the heart of Jesus.
Have you ever had those thoughts when you held your own child or grandchild? What will he or she become? As interesting as the question might be, it becomes more important that we do something to encourage righteous living in our children. We want to always be there to encourage them. We desire to know who their friends are and what they are doing. We don’t want to be so busy that we have little or no time for them. Family time becomes increasingly important. Can one think of anything grander than seeing your infant child grow and be healthy and then one day come to you and ask about becoming one of God’s children. This year we have been blessed to witness four families blessed by having one of their children accept Christ as their savior and put Him on in Baptism. That is what it is all about! I can not help but think that each who say yes to Jesus will find the temptations of life easier to deal with because they are a part of the Lord’s army. What will she become? My prayer is that she will become one of God’s children.
