5 Things I've Learned in Honduras

There is no substitute for learning the language.  

In my ministry, it would be impossible if I didn't know Spanish.  This seems like an elementary concept, and I suppose it is rather basic, if you want to disciple people in another country, you should be able to speak their language, but I have seen that it is often easier said than done.   I don't mean to say that it is difficult to learn a language because it's physically difficult, even though it absolutely is.  To learn an entirely new vocabulary and verb structure, to refine your speech to the seemingly endless nuances of  Spanish, and to adapt formal, classroom Spanish to informal, street, natural sounding Spanish is all part of the frustrating road that eventually, after much headache and embarrassment, leads to fluency.  What I mean when I say that it is difficult to learn Spanish is that as new missionaries come to the field energized, eager, and motivated to begin reaching people for Christ, it is difficult to slow down for 6, 12, 24 months to learn a language.  It can seem like a necessary evil to get through before the real ministry can begin.  However, I'm convinced that taking time to learn a language and a culture are just as much part of ministry as sharing the gospel precisely because of the fact that the gospel can't be shared and discipleship can't happen until the language and culture are learned.  I have missionary friends who have been honest about their struggle with this period of waiting until the ministry they came to do can actually begin.  I have been impressed and encouraged, however, by their realization that they must concentrate on language and culture if they want to be effective reach people for the gospel.  That's not say that God can't use someone who doesn't know the language, God can do what he wants through whomever he wants, but on a practical level, there is no substitute to knowing the language well.  


There is no substitute for community.

If being part of a bible-believing community of friends that walk alongside you to for encouragement, correction, and discipleship is important in America where there exists all the comforts of home, then I'm convinced that it's importance is intensified on the mission field where there is uncertainty, insecurity, unfamiliarity.  After a month of being in Honduras, this need became glaring to me.  Fortunately, God blessed me with two other missionary families who too felt the void of community in their lives.  Since then we have met every week to share a meal (and always dessert), a time of worship through song, a time of bible study, and a time of extended, intentional prayer.  This group has been invaluable to me so far in Honduras, especially since I'm here alone.  I can't believe for a second that the Christian life was meant to be lived alone, but rather alongside other bible-believing, Christ-imitating, God-honoring Christians.  I believe that remains true, if not more so, for life of the mission field.  


There is no substitute for prayer.

I can't improve of the words of John Piper here.

"Life is war. That's not all it is.  But it is always that.  Our weakness in prayer is owing largely to our neglect of this truth.  Prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the power of darkness an unbelief.  It is not surprising that prayer malfunctions when we try to make it a domestic intercom to call upstairs for more comforts in the den.  God has given us prayer as a wartime walkie-talkie so that we can call headquarters for everything we need as the kingdom of Christ advances in the world.  Prayer gives us the significance of frontline forces and gives God the glory of a limitless Provider.  The one who gives the power gets the glory.  Thus, prayer safeguards the supremacy of God in missions while linking us with endless grace for every need." 

Life is war.  We must fight daily to pick up our cross because, some days, it's just so heavy.  We must fight daily to be lovers, not cynics, because I'm tired of you calling 'culture' what the bible calls 'sin.'  We must fight to trust that God is working in the heart of the person whose salvation we weep for.  I've found that these fights are best fought face down begging the limitless Provider for significant frontline forces to continue on.  


Satan really, really hates it.  

This is exactly why life is a war--because Satan wants nothing more than to distract us from pursuing God.  If he can't strip me of my salvation (and he can't) then he'll strip me of my will to tell others about it.  A week doesn't go by without me or someone I know experiencing events orchestrated by the devil himself for the sole purpose of discouraging us.  Marital issues, sick children, issues with immigration, attacks on ministry, theft, disruption of Christian unity, loneliness .  Satan is creative in his attacks, but our God is effective with his counter.  He is sufficient to provide care, healing, and protection  from the attacks of the enemy.  It can be exhausting having to constantly absorb the punches from the devil, but if he doesn't deem me worthy of punching, then I'm probably not much of a threat to begin with.  So punch away.  

I'm not meant to do this alone.  

I have so enjoyed my time in Honduras thus far and I look forward to the remaining seven months, but it has been made strikingly clear to me that I am not meant to do this missionary thing alone.  I am thankful for this time here alone, but there is still a sharp void in my life and ministry.  I anticipate, not so patiently at times, the day that I can serve alongside Laura, my fiancée.  If I ever needed more affirmation that she was the one I ought to spend my life with, these last five months have absolutely confirmed that.  



As I am nearing the half-way point of my time in Honduras, I want to thank those of you again that have partnered me financially and prayerfully.  I covet your support as I would not be here without it.  I feel blessed and privileged to be able to partner with people from all over the United States as we mutually work to carry out Christ's last words to us on earth:

"Por tanto, id, y haced discípulos a todas las naciones, bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo; ensenándoles que guarden todas las coasas que os he mandado, y he aquí yo estoy con vosotros todos los días hasta el fin del mundo."
Mateo 28:19-20.