“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Today at the Orphanage we hope to complete the work project, replacing 1100 feet of water line.  Despite many obstacles we believe we will finish today.  Our bodies are sore and tired.   Typing is even a chore this morning.  But the work will improve the lives of the children and staff who live here.  The painting has produced blisters, sore legs and tons of smiles for the small boys whose courtyard has been transformed into a soccer court.  Babies have been rocked, power toddlers have been played with, Emmanuel special needs children have ridden horses for the first time ever and we have water balloons still to come!

Each day as we have risen to begin the day (4:30 AM local time) we are reminded that God was with us throughout the night, and He has awakened us each morning.  He has given us be strength the need each day. 

For those working with the children He has given patience, extra hugs, smiles and love to give out over and over again.

He gave power to those delivering His message and playing music in church on Sunday and Wednesday.  God has restored one who didn’t feel well, and continues to strengthen the rest of us.  Our Superheroes of the Bible theme has been a hit with all age groups all week.

Tomorrow God will be just the same.  He will be faithful.  He will be our strength.  He will be our vision.  He will be all that we need.

My prayer is that He will be all of that for you. 

Greg

A picture says a thousand words...

My Heart is strangely warmed...

These first three days have been wonderful! We have had a few minor mishaps, but things are going amazing. Getting to see these kids again has just truly warmed my heart.

I know everyone has been working hard and spreading the love of God. Everyone is branching out and doing new things, even if it's their 6th or 7th time here.  It has rained both nights, but it has cooled us down.  The other youth and I have spent a lot of time with the kids. Some of us spending more time with the boys and some of us spending more time with the girls. No matter who they are spending time with though, I can see God working through them in beautiful ways.

The men have been working to dig the trenches to lay new water lines. The line got broken 5 times yesterday, but it was repaired. Then the bobcat they were using broke. I know everything will work out and God will help us get it all done.

Last night the girls and I got to work with the babies while Brandie was doing a bible study with the baby mommas. We've also been serving ice cream to the kids twice a day and it's been lots of fun.  Sorry this is coming to you all late, but the WiFi hasn't wanted to work for me.

Delaney

““So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34

This verse could be the theme for Orphanage Emmanuel.  Yesterday a power pole for one of the houses just fell over....no wind, no real reason.  Upon removing the wires, two other poles fell over.

While we were at lunch yesterday, someone in our work area turned on the water we had shut off and filled our freshly dug trenches with water.  They had to be dried out in order to lay more pipe.

The day before the hydraulic seal on the trencher burst, requiring a four round trip and a day of hand digging in rocky dirt.

But each day has been filled with the laughter of children, heart-melting stories from the team, morning devotion times at the children’s houses complete with superhero capes, fake wigs for our Samson characters, face paint for the lions and ice cream for the kids in the afternoon.

Despite the worries of the day, God is in control in this place.  Today will have its own set of challenges.  They will become tomorrow’s stories of how God provided and prevailed through it all.

May your challenges of today become your praises of tomorrow.

Blessings,

Greg

What?!? They have horses at the orphanage???

The orphanage is almost completely self sustaining. This allows the children to interact with the animals, learn agriculture, farming and how to live outside the orphanage when the are older. They learn how to care for the livestock which includes: cows, chickens, pigs, horses and more. They also have a Talapia fish farm, a large garden and more.

Made It!

The team made it safely to Orphanage Emmanuel. They are excited to be there are ready to get started on all they have planned for the orphanage and the children.

So excited about this trip that includes several churches in Cherokee County Ga and a few from other states: Hillside UMC, City On A Hill, Canton First UMC, and others from Kentucky!  What a blessing to see churches working together to bless the sweet children of Honduras. There are 25 total on the team. Please keep all of them in your prayers.

They are having problems getting a blog up and running, so we are going to try to cut and paste information that is texted to me. Check back for more.