By Theresa M. Blash
 

I have found it amazing that most people cannot locate Honduras on a map of the Americas, let alone the world.  Located in Central America between Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, Honduras is experiencing great revival right now.  Many different youth and missions groups have gone to Honduras in the last year.  I was privileged to be a part of the Missouri Youth on Missions (MO YOM) trip that visited Honduras August 8-14, 2006.

 

We were there an entire week that was filled with sightseeing and trying new things, but almost everyone in the group looked forward to the missions part of the trip the most.  As much as we enjoyed hiking (close to) three miles to “La Cumbre” for an amazing dinner and view of most of the city, touring the caves in Catacamas, watching the military police block the street our hotel was on, singing in the back of the bus, and making so many other wonderful memories, we all wanted more than anything to be in the services, talking to the Hondurans, and ministering in whatever way we could. 

 
The New, The People, The Mountaintop Prayer Meeting

As a part of trying new things, we had to try new foods.  One of the most bizarre dishes served to us was the tilapia, a type of fish.  Served whole and complete with eyeballs, most of us were astonished to see it.  It is, of course, a common entrée to the Hondurans, but was unique to us.  Those who tried this dish reported that it was delicious.  The others were thankful chicken was also on the menu.

 

The people of Honduras were friendly.  It was incredible to be able to try our best to communicate with them.  They were very patient with most of us gringos who butchered the Spanish language.  While in Catacamas, Honduras, we conducted a survey as part of our outreach.  It was so funny to try to ask “¿Tiene una Biblia?” (“Do you have a Bible?”), and some of the people couldn’t understand me, but as soon as the Honduran in our group, Kenya, asked the same thing, it was understood.

 

Also, the church in Catacamas was amazingly inspiring.  The pastor has an incredible vision for the church and passion for souls.  Along with some of the members of his church, the pastor of the UPC church in Catacamas has been climbing (up 568 steps) once a week to a lighted cross on the top of a hill which overlooks the city.  They have been praying and fasting every week for hours—sometimes throughout the night.  Our MO YOM group had the privilege (although at first it seemed crazy) to climb the 568 steps to the top of the hill.  We also held a prayer meeting there.  God’s presence fell on this “mountaintop” in such a special way for each person: some people were called to missions; some felt God leading them in a different direction than what they had planned; some received confirmation of plans God had already given them. 

 

Personally, I was a part of that last group.  For the last year, I have felt strongly that God’s plan for me is to open private schools under churches.  This dream is something that to some people may seem far-fetched, but it is what I know God wants me to do.  The uncertainty of what university to attend after I graduate from junior college has come along with many other questions I’ve brought before God in prayer.  I have also felt strongly that I should be attending Gateway College of Evangelism, but I have struggled with the logistics of making such a decision.  On the top of the mountain in prayer, I felt very comfortable with going to Gateway in the fall of 2007. 

 

The prayer meeting started with our group praying over the city.  We bound demons and loosed ministering angels over the city of Catacamas.  God spoke to several people about the state of Honduras and the greater revival that is to come.  Even while we were praying for the Hondurans, God spoke directly to all of us about our individual lives.  It never ceases to amaze me how God can change our situations.  The last things some of were thinking about when we started to pray were the decisions we were facing back home.  Regardless, God still spoke to us.  Our mountaintop experience has shown to me the truth of what Jesus says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).  We sought God’s kingdom first, and He spoke to us about “all these things”—the things we deem important in our lives.

 
Children’s Crusade Success

On the Saturday we were in Catacamas, the day after our outreach, we helped with the Children’s Crusade.  There appeared to be close to 500 people in attendance.  It was rewarding to see the fruits of our labors.  Many of the people we had invited to the Crusade the day before had never been to church. 

 

During the altar call, I saw a little boy (probably six years old) that seemed like he was either just starting to cry or had just stopped crying.  I put my hand on his shoulder, and started praying for him.  I looked down at him and he was crying like a baby.  So I started praying with and for him to receive the Holy Ghost.  He prayed for a little while, and then he stopped and gave me a big hug before walking to his mother who was standing not far behind me.  He gave his mother a hug while clinging to her.  I kept my hand on his shoulder and kept praying for him, but when I looked back at his mother, it looked like she was praying softly.  I couldn’t understand all of the Spanish, but I had a strong impression that she was praying for her child.  It’s amazing that God can reach an entire family through the children!  It wasn’t too long before the mother was openly crying before the Lord and praying.  Then I started praying with her.  She also had a younger daughter attached to her other leg (also praying and crying).  Some of the other YOMers came over and started praying with the family as well.  In less than five minutes, the mother was speaking in tongues! 

 

Another thing that amazed me was the fact that although I don’t understand as much Spanish as I would like, I could tell when this precious lady began speaking in tongues.  A friend was among those praying for her, and we looked at each other and she said, “That’s the Holy Ghost!”  I have a feeling that if we had we been in China, we would’ve been able to tell when someone started speaking in tongues.  Had we been in Africa or France or Germany, it would’ve been the same!  It is so awesome to see when God takes control of the tongue. 

 
Time with the President

Most people may not be aware of the political state of Honduras.  While we were visiting, the President of Honduras was in town.  He was staying next to our hotel in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.  At the same time, the public school teachers were upset because they had not received the raise the President had promised them before he was elected.  (The raise would be equivalent to $0.18 an hour per teacher.)  Apparently, there was a proposal under consideration when we arrived in Tegucigalpa. 

 

When we awoke on the first morning, we looked out of our windows to see military police lining the street, eventually blocking it.  Watching them come together was incredible.  They formed lined blockades down the street for at least half a mile.  Later from the back of the hotel, we saw teachers coming down the street.  Because there was a proposal under consideration, the teachers were partially celebrating and partially striking until an agreement could be met.  The process was the same the next day.  On the third day, we were not at the hotel, and Sister Lycia Schreckhise (the missionary’s wife) informed us that some of the teachers had tried to break through the military police barricade, and the police had used tear gas to disburse the crowd. 

 

As incredible as this may sound, it was even more incredible that we were at peace the entire time.  There was no fear in our group while surrounded by the Honduran military police with the teachers not too far away.  God protected us the entire time we were there, and at the same time we were comfortable with our surroundings and tried to blend in with the Hondurans as much as possible. 

 
Master of the Maps

After having witnessed the revival in Honduras, and having been a part of it, I am very glad that God, if no one else, can locate Honduras on a map.  As a matter of a fact, I am certain He’s holding it in His hands.

 
ninetyandnine.com
 
© 2006, Theresa M. Blash
 
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Theresa M. Blash  was born in Germany (military brat), but moved to the United States at the age of three.  She has lived in the St. Louis area for at least seven years when her family started Fresh Anointing United Pentecostal Church.