by Pete Johnson

I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:1-10)

Here are some words that have meant much to me lately related to the scriptures above.

"What is this 'strength made perfect,' this perfected power that Paul experienced in his weaknesses?  It is the greater dimension of God's power.  Many desire to walk in perfected power, but do not want to embrace the weakness that is necessary to enter into it.  Western culture hates weakness.  We disdain the thought of becoming weak.   However, weakness is mandatory for those who desire spiritual strength.  Paul taught that 'God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things that are mighty…that no flesh should glory in God's presence' (1 Corinthians 1:27, 29).  God reveals Himself the most when we are at our weakest.  Paul went so far as to boast, even rejoice, in the persecution he suffered.  This has perplexed many.  His reasoning, though, is simple.  He had a divine revelation that weakness was the doorway into God's power, and must therefore not be avoided.  Paul wanted to see God's power in his life, and understood that the surest way to experience it was in his own weaknesses, both the voluntary [e.g., prayer, fasting, living simply, and serving with humility and diligence] and involuntary ones [e.g., thorn in the flesh, persecution, infirmity, reproach, and distress]".
-from Mike Bickle and Dana Candler—The Rewards of Fasting (2005; pgs 56-57).

Muddy mountain passages with pot holes the size of Rhode Island.  Wooden bunk beds with hairy spiders crawling on the cross beams above your head.  Outhouses that don’t flush and require a dirt deposit when you’re finished.  It doesn’t sound like a vacation, does it?  That’s because it’s not.  But you don’t go to do mission work in Honduras to be on some fancy “please pamper me” vacation.  It’s hard work.  It’s out of your comfort zone.  It challenges you both physically and emotionally.  But it’s one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have.  I traveled with 26 other people from all over the United States to help for only one week in mountains of Olancho, Honduras.  I left with a new perspective on life and an abundance of new friendships.

The medical team on the trip was composed of 10 people: one doctor, one nurse, one P.A., one pharmacist, 2 translators, and 4 prayer warriors/entertainers.  In 5 days, they saw over 300 patients and distributed almost a 1,000 prescriptions.  They touched the lives of so many people and not only met their physical needs, but their spiritual and emotional needs as well.  Everyone else in the group made up the 4 work crews that helped in various locations throughout the mountainous region.  We worked at 12 different sites building latrines, which consisted of a lot of concrete mixing, rebar tying, and brick wall building.  We painted walls at a few different locations and planted trees at CEREPA, the alcohol and drug rehabilitation clinic in Catacamas.  We also split off into groups that went to different schools to help in the Healthy Schools Program.   They give the children vitamins and fluoride treatments, distribute toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap, and check their height, weight, and teeth. 

Throughout this experience, I met many people who will forever be remembered in my mind.  Although the language barrier may have prevented us from verbally communicating well, I learned that a smile and a helpful hand can go a long way.  I learned that compassion for people can actually make your heart hurt a little.  And I learned that our material possessions do not make up who we really are inside.  I feel we were really able to touch people’s lives in just one week.  But really, the people we met left a huge impression on all of us as well.  In the end, God was glorified and people’s needs were met.  It was a wonderful experience that I will not forget. 

There is a rainbow of mercy around you.
It's calling me closer, closer.
The blood of your son has made a way
A way to come closer, closer.

For you delight in showing me mercy
And you desire for me to draw near.
Now you have caused me to come and approach you.
And I am blessed among men.

Now there is one thing thing I will desire.
And there is one thing I will seek.
That I may behold you in all of your glory.
To gaze on the beauty of the King.
-Matt Gilman

As I am writing this and listening to this song, I find it really, really hard to fight the tears- tears of joy. This past week I was sincerely with the opportunity to offer a "cup of cold water" (reference to Matthew 10:42) to the people of Honduras on a medical mission trip with Predisan. I felt the Spirit's calling several months ago, but I did not even begin to catch on to what to God was going to do. Our team (composed of 27 people) was able to help a lot.  We built 12 latrines, planted trees, saw about 340 patients in the medical clinics, dispensed about 1,000+ prescriptions, and did a number of other things. If this would have been all that God was going to do with us and with me, then that would have been great.

However, there was more. God provided me "gallons of cold water". I was blessed in so many ways... good food (i.e., black beans, rice, corn tortillas, eggs, and of course plantains), great drivers, good company- with new friendships and blessings upon current friendships, good memories, tremendous amounts of laughter. In addition, it was on the mountain side of Honduras where I felt that my experience/knowledge meet with my with spiritual gifts (i.e., wisdom, discernment, etc.). In the Kingdom of God, I keep realizing that it is such a joy and blessing to be used by God.

Perhaps the most significant thing that I learned relates back to this song that I heard in the last few hours of the trip. The thing that I been thinking about today is mercy. Jesus quotes the Prophet Hosea when he says that "I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices". Our team may have been doing a lot of sacrifice this past week; I definitely sacrificed as well. But, it is Jesus' mercy that chokes me up. I am a filthy, sinful wretch, but I am loved by the King of Kings. And he provides this mercy so that I will seek Him and hunger for Him. I am truly "blessed among men".

Last week I had the great privilege of serving with the Predisan Mission in Olancho, Honduras. I've been to Honduras once before, but never to this area and not with this organization. For years I've heard about the amazing work Predisan does to serve remote villages with health care, and now I know why everyone who works with this mission is touched by it.

A little background on our trip. I went with a group of 27, mostly from Quail Springs Church. We had a medical brigade of about 8, and the rest of us were work crews. The medical team saw 340 patients in the 4.5 days we were there, and our work teams helped install 12 latrines, paint several buildings, and entertain at local schools in local villages.

There are no words to describe the blessing this trip was. I feel as though God used it to shower me with mercy and joy and rekindle the passion for the world and different cultures that is so deep within me. To see the love and peace of God through the lives, hearts, and kindness of the Hondurans we worked with was incredible.

If you have a heart for medical missions, I encourage you to check into Predisan. They are changing lives for the glory of God.