My favorite day of the week is Thursday. That is the day I spend with Pastor Marco. I leave the house at 7:30, pick up Mateo, and head to ‘On the Run’ in Carrizal. On the Run is a gas station on the northern highway heading out of the city. It is typical gas station mini mart with an espresso machine and some quick food like fried chicken, hot dogs, and hamburgers. Mateo and I always get there a little early so we can get some coffee and chat a little about what we hope to accomplish that day. When Marco arrives we get into my car and head up to the feeding centers.
Marco and I decided to spend Thursdays together going up to the feeding centers for a couple of reasons. One is that my Spanish has finally got to the point where I can carry on a conversation. This means Marco and I can start working more closely together. Another reason is that there is so much going on that we needed schedule a day a week where we are actively involved in overseeing the programs. Otherwise, weeks could go by where we are so busy with other things that we don’t make it up to the centers. And most importantly we go to encourage the people working in these centers. That is the best part. It is so gratifying being able to encourage them in the work they are doing with the kids and the people in these extremely poor areas. Just by us being there and taking time to talk with the people they feel loved and encouraged.
The following pictures are a kind of “Day in the Life” showing what our Thursdays are like (click on a picture to see a larger version):
Some Thursdays we bring food and supplies to restock the centers.
Marco and I are the same age although I like to remind him he is a few months older than me, to which he reminds me I have a lot more grey hair 
This is a typical home in the areas where we are working. This is right next to Feeding Center #2.
There are always kids around the centers so sometimes I get to spend a little time playing with them. They love having their picture taken.
Mateo never misses an opportunity to share the gospel. These two boys helped us unload supplies one day and afterward Mateo encouraged them by telling them they are the hope of Honduras and that they need to seek God so they can make a difference.
Gloria is a faithful servant who does all the cooking for the kids at Feeding Center #2.
One of the benefits of the three of us visiting the centers on a regular basis are the ideas we come up with to help make the programs better. I’ve wanted to put tile down on the cement floor of the church for a long time. Mateo and I came up with the idea of doing it as a service project with some of the guys from the church.
Another idea was to come up and encourage the church so Mateo and I along with some others from the main church came up on a Tuesday night. Mateo gave a great message to encourage the people there.
There is so much going on in these areas and so much more we can do. It is a blessing being able work alongside Marco and other Hondurans who are committed to the work of the Lord and helping their country.
