by Bethany High School Youth

Story 1 by Alex Pearson

As the blazing sun scorched down from overhead our small group of fourteen hacked away at brush with machetes. Side by side with the Honduran men in the fields we worked. It was during one of these intense work sessions that Jake Allen and I got the chance to take a short break. We sat down to talk with two of the Agros Uno residents, Carlos and Lucio. Over the course of our short conversation I got the chance to meet Jesus.

Sitting on the edge of a dried stream bed, while keeping one eye out for biting ants, the four of us began talking through our translator. As the conversation progressed it became obvious that many problems existed in Agros Uno. Problems with everything from failed crops to confusion over the loans. Interestingly enough, it also became very apparent how differently Carlos and Lucio were dealing with the problems. Carlos spoke much less than Lucio, not because he was shy, but simply because he had much less to say. Early on he stated very firmly that he would stay with the village, no matter what problems they ran into, even if it came to the bitter end.

Lucio’s thinking was much more conflicted. Lucio felt very torn in his heart over whether he should remain in the village or leave. Lucio even told us that the only advantage to staying was that he would be remaining faithful to the Lord. Many other organizations existed besides Agros that would make it much easier for him and his family, but ultimately that easier route would not be as rewarding. In his heart he felt burdened. Burdened by, as he saw it, the lack of faith some of his other villagers had. Burdened by the thought he might not be able to pay off his loans. Burdened by the fact that feeding his family was not an easy thing for him to do. Despite all these burdens, Lucio made it very clear that he had not yet decided to leave.

Both these very different men had one thing in common: the only reason they were at Agros Uno in the first place was for their families. They were there to provide a better future and education for their children that they themselves were not able to get. It was for this reason they worked everyday in that burning sun, even after crop failures and uncertainty. This desire for something better burned through their modest faces brighter then the sun overhead. It was through these men that I met Jesus in Honduras. Through their sharing of burdens, their hard work, and their thirst for the Lord.

Story 2 by Maggie Andersen

On our fifth day in Honduras, the girls in our group met with the women of Agros Uno. There we were, six gringas, five Honduran villagers, and one translator. We had come on this trip with the expectation of being given the chance to build relationships with these villagers, and that is exactly what we got.

So we began by asking questions just to get to know each other. We asked about their families, the education system in Honduras, and about their daily lives in general. When we started talking about what they liked and disliked about Agros Uno, the women had only positive things to say. We were pleased to hear that they had better access to water and to the school. But we were a little confused, because the family of the first woman who was speaking had already made the decision to leave the village, though she said there was nothing she disliked about it.

At that point our translator told the women that we were there to support and to walk alongside them in their journey. Lexie shared that once we were back home, we would be praying for them and that we wanted to be praying for what they need. Those comments opened the women up and they began to pour out what was really going on in their lives. There had been many issues within the village we had not been aware of, such as confusion over interest rates and the acreage they were purchasing.

That afternoon taught me a lot about the importance of having a strong community and being completely honest with each other. The women did not know whether or not they could rely on us, but once they understood that we simply wanted to share as much of their burden as possible, they saw that we were all in it together.

Sometimes it can be easier to have shallow and less meaningful relationships with the people around us. Since I’ve returned home to Seattle, the women of Agros Uno have served as a constant reminder to me of the great gift that God has given each of us of rich friendships.

Story 3 by Nick Baumgartner

At the village Agros Uno in Honduras are eight families, living in adobe brick houses and making a living by farming all day. Food is anything but plentiful, heat is beating down almost 24/7, and at times hope can seem farther away than the next cloud cover.

When our group traveled down to Honduras near the end of July, I was anxious to reunite with old friends I had made two years ago and to create friendships with the new families in the village.

I had not forgotten the trip I had taken with the youth group two years ago. In fact, I had thought about it countless times since returning. I was ready for God to show himself to me in new ways and demonstrate his love through these people we were lucky enough to spend a week with.

I thought there would be fewer surprises this time. I felt I was prepared to experience the poverty and harsh conditions these people lived in. As I found out, there is no way to prepare oneself to see others that are less fortunate than me.

What blew me away on this trip, though, was the amount of complaining that seemed to be floating around. There was none. These people lived each day with no electricity, the men worked in the field farming for nearly the whole day and yet everyone seemed content. No one complained that they had to live this life. They simply thanked God each and every day and prayed that he would set the troubles in their lives right.

A big fat reality check slapped me in the face when I saw this. Here I was, a 17-year-old guy from the United States who lives a very lucky, upper-class lifestyle, and I seemed to complain more than them. “My cell phone isn’t working.” “I need to use the computer!” “When is dinner going to be ready?”
I felt as if I had taken so much for granted in my life when I saw these people considering everyday life. God really showed me what was important in life, as opposed to what I had been considering important.

Back in the States, I haven’t thrown my cell phone in the trash or taken all of the light bulbs out of my house. I’ve realized that here and there are very different places with very different circumstances. However, each day, anything that I use here in Seattle is a little reminder of what I was able to see in Honduras. I’m constantly reminded that there is much more to life than a television show or a phone call. Putting faith in God is much more rewarding than anything else.