Hammock Time

I have decided hammocks are the greatest invention ever. My dad finished hanging three hammocks on our front porch today, and I’ve spent much of the day lounging around and napping on them. They’re cozy, offer a good view, and give you time to relax. Fun fact: the hammock was actually invented in Central America by the Aztecs. Man, I love Honduras.

The Pig Barn

If you had told me a seemingly short five years ago that now I would be the boss of a pig barn, I would probably laugh right in your face. For those who know me...I'm not much of the farming type, you know? Born in the city, raised in the city, I just really love city! But, God has a way of working in the most wayward of us, and that's how I ended up working in a pig barn.

After school and lunch, all the boys at El Sembrador have to go work for two hours every weekday and four hours on Saturday. They're organized into thirteen groups of seven. One person is the coordinator and in charge of all the students in the group. When I came here, I wanted to fit in as much  as possible with the boys. I wanted them to feel like I was one of them. So I joined the work roster. I was put in group number two, and we took the quarter-mile walk to the porquerisa, or pig barn.

There are four areas of the porquerisa. There's the feed making area, the maternity ward, the pens for adult pigs for sale, and the pens for the birthing pigs. When my group of seven went to porquerisa, I went to the pens for adult pigs. Generally, the smaller people go and do that job, because there's heavy lifting in feed making, and the birthing pigs outweigh me by half. There's twelve pens in the adult's area, and each is filled with about 40 pigs. My job, usually along with two or three other boys, is to scoop the poop down the slight incline to the grate, and then scrub the floor with water and a broom.

I worked at that job for two weeks, and when it came time to leave, I didn't want to! Nick Solheim wanted to be around nasty, 200 pound pigs?! Gross! Not to mention the fact I had to shower for thirty minutes everyday just to get the smell out of my skin! But, my favorite thing about the job was that it was something I could do without thinking. I could be cleaning, and talk to the boys. Find out when their family visited, what they were excited for, what their favorite flavor of ice cream is. I loved everything about it!

Soon, after a few weeks, the jefe (boss) of all the work came to me and asked me to be the coordinator of all boys that come to the pig barn. So now, I not only scoop pig poop, but I get to tell other boys how to do it!

This is a great blessing to me, because throughout this year as the boys rotate, I will get to know every single one. What an opportunity God has dropped in my lap for ministry! I think with all that, I can get over the smell!

Tudo Em Um Ritmo (All In One Rhythm, FIFA 2014)

Experiencing the World Cup in a soccer-obsessed country is an unforgettable experience. It's almost impossible to describe, but for the sake of the reader, I suppose I must try.

Let me start specifically with Honduras' history in the World Cup, or el Mundial as it's known here. Honduras has only made it to the World Cup only three times: In 1982, 2010, and 2014. Compare this with a mind-blowing 14 out of 19 World Cups for Spain, and you can see why this is so exciting for us. Especially after 2010's humiliation (2 losses, 1 tie), Honduras is back and looking for redemption. Yet, thus far, they've lost to France 3-0.

Even if Honduras hadn't made it, the country would still be in a frenzy. Let me put it this way: 97% of this country's favorite sport is soccer. 3% prefer basketball, which is the same percentage as hockey in the United States (Sorry Uncle Greg!). For this nation, and most of the world, soccer, or football, is a way of life, not just a sport. Street kids create makeshift soccer balls out of coconuts and plastic bags. At El Sembrador, boys play futbolito every chance they get.

Soccer is ingrained in this country, and many, many others across the world. This next month will certainly be a whirlwind of activity here, with everyone enjoying the matches. Make sure you enjoy the rest of Honduras' matches!

Ecuador vs. Honduras Friday, June 20th 6 PM ET
Honduras vs. Switzerland Wednesday, June 25th 4 PM ET

Jesucristo

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your house.

Check Out This Blog Post About Me, Yes Me!

Wow, my blog is so awesome, other blogs are blogging about me!
(It couldn't possibly be because I'm a missionary kid!)
Check it out!
http://missionscentral.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/an-mks-story/

Why Every Person on Earth Should Do Missions

Why should you go on a missions trip? This is a very simple answer.

Why not?

I've learned in the past month that missions brings the greatest joy one could ever have: the joy of Christ. Bringing the hope, and light of God to another country is the most rewarding feeling that is possible on this Earth. 

Would you like to know the second most rewarding feeling?

Letting people teach you their culture. I've done some pretty crazy things this past month. Rode in the trunk of a car, gotten shaved by a man in a tuxedo, eaten some street sausage (not the best idea). Honduras is the most amazing place I've ever been. Many Western nations in the past, as well as now, have thought of other countries as "backward" and "different". But they couldn't be more wrong. If anything, I believe these countries have found better ways to do things. Church is amazing here. You spend two hours in the service, and then hours after just talking with people, sharing stories, and supporting each other in Christ. Also, I'm amazed by the fact auto shops here can fix just about anything with a Pringles can. They don't do that in the US!

I'm so excited for what God has in store for us in the next 17 months. I encourage you to see what God has in store for you! 

WGM Short Term Mission Trips

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

You're Gonna Miss Me By My Hair

My awesome new MK (missionary kid) friend found this song that applies perfectly to my departure:

"You're gonna miss my by my hair
You're gonna miss me everywhere
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone"

This is it! This time tomorrow I will be in Honduras! So, to all of you that are going to miss my hair, here's a video of my glorious hair (and body) getting egged and floured on my birthday. You're welcome.