Impact

      If you are reading this, then you most likely influenced or supported my family and I while we lived in Roatan, Honduras for a total of 3.5 years between 2009 & 2016.  It’s been 13 years since I first stepped foot on that island which changed my life and the lives of so many others.  

I graduated from college in December 2008 and had freedom to choose my path forward.  After spending time with people in my community and praying, I felt called to “step out in faith”.  For me, this meant doing everything in my power to move toward things that seemed right while trusting the Lord to guide me down the correct path, closing the wrong doors and opening the right ones.  I vividly remember praying, “Lord, I will go through whatever door you open for me first.”  I reached out to schools, non-profits and other organizations all over the world including a school in Roatan, Honduras.  A week later, I was offered a job with a $400/mo stipend and a free apartment in French Harbour, Roatan.  

Over the next 4 months, I sold most of my belongings and raised money from many of you to purchase about $3K of sports equipment to ship down.  Because of the support and donations I was able to start a PE program and sports teams for a school of about 250 kids!   I had no idea what would unfold over the coming years, but am going to take this opportunity to share some stories of how the Lord used us to make an eternal impact.  

I don’t know how many updates I will send over the coming months, but I would like to share some individual stories and hope that they bring you joy, hope and perspective.  You impacted my life and in turn had an impact on the lives of many others.  If nothing else, let these stories be a reminder to us that every action we take has the potential to have ripple effects for years and even generations to come.  I will also include links within these newsletters that will link to some of my original blog posts written at the time of the events.

FH Boys 

2009: My roommate & I were going out for dinner when a group of boys between the ages of 8 - 10 approached us.  Pablo, the most charismatic of the group, asked us if we could buy them something to eat.  

My heart broke for these boys who literally walked the streets day in and day out, begging for food, playing soccer, and getting into trouble.  We began talking and I realized that none of them could read and they didn’t go to school, so I asked Pablo, if he would be interested in letting us help him learn to read.  He took a moment to consider the offer and then said, “first, you let us teach you to fish, then we can learn to read.”  Sounded like a great deal to me!  Check out the video of my first time fishing with a handline here!  

These boys were on a path to destruction and had very little exposure to any different path.  There are no fathers present in their lives, they are surrounded by drugs, alcohol, violence and poverty, but God had another plan.  I remember someone who was visiting and met Pablo turn to me and say, “that boy is so charismatic.   He is either going to do something really great or be the best drug dealer on this island.” 

I developed deep relationships with these young men along with others who poured into them like the local church, many teachers, pastor Ronny Russel, Clair Maddox, short term mission teams and many locals on the island.  This influence shaped these young men.  

I still talk with all of them on a weekly basis and while they still struggle and face pretty desperate poverty, they have all chosen a path of hope and integrity.  Three of these young men have children of their own now and have become incredible fathers.  This alone is miraculous in an environment where fathers are virtually non-existent.  Pablo, Bebe, Jarvick & Menfi are all working and striving to live a God honoring life daily.  God allowed me to play a small part in this story and it wouldn’t have been possible without you.

Defined

"People allways want to define us by what we do but, I am convinced that what we do is not nearly as important as who we are." - Shane Claiborne

 What would Peter have said if someone asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up? Maybe "I was going to be a fisherman, then I met this dude and he messed that all up".

 Mother Teresa said, "don't worry about your career. Concern hourly with your vocation and that is to be a lover of Jesus!"

 Let God define you!

Outside of the lines

I desire to live a radical lifestyle.  A lifestyle that will not settle for the "American Dream" and the ideals that are engrained in us by our consumeristic selfish society.  I desire to be countercultural and ultimately to bring Glory to God!

I don't want to spend 40 hours a week at work simply to pay my bills and survive another two weeks.  I don't want to live for the weekends or for my weekly sitcom.  I want to live recklessly abandoned for God!  I want to be a part of His story transforming the lives of real people around me; the world around me.  My anticipation for the day should not be built up for dinner, a movie or sinking into a couch!  My anticipation should build up to the moment or moments that God shows up in my day.  It sucks because as much as I want to live this different life, I am a product of my environment and as I strive for this life of REAL fulfillment, my flesh, my selfishness, and my laziness drag me back into the mold society has cast for me.  I will continue to strive and continue to reach for a life that is based on truth, not the facade of comfort and viewing from a distance.  I pray that God would refine me and lead me in this path.  I pray for courage, boldness, and the strength to stand up against myself.  God is Good and He is real!

We all have the ability to share with someone the key that may release them from captivity.  We must be bold with the word of God and with his Love that He pours in and through us.  Pray for God to allow you to see with His eyes today!

Little a this Little a that

Krusteaz, eat your heart out!

Kendall and I ventured into the realm of gluten free eating about 6 months ago and have experienced multiple failures with scattered successes in our attempts at making alternative bread product.  If you search the web for how to make gluten free anything, you will find thousands of recipes and about 2 that actually taste decent.  I decided after a few attempts that I can just make due without bread.  But one thing that I could not give up on is pancakes and waffles.  If any of you know me well, you know that pancakes are an essential part of my diet.  Therefore it has become my mission to make quality gluten free pancakes.  

Although we have recently given up the gluten free diet, I have not abandoned my quest for the perfect gluten free pancake.  I am proud to say that today I believe I have have gotten a little closer that point.  The following is by far the best gluten free pancake/waffle recipe I have partaken of to date.  

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of buckwheat flour

1/4 cup of amaranth flour or sorghum flour

1 1/2 tsp of baking powder

2 eggs

2 tsp of vanilla

3 tablespoons of sugar

some cinnamon

add milk until you get the correct pancake consistency

Directions: 

Add it all together and mix in the milk to the correct pancake or waffle consistency (not too runny, not too thick)

Spice it up: 

You can add bananas, chocolate chips or pecans for an even more satisfying experience.  

It is pivotal that you use Maple Syrup while enjoying these pancakes!

Be Still

"The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of Heaven and Earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people, life and breath and all things."   -Acts 17:24-25

I didn't realize what it was that first drew me to the wilderness.  I think it was the adventure and my desire to get away from all the clutter.  I was invited on a backpacking trip through the collegiate peaks near Buena Vista Colorado when I was 16.  The only camping I had done at this point was in my back yard.  I spent that week, learning how to wipe with leaves, experiencing the effects of going from sea level to 14,000 feet in 48 hours, and falling in love with the majesty that is nature.

I was hooked!  Back in North Carolina, my best friend and I would find any excuse to escape to Pisgah National Forest.  Being naive teenagers, we would leave a party at mid night, throw some sleeping bags in the Explorer and make the 2 hour trip to Linville Gorge where a 1.5 mile hike down the mountain awaited us.  It was miserable in the moment as we hiked in the dark and pretty much stumbled down the mountain, but completely worth it to hear the rush of the river as we laid down to sleep.  The Gorge was our escape in high school.  It freed us from the world and made us feel alive.  The parties and social scene could never fill my bucket but something about the wild made me overflow.

I took another trip to Colorado then to Montana, Wyoming, California, Oregon, Idaho, and Arizona, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras.  Everywhere I go, I encounter Gods creation and I am overwhelmed, I am set free.

The clear water of the Caribbean purifies my mind and reminds me of God's perfection.

The Rockies shock me and contend that I am but a man.

The Tetons cut into the sky the way Gods truth is meant to penetrate our hearts.

I am drawn to the wilderness.  It becons me to return, constantly reminding me that all else will fail.  My computer will die, my car will breakdown, my friends will move on, and stuff will simply wear out.  The creation that is the wilderness remains.  We destroy it but it overcomes.  Look at an old farm house that has been abandoned.  It stands for a while but eventually the paint chips off, the beams rot, the foundation becomes weak and nature overtakes it.  Everything we have and the things of this world that we worship will fail.  God is eternal and I am drawn to the wilderness because He is there.

I see his creativity and joy in the sky.

I see His gentleness in the face of a child.

And His might in the strike of lightning and the roar of thunder.

He fills the depths of the Grand Canyon and the heights of the sky.

The horses of Shakelford Island remind me of His provision.

The Volcanoes of Central America cry out that God is raw and unrefined.

His love can be seen and felt by simply saying yes.

The wilderness demands this response.  You must "be still and know that He is God."

Our Trip Home

Our trip was amazing.  It was totally God ordained and Kendall and I were so blessed to be a part of his work this weekend.  After a ticket was provided for me, I shared with my dad that I would be heading to Honduras for 4 days and he insisted on buying Kendall a ticket to come as well.  God was at work from the very beginning.  I have never let go and allowed God to lead like this before.  The trip was seamless, he laid the ground beneath our feet.  We ended up being on a flight with one of our good friends from the island, April, who's husband picked us up at the Roatan airport then proceeded to cook us lunch, give us a truck to use for free and a cell phone chip so that my phone would work for the weekend.  

We arrived at the church in French Harbour at about 3pm, dropped off our things in the dormitory and proceeded to the hill where all of our friends in FH live.  As we approached Carolina's house, we were welcomed by a group of about 10 kids ages 5-10 running at us with arms wide open.  We hugged and said our hello's then spent the remainder of the afternoon sitting in homes and talking about life.  We shared stories of Hasked, got caught up on everyones lives, and began to discover why God sent us.  

Hasked was killed on a boat close to the mainland and was burried almost immediately on mainland of Honduras.  Because of this, none of the boys or relatives got any closure.  The cultural ritual is to keep the body in a home for 24hr after death for friends and family to mourn and celebrate their life.  This process was not had so our time of story telling and reflecting was priceless.  We also discovered that there is a lot of superstition that comes along with death.  Pablo, richie and a few others mentioned that they were scared at night because they believed Hasked's spirit was going to return and haunt them at night.  Pablo has been so stressed out and nervous that he has been biting himself and is unable to sleep through the night.  He has 10-12 open sores on his arms where he has bitten himself.  He deals with this by making jokes about being so hungry, he is eating himself.  In reality he is cutting without a knife.  I was able to pull him aside and address this with him as well as the superstition.  I shared with him that on Sunday as I prayed, I saw a vision of Hasked in God's arms.  I told him that Hasked is in heaven and he is not coming back here.  His spirit is resting.  I watched a peace come across his face and he asked me, "Harry, what color is God?"  I told him that I believe He is every color but to me, He appeared more like a light.   

I shared the fact that Hasked is with God with the rest of the boys as well and that they do not need to fear any spirit haunting them because they have God who is more powerful than anything else.  

The second day we walked down the street from the church and ate breakfast at a little tienda where Ken (Blankito) works and were able to talk, pray and just spend quality time with him.  He has grown a lot in the past few months and is really beginning to follow the Lord.  He is also an assistant director of the play that is being put on at the church.  After this we went back to the Hill and gave out photos of Hasked to his friends and family.  This was huge for them because very few people there have photos and no one had any photos of Hasked.  Thousands of people take pictures on the island but no one leaves any behind.  We gave out 18 pictures of Hasked and other pictures of the boys and their families.  Thank you Martha and Jessica for pictures.  We stayed there talking with the families and enjoying each others company until about 2pm then went to lunch with Gus, Pablo, and Richie.  So we got real full then I went and played a little soccer with Gus and Hubert.  I was worn out after two games and had to go so Kendall and I could visit the Orphanage before too late.  We spent the evening at the orphanage then returned to FH.  By the way on the way back our truck pretty much broke down, we added a quart of oil and barely got back to the church but we prayed over it and the next morning it ran better than it did when we got it.  Praise God!  

Saturday we got breakfast (baleadas) with Gus, Pablo, and Travis then spent the rest of the morning at the orphanage.  After this we headed back to FH and walked to the point to visit Richie's family.  Pablo and Jarbie led the way which gave us some quality time to talk and just hang out.  We spent an hour or so there talking about life and speaking truth over a young girl (Marcela) who lives in darkness and has been robbed of her childhood / innocence.  She is Richies 17 year old sister and used to live at the orphanage so Kendall poured into her for a bit and allowed the Lord to do work.  

We walked back to the church and I recorded Jarbie and Pablo rapping, doing bike tricks and dancing.  

We spent the evening with families in FH again and I was able to speak some truth over Menfi and Bebe.  Both of these guys have grown and matured so much over the past 7 months.  They both have jobs, are consistently going to church and going to school at night.  I stood with Menfi as the sun went down and God began to move through my words.  As I opened my mouth, I felt the Lord take control and the power of his spirit resting on Menfi.  I told him that I was proud of him and that even though he is surrounded by bad people, God has set him apart.  Menfi is 15 years old and pretty much in charge of his 4 younger siblings.  His mom is always on the streets, usually strung out and she leaves at night not to return.  I really cannot fully express the darkness of the world that surrounds him. I am so proud of this young man and I truly believe God has called him to great things.  

I then went to Bojangles with Bebe, Menfi, pablo, Richie, Jarbie, and Alejandro.  We ate chicken, played cards, prayed together and we shared Gods love with them again before our departure the next morning.  

God blessed this trip and I am so thankful for all the prayers.  

Much love,   

Here are some pictures from our recent trip to Honduras.  It was an amazing trip and we feel so blessed to have been a part of what God is doing on that island.  Enjoy!

My Godson Kendall

Harry and Kendall in French Harbour

Kendall and Carolina 

Kendall squared

Hanging out in French Harbour with Pablo and his family

Kendall and Harry 

Marba, Andromida and Kendall in French Harbour

Girls in French Harbour

Kendall, with the kids at the children's home

Cindy the most beautiful little girl in the world!

Walking to Richie's house in French Harbour

Enough Said

My Godson baby Kendall

I am so proud of Menfi.  He lives in such a dark place surrounded by bad people but is rising above.  The Lord has great plans for this 16 year old boy.  He has a full time job, is going to night school, and is caring for his siblings.

Pearly Whites

Girls in Los Fuertes