LASTING IMPRESSIONS, FINAL EDITION PART 2

Read through these parting thoughts as we prepare to leave for home. Enjoy this opportunity to see into the lives of each team member as they share the impact the week has had on their lives. Then enjoy some final pictures.

I think that I could write a book’s worth of lasting impressions about this trip and still have more to say. First and for most to say that this trip was life changing would be an understatement. This trip has provided me with so many amazing memories, and so many amazing new friends. I cannot accurately describe how amazing this trip is and I strongly encourage anyone who is slightly interested to take the plunge. This was without a doubt one of the best weeks of my life and I will never forget it for the rest of my life. I’m just thankful to have been privileged enough to have come on this trip with all of these amazing people who helped to change my life forever. Thank you God for allowing me to come here and experience all that I did- A.J.

I have had the privilege of handing off the duties of the blog to others and because of this I have had very little need to express what has gone on this week. I am still working on processing all that has happened and am not sure how long this will take. However, I do know that I am walking away from this week having seen God work in some incredible ways. He has broken, humbled and ignited the hearts of everyone on our trip. Personally I watched God continue to reinforce the very things He has been teaching me for some time. I was also blessed to learn how little God needs me but instead how much He wants me. So often we long to be heard but miss when we are wanted. I need not speak my mind to others but simply go to God in prayer because He wants to hear from me. I will walk away from this trip with a better understanding of how to remove myself from the equation and allow God to do what He wants. --Ryan

This has been a really neat experience. I’m ready to go home on one hand, but sad about leaving this group of people that I have grown to love in just one week. It’s so neat to see how the love of Christ draws us together! I was struck this week by the simplicity of our faith; it really isn’t complicated. I am challenged to go home seeking God each day, and trust Him each day. I want to take my life one day at a time, focusing on Him and His will. –Janelle

This was a great adventure for me. I am ready to go home and share to others how rewarding this trip is. I got the chance to wash lice out of hair, pray for a blind boy, pull a tooth, bring three people to God in evangelism, and get to hold the most precious little baby’s. I know that all these experiences will have a lasting affect on me. I have also met some pretty neat people on this trip, they are all dear to my heart. Thank you for all your prayers, they are what kept me as well as the rest of the group safe. See you all soon! - Brittany

Over the past 17 years associated with WGO, I am more aware each trip of God’s unmerited favor in allowing me to “do” this. To be used as an instrument of restoring physical vision, and in the process, pointing patients toward spiritual vision restoration though evangelism is truly humbling. Jeff Johnson

It will be hard to sum up in a few words all that this week has meant to me, but I’ll do my best. Firstly, thank you to all who shared this week with me. I loved the time we shared together, serving side by side, sharing, crying, being real, exposing our struggles and shortcomings, staying up late kicking the guy’s butt’s at Outburst☺, etc. Also, having Britt and Cliff along side me was amazing (I miss my Ally terribly thought☹). Seeing them both come away changed and closer to the Lord is a gift and warms my heart. The most important thing I am coming away with this week is that I am seeing God in a new way. I saw miracles this week that could only be explained by the power of the Lord. It changed me…I realize I have been putting God in a box, giving him human attributes instead of seeing him as the creator, the almighty, all powerful God who conquered death, parted the red sea, has the power to kill and to heal. What I gave in service this week is filthy rags compared to the glorious riches he chose to pour out on me, incomparable to any other riches the world has to offer. Jesus is all I need, thanks to his blood that has restored my relationship to my Father in Heaven, who’s love has made me whole. Katie Kroening

This trip has truly been a blessing and a gift to us that I really can’t put into words! I am so thankful for everyone who has been in prayer for us as we were shown how God answers prayer in amazing ways! Nancy Loessl

This trip has been everything we hoped for, yet nothing like what I would have originally expected. I leave here knowing everyone so much differently and considering all of the things that we have shared, I can call each a friend. This was an experience of a lifetime getting to serve God in an incredible way. I thank everyone one of the brigade members for a most incredible experience. I leave here knowing that the power of prayer is immeasurable. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us. Tony Loessl

One of my lasting impressions is that every day we saw miracles in each section, whether it be optical in giving people sight, taking away their pain by fixing their teeth, or giving them meds for any and all ailments – that God chose to put us in this place with our Honduran brothers and sisters and allowed us to be a part of it. It is a humbling experience. Some of the additional fellowship experiences in reviewing the day’s events were even more of a blessing because our team was open and transparent with each other about the struggles in our lives. I appreciate so many of you praying for the success that we had. It has borne much fruit in our lives. Thank you.
Jane Snyder

As my third trip comes to a close, the time here in Honduras has flown by. There have been many miracles, blessings and life changing moments. Every trip has been unique and this one has not disappointed. There have been angels and demons, answered prayers and salvations. Perhaps a top ten lifetime moment was the blind boy singing “Open the eyes of My Heart” in English. God was gracious to answer our prayers in amazing ways beyond our limited expectations. As I told the group tonight, I “can’t not do evangelism”. What an honor to share Christ with someone. Thank you to all those who prayed for us while in Honduras. Don’t stop, we still need to travel home tomorrow.
Diane Billing

On Thursday I was working in dental with ana and got to help pull teeth. One little girl came up and had to have a tooth extracted. I had already pulled a few teeth with ana which is not saying much because ana would basically get the tooth to the point where it is about to fall out then I would grab it with the forceps and pull it out. She sat down in the chair and did not complain at all as ana worked at the tooth loosening it for me. I then got another chance to pull the tooth. After I had pulled the tooth the little girl came up to me gave me a hug and said “thank you doctor Erik” in perfect English. It felt so weird to be called doctor after doing so little and to see this girl so happy even though she had just had a tooth pulled. I just felt so blessed that she trusted me completely with removing one of her teeth. Erik Nodland

I’m not sure what I really hoped for, but I’m so blessed with what I got. God is working so much here in Honduras and to witness him work is AMAZING! None of what I accomplished this week was by my own abilities but through his hand. Never before have I seen him more clearly than I have this week. What I would commonly call coincidences were actually him driving our team to success. There are so many examples of this being true that I cannot even explain them all. My prayer is that I can keep as strong in my faith as I am now and that God would help me remember that Heaven is for those who have him in their heart and perfection is not a requirement. I thank al of you who have been praying for us and ask that you continue to pray for the Hondurans!!! See you soon Mom, Shay, and MJ. Love you all tons!!! Hayley Prihoda


Once again, God has truly blessed me this past trip. As always, I come back to the “states” feeling that I have received more than any of the Hondurans we served. I am looking forward to using what God has shown me on this trip back at home, as I continue to grow in my faith. There is no doubt in my mind that God was with us this week, and I’m looking forward to seeing how what we experienced here will be shared and have an impact on others back at home. Thanks for all your prayers!
Susanne Johnson

I am grateful that God has continuously allowed me to go on these trips to Honduras. This trip was, perhaps, the one I have most eagerly anticipated; it did not disappoint. Part of what made this trip special is twofold: first I got to witness my cousin Ryan stepping into a leadership role here, and second I had the pleasure of watching my dear friend Emily exercise both her teaching and Spanish skills simultaneously as she taught Honduran children the gospel story. Being able to share this trip with them was a joy.
Paul Erickson