Dear Friends,
I spent most of my time home in June and July on the road visiting different churches. In my four weeks stateside, I had the opportunity to visit 12 different churches throughout Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. Most of the churches were new churches where I had the privilege of introducing myself and my ministry in Honduras. I enjoy being able to travel and meet so many new people.
On July 14, I returned to Honduras in time to unpack, do a load of laundry, and repack to head to a remote part of Honduras for a week to help translate for a medical brigade that Bro. Gene and Sister Robin Trask were hosting. It was an exciting time. We were up and ready to work by 4:00 a.m most mornings and going to bed around 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. every evening. It was a busy time, but it was such a blessing to be able to be a part of that work! The medical brigade was able to see over 900 people in three days. Although we could not help every person with every need, we were able to give physical aid to many people. But what was even better was that every person who came through the clinic was able to hear the Gospel preached in their own native language. I enjoyed getting to know the different team members, as well as getting to know the Trask family. The Trasks were very welcoming to all of us, and by the time I left, I felt like family. I look forward to being able to see them again.
Once I was back in my area of Honduras again, I found out that the mayor of our town had shut things down once more because of a spike in COVID cases in our area. He specifically said that all churches must be shut down for four weeks. So, we closed our main church except for a small group of those that live on the property that met in the back of the church. However, because many of our bus routes are outside of the town lines, we got creative. Instead of running our routes and meeting at the church, every bus took their usual group to an area outside to have church services. Thankfully, things opened again immediately.
By the end of August, we finally knew what we would be able to do for classes. Each grade will be able to come to school for two days a week from 8:00 am – 12:30 pm. Even though it’s not back to full time, I’ll take it! It’s much better than doing everything online like we were required to do last year. I teach seventh through ninth grade this year. I have eighth and ninth grade on Monday and Wednesday, and seventh grade on Tuesday and Thursday. We have high hopes of being able to have all grades three days a week in October.
My bus kids are continuing to come faithfully. I am praying and working towards growing my bus route by visiting new areas and trying to talk to more people. Thankfully, Pastor Hodges has agreed to allow me to use one of the fifteen passenger vans on Sundays, which is an answer to prayer. Using the church bus has made doing the route easier and it is safer for the kids on the days when I have higher numbers.
I’m excited for the opportunities that God has given me for the coming year. Please pray for me to be the teacher and leader that He would have me to be.
Ericka Wright