By Lisa Steele, FLM Executive Director with Molly Borneman, FLM Social Media Manager

En Español

“The end is near! Repent!”

I heard these words as I walked past a man reading from Revelation last Saturday at my town's Farmer’s Market. People walked by him without a glance. He kept loudly proclaiming this truth, yet no one was listening. It made me wonder why he was doing it. He is there every Saturday morning. Yet, he engages no one in conversation. There is no connection—no relationship forming. The words are true, but the action is missing.

I think about Marleny, Belkis, Carlitos, Selvin, Jandy, Wilson, Carolina, and many others who have received blessings from our Family Life Missions volunteers. Whether they are recipients of our programs or serve as FLM staff, they have seen words put into action. 

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”—James 2:14-17

Our volunteers are living out this verse when they serve the Catacamas community. They are also blessed as they bless others with their words and actions.

“Participating with FLM left me inspired, encouraged, challenged, and stronger in faith. Whether interpreting a Bible story for the school devotionals, or on the Building Dreams worksite, interacting with the FLM staff, or entertaining the children on campus, each experience gave me a wonderful view of Christ’s kingdom lived out in diverse and practical ways.”—Elizabeth, Mission Team Member from Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Our volunteers serve the Catacamas community well. Whether participating in a missions trip, being a monthly donor, providing school scholarships or supplies, hosting a virtual baby shower for foster families, heading up a Coin Can Campaign, or in other ways, they serve others with their time and talents. Naturally, they bless those they serve but also receive blessings and strengthen their faith. 

Seeing volunteers like Tyler and Zach return to Catacamas to serve is exciting. Tyler, from Murfreesboro, said, “Last year, I was so encouraged to meet Christian brothers and sisters in Honduras and join them in doing good works and glorifying Jesus in their community. I also was blessed to see a new perspective of God’s creation and better understand how big it is.” Zach, a volunteer from Birmingham, Alabama, added, “I am eagerly anticipating the chance to return with my wife and two sons this year. We hope to create memories as a family and to follow Jesus in loving and serving the people we encounter.” 

And there is no age limit to volunteering and serving! Tucker, a Birmingham teen who has served in Catacamas, said: “I realized how different other parts of the world are from where I grew up, and I also realized that we still share the same universal traits like love and hospitality, regardless of our upbringing.” Pat, an 85-year-old  volunteer from Cincinnati, Ohio, has served FLM for several years by making dolls and other gifts for the children and families of Honduras. “I started making cradle dolls for the children, and then my little ministry grew to Barbie dolls. I made some soap sacks for the ladies to bathe with and found they could be used in the kitchen. What I have learned from my small ministry is that you can’t out-give God, and you will receive more blessings than you can ever imagine.“

It is beautiful to see how serving the vulnerable children and families in Honduras spills over into the lives and communities of our volunteers. Matt, a member of the FLM Board of Directors and a returning Missions Team Member from Birmingham, explains: “Collaborating with fellow leaders within this organization, both In the United States and Honduras, has instilled in me a profound awareness of the importance of continually seeking opportunities to serve others, not only in Honduras but also in my own community.”

And we cannot forget the many supporters who pray for our staff and the children in Honduras. There are many ways to bless others and, in turn, be blessed. Words and faith are essential, but doing something brings those words to life.  Indeed, there are many ways to “… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16 

So back to that corner preacher shouting, “The end is near!” That may very well be true, but I love how our volunteer, Pat, proclaims her faith with words and with action: “Sometimes my friends will say they have no talents, but God has given everyone something special whether it be prayer, money, building homes, or loving His little children. Do not let age deter you. I’m not—I’m 85, and I’ll live for Him as long as He allows me.”