Jeff & Angie

I bet you think I forgot you.  I didn’t.

It took quite a while to get the laundry caught up…

So now that the last towel is put away, let’s get back to it!

I’ve made a couple of collages to share some brief parts of the trip.–The team of medical staff from the Medical Center in Dothan, Alabama were fantastic!  The BMDMI facilities were amazing–tucked into a busy and guarded compound in the city of Guaimaca, Honduras.

The flight in was uneventful (which is good!) and the landing was even better than the first time.  My first flight–first mission trip was to Honduras in 2010.  Little did I know at the time, we were landing on one of the most dangerous air strips in the entire world.  It is now listed as number 4 on that infamous list!

So fast forward, several missions later, and once again, God amazed me with HIS goodness.  A great team of workers, good facilities (toilets that flush and has a curtain for privacy!), and my bottom bunk bed was very comfortable.  Click on the picture to enlarge it and see the details of the team as well as the surroundings.

When we landed and went through security, I was surprised to find that as I stood at the counter watching the officer input my information, my picture from 2010 came up on the screen.  Of course I laughed!  My looks hadn’t changed, but my heart sure had in these swiftly passing years.

The birds eye view of the mountains was taken from the roof, on what they called the “prayer room”.  Not a room with walls, but a space like an upper deck- you will see in other pictures later.  The breeze (when there was one) would help dry the sweat from the day.  The view of the cloud encased mountains would cause you to imagine the visit of God on Mount Horeb with Moses….or at least that’s what I thought of every time I went up there.

After getting settled, unpacked and watered up, we ventured out to look around.  I joined my friend, Rene Parkhurst on this trip–so you will see a familiar face from time to time.

The water tank you see here with the two pumps is the city’s only fresh water source.  In the picture under the tank you will see what is a daily and continual occurrence.  Someone coming for water.

They come from all over, on bikes, by foot, or motor vehicle, all coming with empty containers–coming to be filled.  Containers of all different sizes, some dirty looking, some clean, all empty.  Coming to be filled. (There is a message in that….)

We spent a little while Saturday morning bagging beans and rice for distribution later in the week.  5 pound bags of each.  I think each girl that helped will say an extra prayer when they are served rice in the future….for those that eat rice or beans as their main meal.  Many –actually the majority of those we served, only had perhaps 1 meal a day.  Think of that next time you throw food away (I know I will).

After we had completed that job, the girls stayed at the compound to try and figure out who was going to do what with the children’s ministry.  A few minor team changes after arriving found some doing jobs they were not aware they were going to do–but they said “YES” to God–and He gave them special grace to do what was needed! 😉  God is JUST THAT GOOD!

While the girls stayed behind, Rene and I tagged along with the men folks to the first house that would receive a concrete floor in the main living area.  Rene’s brother, Raymond brought a portion of his youth group–and I know I said it on Facebook, but I was so impressed with the response of his team–and how his youth worked together at whatever job they were asked to do.

They even let me shovel a few buckets of sand for the concrete mixing!  Other than that, on this particular outing, Rene and I took pictures and played with the children.
 I am including the video presentation of the week created by a missionary at BMDMI–from a compilation of many cameras (I had too many video’s on mine and the young guy extracting pictures couldn’t separate he said, -So you will not see my pictures here in the video).  You will see the medical team as they worked–and spent a little while one day in the village–they hardly had time to leave the hospital for rest and food.

More pictures to come—enjoy the video!  God is stirring and is up to doing some CHANGES in our lives…even today!  I have some amazing stories to tell….

© Angie Knight- The Knightly News

In 1 Corinthians chapter 13, the apostle Paul is writing to the church at Corinth the importance of love.  I cannot write it better than he.  I remember thinking this morning, as I sat in church–how different in some ways church was last Sunday.

The pew I sat on was wooden, much like the ones we had in our church when I was a very small girl.  Slatted wooden pews that you would most likely snag your clothes or get a splinter.

How far we have come.

What I witnessed though was “love”.  In it’s most effective and freely giving form.

They sang just as we do.  They worshiped just as we–only in another language.  Hands lifted, praising God–from where all their help comes.

They welcomed us–just as we, at Grace Assembly–do for each regular, as well as visitor.  Shaking hands and hugging necks, smiling and many hola‘s could be heard.

Today–I was glad to be in my church–singing praises to my Savior–giving Him all the glory and praise for what I was blessed to witness, experience and feel the past week.  These songs were familiar–and I sang with great joy in my heart…sorry if you happened to be in front of me.

Last night I began to journey back–as I walked through the pictures from my camera….What I saw—took my breath away.  I hope it does yours too this week.  

I hope you are able to literally smell the fields and feel the rain–and get a true sense of the country of Honduras.  The stench of the cow manure and dog “business” as we stepped over it, or around it–walking through trails to get to someone’s house.

I hope your hand hurts with the heaviness of the water bucket and that tears sting and burn as you look up the hill in the picture and realize you have a long walk ahead to get the water to that house…way…up…there.

Don’t be afraid.  As I typed that, I shook my head–as if you were sitting here.  

I want to tell you face to face–so you can see the light in my eyes….for every mission trip—always makes my eyes shine a bit brighter—and it’s mostly the residual tears that linger from the memories. 

I hope it never goes away.


As I squatted down in front of this little girl, I pointed to my camera and questioned, “photo?”, as I do with each one.  Not wanting to impose–or embarrass….and she nodded and stood quite still with her eyes speaking volumes.  Someone else noticed and walked over to join–and as both shutters snapped to close on a memory–I saw the reflection of us in her eyes.

What did she see?

She saw two people–both interested in her for some reason–she saw smiles–inquisitiveness in my nature to be sure.  I touched her face and leaned in and told her she was “muy bonita”.  Very beautiful.

She was indeed, as was every child I saw.  Whether their faces were covered in dirt, teeth rotting, gnats dotting their eyes, nose and mouths like many freckles, they were beautiful to God–and that is why He sent His Son.  That’s why His Son, Jesus agreed to lay His All on the cross….for  you and me in our comfortable worlds of living–and for these in their poverty stricken places of rain and mud–and the dry hot deserts…for these and other faces….

He wanted me to see again–His world.

It’s hard for me to share what I saw–and did–without telling you what God shared with me.  So, I hope you will endure and read on–this journey is quite amazing.

There is so much to this story–from beginning to end–and I hope you hunger to go yourself.  

Look into the eyes of the people  you meet next…see the transparency of the soul.  Pray for them.  You can do so quietly–or, take them by the hand and do so.

Read Paul’s words…they are much more fitting than anything I could add today, 1 Corinthians 13:

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

© Angie Knight- The Knightly News

There are needs.

My 3rd oldest grandson, Zackary told me days before I left for Honduras when the country was pointed out to him on the globe, “Nana, you can just walk there”.

I explained the situation.  (Nana is too old to walk that far...)

There are faces I want you to meet, places I want you to see–and before you go and say, “You can do all of this here”…let me paraphrase something I heard while in Guaimaca, Honduras; You have 51 other weeks in the year to be “present and accounted for here”, be present and account for something for someone over “there”…wherever God may point.

If you are brave enough to cross a muddy, disease ridden creek on a log, or wade through mid-calf, I will show you some faces that will cause you to smile–and cry at the same time.  These are just 2 of them.  I will also share with you someone’s view from the lens in the operating room as a gifted-compassionate medical team gave….

In the next few days I would like to invite you to join me as we follow a group of missionaries–who, by the way, decided it better to give a week to others than take for themselves a week at summer camp.  

They would rather pay more–and do without many of the comforts of home and “GIVE” of themselves– than horde up another week of memories spent on a beach or camp.  Not that summer camp is bad–it’s not.  It helps tremendously in the spiritual growth of countless kids, teens and even adults.  But this was a year for a group to GIVE.

To quote a young lady (Savannah), when I asked her if she would rather do summer camp or a mission trip–she did not hesitate.  “Summer camp is good–but it is all about “self”.  What can I get out of it…but a mission trip is all about what can I give…what can I do…”

Her statement resonated in my heart.  That is a rare heart in too many people.

I want to share with you about those young people.  Raymond Smith’s youth group.  I saw the best come out of them in some itchy situations…

Raymond had a group of young men who worked with him daily mixing concrete and creating a solid floor for many people….but I won’t give it all away today.  However, I do want to mention the incredible medical staff that came and GAVE…countless hours of time–performing surgeries, listening to hearts–looking into eyes that will never be able to repay them for their kindness.  I will tell you more about them later in the coming days.

If you want to stick around for this and not miss a moment, you can sign up to get the details in your email–subscribe at the top.  You can quietly unsubscribe later and I’ll never know you left the room 😉

My eyes filled with fresh tears this morning–sitting on my porch taking in the weeds in the back field and the dead petunia–so GRATEFUL for all that I have.

Thank you Raymond for allowing me and Rene to join your team.  It made a lasting impression on me.  You are a great Youth Pastor–and a true leader of the “giving heart”.

Your reward is on the “other side”….

© Angie Knight- The Knightly News

Happy Father’s Day Sweetheart.
You are an amazing husband, daddy, Papa, and my best friend.

I love you dearly-and miss you!

I am supremely blessed!

Since I prepared this before I left, I have no idea what the days between have held…except for many thoughts of you…

A man of many giftings–talents, you are quick to help another, share a kind word, encourage a brother, love all children, bake a cake for a friend’s birthday–

You can build anything–I never encountered a problem that you couldn’t offer a solution–or prayer.

When God paired our hearts–it was the most amazing blessing.

I love you Jeff. Happy Father’s Day.

Wow.  Much has happened in the past few days…

My friend Kelyn from Honduras

Where to begin?

I get my best blog thoughts at night…sad thing is, I’m usually too tired to crawl out of bed to write them.  So, my blog has undergone feelings of being left out of the ministry side of my life.  Sad.

I’ve neglected many online friends–and that started when I felt a strong inclination to live more life here in the “local world” rather than just the blog world.  I talked about some of you so much to my friends and family–that I think since they didn’t know you personally, they started thinking I had imaginary friends…YOU are very real to me.

The blog world is a really nice place to be–but there are seasons–where you just really need to sit it out and live with those around you.

I’ve had such a season.

My blog posts have been random and sporadic.  Mainly only when on a “mission trip“.  Or sharing a special life moment…And I’ve really done more “blog” talk on Facebook.  Again, Sad.

Since teaching on a regular basis–to our wonderful group of “Young Adults”, I’ve used much of my ministry thoughts-mind-and heart for the class…

My heart “LOVES” to write though–so this is a place I’ve really missed.

There are other things I’ve missed…relationships with people that I met online.  Since they aren’t in front of you on a weekly basis, it’s often those connections that get pushed to the back burner…sadly.  But I’ve thought of you…many of you cross my mind on a weekly basis.  Denise, a.k.a. Shorty Bear is a name that I imagine all bloggers in the Christian Women Writing World knows.  I don’t know why I just capitalized all of that… CWWW, made it sound like a wrestling group.

Other names associated with Laced with Grace and Internet Cafe` –ladies that I’ve met–and how they’ve ministered to my heart and life through the hardest journey…passing of a sister, are also frequently on my mind.

One dear friend I spoke to today.  She and I used to work together in the law office (which I always refer to as the “best in the South”),  are blessed with such a friendship/sister-ship, that we can have a conversation one day and not speak again for 8 months and pick up right where we left off.  Full of laughs and love.  I am blessed.  She knows if she had a need–or an emergency, there is no distance-or time that matters.  I will stop and pray–or if I can–GO.  And I know she would be the same for me.  Thanks Mare.  For being the kind of friend and sister that loves and cares  regardless of time and space.

Okay, off of that mushy stuff.

An amazing thing happened last week while I was sitting in a staff meeting, minding my own business….

I was “texted” the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Honduras…the catch?  Well, we leave Thursday morning from here about 12:00 a.m.   Or Wednesday night at midnight.  Take your pick.

There is much to the background of this story–and it all began with a prayer–during a  prayer retreat in the first week of May.  Honduras came up more than once in conversation –not spoken by me–but by a couple of friends.  I had been to Honduras.  Didn’t have it on my calendar to return.  Not that I didn’t want to–but I just didn’t have it on my calendar.

But as we prayed–corporately for God to “expand our territory”, enlarge our experiences in Him, and give wings to our prayers–among other things– I confess–I began to wonder what “might be next”…

It has been my experience with God–to expect the unexpected.  When I say “I won’t–or don’t want to” anything–it is usually a good sign that I might be about to…whatever “it” might be.

Then Jeff receives something in the mail that piques my interest…and it was “ordered”…(Still don’t know what God is going to do with THAT!)

My heart and soul has been stirred and I feel change is on the horizon…nearer than I can see today.

I believe God orders my steps.  He orders my plans as I give all of “me” to Him.  My desires have changed much in the past few years.  And I hope that the more I grow closer to HIM,  the desires of my heart and life continue to change.  Change is necessary.  That’s why I use pencil on my calendar.

Change is apt to happen.

Life can change on a dime.  I bear witness to that.

Life changes at a moment’s notice…without giving notice.

I want my life to be well lived for HIM.  No one else.

I leave for Honduras–a totally unexpected blessing–on the 13th–returning on the 21st.  (If nothing changes)

I desire your prayers.  This will be a different mission trip than I’ve taken before.

• 1st difference–no internet. Zero. (No internet = no blogs until after 21st)  
• 2nd difference–I will join a very large group.  I only know 1 person.  The person who invited me.   I am excited about the prospect of what God has around the corner.

I will be about 2 hours from the village where I had my first mission trip experience–but we will land in the same airport.  I googled the airport of Tegucigalpa, Honduras once we landed in 2010…and I found out about it…that’s all I need to say now.

That trip changed my heart in ways I could never have imagined….I expect more of the same.  God is an amazing God–and He writes on my calendar all the time.

He does yours too….have you noticed???

Will you pray for us every day?  Several times a day if we continually come to  your mind.  I really would appreciate it.  And, I promise to do my best to give you the full details of the whole trip–once I return to internet land.

Thank you in advance. 😀

© Angie Knight- The Knightly News

This past Friday I spent most of the day at my mothers…going through the passing years for a project for her.

It seemed the years flew by as we poured over pictures of life changing all around us.

This made me ever so conscious of the world—even more, I think than the 6:00 News. 

Looking at pictures brings the memories back to life—if you have good memories tucked inside, then it will be an enjoyable time spent—but for those who have hurtful memories—looking back through old pictures can bring those memories back so fresh as if they just happened yesterday.  And along with that, the hurt and pain caused during that time is relived in our minds….carried on our shoulders….felt in our hearts.

I don’t recall ever hearing anyone say that they enjoyed reliving hurt and pain.  I don’t believe anyone does.  But we do enjoy looking back at the joy.

Philippians 4:8 instructs to to think on those things that are honest, just, true, pure, lovely, the good reports, the praise worthy, virtuous…. in other words, things that will bring God glory and benefit us as believers.

It is too easy to get caught in as @Connie Haile used to say, the “Stinkin’ Thinkin’” trap!  We must suit up our minds.  Be ready for any fiery dart of thought-less temptation.

In a recent conversation, a friend reminded me of a period of time that I talked with my sister, Aimee daily.  Every morning like clock work.  I remembered why after the call was over. 

For almost two years my sister, Aimee and I had what we termed, “Driving Devotions”.  We each drove in opposite directions to get to our places of employment –and we were each going through such severe heartache, that we only let it out to one another—fully.  We read healing Scripture to one another and prayed for one another.

I interrupted regular living for that time with her.  Thinking back on it now, I see that that was the time and the relationship that God used to bring us both healing.   Without it, I would still be one weeping over my devastating loss.  So—even if I could go back, I wouldn’t change that—God brought me through too much to think I could do it any better on this side of those days today.

Many of my relationships—online relationships and personal relationships suffered from that time period…and that brings a sadness, realizing I cannot go back in time for those.  But during that time, The Lord brought freshness to my heart that is unexplainable.  I am a different person than who I was.  Jeff would confirm that. 

I am probably a bit more private—I have less in “things”, and seem to be in a constant, as Aimee says, “clean out” mode.

I’ve written here less, but lived out loud more.  Does that make sense?

Some of you I’ve been honored to meet in real life—and what an amazing impact you made in my life.  I still grin thinking of those of you that I have sat across the table with at Ruby Tuesday.  Some of you  I have been blessed to have in my own house at my own table.  What a TREAT that has been!

I’m grinning now thinking of me and Sharon standing outside the restaurant posing to get our picture made.  I was so nervous that day thinking, “what will she think of me”??? That is funny now.  Sharon was such a loving and friendly, godly woman.  I loved her instantly.

Each of you that I have met along the way, I loved from the start.  I know Jeff must have thought me nuts to keep inviting people I’d never met to get together for coffee or a visit.  But that was something God was doing in me—stretching me.  Boy did I get stretched!!

Then a new season started.  And God sat me down with Him daily for over a year—for a length of time that I will cherish.  I still look back at those days with longing—then the day came that I had to relinquish that time to begin another season and journey.

Sometimes it seems I’m in a constant state of season change…but that is what HE desires…for me to be moldable…pliable…shapeable…under His hands.

The Word of God has become my life line—as never before.  I am looking back only at the changes God has brought about in my life—and am thankful that He chose me to follow Him….to the unknown.

The “blog stories” that I would write online as they happened on an almost daily basis—Still do happen every week,  but I am taking those words into the classroom to teach our Young Adult Class.

This journey has taken me by surprise…as I am sure yours has you.  And if today, you aren’t where you want to be—keep looking forward—to the One who is guiding your every step. Don’t be afraid to say “YES!” to whatever He asks!  Surprises await!

Most of all, stay on your face before Him—in prayer and humbleness of heart.  Stay in His Word.  The Bible is our instruction for living.  Veer not to the left nor to the right…stay the course.

The end is in sight.

© Angie Knight.  All rights reserved.