The Jesus Banquet

We are still without internet. Rosy has play practice tonight. I brought her to town for that and my niece and I are eating at Campero's and checking our email. We have no idea when or if we will get our internet.

Last year after a group came from Tupelo, Mississippi to hand out magi boxes at the dump, a dream was started to do more than that this year. We talked and planned and prayed and the idea for a sit down banquet was born. A crazy idea to say the least to have a sit down banquet in a dump.

Our friends from Tupelo went home and they prayed and we prayed and this crazy idea began to take shape. After Trey Morgan from Childress, Texas raised so much money for the dump in May, he, too, wanted to be part of this. We have had people from Tupelo, Childress, Atlanta and Little Rock here this week to participate in this. Many people in Tegucigalpa were also involved.

Yesterday was the Jesus banquet. It was an all day affair. I went to the dump, but I had to leave to be back at Casa long before food was being served. Marc and several others worked hard in advance to secure tables, chairs and all the things needed to serve a banquet. We thought everything would be smooth sailing. Lest we forget, we live in Honduras. After living here for two years, we think we have seen all the differences in the two cultures. I don't know why we continue to think that. Marc had arranged for Carnitas to prepare the food for 450 people. The plates Carnitas make are huge and we knew we could serve far more than 450 if necessary. Carnitas told Marc he would need three pickups. He left in two pickups. When he returned to the dump, he had every employee from Carnitas, their grills, and tons of uncooked food. They set up the grills and got busy. I stood amazed that a caterer would cook in the dump. That is when I knew I would not see one single soul served and left.

The tables and chairs did not arrive at the scheduled time as well. Welcome to Honduras. Everything Marc planned did not happen. This event was truly in the hands of God.

It was obvious something different was happening other than the regular Wednesday feeding. Groups of people gathered in the hot sun to watch and wonder. It soon became clear what was going to happen. Just not when.

The new president elect's wife and the mayor's wife came and hand out over a hundred gift bags provided from Tupelo, Mississippi. Santa Claus made an appearance as well. Santa claimed to be from the North Pole, but I think he might have been from Childress, Texas.

Water barrels and soap were available so that people could wash their hands. Then they sat down and were served at the table instead of from the back of the truck.

Even though I did not get to stay, everyone said it was amazing. The people from Carnitas could only cook so much food at a time. Everyone waited patiently and was so grateful for this feast. Most have never seen that kind of food, or that much on one plate. Much less eaten it. Thanks was given to God by the people eating and the people serving.

There were over 500 people served. That included the policeman that worked all day to keep things under control. We did not request that, someone else did. But, we were glad they were there. It was 4:30 before the last person was served. Everyone that served was hot, tired and sunburned, but there were no complaints. Just eager anticipation of doing it again next year.

Praise God for another awesome day in Honduras.

Terri