Our Recent Trip

Benjamin and Susan in Village Nueva Armenia

My wife, Susan, and I were greeted at the airport in San Pedro Sula by the welcome and smiling faces of Robin and Jeff.  It was raining and late evening, but the excitement I felt was palpable as we were beginning what I came to describe as my “final God-dream” related to the writing and publication of my book, Enrique Speaks With His Hands.  I had seen it read in our church weekend services, there was a book signing in my Alabama hometown, there was newspaper coverage, and now here we were in Honduras to launch the Spanish edition and present a copy to Enrique, the boy who was the inspiration of the story.

Our days were full as we visited the four villages where language programs were being held that week.  Each day the book would be introduced and then the story interpreted for the deaf by Amanda, Orland, and Robin.  Robin would read the story to those hearing people present, the mothers and the other villagers, adults and children, who had gathered to be a part of what was happening.  All our hearts were touched the day one of the mothers responded after the reading with, “This is my story… it’s all our story,” her arm sweeping around to the other mothers present.  She then went on to recount the day she realized her own daughter was deaf.  For her it was Mother’s Day.

The positive responses continued as the week progressed. We were able to read the book in a number of schools, were featured on a couple of TV shows and visited the deaf church.  In each case the comments were positive and affirming as the deaf and the hearing saw themselves depicted in the story. 

At dinner on our last night, I asked the question to Robin, Jeff, and Susan, “What was your favorite part of the week?”  A couple answers were given and then came the response, “I don’t have one single favorite thing – it all was special and great.”  That was my “favorite” as well… all of it.  I’ve been blessed to once again be able to come and visit and see firsthand the work being done with and for the deaf in Honduras.  People are being touched and lives are being changed as the Kingdom is being realized, one heart at a time.

Ok, I must confess there is one more book-related dream – honestly, what author doesn’t dream of an appearance on Oprah?  That dream, though it would be wonderful and amazing, is more of a fantasy.  And you know what?  In terms of what really matters in life and eternity, no appearance could be more meaningful to me than standing in Enrique’s yard, seeing the evidence of how his life has been changed, and thanking the Lord that it is possible for me to be able to be a small part in supporting this work.

…love can be heard by all.