El Zapote

We are One Body

April 23, 2026

We began our day gathered around a huge table for breakfast. Our morning prayer focused on Paul's teaching on the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:14-17, 26-27). "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ." Our prayer leader noted that a group needs to become a team in order to be effective. We arrived as a group, but soon became a team, with each assuming a unique function. We work as one. Together, we can achieve more than any one of our most accomplished members.

Today, our bus climbed up a mountain to an altitude of 3,900 feet to arrive at El Zapote, an agricultural community of about 400 residents and 99 families. We saw 51 of those families in our clinics!

This community has known tragedy; in 2020, 40 family homes were damaged or destroyed in the wake of Hurricanes Eta and Iota. Now, in 2026, we saw a resilient community. Many of the families gathered at the entrance of the school buildings. They helped to set up, enthusiastically applauded for the Honduran team member who oriented them, and worked with us to load the trucks in the afternoon. Even the children helped. We functioned as a healthy body.

A team member gave a cross to a 10-year-old who had passed out due to dehydration. Finding safe water supplies is a challenge in Honduras. Other crosses were given to children who were generous with thank you hugs.

Our closing devotional at the end of the day revisited the metaphor of the Body of Christ. We were assured that God wants us to be a team. Jesus is the head of the body. By paying attention to God through scripture and prayer, we are united in his service. We are the Body of Christ.

Steve