It Started Out Like Any Other Sunday

It started out like any other Sunday… in the village of Las Pitas. Since it has not rained in a few months, the trip up through the mountains was hot and very dusty. As we travel along the mountain road you can feel the dust collecting on your teeth. Once we finally arrive in Las Pitas I hop out of the truck and shut the door, a small cloud of dust sprays from the door jams as it closes. It's a bit before 2 and since we don’t start our worship service until 2 we all head down to Abilio’s house for a few minutes. After a little while we all meet back up in the church building under our beautiful, majestic roof. It is not the most acoustic but it is just about as beautiful as they come. Oh, did I mention it’s an acacia tree? From our seat we can see and hear the flocks of parakeets flying around the forest that surrounds us, bright green banana trees now stick out among the brown dry back drop of the forest in the dry season.

Juan steps forward to begin the service with some songs. There are about 75 people gathered to worship on this day. After a few songs and a little bit of a motivational speech on why we should all sing from Juan, Marvin Cerna steps forward to lead the Lord’s Supper. Up until now, all is normal. I had noticed a few new faces around, both guys and girls. There were also a few new dogs this week, and the same pig that has been visiting us for a few weeks now. While the bread is being passed I noticed a few in the back making some noise, not paying attention and sure not being respectful. Then, sometime after the prayer for the juice, but before we were all done participating, a fight broke out. I have seen a lot of things down here, but this just might beat all. Chairs and benches start flying everywhere. Ladies with children are jumping out of the way to make sure not to get hit. I am in a state of shock thinking to myself, “isn’t someone going to do something?”

I figured one of the locals, brother Abilio or Mr. Chalo would do something since they know everyone around there. Finally something had to be done, who was going to do it? None other than Juan Flores. Even though Juan is a preacher I sure would not want to cross him. He may be short, but he is solid as a rock. Nine years of military service in Honduras had prepared him for any and all situations. Now it was time to act before anyone got hurt. All at once Juan swings back one leg and lets it fly. They were kind of rolling around on the ground so Juan figured a swift kick to the butt of one of them would break things up but it didn’t even faze them. So now Juan’s adrenaline is going and he lays another right foot into the side of the other one. But to no avail, these guys were mad, and who knows why.

The entire service had been disrupted by now, seats overturned and everyone in shock Finally, after realizing that he was going to have to use his hands to break this up, Juan reaches down, and with one quick motion, grabs the tail of the smaller dog. The dog comes up of the ground but does not take his eyes of the other dog, and Juan does not let go, he has this 30 pound dog in the air by his tail and in order to keep him from turning back and biting him, Juan begins to spin in a circle. Meanwhile, the other dog takes off and hides. Then with one mighty swing, Juan sends the other dog a flying.

As soon as the dog hits the ground he takes off down the road. He knows that he needs to get home before he gets hurt. After all, he did not know what he had gotten himself into. After that we all gather back around under out acacia tree, straightened up the chairs and continued participating in the Lord’s supper. It did not seem to bother anyone nor did the local members see it has anything outrageous. Life down here is always full of surprises! Imagine that at your church in the middle of the service. Okay, that’s all until next time.

En Cristo.

Jarrod Brown