Pearls in Roatan!

Words CANNOT express how we feel about our experiences in Honduras. So, instead of trying to explain, we feel it best to just show you!

Please feel free to watch this beautiful video of our trip and experiences during our mission in Honduras. Also, please visit our YOUTUBE channel for more videos regarding our trip!

Here is what some of the Pearls had to say... We hope this blesses you all and thank you once again to everyone who supported, prayed and believed in us!

Thank you!

"My Life has truly been changed by this entire trip. I learned to trust God even more than before. Going to this country gave me insight on how much work has to be done, and unfortunately we cant do everything. But, I'm excited that God has purposed and give us a position to help further His kingdom. Thankful for the stretching + molding that has taken place and is still taking place in all of our lives. God is so good, and crazy faithful". ~Lydia


"This was such a humbling experience [to see how other people live]. They want to serve God and they are so thankful, even though they don't have the things that I take for granted. This confirms for me how much more I need to be living for God. This was one of the best experiences of my life". ~Ashley


"Words can't even describe how amazing this trip was! We were able to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. It is crazy to see how people live there and it makes you realize how much we take for granted in America. I am beyond thankful for this experience. Thank you again to everyone that donated and helped make this trip possible! And thank God for keeping us safe and protected through this whole trip!" ~Angela


"The children had nothing. But they were so happy. There was only one store in the whole Garifuna village, but people were smiling and they welcomed us. It was very humbling to see God's love in places where people had so little." ~BeBe


"Our mission trip to Roatan, Honduras was exciting, emotional, and humbling. We covered so much ground in such a small amount of time. I'm so thankful for being afforded the opportunity to take part in such an amazing experience. Thank you sooooo much to all of those who were kind enough to donate, especially at the last minute. You all will be receiving something in the mail really soon! This trip has reminded me of how privileged and blessed I am. The people that we encountered were so warm and welcoming and happy with the little that they had. We were impacted by them, just as much as they were by us. I pray that God will provide a way for us to continue to help them even in our absence". ~Ariel

At the Airport!!! Honduras Bound!

In only a few hours we will be hopping onto a plane: Ariel, Kourtney, Ashley, BeBe, Angela, Brandi, Jessica, Lydia and Katrina. In only a few hours, we will be taken out of our comfort zones, asked to do things we would normally never volunteer to do, serve in humility along side people we do not know, eat foods we've never tasted and share with those whom the world overlooks and has forgotten. We will be called to love, give, be compassionate and operate in obedience. In only a few hours, our lives will never be the same. Even now, I stand with my plane ticket in my hand. My heart is racing and I keep reminding myself to breath. The reality of our mission is sinking in, inside each of us and we know that there is no turning back.

Honduras is a place with lots of hopelessness. Crime, sex trafficking, drugs, gangs and disease are among the top concerns leading towards a high mortality rate within this country. Children are abandoned, villages are destroyed, communities collapse under poor government funding and natural disasters. There is no money, little education and not enough volunteers or supporters. Yet, we know, even in such a situation as this, our God is still in control and in His loving kindness, He has opened the door to allow His love to shine through! It is only in this way that hope can be shared amongst the people of Honduras and where there is hope, there can be change!

There is no telling and no limit to what God can do in the lives of anyone who simply desires more of Him. Sometimes, we think that we have to get things right, or have a little more time to have our fun. Sometimes, we confuse God's love with our ability or we think that we aren't good enough to make a difference. The truth is, all it really takes is only a few hours and a willing heart. The powerful love of God isn't anything we earn and it definitely isn't something that we can prepare for. But, if we are willing, He can do more for us in only a few hours, than we can do for him in a lifetime of years!

As we carry our bags and head toward the airport this morning, I want to be sure and thank EVERYONE who supported us! Anyone who donated money, items or their time and prayers- THANK YOU! There is no telling how your measure of love will impact those we are going to serve. We are so excited and geeked with great expectation for what the Lord will do! We know that this opportunity is only a small comparison of the Missionaries who have dedicated their lives to loving and serving, but we are so honored for the opportunity to work alongside them and make a difference; not just for the world, but for God's Kingdom!

It is my deepest desire that we come back with stories to tell, hope to share and love to lead us in even more amazing opportunities! Please continue to pray for us. Our journey is only beginning and we anticipate all that Christ will accomplish within us!

Thank you all, and see you soon!

~Pearls

Together, We Can Do This!

Do you know why people don't like Christians? It's because there is a rumor that we talk but never do. That we preach but never follow through. That we judge but never change. It's a difficult stereotype to combat. The media portrays Christians to be dedicated toward outbursts of name calling the people we are suppose to be loving; finger pointing at the hurting, ignoring the needy and rejecting those who are different; but none of this is Jesus, therefore, none of this is true Christianity.
Labels can be a powerful thing and the message behind the label can spread to anyone who seems to resemble the majority. The problem is, there are a lot of people who wear the "Christian" label, but are not really Christians at all. They claim the name, but don't live the life. They sing the songs, but don't practice the messages and they make a bad name for those who are sincere in their efforts for Christ. Today, I'm here to not only tell you, but show you, that not all Christians conduct themselves in hypocrisy. Some people of the Christian faith really do implement what they believe in their daily living. Some really try to be the hands and heart of Christ, regardless of the situation, outcome or recognition.

Pearls of Hope strive to be those very Christians. We want to shed light and love and hope wherever we go: at work, in church, in our homes, during our private times, in our conversations and in the way we deal with everyday people. We want to be strong representatives of Christ and love the way he does. This March, we will be given the opportunity to do exactly that and we are so excited and overwhelmed at the opportunity to reach into the remote parts of the world and authentically practice our faith. We do not know what awaits for us, but we do know that we are not afraid! We are determined to live in a way that discounts the popular belief that Christians are fake. We want our lives to prove that prayer is real, powerful and necessary in our world today! We want to give of ourselves in efforts that people can walk away from us and know that they are loved and valued, no matter their background.

For 3 years, we have done just this within our own communities, right here in North Carolina. Wehave enjoyed Bible studies that taught us and challenged us, and then we have held each other accountable to practice these lessons in tangible ways, not just within the walls of the church, but in
the real world. Looking forward, we have great expectations regarding our Mission Trip to Roatan, Honduras, working with the indigenous Garifuna peoples. This community has been rejected by the mainstream society because of their unique cultural background and African roots. They live in impoverished areas, suffering from the lack of common medical necessities and lack of health education. For 5 days, we will be dedicating ourselves to loving, serving, sharing and living among these beautiful people that the world has forgotten: children who know neither father or mother, teenagers who suffer from aids and other diseases, a community who treasures literacy as if it were a Maybach and families who have been deprived from luxuries that we take for granted, like clean water and dependable electricity . We have the privilege to not only pray for them, but to do for them; along side of them. Faith without works is dead, yet works without faith is meaningless, too. As a group, we have accepted the call to be about what we read about. We want you, our family and friends, to feel pride in the fact that we are not ashamed to live and love like Jesus, in spite of a society who feels as if God is obsolete. We know he is real because he's changed our hearts. He's changed our motives and he's given us hope that we want to share.

As we prepare for our journey in March, we really want to ask you all to help us as we help others. The mission will be challenging and we need all the support we can get. Our current group goal to raise is $5,000.00 and with your help, we know that we can accomplish this goal. $5.00 adds up... $100.00 adds up. There is nothing too small that you can give, because God takes the small and multiplies them if the motives are right! Through your giving and our serving, together, we can do a great deal of good and impact the lives of people who the world has forgotten!

Garifuna Community, Roatan, Honduras

If you would like to help us, you can contribute on our Go-Fund-Me page: https://www.gofundme.com/PearlsHonduras.
Any gift you give is tax deductible and will provide great hope and positive change for families in need. Simply include your email in the message box and we will email your receipt for your personal records. We know that the holidays are approaching; what a great time to share what God has blessed us with! If you are unable to help us financially, please spread the word on social media! Individually, the goal seems impossible, but together, we have an amazing opportunity, filled with great expectations, to change the world through love, action and a willing heart!



Thank you all so very much!
Pearls of Hope