PHOTOS 19 Kids’ Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald return from Central America mission, he reflects

Ben Seewald and Jessa Duggar Mission Trip

19 Kids and Counting‘s Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald are back in the States after spending nearly two weeks “sharing the hope of Christ” in Central America. The young couple was joined by a handful of Jessa’s siblings and other chaperones on the Seekers of Souls mission trip.

The group traveled to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, where they met with locals and attended services. In a new Facebook post, Ben reflected on one memorable experience…

The church in Honduras would put many American churches to shame. Would you go to church if it could cost you your life? Would you go to church if you had to walk an hour there and an hour back through rugged terrain? Yet these brave Christians meet faithfully despite bitter persecution from the Catholics and those in Voodoo. They pray fervently on their knees and give freely to the poor…or poorest. These people don’t have cars, AC, live in mud huts, have little food, but they will come together and support those who have even less. Their faith is an inspiration to me.

He later got in front of the potential controversy by clarifying, “It is not an organized persecution by the Roman Catholic Church… I highly doubt the Pope would be pleased with the conduct that goes on. The Church we were visiting was growing rapidly in spite of persecution and hostility from many influential community leaders.”

Ben also said the mission trip was a “wonderful two weeks” with his “BFF,” Jessa. The pair is approaching the one-year anniversary of their courtship.

Duggar Mission 13

Check out more pictures of the trip. (Click to enlarge.)