Long overdue for an update…..

Things in Honduras are starting to get back to normal, stability is returning. But remember, back to normal means little to no transportation to get people to medical care, small catches for the fishermen of Las Conchas, dirt floors, cold water, minimal shelter, poverty, poor nutrition, lack of education…..the list continues, but I think you get the picture. We sometimes need reminders. The Tropical Storm in the area was my reminder this week. My reminder of how my family and friends in Honduras live the reality of the words above. But in spite of those circumstances, they have a desire and love for God that convicts anybody that witnesses it. A few prayer requests from Pastor Jose follow.

Ingrid is in her 5th month of pregnancy, please pray for continued good health.

Iris is also pregnant, continue lifting her health up as well.

Healing for Ezequiel who has symptoms of kidney stones.

Praise that Pastor Jorge is doing better, as he was very ill last week.

Prayer for permanent transportation (a vehicle) for the church.
Praise that the house that was started in the spring is almost complete and that work has started on the parsonage.

Prayer for a miraculous improvement in fishing (this is the time of year that fishing is very poor).

Prayer for continued growth in the church.

Prayer for the return of people from Church in the Gardens to Las Conchas.

Please join us in prayer and praise.

Prayer Requests from Las Conchas

Some prayer requests are;

 

Ingrid – for God to help her through her pregnancy, as she is 2 months along.

Iris – for God’s healing of the lumps on her breasts.

Lorena – for God to heal her from arthritis.

Julisa – for health.

Ana – for healing of the cysts on her ovaries.

 

For God to provide the funds for a church vehicle.

For Church in the Gardens to come back to Las Conchas soon.

For spiritual growth,

For the church’s anniversary on September 27.

 

Our regards from Las Conchas, we love you all and we miss you all very much.

Praise and Prayers

Praise God! Yesy had a baby girl the other day, mom and daughter are healthy. They haven’t decided on a name yet, but Sindi wants it to be Juliana.

Please continue praying for Honduras and our sister church in Las Conchas. The situation there continues to be bad, as shortages of many things are felt. The poor fishing, combined with the decreased traffic along the highway has closed some of the restaurants, so cash in the community is low. Violence and rumors of violence continue. But, God is great and is in control over everything. In Him is our trust. In Him we find safety. In Him is our salvation.

Prayer Requests from our Sister Church in Las Conchas

From Pastor Jose.

Arcenio, for their home and family.

Ana Domingez, for health from a cyst in left ovary.

Anita, that God bless her spiritually and financially to buy the medicines the she needs.

Luis, for spiritual blessings and for his family and their health.

Elvia, for God to provide the money to make her house.

Yesica, for her studies as she wants to become a doctor.

Saul, asks for prayer for God to provide or touch someone to provide the put his daughter in school because he can not work because of his health.

Yesy, for her health and the baby’s health at the end of her pregnancy.

For the political situation to be resolved and peace return to Honduras.

Pastor Jose, for God to provide wisdom to guide His flock.

Additionally, here’s an update on the political situation in from Heart to Honduras.

As I am sure you are all aware of the political situation in Honduras has become very unstable and unpredictable. While there have been protests and demonstrations in the larger cities, most seem to be centered in Tegucigalpa . Miguel and Jose have told us that things in the San Isidro and Canchias area have been quiet and peaceful. We have not had any trouble getting to San Pedro Sula or the airport. However the U.S. State Department has issued travel warnings to those going to Honduras. They are asking that unnecessary travel be avoided or limited. These warnings are normally only posted for a few days at a time and do not prevent one from traveling.

 We have fielded a lot of calls about what we are doing about teams and what teams should do at this time. We did cancel the 2 teams traveling down the weekend of July 4th and most of the Ambassador students have gone home early. We are in communication with Miguel and Jose on a daily basis and are taking things one day at a time. While there does not seem to be any trouble in our part of the country, we do not want to put any team member in a potentially dangerous situation that can be avoided.

Teams that wish to travel to Honduras may be allowed to do so as long as the State Department does not stop all travel there or we feel that things are just not safe enough. This is a team by team decision that must be made each week at this time. Teams that do not feel they want to travel on their dates may reschedule for either later this year or for 2010. The airlines have been very helpful so far in rescheduling airline tickets.

We are continuing to book teams for 2010. Things should have been resolved by then. We encourage you move forward with your plans for 2010 and preparation for those trips.

We would love to have the gift of discernment about when this situation will be resolved, however that is not something we have at this point. It would seem logical that following the general election this fall and the new President taking over, that things should return to normal. We are optimistic that things will be resolved in a peaceful manner well before that. While we stand with the other Christian churches in Honduras in support of the new president, we do not feel that it is our place to enter into the political arena. We continue to pray for peace and a resolution that will truly benefit all of Honduras.

Pray for Peace in Honduras

Be aware of the political unrest in the country and pray that the peace of God overwhelms the country of Honduras.

Honduran soldiers on the streets of the capital after President Zelaya was deposed

Prayer request from Pastor Jose.

Hello my family, please help us in prayer for our country. We do not want war, but peace. While some difficult things have happened, GOD will place HIS powerful hands around us. Many countries that have helped Honduras have recalled their ambassadors, but GOD is powerful and will rescue us.

 

Additionally from Heart to Honduras.

Miguel just called with an update of the political situation in Honduras: (Sunday 3:30pm ET)

• He also reports that the president of Honduras has been taken to Costa Rica by the military
• Reports in Honduras state that the president has “resigned”–we agree that report is very doubtful
• The military came to San Isidro (and throughout Honduras) to take the voting materials away…no voting was allowed
• Only the larger cities show any signs of activity from the situation–people are protesting “for” and “against” the ousted president; gas stations in San Pedro are shut down because of the rush for fuel; people are buying food and other items in case something does take place…
• All HTH folks are well, safe…no disturbances in San Isidro and other outlying towns and villages
• Callie Wulf arrived in San Pedro Sula today and is being brought to San Isidro–no issues at airport or highways

At this time we have not received any additional alerts from the US Embassy in Tegucigalpa and we will continue to monitor events/keep in touch with Miguel and staff in Honduras.  The urgent need now is for prayer for the current and future political well-being of the nation, for our staff, churches and NA teams. 

Fire

To get from the San Pedro Sula airport to Las Conchas, we had a three vehicle caravan. Leading the caravan was Pastor Jose’s trusty little blue pickup truck. Our entire luggage (about 24 bags) was in the back. A little over half way there, I was pulled over at a Honduran Police checkpoint for one headlight being out. Pastor Jose stopped to wait for me over the next hill. After talking our way out of any consequences from the headlight, we drove on to find a little blue pickup truck being push started.

Later, at about 20 minutes from Las Conchas, we started seeing white smoke coming from what looked like the engine of the little blue pickup truck. We were curious as to why they didn’t pull over, until we saw the flames coming from our luggage in the back. At that point I started honking my horn and flashing my lights trying to get his attention to pull over. They soon did, immediately pulled a fire extinguisher from the truck and started putting the fire out. At the same time, out of nowhere a man comes with a big pink tub of water and threw it on the fire. He was there before I was even able to get out of the van. Once the fire was out, I could not find that man. A couple of minutes later, the police arrived to see if we needed any help. They were followed by some people from a nearby church that brought their own pickup truck load the entire luggage into and get us on the road again.

This fire was a blessing. We witnessed an angel with a tub of water. We saw tears of sadness from our pastor in Honduras turn to tears of joy when he saw that our youth were fine and not upset over the whole event. We saw brothers from another come with a rescue truck. We saw one brother sacrifice his hand with burns trying to swat the fire out. We saw that, in spite of the damage to the luggage, most of the contents escaped any damage at all.

God is good.

They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

Daniel 3:27b

Back from Honduras

So many blessings. We experienced flight delays, fire and damage to suitcases and belongings, illnesses to many in the group, theft of personal property as we were in the airport….yet GOD revealed HIMSELF to us during those times and throughout the trip. I want to thank you all for your many prayers….as I know those prayers got us there and back safely and a little more mature in knowing GOD. It’s always hard to leave, many on the group wanted to have a passport burning party so we could stay longer. In the short time we were there, many relationships were built that will last into eternity. I was able to be a witness to miracles and see GOD’S love clearly demonstrated. GOD was with us; during the quiet times, the meals, the painting, the games, the visitations, the trip to the lake and waterfall, the worship, during our times of prayer.

I will continue to share stories and testimonies.

Church in the Gardens 2009 Summer Youth Mission Trip to Honduras – We leave in the morning

The team is all packed, leaving for Honduras in the morning.

 Dear Lord, keep us in your hands. Protect us Lord from all discouragement. Show us only what you want us to see and experience, guide our thoughts, direct our words. Keep us safe and healthy Lord. Let the train be on schedule, let the plane not be delayed. Provide a safe rental van and a smooth drive to Las Conchas. Help us to be a blessing to our family in Honduras. We know you will carry us through this trip as we are not able to do it on our own. Protect and care for our families here while we are gone. Thank you Lord for providing this opportunity for us and for those that heard Your call and replied, “Here I am.”

 Please keep Jordan, Judy, Lillian, Ashley, Michelle, Taylor W, Melanie, Chelsea, Drew, Taylor D, Logan, and me, in your prayers.

 We leave on Tri-Rail train P663 at 8 AM from Mangonia Park station. Flight AA 941 from Miami at 1:30 PM. There are many blessings awaiting us on this trip. Dear Lord, help us to see them and know that they are part of Your most perfect plan.

Honduras Youth Mission Trip – June 7, 2009 Update

Our mission trip is now only a few days away. All are excited and the finishing touches are coming together.  Most of the packing plan is complete, all of the logistics are ready, and God is with us.

The team is now ready. Be proud of this group of teens. No one is forcing them to sacrifice a week of their summer and spend it in Honduras. They have simply heard God’s call to go…..and they are going. We ALL need to take lessons from the youth and go when called upon. There are many opportunities around us; we don’t need to look too hard.

Pray for a hedge of protection around the whole team as we travel, as we experience foods and new surroundings, as we serve in physical projects, and as we have some fun. Please pray for God’s clear direction, as we lead worship, as we pray, as we grow and fellowship.

Thank you dear Lord for providing this opportunity and for the obedient young hearts you have called to go Honduras on this trip.

Honduras Youth Mission – May 25, 2009 Update

Continue to pray for the team:

Adult Leaders:  Jordan, Judy and me (Bob)

Youth Leaders: Lillian, Melanie, Michelle, Taylor W, Ashley, Chelsea, Drew, Taylor D, and Logan

 

As the date approaches, a lot of the logistics are done…praise God. Airline tickets, mini-bus rental, insurance…all complete!

 

While in Honduras, the team will have the opportunity to serve by sharing worship in music with our sister church in Las Conchas and with Pastor Jorge’s church in Santa Elena. God has doubly blessed us by giving us these opportunities to share our love of worship with others.

 

One of the things our youth leaders will experience….shhhh, keep this a secret…..is how to wash clothes and cook, Honduran style. The washing machine in Las Conchas looks more like a concrete washboard and the stove looks more like a fireplace, so it should be a great learning opportunity.

 

The team is looking forward to this time with our family in Honduras and for how God will use them in ministry there and beyond.

 

Thank you all for your continued support.