Thanks for the LURES

Many thanks go to Marsha for contacting several “fishing” companies and telling them about the fishermen in Las Conchas. God moved their hearts to donate many lures for our brother fishermen. I’ll update this story in a future blog once we deliver these this thoughtful and useful gifts.

Thanks to the following for donating:

Halo Heaven

Mission Fish - 3:16 Lure Company

Bass Assassin 

¹¹You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9

Wheels for Donkeys

 

 

After careful thought and consideration, based on my observations, I think the ideal vehicle for Honduras is a donkey with wheels. A donkey can carry a lot weight, is reliable, can easily go up and down the steep rocky grades, is fuel efficient and is narrow enough to handle to tight alleys and trails you encounter. However, a donkey is slow. While in a lot of cases, that’s not such a bad thing, it would be nicer to get from place to place just a little quicker; that’s where the wheels come in. Strap four wheels on the donkey and you can get places, as long as they’re downhill and you don’t have any curves. So we’ll add an engine, to go uphill, some steering for the winding roads, and a transmission and four wheel drive for the steep grades. We’ll add a body around the contraption to keep things from falling out. Since the donkey takes up so much room, let’s unload him and just keep him for lighter loads and short distances. Now we have something that can be used as a tool to serve others. Carry material and supplies for building shelter, visit those that are in outlying areas with the Good News, take those that need medical attention to clinics or hospitals, pick up brothers from the ends of the earth at the airport, take sons to the airport that are going to the ends of the earth.

 

Pastor Jorge’s little Mitsubishi truck has run its last mile, probably ran it a while ago, but has been limping along until now. While feet and bicycles are the primary modes of transportation, the truck was used by Pastor Jorge and the church as part of a Matthew 25 ministry. They used it to get to the farm where they grow corn and other crops and then use a portion to feed the community. They used it to get those who are sick to clinics and hospitals. They used it to visit those who are in remote areas and share the Good News. They used it buy material and supplies at the hardware store 20 miles away for building shelter for families in Las Conchas and elsewhere.

 

Please pray that God provide Pastor Jorge with vehicle that will allow him to continue the good work that has been started. If God is leading you to provide a Donkey with Wheels, get a hold of me and we’ll figure out how to get it to him.

 

³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Matthew 25

Just Fishing

One of the many things that Church in the Gardens and the Brazos Abiertos Church at Las Conchas have in common is fishing. However, they fish a little different in Las Conchas. Diving is the primary way many of the men at the church fish. By sun-up, they’re at the shore of Lake Yojoa, just a short walk from their homes. They go out in their boats, find the right spot and over the side they go. The primary fish they go after is the male Tilapia. It’s usually on the bottom, making or guarding a nest. They listen for the fish moving its tail back and forth against the sand and have the spear gun ready for when they see it. Often, the water is murky and they’ll have to be right on the fish to spear it. Other men at the church fish in a way that we’re more accustomed to, by line and hook. Best I could tell, they don’t use a pole. Just live bait on a hook and line. On those days when the fish aren’t bighting (which I know too well), they end up having to use the bait for dinner. They asked if we could bring them a couple of lures for Tilapia and Black Bass, to allow them to not loose so much of their potential dinner (bait) on the bad days. We’ll bring some lures with us in August.

I know that God loves fishermen, as they were among the first Jesus called.

 

Heart of Worship

I am blessed to attend a church that has great worship. It’s not the quality of the singers, musicians and technicians (which is awesome!), it’s the heart that they have and the leadership Pastor Ben brings. I am now doubly blessed by having a church in Honduras that I attend as well. While the languages and styles are different, the same heart and love for Christ is present. It’s been my experience that when you pray in Honduras with a group, everybody in the group prays out loud, at the same time. It’s a neat experience and it reminds me that God hears each and every prayer, every time….even when they’re at the same time! During worship, the chairs in the sanctuary are moved out of the way, and the people sing, dance and spin in joyful praise. David danced before the Lord with all his might. Solomon tells us that there is a divinely appointed time to dance. In Jeremiah, the Lord tells us that Israel will again take up her tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful that maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well.

When Jesus plays the flute, let us dance for Him (check out Mathew 11:17).

Putting others first…

In Honduras, I was able to experience what this actually looks like.

• At every meal, we were served first and with the biggest portions.
• We were given the best accommodation in the pastor’s home. Others gladly gave up their room.
• At church, we were given a place of honor to sit in.
• We were given a hero’s welcome, and our national anthem was played. It had never sounded so sweet.
• The church was decorated with streamers and balloons, as if welcoming a prince.
• Personal items were sold, so the floor in the church sanctuary could be finished prior to our arrival.
• Testimonies were given before the whole body stating that they had been praying for us for the last 3 years.
• As we left, the nicest item in the pastor’s home was given to us as a gift for our church body.

I expect to be received in heaven one day, in much the same way.

 

Bicycles

Pastor Jorge typically walks to wherever he needs to go. There are many families with physical and spiritual needs that he is not able to visit often enough because of the distance involved. This new bicycle will allow him to serve the people of Las Conchas more often. The bicycle was donated by a caring man who grew up in Honduras, but has lived in the US for many years. I think he understands the meaning of a blessing like this. Pastor Jorge was deeply appreciative of this generous gift and was in tears for quite a while. He is looking forward to the day when he can be with this brother and thank him in person.

 

As we were going to a town neighboring Las Conchas (where we were staying for a couple of nights), we picked up a man who was walking along the side of the road. The man’s name was Gabriel. We asked the pastor of the church to tell us about him. Gabriel is a sustenance farmer who lives on the outskirts of Las Conchas. He works a farm that’s relatively close to his house, but has to walk several miles to get to town and church. He typically has no money as he is only able to grow enough for his own family. However, he somehow also contributes to those that are even poorer that he. He has faithfully attended church, regardless of weather, for the last few years. Distances are hard to estimate, since the terrain is hilly and the odometers don’t work, but I estimated that he must walk an 8 mile round trip a day when he goes to town 3 to 4 times a week. He had a bicycle at one time, but it was stolen several years ago. With someone else’s generous donation, we were able to buy him a bicycle too. He was stunned and was extremely grateful. After several minutes of openly weeping in happiness, he told us that he will now be able to go into town more often to give food to others and serve those that need help. The pastor of the church was equally emotional and extends his thanks and blessings to the donor.

 

New Pics Posted!

Quick note: just got back last night. Great trip, extremely humbling. Posted some new pics, check them out!

Itinerary for June 6 - 10 Trip

These are the travel plans. However, we know we need to be flexible. God may be planning something slightly different, and we’ve never been disapointed with any changes He’s made. Keep us in prayer.

Friday, June 6
3:00 PM - Depart Tri-Rail P631 in Mangonia Park
4:45 PM - Arrive Tri-Rail P631 in Miami Airport Train Station
4:55 PM - Depart Route 133 Shuttle Bus to MIA
5:00 PM - Arrive Shuttle Bus at MIA
7:15 PM - Depart MIA on AMERICAN AIRLINES 949 Boeing 737-800
7:35 PM - Arrive to San Pedro Sula
Will be picked up by PAHS
Will spend the night at Peña Blanca

Saturday, June 7
Will spend the day planning and working at Pena Blanca
Visit Kevin and Rosibel’s family
Will spend the night at Peña Blanca

Sunday, June 8
Will ride to Las Conchas
Will spend the day worshiping and planning at Las Conchas
Will spend the night at Las Conchas

Monday, June 9
Take Pastor Jorge and family to lunch
Will ride to Peña Blanca
Take the staff at Peña Blanca to dinner
Will spend the night at Peña Blanca

Tuesday, June 10
Will ride to the airport at San Pedro Sula
2:20 PM - Depart San Pedro Sula to MIA
6:35 PM - Arrive at MIA
7:35 PM - Depart MIA on Shuttle 133
7:50 PM - Depart on Tri-Rail P646
9:35 PM - Arrive at Mangonia Park 

June Planning Trip

From June 6 to June 10, a couple of us are going to the Pan American Health Services orphanage at Peña Blanca and the Heart to Honduras Brazos Abiertos church at Las Conchas. The purpose of the trip is to plan a trip to the orphanage for the end of July, and a trip to the church for the beginning of November. It is our hope that we’re able to work these organizations closer together, as we see some synergies in doing so.

 

¹²Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4

 

At the orphanage (and nutritional hospital) we’ll be working with Nellie and Susan, who we had met on our original trip. At Las Conchas, we’ll finally get to work with Pastor Jorge. We’re very much looking forward to this trip, and what God is going to grow out of it.

 

Please consider what God is doing in your heart with regard to this ministry. Is it to pray? Is it to support financially? Is it to go? Whatever it is, consider being obedient and follow God’s call, whatever it is. Already, some of you have stepped forward and have given to this planning trip. Thank you, for God will use your contribution for His Glory.

 

⁹But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2

 

If you have ANY questions, please call me, email me, or add a comment to this blog (and I’ll contact you).

 

²¹For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.

2 Corinthians 8

Message from Pastor Jorge at Las Conchas

Pastor Jorge is so excited about having a sister church. We are an answer to his prayers. He is very interested in where our church is and how we’re also close to water. He wants to know about the fishermen in our congregation. He would like to have some pictures of our pastors, of us and our church. He would like to know what our praises and prayers are, so he can share in our joy and needs. He is looking forward to sharing the plans of our two churches and working together for God’s Kingdom.