Message from the missionaries

Tattoo removal update, school project progress, community projects, prayer concerns

Judges 17:6 “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.”

The writer of Judges wrote this statement because the Israelites abandoned the law of Moses and the covenant they established with God. They walked away from God because they wanted to do things as they saw fit to do. This scripture, “everyone did as he saw fit” reminds me of Honduras and the world in how it is heading. Everybody is abandoning their faith in God or claiming to have faith in God but still are walking through life as they see fit. As missionaries we are put to the test by others in the field to compromise our faith or compromise our thinking in the areas of morality and integrity. It is no different than everyone else except it is on a larger scale because we are trying to instill morals, discipline, and integrity and are trying to bring the Gospel of Christ to others. Just bringing the Gospel to others and opening the word of God to others challenges people because it goes contrary to their “see fit” attitude. One of the secrets in being a missionary is being able to say I am His and God is accomplishing His work through me. We have a king but yet our decision making is always challenged because we want to do it our way, in our time, and the way we “see fit”. How do you see your life heading? Is it in an attitude of how you “see fit” or is it in an attitude of how God “sees fit” ?

Prison Ministry

In the tattoo removal program everything is moving forward. It requires a lot of patience on the men and women who are receiving the removal and our part as well. All of us are anxious to see results and are anxious to see these people clean and free from their past. While removing tattoos, when the men want to, we usually will talk while the process takes place because it will keep there minds on something else and keep it from the pain they receive during the removal process. Many times I ask about their dreams; what they want to do when they get out, what is their first thing they want to see or eat, how are they going to get involved in a church, etc. The majority share deep concerns that they will end up dead, end up back in Tamara because they took one more opportunity to complete a mission for money, and the biggest thought they have is how they are going to pay someone back (by killing the person) when they get out. REVENGE is another problem we face daily. This problem is with the believers as well. Men who have come to Jesus and have been forgiven but yet refuse to forgive others. I know it sounds crazy and many will say they just can’t be saved then. Well it goes back to the above scripture. Man wants to do things as they see fit. It is our passion and work to educate these men on reconciliation, forgiveness of others, and the importance of knowing how much Jesus forgave them and how they need to continue that same forgiveness. Please pray for the 60 plus men and women who are in this program.

Honduras Kairos

Our Kairos community has been meeting twice a month for 4 hours of talking, sharing ideas and planning. The community has been selling T-shirts with the Kairos logo on them to fund raise for our weekends. Also they are planning on two rummage sales in two different sectors of Tegucigalpa. Other plans are to host a movie night, fund raise through Burger King, and a trip to the beach. Our community is moving in the right direction and is taking control in planning for the future. Our up coming women’s weekend is in November 2009.

School Projects

School has been open for three days and has been closed for two during the week. It is frustrating for the students and for all those who want a better education for the children. Some teachers have taken a stand and are continuing to teach even though they might loose there job. So far the children have missed over 40 days of school because of the teachers protesting against the government. The saddest thing we know that the majority of teachers stay home and don’t participate in the protests and so defeats any reason why not to teach. Crazy I know.

On a positive note; the sliding windows are installed for the second floor. The air-conditioning is mounted and only needs some electrical work done and they will be functioning. The computers and desks are in the second floor but aren’t installed. I need to finish some electrical work for the computers. The tile floor is installed as well and looks really good. The last project we are working on because the funds are pretty much tapped is building and installing steel frames that go over the windows to protect the glass from balls and also is a security feature. A brother form Pastor Giron’s church is building them. As soon as he gets them installed I’ll be sending photos to all you in showing you what is getting accomplished.

Community Projects

We were blessed to have Glenda’s parents visit us from the states. During there stay Glenda’s mom a tailor by trade taught a class for the women in the community. Cheryl Cleveland when she was here in May taught the women how to sew pillow covers. Glenda’s mom taught the women how to sew mattress covers and sheets. The Saturday after their class with Isabel they came back showing us how they made a whole set of sheets and pillow cases for their kids. Awesome! And we praise God for both of these women who were able to share their skills with the women of Rincon and it has motivated the women to sew more and want to learn more. Thank you Ladies!

A Personal Outlook

One thing that we have learned is that during the times of mundane and the, “same old same old” this is when we need to look towards Jesus even more. The true test I believe is not during the miracles or the huge blessings but after. God wants to see if we will continue to walk with Him during the valley times. God will always have more miracles or mountain top experiences in store for the future but it is getting through the valley and climbing the mountain is what He is looking for from us. In the mission field we have many of these valley lows and climbs to the mountain tops. It is a struggle at times but God is there. The comfort of God is something felt and thought of. It is something received and known throughout your body. This is to us a love of God and His Grace upon us. What we learn is what we teach to those in prisons or in the community. How to feel God and trust in Him. John 14:1 do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God and trust also in me.”

Prayer Requests

Pray for the country of Honduras. Pray for the men and women inside of prison for healing and learning how to walk again. Pray for our youth and the community of Rincon because marijuana is becoming a bigger problem each day. Continue to pray for us and this ministry. Pray for the teachers to realize that their first priority should be the children’s education. Pray for Sendy Gonzalez in reconciliation with Jesus. Carlos is one of our youth and participant in Kairos, his dad was hit by a bus after work on a Sunday. He is in good condition but has horrible headaches and he needs prayer.

Prayer

Lord the end times seem to be showing its face even more as each day passes by. Leaders of countries are making bad decisions because they choose to see things as they see fit. People are being blinded by the truth and are not looking to you for answers but relying on there common sense and knowledge. Lord, relationships are being strained because we as humans are becoming more sensitive to our own needs and wants and are not taking the time to listen, love and hold on to what we have as friends and family. Lord, history is repeating itself all over again because we as gentile believers are forgetting to pray and wait upon you in the direction we should be taking. My prayer Lord is that we will abandon our attitude in how we see fit and start looking to you for answers and or the changing of hearts. Father hear our prayers and I pray many will not be lost during these times. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.