Message From The Missionaries

John 20:21 “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’” Jesus said something very important and that is, “I’m sending you.”

Sending is the call of God to us to do His will. What is His will? Is it all the activity we can place in our lives or is it what Jesus said for us to do in Matthew 28:19? We, as missionaries in Honduras, or even you, I’m sure, as missionaries in the USA, tend to forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary work is not primarily the elevation of the people, their education, or their needs, but is first and foremost the command of Jesus for us. I can testify that many times we get caught up in the non-stop work of a missionary, making sure every one has what he or she needs or has been exhorted, or has been listened to, and has shoes on his or her feet, and has tattoos burned. These are parts of the mission, yet we are here to “make disciples of Jesus Christ.” Salvation is the calling of God and our job is to make Disciples of Christ. This should be our primary goal in life. The serving will come with the work of Discipling. I wonder how many opportunities we have passed by, by being caught up with the business of ministry work. The perspective of Jesus and our relationship to Him cannot be overlooked in everything we do. In everything we do, we do it in fulfilling His plans for making a foundation, introducing Jesus, and then making Disciples for Him. I remember at one Thursday night Bible study with my boys, I explained to them that their primary goal is to make Disciples. They said, “Oh yes, Michael, we need to try to get as many saved as possible.” I said salvation is the first step, but what about making Disciples that will last a lifetime? When they re-read Matthew 28:19 they said, “Now we understand, and this is what we need to do.”

Prison Ministry

Glenda and I have returned three more times to the La Paz Prison since we last wrote to you. The change in the men’s tattoos is a blessing in itself. Some men when called by our growing list of 20 came and said, “Sister and brother, I don’t think I need another treatment.” We looked, and their tattoos were completely erased. Their skin was pink on many and some had some of their natural skin color come back. We are trying to receive permission to take pictures of the non-existing tattoos so you can see a before and after shot. It was very encouraging for us. We must admit it is very discouraging when having to wait not just months, but over a year to see any change whatsoever in the tattoos. Some men had the tattoos removed by one passing. Why, you may ask? The only answer we have is that the gun had a good connection with the color green. More than half of the men that are in our program at this particular prison are ex-gang members in hiding. The rule in this prison is that if you were or are a gang member, your life is in danger (being that you will be killed in time). So many of the men that pass through our program in the doctor’s office inside the prison are in hiding and have to be alone to show us their tattoos. If you ask some if they were a gang member before, they quickly say “No” even though they have gang tattoos. Can you imagine: you left your life of uncertainty and a life bent towards Hell and then you want freedom, but yet you must live in secrecy and lies only so you can live. One man who has 90% of his tattoos removed has said to us, “I can still see the ‘18’ tattoos there.” “It is very light,” I said. He said, “Hey man you don’t have the mark on you like I have.” I said, “Very well then let us burn the rest off.” As he screamed from the pain he said, “this pain is nothing in order to get freedom.” I wonder if Jesus said the same to himself.

Update: Last month we spoke of a brother in faith named Victor. He has been in our Bible studies for five years. He was acting pastor inside the La Paz Prison. He called us to tell us that he is free! He is now rebuilding a life with his family, looking for work, and returning to the prison once a month to preach and exhort the brothers. This is awesome news.

Missions

In August, Team #13 poured the foundation for the kitchen that we are building at the Fuerzas Armadas School. I don’t think they thought that we would get this far after they left Honduras. It is amazing how far we have come. The entire building is built and the outside is painted. We used all the leftover materials from the last project and teams to further this project a little bit more. We also used generous donations from givers who wanted to see this project and other projects continue to move forward even while teams were not coming to help. These donations are stretched to the furthest we can stretch them. The project has come to a stop until next year when we receive our first team. The only thing left is to run all the wiring, frame in the ceiling and sheetrock, finish the concrete cabinets-serving bar, the roof, and painting. After this, the 400-plus children in the school can start receiving – for the first time – cooked lunches. This project has moved like lightning. Thank you Lord! The only other projects we have left are to pour a concrete cap that will cover the river that runs through the school. (Actually, in the top left photo in front of the kitchen is the river that runs through the school.) This is necessary for protection from gangs entering and destroying the school or to hide so they can do their drugs. The access of this river is on the outside. The other project is to build a small walkway so the children can pass over another walkway to get to the kitchen to receive their lunches. In the next newsletter we’ll be explaining what school is next.

Community Work In El Barrio Rincon

While Team #13 was here, and actually while so many teams are here, they take the opportunity to teach many different craft projects to the women and men of Barrio Rincon. Team #13 taught a class on how to make rugs from old t-shirts or fabric strips. Well, this class didn’t stop after the team left. A sister in the faith named Margarita, who attends Pastor Giron’s church, wanted to share this with the people from the other Baptist church in the Barrio Rincon. So she organized and led a class of 18. We were blessed to empty out our drawers from old shirts that had concrete or holes in them to give to the ladies so they can have material to work from. As well, we went through all the clothes donations and found some shirts that were too destroyed to even give away so they became rug material instead. We don’t like to throw anything away. This class invited Glenda to come and be a part of the afternoon classes. Glenda attended two of the classes to make sure if they had any question she could help them and also to take pictures of this awesome community of women working together. Seeds were planted and now they are growing.

Another thing that is happening is that our boys from our older youth group asked us if they could have another Bible study during the week while the girls receive their Bible study with Glenda. I asked why did they want another class and they replied, “Because we want to under¬stand the word of God better.” So for the last month we have been studying the book of Zechariah by their request. They are interested in the Old Testament and the meanings of prophecy and God’s plan for Israel and for them and how this all comes together. The Thursday night Bible study with the entire youth group is learning from the Book of Romans on how to become a Disciple of Christ so they can make Disciples for Him.

School Sponsorship Program

During the month of October, all our sponsored children have been testing for their final quar¬ter. This means that graduation is coming up and we are very excited about this. We will be graduating 12 students from the 12th grade that come from the 21 de Octubre School, Cultura Popular School, Honduras Institute School, and the Nissi School. We also will be graduating well over a dozen children from the 6th grade from the Venezuela and Fuerzas Armadas schools. Glenda and I have been asked to be “sponsors” of children graduating. This means we present them with their diploma, a flower, sit with their family during the graduation ceremonies and share a dance with this child. On top of this our technology boys are doing very well this year. They are maintaining a 90% grade average and have just finished their latest project as seen in the photos. They are totally relying on the Lord and this ministry to keep them in school because their mothers are not supporting them in any means. For example, these boys are learning how to use the lathe to make legs for tables. Yeovanny brought home a leg that he had made on the lathe to show his mother what he has learned. She didn’t say anything and took the leg and threw it into the fire to cook their food. Was she being practical or being mean in not taking notice? Yeovanny showed up a couple days later at our home after telling us this story to show us the work he has made with the lathe. We will be bringing it home to show all you at our Border Buddies Ministries Inc. Luncheon. These boys are looking for guidance, attention, Love, and encouragement. The very basics, but the necessities of life. We thank God we are here.

BBM Happenings

Our Board of Directors has been super busy. We are currently planning on our annual BBM Luncheon that will be held January 7, 2012 (please see attachment to your e-mail). We are planning on showing off our new Vision for the Ministry during this luncheon and handing out the proposal for this new phase for the Ministry. Also, we will be showing off four projector slide shows during the luncheon so all of you can learn more about the ministry and see photos that better explain what we are accomplishing and trying to accomplish through this Ministry. On top of this, we have been blessed by two donors who have felt led to help with our website. We are currently working with a company who will be designing a new, more user-friendly website that can host videos, photos, Power Point presentations, and also have an active updated calendar. This will allow all of you to check up on us and the teams, and be able to pray for specific persons or ministries. We also invite any church that would like for us to visit and share our ministry and what God has asked us to do in Honduras to write to our Vice President, Mark Erway, at merway@stny.rr.com We would like to talk to Bible Studies, mission committees, or even a weekly or Saturday service so we can spread the word.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for the following:

• A little girl named Kenia who is sponsored by the ministry and has been taken from her home by the government social services because she was being sexually and physically abused. Glenda and her 2nd grade teacher have been working on this situation.
• Kelin who dropped out of school and is a part of Glenda’s girls youth group.
• Argelia who dropped out of school because she just wants to wander the streets and is very angry towards her mother about why she has to have so many boyfriends and dealing with why she was abandoned by her.
• Emelyn and her pregnancy. She has tried to kill the babies by drinking Liquid Plumber. She needs major prayer.
• Pastor Giron and dealing with his very high cholesterol.
• Financial support for Michael and Glenda as missionaries.

Prayer

LORD, there are so many asking: Why am I in pain? or Why am I lost? Why can’t I hear You, LORD? Why don’t You listen anymore? Are You there? Do You really care? So many are confused, LORD, and as I pray this prayer, I’m reminded when You convicted me while asking You why all this pain from what I see and You responded to me by saying, “Look through My eyes and see the pain in the world.” LORD, You have motivated me not to look to the circumstances in my life nor in the lives of others but to listen and wait upon You, oh LORD. We are humbled by the pouring out of Your Holy Spirit in healing those who need to know Love. We know that You have called us to make Disciples and to walk with our fellow family members of this faith. Through our conversations, we know You can be a source of faith, grace, love, and stability that is needed in all our lives. We thank You, LORD for being our God! In Jesus’ name, Amen.