All This... AND HEAVEN, TOO!!!

Since there are no trees in Honduras that change colors in the Fall, we had forgotten just how fantastic Autumn is in the U.S. As we made our 10,000 mile trip visiting our supporting churches, we were overwhelmed with the beauty! It was not unusual for us to pull to the side of the road to take pictures… sometimes of only one particularly breathtaking tree! I just wanted to share some of those pictures with you. Someone, once said, “Just think, we get all this… and Heaven too!”

Well, I can’t even begin to imagine how wonderful Heaven will be! So, turn on your speakers and enjoy the sights and sounds! God bless!

Photo album created with Smilebox

So... What’s Next?

After more than 10,000 miles, 23 states, and 38 churches, we have made full circle and are once again back in Grand Prairie, Texas! Mike will now begin checking on the best way to ship a truck down to Honduras, and as soon as those arrangements are made, we, too, plan to head that way!

Last Tuesday, Mike saw his doctor and, once again, had his cancer checked. Within a couple of hours after arriving, we had received the good news! The sonogram and the MRI both attested to the fact that his cancer is shrinking once again and, since the last of July, it has gone from 14 x 15 mm to 6 x 8 mm and has minimal blood flow! So now we are free to go home and he will not need to be checked again for six months! And so, it was with great relief and thankful and excited hearts, we pulled out of the parking garage in New York City and immediately headed in the direction of Texas!

The very next night, we were in a church in Roanoke, Virginia, and by Thursday evening, we had passed through Memphis, Tennessee, and crossed the border into Mississippi before stopping for the night. Then, on Friday evening, after about eight hours of traveling, we arrived in Grand Prairie, very tired, but also very happy that we can now begin the arrangements to go home!

On Wednesday, while we were in Virginia, I received a text message from a dear friend, Cheryl Moore. We had met the Moore’s while attending language school in Costa Rica back in 1996. Before coming to Costa Rica, her husband, Greg, had served as a pastor in Mississippi for several years. It had been during a mission trip to Honduras that they had felt the call of God and surrendered to return as missionaries. Like us, they were in Costa Rica to learn Spanish. During that year, Cheryl and I shared several classes. And, because our lives had so many similarities, we felt a real bond with this family. In the course of that year, I babysat for them a few times and also fell in love with their five children. And later, while serving as missionaries in Honduras, our friendship deepened and continued to grow. Many times, when it was necessary to go to Tegucigalpa for some reason, we stayed with them in their home.

Greg and Cheryl Moore with their son,
Daniel.  Greg has a minitry of teaching
pastors in nine different countries.

Greg and Cheryl faithfully served with Baptist Medical and Dental Missions for about eight years, working in and around the Tegucigalpa area. Then, I think it was around 2005, Greg felt led to begin his own ministry of training pastors. They left Honduras, moved back to the States, and Mississippi became their base of operations for this new  phase of their ministry. Now, Greg travels extensively, training pastors in nine different countries!

When they left Honduras, we felt a great loss, and although we tried to stay in contact with one another as much as possible, we had not seen each other for many years. However, this past Thursday night while passing through Mississippi, we met them at a restaurant close to the hotel where we were staying. What a joy it was to see them and two of their children! Both of the boys, Timothy and Daniel, are now grown men, handsome as ever and proudly serving in the armed forces. Daniel, the elder of the two, is also the father of two precious little girls. (Please, remember to hold him up in prayer, for in January, he will once again deploy to Iraq.) We found out that their oldest daughter, Hillary, is getting married this week and moving to Japan, and Caitlin and Stephanie are both in college. Although the girls couldn’t make it, Cheryl had pictures of them all. It was hard to believe that the three beautiful young women in the photos were the same three little girls that I had babysat 14 years earlier!!

Seeing the Moore’s would have been a tremendous blessing, in itself. But, when you add to this the prior and numerous “providential” visits that we have had on this trip with other “long lost” relatives and friends, it’s easy to see that, it has obviously been one of those “God things” all along! For example, a month earlier, God made it possible for us to visit with another sweet couple with whom we had lost contact since our language school days!

For those who have never tried to do so, you need to understand that learning to speak a new language (especially if you are past your teenage years and closer to middle age!) can, in itself, be very stressful. However, let us factor a few other elements into that equation. Let’s say you are also: 1.)living in a foreign country, 2.) living in a new culture, 3.) living among people who think and act differently than what you are accustomed, 4.) living in a place where much of the food, including the fruits and vegetables, are new and strange, 5.) must now take a bus, a taxi, or walk wherever you go because you no longer have a car, 6.) reduced to feeling like a toddler in an adult body as you, once again, try to learn the words for simple commands and body parts, 7.) are totally surrounded by people who speak a language which you don’t yet understand!    Now, when you put all of these elements together, the whole process can be VERY daunting, frustrating and nerve-racking. And this was our situation! It was quite some time before we could even go into a store by ourselves and ask for a pack of gum! (I have often said that, for me, it would have been easier to have given birth to three sets of twins... ALL in ONE YEAR...  than to learning to speak Spanish!). So, while in Costa Rica learning Spanish, when time permitted, it was a real “tension breaker” to get together with friends, forget about Spanish for a while, and just have some fun.

Jim and Melissa Roe with their
two beautiful daughters,
Jerusha and Kimmy.
The Roe's love and ministry is
among the people of Cuba.

Probably, of all the wonderful people we met during that year (and we did meet some really wonderful people!), we spent more time with one particular couple than all the others. Jim and Melissa Roe was a young couple that had come from First Baptist Church in Milford, Ohio. They were always such fun and we so enjoyed getting together with them, simply relaxing, laughing and enjoying each other’s company! But, after graduation from language school, we eventually lost track of them, too. However, last month, while we were in Ohio, we were able to contact them and spend a couple of hours together. Even though they had no children when we were studying Spanish, they now have two beautiful little girls, Jerusha and Kimmy, whom they have adopted. Since graduation from language school, they have faithfully been serving the Lord, traveling back and forth to Cuba. They have a wonderful ministry among the Cuban people, not only reaching the lost, but also discipling and training those new believers in Christ!

As I am typing this, I realize that, even though my body is tired and I am anxious to get home, I am also a bit sad that our journey is over and this chapter of our adventure is coming to a close. Every day of this trip, there was probably a story I could have shared with you, and perhaps, should have shared! Stories about the places we’ve been, the things we’ve seen, and the people with whom we have come in contact!

I could have told you more about this great land that we have traveled and its amazing beauty, how it has thrilled and awed us at every bend in the road. I wish I had tried to convey to you the towering splendor of Mt. Rainer and the magnificent beauty of the rugged peaks of the Grand Tetons Mountains. And, as we crossed the desert in a nice air-conditioned car on our way to visit a church in Las Vegas, I should have shared with you the overwhelming impression of hopeless desperation that slowly crept over me as I looked out over that hot, empty desert and I tried to imagine what it would have been like to make that long, monotonous, mind-numbing journey in a slow covered wagon with no way to escape the scorching heat and choking dust. I wish I had talked more about that awesome spectacle that is called the Grand Canyon, with its breathtaking beauty and ever changing colors; and, how its sheer, incalculable proportions have the power to make you aware of just how small and insignificant you really are. Why didn’t I take a moment to relate to you the amazing endurance story of the monumental Sequoia trees and their history of survival?  I wish, now, that I had shared with you the tremendous lessons we learned from these massive trees as we read about them; things that, if incorporated into our own lives, could help us in our daily struggle as Christians. And then, there were the times when Mike and I were absolutely speechless at the inexpressible beauty of the fall leaves with their indescribable colors, colors so brilliant and beautiful that they cannot be duplicated by any artist on a paint palette. But, although I’m sure I would have failed, I should have tried to put it into words and shared it with you.

Neither could I tell you about everyone with whom we came in contact who has meant so much to us. There were just not enough hours in a day to recognize each relative, each friend, and each and every dear Christian that generously and unselfishly gave a gift or shared a meal, shared their home, their heart, or their resources. Nevertheless, I should have tried to communicate more about how each and every one of them has blessed us, and continue to bless us, and how they have touched our hearts. I wonder, if I had tried, could I have made them, and you, aware of the fact that, because of their love and generosity, their lives have become intertwined in the fabric of our own, and now, they have become a part of us, part of who and what we are.

I should have passed on to you, that we have learned that each church and every pastor has had their own unique experiences. If they were free to share those with us, from each one we would gain some valuable spiritual insights that could help us in our Christian walk. At some point, they have ALL, without exception, gone through terrible struggles and deep sorrows. Each one has been subjected to low times and high times, battles and blessings, times of defeat and times of victory. They have all felt the sting of Satan’s onslaughts and the cruelty of wagging, lying tongues. Yet, they have also experienced the indwelling and enabling power of God Almighty. We have seen a few (very few) that have wearied to the point that they have fallen by the wayside. Nevertheless, there are others who, though they may have stumbled and fell, allowed the Lord to pick them up and carry them until they were strong enough to walk again. There are SO MANY great pastors who, along with their faithful wives, have stood firm on God’s Word and continued to faithfully follow Him year after year. It is on the faces of those champions for the King, that you can see an inner “peace that passeth all understanding” and, it is in their eyes that you will see that twinkle of “joy unspeakable and full of glory” that only the Lord can give! It is not often, but occasionally, we have seen those that have become bitter but, praise the Lord, most have become better and stronger, more determined! More than any other time in our lives, Mike and I are aware of how blessed we really are to have known, and called our friends, so many of these truly great men of God.

As I said, I am thrilled that Mike is doing well and overjoyed that we can now go home. However, this 10,000 mile journey has been quite an adventure, and now that is drawing to a close, I actually feel a bit melancholy.

“So”, you may ask, “what’s next?”

My reply: “Only the Lord knows. But I can tell you this… Whatever it is,

it WON'T be boring!      Serving the Lord NEVER is!”

Maranatha!

BELOW ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR CHRISTIAN FRIENDS AND HEROES:

 

PASTOR ROY MAPLE and wife, LANA
are true heroes of the faith and tremendous
examples, not only to Mike and I but,
to anyone who needs someone
to whom they can look for guidance!
Standing true to the Word of God,
they have faithfully served in
Lancaster, Ohio, for many years!

BRO. OSCAR PERRY and BETTY,
his  his dear wife, have been long
time friends. They are both great
models of unselfish service and
dedication to the King of Kings.  Even

after retirement, they willingly serve

the Lord in whatever function

they are asked or needed. 

We dearly love this precious couple!

TERRY ARTHUR

is a dear friend and former

missionary to Honduras. In spite of
many trials and heartaches in her
life, Terry remains a beautiful example

of godly strength and beauty!

SHARON AND JIMMY WINTERS
are long time friends that we met
before we were married.  While
Bible College students they attended
our church in Grand Prairie, TX.  They
both have beautiful singing voices
that they have never ceased to use
for the Lord.  Bro. Jimmy has been the
minister of music in Grace Baptist of
Middletown, Ohio, for MANY years!
Love you two!

LYNN AND SARA GORDON
are former members of our church
in Tacoma, WA.  They have continued
to serve the Lord faithfully in
Middletown, Ohio.  Lynn is seeking a
church to pastor and has a "pioneer"
ministry in one of the local hospitals.
We're proud to call them our friends!

 

MASSILLON BAPTIST COLLEGE
(This is where our son and daughter-in-law went to college.)

While at Massilon Baptist Church in Massillon, Ohio,
we met a few of the students that are attending their Bible college.
 Mike spoke in their chapel service and also during one of their evening devotional times. 
For me, these young people are also heroes, for they have surrenderd
to serve the Lord as  pastors and missionaries and are training to that end. 
They are our future spiritual leaders and the ones to whom we shall pass the torch someday.
 HANG IN THERE, DEAR YOUNG PEOPLE, AND FINISH YOUR COURSE! 
WE'RE PRAYING FOR YOU! 
WE NEED YOU!

9,000 Miles to Get to The Doctor???

Yep, that’s right! We left Texas in August to drive Mike to his doctor’s appointment! Well, three months and a little over 9,000 miles later, we made it to his doctor’s office! Yes, it’s true!! You’ve heard of people taking a “short cut” to get somewhere? Well, I guess you could say we took a “long cut”! Here’s what happened:

Last August (that was three months ago!), we left my parent’s home in Grand Prairie, Texas, to go to see Mike’s doctor for another cancer scan and an MRI. Well, we have a GPS, but ….  Well,...   you know how some men are! No one (or no "thing", like a GPS) can tell them anything! THEY KNOW IT ALL - AND THEY’RE NEVER WRONG! Also, some men will wander around forever, rather than stop and ask directions! Well…. My husband REALLY takes it to the extreme!!!! And sooooo ... Three months and 9,000 miles later, we finally arrived!!!         NOT!!!  

 (The “three months” and “9,000 miles” thing is true. Just the reason it took so long is not!)

Most of you know that last July we returned to the States for Mike to have his check up on his cancer. Unfortunately, one of the tumors had grown from 3 x 4 mm to 14 x 15 mm during the six months we were in Honduras.  Because of the rapid growth, the doctor wanted to see him again in three months, instead of the usual six. Therefore, since we couldn't afford to fly to and from Honduras every three months, we’ve slowly been making our way to New York City for Mike’s appointment with Dr. Robert Bard. Along the way, we’ve been visiting some of our supporting churches and giving them an update on the ministry in Honduras. We just felt that this would be the best use of our time here. And, it’s been a wonderfully blessed and encouraging journey! Even got to visit with our kids and grandkids a bit!

But, TODAY was the day of Mike’s appointment. It took maybe 15 minutes for the doctor to do the scan, and then he called us into his office. When we walked in and sat down, he had the pictures of the current scan and the scan from July on his computer screen. “I see great improvement! Your tumor has gone from 14 x 15 mm down to 6 x 8 mm and the blood flow is minimal!” He also said that, although he wanted Mike to go ahead and get an MRI before he left, he wouldn’t need to check him again for another six months! What a relief! We felt that he was probably doing better because some of his symptoms had lessened… but we were afraid to “count our chickens before they were hatched” because you just never know exactly what God has planned.

So, want to know how we celebrated???

We left the doctor’s office, went to the parking garage across the street, paid our $48 parking fee for the two hours we were there (and... no! I’m NOT kidding this time!), got in the car and started for Texas! The sooner we get to Texas and complete our preparations to leave, the sooner we go back home! (We’ve got to figure out the cheapest way to ship a Ford 450 flatbed truck to Honduras. Got any ideas?)

We want to thank everyone who has been so faithful to pray for Mike! You will NEVER know how much we appreciate and love each of you!

Please continue to remember us in your prayers! God bless!

Just KEEP ON PEDDLING!

My husband and I have been serving the Lord now for many years. We have both worked in various areas of the ministry, from janitor, bus driver, nursery worker, student convention nurse and banquet speaker. For five years, we served as youth directors, and then for fourteen years my husband was a pastor. Furthermore, during the time I was carrying out my duties as a pastor's wife, I also worked as a teacher and the Head Supervisor for our Christian School, as well as the administrator and billing accountant. And presently, we are completing our sixteenth year as missionaries to Honduras. If you like, you may add to that, forty years of teaching Sunday School, which I began right after graduation from high school in 1970, and have continued to this present day.

While our 38 years of full time ministry have, for us, been busy, exciting, rewarding and full of blessings, I would be less than honest if I did not tell you that we have also experienced our share of difficulties and heartaches. However, no difficulty in our past would begin to compare with the situation with which we have been dealing for the last two years, and the nagging uneasiness and underlying concern that has accompanied it.

These children, many of whom live
in homes with no electricity or indoor
plumbing, gave their pennies for
months to help send Bibles to Africa.
The sign they are holding says,
BIBLES FOR AFRICA
from the children of Honduras

The year 2007 had been a spectacular one, full of God’s blessings. During that year, we had two mission teams from the States come to Honduras. They were both such tremendous blessings to our people and to us personally.  And I believe they received a blessing, too, and developed a new depth to their burden for missions. Also, Youth and Family Camp and our very first Vacation Bible School were well attended and everyone had great fun! But more importantly, during those two weeks, we saw many make life changing decisions for the Lord. We were overjoyed when, after many years of working in the mountain communities among the Lenca, we saw their hearts begin to soften and open toward the Gospel.   Finally, we were seeing Satan’s strongholds among this forgotten people group beginning to crumble! And at the same time, in our main church in La Esperanza, many of our people, including the teens and children, were developing a real heart for missions and a burden for the lost! Between the months of January and July, we saw many decisions made and over a hundred souls come to Christ!  

Later, in August of that same year, Mike went to Zambia, Africa, with our son, Brandon, and the pastor of the church where we ministered for 14 years. They began a month long crusade of witnessing, training pastors, preaching in bush churches and ultimately, speaking in a conference with a crowd of over 8,000 people. In that one month’s time, they saw over 1,200 of the African people come to know Christ as their Savior. Then, just before their departure, they had the privilege of baptizing over 120 of those believers! Mike and the team came home with the glow of Heaven about them.

Two days after Mike’s arrival back in the States, we were on the road, visiting our supporting churches and sharing what God had been doing in our lives and ministry. We felt the Lord’s presence everywhere we went and saw Him at work in every church we were privileged to be in. And, it was while visiting with our supporting churches in Alaska, we received a phone call telling us of God’s answer to a major prayer request.

For several months, we had been praying that God would help us find a better, more powerful vehicle to use in Honduras. We definitely needed God’s help with this because we knew that our need far exceeded our pocketbook! Although we weren’t exactly sure how God was going to answer this prayer, we had no doubt that, somehow, God would supply this need, just as He had always done. 

A Christian businessman and his wife
donated this Ford 350 truck
to the ministry in Honduras.

However, you cannot imagine our surprise when we received a phone call telling us that someone was going to GIVE us, not one, but TWO vehicles... FREE OF CHARGE!!! One was a four-door, Ford 350, diesel. A truck with that kind of power was exactly what we needed to travel the difficult, steep mountain roads each Sunday!   AND…we were also to receive, a Ford 450, flatbed truck for hauling building supplies and Mike’s well digging equipment!! We were speechless in the face of God’s miraculous provision and the generosity of His children! That year, it just seemed that every time we turned around, God kept out doing His previous blessings with something greater and even more magnificent!!!  

By the end of December, we were preparing to go back to Honduras. We were missing our people terribly and “chomping at the bit” to get home and back to work. The airplane tickets were bought, and the packing was coming together nicely. All that remained was to get our routine medical checkup and then, we were heading home! But, little did we know, that at the pinnacle of our “high and dizzying mountain-top experience”, there was a roller coaster car just waiting to carry us down the other side at an alarming, heart-stopping speed and then, on to the most twisted and terrifying ride of our lives!

It was a couple of weeks later, in January of 2008, that the doctor called and told Mike he had prostate cancer. It was at that moment that, our lives, our plans, our ministry… EVERYTHING changed! It was as if we had encountered a big detour sign… and we had no idea where it was leading us… nor did we know just how many would be arriving when we got to the end of our journey.

I will admit that, after we got the news, it took a couple of weeks for me to get my “balance” and “get my feet back under me”. At first, all I could see looming in front of us, was the terrifying word “CANCER,” along with the overwhelming and numbing fear that that word carries. But gradually, I was able to think clearly again, and to put everything back into perspective. The same God Who had blessed us immeasurably, had saved so many souls, opened the doors so that we might reach the Lenca, and supplied us with TWO FREE TRUCKS…. THAT SAME GOD was still in control! He had a plan, and He was entrusting Mike and I with the job of helping to carry out and complete this divine plan of His! Besides, what was the worst thing that could happen??? Uhh, let's see...  Mike would go to Heaven... and I....well,... I would have to lean entirely on the Heavenly Father for everything???   (Hmmm… Wouldn't be my first choice, but... I can sure think of a worse case scenario! In fact, I can think of several!)

But, just like being on a roller coaster, although the ride is a bit scary and uncertain at times, it is also exciting, exhilarating, and a real adventure! Well, that is exactly how the last two years have been for us!  And, the ride is not over yet! While I still have no idea where the tracks are taking us, I am truly learning to “go with the flow” and enjoy the ride along the way!

Now, as some of you know, we returned to the States in July of this year for Mike to have his six month checkup. When the doctor told us that he would need to see Mike again in three months instead of six, we decided that God must have wanted us to go ahead and stay stateside and make some long overdue visits to some of our supporting churches.


So, around mid August we left Texas.  In the three months since then, we have traveled more than 8,500 miles and been in around 36 churches. Every single step of the way, we have seen God’s hand leading us! And at every twist and turn, we have been able to catch a glimpse of the reason why God wanted us in THAT particular place, at THAT particular time!


While on this journey, we have been blessed and encouraged by the kindness and generosity of so many of God’s people! However, we have also met a great number of hurting people.  Many have gone through, or are presently going through, some extremely difficult circumstances. I believe that God has brought us together with these wounded and hurting individuals so that we might, not only be a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on for a time, but also, to do our best to encourage them, give them hope and lift them up in prayer. ( And, I might add, that we are still praying for them daily!)


In nearly every church we have visited, at least one person (but usually more) will ask me how we are doing… how are we handling things. The regularity of these questions reminded me of something that happened last year.


It was in February of 2009, and we were still in Del Rio, TX, at the Cancer Clinic. Mike was close to being finished with his cancer treatment and being released. We were so excited!  We could, at long last, began making plans to go home! Then, one afternoon, Mike’s heart began beating unbelievably fast and very irregular. Finally, we got in the car and I drove him to the emergency room.  That was followed by a night’s stay in the hospital and, the next morning, he was released. However, later that same day, we repeated the whole scenario! The only difference was, that this time, Mike ended up spending nearly a week in ICU while they monitored him and tried to determine what was causing his problem. So, now there was cancer AND a heart problem to deal with, plus... our trip home to Honduras was, once again, put on hold.


Three months later, in April, we were at the cardiologist’s office once again. The doctor was running some routine tests to make sure it was safe for Mike to return to Honduras. It was on this occasion, several people began to question me on how come we seemed to be handling set back, after set back and disappointment, after disappointment so well.


Well, below is a reprint of an update that I sent out during that time, addressing that very question. I pray that this little story will be as much of a help you as it has been for me.

Once upon a time, Jesus and a woman were going down the road on a bicycle built for two. The woman was in the front and Jesus was peddling along behind. It had been a pleasant trip, with smooth and easy routes and lots of beautiful things to see along the way. After a while, Jesus asked if He might sit up front and take the lead. "Sure!" the woman said, "I would like that." So, they traded seats and started down the road once again.

Well, even though she had a quite a bit of trouble seeing around His tall frame and broad shoulders, it was nice to have Someone else choose the route for a change. Things went quite well for a while, but then, the woman began to notice that she was having to peddle harder and, not only that, her leg muscles were really beginning to ache!  "We sure are going up a steep incline. I wonder why He chose to take me this way?  I would never have chosen such a difficult route!" Although she thought this, she said nothing.

They continued on at length and then, she noticed that they were turning off of the well traveled, paved road.  "Now why are we goin this direction?" she thought.  "It's obvious that very few ever travel this road... IF you can really call this narrow trail a "road!" They were  making their way up a very narrow dirt road, one that was full of rocks, deep ruts and pot holes. She was being bumped and jostled with every turn of the wheels, and the strain on her muscles seemed nearly unbearable. She kept trying to see where they were headed, but it was useless, and she got no clues from the little bit of passing scenery that she could see. Finally, when she thought she could not stand it another minute, she spoke up. "This road is very steep and really rough!"

"Yes, it is a difficult road to travel," Jesus said, "But, you trust me, don't you?"

"Well, of course, I trust you," she answered breathlessly, and was that, perhaps, a slight edge of irritation He heard in her voice?  She continued to huff and puff along, with sweat running down her face and her leg muscles crying out for relief.

They, very slowly and with much difficulty, continued up the steep and rocky trail for several more minutes. Then she spoke again, "But, If you don't mind me asking, are you sure you know where we're going? This way is hard and I really don't like this road very much!  Besides, I'm tired, my legs hurt and, actually, I'm not having fun anymore.  On top of everything else, I especially don't like it when I can't see what's ahead!"

"I know," Jesus answered, "but, you said that you trusted me. I can clearly see the way ahead, and I know exactly where we're going... so there's nothing to worry about.

You just trust me and KEEP ON PEDDLING!"

 
Many of you have asked how Mike's cancer is doing. Well, we are asking for your prayers, because his next scan is scheduled for November 9.  That's this Tuesday. We "feel" that he is doing better because some of the symptoms and problems he was having at the time of his last checkup in July have lessened considerably. Also, his PSA is slowly (very slowly) going down. In addition to the 3-D, color doppler sonogram that Dr. Bard will do, Mike is also scheduled for an MRI. So in answer to your question... we should know exactly how he's doing by the time we leave the doctor's office on Tuesday.


Of course, we have been praying for complete healing... but we have also been praying that the Lord would have His perfect will in our lives. We learned a long time ago that, it's Not about Us! We are not here to build our kingdom... but HIS! It's ALL about Him!! We must remember, we are just tools in His hands... and, have you ever heard of "tools" telling the "hands" what to do???


If Mike gets a good report, we will PRAISE THE LORD and begin to make our plans to return home! We miss our sweet people... and, according to the calls we get from home, they miss us too. And even though the work is going on, we are still needed back in Honduras.


And... what if he doesn't get a good report? Well... we will still PRAISE THE LORD! You see, so many prayers have gone up for Mike that, no matter what happens, there can be no doubt that it is God's perfect will for our lives! And how on earth can you argue with that????


After 46 years as a Christian ,and 36 years in the ministry, I hope and pray that we have finally learned to stay focused on Him, and not on whatever difficulties we may be facing at the time. I have learned that I can safely trust in my Father's leading. And, I have also learned that, if it is in His will, He can, and will, safely carry us through any (and I DO mean ANY!) situation!


So, Dear Reader, if you are going through a difficult or painful situation or, as the little story above intimated, a "rough or steep stretch of road on the highway of life", this is my advice to you:


No matter who you are, no matter your status or situation, whether you are rich/poor, smart/illiterate, Jew/Gentile, healthy/ill, believer/non-believer, American/or not, life's "road", at best, is a continual uphill struggle, strewn with obstacles, detours, pitfalls and danger! And without Jesus Christ to guide and help you, whether you realize it or not, you are lost, and alone on a very difficult and dangerous journey that will, ultimately,  end in your destruction! Furthermore, my friend, unless you accept Jesus as your personal Savior, you will always be alone, with no one to help you, and no one to show you the way! Why anyone would choose to "go it" alone, when they have a Heavenly Father that loves them and is ready and waiting to help them, is beyond me!!!

(For more information, please click the tab above entitled "How You Can KNOW You Are Going To Heaven!")

 If you are a Christian... if you truly do trust Him, then, when things get rough (and they will!), just hang in there! You stand strong! No matter what others around you may do or say, don't you give up... and don't give in!

I GUARANTEE (and what's more, GOD guarantees!) that when we reach our destination,

the view from the top WILL be worth it all!

So, God bless until next time. And remember…

JUST TRUST HIM AND KEEP PEDDLING!!!!