THE FOLLOWING IS A REPRINT OF AN UPDATE THAT I SENT OUT LAST WEEK TO OUR SUPPORTING CHURCHES AND EMAIL MAILING LIST. SINCE THAT LETTER, TWO MORE MEN AND A THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD BOY HAVE ACCEPTED CHIRST AND WE HAVE HAD MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE REPAIRS ON OUR VEHICLES. WE ASK YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS ON THAT SITUATION.
To begin with, I would like to apologize for two things; 1. The tardiness of this update, and 2. The possibility of me writing this in a disconnected, haphazard and clumsy manner. For over a month now, I have been trying to write an update. Many evenings, I would sit in a quiet place and try to relate all that had been happening. I would write until I could no longer keep my brain from dozing off or my eyes from closing. Then I would turn off my laptop and think, “Well, I’ve got a good start and should be able to finish this the next time I have a chance to work on it!” A few days later, I would sit before my computer and read what I had previously written so I could pick up where I left off. But each time, I discovered that two things had occurred. Many of the circumstances and facts had changed, and… someone, apparently, had hacked into my computer, accessed this file and changed and/or deleted words or… sometimes-entire sentences! My beautifully composed update now read like some bewildering, befuddled, perplexing jumble of nonsense! That had to be what had happened! Either that… or I was so tired and stressed that I wasn’t thinking as clearly as I thought and was writing like a crazy woman!
Well, once again I have deleted the two pages that I had previously written and have started over. However, with God’s help, I am determined to try to sum up all that has happened in the last two months in an intelligible form and I am sending it out… no matter how it sounds!
So…. Hang on! Here we go!
So…. Hang on! Here we go!
First, Mike returned to Honduras on January 13th. He found our dear people faithfully continuing in the work of the Lord under the leadership of Jason and Arlen Stevens, and Hermanos Hotir, Leonidas and Clemente. The love and dedication of some of these precious Hondurans to the Father and His work of reaching the lost with the Gospel continues to inspire and encourage me! They are such wonderful examples of unselfish, sacrificial love! It is no wonder that I love them and miss them so!
Since his return to Honduras, Mike has had several that have accepted the Lord as their Savior. Last Sunday, February 20, he called and told me that eight men from the nearby community of Quebrada de Lajas were visiting our church and had come forward and asked Jesus to be their Savior! If I am rembering correctly, that makes a total of eleven new converts since his return, several of which have already followed the Lord in baptism. That is a good number, and we praise the Lord for each one. However, I cannot help but think that, scattered throughout those beautiful surrounding mountains, there are thousands more who have yet to hear the Gospel.
Our main church, New Hope Baptist in La Esperanza, continues to thrive and grow, so much so that Mike informs me that we must build more pews to have adequate seating. Some of those attending are from our mission in Quebrada de Lajas. It has been nearly a year now since they suddenly found themselves without a place to meet and had dwindled to just a handful of people. It was at that time that we began transporting the believers from that work to our services in La Esperanza. We hoped that attending an established church with a more mature congregation of believers might encourage them… and it seems to have worked! That handful has grown to be a group of 30 to 40 people! They are now actively helping to locate a piece of property near their homes so they might build a church in their own community. However, until that happens, we will continue to bus them to the church in La Esperanza, thus the need for more pews. In addition, many of the believers at New Hope have developed a love and a burden to reach the surrounding areas and the Lenca Indians for Christ. Each week, without fail, as our evangelistic team leaves to minister in the mission outposts in the mountains, there are anywhere from six to a dozen adults, teens and, sometimes, children who are asking if they might go along and help. It is a tremendous blessing to us when we see them developing that sense of responsibility that every Christian should have!
The Lenca people and the Catholic Church in the mountain community of Ojo de Agua seem to have finally accepted the presence of our church there. Their acquiescence, and the slow steady growth of the Calvary Baptist Church, is a great victory to the glory of God and the truth of His Word. The precious Lenca believers in that community are excited and growing in the Lord. During our absence these last few months, and under the leadership of Hermanos Leonidas and Clemente, they have been steadily at work completing the finishing touches on their church building. They are now in the process of constructing an addition that will include space for Sunday School classes and… (I’m so excited!)…even a bathroom!! (Only those who have visited and accompanied us to those works on a Sunday morning will appreciate that very necessary addition!) This humble little church in this small mountain village stands as a towering lighthouse and example to the surrounding areas.
Leaving Ojo de Agua and driving 35 to 45 minutes further, you will pass our mission in San Lorenzo and finally come to the mission in Naranjitos. It is here that we are to begin the construction of our second non-Catholic church building among the Lenca in that department (or State). Of course, since his return, Mike has been busy visiting each of our works, encouraging them and evaluating the growth and/or needs in each place. Apparently, he currently has a few concerns about the mission in Naranjitos as to whether or not they are genuinely ready to build and organize into a full-fledged church. Stateside teams are already in place and preparing to come and help with that building project later this year so, naturally, we want to make sure that the believers in Naranjitos truly understand that a church is more than just a “status symbol” for their community. Nor is it just a place where people go when they want to salve their conscience, do their “duty” to God or be entertained. It is important that they comprehend the fact that having a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in their community is a wonderful privilege. However, it is a privilege that also carries a heavy and vital responsibility. God has commanded His church to actively “be about the Father’s business”; to be witnesses, to be “light” and “salt”. Please pray that they are genuinely ready to shoulder and fulfill such an important mission.
As always, the missions in San Lorenzo and Zapatillo continue to struggle. It can be frustrating and a bit discouraging at times but, long ago, we claimed these areas for Christ and we will not quit unless the Lord Himself leads us to do so. On the other hand, there is a small village named Rodeo located in the mountains on the opposite side of La Esperanza. It is situated at the end of a road, on top of a mountain, about an hour and a half from our home. In this newest area where we have been working, interest continues to grow and, although progress is slow, we are very encouraged.
As always, where God is moving and working, Satan is fighting and trying to throw up roadblocks. This time, he is not just using “roadblocks”, but also the roads themselves to attack… our vehicles. Poor Mike! I believe he has had to have some major work done on every vehicle we own… and that is no small task! Probably to most, it would look like we are collectors of old dilapidated cars. However, those bedraggled modes of transportation look to us like God’s beautiful provision for reaching the lost in numerous areas and in various difficult terrains.
Why have so many vehicles? You must understand that, in all of the areas in which we work, no one else owns a car and, for several years, we were the only ones who had a driver’s license. For that reason, we nearly ran ourselves crazy trying to do everything ourselves! However, in recent years, Mike has paid for Hotir and Clemente to get their driver’s license so they can help alleviate some of the load. Consequently, with Mike and I, Hotir and Clemente and, now, Bro. Jason, that gives us a total of five drivers… and most of our drivers and vehicles are in constant use. Even though it is not unusual for at least one vehicle to be at the mechanic’s shop during any given week, it causes considerable problems (not to mention that it is also very expensive) when the majority of them are out of circulation! And repairs are not always easy! Many times, Mike has to go to either San Pedro Sulu or Tegucigalpa to look for car parts. That means a six-hour drive (round trip). When he arrives, he must go from car parts store to car parts store on narrow and very crowded streets to locate a place that has what he needs. (You may ask, “Why doesn’t he just call around first?”. The answer is: No Phonebooks!) Then, because you do not want to drive at night unless absolutely necessary, it also usually means at least one night in a hotel, plus meals. And after all that… you still may not find what you need! I’m telling you that it’s no easy task! Please pray for our vehicles, our mechanics, that parts can be found, and for Mike!
Why have so many vehicles? You must understand that, in all of the areas in which we work, no one else owns a car and, for several years, we were the only ones who had a driver’s license. For that reason, we nearly ran ourselves crazy trying to do everything ourselves! However, in recent years, Mike has paid for Hotir and Clemente to get their driver’s license so they can help alleviate some of the load. Consequently, with Mike and I, Hotir and Clemente and, now, Bro. Jason, that gives us a total of five drivers… and most of our drivers and vehicles are in constant use. Even though it is not unusual for at least one vehicle to be at the mechanic’s shop during any given week, it causes considerable problems (not to mention that it is also very expensive) when the majority of them are out of circulation! And repairs are not always easy! Many times, Mike has to go to either San Pedro Sulu or Tegucigalpa to look for car parts. That means a six-hour drive (round trip). When he arrives, he must go from car parts store to car parts store on narrow and very crowded streets to locate a place that has what he needs. (You may ask, “Why doesn’t he just call around first?”. The answer is: No Phonebooks!) Then, because you do not want to drive at night unless absolutely necessary, it also usually means at least one night in a hotel, plus meals. And after all that… you still may not find what you need! I’m telling you that it’s no easy task! Please pray for our vehicles, our mechanics, that parts can be found, and for Mike!
If you did not realize it by now, I am still in Texas. On January 12, the evening before we were to leave for Honduras, my Dad had a heart attack. They said the only thing that would save him was a heart bypass. But, because of multiple health problems that Dad has, including the fact that his only kidney was barely working at 16%, two doctors refused to do the operation. When one cardiologist finally agreed to do the operation, his nephrologist (kidney doctor) said that heart surgery would put Dad on dialysis, probably for the rest of his life… that is, if he lived through it.
It has been a long, exhausting, and frightening roller coaster ride, not only for Dad, but also for my Mother, my two younger sisters and I. However, I can honestly say that, we all have felt absolutely surrounded by the love, support, and prayers of family, friends and prayer warriors from, literally, around the world!
I think the following example of that fact will be a blessing to you:
A couple of weeks ago, just as I was bringing my mother home from seeing Dad, my cell phone rang. On the phone was Raúl, one of my children from Honduras. Raúl and his mother had just called to encourage me and ask about my Dad and Mother. (Now Raúl is just one of the five little boys that Mom had sponsored for several years until all the Senior Citizen’s financial problems began.) When I told him that I was with my Mother, he became very excited and, even though he knew that she knew no Spanish, asked if he could talk to her. For a few minutes, they had the most precious conversation, with Raúl speaking in Spanish and Mother in English. He told her, in Spanish, that he wished he could see her and assured her that he, his family and the entire church was praying for her and Dad. She told him, in English, how thrilled she was to finally hear his voice… even if she could not understand what he was saying. She also said that she was sorry she could no longer send money to help with school supplies but promised him that she did continue to remember them all in her prayers. Finally she said, “I don’t know what else to say except… I love you so much!” About the same time, I heard this little voice coming over the phone in Spanish that said, “Te quiero, Abuelita” or “I love you, Grandmother”. The whole exchange between the two of them touched my heart beyond words. How amazing the love of God is when it is manifested in His children! Even if they have never met face to face, cannot understand each other’s words, God’s language of love transcends earthly verbal expressions and the bond of spiritual family is strong and true! And this is all because of Christ! Well, I have just a couple of other tidbits of news.
1. If you have sent any emails to us then you need to understand that I have not had any time to go to the internet café since my Dad took ill, therefore I have not read any of them. I'm so sorry.
2. We have lost our former internet provider in Honduras and therefore Mike is not receiving emails either. He is in the process of trying to locate another reliable provider.
3. If you need to contact Mike in Honduras by phone, they have added another number to our previous phone number. From the U.S. you would now dial: 011-504-27-83-10-20.
4. I will be in the U.S. until sometime in May. I have begun some medical treatment that will
not be completed until then.
not be completed until then.
5. Mike will be coming to the States for a mission conference in March. He will stay a week or two before returning home so that he may have a little time visiting with family.
6. The last of July and first of August we have three ministry teams coming from the States. Please be in prayer as they prepare to come and we prepare for their coming.
One last thought. I recently was walking through a department store and saw a small wall plaque for sale. The gold lettering was beautifully done in graceful strokes on mirrored glass and it was framed in a dark rich wood. It would have been beautiful hanging in any home… yet it was the words of the plaque that caught my attention. It said something like,
“With God, all things are possible –
but not necessarily easy.”
but not necessarily easy.”
And, you know... that is so true. Nowhere in God’s Word does He promise His children that He will make us “healthy, wealthy or wise”. Actually, He says just the opposite!
“Yea, and all that will live godly
in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” II Tim. 3:12
in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” II Tim. 3:12
But He also says,
…”for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor
forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5
forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5
And also…
“God [is] our refuge and strength, a
very present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1
very present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1
How wonderful to know that when difficult things come our way (and they will!) and when life is not easy (and it won’t be!), our Heavenly Father is there! He is in control, and I can lean on Him and trust Him.
Thank you all for your prayers, your patience and your support.
God bless and Maranatha!
