Message from the Missionaries

1 Peter 1:8-9 “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Keeping our focus on God during a very troubled time.

Seeing, knowing, believing, filled receiving, joy, and the reaching the goal. This scripture summarizes what a Christina should feel, see and know through there walk in this world. However many don’t see nor feel and are not sure what there outcome is or is going to be. This last month Glenda and I have been working in all the parts of the ministry with these questions in mind. Whom do you believe in? Why do you believe? Can you feel God with you? I remember the reaction we received from all those we asked this whether in prison or with our youth; what do you mean feel Him? I went on to explain that knowing God exits is one thing. Knowing that God is there for you is easy to believe. However what about feeling love for Him and not seeing Him? In our lives if we only would take the time to see God, feel God, believe in God for all things, and be filled with His presence which would lead to joy in feeling God’s love for you and your love for Him. This is the reassurance that we need to have in these times when the world seems to be going awry. The goals we set up in our lives are usually good for the world’s standards, but our goal is the completion of our salvation and the obedience to say, “Lord what ever happens I know you are there and you love me”. This is the message we are preaching to those in Honduras. Look to the Lord and see and feel His Love.

Prison Ministry

As we were teaching the ex-gang members in Tamara prison I saw a white board with soccer team name and then the names of each team player. The names were not their true names. They were still using their street names that they received from the gang. I asked them why. They told me that it is hard to forget what they were called by since they have been accustomed to hearing it for so many years. They went on to say it is hard to forget what they had done or seen through the years they had with the gangs. You could see frustration in there faces. You could see a need to some how rip out the memories they have from their past. I was surprised to see them open up like they did and express themselves like this. The conversation went into hours and every time we visited they would pick up the same conversation again. I believe they want to get over this blockade they have in their memory. These men have habits that were taught by Satan to them and we need to overcome them with a new fresh out look. So we have been talking to them about their destiny in God’s grace and His love for them. You should have seen their faces when I told them that God still loves them. I explained to them that their past was past and in front of them is a whole new beginning and they just need to learn how to walk again in faith. So we will be teaching them how to walk again.

Honduras Kairos

Our community is meeting twice a month now with the hopes to fund raise and look for new volunteers. The Kairos Honduras community is focused on continuing forward with weekends and asking for support even though they are in a crisis with the country. We exhorted them that this is the time to keep going and pursuing to help those who are incarcerated in receiving their salvation in Jesus Christ.

School Projects

Even though the schools have been opening and closing because of the current crisis in Honduras we however did have many meetings with directors with various schools. We met with the main director of district 11 which is the same district that the Venezuela school, 21 de Octubre, Fuerzes Armadas, and a few other schools that we have our school sponsored children in. Director Melvis brought her lap top computer and showed us some interesting information for us. She said, “I think this will inspire you to continue the work you are doing in Honduras.” She started back in the year of 2005 with statistics of each school. It showed that 50% of the students from 6th grade dropped out because they couldn’t afford to go into 7th grade or for various other reasons. She also showed the grades that each grade level had. The children had poor marks. Then she showed us 2007 and 2008. In Venezuela school the 50% drop out rate went to 0%. The marks each child received went from 70 averages to high 80’ to 90’s. In 21 de Octubre the junior and senior high school went from a high drop out rate to 0% drop out rate. Director Melvis remarked that each school that has our school sponsorship program has changed considerably. She is going to make a copy of these files and we’ll pass them to you. Another comment we received from the director from 21 de Octubre school was that the top student in the school with academic grades is Karla. Karla was picked up back in 2005 and now is in the 10th grade. This school sponsorship program has given new self esteem, opportunity for change, and a new light of focus on their future and their studies. Praise God!

Community Projects

With the theme that I mentioned above about feeling God and knowing God exists is what our focus has been on with our youth groups. What I did with my boys was fun and yet it challenged them. I asked one of the boys to come forward and I wrapped a bandana around his eyes. I asked him can you see anything. “Nothing”, he claimed. I said, “walk 3 feet forward”. Now keep in mind he was in a school classroom with desks and kids from the same youth group. Well he did as I asked. I asked him to do many things like walk left, right forward until he ran into a road block. Seated in a desk was Allan. The boy asked, “what should I do Michael?” I said, “push the desk out of the way.” The boy was smaller than Allan. He pushed with everything he had and got passed the blocked passage. I then led him by command only out the door of the classroom and into the soccer court. The other kids were silent and watched from a distance. I brought everyone back together and asked them many questions. The one thing I remarked on was that the young boy did everything I said and when there was a blockade he asked for help and I only said was to move or get around the block. So I then asked this, “why is it so hard for us to trust God when he says walk? Why is it so hard for us to do what he says and trust in Him, but have no problems listening to a human voice?” I went on to explain to them that we need to believe in God even though we can’t see him nor sometimes we think we can’t hear him we need to trust in him to walk in a dark and fallen world. The boys left that night with a new sense of direction.

A Personal Outlook

Expression! How do we express ourselves to others and how do we make an impact are two things we see that is tough to do. During the crisis we have ran into many protests and road blocks because the majority of them are on the way to the prison. Like always we turn around and see the damage these protesters do. They use spray paint in colors, white, black, and red. They write on buildings, roads, road signs, walls, monuments and so many other things. They express hate, frustration, disgust, what they want, and many times they draw or express things that have nothing to do with the current issue. So I wondered why is it we have so much energy and time to express to others our problems and the things we hate but never have the time to express our joys and the things we Love. If we each had a can of spray paint in our hands what would we write? What would we draw?

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. Please pray for the 60 plus persons who are getting there tattoos removed. They are anxious and what instant removal.

Prayer

Father I pray for all those here in Honduras, for those back home and for all those who are called into the mission field. I pray Father that in these times we will rise up and follow you into the unknown. My prayer is that Jesus would be glorified in all that we do. I pray we do not walk with our blind folds on and if we do walk with blind folds on we will hear your voice and go by your word. Lord guide the leaders of the world to make right and just decisions for Honduras. Lord guide the protestors to protest in peace and not in destruction. Lord I pray for the young children who are sniffing glue or using crack. I pray for young men like Allan who has to go home every day to listen to his mom swear at him and put him down. I pray Lord for guidance for us in ministering to all those who are lost and or need exhortation. You are the Jehovah Nissi. Lead us Lord.

In Jesus name, Amen.