The above picture was taken last Friday, the day before I was due to fly out of Puerto Lempira heading home to be with my beautiful wife Lisa. Even though we were able to place all the roof beams, I had a certain feeling that my work was not done here on this trip.

I called Lisa and shared with her the defeating feeling I was experiencing, and that I felt I needed to stay a bit longer, not really sure if what I was feeling was God challenging me or?  But I can say I desired to offer Him more, although I know we are no real service to God for He can accomplish anything without us lifting a finger.  God doesn’t need me but am I going to be faithful to Him in even the simplest or most difficult of ways.  This may have been the test for me.

Even as the work I came to do has not yet been done, I feel God providing me opportunities in the most ordinary ways – from sharing my faith in Him with so many hurting people here or simply praying with the boys before they head out to school each morning and before meals.  I see that I have surrendered to God and His will for me today, and my patience is being strengthened knowing this is God’s will for my life this day, and I ask, “What will I do with it?”“For you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”  James 1:3-4 

This trip has clearly been God’s timing.  It might not have been the exact timing I had planned out, but I am certain God is continuing to do a work in me, allowing me the extra time it takes to nurture my relationships with the boys.  You have got to put time in with someone before you can truly know them.  I thank God for my extra time to spend with these boys.

Arnold has been with me since we all landed in Puerto Lempira on January 27th, Marco and Jerbin showed up the day after, and they each continue to be on my shirt tails daily.  Since then, there have been several calls to Lisa, sometimes at the end of my wits, overwhelmed from the boys looking to me for the provision of all their needs, or the frustration I’ve felt dealing with their shortcomings, only to be lovingly reminded, who “I” once was, and that God created me perfectly to fill the need and to clearly share Christ’s love with these lost boys.  My time with them continues to be a blessing to me, and even though they can never take the place of our daughter, they do have a sincere commitment from us to continue encouraging them, as I share with them the truth that we will all be held accountable for the choices we make, while focusing on the love of Christ that fills me – it is clear to me that I cannot do this without God.

God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called! Amen.

Saturday, February 24th, I had the guys work on the fascia board around the perimeter of the roof and pour concrete at the top of the walls, between the roof beams.

Sunday the 25th, I went to the property to work on the front porch roof and I was able to finish all but a few boards before heading to Miskito church at Pastor Ludy’s.

Monday, the 26th I was able to buy 14 of the 28 mahogany windows needed for the home.  I also bought a second replacement saw in PL for L3000 (about ($128.00) so we were able to have one saw on the ground ripping boards and one on roof to cut boards. The roof over the front deck was completed and I had the guys cement between beams on the north wall.  I also laid out the kitchen counter appliances location.

Tuesday the 27th, we installed wood roofing on the deck closest to the water tower and began roofing in the living room.  I also laid out the bathroom shower shelves and sinks, and had the guys take down the concrete forms between the beams and start laying block for the bathroom vanities and kitchen counters.

Today, Wednesday, 28th we finished the living room and dining room roof, and began to prepare the remaining entry roof area.  Also when our good friend Mateo (who was building Ludy’s house) went home on Monday, I had him take our DeWalt worm saw to have the switch repaired at the Central American DeWalt dealer that thankfully happens to be in La Ceiba just a block from the airport.   The switch was rebuilt for L125 (just over $5.00) and was flown back to us for another L250 and arrived today! 

All in all, it is beginning to look as if the majority of the roof will be installed before I fly out of PL on March 10th to begin my journey back to Seattle arriving on March 13, 2018.  Our days working at the property are 7am to 5pm and the weather has been cooperating amazingly!

Giving all thanks and praise to God almighty, the Creator and sustainer of everything – for sustaining me and renewing my strength every night.  Giving thanks for the work crew safety, for the dialog with the boys to be God-centered more and more.   I’m grateful for Marco’s continued success in school (8th grade this year) and a great start of the school year for Arnold and Jerbin who are not used to the idea of homework but are beginning to understand the priorities (they are both in 7th grade).

Praising God for His sovereignty and for bringing knowledgeable people (brothers, Cesar, Carlos and Eddie who went to school for solar) for their help with hooking up the well solar pump and for offering their help in designing our solar system for Casa Del Camino. And for all of you, God’s faithful servants lifting us and Casa Del Camino in your prayers and generous giving. How great is our God!

Not to us Yahweh, not to us, but to your name give glory because of your faithful love, because of your truth!  (Psalms 115:1)  HCSB

In Him,

Mike

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