Psalms 23:6 (HCSB) Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

Lisa and I have been in Honduras for a month and we have continued to be full of joy and graditude due to our opportunity to be here. Praising God for all the pieces that needed to fall into place in order to get us here and the experiencing of all we continue to experience in this new culture. God has given us several new relationships that have been an encouragement to us. By being called we are free to rest in Him, as He tells us “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mathew 11:30).  Knowing, just as we were, and continue to be helped along by God’s chosen, we also, will be helping God’s chosen as we pour into the lives of La Moskitia kids helping them to understand their God-given potential, as an unlimited source of power and protection.

We continue to have class five days a week 8 am till noon with a half hour break at 10 am. We each have our own instructors and are in seperate classrooms. Lisa is doing very well with her English speaking instructor Ligia – they have built a strong relationship together.  I have been struggling a bit as they gave me an instructor who speaks zero English, and after 4 weeks I tapped out and requested a new instructor, as the frustration level was getting unbearable.   On Monday I will be getting a new instructor who will be able to speak some English – I’m more than excited.  Then, somewhere along the line the house mother/codirector of the school (Maria) decided she had a problem of some sort with Lisa, making it uncomfortable at best, until now where she is outright rude to both Lisa and me. God is working in us, patience, forgiveness and helping us to keep in mind the log in our own eyes.  I would ask for prayer concerning the softening of all of our hearts toward one another and reconcilliation.  Also prayer for Lisa and myself to be good students and to be a good reflection of the love of Christ who is in us. That we would be blessed with a gift of communication in Espanol, and for the Lord to continue strengthening us allowing us to be people that glorify Him in word and deed.

As you are probably sensing our time here hasn’t been without some struggle as I felt it necessary to find us different living arrangements after three weeks of very uncomfortable, almost hostile conditions in more ways than one.  A room that was unbearbly hot, on top of that the power was out many days for about 3 hours at a time with not even a fan to create some air flow – it was miserable, then the Lord stopped the flow of water in our bathroom for three days and with the personal tension, I’d had enough!  After many emails to the director of the school (Maria’s husband Manuel) we were refunded the amount owed for rent that we had prepaid. God then delivered us to a small two room unit including a kitchen, hot shower and a/c for less than the school was charging us. Thank you Jesus. The new landlords have also befriended us and they invited us to Geraldo’s (landlord) birthday party at their home outside the city.  On Sunday August 19, we spent the day hanging out with Geraldo, his wife Gladys and their family. Good food, good times, good fun. There was lots to talk with Geraldo about because he is a civil engineer and builder. Geraldo also has a friend with an aquaponics system farming tilapia and has offered to draw up plans for above ground fish pond. Again God putting all the resources needed at my disposal! Thank you Lord.

A couple of weekends ago we flew out to Puerto Lempira to check on the progress of the home. It is amazing!  All the windows have been completed, the floors have been finished and all the floor sealer has been purchased.  We have now started to make all the doors, and all of the plumbing for the home is about finished.   We have also started to layout the foundation plans for the outdoor kitchen and palapa for the dining hall where all the food prep and cooking will take place.  A large palapa off the kitchen is where we will share family style meals.  Additionally, we were also able to get a good idea of future plans for mission team quarters to be built under the home.

Over another weekend Lisa and I went to the island of Utila with two other students, a girl (Emily) from England and a Irish guy (Adrian). Nice break from school and we enjoyed sharing time with some other foreigners. I gather there is quite a bit of history between the Irish and the Brits due to all the off-the-cuff remarks that flew back and forth between the two.  We had a lot of fun.  I’m always saddened when we come across the lost, someone who for one reason or another is not willing or ready to put their hope in our loving God. Please pray for Adrian, very much the doubting Thomas.

In Utila we went diving and enjoyed an afternoon of snorkeling. Much needed time away from the school. The rest of our time we have been out and about in the city of La Ceiba, meeting people and trying to practice our Spanish.

 

It can be difficult at times as I now realize how much I enjoyed my career.  I reflect on how easy life was, having everything, needing nothing. I must remind myself of how much God has taken care of me my whole life. “If then, you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? Luke 11:13 (HCSB).  Then I can’t help but feel peace knowing God will surely continue to provide for our lives here, as we look to Him for our every need. Believing that the only blessing that really matters is the one we receive when we put our trust and faith in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection as payment for the sins of the world.

Thank you all for your support and faithful prayers. Please know we thank God for you and pray for you as well.

In Him,

Mike