Author Archives: chosen2followHim

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The wait is over…

Today was the turning point, after six days of uncertainty, not knowing what was broke on the bike, or where we would find parts needed for the repair, or not knowing how soon parts could be delivered.

This has got to be one of the longest weeks I can remember. One minute we were having the ride of our life’s the bikes where preforming great and then in an instant all our plans came to a screeching halt! The first couple days I was praying for God’s will to be done through this experience. A couple days later I was wondering if my will was different from His. Then a couple days after that, even after experiencing many last minute “saves,” I began to wonder… where is my faith? Why are we here in limbo? What do you want me to do Lord?

This morning we woke up and started making calls to find out if the motor had been secured or shipped as we were told it would likely take three days for delivery, meaning if it was on the truck Wednesday afternoon we might have a chance to receive motor Friday or Saturday and about 5 hours to install. BUT! if motor was not on truck we would certainly not receive motor until at least Sunday, shop is closed and Ural mechanic isn’t in on Monday’s so earliest repair would be Tuesday, putting us too far behind schedule causing Matt to back out leaving me to make the ride solo.

After several calls with no answer and a couple of emails Patrick thought he could call one of his Ural contacts, Danny at UralPortland. Patrick asked Danny to call the head office and see if he could get them to take a call? Well they did and we were told the motor had not been packed up but would most likely be on a truck this afternoon. Meanwhile a couple brothers in Christ who had been following the blog offered to deliver the motor ASAP! I couldn’t believe the offer, once again God has surrounded me with His people with willing hearts. I thought, “that sure is a nice offer,” but was quite certain that Headquarters would not release the motor to my friends. That’s where Danny of Ural Portland and Camron of Irbit Motorworks of America were able to talk this through and due to the time constraint agreed to allow our dear friends, Dale and Ron to pick up motor and parts from Ural Headquarters in Redmond, WA. and had them on the road by 2:30 today. That started the 13 hour drive south. The plan was for them to drive to Ashland, OR. tonight, and stop to get a bit of shut eye, then continue on to The Roseville Motorsports, hoping to be there around opening! All this so that we can once again start our treck south to Honduras arriving by the 8th of November. So many moving parts in order to accomplish this task. I am humbled by the serving hearts of our friends and how I was so surprised by the way our loving Father managed to bring us all together to fix one moto. After all the many experiences I have had with God’s perfect timing.

The Ural is a perfect ministry vehicle made for off-road conditions and that is exactly why it is going to La Moskitia. A very demanding, remote area in Honduras. One more praise and shout out to Irbit Motorworks of America for their helping us get the parts we need with urgency. They have a great team up there in Redmond, WA. Ready and willing to make your experience with a Ural the best it can be.

Praising God for His faithfulness and the way He works in people’s hearts, allowing them to show God’s mercy to a brother in need.

Please pray for all the guys mentioned here, for them to be filled to overflowing with His Spirit and safety as they travel.

There is still much that needs to happen with little room for problems though when I see God continuing to work in the eleventh hour, He is growing my perseverance, and my faith. Starting a ride this way has a way of putting any other issues we may have into perspective.

1 Peter 4:12,13

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

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Fellowship a must…

First thing this morning, we were on the phone talking to different folk about our options. I decided to go with a rebuilt motor from Irbit Motorworks of America, hoping the American rebuild would get better reliability than any of the others options. As I understand it, Irbit is the Ural Headquarters located in Kirkland, WA. I briefly shared with them of our ministry “Casa Del Camino” and how I felt the Ural would be an asset to us on the mission field, but that my motor had a catastrophic failure 600 miles into a 4000 mile trip. They seemed excited and willing to help, saying they would put this issue on the “front burner” 12 hours later I have no idea what that meant, as I have no clue as to what was done today. The motorsports store that has my bike also was told by me, to go ahead and order the motor so that we are not wasting anymore time than needed because the motor needed to be delivered from the great NW. I was told they would call me back and let me know what had been accomplished at the end of day. Twelve hours later I do not know anymore than I did this morning. Super frustrating as I like things to be done professionally and in a timely manner. Not saying it wasn’t handled but if anything was done it wasn’t communicated to me.

This whole experience has left me feeling completely drained, but then something wonderful happened. Our friend Mateo had looked up a Calvary Chappel near us, someplace for us to get some fellowship and what an incredible blessing it was to worship with this congregation. They also asked us to come up to the front and share a little of our ministry and if they might pray over our journey and ministries after. I didn’t realize how tired and dry I was feeling until we got to fellowship and worship with other brothers and sisters in Christ. Feeling renewed and strengthened and encouraged by pastor Joshua and his flock. God is so good! Thank you Calvary Chappel Newcastle, CA.

You are a blessing

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Stuck in Roseville

Day four. Didn’t learn much today other than the hits keep coming as my helmet was stolen last night. Also we tried to get our minds off the “situation” with a round of put-put miniature golf, that did not go good for me either. Ughh… positive note I did win 2 out of three Monopoly Deal! And we did put new pads on Pats rear brakes for his bike and did add some additional back lights to Matts bike for safety.

The shop opened at 8:30 this morning, Ural mechanic had the day off so we have to wait another day to have more information of our situation. The shop manager Zack was a nice guy and told me that even though they are busy he will help us out and get his guy on it first thing Tuesday. I will be reaching out to Ural headquarters tomorrow as well to talk with them about expediting any and all the parts we will be needing. Looking like the best case scenario will be for us to be on the road end of week. Also looking at different routes with the hurricanes hitting the Baja and Matzalan area. Looking like we could have been into some bad weather if this delay had not happened.

Really missing Lisa. Things are tougher without my best friend.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?” – Ecclesiastes 4:9

Another cold night sleeping in a u haul in the Walmart parking lot.

Looking to find out the options for repair tomorrow.

Thank you for prayers. Doing my best with what I got.

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Carson City/ Roseville

Day three, got a 20′ box truck, put the motorcycles inside and drove the 125 miles over the mountains to Sacramento the closest Ural shop. The shop had good reviews and thankfully is open tomorrow.

We have done all we can do, motor is out of bike and separated from the gear box. Now it is up to God and the mechanics in the shop. Doing what I can to remain positive in a very discouraging situation. Again thanking our Heavenly Father for the fact that I am not alone and for Patrick and Mateo that continue to be a great help and encouragement for me.

Thank you for your prayers, I am excited to see how and when God will answer them.

Camping in the back of the truck tonight. At least it is warmer on this side of the mountains.

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Klamath/Carson City

Day two started great, up early, beautiful scenery, bikes running well. Then it happened at 280 miles into a 400+ mile day we had scheduled to ride, my motor let loose. We made it to the hardware parking lot so we could get what was needed to diagnose issue. First we drained oil and immediately realized it was catastrophic failure as there was much metal shaving on the magnetic oil drain plug. So much on the line as timing of this ride was crucial in many ways as is anything when it involves other people.

Where am I with all this? Grateful, why? Because no one was hurt, the bike is not wrecked as it can be fixed, it didn’t happen in the middle of nowhere as we where earlier (or Mexico, Belize, Guatemala or Honduras for that matter)

Plan of attack. The nearest Ural shop is just west of our location by 125 miles. We had the bike towed to a hotel in Carson City tonight, tomorrow morning we will rent a Uhaul box truck, put both bikes inside and drive to Roseville. On another positive note the Ural shop is open on Monday as most motorcycle shops are closed Sunday and Monday. Between the two of us Patrick and I, we will go ahead and tear down the bike tomorrow and be ready to hand the mechanics the bare motor asking them to repair ASAP as timing is crucial. Once fixed, it can be reinstalled and be on our way, God willing. Best case scenario, riding middle of the week.

I am certain God has a plan that is being worked out as you read this. He has gifted me my friendships with Lisa’s brother Patrick who is incredible, very talented and wise, helping me to think things through and also our friend that I am planning on riding San Diego/Honduras with, who will be meeting us tomorrow Mateo. Matt too is also a very wise and knowledgeable, Godly men God has placed me with to come through this experience with.

Eyes and ears wide open as I experience this lesson in life, grateful God continues provided these relationships that help me to grow in His likeness.

More to come.

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Hood River/Klamath

Day one down. Was a bit of a late start, on the road by 10:30. Was a blessed day to ride, Blue sky’s, warm temps, beautiful scenery, the bikes ran great while they had fuel. At 191Km in we found the bottom of Patrick’s tank, the beauty of these bikes is they are ready for everything and that includes a 10L reserve gerry can. Then I had an issue with my cheap phone mount that broke at Bend, OR. So we made a stop at an adventure bike store for a replacement and after looking at all the cool stuff we realized we had spent over an hour of valuable seat time. Pulled into Klamath about 6:30p found a good pizza place for pizza and salad, then on to hotel, checked in, unloaded bikes and relaxing by 8:30p

Lessons learned

1. Get earlier start

2. Easier and takes less time to stop to top off gas before running dry.

3. Don’t get caught shopping, stay on task.

will try to do better tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers

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Hello from “hot, sweet and sticky” Honduras. It is hot, the food is sweet, and between the hot weather and the sweet food it makes you sticky.  Reminds me of an old rock n roll song!  I am happy to report that my heavy heart has lightened.  As Lisa and I continue to experience all the changes that come with moving to another country, being surrounded by a different culture and our need to learn a new language, we are truly grateful for the one thing remains unchanging – our loving Father who is unchanging and forever faithful in His word and action.

As I reflect back on the emotions I have been going through as shared in my last Blog, the “detox of materialism” and the realization that I had wrongly placed an emphasis of who I was in my business, my career, my accomplishments, my things… self check,  it was a necessary experience, one, for me to truly realize that “we” as Christians should have our identity first and foremost in Him.  When we receive the Holy Spirit, His love becomes our love, His joy becomes our joy, His peace becomes our peace, and His strength becomes our strength, helping us always to be growing in likeness to Him who has called us.  Secondly, we needed to lighten our load in order to step out and understand that though God blessed us with “our things” for a season, there comes a time when He will ask something more of you and me.  It was a necessary response to let the “things” go that I was holding on to so that we could more tightly cling to Him.  God knows what is needed for the ministry in La Moskitia and He continues to provide for it.

Lisa and I have been surrounded by people who have been able to help us adapt here. Help with the residency process, help with the drivers licenses process, and help with the purchase of a Casa Del Camino ministry truck.  Even being blessed by folks Earl and Sharon who have a ministry here and are from Maple Valley! A sweet couple who have been here in Honduras since the mid ’80s and have come along side us, sharing what has worked and not worked in their experiences of working with the kids of Honduras.  They learned of CDC when Sharon was back in the states in August and had visited ACTION (our sending agency) and she saw our newsletter so after returning to Honduras they reached out to us.  God is faithful in bringing His people together, helping to support one another in every way.  We are continuing to learn the language though not speaking proficiently (yet) we are getting the conjugating of the verbs down and growing our vocabulary.  Asking for continued prayer with the language.

The truck purchase was an experience all in itself and began with a four-hour bus ride into San Pedro Sula at 4:30 am.  We were fortunate enough to have my spanish teacher Danny come along to help with the transaction and he had his girlfriend pick us up at the bus station as we arrived.  Alejandra was very sweet and drove us all around to look at the trucks.  First truck was supposed to be a  2006 F250 4×4 7.3 Diesel and instead a 2015 F150 4×4 V6 shows up! Apparently the other truck was sold 4 months prior.  As I’m explaining they should probably take down the old listing as that was not what they were selling, I had a chance to explain why we needed a rig of the sort we were looking for, and he told us he knew someone who had a big truck they were selling.  His buddy’s truck was a Dodge 2005 4×4 big Cummins Diesel with a four-inch lift.  When first looking at it I thought it was pretty cool but a little on the big side so we kept looking elsewhere.

After looking at multiple trucks with multiple issues, everything from no oil in the truck to people trying to sell trucks that weren’t theirs, we decided to go with the second 2005 F250, a truck that was owned by the bank and therefore required the transaction to take place at the bank.  This is where God stepped in again.  The bank was to close at 12 noon this day so we arrived at 11:35 to discover the bank decided to close at 11:30 instead of noon.  God’s way of letting me know this was not the truck.  As I began to feel this was a wasted trip, the first truck we looked at came back to mind, and the more I thought about it the more I began to see, this is exactly the kind of truck we will need in La Moskitia!  We called the owner back and he was happy to show the truck again. We began to negotiate and were able to agree on a price.   He had all the paper work notorized and we were able to complete the transaction effortlessly!  I must believe God is behind us getting this truck as it was not even on the radar –  the first truck we saw and after multiple issues with other trucks and a bank closing early!  I mean what bank have you ever heard of to close 30 minutes early?  God knows best, that is our story.

Tight truck, mechanically sound, big diesel has us ready for La Moskitia!IMG_1482 (1)

Next week we will be visiting the school and housing ministry Earl and Sharon began in the ’90s.  Looking forward to gleaning more from them their years of experience and insight they have in relation to the various situations that we are sure to face in the coming years. Photos and more to come.

CDC Update:  The construction of the home is winding down as the plumbing is finished.  We are waiting still for the door hardware to arrive (purchased and sent three weeks ago) so half of the doors can be installed with the remaining doors still needing to be purchased and made.  The outdoor kitchen and dining areas are progressing nicely also.

Lisa and I will be heading to La Moskitia to celebrate our 17th anniversary next weekend!  Time flies when you’re having fun! We will be lining up the remaining work to be done at the home before we arrive, with a projected arrival date on Lisa’s birthday, December 1.   Praying for the outdoor kitchen and eating area to be completed as well as the mission team rooms to be laid out with rough floors poured and beginnings of walls built before our arrival.  It is also time to begin with the transportation of the container from Seattle to Puerto Lempira – the cost of $5500.00 is needed and does not include the import tax of which we are uncertain of that amount.  God knows the details of this and we are resting in Him for the successful and smooth shipping of it all.

We give thanks to our God who lets us come to Him as He is our loving Father.  Thank you Jesus for saving me, thank you for your daily mercy and patience with me, thank you for the love and support both prayerfully and financially of the people you have chosen to join in and lift up the Casa Del Camino ministry.  We pray for each and every person reading this to be in continual surrender to You and your will for their lives God. As they do this Lord, may your Love, Joy, Peace and Strength be a visible sign to this world of the power that is in You – our mighty creator living in each of us. Amen!

I love you and am blessed to call you family, friend, brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you for your continued prayer.

All for His glory,

Mike

 

 

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Go! Sell! Give! Come! Follow!

We are in transition.  A trying time as the things that have been left behind are still close in heart.  I must confess it is difficult for me to not reminisce on all that I had put so much effort into obtaining and is now gone.  Realizing it was all a false sense of security makes it no easier.  Though our earlier lives had its challenges, it was easy and familiar, it was comfortable, and had a certain degree of dependability.  I was certain as long as I continued to work my best, work would continue to come in.  I had relationships with people.  I miss those relationships very much.  There is a void in my life as we need fellowship and community.  I am grateful to have a blessed marriage, the source of much comfort during these days.  I can speak for Lisa as well when I say that we are truly homesick; we miss our family and friends, our church, our coworkers and bankers. We love you and miss you dearly.  It will be so good to see you all again December 2019. Already looking forward to our visit then and to some of your visits next year!

The transition I referred to is that of having a new “job” – Many of us realize that our needs have always been provided by God but when you leave your careers to follow Him, you find yourself truly relying, solely on God to provide along with filling the ability needed to learn a new language.  These have been a bit of a challenge for us. We are encouraged and do feel as we are making progress with our language skills, only not as fast as we had been praying for.  We are in a new country and we are now the foreigner, the odd man out so to speak, and without the skills to communicate clearly, our relationships are limited.  Sure, we could be surrounding ourselves with other missionaries or our other English-speaking friends here, but that would not help our learning of the Spanish language.  I feel that things will get better as we move into Casa Del Camino and look forward to building relationships with the boys and with the people of La Moskitia.

I find comfort in the verses in Mark 10:28-31 (HCSB) Peter began to tell Him, “Look, we have left everything and followed You.”  “I assure you,” Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house, brothers or sisters, mother or father, children, or fields because of Me and the gospel, who will not receive 100 times more, now at this time  – Houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions  – and eternal life in the age to come.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Who? No one! or better yet, everyone who has left anything or anyone, not for their own good but for my sake and for the gospel. Who will not have, how much? One hundred times as much! When? When you get to Heaven, or after you die? No! You will get one hundred times as much NOW! In the present age! And that’s not all, we will have eternal life! We already have joy unspeakable because of our relationship with God.  We have the peace, love and joy the world longs for because of His spirit that dwells in us.  In God we have complete security, nothing can harm us until we finish the work that He has set before us in this world, and then we will be received by Him with great rejoicing! Knowing all this and I still struggle, caught up in internal turmoil, wondering if the cause is of being in transition? Feeling called but not yet fulfilling the calling? The transition is real and it is tough. I believe what I believe, and yet my mind still plays tricks on me, getting me to second guess all that’s going on.  I reckon that’s why it is so very important to stay in the Word, keeping God’s promises fresh in our minds able to call them out in the time of need.

Keeping this BLOG has also been a good reminder of how God has been faithful in His word all throughout this ministry, so that we can look back and see how He has answered prayers and met our needs helping us to live expectantly in His word. I wonder how much more joyous life can and will be by, living the life He has called us to live? But yet we are still in transition.  I think that is what He is telling us in these verses – is not to let our possessions be master over us. Our safety, relationships, possessions, worldly success, trials and troubles there will be, but that it is all for our good and His glory.  God is always good and God is always wise. I am a work in progress, still working out some internal things, and the whole idea “first will be last and last first” is one of them.  I love being first and hate being last, competitive maybe to a fault?

I know that it is only through God that any of this is being accomplished, still I can’t help but continually think about what needs to be done next; spinning my wheels over the details trying to figure out how all this is going to happen.  I would like to clarify, I do not believe the verses in Mark mean, that if I gave up two Cadillacs He will supply me with 200 more, or that by walking away from good paying jobs we will be supplied with even better paying jobs – I believe the things He does and will supply us with are to be so meaningful and magnificent to us, according to His riches in glory! That we will experience the “less is more” effect. That the happiness we felt from the hoards of belongings we were allowed to have earlier, will pale in comparison to how He will supply for us now and the joy we will experience in the days to come.

It is much easier to communicate these thoughts than to actually live them out without being anxious or worried about where the next crews’ payroll will come. Even though a lot of the heavy lifting may be done, there is much more to be completed.  It has become very clear to me that, no longer can I rest in any way of my own doings as I am fully reliant on God’s provision. In doing so, I’m telling you, I feel as if He is treating me to a slice of pie.  I love pie, just not sure about the flavor of humble pie.

Prayer requests are that we be gifted with the ability to learn and speak the Spanish and also Miskito language; to be honest with Jesus and aware of our shortcomings, trusting in and resting in Him fully; to have a great awareness of God’s power, majesty and mercy; to continue to grow and strengthen our knowledge of God’s Word and that we can respond generously to the needs we are made aware of around us. Lisa and I give all praise and glory to our Heavenly Father for all of you in our lives, and pray that you may clearly see Him at work in your daily lives.

Please feel free to comment as we are encouraged by your words and get a certain amount of reassurance knowing that I am communicating clearly about our struggles and praises.

                                            Wisdom From Oswald Chambers

The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else. “Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord”…

A few pictures of people we have met.  Getting used to seeing the difference in first world and third world lifestyles, and La Cieba is a world apart from where we will be ministering in Puerto Lempira, with much less infrastructure.  Please join us in praying for the Honduranian people, most who are living on less than $10 per day with the price of gas over a $1 per Liter = $3.90 per gallon of regular gas just to help put it all in perspective.

Bike For Three.
Hondareno Fish Market on wheels
Fisher Of Men…
Otro Dia En El Muelle…
Nothin But Time…
Never Too Early To Start Even In Honduras
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Camiones De Trabajar
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Fruit Stand

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Our Favorite Swimming Hole… Muy Fresco!

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Phil. 4:4 (HCSB)

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.

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Marco, Jerbin and Arnold

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.

Lisa and Ligia
Mike and Jose Luis
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.

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Geraldo in white, his wife Gladys, brother, sister and kids

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Beautiful pool

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Home in the country

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.img_0889

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Traditional fogon

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Traditional stove

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clearing area for kitchen and comador

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.

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Profesor Jose Luis, Emely, Mike, Profesora Ligia, Lisa and Adrian

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.img_0415img_0405

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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

 

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When You See The Work Of God In Your Life! 3 Months In A Whirlwind!

Hola Amigos. We are praying this finds you well. I am writing this from La Ceiba, Atlantida, Honduras. Sorry this has taken so long, just been trying to keep my head above water. Intend on writing every couple of weeks with pictures following this post.

The last three months have been a rollercoaster ride of emotions for Lisa and me as we prepared to depart.  Leaving behind our family, friends, home, careers, pets and selling most all of our belongings in order to boldly step out in faith, learning a new language and moving to a distant location with little infrastructure – many have accused us of losing our minds. Trading in the first world problems of a dead cell phone battery or a car that won’t start or one of the worst yet, everyone hates being stuck in traffic. Instead, we will be faced with some third world problems of no electricity, lack of food to eat or clean water to drink.  In all honesty there have been times when Lisa and I have questioned our decision for our direction in life. As we continued to look to Jesus for all understanding, He closed certain doors as He opened wide new ones. By walking through those opened doors we really began to live, depending and relying on God for our needs and requests has grown our faith tremendously. As we see Him at work daily, almost moment by moment in our lives and the lives of those we are close to.

Talking about going on mission, and actually doing it is very different.  I can now see why I’ve been told that many missionaries do not make it to the field. Without the help and support of our many friends, family and brothers and sisters in Christ, I’m not sure we would be where we are today. Please forgive me for not mentioning each of you by name but what I can say is that we have been blessed so many times in so many ways by so many different people I cannot begin to compile a list adequate enough to express your importance in this journey. We want to thank our home church our church leaders and body as a whole including but in no way limited to the morning bible study brunch group, our small group, our close and not so close friends, Columbia Gorge Christian Fellowship, our sending agency ACTION International and all those who have touched and influenced our lives over the years, our family that has been oh so supportive as it has been difficult for them as well to stand in support of our decision. Lisa and I pray you all find it as uplifting and encouraging as we do, to know that no matter what your role, we will all share in the same treasure on the other side of eternity. For we could not go without senders and we would surely be overcome without the protection of your prayer strengthening and keeping us. We love you and pray the peace of our Lord and Heavenly Father over each of your life knowing that you in turn are creating opportunities for these boys that they would never have otherwise – making a difference in La Moskitia one boy at a time.

We give all praise and glory to God for our dear friends and family who came along side us in the final days, helping us to utilize every moment; for their endless effort they put into always being available to us, without being asked or told what was needed. Truer angels than these cannot be found.

Thanking God for our extraordinary daughter Taylor and her loving husband Bryan whom we adore for all their help as we prepared to leave, giving me peace by providing man’s best friend – my dog Reilly,  a loving home. Thank you to each of you who helped handle the last minute details that were responsible for us being able to leave on time without a minute to spare.

We thank God for bringing just the right people along to purchase all that was sold. I praise God for answered prayer as He brought a buyer for the business, the deal closed on a Friday we flew out of Seattle Sunday. Lisa’s car sold earlier on Sunday, the day we left, my Cadillac also sold that same day.  Just God working in the eleventh hour like only He can do, as we were about to concede, that it must not be part of God’s will for our lives, He continued to show us His faithfulness over and over. All for His glory.

As we arrived at the airport with long lines at the ticket booth we were waved over to the mileage plus line with hardly anybody in it. As our bags were weighed some of them overweight we are told “this is your lucky day!” as the computer system went down and we were told, all of our bags would be checked for free! Six bags total, two of them over weight, about a $300.00 savings! Praise God! Who has ever heard of such a thing?

After arriving in La Ceiba, we by chance met Rod, a local American missionary at the super market  After briefly discussing the vision God had placed on our hearts – the boys home and an aquaponics system to help guarantee a food supply, he shared with us the fact that he knew of a man visiting La Ceiba that was all about aquaponics, and that he would be having lunch with him the following day. I asked if I may tag along, and he agreed. It just so happened that the meeting was scheduled a couple blocks from our school at 12:30PM, and our language class goes from 8-noon. As we arrived we realize this was a gathering of maybe 50-60 people American missionaries and several local Honduran pastors. We had an incredibly blessed, spirit-filled time of fellowship connecting with many local and foreign like-minded folks. Two of our new contacts are both heavily involved in established aquaponic systems here in Honduras. Jorge, the lead aquaponics specialist here in La Ceiba for Connect Global out of Tampa Florida is a Honduran native that has wanted to do work in La Moskitia, he will now have ample opportunity to use his expertise in Puerto Lempira. Again God connecting His network in amazing ways, as our missionary friend Mateo, who has been serving here in Honduras for the past 25+ years had never heard of anyone doing aquaponics here in Ceiba and it only took us less than 24 hours to be connected with local professionals with up and running highly productive systems.

I feel as if we have been blessed with so many divine appointments; God guiding and protecting us the entire way. By answering God’s call or promptings in obedience  we can expect Him to manifest His will and plan for our lives step by step. With each step God has afforded me opportunities to share the gospel with many already.   It began with the director of the language school as he shared some personal struggles with me within the first couple days of being here.  I was able to point him to the redeemng power of Christ.   Almost effortlessly we have been able to share with each of the students our faith in Jesus. My teacher has a second job teaching at a local public middle school and has asked Lisa and me to come and share some of my testimony and our mission in Honduras with his class on Wednesday. There will be an English teacher there to do the translating. Please pray for that experience to be spirit-led, conveying the love and joy only felt by the power of a living God. Just when I feel as if, what more could I possibly do, God allows another opportunity. How exciting it is proclaiming His glory!

We have begun our second week of language school, 4 hour days of one on one instruction and about two hours homework. Lisa and I are grateful for this opportunity to focus on learning this new language. Looking at it as our job for the next four months, we are hopeful and expectant for God to loose our tongues and bless us with a second language. You will know this has happened when I am writing thoughts in Spanish.  We do feel as though we are learning, only not at the miraculous pace we desire, yet we remain confident in He who called us. Please pray for understanding and patience.

We were blessed at our first church experience this past weekend as the church we attended had a guest pastor from Florida, Pastor Mitch who shared with us a valuable truth, in English, translated into Spanish. As we try to settle into our new routine we feel as we just exited a storm, but the truth of the matter is we are all either entering a storm, in a storm or exiting a storm. The story in (Matthew 14:22-29) was shared and a timely reminder of the importance of keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, as the safest place to be in a storm is close to Jesus. For when we obey and keep our eyes on Jesus we can defy our own fears and limitations, but if only for a moment we glance away we allow fear to set in. Peter looked away, a casual glance and began to sink. Thankfully, Jesus saves sinking people who call out to Him. So wherever you may be in relation to the storms of life,       (Hebrews 12:1-2) “…let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith…”

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