One of the things I must continue to reflect upon is that, it’s not…I that have got God, but that He has got me.  I was lost, but He found me.

You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. (John 15:16) HCSB

As I am on my way out of Honduras I feel a longing that God has created in my life to serve Him. Realizing all He has done for me, my life, filled with gratitude will surely be a life filled with service for His glory.  I feel the greatest gift life has to offer us all, is that we walk closely enough with Jesus to hear our calling, and that we may be faithful enough to fulfill the ministry God created us to accomplish.  Nothing easy about this, as I battled defeat and what I call, “an emotional rollercoaster” for the last couple weeks.  In need of continual reminders that it is not “me” that has to get “this or that” done but that it is God, who is responsible for the amount of work happening on Casa Del Camino. Knowing this vision was given by God helps me to rest at the end of this trip, taking pressure off me, by believing all things were accomplished on this trip in His timeframe and according to His plan for His ministry.

Low point of the trip:

Making a tough decision with adverse affects on someone’s livelihood, who I claim to be a friend of.

Sorry to say, I had to fire one of the crew a few days ago.  One of the initial guys, one of the first five that were hired to work this project from the beginning.  This was not easy… After multiple issues, everything from our property being broken into, to him having his boys doing his job (unknown to us) and caught sleeping while they were supposed to be doing it, to not bringing his watchdog to the night-time watchie shift multiple nights in one week.  I felt as though he was taking advantage of our desire to be a reflection of God’s grace, and his attitude was that of one who acted like he was above being held accountable for these issues.  Truth be known, we are going to all be held accountable for what we have done with the opportunities and resources we were given here, this side of Heaven.  He had worked for us for two years, without contract, and as I just learned, a workers contract is very important in Honduras.  The following day the ex-employee filed papers with the “Ministry of Work” and the day before I left I was given notice that I had to go in and have a hearing that would determine how much severance I must pay him.  For a worker that is fired unjustly, that amount can equal one years pay.  Gratefully, we had documented said issues and were able to show his release was warranted, and that allowed us to negotiate a severance that started out at two months pay, down to two weeks.  Thank you Lord.

On to good things.  In my additional two week stay, along with good progress at the property, I was able to make some new, invaluable contacts:

One of whom is a Honduran civil engineer who also happens to be an attorney named Roberto.  Roberto is from Tegucigalpa and is friends with the new Mayor of Puerto Lempira.  Roberto had been visiting PL in an attempt to figure out the best way to resolve some drainage and infrastructure issues in the downtown area.  When served with the Ministry of Work papers I immediately thought of Roberto, as we had just met when I had shared a table with him over dinner a few nights before.   It’s funny how God works – all the restaurant tables were full and he was sitting alone at a four person table, I was hungry and ready to eat so it was a no-brainer for me as I motioned to sit down across from him.  We decided to share contact info as he felt he may be able to offer us some service in regards to our mission sometime.   Then, a couple of days later I would call Roberto to explain what I had received from the Ministry of Work, and he was able to meet with me and prepare me for what would happen at the hearing.  He also offered to prepare a simple two month contract document that would protect us in the future and could be used for all of our current employees.  I am so thankful for Roberto.  He drew up a two page contract for 15 employees, he also provided the 30 copies needed, all at no charge.  If our meeting was not a divine appointment between Roberto and I sharing dinner in the middle of Puerto Lempira, and the fact that he happened to speak a little English, two days before I would need his help, I don’t know what is.

Then on my last night, our good friend Walter Tatallon, who is the artist of the featured image above, was coming to deliver my painting, and as I walked out to meet him, he began speaking with a man, who as it turns out is the new Mayor of Puerto Lempira.  Subsequently, I was introduced to Mayor Etgado Alkade, who inquired as to what had brought me to Puerto Lempira.  So! I was able to give God the glory in front of the town’s Mayor.  He then proceeded to tell me he has many resources at his disposal, and if we need any help in the future at Casa Del Camino, to not hesitate to call on him or his second in charge who he then introduced to me.   Mr. Mayor Alkade even gave me his personal cell phone number to call, because he “loves construction and loves that we have come to help the Miskito people, his people.”

Along with those two contacts, God blessed me with yet another one, Earl.   Earl has been working in the Puerto Lempira area for the last 11 years or so with the Rotary, doing various humanitarian projects.  He left the states a couple of years ago and is now based in Roatan and makes several trips to PL each year.  His organization as it happens, is also responsible for providing the power generator system for the House of Hope orphanage and the IVA School.   Presently his organization is currently working on a clean water operation.  Earl and I were able to share the ride out of Puerto Lempira to La Ceiba in a small single prop plane the next morning, and we made sure to have each other’s contact information to touch base as we return home.

I am feeling that by me trying to walk in obedience, every step with God, by desiring to stay longer to accomplish more, I was provided these three incredible connections as they didn’t happen in the previous three weeks.  God always at work and providing opportunities for future friendships – all to help fulfill Lisa and my calling to serve the boys of La Moskitia – for them to know our Savior’s love.

Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth.  For I am God, and there is no other.  By Myself I have sworn; Truth has gone from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked;  Every knee will bow to Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.  Isaiah 45:22-23

Front deck around to front porch.  We got two more pieces on and call it a trip.  

My ride out of Puerto Lempira

View from my seat – those are my knees nearly touching the dash

Property being cleared to help limit the snake population: No place to run, no place to hide!

Burning the grass piles on the property

Casa Del Camino.  Amazing progress.  Broke ground Feb. 2016, realizing the fence alone took one year to complete

Something is wrong with this picture?  God’s my co-pilot, no fear.  

Super remote area of La Moskitia from 1200′ just east of Reserva Biologica Rio Plantano

Trujillo, Honduras.  West side of Reserva Biolgica Rio Plantano 

Thank you all for keeping me in your prayers, and for lifting Casa Del Camino boys and all the work crew to the Lord in prayer, praying God’s will be done!

I thank you God Almighty for surrounding me with your people Lord. I give you thanks for all the many blessings You continue to pour out on me keeping me safe as I notice all the physical pain and death that haunt many in La Moskitia Lord.  I pray for them to know You personally Lord.  Thank you for your provisions – for providing me people with the ability to help in situations as they arise God, I owe everything to You Jesus.  Please give me your heart for all people God.   Help me to express my love and appreciation to our family and friends God, who are involved in this ministry.  Heavenly Father, I pray and lift each person reading this, that you may meet them wherever they are Lord, and provide them with Your comfort, let them share in Your peace that You offer so freely, to those who follow you God.  Allow us each the ability to see You God at work in our everyday lives.  May You, the Creator of all that is seen and not seen continue Your great work in each of our lives, as we join together in Your Great Commission.  May You Lord continue to strengthen our faith, empowering us with Your Great Holy Spirit – produce in us a powerful witness to You God, and may we share Your love for one another, this day and everyday forward.  We love You Lord Jesus and we praise You and give You thanks for everything – thank you for what You lovingly accomplished upon the cross for us God, helping us to see it is not what we do, but rather what has already been done for us by Your free gift when Jesus paid it all.  In love we respond.  We praise You God as we wear the name of “Sought out.”  It is in Your blessed name we pray.

Amen.

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.  Colossians 2:6-7 HCSB

My Best for His Glory,

Mike

Click here to go to: Brenner Mission Page

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.

Arnold & Jerbin (back)

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.

Entry Porch Roof Completed

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.

Porch off the Living Room and Master Bedroom

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.

Porch off the Back Bedrooms

Cement Kitchen Counters Going In

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

Click here to go to Brenner Missionary Website

Be silent before the Lord, and wait expectantly for him. (Psalms 37:7)

This trip has been a challenging one on many levels.  At the same time, I have continued to feel so very blessed that our Lord continues to show me His faithfulness in all things.

I am aware of my commitment to serve the people of La Moskitia, and am feeling more surrendered to God’s will with every passing day.  I feel as though our Lord May be using Lisa and me to help to fill the hole – the hole left by the loss of Mama Miriki’s life of service to these people.  Surely we could never take her or her family’s place but I’m confident God is using us that we might be a reflection of His guiding light in the lives of the lost – people who need Jesus here in this remote corner of our world.

I am finding opportunities daily to point others to Jesus, and at the same time I am being stretched beyond my comfort zone, challenged to handle situations with my beloved dysfunctional boys; loving them, encouraging them, providing for them, having fun with them – yet trying to reach them in a way that will help them to grow up healthy and strong physically, mentally and most importantly, spiritually.  It reminds me of just how difficult the teen years can be especially for kids that may not have had a typically “good” childhood.  All of this and…the language barrier, I am challenged at every turn.

From Left: Arnold, Jerbin, Mike and Marco 

Following God’s lead without truly knowing where or what He’s asking has become more of me just making myself available.   Many times I feel totally inadequate as a representative or witness for the Lord; and yet I find myself praying for people I don’t know.

Or, like today for instance when we do the usual topical Scripture study at the prison, with friends Pastor Ludy and Mateo, who are so much more well read and knowledgeable of Scripture than me.  Still, I feel the desire to share what I do know, and I’m blown away by the fact that God has used me to play a part in His master plan by getting Pastor Ludy involved in prison ministry – it’s just cool!

At Puerto Lempira Prison today (2.22.18) with Mateo and Pastor Ludy

The issue of waiting for God’s timing without knowing when it will come has been another ongoing theme this trip.  Mostly having to do with materials but, I do know this, “Miskito time” is totally different from “Millitar (military) time.”  I’m getting mucho practice in patience.

Well water.  Expecting the miracle without knowing how God will provide.  I have a big expectation that our well will test clean after it has tested positive for chloroform.  I’m praying for this daily.  Since the test came back positive for chloroform we did a little research and discovered that some wells that test dirty need to be shocked with bleach to remove contaminates.  While a little chloroform is not dangerous because we already have that in our systems, I don’t know what level our well is at since the test doesn’t tell me that.  And because our water in the States is treated, there is zero chloroform so our prayer for this well here too is the same.  When we did the shock treatment the water went from totally clear to slightly cloudy, and is now getting clearer with the more water that is pumped out.  We have pumped roughly 6000 gal. since.  Please pray for the water to be clean.  

Death.  With all the death involved on this trip, understanding God’s purpose without understanding the circumstances has been a challenge as I try my best to pray for those involved in the suffering.  Especially when the lost one didn’t have a relationship with God.  I’m planting seeds of love and at every opportunity sharing Jesus and the truth of an all-faithful, Almighty, All loving God – an important step in true healing for those who are suffering. Please pray that seeds planted will sprout in fertile soil, grow and produce a fertile crop a hundred times as much as has been planted.

Values.  I have noticed the high value placed on relationships here as compared to the “high-value” placed on things or time, in general back home.  People here love to stop and talk.  You just don’t see everybody running around in a big hurry to get somewhere.  Lisa and I are both very excited to get into language school.   That’s another miracle we are looking forward to – being able to communicate in their native language of Miskito. Please pray that we would learn the language thoroughly and quickly.  

Lucas – fearless on the roof

Other news to share: Casa Del Camino is progressing nicely as all of the roof beams are up and cut to length, fascia boards have been installed, and we are running the first course of 1”x12”x16’ boards.  The security gate on the battery bank has been installed, decorator block has been put into the window openings in the water tower bathroom, solar panels for the new 24v solar deep well pump and mounting bracket have been made, along with the fence surrounding the panels and well is also going up. 

Front Porch Roof Beams

P-R-O-G-R-E-S-S

Looking out the front door from the entry way

Please continue to pray for the people of Puerto Lempira,  for our fellow missionaries serving here and especially for softening of the hearts of our boys.  Pray for clear communication with all, for blessings and safety on the work crew and their families, for the growth of Pastor Ludy’s church, and also for safety and peace over my beautiful wife until I return, and for my continued renewal of strength needed on a minute to minute basis.

A HUGE thank you for all you continue to do in helping provide for this ministry, with prayer support and for your financial donations.  And thank you Jesus for your Holy Spirit, for your grace, for your love and for your guidance in every step of this journey.

To God be the Glory,

Mike

ACTION Website

…Grace to you and peace from our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:1)

And as I am learning, grace is always first, as there is no peace without God’s grace.

A certainty here in La Moskitia, is that life is hard and death is certain. On our last trip one of the work crew, Herman lost two of his brothers suddenly within a couple days of one another.  This trip, Rudy, another of our crew, lost his mother unexpectedly last Friday afternoon, after one day in the hospital.  Saturday we called it a short day as to support and help Rudy build his mother’s burial vault.

Everyone is buried above ground here, I believe due to the fact that the water table is so high.  This probably goes without saying, but La Moskitia is not the place for urgent care.  If that wasn’t enough, today when we came back into town, we were met by crowds of folks gathered around with news that one of the water taxis, (a 25’ boat with a 200hp motor) that was carrying 24 people (safely made to carry only 12 people), combined with the high winds capsized the boat.  Several people lost there lives, six others hospitalized. Prayers for all the families involved are needed as most do not know the Lord.

On a way more positive note, I am loving the time with the boys even though it can be draining occasionally.  I laugh because we are only talking about three boys here at the moment, so we will definitely have our hands full at Casa Del Camino with 8+ boys.  They are such a joy to be around – full of life, even as difficult as it is here – and we pray for their hearts to be opened to the beautiful truth of Jesus. Amen.   (Isaiah 40:28-29) Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.

I see God teaching me that I must renew my strength, daily, and I’m not talking about pushups or pull-ups. I need to remain focused on the battle and the fact that it’s a battle that has already been won!  I realize that even in my strength I am weak.  I can’t control most things, only the direction in which I look to be renewed.  And while I feel the spiritual battle intensifying with each step we are taking, it is good to know that these intermediate struggles are nothing compared to the vastness of God’s purposes.

As we continue taking the steps of faith God places before us – the uncontrollable logistics of material delivery from the mainland, and the language barrier (the bilingual manager at the construction supply store is no longer employed), limited cargo space for material delivery with a “first come first serve” mentality of the shipping company, and a material supplier that has a bigger supply of excuses for not making the boat than they have of product, even the delivery of the local woods have been frustrated by all the heavy evening rains producing impassable mountain roads for the heavily loaded timber truck, the frustrating fact that we have been unable to find any dry wood to use as our material while what we do have is drying under the house, the well water although looks very clear tested positive for bacteria, or the fact that the table saw that we delivered this trip was over-worked within a couple days and melted down the motor windings, and our DeWalt worm saw that has been reliable since day one of this project has stopped working due to what I’m hoping is a simple switch fix (of course there isn’t a DeWalt dealer this side of the Rio Plantano Biosphere), the issue with my iPhone and iPad being temporarily stolen before being retrieved – are just a few of the challenges being prayerfully handed over to the Lord, because I am certain His plans and reasonings are far better than any I might have had!

I’m grateful for His faithfulness in allowing me to continue to grow spiritually and for His indwelling Spirit.  Although we are waiting delivery of plaster for walls, more cement, rebar, plumbing, roof vapor barrier, and while much of the wood needed has been delivered (though freshly cut, needs to dry), we were able to purchase a back up saw here and have made contact with the Latin America DeWalt repair shop in La Ceiba to avoid possibly having to return parts to the States.

The new solar well pump we brought down this trip is incredible! And we added a couple gallons of bleach to the well to see if we can shock it clean. We will continue to pump water out of well because they say the well gets cleaner the more water it passes, and I have one more bacteria test to perform before I leave. The guys are making good progress on finishing the window and door openings and will begin plastering walls after that.

Giving praise to God for bringing Pastor Ludy and his Miskito church to the property last Sunday for a baptism service.  Three ladies were scheduled to be baptized and it turned into 6 girls and three boys!  I’m sure the enemy wasn’t happy about that. (This was the third baptism service that has been held at Casa Del Camino property).

Thank you for your prayers, not sure where I’d be without them. I had kind of started thinking this mission was untouchable for Spiritual warfare, I was wrong. Game on!

Psalms 4:8  “I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, LORD, make me live in safety.”

Resting in His Peace,

Mike

Brenner ACTION Web Site

Tuesday morning 5:30 we woke without the alarm going off, but soon after, everyone on the top floor of the hotel was being woken because of two missing phones and one jacked iPad. Let me set this up for you…

Lisa and I in one bed, three boys in the other, the room was feeling a bit stuffy so, as I often do, decided to leave the door open. After all, the hotel is gated with a watchie, and I had never felt un-safe here before. Obviously we all slept well because in the middle of the night someone came into our room and had helped themselves to Arnold’s phone, my phone and my iPad. I immediately went to the watchie to let him know I was upset about this news.  He let me know there was only one other room occupied upstairs other than the two our team had and it just so happened to be the room right next to ours.  As it was further investigated, the man in said room had paid three girls to come to his room and apparently as they left, they couldn’t help but notice the electronics.

Giving credit where credit is due, Apple products rock! Find my iPhone alone, makes the apple product a very good deal.

The police were contacted and I had little hope of finding any real help. But to my pleasure these fine, professional men in uniform, donning bullet proof vest and packing M-16’s arrived in their four wheel drive commando rig looking ready for the task and more than prepared to retrieve my belongings.  Without any real good-byes with my wife, Pat and Paul (they were catching a flight out in a couple of hours), I jumped into action with the boys in blue.

After a ten block ride it looked as if we had closed in on the beacon. The officers surrounded all corners of the shack structure and started knocking on doors.  Soon after this, the girls that were at the hotel the night before were ID’d by the hotel’s watchie (who also came along) and soon after that, the iPad was returned.  Then I let the police know it wasn’t only the iPad we were locating but my iPhone as well. Shortly after that my iPhone was retrieved.  Arnold’s little track phone wouldn’t be so fortunate, as it was unable to be retrieved.  Sorry Arnold.

The police asked me if I would like to press charges and told me if so they would need to keep the items until the girls were charged.  After thinking about how good and full of grace God has been to me, I told the police I would just like to pray for the girls.  And so they brought them out to me and I laid hands on them, lifting them and the man at the hotel – my neighbors – to our Lord, giving the situation to the one who really knows what is best for each of us.

On the way back to the hotel I asked the police if they would take me to the airstrip where me wife was getting ready to leave so I could return her phone which did the tracking and get a proper good-bye – which they did gladly.  All that excitement before most of us have had a chance to drink one cup of coffee. Nothing but my highest regards for these guys – a job well done. Bravo officers!

After Lisa, Pat and Paul were safely on the plane I headed back to the hotel to get my bike and to sadly watch the plane fly off over the lagoon, (my lonely moment).  I then headed off to help our friend Mateo and Oriellio frame up Pastor Ludy’s new house floor.   I did this same work also on Tuesday and Wednesday.  It was so nice to work along side these two guys again as they were the ones I helped build five new church buildings with in remote La Moskitia beginning back in September 2012. 

The boys have had a great couple days start to this school year.  They all seem excited and happy and really it has not been too bad to get up by 4:00AM as they need be at school for breakfast by 6 and it’s an hours walk from the hotel. I have to say they are starting out strong, washing their clothes every night and doing homework.

Today, (Thursday) was a good day.  The new solar pump is up and running and with full sun the last couple days we have filled both tanks – 600L and 2500L.  I will be getting a fresh sample for another water test tomorrow.  Please pray that our well water will be free of ALL contaminates.

GREAT NEWS!!!  We have received all but 74 of the 400 1”x12”x16’s and we also received the remaining 15 – 4”x6”x25’ beams.  I am praying this wood will dry quickly so that we can begin placing them on the roof.

On the down side I’m praying that the new table saw I brought down is not ruined, as we got it quite hot fighting each other trying to rip one of the 25’ 4”x6”s. Once the saw was shut down it wouldn’t turn back on?  Maybe a circuit breaker of some sort?  Also, I was prepared to share some reading of Galatians with the guys in the prison this afternoon, but Ludy was tending to Mateo and Oriellio and Walter was out with a team translating so I was unable to share with the prison men without a translator.

God is alive and well, and I can see Him at work everywhere I look! I’ll reflect more in the next couple days but wanted to catch y’all up a bit, just trying to hold on it’s gonna get busy starting manyana!

Welcome to La Moskitia! Two steps forward three steps back? Thank you for your prayers, not sure I could do this without them. I love you and God bless you!

Miskito Mike

Mike and Lisa at Action International

Hello everyone, God is good. Everything is fine here. I will do my best to write more often in the coming weeks.

We got into Puerto Lempira on Saturday a week ago, after checking into the hotel, we spent the day visiting the property and then some time catching up with Alex and Laura at IVA. When we arrived back at hotel Yu Baiwan we were greeted by one of our boys, Arnold (a very street savy 15 year old that we’ve known since he lived at House of Hope when he was 9 yrs old) not really quite sure how he knew we were coming but they seem to always know when I’m coming to town. He’s still with us.

Sunday was spent visiting places like Mama Tara’s orphanage, our freind Walter, House of Hope orphanage and then ended the afternoon with Pastor Ludy and his home church. We then went to Ludy’s new property where he is building his family home and church to do some prayer walking. When we arrived back at hotel Yu Baiwan we were greeted by two of our other boys, Marco and Jerbin. Marco has been doing amazingly well after his first year at IVA and will be starting his second year at IVA next week February 7th. Arnold and Jerbin have been accepted into the IVA program and will be starting 7th grade this year as well. The three amigos have been with us night and day – these boys are a big part of why we felt lead to build Casa Del Camino, a place for these boys to feel loved, and encouraged to have a relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and savior, as the one true authority in life.

Monday morning we all got up and ready to spend the day at the property working. Alex has been very accommodating and gracious, picking us up every morning and delivering us back to the hotel every night. Our days are spent at the property 6:30-4pm.

The work has gone as well as could be expected in La Moskitia, with the typical setbacks like materials not being delivered as scheduled or the fact that not all the wood beams have been delivered as promised and some that were, needed extra milling, as they had begun to be chewed by termites. (Simple fix with a good table saw and some termite killer).

Most all the roof beams are in place now, waiting on the remaining 15 – 4”x6”x25’. We are also expectantly awaiting the delivery of 400 – 1”x12”x16’ tablas (boards) that go on top of the beams. Going to property tomorrow in hopes of them being delivered tonight or mid morning as they will all need to be set out to dry under the home for about 5 days before being ripped into straight 12” boards.  Many have live edges and are greater than 12”.

The guys are working the last top part of the walls in the bathrooms and the others are finishing the window openings in preparation to receive windows. One good note, all the roofing tin and 100 of the 300 bags of cement were delivered to our container Thursday afternoon.

There is still much work to be done but at this exact time last year we were forming the top section of the water tower, mind blown! All praise and glory be to God. 

We have also been blessed with a crazy good cook that has been preparing the team lunch everyday. I am fairly certain Casa Del Camino has found its first cook.  She also has a sister that will help in any scheduling problems as they both cook well.

Thursday, Patrick, Paul and I left the property early so we could visit the prison by 3 pm. We usually have pastor Ludy go with us to share.  Please pray for Ludy as he just lost his brother and needed to travel to be with his family during this difficult time. We asked our local Miskito freind Walter to please come and help translate, which he graciously did. Thank you Lord. We went around and greeted all the prisoners and asked for them to come and hear Paul’s word in the book of Galatians. About 20 men showed up for chapter 1 and we will try and finish a quick study of Galatians in the next several weeks. Please pray for me to be full of the Spirit and to share God’s word clearly.

Something else, Lisa had a short bout with some kind of virus or demon as she was bedridden for about 24 hours saying it felt like someone had taken a baseball bat to her body. Thanking God for brother-in-laws who happen to be doctors! His support in many ways of this ministry is also appreciated and grateful for his participation on this trip. Lisa is at 100% now so no worries.

Our friend Paul has also been a true blessing and a delight to travel with.  His expertise in all forms of construction has lightened the load dramatically and the kids and work crew have been blessed by his freindship and are enjoying his presence as well. 

I think this could be one of the hardest things in ministry, is leaving the relationships behind that you have built and shared with others.  We think at first we are going somewhere to do something to help someone else in need, but really it’s the work God does in us through our contact with others that changes us and allows us to see, we are the ones who are being blessed.

Wishing you all to have a chance to feel the power of God working in your life, I pray for us all to boldly share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to continue to walk closely with Him.

Saved by Grace,

Mike

Thank You! And praise God, for He has provided exceedingly abundantly and through your giving we have all the monies needed to purchase the remaining roofing, and anticipating the window and door construction to begin. Thank you for your concern and for your obedient heart, we couldn’t go without senders and supporters as you.  It’s beautiful to think about how God has brought us together all for the opportunity that will be afforded the boys of Casa Del Camino and in the disciplining of the work crew, helping them to see God at work, alive in their lives, and learning from His word. When you give selflessly as you have it’s obvious you care about the things our Lord cares about, reaching the lost and caring for the needy.  When I think about your selfless giving to Casa Del Camino I am filled with gratitude and think about a great bible principle, the more you give to the kingdom, the more God is going to give to you.  This is a comforting principle although I have a hard time thinking about what more God could give us, than He already has.

(Ephesians 1:7) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

(1 Peter 1:3-9) Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading kept in heaven for you. You are being protected by God’s power through faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith – more valuable than gold, which perished though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. You love Him though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  Amen.

Freinds we all need God… through Him every single need we have ever had has been met, and will continue to be so. May God forever bless you, and us in our obedience to Him, with Him, in His great commission. Together, awesome things are being done, all in the name of Jesus.

The evening of January 25th Lisa, myself, Lisa’s brother Patrick and our friend Paul will be heading down to construct the roof of Casa Del Camino along side our regular work crew. The three of them will be returning home on February 7th, I will remain in Puerto Lempira returning home February 26th. Please pray for safe travel, for good health, for the Lord to be glorified in our word and deed, for the Lord to go before us preparing the hearts of those who will receive us. Wednesdays will include prison ministry and I will post regularly.

Thank you and praise God for all He continues to do in and through all of us.

May our Lord continue to guide us and direct us,

Mike

To God be the glory. The challenge was real and it was a great learning experience for me. The language barrier makes everything much more difficult especially so with this size production. The end result: Amazing!

I woke up just before 4am Thursday morning the 17th of August. I had some devotion time and coffee with God before riding in the dark to the property where there was already about a hundred men waiting. At 5am the selection began and the number outside the gate was closer to 200. After trying to pick guys through the gate and letting them force their way through the crowd, we opened the gates for all and finished the selection process of choosing and listing all names of the men while standing from the top of the house. I agreed to 100 men then raised it to 110 and then remembered the day before when some cement was delivered and one of the men had his 14 year old son with him who asked me for a job. I had asked the boy, Boris, to get me a bag of cement, (weighing 100#). He ran across the yard grabbed a bag, threw it over his little shoulder and ran it back to me.  I then said to him to “please take it back.” And he did, so that made 111 plus the five ladies it took to cook for all of us, plus nine full time guys made it 125 total. Pastor Ludy led us in prayer then the ladies served us coffee and bread before work began at 8am. Brother Randy did some calculations for me via Instagram and came up with 50 yards of cement, that’s 5 cement truck loads all mixed by hand and bucketed up then dumped onto the floor.

At noon we took turns of about 40 men eating at a time and began winding down at 3:30 or so when the cooks started to give out food again and the guys were somewhat out of steam. It was difficult to get men back to work to finish, the floor was very close to finished but the steps needed to be poured as well.  In hindsight I should have called it a day and paid all but about twenty and paid the twenty extra to finish the steps but as it was I kept everyone around until the job was completed, at about 7pm. One important side note:  As you can see much water was needed to do this job in one day. And as you also know prior we had some difficulties with getting good water on the property, which included one well just outside our fence that had water but was bad for drinking, another existing well located under the home that we tried to dig out to make useable and then our current well with good water. As God would have it, it took moving the gas well pump to each of the three wells multiple times for water as we would pump one dry and go to the other while the one would replenish. God knew, we didn’t only need one well but He needed us to dig several. What an amazing God, that I love!

It got real interesting when I began to pay the guys – while they didn’t think the pay was fair I was thinking they agreed to work for a flat price and to work until it was finished. After talking with Pastor and Chuck we decided I would pay them double because of the time they were here. That’s when a handful started shouting they wanted 100 more! No, 200 more! And on and on. lt felt as though things could go sideways very quickly as a handful were getting people all wound up, funny thing is a couple of the instigators were guys I mostly saw standing around leaning on a shovels, regardless,  I wasn’t sure what was going to happen and was told by Pastor and Chuck that doubling the pay was fair, so I held my ground and most agreed it was fair.  After sleeping on it and talking more with Chuck we came to the conclusion that I would pay the 6 finishers an extra 100 to have everyone feeling good about their day’s work. Friday, Chuck and I found and paid three of the six men. I told Chuck to please continue searching for the other three – it won’t be difficult in this size community. Anyhow that proved to be a good choice as they appeared to be grateful. That is something you would think abounds due to lack of work and difficulty in finding monies in this area? Not so with everyone; please pray for softening of hearts.

I confess that situation had me battling with the flesh of the “old-Mike.” Hearing certain people yell at me, words I didn’t understand, had gotten my heart rate up and feeling the hair standing up on the back of my neck, I was beginning to feel a bit froggy. I was ready to defend myself and my heart sank. I love these people, we are here to help, how could this be? I feel God certainly had his hand on this situation, and I’m grateful He carried me through this making sure the monies were available to double everyone’s pay, keeping arms, machetes and shovels from swinging and allowing such a massive undertaking to be successfully completed.  After everyone had left, our crew, Pastor Ludy and I gathered in prayer over all the workers giving thanks for the completion of the casting. Big difference in ten to twelve guys working or a crew of 125, all in a days work in La Moskitia.

Friday was spent running errands getting materials to finish hooking up the solar pump for the well, ordering block and locating yesterday’s finishers to give more monies.

I forgot to get good pictures of the well progress but the solar panels are mounted, the pump is set and pumping about three gallons per minute, 180 gallons per hour, 6-10 hours per day, everyday! And the well is not running low on water. Praise God!! I did also forget to pack a water testing kit, but the water is running clear so I drank it…it’s all good. Thank you Lord.

We were also able to layout all the walls, doors and windows by marking the floor and going over the drawings with Chuck, Winsis and Jonny.

Lisa and I also got to spend some time with Miguel and Deneve, two of the IVA students we have been blessed to sponsor since they began 7th grade.  They are now 10th graders and doing very well!  They will be part of the first class to graduate high school in 2019! Also included is a picture of Marco and Irais (pronounced Edious).

 At 5:30 pm Friday I remembered I had told a prisoner at the jail on Wednesday that I would come and purchase a boat he built for me on Friday before lockdown at 5:00 pm.  It helps him to purchase food, laundry soap, body soap, toothpaste that sort of thing. At about 6 pm I arrived at the prison, and thankfully the guards and warden know me from visiting the men on Wednesdays. I explained how I had given my word to purchase a boat from one of the guys and asked if there was anyway they would allow this man out from lockdown to sell me his boat.

(Picture of the craftsman with his boat and the area where they can cook their food inside the prison yard.)  Again I’m grateful the warden was moved and allowed me to keep my word. 

From top left: Alli, Winsis, Lucas. Lower top left: Delino, Jonny, pastor Roberto standing and Marcos brother Pablo. Not pictured, Chuck project manager, Aldolpho watching, and Ebenor who we call Romeo worker.  Please continue prayer and safety over these men who God is using to build Casa Del Camino.

Mark 16:15-18 (HCS)

15 Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.  16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; 18 they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly it will never harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.”

Thank you all for reading. May you be deeply blessed for praying and supporting this ministry. We are currently 72% funded.  If you are feeling led to give a one time donation or to give monthly to support the boys who will be living at Casa Del Camino please check out our mission page ACTION International: Mike and Lisa Brenner.

Thank you all for the prayers. Things in La Moskitia have been extremely hot and humid, upper 80’s to low 90’s 100% humidity. We have been just trying to keep up, initial perspective we had easy days working up to the pour day scheduled for tomorrow.  With a closer inspection of the form work for the steps, they were not to code…. there is no code here.  Regardless, I needed to have the steps rebuilt, adding two stairs and decreasing the slope that in turn created the need for the lower stairs to be moved two feet to the south with additional form work for all three landings.

Monday was spent removing first attempt, Tuesday spent reworking stair forms along with marking all plumbing location in the home with 6 bathrooms including additional rebar added to wall column locations that will reinforce future walls. Today, Wednesday August 16th we put plumbing in place before floor pour, stair forms were completed and began to pour concrete steps.  Also we started the installation process for the solar well – the pump is functioning correctly and the solar panel mounting assembly was built. Oh yeah, it’s Wednesday so Pastor Ludy and I went to the prison for prison ministry. *Note to self, when told visiting hours pay attention what time it is. I wasn’t quick enough in checking out before they began lock-down so I didn’t get cut loose till all that was finished.

Lisa and I were able to enjoy some wonderful fellowship with Alex and Laura Waits, friends, brother and sister in Christ and Directors of the IVA Christian school that the Casa Del Camino boys will be attending.  They continue to share invaluable experience and wisdom to help equip us for the years ahead.

Its been all I can do to keep things on schedule. *Note to self, one week not long enough here.  Time is a funny thing in third world situations, no one cares about it other than you. Grateful for God’s timing and timing is everything. As God would have it, out of the additional rebar and concrete I had ordered three weeks prior to this trip that would complete the stairs, only the rebar was delivered so the steps were unable to be poured until after we arrived. Funny how you can begin to see God at work. I promise to follow up on our way out with another blog detailing more of our experience here as we continue to strengthen our relationships and understanding of this beautiful culture. We are truly blessed to be included in God’s gracious works here deep in La Moskitia.

Please pray today for the floor pour where at least 100+ Miskito men will come together in order to complete this in one day. Asking God for safety and blessings throughout this day of work for each of the men, helping them to provide for their families, and blessings over the women who will be preparing coffee and bread starting at 5am and for all their hard work in preparing the lunch to feed the crew. Please also pray for wisdom in directing these men and peaceful interactions among all at the property.  I am so excited I could probably write all night but will be riding to the property before sunrise, so until next time here are a few pics.  Gracias A Dios. 

Caught sunset looking east

Pump pushing water with sun power

Carne

Well tower/battery bank, location of future solar array