Hope for Honduras

These are certainly difficult days around the world. We know people who are not able to find employment at this moment. Others, while still working, are finding their economic situation becoming increasingly more difficult. There is political turmoil around the world. Some of our closest friends have faced family crises of illnesses and other problems. Our courses of study have been negatively affected at the vocational school. Funds that had been anticipated from international organizations for operation of the school have been frozen. Classes have been closed periodically due to the political unrest.

We are continually attentive to the situation in Honduras. At times it is difficult for us to stay focused on what we need to get done because our thoughts are focused on fellow missionaries and friends who are under the constant stress of wondering what the future holds.

Sometimes we tend to get frustrated with the present situation because we are limited in what we can do to help. It is difficult to even imagine a positive outcome based on human efforts but we want to be in Honduras doing something. I often find myself thinking that all we can do is pray. I quickly remind myself that the best thing that we can do is pray. Prayer should not be what we do as a last resort, but it should be our first response to any suffering. James 5:13 says “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”

We especially pray that Honduras will find true peace, the peace that that “passes all understanding” which only God can provide. Join us in praying for the leaders of Honduras. Pray for Church leaders who must respond wisely to current issues. Pray for our missionaries who have chosen to follow God’s calling to minister to the people of Honduras. Pray for our local churches, that the members would be salt and light in their communities.

We continue to find reasons to be cheerful. We praise God for the way that He has been providing for our needs. The Shalom congregation in Choluteca continues to grow. They are looking into the possibility of obtaining a property. An agreement has been made to rent them a property with the option to purchase it in the future.

We had faced the prospect of possibly having to close our vocational school refrigeration course in the middle of the year since funds from an international source had been withdrawn due to the political problems in the country. Enough private donations have been given to allow us to finish classes in December.

We have been given several items such as mechanics tools and a laptop computer which will help us in the ministry in Choluteca. It is amazing how God provides in ways that we do not anticipate.

God has provided several vehicles for the vocational school. Having real cars to work on at the school meets several goals. We need to obtain ten vehicles in order to certify our auto mechanics students in the classroom. The vehicles can be fixed up and resold with the income being reinvested in the school. The repaired vehicles also provide a quality product for the community. Recently, we had been able to purchase three old cars, but had no idea how we were going to be able to afford to purchase more vehicles.

We just had a used Volkswagon donated for the school. It looks like all the details have been worked out to send it to Honduras. It is a long story, but we found a Christian man from Honduras who will be transporting the car. We have also been offered a Ford van which we are considering driving back to Honduras early next year.

We do not believe that it is a coincidence that God continues to provide our needs in exciting ways. We thank Him for blessing the ministry in Choluteca.