We did have the special dinner with the Transition Kids and the house parents - Hernan and Gloria. It was great food and a great time. We had turkey, rice, potato salad honduran style, tortillas and ice cream for dessert. After the meal we found ourselves over with the kids. The transition girls watching a telenovela (soap opera) on the television and the transition boys watching music videos on the computer.
Bet you can't guess who the artist was in every video we watched and is one of the kid's favorite music artists? Michael Jackson. We watched "Smooth Criminal" and "Thriller" (two versions) along with some others. It was a fun night with the kids.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
December 31, 2008 - The Investigation Continues
The plan was to be guests at the Transition House (where the teenagers live) at Faith Home for a special supper. Almost at the same time we arrived the police pulled up outside the Transition House. Saul and Brad went out to talk with them. The police had arrested the two guys that had stolen the doors. Their father had called the police when they returned to the house (more about the dad later). The dad and the boys had also told the police what the boys had done with the doors. The police wanted Brad and Saul to go with them to identify the doors.
Off Brad and Saul went with the police. Brad and Saul leading the way of course. When they got to one of the houses which had what looked like one of our doors mounted on their front door (and a house where the boys and the dad said was one of our doors) we stopped and talked with the lady. Of course, she swore she had had the door many days and had gotten it from a relative. No way we could really prove it was ours so we left. The police told us later they found another door in the backyard of this house. A little strange the lady would have two doors that looked just like ours at her house. Hummmm?????
Saul thought it would be a good idea to go talk with the dad to try and smooth things over so there wouldn't be any problems as we continue to work in this area. We had a good conversation with the dad. He basically said he was tired of his own sons. He has been telling them they need to get real jobs and work or they can't continue to live at his house. The dad said he called the police because he is a Christian and just wants to do the right thing - even if it means turning in his own sons. He seemed to be sincere.
It did get a little unnerving because the house was located on a dark street and while we were waiting on the street for the dad to come out of the house a large crowd gathered around us. Comprised almost entirely of young men. Being a gringo, not being able to understand the language and what is going on very well, being on a dark street at night, and being surrounded by a bunch of young men that you don't know who may not like what you're doing - sure can make a person feel very, very, very uncomfortable. Sure glad the police stayed close by.
Didn't get our doors back but we do think we left on good terms with the dad and the local community; and, have a new respect for the police. They worked very had to catch the guys and to locate our doors.
Off Brad and Saul went with the police. Brad and Saul leading the way of course. When they got to one of the houses which had what looked like one of our doors mounted on their front door (and a house where the boys and the dad said was one of our doors) we stopped and talked with the lady. Of course, she swore she had had the door many days and had gotten it from a relative. No way we could really prove it was ours so we left. The police told us later they found another door in the backyard of this house. A little strange the lady would have two doors that looked just like ours at her house. Hummmm?????
Saul thought it would be a good idea to go talk with the dad to try and smooth things over so there wouldn't be any problems as we continue to work in this area. We had a good conversation with the dad. He basically said he was tired of his own sons. He has been telling them they need to get real jobs and work or they can't continue to live at his house. The dad said he called the police because he is a Christian and just wants to do the right thing - even if it means turning in his own sons. He seemed to be sincere.
It did get a little unnerving because the house was located on a dark street and while we were waiting on the street for the dad to come out of the house a large crowd gathered around us. Comprised almost entirely of young men. Being a gringo, not being able to understand the language and what is going on very well, being on a dark street at night, and being surrounded by a bunch of young men that you don't know who may not like what you're doing - sure can make a person feel very, very, very uncomfortable. Sure glad the police stayed close by.
Didn't get our doors back but we do think we left on good terms with the dad and the local community; and, have a new respect for the police. They worked very had to catch the guys and to locate our doors.
December 31, 2008 - The Baptism
Brad and Saul had to get back to Faith Home because a new believer from one of our churches was being baptized. It was a great time. People from the lady's church along with several Faith Home kids and house parents were there. It was held outside in the pila (tank) at Faith Home. Pastor Miguel led the event and Eduard and Jorge played the guitar while Javier led the singing (all three are house parents). It was informal, low-key, and Real. Felt like it was family celebrating a great event in a family member's life. Perhaps the way it's suppose to be?
December 31, 2008 - The Investigation Begins
When we got back to Hogar de Fe Brad and Saul left for the police station in San Manuel. Before they could get to the police station they passed the police in their truck headed toward El Porvenir (the opposite direction of San Manuel). Brad and Saul turned around and caught up with the police in El Porvenir. Saul told them what was going on and that we had the names of the guys we thought had stolen the doors. The police said they would follow us. Huh??? Follow us? Aren't they suppose to take it from here? This was just the beginning.
Brad and Saul take the lead with the police following behind in their vehicle and they all head toward a community in the back of El Porvenir. You have to go up a fairly steep, but short, hill to reach the community. We stop just before the hill and Saul goes back to tell them we don't know where the guys live just the names and general area. No problem the police say. Next thing Brad knows Saul has returned to the truck and two of the police are getting in the back of the truck with their automatic weapons. The police vehicle is not four-wheel drive and they don't think it will make it up the hill. So, they want us to take them. What? Aren't they suppose to take it from here??? Oh, wait, already thought that and was wrong.
We drive around the community and ask a few people if they know these guys. Finally someone says they think they live back down where we came from. So, we head back down from whence we came. But, the police stay in our truck and don't get back in their vehicle. Have we been sworn in as police???? Did we miss something????
We stop and ask some more people and they give a little more precise info about where these guys might live. The police tell Brad to drive and they and Saul give directions. We turn on to a road, drive a short distance and Saul says stop here. Brad stops, the police jump out the back doors with weapons drawn, and run into a house. Brad's not really liking this. Once again, aren't the police suppose to take it from here???
In a few minutes the police come around the side of the house. Jump in the back seat and tell us to drive and give directions. Great, we are now chasing the criminals with the police in our backseat. Where is the police vehicle??? After a few more turns the police jump out again with weapons drawn and begin running after the criminals. One is running and the other is waving us to follow them more closely. Guess we're in this for the long haul.
Eventually the two police officers disappear into a side street. After about 15 minutes and no sight of anybody we decide to leave. As we're leaving we pass by the original house the police ran into and there are the police standing in front of the house. How did they get there??? They are waiting until the two guys return to their house.
Brad and Saul figure the police can handle it from here and leave because they have somewhere else they need to be.
Brad and Saul take the lead with the police following behind in their vehicle and they all head toward a community in the back of El Porvenir. You have to go up a fairly steep, but short, hill to reach the community. We stop just before the hill and Saul goes back to tell them we don't know where the guys live just the names and general area. No problem the police say. Next thing Brad knows Saul has returned to the truck and two of the police are getting in the back of the truck with their automatic weapons. The police vehicle is not four-wheel drive and they don't think it will make it up the hill. So, they want us to take them. What? Aren't they suppose to take it from here??? Oh, wait, already thought that and was wrong.
We drive around the community and ask a few people if they know these guys. Finally someone says they think they live back down where we came from. So, we head back down from whence we came. But, the police stay in our truck and don't get back in their vehicle. Have we been sworn in as police???? Did we miss something????
We stop and ask some more people and they give a little more precise info about where these guys might live. The police tell Brad to drive and they and Saul give directions. We turn on to a road, drive a short distance and Saul says stop here. Brad stops, the police jump out the back doors with weapons drawn, and run into a house. Brad's not really liking this. Once again, aren't the police suppose to take it from here???
In a few minutes the police come around the side of the house. Jump in the back seat and tell us to drive and give directions. Great, we are now chasing the criminals with the police in our backseat. Where is the police vehicle??? After a few more turns the police jump out again with weapons drawn and begin running after the criminals. One is running and the other is waving us to follow them more closely. Guess we're in this for the long haul.
Eventually the two police officers disappear into a side street. After about 15 minutes and no sight of anybody we decide to leave. As we're leaving we pass by the original house the police ran into and there are the police standing in front of the house. How did they get there??? They are waiting until the two guys return to their house.
Brad and Saul figure the police can handle it from here and leave because they have somewhere else they need to be.
December 31, 2008 - The uneventful stuff
Our day started with a trip to the bank in San Pedro Sula. However before we could get out of the door Saul (the Bible Institute superintendent) came by telling us he had gotten word that some guys were seen walking down the hill behind the Bible Institute with some doors - probably ours. He was going to go check it out. Great - here we go again.
We went to the bank - had to wait about an hour for them to be able to do what we needed done - and then headed to the grocery since we hadn't been in many days. When we got to the grocery the parking lot was packed and there was a long line of cars waiting to get into the parking lot. We decided to head to the grocery in El Progreso. The crowd there was smaller and the parking lot was bigger so we did our shopping. When we were leaving Saul called and said we were missing four doors from some of the houses at the Bible Institute and he thought we should go to the police when we got back.
Continued in the next entry...
We went to the bank - had to wait about an hour for them to be able to do what we needed done - and then headed to the grocery since we hadn't been in many days. When we got to the grocery the parking lot was packed and there was a long line of cars waiting to get into the parking lot. We decided to head to the grocery in El Progreso. The crowd there was smaller and the parking lot was bigger so we did our shopping. When we were leaving Saul called and said we were missing four doors from some of the houses at the Bible Institute and he thought we should go to the police when we got back.
Continued in the next entry...
Thursday, December 25, 2008
December 25, 2008 - Christmas at Hogar de Fe
We just spent almost 10 hours with our teammates the Willis passing out gifts, cookies, and sodas to 79 plus kids and about 20 adults. A very long day but it was nice to be so busy. It's hard being away from family during this time of year and being so busy the last few days has been nice. We had each house (the kids live in houses with house parents) come one house at a time. Once they arrived Cindy took a picture of all the members of the house together and then a picture of each kid as they received their gift(s). After the pics they opened their gifts and then it was time to help with installing batteries, figuring out for them how their toys worked, cleaning up the mess from the gift openings, passing out the cookies and sodas for each house, saying good bye to that house and getting the presents out and under the tree for the next house.
The transition kids (teenagers) were the last group. It was good they were last because we were tired and they were very energetic and funny just being around them as they teased each other during the pictures.
The Willis and we had a good day, busy and tiring, but good.
Fue bueno día
The transition kids (teenagers) were the last group. It was good they were last because we were tired and they were very energetic and funny just being around them as they teased each other during the pictures.
The Willis and we had a good day, busy and tiring, but good.
Fue bueno día
December 24, 2008 - Christmas at Faith Home #10
A few pics from the day. From top to bottom. (Top) Odalin and Melvin Jose (Saul's son); Pastor Miguel taking it easy; Luisa; and Greysi.
December 24, 2008 - Christmas at Faith Home #8
There was also a talent show with twenty contestants. The gringos had to be the judges - not a fun job. This is a picture of the top six winners. They are left to right: Aldys, Henry, Dago, Selvin, Jose Pacheco, and Mauricio.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
December 24, 2008 - Christmas at Faith Home #7
We also had some praise and worship. Nope, nothing wrong with your sound system. They just play the music really loud and sometimes distorted. The band from l to r: Selvin on guitar, Henry on guitar, Yanni on bongos, and Joel (brother of Selvin) on the bass guitar. Leading the music are two of the house moms - Eduarda on the left and Edyis
december 24, 2008 - Christmas at Faith Home #6
After the food it was time for the entertainment. They had a secret santa for those who wanted to participate - which included just about all the girls and women and few of the boys. No transition boys and no Tios (house dads) - go figure. Here's a video of the exchanging of some of the gifts. Each person had to come up to microphone, announce who was their "amigo secreto", that person comes up and gets the gift and then takes the mic and does the same thing.
What they are saying is "Dios le bendiga. Mi amiga secreta es (name of the person)." In English "God bless you. My secret amiga is ........." Sorry, during part of the video someone, Jeremy see below, turned off the lights.
There is also a pic of two youngest participants exchanging gifts. Jeremy on the left and Caleb on the right. They both about two years old.
december 24, 2008 - Christmas at Faith Home #5
While we were waiting to eat Cindy went to visit Jorge, Karla, and the boys that live beside the Bible Institute and give them their presents for Christmas. The boys are Ezequiel (Ezekiel), David, and Maynor.
December 24, 2008 - Christmas at Faith Home #4
Then we ALL went to the comedor (dining hall) for an evening of eating and entertainment. First was the food. Turkey, rice, cucumbers, green peppers, tomatos, rolls, and pepsi. Sorry, we got so caught up in the eating we forgot to take any pics until after everybody was done. Just picture 79 plus kids and about 30 adults eating, laughing, talking, and giving each other a hard time.
December 24, 2008 - Christmas at Faith Home #3
Then finish the cookie baking and decorating. Cindy and Tania have been baking and decorating cookies for two full-days (no exaggeration). Today Cindy got some help today from three of the girls (l to r) Iris, Odalin, and Ericka. After the decorating, the Willis and us spent the rest of the afternoon putting together plates of cookies and fudge for each house. Three plates per house.
December 24, 2008 - Christmas at Faith Home #2
Then came the girls softball tournament. The transition (teenage) boys decided to climb the tree and cheer the girls on. Who needs bleachers when the best seat is over second base - ok, actually the tree was second base.
December 24, 2008 - Christmas at Faith Home #1
Thought we would let you experience a little of Christmas in Honduras with us through pics and videos. The day started with the traditional Christmas meal - tamales. The green things are the banana leaves and the tamales are inside of them. No, we don't eat the banana leaves.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
December 21, 2008 - Merry Christmas #1
Merry Christmas four days before from Honduras. In the picture (kneeling l to r) Estefany, Greyvi, Angelica; (seated with the red shirt) Isabel; (standing l to r) Ana, Fani, Karen, Karina, Mirian
December 20, 2008 - Cookie Making
Cindy had some of the girls over to make cookies. They had a great time. Eating the cookie dough from left to right are: Glenda, Cindy, Luisa, and Kency.
December 20, 2008
Tonight we went to a church service at the church in Via Italia. Except it was a service with people attending from most of our local churches. There were about three hundred, or so, in attendance. The service was held outside under the stars with a guest speaker from another city that was a friend of one of our pastors. The service started about 7:00 and ended about 10:00. You probably won't believe us but it was a little cool being outside tonight. Many of the pastors had spent most of the day setting up for the service. Setting up the lighting, the sound system, constructing a stage, and bringing chairs from many of the churches. After the service we had to take all the chairs, sound equipment, etc. back to the various churches. Got home around 10:45. It was a good night.
The emphasis of the message tonight was the churches reaching their communities. This was really exciting because that is what we have been discussing among the pastors - reaching our communities, departamento (State), country, and the world. So for the churches to hear this from a minister from Honduras was great.
The emphasis of the message tonight was the churches reaching their communities. This was really exciting because that is what we have been discussing among the pastors - reaching our communities, departamento (State), country, and the world. So for the churches to hear this from a minister from Honduras was great.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
december 13-14, 2008 - Pastor's Conference
The title of the seminar was “Managing Money According to the Bible” with the emphasis of the conference being several points:
1 What does the Bible say about managing money?
2 The primary mission of the church is to carry the gospel to the world
3 How our churches and the believers in Honduras should be participating and supporting missions - not only receiving
4 That God has provided the resources for us to do this or He would not ask us
5 God should be first in every area of our lives.
These themes were woven into every lesson throughout the day. At the end of the day the pastors were challenged to begin supporting a missionary from their own personal funds and to begin considering the possibility of sending out our own missionary. Saul spoke up and said he has wanted to go to England as missionary for some time. Please pray for Saul, his family, and all of us that if this is what God wants we will move in this direction.
After the seminar each pastor had an opportunity to speak. Tino said “This wasn’t a seminar about money. This was about making God first in your life. We need to change everything in our churches.” Appears God may have begun something this weekend. Please continue to pray for what is going on here and where God wants us to be/go.
1 What does the Bible say about managing money?
2 The primary mission of the church is to carry the gospel to the world
3 How our churches and the believers in Honduras should be participating and supporting missions - not only receiving
4 That God has provided the resources for us to do this or He would not ask us
5 God should be first in every area of our lives.
These themes were woven into every lesson throughout the day. At the end of the day the pastors were challenged to begin supporting a missionary from their own personal funds and to begin considering the possibility of sending out our own missionary. Saul spoke up and said he has wanted to go to England as missionary for some time. Please pray for Saul, his family, and all of us that if this is what God wants we will move in this direction.
After the seminar each pastor had an opportunity to speak. Tino said “This wasn’t a seminar about money. This was about making God first in your life. We need to change everything in our churches.” Appears God may have begun something this weekend. Please continue to pray for what is going on here and where God wants us to be/go.
december 13-14, 2008 - Pastor's Conference
This is Raul and Dorís' daughter Génesis at Applebees. That's Dorís to the left of the pic. She is just so cute we wanted to share with you. She's three years old and a sweetie. Yes, she ate it all - three large chicken fingers and a basket full of fries. Although the ice cream that came after the meal was just too much for her. Beto (one of the pastors) helped her out and ate it for her.
december 13-14, 2008 - Pastor's Conference
There were four pastors that came in from out of town and were staying in the team house on the Faith Home campus and leaving on the bus Monday morning. After Applebee's and all the local pastors had been taken back to their homes the four plus Saul and Miguel came over to our house and hung out for awhile. Cindy served them cake and coke and we continued with great time we had had all weekend (fin de semana). They are left to right: Tino, Jose Luis, Miguel, Pastor (in the hat), Mercedes, and Saul.
december 13-14, 2008 - Pastor's Conference
Applebee's. That Sunday night all the kids meals were free and they got a free ice cream so we didn't have to pay for any of the children and Applebee's gave us all the drinks for free - no charge (gratis). Thank you so much Applebee's.
december 13-14, 2008 - Pastor's Conference
The group photo: Standing left to right: Saul, Raul, Marcos, Arnaldo, Marcial, Julio, and Beto. Kneeling left to right: Jose Luis, Tino, Pastor, Milton, Miguel, Mercedes.
december 13-14, 2008 - Pastor's Conference
Hanging out together at the breaks. An important part of building bonds, teamwork, and commitment to each other.
december 13-14, 2008 - Pastor's Conference
The seminar - the part where the pastors were in groups reading the scripture references, discussing what they meant, and recording what God was showing them through His Word.
december 13-14, 2008 - Pastor's Conference
The business part of the conference. Even it was encouraging and uplifting.
december 13-14, 2008 - Pastor's Conference
The FOOD! Eggs, frijoles, queso, crema, guacamole, and tortillas. Sounds simple but they are SO good together.
december 13-14, 2008 - Pastor's Conference
Praying before the meals. Not a quick 30 second prayer. We probably prayed for a good five minutes - everyone, out loud and at the same time with hands raised.
December 13-14, 2008 - Pastor's Conference
The cooks from left to right: Cindy, Bessy, Dorís and Dorís' daughter Genesis. The other young lady is Dorís and Raul's other daughter who was a great help getting the dirty table ready.
December 13-14, 2008 - Pastor's Conference
The Pastor’s Conference has now come and gone. The pastors are referring to this as the “El milagro de la conferencia” (The miracle conference). Saul and Miguel shared with the pastors that when Saul, Miguel, and Brad begin talking about having a conference we had NO money to do it. We believed God wanted us to have a conference and we had been praying that God would provide the finances. Because if we did not get any money for the conference then we would not have it. Thanks to many of you God provided the money through you and we shared this with the pastors Saturday night. Brad also shared that many of you were praying for the pastors and for this conference. So, Sunday morning they had a time of prayer for those of you who were supporting this conference through prayer and/or finances.
We had thirteen pastors attend and three that couldn’t make it. One (Oscar) was doing a wedding but his wife Mercedes was able to attend. They co-pastor one of the churches in Tegucigalpa. Another pastor (Ramon) did not attend and we're not sure why. And the third pastor who we were hoping would attend so he could receive encouragement and love chose not to attend. Please pray for he and his family.
The pastor’s arrived Saturday night at 6:00 and were treated to a wonderful supper of eggs, beans, cheese, totillas, crema, coffee, horchata (a rice based drink), and brownies prepared by Bessy (Saul’s wife), Dorís (Raul’s wife) and Cindy. After supper we had a time of worship and then Miguel (the president of the pastors) shared about a thirty minute devotional from 1 Peter 5:1-11. After the devotion each pastor had an opportunity to share something that was on his heart. Then the pastors discussed some business/operational issues and ideas and we called it a night about 10:30.
Sunday morning we started about 7:15 with breakfast, prepared by the ladies again, and then Saul gave about a 20 minute devotion also from 1 Peter 5:1-11. After the devotion we begin the day long seminar entitled “Cómo Manejar el Dinero Según la Biblia” (How to manage money according to the Bible). Each pastor received a folder of information which included: lecture notes with many Scripture references, a sample budget, and about 15 other one page handouts. There were six lessons plus an introduction. Each lesson begin with the pastors breaking up into groups of 3 - 4, reading the scripture references, discussing what they meant, and writing down what God showed them from the His Word.
Brad taught the seminar and he was nervous about how the topic would be received and having to speak Spanish all day. Turned out the pastors loved the topic and with their help everybody was able to communicate.
About 11:00 we took a break for lunch that was prepared by the same three ladies plus Miguel’s wife, Eduarda, joined them to help prepare the lunch. It was even better than supper the night before.
The seminar ended a little after four and then we had a time of praise and prayer followed by Santa Cena (Communion/The Lord’s Supper). It was powerful. Many were on their knees during much of the worship time.
We ended the evening and the conference by taking all the pastors, all those who helped cook, along with four children to Applebees for supper. The pastors had a great time eating, laughing, hanging out together, and experiencing something that many have never experienced. To make a perfect ending to the evening when we were leaving Applebees one of the trucks would not start. So here we are in the mall parking lot - Saul behind the wheel with Cindy in the passenger seat and about eight, or so, of the pastors pushing the truck around the parking lot trying to get it to start. There was much laughing and joking as we tried again and again to get it started. Finally it started and away we all went very happy, very encouraged, very challenged, and very full. It was great conference - the pastors said so.
Thank you so much for your prayers and for the financial support. This was the first Pastor’s Conference of what we hope to be an annual event along with a family retreat for the pastors and their families once a year with the two events being separated by about six months.
We had thirteen pastors attend and three that couldn’t make it. One (Oscar) was doing a wedding but his wife Mercedes was able to attend. They co-pastor one of the churches in Tegucigalpa. Another pastor (Ramon) did not attend and we're not sure why. And the third pastor who we were hoping would attend so he could receive encouragement and love chose not to attend. Please pray for he and his family.
The pastor’s arrived Saturday night at 6:00 and were treated to a wonderful supper of eggs, beans, cheese, totillas, crema, coffee, horchata (a rice based drink), and brownies prepared by Bessy (Saul’s wife), Dorís (Raul’s wife) and Cindy. After supper we had a time of worship and then Miguel (the president of the pastors) shared about a thirty minute devotional from 1 Peter 5:1-11. After the devotion each pastor had an opportunity to share something that was on his heart. Then the pastors discussed some business/operational issues and ideas and we called it a night about 10:30.
Sunday morning we started about 7:15 with breakfast, prepared by the ladies again, and then Saul gave about a 20 minute devotion also from 1 Peter 5:1-11. After the devotion we begin the day long seminar entitled “Cómo Manejar el Dinero Según la Biblia” (How to manage money according to the Bible). Each pastor received a folder of information which included: lecture notes with many Scripture references, a sample budget, and about 15 other one page handouts. There were six lessons plus an introduction. Each lesson begin with the pastors breaking up into groups of 3 - 4, reading the scripture references, discussing what they meant, and writing down what God showed them from the His Word.
Brad taught the seminar and he was nervous about how the topic would be received and having to speak Spanish all day. Turned out the pastors loved the topic and with their help everybody was able to communicate.
About 11:00 we took a break for lunch that was prepared by the same three ladies plus Miguel’s wife, Eduarda, joined them to help prepare the lunch. It was even better than supper the night before.
The seminar ended a little after four and then we had a time of praise and prayer followed by Santa Cena (Communion/The Lord’s Supper). It was powerful. Many were on their knees during much of the worship time.
We ended the evening and the conference by taking all the pastors, all those who helped cook, along with four children to Applebees for supper. The pastors had a great time eating, laughing, hanging out together, and experiencing something that many have never experienced. To make a perfect ending to the evening when we were leaving Applebees one of the trucks would not start. So here we are in the mall parking lot - Saul behind the wheel with Cindy in the passenger seat and about eight, or so, of the pastors pushing the truck around the parking lot trying to get it to start. There was much laughing and joking as we tried again and again to get it started. Finally it started and away we all went very happy, very encouraged, very challenged, and very full. It was great conference - the pastors said so.
Thank you so much for your prayers and for the financial support. This was the first Pastor’s Conference of what we hope to be an annual event along with a family retreat for the pastors and their families once a year with the two events being separated by about six months.
Friday, December 12, 2008
December 12, 2008 - Pastor's Conference
Our first Pastor's Conference begins tomorrow. If you are willing please pray for the pastors and the conference. Pray that when it's over God has been glorified, the pastors have experienced love and encouragement, the pastors have been challenged, and most importantly that we have allowed God to be in complete control of the entire conference.
December 10, 2008 - Why?
(Brad) Why is it so easy to read a book about the Bible but more difficult to read The Bible? Why is it easier to read the Bible than it is to pray? I can read books about the Bible. Lots of books about the Bible. What others have to say about the Bible, what is in the Bible, what the words in the Bible mean in our lives. But to pick up the Bible and read it, just read it, can be difficult. Studying the Bible is no problem. Picking up the Bible and studying it to learn more about some topic, idea, concept, or question is easy. But to pick up the Bible and read it just doesn't happen regularly.
Then there is prayer. Oh, I pray a little here, a little there, many times throughout a day. But why is it easier to watch a movie than to pray?
We say prayer is the so important. I say prayer is so important. Prayer is where the Battle is fought. Prayer is where we do the majority of the battle. But we spend more time "doing" things. I need to get this done. Or, I need to get this or that started. Thinking, if I do these things then I'm doing something productive. I'm accomplishing something. If we believe prayer is really that important (if I believe prayer is that important) then why don't I (we) say this or that may not get done today (or ever) but I'm spending my time doing the really important thing. I'm praying. I am spending the next hour, two hours, praying and if I "do" nothing and spend the time in prayer then I am accomplishing more than if I "do something" and spend only a few minutes in prayer.
I read the story of David Wilkerson who has been in New York working with gangs, drug addicts, etc. for many years. Author of the The Cross and The Switchblade. A young minister came to him and told David he wanted to work with him in New York. David asked the young minister how much he prayed everyday. The young minister responded that he prayer 10 -15 minutes everyday. Wilkerson replied when you are praying two hours a day then you can work with me. Until you get to that point you are not prepared to work in this environment. Wow! Now that's doing what you say.
That's where I want to be. I want to stop saying one thing and doing another. I want to stop saying how important is prayer but spending so little time praying. If spiritual warfare, spiritual battles are real, and I believe they are more than I ever have before, then the Bible is clear that our battles are not fought in this physical realm but in the spiritual realm (Ephesians 6). Shouldn't my number one priority be to spend a long time in prayer everyday. Not when it is convenient or when there are not interruptions, but scheduled into my day to pray for a significant period of time everyday.
Then there is prayer. Oh, I pray a little here, a little there, many times throughout a day. But why is it easier to watch a movie than to pray?
We say prayer is the so important. I say prayer is so important. Prayer is where the Battle is fought. Prayer is where we do the majority of the battle. But we spend more time "doing" things. I need to get this done. Or, I need to get this or that started. Thinking, if I do these things then I'm doing something productive. I'm accomplishing something. If we believe prayer is really that important (if I believe prayer is that important) then why don't I (we) say this or that may not get done today (or ever) but I'm spending my time doing the really important thing. I'm praying. I am spending the next hour, two hours, praying and if I "do" nothing and spend the time in prayer then I am accomplishing more than if I "do something" and spend only a few minutes in prayer.
I read the story of David Wilkerson who has been in New York working with gangs, drug addicts, etc. for many years. Author of the The Cross and The Switchblade. A young minister came to him and told David he wanted to work with him in New York. David asked the young minister how much he prayed everyday. The young minister responded that he prayer 10 -15 minutes everyday. Wilkerson replied when you are praying two hours a day then you can work with me. Until you get to that point you are not prepared to work in this environment. Wow! Now that's doing what you say.
That's where I want to be. I want to stop saying one thing and doing another. I want to stop saying how important is prayer but spending so little time praying. If spiritual warfare, spiritual battles are real, and I believe they are more than I ever have before, then the Bible is clear that our battles are not fought in this physical realm but in the spiritual realm (Ephesians 6). Shouldn't my number one priority be to spend a long time in prayer everyday. Not when it is convenient or when there are not interruptions, but scheduled into my day to pray for a significant period of time everyday.
Monday, December 8, 2008
December 7, 2008 - Church
We went to the English speaking church in San Pedro Sula today. During the time for prayer request we learned of a 10 year old boy who had been kidnapped. Two other kidnappings and two murders that had happened in the past week in San Pedro Sula. These were only the ones we heard about because they had ties to people in the church.
Rodney and Teresa (our teammates) had lunch with a doctor who is a friend of the doctor Teresa worked for in the States. The doctor and his wife explained that the last five years the crime and kidnappings have been getting worse because of the the drugs and gangs. She and their children had been the victims of a car jacking at gun point and the doctor had been kidnapped leaving his office one day. Fortunately he was able to escape unharmed.
Presently we are not experiencing any of this but the reports of others experiencing this or people that we know having ties to those who are victims is increasing. Not sure what to make of all this but as Cindy said "It sure makes you think twice about leaving the campus."
Rodney and Teresa (our teammates) had lunch with a doctor who is a friend of the doctor Teresa worked for in the States. The doctor and his wife explained that the last five years the crime and kidnappings have been getting worse because of the the drugs and gangs. She and their children had been the victims of a car jacking at gun point and the doctor had been kidnapped leaving his office one day. Fortunately he was able to escape unharmed.
Presently we are not experiencing any of this but the reports of others experiencing this or people that we know having ties to those who are victims is increasing. Not sure what to make of all this but as Cindy said "It sure makes you think twice about leaving the campus."
December 6, 2008 Rodney & Teresa
It has been nice having Rodney and Teresa Walls back from language school and here at Hogar de Fe. Our team is now complete and we are having a good time working together. With most of us being here a year or less we are still in the process of feeling our way around. Working out who is responsible for what, where everybody's passions and skills are, and how each of us best fit into the different roles in order make our team the strongest. It's nice to have a good group of people to work through this with.
December 6, 2008 Pastor's Conference Prep
Most of the week has been spent making preparations for the Pastors' Conference on December 13-14, 2008. Brad has been doing a lot of writing and teaching preparations. He is suppose to speak all day on Sunday of the conference and do it all in Spanish, so the preparations are taking a little longer that usual. Cindy has been organizing the menus along with Bessy (Saul's wife). We are getting more excited everyday about the conference.
November 29, 2008 - Christmas Presents
A church was nice enough to send us A BUNCH of shoe boxes full of toys and stuff to give out in our churches to the kids that come to Sunday School. The boxes are similar to those that Samaritan's Purse started several years ago. They also sent along many large trash bags full of stuffed toys. Saul has collected from all the churches a list of the children that attend their Sunday schools along with their ages. So, today, Saul and Miguel (Brad helped for a little before we had to leave to pick up the kids) worked all day sorting the boxes and toys and dividing them up for the churches. Then in the afternoon and late into the evening they delivered them to the local churches. This is a picture of the truck before they left. That is Saul on the left and Miguel on right along with Saul's son Jonathan. We will also be getting the presents to the church in the other areas of the country.
November 29, 2008 - Day with the Kids
Today we had three of the children of one of our pastors spend the afternoon with us. The same pastor and his wife, Julio and Patti, that we had supper with Wednesday night. They are from left to right: Gabriele (known as Gabi), Yibely (pronounced Jee bell e), and José. We took them to the mall in El Progreso and had lunch at the food court. They had never been to the mall and their eyes were pretty big. They loved the pizza from Pizza Hut. Then we came back to the house and watched a movie. They also made cupcakes with Cindy. We had a lot of fun and helped develop our relationship with the pastor and his family
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