First Pastor Wives' Retreat of Choluteca

On Nov 11 six Pastor Wives, Egla, our amazing translator and I got together in a local resturant to share in fellowship of games, songs, lunch, and God's Word. As with most times when you are trying to do God's will, Satan is really close by to tear you down. My dear precious husband, Mike, Egla and I headed to the restuarant around 8:45 a few minutes before the ladies were to arrive to set up our room. There was no one in the restaurant but a security guard and he had no idea what we were talking about. I thought to myself, I have 6 ladies coming in about fifteen minutes and I have no where for them to meet. (And the bible study was on joy in all circumstances). We asked them to please call the restaurant manager because we were in their books for this day. It never happened so we found another restaurant to accomadate us and off we went. Mike stood outside the restaurant who did not steal my joy that day directing the ladies to the new location. We started out with a game called the Name Tag Game. The ladies wrote their name on a name tag put in it a hat and then pulled out a different name tag and wore it during the morning. If you said the lady's real name you gave her your name tag. The lady with the most name tags at the end of the morning won a door prize. Well needless to say I lost out in the very beginning when I asked Egla was she ready to start with the ice breaker game. There was a gift bag with lotion and perfume that got passed around after each question was asked. Whoever had the answer got the bag and when we got to the last question the lady with the bag was the winner. We sang some traditional Honduran hymns. I opened with prayer then followed with the sharing of my personal testimony. Through laughter and tears I shared with the ladies I have been through trials and tribulations just like them. But with the strength I receive from God through his Son, Jesus Christ, I like them can overcome any obstacles which pass our way. Before starting the study I said a huge thank you to all the people who made this possible. I taught a group of ladies bible study in my home for fifteen years. I shared with them my dream of leading a Pastor Wives' Retreat one day. They help provide the gifts, the games and whatever else I needed. There were others who also donated items to make this day happen. Thank you to all of you who made this day a very special one for my new sisters in Christ. My Honduran sisters were very blessed that day. Several weeks before I handed out the bible study on JOY. I asked the ladies to come prepare to share and discuss the study. They each came ready to share in God's word. We shared and discussed the Joy found in John 15 and in the life of Elijah when the famine came. And the beautiful story of Ruth and Naomi. There is so much pleasure in sharing God's word especially the topic of Joy. We all came to the conclusion at the end of the day the only JOY you can truly have is found in Jesus Christ. Without Jesus Christ and a personal realtionship with Him there is never true joy. There maybe happiness but that is not anything compared to the joy found in Jesus Christ. The world cannot provide you with joy. Stuff will not do it. It may for a short time. But when you have that most intimate relationship with Jesus you will find all the JOY you need in his presence. "If you have lost your joy, it's right where you left it - in HIS PRESENCE."

"You have made know to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

Kenansville Baptist Construction Team

On November 7 Kenansville Baptist Church arrived at the airport around two o'clock. They had several new faces on the team this year who were excited and ready to head through the mountains of Honudras down south to build a home. Little did they know they would be building more than a home. God works that way. He uses us where we never dream we can be used, when we are willing and the big word down here is flexible. We got up the next morning and was on the road by 7:30 to a sweet village called El Carrizo. God is good all the time. Fransico, brother of Pedro ( the homeowner) and friends already had the blocks inside the foundation. So the team busied themselves setting the corners for the home and mixing the mortar for the first block. Ernesto and Honudran friends worked hard mixing the mortar for the first block. We gathered Pedro and his quiet and humble wife, Orfilia and children to lay the first block. Mario, one of the team members from Kenansville prayed an inspiring prayer to our God and Savior for the family and their future home. Once prayer was completed everyone scattered and off to do what God had called us all to do that week, build a home. Orfilia went straight to her kitchen and cooked with the other ladies beans and rice for the Hondruas workers. There was a quick lesson in laying block called block 101 for all new team members taught by Pedro's niece, Alexia. This team work deligently each day as a team along side the Hondurans. It was such a beautiful sight seeing so much activity taking place around that piece of property. After the first day they were right on schedule with five courses completed and setting for the next day of work. On the second day work continued exactly like on the first day. Team worked hard on getting their task done. But during all this time they found the time to build relationships with the people of El Carrizo.

"See I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. I will make sure the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line." Isaiah 28:16-17

Sharing Christ in Many Ways

The team spent each day at the job site working, eating their lunch and having loads of fun with the people of this community. There was serveral activities taking place throughout the day. There was about eight ladies who hauled the water for the mortar from a nearby well. This was their job the entire week. Jose takes the time to share and talk about Jesus with Alexia. There was on lookers who enjoyed watching the progression of the courses going up daily. While the team and their volunteers were busily at work, others were enjoying the children with jump ropes and a huge game of futbol. One afternoon they all got serious with futbol and took it to the futbol field. Pastor Pedro shared the story of salvation with the children under a nearby tree before the game began. Mario, Dan, Dave, and Connie along with Mike, Jose, Egla and Orfilio proceeded to play futbol with the children and well the rest is history. Good try guys but those kids are really good. Amy you were an excellent side line coach though. Maybe next time. The children throughly enjoyed playing with the adults and praise the Lord no adults got hurt. After each day of work and fun the group gathered together to share God moments and a devotional. Some thoughts shared from Matthew why worry today has enough worries of its on. Is your cup half full or half empty? "God does not call the equipped he equipps the called." Thank you Kenansville for sharing God's word each night.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:6-9

This week Kenansville Baptist put into practice what God had taught them. God is good all the time.

Construction continues......

The last couple of days the team continued laying blocks and mixing mortart side by side as a team. They worked very hard together and God was smiling down on them as they were providing a precious family a home where there are no leaks and a door which will lock for their safety. God is so good all the time. We even had a nearby pastor come by to assist the team. Everyone down here comes together to help each other out. Pastor G was in seminary the last three days so he had one of his disciples to come out and assist the team to the final day. The last day of construction was putting on the roof and pouring the floor. Mike and I pull up with the roofing materials and there is two maybe three piles of mortar being made for the floor. They worked very hard to get the job done in time for a home dedication that afternoon.

"But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31

Meals of Honduras

OH MY GOODNESS is all I can say. Kenansville was blessed with three young men from the Latino heritage. I called them my three amigos. They enjoyed eating and we got the pleasure of trying some really delicious Honduran dishes. Ernesto and Dave his assistant, cooked one night and gave Rosa a break. But I promised Rosa her cooking was much better. Gotta keep Rosa happy. On Thursday afternoon the only day the pulperia sells tomalis, the three amigos went to the nearby pulperia and bought 30 tomalis to go along with our enchaladas that evening for dinner. They had a taste test on the back of the kia in the courtyard. Unbelievable sight to see. Jose and Orfilio were enjoying themselves beyond what words could describe. Thanks go to my three amigos who brought excitement and good food to the table.

"Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

Dedication of Home/Worship

Thank you Bert, team leader, who did a beautiful job leading the team this week. The team had completed the home and took a lunch break before having the home dedication. Some played with the children one more time before the dedication. During this time Mike had put the lock on the front door in preparation for the dedication. Pedro and Orfilia came up to Mike and ask for the key to their home. They were confused their new home was locked and they did not have their key. Mike promised them after lunch we would dedicate their home and present them with a key. Thank you Bert for doing such a beautiful job presenting the dedication. The team, Amy, Pam, Connie, Bert, Dan, Dave, Mario, Pedro, Ernesto and Wally sang a song of dedication both in espanol and English. What a beautiful melody of God's praises we shared at that time. There was two languages with one message and one God. The family was presented with a bible and finally the key to their home. Pedro eagerly unlocked the front door as Orfilia looks on with amazement as the front door slowly opened. She clapped her hands with joy. First signs of emotions all week from this lovely lady. She finally had her home and the key as well. Pedro shared some words of gratitude to the North Americans for providing his family a home. Bert encouraged the family to open their home and share the gospel of Christ and his love with family and friends. On Sunday morning we finished up our week by worshiping with these beautiful folks. There was standing room only as Pastor Pedro shared a message out of Genesis. Once again the team got up and sang a beautiful melody in Spanish and English. Thank you God for all things this week. We give you God the full honor and glory in your precious Son's name.

"My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." Mark 11:17

Coats Baptist Church Construction Team

After 6 straight days of sunshine in Choluteca we were ready to move on with the plans of building a home for Maria and family. Maria was suppose to receive her home on October 18 but because of the system that came and sat on this area for twelve days and the flooding Maria was put on hold. Maria has been waiting for a home around three years. A while back we drove up to Maria's home unexpectantly finding her reading her bible and her daughter Cynthia doing homework. We spoke to her and told her to please pray for more teams and when we got a team for her we would build her a home. The day we went back to tell her about her home she started crying with tears of joy and tears of sadness. She had just found out her pastor was leaving to go to Spain. So in her mind she was sad about him leaving and was afraid she would not be getting a home. God's timing is always beautiful. Mike prayed with her and we told her when she was getting her home. Well that was not the time or the team God had for Maria's home. After the system settled in we had to tell Maria she would have to wait another week or two. This is a lady who has been waiting three years for a home. She said she definitely understood. I praise the Lord there was another construction team signed up to come the next week. Coates Baptist Church came and worked very hard for fives days providing Maria the home she was patiently waiting for. Coats Baptist had some new members on board who got in there and learned how to lay blocks, cut blocks, play with the children, mix mortar and worked in a unified manner. They all found what their calling was for the week and they perservered to get the job done. During the week Pastor G got injured so he had to stand back and give directions to the team on how to complete the home. This team of 8 worked diligently with the awesome instructions from Pastor G who was not happy he was not working too. We are so blessed with an amazing staff to work with our North American teams. Thanks be to God for all the hard work that week. "We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called to HIS purpose." Romans 8:28. Maria waited for her home and everything worked for good because God knew his plan he had for us that week.

Building Relatinships in the name of Jesus

During the week Coats Baptist enjoyed time together as a team and with the fellow Honduran brothers and sisters. And some who were not brothers and sisters as we found out throughout the week. Jose and Drew were visiting with the neighbors across the street and found out they were not Christians. So Jose and Drew shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with the family and gave them a New Testament bible. The guys they were mixing mortar with all week were not Christians as well. Drew spent time talking to them and sharing with them his testimony and the consequences of not having Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Laura and Eric from two different military backgrounds came together as one and cooked up some pancakes one morning for the team. They were amazingly well as chefs in the kitchen. Thank you guys for serving our country. Each evening we shared God's word and God moments. It is always beautiful to sit in a room with fellow Christians sharing God's word and reflecting on how blessed we are to be followers of Jesus Christ. One night Pastor Jesse shared Jesus is simply all we need, nothing else matters. Yet in life sometimes we have too much stuff which gets in our way of just simply being with Jesus. Being still and listen for that still quiet voice. in 1 Kings 19:12 "Came a gentle whisper" to Elijah. Elijah reached out to God and God spoke to him in a gentle whisper. Let's be able to hear that gentle whisper by taking time to be still and know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Perservering to get the job done

As the week progressed team continued to do the job God had called them to do. Some even learned other jobs during the week. Laura, Thomas, Drew and Eric were busily pushing a wheelbarrel full of mortar as the floor was being bored. Mrs. Peggy, Pastor Jesse and Danny were working on making the floor picture perfect. Laura also was busily making a bridge for the wheelbarrel to go across for her friends who were coming through with the mortrar. If you have never pushed a wheelbarrel full of mortar it is not easily done unless you are Honduran. Those guys made it look so easy. You always found team leader, Mark, on the upper end of the job. He was our Pastor G that week. He worked long and hard on getting that roof in place. Mrs. Peggy worked beside our friend, Nigedel who has medical problems which require medication on a regular basis. He worked very hard beside us all week. Nigedel is a brother in Christ and a very strong one. He is the only member of his family who knows Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. We pray for those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Without HIM we are nothing. "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised HIM from the dead, you will be SAVED." Romans 10:9

Pastor Jesse and Mrs. Peggy

It is really a special time when a husband and wife can go on a mission trip together and share their love for Jesus Christ, as Pastor Jesse and Mrs. Peggy. They worked side by side during the week and set such a godly example for all of us about serving the Lord.

"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Joshua 24:15

Worshiping and Having fun with our Hondruan Friends

Worship service is always special in the churches of Honudras. Pastor Jesse brought God's word and we sang traditional Honduran hymns led by a 18 year old young lady named Blanca. Her family is a pillar of the church. Her mother, Vilma leads a Proverbs 31 woman's lifestyle and also sets the presence for the rest of the church. On the last day as the job was coming to a close, Laura, Eric, and Mrs. Peggy made balloon animals with the children. Laura wanted the children to have their handprints in their home, so Pastor Jesse and Pastor G made a slab outside the home for the children to place their hands in and claim this beautiful home as their own. Laura got into a little soccer match with David I believe. Drew continued to find opportunities to share Jesus Christ right up until he left. This little corner of the world definitely knew Jesus Christ built this home and not man by the time Coats was finished. Thanks to Mark, Danny, Thomas, Eric, Pastor Jesse, Mrs. Peggy, Drew and Laura who build this home on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

"By the grace of God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." I Corinthians 3:10-11

Dedication of Home

As time was drawing near for the home dedication, Eric was busy with last minute details of cleaning the front door of Maria's home. We all gathered around together to share the joys of the week and the gratitude from both the North Americans for allowing them to serve beside this beautiful family and community and Maria's family who thanked Coats Baptist through this time with tears of true joy. Maria finally got the home she so patiently waited for. Mark thanked everyone for all they did during the week to make this possible and gave GOD all the glory for this accomplishment. Pastor Jesse shared from God's word how Maria's home is now a place where she can share the love of Jesus with her family and community. Mrs. Peggy felt the need to share with the people whoever did not know Jesus Christ she prayed they would come to know HIM as their Lord and Savior. Mark presented Maria with the key to her home and Maria opened the front door with the most breathtaking smile upon her beautiful face. God is good all the time!!!!! Afterwards everyone laid hands on the home as we had the prayer of dedication.

Thank you of God our Father and Coats Baptist Church for providing Maria her home.

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the LORD." Colossians 3:23-24