The Story

God's doing something really great in the world.  Did you know that He always has been?  In a world when the news is filled with horrible stories and depressing reports it's easy to lose sight of how God is at work.  From the day Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden, God has been working to restore man's relationship with Him.  In the Old Testament we see how God showed Himself to the Israelites, and showed Himself to the nations through the miracles He did for the Israelites.  Then came the turning point of all History: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  Jesus was not born into a position of power and esteem.  No, the King of the Universe, of all Time, of Everything that ever Was, Is, or Will Be, was born in a manger in a stable. Jesus did not become wildly popular.  Crowds followed Him at times, but as soon as they figured out that He wasn't the kind of Messiah they were expecting they fell away.  At the time of His death and resurrection, the number of followers was very, very small.

But Truth doesn't just go away, and it cannot be silenced.  From very small numbers Christianity has grown.  Harsh terrain and language barriers cannot stop the spread. Even persecution cannot stop the Gospel from changing lives.  Two Sundays ago I heard the testimony of a man from Pakistan who was persecuted for His beliefs.  He cannot return to Pakistan, but before he left he helped to found over 20 churches, and He still continues work there and in other countries where Christians suffer for proclaiming Jesus.  Last Sunday, my Sunday school class watched the movie the End of the Spear about the 5 missionaries who gave their lives bringing the Gospel to the Waodani tribe in Ecuador.  Church history is full of examples of those who have given up everything, including their lives for the sake of the Gospel.

What difference does it make?  All of the difference.  Nothing but the Truth could be this powerful.  Nothing but the  Truth could survive so much or grow from so little.  And nothing but the Truth could be so transforming.

Did you know that Brazil is the #2 sender of missionaries?  South Korea, India, South Africa, the Philippenes, Mexico, China, Columbia, and Nigeria (and othes) all send out notable numbers of missionaries. Did you know that there are missionaries from Honduras to other countries?  I've met some of them!    This is huge!  The scale of the Gospel is gigantic.  It spans all Time, and all continents.  It is meant for all peoples.

We serve an Awesome God who is doing Awesome things!

Connecting through Blogging

While I am in the States, one of the ways I keep in touch with what is going on in Honduras is through the blogs written by my fellow missionaries.   Even though I have lived there, it is been long enough since then (it was back in 2010) that I feel disconnected at times.  Reading these blogs not only lets me know what is going on, the stories also remind me why God has called me back there.

5 Great Blog Posts from WGM Missionaries in Honduras

1) Larry and Angie Overholt- Choluteca Ministries: It's About Time

2) Bill and Beth Ryan - Honduras Missions: The Nurse with the best Medicine

3).  Steve and Kelly Solheim- Adventures in Chaos: Like Kids on Christmas Morning

What was your "Aha Moment"?

Have you seen the commercials for Mutual of Omaha featuring people telling the stories of their "Aha Moments"?  Ordinary people tell how things that they saw or experienced changed their view of things and made them live life differently.  Maybe they saw someone struggling and they found a way to fix it.  Found a way to spend more time with their kids. They are pretty interesting, you should check them out on Youtube.

I think I had several "Aha Moments" that lead me to missions.  Moments where what I saw changed my perceptions of the world, gave me purpose, or made me want to do something to bring about change.  My first "moment" was week long, and has left me with a face and name I will never forget.

Jaqueline

I went to a great Christian high school that sought to show it's students a broader picture of the world beyond life in the small town where it was located.  One year my whole high school, all nine of us (yes, I said nine- we were a tiny school), packed up a big van and headed down to Juarez, Mexico to work in an orphanage.  Not all of the kids in the orphanage were orphans in that their parents were both dead.  In many cases the parents were living, but we unwilling or unable to care for their children.  For me, as a 15-year-old from a Christian home, it was shocking to see young children living away from their families.  I saw them desperate for love and attention.  One girl, Jaqueline became my constant shadow that week.  She would follow me around, books in hand begging for me to read to her.  She loved Dr. Seuss books, especially the ones in Spanish, but she even wanted me to read the English ones aloud to her.  She couldn't understand the English books, but having someone read anything (even books she couldn't understand) was a special treat to her.  As a child my mom spent a lot of time reading to my brother and I, it was a favorite past time and it was one of the many ways my mom showed her love for us.  I went away wishing I could do more for her.   Realizing that doing something simple like reading a book to a child is a way to show God's love- that was a wake-up moment for me.

While we were there us highschool girls made and served meals.  It was a lot of fun, and although the  children's stories were heartbreaking, we were encouraged by their attitudes.

(I have a good picture of Jaqueline and I, but I can't locate it at the moment.)

What "Aha Moments" has God put in your life?  I would love to hear how God has worked in your life and on your heart!

What's been up with Me and 5 Interesting Facts about Honduras

So, what have I been up to?  Well, putting out my newest newsletter, participating in the Honduras field annual conference via webcam, Easter, and more speaking engagements.  

And what's coming up?  On May 4th I'll be speaking in southwestern Kansas, and I'll be there for a few days before and after.   I am hoping to find more places to speak at while I am there and I hope to see lots of old friends while I am up there.  That Sunday is looking full, but if you know of any Bible studies or midweek services that would be willing to have me come and share, I would be really grateful for your help!  I'd also love to see any of you who live up there while I am visiting. 

After my trip to Kansas my schedule is looking rather empty.  Please pray with me that God would help me find opportunities.  Also, if you can help me find new places and opportunities, that would be amazing! Some of the churches I have been to have been churches that I have attended and have known personally, but others have been ones that a friend had helped me get into.  Please pray and ask God if He would have you have you ask your church if I could come and share what God is doing in Honduras!

5 Interesting Facts about Honduras:

1)  Most of the population is Catholic, and the Virgin of Suyapa —represented by a tiny statuette— is considered the patron saint of Honduras. The Evangelical church is also seeing significant growth.

2)  In addition to receiving gifts at Christmas, children are celebrated and receive gifts on 10 September, day of the Honduran Child.

3) The main export products are bananas, coffee and wood.

4)  The languages used are Spanish, English, Garifuna, Miskito, and other indigenous languages.

5)  After Austrailia, Honduras is the country with the most coral reefs.  They surround the Bay Islands.

Concert of Prayer

As Christians, we believe in the power of prayer.  We know that when we pray we are communicating with God in a very personal way.  It is very important that we lift up our families, those who surround us, and our nation in prayer.  We are also called to pray for missions and missionaries, but this is difficult if we don't know what to pray for!

Here's a couple ways to make praying for missionaries more dynamic:

1) Get connected!  Sign up for their newsletters.  Check to see if they have a blog and/or Facebook page.  When you meet a missionary that you feel called to partner with in prayer ask the missionary how you can keep connected with what is going on in their ministry.  If you can get an email address for them that is great!  Missionaries keep busy, but are overjoyed to receive notes from people saying something like "We're praying for you!  Is there anything on your heart that we can pray about specifically right now?"

2) Volunteer to be a contact person between your church and one of their missionaries.   Read their newsletters, post them on the bulletin board, and every once in a while ask for a few minutes in the service to highlight some of their prayer needs to the congregation and lead them in a prayer for them.   Find others in your church who can "adopt" other missionaries your church supports so that the congregation can discover the work being done!

3) Join the Concert of Prayer.  What's that?  During April, May, and June WGM highlights certain ministries/ways of ministering.  This week (April 6-12) Evangelism is highlighted.  There are special blogs each week, and even a phone number you can call to listen to a recording that will help lead you in prayer.  Go to: http://www.wgm.org/call to learn more!

Some of my current prayer needs:

1)  Coming up I have some more churches that I will be speaking at, but I am looking for more!  As I contact churches pray that God will open doors for me to speak!  

2) I have been working with a ministry that teaches ESL classes, and this week we are going to have an Easter potluck and talk about the meaning of Easter.  Pray that the hearts of the students would be open as they hear about what Christ did for us!

3)  Allergies are making me feel very fatigued.  Pray that these would ease up and/or I would find an effective way to deal with them.

The New School Year: How You Can Pray!

Over the last week El Sembrador has come to life as students have filled it's campus once again.  Classes are under way, and students are adjusting to their lives at the school.

Your prayers play a vital part in the ministry!  As the school year kicks off here are some ways you can pray:

1) For the new students.  Life at the school is a very new and different experience for them.  Boarding students live in dormitories and eat in the dining hall, which can be a big change from life at home.  The academics at the school may present a particular challenge to some. Pray that they will adjust well.

2)  For returning students.  After a few months of vacation they must readjust to life at school.  They must once again say goodbye to their families and friends and readjust to the schedule of the school.

3) For those working at the school.  For administration, teachers, staff, and missionaries the new school year is an exciting challenge.  They need your prayers as they work with the students and keep the school running. Some days are exciting, others are tiring, many are a combination of both.  However their days may go, may the Lord help and guide them as they serve.


To keep up to date with what God is doing at El Sembrador like their Facebook page (and check out there great photos and status updates!!!):  https://www.facebook.com/escuelaelsembrador

Want to Teach your Children about Missions?

Have you ever noticed how much advertising is directed at kids? Advertisers know that our impressions about what is important are formed at a young age.  Our world views are formed as we grow.  Although I don't have children myself I see how important it is for children to learn about Christ when they are young.  Even little ones are not too young to start learning about missions.  My family and the church I went to when I was young had a great impact on me.  We read a lot of missionary stories and learned about people who lived in far away lands who didn't know about Jesus.  

If you are a parent or a Sunday school teacher and you are looking for ways to teach children about missions there are resources that can help you.  WGM has put together a few resources for parents, Sunday school teachers, and VBS leaders. 

Kid's World is a collection of articles that give ideas for how children can be involved in missions.

Kids World God Manual is a Bible study that will help you and your child discover more about what a missionary really is and how it's a call to all Christians- where-ever they live.  

Kids Helping Kids Project Catalog is a great resource for finding a cause your child can give to.  Many of the neediest people around the world are children, and this catalog provides projects your children can give to that will directly impact those needy children. 

Do you want to learn more about missions as well?  Take a look at my Resources tab.  

Also, if you have heard of Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (and even if you haven't!), but have never taken the course you should prayerfully consider it!  Courses will be starting up soon.  If you are worried about the time and money involved let me encourage you that it is worth it!  I took the course a year ago, and I believe that everyone who took the course would agree that it was a good investment.  To find out more and find a class near you go to: www.perspectives.org/

(If you have noticed that I have not been online much and not posting as often it is because I have been in the process of moving!  I am now moved and I am excited to getting back to "normal life"!)