Relationships Not Activity

The last couple of days I feel like I have been gathering "notes" from heaven in my preparation for the trip in February. 

When  I first went to Honduras the only communication I had with my friends there was via notes sent back and forth when teams would go down.  But thanks to technology, and a wonderful thing called Facebook we are able to stay in touch more frequently.  Over the weekend I received a thank you message from one of the ladies that works at the hogar; for a Christmas gift I sent.  As we were talking back and forth I mentioned to her that myself and a few other ladies were going to be coming down in February.  I explained a little bit about what we wanted to do while we were there and to pray for us.  I also asked her to be in thought about what some of the needs of the ladies are in Taulabe.  This is what her response to me was:

"That good that can come, women are naturally more sensitive as God says in his word are fragile vessels will be praying for God to do great things through you her."

Then today during the service one of our elders Walt Childs spoke about Martha and Mary.  I felt like many of the things that he said apply to our preparations.  In the next few weeks we will be meeting to try and determine how we want to minister to the ladies of Talaube. I want to keep in mind not to let the activity get in the way of the relationship.  That is what Jesus  relayed to Martha ...to sit and enjoy not to be so busy.  Ever since I started going to Honduras some of my greatest times have been just sitting on the porch with the girls, washing dishes along side them & one trip, raking leaves with the tias.  Coming along side them and building a relationship...showing the love of Christ, like he loves me.  I know we can plan and strategize about what we want to do there but many times what we plan doesn't come to fruition....God has a greater plan than ours.  My prayer is that we will follow that plan and not ours.

  

A plan in the making

When I originally found out that I was going to be returning to Honduras it was believed that it would be myself and my dear friend Debbi - along with three gentlemen.  We had thought that we would go and minister to the ladies while the gentlemen ministered in other ways. 

It is so exciting to see God begin to formulate our team....appointing who he wants to go.  As I write this two other ladies have joined the team.  They are wonderful ladies who I adore and have a real heart for serving other women.  It is going to be us and Pastor Jeem ...(please begin to pray for him now)  ;-)

We have 7 weeks until we leave. I am so excited to see what will be next.  After the holidays we will need to meet to pray, talk, and brainstorm about how we can minister to the ladies.  

He is so amazing!

Tina (the cook at the hogar) is show Kathy some of her tricks

 

 

Co-Laborers for the Kingdom

As is often the case when we are involved with something for a long time we forget the history, the why's and the how-comes.

I was in a meeting today (for the upcoming trip) when my memory was refreshed on how Honduras Fountain of Life began co-laboring for the kingdom with Funete de Vida Ministries, in Taulabe Honduras. I thought I would share some those factoids with you.  Hopefully it will help you understand a bit about what is going on there and why I believe in what is being done.

Pastor Jim Pearce who is the director of Honduras Fountain of Life, met Pastor Yobani 20 years ago when he was visiting Hendersonville and taught at the First Baptist Church there.

Pastor Yobani Alas started the Fuente de Vida church in 1993.  He had been impacted by the faith of Andre van den berg, and set out to follow in Andre's footsteps in sharing Christ and starting churches.  Over the years he has started over 50 churches in different parts of Honduras.  

 

In 1998 Pastor Jim was sent to Honduras by Grace Community Church to help care for those that had been devastated by Hurricane Mitch.

In 2002 FdV started the school, which now has 300 children that would otherwise not get an education, especially from a Christ centered focus. A church  from Memphis, donated the land and started helping with the school and faithfully did that for the first 9 years.  

 

In 2011 Honduras Fountain of Life stepped to help with the schools operation, miraculously a gift was given  almost $50,000. We do not know if the funds will be available to reopen the school in February (the beginning of their new school year) but Pastor Yobani constantly reminds us to have faith, that the Lord will provide.

9 years ago Compassion, International came to them and asked if they would take 50 of the poorest children and teach them.  Compassion has a 40 year + track record of caring for poor children. They teach them vocational skills, teach them the scripture, feed them and give them medical attention. Nine years later they have 220 Compassion Children that attend the Fuente de Vida school.

 

In 2004 Grace Community Church sent the first team to Taulabe, since then over 300 people have gone and served.  Building relationships and sharing God's love. "Helping Hondurans help Hondurans" has often been the motto.

 

2009 the permanent home the Fuente de Vida Home for Girls was built.  It is the home for 25 girls that have withstood  deplorable living conditions, abuse and some near to death from starvation.  

 

2012 a devastating fire swept through the largest prison in Honduras.  Pastor Yobani was there to support the families of over 300 prisoners that perished in fire.  Through his vision and compassion HFOL is now collecting toiletries that are distributed to the prisoners.  He also preaches there once a week.  

 

These are just some of the points that come to my mind.  God is working mightily through FdV church and it is a blessing to serve along side them as they reach out to those that are in desperate need.

Pastor Yobani Alas & Pastor Jim Pearce sharing God's word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm going to Honduras do da...do da!

Journal Entry 11/25/12

As I  write this I still do not know the answer as to whether or not I will be able to take off time in February for this trip-but I am going to write this letter anyway-stepping out in faith that the answer will be YES.  

Well, today I was approved for my time off so now the planning begins for my next visit to my second home.  I leave February 1 & will return February 7.  I would like to share the letter I composed on the 25th.  It will help to explain how I have come to this point. 

Dear  Family and Friends,

Many of you may have noticed that my talk of Honduras hasn't been as frequent in the last few months.  In August my three year term on the Honduras Fountain of Life board was up.  I chose to step down instead of upping for another three years.  I needed time away to rest my heart.  Part of my gifts are compassion & a tender heart, which are great gifts to have, but I tend to take on the hurt, the heaviness, sadness etc. of those that I love.  As much as God is present in Honduras so is the evil one. He causes great havoc and chaos there . What he would love to see more than anything is for God's work to be destroyed-not only in Honduras but everywhere. And he does not rest.  So in August I took what some may call a sabbatical from the Honduras ministry.  Honestly in my heart I didn't know low long it would last & I didn't know when (if ever) I would return to Honduras. 

My thinking at times -as I struggled to decide if I should continue to serve on the board or step way- was 'God has plenty that can serve there, they pray better, they are wiser about making decisions that involve the ministry, etc.' So,  I gave myself permission to step away.  

During this time I have become involved in the women's ministry at Grace, I became a Grammy, & I have also been drawing closer to God. 

A few weeks ago I felt a little spark in my heart & a small voice that said "look into the trip schedule for the 2013 trips".  I did & promptly forgot about it.  Then last week I was approached by one of my fellow 'Hondurans' about going in February.  I am not sure what happened between the spark & the fire but I am now once again on fire for Honduras.  

As I started to pray about this trip I heard that small voice again, reminding me how I had justified to myself why I wasn't needed in Honduras & how others could do it.  "Yes there are people who might pray better & their are those that are wiser about the decisions to be made but I want you to go!  There are girls there there who love you and others that need to be loved-just as I love you."

So here I am...once again preparing to return to my Second Home.  This will be a different trip (they all are) it appears that the team will be very small possibly 5-6 of us.  Debbi  Rayl and I are planning to minister to the tias & other ladies in the church.  That is "our" plan.  We will see what God's plan is.   Please pray for me.  I can not do anything without them...without God's direction.  I would also ask that you consider  supporting me monetarily.  

Stay tuned....it's just begun!  

     
 
 

Funte de Vida School

I have not updated my blog in almost a year but just because I haven't written here doesn't mean that life has stopped there.  The girls are doing well at the hogar (home for girls) they recently several graduate from 6th grade.  (this is a big deal there) Statistics are that the average Honduran will not complete the minor grades.  

Honduras Fountain of life is now partnering with Fuente de Vida in operation of the school,  located on the Fuente  de Vida the campus  http://www.hondurasfountainoflife.org/eSchools  Not only does the school serve the children in the Taulabe area but it also includes children served by Compassion International.  http://www.hondurasfountainoflife.org/dCompassionProjects  They receive a meal & education (many would go hungry without)  These are the poorest children in the area.  Unless God provides $50,000.00 by February the school will have to shut down.