Hello Everyone!
When we are here
in Roatan, it is easier to see God’s provision for His children. For those who see no hope in providing for
themselves, and call out to their Heavenly Father, and receive, there is no
doubting God’s provision. We are the
observers and the encouragers on the sidelines.
Because we are of the entitled and self-sufficient, we often miss out on
seeing God provide for us as well. Well,
this time it was different. While Larry
and I had hoped to return to Roatan this fall, we couldn’t justify the expense
of the overinflated airline tickets.
With much fall work to be accomplished this year, there would not be
time before Christmas. So, we had given
up hope of returning before the new year.
But God provided! The guys completed a harvest with record yields in
record time. The harvest was completed
on Saturday, and Sunday Larry stumbled on airline tickets for a one-day-only
opportunity the next Saturday – two tickets costing what one would cost any
other day. We are the recipients of the
provision! This is a gift – and we are here and embracing this gift!
of his glory in Christ Jesus. ~ Phil 4:19
How often I’ve
shared this verse, without personalizing it. I guess my encouragement to
you? Be on the look-out – God is in the
business of provision for all of His children!
As I write, Larry
is out on the yard awaiting the cement-block delivery. The current plan is to make a cement culvert
outside our gate to improve drainage and give us a bit more room to get in and
out of our gate. Franklin and Elder are
continuing their effort to finish paving our driveway. (Why can’t I get that song out of my
head? “…they paved paradise and put up a
parking lot”) These projects will be done around the rain.
Rainy season is
beginning and with it problems with flooding and mudslides for those who live
up in the hills of the Colonia. For nine
months, with little rain, the Colonia is abuzz with the building of houses and
walls. Then the rains come and evidence
of cause and effect and gravity become apparent.
In August, a
friend asked if I knew of anyone who could use some tarps. I had just been to visit a house where some
from the extended family were living in the attic of the one-room house. Since daylight was visible through the roof,
we knew where those tarps could be used.
When I checked in with Besi this week and asked about her roof, she
reported they were dry because of the tarps.
Woo-hoo! This is definitely a
stop-gap, but it is keeping a family dry.
A few of the students
that we (you) have been assisting with school will be graduating at the end of
this month. Both Soad and Marcia are
finishing Grade 12 this month. This is an exciting time for both girls. They are the first in their families to have
achieved this milestone. While attending
different schools, both girls worked toward a diploma in Computer and Business
Administration. Their final year of school has included a three-month
internship. Soad worked at the local
grocery store in the office assisting with inventory and ordering. Marcia worked for the Municipal office in
Coxen Hole where she became aware of her need to extend her skill with
English. At this time, we ask that you
pray for opportunities for the girls to present themselves with confidence, to
potential employers. As with many
things, at this point it is often who you know who will make a difference for
that first opportunity.
Today is the last day
of school for students in the Honduran school system. For the past two weeks, “our kids” have been
busy with review, study, and completing exams.
From the reports from the kids themselves, they are doing very well. Report cards should be available soon and
then we’ll know…. Next week the kids will be available to come to write some
letters to their sponsors and enjoy some well-earned computer time. Public school children too are finishing
school today. As in North America,
school ends with a class party sharing food.
In some classes, those who can, bring in something to eat to share with
their classmates. In some classes, the
teachers arrange for food and some children bring money to help pay the
teacher. In one class I know, a few
parents organized to bring in a feast for the class. It seems it is universal – school’s out and
we’re going to celebrate!
For the past week and
a half, I have been involved with the English school that is located just
inside the Colonia called Casa de Luz.
This is a school provided by the mission “Care4Communities” where 6
classes with 2 teachers, receive English lessons for one hour 4 days a
week. The lead teacher had an
opportunity for a two-week furlough.
With two stand-in volunteers to replace her, the classes continue.  |
Larry has since come
in from the delivery of the 300 cement blocks.
Two young guys unloaded the blocks from the truck. Larry chatted with
the guys as they worked and found out a bit about their work. I thought this information would be
interesting for those who have been thinking/saying TGIF.
The
good news is that these two guys both have a job. However -they work from 7:00 a.m. until
sometimes 9:00 pm. They are paid minimum wage for their day’s work which is 300
lempiras. ($15 US) (To rent one-room you need 2400+ lempiras per month) The length of the day might be over the
labour rules but for these guys as well for many – you don’t like the
work? There’s someone who will take your
place.
The work day today? Not sure what they did before coming to drop
off our blocks, but they were leaving to go to the port to unload 1000 bags of
cement from the ship. And - they will
show up for work tomorrow – Saturday.
So, makes you really think about TGIF.
At this time we have specific prayer
requests: Please pray for:
1. Safety for people living in the Colonia as
the rains come in the next few months.
2. Healing/trust in health care for two
friends – Lourdes with high blood pressure and complications from medications;
Nelson with infection resulting from an injury.
3. Discernment – which needs are ours to
become involved with and how to provide without hurting
As always we are so
thankful to those at home who are holding down the fort with farming cares and
keeping track of our other business. We
are also thankful to those who have sent us emails or messages of encouragement
and those who continue to provide support through prayer and donations. You are as involved here as we.
I will leave you with a tease. You will have to enlarge it if you are on a
computer to get the full effect. This is
the view from the third-floor window where we now meet for church. You have to agree – God has provided for us
in such a really incredible way. Send us
a note to tell us how God has been blessing you too!
Love to you all! Larry and Susan
(Returning
for Christmas – Dec. 5)
 |
| With thanks to Jeanette, who takes better pictures than I. |
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