Las Colonias

Las Colonias

Friday 16 September 2016

September 2016 Update

Happy Independence Day Honduras! 
This day commemorates the day that the countries of Central America became independent from Spain, in 1821. The kids in school spend weeks preparing to march in the celebration parades. Larry suggested to Oscar that after 11 years in school, he should have it right. I’ve just come back from watching the second parade in two days. Fantastic! Hondurans love their country!

What’s new here for us? Well, the newest is the Eat and Study night at our house for about a dozen young teens who are hungry. I’m hopeful that the kids come for more than the food that Larry prepares, although it has been a hit. They are also hungry to dig into the Bible and that’s what we’ve been doing on Wednesday nights. We are currently going through a study “Who Me? Joseph?” learning more about Joseph’s life and looking at scripture to see how to deal with (or not deal with….) rivalry, temptation, abandonment and other issues. Oh yes…. And there is a little social stuff going on too……



Each time we come to Roatan, we are surprised to find that our focus is a bit different from the time before. We may come with a notion of what we will be doing, but there has always been a change. Our goals always remain the same – serve and model Jesus - but how we are used is always different. This time has continued this pattern, and while it is sometimes puzzling and change can be uncomfortable, when you “let go and let God (lead)” you know you are where you should be, doing what is needed.
And so – from January through to April, we were engulfed by a whirlwind of school needs. Most mornings and afternoons, we would meet with students helping them with homework, computer, and English as well as getting everyone set up with what was needed. It was a time that I knew most days where I would be and what I would be doing. Larry was called on to assist with quick jobs for different ministries, and also made many upgrades to our house and property. He provided another adult when the students’ needs were pressing.

We left for four months. Those students who had needed assistance had been provided with tools to work without our assistance, and now - they are independent! The past weeks at schools have included wrap-up week, review week, exam week, and now parade week. Next week is a week off because….? Since we leave at the end of their week off, the kids will need to continue to work through their final quarter independently. For the first week we were here I felt like I had nothing to do. But, because my days were clear, I was free to provide assistance as a supply teacher at two local mission schools. It has been such a great time to see what is done at these other schools, to provide assistance, and also meet two bunches of really great kids. Even as I walk through the Colonia now, I see some of these kids, and recognize that God has provided introductions to a new “batch”.

This session, it has been Larry who has seen much activity. The six weeks we are here should be just about enough time to complete the house build that has occupied much of Larry’s time. Much of the physical labour is provided by the owner, Marciel, his helper, as well as Franklin and his brother, Elder. However, Larry provides the know-how including helping to develop the plans, ordering material in small orders to arrive just-in-time (so that it is available to use but not be stolen), and practical how-to-do-it advice. He may also be the get-it-going-guys guy. The house lot is way up, and way back, so providing the know-how has also required plenty of physical labour just to get there. This has been a labour of joy – both for Marciel and his family, and for us.

Thank you to those who have been praying for safety on the housebuild worksite. The whole team shared some sort of bug which had four adult men lethargic/in bed for a week. This seems to have passed. The hole for the septic is being dug this week, and window holes will be cut soon in anticipation of the windows arriving next week. Marciel hopes to move by mid-week so he can avoid paying another
month’s rent on his two room apartment.

We have prayer requests and ask that you join us in these. There are so many struggling. In some ways physical needs seem less pressing. This is getting to
the end of the good time of the year with construction work available for many as well as work in the tourist areas. We see changes in people’s conditions with improvements in houses and bills being paid. But, the idea of setting money aside for a rainy day – rainy season – is foreign. In the seven years we’ve been
here we’ve seen decreased church attendance and decreased interest in Bible studies and even in Bible reading. So, our prayer requests:
1. That God is the center of the lives of these people particularly those we spend time with.
2. Please pray for two special families experiencing much stress that they respond in
God honouring ways.
3. For Marciel, Belkis and Marceo.
4. For us – prayers for finishing this session well and in response to God’s leading.

Thank you to those who are carrying on for us at home. We understand that shortly after returning, harvest of beans will begin.  We continue to be excited each day. This is a fantastic adventure we are allowed to experience. 

God’s blessings on each of you. Send us a note to let us know how your days are too. It is so refreshing just to hear about normal, everyday living and being.

With lots of love, Larry and Susan
PS – You can see lots of pictures
and read about certain events on our
blog at: roatancampbells.blogspot.com

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In this update, we want to highlight Marciel. He is a hardworker. We first noticed him when we lived at the beach. He would frequently come down to the dock on
his bike, and settle in to catch fish for the family. He was the groundskeeper for the people who lived in our house first, and we got to know him much better during the year he maintained our yard. He is trustworthy, and we knew we could count on him
during the times when we were away. He attends and continues to work at community of Faith church in the Colonia in maintaining the property. 

Since we have first known Marciel, his primary job was caring for his wife. She was a diabetic and her life was very tough. She was able to get dialysis treatment two
days a week. She also required hospitalization frequently. In February, Reina died. Marciel’s daughter, Belkis, was at our house the next day practicing English. With no emotion, she told me “My mother is dead.” Reina died on the Mainland with
extended family, and the family here never had the opportunity to say good bye.

In June, Marciel was able to buy a lot of land. He was making a new start. With Belkis and 10 year-old Marceo, the uncleared land was stripped of trees, and the rock was cut down to prepare a shelf for a house to be built – as God provided. Marciel’s plan was to build a one- storey, one-room casita and later add other rooms. We had been directed by a donor to find a project. And now….. Marciel is finding just how big God
provides! He has a two-storey, sturdy house that is all but completed. The upper storey will be living quarters for Marciel and his immediate family. The lower level
will be an apartment to rent. 
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Marciel’s House Build – 2016








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